"Got a smoke?"

I spent the afternoon yesterday at one of our local Indian reserves. It was very informative, very encouraging yet very sad.
One of the teens I have been investing in over the last couple of years is Shelby. Shelby comes from a very challenging situation. Her mom has been in and out of drug rehab many times and is still battling her drug addiction. Her dad died in a car accident when she was 10 and her brother died in a car accident two and a half years ago, she is just 14 years old.
We had a great time just talking along with two young guys who were hanging out. It was amazing to hear the conversations, especially the insight these teens had. Here are some things they talked about.
1. They are glad that there is a methadone clinic opening on the reserve to help all those addicted to drugs, which is probably 90% of the people. Unfortunately the clinic can only handle five new people a month and there are hundreds in need.
2. They have nothing to do all day long. They say that is one of the main reasons people get into trouble and drugs.
3. The first thing people say to each other on reserve is "got a smoke?" It is how they initiate a conversation.
4. They are fed up with the illegal drugs and cigarettes being distributed all around them. In fact as we stood on the road between two drug dealers homes these teens talked to those going to buy drugs and told these buyers to stop wasting their lives and get help.
5. They admitted that they all need help and are tired of the depressing scene all around them.
6. Prostitution has now come to the reserve. They told me of four young girls who have been recruited to sell their bodies in order to earn money to support their habit and the person who hired them. Yesterday they pointed out two of the four to me and they are under 17 years old. It is disgusting.

Normally when I go on reserve I stay for an hour or so, yesterday was different. After being there for about two hours, I told the three teens that I was free for another hour or so and that I was happy to hang out with them for another hour if they wanted or I could go then. They said "no please stay as long as you can we are having fun." I feel like being able to listen and accepting them for who they are is so important.

Please pray for Shelby, Alex and Gideon.

Joshua inspires me

I have recently began to reread the book of Joshua and to study the life of this man of faith who took God at His Word.

I had one of those nights last night where I was unable to get to sleep. After tossing in bed for 5 hours and unable to sleep at all I got out of bed at 5:00 and opened my Bible to read how as soon as the 40 year trekkers landed in the promise land God did something new.

For forty years the people had been fed with manna, fresh provision every day. In fact they were not allowed to take manna fo the following day as it would be unusable. Gods provision was faithful in the midst of their grumbling and complaining.

When they entered the promise land they were met by a new source of food. It was good!!!! Quality food that would sustain them going forward. In fact the Bible says that they were never given manna again. Ever!!! There was a new provision but the same source, GOD. The last day they had manna was the day before the rich blessing.

The Lord reminded me that He will continue to provide our manna. Our daily sustinence, even when we are unsure where it will come from. AND He also placed a peace in my heart that He is doing a new thing. He is going to show us and provide for us in a new way!!!

I am not sure what He has in mind or how He will accomplish it!!! BUT I choose to receive this peace and truth from Him.

I ask you to keep praying for this need and others we have. We are in God's hands!!!

Prayer needs...updated

I have four specific prayer requests for today...
1) My friend Al who has been diagnosed with Hep C and other physical challenges. He has had to take a break from the ministry responsibilities he has, in order to focus on his health. He has been out of commision for over one month
2) Bernie and Bonnie Chang. Bernie has been battling Bechet's disease for about 2 plus years and is fighting for his life. He has been hospitalized for close to one year and they need a miracle.
3) Finances. We need a miracle. Our support has been very challenging as you know. I am not sure how we can provide for the basic necessities as our support and personal finances seem to be at an all time low. My prayer is that God would send a fresh wave of finances our way and that God would give us favor with new and more people
4) A new vehicle. Our volvo has been great but it seems to be on the decline (it has almost 430,000 km or 258,000 miles on it). I believe that it will be time to get a newer vehicle very soon and we need the Lord's leading and provision in order to see this come to pass.
Thanks for praying.

Power of prayer...miracle

Yesterday I received an email from a friend of mine in college sharing a need for prayer for his father who was going into surgery for major heart surgery. My friend was experiencing some very anxious moments. I took the opportunity to call him and pray with him.
One of the areas I felt to pray for was a supernatural peace from the Lord. That is what God did. In fact, Len shared that he finally felt that peace as I was praying. God moved in response to prayer, powerful.
Well this morning I got another email from Len and here is what he shared:

Well God has been good!!! We went to the hospital yesterday and he went in to get his Heart Catheterization (his first step before surgery, they monitor where your blood is going and what its doing). After checking out his the reports from the tests, the doctor determined that the operation was a no go! The entire tests they had run weeks before is now showing up negative. The doctors are baffled and said that they can’t explain why his heart is doing so well, or why there is no blockage or leaks. They even checked his liver to make sure that something wasn’t funky there and that came back good. All that they could say was go home and get some rest, and watch your blood pressure. Other than that you should be fine.

Thanks for all of your prayers!! I have no other explanation but God!! LEN

I hope that this will encourage you that God is still in the miracle working business.
I would ask you to join me in praying for a miracle in my family, our finances and our health. Also a good friend of ours and one of our supporters for the past nine years is on a ventilator and is very sick and in a battle for his life. Please remember Bernie and his wife Bonnie.

Eight new believers

When we first went to the gulf coast I felt that we were there for two reasons. First was to share the love of Christ with people and a close second was to help people rebuild their destoyed homes and lives.
Last week we saw a breakthrough in the spiritual lives of the people. One lady made a decision for Christ as our team was involved in a prayer walk. During our prayer walks we walk through areas to pray for peoples needs and identify those who have needs that we are able to respond to. It may be that they share the need for water, food, clothing, toiletries or other things. Often they need someone to talk to and have someone pray for them. One thing that we will always offer is the message of Christ's love.
Later in the week at a VBS seven others gave their hearts and lives to the Lord. One of these people was a parent of one of the children.
We as a ministry are committed to sharing the gospel as part of our vision and mandate. Please join me in praying for the people in the gulf and that we would indeed see more fruit for our ministy.

Med free but not pain free

It has been some time since I have blogged so I have lots to update so here we go in short form:
I have been off the pain meds for over three weeks and I feel good
I am still having problems with my shoulder as the pain has returned
I am not giving up and refuse to go back on the pain meds
I am asking the Lord to deliver me from the pain