The Real Reason for the Season

"Jesus, the Reason for the Season" we often see this during this time of the year.

I think it's a cute saying that is not totally accurate. We tend to do that a lot of times, especially in a world of marketing.

But I read a verse that shook my faith world yesterday. "Love is the fulfillment of the law."

Simple.

Jesus is love because God is love. He came and loved. When we love others deeply, purely and to the fullest, we will automatically be fulfilling the law.

But love like this isn't easy. It takes humility.

I messed up the other day. In my own hurt and anger I took a jab at someone I loved. If I loved instead, I would have set myself aside at whatever cost, put my pride in the backseat (or out the window), and humbly received whatever was going on.

I love watching parents act totally RIDICULOUS in public just for their kids. You've seen 'em. Watch next time you're out (dancing, talking like a baby-forgetting all English grammar rules, hopping through the mall, counting everything they see, making faces you've never SEEN before), and as you watch......imagine the child NOT being there!! Haha, it is SOOOO funny. If there was no kid there, for sure the mom or dad or grandma would totally be committed to an insane asylum!!!

But this is love. These parents are so in love with their children and loving them and meeting their needs that they would do just about anything short of crude to get that smile out of them or to make them feel loved or just to have interaction. It's love.

This is the love that Jesus came to teach us. His love for broken people who need Him is why He came. We can worship God for anything, but that fact that Jesus came for us and humiliated Himself, allowing Himself to take on human form as a baby, this is love. He allowed Mary to change and WASH (by hand) his diapers/nappies. He allowed her to clean his spit-up. To clothe Him, dress Him, teach Him. This is humility on the part of God Almighty.

And the opposite of humility is pride. During this season, gifts are everywhere. And let's be honest, some of us, our hearts drop at the thought of presents because we see the word O-B-L-I-G-A-T-I-O-N. If someone gives us a present, we feel like we need to return the gesture. And often it seems like the giver feels that way too.

But it's not just obligation from other people. We feel obligated on our part. We often feel like to receive a gift is to receive strings to that person and we owe them until we reciprocate. As soon as we do the strings fall and we are free.

This year I gave homemade jam to people who have just encouraged me lately. But as I gave it I downplayed it so that they wouldn't feel obligated. But it made me a little sad because I felt it downplayed how much I cared too.

What's the deal? Why are things this way? Why is it so difficult to just receive a gift with a thankful heart and go on without feeling obligated? Pride. That's it.

The truth is it's hard to receive a gift without reciprocating. And boiled down, in its simplest form. Pride is the answer to 'why' or at least "lack of humility". It takes humility to simply receive.

So let's look at this
Jesus humbled himself from God form to human baby form. He gave himself up, humbly, in love. To fulfill the law. He offers Himself as a gift.

Only, we have a hard time receiving without giving back (thus somehow "deserving" the gift). We can't do this with Jesus. We cannot truly receive Love until we humble ourselves and realize there is nothing we can give in return for this gift. There is no way to match it or deserve it.

The reason for the season? I say it's HUMILITY and LOVE. The fulfillment of the law. Love God and love your neighbors as yourself.

When we humbly love, I believe we begin to see God's kingdom here on earth.

So Jesus IS the reason for the season. But our pride is also the reason/need for the season. His humility is our reason/need for the season. Love is the reason for the season. Our own Humility is what should come out of this season...

...just something to chew on.

Merry Christmas to all! I so hope that you will have a joy-filled Christmas!!!

Blast from the Past missionary

So I have this fear that I'm going to turn into one of those missionaries who comes back to the US and wears khaki pants up to the belly button with a cotton blue collared shirt tucked in, with white scrunchy socks and keds...Fro hair, glasses, and clueless when it comes to common English phrases and fads, and unable to relate to ANYONE.
Dissecting this a bit...
- I already care less about what people think about what I wear
- However scrunchy socks still are strange to me.
- I don't own any keds.
- I feel like I can relate to people better now than I could in March
- My priorities have changed; how could they not when living life in between a Western and Third World country

+ I was totally confused when I got home last time and saw all of these little black squares that look like some strange barcode EVERYWHERE
+ When I got home last February or June, I had no idea what "Silly Bands" were or why people would get so crazy over a shaped rubber band.
+ I still don't understand what 'Angry Birds' is or why they're a big deal.

I guess its a silly fear because some things are inevitable (AND superficial). Its silly because I have family and dear friends who will help me along the way. Its silly because I serve the One True God, who is over ALL and in all.

Even though I can acknowledge this shouldn't be a fear, its still something I think about. I think I need to learn to trust God in this and allow others the chance to accept me as I am, whether a "stuck-in-the-past-missionary" or not.

God please give me enough of Your grace that I can always connect with others.

Trusting God with the people around us

Do I believe that God is sovereign? Yes.
Do I believe He is a God of purpose? Yes.
Do I believe that He has a plan when I don't see it? Yes.

Then if all these things are true. Then I have no choice but to trust God with those He has put around me. I've mentioned this before but reading the other day I found Jesus doing the same thing.

It's easier to trust God with our pastor, our Sunday school teacher, our bff, our family...but what about the people in our daily lives who are spreading rumors behind our back? Making our jobs more difficult than they have to be? Or the ones who looove drama and it affects you? The people who are crass? Do we trust God with the difficult people? Should we? Do they have a place in our life? What's the point?

The point is

1. Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him. (Jn 6:64)
2. Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray Him. (John 6:70-71)
3. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as a keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (Jn 12:4)

This blows my mind. All rationality appears to be thrown out the window when Jesus chose His disciples. The truth is, He trusted the Father- and that was the most rational thing to do. As He chose Judas as a disciple, Jesus trusted that His Father had a plan and a purpose.

I mean let's be real. Judas probably had a reputation and even if he didn't, you spend enough time with someone, you learn who they REALLY are, as did the disciples I'm sure. So not only did Jesus choose His betrayer as a disciple and to spend the last few years of His life with, but He chose someone of whom surely others did not approve.

So Judas, the thief and future betrayer spent three-ish years around Jesus, in the presence of the Son of God.

I don't see anyone who would compare to Judas in my life. But I do see others that I don't exactly understand why they are around. There are a couple of people in Ghana who believe that I am ready to compete against them in ministry. They have made it known who they will allow and not allow me to work with. I've no doubt that they would gladly take a chance to sabotage ministry efforts. Why? It has nothing to do with me but with the experience with another white person. So why does they continue to be in my life? When I have stepped away and tried to stay out of the way, it turns out that I live near one of the person's family. Why? I don't know...yet.

I trust God's sovereignty and that He has place me where I am. I trust that He has a purpose and plan although I cannot understand it. I'll not try to remove the "Judases" in my life but instead, trust God with them.

I have seen God turn former "Judas-type people" into followers of Him. In Jesus' case, God used Judas to bring mankind to Him. Looks can be deceiving and feelings definitely are deceiving.

I encourage you, when you see a Judas (or a lesser extreme) before you, or in your life, whether at work, church, school, Wal-Mart, a restaurant or in your family...bring him or her before God and ask Him to help you trust Him with that person, even when we don't understand. This is faith.

Its crazy, isn't it?!?! I don't know other faith/religion of which their "God" comes to live among His people and give His life. But even if there was one, I am certain it would be like Jesus, who not only died but lived among and actually served those who would betray Him...We can never say that our God is not for us.

Ministry Update

We are working on getting a friend from Ghana to come to the States to help cast the vision for sports ministry and share what is already going on in Ghana and other parts of the world. I'm praying that God would open the door for Gloria to come. Last year 58% of Ghanaians applying for a US Visa were denied. Please pray that God gets her here.

Also, I don't even know who all is doing it, but there are people who are working on establishing a non-profit Stateside for this ministry. Please pray over this as it comes together. Its so easy to stray from the Gospel. Pray that as we continue in ministry and gain partners that Christ would remain the center...ALWAYS! :)

I should have an update on these two things in January! Can't wait!

Do IT!!!

My life is crazy. People allude to this thought often if not daily.

I would agree. Below are some off-the-wall things that have taken place in the last few years.

• Grounded in the UK for 8 days due to Icelandic volcanic ash cloud
• Eaten rodent while overseas, known locally in S. Texas as river rat
• Spent a summer in Italy for mission training
• Met people from dozens and dozens of different countries
• Spent a few hours too many in Libya airport with way too many Americans and saw way too many rifles in those few hours, carried by way too many HUGE military men
• Was able to spend time with Gypsies playing games and sharing Jesus
• Drove over 10,000 miles in a little over a month...all...by...myself
• Jumped off of a bridge (into a river) from at LEAST 50 feet up...felt like 500
• Ran a half marathon with my sister
• Began to learn an Africa language
• Learned to cook African food on a coalpot, no easy feat!
• Experienced an earthquake in Italy...I'm not from Cali so it was kind of a big deal
• Correspond weekly with different friends from Europe and Africa...by phone not facebook
• Hiked somewhere around 18km or miles, can't remember, down a mountain carrying a friend with 5 other people
• In one summer learned to count in five different languages...Evegbe (Ghana), Italiano, Romaneste, Gypsy, and English (I know it shouldn't count but you know how it is...:)
• Spent a day in Venice on a loooong journey from assignment in Romania back to training in Italy
• Watched a young man go from motorbike driver to passionate follower of Christ in less than a year!
• Spent time in villages with friends drinking coconut milk and eating the meat while visiting
• Stood in front of crowds and speak (come on, its intimidating and you know it!!!)
• Hiked through an incredible cave with freezing water in Romania
• Played my first game of soccer/international football ever

Okay that's more than enough.

The point...its true, my life has been crazy. Way outside what I ever would have deemed NORMAL!
Most of the stuff I listed had nothing to do with what I wanted but is where I "ended up." And I just went with it. I don't know what happened to me.

Here's what I think though. I think when we do something outside the box, outside the comfort zone, maybe outside of "normal" we get a sense of boldness come over us! Sure part of it is adrenaline, but for me part of it is seeing that I can do wayyyy more than I thought capable and it frees me to press the mold a little bit, step out a little bit further, trust a little more.

I was pumped to hear of a group of believers in a small community reaching out in a manner never before attempted. I pondered over why people in this community would do this but wouldn't participate in other less extreme ways of ministering. And I think it comes back to the sense of adventure! It's a stretch, they could get in trouble...but let's be real, there are times when that really piques our interest and makes us dive in, even as adults.

So I will forever be putting this theory to the test by inviting others along for an adventure. I encourage you, design your own adventure! Go jump into the river/lake when its 34*F/1*C outside. No worries, you won't catch cold, I know from experience- not by choice however. Or play Hide-and-Seek in cars. Or walk up to someone and tell them Jesus loves them. Ride an elephant. Or do a crazy video that no one would EVER suspect and post it online for friends. Hike a mountain...or a big hill. Run. Pet a lion. Skydive (a future goal). Tell someone something you've never shared with anyone. Or go crazy and smile in a picture...for some that's a big deal! Whatever the case...DO something. God has given us incredible abilities, talents and gifts. He's put a huge world before us. Be wise and EXPLORE!

I'd love to hear of different/weird/crazy/exciting things that you have been a part of and would OR wouldn't recommend!!


Oh I forgot the important part...when we do things and realize just HOW much more we are capable of, I believe that mentality becomes a part of our spiritual lives as well, since we can't really compartmentalize like we think. And when I run over thirteen miles and my body hates me, I realize, umm, its much easier to open my mouth and say the three most important little words..."Jesus loves you" than to do this.

So don't do silly or extreme things for the sake of silliness or extreme-ness, but do them so that they will AwaKeN you to all that is before you. To the King of kings, to His grandeur, His creation, His love and His people.

Okay done :)

Death - Black Friday

Death stinks. It is the curse of God at its worst.

Last month I attended a funeral of a young man from my hometown. His mother an active member in the church/community, it was torture to acknowledge her loss. Nothing can bring him back. And no matter how much I hurt for her, it doesn't help.

How can life stop so quickly? One day a person "exists", the next day... life is snuffed out.

I do believe Jesus came to redeem us from the curse. Only He can. As He redeems us, we have hope. We also still have consequences. Death is one of them.

Today was Black Friday. For my family it was Black, but not because of shopping. Today Daddy, Robert and I took my grandmother's sixteen year old dog to the vet to be put to sleep. I've never done that before.

I try to stay as far away from death as possible. In Ghana I have even risked the possiblility of being rude as I refused to enter a room with a dead body. I can list the loved ones on one hand which I have seen at a funeral. But today we took Grandma's dog in to the vet. She had an I.V. and they put in the injection. She simply became still, as if asleep. No pain, no barking, no strange breathing like they warned us. Just lifeless. Because she was. Just like that she was out of pain. Just like that she was gone. She took a breath and then the next moment didn't. They gave her back to us in a box, per our request. We took her home, buried her and now await the return of my grandmother who is out of town.

I've never cried over a pet before. Well, maybe a puppy that wouldn't nurse but that's not the same as a dog that's been around for 60% of my life. What's hardest is seeing everyone hurting around me and knowing that my grandmother has lost a loved one that was like her child! And again, nothing can ease the pain.

When we look at the results of the curse as a result of our sin we see its effects...things that hurt us...thorns, stickers, plants that hurt, dry ground that yields nothing, broken relationships and more. BUT these things we choose to "work around" in our life. People still grow plants with thorns on them because they yield something beautiful or useful. We still live where thistles, thorns and stickers grow. Where ants bite and bees sting, snakes slither and coyotes howl. But no one chooses to still live among death. It just happens. We fight it, try to reverse it but we cannot control it.

It makes me realize that we are not promised tomorrow. I've found myself feeling a bit sad when I think of what I'll miss out on in life as I move to Ghana, important moments, huge changes. People have asked what I would do if I lost a loved one or gained a new one in the family. What is this going move going to look like in its entirety?

I don't know. I don't know if I will come back to the US for every funeral. I don't know if I'll come back for weddings or births. I don't know. What I do know, is that I still have breath.

My hope and prayer is that with each breath I will not relax in regards to the Good News. If those around me can be gone in just one breath, then I need to make the most of each of mine!

If you are reading this and don't believe in God, I implore you...search for Him. Test Him and see that He is God. Without Him there is no hope. Without Him there is no redemption and no peace. With Him, we still reap consequences of the the way we are but He is WITH us. That's just from my own experience.

No man knows the day or the hour...we are not promised tomorrow...weep with those who weep...

Also, on a different note, let's not forget those around us who are hurting in their losses and will continue to hurt. Please let's not forget!

How to Travel Light!

Tips for traveling light (taken from observations in Ghana):

1. Take a handkerchief or small rag.

To be used for EVERYTHING from wiping your hands, nose, shoes etc. Wash it out each evening and let it dry overnight.

2. Take a handtowel to dry off after showering rather than carrying a normal sized bath towel. Use and hang dry after use.

3. Pack only one pair of undergarments, aside from the ones you wear. Each evening, in the shower, wash the pair you wore for the day and by the next evening they'll be clean and dry.

4. Pack one extra set of clothes, preferably light weight. Yes every other day you will be wearing the same outfit, but you'll be traveling lighter. Wash clothing articles only as they get dirty.

5. Rather than carry soap, facewash, shampoo, conditioner etc, just buy a travel size shampoo. if you can find a travel size shampoo+conditioner that's even better! But use the travel size shampoo as shampoo, soap, and even laundry soap as you wash your handkerchief and undergarments each night along with any other clothing articles.

6. Carry a little bit of money to cover traveling expenses and food while traveling. While at the family member's or friend's house that you are visiting they will furnish meals and a bed so no need to plan for that.

7. You might want to pack a pair of flip flops so you have a pair of casual shoes in addition to what you are wearing.

And that's pretty much it my friends! I watch men travel with a briefcase or small bag and women travel with only a purse. Its awesome! That is my goal to reach when travel...I have a lonnng way to go!

:) Happy Travels!

Life is an adventure...

I wanted to do something adventurous with my sister. This summer I was inspired to do more physically.

I told my sister we should sign up for a half marathon which is 13.1 miles = 21.1 kilometers.

We did. When I can post videos/pictures I will. I am soooo proud of my sister for completing it!

Needless to say...it WAS an adventure!

One we may never venture again, although as the pain fades I find myself wanting to do it again...CrAzY!

Wanna donate to missions in Ghana?

CLICK HERE

From the drop down menu choose
>Hope Cooperative Missionaries Abroad
>Ghana - Sandra Hatfield

OR Mail in Financial support:

Hope for the Hungry
PO Box 786
Belton, TX 76513

Donations should be made out to Hope for the Hungry with a note designating it to Sandra Hatfield - Ghana

Thank you for your support and partnership in equipping and discipling believers in Ghana!

Meet Mawuko

MAWUKO, center in the white shirt.




He is about 25 years old and is living in the Volta Region in Ghana. His name means "only God."

He chose to follow Christ just a few years ago and has a heart to disciple children.

Mawuko recently finished the Level Two Sports ministry training. Upon completion of the program, He called me and expressed his excitement and anticipation in doing Kids Games and Ubabalo (outreach and discipleship) in his area. I am excited for him! He has a genuine chance at sharing the Gospel in a relevant way...European Football!

Pray with me for Mawuko. Pray that his passion and faith will remain in the Lord. He is really excited to put into practice what he's learned but given his youth and lack of economic status, there will be some challenges.

The Global Community… a surreal experience

The end of September brought about a tornado of excitement that is still tearing through my calendar!

I was on my way to Hemphill, TX and had a stop-over in Houston. I found out that I would have the opportunity to share about sports ministry with a local church who is sponsoring a soccer team.

Around 2:00 am (CST) I was scouring through online resources from this summer. The more I found the more I realized how incompetent I was. So I sent an email to friends in North Carolina, Washington D.C. and in South Africa, all people that I connected with as a result of my summer training in Italy. The most incredible thing played out…

Within five minutes the friend in South Africa had not only replied with the most helpful information but also forwarded my email to several others doing sports ministry. Within 15 minutes most of those people responded. Within a few hours the friend in D.C. called me. Just a few hours after sending my email, I had a community of people from all over the WORLD who
love Jesus (many whom I’ve never met) filling my inbox with helpful information and encouragement! When I drove to meet with the church supporting the soccer team I was more content with what I did know and what resources I did have, but even BETTER I was more content with what I didn't know, assured that God would fill the gaps! And He did!

I learned about more than just sports ministry through this situation! I got to experience the Global Community step into action on behalf of sports ministry! I now know that I could travel to virtually any part of the world and have brothers and sisters with me!

Our God is bigger than we can ever fathom!

Thirsty?

Written September 13, 2011

For the first time in four months, I am home! I arrived in Belton, Texas in the wee hours of Sunday morning. It was dark as I drove from the southern coastal area to central Texas. Today I went for a jog and observed the foliage, and lack thereof, over the landscape.

When I left in April things were totally different. The grass was green. The plants were green. The evergreens were green! As I walked today, I feel like I gained an understanding of what I’ve been reading in Nahum lately. For the first time I feel like I understand the word ‘desolate’. Through Nahum the Lord expresses His anger against Nineveh; descriptive phrases are used like “He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet. At his command the oceans dry up, and the rivers disappear. The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade, and the green forests of Lebanon wither…who can stand before his fierce anger? Who can survive his burning fury? His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble in His presence.” And after describing the fierceness of God we read, “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”

I confess that today I chose to run at the hottest part of the day. It was 103*F/42*C. It didn’t take long before I realized that this was a foolish decision. I was unable to finish my run due to the extreme heat. I cut my run short and then made the decision to walk the rest of the way. As I walked I looked for a shortcut. The heat and my poor fitness coupled with lack of water made it difficult to even think! As I walked I just kept thinking of words like ‘desolate’, ‘parched’, and ‘weary’.

There are certainly times where spiritually we find ourselves in places like this. What is our out? Where does our refreshment come from?

I think about the power of God and I know that I can barely stand the heat outside…All I wanted halfway into my run was just one glass of water…just one. As Jesus sits at the well where the Samaritan woman came to draw water, He asks for a drink. She questions him. He responds, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus stands and loudly says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”

Thirsty people! Come to Jesus and drink. Choose to believe in him so that the streams of living water will flow from within you. Choose to believe in him and always be satisfied by the One who chooses to work and live through you.

Glorious day! In the book of Revelation, when the new Jerusalem is being revealed, He who is seated on the throne said to John, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”

Will thirst ever end? Only in Jesus.

Opinion

I've acknowledged and labeled this post as an opinion because that is what it is. I welcome comments, facts and other opinions on this matter. Maybe my vision is a bit skewed but I couldn't believe what I read in a religious publication last night...

The article was about human trafficking. I was glad to hear that people were getting the word out and informing young women to be cautious and on alert. Below is an excerpt toward the end of the article. Please read it and see if anything sticks out, especially if you are a Christ-follower...

"Smith also underscored the importance of working with law enforcement. She told about a time when a member of her staff was asked if he would like to buy a girl for $10.

"We reported it, but my immediate reaction was to be a vigilante, to go help her, " Smith confessed. But we must work with law enforcement. When I've told this story before, some have asked, 'Why didn't you pay the $10 and at least save that one girl?' But if I had done that, I would be guilty of criminal activity.

"Many faith-based groups with good intentions disrupt or hamper investigations, but our job is to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement."

I changed my mind-all I would be able to write would be...not good...so instead, I had to cry out to Jesus.



Dear Jesus!!! Really? REALLY?!?

I cannot imagine having the opportunity to purchase a girl's freedom for $10 and not doing...for ANY reason. I can't imagine having within my reach, the opportunity to physically free a young woman from one more man ravaging her body and destroying her soul and refusing it. So call me guilty and lock me up...I know my heart. They called You guilty and punished You...and You willingly received it, so I could be free, so I could be pure.

Jesus, is our job really to work with 'law enforcement'? Are we really to be the "eyes and ears of law enforcement" or are we to be the "hands and feet of You?"

You are at work. YOU are sovereign. I trust You and I pray for mercy for these young women. And I pray for courage for those of us who are learning about them. I ask for grace upon hearing stories like this one and I ask You to help me trust You more with each one that I hear. I thank YOU for organizations who are working to free these young women and like the one in the article, that are making people aware. I ask that You would touch the very souls of these young women enslaved...that each moment, in the midst of the hell they find themselves in, that they would know there is Hope. Oh Jesus.....

God of heaven and earth! When will we see Your face??

Unbelievable Summer

If you receive the newsletter you will have the full scope (or as much as you can get) of what took place this summer! If you don't/didn’t receive the newsletter and are already on the mailing list, I left you out on purpose because I want to discuss something with you. ;) If you are not on the mailing list and would like to be, please email me.

Lessons I learned this summer through all that took place:

= Trust God with myself

= Trust God with those He puts around me

= Trust those God puts around me with those He puts around me. =) K, thank you for that lesson!

= Abide in Jesus…always…with ALL things

= It is not my place to defend myself. Jesus never defended Himself.

= It is my job to defend my brothers and sisters as they will not defend themselves.

= It’s not just what comes out that matters, it’s what’s in the heart and mind.

= A physical consequence helps mature the heart and mind.

= I cannot do life alone. (And now I don’t want to! Thanks Team!)

= I should always look to the interests of others rather than only my own.

= When it is time for me to speak up, I should!

= Surprises are not a bad thing!

= Planning is wise. Being flexible is good. Being fluid is best!

= Time with Jesus is a lifestyle.

= Abiding in Jesus is possible.

= Don’t be afraid to love anyone God puts in my path. Don’t hold back.

= When God speaks, by all means, Listen Sandra!

= Allow other people to look after me!

= Be open! Transparency is not what America makes it out to be. I want people to know the real me. Scary, I know! =)

= God has blessed me with an INCREDIBLE family who loves me although I sooo don’t deserve it!

= The Lord surely answers prayers, guiding and directing.

= The most important phrase in any language is, “Jesus loves you.”

= No one gets left behind.

= This 27 year old body can handle wayyyyy more than I thought possible.

= Northerners are cool people too! =)

= We are each uniquely designed in a fashion that suits our calling best! God is good!

= Adventures are now something I can look forward to rather than be hesitant or afraid!

= Whom have I in heaven but You, Lord!?

= No assumptions, no pre-conceived notions. Be patient and watch. Wait on the Lord who will reveal all.

= Be a good steward but rely on God for all things

= If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together!

And for my IMPACT team…I learned:

= Never attempt the Cinnamon Challenge

= How to defend myself from a bear

= Don’t look at M. when a speaker goes off track

= Watch out for river rocks…dangerous suckers!

= Don’t attempt a Martial Arts match with N. (silly me)

= D.’s concoctions do work

= our stories tell a lot about us, it’s important to share

= “Slow and steady wins the race” whether it’s a horse or a bridge

= It’s important to dream

= Anyone can play the guitar

= A Romanian train is NOTHING like a Texas train

…okay, I’ll stop for now =)

Sport and Jesus!

During my summer internship I was sent with a team of five interns to do outreach in Romania. As we traveled to Romania and worked there, our leader introduced us in the following manner, “They are here because of two reasons: they love sport and they love Jesus!”

Sport is everywhere! In every nation, in every people group one will find some kind of sport. In January 2011 I felt the Lord calling this ministry to reach and disciple through sport, especially football. In May I left for an intense summer training/internship in Italy. Upon its completion, I was excited (and somewhat nervous) to return to Ghana and see what the Lord will do here.

I arrived and met with a man who has been through the same program. I have seen the work that the Lord is already doing in Ghana and excitement runs through my veins!

I spent this summer with sixteen other people who are passionate about sports and Jesus. I arrived in Ghana and am working with young people who know sports and know Jesus but the passion has not yet arrived for either.

Sunday begins a brief training similar to what I experienced this summer. Godson will attend. This training will be a precursor to the next level training available in September.

I ask for your prayers regarding Godson. From early in his faith he was placed in a position of leadership that I believe has hindered his growth in Jesus. He is busy tending to others and his own faith becomes neglected at times. Often he is seeking the Word to prepare a sermon and it doesn’t reach his own heart. This training will be unlike anything he has EVER experienced. Please pray that our Father in heaven would give Godson eyes to see what He is doing and ears to hear what He wants.

Please also pray for other leaders to join. I have a few days to “recruit” and other than one young man, I am not aware of any in this area who have chosen to follow Jesus outside the church doors. I know there are some, but I haven’t yet met them. We need disciples who want to grow, who want to love and who are willing to set themselves aside for the sake of Jesus, for the sake of those who don’t know Him! I asked a female friend about any young women and she said she doesn't know of any who are passionate about Jesus.

I plead for your prayers throughout the upcoming week!

Loving the Unloved

Please hear a portion of my story…

“But then I will win her back once again.

I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.

I will return her vineyards to her

And transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.

She will give herself to me there,

As she did long ago when she was young,

When I freed her from captivity…

“When that day comes,” says the LORD,

“you will call Me ‘my Husband’ instead of ‘my Master.’

I will make you my wife forever,

Showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion.

I will be faithful to you and make you mine,

And you will finally know me as LORD.

I will show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’

And to those I called ‘Not My people,’

I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’

And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”

The above is from Hosea, prophesying about God’s people, but is very much how God has moved within my own life. Because of a past experience, Hosea speaks to the depths of my soul.

There definitely was a time that I was held captive to things as a result of my decision to choose life without God. He did lead me into the desert and He did speak tenderly. Even upon my refusal, He continued to speak. And finally in the Valley of Trouble and Pain and Despair, I heard. And He gave me hope! So much Hope that in that moment, I gave all of myself to Him, to be as I was when I was young, before my captivity. That day, upon choosing Him, I was able to call Him my Friend and my Husband rather than only my Master, someone I only feared. I am forever His, aware of His righteousness, His justice, His unfailing, NEVER-ENDING LOVE, and His compassion. He has been nothing but faithful, (even when I have not been), and I am His. He is my Lord and He loves me. He is MY God!

And because He is my God, the filth, the destruction and the lies have been exposed and wiped away. Isaiah 61:10 describes my heart, “I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.”

Because I have been in the Valley of Trouble and have experienced dark times, I feel that I understand the place of one who is “unloved.” I understand hopelessness. I understand why people fight the One who wants to love them most. And because the Lord has brought me through the Valley and proven His love for me…because He has made me His, it is now my turn to share Him with those who are unloved, who don’t know True Love.

How can I give you up…?

How can I let you go…?

How can I destroy you…?

My heart is torn within me, and My compassion overflows.

No, I will not unleash My fierce anger.

I will not completely destroy…for I am God and not a mere mortal.

I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy.

For someday the people will follow me.

Do you hear this?!? For someday the people will follow me. I have hope that the unloved, once they experience True Love, will follow Him. I feel that it is the job of those who have chosen to follow and who know Love Himself, to go to the poor, needy, oppressed, widow and orphans, the prostitutes, and all who are looked down upon.

Please pray for the Lord’s direction within my life and this ministry on how we can better love the unloved. My heart is very heavily burdened these days.

The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;

My love will know no bounds”

Akpe Yesu!