My heart and desire when at home, as many of you know, is for unity. The Africans call it Umoja. We need each other. We need to work together. Too many people are just doing their own thing, fulfilling their own vision, which is exactly that, their own vision which is disconnected from the true vision that is revelation from God. Visions from God connect to each other and work together. Visions of man often exalt themselves. We need vision (revelation) because God has the resources and the answers to the problems of this world. But much of the world is drowning in the aftermath of a tsumani of competing man made visions.

Maybe no where gives a truer picture of this that Kibera, the 1.5 square miles of slum in Narobi, Kenya. After initially being overwhelmed before my trip I have been totally surprised at what I found there. God gave us huge favor and connections in the slums. If you search for images of Kibera online you won't find much, you don't take cameras there – it's not polite to make it an attraction. We were probably able to capture the most amazing sets of photo's and interviews with people that there are. God led us to meet exactly the kinds of people we prayed to meet. Anyway, to my point … I've discovered that it is estimated that there is one organisation working in Kibera for every 12-15 people who live there! Yet, there appears to be so little progress on the major issues touching those who live there. So few of these organisations work together. Huge resources are available yet the problem remains. So many visions. Many visions may be deemed successful in the eyes of the project leader. They may say “My vision is successful!” Yet the problem remains. This is true in Kibera, and it is true in the west too, and particularly in western christianity, who may well have had a hand in exporting this problem. Much of the thinking has come from businesses and the writings of successful businessmen. But business is based on competing and beating the others in your market. Scripture tells us to serve one another, to love one another, to think of others as better than ourselves.

We need vision, but God breathed vision, and we need to seek Him for the ways for what he has given us to connect to what He gives others. When the problem is soved by him working through our unity, He gets the glory, often otherwise we or our ministries get glory. It's interesting that we often hear people say “we give the glory to God” which maybe shows we have taken glory which we feel we need to distribute. When we work in unity, He just has the glory, He is glorified. I firmly believe that the problems of Kibera, Saint John, indeed the world can be resolved by Jesus. He is looking for people who will listen to Him, and work with Him. He too wants to work in unity.

An example from Kibera. One the eve of our visit to the slum, a few of our team were praying together. We felt God lead us to pray for the connection for people in Kibera who had the skills to help communicate and tell their story. This was a shift for us because we had wanted to tell the story. Then when we were in the slum we got seemingly off track. We missed a connection with a family we needed to meet. While walking up a hill I felt a prompting to talk to a group of three young men. As we talked to one, gradually through the converstion it emerged that he had training in graphics, and was interested in media. Later, that he played guitar, and finally lol he was a worship leader. Almost my Kiberan twin! We exchanged contact info. Maybe this was God opening some of his strategy to us. We often ask the questions as to what God wants us to do, but maybe a better question is who is he connecting us to, who is he building us with, for his purposes.

The very next people who bumped into us turned out to be community leaders in a part of the slum. We talked with them and prayed for them. When we finished, low and behold we “”"” coincidentally “”"” bumped into the lady we had failed to rendevouz. — We have a part to play, but it is better when we allow Him to take control. He has the ways and means. Is this level of leading too trivial? Scripture urges us to pray without ceasing, this means constant conversation with Jesus. This is learned by practice. When the Africans pray they seem to have so much more to say than us, and I believe this is because they have practiced this conversation.

Now moving on, or maybe not. This whole “vision” problem is becomes an ugly monster when it hangs out with another western export; the prosperity so called gospel. This teaching is very popular on tv here. What can it look like? You come into a village in complete poverty only to discover that the nicest building in the village by far is the church. In some cases a mosque might come in a close second. The church will not be used for anything other than a worship service. In this culture, the sign that God is with us, rather than the works of the kingdom, is a great facility and nice cars for the ministry leaders. This is the definition of success. Kind of like the west. You've made it when you have a nice car and a nice house. This can lead to what I'll call skimming. Don't get me wrong, some money needs to go to administration but …. We sponsor a child, the money is distributed for a uniform, classes (if payment is necessary), food for the kids at school and sometimes an allowance for the family. Yet there are cases where some money get skimmed for the ministry, and sadly sometimes double sponsorship for a child, where the childs situation is used to raise money for the ministry, maybe a better car for the leader. I don't mean to discourage you if you give, and believe me, God is very present with these people. He works with us dispite our error — Grace. These are all things though which work outside of his direct leading and his saving work in the world. Accountability work is so important.

It is important for the western church to understand the impact this erroneous theology has. The answer I believe is not to attack those who practice and preach it, but to draw close in relationship to them, see where we can work together and talk openly about our differences. In relationship the truth can be reveled by the Holy Spirit. But then again, I can sometimes be too much of an idealist.

The white man can be held in great honor in some parts of Africa, hence the influence that some of our exports have. I feel deeply, and with the question of personal response, what will it take for us to repent? To live, walk and speak a different message in this neighborhood? To teach the church here not to follow our fallen ways? To model the life of Jesus, and to demonstrate his kingdom with great power? To use our influence in the right way.

There is nothing wrong with us being blessed materially, yes by God, in this life. I don't feel guilty for my home, car, my money or anything else. But the origin of God people is a covenant that we are blessed in order that we can bless others. Much is required where much is received. We have to invest what God has given us in heaven to see multiplication, not for us, but of the work that Jesus is doing in the world.

Posted with Blogsy

Called to Controversy, by Ruth Rosen, is the biography of Moishe Rosen, Ruth’s father and the founder of Jews for Jesus. Ruth has done a thorough job researching, and then sharing, about her fathers upbringing, his conversion to Christianity and later founding of Jews for Jesus. Ruth has described family members etc. in great detail, and one can get a real “feel” about them and the time they lived in. However, this book was hard going at times, perhaps too much information has been put in to it. I had read each evening for a good week, and when I looked at the progress bar on my Kindle, I discovered that I was only a third of the way through! It took me a good couple of months to read this book and, to be honest, I still haven’t completely finished it. This is a biography, so if people are looking for information about Messianic Jew conversion, then I suggest you look elsewhere. However, if you want to learn more about Jews for Jesus and its founder, then this is the right book for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sorry for the radio silence, life has been really hectic lately!

I’m late at getting to this, but I just wanted to share about Compassion’s Tanzania Blogging team who are in Tanzania this week (until Friday). If you click on this link here you can see who the bloggers are and read their posts from the week; such as The Resourceful Mommy’s post about meeting her sponsored child, Gussy Sews journey to Gidionis home and the giraffe that made Nester cry.

You can also follow the team on thier Twitter feed

If you click on this link here it will take you directly to Compassion’s website and will show you the children in Tanzania who are currently needing sponsors. I can’t tell you enough how much I highly recommend child sponsorship. Not only does the child sponsored receive an education, but it changes their families life and the lives of those in the community where children are being sponsored. We have two sponsor children and I am so grateful to be able to sponsor them. It really is life changing.

Starting yesterday, until Monday 9 April, Compassion are teaming up with Sevenly to help spread the word about Malaria. Sevenly exist to “harness the power of art and community to build sustainable awareness and funding movements that support charities in their efforts to change the world.”

Here are two ways you can support Compassion

Option 1 – If you sponsor a child with Compassion, between now and Monday 9 April – ending 9.59am PST, you will receive a free t-shirt from Sevenly. Please use this link for this offer.

Option 2 – if you buy a t-shirt from Sevenly, between now and Monday 9 April – ending 9.59am PST then $7 will be donated to give a life-saving Mosquito net to a child in Rwanda. Please use this link for the t-shirt.

A child dies of Malaria every 30 seconds. Compassions Malaria Intervention Fund intervenes by providing children in poverty with mosquito nets – now that’s worth sharing and supporting.

Today, as you probably know, is International Women’s Day. I have so much on my heart that I want to share about empowering women in poorer nations. They are simply the future for many countries. Women are the needed change. Educating women is vital. If you educate a woman you educate her family and community.

It’s actually my husband’s 40th birthday today, so I’m really pressed for time. Instead of writing I wanted to share a few posts with you that I read earlier today. These posts combine what is on my heart right now. Please take time to read them:

The Measure of a Woman

Ten Things You Can do to Stay Informed and Help Women Everywhere

Let’s Make Today the Last International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day – A Time for Concern, Not Complacency

Seven Ways to Empower Women Today and Everyday

I’m a huge fan of the work of Compassion. I think, if financially able to, everyone should consider child sponsorship. It makes a huge difference to the life of a child who would otherwise not receive an education. As well as educating the sponsored child, they also get other basic necessities, such as clothes, blankets and food. It doesn’t end there though, sponsorship helps transform the child’s family and their community. When you sponsor a child through an organization, like Compassion, it means that they are on the ground there in that child’s community, making a difference. I am in awe at what they do. Everyone has a dream job in life, and my dream job is working for an organization like Compassion. I’m hoping that once the kids are older I will fulfill that dream.

Amy, at Make Me a Mary, has written a great blog post today called Top 10 Totally Selfish Reasons to Sponsor a Child Through Compassion. I only recently came across Amy’s blog, through Sisters in Bloom, I love her heart and the things she writes about.

1. I get a thrill clicking that “Sponsor Now” button. It’s not every day that you get to add a child to your family, and once you’ve met your new love through the Internet it seems you can’t write to him/her fast enough. And you can hardly wait to hear back from them.

2. It helps me learn geography. Of course the first thing I do is look at a map to see where he/she lives. I always learn something because I’m not very good with geography and I don’t know a lot about other cultures. I love how Compassion provides lots of great information about each child’s family, community, and country. It’s so interesting!

3. It keeps close to my heart Jesus’s command to care for the poor and needy. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve neglected this huge part of the Gospel my entire life. But reaching impoverished children and their families with the message of Christ’s love is at the heart of what Compassion strives to do—and they do it well.

Continue reading here

Here we are for another Five Minute Friday! Five minutes writing, no editing etc; just write for fun!

Today’s word is:

ache

Go!

Ache is quite an apt word for me today as my body is aching all over! I have a cold and feel quite blah! Exhaustion has finally caught up with me, just as March break begins and my hubby has a week off work – boo! (to the cold, not the week off!)

As I ponder “ache” I know that there is an ache in my heart. An ache to find adventure, follow dreams and fulfill purpose. I would so love to spend more time writing and speaking, I love doing both, but I’m not sure if I’ve got what it takes, if anyone would be interested in me or how to even open doors to enable me to do this? I always get encouraging feedback when I preach at church, so I know I communicate well when I speak, but what next? I was hoping to go to a well know female speakers conference in the summer, but my heart sunk when I saw the price for the conference ($600) and then travel would be on top.

On top of this I have another ache in my heart. An ache to walk even closer with the Lord. To be able to sense Him and hear Him in all I do. I wonder if the closeness I want with Him is even possible? I seek and continue to ache.

Stop!

photo copyright of Lyn Hallewell, do not use without permission.

In our homeschool this week… We have continued to learn about Archimedes and how he used math. Also, as part of our study of Ancient Greece, we have been learning about Alexander the Great. In science we have been studying Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch and Joseph Lister. We have learned about their groundbreaking discoveries concerning bacteria, the spread of germs and vaccinations.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… My husbands parents are currently visiting from the UK. It was a surprise for his 40th birthday next week! Next week is also March break here, so we will be spending lots of time out and about visiting places.

My favorite thing this week was… realizing how far my daughter has come on with her reading. She was a struggling reader for a few years and this year she has blossomed. Yesterday we came to the end of a chapter book she’s been reading to me. Afterwards I was reflecting, and I was so pleased with the number of new words she has learned to read in just this book. I can’t tell you how good it feels when your child has struggled so long in an area and suddenly you watch them hit breakthrough! No more tears! It’s so awesome!

What’s working/not working for us… I’m at the point of the year where I am considering next years curriculum. This year we have used Heart of Dakota. I have no issues with the curriculum, it has been great, but we will be returning to Sonlight this coming school year. My son will be in grade 8 and I think Sonlight is better geared for high school.

Questions/thoughts I have… My main thoughts now are on high school. Even though it’s 18 months away, I am already trying to think and plan a curriculum. I’m ordering a copy of Debra Bell’s Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens. I don’t know if we will homeschool all through highschool, but we will definitely go through until the end of grade 10.

Things I’m working on… Erm (cough, cough!) still that winter scarf for my husband!

I’m reading… Just ending Kisses From Katie

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… I love this quote that was posted by Proverbs 31 ministries on their Twitter and FB feeds earlier this week, entitled Simple Rest:

Such a great quote for many things in life, but very apt for homeschooling. It’s difficult, sometimes, when everyone is raving about a particular curriculum or  a method of homeschooling. A big part of you feels like you should try the new thing because you don’t want your kids to miss out. However, if something is working for your kids, it’s generally better to stick with that.

Lodged

The rain to the wind said,
‘You push and I’ll pelt.’
They so smote the garden bed
That the flowers actually knelt,
And lay lodged–though not dead.
I know how the flowers felt.

(Robert Frost)