Trials and Pain

As I sit watching the sunrise from my window peek over the buildings, I am reminded of God's faithfulness. For more than a decade it seemed that my season had been marked more with pain than joy. Times when I felt cold and hollow inside, as if on an unwanted roller coaster ride filled with unexpected twists and turns. My latest season has been filled with many some normalcy and blessings: being part of a team that purposes to impact nations for Jesus; taking a walk on a sunny day; phones & Skype that keep me connected to family and friends through the miles; and most recently enjoying being together with my daughters and other family this Christmas. These and many other things have dotted my life with smiles and warmth amid the normal challenges and transitions of life.

Unfortunately, some of my very dear friends, who have walked with me through some of my deepest sorrows, are currently walking through seasons of pain & difficulty for a variety of reasons. As I reflect, I am grateful to God for friends and family who give love and strength to help buoy us up when we seem to be drowning (at least from our limited earthly perspective!). I have lifted my friends up in prayer more than a few times. I've listened on the phone as they have poured out their heart. I've sat in silence, when words were not adequate...the very things they have done for me. I am grateful that some are beginning to see breakthroughs. And my heart grieves for the ones that see an end they would never have chosen.

I was reminded again this morning of God, the ultimate Potter will not let my friends pain go without purpose. As sure as the sunrise, His Word is true. He promises that their current trials are producing an eternal glory that can only be achieved through the path of suffering. II Cor 4 16-18 says it like this, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Reading from a devotional book this morning, Anonymous, which I highly recommend, the author quotes a mentor of hers in the following statements. "...trials do not prepare us for what's to come as much as they reveal what we've done with our lives up to this point...trials tell us less about our future than they do about our past. Why? Because the decisions we make in difficult places today are greatly the product of decisions we made in the unseen places of our yesterdays." After some reflection, I have to agree. And I wonder...how am I doing today in my current trials? How am I doing in my current decisions?

As I share a tear, or a pray, or a hug or a phone call with my dear friends...I ask God to help me be a comforter, a true friend, showing His grace to them...not throwing out a quick Bible verse to a question that has no earthly answer or giving my advice when I should be giving love. Which, sad to say, sometimes I do. And I pray for more of His grace in my friends lives and situations, and for His glory to shine through their darkest pain while they wait upon God. And I ask God to help them draw from the arsenal of their past trials and let them feel the warmth of His Spirit inside the seemingly desolate caverns of their hurting souls.

I am grateful for my close friends. They are my teachers. I see His glory reflected in their stance and demeaner...even through the pain. So to them I say, "Thank you ladies for being a refection of God's glory and grace to me and to all who see you. Thank you for letting the frangrance of our Savior come through when you are squeezed beyond your comfort zone. It is a privilege to walk beside you and help carry the burden of this difficult, seemingly unwelcome, season of your life. I love you."

To the rest of us I close with words from Oswald Chambers, "What is your life--sweet? Drink it with grace. Is it hard, painful--commune with the Son and allow the trials to bring you closer to Him." May we learn to rely on God's grace which allow trials to bring us closer to Him.

Cuzco, Peru & surrounding areas

In April of last year I visited Cuzco, Peru for the first time. I was struck by the area's natural beauty, with mountains and scenic views all around. Truly magnificent! This region is a very popular tourist area because Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world, is just a few hours away by train. However, I was struck by more than the physical beauty. This area also possesses great spiritual darkness, abounding with occultism and syncretism. Out of last year's trip a partnership & community transformation project was born between the Assemblies of God in Urcos, Peru, OneHope and SouthPoint Church, Southaven, MS.

This recent trip (end of April 2011) had a two-fold purpose: to stop in Urcos, to see how things are progressing with Pastor Angel & the community transformation project and to hold a pastors' conference for the region of Cuzco. The goal of the partnership is to provide God's Word to every child and youth in the area and provide biblical teaching to help combat the challenges of abuse, alcohol and the spiritual darkness in the area.

Through this partnership, land was purchased in a strategic area where the Peruvian government is going to build a main thoroughfare, then believers from SouthPoint Church raised funds to provide the foundation and roofing for the church in Urcos, and local believers built the walls. (See video)

Last year a team from SouthPoint Church (Southaven, MS) raised funds, came and did Book of Hope distributions in the schools, trained leadership in the church and held a Family Fun Festival in Urcos, reaching out to children, youth and their families. Many attended and lives were transformed from the outreach.

Another goal of the community transformation project is to help establish Pastor Angel as a respected leader in the community. One way we chose to do that is through additional pastoral training. Most of the pastors in this area have had little or no formal theological training. It was my joy to be able to plan and carry out a pastors' conference for the region. We had 53 village pastors come. One traveled 20 hours on transportation to get to Cuzco! We taught basic pastoring skills such as: how to conduct holy communion, a baptism, a wedding & funeral. But we also taught on more meaty subjects,

such as: spiritual warfare, divine healing and

the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It was exciting to see several baptized in the Holy Spirit and some healed! Some new believers have been added to the church from that outreach. One particular father was delivered from alcohol and is being discipled. He, his wife and children now all attend the church. God is good! The church is also gaining more exposure in the community and becoming known as a place where families can find help. Pastor Craig Wendel and a team from Southaven, MS are coming back this summer to partner again in holding another Family Fun Festival and more training in the church.

Even though there is much spiritual opposition in the area, God moved...and is still moving! Please pray for Pastor Angel, his family, and everyone involved in the community transformation project in order to have greater impact in the city of Urcos and beyond. THANK YOU for praying. THANK YOU for your partnership. TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!

When God speaks...

I was just recently in a meeting in Fang, Thailand where there were AT LEAST 5 languages represented, although most of the participants understood Thai (except me & most of the team with me!). It made me start to think how God speaks to each of us. God is such a personal God, and yet, He is aware of everyone in every culture and EVERY language! He is such a BIG God, and yet, can speak so individually, in a way that is meaningful to every individual! No matter the culture, language, circumstances! In that meeting, I know the Holy Spirit was at work, "speaking" to each of us. How cool is that! What an amazing, awesome God we serve! He is intimately acquainted with me and is still able to speak to a pastor from a tribal village in northern Thailand! Thank you God, for being personal and intimate with each of us, while reaching around the world to EVERY tribe, culture and tongue! Truly, YOU are amazing!

Community Transformation...one life at a time!

I thought you might want to hear a few stories from some of the lives that have been touched through the Cultivate partnership.  Woodpecker is one of our partners.  Their mission is three fold:  serving the community and being a witness of Christ through their thrift store, helping youth learn how to have confidence in working with adults and teaching youth how to manage time and money through their "time bank."  (The youth work for Woodpecker and for their time they get points.  After they get so many points in the bank, they can go to one of the local businesses and buy things with their points)




Paula (left) & the rest of us worked
cleaning up damaged goods
at the warehouse after the Typhoon

Paula, a 17 year old from the Ami tribe, is going into her 2nd year of nursing school.  Tomorrow is her last day working at Woodpecker before going back to school.  During the school year she rents a house and  so she needs to earn money during the breaks to pay for her rent.  This summer she had 2 job offers:  one with Woodpecker and the other with 7-11.  (YEP!  They do have    7-11's here and they are amazing...bank, postal service, snack foods, bill paying...LOTS of stuff!)   Paula decided to take the job with Woodpecker even though she would have earned more at 7-11.  "At first," she says, "I did my 'list' and found I had lots of down time.  Then I was challenged, mainly by example, to manage myself.  I found myself working harder without being told:  cleaning, labeling, sorting.  I felt successful.  It is not just a job.  Sometimes I sell things, sometimes I talk to people.  Sometimes I can share my faith."



Pastors Jon & Hana, part of the
community transformation team

Hana is another of our partners.  She and her husband Jon are both pastors at Fata'an Presbyterian Church.  Recently the community transformation team had a group from Japan come to speak to the elderly community.  The first goal was to challenge the believers to interceed for their young people.  And the second goal was to speak to the community regarding reconciliation. Let me share a bit of history which may help you understand why:   Japan ruled Taiwan from 1895 to 1945.  Japan's original intention was to make the island a model colony, so much effort went into improving the economy, education and public works.  The Taiwanese and Japanese, overall, had a good relationship.  However, the last 5-7 year of their rule this changed, largely due to what was happening in Germany and what eventually became known as World War II. 

This picture drawn by local artist for
Pastor Hana's illustration

During our community outreach, Hana shared a story about her uncle who was a pastor during the Japanese rule.   Even though there was persecution against the Christians, towards the end of the Japanese rule, her uncle continued preaching about Christ. The Japanese soldiers had him build a wooden dog house with his own hands and then put him in it to weather the sun and rain without food or water. 2 days later he pretended to be insane and they decided to let him out. He immediately shouted, "Praise the Lord!"  Hana continued telling of God's mercy and grace to each of us.  The Japanese team asked for the forgiveness of the people in the community for the wrongs done to them by Japan during that era.  Several elders from the tribe came and hugged the Japanese team, choosing to receive their forgiveness.  It was an incredible moment!   We are praying that God will use the seeds of forgiveness that were sewn to open the doors for revival to come once again to the tribal people of Taiwan...and spread throughout the entire island! 



Yes...God is changing lives in Taiwan.  And we are praying for a bountiful harvest!

A Stranger in a Foreign Land

Have you ever been the foreigner? Visiting in a land that is not your own? Not sure of the signs or culture? This morning I was in Taipei, Taiwan, at the main train station. I have been here a few times over the past year, but never alone. It is a very large station with several different platforms, boarding areas and walkways to get to other trains and buses. For this trip, I had assured my Taiwanese colleagues that they didn’t need to meet me (several hours out of their way) but I was sure that I could find my way to the right train, trusting that I would eventually find some kind soul who spoke enough English to help me. Now that the reality was upon me, I found myself a bit unsure, but determined to the right train. In order to do that I needed to get to the right platform at the right time. To any Taiwanese person, trains are a way of life. They take trains to work, trains to shop, trains to visit family across town or across the country. And besides familiarity with the train system, Taiwanese have another huge advantage over me…they can read the signs!!! That’s my challenge! Some of the signage is in both Chinese and English (for which I am very grateful!!!) but the majority is simply in Chinese.


Having arrived early enough to ensure I could find someone to help me, and having found the platform that I eventually needed to get to, I was roaming around the train station, looking for a phone store to purchase a sim card for my phone. All of a sudden, a gentle female voice from behind says, “May I help you? I saw you walking around and thought maybe you are lost. I came to pick up a friend, they are already here but wondered if you needed help before I left.” I thanked her kind gesture and told her that I was fine, knew where my train was, but now was looking to see if there was a place at the train station to buy a sim card. She was not sure, but said, “Let’s go ask as the information center.” We went together, she asked in Chinese. The lady at the information center said there was one nearby if I took one of the trains a few stops away. I thanked both of the ladies trying to help me, but felt it best to stay at the train station so I didn’t venture out and miss making it back in time for my train to Guangfu. I took her hand and looked into her eyes and thanked her, again, for showing me such kindness.  She told me she had lived in Sweden and would not have made it if it hadn’t been for friends who had helped her.

After she left, I found myself thinking of this kind woman who, even though she was in a hurry, went out of her way to see if I needed help. I wondered how many times I had missed an opportunity to help someone else because I was busy or in a hurry or simply not paying attention? I wondered if I would have done the same thing if I were in her shoes? I wondered if she herself knew my Savior, in this land where only 3-4% are Christians? I silently lifted her up to Jesus, praying for her salvation, thanking God for this woman who had shown such kindness to me. And I prayed that Jesus would make me more like Him, willing to see others’ needs around me…and to make me willing to take the time.

Radical change...what will it cost me?

This morning I was reading in Mark chapter 5 and came accross the story of "Legion," the demon possessed man that Jesus delivered.  Now that is a great story, isn't it?  A man who spent his days and nights crying out among the tombs.  A man who had incredible strength because he had been chained, many times, with iron around his hands and feet...yet he broke them off.  Unfortunately, this man was dealing with the wrong power.  Demonic power.  His life was a mess.  He was tormented, miserable and alone. 

When Legion met Jesus he fell at His feet and begged Jesus not to torture him.  You see, torture is all that man had known for many years.  Demonic power oppresses.  Demons torture.  There is nothing loving, nurturing or caring about anything demonic.  So...you would think everyone would have been thrilled when Legion was delivered by Jesus.  No longer would this naked maniac be roaming among the tombs and crying out.  No longer would this man, so deeply wounded inside, cut himself on the outside.  Legion had encountered the person of Jesus Christ, and this encounter freed him.  We see in this story that the towns people found him "clothed and in his right mind."  Oh, how Jesus still wants to do that today!!!

Sounds like a happy ending, right?  Well not with the towns people.  You see when Jesus delivered Legion, the demons were sent into a heard of pigs nearby.  These pigs, about 2,000 of them, rushed down the bank and into the lake and drowned.  What did this deliverance cost the person who owned the pigs?  Can you imagine watching the pigs, screeching and deliberately running into the water to be drowned?  Sounds like some kind of strange movie to me.

Verse 17 tells us what the towns people thought.  They begged Jesus to leave that region.  Jesus had messed up their town, their social system.  It wasn't comfortable anymore.  They were freaked out by it all.  Makes me wonder what my reaction will be when drug addicts, prostitutes, demon possessed and other less desirable creatures, like Legion, get saved and come to my church.  How will I react?  Or what about the prodigal that comes back?  After all, they "deserve what they get!"  Dear God, help me to be ready to receive with love anyone you bring into your Kingdom...even when it messes up my comfortable world.     

Ch-ch-ch-changes...

I remember a song in the 70's with the chorus, "ch-ch-ch-changes."  When my girls were small, they always seemed to be hanging on to my skirt or hand or something.  During that season I wondered if there would ever be a time when, for at least 5 minutes, one of them was not clamoring for my time or attention.  Well...I can tell you, that day has come.  Now, instead of hoping for 5 minutes away from them, I find that I am grateful for each minute that we are privileged to share!

I had the joy of spending time with each of my daughters over the 4th of July weekend.  I flew into Green Bay and spent the first few days with Libby.  Then she and James (her boyfriend of 2 years) drove me to Colby, WI where we had arranged to meet Reba and her boyfriend.  The 5 of us spent the afternoon together in Colby, WI, a small, quaint town of 1,616 people (at least according to the city sign we saw!).   Lunch was good and the conversation too.  We were having fun .  After several hours together, I rode to Minneapolis with Reba and David.  A few days later I helped Reba drive to Florida for a job.  (I'll enjoy having her closer for this season!)

As I sat at the restaurant with my daughters and their boyfriends, I mused..."They've grown up and I've gotten older."  They have lives of their own and I have mine. Yet, we still share our lives together, just differently.  I wondered how differently life might look in just a few short years.   Ch-ch-ch-changes.  Yet, through all of the changes, seasons in our lives, God has been very good to my daughters and I.  He has seen us through the good and the bad times.  He's been our provider, friend, counselor, helper, guide and constant companion.   My prayer is that both my daughters and I will continue to keep Him number one in our lives, whatever the season of life, whatever the changes, until He calls us home. 

Friend, if you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I pray you chose to do so soon.  He is waiting for you.  "Here I am, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."  (Revelation 3:20)  He loves you and wants to meet you.  But you must ask Him to come in.  Will there be changes...more than likely, yes.   But the changes He will bring in your life, though sometimes painful, will always be for your best.   I am glad He came in my life 37 years ago.  And I willingly give Him control to do as He pleases.  Back to the song...ch-ch-ch-changes!  Continue to change me Lord to make me more like You.