God has blessed me with a number of godly men to speak into my life ever since I was a child. Pastors, Bible Teachers, Disciples of Christ, Men of God who’s lives reflected all they spoke of.
Today as I stepped into my husband’s discipleship class in a village in East Africa, my heart overflowed. To begin with, my husband is one of those men. His love for the Lord has exploded into every aspect of his life. And this man radiates Jesus.
Today he was talking about rejoicing in the Lord. How our lives should be so filled with the joy of the Lord that all those who come in contact with us, see Jesus.
He went on to describe a man I’ve known my entire life. His joy bubbles. Everyone of my lifelong friends will attest to the fact that his love is as sincere and infectious as it gets.
My dad has considered this man his best friend for many years. He has always been there for my family. My first recollection is of the time my brother was run over and dragged by a school bus in a near fatal accident. I remember Pastor Don ministering to my entire family. He simply has always been that spiritual leader, always quick to be there. Weddings, funerals, hospitals…. there he is.
Last year I was home and my dad was in the hospital. I walked in to see him and there sat my childhood pastor. This tall towering man jumps to his feet (albeit a bit slower these days) and gives me a love filled, tight and hearty hug. I’ve always always loved those hugs. He always asks about my kids, who all know, love and respect him as much as me. There are a couple things he has said, that my kids will repeat and credit him to this day.
Well, this morning, as my husband was trying to define rejoicing, being joy filled to his 12 men he has disciples now for 3 years, he looked at me and with tears welling up, choking up a bit, he says, I told them the best example I know is Don Ralston. How I use to look at him and wonder, “how can anyone be so happy?”
Pastor Don, thank you!! Thank you for decades… for a lifetime… of living the joy of the Lord. Thank you for always singing a song of joy. Thank you for demonstrating the inexpressible and exceeding joy of Jesus. Thank you for being a steadfast example of one who loves, who trusts and who obeys the Most High God. Thank you for having an impact on my entire family, my grandmothers, my parents, my siblings, my husband, my children and 12 Kenyan pastors in East Africa. I love you so much!
Posted in Uncategorized	Tagged a living legacy, Abide in Him, abide in Truth, answered prayer, Bible, Calvary Chapel, Jesus, kenya, Kisii, lakeside community chapel, missions, pastor don Ralston, Perseverance	Leave a reply
This morning I woke up at – what is becoming normal – around 4:45 to the first crows of the rooster. I’m usually up for good – this might have to do with the “lights out” when the sun goes down. I’m okay with this – I’ve always been an early to bed, early to rise – albeit this is even early for me!
I have been using my early mornings to pray and intercede – usually for my family during this time. Then I get up just before dawn, and by candle light, I prepare some breakfast, usually a hard boiled egg and a banana.
Then I have my quiet time and I begin with a devotional given to me by a very sweet lady in our church, just before we left to come to Africa. Voices of the Faithful, a daily devotional written by missionaries from across the world. I even ordered a box and passed them out before I left. I will confess I’ve had to read a couple at a time recently but it is definitely the FIRST daily devotional I have actually STILL been reading in July!
So – today – the devotion was about a young girl in this missionary’s village who had brought a neighbor to church. After the service they were given time to introduce any guests and as this young girl was introducing hers, the neighbor leaned over to whisper in her ear. With a huge grin, the young girl announced that her neighbor wanted to receive Jesus. The church went silent as she walked to a prayer partner who led her in prayer. When he was finished he said “AMEN” just a bit louder. The church broke into spontaneous cheering, song, praise and celebration. The missionary pondered the celebration and rejoicing happening that very moment in heaven.
This devotional made me desire that celebration. I even posted the devotion this morning on FB, as I was praying for opportunity. As I read through Colossians again this morning, I continued thinking, God, reveal Yourself today!!!
So – we loaded up and took the 80 minute drive to Suneka, a village on the other side of Kisii Town. I was starting another class with the women there today! I was excited to have this chance again.
For three hours, 15 women crammed into this little room, with each wall covered in mismatched lace, flowers hanging from the rafters and the two tables covered with cloths that remind me of something my grandmother would have had.
We had a remarkable time in the WORD. We introduced Paul’s letter to the Colossians, listened to it read in Kiswahili by a great program I found and then, we began to look at the book inductively. I spent a good amount of time today, introducing and sharing about myself, my love for God’s Word and why I love this book. I shared about my family and my church back home. All this I can do in Kiswahili and the women love to hear me fumble through that. Then, we looked at how being IN CHRIST is all we need. We look at how the FULLNESS OF GOD is available to those who believe. We skirted over the book and God stirred in each of us an excitement of what He has in store for us over the next couple months.
As we were finishing, Randy came to the door. He peeked his head in and excused himself for interrupting and ushered two women in. “These ladies would like some prayer.” We welcomed them in. Karibu sana!
One of these women wanted prayer for a husband. She wants to be married. The other wanted prayer for her husband, stating he needed to know Jesus. Through my interpreter I shared a few things, and then my interpreter turns to them and asks – “are you saved? Have you ever repented of your sins and asked Jesus to be your Savior?” To my surprise both of them said no.
Without thinking, I asked, “why then do you want your husband to be saved? Why would you come here asking for prayer to a God you don’t know? You know your husband needs salvation, do you not realize you too need to be saved?” She began to cry.
What happened next is hard to explain, but the Holy Spirit filled that room as these two women literally fell to their knees. The prayers were in Kiswahili, the questions and answers were as well, but what I witnessed was salvation… salvation and celebration and rejoicing and singing.
Just this morning, I asked God to reveal HIMSELF, to let me see Him at work… and… in HIS A-MA-ZING faithfulness – He totally answered my prayer! What’s more, I watched the women I had just sat with for 3 hours, sharing the very scriptures from their notes that we had gone over in our study. Telling these ladies they were new creations in Christ. Then, they were given a piece of paper, with references to my favorite prayers in all of scripture – the four of Paul’s in Ephesians, Philippians and in Colossians. The women were telling these two they needed to pray for their husbands… both the one that had one and the one that wanted one. THEN — they assigned the ladies a partner that will tend to them and make certain they are in church on Sunday and will be sure they join us next week!!!!!
This was my day today… a witness to the miracle of salvation… a part of the celebration with the angels… allowed to be a part of God at Work!!!!
Posted in Uncategorized	| Tagged Abide in Him, angels rejoicing, answered prayer, Bible, Calvary Chapel, celebration, heaven, Jesus, Kisii, Missionary, part of God's work, Salvation, victory	| Leave a reply
Thank you Lord! Your mercies are new, Your blessings flow and Your faithfulness amazes me! Your work and Your touch, Your Spirit moving before my eyes… YES, YES, YES! I want to be a part of everything I can!
Rainy season in Kenya is beginning. We woke to the gentle rain that lulled us to sleep all night. A leisure morning, sweet time in God’s Word, devotional blessing and my Saturday prayer list which is all about missions and missionaries. My list is growing each week as God crosses our path with others serving Him far from home.
We headed out early with our first stop… Java House! Ahhhh I needed that! Didn’t even bother to see if it’s on the list of foods I can eat or not!
We then stopped by the home of a couple we go to language school with. They have been serving in Senegal for 7 or so years and have recently been sent here to Kenya. We sat and chatted for a short while and, well, you would have to meet them. Jason and Dorothea Lee. They have been great encouragers these last few months. And Jason… He just reminds me of my boys… A combination of the two… Hilarious, sincere, crazy, class clown, smart and just a great guy who loves his family. Dorothea, the perfect, hold-her-own help mate! They have a beautiful family and it was fun to meet the kids today.
After a few errands we headed to Ed’s. He was hosting a get together to welcome the Pottingers back from a furlough in the states. Kelli is still in the states but will be headed back in a few weeks!
As we drove up we saw a little one run through the house! We were greeted at the door with hugs and introductions. Just my style!
I first met Matt Pottinger when he came to teach at the conference in Kisii our team hosted in 2011. Months before leaving the states, I met his wife, Peggy, via email when she responded to a post I did on the CCMW site. http://ccmissionarywomen.wordpress.com/ Her sweet encouragement had hinted that I would very much like to know her better. Today totally confirmed that.
They have two girls… Almost 6-year-old, confident and talkative Kenya Grace. Oh my she made me smile as she told me how she had been “making good choices” after I complimented her on helping her sister, 2-year-old Joelle. Of course I had to spend a little time with them… Just to catch a grandma breath. Check em out… http://www.thep3inkisumu.blogspot.com/
It’s pretty sweet to meet people you have prayed for by name, prayed for their ministry and requests you know. It really is a gift to see God stir a little “history” through those prayers and bind hearts through His Love!
THEN…. we met Ramsey & Vicky Vule and their very tall handsome 4-year-old Elhanan. They are missionaries in Sudan, where Ramsey is from. I spent maybe an hour in a conversation of 7, and while I’ve learned more about them since coming back and reading their blog… I just felt that sweet connection in Christ! You can read more about them too… http://vules.blogspot.com/
There is this unspoken bond, this comradery, this unity that I have observed among the missionaries here. And when I just looked up that word for the spelling… It’s definition… the special comradery that exists between soldiers that have experienced the crucible of combat together. Well, that runs even deeper as I sit and listen to them talk and share and discuss… Well… The battle field.
So… In the last few weeks… I’ve met some sisters… Camille, Sissy, Vicky and Peggy, along with a few I am afraid I can’t remember their names… So… I’ll just call them Sweetie. Anyways… As just this morning I found myself missing friends with whom I have long history… I still prayed through my list of missionaries, stopping on each one and asking God to fill them, anoint them, comfort them, assure them, remind them…. Praying for them as I am learning their needs suggested through my own.
And… Today… God showed me His faithfulness as I see Him building a family like He has blessed us with over the last 8, 10, 15, 20 even 25 years.
A different branch in the family tree, a different part of the battle field, but indeed, the same family and the same purpose!
OHHHH. To top it off…. I came back home to meet with Elizabeth. We sat on the front porch. Read a couple of chapters in Joshua and she shared a little of her battle…. When she left she was encouraged by Gods Word and she was expectant of His promises. All I can say is our God is so amazing and He is moving in ways so that the Word of The Lord can be fulfilled! AND… He is letting me sit in another front row seat!! Oh yeah… Let me be a part, Lord, I wanna be a part!
A week in Nairobi at the Compean Safe House was restful and refreshing. A washing machine to do laundry among other amenities made our stay even better! Top that with a great host, a new friend from Cali and an opportunity to meet several other seasoned missionaries. It was really a blessing of a week on so many levels. It was Ed, Tom, Randy and myself. Please keep Kelli, Ed’s wife in prayer as she cares for her mama back in California who was diagnosed with progressive cancer. I was sorry she was not there to just have some time with her but the guys were fun and we monitored things from more of a GI Joe/Boy Scout/super hero angle. We had much time in prayer, some devotions and just time of hearing of God’s story in one another’s lives.
The wait was long and much like hurricanes in Florida that show Tampa in the cone of the projected path of a cat 4 or 5. We had supplies of water, batteries, food and gas-filled cars. We had the crackle of a transistor radio going much of the time. At one point I could hear the crackle but knew the one in the living room was off… I looked out the window and Manasa, who works on the compound, was sweeping and watering plants with a small one sounding from his pant pocket.
All of Kenya was leaning in and the sense of uncertainty was strong. So many praying for peace after the tragedy of the last election when tribal tensions rose to violence that took over 1000 lives and over 600,000 people displaced.
This violence is not who or what Kenya is. I’ve sat with them. I’ve sung praises with them. I’ve gathered spinach in their shambas and chatted with them in their dukas as I select fruit for dinner. I have ridden with them on matatus and I have refereed badminton games… And, I have sat together as we open the Word of God and cried out for His Spirit to fall and cover this nation, her people and the president-elect. And yet – the same enemy that plagues us in America, plagues us here and the stir of evil is no different.
So far, so good, as the saying goes. Aside of some isolated incidences that were quickly diffused by authorities… All has been calm. Oh sure, armed solders on the bench outside the grocery store or walking down your street, or checking your car in every parking lot you enter is a bit unnerving, it has actually become routine in a very short time. THAT in itself reveals just how quickly our senses can be numbed… huh?
Please keep praying. The election is being strongly challenged and the reports Randy reads each night stirs just a bit of anxiousness, which we are very very quick to make our requests know to God and indeed, HIS perfect peace guards our heart!
Wow wow wow what a blessing and a constant reminder of God’s provision! But if I may ask you to keep this in prayer as you praise…. After all of maybe 2 hours on the roads Randy has announced he drives just like a Kenyan. Just so you know… This is not good on two levels…. He now thinks he can drive like they drive…. AND…. Driving like Kenyans is not so good. To help you understand, one evening as we walked into Pastor Ed’s home, I did request that we just go head and schedule marriage counseling.
First Randy says I am to navigate and be his second pair of eyes keeping watch for the unmarked speed bumps on the highway, people, often children, darting across the roads, round abouts, piki pikis, roaming herds,
pot holes that would alert sink hole monitors back home, all while watching the map and giving directions.
Now, understand, there are ZERO traffic lights which means ZERO composure opportunities…. You know, I’ve said enough, you get the picture, right?
When we came back Sunday I saw my new friend Elizabeth down the lane. She waved with both hands and came running. “God is good” she told me! She explained how she had read the verses I had written down on a card I had left for her. I had left it with another woman the day we left, disappointed I had missed her. She told me she had read all the verses and honestly, talked so fast and excited that I missed lots of it. We are meeting Saturday to study the “Word of God”. She is the most excited I’ve ever seen anyone and I walked away after a big hug from her filled with such joy and yet convicted for taking the idea of sitting with His Word for granted. Oh God, deepen my love for You and Your Word!
OH OH OH…. We’ve been approved for our Work Permits! This is huge and nothing short of God! We have school mates that are still waiting after four, six and eight months! Keep praying as we wait “to receive instruction on the collection” but do join us as we thank Jesus!
God is teaching much! We become more aware each day of our increasing need for Him. We are so aware of the need to be in His Word and on our knees. And over the last couple of weeks we have heard more and more of the darkness in the Kisii region with witchcraft and tribal traditions that I definitely am sensing God both preparing us as well as emphasizing our need for prayer. PLEASE KEEP us, Kenya and the people of Kisii in prayer!
That’s about it for now. Please know we love, appreciate and pray for you all constantly. Be blessed and press in, our Lord is Great!
Posted in Uncategorized	| Tagged Bible, Calvary Chapel, church, Compean, Elections, God's provision, Jesus, kenya, Kisii, language school, Missionary, missions, Salvation	| 2 Replies