Our help comes from the LORD

"I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth."  Psalm 121:1-2

This past week has been an extremely difficult one for many.  The senseless murder of 27 people in Connecticut, 20 of them precious little first graders.  The vicious stabbing of 22 elementary school children in China.  The countless others in the world who've been victims of evil crimes.  Our world is a mess. We are grieving and we are searching for answers.  For comfort.  For hope.  For help.  

It is no coincidence that Christmas is less than one week away.  A time to remember that the Sovereign God and Creator of the universe, sent His one and only Son to earth as a baby, to live a perfect life, to be crucified and then raised back to life.  The Redeemer of mankind.  Jesus is His name, and we need Him.

As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, may your 'eyes be lifted up' to see that the LORD Himself is our answer to life.  The LORD Himself is our comfort in the midst of grief.  The LORD Himself is our hope, now and for eternity.  The LORD Himself is our help.  May God bless you all this Christmas season as you lift your eyes and heart toward Him.

A Land I Will Show You

"Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.". -Genesis 12:1(esv)

This is the sign we'll see (in 7 short months) as we walk through the border crossing between South Africa & Swaziland.  A moment of excitement but also a moment of realization.  We're there.  After preparing for over a year, after trusting God to provide all the necessary funds & details, we will for the very first time as a team be able to see, set foot and touch the land that God promised He'd show us. The land where we have been called to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we love and serve the people of this precious little country.  A simple sign, but one that will stand as a marker.  Not just to the entrance into Swaziland...but to God's greatness and faithfulness. To this we will walk by faith. Praise Him!

Mountain Glory

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable".
                                                                                  ~Psalm 145:3 (ESV)


Sunset over the mountain range separating Swaziland from South Africa to the west.  Beautiful.  This picture was taken at the end of a long group work day at El Shaddai Children's Home up in the Ekufukeni region.  To say we were in awe of God's amazing beauty is an understatement.  However, we had already experienced God's beauty throughout the day as we served and loved on the orphaned children at El Shaddai and the surrounding region.  Sure we were tired, both physically and emotionally.....but nothing could silence our hearts and voices from praising our great God!  Only 8 more months & Lord willing we'll be there again.  Can't wait!  

Welcome the children

"Then he said to them,  "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me;" -Luke 9:48

Their names are Nolwazi & Gcebile. 
Beautiful girls with beautiful voices & beautiful spirits.  We first met them two trips ago...living with their grandmother (Gogo in Siswati) in a very modest rural homestead.  We have been knitted together heart to heart ever since.  

Just over a week ago we prayerfully sent out our support letters, inviting those in our sphere of influence to partner with us in prayer & financially as we seek to raise the funds for our trip back to Swaziland next summer. We are eternally grateful to those who will be moved to join us in this journey.  And Lord willing in just 9 short months we'll be able to see and serve these beautiful girls once again.  We can hardly wait!

Come over and help us

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging
   him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."      -Acts 16:9

 

God is calling us again.  As this passage of Scripture tells of a man urging the apostle Paul to come to where he was to help him and his people....so Mark and I are being called to return to Swaziland, Africa - as leaders of a group of 34 fellow missionaries from throughout Michigan.  Returning to continue the ongoing legacy that has been built over the years....of bringing love, hope and help to those most vunerable, the widows and orphans there. 

The trip is planned for June/July of 2013....but preparation is already under way.  We've held our first of several 'Team Meetings' and we're excited to see what God has planned and how He will work through the teenagers, the twenty, thirty, forty, fifty and sixty something's that make up the team
(...don't ask as to which group we belong :).

We'll be updating this blog along the way so please feel free to drop by from time to time & check it out.  We also welcome your prayers and support as we prepare for this most important work.  God bless.