Arise, Shine!

He has helped, comforted and lifted my heart more times than I can count.
He is so faithful.

Just a little behind in my blogging, so let me give you an overview for 2011.

Most of the work was pointed to Israel, to help the Israelis in anyway possible and to bring the love and word of God, to tell them of the love of Yeshua, Jesus Christ, to all who would hear.  Also during this time the Lord provided another outreach to Uganda.

The six months spent in Israel afforded opportunities to come along side to help in a soup kitchen and assist many others aside from the kitchen.  It is impossible to tell you how many times the Lord opened ways for me meet, help, counsel, teach, pray for, and to share the love and word of God with such a variety of people; Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Israelis with no faith commitment and many from outside Israel who were visiting.  To mention a few of the opportunities, the Lord opened ways to witness on the bus, bus stations, beaches, restaurants, buying meals for the homeless, engaging in conversations with Muslims and Jews in the Old City, and youth demonstrating for socializing Israel in downtown Jerusalem. These were opportunities the Lord dropped in my lap as I was out doing other things, but He had other plans.

God has shown me in my current circumstances of homelessness many of the struggles associated with this, however He has been most gracious in providing a roof over my head and a safe place to sleep.  For this I am more grateful than I can express.  Living situations kept changing as the limited income set the standard of what I could rent.  The Lord blessed with reasonable and safe housing for five weeks here, two weeks there, six weeks, one week, etc.  But it required constant moving as the situations changed.  All in all I moved eight times living in various areas of Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, and in Samaria.  Hauling what is left of my worldly belongings in two suitcases, a carryon, plus my guitar only makes me want to reduce them more (they are so heavy, but the guitar stays)!   

I can only trust the Lord has had me learn these challenges for His purposes 

knowing it will work toward His good.

The Lord had once again opened a door for me to teach in Uganda at the National Women's Conference slated for August.  I had been praying during my entire time in Israel for a place to quietly seek the Lord and compose notes and messages.  In June, a friend offered her place to me to rent while she traveled.  I could have it for the two months remaining on my visa. My main duty was to care for her plants.  It was in a settlement community where the language is almost exclusively Hebrew and Russian.  Oh, I was so grateful for this!   

Never in my life have I been allergic to any flora, however when dealing with one particular plant I succumbed to a horrible anaphylactic shock that nearly sent me home to Jesus.  It rendered blistering and bleeding sinuses, bleeding and burning bronchi, lung capacity near zero, cramping  muscles, confusion due to lack of oxygen, blisters on eyes and eye infection (essentially blind), and no voice. 

After three days and getting worse, I lay in bed wondering how long it would take for someone to find me.  Yes, it was a bad thought, but honestly when you are alone much of the time that is something that runs through one’s mind if one should ever fall or get hurt and not be able to get to help.  I had been praying and asking the Lord many things in this time; am I coming home today? ~ is today the day that I see Your face? ~ please watch over my son ~ I love him so much ~ this is going to be very hard for him ~ how was I to minister to the ladies in Uganda? ~ “Do I go there blind? ~ Because if that is what You want then blind I will go, but I do not know how to minister to them ~ I cannot see to write notes and even if I could would I be able to read them or do I just stand before them and You will speak through me something that You want me to say at that moment?” I honestly felt that even if I had to crawl to the plane I was to go to Uganda. I could feel Him hold me very close and softly tell me “Rest.  Just rest…. and when you are better I will help you”

This put my heart at peace and gave me hope because He said “when you are better” which meant I was going to get better! So I snuggle into Him as close as I could and rested, really, really rested.

About a week later I could sit up for an hour or so and tried to make notes with many eye washes and naps throughout the day.  I did manage to break my toe while stumbling down the hall to wash my eyes.  Please, are we done now?  Three weeks later and somewhat ambulatory I was able to visit the soup kitchen, though was not much help still very weak and suffering with what appeared to be a painful partially collapsed lung. However, was able to continue work on my notes for the conference.  A couple weeks later I was able to function almost normally and finish the teachings.  About a week after and somewhat stronger it was time to go to the conference.

The theme of the conference was:

“Arise, shine; ” Isaiah 60:1

Thirsty Hearts

Oh!  How good is the LORD!  How promising is His word! This fit perfectly for all the women struggling with so many difficulties ~ living on so little, but seeking and trusting in Jesus in everything and the Lord making a way.  Yes ~ God is so good. 

Having met so many at last year's conference and seeing them now really blessed my heart.  They were so happy to see me and I them.  It was a grand reunion!  The Lord comforted my heart during the teachings at the conference and the churches and villages where I also taught. 

With Henry & Mercy

After the conference I went to Mukono to visit Pastor Stephen and his wife and little Henry and Mercy, two children supported by this ministry, who are really getting big now.  They are so beautiful. Henry is sweetly shy and Mercy is very straight forward in her questions ~ not very shy at all, but very engaging.  Pastor Stephen had lined up a few churches and villages for me to speak at and the Lord blessed all these meetings. 

Teaching In Villages

In all of this I could see that the results of this were without doubt total glory to God.  He blessed with power in His word and it was evident every day. 

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, 
in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,

in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, 
then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Teaching in Churches

This is so true!  I had been so weakened in the illness and so reliant on the Lord to guide my writings that all I could do was gratefully bow to Jesus for giving me strength to endure and giving me His word to teach.  It is so hard to explain times like these.  All I can do is praise God for helping and healing and being there to lean upon.

After the conference I returned to Israel to continue volunteering, however Israel Customs determined I had spent enough time in the country for the year.  They gave me two weeks to gather my things and go back to the USA.  Mentally worn out, tired from traveling all night and now emotionally devastated that I could not return, the Lord spoke to my heart again and told me that it “is necessary for you to return” to the States.  As soon as I heard that, relief swept over me and I was comforted to have received this direction.  It was “necessary” to return.

The next four and a half months were spent in San Diego’s North County with several loving families who opened their homes to me and much help in many needs including transportation for the time I was there.  Again I moved eight times as I sought the Lord on how to return to Israel to continue helping in some way.  It was in this time that I applied to Volunteers for Israel who cleared me to work as volunteer for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).  I was to begin after the first of the year.

The Lord our God has been gracious through all the challenges.  And I admit there are times I do not think I can do all He asks, but then He reminds me:

“Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed,

 for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

I pray the Lord will open many doors for you too.  Please tell me how I might pray for you and encourage you.  It is a long road for all of us and I would like to be able to help you in any way I can.

 And may the glory of the LORD rise upon you

A New Year ~ Less Is More

It is sometimes said that ‘Less is more’, and isn’t that a good thing!  In God’s economy it is often the case. 

Have you seen the stealth movement of the Lord’s hand?  Only after the fact we see evidences, so answer ‘No’, because we seldom detect His deft movement and He is … stealth, yes?  What He does is just ‘there’, and how it gets ‘there’ is only known by Him.  He is amazing that way.

Biblical accounts where less is more:

1)  My first Old Testament reading for this New Year was Judges 7.  Here the Lord reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 men to 300 with trumpets, torches and pitchers (pitchers?) to initiate a fight against the Midianites and Amalekites.  Scripture notes the enemy were “as numerous as locusts”, and “were without number as the sand by the seashore in multitude.”, numbering about 135,000 ~ pretty awesome odds.  Under the Lord’s direction Gideon’s men broke pitchers, sounded their horns, and shouted “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” God then caused confusion among the enemy and they fled terrified, were pursued and conquered. That is so amazing!

2)  In a different account, the Lord instructed Joshua in the taking of Jericho, a walled city.  He was to march his men around Jericho once a day for six days and on the seventh day to march around seven times.  The priests were to then blow their trumpets, and in doing so the walls fell down and his men were able to take the city! (Joshua 6)

3)  There is a story about David, when as a boy, slew the enemy giant Goliath with a sling and a stone then cut off Goliath’s head with Goliath’s own sword.  There’s justice!  (1 Samuel 17)

4)  Jesus, the Lord Himself fed 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14).  And at another time He fed 4,000 with a seven loaves and a few fish (Matthew 15).  These numbers do not include the women and children that were present.

There are many stories of God able to do much with very little and it is here where God receives the glory for what He accomplishes.

“Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.  Selah  Psalm 62:8

And where I am not able, I trust in His strength to cover. He is preparing not only the work in Israel in the hearts who will hear His word, He is preparing me and my heart in many ways. The excellent thing in this is that it will be another witness to the Israelis.  The application shows that the Lord is just as able now as in the time of Joshua to save, but He wants to save also in the eternal matters.  Teaching His word and living by example is a powerful witness.  I will not be arriving with what appears to be much of anything, but will be seeking to uplift, help, and teach those in need and who are seeking Him.  His word may not seem like much to many, but it is eternal salvation for those who believe and what greater gift could I bring than the knowledge of reconciliation to our Creator through Jesus Christ, God incarnate. He is so stealth ~ He gets all the glory.

I long to be there to help bring hope to those who need hope.  The list of their needs is the same as in any country, even here in the USA. So why am I going and not staying here? 

• November 2009 while in Jerusalem, I felt the Lord impress upon my heart very strongly that I needed to move out from the USA and return to Jerusalem. This alone is enough but there is more...
• The Lord also tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…”  Matthew 28:19. 
• “Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And He said ”Go, and tell this people:…” Isaiah 6:8-9a
• There are few who are willing or are free enough in their lives to go, but I am and I trust this is God’s timing.
• It is time ~ I have been actively working here for the past 14 years in local outreach and have been on 11 overseas short-term outreach trips (all provided by the Lord).  It is time for me to move out on a long term basis.
• Lastly, through all the varied outreaches I believe the Lord has been preparing me for this very time.  “For such a time as this….” As the Scripture says:

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance 

will arise for the Jews  from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. 

Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:14

How can one possibly read such a verse and not respond?  I am griped by it and cannot think of a better work to be doing than to take His word to those under fire from an enemy who wants to annihilate them.

So why am I still here?  I don’t fully know!  Though I can give 1001 reasons why my heart desires to be in Israel right now I can see 1001 things that have come to pass here these past few months showing me why I am not.  It is not time, close, but not yet.  And I will probably leave with less that I think necessary, but will trust the Lord to provide the rest.

One can only image the circumstances the Israelis are in on a daily basis and of the struggles that plague their lives.  I desire to be about His work.  May He open the door no one can shut.

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door,

and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength,

have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8

A little strength?….yes, less is indeed more when our Almighty God is behind it.

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!

Israel ~ November 2009

Focusing now on the Israel pilgrimage ~

This was my first visit to the holy land. During my preparation and prior to leaving the US I felt the Lord encourage me to not book any rooms beyond Tel Aviv where I would stay my first few days and that He would direct my path the rest of the way. I was to be set apart from other tourists and to travel solo, rather solely with Him. I would see, but ‘see’ in a different way, not as a tourist. And, though at that time I had already tentatively booked a room in Bethlehem for a few nights, that plan was sidelined when I picked up my rental car at the airport. There I was informed by the rental agency that entering any Palestinian occupied territory (which Bethlehem was) with their vehicle was forbidden. Bethlehem was not to be part of this journey.

It is hard to know where to begin. It is harder still to identify all the Lord has shown me. It is bigger than I know how to verbalize. Like a tsunami where the wave has been drawn out to sea, has risen up and cresting, about to launch forward, what is about to happen is so very big.  There is so much happening in that little country and so many are oblivious to what the Scriptures warn. Just as in the time of Christ, where Jesus remarked in Luke 19:41-44, how Jerusalem did not recognize the time of His coming, again, the land is asleep, and much of the world is asleep for that matter or skeptic, just as both 2 Timothy 3 and 2 Peter 3 prophesied it would be.

What is the state of affairs in Israel?  It is no secret. Most people who have some knowledge of the current activities of the Middle East acknowledge Israel’s very existence, is in peril. However, we as believers know that according the word of God, as He has fulfilled the prophecy of restoring the people back to the land in 1948, after having been banished in 70 AD, He Himself will step in to protect any onslaught against this land. Ref Ezekiel 36, 37, 38, and Zechariah 10, 12, 13

In the 12-days of my travels I witnessed and experienced:

Anti-Semitism ~ in several of my conversations I could sense an underlying tone of resentment of the Jews as well as outright statements made against them that the Jews do not have a right to the land and should have never returned in 1948. It seemed nearly every non-Jew I spoke with had hostility in this regard believing their own problems stemmed from the existence of the Jews in Israel.

Religious Strongholds ~ where it is believed salvation rests on works, birth right, and/or the worship of false gods and idols:

~ The Catholics believing their salvation hinged on their works and lifting the Pope and Mary, mother of Jesus Christ incarnate as elevated with God Himself, and their worship of saints and icons.

~ The Islamist Muslims who exalt Muhammad, the Sharia Law, Qur’an, Hadith and worship the god Allah.

~ The Orthodox Jews who follow the written and oral laws. The written being that of the Torah (or Tanakah ~ our Old Testament), and the Rabbinical works or ancient writings, documents and sayings of the Rabbis. It appears Romans 9:31-33 has not changed in all this time.

Non-orthodox Jews who believed their simply being God’s ‘chosen people’ is enough for eternal salvation.

Personal Safety ~ there were a few incidences where my personal safety was fragile. In several instances men made bold advances and were not hesitant in expressing their desire to spend time with me, alone. I am very thankful to the Lord for His protection in all these encounters particularly the ones that were quite close in taking a turn for the worse. Sadly too, I often felt overwhelmed by several merchants (not all) who were quite deceitful and relentless in their haggling and tactics. God strengthened my heart as I made a point of centering the conversations on Him and many times witnessed the Holy Spirit moving on their hearts.

In the midst of all of this I also met some very wonderful people. There were very humble Jews, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox that I spoke with who were grateful to be in Israel and whole heartedly wanted peace. I met with and helped sweet Christians who are working to teach the absolute truth of the Word of God to those seeking Him and reaching out to help the poor in Israel. And I met a Jewish Christian whose lineage went back to the time of Christ and whose family had not moved from Israel when the Romans took siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD!

There were countless conversations with tourists from all over the world in the various cities I visited. Many of them, as well as the locals asked why I came to Israel, particularly alone (this was a real novelty); my response was because I had believed the Lord had called me to come. This immediately opened the conversation up to spiritual matters. The Lord blessed several opportunities to engage in some very deep theological discussion with Christians, Jews, Muslim, and Catholics.

There was so much to take in and process viewing Israel knowing this was where the Lord Jesus walked and taught, the land where the nation of Israel was established, where the Hebrew lineage was initiated, where they were exiled to Egypt and returned, then taken captive to Babylon and returned, then scattered 500 + years later and now returned less than 61 years ago and struggling to maintain peace amongst so many who would love to see them annihilated.

As I asked the Lord why He had sent me and what was it I was to see, my heart was turned toward my daily Old Testament reading which at that time was in Jeremiah. At that time the people of Israel, were worshipping other gods, were backsliding and hard hearted. They did not honor God, nor were they honest in their dealings with one another. And though the prophet spoke against the nation of Israel, His chosen, these things continue today from the variety of factions presently living in Israel. The dilemma someone would have coming into His holy city to seek Him with an honest heart was made apparent to me by the Holy Spirit.

Personal Example: As I entered the Old City of Jerusalem through Jaffa Gate for the first time where I planned to stay the night, I had anticipated a special moment with the Lord sensing His presence. Sadly however, within seconds of my arrival I was met by two men, who I had mistook as guides having seen several groups gathering for tours at this entrance. The men questioned where I was from, what was I looking for, etc. While explaining that I was seeking a specific place to board one man literally got into my car and insisted on showing me its location. I was rather shocked to find I suddenly had a passenger. And like everyone else, he asked why I had come to Israel which touched off a discussion of faith, he believing in Islam, and I seeding as much truth of Scripture as possible in what I knew was going to be a brief encounter. After much to-do and driving around I was checked in to a hostel and then turned over to his teenage son who continued the mind spinning journey around the Old City to help me find a place to park the car. It became apparent that the son was learning the tricks of the trade as he ‘managed’ to secure a place where I could park the vehicle all night and that of which would only cost 50 shekels. The next day I learned that spot was actually free for the night. What was one to do? I had however managed to discuss theology and apologetics with him as well as challenged him, noting a wise person would want to be “educated in the other faiths” so as to be able to render an intelligent decision. I then slipped a small booklet of the Gospel of John into his hands which he truly seemed to appreciate. So, though my entrance into the holy city was not the intimate Holy Spirit filled moment I had hoped for, the Lord seemed to have had a different plan and I pray the youth will receive Christ and lead his entire family to the Lord. Well worth 50 shekels!

Aside from the deceitfulness of these gate greeters there were other difficulties a visitor would encounter with merchants being less than honest in their dealings as well as the visitor’s personal safety being at risk as was mine. And if that person coming in had a desire to know the Lord God, then what would they find spiritually but the faiths nullifying the work Christ did at the cross, faiths entrenched in reaching heaven in their own works and worshipping idols that will get them nowhere. God sees the heart and also sees the stumbling blocks that an innocent person would encounter. The book of Jeremiah unfolds God’s disappointment and anger with these things as well as His judgment of what would become of Israel.

Another element of my trip was revealed the day I was to begin my return home. My flight was to leave just before mid-night so I had decided days earlier to visit Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, on this day as I would be able to dedicate my concentration to this alone without other distractions. This was difficult to tour as it became an experience, being caught up in the changes that slowly turned Germany into a place of horror for the Jews. I could feel the disparity of the Jews whose neighbors turned on them and felt the pain of mothers as their beautiful children were separated from them. And though I had been educated and have studied this period in history, the terrors that followed are still hard to accept as reality. I felt weak and even nauseous at one point during the tour.  This same spirit is moving not only in Israel, but throughout Europe, Russia, and even the US as more of our leaders turn their backs on this nation. There were times through this tour as if I felt our current news headlines were what was on display that the world was working at repeating this same horror. Have we not learned? Or have we learned, but are blinded by power and pride?

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran and noted enemy of Israel makes no apologies that he would love to see Israel wiped off the map as well as the end of the West and Judeo-Christian values. Hamas and Hezbollah, and other factions of Islamist terrorism are working around the clock to destroy Israel and our way of life. These are not “phobias”, they are day-to-day hard facts. History, as recent as just this past year reveals these perils. I would recommend Joel Rosenberg’s website for additional information and links. There is so much information on this that I am not able to encompass all of it in this blog ~ http://www.joelrosenberg.com/

We presently stand in that precarious time period between the restoration of Israel as a nation and the tribulation where devastation will come upon the earth, a time where the Lord will intervene. Are we to remain idle? The Lord specifically states in Genesis 12: 3

“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.”

Any nation turning their back on Israel will find themselves working against God.

For us personally, God desires that we turn from sin to Him, regardless of what we have done or where we are spiritually, to turn to Christ and be forgiven. He is willing to forgive. The promises of God are true. Peoples of all nations need Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Again … as in the beginning of this trip was the Scripture of Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’

Here at what seems to be the end of the trip I receive Matthew 28:19-20 “’Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age’ Amen”. Today’s reading was Romans 10 telling me to ‘Go’.  While in Jerusalem I felt an impression on my heart from the Lord that I need to return to Israel.  Please pray for His provision and way on how this is to come into being.

I am certain the Lord will reveal yet more about this trip as time passes. For now, I can only believe that what may have been thought to be the end is really only the beginning. Thank you for your many prayers and encouragements. If the Lord speaks to you about any of the ministry work, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Side note ~ photos of both Uganda and Israel are available on my Facebook page until the website is updated.

~ Travel Register ~

Tel Aviv *

Netanya

Caesarea

Mt. Carmel

Haifa

Megiddo

Afula

Nazareth *

Cana

Capernaum

Magdala *

Qasrin

Then traveled south on east side of Sea of Galilee

Sychar – entered the West Bank traveling several miles, reached Israeli Defense Force (IDF) check point. Tourist access denied.

Jericho – travel thwarted by road barricade. IDF immediately on scene ~ tourist access denied from this location.

Jerusalem *

Masada

En Gedi *

Jerusalem *

* Overnight stay

Interestingly the cities I had attempted to visit but had been discouraged for one reason or another; Bethlehem, Sychar, and Jericho are all Palestinian occupied.

Uganda ~ November 2009

It is difficult to know how to express an experience so that others might be able to draw close enough to touch those things which are destined to leave an eternal mark on the inner most being. Impossible actually, but I will try.

Last December In His Grace Ministries (IHGM) had blessed a church with Bibles and we planned to do more again with this outreach. Initially we had intended to visit four churches, but two days before leaving the USA to come here I was informed that number had doubled. By the time we had made the rounds to the eight churches we found that a total of 17 churches had come to our meetings all seeking more Bibles.

Pastor Jackroberts (Jackson) Lubuulwa noted as we had gathered for a peaceful breakfast one morning that five years ago the very spot where we were dining would have been in the direct crossfire of government military on one side of the block and Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels on the other. Thankfully at this time Joseph Kony, leader of the LRA was being hounded through DR Congo to the west along their northern boarder so we were quite secure and breakfast was very peaceful.

Some of these churches were easily accessible by vehicle, and some were not. One church in particular was located in a homestead village, meaning it was an established village and not an Internally Displace People’s (IDP) camp. For this gathering it was necessary to walk out to the bush as the road had become a trail and the trail became too narrow for our vehicle. The men hoisted boxes of Bibles on their shoulders and off we went through the bush! Quite a sight!

In another location we arrived at an IDP. The camp was quite large and a distance away from the main road and this was quite uncommon. The purpose of the IDP was to be close enough to the main thoroughfare so that the Ugandan military might be better able to protect the people from the LRA. The size of this one was ever so much bigger than the others I had visited. Most of the people had left it to return to their own villages, so the population was quite small. I was cautioned about one of the men in this village as “not being right” who seemed to have eccentric mannerism. His thought patterns would wonder and he would remark (through an interpreter) that there use to be so many others at that camp, so many, many children. Then his eyes would focus someplace distant and his face would reflect emotions being relived, but marked by great tragedy as though he had seen far too much. I felt in my heart that what he had experienced and seen was what caused him to be half off his wit and fueled the eccentric behavior. He seemed to be trying to hold on to sanity, but could not figure out what reality really was. If the terrors of what he saw were reality, then how could anyone want to hold on to it? His peace was in Christ. He LOVED to worship and praise God and was so very thankful for his Bible. He clung to Jesus. Jesus was and is his only reality, his only sanity, and his only reason for living.

Another marked moment occurred as we visited our last church. I had the blessed opportunity to meet with a former LRA commander. He had been abducted at the age of eight and forced to endure 12 years in a life that he would rather forget. He had commanded 400 men and had a personal body guard of 30 men as his life was in much demand. He, his men and 24 others (his family a part of this) finally managed to escape. During his time with the LRA he was forced to take five wives, though had only one at the time of our meeting. The purpose of so many wives is to work on their psyche. If they have children through these women, they would be less likely to leave the LRA, much like when they are abducted many are forced to kill or maim family members or members of their community so that they feel they would not be able to return to their homes. Of his five children, the eldest were a set of twin boys now at the tender age of eight, the same age as when he was abducted. I made attempts to consol him, that God knew he was forced to do things at a delicate age, but the expression on his face spoke volumes. He knew Jesus Christ had spared him and forgiven him, but it appeared he had difficulty forgiving himself. Surely during this time he had given commands to his 400 men to do horrific acts. I prayed for him. The Lord will speak to him as he studies the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will heal the deep places only he and God knows.

Having just visited Gulu two years ago in Aug ’07 it was sweet to see how much has changed. My first trip was much more dismal. Life seemed to be under oppression. Efforts to accomplish anything was more difficult as technology and communications were lacking, roads were badly in need of repair, supplies were difficult to obtain, pedestrian traffic was minimal, and life seemed to be struggling.

And though Gulu is a far cry from a booming western metropolis, this second visit, ‘09 was much more uplifting. More people traveling to and fro, brighter colors everywhere it seemed, clothing, buildings, new buildings, buildings being refurbished, school children in uniform everywhere at all times of the day as their various school schedules dictated. I saw hundreds more students whereas on my last trip I scarcely saw a dozen. Trade with Sudan in the north which is very close to Gulu was doing quite well. It blessed me immensely.

The community is still in desperate need of medicines, drinking water, and though the sanitation and processing of waste could use improvement, it is much better than I have experienced elsewhere. In essence it appears Gulu is making great strides in recovery.

Surrounding this trip were moments of sadness. The elderly uncle of my hostess passed away into the arms of Jesus the day following my initial arrival to Uganda. Also, after our return from Gulu to Lugazi (where my host and hostess live), there was a tragic accident during a worship rehearsal for our five-church women’s outreach in Namataba. A three year old daughter of one of the worship singers managed to find a live wire and was killed. So tragic. The memorial was heart wrenching.

But also surrounding the trip were sweet moments to meet with Mercy and Henry, two orphans who are sponsored by In His Grace Ministries through Children’s Heritage Foundation. Mercy’s father was an LRA rebel who died a few years ago. I do not know all the circumstances, but I did meet her mother on my first trip to Gulu. Mercy’s little sister was a baby in her mommy’s arms at that time. I learned that her village was too far away for me to visit this time. But Mercy is doing well and living at Victor’s Junior Christian School, a school with approximately 750 students, 500 of which do not have parents, mostly from death due to AIDs or Malaria. Henry lives with his grandmother who is caring for 11 other children, bless her heart! Henry’s parents died from AIDs and Malaria. Both Mercy and Henry are charming and bright children.

We had brought 400 Bibles in two languages (Acholi and English) as well as a Bible study of the Book of John for those who could read English. Pastor Jackson is returning with 300 more Bibles; however we know the count will still be short for all these churches. We are praying the Lord would open an avenue for more finances to supply the need. God’s word is flourishing and souls are hungry, hungry for the truth!

There were times to minister the Word in Gulu, Mukono, Namataba, and everywhere we went. Even when our vehicle broke down on the return from Gulu we offered a Bible to the man who worked on our vehicle. He declined stating he was a Muslim. His co-worker however was a Christian so we gave one to him. When he had received it he lifted it up in both hands and practically ‘skipped’ with joy proclaiming “Ooooooooh, Hoooooooooooooly Bible!” I know he will make good use of it! And I think the Muslim will receive teaching from it regardless. God works in such surprising ways.

My coming from America to their villages had a huge impact. Many saw this as God making a special effort to get His Word to them that He would touch someone from so far away to come to them moved them deeply. I recall one woman so full of joy I thought at any time she could fly for the happiness she was experiencing. For me, it was a time of complete pouring out of all the Lord had given me, to give all I could of the Word of God in speaking, personal experience, and giftings, but more importantly, to have had the blessed opportunity to give His Word into the hands of those who lives have suffered so much, are in such desperate states, but now have new beginnings. This was the greatest blessing. Thank you, THANK YOU for your prayers and support. He will bless them beyond anything they can think, hope, or imagine.

Glory to God! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!