A New Seaon

We've said our good bye and shed many a tear. We've been blessed by the prayers, encouraging words, and financial offerings. There was a time in life when I never thought that God would forgive me much less use me, but I was wrong. It is through His strength that we packed up 27 years of memories into six blue totes, said good bye to our families, and head off on this grand new adventure. Thank you for your continued love both through prayer and finances. We love you all and can't wait to send back the great news of what God is doing!!

7 Days to Go....

Wendy and I have always loved the outdoors and over the years as our kids were growing up, we took them on many camping and hiking trips.  They always loved getting near the top, getting to that point in the trail where there was barely a trail, the point where it was more like hand over hand climbing than hiking.  For one thing, it was fun but they also knew that just beyond was a spectacular view, that the tough climb at the end was all worth it.


 As I stand here this morning, with a mere 7 days to go before we leave for South Africa, I pause for just a moment on this trail to catch my breath.  I look back at how far we've come, thinking about the rough and rocky terrain we've covered in the last nine months, the "scraped knees" and the "cuts and scratches" from the "thorns" and "brush" we've come through, the unexpected obstacles we've had to cross.  To this point, we have gone mile by mile.



I look around at where we are, with all that needs to be done, think about how I had it all planned out and how we've had to give up our plan and give in to God's plan...to trust Him completely and more deeply than we've ever had to before.




I take a moment to look ahead at the next 7 days.  The path is barely visible.  It is so steep and rocky, so thick with vines and thorns.  We are tired, our muscles ache, we have the toughest part of the climb right in front of us....hand over hand, foot by foot, only able to see one step in front of us.

BUT, at this point, there IS NO turning back, we have come TOO FAR, sacrificed TOO MUCH, worked TOO HARD to give up now.  All the adversity we have faced has done nothing but strengthen our resolve that we are on the right path and make us all the more determined to reach the top!  I KNOW that just ahead, just beyond, the path will suddenly open up and we will behold the most spectacular view of God's Glory and the destiny He has for us.  

Call Back

Streams in the Desert December 19, 2012

If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back-
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And if, perhaps, Faith's light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.

Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
call back, and say He kept you when the forest's roots were torn;
That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook 
    the hill,
He bore you up and held you where the lofty air was still.

O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face; 
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint in the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim, 
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.

But if you'll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you'll say He saw you through the night's 
    sin-darkened sky-
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back-
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.

Why, do you ask, did I open today with such a poem? I'll tell you why! As I read this yesterday I recalled many stories of faith that my grandparents, aunts, uncles, mom, dad, and yes, even myself, have told through the years. Telling your story is a way to "call back" to those who are going through the struggles of life. People need to hear how God has brought you out of the storms of life. They need to hear how, when you were walking through darkness, God's light shined brighter to show you the way. They need to hear that as you walked through the desert of a particular season, you found an oasis in Him.

Today I am reminded of the story that my grand daddy Robbins told of being in a fox hole and hearing a voice say "get out of this hole." He asked his buddy Crawford "did you hear something" and Crawford said "you're dreaming, go back to sleep." He covered up with his blanket, settled back down, shut his eyes and again he heard "get out of this hole and get out immediately." He grabbed his stuff and headed out of that hole with Crawford right behind him. As soon as they got out of that fox hole it collapsed! Every single time he told that story, and believe me it was a lot, I got goosebumps. Instead of being buried alive in a foreign country, he came home to preach the gospel. Every single time he told that story he was "calling back" to someone. Encouraging them that the voice of the Lord is real.

My dad is a giver...period. He loves to give! Many years ago he was out and someone bought his meal. I remember him telling us kids that his prayer was that one day he wanted to be at the point that he would be able to do the very same thing. Today he is at that point. He is at that point because he came to understand the value of the tithe and he began to act on it. When he shares this story he is "calling back" to those going through financial struggles that if you'll do what God ask you to do, He will bless you!

I recall the time my mom spent many a night in prayer over her wayward daughter. The times that Brett lay in the floor crying out for God to restore our marriage. Now they can "call back" to those whose daughters, sons, wives, husbands, and children are not living according to the Word of God and say don't give up hope! God answers our cries for the lost!

These are the stories of faith that will carry us into the next journey of our life. We are headed into a world that needs people who are willing to "call back" and tell them that the road they are traveling may be hard but God is traveling with them. There may be times while we are gone that we will need someone to "call back" to us that God is doing a great thing and to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I'm encouraging you today to "call back" to those who are struggling in their lives and let them know your story of triumph. "Call back" as Abraham did to Isaac. As Isaac did to Jacob. "Call back" and tell of the goodness of the Lord! Call Back!!

William McDowell...I Give Myself Away

As Brett and I enter these last 15 days here in the US, we are leaning on the words of this song. We are giving ourselves away, giving ourselves to the call that God has placed on our hearts. I've had many ask "why would you want to do that" or "how can you leave your family?" My answer is simple "because it's what God has called us to do." 

We are not all called to leave our homes and family and travel across the globe to minister, I understand that. We are, however, called to give ourselves away daily so that God can use us right where we are. We are called to surrender our will to His and be ready to do what He calls us to do. 

So today as you watch the video above, decide that you want to surrender your will to His will and become a living sacrifice for Christ.

If you would like to become a part of our support team whether through prayer, finances, or both please be sure to check out our other pages! Also, shoot us your email and let us know that you want to be a part of our support team. Our email is heartsforza@gmail.com

For With God

In my daily devotional, Streams in the Desert, there's a story about a little flower that blooms from the soldanelle plant. This plant grows on the snow-covered Alpine mountains. Following is an excerpt from Streams.

     When spring came, life stirred even beneath its shroud of snow, and as the plant sprouted, it 

     amazingly produced enough warmth to thaw a small dome-shaped pocket of snow above its 

     head.

     It grew higher and higher, and as it did, the small dome of air continued to rise just above its 

     head until its flower bud was safely formed. At last the icy covering of the air compartment gave 

     way and the blossom burst into the sunshine. The crystalline texture of its mauve-colored petals 

     sparkled like the snow itself, as if it still bore the marks of the journey it had endured.

     This fragile flower sounds an echo in our hearts that none of the nestled flowers in the warm 

     grass of the lower slopes could ever awaken. Oh, how we love to see impossible things 

     accomplished. And so does God.

During this time in our lives this resonated deep within our spirit. Brett and I have felt as if we've been in a winter season for a while. You know, that time in life where you know where you want to be but it's not your time to bloom? The time has come for us to bloom! We are now pushing against the snow. We are in that time that lots of people call impossible. Sell your house during the holidays?! Impossible! Raise monthly support to live in South Africa? Impossible! Get everything done in the next 30 days? Impossible! But I'm here to remind these same people that I serve the God of the impossible! I serve the God of selling homes in the holiday season! I serve the God of provision! I serve the God of getting things done! I serve the God of the impossible!!!

For everything you may be facing, during whatever season of life you may be in, I want to remind you to cling to Luke 1:37 For with God NOTHING will be impossible!