Coming Soon To a Church Near You!

After six weeks of familiarizing myself and maneuvering my way through the Movie Maker program that is on my computer, frustration over mistakes I made, major disappointment accompanied by utter disbelief when I lost the entire video on my first attempt to save it as a permanent file, forcing me to recreate the entire thing in two days so I could get it to Beka...and a WHOLE lot of prayer...

...the story of Wongani's Hope is now on video!

My husband, Steve, also worked tirelessly to add 32 voice-overs to the project.  Needless to say, there were many re-takes to get it as close to perfect as we could with a microphone at the kitchen table instead of a sound studio.  As he read through the script I had created, he would often find himself shedding tears as emotions rushed over him, even though he knew the story as well as his own.  I would smile, say "cut," and we would give it another go.  Many prayers were uttered in the making of this video.  But even more amazing were the lessons we received from the LORD as we attempted to create it.  Patience and perseverance brought it to its completion.  God is, indeed, good - all of the time!

The problems didn't stop there, however.  We discovered more when it was finally burned onto a disc.  What we thought was a flawless recording proved to be completely dependent upon my computer's mood.  Although there were a couple of "digital blips" I kept trying to  eliminate (regardless of the number of times I re-saved the file trying to do so, and that kept showing up in different locations), God finally gave us that flawless file.  But not until He decided it was time.

Last night, after two failed attempts to get it posted onto YouTube, my third attempt was successful!  The world can now watch Beka's and Anna's story in living color on YouTube and see the progress that has been made on building the toddler house.

Steven Spielberg we ain't, but we hope the video will tell their story in such a way that you get a better feel for what Beka and Anna are attempting to do in Malawi and the things they have accomplished to date.  It was created to help Beka gain recognition for their work and to offer to churches and organizations who may have the heart to become involved in her fund raising efforts.

Please take 17 minutes and 52 seconds to watch it.  After you do, we are hoping that you will share the video with others so that they, too, can see the amazing work the LORD is doing through these two wonderful women, and unite with us as we joyfully watch God's will completed through them.

If you haven't yet visited my other blog, Wongani's Hope, I pray this video will encourage you to do so.   Only a small portion of Beka's and Anna's story is represented here, and you can fill in the blanks by reading their entire story on the blog.  You won't be disappointed! 

Enjoy!  And please let us know how we did!

A Small, But Necessary, Piece of Real Estate

Fear is a faith destroyer.

I am not talking about a healthy fear, that which speaks of fearing the LORD "with trembling" (Psalm 2:11; 19:9; 22:23; and a multitude of other verses scattered throughout the entire Bible).  Any true Christian understands that principled teaching.  If you don't, perhaps it's time to look for another church.

The type of fear I am speaking of is the destructive kind.  Every one of us can point to a specific time in our lives where it threatened to undermine our faith.  If you can't, I want to know your secret.  Personally, my life has been full of moments where I let it override my trust in God.  And when a person loosens their hold on their ability to trust Him, fear can consume you.

Fear of what life can or is bringing you can weaken the foundation of your faith.  The feeling it brings can be similar to standing in the surf and sensing the sand wash away from under your feet.  Grain by grain, the footing you had is slowly eroded by the onslaught of the waves, until you feel as though you are sinking.  If you stand there long enough, your feet become mired down in the constant motion, making it harder and harder to pull yourself free.  It is then that the healthy fear should kick in, lest you become a permanent fixture of remorse, despair, or anxiousness, forever cementing you in its grip (Psalm 69:14).

Whether you are experiencing fears of joblessness and a dwindling bank account, health concerns for you or others, or the unknown coming around the next corner, remember that there is a Rock firmly placed on that ever-changing shoreline.  It has been divinely placed there for times such as these.  And it has a purpose: to give you a solid and secure footing when trials and tribulations come upon you and threaten to destroy your faith.

It seems I have to be reminded more and more of this, lately.  I am always thinking that my life could be much better.  But, I am eternally grateful that God has been patient with me.  

When I attempt to step off the Rock of faith and trust and onto the unsettled sands of this troubled world, He faithfully and gently steers me back onto it.  And once I am again securely there, He is then able to take me back to when I first learned of grace-saving faith and what it meant to trust Him.

I want to keep my feet firmly planted on that small piece of real estate, especially when I forget what it cost God to purchase it for me, allowing my fears to undermine that precious truth.

And while I am at it, being reminded of my former self and taking a moment to talk with Him about it is also a good thing.

"Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;  

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

By Your favor do good to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar."

Psalm 51 (NASB)