hello world!
The Cameroon team has safely arrived in Buea, Cameroon. We are all doing quite well...tired but that is to be expected after a 24 hour journey. Let me introduce you to the team...
Jessica Cooper
Kelly Smith
Meredith Thomas
Emily Watkins
Sharon Penquite
Jason Book
Roan Williams
Mike & Pat Caven
(Having a hard time uploading photos...patience they're coming soon!)
Oh...the stories are going to be fun on this trip. Our flights from Atlanta were relatively uneventful. We enjoyed AirFrance hospitality and spent long enough in Paris to enjoy pain au chocolat. It was good to be in France again-- my heart for the nations seems to always quake louder on European soil.
As we landed in Douala, you could feel the anticipation rising in the team. The humidity greeted us with a warm sticky 80 degrees. We are in Africa!
Sherri Lewis, our host and leader of Bethel Atlanta School of Supernatural Ministy --Cameroon (BASSM-CAM) AND MOST importantly my dear friend, greeted us with a hug smile and glowing face. A welcome we were all longing for after this extensive journey. That is when the chaos began...baggage claim. Hundreds of exhausted people clammering for their luggage. The high school cheer was running through mind..."BE Aggressive...B...E...Agressive." The mother hen in me was instantly in overdrive. We each brought an extra bag with donations for the orphange and school...18 bags! Bumper carts is a mild way to explain the process. Then it was time to face the gauntlet. The masses congregated at the exit...two lines where security officers check your bags before you exit. We were surrounded by men clammering to carry our bags, forcing their hands upon our luggage. We became masters at saying, "NO" without apology.
The security officer looked through a couple bags and suddenly surrendered to the idea to let us all through without further examination.
The anxiety in the team was rising, and this mother hen was praying for PEACE. I tried my best to get them to "hear my voice." It is amazing that when fear enters in how we (speaking in general)lose the ability to hear the voice that will bring peace and direction. I got a better of understanding of the Word..."my sheep with know my voice." As we got the steps...yes steps --with 18 bags all weighing 50lbs we faced our greatest challenge...we are surrounded by young men begging forcefully to carry our luggage. It is customary for locals to beg/work for money by carry your luggage. Can you see the picture now? 10 Americans carry huge bags...we screamed "money!" We persevered. We made it to our taxi van and piled in for a 1+ hour journey to Buea. We piled the 18 bags on the roof, and as Jason quipped, the luggage pile on top of the van was as big as the van. We prayed for angels to sit on the luggage...and off we went.
The road trip to Buea was uneventful...Praise God. The only obstacles...huge speed bumps and the cattle being herded down the road at...midnight?!
We arrived...each of us drained from the airport adreniline rush...settled into each of our host homes. Bucket baths greeted us this morning along with amazing beautiful hostess. We are lounging today...wearing off our jet leg, eating traditional foods, spending time together as team...and preparing for a week of loving Africa.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Peace Be Still
Patience was tested today. I called the Cameroon Embassy to check on the status of our visas...considering ...oh, in let's see -48 hours we should be on a plane headed to Douala, Cameroon. After being transferred multiple times, I finally reached a human. He listened to my plea, and acted terribly annoyed that I disturbed his day. Then he told me to call back in 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, I have a business meeting waiting on me in the other room. Gracious team of people, but their patience was wearing thin as well. Multitasking may be the art of a woman, but there is a limit to my mad skills-- and I met the limit of my strength today.
So, in my weakness He is strong. I will call back and I will get answer.
Thinking good news is about to ring out-- I call again after the 30 minutes passed. Only to be automatically transferred to a FULL mailbox. HHHMMMM...I shall persevere. I dial back 5 more times...until finally someone answers. I ask for my extension...only to find myself leaving another message. So, I persist! I call again, and again, and again...but now my number is being screened. No-- not paranoia...I could hear them pick up, push a button and find myself transferred to a voicemail.
By this time, my nerves are shot. Balancing a business meeting, phone calls to an embassy that is screening your calls, and trying to field the texts, emails, and voice mails of concerned team members and friends...wore me out!
Watching my countenance fade, my business associates rallied around me in prayer. Then the email from Sherri Lewis (the wonderful amazing friend we are visiting in Cameroon) emails..."no one at the Embassy is answering the phone...I think they are gone for the day." My stomach dropped. I thought-- the enemy has gone too far! My peace has been stolen...and I am not settling for this! But what is a girl to do??????
After resigning to a long night ahead...I finished my meeting.
Then the ding of all dings..."you've got mail."
There it was...the forwarded email from Sherri announcing the Embassy processed and packaged the approved visas that afternoon and I should receive them tomorrow.
WHAT??!!! Elated, of course...but they could have told me that earlier! But patience would have never been tested!
So tonight...peace be still...I am sleeping this day off my mind!
Meanwhile, I have a business meeting waiting on me in the other room. Gracious team of people, but their patience was wearing thin as well. Multitasking may be the art of a woman, but there is a limit to my mad skills-- and I met the limit of my strength today.
So, in my weakness He is strong. I will call back and I will get answer.
Thinking good news is about to ring out-- I call again after the 30 minutes passed. Only to be automatically transferred to a FULL mailbox. HHHMMMM...I shall persevere. I dial back 5 more times...until finally someone answers. I ask for my extension...only to find myself leaving another message. So, I persist! I call again, and again, and again...but now my number is being screened. No-- not paranoia...I could hear them pick up, push a button and find myself transferred to a voicemail.
By this time, my nerves are shot. Balancing a business meeting, phone calls to an embassy that is screening your calls, and trying to field the texts, emails, and voice mails of concerned team members and friends...wore me out!
Watching my countenance fade, my business associates rallied around me in prayer. Then the email from Sherri Lewis (the wonderful amazing friend we are visiting in Cameroon) emails..."no one at the Embassy is answering the phone...I think they are gone for the day." My stomach dropped. I thought-- the enemy has gone too far! My peace has been stolen...and I am not settling for this! But what is a girl to do??????
After resigning to a long night ahead...I finished my meeting.
Then the ding of all dings..."you've got mail."
There it was...the forwarded email from Sherri announcing the Embassy processed and packaged the approved visas that afternoon and I should receive them tomorrow.
WHAT??!!! Elated, of course...but they could have told me that earlier! But patience would have never been tested!
So tonight...peace be still...I am sleeping this day off my mind!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Africa Journey
March 3rd, I embark with 9 others to Cameroon, Africa. I am turning by blog into a jounral for a couple weeks to see if it will inspire me to write more often(considering I deserted by blog for the last --oh, 7 months). Maybe if all my dear "revelation" buddies and friends will send me questions and comments -- you could get me writing again!
Don't know how often I will have access to the internet while I am in Africa...so no promises but if I can get online...I will blog a note or two.
Until then...if you randomly catch this blog...pray for me. My heart is full of hope for the things unraveling in my life. Dreams seem so tangible. Hope is thick...but the dogs of doom that growl at the door of destiny are snarling viciously at me. My dreams at night are filled with me searching, running through fields, looking for the door to my secret garden-- the garden that blooms with fullness.
Life will speed by the next couple days...so...I will check back in on Thursday as we embark on our journey.
Don't know how often I will have access to the internet while I am in Africa...so no promises but if I can get online...I will blog a note or two.
Until then...if you randomly catch this blog...pray for me. My heart is full of hope for the things unraveling in my life. Dreams seem so tangible. Hope is thick...but the dogs of doom that growl at the door of destiny are snarling viciously at me. My dreams at night are filled with me searching, running through fields, looking for the door to my secret garden-- the garden that blooms with fullness.
Life will speed by the next couple days...so...I will check back in on Thursday as we embark on our journey.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Returning and Rest
Authenticity...living integrity. living open. living without compromise.
I was a bit on edge that day. Excited and very hopeful, but I sensed my heart was going to get exposed. As I sat with a friend, the conversation took an interesting twist; I watched my friend begin to unravel revelation with the best words one could use...but the mind couldn't articulate what the heart had found. The crux of the revelation...
It has all been accomplished-- no striving necessary, just discovery.
Do I believe is has all been accomplished-- and does my life reflect that truth?
Am I trying to gain what has already been given?
Lately, in several situations or conversations-- including that one, I have heard (yes, without being naive I know I listen through my own filter) the phrase, "you are amazing, but..." Oh, how this phrase has rocked my core. I am acutely aware of how quick my response is to perform my way into the good favor of relationships. And sadly, found I was still under the false premise that performance works with God too! I can preach it with the best of them...but we all know layers of disappoint, misconceptions, false teachings, and complacency will cause us to build habits that simply do not line up with the Word of God. But truth sets us free-- Praise God! I am watching in all these situations, my acceptance being measured...and I was finding out that I did not measure up to the standards placed before me. My heart was growing uneasy. Unwilling to accept rejection as my answer...I began to seek truth-- precept upon precept.
A crossroad appeared... authenticity or performance. It was my choice in how to respond to the standards set before me; but one road is certainly less traveled by. The question is no longer where I am headed...but how. Christ paid the price from my life-- and through Him I have been saved and sanctified. So life is no longer about finding salvation (striving) but living salvation (resting). Authenticity means I know who I am through the New Covenant. Performance means I still believe a sacrifice must be made to make me acceptable. I believe that only through an authentic lifestyle of true identity can we rejoice in all trials. Will I sing in prison? Will I rejoice with chains? Only if I know the truth-- that it has all been accomplished through Christ. The road by authenticity will ask of me to believe. The road by performance will ask of me to work. The road by authenticity will require understanding. The road by performance will require knowledge. The road by authenticity will demand trust. The road by performance will depend on me.
I am weary of performing; weary of weighing the opinions of others and myself…
I am choosing the road of authenticity…embracing at new level all that Christ has accomplished.
Now it is time for a season of discovery – may this journey be rich and long.
"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and
confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15
I was a bit on edge that day. Excited and very hopeful, but I sensed my heart was going to get exposed. As I sat with a friend, the conversation took an interesting twist; I watched my friend begin to unravel revelation with the best words one could use...but the mind couldn't articulate what the heart had found. The crux of the revelation...
It has all been accomplished-- no striving necessary, just discovery.
Do I believe is has all been accomplished-- and does my life reflect that truth?
Am I trying to gain what has already been given?
Lately, in several situations or conversations-- including that one, I have heard (yes, without being naive I know I listen through my own filter) the phrase, "you are amazing, but..." Oh, how this phrase has rocked my core. I am acutely aware of how quick my response is to perform my way into the good favor of relationships. And sadly, found I was still under the false premise that performance works with God too! I can preach it with the best of them...but we all know layers of disappoint, misconceptions, false teachings, and complacency will cause us to build habits that simply do not line up with the Word of God. But truth sets us free-- Praise God! I am watching in all these situations, my acceptance being measured...and I was finding out that I did not measure up to the standards placed before me. My heart was growing uneasy. Unwilling to accept rejection as my answer...I began to seek truth-- precept upon precept.
A crossroad appeared... authenticity or performance. It was my choice in how to respond to the standards set before me; but one road is certainly less traveled by. The question is no longer where I am headed...but how. Christ paid the price from my life-- and through Him I have been saved and sanctified. So life is no longer about finding salvation (striving) but living salvation (resting). Authenticity means I know who I am through the New Covenant. Performance means I still believe a sacrifice must be made to make me acceptable. I believe that only through an authentic lifestyle of true identity can we rejoice in all trials. Will I sing in prison? Will I rejoice with chains? Only if I know the truth-- that it has all been accomplished through Christ. The road by authenticity will ask of me to believe. The road by performance will ask of me to work. The road by authenticity will require understanding. The road by performance will require knowledge. The road by authenticity will demand trust. The road by performance will depend on me.
I am weary of performing; weary of weighing the opinions of others and myself…
I am choosing the road of authenticity…embracing at new level all that Christ has accomplished.
Now it is time for a season of discovery – may this journey be rich and long.
"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and
confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Unlocking Unity
Authentic in word and action...
I am convinced the threat against unity is the lack of authenticity. Unity is a beautiful picture of one's power, authority, and love embracing another person in all of their power, authority and love. Thus unity must be a product of honor. Where there is no honor there is no unity.
The greatest display of unity is the Godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Living to submit to one another, never offending, never exerting authority, and never withholding. Displays of glory never pointing to self but rather pointing to the other.
The Godhead has nothing to hide. Nothing to prove. No greater success to achieve. The Godhead simply lives to have relationship.
If we are to live out God's glory on earth, and re-present heaven then unity among His people must be found. For unity is the product of honor. Honor comes from recognizing the God within another and giving it value.
To achieve honor we must achieve authenticity. Authenticity is rooted is safety of being known and accepted for who you are. We are plagued with wounds and belief systems that undermine the freedom given to us in Christ. Our identity as sons of God should cause us to be servant's of all and lovers of our enemies. Honor does not mean I give my power, authority and love away...it means I use all three to magnify Christ in you. Honor is the most empowering currency within the Kingdom.
Yet, we hide behind walls, temper our words to be more palatable for other's insecurities, spin plates of good works to distract from the foundational character cracks. We lose...we hinder ourselves.
I am hungry for authenticity. I desire to to run with a community of believers captivated by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The "beloved unveiled" takes one more step closer to being free. Authenticity is key.
I am convinced the threat against unity is the lack of authenticity. Unity is a beautiful picture of one's power, authority, and love embracing another person in all of their power, authority and love. Thus unity must be a product of honor. Where there is no honor there is no unity.
The greatest display of unity is the Godhead. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Living to submit to one another, never offending, never exerting authority, and never withholding. Displays of glory never pointing to self but rather pointing to the other.
The Godhead has nothing to hide. Nothing to prove. No greater success to achieve. The Godhead simply lives to have relationship.
If we are to live out God's glory on earth, and re-present heaven then unity among His people must be found. For unity is the product of honor. Honor comes from recognizing the God within another and giving it value.
To achieve honor we must achieve authenticity. Authenticity is rooted is safety of being known and accepted for who you are. We are plagued with wounds and belief systems that undermine the freedom given to us in Christ. Our identity as sons of God should cause us to be servant's of all and lovers of our enemies. Honor does not mean I give my power, authority and love away...it means I use all three to magnify Christ in you. Honor is the most empowering currency within the Kingdom.
Yet, we hide behind walls, temper our words to be more palatable for other's insecurities, spin plates of good works to distract from the foundational character cracks. We lose...we hinder ourselves.
I am hungry for authenticity. I desire to to run with a community of believers captivated by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The "beloved unveiled" takes one more step closer to being free. Authenticity is key.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
My Canvas
Sitting back and watching the recorded special of the 25th Anniversary of the Music Hall of Fame caused me to escape into a world defined by life sculpting lyrics, authentic voices scratching at my soul, and guitar riffs that moved me to exhilaration and tears. Artists consumed, abandoned. The result -- the unforgettable.
I want to find my art, and craft it like the lyrics of Sting, play it like Jeff Beck, and become timeless like Bonnie Raitt.
Creativity is aching to be expressed. Where is my canvas?
I want to find my art, and craft it like the lyrics of Sting, play it like Jeff Beck, and become timeless like Bonnie Raitt.
Creativity is aching to be expressed. Where is my canvas?
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