Glimpse of G0d's Gl0ry #3

“Though the L0rd gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:20-21

Greetings to you all and gratitude to our Father for your journey with us in 2012!!

Glimpse of G0d’s Glory #3

R@dio K@ntiguiya/ His F@ithfulness

In October 2011 as C@therine and I spent time with many of you sharing about what G0d was doing in M@li, we began to see an increase and an orchestration of details for the completion of the radio station in B@ye. Since 2006, we had been watching, waiting, walking at G0d’s pace for the provision, development, and building of R@dio K@ntiguiya/ R@dio F@ithfulness. The name of this station is a living testimony to the G0d to whom it belongs and to the G0d whom it proclaims. As we returned to M@li in December, we had a renewed and bold confidence that 2012 would be the year that the radio station would broadcast its first messages and songs of hope, salvation, joy, peace, and love to the people who G0d had called us to serve.

For months the B@ye area had increasingly become more difficult for us to travel to due to the t3rr0r!st groups and r3bel groups who were bringing their activity closer and closer. C@therine and I were allowed to make one trip to the area just after Chr!stmas 2011. It was amazing to see the station, its equipment, and meet the technician who would work for the station. When the C0up D’ Et@t happened in March and we had to leave the country for a time, R@dio K@ntiguiya was one of the things so heavy on my heart. I cried out to G0d to finish what He had started, to not let the enemy keep us from not only the Gift of Grain but also from the completion of the radio.

F@ithfulness--I believe has been my greatest GLIMPSE of G0d in this year 2012 and I love that R@dio K@ntiguiya stands and broadcasts today! His F@ithfulness R@dio is broadcasting 8 hours a day proclaiming the Good News and the F@ithfulness of G0d to reconcile people to Himself…His salvation freely given to all who will believe and receive His S0n. He was not only f@ithful to complete and power up the r@dio to broadcast, but our G0d is empowering His R@dio so much that it is reaching far beyond the 60 mile radius it is designed to reach…it is reaching towns and villages double that distance at times. It has been described as second in that area to only the national r@dio station!!

Our greatest need for the r@dio station now is training for her workers. Again, G0d shows His F@ithfulness to His R@dio!! On December 6^th, His F@ithfulness R@dio will have its first meeting with her Mentoring station in Am3r!ca…H0uston’s KSBJ r@dio. We will be getting to know each other and developing a plan for mentoring and training the r@dio manager and all of the workers of the r@dio so that it can be the best station it can be for G0d’s gl0ry!!

Thank you to all of you who have believed with us for this r@dio station, who have contributed your financial resources, and who have come alongside us in so many different ways to see the gospel proclaimed in an area with little to no access to the s@lvation and h0pe that comes through J.s.s!! Thank you to KSBJ for their desire and willingness to walk the next steps with us to develop G0d’s best for the people who need him so desperately! We cannot wait to see how G0d is going to use His F@ithfulness R@dio for such a time as this in M@li!!

Oh Father, how we pr@ise you for your F@ITHFULNESS!! How I thank you for passing by us and allowing us to see your f@ithful Presence at work in an area where you alone can work and make yourself known! Father I thank you for your s3rv@nts who followed you to live among a people who did not know you and be your presence there. I thank you for your f@ithfulness in them to love and serve them, to share your truth with them and now to proclaim your word daily over the airwaves!! Thank you L0rd for continuing what you started there…what you said you have done, now we watch and wait for your Sp!r!t to be poured out and your s@lvati0n to be received!! You are F@ithful and True and we w0rship you!!

Glimpse of G0d's Gl0ry #2

“Though the L0rd gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:20-21

Greetings to you all and gratitude to our Father for your journey with us in 2012!!

Glimpse of G0d’s Glory #2

C0up D’Et@t/Sovereignty of G0d

In late March 2012, the M@lian President was ousted by a group of military soldiers. Immediate uncertainty flooded all of our hearts and minds. Questions flooded in about what would happen and what we needed to do. We sheltered in place for a time, and we sheltered in a neighboring country for a time. While in both places, G0d’s Presence became our true Shelter! He was very real, and His words of strength and encouragement came every day. His guidance and wisdom were before us! The truth and realness that G0d Alone is our Refuge, our Strength, and our Shelter dug its roots deep into our hearts and firmly planted itself in our lives as something we can know without doubt and cling to in all circumstances. The reality is that serving G0d requires us to stand face to face with all that we fear—the evil of this world, the selfishness of man, the results of this life without G0d, war, torture, and even death for His gl0ry—and respond by faith to trust Him, believe Him, follow Him, and continue to serve Him no matter what.

On that day when the President was overthrown and ousted, M@li became a country in turmoil and it remains a country with struggles greater than she can conquer on her own. In those early days, the power vacuum left the northern part of M@li (2/3 of the country) taken over by extreme !sl@mists, rebels, and t3rr0r!st groups. The question remains…”How will M@li regain her territory and what will it take to do that?” Other questions loom over us like…”How long will we be able to stay in M@li and share J.s.s? What happens if war breaks out to recapture the north? Will it just take place in the north or will it be throughout the country? Do we continue with our regular visits and ministry plans?” The questions go on and on if you spend much time thinking and pondering the situation and circumstances here.

From that day in March to this day, as we continue to live in the uncertainty of what the future looks like in M@li, there is ONE truth that empowers me like no other…MY G0D is SOVEREIGN! He alone knows the future of Mali as well as the future of my life, He alone has power over ALL situations, He alone rules over all the nations and their leaders, He alone has ALREADY won the victory over the evil one and ALL those who serve the evil one in  M@li and throughout this world! My faith is in HIM and HIM ALONE!

Our Father God, we thank you for your Sovereignty! We thank you that you are the ALL knowing, ALL powerful, and ALL Present G0d! We thank you that you hold the entire world—each and every nation in your hand. There is NOTHING that happens without your knowledge and your specific purposes being accomplished! We thank you that when we walk with you, when we follow you—even in difficult, dangerous places—we are not alone! You are our Shelter, Our Protector, Our Guide, Our Constant Companion, Our EVERYTHING! Thank you for the glimpse of your Sovereignty daily as we trust you, believe you, and put our f@ith in you!

Suffering and Gratitude...Glimpse of G0d's Gl0ry #1

“Though the L0rd gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:20-21

Greetings to you all and gratitude to our Father for your journey with us in 2012!!

When C@therine and I returned to M@li in December 2011, we had no way of knowing what the year 2012 would hold for HSI, for M@li, for the people we serve, for those we serve alongside, or for us individually. This week as I look back and take time to reflect and give thanks to our Father, I have come to understand that this year…the year 2012 has been the year of suffering for M@li. It has also been the year in which our Father has demonstrated His power, His Presence, His Sovereignty, His grace, His mercy, and His unfailing love!

As we spend this week giving thanks to our Father, I felt compelled to expressed to G0d and to you all how the sufferings of M@li lead us to sing a song of thanksgiving as we look at some of the glimpses of G0d’s glory in 2012. We will sing this song a little each day as we express our thanksgiving, pr@ise, and love for our G0d!

Glimpse of God’s Glory #1

Famine 2012/Gift of Grain

We began 2012 KNOWING without doubt that M@li and her people were facing an unprecedented famine across most of the country. We knew that only G0d could provide relief and only God could satisfy! The famine was magnified and became even more desperate as M@li experienced the C0up d’Et@t in March and the humanitarian organizations, non-government organizations, and those who were planning to help had to leave the country for a time.

 
G0d’s response and our Pr@ise: G0d answered our cries to come back into M@li and demonstrated His unfailing love and faithfulness to those who were hungry, fearful, and desperate. G0d ignited His compassion in YOUR hearts and you gave exactly what we needed for the Gift of Grain at just the right time to make the greatest difference in the lives of those who were literally searching and asking “Where can I find food for my family today?” God empowered the believers in B@ye to demonstrate His love and provision through your financial support…G0d distinguished His people from all other people by love and compassion in the time of suffering!

Further pr@ise, G0d allowed C@therine and I to join with another organization to work alongside and help distribute grain two times in v!llages where our friends and co-laborers are serving. At a time when most were required to be out of M@li, G0d allowed us to complete the work He had promised us to do.

Even more pr@ise, you pr@yed with us all this year for the rainy season and harvest of 2012. Just this last week as we traveled back to one of the v!llages where we distributed grain in May and August, my heart was amazed, filled with gratitude and my eyes were filled with tears as I looked at the grain growing and becoming ripe for harvest. As O and I were driving, I found myself saying over and over to her, “Look at the harvest, it is white and ready! The heads of grain are huge! Pr@ise be to G0d! He has heard us and He has answered!” This year’s harvest is plentiful!!

Father, we thank you for your f@ithfulness! We thank you that you finish what you start and that you don’t forget your people in their suffering…as a matter of fact in our suffering your show yourself in greater ways. Thank you that it is your desire for us to know you, to see you, to believe you, to live with you—in good times, in bad times, in easy times, and in hard times! Thank you Father for giving us a glimpse of you through this time of hunger and famine! Thank you for choosing to use us to demonstrate your unfailing love and f@ithfulness to the people of M@li so that they too received a glimpse of your glory, your presence, and your power.

R@dio K@ntiguiya...All G0d's Promises

F@ithful Ones...greetings to you from a grateful heart!!

My heart continues to sing "There is none like you! No one else can touch my heart like you do. I could search for all eternity long and find there is none like you!!" This song has flowed from my heart for over a year now. It is not something I think about and it is not something I listen to on a regular basis...it just fills my heart and mind and comes out of my mouth without effort. Like a spring of water refreshing my sp!r!t.

Over the last few months another song...a B@mbara song has found a place deep in my heart as well. It has become a spring of refreshment and a reminder of truth to my s0ul. The words to this song mean,

G0d's promises, ALL of G0d's promises are fulfilled in J.s.s.
G0d's promises,  All of God's promises for the world are fulfilled in J.s.s.
G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises for Isr@el are fulfilled in J.s.s.
G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises for M@li are fulfilled in J.s.s.
G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises for __________ (in the blank with a name or a place or a specific time) are fulfilled in J.s.s.
G0d's promises, ALL of G0d's promises are fulfilled in J.s.s.

Today, I am singing..."G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises are fulfilled in J.s.s. G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises for the people of M@li are fulfilled in J.s.s. G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises for the people in the North of M@li are fulfilled in J.s.s. G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises for the people in the B@ye area are fulfilled in J.s.s. G0d's promises, All of G0d's promises for R@dio K@ntiguiya are fulfilled in J.s.s  G0d's promises, ALL of G0d's promises are fulfilled in J.s.s."

Thank you so much for pr@ying for my time with KSBJ, a Chr!sti@n radio station in the H0ston area!! We met together to begin talking and planning for the training and mentorship of R@dio K@ntiguiya. Our time together was sweet to the Sp!r!t and empowering to the s0ul. Truly words do not express all that I am experiencing at this moment as I have watched G0d's faithfulness for the last 6 years not only bring R@dio K@ntiguiya into being but also to join KSBJ--MY R@dio station--in partnership with MY people...those to whom G0d has called me. Honestly, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude to the One, True G0d and to you His f@ithful servants who have pr@yed, given, supported in all ways, and believed alongside us for His promises to be fulfilled. Yes, it is true we are only at the beginning and we do not know what tomorrow holds, but today we cling to the Truth and the reality that G0d has done this, G0d is f@ithful, G0d does what He says He will do, and we believe in Him.

Please pr@y for us as we move forward...walking in the footprints our G0d is walking out in front of us! Here are some specifics for now:

• Assessment of training needs and the development of a plan to begin training and mentoring the staff of R@dio K@ntigu!ya
  
• The best location and ways for training and mentoring (R@dio K@ntigu!ya is located on the edge of the northern region that has been taken over by rebels and divided this country, travel there is risky at this point in time)
• For G0d's Sp!r!t to be pour out on us so that we may walk in His ways, work for His gl0ry, and make His name known
• For wisdom and discernment for those working in the r@dio station as they seek to proclaim the Good News of J.s.s in ways that will bring s@lvation to those who listen
• Protection for the staff of R@dio K@ntigu!ya as well as the property of the r@dio station...ask for the Invisible Army of our G0d to be posted on around each individual and station itself (remember that M@li is in a time of turmoil with w@r looming on the horizon...a w@r that opposes the w0rk of our Father)

Thank you again for your f@ithfulness!! You are the best because the BEST lives inside of you!!

Stand up and Walk

Hello to all!

Two months ago, I (C@therine) shared with you through pr@yer request how our Father gave me the opportunity to work with two girls, Ou and Ji, who have Cerebral Palsy and are not able to walk. When I first saw the girls I felt that it was going to be tough for the family to take care of these girls as they grew older. So, I saw this as an opportunity that Father gave me to be H1s light in this family, but also to help these two girls walk. At that time I had only been working with them for a couple of weeks and I thought it will take a long time for them to actually be able to walk on their own; however, I believed that one day they would succeed.

Now 2 ½ months later I want to share with all of you how our Father has improved these girls in miraculous ways, given H1s strength to the girls and continue to shine H1s light and unfailing love among this family.

When I first saw Ou, the oldest daughter, she could hardly stand up on her own strength and power, she wasn’t able to walk without having to grab on to something, throwing a soccer ball was challenging, and kicking a soccer ball was even more of a challenge.  Her younger sister, Ji, had little control of her arm and leg movements and she couldn’t stand up on her own.

Over the past two and a half months both of these girls have improved in unimaginable ways. As of yesterday the last day I have worked with them….

• Ou is able to walk with a walker around her house without any problems.

• Ou is able to stand up by herself, throw and kick the soccer ball with any difficulties

• Ou is able to stand up, keep her balance and catch, throw and bounce the soccer ball.
•  Ou is able to bend down in a controlled movement to pick up a ball, or any other thing
•  Ji  is getting better at controlling her arm and leg movements
•  Ji is almost able to stand up with help and keep her balance

• Ji is stronger than ever before, working hard and learning to focus

However, the greatest blessing to see from our Father yesterday was to see Ou walk without help 2 times in their family room. As I was watching Ou walk on her own, without help, I had goosebumps all over my body…for I knew if wasn’t from Ou’s own strength that in 2 months she could begin walking on her own. I pr@ise Father for the strength He has given to Ou to walk on her own and the courage to walk for the first time without help. I pr@ise Father for the incredibly ways He has healed, shown H1s power and strength to not only through Ou, but through Ji and all of their family.

Over the past two months, besides working physically helping Ou and Ji walk, Father has given D@n and I the opportunities to pr@y with the family, to share with them that it is only through f@ith in J.s.s that Ou and Ji will be healed and be able to walk; it is through the f@ith in J.s.s that we believe they have improved in miraculously ways. D@n and I shared with them that we love them and help them because of the love that J.s.s has shown to us.

I pr@ise Father for this time I have spent with Ou and Ji and their family. The time to be a light not only among this family, but in their community. Please continue to pr@y for Ou, Ji and their family!

Please pr@y for

• Encouragment and strength to continue to work hard in their exercises
• Father to continue heal these two girls in a miraculously ways  and to help them to be able to walk without problems
• Father to continue to shine H1s light and gl0ry among this family
• D@n and I as we continue to work with these girls, to be a Father’s vessel to shine H1s light and gl0ry among this family   
• Opportunities to share J.s.s among this family
• Opportunities to pr@y and encourage this family
• Ou and Ji to not only walk physically, but one day follow walk with J.s.s
• Ou and Ji mother and father, for them to see that J.s.s is the way, the truth and the light

Thank you for your pr@yers!

Thank you...You're Welcome

Greetings to you all!

Those of you who have been to S!kass0 and K@r...the people greet you and they asked about you! Thank you for f0ll0wing our G0d to share your lives and especially the life of Jesus among them!

As L0ri and I drove from the good road (black top) along the bush road, we stopped to greet some Dutch friends who are working in the neighboring v!llage to K@r. The wind began to blow and it was evident that the rain was on its way. We decided it best to get in the truck and try to beat the rain to K@r. Well...we did not beat the rain...but we did arrive without any problems on the way. The rain was so hard that we sat for about 20 minutes in the truck waiting for a break big enough that we would not get drenched. Our arrival was a greater adventure than we planned...smile. The rain lasted most of the day...with a few small breaks for greeting those closest to us. The rain brought a coldness to the air that was unexpected but oh so nice!!

On Tuesday, we spent the day greeting and sitting with people. It was soooo good to see their faces, to talk with them, and to laugh with them! We had the chance to cook with K0r0...which made my heart smile. W@ came over to sit with us as well and I shared a B@mb@ra song with her that I have been learing and singing with O. It is called Ala ka Lahidu and it simply says "All of G0d's promises are fulfilled in J.s.s. All of G0d's promises for ______(fill in the name) are fulfilled in J.s.s." After I sang it to her the first time, her response, "Amiiina!" Later in the day, L0ri P opened up the car doors and we plugged in the music to the radio and G0d's pr@ises were listened to by those who had gathered for talking and hanging out under the mango tree. My heart smiled as I watched the responses ...the children all began dancing...not for show but out of genuine, natural response to music. W@ got up and moved her chair closer to the truck door where the speakers were, others came closer to where we were. There is just something about music...we all long for a song in our hearts...a song that touches us, speaks to us, empowers us, encourages us!!

Other favorite moments of my time in the v!llage were:

• sitting under the mango tree beside W@, the group was talking and I looked at W@ and said, "Thank you!" and in mid sentence she responded in her usual way, "You're welcome!" and went on to finish her sentence. As L0ri P said, there is at least one English phrase that W@ hears, knows, understands, and uses correctly..."Thank you...You're Welcome!" As I thought about that ...I thought how powerful...if we all could recognize and give thanks to G0d...to know and understand and correctly express our gratitude to Him as we should. I will never forget the sound and voice of W@ expressing those words...
• sitting under the mango tree...W@ getting up from her chair and L0ri P sitting in it while she was away. Without warning and very unexpectantly upon W@ return...W@ sits down on top of LP...surprise and laughter burst from everyone and I watch my friends laughing and enjoying their friendship
• sitting under the stars Tuesday night...hearing K0r0 singing along to songs on the radio that spoke of J.s.s. Then as a man was speaking on the radio, K0r0 said, "Nanto, he is speaking in Duun." Right then I gave thanks to our Father for radio in M@li. I gave thanks to Him that right there in that compound J.s.s was being exalted, talked about, and listened to by our friends. I don't know how much each person was hearing...some maybe nothing at all...but some were listening...Oh Father....may your words ring in their minds in days to come...may your Sp!r!t bring understanding and salvation!
• laughing with my friend Hawa while taking a picture together
• listening to Shaka...hum songs while standing close to me
• to be in K@r with my friend LP again...its been way too long!

As I prepared my heart to leave the v!llage, I simply said two words to G0d, "Thank you!" And His reply, "You're welcome!"
His promise to me in S3neg@l as I waited to return to M@li f0ll0wing the c0up d'etat...

"What's more, I am with you and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you." Genenis 28:15

This time in K@r, this time with my friend LP, and this time with my S@mogh0 family is another part of His fulfillment of this promise. He alone has placed the S@mogh0, the P@na, the D@fin, the people on the street corner, and the people of M@li in my heart...He alone has called me here, and He alone will finish what He has begun...I continue to say. "Thank you to Him for every day that we have to be the LIGHT of J.s.s. among the people here." Please continue to pr@y for Him to fulfill ALL of His plans for M@li and her people...to pour out His Sp!r!t and bring salvation to this land!!

M@li is Broken

" But whenever someone turns to the L0rd, the veil is taken away. For the L0rd is the Sp!r!t, and wherever the L0rd is, there is freedom."
2 Corinthians 3:16-17

Greetings everyone!!

This weekend, yesterday in particular, is the day that 52 years ago M@li gained her freedom and became a nation on her own. The day is always celebrated with great joy--parades, parties, and special events. Yesterday, for the first time ever, the people of M@li did not celebrate her freedom. With only a small, heavily guarded ceremony, the transitional President of M@li placed a bouquet of flowers at the monument that stands to commemorate M@li's Independence. He did this in the presence of only the members of the government and the foreign ambassadors.

As I sat with our friends on the street, one man with sadness in his voice said, "Mali is broken...really, really broken." His words are true in so many ways. Since our conversation, my heart has been broken again for M@li. I see the movement of G0d in so many hearts and minds, I am experiencing the work of the H0ly Sp!r!t in the lives of those we spend time with daily, yet the enemy is truly waging war to destroy a country and a people. The eyes of so many are veiled--almost a whole nation. The enemy is trying to prevent the Sp!r!t of the L0rd by imposing on people a law that only bring fear and death. M@li and her people are a peace loving, peace seeking people, yet the possibilities of war grow with each day.

Please join me in daily calling out to our Father to pour out HIS SP!R!T throughout M@li--to reveal Himself, His Truth, His Grace, His Mercy, His Salvation through J.s.s Chr!st, His FREEDOM! Since my conversation with S yesterday the scr!pture that continues to come to my mind is the one written above..." But whenever someone turns to the L0rd, the veil is taken away. For the L0rd is the Sp!r!t, and wherever the L0rd is, there is freedom." Will you please pr@y for the Sp!r!t of the L0rd to move freely in this land, removing the veil from people's eyes so they may see and know The Way, The Truth, and The Life--J.s.s? Please pr@y for the leaders of M@li as they seek to restore M@li and bring oneness to the people and the nation.

Thank you for your partnership and your f@ithfulness to pr@y alongside us for this people and this nation...