Twisted lives

I was just reading about a builder who uses junk and other people's castoffs to build houses in Texas for the poor. The story tells of broken glass, twisted wood and even bones that he has artfully arranged to build lovely housing. All of this he has done because he cares for the poor. Not thinking of himself he has invested his life to make something out of nothing. I am so glad God did this for me. He made something out of nothing. He took my castoffs and my junk, used them to make something that "surprise!" pleases Him. We are His temple, a living example of "God making all things new." I see so many people who think they are castoffs, rejected and worthless. It is so comforting to know that our God is a God who specializes in restoring broken and twisted lives... "Behold, I Make All Things New" (Rev. 21:5).

A Cat's Life

I know it has been several days since I have written. It seems like my days blend into each other and then all of a sudden I have lost a whole week. Oh dear...I don't like losing things.

Looking at my cat the other day made me think about what a cushy life he has. He doesn't have to worry about comfort. My whole house is at his disposal. When I am not looking he takes advantage of places he shouldn't be and with no cares in the world, he spends his life sleeping and chasing imaginary friends. He sits by the door and looks at the world outside but he never seems to want to leave the house. He must know how good he has it. What a life, no worries or cares. I would hold him more and give him a lot more attention but he doesn't want it. He is a little snooty and aloof and yet he does get lonely and seems to indicate to me that he likes me to be around but just not too close. I think that may cat and I are a lot like my relationship with God. He meets my needs and I have access to His presence whenever I want. I like having God around but not too close. I have no desire to leave Him but I can't help but see the world as it passes by my front door every day. It makes me realize how nice it is to be inside of God’s house and not outside. I too have a cushy life. God has given me enough to eat and plenty of love and protection. Sometimes I too forget how good I have it.

Please pray for Fred's travels In Africa

Fred Travels - Please Pray!
August 26-27 – Fred & Robert fly to Accra, Ghana
August 27-28 – Drive North to Tamale, Ghana
August 29-Sept.1 – Graduation and Ministry in Tamale
September 2-4 – Travel to Accra and Ministry
September 5-6 – Robert flies & Fred goes to Lome, Togo
September 6 – Preach in Lome & travel to Cotonou, Benin & Frank Parrish of WorldMap arrives
September 7-9 – WorldMap Conf. – Cotonou, Benin
September 10-11 – WorldMap Conf.– Porto-Novo, Benin
September 12-13 – Travel to Parakou, Sunday service.
September 14-16 – WorldMap Conf.– Parakou, Benin
September 17-18 – WorldMap Conf.– Natintingou, Benin
September 19 – Travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
September 20 – Sunday service, & Meeting with Pastors & Bill Chapel arrives
September 21 – Travel to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso & Meeting with Pastors
September 22 – Travel to Koutiala, Mali
September 23-26 – WorldMap Conf.– Koutiala, Mali
September 26 – Travel to Bamako, Mali
September 27-30 – WorldMap Conf.– Bamako, Mali
October 1 – Frank Parrish returns to USA.
October 1-3 – Fred teaches Bible School – Bamako, Mali
October 3 – Fred and Bill fly to Dakar, Senegal
October 4 – Sunday service Dakar, Senegal
October 5 – Fred and Bill return to USA.

Update

I was pondering my busy life and realized that I have entered a whirlwind season. Often people ask me, "So what are you doing now?" Well.... let me tell you.

We just returned from New Hampshire and also Virginia. Yes I know they are not really connected however we did connect them in an asphalt kind of way....driving that is. Ha ha. While we were in Virginia we prayed for and sent our Daughter-in-law, Tina, off to Guatemala. She will be gone for about 2 weeks. Our Son Chris leaves on Saturday to join her.

On Tuesday/Wednesday, the 18th and 19th of August, Fred and I travel to NYC to pick up Dorcas Coulebly from Mali. She will become our "adopted daughter" for the next 4 years while she attends school in Olean NY. She was able to obtain a 4 year student visa.

On Friday (August 21st)we will take Marie-Louise to East Liverpool, Ohio. She will be traveling to Honduras with Mike and Becky Ingole on her first mission trip without mom and dad.

On Sunday the 23rd Chris and Tina return from their trip.

On Wednesday the 26th Fred leaves for Africa. He will not return till mid October.

Marie-Louise returns September 5th just in time for her to start school.

In the mean time, I have churches to visit and some ladies conferences planned. October 28th I leave to Palawan, Philippines. I have a feeling that I will sleep well on the plane. Ha ha!!!

Quality Time or Quantity Time

Ah the great debate between quality time and quantity time. Is it better to have a lot of devoted time to a person or project or is it the quality of time that is greater? In pondering this I have discovered that both are true and they both demand commitment. Of course individual situations often dictate whether it is quantity or quality. Even for myself it is hard to determine which I prefer. With our lifestyle so busy and unpredictable having family time is sometimes a difficult task. I have discovered that I want both quality and quantity. I want the five minute talks and the quick little e-mails but I also long for the extended moments when nothing is said but we are all in the same room together, breathing the same air, knowing everyone is close. Our relationship with God is like that. God desires our day to day devotion time be it long or short. The fact that we designate some time to Him each day is pleasing to Him and yet He longs for those times when we retreat to a hidden place for an extended amount of time and just focus on being in His presence, breathing His air and knowing He is close. "Remember the Sabbath day" isn't legalism, it's a commitment. I don't have to be legalistic to devote quality or quantity time to God, I just have to do it.

Outside

Yesterday I painted some of the outdoor white trim on my house. I do not enjoy being outside so painting the outdoor trim was not pleasant. I do like to paint but only inside. Generally speaking I enjoy any kind of painting but for some reason painting outside took most of the fun out of the job. I know most people look for a reason to be outside and even enjoy it but this was not my idea of a good time. I love projects and I am not afraid of a challenge but they are all inside. As I painted, wishing that the sun would stop glaring in my face, I thought about how we all have to do things we don't like to do. Life isn't always fun, easy or comfortable. I'm different, I know that. I feel at home in an airport and I feel my best eating food I have never had before. Yet being outside in the sun irritates me. God knew just what I needed yesterday. He was stretching me, taking me outside of my comfort zone, making me go "outside". It's good for us to do things we don't want to do. I guess it's called growing up.

In the Trash!

I was reading in Hebrews this morning and my eye seemed stuck on this one verse, " So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God."(Hebrews 3:12 Message)
I kept reading the part that says "unbelief lying around" and began imagining "unbelief" as if it were old socks, dirty dishes, or newspapers lying around my house. You know... the stuff no one wants to pick up and take care of. I could visualize the dishes, socks, and newspapers but what about "unbelief"? And yet it is true, we leave it lying around in our mind and in our heart. Sometimes the worst thing we do is pick it up only to speak our "unbelief" and lay it inside of someone else's heart and mind. Lets make it a point today to pick up our junk. I don't want to get tripped up and I certainly don't want to trip someone else up. Lets put "unbelief" where it belongs...in the trash!

Pulled in a million directions

I was feeling pulled in several directions. I am sure you know the feeling, someone wants your attention while the phone is ringing and another person is tugging at your sleeve. By the end of the day you want to collapse but there are several more projects that demand attention and before you know it it's after midnight...again. Since I am not a night person "after midnight" is not nice. That is just how I felt last night and I was visualizing those feelings and saw myself being pulled left and right back and forth. I could see my arms and legs being stretched further and further and feeling like I just might split in two or maybe three pieces. Then I knew that God had an answer for me. I could feel God drawing me toward Him but instead of feeling pulled in yet another direction I felt embraced and whole. I need to remember this, the next time I feel overwhelmed by so many of life's demands, I need to take a moment and draw close to the One who keeps me all together.

Failure

I am no stranger to failure. It seems we are all destined to fail at some point (or points) in our life. I have one failure that I have to face day after day. Several weeks ago I decided to repaint my bathtub. This didn't seem like a terribly hard thing to do. I read the box and thought, "Oh I could do that easily." I set aside the day to do the work and as the box instructed, I scrubbed and sanded, rinsed and dried the tub until I had prepped the surface and it was ready to paint. Taking my premixed spray cans I sprayed and sprayed. With every layer the tub looked better and better. Now only 2 short months later the tub is pealing and bubbling all over looking worse and worse with patches of peeled paint over top of a nasty looking tub. Failure screams at me every time I take a bath and clean the tub. I had been so sure I could do this job.
Today, as I finished my bath, I couldn't help but think that this tub fiasco is much like other events in life. Often even after much hard work the result is failure. For many these failures define them. However what should define us is the courage to try again and to not give in to the voices of defeat. I'm not going to let a bathtub dictate to me how I feel or convince me of failure. This tub won't win...if I have to I can take a sledge hammer to it and take it out. Then we'll see who wins.

Best Bed and Breakfast in the World

Last night we stayed in a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Millersburg Ohio. You can take a peek at their rooms on this site http://www.thebarninn.com/ . We had the privilege to stay in the room called Memory Lane. It is much more beautiful than the photo shows. The room is spacious and the bed was oh so soft. It also includes an inviting fireplace and comfy sofa and recliner. The remodeled barn is filled with beautiful antique furniture and the decor is rich and inviting. When we arrived, we were greeted by Loretta, the warm and friendly hostess. She showed us all around and explained the yummy treats that were available. There were chocolate chip cookies and some kind of flaky berry jumble bars, all homemade. I had one of the jumble bars and it was melt in your mouth good. What can I say about breakfast. It was all fresh homemade goodness paired with the new found friends from all over the country. If you ever have a chance to go to Millersburg, make sure you stay at the Barn Inn. You will love it.

Why Do I Live

Some one asked me the other day, why do I live? The question wasn't something philosophical but an honest, soul searching, gut wrenching question. One that begged an answer that gave true validity to that person's life. Surprising to me was the fact that, throughout the years, I have been asked that same question by several others. Why do I live? Why do you live? For me the answer is simple. I live because I am dead, you see I died to myself years ago (yes, it is true that old self often wants to resurrect itself, nevertheless I am determined that it is dead). Like the Apostle Paul I can say, "The life that I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." Why do I live? I live for Him. I don't have to understand how valuable I am, I just have to know that I am valuable. I don't have to have a reason to live, just a determination to live, knowing that my life has worth and it is important because someone greater than I choose to give me worth. The Bible tells me that there is no greater love that that which is shown when a man gives his life for a friend. Jesus Christ gave his life for you and I. The price He paid indicates our value. Oh yes there are places to go and things to do, but they don't determine the value of one's life. You have value because you are loved. My reason for living isn't wrapped up in what I can do or what I have done but rather in who I am and who loves me. So if you also wonder why you live, meditate on Jesus' love for you instead of meditating on your failures and lack of abilities. Think about God's goodness instead of the vanity of life. The reason I live? It is to return the love to the one who loves me most. That sure takes the pressure off from my day!

Boiled Peanuts

I mentioned boiled peanuts the other day on Facebook. I was surprised at the responses that I got. On and on the comments came. I couldn't help but think how special such an insignificant thing like boiled peanuts could be. For one moment in time several people were united in one cause... the love of Boiled peanuts. Who would have guessed that so many people would be interested in the lowly peanut? It made me think about all the people in the world who think they are insignificant, lower than a peanut. So many people have no purpose, no goals, no happiness. They feel so low at times that eating dirt would be a luxury. If you are one of those don't forget, someone cared enough to die for you. You are not alone and definitely not insignificant. The book of Matthew tells a story about a great merchant who sought after a treasure. When he found the treasure he sold all he had just to buy that treasure. Jesus is the great merchant and he found you, His wonderful treasure. He sold all, even his own life, to purchase you. Hmmm...this is so much better than boiled peanuts.

Ministry update

Fred and I are traveling right now. This is the way we spend most of our summers. As many of you know we work in Africa and also the Philippines. Every summer we take some time to visit friends and churches that support us and this is currently what we are doing. Fred is also working diligently on editing the video Bible school classes that we produce. This is a lot of tedious work and it takes hundreds of hours to complete one class. Please pray with us that this work goes smoothly. I have also been finishing my third book. I am hoping that I will have this book published by the end of this month. The title is "The Only Way Out Is In". I am very excited about this project. It has been a lot of work and so many friends have helped me. I couldn't have done it without them.
Many people ask me what we do in our mission work. Fred and I both teach at Bible schools and churches in Africa and the Philippines. It has been our great joy to regularly teach in established Bible schools, run by local African/Philippine ministries. We have the privilege of working with great pastors and leaders. We have established and help supervise/maintain over 40 Video Bible schools across West Africa. We also hold pastor's seminars, women's conferences and work closely with an orphanage in Benin.
Our daughter Marie-Louise is planing to go to Honduras in August this year and this will be her first mission trip with out us. Please pray for her. She will be traveling with Mike and Becky Ingole. She is very excited about going and we believe this will be a great trip for her. Fred is leaving for Africa late August/early September. He is holding several pastor's conferences and teaching Bible school. Please pray for him and his plans. I will leave for Palawan with a team in late October, after Fred comes back from Africa. I am currently booking my fall schedule. (I am available in the USA while Fred is gone) I have a few dates left open. Please pray that everything works smoothly as we juggle all of our programs. We plan to all be back together in the USA for the holidays.
Thanks for your prayers...

Loved

I made a new friend yesterday. I love making and keeping friends. It seems to me that in this day of hustle and bustle we forget some of the most important things and one of those things is to look into the eyes of someone while they talk and listen to their heart. As I was listening to my new friend, I saw her deep yearning for God and also the struggle she experiences because of often being missunderstood. I saw someone with deep compassion for others and also a fear of failure. I watched her as she spoke and God began to show me how vital this one person is in the Kingdom of God. How often I have overlooked someone because I was too busy or just didn't pay attention. I made a new friend yesterday because I stopped long enough to look deep inside and see the real person.
God, help me to truly see people, to look deep and feel and understand like you would have me do. That's what being a friend truly is...after all, that's how you treat me.

Popcorn

We made popcorn today. Funny how even popcorn has changed in the last several years. I remember when I was young and we would take a big kettle, pour some salt, oil and popcorn kernels into it, put a lid on it and the shake shake shake it over a good hot stove until all of the corn had popped. Eventually the hot air popcorn maker emerged and out of the spout of the new electrical appliance came flying popcorn, fat and guilt free. Then the microwave changed everything about popcorn. All that is necessary for a perfectly seasoned bag of popcorn is 3 minutes in a microwave oven and viola, an instant snack! Everyone in the family can have their choice plain, sweet, or salty, high fat or low. You name it there is no end to the choices. However one things stays the same, not all the kernels pop. Some pop into light, tasty, delicious puffs, however some just burn, some do nothing, and some turn into little tooth breaking stones. It doesn't seem to matter if it's a hot stove, hot air, or microwaves, not every kernel responds to the process.
God, help me to respond to your process. I don't want to do nothing and I don't want to become burned out and hard, but I want to bloom and expand until I am everything you want me to be. Thank you Lord for the process, teach me to respond to you!

Overcoming

In Revelation 3:21 we read, "To him who overcomes..." I don't know about you but when I read that, I think of all kinds of things to overcome. No one is exempt; we all need to overcome, stress, finances, family issues, you name it we even need to overcome food! Our need to overcome daily is endless. If I only think about the things to conquer I could become discouraged but the very fact that I am promised a reward if I do overcome gives me hope that it can be done. Praise the Lord! I am an overcomer. You are an overcomer. We don't have to settle for defeat. You or I might lose a few battles but that doesn't make us losers. An overcomer even overcomes defeat!

Fear

It's an interesting day and age we live in. There are wars and rumors of wars. There are friends who are sick and some who have died, the loss of finances and jobs, and even airplanes that disappear. And yet we know that we do not have a spirit of fear. If we truly believe that we serve a God who cares then we have nothing to fear. I stand in agreement with Franklin D. Roosevelt when he said, "The Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself.” He said those words in the midst of the great Depression and while facing the prospect of another great world war. Yet he knew that fear itself is our greatest enemy. The Bible says that God has not given us a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind. In these days of trouble we need power, love, and a sound mind. May we all see the fulfillment of this wonderful promise.

Some like it hot some like it cold.

We are traveling right now, visiting churches that support us and also catching up with a few friends as we go. I love visiting with everyone. What a joy it is to know that we are all part of the great family of God and that we can feel at home wherever we are. It would be easy to assume that people are all the same but when you arrive at someone's house you realize that some like it hot and some like it cold. Some people drink coffee and others tea. Some places are in the city and others are so deep in the country that we need an escort to help us find our way. So many things are different yet there is one constant. The goodness and kindness of our "family" is unending. God, our loving heavenly Father is so much bigger than all of the troubles that go on around us and He has provided us with a family to give us comfort and encouragement. In these days of unrest and fear we should never forget that we have a home and that we belong.

Rest

There is something to be said for taking a day of rest. In our busy days and short nights we "burn the candle at both ends" and "push the envelope". Stress is at an all time high and the need to excel has replaced peace with a fear of failure. God designed a day of rest so we could linger in His peace and find comfort in His all encompassing love. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is to sit in God's presence and just REST.

Playing the Game

Lately I have discovered that a lot of people don't have a clue. Now, I don't mean this to be mean or unkind. It's just that I have noticed that many people feel that life is a mystery and that their life is some kind of game board. They know there is something to be figured out but they don't have a clue. Like the murder mystery board game, they ask, who did it, where, and with what??? The most obvious answer to this riddle is Jesus, on a hill called Calvary, on a cross.

I always thought it was enough to just know that (and it is) however life continues to have mysteries and we continue to look for clues. How do we live? What are the answers to my problems? If we have the answers, and we do, then I think it's time we as Christians started handing our a few more clues.

Air France 447

When I heard about the missing Air France flight I couldn't help but feel a personal connection. Fred and I have traveled Air France several times and so the missing plane is a little close to home. I can't help but think about all of the people who have lost loved ones on that flight. And of course the unknown details must make their loss even more surreal. Life is so fragile and a loss like this reminds us that any one could be gone in an instant. We never know from one minute to the next what the future holds, whether you enter an airplane or just take your car to the corner market. It just goes to show that we need to be ready and confident of our eternal future regardless of what may come our way.

Waiting

When I'm traveling, I can always depend on my sister to be looking for me online. Now she doesn't have a lot of time but she gets up early and looks for my light. When I connect to the INTERNET I look for her light too. For those who don't use chat, we have google chat and when we are online we have a green google light that lets us know when someone else, in our friend list, is online. We finish our little chats by saying, "I'll be looking for you." How nice it is to know that someone is "looking" for you. God wishes for someone to be looking for Him too. Pr 8:34 says, "Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors." I know that waiting isn't always fun but there is a special joy that comes when I have waited for my sister and her light comes on. I think it's that way between us and the Lord too. It isn't easy to wait but when He comes...Oh the joy that fills my soul!

Friends

Remember the old song, "Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other is gold." This week I had the privilege of spending time with some new and old friends. Like the song, I have discovered that both kinds of friends are valuable. Just in the last few days I have talked to friends from California, Seattle, Maryland, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Some are new and some of these friends go back 35+ years, all of them precious and special. As a person of Covenant I believe in keeping friends, you could say I collect them. Friends make us rich in ways that cannot be measured. Who is my best friend you may ask? Let me answer with another song. "What A Friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." He's the best and I'm willing to share...Blessings...

The Cycle of our Days

Some days life is fast and some days it is slow. We have had several fast days and today is one of those slower, do the laundry, unpack the suitcase and clean the bathroom days. It doesn't seem very exciting. Fred is working on taxes and video editing, a never ending job by the way, and I am busy with even less exciting things in life. So often, I have discovered, people think that if they aren't doing the "exciting" that they have no value or that the things they do are not as important as what someone else does. However it's the mundane, such as clean clothes and bookwork, that make a way for the more exciting things of life. I told my sister, just this morning, that my life seems to have a system. I do laundry, pack my suitcase, clean my house before a trip, have the exciting ministry trip, come home, unpack, do laundry and start all over again. God created it that way by covenanting with the night and day. There will always be a night and always a day, seven in a row and then we start all over again. Oh... Oh... I just got a phone call...my plans have changed. Even the slow days aren't so mundane after all.

Weekend in Virginia

This past weekend I had the privilege of speaking at the GCMF Fabulous Fruit Bearers Conference in beautiful Fredericksburg Virginia. What a joy it was to gather with lovely ladies from all over that area. We talked about bearing fruit, being fruitful and we even ate some awesome fresh fruit. One of the highlights,for me, this weekend was the time I spent in worship, fellowshipping with my dear friends and seeing many women having their faith and joy renewed. It was exciting to hear the testimonies of what God did all weekend long. i.e. One woman told me that God had been preparing her, for a few weeks, before the conference. Time and time again, during the meetings and fellowship time, the things God had been speaking to her were confirmed. She went on to say that she was going home with a new excitement and resolve to serve God. Another woman said that she had almost given up but now she had a new joy and felt God working in her life. Thanks Pastor Christine and Living Word Fellowship for all your hard work putting on a great time of ministry and fellowship.

Back to Africa - 2009!

Fred is on his way back to Africa with his brother, Robert, and Bill Hoffman. Debby, Marie-Louise and Cathy Hoffman will join them in a few weeks.

As usual we are taking equipment for the Pastors and Bible Schools
9 Video Bibles Schools, 6 DVD players, a computer and 6 refurbished laptops, computer repair parts, 3 all-in-one printers (1 laser, 2 ink-jet), ink cartridges for them and others we have in Africa already, 3 video projectors, a piano keyboard, also clothes and things for the orphanage.

Prayer Requests & Itinerary:
Feb. 4-5 – Fred, Robert and Bill fly to Accra, Ghana.
Feb. 7 – Twelve hour ride North to Tamale.
Feb. 7–11 – Settling our church planters in Tamale.
Feb. 12 – Twelve hour ride back South to Accra.
Feb. 13 – Around Accra.
Feb. 14 – Travel to Cotonou, Benin.
Feb. 15-20 – Churches and Bible School.
Feb. 21-22 – Debby, Marie-Louise and Cathy fly to Accra.
Feb. 21 – Fred, Robert & Bill travel back to Accra, Ghana.
Feb. 22-March 1 – Churches, Bible School, Seminar.
March 1 – Robert flies home to the USA.
March 2 – Travel to Lome, Togo.
March 2-3 – Live teaching at Video Bible School.
March 4-8 – Women’s Seminar and Churches.
March 9-12 – Leaders Seminar - Vogonville, Togo.
March 13-15 – Travel to Parakou, Benin for weekend.
March 16-20 – Cotonou, Benin, Bible School and Church.
March 21 – Travel all day to Natitingou, Benin.
March 22 – Speaking at Churches in Natitingou.
March 23 – Travel to Baribe village, minister and return.
March 24 – Game Park.
March 25 – Travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
March 25-30 – National Women’s Conference.
March 31 – Travel to Tamale, Ghana.
April 1-5 – Church Plant – Special Program - Tamale.
April 6 – Twelve hour ride back South to Accra.
April 7 – Accra.
April 8 – Travel West to Takoradi, Ghana.
April 8-12 – Easter program with Pastor Charles.
April 13 – Travel East along coast back to Accra.
April 14 – Last day in Accra.

Prayer Requests:
Pastor Aldous and the Church plant in Tamale, Ghana
Pastor George in Benin and Pastor Dieudonne in Ivory Coast – both had some strokes a few years ago and need to get their health and strength back.
Pray for Fred & Debby and their team, for safety on their extensive travels, good health, and to be a blessing.
Pray for God’s direction for our plans for 2009 and beyond. We have commitments where we have been going but also have invitations to other countries in Africa and invitations for Europe.
Pray for needed finances and we Pray that God will bless you as you give to reach others with the Gospel.

Thank you for praying for us.