Unexpected tour of West Africa

My trip to M@li took several unexpected turns as I made my way from H0uston to B@m@ko. All was great from H0uston to D@k@r. Then while we were standing in the line to check in with our next flight, the airline manager announced that the stopover in B@m@ko was canceled due to no fuel to refuel the plane in B@m@ko. They had taken off 20 passengers and their luggage and decided to do something different with us--although they didnt have a plan. First, word came that we would stay in D@k@r for 3 days because there were no flights out until then. This was not acceptable to many because they needed to be in M@li before Monday. The negotiating continued with the possibilities of hiring a bus to drive us all night--not a good option as far as safety. We gave thanks to Father for not allowing this to happen. It was finally decided that we would fly to Burkin@ F@so and take an EARLY morning flight out from there to B@m@ko. So that is what we did. The airline got us to BF then with a little begging took us to a hotel where we could rest. Most of us had been up and traveling for 36 hours or more by this time. After a short nap, we were taken back to the airport at 1:30am and boarded a plane at 4:00am. While we were waiting for the plane, the M@li soccer team showed up with a huge trophy in hand to fly with us back to M@li. What fun to meet the team and have such a great time getting to know and celebrate with them....who knew I would become personal friends with the national soccer team of M@li. It sure made the unexpected tour of West Africa a lot more fun!!

From a Heart of Gratitude

As I drove home to surprise my parents for thanksgiving--one last time to demostrate in person my love for them before I leave for M@li--I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the trees! They were dressed in the most beautiful colors. I found myself saying over and over..."Oh that's my favorite! Oh I love that one the best! Oh Father, You did great on with that one! WOW! Did you see that one? That tree shines...even in the dark, I can see it's beauty!" The conversation went on and on with Father about the beauty of His trees this year! I couldn't really see anything else but the incredible trees with their brilliant colors. (I was glad Father had control of the car! I was a bit distracted!) After the big surprise and about causing my parents to have a heart attack, I came home with them to enjoy some time with them and prepare for our family thanksgiving. Mom and I were decorating the table and we decided to put some of the beautiful leaves on the table. I went out to gather some from the gorgeous Japanese Maple tree. I found myself examining those beautiful leaves. You know what I found...each leaf bore marks of imperfection, places where the color was not so brilliant, and areas where life was being drained out of it. It made me stop to think. For hours on my drive from Texas to SC...literally days, I marveled at the beauty and the glory of G0d displayed in the trees I encountered. All I could see was the perfection of the Creator and a canvas of incredible artwork. After closer inspection of the leaves, I marvel even more. You see, even though each leaf is imperfect and bears the marks of life's struggles, it still displays the splendor and glory of its Creator! It made me think of our lives--the lives of those who know, love, and obey the One who gives us life. Each of our lives are imperfect, sinful, and bear the marks of life's struggles. But because of J3sus and His obedience to lay down His life for our imperfections, our sins, our selfish ways, our lives display the glory of our G0d. J3sus makes it possible for our lives to shine with brilliance the Presence and Reality of our G0d. Because of J3sus our lives can cause others, and even ourselves, to marvel at an amazing G0d who lives in us!

For me...this thanksgiving finds my heart filled with gratitude to my G0d for His pursuit of us--sinful, selfish, undeserving people! He came to us and gave His life so we might live and shine the light of His gl0ry for all the world to see!

Thank you for being a leaf on the tree of life with me! Because of His Presence in you, in me, in us, we cause the world to stop and marvel at the incredible beauty and glory of our G0d!
Happy Thanksgiving!

A Night of Worshipping

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)” Over a year ago this is the scripture Father gave to me, preparing me for what He had planned for my future. Little did I know that it would mean living in M@li. Father told me not to try to “logically” understand where He was taking me, but to trust in Him and my paths will be straight. Now, over a year later, my Father is taking me to a remote village in a foreign land to declare His name and to live among His people. Last Sunday, Keylife Fellowship Church held a commissioning service for me as I plan to leave in January. This was not night to “send me off” as I am leaving for M@li, but a night to worship our Father and to rejoice in what He is doing right now.  This was a night in which we sang praises to Him, talked with Him in pr@yer and rejoiced in everything that He is doing! How awesome it was to be a part of a night worshipping our Father in all the amazing things He has done! The commissioning service was an amazing time being with friends. Thank you for all your prayers during this time! Thank you all for supporting me as I continue my journey with our Father!

Catherine

Three Legged Stool

During my summer trip to M@li I experienced many new life skills…for example eating out of one bowl with many people, cutting onions for many hours and speaking 3 languages. But the one thing that I distinctly remember is attempting to seat on a tiny, little three-legged stool. This memory came vividly to mind while I was attending my H&H class learning how to teach the P@na people what our bodies need physically to grow strong. For the three-legged stool in the village to be functional, there needed to be three legs. If the stool only had two legs or one leg then it would fall down and not be strong anymore. Like the three-legged our bodies need three major sources of nutrients. Protein helps our bodies grow, carbohydrates provides us with energy and vitamins/minerals protect our bodies from sickness. But, beyond our physical needs our growth in our Father is dependent on three major things….His Word for us to grow strong, pr@yer for protection and the Spirit to be our energy. Like the three-legged stool if there is one or two legs missing than we are not strong anymore spiritually or physically. If we only eat energy providing foods then our physical bodies cannot grow strong and if we only pr@y to our Father then our faith does not grow strong. As I sat, learning how to teach this lesson, it reminded me of how important it is for our faith in Father to be like a three-legged stool!

Catherine

Health and Hygiene

Hand washing and feces were the major topics when discussing health and hygiene last weekend as I attended a health and hygiene training (H&H) in Houston, Texas. The H&H training was a class to help me understand how to go into a village and teach the women small tasks to improve their hygiene and health. Germs and bacteria are everywhere and no matter how hard we try to have the best hygiene bacteria are still plentiful. I went into this class hoping to find ways to help the P@na people improve their hygiene behavior to have better health. But the P@na people who live with latrines as bathrooms; ground covered in dirt and unclean water sources, good hygiene is not the easiest task to accomplish in these living conditions.  I learned many techniques to wash our hands and the importance of hydration when we are sick. I learned how to teach them the importance of using a latrine and not the open fields. I pr@y to Father to show me now how to go into the village and be an example of these ways. I pray not only to go teach them better hygiene behavior, but help them, show them and only be an example. 

 Catherine

Celebrating

Beginning October 9th, we will join with serv@nts of our Father for a time of test1mony and celebration of the work Father is doing all over the w0rld. A group of f0ll0wers are hosting a special week to focus on how Father is using His people to make Himself known in places and to peoples who have never heard. It will be a great time to give pr@ise, thanks, and test1mony of Father's greatness! Please be pr@ying for us as we share and celebrate!

Traveling, Speaking, Training

Fall is coming our way! Are you beginning to enjoy the changes of the season! It always amazes me how the changing of seasons brings a newness, a freshness, an excitement, and a joy that only Father could have known would happen. I love to sit and just take in the cooler air, the beautiful colors, and the reality that our Father loves change. He loves for His children to be changed by His Presence, by the incredible, unfailing love that He possesses for us, and by the surrender of our hearts to Him. I pr@y that as the season of summer changes to the season of fall that you too will move from whatever season you are in to the season Father has awaiting you in your walk with Him.

HSI is continuing to make the changes necessary to follow Father into all that He has prepared for us. We are excited about what He has shown us and are now seeking His timing, provision, and plan for each and every one of them. I will be traveling again for the next few weeks. Please pr@y for this time of speaking with others about Father's work and the times of training I will have with one who is preparing to go overseas and serve. Thank you--each of you-- for your p@rtnership with us on your knees!! We cannot do this work without you! You are our strength and your pr@yers infuse us with courage and perseverance in the work Father has called us to do! I give thanks to Him for you!

believing Him for ALL that He has promised...