Big and Strong is Our God

Grande Y Fuerte es Nuestro Dios!  (Big and Strong is Our God!)

Yesterday brought new job descriptions as our team took over teaching at the school. We taught bible classes, English classes and PE classes in addition to purging Alcatraz. Jessie jumped into her normal role as substitute teacher along with her interpreter Odra and assistant Sarah. Rick deposited new English nuggets into our 18 little children, Kim along with Libby and Tori taught a new game called Shipwreck. The kids were pumped with excitement to have us filling in for the day. Our other half of the team wrapped up building projects finishing what we came to do and more.

To our amazement and excitement we were invited to attend (with our teens) a concert with bands from local Puerto Cortez and Guatemala. The evening was perfectly warm, cloud covered and a slight breeze swept through field. This was unlike the 107degrees and bright sun we baked in early that day. I’ve attended Spirit Filled Christian Concerts in the United States fully understanding their message and this one matched the gusto, heart and pursuit of His Spirit. As we worshipped strongholds were broken, faith lifted up and agreement of health and healing for this country. This body lifted up Jesus, bathed in the Presence and committed to change Honduras for His Glory.

Change in the heavenly’s came as worship arose and proclamations were made in agreement.  As I stood, danced and worshipped last evening I envisioned thousands more worshipping at future events. There is more to come and I am thrilled to be a part of His move. An interesting thing I noticed in connection to His Presence; last night we had no mosquitoes at all in the worship stadium. Hum….When the sunflowers are present the nasty little pests that keep the harvest from coming in disappear. There is an aroma of Christ with our presence and this sweet aroma leaks out. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”  2 Corinthians 2:15-16.

 As we walk and work among the lost we are bringing a new fragrance into this country that has been in darkness far too long.  I have sought out the Father about this dark place and He says in 2 Chronicles 7:14.  “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  We will continue praying, seeking, and worshipping the Father in truth for you Honduras.

Alcatraz Finished -Teens Worship- Heavens Opened I say that was a good day. 

Grande Y Fuerte es Nuestro Dios!  (Big and Strong is Our God!)

Faithful

Chisels, Machetes and Hammers

What do chisels, machetes and hammers have in common? It’s teamwork, ingenuity and resolve to complete a task. Three projects, few tools and big hearts can accomplish much for the Lord. This has been our experience this week. Walk with me during our day.

Our building team has roofed the teen house, pulled enough wire thru to give it light and dug the septic system today. The cement finisher wrapped up his final touches on the exterior and the home for our teens is almost complete. Since the inception and start of the school building our boys were displaced to church families. I’d say within a week their new home will be ready. PTL!

Village rodents: spiders, cockroaches and rats……Yes, the strength of the female team overcame the infestations and pushed forward to clean and distribute needed items to our house moms. We, the team, agree that the village needs more cats, less rodents. We caught a live but dying rat today. I think it got stepped on or smashed by moving the tables while cleaning. Then a tarantula came a strutting out and scared off the workers, my team. A heavy footed sandal wiped out the critter. Now all edgy and fearful of another showing we picked lightly thru the boxes. As I returned with scrubbed tubs ready for refill my teammate entertained a cock roach in a box. I was aghast as she struggled the greatest with the other critter attacks. Lunch was served and we were spared for a while.

Tomorrow we dive into what we call Alcatraz. Alcatraz is an impenetrable storage house but only to humans. Nestled inside is home to the lost and homeless rats of Tepita. In the past, I have seen an 8 inch rat running for his life in that building. What will tomorrow bring? Well we have been praying for the Lord to increase the tools like He did with the loafs and fishes. Remember nothing is impossible with God.

This team brought with it willingness to serve despite the critters or the lack of tools. They walk with unity, love and anointing’s in their area’s of craftsmanship. Our talented crew dove into all projects with heart, ambition to finish and an attitude of I will do whatever you ask of me. We have two days left and we will finish strong.

PS…In one of our rooms was this big beautiful picture of 5 sunflowers, go figure God has not stopped speaking. I love Him, Don’t you? Do you know what the number 5 means? Hum….Grace- remember God is sending the five fold ministry to Honduras and their job description has been given.

Faithful

Mudslides

Greeting Friends,

“So shall my word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:11 In my last post I mentioned the prophetic word over Honduras given by Catherin Brown. Well today I was driving and I began to count not one, not two, not three but eleven mudslides in a forty minute drive between towns. What could this possible mean? Too much rain, well yes Honduras gets lots of rain but it is another indication of the Holy Spirit's move across this nation.

Catherine Brown stated that the land will be cleansed, shaken and changed. Those who call upon the Lord will not need to worry He will protect us. Mud slides and earth movement will be indicative of spiritual atmosphere changing. This is happening now; mud slides and more mud slides.

Over the last few months the Lord has been showing me the number two. Finally after the umpteen time of seeing this number I went to work to discover what the bible says about the number two. First off, what was the first and second thing God said? In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and secondly, the earth was without form and void and darkness was on the face of the deep. The number two is the first divisible number and second thing said was different from the first. It is divisible and it is different. This theme is repeated over and over in the bible: Cain and Abel; Jacob and Esau, The First Adam and the Last Adam (Jesus) The Old Testament and The New Testament.  Consider Jeremiah 18 where God has Jeremiah look at what the potter is fashioning. The first clump of clay is marred but the second is a completely  new vessel good for use. How much more can our heavenly Father change us, this nation as well as others for His Glory.



So what do mudslides and the number two have in common? Both indicate change and it will be different from the status quo or this nation’s current situation. The Lord is showing us in the natural what is happening in the spiritual. He is cleansing, shaking and changing the Nation of Honduras. And it is happening now. Yes, there is urgency in the air.

If you haven’t asked Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and to be Lord of your life right now is the time. Don’t delay. Don’t delay to pray for your family and friends; don’t delay in forgiving others who wronged you. Time is of the essence the Holy Spirit is moving and you don’t want to be left out. You are who He loves, You are who He is fighting for and You are precious in His sight. You may see yourself covered in mud but He can make you white as snow. He says, “Come, come now”




Faithful

Beginings

Connections, security, sleep...or lack of  it was the flavor for a few days. Our normal trips are on the red eye but these days its two day affair. The few hours we managed to rest proved plentiful as we launched out in search of serving. If you have keep up with my blog post discussing the prophetic word you will not be astonished when the Lord shows up once again with confirmation of His presence in this nation. The prophetic word from Catherine Brown indicates that God is sending a wave of His Spirit to counteract the pests (demonic) in Honduras.

She describes the sunflower as a plant that is planted to keep out the pests or insects that keep the harvest from coming in. The Lord has been showing me sunflower umbrellas over the last two months. I never saw a sunflower umbrella until this word was revealed to me. Well, during our travel thru San Pedro there it was a woman walking with a sunflower umbrella.  A gentle reminder His Spirit is covering this nation.

In another portion of her prophecy she stated that a sign in the natural a spiritual breakthrough will be an increase in crop yield for the farmer. With that in mind let me share a story of an event that took place today that I believe is a prophetic act. First off, we know sunflower seeds are both good to eat and good to bring forth more crops and a huge harvest. Unbeknowlingly, today one of our team brought from the states sunflower seeds she shared them with her sister. Her sister in turn shared them with a couple of our children. Then the groundsman working in the garden saw them and thought she was giving them to him to plant. Slight communication error, but no not an error at all. Another sign that of the harvest coming in. The seed was good to eat and good to plant for a plentiful harvest yet to come. Doesn't God speak to us in concrete ways just for us to hear and know He is at work. But the best part is we get to partner with Him along the way.

Read more about His words all coming true.

Faithful

Pursuit

Pursuit-the act of pursuing, an occupation or pastime. What could cause a person to be in pursuit? Is it the thrill of the chase? Is it tracking down that of importance or that which is missing? Is it a quest to discover what was lost? What is it that would cause a person to hunt and search for that which is lost? I believe it can be summed up in one word, "Love". When Love is at the heart of the pursuit there is no barrier which will prevent pursuing. When one is pursuing that which is sacred to the heart astonishing results happen. One is not deterred by obstacles; one jumps over them, swims through them or climbs around them to discover if what they were looking for is there. This is the Fathers heart; He is not deterred from meeting up with you. His pursuit is one of love.

When you are surrounded by love all you want to do is receive it, to be in its presence. There is no greater love than one who lays his life down for another. We have such a one who has done that for us, Jesus. His abiding presence is the pursuit of His heart for you. You see, in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Why not search for that presence? Something is blinding them from seeing, something is shouting louder in their ears, something is preventing them from reaching, something is choking them and they can't taste its goodness. What could prevent one from receiving joy or eternal pleasure? Selfish desires, always looking out for me. The god of this age has blinded many and he is seeking to devour them. There is a way out, Jesus.

Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me. You see one of my pursuits are the ways and the paths of the Lord Jesus. What does the Lord your God require of you? But to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good. That sounds like pursuit to me. If you desire to be in pursuit of the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore be walking, serving, loving and fearing our mighty God.

Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you
May He send you help from the sanctuary;
And strengthen you out of Zion;
May He remember all you offerings.
And accept your burnt offerings.  Selah
May He grant you according to your hearts desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.
Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand....


Why the discussion on Pursuit? Because without pursuing Him how will I know His ways? How will I know His paths for me? This is a passionate pursuit one in which will never end. Now to those of us in hot pursuit here is a link of an answer for our beloved in Honduras.

Prophetic Word By Catherine Brown

"Mud slides and earth movement will be indicative of spiritual atmosphere changing for God's glory."

Folks this is already happening, read on there is much, much more. Click below for the whole Prophetic Word.


Faithful

http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/Americas/index.php?p=1_7_Prophetic-word-to-HONDURAS

The Called

The Called

Upon entering into rest tonight the Lord reminded me of those called to this last crusade. My companions in a quest to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and the great commission. They were impressed with one thing and one thing only, walking in His Footprints on this journey. That meant not straying to either the right or the left but in complete alignment with His desire for us. This group remained steadfast, united, and flexible in a culture very different from their normal routine.

Jo Ann Capturing it all!

As I reflect on each personality we had the dynamic, the gentle, the prayerful, the contemplative, the worshipful, the patient, the enthusiast, and the servant, all were unified. You would think we had known each other for years as we walked out each day in His light. Quite to the contrary, we were from 5 different states, some retired, some students, some pastors, some teachers, some managers, some heavy equipment workers, but our commonality was Jesus and Him glorified. You see we live to honor the one who gave it all, we live to find the treasures He hid for us each day, we live to walk out the great commission and we live as New Testament Disciples in love and power.

Reflections

My time with these chosen few are savored memories; moments flashing before my eyes in a picture and a solemn joy of their abiding friendship in my life forever. A tribute to those who have obeyed and gone forth to bring the good news of Jesus. Friends, it is without a doubt in my mind that all 8 of your seats were upgraded because  their is a Daddy in heaven who is so happy with you. May the Lord bless you and keep you close in our time apart.

Bible Studies

Faithful Leaders

Until we meet again, Shalom


Faithful

Arm Out Stretched

This Crusade instilled in me the importance of pressing into His promises. It was no longer others that I read about and the things happening in their lives but this was reality, it happened to me. It happened to my brothers and sisters in Christ, it can happen to you. Our world is lost in the deprivation of sin and can't see its way out. Many can't see their error but our Father sees everything and His heart carries this burden to save us.

Let me tell you a short story of a trip I made with our children here in Honduras. We planned a beach trip for them which only occurs maybe twice a year. So the event was exciting; one in which each of the children looked forward to. We went to the beach despite the rain. The rain was warm, the water was warm and the company was warm and friendly. I slipped out into the deep water to play with the older children. After a while I headed into the beach to dig in the sand with our toddlers. They were collecting shells and I happily jumped in too. They dug for all the brightly colored shells, it was fun because they were having  fun. With sand collecting where I did not want it I swam back out to the deep. Shortly, I noticed the boys were in another area digging so I launched out to meet them. They too were collecting shells, little did I know that these multicolored shells were actually clams. Both houses, the girls house and the boys house, were collecting clams to make clam chowder. I had been assisting in this collection without realizing the value of these colored shells. They were beautiful and good to eat.

 How many times do we have things, objects in our hands without realizing their amazing value?  You see our God sees us like these shells, we have amazing value and it breaks His heart to see us buried in the sand so we cannot see, or damaged by the pounding of the sea. His heart is to restore us to our rightful place with Him. His story has always been about restoration, that has not changed. His hand is still out stretched now. Will you grab it and teach others to grab it too?

So for now and always, I cling to my Savior for I want to see the value in others as He saw value in me. He restored me and He can restore you no matter where you are or where you have been. He is all about restoration. The question is where are you going? His arm is out stretched still.....

Faithful