Deny, Self, Others...

The Lord is just blessing us lately with the fruit of our labor. It is wonderful how sometimes He allows us little glimpses at the result of hard work and obedience to His word. This fruit doesn't have anything to do with me, but the parents of this young lady who's story I am going to share with you.


This is Paulyna. She is pictured with my son only because I don't have another picture of her alone. This story is about her...not him, but they look cute together any way (just a side note).

For the past several months we have been learning that God demands radical obedience to His word. He wants us to obey everything He has laid out before us. He wants us to be doers of His word not mere hearers of his word. He wants us to be examples of this faith in Jesus to our children and to teach them as they grow to be obedient to Him and His word.

Paulyna just turned Sweet 16! Most children at this age are focused on themselves. As parents we either example a life of self service, working to seek recreation and entertainment, or we teach them to serve others, sometimes we do both.

Paulyna has been a perfect example of what her parents have exampled to her this past week. I want to share with you how.

Paulyna was going to celebrate her birthday as most teens do with a party. However, she wanted to do things differently. She struggled with having a party to serve herself. She wanted to celebrate, but how could she have a party complete with decorations, cake, presents when there are so many people in need around the world?


By her parents example she thought through the cost of this party. She could spend the money on this festive day...or she could help people in need. People who only eat one meal a day, have no appropriate clothes to wear in cold weather. Children who don't have moms and dads to love them, whose living conditions are substandard. She thought through the sacrifice of forgoing serving herself and what it would cost her to give it up for the glory of Lord.

Paulyna started planning her Sweet 16 birthday party with these people in mind. Pastor Cyrus and his wife Eucabeth are a young couple who have given their lives in service to Jesus Christ. They live in Kenya, way out of town in a small village. They serve their community and care for 22 orphans. They give ALL they are for the glory of the Lord.

After thought and prayer, Paulyan decided that she would have a birthday celebration. She would have cake and food. There would be games and swimming. All of her close friends would be invited to share in the fun....BUT...something was going to be different. Instead of excepting gifts as most teens do, Paulyna decided to give it up for other children like Justin and Phinny...

And for Bereket and Dianna...

And for all the other children of this orphanage. They may not know Paulyna, they may be forgotten by their parents or by loved ones, but they are not forgotten by God. By the grace of Jesus Christ that is evident in Paulyna's life, she gave up what could have been used for new games, i pods, clothes, movies or a number of different things to serve OTHERS!

On her birthday invitation she included a note that said:

Please NO gifts, money only to be donated to Remember the Poor.

Paulyna raised $110 by denying herself for the Glory of the Lord!

I am so proud of her! She has not only blessed the life of these children in Kenya, but the lives of the people around her. She has taken what she has learned from Jesus and put it into action in her life.

I love you sweet Paulyna. Your obedience will be rewarded by blessing!

Then Jesus went to work on His disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Matthew 16:24

Juicy, Juicy Fruit...

Here is the contrast.

Fresh summer fruit is finally here. You go to the store and you buy a variety of yummy fruit. Peaches, oranges, plums, and pears (my favorite). You get home from the store, so excited for your yummy, healthy purchase and can't wait for your first BIG bite! It is hard for you to decide which one you want to sink your teeth into first, but you choose the big, delicious peach. You take the time to wash it off, pat it with a paper towel, and take a smell, because it is gonna be good. You stand over the sink, just so you won't make a mess when you take that first taste. Then you open wide, trying to fit as much in your mouth as you can....and.....its.....DRY! DRY?? All this preparation for dry, not a drip of juice? What a disappointment.

I am not partial to dry, yucky fruit. I enjoy the opposite, what about you? I like when I sink my teeth into that fruit, and I can't contain the juice. I like when it spills down my chin, and drips onto the floor, or my shirt. I like that slurping sound you have to make when you eat it to suck up the juice it is spilling out. I love when I have friends, or my kids eating juicy fruit all together and we all make the same noise, enjoying every last bite, leaving us wanting MORE juicy fruit!!!

How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1: 1-3

Following the Lords instruction in our lives produces a life, like fruit in season! The promises of Jesus say that if we obey Him we produce yummy, juicy fruit. Others can see it, smell it and taste it! Our leaves do not wither!

I want to share with you a story of fruit. Not to boast but to encourage. I was so blessed by what I will share with you that it brought me to tears. Sometimes we wonder if what we are doing is producing fruit. Did we hear God right? Should we have done things differently? Are we walking in His will? We can all ways do the fruit test.

I was at the Dr. the other day with my African boys. It was a doctors appointment gone bad. Lets just say, that I didn't take into consideration that we were visiting a female doctor and I had boys with me who are only used to seeing male doctors, especially when it is a full physical. After the physical we checked out and started across the parking lot to the car, while I was trying to think of what I was going to say to my mortified boys. Right as we were getting ready to get into the car our doctor came running out. "Mrs. Thiele, come back, I forgot to check the boys hearing and eyes!" We turned around and went back in.

As my boys were getting their eyes checked, which was going equally as bad, a nurse came up to me and said, "When you are finished here, there is a lady who wants to speak with you," pointing in the other direction. I turned and looked to see beautiful lady with a baby on her hip. At first I thought I may recognize her until I finally realized, that she was a stranger and I didn't know her at all. I put a smile on my face and greeted her with a big "HI."

She walked up to me and introduced herself. "Hi my name is Jamiee, you don't know me, but I know you." Well that is always interesting right? I responded, "Your face looks familiar." Jamiee went on, "You are the lady that has had all the garage sale fundraisers for your adoptions. I have been to them and talked to you there." "With that she points to the baby on her hip (this is the juicy, juicy part) and says, " This is my adopted daughter and we are trying to adopt her bother as well! You and your husband have inspired my husband and I so much that we decided to adopt!!" CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?? My God is so great! My God is so good! The fruit of obedience is sweet! Who would have ever thought that God would use our adoption garage sales for something other than rasing money AND then set up the perfect time and place to meet up with some of the fruit??

Jesus, totally caught me off guard. He took a day that I could have lived without and turned it into a day that I could not live without! He showed me that obedience to His word (no matter how hard, or how people look at you) produces a "Happy man, that is like a tree planted by the water and bearing fruit in season!"

Praise the Lord! His promises are true!

Answered Prayers...

We have prioritized our comforts over the needs of the world around us, and we need to repent. ~ David Platt


These are just some of the faces of Africa. They are praising the One True God. Even in there sickness, disease, hunger, and thirst, they are praying and praising Jesus. These sweet faces pray for us every night. They pray that the Lord would provide for us, so that in turn, we can provide for them. The Lord has answered their prayers.


Meet Norah. She is vibrant 6 year old girl with a sweet heart and great disposition. Norah has big dreams for a bright future. She is a good student and a good help around the orphanage. She needs some one to love her. She needs someone to be the hands and feet of Jesus to her. Showing her that they care for her and her needs. Norah wants to stay in her native country, Kenya, to grow up and effect change. She prays that the Lord would provide the money for her monthly needs of food, water, medical care and schooling. The Lord has answered her prayers.

Diana is a shy but sweet girl. When we first met her, she didn't stand out in the crowd, she hid behind the others. She is 7 years old and strives hard in school and around the orphanage. She wants to get good grades so that she can get a good job when she grows. She loves to sing "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus." She prays for the God meet her where she is. She thanks him for what He has done on the cross for her sins. She asks him to bring only what she needs to carry her from day to day and to provide her with a hope and a future. The Lord has answered her prayers.

Today, I sat on the phone with a good friend. She has sold ALL of her possessions, and is getting ready to move her and her son to Uganda, to serve the "least of these." While we talked she filled me in on all the needs of the people she is moving to serve. The conversation left me in tears. The need is for a school. While there is no water in this village in Uganda, there is a great need for a school, over their need for water. You see the children have to walk to go to school. On the way the girls are kidnapped and then rapped. Therefore the parents are not sending their children to school and they in need of education, so that they can break the cycle of poverty. We have been praying for God to supply all the money so that they not only can have a school in their village, but so that they can also have water. The Lord has answered our prayers.

For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack." 2 Cor 8

Don't miss this!

The Lord has supplied all the money for food they need

The Lord has supplied, all that she needs for medical care and education

The Lord has supplied all they need for hope and a future

The Lord has given us all we need, in order to supply what they lack!

The Lord has answered ALL of their prayers...

...the answer is YOU and ME!

We are the answer! We have the abundance that would supply their needs...it is in our cable bills, our car payments, our big houses, our boats, our hobbies, our vacations, our closets, our china cabinets. The excess is in our sports tickets, Starbucks coffee, upgrades in our homes, pedicures & manicures, restaurant bills, our animals and cell phones.

My heart breaks for us! We are caught in the lie of our possessions dictating our identity. We are caught in the lie that we are blessed just to be blessed. We are caught in the lie that if we live this way then we are legalistic and emergent, not saved by grace but by works. We have MORE in order to supply their lack. And we give because we LOVE JESUS...and because we have been saved by grace and grace alone this is just evidence of the fruit of JESUS in our lives. Because we LOVE Him so much we LOVE the least of these and we risk it ALL!

Oh brothers and sisters in Christ...LET US BE A PART OF GODS ALREADY ANSWERED PRAYERS! Let us live as if this were not our home!

My last thought is, we are not to compare ourselves to others. My heart is for what the word of God says. I want my heart to break for what breaks His and through this blog I share it with you. The Lord says to give from the heart...give of what we have and sometimes from what we don't have, NOT only from our abundance but from our sacrifice. Sacrifice of TIME, MONEY, and TALENTS. The money I spend for my monthly cable bill will sponsor one of these children you see above. What could your abundance and sacrifice supply?

Angel...

The Lord uses many different ways to speak into your life. Sometimes He speaks to your heart personally through prayer and reading His word. Sometimes He uses pastors or sermons or bible studies. Sometimes He uses Angel's.

This is my new friend Angel. I don't know that I will ever see her again this side of heaven, but I must share this story with you.

The past few months in the Thiele household, have been...well let's just say interesting. If I were honest, I would say challenging and tiring and I would allow you a peek into our controlled chaos. With the beauty of adoption and parenting for that matter, come challenges and with nine kids, 5 from foreign countries, I am wiped out. I know that it will get better, but it is times like these the Lord uses the Angel's in our lives to bring refreshment and encouragement for a weary soul.

Every year on Easter we go to the park and hang out with friends and family. It is such a wonderful part of our year and we look forward to having the opportunity to catch up, and meet new people. After we ate lunch we were all just sitting around talking and I looked up and this lady was tromping across the field, like she was on a mission. My first thought was, "oh no...what did my kids do", as they were all following her closely behind. Once she reached us, my friend Seggy and I stood up to say hello and this is what came of our conversation.

Angel: "GIRL...There is Jesus ALLLLL....over this place! I have met the NATIONS today! I looked over and saw the anointing of the Spirit on these children and I had to come to meet you. I have heard that there are people touching the nations..but I had to come and see for myself."

Drea: Speechless

Angel: "Your beautiful kids told me the story of what is going on in your house and I just had to come and say Praise the Lord! God is GOOD...ALL the time! What you and your friends are doing here God has blessed!

Drea: still speechless

And then she started to prophesy

Angel: "You may be feeling like your body is going to fall apart and you are walking around with your shoulders dropped (acting it out for me, leaning up against things to prop her up), BUT I am here to tell you to hold your head up...GOD is going to give you strength...He is NOT done with you yet. He is going to bring MORE...BE READY for it! It will be by HIS might, not your own, so TRUST Him! He sees that you and your friends are willing and obedient, He is going to use you all to reach the nations for HIS Glory! So keep strong, be encouraged, God loves you and your obedience to Him, you will be blessed! "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Cor 2:9, He is going to use this ministry and He is going to increase it!"

Drea: crying... and still speechless

Angel: " I have goose bumps all over, I had to come and meet you..The glory of the Lord is in this place. Praise Him for what he has done and what he will do in the future...SO HOLD on...He is not done!"

This is obviously paraphrased, but pretty close. However, the actual words she said were far more beautiful than that. She prayed over us later when I took the picture. We were all in awe of the goodness of God in this. Angel was sent as a messenger of God to share the truth with His weary people. He used Angel to speak truth into our lives.

I am grateful for Jesus, I am grateful that he uses just everyday people to touch lives. I am grateful that he uses us to do the same thing. I was just recounting this encounter with Seggy today...Angel said things that she didn't know about it...this was a confirmation that we are walking in His will.

Thank you Angel, for stepping out in faith and sharing the love of Jesus with our group. Thank you Jesus, for using Angel for that drink of cold water...till we meet again friend!

Where Are You...

Where are you?

You who are fortunate enough to know what it means to be saved?

Where are you who have been washed in the blood of the Jesus Christ?

Where have you been?

Can't you see that we are in agony?

Didn't Christ command you to come to us?

The world is perishing in its darkness.

Thousands are dying in the flames of HELL.

Have mercy, and come to us;

We beseech you to come!

We are clad in the rags of ruin;

Totally bankrupt only God can help us now!

But will we also have a chance to hear His voice?

His peace and His salvation,

Will we also have access to them?

Where are You?

WHERE ARE YOU BEARERS OF LIGHT?

We call out to you, but there is NO ANSWER,

Have you fallen asleep?

WHERE ARE YOU?

I Will Come To You...

Many people have asked me how they can be involved in caring for orphans and giving to the poor. There are many ways to live out the James 1:27, call to care for widows and orphans. While everyone is called to "care" not everyone is called to adopt. Sponsoring a child is a way to "adopt" with out bringing a child home. There are 147 million orphans in the world, they are all waiting for the promise parents.

This is Purity...her name reflects her personality. She is a sweet 7 year old girl, living in Kisii, Kenya without a mother or father. She is a total orphan. She is hungry with out a big variety of food, or resources. She walks about 1/4 of a mile to get water several times a day, and about 2 miles everyday to school. Her diet consists of a cup of millet for breakfast, no lunch, and posho (cornmeal) and beans for dinner. She lives without heat, or electricity or any modern conveniences. There is no running water or indoor toilets and she lives on a mud floor.

Purity needs a sponsorship to provide her three meals a day, medical care and education so she can go to university. When we invest in a young child, they have the opportunity to grow properly and break the cycle poverty.

Justin, as you can tell by his smile, is a vibrant young man. He lives under the same conditions of Purity. He is 13 years old and dreams of being a pilot when he grows up. He is a great student and good helper around the orphanage. He loves to sing worship songs with the other children and is a leader. He desperately needs a sponsorship so he can receive proper care and education, in order to fulfill his dreams.

Justin and Purity once lived in homes under the care of their parents. They once had someone to look after them supplying their needs. They were not concerned for their future. Like our own children, they didn't have a care in the world. Disease, poverty and hunger changed their circumstances. Their parents died leaving them to fend for themselves.

Now, with the help of Remember the Poor, The Mission, the orphan ministry in Kenya, and You, we can bring hope to the hopeless. Your sponsorship will provide your sponsored child with, three substantial meals a day, medical care, and education. We can change the world together, one orphan at a time. Please pray and ask God how you can provide for the needs of these children, and the love from a parent that they deserve. Click here, to minister to the "least of these."

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." ~ Jesus ~

Comission vs Omission...

We going through the book of James. The Lord has taught us so much on our journey to be more and more like Him. Tonight, once again, He showed me something profound. David Platt puts it far more eloquently than I do, so if you rather hear it straight from him Click Here. If not hang on while I attempt to share my heart with you.

In James 4:17 says: So, for the person knows to do good and doesn't do it, it is a sin. This sounds like a simple scripture. I tend to think of this scripture as a compare and contrast scripture. For example..the opposite of good is bad. So of course if we don't do good and do bad, it is a sin. What stood out to me the most, was that it is not that clear cut.

The 10 commandments lay out rules to obey. Thou shall not kill, thou shall not covet, thou shall not lust, etc. We sometimes think that if we do not do these things, then we are not sinning, this can be referred to as commission.

However there is another aspect to obedience, and that is omission. In other words...there are things that the Lord clearly lays out for us to do and if we don't do them we are disobedient. For example, if I ask my children to pick up their toys and clean up and they do not...it is disobedience. If I ask my son to be home at 10 and he returns at 11...that is disobedience. We must obey Jesus, in the same way. He has asked us to live in way that is different from the world, focused on others and not self. He has asked us to trust Him, not man. He has asked us to care for the poor, widowed and orphaned. He has asked us to make disciples of all nations. He asked us to sell our possessions and give to the poor so that our brothers and sisters would not have need. There are many things, that as followers of Christ we are asked to do and if we do not...we disobey Christ. There is no other way to look at it.

Although works do not save us, we are saved by grace and grace alone, they are necessary. James says "Faith separated from works is dead." If we love Jesus we will obey His commandments. That poses the next question..how do give? The Lord leads us in many ways. We not only give financially, but we also can give of our time. The thing that we must not do is compare ourselves to each other. All of us are called..it is in what capacity that differs. Like the widow and the Pharisees. The widow gave her last money and the Pharisees gave of their abundance and wealth. The widow was commended and the Pharisees, condemned. Why? The widow was obedient and her heart was lined up with Jesus'. The Pharisees were not. It was not the question of how much she gave, it was a question of how she was obedient to what the Lord asked her to give.

We should be obedient to what the Lord has called us to do individually, not compare ourselves to each other. Our heart needs to line up with what Jesus. And what He wants from us individually, will differ. We can also ask the Lord how wants us to give, and in what capacity. He will be faithful to show us and give us ideas and convict our hearts. We just need to be obedient to what He calls us to do.