Heading To Haiti

Many of you know that Ryan and I are going on a mission trip to Haiti with The Vineyard Church. I thought I would blog what details I have so that if you were willing to pray, you would have all the info.

We leave on Saturday, June 12th, and return Saturday, June 19th. I believe there are 11 of us on our team. We will be traveling to Cap-Haitian, which is in northern Haiti, about 6 hours north of Port-Au-Prince. Our team has 2 different purposes: some will be working on building a school, and others will be doing outreach, such as praying with people, passing out Bibles, etc. Ryan and I will be doing the latter. Originally, the plan had been to go into Port-Au-Prince to do outreach, but things were unsettled there, and there were plenty of needs in Cap-Haitian, so we will be doing the outreach there. We are working with a Haitian pastor whom our pastor had connections with from years ago. We had the opportunity to hear this pastor speak at Vineyard a couple of months ago, and it's truly amazing to try to imagine what life in Haiti is like for him and the other believers there.

So, what needs prayer? Here are some of the thoughts I have:

-Health & Safety for our team (our travel itinerary has us arriving in the Dominican Republic in the middle of the night and driving on a school bus for 5 hours across the border into Haiti - and it's pretty much the same for the way back) Please pray that we will be well rested in spite of the circumstances and also that, as Psalm 91 says, "no harm will come near our tent". Please also pray that our team will be free from any sickness.

-Our kids (Madison, Michael, & Max will be with grandparents for the week, so maybe the prayer is really for the grandparents!)

-The Holy Spirit to move in POWER, and for there to be miracles, signs, and wonders! Most are aware of the powerful presence of Voodoo in Haiti - many need to see evidence that our God is real and powerful before they will even pay attention. We need the Holy Spirit to move through us in miraculous ways! Pray that our faith and expectation will be high!

-Protection from evil spirits - Pray that we will be covered in the blood of Jesus in such a way that evil gets no where near us. Psalm 91 is a great prayer of protection.

-Opportunities (There are still a lot of unknowns as far as exactly what we will do and how we will do it. Pray that the Lord will go before us and pave the way!)

-Growth & Glory - Please pray that we will learn and grow through this experience and that through it all God and His son Jesus will be glorified!

Thanks for being willing to pray! I know without a doubt that your prayers are powerful, and that they have eternal consequences!!!

Where Have I Been????

Someone asked me recently, "Do you ever plan to update your blog again?" Well, in this life what I plan to do and what I actually do are quite different. Of course I plan to...but sometimes plans don't work out.

So where have I been? I've been here, doing the stay-at-home-homeschooling-mom thing. I've been at Vineyard, doing the prayer ministry thing. On a regular basis, that's about all I do. In December we went to Brown County again, which was a huge blessing. Christmas was blur...I'm not sure it really even took place. The end of January found me spending a day at the Naturally Supernatural conference before heading to the annual scrapbooking weekend.

Those are the places I've physically been. Where else have I been? I've been in the doors-still-closed-situation-unchanged adoption waiting room. It's been three years since we received the paperwork and began our dossier. God recently spoke encouragement to me about this at the Naturally Supernatural conference, and I'm inspired to keep dreaming in this life...but it is a challenge for sure.

Spiritually I've been in a lot of different places over the last few months. I feel like I'm learning so much, yet I have so far to go. I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to finally jump off in such a way that there's no return to where I've been, but only new places in which to soar. I just hope I don't let my self get in the way of what God wants to do.

So that's a little about where I've been. I wish I could tell you know about where I'm going...who knows? We'll see what God has in store for the next year.

Soccer - Beautiful is the Word

Yesterday was the end of our soccer season. The kids play at a local church where they used to do an Upward Soccer program, but now do their own revamped version. This was Madison and Michael's fourth year, and Max's second. It was a good season for all of them. They all had good coaches and good experiences.

This was Madison's last year to play in this program, which was kind of sad. How can she be growing out of this stuff? Anyway, as much as the season was good for all of the kids, it was especially good for Madison. For the past three years, she has had the same coach - Coach Matt. Two of those years she had the same assistant coach as well - Coach Joe. The first year, at one of the early practices, I went to Matt and Joe and explained some of Madison's auditory processing issues. At the time they were more prevalent than they are now. For example, if you told Madison to run down the field, go in front of the goal, watch for her teammate to pass her the ball, then kick the ball into the goal, she would still be processing what it meant to run down the field. Praise God for all the healing He's done in her! So, I shared this with the coaches and they were so understanding and really took her under their wing.

Every year, Coach Matt would say, "We're going to get you a goal this year, Madison!" Bless his heart, he tried. For two seasons he had worked on this to no avail. At the end of each game, "Next time Madison we're going to get you a goal!" This season was no different. I'm not sure, but I think Matt may have made it possible for Madison to be on his team again just so he could help her. I wouldn't put it past him! Anyway, yesterday was the last game, still no goal for Madison.

So there we are, it's the last period of the last game and I see Coach Matt call Madison over to him, bend down and talk to her, and then send her out on offense. I knew what he was doing - to the end he would do what he could to get her that goal. I prayed, "Dear Jesus, help this girl score a goal, if anything, as a reward for Coach Matt caring so much about her!" The team we played yesterday only had 5 kids show up, so our team only played 5. The other team's 5 were probably not their strongest, and they were so tired. I think our team had scored 6 or 7 goals by the time the last period came around. If Madison was going to score, this was her time!

When she went out on offense, one of the other moms on the team yelled from the sidelines, "Come on, Madison, it's your turn for a goal!" And all these other parents, NONE of whom I know, started cheering for my daughter. It was so amazing! She got a chance at one point and was soooo close, but the goalie got it. The whole crowd was reacting and I think Coach Matt might have had a heart palpitation! Then it happened. There she was, it was her chance, she was probably technically offsides, but the ref let it go...Madison scored a goal!

She threw her hands in the air and yelled and the whole sideline cheered. Coach Matt was thrilled! Matt's daughter, Maddie, who has been on the team with Madison each time was so excited! I stood and cheered and smiled and cried at the same time. Some other mom, again, whom I don't even know, was crying! It was so great! What a perfect end to it all!

Afterward Coach Matt gave the players their pictures and wristbands and described the qualities of each player. For Madison he used the word perseverance. I would use the same for him! Then he gathered them all in a circle and prayed for them. When that was happening, it was like everything slowed down around me and God said, "it's one of those moments." And I knew what he meant. It's one of those things that I will remember always because of it's beauty.

Matt told me afterward that on their plan for the game that Madison was supposed to be the goalie the last period. The team had 5 girls and 3 boys. He called the boys over and said, "Who's willing to play goalie so we can try to give Madison a chance to score?" A boy named Joey, the best player on the team, and in Ryan's assessment, the best in the league, said he would. So Joey protected the goal so Madison could try to make one. And then Coach Matt said to Zach, the other offensive player, there would be a special gold star for him in heaven if he would pass the ball off to Madison so she could score. And he did. Multiple times before she did, when she did, and even after she did.

I'm so humbled and blessed by these people who are so thrilled to see my daughter succeed at something. Truly something beautiful! It's how the body of Christ should look - all the parts rejoicing with the one has reason to rejoice.

Art Auction & Benefit

When we were in Sudan, we helped the children make art projects that will be part of an art auction and benefit our church is having. The money will go to put a roof on the new school building at the orphanage. I was able to submit an article to the paper to help promote it. Here's the link:

http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091015/NEWS04/910159955

Sharing My Africa Story - Part 4

I realized this week that the updates our team sent back to The Vineyard during our trip are all available on our church website. So, if you follow the link you can read the updates written by our pastor, Mark Pope, Clint Schwartz, and Kathy Smarrella. It's fun to read the different viewpoints of our experiences.

Sharing My Africa Story - Part 3

*Praying for women at the leadership training.

*The woman in the picture has malaria.

*Giving my testimony at the training.

Well, Vineyard Family, today was my favorite day! All four of us went to the last day of the leadership training, where the people gathered for worship and teaching. Pastor Mark and Clint had been sharing about the amazing prayer times they had there each day, and I was so jealous! So, today I was finally able to be there and I was so, so thrilled! Since we had not been there before today, Kathy and I each shared our testimonies. As I listened to Kathy’s testimony I thought of how powerful it is when we share with one another our journey, and what God has done for us. It brings us to a place of deeper connection, and binds us together. Before this we participated in worship. And by participate I mean lots of bouncing while holding hands with a Sudanese person who has approached you. Wow, these people have energy! Pastor Mark did two teachings. He adapted some of his Vineyard teaching for the people here. Truth is universal - the scriptures apply to us all regardless of our culture. I was impressed with Pastor Mark’s ability to bring his personality into that place and truly be himself in spite of teaching with an interpreter. He did an excellent job! Then some guy named Clint spoke…he was white, and looked like our Clint, but this guy was preaching like crazy!! This Clint was on fire!! I told him later that I hope that this new “Clint” preaches at Vineyard from now on, cause it was great! The Holy Spirit was all over the messages and the words. Glory to God!

During one of the teaching breaks something very neat happened! The Sudanese people all ate rice and drink tea during the break. And the women here do the majority of the work. So they were preparing and serving the food for all these people. Pastor Mark decided he would go help them serve, so he and Clint both went and help dished up the food for all the people. One of the leaders said to Clint later, “ah, so Pastor Mark is teaching us that a good leader will serve…” I think it’s so great that the actions of these men Mark and Clint just as powerful as their words. As much as I was impressed with their teaching today, I am impressed with how they are living out their faith here in Sudan. A couple of nights ago my devotion was from the book of James and I read these words, “Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by what I do.” It strikes me that this is why we are here – not just to preach well or do nice art projects, but to live out our faith by what we do – the little things like holding hands with an orphaned child, playing jump rope with a group of kids, or helping serve a meal. Today, as I watched Pastor Mark and Clint, I felt grateful to have them as leaders in our church, and privileged to be able to witness God use them here in Sudan.

The morning session ended with a time of prayer. We first prayed with the men who felt like they either needed courage, protection, healing from sickness, or rest. Many men came for prayer and we laid hands on them and prayed for the presence of God to come and met their many needs. We then prayed with the women individually. It was so amazing to hear their stories – so many widowed or divorced, many with conflicts in their homes or unbelieving husbands. Many were also sick - malaria, headaches, chest pain – and many were also being harassed by demons. We prayed for an hour and a half, but it felt like 15 minutes to me! My heart broke for these people and I just kept hearing the Holy Spirit prompt me to pray for the “favor of God”. We prayed for many children as well – all sick – lots of problems with headaches and stiffness. A couple of times I literally just sobbed while we prayed, overwhelmed with compassion for these people.

This afternoon we were able to do something very fun – we bought a bicycle for Esther, the woman who has been cooking and cleaning for us this whole week. She even did our laundry, by hand! In the time since Clint was here last year, her husband has died. Here when the husband dies, his family comes and takes everything from the house, so Esther and her 2 children (ages 15 and 8) were left with nothing. She lives a long walk from here where she works, and she often has to walk into town for things, so this bicycle was a big deal! When it got here, we told her we wanted to take a picture of her on it. So she came out, hopped on it, and took it for a spin around the driveway. Then we asked her to pose with her bike and the guys. She said yes, and then stood there, said that she was so very grateful to God. And before any of us knew it she had started praying right then and there because of the bicycle. Amazing…so much gratitude for something so seemingly little. Yes, I was crying. I had to hand Kathy the camera to take the picture. I know!

Tonight we went to the church for an outreach program. All I can say is that I’ve never jumped up and down so much in my life! These people really get into their worship! It was so much fun to jump up and down, while holding hands with these people while they sang songs about being happy and how we are all the same. Pastor Mark and Clint both spoke again, and then we handed out the balloons that the JAM kids had donated. The balloons were a big hit!

Tomorrow we leave here to go to Kampala, Uganda for a couple of days. I will miss Sudan and its people. One thing I’ve said the whole time preparing for this trip was that I wanted to come and leave everything of me I could – leave it all on the playing field, so to speak. As I sit here tonight typing this, I feel like I have. I’ve done everything God led me to do, gave everything of me that there was, and I leave this country tomorrow with no regrets. Thanks so much for all of your prayers that have been keeping us safe and well. We know that God has been orchestrating it all, and we have seen his provision along the way, and we are blessed.

Sharing My Africa Story - Part 2

With a little girl named Josephine the 1st day at the orphanage, when we passed out toys.

Sitting with a little boy named Job. I tried to hold him as much as I could. He was around 4 or 5 years old, and he was sick the whole time. Very lethargic.

With some of the little girls before we took them into town to buy them new dresses.

Clapping along as the children sing for us.

Sharing My Africa Story - Part 1

Hello Everyone! I'm trying to find the best way to share about my wonderful trip to Africa. If you're on facebook, you've already seen some pictures and heard a few things. To start, I'm going to post 2 of the updates I sent back to our church. Later I will try to write about the trip, especially now that I've processed some things. If you live in the area and are interested, our whole team will be giving a full report on Wednesday, September 23rd at 6:30 PM, at The Vineyard. So, here is 1 my 2 updates I sent from Sudan:

TUESDAY: We’ve finally arrived in Sudan! We made it to Yei around noon on Tuesday and I have to say that I think I’ve fallen in love with this continent! It’s been wild to see in person things you’ve only seen in books or videos – there really are women who can carry large bundles of items on their heads, there really are mud-thatched huts with grass roofs, and there really are dirt roads with ruts the size of Texas in them! After arriving and eating some lunch (rice, goat meat, bananas, & bread), we headed out to the New Generation Dreamland Children’s Home to take the donated toys to the 71 orphans who live there. Wow, it was amazing! The children all gathered when we arrived and sang beautifully for us. Clint was videotaping, so we hope to share this with all of you when we come back. Each child there was able to receive a beach ball, jump rope or Frisbee – all thanks to the kids in our JAM Children’s Ministry program back home! We had also received a donation of soccer balls, so we were able to distribute them as well. Even though it was raining pretty hard, we were able to play with the kids for a little bit. Another neat thing to see was the security fence that has been installed around the property, made possible by the City on a Hill giving campaign – way to go, Vineyard family!

This evening was filled with a time of exploring the town of Yei on foot, laughing at ridiculous things because we are so tired (and a little disoriented), but most importantly, time was spent talking to Pastor Stanley and hearing his vision and hope for the leadership conference this week. Even as I type this, my eyes fill with tears, for we are partnered with a TRUE MAN OF GOD. It was a privilege and pleasure to listen to and pray with Pastor Stanley tonight. His heart longs for the leadership conference to be an opportunity for REVIVAL – for there to be a move of God in that place that changes the course of life here. What an honor that we can play a part in what God will do!

Thanks so much for all of your prayer support – we are reaping the benefits!

Here are some of the praises - Our travel here went very smoothly, and we felt God with us all along the way. I was feeling very sick this morning when we got to the airport for our flight to Yei. My stomach was upset and I felt very depleted when we got on the plane. PRAISE JESUS that He brought relief to me and revived me!! I was able to sleep and when I awoke I felt completely better. God is good, and I take not one bit of his goodness for granted! When the rain blew in this afternoon it brought with it cool weather! Kathy needed a sweatshirt and I drank hot tea for supper! And the mosquitoes have not been bad at all today!

That Blur Going By Is My Summer...

Kudos to you if you're still checking this blog. I have no excuses. All I will say is that time flies when you're having fun, and I've been having fun. Thus, time is flying. Hence the trite saying. Anyway...

How are you? I hope you're well. God is good, gracious, and compassionate, and that is where I am dwelling these days. Our summer has been filled with Bible school, swimming lessons, church camp, 4-H, a trip to southern Indiana, family, friends, reunions with college friends, and all the other good stuff of life. I've loved the cooler weather, and days of just hanging out with the family. It's been a good time.

People keep asking me if we've heard any news out of Guatemala. The answer is no - sad, but true. I keep praying and talking to God about it all. I'm very content and at peace, yet my heart still has desires, so that is what the Lord and I discuss. I know that He can do anything - birth possibilities out of impossibilities, so I'll just wait on Him. Thanks for those who ask, and who are still praying. You are awesome!

The picture above is of "downtown" Yei, Sudan. On August 30th, I'll be leaving on a jet plane and making the trek to Africa - someplace I NEVER expected, or even really wanted, to visit. God has surprised me with this opportunity, and I'm very excited. I'll be traveling with 2 pastors and another woman from our church. We will work with a pastor in Sudan with whom we have established a relationship. There will be a leadership training, some teacher training, an art project at an orphanage, and who really know what else will happen. I'm personally praying that there will be a lot of prophetic things happening - supernatural ways that God wants to use us there. I also plan to pray my guts out for the people and for the country. I've committed to leave everything "on the playing field" so to speak. My agenda each day is to empty myself of everything God has given me and the next day do it all over again. I'm going to make the most of this opportunity - "while it is still day, I must do the work of him who sent me". Now, if I could just apply this to my daily life, I might really start making an impact!

So, I'm preparing for the trip, and for the fact that the trip will blow my mind. If you are inclined to pray, I would love and appreciate it! Let me know in the comments, and I'll try to keep you posted on important information. Thanks in advance for being awesome!

Finally, thanks to my super cool friend, Jenny Potts, here is what is making me laugh lately: