Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere is a reprieve from up North. I’m not sure if it’s the weather (today happens to be a very humid 85 degrees) or the lack of flickering icicles hanging in rhythm to Jack Frost. Maybe it’s the lack of commercialism or the lack of finances. Whatever the case may be I get the sense that the 25th of December could come and go without me noticing. With so little to buy I have been forced to ruminate on generosity once more.
I love 2 Corinthians 9 insights into this mystery. I get to determine the level of return I want for my generosity. It may be a lot like the stock market. There is risk involved, but I don’t get anything if I don’t risk anything. Many of us have a hard time risking so much with such great uncertainty of return. I then take this attitude into being generous. Subsequently it hinders me. Yet there is no possibility that I could ever give and not receive, it’s a sure thing. It is a principle of the Kingdom of God.
God loves a cheerful giver. Yet I wonder why we don’t laugh when the offering plate passes us, maybe he means something more. The word cheerful connotes more than a
simple chuckle. The meaning carries the idea of hilarious. It’s to the point of being ridiculous, wild, and comical. I picture handing someone money yelling, “ I can’t believe I’m doing this!” or, “Why am I having so much fun giving?” I had one of those experiences awhile back.
I took some used books and tried to get some money for them at a used bookstore. I guess I was getting tired of moving them around. I was both surprised and $150 richer with a wad of cash in my pocket. I came bounding out of the store victorious and noticed a homeless man down the street digging through the garbage can. I knew I should have gone out the other door. I was stuck, the Lord had set me up and he was going to have a hilarious hoot of a time. He told me to give him my spoils. As I strolled over to him, the Lord said to give it all to him. ALL? Yes! ALL. How about $30?
That seemed like a good compromise, so I pulled out $30 and put it in my pocket. “I know you hear me Heath. I said all!” “OK!” Twenty more went into my pocket. By this time I had come up to him and he was in a pretty desperate state. He could not look me straight in the eyes and just seemed to be out of it. It was a few awkward moments before the Lord gave me questions to ask as he kept up his search for lunch. Finally we broke through and he wept on the side of the road as I prayed for him to be delivered of alcohol and other demons. Immediately we had eye contact and he was a different person. He stood up right, spoke clear sentences, and never went back to digging in the trash.
It had to be the most phenomenal conversation I have ever had. We were both crossing borders into each other’s lives. He was living a life of guilt and convinced the Lord would never forgive him and I was holding out with “my” money. As we talked we were breaking down lies and he was becoming clean. I have never seen such a transformation like the one I experienced on the sidewalk of Stark Street in NE Portland.
Our conversation went on for about 45 minutes as he shared life as a homeless man and how his choices landed him there. He spoke of his family that he longed to see again and his desire to make things right. It was heavy but freeing all in the same moment.
I asked Him how much money he would ask me for if I told him to ask for anything.
He sheepishly said $20. Twenty dollars? That’s all? I was beginning to catch onto God’s humor.
Why didn’t you ask me for $50?
“I am not worth that much,” he said.
“Yes you are!”
“Why not ask me for $100, or $150, or a million dollars?”
“No way,” was his reply.
I handed him $50. “Here this proves that God loves you.”
With tears rolling down his face and snot coming out both nostrils, he was slowly catching the love of God as his beard was catching his emotions. He took hold of the bills and took hold of about $50 worth of God’s love and forgiveness.
This was getting really fun now and I could not contain my excitement. “Actually, here is another $50 for you to prove you are worth it. You already have the most expensive gift you could ever receive. If I gave you a million dollars it still wouldn’t compare to the price of Jesus’ gift. This money stuff is cheap. Here. Jesus is so madly in love with you, have another $50. And you know what. I have a brand new pair of sneakers in my truck that I think will fit you.
He was a mess, snot everywhere and completely beside himself. He could barely stand as shock was setting in. Then he would seal the deal and prove my sincerity. He wiped his nose and offered me his snot-covered hand in a shake and said, “We’re friends.” Without thinking too long, I shoved my hand into his and we embraced. It was beautiful.
He strolled down the road with his cart, $150, and a new pair of sneakers. The most important gift he left with was $150 experience of God’s unconditional love. I climbed into my truck and screamed at the top of my lungs, “That was so much fun. I loved it God. Thank you!” My 4Runner became a hovercraft that day. My wallet remained empty, but my heart became full.
For the first time I understood hilarious giving. All I wanted to do was shower this man with the love of God through the tangible. I caught a glimpse of giving when it is so ludicrous, so bizarre, but so God. I could just see Jesus rolling on the ground in laughter, yelling, “I love this stuff! It’s so outside their box, it’s hilarious.” He probably laughed for hours.
I tried to attach a song but could not so here are the lyrics.
SONG LYRICS: Brave Saint Saturn "Heart Still Beats Inside"
"The girl in the alley kneels with exhaustion
She's guarded by the skinny guy who limps from some infection
Behind a veil of bleached thin hair her eyes tell a story
Like a photo of Berlin, December 1944
She's looking for a handout, she's been high for several weeks now
She's too far gone for whoring and the money just gave out
And her heart still beats inside
And the blood runs in her veins
A remnant of life remains
Her heart still beats inside
The man finally comes to the door, I've seen him several times
He always looks pissed off and his sunglasses stay on
I think he got his biceps and tattoos while in prison
And it doesnt seem to bother him when he says "go to hell"
And his heart still beats inside
The blood runs in his veins
A remnant of life remains
His heart still beats inside
The thought it comes to my mind, to somehow intervene
But it could bring me trouble, and what can I do anyway?
It's hard to be effective when it happens so often
To see a life unraveling, through drawn venetian blinds
I'm sickened by compassion, I'm stifled by my limitations
Anesthetic apathy, come take the pain away
And my heart still beats inside
The blood runs in my veins
A remnant of life remains
And my heart still beats inside
Oh God, we need you here
We're sinking fast and we dont care
The evidence is all around me, on both sides of my door
Our hearts beat"
The END
The word “generosity” comes from the Old French; the original word carries with it a meaning of, “characteristic of noble birth.” Umm, it sure seems to fit perfectly. People who are generous, characteristically reveal they are of Noble Birth.
So this Christmas, risk it. Your Father has more money to spare and you have something to prove . . . Your Noble Birth!
“Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten” (2 Cor. 9:9). “Thank God for his Son- a gift too wonderful for words (and worth more than all the money in the world)” (2 Cor. 9:15).
Merry Christmas from way down South!
Heath Locke
P.S. If you are unaware of the New Years Homeless Party (In Portland)contact Andy and Serenity Coulombe at serenity@sterling.net
Andy and Serenity, You go for it and take as many with you as possible, show them the kingdom and let the kingdom show up! Amazing what happens in a year. Bless you guys. We love and are proud of you!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wonder Bread for monkeys
Today I was sitting out at the pool watching the kids swim when I looked over to see a monkey eating a slice of bread. It finally dawned on me that he got it from our kitchen. It was if he was sitting there mocking us feasting on his snack.
I stood up and he made a direct shot for our side door. I took off running after him to save the house from being taken over by monkeys. Instead of going in he went up the windows onto the roof. I grabbed the water gun and loaded my ammunition. The kids were out of the pool and looking on the roof to see the little rascal when another monkey came out of the kitchen window holding his slice of wonder bread.
I redirected my attack towards this culprit as I did he changed his course and headed straight for the kids. Abiel went left, Judah went right and Asher (who was smaller the the monkey) went left/right only to be "dancing" with the monkey. He was stuck.
I was in hot pursuit (fully loaded mind you) and gave him the best shot from my "Stream Machine" only to speed his progress towards Asher.
Fortunately the monkey went more right and grazed by a stunned Asher and quickly climbed up the roof back into the trees behind the house.
SO this Christmas keep your windows shut and never let a monkey dance with your kid.
Heath
I stood up and he made a direct shot for our side door. I took off running after him to save the house from being taken over by monkeys. Instead of going in he went up the windows onto the roof. I grabbed the water gun and loaded my ammunition. The kids were out of the pool and looking on the roof to see the little rascal when another monkey came out of the kitchen window holding his slice of wonder bread.
I redirected my attack towards this culprit as I did he changed his course and headed straight for the kids. Abiel went left, Judah went right and Asher (who was smaller the the monkey) went left/right only to be "dancing" with the monkey. He was stuck.
I was in hot pursuit (fully loaded mind you) and gave him the best shot from my "Stream Machine" only to speed his progress towards Asher.
Fortunately the monkey went more right and grazed by a stunned Asher and quickly climbed up the roof back into the trees behind the house.
SO this Christmas keep your windows shut and never let a monkey dance with your kid.
Heath
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
She's here, she's here!
I am now the proud papa of four beautiful kids.
Elianna came out FASSST, very Fast. SO fast we almost didn't get Emie
on the bed in time. After two hours of light contractions (after
inducing) Emie was standing leaning on the desk. Then there were three
hard contractions where she really had to press through with some
breathing.
The fourth contraction she starting saying it hurts and had some
groaning and wanted to push. The midwife and I had to almost carry
Emie to the bed, she was in pain (like the rest of them she had no pain medication). We laid her down and the head was
there.
The Doc couldn't get his gloves on fast enough. I opened the door,
Abiel was coming down the hall I said get in here she's coming.
I turned back around and with one push Elianna (our little Tornado of
Grace) made her appearance. It was so fast and I believe Emie would
have had her standing up if it wasn't for her underwear.
Emie was thinking she had about two more hours of pushing and we were
telling her she's out. She couldn't believe it. None of us could.
Elianna Charis Locke was born 6:25pm (South African Time) that would
be 9:25 am pacific standard time on Wednesday Nov. 14th.
Weighted in at 3.2k which is 7.05lbs.
The length, they must not care about it, but her uncle Danny would be
proud, I had to use a carpenters tape measure and she is 19 inches
long.
She is beautiful, looks like a Locke and a lot like your siblings did.
She is our true African American Baby.
The presence of God was in the room and we are still in shock she came
so quickly.
Blessings
Elianna came out FASSST, very Fast. SO fast we almost didn't get Emie
on the bed in time. After two hours of light contractions (after
inducing) Emie was standing leaning on the desk. Then there were three
hard contractions where she really had to press through with some
breathing.
The fourth contraction she starting saying it hurts and had some
groaning and wanted to push. The midwife and I had to almost carry
Emie to the bed, she was in pain (like the rest of them she had no pain medication). We laid her down and the head was
there.
The Doc couldn't get his gloves on fast enough. I opened the door,
Abiel was coming down the hall I said get in here she's coming.
I turned back around and with one push Elianna (our little Tornado of
Grace) made her appearance. It was so fast and I believe Emie would
have had her standing up if it wasn't for her underwear.
Emie was thinking she had about two more hours of pushing and we were
telling her she's out. She couldn't believe it. None of us could.
Elianna Charis Locke was born 6:25pm (South African Time) that would
be 9:25 am pacific standard time on Wednesday Nov. 14th.
Weighted in at 3.2k which is 7.05lbs.
The length, they must not care about it, but her uncle Danny would be
proud, I had to use a carpenters tape measure and she is 19 inches
long.
She is beautiful, looks like a Locke and a lot like your siblings did.
She is our true African American Baby.
The presence of God was in the room and we are still in shock she came
so quickly.
Blessings
Monday, November 5, 2007
Waiting
Wait!
Waiting is torturous. It’s those times that cause me angst when nothing is happening and a day seems like a thousand years. Abraham experienced it with Ishmael, the Israelites trying to enter the promise land without God, David bringing back the Ark unprepared, and the disciples wanting to buy things on credit cards (it’s in there somewhere).
I wonder about the whole idea of God steering a parked car. Does he even like cars?
Maybe God likes moving twisters; energy is already present even when stationary.
The whole idea of waiting means something is about to happen though, like a good storm brewing. Life is easier when there is nothing to wait for. When my existence is to live, die and escape into Heaven, then I am content with comfort and smooth boat rides. It is a different situation when I allow His radical Spirit loose in me that life becomes a tornado: “a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud advancing beneath a large storm system”.
God loves to spin through small groups, rip apart brick and mortar and leave an unmistakable short and narrow path for few to follow. The key is enough self-control and a keen ability to hear his voice to move only by his guidance. (I kid you not, Asher just NOW brought in a neighbors racecar whose logo is The Moving Tornado after I wrote all that. Maybe God does like cars).
Emie tells me it is Elianna who decides when she wants to come out. She releases a chemical that begins the birthing process and presto here she is (almost). I was pondering the other day the reality that she will come out; we wont have a 16 year old in the womb. And though the days are getting more uncomfortable, the waiting . . . torturous, and pain inevitable, she will come. We will have our promise that “God has answered us with Grace” (the meaning of her name, Elianna Charis Locke).
I once heard someone share, “in the waiting, don’t abort the promises of God.”
For nine years now the “Wind” of the Spirit has been rotating me faster and faster. And though I have lived an extremely full life (and loved it) in most ways I believe His promises for my family and I have yet to be birthed. Things are about to change!
It’s always a longer story than most want to read, but share I must. This will give you much more context in the future when we reveal our next “assignment”. That will come when it is revealed to us. Storms are brewing.
As a High School student I knew things would not really happen until I was 30. At the time I thought I would have dentures and a cane by then! Little did I know just how fast I would meet 30. For years it has been hard for me to see ministry and the workplace as the same. My religious mindset has caused me to see ministry as a profession and church as a building. Most of this, I am sure, is due to some meeting in Constantinople years ago.
It all makes more sense now: the Body, the gifts, the Spirit, and my purpose. It’s congruent. I no longer need to stand in front of a group every Sunday to be a pastor. I will not lose my calling, gifting or significance if I pump gas or sell cars (neither of which I want to do).
While I worked at a church, it defined who I was. “Oh, you’re a Pastor.” It left little room or time to fulfill what was burning in my heart. I lived for a long time with the mindset that I needed to be committed to the church, my “job.” If I resigned then I was leaving “ministry.” Or if I left the brick and mortal building of church, I was leaving God. I no longer believe that lie. I have longed for years to change my world, disciple nations, and fulfill my destiny. I desire to see God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven. I long to move with the Spirit of the Lord and not be hindered by a job, even a ministry job.
I was trying to explain to Emie the other day how I am wired. Impossible I know. I see my life as many different parts but all connected. Emie thinks I live segmented, but I see it more as layers. There is the foundation, structure, roof, and the beautiful little pieces of decoration that make up my sweet personality. ☺ I go after all these aspects whole-heartedly. If I am going to succeed or fail, it will be because I gave it everything I had.
I want to have all that is mine in God that He says I can have. I want to have the healthiest family, do greater works than these, take back ground the enemy has stolen, live to the fullest extent that my body will allow, see as much of the world as possible, create businesses and opportunities that release people into their destiny, and step into eternity knowing there was nothing more I could do. I wonder if that’s why we have a cloud of witnesses to this life of faith. They would love to do it all over again. They see the bigger picture. I wonder if some Christians ever ask God to send them back for a bit more fun.
For years the Lord has been awaking my heart to the good works he has prepared for me in advance. I am seeing more clearly that who I am doesn’t contradict these good works, but instead, fulfills them. He desires to co-labor with me and has created my quirky self to be in harmony with those works. Ephesians says, “WE fill everything everywhere with his presence.”
I see my art no longer contradictory to my calling, but rather a part of my calling. I see my desire to create business opportunities as the means to which I will see nations discipled. I see this time with my family as strategic in releasing a legacy and birthing sons and daughters of religious freedom. I understand my desire for third world countries, eradicating poverty, raising educational standards as the heart of God. I know now that my visionary heart and mind that keeps my head spinning is actually God in me. It is his Spirit birthing a tornado.
I read scriptures about Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Paul, and Peter with excitement because I long to be a world changer. What these saints have done doesn’t make me feel inferior but confident that I can do it and so much more (because we have the Holy Spirit). I want to preach the simple gospel and see people immediately healed, delivered and saved. Biblically the word is Sozo, meaning “saved” but connotes healing, deliverance and salvation in the same instant; it is a great study, and even better, has no formula.
I long to stand before governments, school administrations, businesses, and nations offering answers like Joseph before Pharaoh. As Lance Wallnau says, “Joseph didn’t impact Egypt by trying to convert people to being Hebrew. We disciple nations by taking God’s people and his solutions into problems nations cannot resolve. Places like Uganda aren’t looking for a Christian solution; they’re looking for a solution. And if a Christian becomes the solution, then their belief system suddenly has a platform of credibility that can touch an entire nation. We have supernatural answers to natural problems of economics, social unrest, suffering, failing infrastructures, and family chaos. For so long Christians have sought to evangelize all and believed that would change everything, but when we have an irrelevant majority (30% of America is “Christian”) led by a minority (5%) who is strategically placed creating our culture, tactics must change. We must take ‘converts’ into key arenas to impact the world.”
I cannot give you anything concrete at this time because nothing in my life is ever concrete. Yet I can see things beginning to form. If my (our) life seems so “here one minute, there the next” it’s because it is. If this concerns you, please take it up with God. He knit me together and to be honest, I really like myself (finally). I actually think God did a pretty good job on me, but that is another update.
For some, this update will help because you can read between the lines. For the rest, I am sure it brought up more confusion. Be at peace. Emie has to explain most “God Signs” to me because I just don’t get the abstract language either.
One thing is certain. I can feel contractions coming on. They are getting more intense and more frequent. For years I have been worried about trying not to abort his promises and keep them ever present in my heart. Now I have heard the Lord say, “The promises will be birthed.” There has been a shift in the heavens and two births are about to take place. Life as we know it is about to change. One tornado is being released and if Elianna is anything like her gene pool she will be a vortex of violent rotating . . . Grace.
Heath Locke
11.4.07
P.S. As I was finishing this update that has taken three days to write a violent wind began to blow, lightning exposed the night air and thunder is pounding down. It’s on top of us without any warning. I’m watching out our window amazed after a day of clear skies.
HMMM, I wonder if the Lord is saying something? Maybe, the storm has come and tornados are being birthed?
Waiting is torturous. It’s those times that cause me angst when nothing is happening and a day seems like a thousand years. Abraham experienced it with Ishmael, the Israelites trying to enter the promise land without God, David bringing back the Ark unprepared, and the disciples wanting to buy things on credit cards (it’s in there somewhere).
I wonder about the whole idea of God steering a parked car. Does he even like cars?
Maybe God likes moving twisters; energy is already present even when stationary.
The whole idea of waiting means something is about to happen though, like a good storm brewing. Life is easier when there is nothing to wait for. When my existence is to live, die and escape into Heaven, then I am content with comfort and smooth boat rides. It is a different situation when I allow His radical Spirit loose in me that life becomes a tornado: “a mobile, destructive vortex of violently rotating winds having the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud advancing beneath a large storm system”.
God loves to spin through small groups, rip apart brick and mortar and leave an unmistakable short and narrow path for few to follow. The key is enough self-control and a keen ability to hear his voice to move only by his guidance. (I kid you not, Asher just NOW brought in a neighbors racecar whose logo is The Moving Tornado after I wrote all that. Maybe God does like cars).
Emie tells me it is Elianna who decides when she wants to come out. She releases a chemical that begins the birthing process and presto here she is (almost). I was pondering the other day the reality that she will come out; we wont have a 16 year old in the womb. And though the days are getting more uncomfortable, the waiting . . . torturous, and pain inevitable, she will come. We will have our promise that “God has answered us with Grace” (the meaning of her name, Elianna Charis Locke).
I once heard someone share, “in the waiting, don’t abort the promises of God.”
For nine years now the “Wind” of the Spirit has been rotating me faster and faster. And though I have lived an extremely full life (and loved it) in most ways I believe His promises for my family and I have yet to be birthed. Things are about to change!
It’s always a longer story than most want to read, but share I must. This will give you much more context in the future when we reveal our next “assignment”. That will come when it is revealed to us. Storms are brewing.
As a High School student I knew things would not really happen until I was 30. At the time I thought I would have dentures and a cane by then! Little did I know just how fast I would meet 30. For years it has been hard for me to see ministry and the workplace as the same. My religious mindset has caused me to see ministry as a profession and church as a building. Most of this, I am sure, is due to some meeting in Constantinople years ago.
It all makes more sense now: the Body, the gifts, the Spirit, and my purpose. It’s congruent. I no longer need to stand in front of a group every Sunday to be a pastor. I will not lose my calling, gifting or significance if I pump gas or sell cars (neither of which I want to do).
While I worked at a church, it defined who I was. “Oh, you’re a Pastor.” It left little room or time to fulfill what was burning in my heart. I lived for a long time with the mindset that I needed to be committed to the church, my “job.” If I resigned then I was leaving “ministry.” Or if I left the brick and mortal building of church, I was leaving God. I no longer believe that lie. I have longed for years to change my world, disciple nations, and fulfill my destiny. I desire to see God’s will on earth as it is in Heaven. I long to move with the Spirit of the Lord and not be hindered by a job, even a ministry job.
I was trying to explain to Emie the other day how I am wired. Impossible I know. I see my life as many different parts but all connected. Emie thinks I live segmented, but I see it more as layers. There is the foundation, structure, roof, and the beautiful little pieces of decoration that make up my sweet personality. ☺ I go after all these aspects whole-heartedly. If I am going to succeed or fail, it will be because I gave it everything I had.
I want to have all that is mine in God that He says I can have. I want to have the healthiest family, do greater works than these, take back ground the enemy has stolen, live to the fullest extent that my body will allow, see as much of the world as possible, create businesses and opportunities that release people into their destiny, and step into eternity knowing there was nothing more I could do. I wonder if that’s why we have a cloud of witnesses to this life of faith. They would love to do it all over again. They see the bigger picture. I wonder if some Christians ever ask God to send them back for a bit more fun.
For years the Lord has been awaking my heart to the good works he has prepared for me in advance. I am seeing more clearly that who I am doesn’t contradict these good works, but instead, fulfills them. He desires to co-labor with me and has created my quirky self to be in harmony with those works. Ephesians says, “WE fill everything everywhere with his presence.”
I see my art no longer contradictory to my calling, but rather a part of my calling. I see my desire to create business opportunities as the means to which I will see nations discipled. I see this time with my family as strategic in releasing a legacy and birthing sons and daughters of religious freedom. I understand my desire for third world countries, eradicating poverty, raising educational standards as the heart of God. I know now that my visionary heart and mind that keeps my head spinning is actually God in me. It is his Spirit birthing a tornado.
I read scriptures about Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Paul, and Peter with excitement because I long to be a world changer. What these saints have done doesn’t make me feel inferior but confident that I can do it and so much more (because we have the Holy Spirit). I want to preach the simple gospel and see people immediately healed, delivered and saved. Biblically the word is Sozo, meaning “saved” but connotes healing, deliverance and salvation in the same instant; it is a great study, and even better, has no formula.
I long to stand before governments, school administrations, businesses, and nations offering answers like Joseph before Pharaoh. As Lance Wallnau says, “Joseph didn’t impact Egypt by trying to convert people to being Hebrew. We disciple nations by taking God’s people and his solutions into problems nations cannot resolve. Places like Uganda aren’t looking for a Christian solution; they’re looking for a solution. And if a Christian becomes the solution, then their belief system suddenly has a platform of credibility that can touch an entire nation. We have supernatural answers to natural problems of economics, social unrest, suffering, failing infrastructures, and family chaos. For so long Christians have sought to evangelize all and believed that would change everything, but when we have an irrelevant majority (30% of America is “Christian”) led by a minority (5%) who is strategically placed creating our culture, tactics must change. We must take ‘converts’ into key arenas to impact the world.”
I cannot give you anything concrete at this time because nothing in my life is ever concrete. Yet I can see things beginning to form. If my (our) life seems so “here one minute, there the next” it’s because it is. If this concerns you, please take it up with God. He knit me together and to be honest, I really like myself (finally). I actually think God did a pretty good job on me, but that is another update.
For some, this update will help because you can read between the lines. For the rest, I am sure it brought up more confusion. Be at peace. Emie has to explain most “God Signs” to me because I just don’t get the abstract language either.
One thing is certain. I can feel contractions coming on. They are getting more intense and more frequent. For years I have been worried about trying not to abort his promises and keep them ever present in my heart. Now I have heard the Lord say, “The promises will be birthed.” There has been a shift in the heavens and two births are about to take place. Life as we know it is about to change. One tornado is being released and if Elianna is anything like her gene pool she will be a vortex of violent rotating . . . Grace.
Heath Locke
11.4.07
P.S. As I was finishing this update that has taken three days to write a violent wind began to blow, lightning exposed the night air and thunder is pounding down. It’s on top of us without any warning. I’m watching out our window amazed after a day of clear skies.
HMMM, I wonder if the Lord is saying something? Maybe, the storm has come and tornados are being birthed?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Judah prays for Healing
The last few days Judah and I (Heath) have been playing a lot of dodge ball, a lot. Though it has brought a lot of laughs and excerise it has left my arm aching. We are using a soft foam ball so when I throw it at neck breaking speed it doesn't knock him unconscience. As a result of throwing a light ball fast my wrist has started to hurt after three straight days of playing. One night it finally got so bad I could not apply any kind of pressure to it without whining like a baby. I do have a low pain tolerance but this was over the top.
I was lying in bed with Judah and the crazy thought came to me to have him pray for it. So I did. He calmly wrapped his hands around my wrist and said very softly, "In Jesus name I command this pain to leave now!"
My wrist was instantly healed and I have not had a problem or pain from then on. I actually completely forgot until yesterday when I realized I needed to tell others.
Praise the Lord.
SIDE NOTE: If Judah's prayer raises any theological red flags, I would love to discuss them with you. Please email me your thoughts. Before you write though meditate on the Atonement of Christ (what he did) and see what Jesus' will really is concerning healing, the passage when the lame man is lowered through the roof (mk 2:1-12) and Jesus proves it is easier to heal than to forgive, and let's throw Galatians 3 in there, "does God do miracles among you because you believe or becuase you obey?"
Blessings and the more you pray for healing the more healings you will see (just a hint)!
Heath
I was lying in bed with Judah and the crazy thought came to me to have him pray for it. So I did. He calmly wrapped his hands around my wrist and said very softly, "In Jesus name I command this pain to leave now!"
My wrist was instantly healed and I have not had a problem or pain from then on. I actually completely forgot until yesterday when I realized I needed to tell others.
Praise the Lord.
SIDE NOTE: If Judah's prayer raises any theological red flags, I would love to discuss them with you. Please email me your thoughts. Before you write though meditate on the Atonement of Christ (what he did) and see what Jesus' will really is concerning healing, the passage when the lame man is lowered through the roof (mk 2:1-12) and Jesus proves it is easier to heal than to forgive, and let's throw Galatians 3 in there, "does God do miracles among you because you believe or becuase you obey?"
Blessings and the more you pray for healing the more healings you will see (just a hint)!
Heath
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Prayer Meetings in Pemba (read at own risk)
So much happens in life that I rarely get a moment to reflect on all that God is doing. I guess this is why he says in the Old Testament to remember and actually they were to set up standing stones as a visual reminder to his works. We all could write about what God is doing, has done or will do (prophetic promises over our lives). There are many people we have had the opportunity to minister with and to during our time in Pemba. Here is but a few.
This is the stuff Emie and I live for. Between all the emails, airport pick-ups, town runs, broken toilets or answering all the questions, we try to have a prayer meeting with visitors. We actually trick them in coming over by serving Emie’s Famous Pemba Chocolate Cake and then we move into some prayer. After an hour of visiting, the Lord usually lays someone on our hearts and we ask if we can pray for them. Then the ball is rolling, very fast!
What has happened the last three times is that the Lord lays a man on my heart and starts speaking to me about where they are or what they are wrestling with (not sexual). As we pray I am able to teach on scriptural truths and renewing the mind. Two men have been under so many religious spirits that we were able to rip them off and see an immediate difference. As we were praying over one gentleman the Holy Spirit was giving Emie and I so much for him that he sat down in shock and said you (Emie specifically) read my mail. Everything we had shared with him was exactly what he had told a teammate the night before. He sat there with his face in his hands the rest of the evening, in awe of God.
One evening we had a High School Senior in the group. As we were praying for him the Lord began to show where he was going to go to college and how the Lord was going to use him. I could see that he would end up in a very prominent position of leadership (I believe it was student body president) and that his campus would be changed by his life.
I could see him walking around his campus and receiving high respect by his peers. So I asked him where he wanted to go. He stood there and sheepishly said, “Ssst”. He wouldn’t say it, I believe out of embarrassment. He never ended up saying where he wanted to go (in public) but with what he was about to say I could tell it was the same place the Lord laid on my heart.
Afterwards he came up to me and asked what school I had got, I said, “Stanford.” He about flipped over and said, “I have always wanted to go there. Wow, that’s where I want to go!” I can’t wait to see Stanford changed. The best part about it is they don’t even know it’s coming, but God does and a few “nobodies” who prayed one night in Africa.
“Lord when I get to Africa would you have some one tell me what you want me to do with my life? Also can you have them tell me without me saying a word to them?” These were the prayers of a young university student from Ireland who wanted to know the next step for his life. I shared with him (and the others) that I don’t believe a women should hold a pastoral position at a “church”, this is because I don’t believe a man should hold a pastoral position at a church either. Biblically speaking a pastor is not a position, it’s a gifting. So a farmer, teacher, engineer, carpenter, janitor, mother, salesman, CEO, cook, builder or anyone else could be a pastor. We have institutionalized the gifts of God and told everyone who has a pastoral gifting they must go to Bible College and find a “church” to hire them. If we would release those who are in a profession and have the pastoral gifting to pastor people, wow, the Body of Christ would be better equipped and quicker. I said, “Will you become a pastor because you got a building and put a sign on it making you an official pastor?”
“You’re a pastor, you have the gifting of God on your life to be a pastor. You need to Shepard people. Do it, go for it and you don’t need a “church” to be a pastor,” this is what I told the young Irishman. “But what do you want to do? You are a pastor but what do you want to do,” I kept asking him over and over and over but he would not tell me. Finally I said, “I see you as a Pediatrician! Do what your heart’s desire for the Lord is. You can be a Pediatrician and pastor people! They don’t conflict, they fit together beautifully!”
Later that night he filled in all the details. He thought he should be a pastor (because he knew he had a gifting in it but thought the “right” way to be a pastor is the traditional way). But really he wanted to be a Doctor who could pastor people. The religious conflict he was feeling left him desperate to have the Lord tell him through a stranger. Only the Holy Spirit and the use of prophetic gifts and words of knowledge could answer his prayer from Ireland by a guy in Africa. What a great God.
In the middle of a prayer meeting we had a beautiful time when a gentleman fell to his knees and confessed his stuff. It was awesome to see the body gather around him and speak truth, life and love. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 14: 24, “But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and they will be condemned by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be laid bare, and they will fall down on their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is really here among you.’” What a sad place we are in when we discredit or throw out the supernatural gifts because they have been abused. When this is done we quickly become weak and have to try harder to do “ministry.”
We had a former missionary come visit that longed to be on the mission field again. I loved watching the Holy Spirit pour into her and out of her for that matter. The Lord asked me to share this story with her.
I was in a conversation with an older gentleman one day, who wanted to be in ministry as a young man and even went to Bible College. He never went “into ministry as an occupation” and I asked him why. He said, “Because it doesn’t pay very much.” “Well, that all depends on when you want to get paid” I replied.
Diane was rich, very rich! She has an investment package that is bursting at the seams. It was very clear she would not run out of resources when she finally retired to Eternity. This is why it is so important to store treasures up in Heaven, because we will be there for a very long time and we want to have enough to last.
The Lord keeps giving us stuff for those who come to visit in Pemba and it is always a delight ministering with them. After every night of prayer Emie and I lie in bed laugh with crazy excitement at how much fun it is. We are in awe of how easy it is and we are never tired. The comment that we always come back to is, “Why would/did we ever do it differently?”
There are so many amazing, wonderful God stories. Like the time I told a girl she had a weight in her stomach and it made her want to throw up. I pulled it out in Jesus’ name and it left. Or the time I told a guy he had a weight on his shoulder and prayed it off. He later came and shared what the weight was and how the Holy Spirit was dead on.
The most fun we had was when I was praying for this guy and I noticed a young girl (college) sitting on the ground with her face in her hands. “She has the gift of prophecy, but she is trying too hard,” is what the Holy Spirit told me. I asked her to stand up and told her exactly what the Holy Spirit told me. All she needed was to be released and then it happened, the Holy Spirit was so strong on her we could barely stand up. The room was spinning so fast and we had to go with it or it was going to be a mess. So we went with it and boy was it awesome. As we were spinning, I kept telling her it was her fault!
Nights like these give Emie and I the courage to keep going when it gets really hard (and it does, just like anywhere). The best compliment we have ever received was from two different groups, “this trip was worth it even if it was only for you and Emie to pray for us. Thanks!”
No, thank you Lord, we all had a great time!
Until the next prayer meeting!
Blessings
Heath
This is the stuff Emie and I live for. Between all the emails, airport pick-ups, town runs, broken toilets or answering all the questions, we try to have a prayer meeting with visitors. We actually trick them in coming over by serving Emie’s Famous Pemba Chocolate Cake and then we move into some prayer. After an hour of visiting, the Lord usually lays someone on our hearts and we ask if we can pray for them. Then the ball is rolling, very fast!
What has happened the last three times is that the Lord lays a man on my heart and starts speaking to me about where they are or what they are wrestling with (not sexual). As we pray I am able to teach on scriptural truths and renewing the mind. Two men have been under so many religious spirits that we were able to rip them off and see an immediate difference. As we were praying over one gentleman the Holy Spirit was giving Emie and I so much for him that he sat down in shock and said you (Emie specifically) read my mail. Everything we had shared with him was exactly what he had told a teammate the night before. He sat there with his face in his hands the rest of the evening, in awe of God.
One evening we had a High School Senior in the group. As we were praying for him the Lord began to show where he was going to go to college and how the Lord was going to use him. I could see that he would end up in a very prominent position of leadership (I believe it was student body president) and that his campus would be changed by his life.
I could see him walking around his campus and receiving high respect by his peers. So I asked him where he wanted to go. He stood there and sheepishly said, “Ssst”. He wouldn’t say it, I believe out of embarrassment. He never ended up saying where he wanted to go (in public) but with what he was about to say I could tell it was the same place the Lord laid on my heart.
Afterwards he came up to me and asked what school I had got, I said, “Stanford.” He about flipped over and said, “I have always wanted to go there. Wow, that’s where I want to go!” I can’t wait to see Stanford changed. The best part about it is they don’t even know it’s coming, but God does and a few “nobodies” who prayed one night in Africa.
“Lord when I get to Africa would you have some one tell me what you want me to do with my life? Also can you have them tell me without me saying a word to them?” These were the prayers of a young university student from Ireland who wanted to know the next step for his life. I shared with him (and the others) that I don’t believe a women should hold a pastoral position at a “church”, this is because I don’t believe a man should hold a pastoral position at a church either. Biblically speaking a pastor is not a position, it’s a gifting. So a farmer, teacher, engineer, carpenter, janitor, mother, salesman, CEO, cook, builder or anyone else could be a pastor. We have institutionalized the gifts of God and told everyone who has a pastoral gifting they must go to Bible College and find a “church” to hire them. If we would release those who are in a profession and have the pastoral gifting to pastor people, wow, the Body of Christ would be better equipped and quicker. I said, “Will you become a pastor because you got a building and put a sign on it making you an official pastor?”
“You’re a pastor, you have the gifting of God on your life to be a pastor. You need to Shepard people. Do it, go for it and you don’t need a “church” to be a pastor,” this is what I told the young Irishman. “But what do you want to do? You are a pastor but what do you want to do,” I kept asking him over and over and over but he would not tell me. Finally I said, “I see you as a Pediatrician! Do what your heart’s desire for the Lord is. You can be a Pediatrician and pastor people! They don’t conflict, they fit together beautifully!”
Later that night he filled in all the details. He thought he should be a pastor (because he knew he had a gifting in it but thought the “right” way to be a pastor is the traditional way). But really he wanted to be a Doctor who could pastor people. The religious conflict he was feeling left him desperate to have the Lord tell him through a stranger. Only the Holy Spirit and the use of prophetic gifts and words of knowledge could answer his prayer from Ireland by a guy in Africa. What a great God.
In the middle of a prayer meeting we had a beautiful time when a gentleman fell to his knees and confessed his stuff. It was awesome to see the body gather around him and speak truth, life and love. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 14: 24, “But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and they will be condemned by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be laid bare, and they will fall down on their knees and worship God, declaring, ‘God is really here among you.’” What a sad place we are in when we discredit or throw out the supernatural gifts because they have been abused. When this is done we quickly become weak and have to try harder to do “ministry.”
We had a former missionary come visit that longed to be on the mission field again. I loved watching the Holy Spirit pour into her and out of her for that matter. The Lord asked me to share this story with her.
I was in a conversation with an older gentleman one day, who wanted to be in ministry as a young man and even went to Bible College. He never went “into ministry as an occupation” and I asked him why. He said, “Because it doesn’t pay very much.” “Well, that all depends on when you want to get paid” I replied.
Diane was rich, very rich! She has an investment package that is bursting at the seams. It was very clear she would not run out of resources when she finally retired to Eternity. This is why it is so important to store treasures up in Heaven, because we will be there for a very long time and we want to have enough to last.
The Lord keeps giving us stuff for those who come to visit in Pemba and it is always a delight ministering with them. After every night of prayer Emie and I lie in bed laugh with crazy excitement at how much fun it is. We are in awe of how easy it is and we are never tired. The comment that we always come back to is, “Why would/did we ever do it differently?”
There are so many amazing, wonderful God stories. Like the time I told a girl she had a weight in her stomach and it made her want to throw up. I pulled it out in Jesus’ name and it left. Or the time I told a guy he had a weight on his shoulder and prayed it off. He later came and shared what the weight was and how the Holy Spirit was dead on.
The most fun we had was when I was praying for this guy and I noticed a young girl (college) sitting on the ground with her face in her hands. “She has the gift of prophecy, but she is trying too hard,” is what the Holy Spirit told me. I asked her to stand up and told her exactly what the Holy Spirit told me. All she needed was to be released and then it happened, the Holy Spirit was so strong on her we could barely stand up. The room was spinning so fast and we had to go with it or it was going to be a mess. So we went with it and boy was it awesome. As we were spinning, I kept telling her it was her fault!
Nights like these give Emie and I the courage to keep going when it gets really hard (and it does, just like anywhere). The best compliment we have ever received was from two different groups, “this trip was worth it even if it was only for you and Emie to pray for us. Thanks!”
No, thank you Lord, we all had a great time!
Until the next prayer meeting!
Blessings
Heath
Where are they now?
Do all of you know the "Where's Waldo?" children's books? If you
don't, you should! It will provide hours of entertainment or
frustration. The famous Waldo is hiding in tricky places through the
whole book on his travels around the world. It actually causes me
great frustration but my kids love the anticipation of where they will
find him!
I don't exactly know how this will connect with where in the world
the Locke family is, aside from the fact that these last few weeks
have caused me great tension/frustration in wondering where we are and
where we are going to end up! And I guess if you've been searching
for us in the last 7 weeks, we have been a bit in hiding!!
THE LAST YOU HEARD:
Heath was headed to the States to try and resolve our visa problems.
That was September 11th.
WHAT TRANSPIRED:
Heath RETURNED to South Africa on October 4th about 3 weeks later:
. . .with lots of trying and yet we were still stuck with the same
visas: ones that required our entire family to fly out of the country
every 30 days. We just couldn't do that due to a baby coming in a
little over a month and the great expense it would be for a family of
5 to fly out of Mozambique that frequently!
HOW TO RESPOND??!!
Do we FIGHT to get back to Pemba NO MATTER WHAT because that's what
we said we were going to do? Or do we look at other options and see
if there are doors opening that we would've never been able to walk
through in any other circumstance?
At first we thought maybe it was the enemy hindering our return to
Pemba. We were in FIGHT TO GET BACK MODE. But after several
unconnected confirmations, Jesus began to show us that He was
orchestrating a NEW LOCKE ADVENTURE . . . AGAIN!!
WAS THIS AN EASY DECISION TO EMBRACE?
NOT AT ALL (at least not for me!). About 3 months ago, Heath began
to sense that maybe we wouldn't be in Pemba for 2 years. At that
point, I was adamant that we were going to stay, because that's what
we said we were going to do! But 2 weeks before we left for VACATION,
I was praying about our time in Pemba and began sensing the same
thing: maybe this wasn't for 2 years.
Though the Lord did BEGIN to prepare us, I could've never been
prepared for what has transpired in the last 7 weeks. I have wrestled
through pride (I want to fulfill the thing I set out to do), fear of
man (wondering how our teammates at Iris would perceive this drastic
change and not wanting to let people down even though we feel that we
are obeying God), and fear of failure/people pleasing (not wanting to
look like we've failed and struggling with people's opinions of our
situation.)
I don't know if I would've truly been able to embrace our change of
direction had the visas not been such a decisive issue in the matter.
SO WHAT'S THE DECISION?
After release and blessing from our leadership at Iris and our
teammate in hospitality, I felt we were able to walk through the other
door that opened up to us while Heath was in the States. The house we
lived at for our 2 week "vacation" and then for my 3 week South
African stranding, is a ministry of hospitality, though much smaller
scale than what we were doing in Pemba. It is a guest house for
missionaries and 3 months out of the year it is used for a small
school of ministry. Kent and Shay, the directors of the house, had
planned to leave for 3 months to rest, renew visas and be with family
in the States. People were lined up to care for the property and run
the ministry. . . . until the week we had to decide what direction to
go with our time in Pemba!! That same week, both of their people fell
through! So, they approached me with the idea of Heath and I staying
to care for the ministry and property until they return in January or
February!
Remember, I'm 8 months pregnant and desperate to figure out where we
are going to have this baby! When the option to stay in South Africa
opened, at the very home we were already used to, doing the very
ministry we were just doing, with housing, a car, and utilities
provided for, I was ready to jump for anything as long as I could
start nesting!! But I knew Heath had to be on the same page or he'd
go way too stir crazy being on this property for three or four months.
But he had peace about it too.
Sooooo, that's the decision, not made in a vacuum or without loads of
prayer and counsel, tears and stress. We are living in Nelspruit,
South Africa for the next few months, having a baby, being a family,
TRANSITIONING AGAIN, and caring for tired and transient missionaries!
Heath flew to Pemba on the 9th of October to say goodbye, bring a bit
of closure to the Pemba chapter of our lives, kiss his dog goodbye (he
really does love me!!!), and pack as much of our things in 3 big bags
that he could! It feels so strange to me that I will not have the
opportunity to physically say goodbye to our home and people in our
lives for the past 6 months! I never dreamed, when I was packing for
a 2 week vacation that we would not be returning.
Heath was back in South Africa on Sunday, the 14th. Kent and Shay
left on Monday, the 15th, and our family moved into the main house on
the property that day.
I have found a midwife/doctor team that will come to our house to do a
homebirth. That is the plan as of now and it feels good to finally
have something set for Elianna Charis' birth. Her name means, "My God
has answered me" with "Grace." We are certainly in need of His
ANSWERS and His GRACE.
I have so many emotions and thoughts about the whole thing but I am
not going to overload you all now. Heath has different emotions and
a very different experience in coming to this place so I'm sure he
will write His perspective at some point. We will also be updating
what life in South Africa is like for us and our kids.
There are many details I could not include. Please feel free to ask
questions! You know I'm never short on words!! We love you all and
look forward to hearing from you now that you know where in the world
we are and what in the world we are doing!!
Blessings to you,
Emie
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Where's Heath?
Hello Team Africa!
Many of you are expecting to hear how our travel back to Pemba and
readjusting back to life and ministry has been since coming home from
vacation.
Well . . . . . . we've had a few hiccups in our situaiton!
The primary reason we had to leave Mozambique was to renew our 6 month
visa (vacation and rest was bonus). We were scheduled to leave
Nelspruit, South Africa on Saturday the 8th by bus. Heath went in on
Thursday to purchase our new visas. We anticipated no problems!!! HA
HA.
Five hundred dollars, the WRONG VISAS, and a few hours later, and we
were in the middle of our next Locke adventure! The Mozambican
embassy here in Nelspruit would ONLY issue Heath a 6 month visa with
the stipulation that our entire family had to leave for a Mozambican
border every 30 days! That's ok if you live near a border!! But for
us in Pemba, that would mean about $2000 to fly our family to a border
every 30 days!!! OUTRAGEOUS!
Two months ago, Heath felt like the Lord was telling him that he
needed to be back in the States on this break and for 3 weeks. When
he shared this with me, I was not feeling that excited about lugging
our entire family back to Oregon for only 3 weeks! But I let him
pursue the options, not wanting to get in the way if Jesus had
something for us there now. But it just wasn't working. So we
pursued Nelspruit and everything fell into place almost in one day.
Still, Heath was a bit confused why he felt the Lord had said to go to
the States for 3 weeks.
Well, 6 days ago, it all came together! The Lord was preparing us for
Heath to go back to the States now and possibly for 3 weeks time.
After lots of prayer and confirmation from our prayer team and some
advice from a connection in DC who works with visas, we knew Heath
needed to be Stateside to try and resolve our visa issues. (Even so,
we both know that visas were simply a way to get Heath back. We
really believe there are some divine appointments and needed rest and
refreshment for Heath back home.)
Our next dilemma was a ticket home! Thursday we found out about the
mess. That night we prayed and worried and prayed and stressed. All
the while, the answer pulled into the guest house late that night in
transit to another location. He was only at this house for 2 nights.
The next day, Heath headed to the travel agent to see if it was
possible to get a CHEAP ticket home! Ahhh, NO! He came back and met
Steve (we still don't even know his last name!!). Steve had
connections and got Heath a FIRST CLASS standby round trip ticket for
the price of the taxes only! If Steve had come to this guest house 2
days earlier, we'd have not known about our need for a ticket. God's
timing is unbelievable!! We are still in shock!
So, Heath is currently lounging in a first class flight from
Johannesburg to Atlanta (17 hour flight) and then on to Portland for 2
or 3 weeks!! He will be needing to do lots of praying and finagling
to get the visas we need (we think it won't be as easy as it was in
Februrary to get them). It seems that policies are changing in the
Mozambican government concerning foreigners. So we will be needing
your prayers. God has to move on this one for us.
He will also be tying up some details that we needed to attend to and
then doing lots of resting and trying to hang out with as many friends
as he can find relational stamina for!!Meanwhile, the kids and I are
hanging out here at the guest house we have been at for the last 2
weeks. Kent and Shay are so unbelievably gracious and willing to
allow us to be here longer. We feel safe here (which is a big deal.
I have felt more tension and fear in the spiritual realm in South
Africa than I have the whole time I've lived in Mozambique!) and the
kids love it here. I'll be doing hospitality emails, homeschooling,
and the normal mom/life stuff and trying to rest and receive without
feeling in the way or guilty that I'm not doing more! Yep, God is
uncovering some things!
So please be praying with us. Abiel and Judah were quite sad today.
Abiel is super sad because she doesn't get to see her friends and
Judah's just sad because he isn't going to be with Papa. Pray for our
health. Asher seems to have some sinus infection, goopy right eye and
an aching right ear. I took him to a clinic today but the doctor
looked in his ear and said, "His ears are so full of wax I can't even
see his eardrum." So she didn't give him any medication but only
suggested putting oil in his ear to soften and clean out the wax.
Please pray that this is all it is.
Ok, I'm exhausted, physically, emotionally and mentally. Pray that I
will have everything I need to handle life in the next 2 or 3 weeks
without Heath, with 3 kids, and very pregnant! So glad God promises
that we really do have "everything we need for life and godliness
through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and
goodness . . ."
Love you all,
emie for the crazy locke clan!
Many of you are expecting to hear how our travel back to Pemba and
readjusting back to life and ministry has been since coming home from
vacation.
Well . . . . . . we've had a few hiccups in our situaiton!
The primary reason we had to leave Mozambique was to renew our 6 month
visa (vacation and rest was bonus). We were scheduled to leave
Nelspruit, South Africa on Saturday the 8th by bus. Heath went in on
Thursday to purchase our new visas. We anticipated no problems!!! HA
HA.
Five hundred dollars, the WRONG VISAS, and a few hours later, and we
were in the middle of our next Locke adventure! The Mozambican
embassy here in Nelspruit would ONLY issue Heath a 6 month visa with
the stipulation that our entire family had to leave for a Mozambican
border every 30 days! That's ok if you live near a border!! But for
us in Pemba, that would mean about $2000 to fly our family to a border
every 30 days!!! OUTRAGEOUS!
Two months ago, Heath felt like the Lord was telling him that he
needed to be back in the States on this break and for 3 weeks. When
he shared this with me, I was not feeling that excited about lugging
our entire family back to Oregon for only 3 weeks! But I let him
pursue the options, not wanting to get in the way if Jesus had
something for us there now. But it just wasn't working. So we
pursued Nelspruit and everything fell into place almost in one day.
Still, Heath was a bit confused why he felt the Lord had said to go to
the States for 3 weeks.
Well, 6 days ago, it all came together! The Lord was preparing us for
Heath to go back to the States now and possibly for 3 weeks time.
After lots of prayer and confirmation from our prayer team and some
advice from a connection in DC who works with visas, we knew Heath
needed to be Stateside to try and resolve our visa issues. (Even so,
we both know that visas were simply a way to get Heath back. We
really believe there are some divine appointments and needed rest and
refreshment for Heath back home.)
Our next dilemma was a ticket home! Thursday we found out about the
mess. That night we prayed and worried and prayed and stressed. All
the while, the answer pulled into the guest house late that night in
transit to another location. He was only at this house for 2 nights.
The next day, Heath headed to the travel agent to see if it was
possible to get a CHEAP ticket home! Ahhh, NO! He came back and met
Steve (we still don't even know his last name!!). Steve had
connections and got Heath a FIRST CLASS standby round trip ticket for
the price of the taxes only! If Steve had come to this guest house 2
days earlier, we'd have not known about our need for a ticket. God's
timing is unbelievable!! We are still in shock!
So, Heath is currently lounging in a first class flight from
Johannesburg to Atlanta (17 hour flight) and then on to Portland for 2
or 3 weeks!! He will be needing to do lots of praying and finagling
to get the visas we need (we think it won't be as easy as it was in
Februrary to get them). It seems that policies are changing in the
Mozambican government concerning foreigners. So we will be needing
your prayers. God has to move on this one for us.
He will also be tying up some details that we needed to attend to and
then doing lots of resting and trying to hang out with as many friends
as he can find relational stamina for!!Meanwhile, the kids and I are
hanging out here at the guest house we have been at for the last 2
weeks. Kent and Shay are so unbelievably gracious and willing to
allow us to be here longer. We feel safe here (which is a big deal.
I have felt more tension and fear in the spiritual realm in South
Africa than I have the whole time I've lived in Mozambique!) and the
kids love it here. I'll be doing hospitality emails, homeschooling,
and the normal mom/life stuff and trying to rest and receive without
feeling in the way or guilty that I'm not doing more! Yep, God is
uncovering some things!
So please be praying with us. Abiel and Judah were quite sad today.
Abiel is super sad because she doesn't get to see her friends and
Judah's just sad because he isn't going to be with Papa. Pray for our
health. Asher seems to have some sinus infection, goopy right eye and
an aching right ear. I took him to a clinic today but the doctor
looked in his ear and said, "His ears are so full of wax I can't even
see his eardrum." So she didn't give him any medication but only
suggested putting oil in his ear to soften and clean out the wax.
Please pray that this is all it is.
Ok, I'm exhausted, physically, emotionally and mentally. Pray that I
will have everything I need to handle life in the next 2 or 3 weeks
without Heath, with 3 kids, and very pregnant! So glad God promises
that we really do have "everything we need for life and godliness
through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and
goodness . . ."
Love you all,
emie for the crazy locke clan!
Friday, September 7, 2007
Safari Pics
Kruger Park here we come.
Ok so things (visa issues) have caused me to not write about our experience in the Park, but it was a large desire of mine that the Lord lavished upon His Locke family. I have wanted to go on a safari since I was a boy but of course the expense was out of question. Then when I was here two years ago I really longed to go on a safari but finances and the ache in my heart to see the family kept me away.
The craziest part about following Jesus is that he is so smart and rich. What it would have cost our family to go on vacation to South Africa for a safari would have been thousands of dollars and probably millions of Rands (SA currency). I have nothing against people planning and spending money on vacations but wow is it a whole lot better to have the Lord just take you there. Emie and I laugh at the places we have stood knowing we have no job, savings, or 401 (k) to ever allow us to experience what we have. It has given us great comic relief talking with millionaries who assume we also have money. I am going to begin telling people I am an invester.
So back to Kruger Park.
We have lost our sense of awe with large HDTV's but unless we are numb there is no way to explain seeing an elephant or a Rhino or a giraffe or even a lion standing less than 20 feet away. The wildness of it all was that every animal was standing on the edge of the road. You could reach out and touch them. Judah was a little to close to the lion, we had to tell him to put his head back in the window.
Driving in a car and coming upon a huge elephant does something to you, at least it did to Emie she seriously was hyperventilating. Or watching a rhino who is twice the size of your vehicle stroll towards you and then slowly meander around the back. I love Rhino for many reasons, their beauty, gracefulness, strength and other prophetic things the Lord used about them. God loves to use many things to speak to us.
Kruger Park gives more credibility to God's Word (if it needs it) when it says, "from the time the world was created, people have seen . . . all that God made, so they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God" (Romans 1:20).
I'm not sure what to say becuase it was so overwhelming and supernatural from the Lord. We kept telling the kids, "that many people come through here and never see anything. Look at how the Lord is blessing us." I wonder how people can look at the creativity of God and not stand in amazement.
The whole experience convinced me that if this missions stuff doesn't work out (which no one is a missionary rather a child of God who takes their calling and moves to another country. This also helps take the idiolizing out.) then I was going to become a safari guide. Actually I might do it anyways if I ever get the opportunity to live next to the Park. You know safari guide by day and preacher by night. I can see it now.
Emie gave a lot of the details of when we saw the animals and who wanted to see what. I had equally amount of fun photographing the wild beasts as I did seeing them. I took 582 pics (not very much for a professional, which I am not) and I really didn't have to do much because they stood there and posed the whole time. Emie mentioned the wonderful opportunity I had to use Kent and Shays camera (thanks guys) and it saved her a huge headache because I would have complained the whole time if didn't have it. I love cameras, I get it from my dad, who is a professional photographer. Now that my camera (which was awesome, thanks to my students) has officially been broken, this Kruger thing has whetted my appetite more. I have desired for a certain type of camera for some time, now I can't control myself. Some day soon it will come to pass, Lord willing.
We had a wonderful time knowing all we needed to do was drive slowly around and wait for the Lord to lead his pets across our path. Every time we would get a little tired or hot there would be another amazing animal on the side of the road.
So if you're ever in S. Africa you must take a day and drive through the park, it will knock your HDTV off its circuit.
Blessings and never stop being in AWE!
Heath
Ok so things (visa issues) have caused me to not write about our experience in the Park, but it was a large desire of mine that the Lord lavished upon His Locke family. I have wanted to go on a safari since I was a boy but of course the expense was out of question. Then when I was here two years ago I really longed to go on a safari but finances and the ache in my heart to see the family kept me away.
The craziest part about following Jesus is that he is so smart and rich. What it would have cost our family to go on vacation to South Africa for a safari would have been thousands of dollars and probably millions of Rands (SA currency). I have nothing against people planning and spending money on vacations but wow is it a whole lot better to have the Lord just take you there. Emie and I laugh at the places we have stood knowing we have no job, savings, or 401 (k) to ever allow us to experience what we have. It has given us great comic relief talking with millionaries who assume we also have money. I am going to begin telling people I am an invester.
So back to Kruger Park.
We have lost our sense of awe with large HDTV's but unless we are numb there is no way to explain seeing an elephant or a Rhino or a giraffe or even a lion standing less than 20 feet away. The wildness of it all was that every animal was standing on the edge of the road. You could reach out and touch them. Judah was a little to close to the lion, we had to tell him to put his head back in the window.
Driving in a car and coming upon a huge elephant does something to you, at least it did to Emie she seriously was hyperventilating. Or watching a rhino who is twice the size of your vehicle stroll towards you and then slowly meander around the back. I love Rhino for many reasons, their beauty, gracefulness, strength and other prophetic things the Lord used about them. God loves to use many things to speak to us.
Kruger Park gives more credibility to God's Word (if it needs it) when it says, "from the time the world was created, people have seen . . . all that God made, so they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God" (Romans 1:20).
I'm not sure what to say becuase it was so overwhelming and supernatural from the Lord. We kept telling the kids, "that many people come through here and never see anything. Look at how the Lord is blessing us." I wonder how people can look at the creativity of God and not stand in amazement.
The whole experience convinced me that if this missions stuff doesn't work out (which no one is a missionary rather a child of God who takes their calling and moves to another country. This also helps take the idiolizing out.) then I was going to become a safari guide. Actually I might do it anyways if I ever get the opportunity to live next to the Park. You know safari guide by day and preacher by night. I can see it now.
Emie gave a lot of the details of when we saw the animals and who wanted to see what. I had equally amount of fun photographing the wild beasts as I did seeing them. I took 582 pics (not very much for a professional, which I am not) and I really didn't have to do much because they stood there and posed the whole time. Emie mentioned the wonderful opportunity I had to use Kent and Shays camera (thanks guys) and it saved her a huge headache because I would have complained the whole time if didn't have it. I love cameras, I get it from my dad, who is a professional photographer. Now that my camera (which was awesome, thanks to my students) has officially been broken, this Kruger thing has whetted my appetite more. I have desired for a certain type of camera for some time, now I can't control myself. Some day soon it will come to pass, Lord willing.
We had a wonderful time knowing all we needed to do was drive slowly around and wait for the Lord to lead his pets across our path. Every time we would get a little tired or hot there would be another amazing animal on the side of the road.
So if you're ever in S. Africa you must take a day and drive through the park, it will knock your HDTV off its circuit.
Blessings and never stop being in AWE!
Heath
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Amazing Day(s)
OH MY GOODNESS!! I'm going to let Heath update our time at the wild
animal game park because he'll do a better job. BUT I just have to
let you all know that the day has moved to the list of TOP 5 FAVORITE
EXPERIENCES OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!! Thank you for praying for us! The
only thing we DIDN'T see that was on the list of "want to see" was a
leopard/cheetah. The day felt really miraculous as we saw crocodiles
before we even got into the park (Judah wanted to see crocs first), a
giraffe right inside the gate (I wanted to see giraffes first and I
about hyperventilated), a LION sitting on the side of the road (a male
lion just resting there waiting for us!), Elephants with a baby (Abiel
wanted to see one push over a tree and it did!!), and then the random
guy who told us which road to go down to find 5 rhino (Heath's biggest
desire). IT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE!! And all those were
within just a few feet of our car window! And that's not all we saw:
hippo, zebra, deer, kudu, springbok, monkeys, baboons, wart hogs,
beautiful birds, and babies of almost all of them!! And the kids did
FABULOUS in the car from 6 AM to 7 PM! That in itself was a miracle!
I'm sure Heath will write a better description but I didn't want to
keep all of you waiting for a good update when I know so many of you
are to thank for praying those animals into our pathway yesterday!!
Pictures to come later! We were unbelievably blessed by our hosts as
they let us use their car for FREE instead of renting a car for the
day, AND they lent Heath their REALLY NICE BIG camera to take GREAT
pictures. He was like a kid in a candy store shooting hundreds of
pictures. The whole experience was from the hand of Jesus to our
family. Thanks so very much for being part of that day of fun for us!
We love you all,
emie
animal game park because he'll do a better job. BUT I just have to
let you all know that the day has moved to the list of TOP 5 FAVORITE
EXPERIENCES OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!! Thank you for praying for us! The
only thing we DIDN'T see that was on the list of "want to see" was a
leopard/cheetah. The day felt really miraculous as we saw crocodiles
before we even got into the park (Judah wanted to see crocs first), a
giraffe right inside the gate (I wanted to see giraffes first and I
about hyperventilated), a LION sitting on the side of the road (a male
lion just resting there waiting for us!), Elephants with a baby (Abiel
wanted to see one push over a tree and it did!!), and then the random
guy who told us which road to go down to find 5 rhino (Heath's biggest
desire). IT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE EXPERIENCE!! And all those were
within just a few feet of our car window! And that's not all we saw:
hippo, zebra, deer, kudu, springbok, monkeys, baboons, wart hogs,
beautiful birds, and babies of almost all of them!! And the kids did
FABULOUS in the car from 6 AM to 7 PM! That in itself was a miracle!
I'm sure Heath will write a better description but I didn't want to
keep all of you waiting for a good update when I know so many of you
are to thank for praying those animals into our pathway yesterday!!
Pictures to come later! We were unbelievably blessed by our hosts as
they let us use their car for FREE instead of renting a car for the
day, AND they lent Heath their REALLY NICE BIG camera to take GREAT
pictures. He was like a kid in a candy store shooting hundreds of
pictures. The whole experience was from the hand of Jesus to our
family. Thanks so very much for being part of that day of fun for us!
We love you all,
emie
Monday, September 3, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Nelspruit
We have made the 3 hour flight, over night in Maputo (Moz. Capital), up at 5:30am, a taxi ride to the bus station, a four ride into Nelspruit and the phone call that our house we had rented was doubled booked so we have to stay with strangers. Some guy named Kent was going to pick us up and house us for only four days. Then we mentioned that we were planning to stay here for 2 weeks. The blessing is that he and his wife Shay are also in Hospitality. We all realized that we have been here before and knew what to do.
So we arrived at their beautiful house that actually is a retreat center and mininstry school. It is located on an acre, has a pool and set up very lovely and feels like home. Unlike the Missionary Guest house we stated at in Maputo. I told Emie I felt like I was in a prison. If any of you every start a guest house make sure it is peaceful and feels like a home instead of bare neccesities.
Ok so back to the house. WE love it and have our own flat that is more than large enough for us. Kent and Shay are truly wonderful. They are meant to be here and we believe we are as well.
Nelspruit feels like America and the thought of being a missionary here seems plush. The kids are excited to explore everything, mall, book stores, cafe', more stores, and the Kruger park. We have just spent one night and here we go. We will keep you updated as time goes on.
Blessings
Heath
So we arrived at their beautiful house that actually is a retreat center and mininstry school. It is located on an acre, has a pool and set up very lovely and feels like home. Unlike the Missionary Guest house we stated at in Maputo. I told Emie I felt like I was in a prison. If any of you every start a guest house make sure it is peaceful and feels like a home instead of bare neccesities.
Ok so back to the house. WE love it and have our own flat that is more than large enough for us. Kent and Shay are truly wonderful. They are meant to be here and we believe we are as well.
Nelspruit feels like America and the thought of being a missionary here seems plush. The kids are excited to explore everything, mall, book stores, cafe', more stores, and the Kruger park. We have just spent one night and here we go. We will keep you updated as time goes on.
Blessings
Heath
Nelspruit
We have made the 3 hour flight, over night in Maputo (Moz. Capital), up at 5:30am, a taxi ride to the bus station, a four ride into Nelspruit and the phone call that our house we had rented was doubled booked so we have to stay with strangers. Some guy named Kent was going to pick us up and house us for only four days. Then we mentioned that we were planning to stay here for 2 weeks. The blessing is that he and his wife Shay are also in Hospitality. We all realized that we have been here before and knew what to do.
So we arrived at their beautiful house that actually is a retreat center and mininstry school. It is located on an acre, has a pool and set up very lovely and feels like home. Unlike the Missionary Guest house we stated at in Maputo. I told Emie I felt like I was in a prison. If any of you every start a guest house make sure it is peaceful and feels like a home instead of bare neccesities.
Ok so back to the house. WE love it and have our own flat that is more than large enough for us. Kent and Shay are truly wonderful. They are meant to be here and we believe we are as well.
Nelspruit feels like America and the thought of being a missionary here seems plush. The kids are excited to explore everything, mall, book stores, cafe', more stores, and the Kruger park. We have just spent one night and here we go. We will keep you updated as time goes on.
Blessings
Heath
So we arrived at their beautiful house that actually is a retreat center and mininstry school. It is located on an acre, has a pool and set up very lovely and feels like home. Unlike the Missionary Guest house we stated at in Maputo. I told Emie I felt like I was in a prison. If any of you every start a guest house make sure it is peaceful and feels like a home instead of bare neccesities.
Ok so back to the house. WE love it and have our own flat that is more than large enough for us. Kent and Shay are truly wonderful. They are meant to be here and we believe we are as well.
Nelspruit feels like America and the thought of being a missionary here seems plush. The kids are excited to explore everything, mall, book stores, cafe', more stores, and the Kruger park. We have just spent one night and here we go. We will keep you updated as time goes on.
Blessings
Heath
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
PLANES, PACHYDERMS, and PRAYERS
PLANES, PACHYDERMS, and PRAYERS
I’m not even going to suggest this will be a short update! They never are! And for those who consistently endure reading them know what’s going on and how to pray . . . THANK YOU!
PLANES: In 5 sleeps our whole family has to get on a little plane and head to a Mozambican border to renew our 6 month visas. At one point, Heath was really hoping and praying that we might be able to come to the States for 3 weeks but that wasn’t feasible. So instead, we are taking a plane to Maputo, the very southern city (the capital) of Mozambique. We’ll spend the night there and then take a bus across the border into a nice little city in South Africa called Nelspruit. There we have reserved a guesthouse for a reasonable price. We are going to take 2 weeks to regroup and be a family without any of the Pemba pressures we’ve been under for the last 6 months. There are a hundred things you could pray about for our 2 weeks away.
PACHYDERMS: Is that how you spell it? It’s elephants. While we’re in Nelspruit we are going to be close to a wild life reserve. In fact, our guesthouse is supposed to be on the edge of a large game reserve called KRUGER PARK. If all works out with transportation and things, we hope to be able to drive through some of it for a couple days. But I’ve heard it’s all kind of hit and miss whether or not you actually see animals! If Jesus can put a lone hippo on a beach out in the middle of nowhere Mozambique for Heath, will you please pray that we see at least a couple pachyderms and a few giraffes? A lion would be nice too but I don’t want to be so greedy!
PRAYERS: We would really appreciate knowing you are really praying for us during this week of preparation to go, while we are away and then the week we return.
** There are many things to get in place and people to find to cover our position for 2 weeks.
** Pray that all of our different desires of a “break” will somehow be met while having 3 very different ages of kids.
** Pray that it will be restful and refreshing for all of us. (I think I’m a bit more pessimistic about this one than Heath is!! Though maybe mom’s always feel that way when you vacation with their kids!)
** Pray that travel, bus, finding our house, and transportation for 2 weeks will be peaceful.
** Pray that we will be ready to come back to a VERY BUSY October.
Thank you all for your love, prayers and financial support over the last 6 months. Though we keep our givers anonymous for many reasons, it does not mean that we appreciate you any less than if you were getting handwritten thank you’s every time you sacrificially give to the Kingdom work we are doing. And I hope you know by now we value those who give of their time to pray, write, send packages, etc just as much as anyone who has given finances.
Here is an update on what our expenses have proven to be in the last 6 months. If you have other questions or want more specifics, we are happy to give them.
Our primary expenses are:
1. A monthly donation to Iris for electricity and guard fees, etc.
2. FOOD and DIAPERS: To be able to eat semi-normal, it has proven to be our biggest expense. We have many people over for dinner and find this to be a large part of our ministry.
3. Occasional dates and outings: Before I began cooking, we would try to go out to eat once a week with our family. We don’t need to do that very often anymore, though occasionally we go out with the kids or with visitors.
4. Odds and Ends around the house.
5. Ministry to the Mozambicans. The Lord has led us to give in various ways and to various people. You have blessed Mozambicans as you have blessed us. I love the giving heart of my husband and I love even more that I am not the one running the finances here!! If you want more details on the things we have given towards, let us know.
6. THE BIGGEST EXPENSE: Travel every 6 months to renew our visas as a family. Then when the baby is born in November we will have to fly again to Maputo (the capital) and get the baby a passport as soon as possible. We desire to come back to the States in February for 2 or 3 months to introduce the baby to everyone and to regroup for another year. The vast majority of money given is going towards these enormous expenses. Once again, we are in awe of how God has provided for us. As we budget out this trip, we have exactly what we need to get there, live for 2 weeks and get back.
THANK YOU ALL. We love you dearly and appreciate you all.
Loving Jesus in the Living of Life,
Emie for the family
I’m not even going to suggest this will be a short update! They never are! And for those who consistently endure reading them know what’s going on and how to pray . . . THANK YOU!
PLANES: In 5 sleeps our whole family has to get on a little plane and head to a Mozambican border to renew our 6 month visas. At one point, Heath was really hoping and praying that we might be able to come to the States for 3 weeks but that wasn’t feasible. So instead, we are taking a plane to Maputo, the very southern city (the capital) of Mozambique. We’ll spend the night there and then take a bus across the border into a nice little city in South Africa called Nelspruit. There we have reserved a guesthouse for a reasonable price. We are going to take 2 weeks to regroup and be a family without any of the Pemba pressures we’ve been under for the last 6 months. There are a hundred things you could pray about for our 2 weeks away.
PACHYDERMS: Is that how you spell it? It’s elephants. While we’re in Nelspruit we are going to be close to a wild life reserve. In fact, our guesthouse is supposed to be on the edge of a large game reserve called KRUGER PARK. If all works out with transportation and things, we hope to be able to drive through some of it for a couple days. But I’ve heard it’s all kind of hit and miss whether or not you actually see animals! If Jesus can put a lone hippo on a beach out in the middle of nowhere Mozambique for Heath, will you please pray that we see at least a couple pachyderms and a few giraffes? A lion would be nice too but I don’t want to be so greedy!
PRAYERS: We would really appreciate knowing you are really praying for us during this week of preparation to go, while we are away and then the week we return.
** There are many things to get in place and people to find to cover our position for 2 weeks.
** Pray that all of our different desires of a “break” will somehow be met while having 3 very different ages of kids.
** Pray that it will be restful and refreshing for all of us. (I think I’m a bit more pessimistic about this one than Heath is!! Though maybe mom’s always feel that way when you vacation with their kids!)
** Pray that travel, bus, finding our house, and transportation for 2 weeks will be peaceful.
** Pray that we will be ready to come back to a VERY BUSY October.
Thank you all for your love, prayers and financial support over the last 6 months. Though we keep our givers anonymous for many reasons, it does not mean that we appreciate you any less than if you were getting handwritten thank you’s every time you sacrificially give to the Kingdom work we are doing. And I hope you know by now we value those who give of their time to pray, write, send packages, etc just as much as anyone who has given finances.
Here is an update on what our expenses have proven to be in the last 6 months. If you have other questions or want more specifics, we are happy to give them.
Our primary expenses are:
1. A monthly donation to Iris for electricity and guard fees, etc.
2. FOOD and DIAPERS: To be able to eat semi-normal, it has proven to be our biggest expense. We have many people over for dinner and find this to be a large part of our ministry.
3. Occasional dates and outings: Before I began cooking, we would try to go out to eat once a week with our family. We don’t need to do that very often anymore, though occasionally we go out with the kids or with visitors.
4. Odds and Ends around the house.
5. Ministry to the Mozambicans. The Lord has led us to give in various ways and to various people. You have blessed Mozambicans as you have blessed us. I love the giving heart of my husband and I love even more that I am not the one running the finances here!! If you want more details on the things we have given towards, let us know.
6. THE BIGGEST EXPENSE: Travel every 6 months to renew our visas as a family. Then when the baby is born in November we will have to fly again to Maputo (the capital) and get the baby a passport as soon as possible. We desire to come back to the States in February for 2 or 3 months to introduce the baby to everyone and to regroup for another year. The vast majority of money given is going towards these enormous expenses. Once again, we are in awe of how God has provided for us. As we budget out this trip, we have exactly what we need to get there, live for 2 weeks and get back.
THANK YOU ALL. We love you dearly and appreciate you all.
Loving Jesus in the Living of Life,
Emie for the family
Friday, August 3, 2007
Living in Paradise while paradise is living in you!
Emie and I cannot believe we have been married for nine years now. It is amazing how time has flown by. We have commented so many times about what the Lord has allowed us to experience, and it is a fulfillment of dreams. The last two years alone make our heads spin. We are dreamers, ark builders, vagabonds, lion slayers, army destroyers, miracle workers, producers of signs and wonders and most of all in awe of our majestic Jesus. He has been faithful when we were not; he has defied the odds yet again with our skeptics. He has and is the one the Word of God reveals to us. But he doesn’t stop there. He bursts into our lives to take us higher, father, wider and deeper into experiencing his love. It is so great one cannot and must not only intellectually know it but experientially embrace him. He is tangible and loves to get into every nook and cranny of our being.
This past week I surprised Emie with a three-day get away to Londo Lodge for our anniversary. It was breath taking and more than we could have imagined.
We both remembered who we are, without kids (we had Abiel 2 weeks before our first anniversary) and enjoyed simplicity again. It was an affair to remember. The food was amazing and the showers where awesome. Emie and I enjoyed a soothing massage without being interrupted by our wonderful children. They upgraded us to their honeymoon villa and we felt the favor of God.
We snorkeled (hated it), swam, walked, connected, and worshipped in God's beauty. Of course this is not to say the enemy didn't show up and desired to rob what the Lord wanted to tell us. We exerted our authority over him and he left. After that the Lord began to download many things to me concerning our future and how all these crazy ideas in my head will actually connect some day.
Unfortunately our camera broke on the trip so there are not many pictures of us. So we really had to store it in our minds. But the memories and the ability to come back with a fuller perspective has brought peace and more excitement about what is next.
It was wonderful and we thank Josh and Jess for watching the kids for us. Thanks to all of you who have supported and encouraged our marriage into the fullness of Christ.
Living in paradise (Pemba) has been amazing but I am realizing that having Paradise living in me is far better.
Blessings
Heath
This past week I surprised Emie with a three-day get away to Londo Lodge for our anniversary. It was breath taking and more than we could have imagined.
We both remembered who we are, without kids (we had Abiel 2 weeks before our first anniversary) and enjoyed simplicity again. It was an affair to remember. The food was amazing and the showers where awesome. Emie and I enjoyed a soothing massage without being interrupted by our wonderful children. They upgraded us to their honeymoon villa and we felt the favor of God.
We snorkeled (hated it), swam, walked, connected, and worshipped in God's beauty. Of course this is not to say the enemy didn't show up and desired to rob what the Lord wanted to tell us. We exerted our authority over him and he left. After that the Lord began to download many things to me concerning our future and how all these crazy ideas in my head will actually connect some day.
Unfortunately our camera broke on the trip so there are not many pictures of us. So we really had to store it in our minds. But the memories and the ability to come back with a fuller perspective has brought peace and more excitement about what is next.
It was wonderful and we thank Josh and Jess for watching the kids for us. Thanks to all of you who have supported and encouraged our marriage into the fullness of Christ.
Living in paradise (Pemba) has been amazing but I am realizing that having Paradise living in me is far better.
Blessings
Heath
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Never enough time to see it all.
I would love to share all that is happening all the time but it seems that there is never time. So here is a snap shot of one of the benefits of living in Africa, a self-lead safari into the bush looking for Hippos! Me and 5 guys headed out to find hippos and we succeed after 5 hours of playing around in the Land Rover (which I have been temporarily upgraded the last month). It was drive on dirt road for hours, then ask around, higher two guys who say they know where to go. Then we drove down a bike path (yes in the Rover) to a river where they said the Hippos used to be, but they were all shot years ago. We explained we wanted to see live hippos. They said we had to go to the beach, but we didn't want to back track, so they said, "turn right." Now there is no road, no path, and grass 5 feet high. So we went 3.5 kg of mud, grass, small trees, BIG trees and a whole lot of fun! Some of the guys seemed to be more nervous than I was ( I was driving) b/c we didn't have a jack or a spare tire, which I thought would give us better stories and they thought would get us eaten alive. I did come prepared in every other area that we would need. The tire was another members responsibility.
After coming over the sand dun, we walk over to see a lone hippo drinking about 400 yards away from us. It was worth it all! We where like little boys all over again. We ducked down and walk to where we would come right up on it. And then the camera's where snapping away. IT eventually walked into the ocean and we never saw it again.
But we knew we would have a great drive home as we navigated again through the bush. Then we run into about 30 Baboons. This was icing on the cake as the Lord was delighting our hearts even more. One Baboon was huge and his scream made the hair on our necks stand up. We quickly jumped in the Rover and drove away.
Just another day in Africa right?
Blessings
Heath
Greetings
After coming over the sand dun, we walk over to see a lone hippo drinking about 400 yards away from us. It was worth it all! We where like little boys all over again. We ducked down and walk to where we would come right up on it. And then the camera's where snapping away. IT eventually walked into the ocean and we never saw it again.
But we knew we would have a great drive home as we navigated again through the bush. Then we run into about 30 Baboons. This was icing on the cake as the Lord was delighting our hearts even more. One Baboon was huge and his scream made the hair on our necks stand up. We quickly jumped in the Rover and drove away.
Just another day in Africa right?
Blessings
Heath
Greetings
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Wedding in Africa
Abiel, Judah and I (Heath) had the wonderful opportunity to be in Jean and Teisa's wedding on Saturday. They are two of the missionaries here in Pemba. It was beautiful and full of power. They went out into the village the day before and invited everyone who wanted to come to a free wedding feast (sounds scriptural). Then on the day fed all a chicken dinner with a coke. It was at best PACKED but in the heart of God, a thing of beauty because his children obeyed his desires. I find it amazing how fast the kingdom advances in these contexts. So we danced, sang, prayed and sweated but many gave their lives over to Jesus during the ceremony as the gospel was preached in a very tangible way.I was reminded of our New Years Day Feast we did in Oregon. That was so much fun and I remember how much stuff we had for that one day. I just felt Jesus walking in our midst and he was so proud of us all. Thanks again to all those who loved and gave and pressed on through their fears. We're still Alive!
I am realizing more and more how easy and simple the kingdom is. Sit down one day and reflect on how you "do" ministry. Maybe you could write a list, on one side of the paper write what you specifically do (more than Children's Church, write what you do in class) and then find where the Gospel speaks on that. I believe the more specific we are the greater the insight we will see on how we waste a lot of time, energy and resoures. I have many times needed to be honest with myself on the reality that what I am doing is running a ministry program and not actually ministering. It has been a hard truth to swallow but one of freedom. It also has been one that has cost me the most but I feel released from the game and more availible to "live and move and have may being in Him." Then flip the paper over and as you read the Gospels write specifically what Jesus did. Then ask Holy Spirit what that looks likes in your present circumstances and remember circumstances always change.
We had an individual come through here last week who was traveling the world doing a study on NGO's. Iris was one of the two Christian based NGO's she visited and second to last on her list. She meet with Rolland and asked him what was the BEST way to do non-profit work. To which he responded, "Raising the Dead!"
So whether it is weddings, raising the dead or feeding the poor, the one sure thing is that we KNOW it is a win-win situation, because that is how Jesus said we bring the Kingdom to earth.
Bless you all and thanks for taking hold of the Kingdom with us, we have nothing to loose.
Heath
I am realizing more and more how easy and simple the kingdom is. Sit down one day and reflect on how you "do" ministry. Maybe you could write a list, on one side of the paper write what you specifically do (more than Children's Church, write what you do in class) and then find where the Gospel speaks on that. I believe the more specific we are the greater the insight we will see on how we waste a lot of time, energy and resoures. I have many times needed to be honest with myself on the reality that what I am doing is running a ministry program and not actually ministering. It has been a hard truth to swallow but one of freedom. It also has been one that has cost me the most but I feel released from the game and more availible to "live and move and have may being in Him." Then flip the paper over and as you read the Gospels write specifically what Jesus did. Then ask Holy Spirit what that looks likes in your present circumstances and remember circumstances always change.
We had an individual come through here last week who was traveling the world doing a study on NGO's. Iris was one of the two Christian based NGO's she visited and second to last on her list. She meet with Rolland and asked him what was the BEST way to do non-profit work. To which he responded, "Raising the Dead!"
So whether it is weddings, raising the dead or feeding the poor, the one sure thing is that we KNOW it is a win-win situation, because that is how Jesus said we bring the Kingdom to earth.
Bless you all and thanks for taking hold of the Kingdom with us, we have nothing to loose.
Heath
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Giving is Power
Giving is Power
I turned 30 years old last week (June 28). I had a little advice from Emie (because she is older than me and turned 30 months ago) so the day wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Though the week leading up to it was. I am actually OK with being 30; I just can’t believe that I am. I feel like I am 22 but glad I am not!
I remember being in grade school and not wanting to go back to class after Christmas break. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to go back to school but because I knew we would all sit around and share what we got for Christmas. I knew I wasn’t going to impress everyone. Though my childhood was blessed and in ways dysfunctional, I always received something. But I also knew that the rich kids received just about everything in the Sears catalog. The reality is that about a week later no one really cared any more.
I wrestle at times with the desire to own “nice” things. If I had nice things the kids on the playground would be impressed and I would be somebody. With a “somebody” status then I could be greater and have more power. Then I would be in a position to do great things.
What I wrestle with the most in my life though, is that I must make an impact on my world and more specifically those I come in contact with. I realized this last week that the more tangible it is the better I feel about myself. So I went through a mini-mid-life-crisis the week heading into my birthday. “Am I making a tangible impact on people?” I am confident I am impacting people spiritually but numbers or budgets do not measure that, so it is hard to get my head around it.
Coming from a culture that thrives on getting (way to much), I was relieved that REI and other superficial forms of gifts don’t exist here in Pemba. So the Lord set me up.
A long story short, Emie and I were led to help a young man with the building of his house. He had saved his money for months bought land and then many months later began to build. Emie went last fall when she was here and prayed over his land asking the Lord to bless it. So I went the day before my birthday to check where he was in the process. Emie and I had agreed to put a tin roof on and to help out with his doors. So I went, talked with him as best I could, and we decided to purchase the materials the following day.
“Happy Birthday Papa” was a great thing to wake up to. I am feeling richer, greater, and more powerful already. What is wealth? What does blessing people look like? There are millions of people who don’t need our money, but our time, resources, smiles, love, ear, etc. If money is all we have to offer people then we are very poor indeed.
I was off to meet my friend and buy 40 sheets of tin. After three stores we found a place that had enough. We loaded it into the mini-bus and drove into the village as far as we could get. Then it was all on foot. My theory is “work smarter, not harder”. So I hired two guys to take the mile walk a couple times with the tin on their heads.
It was a spiritual battle the whole walk. “You shouldn’t be giving him this much money”. “What about your family, you need the money?” What happens when everyone else wants tin on their roof (most people have grass), are you prepared to give to them also?” And so it went.
We had parked the van inside a Leprosy compound so it would not get broken into and the tin stolen. When we finally returned back to the compound my friend introduced me to his friends he has there. It was a wonderful time of laughing and talking. I took pictures of them and they just rolled as they saw themselves on film. What does blessing people look like?
It hit me somewhere in those moments, maybe after praying for one guy and he wasn’t healed (that would have been a birthday present). Here I am in Africa, turning 30, buying hundreds of dollars worth of tin for a complete stranger, laughing and praying with Lepers and loving it. Oh, if the kids on the playground could see me now, what would they think? No wrapping paper, no candles, no balloons, just life! Some giving and others receiving, it is less stressful and you don’t have to take anything back.
I have stopped waiting for some organization to join in order to do my part in leaving an impact on my neighborhood; I realized I could be a one-man organization. So can you! So start blessing people with a smile or a hug or a lunch or a vehicle or the means to start a chicken business, or a bag of rice or buy all their oranges and give them away or buy someone a house or a roof. I believe it’s less about what is given and more about “in whose name it is given.” Matter of fact, in the Kingdom if God you could give water and be blessed for it. Though I think it is not meant to be the end but rather a beginning.
I can’t believe I am 30 and more astounding, as Emie brought to light, is how the Lord brought me into my 30’s giving to the poor and praying for healing in Africa. What a great decade it is going to be. If it is even close to the last 10 years the kids on the playground will be extremely jealous.
Jesus led me to this verse in the midst of my mini-mid-life crisis, days before my birthday.
“And without question, the person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person who is blessed.” Hebrews 7:7
Becoming greater!
Heath
I turned 30 years old last week (June 28). I had a little advice from Emie (because she is older than me and turned 30 months ago) so the day wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Though the week leading up to it was. I am actually OK with being 30; I just can’t believe that I am. I feel like I am 22 but glad I am not!
I remember being in grade school and not wanting to go back to class after Christmas break. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to go back to school but because I knew we would all sit around and share what we got for Christmas. I knew I wasn’t going to impress everyone. Though my childhood was blessed and in ways dysfunctional, I always received something. But I also knew that the rich kids received just about everything in the Sears catalog. The reality is that about a week later no one really cared any more.
I wrestle at times with the desire to own “nice” things. If I had nice things the kids on the playground would be impressed and I would be somebody. With a “somebody” status then I could be greater and have more power. Then I would be in a position to do great things.
What I wrestle with the most in my life though, is that I must make an impact on my world and more specifically those I come in contact with. I realized this last week that the more tangible it is the better I feel about myself. So I went through a mini-mid-life-crisis the week heading into my birthday. “Am I making a tangible impact on people?” I am confident I am impacting people spiritually but numbers or budgets do not measure that, so it is hard to get my head around it.
Coming from a culture that thrives on getting (way to much), I was relieved that REI and other superficial forms of gifts don’t exist here in Pemba. So the Lord set me up.
A long story short, Emie and I were led to help a young man with the building of his house. He had saved his money for months bought land and then many months later began to build. Emie went last fall when she was here and prayed over his land asking the Lord to bless it. So I went the day before my birthday to check where he was in the process. Emie and I had agreed to put a tin roof on and to help out with his doors. So I went, talked with him as best I could, and we decided to purchase the materials the following day.
“Happy Birthday Papa” was a great thing to wake up to. I am feeling richer, greater, and more powerful already. What is wealth? What does blessing people look like? There are millions of people who don’t need our money, but our time, resources, smiles, love, ear, etc. If money is all we have to offer people then we are very poor indeed.
I was off to meet my friend and buy 40 sheets of tin. After three stores we found a place that had enough. We loaded it into the mini-bus and drove into the village as far as we could get. Then it was all on foot. My theory is “work smarter, not harder”. So I hired two guys to take the mile walk a couple times with the tin on their heads.
It was a spiritual battle the whole walk. “You shouldn’t be giving him this much money”. “What about your family, you need the money?” What happens when everyone else wants tin on their roof (most people have grass), are you prepared to give to them also?” And so it went.
We had parked the van inside a Leprosy compound so it would not get broken into and the tin stolen. When we finally returned back to the compound my friend introduced me to his friends he has there. It was a wonderful time of laughing and talking. I took pictures of them and they just rolled as they saw themselves on film. What does blessing people look like?
It hit me somewhere in those moments, maybe after praying for one guy and he wasn’t healed (that would have been a birthday present). Here I am in Africa, turning 30, buying hundreds of dollars worth of tin for a complete stranger, laughing and praying with Lepers and loving it. Oh, if the kids on the playground could see me now, what would they think? No wrapping paper, no candles, no balloons, just life! Some giving and others receiving, it is less stressful and you don’t have to take anything back.
I have stopped waiting for some organization to join in order to do my part in leaving an impact on my neighborhood; I realized I could be a one-man organization. So can you! So start blessing people with a smile or a hug or a lunch or a vehicle or the means to start a chicken business, or a bag of rice or buy all their oranges and give them away or buy someone a house or a roof. I believe it’s less about what is given and more about “in whose name it is given.” Matter of fact, in the Kingdom if God you could give water and be blessed for it. Though I think it is not meant to be the end but rather a beginning.
I can’t believe I am 30 and more astounding, as Emie brought to light, is how the Lord brought me into my 30’s giving to the poor and praying for healing in Africa. What a great decade it is going to be. If it is even close to the last 10 years the kids on the playground will be extremely jealous.
Jesus led me to this verse in the midst of my mini-mid-life crisis, days before my birthday.
“And without question, the person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person who is blessed.” Hebrews 7:7
Becoming greater!
Heath
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
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