The Lord has done many things during the last few days:
1) He protected me from danger
As I was traveling from the top of Alabama to Florida, I needed to find a place to stay for the night. I stopped at a reputable hotel to see if they had any rooms. As I was walking in I noticed some scary & suspicious characters sitting around. The lady at the desk said they were full for the night (no room in the inn). I got in the truck and drove further down the road and saw that there was a casino almost next door. I didn't know that! I believe the Lord protected me from what could have been a dangerous situation. Praise the Lord!
2) He gave me another meeting unexpectedly
On Wednesday afternoon I met with a pastor & his wife for dinner. He asked me to come and show my presentation & share a testimony that night. What a blessing it was to meet everyone at Trinity Baptist Church. They were so friendly & encouraging. I especially enjoyed talking to the kids & bus kids. They have a great group of children's workers who sincerely love the children.
3)An unexpected visit with some college students
Since I am in Pensacola, FL I have also been blessed to visit with some of the college students from our home church. They live such busy lives with all of the learning going on. So far I have been to the girls' dorm, attended 2 chapels and have eaten meals with 2 of them. The Lord has given me time especially with my dear friend Melanie. We hope to spend Saturday off campus sight-seeing.
4) Great opportunities to witness these last few weeks.
This past week I have had more opportunities than usual. Last night while Melanie and I went out to the mall (she was so glad to be off campus for a while),I was able to witness to a lady in the ladies' dressing room. She was very grumpy when I went in so I asked the Lord to help me witness to her. When I came out of the dressing room I was able to speak to her more in depth. The ladies name is Trenthia. She is so cold to the Lord right now because she sees her mother's death as unjust. I hope that she sees how much God loves her and that He has a purpose for everything. I was amazed at how she wanted to talk. Thank you Lord for opening the doors!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Hello from ALABAMA!
Psalm 150:1,2,6
"Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
Today, I was at an alligator farm in Summerdale, Alabama. It was exciting to feed and hold the gators. More exciting than the alligators was that I had the opportunity to witness to a lady this morning, a man and a couple at the alligator farm, another lady, and two workers at the Piggly Wiggly today. What an answer to prayer! I have been asking the Lord for opportunities to speak with people.
Travel Journal : March 19-21, 2011
3/19 - drove for a few hours today and arrived at the Lighthouse Mission House in Athens, AL. This is a beautiful house hosted by some wonderful people. It was nice to be in the same place for a couple days. By the way, I forgot to tell you that when I called to add minutes to my phone they told me that I needed to get a new one because it was so old. (For those of you who don't know, I use a prepaid phone instead of having a monthly plan. I do this to save some extra money for my passage fund, instead of paying so much for a fancy phone that I don't really NEED.) Anyway, I went to Walmart and bought a new phone for $9.95 - WOW! The problem came when I went to activate & transfer my old number to the new phone. They deactivated the old phone first, and then told me it will take up to 72 hours before the new phone can be in use. 72 hours!!! To make a long story longer, I went 3 days without a phone. That is very hard for a missionary, since the phone is an important tool, especially when traveling. I am thankful that our God can always be accessed, unlike our cell phones.
3/20 - FIRST DAY OF SPRING! Today's service was great! I attended Madison Baptist Church in Madison, AL. The people were so kind, friendly, and full of that "Southern Hospitality". Pastor Allison preached some great messages that really challenged us to be serious about the truth of God's Word, the choir specials were beautiful, and the congregational singing was uplifting. In the evening I had a chance to share my burden for the Zulus. The verses I shared in my testimony were II Samuel 22:31-33. My testimony clearly shows how the Lord truly goes before us amd makes our way perfect. After service many people came by the display to talk and ask questions. There was also a man who shared with me excitedly how his testimony is similar to mine. He grew up at his church, got his training there, is active in ministry, took a mission trip to Uganda, and will be returning there as a missionary soon. He said that he identified with me when I shared how the Lord used my past ministry with teens & kids to prepare me for the mission field in South Africa. He too is active with teens and bus ministry and will be going to Uganda to work with the same type of kids. Thank you Lord for going before us and preparing us for the service you ask of us in the future. What a great first day of Spring!
3/21 - This morning I had to leave the Mission House so they could prepare for a missionary family who are coming in. I was sad to leave, but glad to have had that time to get some much needed paperwork done and especially do laundry. Today, I make my way straight through Alabama toward Pensacola, FL. I never thought I would be in Alabama or Florida!
3/20 - FIRST DAY OF SPRING! Today's service was great! I attended Madison Baptist Church in Madison, AL. The people were so kind, friendly, and full of that "Southern Hospitality". Pastor Allison preached some great messages that really challenged us to be serious about the truth of God's Word, the choir specials were beautiful, and the congregational singing was uplifting. In the evening I had a chance to share my burden for the Zulus. The verses I shared in my testimony were II Samuel 22:31-33. My testimony clearly shows how the Lord truly goes before us amd makes our way perfect. After service many people came by the display to talk and ask questions. There was also a man who shared with me excitedly how his testimony is similar to mine. He grew up at his church, got his training there, is active in ministry, took a mission trip to Uganda, and will be returning there as a missionary soon. He said that he identified with me when I shared how the Lord used my past ministry with teens & kids to prepare me for the mission field in South Africa. He too is active with teens and bus ministry and will be going to Uganda to work with the same type of kids. Thank you Lord for going before us and preparing us for the service you ask of us in the future. What a great first day of Spring!
3/21 - This morning I had to leave the Mission House so they could prepare for a missionary family who are coming in. I was sad to leave, but glad to have had that time to get some much needed paperwork done and especially do laundry. Today, I make my way straight through Alabama toward Pensacola, FL. I never thought I would be in Alabama or Florida!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Travel Journal : March16-18
3/16 -Wednesday, tonight I had a service at Twin Rivers Baptist Church, just outside of Maritta, OH. First, I started out in the 4-6th grade Awana class. We had a great time and they were good listeners. I was able to share my salvation testimony with them and to tell them about te Zulus in SA. Halfway through the service, I went out to the auditorium to speak to the adults. I love thier auditorium, it is so missions- minded. The people here made me feel like they had known me all thier life. They all spoke to me without hesitation. It was also great to meet some of the ladies who know people from my home church. After service I was able to spend time with the pastor, Anita (pastor's wife), and her mother "Granny" (they call her). After my visit, they now call her "Gogo Granny".
3/17 -Yesterday, I got a call from a pastor in Pensacola. He asked me in for a meeting since I will be down this way. Hurray, a new meeting! I will also get to spend some time with some kids from my church who go to school down there. Your ways are not my ways, Lord. I originally did not plan to be gone this long, so I did not pack everything that I need for this journey. Today, I spent some time driving to my next meeting and shopping for some needed itms. One thing that I needed immediately was a DVD player. Last Sunday, before service, my laptop refused to play my DVD presentation. Thankfully, I was able to use a DVD player from thier prophet's chamber. So, today I had to purchase a small one to use for deputation. Spent the night in Barboursville, WV.
3/18 -Stopped at Goodwill to find a few things and then I was back on the road for a few hours. During my long drives I like to stop in between for a break. Sometimes I stop to see something that I may never get a chance to see again. Today I went to the Lincoln Museum in Hodgenville, KY. The museum ws great! The cost was great too (only $3)! After the half hour stop I traveled 2 1/2 more hours South and stayed in Columbia, TN.
The Path of Joy
Psalm 16:11 says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevemore." The Lord has been directing my path as I continue on deputation. He has truly given me joy for the journey! As I sat in His presense this morning during my devotions I could not help but be joyful. Joy is easily found while digging in His Word and singing the good old hymns. As I sang (out loud) the words to "Take Time To Be Holy" my hotel room was no longer empty. The Lord and I sat and talked together. What a comfort it is to know He is my God. He cares for me as my Father. No need for me to worry about travel, expences, gas, saftey. He is ALWAYS there! In His presence I can not only experience joy, but fulness of joy!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Travel Journal: March 12-15
3/12 -Today I set out on a month of deputation meetings - PRAISE THE LORD! It hasbeen hard to get meetings these past few months. I am hopingthat my support will grow to well over 50%. Saturday i set out for Glenford, OH. Did you know that all of Ohio is not flat? I expected flat boring scenery, but it was alt like home. I traveled a few dirt roads to get to the church. My accomodations were a beautiful prophet's chamber on the church property. The veiw out of my window was across farmers fields. I felt right at home!
What a blessing it was as usual to meet the faithful people of that church. It always seems too short of a visit. I wanted to stay longer to spend time with the people.
3/13 -Sunday morning I shared a special and my DVD presentation. During the evening service I was able to have a longer time to share some stories and testimony of my burden for th Zulus in South Africa. After service I could have talked to the people for hours. After some fellowship at my display table, the teen girls Sunday School classes (JR & SR High)had dinner for me. We had a wonderful time of fellowship. I love teen girls! During our time of chatting I even found out that one family had a pet skunk named Jimmy!
3/14 - This morning I did paperwork and then watched the pastor's boys for the afternoon. We had a great time! The Lord gave us beautiful warm weather so we played basketball, football, basketball, soccer, basketball, monkey-in-the-middle, basketball, soccer, and more basketball.
3/15 -Today, Nancy (the church secretary), her daughter Misty and granddaughter Lauren took me to a few Goodwills. It was fun finding some bargins and having lunch together. In the afternoon I invited another lady from the church and her daughter to have coffee with me in the church kitchen. We had a great time of fellowship. Our time wa stoo short, but I had to run - dinner with the pastor's wife and the boys. I love Stephanie, the pastor's wife. She uses her creativity for the glory of God. We had a great time of fellowship (mostly because we have many of the same interestsand are similar in age). I will be praying for that church and the dear people I was able to meet. Now on to another meeting!
What a blessing it was as usual to meet the faithful people of that church. It always seems too short of a visit. I wanted to stay longer to spend time with the people.
3/13 -Sunday morning I shared a special and my DVD presentation. During the evening service I was able to have a longer time to share some stories and testimony of my burden for th Zulus in South Africa. After service I could have talked to the people for hours. After some fellowship at my display table, the teen girls Sunday School classes (JR & SR High)had dinner for me. We had a wonderful time of fellowship. I love teen girls! During our time of chatting I even found out that one family had a pet skunk named Jimmy!
3/14 - This morning I did paperwork and then watched the pastor's boys for the afternoon. We had a great time! The Lord gave us beautiful warm weather so we played basketball, football, basketball, soccer, basketball, monkey-in-the-middle, basketball, soccer, and more basketball.
3/15 -Today, Nancy (the church secretary), her daughter Misty and granddaughter Lauren took me to a few Goodwills. It was fun finding some bargins and having lunch together. In the afternoon I invited another lady from the church and her daughter to have coffee with me in the church kitchen. We had a great time of fellowship. Our time wa stoo short, but I had to run - dinner with the pastor's wife and the boys. I love Stephanie, the pastor's wife. She uses her creativity for the glory of God. We had a great time of fellowship (mostly because we have many of the same interestsand are similar in age). I will be praying for that church and the dear people I was able to meet. Now on to another meeting!
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