Delighting to do Thy will...

Our family tends to draw attention. Either positive attention, negative attention, or just plain confused attention (when people try to figure out how Bryan and I made all these colorful children). People often look at us like we are crazy, or just plain called.

Our family also tends to draw a lot of questions like, "Are you done yet? or, How in the world do you do it?

Well today was a good reminder of "How in the world I do it." It is only by the strength of Jesus, that I even make it through the morning half the time. It is not me who does it, it is Jesus that does it all.

I was talking to a friend today about adoption. Adoption is a wonderful blessing, but it is not free from struggles. We tend to think of blessings in this light; smooth, fruitful, paved, or an opened door.

When we struggle, we often think of things in this light; this must be from Satan, the enemy is hitting us hard, or this isn't from God.

When Paul went from town to town, lead by the Spirit, Paul often encountered things like; stoning, beating, prison, and torture. Would we dare to say that Paul must not have been in Gods will if all things happened to him? Or would we say, Paul must have been ahead of God? No, we know that Paul's journeys were absolutely what the Lord wanted and allowed, even though most of the time Paul suffered a lot. However, through his sufferings Paul brought glory to the Name of the Lord.

Adoption is a wonderful blessing, one filled with pure joy and one that is filled challenges. Some days, I have sweet, beautiful, blissful days. Some days I don't. Some days, I am just tired. Not tired of being a Mom to my nine beautiful children, but mostly tired of talking (yes it is true). Some days, I just want to be...not that I don't want to be nurse, teacher, chef, etc.... but some days, I want to go to the bathroom with out talking through the door or breaking up another argument of who stole who's french fry, some days, I want to just be.

I bet that some days Paul would have loved to go into a town that didn't try and kill him. I bet some days he cried out to the Lord, "Lord, for real??"

The joy of Jesus was the absolute self-surrender and self-sacrifice of Himself to His Father, the joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do. "I delight to do Thy will." Jesus prayed that our joy might go on fulfilling itself until it was the same as His. The full flood of my life is not in bodily health, not in external happenings, not in seeing God's work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God and in the communion with Him that Jesus Himself had. The first thing that will hinder this joy is the captious irritation of thinking out circumstances. The cares of this world, said Jesus, will choke God's word.
Be rightly related to God, find your joy there, and out of you will flow rivers of living water. Be a center for Jesus Christ to pour living water through. Stop being self-conscious, stop being a sanctified prig, and live the life hid with Christ. ~ Oswald Chambers

Not that I can compare my life to Paul's life. I have never been stoned, or even almost stoned. But the journey I am on, is one that is not free from trials and full of blessings. Honestly, I don't want a life free of trials. The more the Lord teaches me, the more I have come to understand that the best place to be is completely sacrificed and dependant on Him. In my trials, and fears, I am just that. We can't do what the Word of God tells us to do independent of Jesus Christ. We must have Christ and trust Christ living through us.

Because we are dead to self and realize, it is not I who live but Christ, then we are able to do the things he has laid out for us to do. We will face trials, struggles, doubts, we will have fears, and second thoughts, but we DO have Christ. And for that reason, it is all worth it!

Christ is what makes our life possible. Christ is the reason we can do this thing called adoption. Christ is what gives us the strength to carry on. Christ enables us to do the things we are commanded to do. Christ, Christ, Christ! May we bring glory to His name!

~ If you keep My commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Fathers commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:11

Fetch God...

"Fetch God?" Doesn't that sound so blasphemous, But, isn't that what we do in a way..throw God a bone? I mean, He doesn't ask for our left overs, He has asked for our "First Fruits." Giving anything BUT our first fruits is blasphemous.

Here are some facts:

30,000 children died today and will die tomorrow of preventable diseases, like diarrhea and starvation. Children like these.

Here is another fact:

Last year, the American Church spent $10billion on church buildings and programs. Buildings and programs like this:

Please understand, that I don't know these churches (I found the pictures on the internet), and while they are hopefully reaching the lost, I just believe that there needs to be equality. So, if a church can spend $10,000 (that is modest figure) on a new sound system, or comfy chairs, or some catchy program should it also be able to spend $10,000 to feed starving children, or house homeless widows? We try to mask it all in the name of Jesus and what we NEED to serve him better but, lets face it, when we reach heaven, I can't imagine Jesus saying "Well done my good and faithful servant, you sure did dial in that worship mix well, and the lights...whoa...I particularly liked the the foyer with the flat screen TVs."

Jesus will however, say something more along the lines of this if we are not careful:

"Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and you name drive out demons and preform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

Jesus was not speaking here to irreligious people, atheists or agnostics. He was not speaking to pagans or heretics. He was speaking to devout religious people who were deluded into thinking they were on the narrow road that leads to heaven when they were actually on the broad road that leads to hell. According to Jesus, one day not just a few but many will be shocked-eternally shocked-to find that they were not in the kingdom of God after all.

~ Radical by David Platt

My heart is broken today as I sit and think of my sister in Africa, who just watched a 23 year old friend, weighing 35 pounds die of something preventable like starvation. There is NO need in the world for that to happen when we have been given so much. Our thinking is upside down. Instead of worrying about TRUTH we worry about the lies that Satan has spoon fed us in our churches today.

We also see no verse in the New Testament where God's people are ever again commanded to build a majestic place of worship. Instead, Gods people are told to be the temple-the place of worship. And their possessions are to be spent on building, not a place where people can come see God's glory, but a people who are taking God's glory to the world. ~Platt

The Temple of the Old Testament full of riches. Adorned with gold, silver, bronze, and jewels.

The Temple of the New Testament

Katie Davis 21 year, serving the Lord in Uganda, mother of 14, care giver of 100's. Giving her life in such a sacrificial way to love the people of God by adopting, and rehiblitation women.

Our local, Friday night RICE night group, devoted to fasting one meal a week and replacing it with rice and beans, donating the money they saved on a regular meal, in order to support orphans in Kenya.

Cindy and Frank May (not pictured). Founders of Remember the Poor. Father and Mother of 1000's in Uganda and Kenya. Perfect examples of servants who are willing to give up everything and risk it all, in order to spread God's glory among the nations.

Abdissa Layl. Father to orphans in Ethiopia, and Pastor of a church. Willing to give his life for orphans and the Least of These, bring hope to Addiss Ababa.

Cara Murray (in back) and Seggy Hannington (in blue t-shirt in back). Faithful servants in Uganda. Bringing the love of Christ to widows and orphans. Devoted to finding the need and then serving the people of small and large villages, digging bore holes for water and discipling them.

Harry and Ceci. Retired couple not settled with living a comfy retired lifestyle. Living out their faith, in Southeast Asia. They too, are parents and sudo parents to many, adding to the number daily. Discipling students to mighty followers of Christ.

Tonya Brown adoptive mom. Resigned a prestigious career and sold all of her possessions to move to third world, Uganda. Faithfully following Christ to make His glory known among the nations. She currently has three boys, and I am sure there are more on the horizon.

Pastor Cyrus, his board members and Bryan. Pastor Cyrus is 26 years old and runs an orphanage in Kisii, Kenya with his wife. They currently house 23 children and care for 13 street boys and the number is constantly growing. Cyrus is a light to the community, never tiring for the work of the Lord.

Bryan, my husband. Father of nine. Co-Pastor of The Mission, tired of the status quo. Discipling local men to, "Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..."

We are the church the temple of the Living God. We don't need to adorn ourselves or our buildings. We must grow weary of serving ourselves and start to burn with passion in serving others. NOT with just our time and talent, but with our money. We need to grow weary of our church buildings being "Well Fed", when they are not eternal. Human lives are eternal.

We need to be passionate to want to serve and stand before a HOLY God who will say to us "Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter My Rest."

Where to Begin, Begining...

Where to begin? That question has been running through my head for weeks now, and now that I am home it continues to plague my mind. Where do I begin writing this blog? I have so much to share with you, but no place to begin. Where do I begin communicating the needs of this land and people that I love? Where do I begin helping a nation where everywhere you look is poverty, and more poverty. Where do WE begin?

I am going to begin with the Word!

If my people, who are called my name, would humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

The solution is found in the Word, God's promises. If we would humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, turn from wicked ways, then He will hear, forgive and heal!

While in Africa, I was overwhelmed with the amount of suffering and poverty. My eyes couldn't take it all in. In fact there was no where to turn and look to get a moments relief. At one point my soul was grieving and I gave up. "Lord, this is an impossible task. As far as the eye can see there is suffering, hunger, thirst, disease, disaster." The Lord reminded me that this is not my task, it is His task. What ever He calls us to, He equips us for!

We are called by His name, to feed the hungry, care for the widow and orphan, and to Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matt 28 18-19). Jesus, teaches us in Matthew, that on the day of judgement He will separate the sheep from the goats. Those who gave Him food, drink, welcomed Him, clothed Him and visited Him will enter His rest, those who didn't, won't (Matt 25). Then James goes on to reminds us that faith without deeds is nothing.

If the God of the bible is true and we call ourselves followers of Christ, how then, do we disobey His word? For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgement, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26

It seems so simple doesn't it? To live is Christ. In other words, It is not I who live, but Christ in me. If that is the case, why don't we live as Christ did? Simply Christ! If the Son of Man didn't even have a place to lay his head, why are worried about our next vacation, or our 401K, or how we are going to spend our money on Christmas? If we are Christ, then we have His knowledge, and we know how He wants us to live, then why do we go on sinning?

All these questions and more have been rolling around in my mind. Please understand, that it is I, who am challenged with these questions, I am just communicating my thoughts to you. I heard a great message this weekend that called this kind of living, the kind where we accept Jesus, but don't do what His Word says; Vampire Christianity. It is the kind of Christianity that says, "Give me some of your blood Jesus, so that I am saved from hell and I'll see you in heaven." We are warned about this kind of Christianity...it is simply idolatry and we make ourselves the idols.

James 1:22 ~ Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says, is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But a man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does.

Meet my friends, the Doers. The young boys that you see above, understand the meaning of doing rather than just hearing. The scripture says that if we just hear, we deceive ourselves. But the man who looks intently in to the law that gives freedom, continuously, not forgetting what he heard and applying it...will be blessed. Again, simple text that the Lord intended for us to understand and obey. Joshua (on right) understands enough to abandon self and obey. He is just 23 years old and has given his life for the Mission. He has taken on the task of caring for widows and orphans in his community. He has no job, no support, no food, no electricity, and no running water. He and his friend have heard the word of the Lord and decided to actually do the word of the Lord. Simple faith that requires, according to the Word of God, action.

Joshua takes action for faces like this one. An orphan, unwanted by the worlds standards, but a child of God. Doers, give their lives for the sake of the cross. They give their lives, because Christ gave His, the ultimate sacrifice. Doers, seek God's glory and make it known to the nations, for the purpose of glorifying Christ and Him alone. They don't make up excuses as to why they can't, or what they are waiting for, they hear and then they act.

James 1:27 ~ Pure and genuine religion in the sight of the God the Father means caring for the orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to not let the world corrupt you.

Widows, like this beautiful Jaaja (grandmother). She is alone, and up until she met Joshua, she lived by herself in a house that was falling down, sick and in need of medical care. Today, she is making crafts to sell, and is helping to care for the orphans. When I met Jaaja, I was overwhelmed with love for her, you can see the Love of Jesus in her eyes.

Joshua and his friend, currently care for 2o orphans and a handful of Jaajas. They live in a home with no electricity not because it is not wired for electricity, but because they can't afford it. They all cram into this this tiny house and pray for the Lord to deliver food.

This is what the Lord had in mind when he said in Acts 2:42~ All the believers devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer....And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need....And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

We are those apostles! We are to supply our brother Joshua, with his needs.

So where do we begin? How do we begin? It's simple, we hear, then we do. We are all called, it is all of our responsibility. If we call ourselves Christian, then we must stop idolizing ourselves and start Seeking His face and turn from our wicked ways...SO THAT... He will hear from Heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land.

Back with the Kids in Africa!

Hi honey, please update everyone for me. The internet is so...slow here in kisii town. We arrived last night (early morning) safely. The bus ride was uneventful, but of course different and a little nerve racking, but all was well. It is good that we have Seggy to travel with it makes things much nicer and I fell safe with him around. The kids were so happy to see us of course and everyone here misses you a lot, all have asked about you and Coral and Cadenn.
We had a board meeting this morning and you should see what they have done with the place, it is amazing to say the very least. It is clear that God's hand is in everything and we are only His vessels, because this is really impossible without Him. I can't wait to show you the pictures of the kids and the new building and houses. We visited the Chief, David, this morning and he was so happy that we kept to our word and came back. He really trusts us now. He said that usually most people never return but make empty promises. We are going to pass out our gifts this evening and that should be real fun.
Justin, should have died, but he looks amazing. His leg is almost healed and he is now going to school. There is so much to tell you, but I don't have the time here because it is slow. I am praying for you and I miss you more than you know. I have resolved that I don't like going without you, and want you to be with me always. I would do it again, but I don't like it. We work much better as a team :)
Please share this with our faith family. You can copy and paste this message and send it to The Mission in my contact list, that way everyone even Mary will get the update.
Be praying, a man drownd in the river here yesterday and they have not found his body yet. He fell in while washing his clothes and did not know how to swim. The kids have grown, and they are so beautiful. It is hard to hold back the tears when you see Gods goodness all around and how well they are all doing. Papa's feet are all healed too! That is a miracle.
Well, my love to you, all of our kids and our faith family, together we are making a difference in the lives of the least of these, it is a huge blessing to us. Talk to you soon. We will head back to Uganda wed night or thurs morning. I will call you tomorrow. xoxoxox

Africa Bound...

Dear Faith Family,
There has been a lot going on in the last couple of weeks that I will attempt to explain in this email.

First, Cyrus has received his money for the purchase of a new car! He called from Nairobi and said that he was in the process of picking up his new 4x4! Praise God for His provisions! He is good. I also talked to Justin on the phone (the boy who was badly burnt). He is doing much better. He is still in need of medical attention, but is beginning to walk now.

Secondly, Tonya and her son Christopher, and Howard and Celest, are getting ready to leave for their missions. Tonya is moving to Gulu, Uganda and Howard and Celest to Indonesia! The both leave in within the next couple of weeks! Please pray for them as they embark on this journey that the Lord has placed them on.

Lastly, God has provided for Andrea to accompany Tonya & Christopher to Africa! They both leave on July 15 and Andrea will stay until July 26th. They will be spending time in Nukumba, and Andrea will visit Kisii, with Seggy and Cara, and hopefully Gulu where Tonya will eventually be living. Andrea will be taking supplies to the orphanage and is only allotted two 50 lb. bags. She will also be able to take extra things for those of you who have sponsored children, if you want to send a special something to your child.

There are many needs, so I will list them below. Please pray and ask the Lord how he would have you minister and give.

Prayer For:

1. Cyrus and the kids at the orphanage in Kenya. Pray for protection and needs to be met in Kenya, and for God’s glory to be made know in the nations. Pray that all the children are sponsored.

2. Howard and Celest leave for Indonesia on July 12th . They need prayer for their visas that are in transit so they can leave. Also, that the things they shipped ahead will actually make it to Indonesia. Please pray that they adjust to their surroundings and the culture around them. The weather is hot and humid, so pray for adjustment there as well. They know that the Lord has called them for such a time as this, please pray for the people they come in contact with, that the Lord would prepare a way to minister to them and ultimately change lives for Christ. Howard and Celest, will have a blog that we can follow while they are away.

3. Tonya leaves for Minnesota on July 11th. Pray for her as she spends time with her son Cory. Pray that the Lord will continue to settle her heart on matters, also for provision in Africa and safe travels. Pray for Christopher and Tonya as they adjust to their new surroundings and begin the ministry that the Lord has called them to. Pray that the Glory of the Lord will be spread in Uganda through the lives of Tonya and Christopher. Pray for financial support of them both and their ministry.

4. Pray for Andrea as she travels with Tonya to Uganda. Pray for her traveling in Africa to Kisii and Gulu. Pray that the Glory of the Lord be made known to everyone she comes in contact with. Pray for the her travel back home as she will be alone. Also pray for the money she needs while in country.

Financial Needs

1. Cyrus in still in need of about $800 for medical needs for Justin. He is required to make frequent trips to the hospital for care and needs medicine to treat infection and promote healing.

2. Tonya is in need of monthly support. She currently has no monthly support and continues to trust God in providing for her. We have been entrusted with caring for Tonya and her needs. Please pray and ask the Lord what you could sacrifice and give to support her monthly. This is a big undertaking BUT with Christ all of things are possible. We have figured that Tonya will need approximately $1,000 per month to support her and Christopher. This will help them with the needs of the ministry as well as their basic needs. Also, she needs a digital point and shoot camera, so she can take pictures and send us updates.

3. Andrea is still in need of a few things for Africa. She will need about $300 to cover the cost of visas in and out of Uganda and Kenya, the luggage charges, public transportation and food.

4. We need donations for the Orphanage. Clothes, jackets, peanut butter, educational stuff like flashcards, 20 piece puzzles, books on letters and goodies for the kids. Money for donations is always excepted.

These are our immediate needs. Thank you for your faithfulness and love and concern for the Mission, the Lord has called us to. You are all such a blessing to us. We only have less than two weeks to get these things together for our trips. If you have donations for the orphanage, please get them to the Thieles before July 13th. This sounds like a lot, but our God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and He who has called us is faithful and He will do it!

One time or monthly donations to Tonya can be made to:

Remember the Poor
PO Box 1013
Lynden, Washington 98264
623-203-1700
Or you can donate on line to:
http://irememberthepoor.org/make-a-donation
Please write in the memo: Gulu,Tonya

We love you dearly and it is a blessing to partner with you in serving Christ locally and around the world.

Bryan and Andrea

Urgent Prayer and Action Needed...

Friends,
This is an urgent prayer request for one of our orphans in Kisii, Kenya. We visited Pastor Cyrus and the kids in February when we went to get our children in Ethiopia.

Justin is a 14 year old boy, whom I love like a son. I fell in love with his servants heart and his love of Jesus.

Two days ago, Justin was in doing his chores before bed. He was in the girls dorm and lit a lantern because they don't have electricity. The match caught the mattress on fire, and then caught Justin on fire. Cyrus was in a different dorm, and could hear the screaming coming from the dorm. Justin was in trying to put out the fire. Cyrus ran in and got him out. Justin was burnt badly. There are pictures below.

Please pray for his healing. Also, Cyrus needs money for the hospital bill for Justin. There are some major needs in this orphanage. First there is no electricity, therefore they have to use matches and lanterns and that is how this fire started. They need a generator to eliminate this problem. Also, they need a car. Pastor Cyrus had to carry Justin on his back for 6 miles and no one came to help. He carried Justin to the police station and after awhile they gave Cyrus a car to take him to the hospital. They have desperate needs.

You can help! By donating to Remember the Poor all of your donations will go toward Justin's hospital bill and to bring him the medical treatment he needs.

Pastor Cyrus said this was truly a miracle. He does now know how the flames were put out other than the hand of God. Justin could have been consumed by the flames and they are rejoicing over God's goodness. Oh, we of little faith. Cyrus said they truly witnessed Jesus yesterday.

I will keep you posted as we are updated of Justin's status. Thank you for your prayers and participation.

Justin in the frontJustins legs and burns

Justin and Fred together.

Prayer and Fasting...

Friends,
This is a MUST watch. We need Jesus more than we need anything else! God's church must wake from it's slumber.