Cactus Flower

Two months ago our congregation voted to ask a national pastor to come and start work here in Sobradinho.  It was a big decision since in many ways.  The congregation was started almost twenty years ago and has always had some sort of missionary assistance.  We ourselves have been here for close to thirteen years now.  The vote to call a pastor was a little scary for our small group because it meant making a commitment to give regular tithes and offerings to pay the salary of the man or his family will go hungry!  So far, so good!  Giving is okay.  The mother church across the lake is helping and we made a promise to give a good size monthly offering until next year.  But hence the old missionary question arises:  Where are you going now? Seems everywhere I go people ask:  Where are you going?  You aren't leaving, are you?  So going back to the US, hey?  Going to go live near your grandbabies now?  I even had...

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Werica and Anderson have decided to change their original plans to go to Mozambique later this year.  The costs of the trip are very high and another opportunity arose that is much more viable and applicable to the learning experience both wish to gain on a missions trip. Anderson was also highlighted in a post here on the blog.  He and Werica have been presented with the chance to accompany Wordless Ministries on a missions trip to the Amazon region of Brazil.   This trip will be July 1 - 11 of this year.   Each participant needs about US$500 to go on the trip.   Please pray with us that  Anderson, Werica and two others - Eliana and Luis Vinicius from our church group will be able to take part in this event.   We are very proud of all of our young people and are encouraged in their interest in world missions.   Meet Werica This young lady is a hard working girl who after she was saved at the age of ten....

  "You Have to Believe in Happiness" “You have to believe in happiness, Or happiness never comes. I know that a bird chirps none the less  When all that he finds is crumbs. You have to believe the buds will blow, Believe in the grass in the days of snow. Ah, that’s the reason a bird can sing, On his darkest day he believes in Spring. You have to believe in happiness— It isn’t an outward thing. The Spring never makes the song, I guess, As much as the song the Spring. Aye, many a heart could find content If it saw the joy on the road it went, The joy ahead when it had to grieve, For the joy is there—but you have to believe.” Douglas Malloch   Where do I find my joy?    In my work?  In my family?  In my collections and hobbies? Scriptures tell us to look to God for our hope and joy... 1 Chronicles 16:10 Find joy in his holy name;  let the hearts of those who keep on seekin...

So how do the three go together? I've been praying for a park since we got here to the States.  It's a park near the mission house where we are staying while here on furlough.  There aren't the public squares where people gather like there are in Brazil.  But quite a few young people gather in the park every afternoon.  One of our boys likes to go down there every day to play basketball and hang out.  I've also been praying for a small ministry to do while being at home most days with one of my boys doing his school work at home this semester.  One of the ladies in the missionary circle at the church here had an idea to make baby blankets for a local women's shelter.  The lady had been the owner of a cloth store and had a lot of fabric at home.  She gave me a bolt of calico and I started sewing. The two ended up going together when some of the folks of the church began to consider how to reach out here in Reidsville like the missions te...

Follow Me, son, I believe in you! I have now been through almost all the stages of motherhood… and most coincide with terms of service on the missionary field.    Deputation: two miscarriages First term:  first two boys born less than twenty months apart Second term: found out was pregnant with third boy days before leaving the States Third term: start of real homeschooling Fourth term: all boys in teens, some rough times Fourth Furlough: oldest will graduate I have read every book there is about raising children, raising boys and now every book imaginable about raising teens.  I've heard and given messages about being the perfect mother... I've finally come to realize in this latest stage of my life that there are no perfect mothers on this planet at this time... But there are women redeemed by the Grace of God, cleaned up from the imperfections of this life by the power and blood of Jesus Christ's act on the cross... These women can l...

Just a little inspiration for my day as I work on schedules and menus and plans for an upcoming retreat...

Make know His deeds among the peoples Talk of all His wondrous works Remember His marvelous works which He has done Able to sleep last night after a long, somewhat frustrating day. One of my babes went to sleep after a fitful event. One of my sweets saw my need in a certain hour and met it with creativity. My dogs were home when we arrived. Found a few things on my long list in the big city. Got to see a friend and chat a little. Received some inspiration for a small project at church. This blog works even when nothing else on the net this week has been. God lead me to Psalm 105 this morning when I needed hope and inspiration for my day. The chirping birds and my Girl dog's morning greeting. I love my Creator God.