Try this and let me know what your # is. I'm curious. Some of you (my family in particular) probably have lower #s than me although I find mine very low. I'm sure it has to do with the unusual spelling of my first name. Some of you may have thousands!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
I'm more important than you....
A couple of mornings ago, I had an interesting experience. I was driving to drop off L at school and go to work. In our area of town, one road gets very crowded in the mornings. It's just beyond the elementary school and is the access to the highway. Most mornings during the school year, the wait is a good 10 minutes, which for us small town folks is just excruciating! But, like all good citizens, you just get in line and wait your turn...isn't this what we learned in kindergarten, people?!?
Well most of us did, but there is about 10% of the population who must have been absent that day. These Jerks (as I affectionaly call them) get in the other lane and then cut you off at the last minute. I've seen this happen the last 18 months and have been annoyed, but not much has happened.
Well, that all changed the other morning, when one of these "jerks" did this and rear ended me. I was furious! I had L in the car (driving Lance's smaller car) and the guy was driving a Yukon. Fortunately L and I were fine and so was the car, but...when I got out to investigate, I told the guy that he was very fortunate nothing had happened because what he did was very rude. I told him that he must be more important than the rest of us since he couldn't wait in line. He responded with..."yes, I am". Not, "I'm sorry ma'am", not "is your child okay, are you okay?" not, "I was a jerk", but... "yes, I'm more important than you".
Wow...what's sad is that he wasn't a kid, he looked to be about my age and with a wedding ring on and I would bet money he had just dropped his kid(s) at the elementary school.
Dude, I'm sorry you were running late, but you'd be a lot later if you had hurt someone or damaged their property! I was floored by his behavior. I called the police mostly to report that they really need to monitor this area more heavily. Hopefully, this guy will think about this from now on and not cut people off, but more than likely since he's more important than the rest of us he won't.
Once I got back in the car and calmed down a bit, I heard the little voice in the backseat say, "I'm going to tell my friends that I crashed into a jerk." I couldn't help but laugh, but oops! Momma forgot who was listening to her. I probably should have/could have handled the situation better. The cutting off thing is just one of my pet peeves! UGH!
What would you have done? I'm sure some of you would have handled it alot better than me!!
Well most of us did, but there is about 10% of the population who must have been absent that day. These Jerks (as I affectionaly call them) get in the other lane and then cut you off at the last minute. I've seen this happen the last 18 months and have been annoyed, but not much has happened.
Well, that all changed the other morning, when one of these "jerks" did this and rear ended me. I was furious! I had L in the car (driving Lance's smaller car) and the guy was driving a Yukon. Fortunately L and I were fine and so was the car, but...when I got out to investigate, I told the guy that he was very fortunate nothing had happened because what he did was very rude. I told him that he must be more important than the rest of us since he couldn't wait in line. He responded with..."yes, I am". Not, "I'm sorry ma'am", not "is your child okay, are you okay?" not, "I was a jerk", but... "yes, I'm more important than you".
Wow...what's sad is that he wasn't a kid, he looked to be about my age and with a wedding ring on and I would bet money he had just dropped his kid(s) at the elementary school.
Dude, I'm sorry you were running late, but you'd be a lot later if you had hurt someone or damaged their property! I was floored by his behavior. I called the police mostly to report that they really need to monitor this area more heavily. Hopefully, this guy will think about this from now on and not cut people off, but more than likely since he's more important than the rest of us he won't.
Once I got back in the car and calmed down a bit, I heard the little voice in the backseat say, "I'm going to tell my friends that I crashed into a jerk." I couldn't help but laugh, but oops! Momma forgot who was listening to her. I probably should have/could have handled the situation better. The cutting off thing is just one of my pet peeves! UGH!
What would you have done? I'm sure some of you would have handled it alot better than me!!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Did I really do it?
Yes, I did! I FINALLY have our vacation pictures! yippee!! I've gone and gotten all technological on you. Next thing you know I'll be writing code...
As you will see below, we had all manner of fun. Just a small sampling of what we did...went to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi - top picks there? N - stingrays; L-dolphins
We went go carting - super fun! We played miniature golf and little L - she has a shot on the LPGA - she's good!
We spent one day at the Schlitterbahn, one day at the beach, went on the pier and watched people catch fish.
N driving fast like Momma:
N with the 'rays:
Pirate N:
The view out our door:
N checking the Corpus Christi harbor:
Hazy day at the beach:
L, acting silly in the car:
L, loving trains like her bubba:
We're racing!:
Our friend, the pirate:
As you will see below, we had all manner of fun. Just a small sampling of what we did...went to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi - top picks there? N - stingrays; L-dolphins
We went go carting - super fun! We played miniature golf and little L - she has a shot on the LPGA - she's good!
We spent one day at the Schlitterbahn, one day at the beach, went on the pier and watched people catch fish.
N driving fast like Momma:
N with the 'rays:
Pirate N:
The view out our door:
N checking the Corpus Christi harbor:
Hazy day at the beach:
L, acting silly in the car:
L, loving trains like her bubba:
We're racing!:
Our friend, the pirate:
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The story of us
Oh, how I lie! I promised vacay pics today, but I can't do that today. It's my 14th wedding anniversary and in honor of this day, I'm going to write the story of how we met.
Lance and I met in the fall of 1990 at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco. I was but a mere freshman girl and he a senior at Baylor University. We were involved in a college handbell choir together and neither of us really paid the other much attention. I was dating a boy from high school and I don't know what his reason was. :)
The director of our group would drop hints about each of us to the other occasionally and we'd both laugh (separately of course. She never did this in front of the other one)
By the spring semester, things weren't going well with the boy from home. I wasn't interested anymore. Fast forward to Easter Weekend...our college group went on a mission trip thru various prisons in Texas. We sat by each other on the bus a few times and began to talk. We had lots in common and some things not. I liked him, he was older and seemed to have things more "together" than the guys my age.
One of his friends, Brian, wanted to date one of my friends, Julie and convinced Lance to ask me to double with them. We did and Lance and I are still together. That was Brian and Julie's first and only date. They took us to various locations around town and campus for different courses of dinner. It was fun!
Lance and I spent the last month of his time at Baylor together everyday. We went dancing, walking, whatever, we just spent every evening together. I will never forget the first night he kissed me - we had been dating several weeks at this point. When I got back to my dorm that evening, I told my roommate that I would marry him. She laughed, but took my picture and it's wonderful to remember that moment that I "knew"!
Before he graduated, he asked me if I'd be interested in dating long distance. See, he was going to spend the summer travelling thru the Panhandle and then he was starting Seminary at Ft. Worth in the fall. I said yes and then began our 3 year 3 month long distance courtship. That summer of 1991 we saw each other only 3 times - once for a wedding, once for a funeral, and once for him to meet my family for the first time (which did not go well at all). I had a few doubts about the future of our relationship in August and early September of 1991, but then things changed. His paternal grandfather was tragically killed in a farming accident that fall and it deepened our relationshipo. He began driving to Waco every Saturday from about 8am to 10pm and we would spend the entire day together. It was great, but hard to see each other only once a week!
We did this until he graduated from seminary in May 1994 and moved to Odessa Texas. I had completed my classes in Waco by this point and was doing an internship in Dallas to complete my degree and graduate in August. I graduated on the 13th and on the 27th, we were married! My dad told me I had to finish college before I married and I did! I'm very thankful for this now!
Oh, how things have changed since this day 14 years ago. We've gone thru many hard days together and many joyous ones. We've served in 3 different churches and lived in 5 different homes. We've welcomed 2 beautiful children into our family. We've matured in many ways, but we still have our struggles. It's a continous journey. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. There are days we don't like each other much, but in the end, we are one another's best friend. There is no one else I would have chosen to go on this journey with. I know long after the kids are gone, we will still enjoy being together!
I love you, Lance!
Lance and I met in the fall of 1990 at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco. I was but a mere freshman girl and he a senior at Baylor University. We were involved in a college handbell choir together and neither of us really paid the other much attention. I was dating a boy from high school and I don't know what his reason was. :)
The director of our group would drop hints about each of us to the other occasionally and we'd both laugh (separately of course. She never did this in front of the other one)
By the spring semester, things weren't going well with the boy from home. I wasn't interested anymore. Fast forward to Easter Weekend...our college group went on a mission trip thru various prisons in Texas. We sat by each other on the bus a few times and began to talk. We had lots in common and some things not. I liked him, he was older and seemed to have things more "together" than the guys my age.
One of his friends, Brian, wanted to date one of my friends, Julie and convinced Lance to ask me to double with them. We did and Lance and I are still together. That was Brian and Julie's first and only date. They took us to various locations around town and campus for different courses of dinner. It was fun!
Lance and I spent the last month of his time at Baylor together everyday. We went dancing, walking, whatever, we just spent every evening together. I will never forget the first night he kissed me - we had been dating several weeks at this point. When I got back to my dorm that evening, I told my roommate that I would marry him. She laughed, but took my picture and it's wonderful to remember that moment that I "knew"!
Before he graduated, he asked me if I'd be interested in dating long distance. See, he was going to spend the summer travelling thru the Panhandle and then he was starting Seminary at Ft. Worth in the fall. I said yes and then began our 3 year 3 month long distance courtship. That summer of 1991 we saw each other only 3 times - once for a wedding, once for a funeral, and once for him to meet my family for the first time (which did not go well at all). I had a few doubts about the future of our relationship in August and early September of 1991, but then things changed. His paternal grandfather was tragically killed in a farming accident that fall and it deepened our relationshipo. He began driving to Waco every Saturday from about 8am to 10pm and we would spend the entire day together. It was great, but hard to see each other only once a week!
We did this until he graduated from seminary in May 1994 and moved to Odessa Texas. I had completed my classes in Waco by this point and was doing an internship in Dallas to complete my degree and graduate in August. I graduated on the 13th and on the 27th, we were married! My dad told me I had to finish college before I married and I did! I'm very thankful for this now!
Oh, how things have changed since this day 14 years ago. We've gone thru many hard days together and many joyous ones. We've served in 3 different churches and lived in 5 different homes. We've welcomed 2 beautiful children into our family. We've matured in many ways, but we still have our struggles. It's a continous journey. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon. There are days we don't like each other much, but in the end, we are one another's best friend. There is no one else I would have chosen to go on this journey with. I know long after the kids are gone, we will still enjoy being together!
I love you, Lance!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
First Grade, here I am!
Yesterday was the big day around here - school started! Yippee! We were all ready to get back into the routine. N was extremely excited and not nervous (that we could tell!) Other than trying to head back to his kindergarten class from last year, he knew it all. He was racing down the hall ahead of us - so eager to go! He has a great teacher and several friends he already knows from last year. He even reunited with the "lightning gang" at recess yesterday! But, my boy, he has matured a bit from last year. Instead of jumping up and down in the pick-up yesterday afternoon, he was standing with feet on the ground, waving and smiling BIG!
So, first words out of his mouth, once he got in the car?!? This was my best day ever!!! If you've read my blog much in the past you know, we hear this phrase at least once every two weeks. My boy - he is a lover of life- and I'm so thankful for this!!
Sissy had a good day in her class too - she's now with the BIG kids 'cause she's not a baby anymore...this from her sweet little lips! Little does she know, she'll always be my baby!
Hope your first day was as great as ours! Vacay pics coming tomorrow, I promise!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Routine, my old friend
After a fantabulous summer o'fun, I'm finally ready to get back in the regular fall schedule.
Summer, you were good to us, but we believe the fall will be too!
Top ten things I'm looking forward to this fall:
#10 - Getting to know the new 7th graders in our youth ministry
#9 - listening to the high school marching band at the Friday night games
#8 - buying new clothes that have long sleeves, full length pants, and closed toe shoes! of course, where we live we can only wear these between Dec 1 and March 1!
#7 - start Christmas shopping/Thanksgiving menu planning
#6 - make my own Christmas cards!
#5 - N's 7th birthday and Halloween all in one week!
#4 - trip with friends to Canton!
#3 - Dance classes with L - can't wait to do all the girly stuff!
#2 - Soccer with N and his friends
#1 - Lance's 40th!!! Birthday!!! How in the world am I old enough to be married to a 40 year old. I was only 18 when we started dating!! Of course, he is much older than me - hehe!
Summer, you were good to us, but we believe the fall will be too!
Top ten things I'm looking forward to this fall:
#10 - Getting to know the new 7th graders in our youth ministry
#9 - listening to the high school marching band at the Friday night games
#8 - buying new clothes that have long sleeves, full length pants, and closed toe shoes! of course, where we live we can only wear these between Dec 1 and March 1!
#7 - start Christmas shopping/Thanksgiving menu planning
#6 - make my own Christmas cards!
#5 - N's 7th birthday and Halloween all in one week!
#4 - trip with friends to Canton!
#3 - Dance classes with L - can't wait to do all the girly stuff!
#2 - Soccer with N and his friends
#1 - Lance's 40th!!! Birthday!!! How in the world am I old enough to be married to a 40 year old. I was only 18 when we started dating!! Of course, he is much older than me - hehe!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Consecration
WARNING - This is a very LONG post, but well worth it in my opinion.
Consecration - it's a big word and one that I'll be using ALOT this year. It's the theme of our Bible Study lessons with our youth. Consecration means CHOOSING to dedicate yourself to God without reservation, trusting Him, and obeying Him completely. You must trust God enough to give Him your most precious possession. Our first example of this is Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his own son, Isaac, his child whom he waited many years for.
One of the blogs I read regularly - Kristin had a great post on this subject recently....although she never used the word consecration, that's what I see in this post...I've copied both her posts below so you can read them...very moving.
Friday
When God Steps In
As I shivered at the edge of the pool, I glanced at the clock.
Again.
Only 5 more minutes of Mommy & Me swim lessons. In freezing water.
I noticed a woman and her children sit near our things, as I bemoaned my decision to struggle with my toddler in the water for two weeks of lessons.
I live a tough life.
We toweled off and my toddler kept saying, "Hi" to the lady I had noticed.
She spoke softly and sweetly to my daughter in a language that sounded like Russian.
"Where are you from?" I asked making conversation.
"Uzbekistan," she answered in clipped English.
I nodded my head, as if I knew the exact location. "How long have you been in the US?"
"Eleven months," she replied.
"Your English is very good. Did you move here for a job?
"No, how do you say, we are Christians and we faced persecution," she answered as she patted her little boy's head.
It was a surreal moment. Standing in the heat, watching my kids splash in the kiddie pool while talking to an escapee from the former Soviet Union. A persecuted Christian.
5 minutes from my house.
She shared some about her life. Her husband was a Pastor and arrested and later deported for his crime: preaching the Gospel.
"Did you face violence?" I asked.
I will never forget the look that crossed her face, she nodded, and tracked her children with her eyes.
She said a hundred things in that moment without uttering a word.
We exchanged phone numbers.
On the way home from the pool, I told my older kids about the conversation. My voice quivered as I shared her story.
"Mom, do you remember the Sunday School lesson we had a few weeks ago on the Persecuted Church?"
Yes.
"That was the country I prayed for," she said excitedly.
Yes.
I don't know why I met her. I don't know if we will develop a relationship or what the future holds.
I do know that I don't regret those swimming lessons and I am convinced that God stepped in.
Our families are meeting for dinner tonight (Friday) and I hope to share more . . .
Food for the Soul:
Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Friday
The Persecuted Church: At My Backdoor (Part 2)
Last week, I told you about the family who escaped religious persecution eleven months ago and ended up living less than 5 minutes from my house. I met them because God stepped in.
On Friday night, we met at Chick Fil A and I was happy to see them drink sweet tea. Because you know how much that means to me. It was a little awkward at first since our hubbies were meeting for the first time and because of the language barrier. But our kids hit it off and played while we sat down to eat.
Normally, I would not like this kind of situation. But nothing about this meeting was normal.
I wish I could have recorded the conversation. I wish you could hear their beautiful Russian accents and the excitement in their voices as they shared the miracles God performed. I wish I could tell you the whole story, but it would take pages to do so. I wish I could adequately explain the impact it made on my hubby and I. We were deeply moved.
And I am sure we will never be the same.
Before I share the details of their story, you must first understand how dangerous it is to be a Christian in Uzbekistan, which is 98% Muslim. Right now, it is one of the most persecuted countries in the world. If someone is caught with two or more religious items (Bible, Christian t- shirt, pamphlet, booklet) they are fined 20 to 100 times their monthly income. If they are caught twice, they are fined 100 to 200 times or sentenced to corrective labor (prison) for up to 3 years. Christians have been fined, imprisoned, beaten for preaching about Jesus.
Here is their story (while I have their permission to share this, these are not their real names): Igor was born in Russia and maintained Russian citizenship even though he moved to Uzbekistan as a young boy. He became a Christian, after his sister viewed The Jesus Video. (When Igor said this, I started crying. I worked for The Jesus Video Project about 15 years ago). Even though it was unlawful, Igor could not hide his love for God and His Word. He began leading summer camps along with his sister's husband in Uzbekistan. The camps were held as recreational events with the underlying purpose of spreading the Gospel.
Eleven years later, after meeting and marrying Katerina in one of these camps, Igor and his brother-in-law were planting house churches, holding camps and intensely teaching new followers of Christ with Bibles they smuggled in and literature they secretly printed.
In the height of their underground ministry, Igor was arrested and told that he must leave the country within 48 hours (Uzbekistan officials were hesitant to imprison him because he was a Russian citizen). Igor was shocked at his deportation.
He called his wife and told her to pack some things from the house they had just built. After 22 hours, the police told Igor his time was up. He hid in the mountains, but after his look-alike brother was arrested and held hostage until he reappeared, Igor decided to turn himself in. His wife and children hid in a dirty, abandoned apartment.
He was put on an airplane without any belongings, without knowing where he was heading and without his wife, toddler daughter and 15 day old son. The government knew his wife and children would follow because Igor was told they would be killed if they were seen.
(At this point in their story, I'm crying ya'll, and breathing deeply).
The family finally reunited in Moscow and lived in a one bedroom apartment with 11 other people for a year, facing much hardship. Katerina's papers expired and could no longer stay in Russia; she had to return to the place of her citizenship: Uzbekistan, where they faced death.
A family without a home, a family without a country.
They found safety at the United Nations as persecuted refugees and came to America, with $200 in their pocket.
For the past year, this amazing family has learned English, a new culture, and a new way of life.
But do you know where their heart is? They are working tirelessly thru the Internet and Skype to continue their ministry and disciple Christians in their heartland.
Their funding runs out at Christmas, so they are trying to raise monthly financial support so they can continue reaching others. My hubby and I feel compelled to help them get into local churches and share their unbelievable story.
God stepped into their lives and although they faced unbelievable suffering for the cause of Christ, they stood firm. I can't help but wonder what I would do if serving Jesus cost me my life....
Please pray that their financial needs will be met so they can continue to impact Uzbekistan and other parts of the world. I'm hoping to do some kind of blog fundraiser for them in the future. (What do ya'll think about that?)
Something Igor said moved me, "My arrest and deportation was terrible. And leaving our possessions and our family was very hard, but leaving the work, the ministry and the disciples...that is the hardest, even today." And he said this knowing they may never see their families again.
I am in awe of their faith and passion for Jesus.
God stepped into my path to remind me what it's all about. And He's using this sweet family to turn me inside out.
Food for the Soul:
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”- Psalm 16:8
Consecration - it's a big word and one that I'll be using ALOT this year. It's the theme of our Bible Study lessons with our youth. Consecration means CHOOSING to dedicate yourself to God without reservation, trusting Him, and obeying Him completely. You must trust God enough to give Him your most precious possession. Our first example of this is Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his own son, Isaac, his child whom he waited many years for.
One of the blogs I read regularly - Kristin had a great post on this subject recently....although she never used the word consecration, that's what I see in this post...I've copied both her posts below so you can read them...very moving.
Friday
When God Steps In
As I shivered at the edge of the pool, I glanced at the clock.
Again.
Only 5 more minutes of Mommy & Me swim lessons. In freezing water.
I noticed a woman and her children sit near our things, as I bemoaned my decision to struggle with my toddler in the water for two weeks of lessons.
I live a tough life.
We toweled off and my toddler kept saying, "Hi" to the lady I had noticed.
She spoke softly and sweetly to my daughter in a language that sounded like Russian.
"Where are you from?" I asked making conversation.
"Uzbekistan," she answered in clipped English.
I nodded my head, as if I knew the exact location. "How long have you been in the US?"
"Eleven months," she replied.
"Your English is very good. Did you move here for a job?
"No, how do you say, we are Christians and we faced persecution," she answered as she patted her little boy's head.
It was a surreal moment. Standing in the heat, watching my kids splash in the kiddie pool while talking to an escapee from the former Soviet Union. A persecuted Christian.
5 minutes from my house.
She shared some about her life. Her husband was a Pastor and arrested and later deported for his crime: preaching the Gospel.
"Did you face violence?" I asked.
I will never forget the look that crossed her face, she nodded, and tracked her children with her eyes.
She said a hundred things in that moment without uttering a word.
We exchanged phone numbers.
On the way home from the pool, I told my older kids about the conversation. My voice quivered as I shared her story.
"Mom, do you remember the Sunday School lesson we had a few weeks ago on the Persecuted Church?"
Yes.
"That was the country I prayed for," she said excitedly.
Yes.
I don't know why I met her. I don't know if we will develop a relationship or what the future holds.
I do know that I don't regret those swimming lessons and I am convinced that God stepped in.
Our families are meeting for dinner tonight (Friday) and I hope to share more . . .
Food for the Soul:
Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Friday
The Persecuted Church: At My Backdoor (Part 2)
Last week, I told you about the family who escaped religious persecution eleven months ago and ended up living less than 5 minutes from my house. I met them because God stepped in.
On Friday night, we met at Chick Fil A and I was happy to see them drink sweet tea. Because you know how much that means to me. It was a little awkward at first since our hubbies were meeting for the first time and because of the language barrier. But our kids hit it off and played while we sat down to eat.
Normally, I would not like this kind of situation. But nothing about this meeting was normal.
I wish I could have recorded the conversation. I wish you could hear their beautiful Russian accents and the excitement in their voices as they shared the miracles God performed. I wish I could tell you the whole story, but it would take pages to do so. I wish I could adequately explain the impact it made on my hubby and I. We were deeply moved.
And I am sure we will never be the same.
Before I share the details of their story, you must first understand how dangerous it is to be a Christian in Uzbekistan, which is 98% Muslim. Right now, it is one of the most persecuted countries in the world. If someone is caught with two or more religious items (Bible, Christian t- shirt, pamphlet, booklet) they are fined 20 to 100 times their monthly income. If they are caught twice, they are fined 100 to 200 times or sentenced to corrective labor (prison) for up to 3 years. Christians have been fined, imprisoned, beaten for preaching about Jesus.
Here is their story (while I have their permission to share this, these are not their real names): Igor was born in Russia and maintained Russian citizenship even though he moved to Uzbekistan as a young boy. He became a Christian, after his sister viewed The Jesus Video. (When Igor said this, I started crying. I worked for The Jesus Video Project about 15 years ago). Even though it was unlawful, Igor could not hide his love for God and His Word. He began leading summer camps along with his sister's husband in Uzbekistan. The camps were held as recreational events with the underlying purpose of spreading the Gospel.
Eleven years later, after meeting and marrying Katerina in one of these camps, Igor and his brother-in-law were planting house churches, holding camps and intensely teaching new followers of Christ with Bibles they smuggled in and literature they secretly printed.
In the height of their underground ministry, Igor was arrested and told that he must leave the country within 48 hours (Uzbekistan officials were hesitant to imprison him because he was a Russian citizen). Igor was shocked at his deportation.
He called his wife and told her to pack some things from the house they had just built. After 22 hours, the police told Igor his time was up. He hid in the mountains, but after his look-alike brother was arrested and held hostage until he reappeared, Igor decided to turn himself in. His wife and children hid in a dirty, abandoned apartment.
He was put on an airplane without any belongings, without knowing where he was heading and without his wife, toddler daughter and 15 day old son. The government knew his wife and children would follow because Igor was told they would be killed if they were seen.
(At this point in their story, I'm crying ya'll, and breathing deeply).
The family finally reunited in Moscow and lived in a one bedroom apartment with 11 other people for a year, facing much hardship. Katerina's papers expired and could no longer stay in Russia; she had to return to the place of her citizenship: Uzbekistan, where they faced death.
A family without a home, a family without a country.
They found safety at the United Nations as persecuted refugees and came to America, with $200 in their pocket.
For the past year, this amazing family has learned English, a new culture, and a new way of life.
But do you know where their heart is? They are working tirelessly thru the Internet and Skype to continue their ministry and disciple Christians in their heartland.
Their funding runs out at Christmas, so they are trying to raise monthly financial support so they can continue reaching others. My hubby and I feel compelled to help them get into local churches and share their unbelievable story.
God stepped into their lives and although they faced unbelievable suffering for the cause of Christ, they stood firm. I can't help but wonder what I would do if serving Jesus cost me my life....
Please pray that their financial needs will be met so they can continue to impact Uzbekistan and other parts of the world. I'm hoping to do some kind of blog fundraiser for them in the future. (What do ya'll think about that?)
Something Igor said moved me, "My arrest and deportation was terrible. And leaving our possessions and our family was very hard, but leaving the work, the ministry and the disciples...that is the hardest, even today." And he said this knowing they may never see their families again.
I am in awe of their faith and passion for Jesus.
God stepped into my path to remind me what it's all about. And He's using this sweet family to turn me inside out.
Food for the Soul:
“I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”- Psalm 16:8
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