MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Rejoicing with you that God sent His Only Son to save us from our sins.
Let us share that "gift" with everyone we meet.
In His Service,
Gina Frey
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Mary, the Faithful Follower
Many of us Baptists are afraid to talk about the wonderful character qualities that Mary possessed. As I have been anticipating Christmas - the celebration of God sending our Savior to earth, I have been pondering the personal faith and inner strength that Mary, the mother of Jesus possesed.
She must have had such unwavering faith to be used by God in such a way. Yet, she was just a young girl. God chose to use her at a time when her personal testimony would be ruined and her upcoming marriage could be compromised. Even with these obstacles, Mary trusted Him to work all things together for good. What faith! My prayer is that my faith would be strong enough to put me at the right place at the right time so that I can be tremendously used as a vessel for His glory.
Luke 1:46-56 quotes the beautiful words that Mary glorifies God with. In verse 48, she refers to herself as a "handmaiden of the Lord". I did a little research about handmaidens. A handmaiden followed her mistress everywhere and was present to be used for whatever her mistress asked. Not one word is spoken by the mistress to the handmaiden, just a look or a wave of the hand and a task was assigned. Thus the term "hand-maiden". A handmaiden knows that the best way to serve her mistress is to find out as much as she can about her personality. She desires to be so in tune with her mistress as if she can even read her thoughts and anticipate her next instruction.
Mary calls herself a "handmaiden of God". Shouldn't every one of us desire to be just that! As we move into 2011, let us get so close to God that we can anticipate His next request of us and may we serve Him with a heart of faith as Mary did!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Little Hands, Big Hearts
Life is never dull, when you teach children. I want to say "HELLO" to all of the "Aunties" & "Uncles" from Independant Baptist Church of Georgetown. What a blessing it was to teach you on Sunday. Thank you for praying for me faithfully. The boys & girls in South Africa do not all go to a good church like yours. Many of the children go to the closest church to thier house. Most of the other churches in our village do not teach the Gospel - that salvation is through Christ alone. They believe in God, but pray to thier ancestors for help through life. Please keep praying that they would see that there is only one way of salvation.
I am praying that the Lord would use each of you to invite someone new to church. You can be a missionary to your neighbors, family, & friends. Just TRUST & OBEY! Trust God to give you the words to say, and obey Him when He asks you to do something for Him. You may have little hands, but is you have a heart for God, he will do great things through your life.
I am praying that the Lord would use each of you to invite someone new to church. You can be a missionary to your neighbors, family, & friends. Just TRUST & OBEY! Trust God to give you the words to say, and obey Him when He asks you to do something for Him. You may have little hands, but is you have a heart for God, he will do great things through your life.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
October-November 2010 Prayer Letter
Dear Family & Friends,
September was my busiest month on deputation so far. I was able to travel to 3 Missions Conferences and several meetings in PA, VA, & RI. God certainly directs our paths. He walked before me and placed me in the churches and homes where I needed to be. I was able to minister to several people along the way and was well ministered to. The body of believers that I have been able to spend time with has certainly made an impression on me.
During this last Missions Conference I was privileged to teach the children every night. Satan did his best to distract the kids from God’s Word, but the Lord had the victory! At the end of the week a few of the boys & girls came to me and thanked me for coming to teach them (each shared specifically what they learned and how they will apply it). I believe the Lord used His Word to impact thier lives concerning missions and soul winning.
1Chronicles 16:8 says, “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.” As we enter into this season of thanks I am reminded of a little Zulu boy in the village of Embo. His name is Siyabonga, which means “we thank Thee”. His parents were so thankful that the Lord gave him to them that they named him in thanks to God. We have a lot to be thankful for. Over the past few months the Lord has continued to provide for my needs. You have been praying about my vehicle situation and last month I was able to purchase a new vehicle. Praise the Lord for feeling safe when I travel to church meetings! My support level has also climbed to 25% (that is $750 of the $3000 per month that I need to get to South Africa). Giyabonga means “I thank you” in Zulu. Thank you for praying for my traveling safety, added support and more meetings. I just scheduled two meetings for November. Please keep praying for more meetings & especially for churches to take me on for support. Every time I watch my dvd presentation I think of how much older the children like Siyabonga will be by the time I get to the mission field. How I long to minister to those people that the Lord has burdened me for.
In His Service,
Gina A. Frey
September was my busiest month on deputation so far. I was able to travel to 3 Missions Conferences and several meetings in PA, VA, & RI. God certainly directs our paths. He walked before me and placed me in the churches and homes where I needed to be. I was able to minister to several people along the way and was well ministered to. The body of believers that I have been able to spend time with has certainly made an impression on me.
During this last Missions Conference I was privileged to teach the children every night. Satan did his best to distract the kids from God’s Word, but the Lord had the victory! At the end of the week a few of the boys & girls came to me and thanked me for coming to teach them (each shared specifically what they learned and how they will apply it). I believe the Lord used His Word to impact thier lives concerning missions and soul winning.
1Chronicles 16:8 says, “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people.” As we enter into this season of thanks I am reminded of a little Zulu boy in the village of Embo. His name is Siyabonga, which means “we thank Thee”. His parents were so thankful that the Lord gave him to them that they named him in thanks to God. We have a lot to be thankful for. Over the past few months the Lord has continued to provide for my needs. You have been praying about my vehicle situation and last month I was able to purchase a new vehicle. Praise the Lord for feeling safe when I travel to church meetings! My support level has also climbed to 25% (that is $750 of the $3000 per month that I need to get to South Africa). Giyabonga means “I thank you” in Zulu. Thank you for praying for my traveling safety, added support and more meetings. I just scheduled two meetings for November. Please keep praying for more meetings & especially for churches to take me on for support. Every time I watch my dvd presentation I think of how much older the children like Siyabonga will be by the time I get to the mission field. How I long to minister to those people that the Lord has burdened me for.
In His Service,
Gina A. Frey
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Unity
Recently at a Missions Conference I was priviledged to meet a young couple who are on deputation for the mission field of Moldova. As soon as we met there was a friendship between us. What a joy it was to fellowship with them all week. It is not everyday that you meet people that you feel like family with. We had a wonderful time talking about the countries God has led us to serve in, what the Lord has showed us through deputation, and of course, we got some good old fashioned teasing in too :) Praise the Lord for the unity He gives us that is only found through knowing and serving our Lord!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Ladies Sunday School Class: TREASURE
Introduction: On September 24, 2009 the world's largest diamond was excavated at the Cullinan Diamond Mine in Pretoria, South Africa. This mine is only a few hours from our ministry in Durban, South AFrica. The diamon is 507.6-carat rough cut diamond and is about the size of a medium chicken egg. In April 2010 this diamond sold for $35.3 million, which makes it the mose valuable diamond ever. After doing some research I found out that it may take miners anywhere from 3- 15 years to safely remove these diamonds from the mine. Can you imagine going to work everyday to try to mine the same things for 3-15 years? God's Word is full of treasures. How much time do I take to "mine" in God's Word? The following are some Scripture passages & thoughts that I was able to share with a ladies Sunday School class yesterday.
1) What does the Bible tell us about our treasure?
~ Matt.12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth
forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things."
a. What is my treasure?
b. Where & what do I spend the most time?
~ Lk.12:21 "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God."
* I am foolish if I do not lay up treasures for God.
~ Matt.6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor
steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
a. I should not have earthly treasures.
b. God commands us to lay up treasure in Heaven.
c. Remember your heart reveals your true treasure.
* Examine your heart today.
2) What should my treasure be?
~ Matt.13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a
field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that
field."
My treasure should be> THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
a. Am I willing to "Sell out" for God?
b. The most important treasure is knowing Christ as Savior.
With Christ as my Savior, I have a home in Heaven!
~ Is.33:6 "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and
strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure."
My treasure should be> THE FEAR OF THE LORD
a. Do I fear the Lord?
b. If I fear the Lord I have a precious thing, since it is called a
treasure.
c. If I fear the Lord, I will obey Him, and that glorifies God.
~ Gen.15:1 "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a
vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding
great reward." ("great reward"= treasure)
My treasure should be> GOD ALONE!
* God says not to fear because He is our treasure!
~ Prov.8:21 "That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I
will fill their treasures."
*God promises to fill the treasures of those who love Him.
3)God's Word is a hid treasure. Prov.2:1-5
"1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of
God."
*God wants our whole being to be involved in searching the hidden treasure of His
Word- 1. incline thine ear (vs2)
2. apply thine heart (vs2)
3. lift up thy voice (vs3)
Think about how much you search for things around the house when they go
missing. I search high & low and in some places 4 or 5 times. The things that I
look for are not anything in comparison to the treasure of God's Word.
Ask yourself: - How much time do I spend digging in God's Word?
- What have I learned lately in my own personal Bible reading?
The Bible contains: truth, teaching, instruction, help for every need, comfort,
guidance, strength, wisdom for every decision,...
Like the diamond we talked about at the beginning of this study, God's Word is the most valuable thing we can have, if we use it.
(His Word is sharp, like a diamond, it cuts even the toughest surface. Are
we training to use this waepon on our enemy? God wants us to be prepared
to fight the spiritual battles. How often do you practice with your
Sword? Think about this: How good is a soldier if he does not know how to
use his weapon?)
My prayer should be - Ps.119:18 "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
Apply yourself:
1. Do a study on Psalm 119 about God's Word.
Write down the words used for the Bible.(law, word, precept,...)
Write down the words describing the Bible. (light, law, hammer,...)
Think about how God's Word can be used in your life inreguard to what you have
learned.
2. Make the digging into this Treasure a daily practice.
Follow a daily Bible reading schedule.
Have a study or devotional book that helps you to not just read God's Word, but
to write down what you have learned and how you will apply it.
1) What does the Bible tell us about our treasure?
~ Matt.12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth
forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things."
a. What is my treasure?
b. Where & what do I spend the most time?
~ Lk.12:21 "So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God."
* I am foolish if I do not lay up treasures for God.
~ Matt.6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor
steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
a. I should not have earthly treasures.
b. God commands us to lay up treasure in Heaven.
c. Remember your heart reveals your true treasure.
* Examine your heart today.
2) What should my treasure be?
~ Matt.13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a
field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that
field."
My treasure should be> THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
a. Am I willing to "Sell out" for God?
b. The most important treasure is knowing Christ as Savior.
With Christ as my Savior, I have a home in Heaven!
~ Is.33:6 "And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and
strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure."
My treasure should be> THE FEAR OF THE LORD
a. Do I fear the Lord?
b. If I fear the Lord I have a precious thing, since it is called a
treasure.
c. If I fear the Lord, I will obey Him, and that glorifies God.
~ Gen.15:1 "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a
vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding
great reward." ("great reward"= treasure)
My treasure should be> GOD ALONE!
* God says not to fear because He is our treasure!
~ Prov.8:21 "That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I
will fill their treasures."
*God promises to fill the treasures of those who love Him.
3)God's Word is a hid treasure. Prov.2:1-5
"1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for
understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of
God."
*God wants our whole being to be involved in searching the hidden treasure of His
Word- 1. incline thine ear (vs2)
2. apply thine heart (vs2)
3. lift up thy voice (vs3)
Think about how much you search for things around the house when they go
missing. I search high & low and in some places 4 or 5 times. The things that I
look for are not anything in comparison to the treasure of God's Word.
Ask yourself: - How much time do I spend digging in God's Word?
- What have I learned lately in my own personal Bible reading?
The Bible contains: truth, teaching, instruction, help for every need, comfort,
guidance, strength, wisdom for every decision,...
Like the diamond we talked about at the beginning of this study, God's Word is the most valuable thing we can have, if we use it.
(His Word is sharp, like a diamond, it cuts even the toughest surface. Are
we training to use this waepon on our enemy? God wants us to be prepared
to fight the spiritual battles. How often do you practice with your
Sword? Think about this: How good is a soldier if he does not know how to
use his weapon?)
My prayer should be - Ps.119:18 "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
Apply yourself:
1. Do a study on Psalm 119 about God's Word.
Write down the words used for the Bible.(law, word, precept,...)
Write down the words describing the Bible. (light, law, hammer,...)
Think about how God's Word can be used in your life inreguard to what you have
learned.
2. Make the digging into this Treasure a daily practice.
Follow a daily Bible reading schedule.
Have a study or devotional book that helps you to not just read God's Word, but
to write down what you have learned and how you will apply it.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
New Vehicle
For those of you who were praying, I just wanted to update you about my vehicle situation. At the beginning of August I wet to a church near Washington D.C.. On the way down my car broke down and I had to call AAA. The had me buy a new battery for my car because that is what they said was wrong with it. After service on Sunday I started home and it shut off in the middle of the 95 Capitol Beltway. Praise the Lord it drifted all the way over to the right hand curb and I was able to pull off the road (95 is crazy to drive on).
That afternoon my little brother and I road in a tow truck for the 2 hour ride home. I got to witness to him, since he had no better place to be at that time. :0)
After arriving home my dad fixed the battery cables and I drove it short distances, as well as over an hour away. During the hour long trip my vehicle did not have much power (everyone on the highways was passing me). We knew it was time to get rid of that car and get something reliable.
I needed to make a decision soon because of traveling the whole month of September & October. After 2 weeks of searching the Lord led us to a vehicle that was a great price.
Today I am driving a 2010 GMC Sierra truck. I feel safer in a vehicle I can see out of (since I have driven SUV's and trucks all my life. A pickup also has one of the highest resale values and the 2010s are good on gas mileage. For 5 years my engine and major mechanical work is under warranty, 3 year free tire repair & replacement,... The truck has OnStar so if I: lock my keys in the car, loose my phone, get lost, need help, or am in an accident I will always be able to get the help I need. Praise the Lord - my parents and friends can send me off to my deputation meetings feeling that i am a little more safe & taken care of ( especially since I travel by myself everywhere.
We also got a cap for the truck so I can now take my harp with me to meetings & can store all my deputation supplies while I am onthe road for weeks & months at a time. Thank you for praying for my needs in this way. The Lord is good and continues to go before me.
That afternoon my little brother and I road in a tow truck for the 2 hour ride home. I got to witness to him, since he had no better place to be at that time. :0)
After arriving home my dad fixed the battery cables and I drove it short distances, as well as over an hour away. During the hour long trip my vehicle did not have much power (everyone on the highways was passing me). We knew it was time to get rid of that car and get something reliable.
I needed to make a decision soon because of traveling the whole month of September & October. After 2 weeks of searching the Lord led us to a vehicle that was a great price.
Today I am driving a 2010 GMC Sierra truck. I feel safer in a vehicle I can see out of (since I have driven SUV's and trucks all my life. A pickup also has one of the highest resale values and the 2010s are good on gas mileage. For 5 years my engine and major mechanical work is under warranty, 3 year free tire repair & replacement,... The truck has OnStar so if I: lock my keys in the car, loose my phone, get lost, need help, or am in an accident I will always be able to get the help I need. Praise the Lord - my parents and friends can send me off to my deputation meetings feeling that i am a little more safe & taken care of ( especially since I travel by myself everywhere.
We also got a cap for the truck so I can now take my harp with me to meetings & can store all my deputation supplies while I am onthe road for weeks & months at a time. Thank you for praying for my needs in this way. The Lord is good and continues to go before me.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Price of a Soul
Matthew 16:26 says, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Tonight, as I thought about today's events I pondered the true price of a soul. Missionaries who have gone before me have shown that thier own life was less precious than winning a soul to Christ. A missionary at a recent Missions Conference said that christians spend more money on their dog during a year than they give to missions. How sad? The price of a soul only comes in how much we are willing to give for the cause of Christ.
Recently, I happened to watch two men of God show others by thier actions the price of a soul. The first, was willing to lose his job in order to go to our church camp to win a soul to Christ. The second was the camp director at the campground where I live. He saw that a newly saved boy needed a pair of sneakers. On his way home tonight he dropped by with a brand new pair of sneakers. That boy smiled from ear to ear and went all over the camp ground telling everyone to look down so that they would see his brand new shoes. What a gift from God! This young man less than an hour before was sitting outside dealing with an anger problem that had resulted from his horrible home situation. Now he is here enjoying the blessing from God all because a man thought his spiritual growth was worth the price of a pair of tennis shoes.
Tonight, as I fall asleep in prayer for the young men who are counseling in the cabins I pray that the Lord would give them strength to value the souls of thier campers more than comfort and rest, more than a full nights sleep,...
In closing I must ask you the same question that I am asking myself -
"What is the price of a soul?"
Tonight, as I thought about today's events I pondered the true price of a soul. Missionaries who have gone before me have shown that thier own life was less precious than winning a soul to Christ. A missionary at a recent Missions Conference said that christians spend more money on their dog during a year than they give to missions. How sad? The price of a soul only comes in how much we are willing to give for the cause of Christ.
Recently, I happened to watch two men of God show others by thier actions the price of a soul. The first, was willing to lose his job in order to go to our church camp to win a soul to Christ. The second was the camp director at the campground where I live. He saw that a newly saved boy needed a pair of sneakers. On his way home tonight he dropped by with a brand new pair of sneakers. That boy smiled from ear to ear and went all over the camp ground telling everyone to look down so that they would see his brand new shoes. What a gift from God! This young man less than an hour before was sitting outside dealing with an anger problem that had resulted from his horrible home situation. Now he is here enjoying the blessing from God all because a man thought his spiritual growth was worth the price of a pair of tennis shoes.
Tonight, as I fall asleep in prayer for the young men who are counseling in the cabins I pray that the Lord would give them strength to value the souls of thier campers more than comfort and rest, more than a full nights sleep,...
In closing I must ask you the same question that I am asking myself -
"What is the price of a soul?"
Thursday, July 8, 2010
MZBC Church Camp
June 28-July 2, 2010
I was still exhausted from my trip last week and from travling to Delaware and back, but this week was Camp week. What a great week it was! For two months now I have been praying that I would be able to lead someone to Christ. On Tuesday evening a young lady came forward who was ready to receive Christ as Savior. What a blessing it is to have our prayers answered!!!
The week went by so fast. I had a great cabin of Senior high girls. We made some great memories, but most importantly they made some very important decisions. I was blessed to be a part of the Lord working in thier lives.
I was still exhausted from my trip last week and from travling to Delaware and back, but this week was Camp week. What a great week it was! For two months now I have been praying that I would be able to lead someone to Christ. On Tuesday evening a young lady came forward who was ready to receive Christ as Savior. What a blessing it is to have our prayers answered!!!
The week went by so fast. I had a great cabin of Senior high girls. We made some great memories, but most importantly they made some very important decisions. I was blessed to be a part of the Lord working in thier lives.
Travel Journal: Days #13-14
June 21&22, 2010
Destination: Home :0)
After a short drive back to Memphis and a delicious breakfast with Nyletta I was on my way home. I certainly was not looking forward to the 20+ hour drive home. Through rain storms and passed accidents the Lord guided me home. He even put a rainbow in the sky during one evening.
Thoroughly exhausted I made it home after a spiritually great trip.
Thank You, Lord!!!
Destination: Home :0)
After a short drive back to Memphis and a delicious breakfast with Nyletta I was on my way home. I certainly was not looking forward to the 20+ hour drive home. Through rain storms and passed accidents the Lord guided me home. He even put a rainbow in the sky during one evening.
Thoroughly exhausted I made it home after a spiritually great trip.
Thank You, Lord!!!
Travel Journal: Days #11-12
June 19&20, 2010
Destination: North Little Rock, AR
This morning I left Memphis for Hope Baptist Church. We had morning visitation in the horrible heat. It was an encouragement to have so many people out to visit. This church is only 4 months old and yet there were about 12 people on visitation and then they stayed around for church cleaning.
After visitation I had fellowship with the pastor and his wife and a great dinner with them and another lady named Gina (what a great name!).
At church on Sunday I was able to play flute with Gina,teach children's Sunday School, be the first missionary to show a DVD Presentation, and share a testimony with the church.
What a blessing it was to go away encouraged, revuved by great fellowhip and ready for the trip home.
Destination: North Little Rock, AR
This morning I left Memphis for Hope Baptist Church. We had morning visitation in the horrible heat. It was an encouragement to have so many people out to visit. This church is only 4 months old and yet there were about 12 people on visitation and then they stayed around for church cleaning.
After visitation I had fellowship with the pastor and his wife and a great dinner with them and another lady named Gina (what a great name!).
At church on Sunday I was able to play flute with Gina,teach children's Sunday School, be the first missionary to show a DVD Presentation, and share a testimony with the church.
What a blessing it was to go away encouraged, revuved by great fellowhip and ready for the trip home.
Travel Journal: Days #4-10
June 12-18, 2010
Missions' Institute
This week has been a blessing and a time of testing. My hostess, Nyletta Mosher and her family were a great blessing to me. They certainly were wonderful examples of Christlikeness. I have learned so much from thier relationship with the Lord.
The classes during the week were helpful to me during deputation. The best thing about the mission institute was meeting other missionaries preparing for the field and some veteran missionaries. I was able to learn alot about the mission field and deputation from all of the time I spent with my new friends. If any of you are reading this - THANK YOU for being willing to share with me!
Missions' Institute
This week has been a blessing and a time of testing. My hostess, Nyletta Mosher and her family were a great blessing to me. They certainly were wonderful examples of Christlikeness. I have learned so much from thier relationship with the Lord.
The classes during the week were helpful to me during deputation. The best thing about the mission institute was meeting other missionaries preparing for the field and some veteran missionaries. I was able to learn alot about the mission field and deputation from all of the time I spent with my new friends. If any of you are reading this - THANK YOU for being willing to share with me!
Travel Journal: Day #3
June 11, 2010
Destination: Memphis, TN
Wow, I can't believe how far I have traveled so far. The Lord has truly taken care of me and has gone before me. Today I had a chance to witness to two men from Egypt. After talking to them about where they are from and how they got to the USA, they asked me about myself and I told them about going to South Africa. What a great opprtunity to talk to them about salvation through Christ alone. After finding out that they were fellow believers we discussed the Scriptures. What a blessed time we had.
On the way back to the place I was staying I was also able to talk with a lady from Boston. I asked her about her life and she shared with me and then I was able to share the plan of salvation with her. She did not pray to receive Christ, but she said that she would read the tract I gave her and think on what I said. What a great day!
Destination: Memphis, TN
Wow, I can't believe how far I have traveled so far. The Lord has truly taken care of me and has gone before me. Today I had a chance to witness to two men from Egypt. After talking to them about where they are from and how they got to the USA, they asked me about myself and I told them about going to South Africa. What a great opprtunity to talk to them about salvation through Christ alone. After finding out that they were fellow believers we discussed the Scriptures. What a blessed time we had.
On the way back to the place I was staying I was also able to talk with a lady from Boston. I asked her about her life and she shared with me and then I was able to share the plan of salvation with her. She did not pray to receive Christ, but she said that she would read the tract I gave her and think on what I said. What a great day!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Travel Journal: Day #2
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Destinantion: Nashville, TN
Okay, I started out my day with this thought - "Why do they call the breakfast provided by a hotel a "continental breakfast"?" There is really nothing continental about a piece of bread, yogurt, and fruit! Did you ever wonder???
After having a "continental breakfast" (yogurt & coffee :0), I headed out for the day. Since the traffic in Knoxville is awful between 9-12noon, I decided to go to the zoo. I was greatly looking forward to seeing those African animals. Excitement mounted when I found out that they had white rhinos and a few African elephants. When I go to the exhibits, my heart sank. The animals looked so sad in thier smaller grassless cages. I guess after seeing these animals in thier natural habitat I can recognize what it must be like for them to be caged.
While typing this post I was thinking of the great spiritual application. When we are caged by our sin and out of our godly spiritual habitat, we are unhappy and restless. As I walked on to other exhibits, the feeling of pity for the animals was replaced by the attitude of gratitude. I became thankful that I had the chance to see the elephants, giraffes, monkeys, rhinos, and other animals in Africa. I was also thankful that these animals (even though they seemed unhappy to me) could be seen by people who may never have the chance to travel so far away. The spiritual thought that also came to mind was about the people in the Bible that God put on exhibit for us to learn from...
After the trafic had cleared I drove another 4 hours to Nashville, TN. It was also a busy area since the Country Music Awards are going on. Please pray for me as I hope to witness to the Indian man who is the hotel owner. I will be here today and tommorrow. Since I have a hard time thinking anymore I am going to get settled in and ready for bed. The Lord allowed traveling saftey again and He again blessed me with a great day! Ask me to tell you more about my day later!
Destinantion: Nashville, TN
Okay, I started out my day with this thought - "Why do they call the breakfast provided by a hotel a "continental breakfast"?" There is really nothing continental about a piece of bread, yogurt, and fruit! Did you ever wonder???
After having a "continental breakfast" (yogurt & coffee :0), I headed out for the day. Since the traffic in Knoxville is awful between 9-12noon, I decided to go to the zoo. I was greatly looking forward to seeing those African animals. Excitement mounted when I found out that they had white rhinos and a few African elephants. When I go to the exhibits, my heart sank. The animals looked so sad in thier smaller grassless cages. I guess after seeing these animals in thier natural habitat I can recognize what it must be like for them to be caged.
While typing this post I was thinking of the great spiritual application. When we are caged by our sin and out of our godly spiritual habitat, we are unhappy and restless. As I walked on to other exhibits, the feeling of pity for the animals was replaced by the attitude of gratitude. I became thankful that I had the chance to see the elephants, giraffes, monkeys, rhinos, and other animals in Africa. I was also thankful that these animals (even though they seemed unhappy to me) could be seen by people who may never have the chance to travel so far away. The spiritual thought that also came to mind was about the people in the Bible that God put on exhibit for us to learn from...
After the trafic had cleared I drove another 4 hours to Nashville, TN. It was also a busy area since the Country Music Awards are going on. Please pray for me as I hope to witness to the Indian man who is the hotel owner. I will be here today and tommorrow. Since I have a hard time thinking anymore I am going to get settled in and ready for bed. The Lord allowed traveling saftey again and He again blessed me with a great day! Ask me to tell you more about my day later!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Travel Journal : Day #1
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Destination: Knoxville, TN
This morning I got up at 6am (after going to bed at 1:30 am) and packed for a trip to Knoxville, TN. Today was the first day of my trip to Memphis, TN for the Annual Institute of Missions at Eastside Baptist Church. As the sun came up and the rain started to fall I traveled through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and into Tennessee. Every once in a while during the trip, the rain would clear and I would get a look at the Blue Ridge Mountains that I was driving between. The magnificence of God's creation was breathtaking.
The first 5 hours I drove without stopping. What do you do on a long drive? I listened to music, Adventures in Oddesey stories, more music, sang to myself without music, started to get sleepy, listened to more music, sang to myself again, listened to preaching, sang even louder and more off key and finally decided I had better stop for lunch. After lunch I passed through the beautiful Shennandoah valley. Two hours into the drive again I started to feel sleepy...only 7 more hours to go. Every exit I passed I said, "I'll stop at the next one for gas and coffee"... Finally, an hour and a half later I pulled off at an exit in Virginia that had 6 differant gas stations.
After fueling up, I turned around to see some familiar faces in the parking lot. "Hey, HEY!!!", I said. They turned around to look and guess who it was. Teressa Smith and her children Matthew & Jessicca and her grandson. They had been my friends for years. We lived over the hill from eachother, stamped together, and had a wonderful friendship. After a few years she had to move back home to Tenessee. It was so good to see my dear friends. They were on thier way home from traveling and here we were stopped at the same gas station.
As I drove away from that happy reunion, God's sovereign power fathomed my mind. It was only the Lord that had brought us together. Out of all the exits that I could have gotten off of, out of all the gas stations I could have gone to on that exit.... To think that I could have gone to the gas station across the road and we would have never seen eachother, or even known that we were at the same place. God's providence is astounding!!!!
Well, after 12 hours, I finally reached my hotel at 7pm. My eyes hurt from driving, but I checked in slapped some deoderant and a new shirt on and off to church I went. Grace Bible Baptist Church is just 20 minutes from where I am staying. I walked in late of course, but was greeted by friendly faces. The people were welcoming, the singing was uplifting to His holy name, and the preaching was sharp as a sword. The pastor spoke on the sin of lying. Many teens and adults went forward to obey God's Word by being truthful. What a great blessing!
By 9pm I was starving so I found the closest restaraunt to the hotel and ordered food to go. While waiting for my food I was able to witness to Giovonni (a waiter from Guatamala). He talked about how worldly relationships and love come and go. What a great opportunity it was for me to share of God's everlasting love for Him by sending Christ to die for his sin. He told me he goes to a Baptist Church. I left a salvation tract with him since he did not clearly have eternal security.
While eating supper in my room at 10 pm, reminisced over all that the Lord had done during my day - traveling safety, meeting Teressa, attending a great church, and allowing me to witness to Giovanni - What a great day! What a great God I serve! I asked the Lord to allow everyday of this 3 week-long trip to be just as great.
Destination: Knoxville, TN
This morning I got up at 6am (after going to bed at 1:30 am) and packed for a trip to Knoxville, TN. Today was the first day of my trip to Memphis, TN for the Annual Institute of Missions at Eastside Baptist Church. As the sun came up and the rain started to fall I traveled through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and into Tennessee. Every once in a while during the trip, the rain would clear and I would get a look at the Blue Ridge Mountains that I was driving between. The magnificence of God's creation was breathtaking.
The first 5 hours I drove without stopping. What do you do on a long drive? I listened to music, Adventures in Oddesey stories, more music, sang to myself without music, started to get sleepy, listened to more music, sang to myself again, listened to preaching, sang even louder and more off key and finally decided I had better stop for lunch. After lunch I passed through the beautiful Shennandoah valley. Two hours into the drive again I started to feel sleepy...only 7 more hours to go. Every exit I passed I said, "I'll stop at the next one for gas and coffee"... Finally, an hour and a half later I pulled off at an exit in Virginia that had 6 differant gas stations.
After fueling up, I turned around to see some familiar faces in the parking lot. "Hey, HEY!!!", I said. They turned around to look and guess who it was. Teressa Smith and her children Matthew & Jessicca and her grandson. They had been my friends for years. We lived over the hill from eachother, stamped together, and had a wonderful friendship. After a few years she had to move back home to Tenessee. It was so good to see my dear friends. They were on thier way home from traveling and here we were stopped at the same gas station.
As I drove away from that happy reunion, God's sovereign power fathomed my mind. It was only the Lord that had brought us together. Out of all the exits that I could have gotten off of, out of all the gas stations I could have gone to on that exit.... To think that I could have gone to the gas station across the road and we would have never seen eachother, or even known that we were at the same place. God's providence is astounding!!!!
Well, after 12 hours, I finally reached my hotel at 7pm. My eyes hurt from driving, but I checked in slapped some deoderant and a new shirt on and off to church I went. Grace Bible Baptist Church is just 20 minutes from where I am staying. I walked in late of course, but was greeted by friendly faces. The people were welcoming, the singing was uplifting to His holy name, and the preaching was sharp as a sword. The pastor spoke on the sin of lying. Many teens and adults went forward to obey God's Word by being truthful. What a great blessing!
By 9pm I was starving so I found the closest restaraunt to the hotel and ordered food to go. While waiting for my food I was able to witness to Giovonni (a waiter from Guatamala). He talked about how worldly relationships and love come and go. What a great opportunity it was for me to share of God's everlasting love for Him by sending Christ to die for his sin. He told me he goes to a Baptist Church. I left a salvation tract with him since he did not clearly have eternal security.
While eating supper in my room at 10 pm, reminisced over all that the Lord had done during my day - traveling safety, meeting Teressa, attending a great church, and allowing me to witness to Giovanni - What a great day! What a great God I serve! I asked the Lord to allow everyday of this 3 week-long trip to be just as great.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Beginning My Journey
At the end of March I began my journey into full-time deputation. While starting this trek of faith, the Lord directed me to a verse that will help me through each step. Psalm 62:5 says, "My soul, wait thou only upon God: for my expectation is from Him." At the beginning of every new chapter in our lives we form personal expectations of how things will come about. As I started my deputation journey I have strived to rely only upon the Lord for timing, wisdom, and guidance. As I face each day of phone calls, emails, and scheduling of meetings I have desired to allow the Lord to direct my paths. My only expectation during this chapter of my life is that the Lord will be in it because He is the one who has already gone before me and directed my path.
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