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Godly Foundations

Praise the Lord for Godly foundations. Pastor & Mrs. Starr have been such an encouragement in my life. I am thankful that they helped me build my life on a strong spiritual foundation.
Pastor's life verse is - 2 Tim. 2:2 "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." He has taught many men to stand in the gap, but together the Starrs have taught many woman to stand for the truth.
Today, I am thankful that I know where I stand on matters because they have taught me to study God's Word. I can't wait to get to South Africa to teach others also.

Blessed by Growth

2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

The Lord has blessed me with the priviledge of going to the mission field with 17 years of experience in youth ministry. My first summer job as a teen was serving the Lord at a Christian camp for inner city youth.
The other weekend, I was pleased to spend some time with some of those kids (who are now college age).

It is such a joy to see them laugh together and encourage one another in thier walk with the Lord.

None of these young men and woman are perfect (neither am I), but it is a true joy to see all that the Lord has done and is doing in thier lives.
3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

A Differant Sunday

This past Sunday I had a differant type of Sunday. Usually I am at a church meeting, visiting a church for a possible future meeting, or attending and serving at my home church.
My grandmother's health and mind have been deteriorating rapidly since we left and came home from WY. She had a stroke last Sunday night while we were sharing at church about all that the Lord did during VBS in WY. Since then she had been hospitalized till last Wednesday and then released into my mother's care.
If you have ever cared for a parent or grandparent whose mind is very bad you know it is no easy task. My mother faithfully cared for my dad's mom for 6 years until she needed specialized care because my mother couldn't care for her anymore. Those years were a great trial for my mom and now she had to care for her mom who is far worse than my other grandma is.
We went to the Lord in prayer hoping that a home would take her in so that she would get the care that she needs. Noone would take her, but one. That one said they could not take her till September. Because my mom is a house wife and stay-at-home mom,she was chosen to have the burden of caring for her mom.

As I was praying about what church to visit on Sunday, the Lord impressed upon my heart that I should releive my mom by watching over grandma so she could be at church on Sunday (this was a great relief to my mom since she still had 4 more weeks till September and was not guarenteed when she could get some help since I am usually traveling on deputation). It was a blessing to me that I could minister to my mom and grandma in this way.
Grandma and I had our own Bible study. We finished the Book of Acts together. I have been studying Acts all summer. The Scripture really comes alive when you are reading it out loud. Paul's journeys, testimony in trials, and love for God were seen in a whole new light. The Lord certainly spoke to me in many ways during our time in His Word that day.
I am not sure how much of the reading my Grandma heard or understood since her mind is not coherent, but she was quiet during my time of reading the Bible to her.
Yesterday, the nursing home called and said they had a room for grandma. Hopefully they will keep her permenantly so that she has the care she needs. I am thankful to have that little memory of reading the rest of Acts to her on a differant type of Sunday!

PHILADELPHIA: City with the brother that I love!

Every summer, for the last three summers, my brother and I take a trip together. It is never a far or expensive trip, just a trip to spend time away with eachother. We started doing this because I thought about all of those years that I will miss spending time with William when I am in South Africa. He will be all grown up when I return.
For now, William is only 14 years old. He enjoys seeing things he has never seen before and learning about science and history. This year we went to Philadelphia, PA (just about a 2 hr. drive from home).

We visited the Historic District and went into the Constitution Center (where we signed the Constitution).

Later that evening, we walked a few blocks to Philly's Chinatown.

Chinatown was the highlight of our weekend for William. I think he fell asleep repeating over and over "I went to Chinatown, I went to Chinatown,..." If you know William, he has a heart for other people and gets excited to learn about other cultures and places. He really wants to learn Chinese. He took everything in as we walked the streets, visited shops, and ate in one of thier restaurants. I believe that the Lord may be planting a seed for future ministry in his life. He already has a few Chinese friends.

On Saturday, we went to the Franklin Institute Museum.

At every exhibit I marveled at how God has created us and given us so much. We saw how our heart works, how electricity works, a flight room, a train room, and an Egyptian exhibit. Each room showed off our great Creator. As I passed out tracts and looked around, I wondered how many people understood that these were not merely science and history exhibits, but the boasting on our God's all-powerfulness. They too could know personally the One who has made all of this possible.

As William and I were talking the other day about everything we saw on that trip, he said,"Isn't it amazing how the Egyptians believed in so many differant gods and how we believe in the One True God". I was thankful that he had thought things through, not just about the exhibits, but about how God was always there for them, but they failed to trust in Him alone. We talked more about the plagues of Egypt in Exodus and how each of them proved God's power over the Egyptian gods. In conclusion, we became even more burdened for those around us to have salvation and to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I want to encourage everyone who reads this to take the time to spend with your loved ones - James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." My moments with William were precious to me and will remain as memories to carry me through those times in South Africa when I miss my dear little brother. Take advantage of time together with your loved ones, as well as those who need to know Christ.

My Mother, the Missionary

As you have read by now, my mother was one of my "teammates" on our mission trip to Wyoming. I cannot thank the Lord enough for allowing me to go with her on her first mission trip.

This was her first time flying & she did it very well!!! (See how she follows my example).

On the plane we were able to give what I call "tag team testimonies" (when you each share testimonies that point others to Christ)to the lady across the aisle from mom. the lady was so afraid of flying that she asked to hold mom's hand when we took off and when we landed. She asked us many questions because she did not have a peace about death. Hopefully she thought about the words we said and the Scripture we gave her. We are praying that she will find peace through Christ.

Everyday our team saw how the Lord used my mom. Whether she serve behind the scenes, sewing with the ladies, or helping in a class - it blessed my heart to see my mother being used by God in such a special way.

I was not only blessed to serve with my mom, but to also spend time with her. She is a hard worker at home. It was nice for us to get away and see some of WY's beauty.

We will never know all that the Lord has done in my mom's life during our mission trip, nor will we realize all He has used her for in His work in the ladies and children's hearts and lives.

Thank you Lord for a mother who takes joy in serving You!
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." ~Proverbs 31:28

The Blessing of Godly Companions

I was very thankful to go with a mission team from my church to help a church in Wyoming with thier VBS. The pastor, his family, and people from the church were such a blessing to fellowship with.

An added blessing to the trip was spending time with some ladies and teens from my church. On deputation I travel everywhere by myself, eat by myself, minister by myself, sight-see by myself, shop by myself, sleep in a room by myself,...you get the point.
It was such a blessing to live in a house for a while with other ladies. You may say, "I don't know 9 ladies living in the same house. REALLY????" It was great to wake up in the quietness of the morning to see others spending time with thier Lord. There is a great peace and encouragement that comes from seeing others walk with God.

I enjoyed actually sitting down to have breakfast (instead of the regular habit I have of grabbing and going). Having Maple Bars with Diana was such a treat, not the mention the many pots of coffee Wendy & I made to enjoy together each day.

Usually, I serve alongside others at my home church and the differant churches that I visit on deputation. This trip to Wyoming was special because we were able to serve with others together. The godliness, hardwork, and servant's heart of these ladies and teens I stayed with made my short time with them very valuable. Each lady had a spirutal talent/gift to share with others. God certainly put our team together!

Thank you Lord for giving me godly friends & companions!!!