Thankfulness, Nov. 24

One of the most difficult times in my life was in 1993 when we were transferred to St. Louis, Missouri. I was a stay-at-home mom with 3 little boys under the age of 7. I was also 8 months pregnant with my fourth son. I left my aunt, my church, my prayer group, my Precept class and my best friend.

Right after Colton was born, we began visiting First Baptist Church of Arnold, MO. One morning I was in the nursery with Colton when another young mother introduced herself, heard our story, and invited us to dinner. Taking 4 little children to anyone's home for dinner was difficult at best, but I was desperate to find a friend and get out of the house. There was no reason to worry, though, because she was also the mom to a newborn and had 3 other chldren, about the same ages as mine. We both led crazy busy lives with toddlers and diapers and toys.

That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and one of the greatest blessings in my life.

I am thankful for my friend, Bitsi. I love you, girl.

Thankfulness, Nov. 23

I am thankful that ALL of my boys will be home for dinner tonight.

Thankfulness, Nov 22

I am thankful that I have the freedom to worship without fear of persecution.

I am also thankful for organizations like Voice of the Martyrs who make the truth known regarding those countries who persecute Christians.

Here is a video clip from about 3 months ago of a house church in Vietnam being raided by government officials.

Thankfulness, Nov. 21

I am so thankful that this world is not my home.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev. 21:4

Thankfulness, Nov 18

I am thankful that as long as I have been alive, God's Word has been readily available to me.  I received my first small New Testament as child, my first complete Bible as a youth and my first Study Bible as a young mother.  I cannot even count how many different versions of God's Word we have in our home.

I am also thankful for organizations like Faith Comes By Hearing, who record God's word for those who do not have it in their language.  I've had the privilege of partnering with FCBH in taking solar-powered players into remote African villages so people can hear God's words, some for the first time ever. 

I am thankful for the men and women, like my friend Pastor Tia from the Ghana Bible Society, who labor to translate the Holy Bible into their heart language, so people may know Jesus.

July 2009 - Ghana Mission Team

Pastor Tia, 2nd from right

Thankfulness, Nov 17

Thank you Chris, Stephanie, Fran, Paula, Fred and Linda for joining the Tuesday refugee mission team.  Thank you for pouring your heart and life into these beautiful Bhutanese people.  Thank you for sharing Jesus with them in so many ways.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to join You on mission to these Hindu families.

Thankfulness, Nov. 16

Today I am especially thankful for Dr. Kuubiere of Ghana.

I met Dr. Kuubiere this past summer while on mission in Africa when one of my student team members developed a staph infection.  Dr. Kuubiere owns a very small private hospital in the Northern Region of Ghana.  I made a small donation to his hospital, thinking (hoping and praying, actually) that I would never see him again.

A couple of days ago, I was contacted by a Ghanaian friend who needed some help getting a couple of sick children to a doctor immediately.  I called Dr. Kuubiere and explained the situation.  He was more than willing to see the children and in fact, he insisted that they come that very minute.  He diagnosed them and provided all the medication they needed to get well. 

I doubt Dr. Kuubiere  knows or cares about blogs, facebook or instant messaging, but he does care about helping his people, the Dagomba.