Give a Gift of Meaning

What Weight Are You Carrying?

I read this article today about a woman whose job was to carry a huge basket of veggies on her head, going door-to-door to sell them. I cannot fathom having to carry that weight every day!
Even more heavy is the reality of the weight many women like her carry within their hearts as they walk with guilt, shame, and condemnation in a society that doesn't value them as highly as men. They know no hope. Simply because they are women, they will have less chance to hear the life-changing Gospel of Jesus!

But, Gospel for Asia missionaries are changing that! We just uploaded our newest video showing the reality of life for women in Asia. Take a few minutes (three, to be exact) and watch this clip. The realities might break your heart, but the way God is working will give you hope!

The last week has been very busy for me. Along with four other GFA staffers, I worked at a booth during a women's conference in Ft. Worth (Thursday through Saturday).

The arena with Nancy Leigh DeMoss speaking; there were about 4,000 women.

Below, me telling a woman about the reality of life for women in Asia.

We met lots of really neat ladies from around the country. We shared about the ministry, gave out brochures on the plight of women in Asia, gave out free books (Revolution in World Missions), offered ladies a chance to partner their lives with a woman missionary in Asia, and sought opportunities to speak to additional groups.

This woman was telling me a really funny story.
(see, I'm committed to not only posting flattering pictures of myself!)
Below, my friend Clara is giving a woman a free book!

On Monday I shared with a local MOPS group about women in Asia--their issues and how God is meeting their needs. It was a sweet time and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing!

Cari, me, and Cassie
Below, Cassie and Clara...and the woman from Asia.

Yesterday I had to clean up the mess I had made from the past week--returning unused materials, sorting through responses from the conference and the group meeting, and making notes to improve for our "next times".

I have to say, I am one tired lady! But, my fatigue comes with great hope. I'm hoping the women who took missionaries to pray about sponsoring will choose to make the sacrifice and link their lives with those in Asia. I'm hoping I get more chances to share in the months ahead. I'm hoping we can finalize some research/development we've been working on for the past few months. I'm hoping my efforts changed at least one woman's life in Asia!

FREE book

I just spent a few days at a women's conference in Ft. Worth giving away our ministry's FREE book, Revolution in World Missions.
Have you read it?

Do you wonder what exactly our family is doing as GFA home team staff--why we are here? In a simple answer: we said "yes!" to go where God led and read this book.

Get your FREE copy today. Fill out a simple form and one will be sent right away.

What are you waiting for?

Over 150 women from around the country received their copy this weekend. Join me in praying they will now READ the book! One of the ladies at the booth next to us sat and read the entire book while we were at the conference (during the sessions when traffic to our booths was slow). What joy it brought to see her reading it and to then hear her tell others coming to her booth why they should stop over and talk to us!

Be a part of the revolution!

From Riches to Rags

One Woman's Journey to Grace

It was midnight when the sound of crashing glass woke Namisha's relatives. In the darkness, Namisha had bumped into a wall and dropped a bottle of poison she was carrying—and with it, shattered the only way she knew to escape the cancer and despair that were consuming her. But she was about to learn how her quest for grace would transform her future—and how she, a member of India's revered high caste, would spend her life among people she would have formerly shunned.

As a child, Namisha Chettri had a dangerous interest. Her well-educated and curious mind latched onto the ideas she had discovered in some Christian literature she had read. She knew the white smear of ash on her family members' foreheads meant they were set apart—more holy and powerful than others in her village. And her father continually reminded her that their superior social position wouldn't allow her to consider the Christian writings.

"This is foreign," her father warned. "You should not read it."

Still, her interest deepened.

Her family's status was based entirely on tradition, devotion and ritual purity. Every year, Namisha watched her family sacrifice the heads of 100 goats. And she couldn't bring her lower-caste school friends to her house because she knew her family would reject them as unclean. Her place as a member of the Brahmin caste affected every aspect of her life, down to which side of the road she would walk on.

Christianity seemed so different.

(an excerpt from GFA's website. continue reading by clicking here)

Namisha's life and story encourage me. This story, and many more like it, are the reason I'm spending my time developing a way to share with women here in the West. I will be going to a women's conference in Ft. Worth next week to share about the plight of women in Asia and how GFA-supported women missionaries are reaching out to them. Things are moving along. This conference will be a good 'testing ground' for us. I would appreciate your prayers.

Now...go read more about Namisha and other women like her!

The Significance of One

I first heard the story of Sister Kanga during a prayer meeting this summer. Our photo journalist was fresh from the field and retold her story. I wept. The faith and dedication of Sister Kanga challenged me.

I am honored to be working on a new project that will share stories like Sister Kanga's with more women here in the West, asking them to link their lives with our precious women missionaries on the field. Many of these women have experienced a miracle and have a passionate love for the Lord. Their deepest desire is that others would experience His amazing love and give their lives to Him.

We just added Sister Kanga's story to our website. The first video tells of her salvation while the second video explains her incredible ministry.

Will you consider linking your life with a woman missionary on the field? Click here to go to the GFA website and scroll through until you find a female missionary. You can change hundreds of lives by sponsoring one missionary for just $30/month. That's one meal at a restaurant for our family. The sacrifice is more than worth it!

Commitment and Courage

With school starting this week for the twins, I have been able to go into the office for my normal Tu/Thu hours. Thanks to my friend Kristin, I also get to stay a little longer than I did last year.

The timing couldn't be more perfect!

This week I've been busy working on a new project and also continuing to serve in our Missions department (that sounds weird considering our whole organization is a missions ministry, but the Missions Dept deals with assigning missionaries to sponsors, handling correspondence between sponsors and children in our Bridge of Hope program, preparing missionary and children profiles for upcoming events, updating sponsors, and a few other tasks).

I'm so excited about what we are working on with this new project--looking for ways to share with women's groups about women in Asia. We aren't really doing anything all that "new". It's still all about people here in the West supporting national missionaries in Asia.

Some people know GFA for different things we do: drilling Jesus Wells for clean water, our Bridge of Hope children's program, the radio broadcasts that can be heard throughout the U.S., radio programs we have in Asia, our Christmas Gift catalog, etc. But, all these programs are like spokes of a wheel; the hub is a missionary who is committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost. All the 'other' things we do enable the missionary to reach the lost.
For this 'new' campaign, we are focusing on women. Our women missionaries are amazing! I cry almost every time I hear an account of their lives and commitment. They often endure incredible hardships to proclaim the love of Jesus to those who have never before heard His name.
Right now, we have a little bit of information on the web explaining what some women do . We're working to improve what we can give to women here to explain what women there are doing. I would love your prayers for wisdom and guidance as we seek to share the ministry with more people--specifically women--here in the West.

Specifically, here are some things we are hoping to have:
--direct link to available women missionaries (right now, you click that link "sponsor now" and you would have to search to find a woman missionary)
--we would also like to have more stories that explain what women missionaries do
--we would like to provide updated statistics on the plight of women in Asia

Far Reaching

God is continuing this process of breaking my heart for the women of Asia.

I'm loving it!

I have wanted Him to give me a holy passion with a specific target for the work we do here. Not everyone on our staff has a "niche" within the ministry that they love most, but many do. I wanted to really be broken for something specific.

Someone once said that it's dangerous to ask God to do such a thing. I would agree. I don't think I'll ever be the same. But, I think it's just as dangerous to go our whole lives without asking God to grow us in this way and give us a bigger vision. He commands us to care in tangible ways.

Sometime soon I want to write down every single little specific thing God has been doing as I've been on this journey. Sometimes it's been as simple as hearing something spoken that I just read that moved me.

Today, I read about women in Goa. Don't know where it's at? Neither did I a few years ago!
GFA has done an entire special on the women's ministry in Goa. You'll learn more about the physical location of Goa. There is a photo slideshow of the Church in the Red Light district. You'll hear a woman's story of shame turned into rejoicing.

I encourage you to take a moment and read as many of these short stories as you can. Let your heart be challenged and changed for a people who don't enjoy the luxuries we take for granted. Ask God to break your heart for what breaks His. After all, that's what following Him is all about.

Tragic Ending for a Widow...Fearful Living Part I

I can't imagine my life without my husband.

When I was pregnant with the twins I was overcome with emotion one day (plus a vivid imagination and lots of hormones) and sat down in the kitchen and just bawled my eyes out at the possibility that something would happen to Joel. Poor Rylee, all of 18 months old at the time, just patted me on the back as I sat on the floor with my huge tummy and sobbed. Of course, Joel walked in the door later and had no idea I had imagined he was dead while he was at work.

I think the Lord has allowed me to come face-to-face with my fears, even if it's due to a hormone surge, so that I can deal with them and not live as a slave to fear. Much of what we fear will never happen to us.

I listened to a teaching by Beth Moore last fall in which she addressed fear and how it is probably the number one thing women struggle with most. I mean, if you look at all the issues women face that concern them, fear is at the root of lots of problems. Fear that your man will leave or die, fear that your children will not turn out well, fearing death for ourselves, fear of hurting, fear of failure, fearing what other people will think of you (fat, ugly, not smart...), fear of getting old.

In Beth's teaching she shared how she has overcome fear. I'll share that in a future post.

What struck me today as I thought about fear was the reality of women in Asia. I live in a country where I am free to worship God as I choose. Should something happen to Joel, I will not be relegated to the outskirts of society. But, in Asia, that's not true. Widows face a hard life. This story about a widow in Asia struck a chord in my heart today. Please join me in praying for her family.

More on fear in the next post...

Food - And Not Enough of It

A friend shared this story from BBC with me today.

My heart is a little sick right now.

I write on my blog about meals I make and hear my children tell me they don't like certain foods.

I cannot fathom my children eating dirt because they have nothing else.

Children in Asia do. They are hungry and there is no food.

As you read the news story below, you will hear mention of corruption. The food, even if it's "provided" by the government, doesn't always get to where it should go. Why? Sometimes it's corrupt leaders and officials. If a leader feels some people (Dalits) are worthless and are sub-human, they think it's fine to starve them. It really all boils down to a need for heart change.

Gospel for Asia's Bridge of Hope centers, Compassion Services, Christmas Gift Catalog, and many other programs meet the physical needs of people in Asia, but also make sure they hear the Gospel. If we only feed a belly, they will just go to hell with a full stomach--still separated from the God of the universe who loves them and has died to know them.

The following story was taken from BBC News "Diet of mud and despair in Indian village"
"We live on a day-to-day basis," Suraj says, as the faint sound of hammering echoes across the village. "What we earn is what we spend on our families in a day."

In Ganne, just off the main road about an hour south of the city of Allahabad, this is a simple fact of life.

It is home to members of a poor tribal community, who live in small huts clustered around a series of shallow quarries.
Inside one of the huts sits a little girl called Poonam. She is three years old, and in the early stages of kidney failure.

Like many children in Ganne she has become used to eating bits of dried mud and silica, which she finds in the quarry. Tiny children chew on the mud simply because they are hungry - but it is making them ill.

When reports first emerged of children eating mud here local officials delivered more food and warned the villagers not to speak to outsiders. But Poonam's father, Bhulli, is close to despair.

"What can I say," he shrugs. "We can't afford to eat properly, so how can I afford to buy medicines for her?"

"I am really worried about my daughter, but I don't know what to do next. The poor need the government's help - if we had it, we wouldn't be in such a desperate state."

People like Bhulli and Suraj make their money filling lorries with bits of rock. It takes about eight hours for five men to fill one load. They carry the stones up from the quarry in plastic washing-up bowls balanced on their heads.

One of the women in the village, Phulkari, approaches to tell us about her little boy.

"My son's name is Suraj, and he's started eating mud too," she says. "What can we do? We eat the mud from the quarry when we feel hungry."

"Where do we get the money?" she asks. "We usually eat food only once a day. Last night we went to bed without eating anything at all."

Food protests
The World Bank estimates that one third of all the very poorest people in the world live in India, and stories like those from Ganne have now inspired a national Right To Food campaign.

There have been protest rallies in the heart of Delhi, as the Indian parliament prepares to debate a new Food Security Bill. It will dictate how many people in the country get access to massively subsidised food grain.

There's no doubt that India should be able to afford to feed its people. But the devil is in the detail.

"It'll only cost the government about 1.2% of GDP to universalize a system of giving food for all, cheap food for all," says Kavitha Srivastava, the national coordinator of the Right to Food campaign.

"They can do it, if they have the political will. It's prioritising - where do you want to put the money?"

"We think it should go in building people's nutrition levels. You can't have a country which is weak, which is hungry, which is anaemic. How can you have a nation like this?"

Now the government seems to be prepared to accept a new way of defining poverty, which will increase the number of people below the poverty line by more than 100 million to about 372 million.

If international poverty standards were used, the number would be much higher still - and some Indian economists believe it should be.

But whichever figure is used, the poverty line feels like a rather fictitious divide because feeding more than a billion people is a massive logistical exercise. Vast quantities of food provided by the state go missing every day because of corruption and theft.

"Food ought to be a right," says Dr Kaushik Basu, the Chief Economic Advisor at India's Ministry of Finance. "And I believe this is a movement in the correct direction."

"But what worries me at times is that we're being too glib and quick about the delivery mechanism."

Official estimates are that right across the country 75% of subsidised grain does not make it to the intended target in villages like Ganne.

"So if you simply throw money at this problem, you'll have to throw four times the amount to get the result you want," says Dr Basu. "And the government of India can't afford that. The budget will go bust."

In other words, the delivery system needs to be reformed as well - and corrupt local officials need to be taken to task. There is a long way to go.

Daunting challenge
Jean Dreze, a highly respected Belgian-born academic who has worked in India for many years, points out that the current debate is only about the most basic levels of food intake.

"For a family of five to have reasonably good nutrition, nothing like meat or fish or any such thing, but just one egg per person per day, one banana, some dhal, some vegetables, a reasonably balanced diet - it would cost more than 200 rupees ($4.4; £3) per family per day," he says.

And that is far more than the amounts being discussed at the moment.

It is a sobering reminder that feeding India is a daunting challenge - the government knows it, and the prime minister says it must be a priority. But the Right to Food Campaign insists they are not doing enough.

The Indian economy continues to grow at impressive speed, and there is no shortage of food in the country. It just isn't reaching the people who need it most, on a consistent basis.

So in Ganne they continue to eat mud. And without finding a solution here in India, the world will come nowhere near the targets it has set itself for reducing global poverty.

Weekend of Fun

I hope you had a great weekend. The Fletcher family has been having some fun. Christmas morning was full of excitement as we hunted through the house to find baby Jesus. We ate birthday cake, read the Christmas story, found treasures in our stockings, and opened lots of presents. Our friends and family from far away blessed us all!The kids love their new Tag reader. Their fascination of books is a great blessing to us. We try to do everything we can to foster their love of reading. They got new bed sheets--in really fun character prints. Spiderman, Prinesses and Dora will greet them at bedtime each night!
They all got new-to-them bikes! We went out riding on Saturday afternoon, though Rylee's training wheels have yet to be put on.
I received sewing machine. I'm excited to be able to mend things myself and even get a little creative. Joel got some clothes and things for his work space in the garage.
We are incredibly excited to be able to give a sewing machine and bicycle to those less fortunate in Asia through GFA's Christmas Gift catalog. We thought these two items were fitting with the gifts our family received this year. What a joy to know as my kids ride their bikes in the days, weeks, and months ahead that one of our GFA missionaries will be riding his--sharing the Gospel from village to village more easily! And, as I sew and mend, a woman in Asia will be able to make a living for her family's vitality because of her sewing machine! To those who blessed our family--thank you! You have enabled us to be a blessing.
Unfortunately, our kids are feeling a little under the weather, so we've stayed pretty close to home for the rest of the Christmas weekend. But, at the request of Uncle Chris, Joel's cousin, we made a fire in the backyard and roasted marshmallows for s'mores tonight!We've also had lots of yummy food. Be sure to check out our recipes on our food blog.

Flood Waters, Chickens, and You...

Two states in India have been devastated by flood waters. Over 1.5 million people have been left homeless as water raged for days. People were trapped. Stories of entire families clinging to the highest object they could find--a tree or rooftop--are plentiful. They say that once the water subsided, they were left to look at homes covered in mud and soot.

Gospel for Asia missionaries and relief workers have been on the scene giving aid and hope to those in need. The GFA website has several articles as well as short videos on what has been taking place and how our ministry is stepping in to lend a hand.
Take a moment to visit the GFA website--watch a few videos, look at a photo slide show, read an article, and PRAY!
It's sometimes hard for me to empathize with people half a world away. I don't have to live up close and personal with their pain and agony every day--if I choose not to. But, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I don't think I have that choice. My life was bought at a very high price. I'm asked to give it in return. Give it to Him, give it to others. The least I can do is be informed and pray. Then I can pray about giving, not just my time and prayers, but also my money.
This devastating flood has just occurred. The GFA Christmas Gift Catalog has just been published and mailed out. Through the Catalog, you can give tangible gifts to those in need throughout Asia. One way we can help those in Karnataka and Andra Pradesh (the areas hit by the flooding) is to give Jesus Wells, biosand water filters, chickens, and water buffalo. Many folks lost everything they had, including their animals--their livelihood.

I could ask for a lot of things for Christmas. But, they would be just that--things. Or, I could ask that you give hope and life to those who need it most. So, that's what I'm asking. Pray. And, give.

Slumdog Millionaire

Joel and I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire. It's a very good movie. The portrayal of life in India, and particularly the slums, is amazing.

Having recently been to India, I could feel it. I could smell it. I could hear it. I could taste it. It's hard to explain, other than to say that it's a very good portrayal of their life.

I don't know how anyone could watch the movie and not be stirred.

My heart broke for the hundreds of thousands of children whose lives never end up like that of the main characters. Just this week Brother KP explained how the blinding of innocent children to be used for profit is all too common. Sex trafficking of children is very real.

My heart was moved.

I am so grateful to serve these children.

I really don't have words to say to explain how I feel or what I'm thinking.

The people in the slums would like to get out. It absolutely amazes me that we have missionaries who give up millions to go in...for the sole purpose of bringing hope into the slums.

Our video team put this together.

Loving Those With Leprosy

Did you know people still have leprosy?

Call me foolish, but I had no idea. Until last October, that is.

A team from GFA went to India for a tour last fall and returned with pictures and stories that broke my heart. One Tuesday during our prayer meeting I saw pictures of GFA missionaries cleaning the wounds of lepers and sharing the love of Christ. I came home that evening and cried. Saying to the Lord, "I just want to meet these brothers and sisters", I imagined being able to give them a hug and tell them Thank You.

The next day Joel and I were asked if we would be willing to lead a team tour in January!

During the first few days while we were in India, we went to West Bengal. I met some of those precious brothers and sisters I saw in the pictures. I gave them hugs. I told them Thank You. They are the hands and feet of Christ. They are serving in a way I cannot. They speak the language, know the culture, and are giving their lives!

I am so humbled to serve as their supporter.

We joined a group of lepers who were meeting for their weekly gathering. When we arrived they were singing worship. I have never in my life seen people with no hands clap. I will never forget what that pure worship looked like.

I'm including a story from the GFA website about the leprosy ministry. You can read more by visiting www.gfa.org and typing "leprosy" in the search box. I've been on staff for a year and had no idea our missionaries were doing this amazing work. God is doing so many things throughout Asia! What a joy to be part of His work!

*****

Gospel for Asia native missionary Garud Badal touches people with leprosy every day in West Bengal, India. He isn't afraid. He used to be one of them.

Carefully dressing a leprosy patient's wounds, Garud remembers back to a time when he suffered greatly and needed someone to help. He found out he had the disease when he was just nine years old.

Garud's family lived in poverty and had no means to pay for treatment. With his condition quickly deteriorating, Garud met a local church pastor who told him about the power and salvation of Jesus. But he only sneered at the pastor. His family fervently worshipped the traditional gods of their village, and he didn't believe Jesus could make a difference in his life.

Several years passed, and Garud was on his deathbed. The leprosy had become so bad, it was about to take his life. And it was when he was at his weakest that Garud remembered the words of the pastor who told him how Jesus healed many people with leprosy during His time on earth.

"Jesus can heal my sickness," Garud repeated to himself. And a new faith developed in his heart.

With tears in his eyes, he prayed and asked the Lord for forgiveness. Soon, Garud was singing songs of praise to Jesus right from his bed. Miraculously, the Lord completely healed Garud of his leprosy in only two weeks.

Garud dedicated his life to serving Jesus, and soon, he entered Bible college to prepare for his future ministry. After graduation Garud began serving as a Gospel for Asia native missionary, reaching out to those with whom he can relate most: the leprosy patients.

Today, Garud goes around his village helping those with leprosy by cleaning and dressing their wounds. Their eyes light up as he cares for them and touches their disease-stricken bodies.

Deeply moved by his acts of kindness, they desire to know the Source of his incredible love. And Garud shares with them his amazing testimony and about the power of Christ.

Many of the leprosy patients have received Jesus as their Savior, and as a result, Garud now leads a Christian fellowship. And more than 80 children are attending Sunday School classes he has started in a leprosy colony.

Garud requests prayer that many more people with leprosy will come to know Jesus after seeing His love demonstrated in a practical way. He also asks for prayer that the Lord will send healing to those with the terrible disease.

Famine in Myanmar

Last night during our weekly prayer meeting at GFA, a staff member shared about the famine that's taking place in Myanmar (Burma). You might remember that not too long ago, Myanmar with struck with a devastating cyclone (June '08).

Gospel for Asia missionaries and Compassion Services have been busy provided the love of Jesus, food, and supplies to those who were affected by the cyclone. Now, another disaster has hit their land.

Be sure to read the complete story here at the GFA website. I've just included a few details below.

Bamboo is normally a steady source of food for people in Southeast Asia. But part of the bamboo plant's natural growing cycle has caused parts of the region to be overrun with rats, which has caused a famine in the small country of Myanmar (Burma). At least 40 children have died, and more than 100,000 are living on the brink of starvation because of this crisis.
...
Many people have left their villages and gone to neighboring India, where the crisis has not had such a tragic effect. Although the bamboo bloom occurs in India, the government has programs in place to protect the crops and stop the proliferation of rats. There are only scattered reports of major rat infestations in India, mostly in the state of Manipur at the India-Myanmar border.

The pictures are just overwhelming. I cannot fathom living with an infestation of rats all over the land eating all the food.

Please pray for the people of Myanmar. Pray that the government will allow help to come into their country. Pray many people will come to know Jesus as our missionaries and Compassion Services provide relief. I can't help but think that with this tragedy coming on the heels of a major and very destructive cyclone that God is orchestrating things so these precious people will come to know Him. May He be glorified!

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for. A friend recently did a month of Thanks and posted 10 things (almost) daily. I'm not going to commit to a whole month because I doubt I'd keep it up. But, here's 10 things I'm thankful for...

1. salvation and God's grace--knowing the Lord intimately because He holds on to me
2. my husband--he's absolutely amazing. He just built the coolest play structure for our kids out of scrap lumber and it looks awesome! He loves me and does so much to express that love. He is an outstanding father--the best! He challenges me in my faith and is a great partner in life.
3. Rylee--she is so sweet. I love watching her grow. It always blesses me to see how her heart is absorbing the little things I try to teach her. Just yesterday she was telling Asa that the Bible says we shouldn't say "poopy" (a word they have picked up as funny, and we're trying to teach them it's not okay). She went on to explain that God says we should be loving and kind to one another.
4. Jenna--she is a hoot. Just scroll down below and you'll see a bit of her adorableness.
5. Asa--he is Joel as a mini-me. He looks like him and even acts like him in some ways. When he gives his adorable smile, my heart melts. Really, it melts inside me.
6. My family--they love me. They like to laugh and enjoy being together at the holidays. I miss them.
7. Joel's family--His parents taught him hard work and community. After 50 years of marriage they are still going strong. They pick and laugh and talk about old times.
8. the missionaries in Asia--their commitment to the Lord humbles me and challenges me
9. our church family here--God has blessed us with neat friends. some through GFA staff, others through our church. They encourage us, do life alongside us, love God, and make us laugh.
10. my house--I really like it. It's not anything spectacular, but it's ours. It's roomy and yet cozy. It's all one floor, which I love. We have a great backyard and our kitchen is now so great (goes back to my wonderful husband...he's so handy). I never imagined God letting us have such a great house for our family. We are so incredibly blessed!

okay 11. I have thought about this a lot lately. I am really grateful that I was born in America. I'm grateful that God allowed me to live where freedom is valued and fought for. I'm grateful that I can worship God without hindrance. I'm grateful that I can write this blog--about all the little or big things I think. I'm thankful for all the men and women who sacrificed their lives, their time, their comforts for me. I am so grateful that I have so much to be grateful for!

I actually did a toddler project recently. I made turkeys and the kids added feathers for the last week or so with things they're thankful for.

Asa is thankful for cheese noodles (what we had for dinner that night), his friends, The Ridge Church, his sisters, his daddy, his mama, Jesus giving love to us (that was actually his second feather and completely NOT initiated by me), Bhutan (another on his own!), and Piccolo, Cassie, Luke, Case, Daniel.

Jenna is thankful for Scooby, her Rowell blanket, the Rowells, her mama, her daddy, food to eat, her brother and sister, and lunch and apples. (Actually Jenna said "food" --or a food item--almost every single time we asked her.)

Rylee is thankful for Pooja (our Bridge of Hope child), Ms. Amy (her preschool teacher), Asa, her mama, Jenna, her daddy, Grandma and Papa, friends (the interns who came to our house), our food, the Carnines, Jesus, and The Ridge Church.

It was precious to hear their thoughts of Thanksgiving throughout the week. Some nights we missed it and would do multiple feathers other nights. It was a great way to teach them what Thanksgiving is all about. I think they got the point that it's a day of giving thanks!

Okay, here's the clip about Jenna's cuteness I promised above.



I really do have so many reasons to be thankful. We want this season of thanksgiving to continue in our home. We want to continue remembering God's goodness to us and then respond to Him. I think that's really what a walk with God is all about. After all, He starts it in us. He creates us, we respond. He blesses us, we respond. He saves us, we respond. Our life is just a response to Him--His existence, His care for us, His love for us.

Our church is taking part in Advent Conspiracy. You can check it out here. The bottom line is that we want to choose compassion over consumption. Choose to give. Sure, I can give my kids more toys, but that's really giving to myself. They can give me a gift, but it's really me giving myself a gift. There are missionaries in Asia who need warm clothes and tools to share the Gospel. There are families in Asia who need a way to make a living and we can provide that through a gift via Gospel for Asia's Gift Catalog. (Click here to learn more.) So, we want to give.
We aren't entirely sure what God is telling us to do this year. Several thoughts are on the table and we're waiting on the Lord. Do we match what we give to "ourselves" and give the same to missions? Do we give a first fruits offering of everything we receive as a gift? We're praying.

But, I have to say that while we're waiting to see what the Lord wants us to do, we've been talking a lot about the GFA gift catalog. (I'm also coordinating the childrens skit for our GFA staff Christmas party and it's about, in part, the gift catalog.) So, we've been talking a lot about animals (one of the many things you can give). Yesterday, we went to Ft. Worth to the stockyards.
There was a petting zoo. My kids got to pet a pig, a goat, a lamb, see rabbits, ride horses.... How awesome! It was a perfect opportunity to talk to them about what they'd like to give to the people in Asia! God is so good! (We actually went inside the pen at one point, but we were too busy to snap pictures.)
In any event, we're talking about giving around here. It's always a challenge. I could make a long list of my wants. My kids can too. But, what will really matter in the long run? I know I won't be impacted for eternity by any gift I get this year. But, those in Asia might. We hear stories of precious people coming to know Jesus because they received a lamb. Oh, I want to know I did something that really counts! I want to know more people will be in heaven in a few months because of what I did to celebrate Jesus coming to earth this year. Jesus gave. So should we.

Good Reminder

We just went to Tuesday night prayer. I always enjoy it.

We talked about the economy. Big buzz these days! The presenter shared some stats. Drastic, major, quite scary things! It can really be daunting!

You know, it would be so easy to get scared, worried, and fearful of the future.

Our prayer is that we would TRULY turn to God during this time.

Is the state of the economy scaring you? causing you fear?

In Whom do you place your trust?

We are financially supported by those who choose to give. It could be very "scary" to us. But, it's not. We aren't worried. I do have to give this over to the Lord if I dwell on it because my flesh wants to worry and think about it and fret.

But, the reality is...God has called us. God has said He would provide. And, you know what, God sits on the throne!

We really do serve a mighty God. I was so glad to be reminded of His power and greatness tonight.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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.
Phil. 4:4-7

I'm praying those who trust in money, even those who don't realize how much they trust in it, will be challenged by this "crisis" and will completely turn their hearts to God, Who will never fail us!

Our Purpose

While my blog is typically light-hearted and includes updates on my kids, our house projects, recipes, and recaps of our daily life, it was created to be an outlet for me to share about our ministry.

God has given us the great privilege to serve alongside a group of precious brothers and sisters here in the U.S. at Gospel for Asia. Even more precious to me is the fact that we stand with more than 16,500 men and women who are serving on the field in Asia seeking to reach the most unreached people in the world.
Working here in our home office really is humbling--when I stop to realize the magnitude of my family being here to serve.

Last night we gathered as a staff family for our weekly prayer meeting. I always look forward to our times together.

For some of us, it's the main time we get to be together (there are quite a few of us who aren't in the office regularly b/c we have kids at home).

We spend time praying for the field and for the home office. We pray for specific countries or states in India, for specific departments within the U.S. office and the projects they are working on, and for other offices around the world (Canada, Australia, South Africa...and others).

I posted a bit ago about the violence in Orissa. Orissa is a state in India. The violence that has taken place there is horrible. To get the history, click here.
I cannot fathom having my house burned and my life threatened because I worship Jesus and serve Him. I can't imagine hiding in the jungle with my three children to keep us from being beaten or killed. But, my brothers and sisters in Orissa are living this reality right now!

Please stop right now and pray for the believers and their persecutors in Orissa. The violence is not only happenings in Orissa, but in other states as well. Pray for God's protection and provision, for His peace and comfort, and for His conviction (for those persecuting the believers).

The enemy of our souls is REAL. He does NOT like that many in Asia are coming to know the Truth and are choosing to worship Jesus. These persecutions are evidence that God is moving in a mighty way.

Our job here in the West is to pray and give.

Pray for them with passion--"remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Heb. 13:3). If you are not heartbroken over the situation of India, ask God to break your heart with the things that break His. His heart is broken for these people!

Give as the Lord leads--"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Cor. 9:7,8)

It is easy for me to get focused on my children, what we are eating, working on my kitchen, hanging out with friends, etc. I don't want to forget how indredibly REAL the enemy is, the struggles believers face in other countries, and my JOB.

I know the all powerful, amazing, living God who controls the universe. He created me, saved me, and has called me. How is the world can I ignore His calling to intercede for my siblings in Christ?

Urgent Prayer Needed for India

There are two major things happening in India right now. The first is heavy persecution in Orissa state. The second is flooding in Bihar. Below are two stories from the GFA website, www.gfa.org

Please pray for Orissa and Bihar. The believers and those yet to be saved. God is doing a mighty work there. No wonder the enemy is working so hard!

Christians Flee to Forests as Mob Violence Escalates in Indian State

Mob violence in India's Orissa state continues to escalate, and reports coming from Gospel for Asia leaders in Orissa say that as many as 20 GFA-related churches were destroyed and hundreds of Christian families have been burned out of their homes. At least a dozen members of GFA-related churches have been murdered, but no one knows the overall death toll.

"The Christians in Orissa have fled for their lives into the forests," GFA President K.P. Yohannan said, "and some have been in hiding for three days without food or water.

"Several of our pastors are in the forest along with their church people, and one said that he could have escaped, but would rather die with his people than leave them."

Dr. Yohannan called the situation "unprecedented in his 30 years of ministry in South Asia."

"I have never seen persecution so bad in my life," Dr. Yohannan said, "and I have seen a lot of opposition to the Gospel over the years."

Orissa, the state where Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were burned to death by anti-Christian militants in 1999, has a long history of opposition to the Gospel.

Read more of this story at www.gfa.org/orissa-update

Starvation, Water Diseases Plaguing Flood Victims in Bihar, India

Lack of food and clean water is beginning to take its toll on flood victims in Bihar, India, according to Gospel for Asia's correspondents in that area. People scrambled for shelter in Bihar as floodwaters, released by a broken dam upstream in Nepal, raced through several districts of this impoverished Indian state.

The unexpected flooding caused many to abandon their homes and seek relief in makeshift shelters, where food is scarce. Others are stranded in their villages, some living on their rooftops, waiting for rescue.

Those with access to the small food supply and the boats needed to transport people and supplies are allegedly inflating prices of the goods. A GFA correspondent said that rice is selling for four to five times its usual price. When they manage to get a little rice, it is often eaten raw because there is no clean water in which to cook it. Many wells are underwater and are now contaminated.

There are numerous reports of children wailing in hunger at the makeshift refugee camps throughout the state. Some people have already succumbed to starvation and water-borne diseases.

The situation is also grim for people stranded on or near their homes. Many boat owners are demanding exorbitant fees for rescue. The amount of money being demanded is too much for the vast majority of Bihar's 12 million residents, who live on an income equivalent to less than $1 per day.

The rescue and relief work is also being slowed by the many rebel extremist groups active in the state. The rebels are taking advantage of the chaos to cause more trouble.

GFA leaders in Bihar ask for prayer for their country. They ask specifically for avenues to open so that they can get in and take care of the physical and spiritual needs of the people.

Find out how you can donate to provide relief for those being persecuted. Click here.

Or donate towards those who have have lost so much due to flooding through GFA Compassion Services. Click here.