Catapult ~ Uganda ~ August 2010

Ugandan Sunset

Merriam-Webster defines the origin ~ cat·a·pult ~ Middle French or Latin; Middle French catapulte, from Latin catapulta, from Greek katapaltēs, from kata- + pallein to hurl transitive verb: to throw or launch by or as if by a catapult intransitive verb: to become catapulted (he catapulted to fame) ... ha, not that I remotely see myself being 'catapulted to fame', I just get that sensation from time to time as though I'm being pushed and there are no other options. Surely we've all experienced this!

Consider... 1) ~ Calvary Chapel Vista recently blessed me to become one of their missionaries ~ an honor which fills my heart with joy no end and is further assurance from the Lord to press forward in the work. 2) ~ perhaps it is just one of those transitional phases in life were suddenly there is a new chapter, that place where the page turns quickly then things settle into a normal routine again. The thing is, I cannot see anything settling into 'normal' in my life any time soon. Regardless of the results others may see I can not help but feel the recent mission to Uganda for the Women's Conference (Aug '10) was thrusting me on to a new course. I had met a Pastor, one of four, who were at the Tel Aviv airport the same time I was there last November. They were passing through on their way back to Uganda, of all places where I had just been prior to Israel. He invited me to come to the Conference. I agreed if the Lord made a way.

Worship With All Your Heart

Well... He sure seemed to be leading... I prepared for several months for this trip, praying over many aspects of what messages the Lord would have me bring, praying about the women, and the diverse situations they would be coming from. I was blessed to gleaned a bit of information on the church off a website, which gave an overview on the soundness of their Biblical teaching. My flight landed Friday evening.

Before we arrived at our hotel I was informed: ~ I would be delivering messages for both services that Sunday. ~ My five teaching segments had been increased to seven. (Thankfully the Lord had me prepare for ten) ~ There would be two interpreters, not one, which would decrease the actual amount of time I had to speak. I would need to be yet more precise. ~ At the hotel I was informed the Scripture verses (2 Kings 4:8-9 and Luke 8:2-3) I had been given months ago and prepared my teachings around had been changed to 1 Samuel 25 ~ And I was the Guest Speaker! At that moment all I wanted was rest and would pray and consider the new challenge on the 5-6 hour ride to Lira the next day.

God Just Amazes Me

Later as I prepared, God moved on my heart and gave me grace in rearranging all my notes. The women and the Pastors in attendance were absolutely thrilled with the teachings. For those of you who know me, this could only be of God! I have never done anything to this degree before, ever. They wanted me to give all that I had and inquired of additional teachings beyond those planned. Having diced and spliced most of my notes to accommodate the change of Scripture, The Heritage drama, which I have often used to teach in ministry was the only thing I felt I could comfortably bring. The Lord blessed it and touched many lives through it.

Lovely Ladies Wait Patiently For Lunch

The Pastors were so elated with the success of the Conference that they inquired as to the possibility of Calvary Chapel Pastors coming to teach their Pastors. Arriving home I was assured by my Pastor, Rob Salvato, that he would be very interested to coordinate Calvary Chapel Pastors to come share. I must note here that Faith Mission of Uganda is an established church in 18 districts having been founded in the 90's. This is such a huge movement for a church to embrace the teaching of another that again, God must be doing such a work and the movement of the Holy Spirit so great that hearts were opened to learn more and more, thirsting after a deeper knowledge of our holy and awesome magnificent God.

I pray the body of Christ becomes even more united in the deeper teachings of His Word as we all seek His way, truth, and life, found only in our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a true blessing to see the Lord do a new work in these lives. May His word grow richly and transform each according to His will.

Now again consider... 3) ~ the next catapulting event is the move to Israel in October. My deep, deep desire is to be a blessing to the people of Israel as I come along side to assist in community outreaches to the poor and destitute and to teach as the Lord opens avenues.

Isaiah 62:6-7 ~ I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; They shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, And give Him no rest till He establishes And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 

I desire to leave the U.S. as soon as the Lord makes a way. The sooner the better ~ I am ready to get started.

At present about 30% of my support is available and there is a place on hold for me to stay in Tel Aviv. Please lift this in prayer with me. I am definitely on the Lord's time table and will only be able to go when He makes a way. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments or simply want to get together to pray. I would love that very much. Thank you for blessing my life. May the Lord pour out a thousand fold upon you for all you do to bless Him.

Taking The Next Step ~

So many have been asking what is next on this sojourn. Well... as this is being written, my apartment is in total disarray as I sort; what is to go to the garage sale, what to give away, what to keep, how to store that which will be passed on to my son one day if the Lord tarries. I will be renting a bedroom in the home of a friend. This will be completed within the next nine days.

Since the time of my return and through many prayers I believe the Lord has impressed upon my heart to scale down and prepare to "Go". There have been so many "Go" Scriptures that have come my way that I would feel very disobedient if I refused. Some of these being, Genesis 12:1-3, Isaiah 6:8, 40:1, 61:1-11, Ezekiel 2:2-3:4 Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:14-21. With all my heart I desire to be a blessing to the people of Israel, particularly now with so many enemies breathing down terror on all the communities. I pray to be used in as many ways as the Lord has equipped me to comfort and bring the hope of Christ into their lives to those who are seeking Him.

The open opportunity given to me last November as I left Israel, to speak in Uganda at the National Women's Conference this August is also very much on my heart ~ to bring His word to so, so many broken lives. I pray the Lord to bring healing, restoration, hope, joy, peace, and for them to come to truly know His love and Jesus Christ. Scriptures and direction through messages to go there too have also manifested themselves. There are just enough funds to cover Uganda, but not to sustain me in Israel.

My bookkeeping income is also in transition as well with many changes going on for my employers who are also involved in overseas outreach. They are in need of prayer as am I for the Lord to make a way ~ prayer is vital for all of this.

Please take a moment, if you would, to lift this all to our heavenly Father through Christ. Thank you beloved friends and family. I cherish each one of you and am thanking God for you all. I am also thanking Him that He has heard our prayers and will answer. Thank You Jesus!