Saturday, August 30, 2014

Thy Will, Not Mine


"I asked the Father for just one thing in this life...His perfect will in our lives...not the easy road."~Adeye Salem, No Greater Joy Mom

As I was reading Adeye's blog post this morning, this statement resonated deeply in my spirit. Before God brought us to Africa, there was a particular day that I felt compelled to get down on my knees and pray. It was one of those moments where you know the Father has something to say and you need to listen! So I positioned myself to hear His voice, and He asked me a question:

"Do you want my will, even if it's hard?"

My immediate response, only by the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit:

"Yes, Lord! Only because I know that you will give me the grace and strength I need. You will help me!"

In my journey with Jesus, this has always been my desire~even though I haven't always been successful at it~to know and to do the will of God. Since we arrived in Africa, I have had my moments of struggling~desiring to go back to the "ease" of Western living. But then God gently reminds me of the above exchange and I say, "Oh yes, I signed up for this!" His grace truly is sufficient.

Yesterday I was talking with a dear friend who is going through one of those trying times. Though she desires a certain outcome, she shared that she was at peace with praying, "Your will be done." I had to smile, because she is exactly where she needs to be. She is acting just like Jesus! In the absolute most agonizing time of His life here on earth, He was crying out to the Father..."Get me out of this, if possible! Nevertheless, not my will, but YOUR will be done." How can we do any less as His disciples?

Thy Will Be Done by Derek Webb
Words by Charlotte Elliot, Music by Justin Smith ©2009 Justin Smith Music

1. My God and Father! while I stray,
Far from my home in life’s rough way,
Oh! teach me from my heart to say,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

2. If Thou shouldst call me to resign,
What most I prize, it ne’er was mine.
I only yield Thee what was Thine;
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

3. If but my fainting heart be blest,
With Thy sweet Spirit for its guest,
My God! To Thee I leave the rest,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

4. Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away,
All now that makes it hard to say,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

5. Then when on earth I breathe no more,
The prayer oft mixed with tears before,
I’ll sing upon a happier shore,
“Thy will be done!” “Thy will be done!”

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

I would gather children

Some would gather money
Along the path of life;
Some would gather roses,
And rest from worldly strife.

But I would gather children
From among the thorns of sin;
I would seek a golden curl,
And a freckled, toothless grin.

For money cannot enter
In that land of endless day;
And roses that are gathered
Soon will wilt along the way.

But, oh, the laughing children,
As I cross the sunset sea,
And the gates swing wide to heaven
I can take them in with me.

-Author Unknown

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Overseas Missions Q&A video

One of our brothers in Australia asked Sean to make a video answering various questions about Overseas Missions. There is a slideshow at the end!


Overseas Missions Wallacia from Missions Machine on Vimeo.

Friday, June 20, 2014

To our beloved followers

As you can imagine, most of our energy right now is taken up by simply trying to do daily life and the ministry that God puts before us. Because of this, for now we will be posting the majority of our updates on Facebook. Our ministry page is here: Living Isaiah 58

If you are not on Facebook, you can visit our website at: A People For His Name  and sign up to receive our newsletter (we plan to write the first newsletter this week!), or you can just bookmark the website and check there for updates.  Our Facebook  posts are automatically uploaded to our website, so you won't miss a thing!

We don't want to lose touch with anyone, so if neither of these options suit you please let us know and we will try to work something out.

Upendo na baraka kwenu! (Love and blessings to all!)





Thursday, June 12, 2014

Update on Janet

In my last post I told you about Janet, the pastor's wife I prayed for who recently lost a baby. Yesterday, Janet and her husband came to visit us and I learned some very encouraging news. She had been having severe back pain for quite some time that hindered her from running the family business. When I prayed for her, I prayed for her back as well as her whole being~physically and spiritually. While my prayer was full of compassion and empathy, at the time it did not seem that she had even been a willing participant, let alone a recipient of any kind of answer.

Yesterday I learned that after that prayer, she had only a few twinges of back pain and had fully recovered and was able to do everything she needed to do to resume caring for her family. Basically before that she had been bedridden. She was very happy and thankful to feel well again. With her husband's help, I was able to share the Psalm that God had given to me for her (and myself) after our last meeting. We were both so thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness to us!

I share this because I hope to encourage you in the Lord~don't let anything stop you from reaching out to and praying for those who are suffering. It doesn't matter if you feel unqualified, or like a failure if you don't see the results you desire. God will take your obedience and do whatever He wants with it. Trust Him!

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Cor. 3:4,5

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Healing the brokenhearted

Sunday we visited a new church and the pastor informed us that his wife was ill, so after the "session" (that is what they call it here) we walked to his house to pray for her. Once there we discovered that she had given birth 3 weeks previously and the baby had not survived. Having lost a daughter myself, my heart was immediately grieved and I felt such compassion for this poor mama. Her name is Janet.

I made my way through the cram packed sitting room to Janet's chair and my impulse was to hug her and cry with her, but it seems that Kenyans don't show much emotion at times like this, and they do not even greet one another with hugs as we are used to. She didn't even seem to be comfortable with me holding her hand as I prayed for her. I could barely choke the words out in the beginning, and a tear fell from my eye onto her hand, which was still open in my gentle grip. I prayed for her physical and emotional healing and with an awkward "amen", headed back to my seat. As we left, I assured her that I would be praying for her.

Her husband, Hudson, walked us back to his church. Along the way he confided in me with a pained look on his face, that his wife did not want to live in their home anymore. She was desperate to get out of there, and he was worried for her as she was not behaving normally. The Holy Spirit seemed to speak through me as I told him that she was trying to run from her grief, but there was no escaping it. She would have to go through it with Jesus, and He would carry her. I continued to pray for Janet throughout the afternoon and evening.

I haven't said anything, but I have been struggling to adjust here in Africa. It has only been 2 weeks and culture shock is a reality that cannot be ignored. I have shed many tears lately. I woke up the next morning sad and in despair...longing for home or at least another home of our own here in Africa where we can settle in. Immediately, the Lord brought to mind the words that I had spoken to Hudson the previous day and I realized that I, like Janet, could not run away from the assignment God has given me here. I must go through it with Jesus, and He will carry me. Then the Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 139, which sums it up perfectly:

1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

Thank You, Father.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Our first week in Mombasa

We arrived in Mombasa at 3am last Wednesday after a very long 30+ hour journey. Getting through immigration was a breeze this time, but then we discovered that only 2 of our suitcases had made it to the airport. As you can imagine this was a bit distressing! One of the baggage men just so happened to be a Christian brother and he went above and beyond the call of duty to get our luggage to us 2 days later. He also invited Sean to go on an outreach with him in Samburu on Saturday. They distributed food and other items and preached the good news.



Do you remember Dennis? The motorbike driver that surrendered his life to Jesus during Sean's trip to Kenya last August? Sean was invited by his new pastor to preach on Sunday. I didn't get pictures, but the church was what we would call a "hole in the wall". There were about 25 of us crammed in there and it kept raining and soaking everyone in the back row. The hole in the wall next door was full of garbage and the flies were abundant. Welcome to Africa!

After church, we visited Dennis' cousin and his family. They lost a newborn baby recently, but were so gracious to invite us for lunch. We believe that God is working in their lives and they will play a big role in the kingdom when they are converted! Their home is the perfect setup for house church meetings.

There has been some opportunity for ministry here at the YWAM base as well. A young man came to the gate asking for 200 Kenyan shillings to start his own shoe repair business. He has a young wife and baby who are separated from him right now and he is homeless. After speaking to him and seeking God, we have given him some work to do here at the base. When he earns the money to buy his shoe repair equipment, Sean will go with him to make the purchase. Sean and some of the other men here have been discipling Willington, who wants to preach the gospel. We hope to reunite him with his family very soon. The neat thing is that Dennis took it upon himself to find a room for Willington to stay in until he can afford to rent a place of his own. We are so happy to see him growing in the grace and knowledge of God.

Tuesday we visited the Baby Life Rescue Center I posted a video about some time ago. We are looking forward to working with Peter and Selpher to rescue abandoned babies and care for them until the Father sets them in their families. They have many empty beds that they haven't been able to fill due to lack of finances (for food and supplies), so we are trusting God to provide that need.


Life at the base has been a blessing and a challenge. We are in a cabin (think family camp but a lot more rustic). The bathrooms are all outhouse style. We have all kinds of wildlife visiting us~geckos (and their poop), huge millipedes, poisonous centipedes, and most of all mosquitoes who have never met a repellent they couldn't beat. Basic tasks like laundry take forever for us greenhorns. And cold bucket showers...well you can figure that one out!

The children have been making the most of it~helping out with chores like cooking, cleaning and taking care of the shamba (garden).


We are thankful for the loving hospitality of our brothers and sisters here at the base and also for the time to acclimatize ourselves to life in Africa while we wait on God to provide a home for us. Sean has been looking and we do have some prospects. We want to be where the Lord wants us, so please pray for His open door to be obvious.

Words can't say how much we cherish the love and support that you have shown us~we love and miss you all!

Monday, May 12, 2014

Parting Song~Glorious Unfolding

The other night we were in a Christian bookstore and this song was playing~the lyrics shot straight into my heart and I knew it was encouragement from my heavenly Father. Listen and be blessed! We will post again as soon as we can~love to all and thanks for your prayers!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Our American Adventure Part 3

A dear friend of ours drove all the way from Branson to pick us up from the conference and take us back home with her. Thankfully, she has a 15 passenger van and we were able to fit ourselves and all our stuff inside! We spent 9 days in Branson. Some of the best highlights were:

Visiting our dear friends who we had known for years via the internet, but had never met face to face:



Meeting my aunt and cousins who drove down from Arkansas to see us. We hadn't seen them for over 13 years!

Seeing "Jonah" at Sight and Sound Theater:

Doing a radio show on KLFC Branson and a speaking engagement at the Lodge of the Ozarks:

Meeting Riley Banks, a fellow missionary to Kenya who runs a thrift store called Riley's Treasures. All proceeds benefit disadvantaged children in Kenya. It was a joy to meet Riley and her family and hear about their obedience to God's call on their lives!

We were also able to meet many dear brothers and sisters at Calvary Chapel Branson and share at a weekly Bible study. God truly blessed us beyond belief!

I don't know when I will be able to post the next blog~we are leaving for Kenya tomorrow morning! Thank you so much for following us on this adventure with Jesus! We love and appreciate you all!








Saturday, May 3, 2014

Chronicle of our Trip to America~Part 2

When God called us to Kenya, we figured we would move there from Australia. We had no idea at the time that our Father had other plans that would bless our socks off. We received an e-mail about an International Gathering that our friend Jim Barbarossa had organized, and I didn't even consider it. Going to America was totally NOT on my radar. But Sean saw the e-mail and asked me if I had prayed about it. As I stood there with my mouth hanging open, our 7-year-old son piped up and said he wanted to go! I told him that He'd better pray about it in a bit of a sarcastic voice, but he went right upstairs to pray and came back down to report that the answer was "YES!"

I began to wonder if God was up to something, so I sat down to actually look at the information on the Gathering. The Holy Spirit touched me and I began to cry. Sean and I began praying and seeking God for confirmation. Sean felt that God was telling us to go, and that it would be for His glory. Well, that was enough for us. We changed our plans to conform to our Father's plans and waited on Him to make it happen. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5

God had spoken to us and confirmed through others that He was going to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or thing. He certainly has so far and we believe He will continue. He provided exactly the amount of money that we needed to buy our tickets to America AND Kenya as we trusted and obeyed. There were tests and trials along the way. At one point we had enough money to get to America, but we had a bill that we knew we had to pay (incurred by dental expenses) that basically wiped us out again. We knew that we had to obey God and do the right thing, so we paid that bill. Then 2 days later, God opened up the windows of heaven and poured out a blessing. We rejoice over His faithfulness!

So the next stop in America was the International Gathering in Portage, Indiana. Lo and behold, two men from Kenya were there! It was such a blessing to see that Kenyan flag. We met so many brothers and sisters that totally embraced us and encouraged us that weekend. It was amazing. We gathered around Jim's huge "last supper" table and had real church. The gifts were flowing, God was speaking to us and through us. The whole weekend was an absolute balm to our souls.

Here is a picture of our son with his friend, the Shofar Man (Jim Barbarossa). God heard a young boy's prayer and made it happen!




We know that God gave us many divine connections at this gathering, and believe that we will be working with some of them in the future in Kenya. We look forward to working together in unity with our brothers and sisters according to God's pattern so we that we can see God glorified and His kingdom established!


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Chronicle of our trip to America~part 1

It has been difficult to process all that has happened so far on our adventure in America, but hopefully blogging about it will help. I'm a bit under the weather with some kind of flu bug, but if I don't start posting now I don't think it will get done!

After traveling for a total of about 30 hours (it normally doesn't take that long, but immigration held us up by making us miss our connecting flight in L.A.), we finally arrived at our first destination~Chicago on April 2nd. We purposed to fly into Chicago so that we could meet our friends the Sweazy's, who just happened to be departing for Germany en route to Kenya! We discovered this precious family online while researching missions in Kenya. After e-mailing and a Skype session, we discovered that we all have the same vision~making disciples and ministering to the fatherless. It was such a blessing to meet them and even though we are called to different areas of Kenya (western and eastern), we hope to meet again soon!

We did have someone take a picture of our families together at the hotel, but I haven't been able to get ahold of it yet. You can see a link to the Sweazy's blog in our sidebar~The 28:19 Call. Below is a short video they made for their ministry. It is amazing how God gives us these divine connections. We are so thankful!




The following day, we made our way to the next destination (Indiana) for a conference. That will be the subject of the next blog post!











Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Our God Parts the Red Sea For Us!

Our Father has absolutely opened the windows of heaven and poured out a blessing that we cannot contain. I will share all the details as soon as I can~but the main thing is that we are leaving tomorrow for a 5 week holiday in America before heading to Kenya on May 12th. He does all things well! His ways are beyond wonderful!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

How the Lord Sent Me to South Africa by John G. Lake


I planned to go to Africa as a boy. I looked forward to it through my young manhood. Shortly after my baptism in the Holy Spirit,a working of the Spirit commenced in me that seemed to have for its purpose the revelation of the nature of Jesus Christ to me and in me.

Through this guardianship and remolding of the spirit, a great tenderness for mankind was awakened in my soul. I saw mankind through new eyes. They seemed to me as wandering in the midst of confusion, having strayed far, groping and wandering hither and thither. They had no definite aim and did not seem to understand what the difficulty was, or how to return to God.

The desire to proclaim the message of Christ and to demonstrate His power to save and bless grew in my soul, until my life was swayed by this overwhelming passion.

However, my heart was divided. I could not follow successfully the ordinary pursuits of life and business. When a man came into my office, though I knew that twenty or thirty minutes of concentration on the business at hand would possibly net me thousands of dollars, I could not discuss business with him.

By a new power of discernment I could see his soul and understand his inner life and motives. I recognized him as one of these wandering sheep and longed with an overwhelming desire to help him find God and find himself.

This division in my soul between business interests and the desire to help men find God became intense. In many instances what should have been a successful business interview and the closing of a great business transaction ended in a prayer meeting. I would invite the individual to kneel with me while I poured out my heart to God on his behalf.

I determined to discuss the matter with the president of my company and frankly told him the condition of soul I found myself in and its cause.

He kindly replied: "You have worked hard, Lake. You need a change. Take a vacation for three months. If you want to preach, preach. But at the end of the three months, $50,000 a year will look like a lot of money to you, and you will have little desire to sacrifice it for dreams of religious possibilities."


I thanked him, accepted an invitation to join a brother in evangelistic work, and left the office, never to return.

During those three months I preached every day to large congregations, saw a multitude of people saved from their sins and healed of their diseases, and hundreds of them baptized in the Holy Ghost. At the end of the three months, I said to God: "I am through forever with everything in life but the proclamation and demonstration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

I disposed of my estate, distributed my funds in a manner I believed to be for the best interests of the Kingdom of God, made myself wholly dependent upon God for the support of myself and family, and abandoned myself to the preaching of Jesus.

While ministering in a city in northern Illinois, the chore boy at the hotel where we were staying asked for help in sawing down a large tree. I volunteered to assist him. As we sawed the tree, the Spirit of the Lord spoke within my spirit clearly and distinctly:

"Go to Indianapolis. Prepare for a winter campaign. Get a large hall. In the spring you will go to Africa."

It all came to pass. It is power. Power is manifest in many ways. There is the power of faith which draws to you what seems impossible. I returned to the hotel and told my wife of the incident.

She said: "I knew several days ago that your work here was done, for as I prayed the Spirit said to me, 'Your husband is going on.' "

I went to Indianapolis and the Lord directed in a marvelous way. In a few days I had secured a large hall and began conducting services, as He had directed. One day during the following February (after I had been preaching some time), my preaching partner said to me, "John, how much will it cost to take our party to Johannesburg, South Africa?"

I replied, "Two thousand dollars."

"Well, if we are going to Africa in the spring, it is time that you and I were praying for the money."

"Tom, I have been praying for the money ever since New Year's. I have not heard from the Lord or from anyone else concerning it."

"Never mind. Let's pray again."

We went to Tom's room and knelt down by his bed in prayer. After some time he slapped me on the back, saying, "Don't pray anymore,
John. Jesus told me just now that He would send us that two thousand dollars, and it would be here in four days."

Four days later Tom returned from the post office and threw out upon the table four $500 drafts, saying, "John, there is the answer. Jesus has sent it. We are going to Africa."

The gift of money had been sent to Tom by a friend with a letter. The letter read, "I was standing in the bank at Monrovia, California, and something said to me, 'Send Tom Hezmalhaltz two thousand dollars.' It is yours, Tom, for whatever purpose God has shown you."

I never knew who wrote the letter, as he desired that no one else know.

We went straight out and purchased the tickets for the entire party to travel from Indianapolis, Indiana, to Johannesburg, South Africa. There were twelve of us my family of eight and four others.

We had our tickets to Africa, but there would be many other expenses en route. I had only $1.50 in hand. As our train pulled out of the station at Indianapolis, a young man who had worked as my secretary ran alongside the train and threw a two dollar bill through the window. That gave us a total of $3.50.A young lady, who had been one of our workers, was traveling with us as far
as Detroit, Michigan. I needed $ 10 to buy her a ticket to northern Michigan.

As we rode along, I said to my wife, "Jen, when we reach Detroit, I will need $10 for Winnie's railway ticket; but I have no money." So we bowed our heads and prayed.

We always followed this practice concerning our needs. We never told anyone what our needs were, but we always told the Lord.

When we arrived in Detroit, my brother and married sister were there to meet us and with them was my younger brother, Jim.

As I stepped off the train, Jim took me by the arm and walked across the station with me. Then he said, "Jack, I hope you won't be mad, but I would like to give you this, " and he pulled out of his wallet a ten dollar bill and slipped it into my vest pocket. I thanked him, turned about, and went to purchase Winnie's ticket.


I still had $3.50. We purchased some canned beans and other edibles which we used on the train a route to St. Johns, New Brunswick. When we finally arrived at the ship for Liverpool, I had $1.25 left. On board I gave 50 cents to the table steward and 50 cents to the bedroom steward. When we reached England, I still had 25 cents. We remained five days in Liverpool at the expense of the transportation company, waiting for the second ship.

One day Mrs. Lake said to me, "What about our Laundry?"

I replied, "Send it down. I have no money, but perhaps the Lord will meet us before we need to get it." Being very busy, I forgot about it entirely.

On the last night of our stay in Liverpool, just after I had retired about midnight, my wife said, How about the laundry?"

I replied, "I'm sorry, but I forgot it."

"Just like a man!"

"Now I'll tell you about it. I knew you didn't have any money, neither did I. So I prayed about it. After praying, I felt that I should go down to the laundry and inquire what the amount of the bill was. It was $1.65. As I
was returning to the hotel, I passed a gentleman on the street. He said, 'Pardon me, but I feel I should give you this.' He handed me a number of coins. I returned to the laundry, counted it out to the laundry man, and found it was just the amount of the bill."

We rejoiced in this little evidence of God's presence with us.

The next morning we left by train for London and that evening boarded our ship for South Africa. At that time, I had an English shilling. When our ship stopped at Madeira, one of the Canary Islands, I purchased a shilling's worth of fruit for the children and the last penny was gone. Through my knowledge of the immigration laws of South Africa, I knew that before we would be permitted to land, I must show the immigration inspector that I possessed at least $125. We prayed earnestly over this matter. About the time we reached the Equator, a rest came into my soul concerning it, and I could pray no more.

About eight or ten days later we arrived in Cape Town harbor, and our ship anchored. The immigration inspector came on board and the passengers lined up at the purser's office to present their money and receive their tickets to land.

My wife said, "What are you going to do?"

"I am going to line up with the rest. We have obeyed God this far. It is now up to the Lord."

As I stood in line, awaiting my chance to explain our dilemma, a fellow passenger suddenly tapped me upon the shoulder and indicated that I step out of the line and walk over to the ship's rail to speak with him. He asked me some questions, then he drew from his pocket a traveler's checkbook. He handed me two money orders totaling 42 pounds sterling, or $200. He said, "I feel led to give this to help your work."

Johannesburg is 1000 miles inland from Cape Town. Throughout the voyage we earnestly prayed about the subject of a home. As faith missionaries, we had neither a Board nor friends behind us to furnish money. We were dependent upon God. Many times during the trip to Johannesburg, we bowed our heads and reminded God that when we arrived there we would need a home.


Upon our arrival, as we stepped ashore, observed a little woman bustling up, whom I instantly recognized to be an American. She stepped up to Tom and said, "You are a American missionary party?"

He replied, "Yes.""How many are there in your party?"

"Four."

"No," she said, "you are not the family. Is there any other?"

He said, "Yes. Mr. Lake."

Turning to me, she said, "How many are in your, family?"

I answered, "My wife, myself, and seven children only."

"Oh," she said, "you are the family."

"What is it, madam?"

"While in prayer last night, God told me to meet, this boat, and there would be upon it an American missionary with a family of nine, consisting of two adults and seven children, and that I was to give them a home."

At 3 o'clock that same afternoon, we were in a furnished cottage in
Johannesburg. God had provided the home for us. Our beloved benefactor was an American missionary, Mrs. C. L. Good. She remained our beloved friend and fellow worker in the Lord.

And that is how we got to Africa.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Listening to the Voice of Truth



Speaking of Facing the Giants, I've really been identifying with Grant's character in the movie as he's getting ready to face the actual giants. I'm thinking of the scene where Grant and his wife are eating breakfast together the day of the big game, and he's telling her how one minute he feels like they're gonna get creamed, but the next minute he feels like God is really gonna do something awesome. His wife says, "Sounds like your fear is about to clobber your faith!" That is where we are at right now, in the battle between fear and faith~but we continue to choose to believe God. And whether we "win or lose", we'll praise Him!

The song I posted above really sums it all up~we will listen to His voice rather than our fears and doubts. We believe He has literally told us (as the line in the song says) that "this is for His glory!". Lord, be glorified.

The Voice of Truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Preparing for rain

If you've seen "Facing the Giants", then you will remember this scene:



The night before God first spoke to me about our ministry in Kenya, the kids were watching this movie for the umpteenth time. I was sitting at my computer, but my ears perked up at this part. The Holy Spirit definitely nudged me. The very next day (in April of 2012), the Lord spoke to me very specifically about the kind ministry He was calling us to (but the "where" part didn't come til 3 months later). He prefaced this information with a directive~He said we should "prepare for rain by getting ready to move".

It has taken me a while, but I'm learning that seemingly "immediate" sounding words may not always be so "immediate". At that point in time, I cleaned out my closet and weeded out a bunch of stuff I didn't need. Then I packed 1 (yes, one) box. It was my token act of obedience. I did keep this directive in mind and occasionally prayed and asked God to show me how to get ready to move. No answer came.

Fast-forward almost 2 years later and we are actually preparing for rain by getting ready to move! The one lonely box I had packed has actually been unpacked and weeded out~but we have gotten rid of a bunch of stuff and are still in the process. You see, we gave our landlord notice and we are vacating the premises in 2 weeks. We believe that God has directed us to visit the U.S. before we move on to Kenya~such a lovely surprise! We will be attending a conference the first weekend of April.

Now comes the fun part~we don't have our tickets yet! We firmly believe that God will supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. He is our source and supply! We've actually been around this block once already~we didn't receive the money for our tickets to come to Australia until 2 days before departure! Our Father has taught us to walk by faith, not by sight. His word does not return void! His promises are yes and amen!

Our hearts' desire is that He will receive all the glory~and that our testimony will inspire others to step out in obedient faith, knowing that God will supply everything that we need to do His will. Many are watching us~some are cheering us on and others are just shaking their heads in disbelief~but God will be glorified! He led me to this passage yesterday to encourage me:

Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for them that fear you; which you have worked for them that trust in you before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19

Stay tuned to see how God works it all out~we're on the edge of our seats!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Fasting and Testing

Sean and I recently went through an extended time of prayer and fasting to seek God's guidance for Kenya. This period was the longest either of us had ever fasted before. From past experience I was kind of expecting that God was going to speak to us either during the fast or directly after, if not both. But I'm learning that God doesn't always do what we expect Him to! During our fast, a friend of mine shared how she had done an 8 day fast and instead of seeing breakthrough, she actually ended up in a really intense situation.

Well, guess what? That is what ended up being the case with us as well. A week into the fast, something happened that basically pulled the proverbial rug right out from underneath our feet. I can't share the situation, but I can tell you that we endured a week of feeling as if our world had been turned upside down. In the flesh, we were confused~but knowing that God is not the author of confusion we submitted ourselves to His will and sought Him fervently for resolution to our dilemma. In the process, I felt as if I was dying. This was actually a direct answer to my recent prayers that God would help me to completely die to my self so that He might live through me.

We pray these things, friends, and we really have no idea what we are asking for! He will answer, but it will be in ways we never imagined. After a fiery trial of 7 days we received an answer of peace from our Father, and oh what sweet relief! He is so faithful. I can honestly say that I am thankful for this experience and that I trust He knows just what we need. We are learning that as much as we think we have surrendered all, there are still things that need to go on that altar of sacrifice. He is teaching us that we must find in HIM ALONE our all in all. Father truly knows best!


But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

Monday, January 13, 2014

Where God guides, He provides! Faith building testimony..



Have a listen and be blessed! Sean and I have been going through Torben's Pioneer School and it is life changing. Check out his teaching videos at the Pioneer School page on Facebook. We highly recommend them! Our desire has always been to live like we were in the book of Acts. It can be done, but we have to go back to doing things the way the disciples did~which is the way Jesus taught them to live!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Another guy I love~George Mueller

I've lost count of how many books I've read about George. He's my hero. This godly man cared for over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime. George was a man of incredible faith whose #1 goal in life was to glorify God by trusting in Him for EVERY NEED. He vowed never to ask anyone for money. When faced with a financial need, he would say, "How the means are to come, I know not; but I know that God is almighty, that the hearts of all are in His hands, and that, if He pleaseth to influence persons, they will send help." And he would pray and wait until the need was met. It is estimated that the equivalent of around $150 million dollars in today's currency passed through George Mueller's hands during the 19th century.

This is how we want to live our lives as a family. God has taught us a lot over the past 14 years. We've discovered that if we seek His kingdom and righteousness first, we will have all we need (Matthew 6:33). We've learned to owe no man anything but love (Romans 13:8) We've learned that if we give, it will be given to us abundantly (Luke 6:38). He is a loving Father who supplies all our needs (Philippians 4:19) and He WILL provide (Genesis 22:14). We have so many testimonies of His provision for us when we trusted and obeyed Him!