the day the world stopped breathing

the climax of history. the defining moment. the pivot on which time turns- B.C. - A.D. this day.  a weekend to remember not only how much He gave- but to celebrate how much He is still giving!

#3590-#3619...

--joining John, Mary and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross
--walking the journey of the cross on a quiet, gray day
--these hours of solitude on Good Friday
--free coffee at Starbucks
--the blood and water flowing from your pierced side- that I might draw near- that we could be one flesh
--the intimacy of the cross- and as I die daily I can know You more
--the words You speak to my heart as I still and listen
--the freedom of life in the Spirit
--You love me!  Hallelujah!
--Sunday's a'comin!  You didn't stay dead!

 --the whole world mourning- heaven's tears dripping from every branch

--a bountiful spread... an open house...
--family coming to send us off with their blessings
--Caleb and his best friend, Grammy
--Noah. Isaac. Nate and Noah.  perfectly timed visits
--champions and friends coming to show their love and support

--lives touched. fellowship. my "Bible Study Girls".

--mentors. who have shaped our lives.

--silly youth group songs
--cards. notes. prayers- love to bring with us to Uganda

--catching glimpses of sun glory
--drops of water carving crosses on the window

--sunrise service.  easter people raising their voices.  alleluia to our Risen Lord!
--He is risen indeed!

Happiest Fellows in the Easter Parade?

our easter garden

Words of inspiration for us today- 

"Do we really believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is something more than making us the "happiest fellows in the Easter parade"? Are we just to listen to the bright cantata and join in singing, "Up from the Grave He Arose," smell the flowers and go home and forget it?

No, certainly not! It is truth and a promise with a specific moral application. The resurrection certainly commands us with all the authority of sovereign obligation-the missionary obligation! I cannot give in to the devil's principal deceitful tactic which makes so many Christians satisfied with an "Easter celebration" instead of experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection.  

It is the devil's business to keep Christians mourning and weeping with pity beside the cross instead of demonstrating that Jesus Christ is risen, indeed. When will the Christian church rise up, depending on His promise and power, and get on the offensive for the risen and ascended Savior?" -A.W. Tozer

sunrise service at Scotland Run Park

Happy Easter from our family to yours~ may you lean hard on the power the resurrection as you enter this week!

Prayer Guide: Revival!

Oh, friends, please pray for Uganda!  There is still unrest in Kampala- you'll have to research the news articles yourself for details. 

And the rains have come, but now there is flooding.  As my friend, Emmy Mugisha, said on facebook: "Having experienced much drought, rains have come with disaster. At least one man has died and many are homeless in my neighborhood. Need your prayers."

And ultimately, this Easter weekend, we pray for revival!  That the Holy Spirit would blow through that country and bring His healing and power to the Church and the land.  

Here are some tips on how to pray for revival- from the book Touch the World Through Prayer by Wesley Duewel

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to deepen your hunger.  God's initial preparation for revival always begins in the heart of one or more people as they hunger for God's renewed presence and power.
2. Ask God to give you His prayer burden for revival.  Whether for revival in your own heart or church or on some mission field (like Uganda), God delights in assigning special spiritual responsibility to His intercessors.
3. Ask God to give you some promise to claim by faith.  A promise that has been used again and again is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14- but there are countless others in God's Word.  
4. Humble your heart before God in prayer. (Isaiah 57:15)
5. Ask God to lead you to a prayer partner.  Then agree together in prayer.
6. Invite others to join in special prayer meetings for revival.** We would love for our Missions Prayer Nights to continue after we leave on May 15- would you be interested in being a part of that ministry?  Let us know!
7. Do not grow weary of holding on in prayer.  Prayer for local or national revival may continue for months or even several years before the full answer comes.  Don't give up!  In God's time revival will come if you persevere in prayer (Galatians 6:9)

**Women can check out Lydia Prayer Groups for resources in praying for revival in their families, churches, communities, and the world. 

CHE Uganda Site!

Interested in finding out more about CHE so you can pray better??  Check out the website!

And watch this video!

We Can Breathe Again!

Can you hear that huge sigh of relief?  and the whispered thanks? and the shouts of praise??

We officially hit 100% and have been released for Uganda!  We fly out May 15!  Our hearts overflow with a good theme: His gracious provision- His steadfast love- His constant presence.  We are b.l.e.s.s.e.d.

#3513.  Great-Grandmom Rambo- 84 years old today!
#3514.  an old favorite, read to a great grandchild
#3515.  memories...
#3516.  pool days. hot dogs, cheese curls and soda.
#3517.  sleepovers. costume jewelry. vintage Barbies.
#3518.  a godly heritage.

#3530.  You, glorious God, from whom all blessings flow.
#3531.  water ice from Creanie's to celebrate...
#3532.  100% on April 13th
#3533.  sacrificial gifts
#3534.  faithful prayers
#3535.  this weight lifted
#3536.  Your gracious provision
#3537.  Your perfect timing
#3538.  Scott and Meg released on the same day! (my brother and sister in law)
#3539.  the sun shining & birds singing- joining us in praise and celebration!

#3540.  wind through the flowering trees- scattering beauty everywhere
#3541.  the white way of delight :)

#3548.  best friends.
#3549.  Almonesson UMC raising money for us with an ice cream social!

#3550.  a gooey, sweet, epic sundae!

#3551.  a sweet moment with Poppy

#3552.  a "going away" shower from Trinity UMC!  So thoughtful!
#3553.  the beauty of His people coming together to send us off
#3554.  a tower of towels.
#3555.  piles of bedding
#3556.  cases of fruit snacks (and chocolate chips and mac n cheese and BBQ sauce!)

Prayer Guide: Compassionate Ministries

Community Health Empowerment training was held this week in Uganda! Pray that what was taught was clear and understood and that those who attended will become convinced of the value of this ministry and will be willing to commit time and effort as volunteers in their communities.  

Compassionate Ministries

WGM engages in compassionate ministries around the world to help people following natural disasters; development programs, healthcare, small business training, and children-focused ministries allow missionaries to show God’s love to hurting people. From the people who are able to respond on the ground at a moment’s notice to those who help with long-term community health programs, compassionate workers minister to make life better for those in need.

How can you pray for those involved in compassionate ministries through WGM and throughout the world?

• SUNDAY: Read John 12:32. In times of crisis and grief, pray for Jesus’ name to be lifted up among His people.
• MONDAY: Pray for missionaries and nationals teaming up to coordinate their community development efforts. Pray for trusting relationships within these teams and that God will use these efforts to educate and benefit communities.
• TUESDAY: Read 1 Timothy 2:1. Pray for your Christian and non-Christian neighbors.
• WEDNESDAY: Pray for those who are ministering through helping others start small businesses. Pray that God will bless their training times with opportunities for friendship.
• THURSDAY: Read Acts 1:8. Pray for unreached people. Many still do not know and have not heard about the life-changing power of Christ.
• FRIDAY: Pray for missionaries involved in relief efforts in areas of the world that are in crisis. Pray that God will use them not only as a blessing of relief to victims of crisis but also as living testimonies of Him.
• SATURDAY: Read Jeremiah 29:7. Pray for our towns and communities. Pray that God will open your eyes to compassionate opportunities in your church, school, or community. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want to do more than pray?  Check out the Great Co-Mission Catalog!

Or read this article on ideas for reaching out during times of crisis.

Prayer Guide: Kampala International University

Jean Komline with her KIU ladies :)

Pray for KIU this week of Lent:

• Through prayer you can water the harvest.  Perhaps the greatest need between seedtime and harvest is rain.  Spiritually, the said is the Word (Luke 8:11)- the Word is being preached to 600+ students at Kampala International University every Sunday.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would flow and bring the seed to life in each one present. 
• Through prayer you can cultivate the crop.  The seed is sown and watered, and the tiny seedlings begin to spring up.  This is another critical time, when cultivation (discipleship) depends on your prayers.  Pray earnestly for God to protect the young believers. 
• Through prayer you can influence world leaders.  Like the biblical heroes: Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel- you too can influence government officials through prayer!  And at KIU they are raising up business leaders, community leaders, and political leaders- perhaps even presidents!  Will you pray that they will choose Jesus for themselves, make decisions based in Scripture, and have courage and boldness to follow where He leads? 

**Read Luke 8:11-15 and pray through the Parable of the Sower on behalf of the students at Kampala International University this week- leave a comment to share how this parable shaped your prayer!**

PS-Seth is still recovering and is getting sick- so we're really strapped.  And we have a getaway planned for Josh and I to Ocean City... I hate to leave my sick baby- but we really do need a break.  So anyway- all that to say- pray for us! 

Packing for Africa...

What's the most important thing we can pack for Africa??? 

"If we want to see closed areas opened (and hard hearts softened) the absolutely essential preparation is massed, militant prayer.  If we want to see great harvest and spiritual revival, our greatest need is for great praying." -Wesley Duewel

We need you to begin preparing the way for the Lord at Heritage International School, and Kampala International University- BEFORE we get there!

A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
   the way for the LORD;
make straight in the desert
   a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
   every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
   the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
   and all people will see it together.
            For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Isaiah 40:3-5

"Highways in Isaiah's day were literally elevated roads, built higher than the surrounding countryside in many places.  Passes were opened through mountainous areas, rough areas were leveled, the crooked was made straight, and all impediments were removed.  It was painstaking work, requiring hard labor on the part of many.  But it was essential preparation for a road worthy of a king.

When God desires to do a mighty work of salvation and spiritual harvest, He calls His people to their knees... Many a local revival visitation by the Holy Spirit was assisted by the prayer preparation of two or three people in one or more places, praying individually or together for months or even years.  As they have humbled themselves before God, asking God's mercy, claiming God's promises, they have been used by the Spirit to prepare for a mighty work of God.  This is the role for which God needs you and your prayer."  -Wesley Duewel, Touch the World Through Prayer

Will you join us?  There are specific ways you can prepare the way of the Lord with us- STAY TUNED for more!

unobstructed airways!

my little baby went in for surgery yesterday- having his adenoids and tonsils out.  It's not a complicated surgery.  It's not a life and death situation.  But we're hoping it clears his airways- so he doesn't snore or pause breathing while he sleeps.  He was such a trooper!  He always is.  I shouldn't have been surprised. 

And how gratitude clears my airways- breathing out praise even in the hospital waiting room.  Even as my baby was hooked up to oxygen, and IV, monitors.  He is always worthy of praise!


#3365.  a doctor's wisdom on Seth's adenoids on Wednesday
#3366.  an available slot for surgery on Monday!
#3367.  You, God, our rock and refuge in this whirlwind
#3368.  prayers going up from our faithful team!

#3419.  silly juice to help him relax

#3420.  my little man all ready for surgery- on his "magic bed"

#3421.  flying socks silliness

#3422.  great doctors, nurses and staff

#3423.  free coffee and granola bars in the waiting room

#3424.  prayers going up around the world for my baby

#3425.  You being there in the OR with him

#3426.  him out of surgery; resting under medication

#3427.  finally being able to hold him

#3428.  "Bear-Bear" comfort on the way home

#3429.  ice cream and popsicles to soothe his throat

#3430.  dinner ready in the crock pot

#3431.  all he wants is his mama

#3432.  that my presence is enough 

#3433.  Your presence that comforts me

#3434.  how You hold me, as I hold him all through the night

#3435.  being in this together with Josh

burden bearing

Pray hard this week for the students at Heritage- we're just really burdened to fight for them- and are so glad we can count on you to bear the burden with us.

There is a huge need for spiritual direction.  There is much spiritual warfare happening and many students are at risk of falling under the weight of it.  Pray that the students have open hearts to hear Jesus calling.  We don't want them being lured by lesser loves- only all Jesus! 

**STAY TUNED for some prayer inspiration on spiritual warfare this week!**

Prayer Guide: Heritage International School

A rainbow of faces- all God's children- from up to 24 different countries!  This week we're focusing our prayer on Heritage International School- the students, the staff, the families and countries represented.  Let's use Colossians 1 as our prayer guide:

For the students and parents who may not know Jesus yet:

• that He would rescue them from the dominion of darkness and bring them into the kingdom of the Son He loves (Col. 1:13)
• that He would soften their hearts toward the things of God
• that they would one day share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light! (Col.1:12)

For the students, parents, and staff who know Jesus:

• that He would fill them with the knowledge of His will with all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives (Col. 1:9)
• that they would live lives worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, and that they would grow in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:10)
• that He would strengthen them with all power according to His glorious might so that they would have great endurance and patience (Col. 1:11)
• and that they would give joyful thanks to the Father (Col.1:12)

Thank you for joining us on this Lenten prayer journey around Uganda!  

Who do you know that you could pray these Colossians prayers over?