Well it is 3:30 am and we are getting ready. I guess one nice thing about an 18 hour flight from New York to JoBurg, SA is that we can catch up on some sleep!
We are asking you to continue to pray for the people in Mozambique. We also ask that you pray for us as we travel. Today there will be 11 of us traveling from San Angelo. Logan is already there. Chuck & Debbie and David & Jackie went a week early to have a vacation in London and they are flying today as well from there. We have I think 25 bags to check that are at the max limit of 50 lbs each. We are praying that all of our luggage will make our flight out of San Angelo and continue with us all the way to JoBurg. Each year in the past they have all arrived. Our checked bags have personal stuff but also ALL of our ministry supplies are in there.
We will arrive at the village we will be staying in late Monday night. All travel until then (airplane and car). There is a 7 hour time difference. (they are ahead).
Well try to update as soon as we can. Thank you again for standing in the gap. We are excited to see what God has in store for us and the people of Mozambique.
When Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
10:30 pm and we are off to bed!
It has been a long and full day but we are finally getting into bed. We will wake up at 3:00 AM and get ready to go the airport. We will update as soon as we are able to but more than likely it will be around August 2nd. Please continue to pray for our trip.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
2 Days To Go
Well, it is Tuesday night and I am just finishing up some last minute packing for the kids, a little laundry and a few last minute details. Tomorrow night we will meet at the church with our 2 bags (each) that we will check so that we can pack the ministry supplies.
Jill found some fun new crafts to do with the women and children during our ministry time. We will focus on the 1st 7 - chapters in Genesis as well as who Jesus is and what He did for them on the cross. After we teach our lesson each day, it is neat to see the children and women so excited to color a paper or glue some foam shapes on a frame or even decorate a votive candle holder. They do not have much at all and for most it is the first time they get to do "crafts".
I want to ask everyone to pray for us and the team members as we prepare to leave on Friday. The enemy is alive and he would like nothing more than to discourage each of us in any way he can. Please pray for our children as well as the other team members children. It is hard to be away from them for so long. We know God has a plan for this team and the people of Mozambique and Satan would like nothing better than to discourage us and cause problems. I can not wait to see the VICTORIES God has in store for us!
We would love to hear from you before we leave. You can leave a "comment" on this page by clicking on the "comment" section at the end of today's post or you can email us through our contact page on our website.
Thank you for all your love, encouragement and support as we continue with the JOURNEY God has our family on.
Here is a list of the team members so you can pray for them by name...
Brad & Jill
Mark & Alicia
Chuck & Debbie
Jeff & Sharie
David & Jackie
Sara
Nellie
Kathy
Ann
Jayton
Logan (He is already in Mozambique - he has been there since May and will return with our team)
Jill found some fun new crafts to do with the women and children during our ministry time. We will focus on the 1st 7 - chapters in Genesis as well as who Jesus is and what He did for them on the cross. After we teach our lesson each day, it is neat to see the children and women so excited to color a paper or glue some foam shapes on a frame or even decorate a votive candle holder. They do not have much at all and for most it is the first time they get to do "crafts".
I want to ask everyone to pray for us and the team members as we prepare to leave on Friday. The enemy is alive and he would like nothing more than to discourage each of us in any way he can. Please pray for our children as well as the other team members children. It is hard to be away from them for so long. We know God has a plan for this team and the people of Mozambique and Satan would like nothing better than to discourage us and cause problems. I can not wait to see the VICTORIES God has in store for us!
We would love to hear from you before we leave. You can leave a "comment" on this page by clicking on the "comment" section at the end of today's post or you can email us through our contact page on our website.
Thank you for all your love, encouragement and support as we continue with the JOURNEY God has our family on.
Here is a list of the team members so you can pray for them by name...
Brad & Jill
Mark & Alicia
Chuck & Debbie
Jeff & Sharie
David & Jackie
Sara
Nellie
Kathy
Ann
Jayton
Logan (He is already in Mozambique - he has been there since May and will return with our team)
Friday, July 11, 2008
One Week Out!
Last night I was going through my papers for this outreach as well as getting my new Bible ready. (The one that I have always taken to Africa, Camps & Retreats in the past is falling apart so I got a new one.) I decided to go through it last night and highlight the scriptures that I would use if I get the opportunity to share Jesus with someone. When I filled out my application for this trip this summer, one of the questions that I had to answer was ...
If someone on the mission field were to ask you how they could know God personally, what would you say to them?
I decided to share that on this blog for 2 reasons ...
1. So you can see what we do and use to share the Gospel with someone.
2. In case there is someone that will read this blog who may have never heard the Truth of Jesus.
Here is my answer to the question ...
I would use the Bible (because I believe it is the True Word of God & I would use the EvangeCube as a visual tool.
I would explain to them that …
· God is perfect and without sin. He loves us. He wants us to have everlasting life with Him.
· the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 “that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
· Sin is anything that God tells us not to do. – Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:6-21) & Galatians 5:19
· Because of our sins we are separated from God.
· God loved us so much that He sent His only son Jesus to the earth as a man.
· Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (this is a spiritual death; the spirit that lives within you.)
· Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
· 1 Peter 2:24 says “He himself (talking about Jesus) bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”
· 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.
· Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
· After Jesus died on the cross He was buried in a tomb with a huge stone rolled in front of it. It was guarded by soldiers. Matthew 27:66 “So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”
· God sent an angel to roll away the big stone. Matthew 28:2-4, There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightening, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”
· God raise Jesus from the dead! Soon afterward, God took Jesus back to heaven. Jesus has paid the price for our sin, and Jesus has conquered death.
· Matthew 28:5-7 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
· John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
· Through Jesus we can be forgiven of all our sins and be with God forever.
· Just knowing about these things is not enough. We must choose to put our faith in Jesus to trust in Him to save us from our sin. (difference of head knowledge vs. heart knowledge.)
· If you do not take the step of trusting in Jesus, then your sins are not removed.
· Acts 10:43 says that “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
· John 3:16- 18 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
· John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
· The penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23) but eternal life through Jesus is a free gift from God.
· People face 2 choices (step 6 on cube) Ask them “What choice will you make?”
1. Trust in Jesus Christ to be forgiven and have eternal life?
o John 3:16
2. Or reject Jesus Christ and suffer eternal punishment in fire?
o Revelation 20:15 says, “If anyone’s name was not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
o The names of all believers are registered in the book of life. This book symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs to him.
Then I would ask them the Question … Would you like to trust Jesus right now and be saved?
Then explain that they need to …
1. Admit you are a sinner.
2. Be willing to turn form your sins (repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as your Savior)
Remind them that it’s not saying the words that saves you; God is looking at your heart for true faith in Jesus.
Prayer to lead them in …
God, thank You for loving me. I confess that I have sinned against You. I believe that Your Son Jesus died on a cross to pay for my sins, and that You raised Jesus from the dead. I now put my faith only in Jesus to forgive me and save me from my sins. I confess that Jesus is Lord! Thank You for the gift of eternal life. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
I would then explain that they are now a child of God.
John 1:12 “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus protects His people from eternal harm.
John 10:27 -28 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
Steps for Followers of Christ …
Love God and all people
Matthew 22:36-40 says, Teacher what is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
You should study God’s Word (Bible) daily …
1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
John 14:23 “Jesus replied,”If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.”
Pray to God constantly
In prayer you can thank and worship God, ask for His help, confess your sins, and pray for others.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Meet regularly with other Christians
God commands that Christians meet regularly for worship, prayer, Bible Study and helping each other. “
Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”
Tell others the good news about Jesus
o God wants us to tell other people How to Have Eternal Life with God by trusting in Jesus to save them from sin. (that’s why I am going to Mozambique)
o Mark 16:15 He said to them “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
I am asking for you to pray for us and the team as we go and share the Gospel with the people in Mozambique. Pray for us to have a willingness and boldness to share. Pray that enemy will not be able to distract our team or the people we are witnessing to. Pray for our team to have eyes to see what and where we need to go. Can't wait to get there!!!
If someone on the mission field were to ask you how they could know God personally, what would you say to them?
I decided to share that on this blog for 2 reasons ...
1. So you can see what we do and use to share the Gospel with someone.
2. In case there is someone that will read this blog who may have never heard the Truth of Jesus.
Here is my answer to the question ...
I would use the Bible (because I believe it is the True Word of God & I would use the EvangeCube as a visual tool.
I would explain to them that …
· God is perfect and without sin. He loves us. He wants us to have everlasting life with Him.
· the Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 “that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
· Sin is anything that God tells us not to do. – Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:6-21) & Galatians 5:19
· Because of our sins we are separated from God.
· God loved us so much that He sent His only son Jesus to the earth as a man.
· Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (this is a spiritual death; the spirit that lives within you.)
· Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
· 1 Peter 2:24 says “He himself (talking about Jesus) bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”
· 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.
· Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
· After Jesus died on the cross He was buried in a tomb with a huge stone rolled in front of it. It was guarded by soldiers. Matthew 27:66 “So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”
· God sent an angel to roll away the big stone. Matthew 28:2-4, There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightening, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.”
· God raise Jesus from the dead! Soon afterward, God took Jesus back to heaven. Jesus has paid the price for our sin, and Jesus has conquered death.
· Matthew 28:5-7 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
· John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
· Through Jesus we can be forgiven of all our sins and be with God forever.
· Just knowing about these things is not enough. We must choose to put our faith in Jesus to trust in Him to save us from our sin. (difference of head knowledge vs. heart knowledge.)
· If you do not take the step of trusting in Jesus, then your sins are not removed.
· Acts 10:43 says that “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
· John 3:16- 18 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
· John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
· The penalty of sin is death (Romans 6:23) but eternal life through Jesus is a free gift from God.
· People face 2 choices (step 6 on cube) Ask them “What choice will you make?”
1. Trust in Jesus Christ to be forgiven and have eternal life?
o John 3:16
2. Or reject Jesus Christ and suffer eternal punishment in fire?
o Revelation 20:15 says, “If anyone’s name was not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
o The names of all believers are registered in the book of life. This book symbolizes God’s knowledge of who belongs to him.
Then I would ask them the Question … Would you like to trust Jesus right now and be saved?
Then explain that they need to …
1. Admit you are a sinner.
2. Be willing to turn form your sins (repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.”
Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Him as your Savior)
Remind them that it’s not saying the words that saves you; God is looking at your heart for true faith in Jesus.
Prayer to lead them in …
God, thank You for loving me. I confess that I have sinned against You. I believe that Your Son Jesus died on a cross to pay for my sins, and that You raised Jesus from the dead. I now put my faith only in Jesus to forgive me and save me from my sins. I confess that Jesus is Lord! Thank You for the gift of eternal life. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen
I would then explain that they are now a child of God.
John 1:12 “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus protects His people from eternal harm.
John 10:27 -28 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
Steps for Followers of Christ …
Love God and all people
Matthew 22:36-40 says, Teacher what is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
You should study God’s Word (Bible) daily …
1 Peter 2:2 “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
John 14:23 “Jesus replied,”If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.”
Pray to God constantly
In prayer you can thank and worship God, ask for His help, confess your sins, and pray for others.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Meet regularly with other Christians
God commands that Christians meet regularly for worship, prayer, Bible Study and helping each other. “
Hebrews 10:25, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.”
Tell others the good news about Jesus
o God wants us to tell other people How to Have Eternal Life with God by trusting in Jesus to save them from sin. (that’s why I am going to Mozambique)
o Mark 16:15 He said to them “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
I am asking for you to pray for us and the team as we go and share the Gospel with the people in Mozambique. Pray for us to have a willingness and boldness to share. Pray that enemy will not be able to distract our team or the people we are witnessing to. Pray for our team to have eyes to see what and where we need to go. Can't wait to get there!!!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Packing
Well, we are finally making progress in our packing. This years seems to be easy, well I should say there is alot to be done, but this is our 5th time to pack for a mission trip to Africa and it seems like it is coming together quickly. Only 9 days away. I am hoping to be finished packing by the weekend (except for last minute stuff). I am also hoping to have the kids bags packed and the house clean. It would be nice to have it all done by Monday.
Please continue to pray for our mission trip. Pray for the hearts of the people to be open. We are praying for God to use our team in a mighty way. It is so humbling to be a part of the work He is doing in Mozambique!
Please continue to pray for our mission trip. Pray for the hearts of the people to be open. We are praying for God to use our team in a mighty way. It is so humbling to be a part of the work He is doing in Mozambique!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
We leave in 16 days!
We keep pictures on our computer from our previous trips as a "screen saver." We look at them several times throughout the day. There are so many precious people and memories in Mozambique. Thought we would share a few with you.
Last night we had our last team meeting. We turned in the last of our paperwork and then we worked on preparing some of the crafts we will do with the women and children. Jill has added a few new crafts this year. (Can't wait to see the women and children making them.) We also picked up our team shirts yesterday and handed them out to the team members last night. They look great!
We have so much to do in the next 16 days. Hopefully we can pack this weekend so that we don't have to worry about it last minute.
We are so excited to get back to Africa. We look forward to seeing some of the people we met last year as well as the many new faces God will bring in our path. We continue to pray for God to do amazing things in the lives of the people of Mozambique.
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