2015 - Indestructible Daughters

Fearless

November 24, 2015/0 Comments/in Devotional Studies, Devotions /by Indestructible Daughters

“The wise man in the storm prays

God, not for safety from danger,

but for deliverance from Fear “..Ralph Waldo Emerson

In light of the recent attacks against Paris and the people of France, we have seen fear escalate not only across peoples of this nation, but across the nations of the world. Fear is a powerful weapon and unless boldly confronted, in time, it will surely consume us.

Absolutely nothing good resides in fear. Fear inevitably paralyzes and destroys. Sadly, many people never fulfill the call on their lives, not because of lack of skill or ability, but because of fear. Many try to take steps forward, but, regrettably, fear stops and hinders them. Many fears challenge us…fear of terrorism, fear of disease, fear of flying, fear of being alone, fear of being different, fear of failure, fear of what others may say or think, and the list continues from there. Fear empties our lives and burdens us with worry and apprehension.

According to 1 John 4:18 fear brings torment. Enjoying life and being tormented at the same time by no means bears fruit for a fulfilling life. How can we truly engage in the life we’ve been given while nibbling on a diet of fear. For most of us, fear of others, and what they think or believe about us, is the most common and debilitating fear. Many times we hesitate to share the truth of the gospel with others for fear of what they may say or think. Often times we hesitate to draw boundaries or to say “no” to things we know might offend others, even if we feel a nudge from the Spirit to share.Twice in his farewell address to the elders at Ephesus, Paul says, “I did not shrink back” or “I have not hesitated” (Acts 20:20,27). Paul was bold about communicating truth. He repeated this phrase twice because he knew that the people would continually be tempted to shrink back from dealing with issues that needed to be addressed. Whether it’s sharing the hard parts of Scripture or confronting hard relational issues, we must not shrink back.

Frequently, we don’t dare let others see us get “too” excited about Christ or evangelism, because often times we’re afraid of being singled out or being criticized as a “holy roller” a “Jesus freak”, or other names we deem offensive. How often has fear of criticism paralyzed us from speaking truth, taking risks, and breaking from the crowd, especially when we know the Lord is encouraging us to do so.

I love this quote from Teddy Roosevelt:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. “

May we be people who enter the “arena” every day of our lives.

May we never shrink back in fear.

May we never fear failure even if we stumble and fall.

May we speak the truth boldly and risk all for the benefit of Christ.

May our cause always be for you Lord, for your glory, for your kingdom…We give our lives.

Scriptures for Prayer:

Isaiah 35:4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance,
With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you.

A Response to the Syrian Crisis

November 5, 2015/0 Comments/in Mission Turkey, Mission Updates /by Indestructible Daughters

My husband and I just returned from mission in Croatia, Greece, Turkey, and along the Syrian border. We saw hundreds of refugees everywhere we went; the parks, the subway stations, the alley ways, everywhere. Recently the media has responded with signs springing up in the news and on the internet saying …”Christians walk on water while Muslim children drown,” with the corpse of a small child washed up on the beach printed on those signs as well.

I thought to myself, is this how we want the faith of our Father to be viewed across the world? Those of us outside Europe are watching the unbelievable images of the Keleti train station in Budapest, the corpse of a toddler washed up on a Turkish beach, the desperate Syrian families chancing their lives on a night trip to the Greek islands — and we keep being told this is a European problem.

The Syrian civil war has created more than four million refugees. The United States has taken in about 1,500 of them. The United States and its allies are at war with the Islamic State in Syria — fine, everyone agrees they are a threat — but don’t we have some responsibility toward the refugees fleeing the combat? If we’ve been arming Syrian rebels, shouldn’t we also be helping the people trying to get out of their way? If we’ve failed to broker peace in Syria, can’t we help the people who can’t wait for peace any longer? Leaders and governments aren’t acting because no one back home is putting any pressure on them. Now, thanks to heart-sickening photographs, let’s hope the pressure grows.If governments won’t help refugees escape Syria, smugglers and human traffickers will, and the deadly toll will rise.

What’s holding back sympathy for the Syrians? They’ve been barrel-bombed in Aleppo by their own regime, they’ve been tortured, kidnapped and massacred by miscellaneous jihadis and opposition militias. They’ve been in refugee camps for years, waiting for the “the international community” to come to their aid.

What must Syrians, camped on the streets and parks of Greece, Turkey and other nations, be thinking of all the fine rhetoric about our christianity, human rights and refugee protection? May God break our hearts for these people. May we be filled with God’s love and generosity towards others. May we give freely and generously for the glory of God’s kingdom rather than our own personal kingdom. However, if mercy, compassion and generosity won’t change us , maybe prudence and reverent fear of God might. May God help us and forgive us for our indifference.May he mobilize us to intervene on their behalf and to acknowledge His word…”For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.” Matt 25:35 “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon…and your life will be like a well-watered garden whose waters never fail.”Isaiah 58.

A young boy in Antakya(Antioch) in front of St Peter’s, the first Christian church, mentioned in the book of Acts

Our guides and new friends…blessings on them and their families and friends still in Aleppo, Syria…may God protect them…

The Medusa-Snail Story

September 14, 2015/3 Comments/in Devotional Studies, Devotions /by Indestructible Daughters

Yesterday I reread an essay from a book by Lewis Thomas entitled “The Medusa and the Snail”, published in 1979. The medusa-snail story is an extraordinary tale of a mature jellyfish engulfing a tiny newly-hatched slug, only to be devoured bit by bit until the snail dominates. When a snail is small, the jellyfish will sometimes swallow it and draw it into its digestive tract. But the snail is protected by its shell and cannot be digested. The snail readily fastens itself to the inside of the jellyfish and begins to eat it, from the inside out. By the time the snail is fully grown, it has consumed the entire jelly fish.

Many of us are frequently like the jellyfish, and have our own snail that eats at us from the inside. Our snail may be pride, unforgiveness, anger, insecurity, depression, worry, greed or some other trait. Slowly it grows and begins to gnaw at us. Eventually we are consumed from the inside.

In Hebrews 12:1 we read, “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”. If you truly desire to finish the race of life, and if you want to make it to the finish line, each of us must learn to continually let go of anything that may be holding us back. What kind of things am I referring to? The things that constantly gnaw at your insides. The things that cause you to be discouraged or depressed. The things that weigh you down and keep you awake nights.

Think of it this way: If you attach one light bulb to a battery, the battery will run for a long time. If you attach 100 light bulbs to a battery, it will go dim and dark very quickly.

Father, we do not want to be entangled in the things of this world or hindered in any way from serving you. May our hard shells of pride, unforgiveness or any other hindrances be softened by the love of Jesus. May we eat and digest freely the bread of life that only You provide.

Father we thank you that we may find rest as we respond to your word: “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Help us to look to You for needed strength and an overcoming spirit as we daily encounter challenges and burdens in completing our race.Thank you that you recenter our focus on You so that we may serve others and serve you to your glory.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

An Awestruck Moment With Job and Me

August 7, 2015/0 Comments/in Devotional Studies, Devotions /by Indestructible Daughters

This morning Job and I were a bit awestruck by an amazing passage in his book. Although I have read the book of Job several times, today, the Lord allowed me to see it in a new way that I have never seen before. I love it when He does that! : Job 26:7-8, 14

“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;

he suspends the earth over nothing.

He wraps up the waters in his clouds,

yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.

He covers the face of the full moon,

spreading his clouds over it.

He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters

for a boundary between light and darkness……

And these are but the outer fringe of his works;

how faint the whisper we hear of him!

Who then can understand the thunder of his power?”

Amazing, yes? In the beginning Job seems to be describing the northern portion of the heavens, where the grandest constellations like Ursa Major(the Great Bear), the Big Dipper, Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), and The Little Dipper are visible to the inhabitants of the northern part of the world. What a catch of the eye this must have been for Job! The Northern Hemisphere consists of most of the earth’s land area and most of the human population (about 90%), while the Southern Hemisphere is about 90% sea. Oh, and by the way, the average weight of a star is 2 plus 30 zeroes behind it. And, yes, they just hang there?

“He suspends the earth over nothing”

Just reading that passage says it all. Remarkably, Job appears to grasp this concept. In contrast to the teachings of his time, like the Greeks who thought the earth was held on the shoulders of Atlas, or the people of India who believed the earth was held on the back of an elephant, or even the people in Africa who thought the earth was supported on the back of a giant tortoise, surprisingly, Job understood otherwise. According to the passage Job also had a grasp of the principles of the curvature of the earth and the curved nature of the horizon. The earth weighs 13,170 plus 21 zeroes behind it. And again, it just hangs there???

Take a look at this verse :

“He wraps up the waters in His clouds,

yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.”

The fact that God can spread out the heavens over empty space, hang the earth on nothing, and fill the clouds with water without them bursting forth on our heads, definitely brings us to an awestruck moment with God.

God has dominion not only over the world below and the world above but the very atmosphere.The average quantity of water vapor held in the air, is estimated to be 54,460,000,000,000 tons. The annual amount of rainfall is estimated to be 186,240 cubic miles. If this rain were to cut loose over the land portion of the globe, it would cover all the continents with water three feet deep. But it is just held up there ???

Think for a moment. Imagine if there was no such thing as evaporation, and you were required to lift up this great mass of 54,460,000,000,000 tons of water five miles high into the air, and keep it suspended there. And now fathom that God did exactly that on the second day of creation, and still continues to do it daily. How incredible is our God!

“And these are but the outer fringe of his works;

How faint the whisper we hear of Him!

Who then can understand the thunder of His power?”

Although Job’s description of God’s power is amazing and impressive, Job knew that his description did not begin to fully describe God. In fact he states that we only see a mere whisper of His power.

“Who then can understand the thunder of His power?”

As believers we are truly blessed by God to actually have the opportunity to see and understand many things that Job could not. The apostle Philip said, “Show us the Father and it will be enough for us.”Jesus answered (John 14:8) “ He who has seen the Father has seen me. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Because Jesus is God in the flesh and His Holy Spirit is within us, He gives revelation and understanding to so many things that would be lost to us. By redemption, all the wonderful works of the Lord are eclipsed that we may draw near to Him, taste his grace, learn to love him, and walk in His ways. And even more amazing is that all that power Job just described is within us by His Spirit!

What a miraculous, indescribable God!

Father may we be so awestruck by the wonder of You that all else shadows and diminishes in the glory of Your light. May we rise up in this power that Job described so vividly and push back the darkness, tear down the strongholds and trample on the enemy by your spirit.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Big Dipper on the starry sky

The Hospital By The River

August 3, 2015/0 Comments/in Books, Ethiopian books /by Indestructible Daughters

An amazing story about the women of Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia! A must read!….. When gynecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin left their home in Australia for Ethiopia, they never dreamed that they would establish what has been heralded as one of the most incredible medical programs in the modern world. But more than forty years later, the couple has operated on more than 20,000 women, most of whom suffer from obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury. In this awe-inspiring book, Dr. Catherine Hamlin

recalls her life and career in Ethiopia. Her unyielding courage and solid faith will astound Christians worldwide as she talks about the people she has grown to love and the hospital that so many Ethiopian women have come to depend on.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Hospital-River-Story-Hope/dp/0825460719

Kenyan Githeri

August 3, 2015/1 Comment/in Kenyan Recipes, Recipes /by Indestructible Daughters

Kenyan Githeri

This simple, nourishing dish, githeri, originated with the Kikuyu tribe in Kenya.

Lately there has been an upsurge in the consumption of githeri due to the health benefits associated with the dish. The combination of beans and corn supplies a full complement of protein for the often protein-poor diet of many Kenyans. Secondary schools are also credited with the popularization of this dish because it has been the main meal served to the students since the 1920s. Today it is eaten throughout the country as a staple dish. Eating githeri has also become trendy with young people. It is best served as is, but can also be enjoyed over rice or with a side of crusty bread. So if you love your beans and fresh corn, this is a must-try recipe!

Ingredients:

1 tbsp of vegetable oil

1 large onion, chopped

3 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tbsp of curry powder

A large bunch of fresh kale, chopped

1 28 oz. can of whole tomatoes, drained, reserve the juice

3-4 cobs corn, husked (or 3-4 cups frozen kernels)

2 cup of cooked dried beans, any type, drained and rinsed

( may used canned but preferably cooked dried beans)

A sprinkle or two of salt and lots of freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Cut the corn kernels from the cobs and set aside. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot and sauté the onions and garlic over medium heat until they are lightly cooked, about 3 minutes or so. Add the curry powder and cook for another minute or so.
Add the kale and reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon until the kale softens, about 10 minutes or so. Add the tomatoes, corn and beans and simmer another 10 minutes or so. Add the reserved tomato juice and continue cooking until heated through. Season to your taste with salt and pepper then serve and share!
Feel free to personalize your githeri by adding a few teaspoons of your favorite dried herb such as oregano, thyme or sage.

Mission Ethiopia … Jungle Revelation

July 30, 2015/2 Comments/in Ethiopia Mission Updates, Mission Updates /by Indestructible Daughters

Our experience in Yirgalem, Ethiopia was both memorable and life-changing. Traveling from the city of Awassa, we proceeded over rugged dirt roads and traveled through places where there were no roads to reach our destination.

We spent the night in huts and saw exotic birds with enormous white bills and Abyssinian black-and-white monkeys frolicking among the branches of coffee trees. The jungle surrounding our hut was lush and beautiful to behold. Rolling hills completely covered by thick vegetation gave the landscape a rich, intensely green coat.

The morning after our arrival, as the sun began to rise, each of us were provided canes to assist in our hike into the jungle passing hyena dens and an occasional villager along the way.

We finally reached a village with many small huts encircling the area. The villagers primarily lived in mud and bamboo huts with hard mud floors. During our visit we met a lady named Almaz who invited us into her home. Surprisingly, her livestock, a cow and a goat, remained inside the family hut as well. Her cow was positioned so that its droppings would drain out from under the hut to be used in their garden as fertilizer.

Behind the hut Almaz showed us what they call, “false banana plants.” We then proceeded to watch her from beginning to end, as she made a sort of meal from the plants. It was an amazing process! She literally used a type of scraper as well as her feet to scrap the filling from the plants. The filling was then wrapped in the leaves and would be left to ferment for many days. After the initial part of the demonstration, Almaz took a bundle that had already been fermented and unwrapped it. The filling was now much drier and through rubbing and kneading, it was transformed into a kind of meal that was similar to a corn meal. From this substance she made a small bread cake, cooked over a fire, and served it to each of us. It reminded me of a salty corn tortilla and was quite tasty.

This dear lady, Almaz, who had basically nothing to give, was essentially giving all she had to us. The experience was deeply moving. I then asked if we could pray for Almaz and her family and she followed by asking to pray for us as well. I fell to my knees in humility in response to her generous gift of prayer. It was so very humbling. She stated that she was a believer and that she knew Jesus as savior. She said that God had certainly come to visit her house that day through us. Then she prayed that God would give back to us a blessing in return for our prayers for them. She told the Lord that she had nothing to give us in return; no gift to give for the great blessing our presence had brought to her family. She prayed for our safe travels as well using translators to translate from her tribal language to Ahmaric and then to English.

We left Almaz and her family that day, full in spirit, and overwhelmed by the prayers from our visit that morning. As we hiked back to our site, we passed the tallest avocado trees I have ever seen. They truly seemed to reach to the heavens. Surprisingly, at the tops of the trees were children harvesting avocados and tossing them down to the ground for market. Before leaving we bought a few of the avocados from one of the children. Definitely organic! The best I had ever tasted.

We returned to the site for freshly made coffee and an elaborate coffee ceremony traditional for the culture.

That evening we sat around a campfire and actually saw many vultures and hyenas on the other side of a protective fence. We ate from fresh honeycomb and Ethiopian teammates shared childhood stories of hyenas, black mambas and of life in their villages from long ago. My mind was totally aflame with vivid, colorful pictures of days gone by. Beyond the firelight my eyes focused on the jungle, taking in the breadth of it. New revelation settled within me bringing a much deeper appreciation of the culture and the lives of the beautiful people of Ethiopia.

At night in the jungles of Ethiopia, monkeys cry aloud in the darkness and exotic birds shrill throughout the night. Hyenas tread the jungle floor howling, eyes aglow in the night scavenging prey to satisfy their hunger. Black mambas slither swiftly through the vegetation while vultures finish the remains of the day. A jungle is an unruly space outside the control of civilization. The word “jungle” itself carries connotations of an untamed and uncontrollable nature. A jungle signifies isolation from civilization, and frequently evokes emotions of intimidation, fear, confusion, and powerlessness. Interestingly, the Lord referred to “a jungle” in His word as He challenged Jeremiah’s faith.

In Jeremiah 12, Jeremiah is complaining of his struggles before God. In verse 5 the Lord rebukes Jeremiah’s impatience, while leading him into a deeper revelation of trials as a natural part of our walk with God. The Lord essentially was challenging Jeremiah as He challenges all believers to strengthen themselves for the battles ahead. He is challenging us as well to continually train and be ready to confront the enemy in the authority and power we have been given through Christ.

God replies to Jeremiah’s complaints in Jeremiah 12:5:

“If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,

how will you compete with horses?

And if in a safe land you are so trusting,

what will you do in the jungle (thicket )of the Jordan?

At one time or another, we have all experienced long stretches of uneventful days in our lives. And then, without warning, some personal crisis breaks on the scene, demanding more of us than we could possibly imagine. Suddenly, we are no longer racing with men, so to speak. Our race seems drastically increased as if we are racing against horses, huge opposing forces in our lives. Previously our daily lives had likened to a foot race, challenging us, yet still requiring only one step or leap at a time. Now the race accelerates against greater odds and we begin to flounder and get swept away by its force. In our “safe” land, which is whatever we describe or believe to be “safe”, we can easily have a tendency to wrap ourselves in self-sufficiency. Then, unexpectedly, we are interrupted by extreme circumstances, some as bizarre as earthquakes, tornadoes, and terrorists, and others as devastating as disease or death. All at once we find our manageable lives lost and entangled in a jungle of fear and despair. The scripture describes this fear-filled ‘jungle’ experience quite well, referring to the jungle of the Jordan, where treacherous lions roamed along the riverbanks devouring their prey.

So what is God’s response to the prophet in Jeremiah 12:5? He is essentially rebuking and challenging Jeremiah to move beyond the typical footrace of men and to step forth in his authority as a son of the King. Jeremiah 12:5 is challenging every believer to build himself up in the power of the Lord. He is encouraging us to rise to His call, and to reign as warriors for His kingdom glory.

Deep in the jungles of Ethiopia, the little lady, Almaz, exuded a peace and an inner calm in spite of the trials and difficulties in her life. Jesus had become her life, her ambition and her all. Despite their mud floor hut, lack of food, clothing, medical support, insurance, toys or technology, the warm, happy smiles of her family greeted us and lovingly embraced us. They smiled and laughed to the glory of God. Ironically, I, who had come to minister, was ministered to in turn. Almas’ inner strength challenged me to “ beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disapproved.”(1 Corinthians 9:27)

Am I truly a woman who confronts, through Christ, the fears and challenges of the jungles of life? …

Oh how I pray it may be so…

May it be so for us all …in Jesus name…

Father, I pray that we would be people of your strength and your power who can compete with horses and stand strong in the heart of the jungle when the enemy tries to oppress and entangle us. May we walk in the discipline of your word and thwart attacks with the power of your word. May we march to your call bringing our body, spiritually, physically and emotionally into submission to the power and authority you have given to each of us who are your children. Father, we pray blessings on Almaz and her family. May you raise them up for your glory. May a wave of your spirit wash across Ethiopia bringing each of them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. May bondages be broken and the unreached people groups of this nation rise up and call you blessed Father, living God, Messiah!

Amen and amen…

There Is No Me Without You

July 5, 2015/0 Comments/in Books, Ethiopian books /by Indestructible Daughters

There Is No Me Without You is the story of Haregewoin Tefarra, a middle-aged Ethiopian woman of modest means whose home has become a refuge for hundreds of children orphaned by AIDS. It is a story as much about the power of the bond between children and parents as about the epidemic that every year leaves millions of children, mostly healthy themselves, without family. Originally a middle-class woman with a happy family life, Haregewoin fell into a deep depression after the death of her recently married daughter. But then a priest brought her two children, AIDS orphans, with nowhere to go. Unexpectedly, the children thrived, and Haregewoin found herself drawn back into daily life. In Haregewoin Tefarra’s story, Greene gives us an astonishing portrait of a woman fighting a continent-wide epidemic. A powerful read!

http://www.amazon.com/There-Is-No-Without-You/dp/1596912936

Mission Ethiopia…The Oromo Tribe

July 4, 2015/3 Comments/in Ethiopia Mission Updates, Mission Updates /by Indestructible Daughters

Why did my husband and I do a month long mission in Ethiopia and Kenya? And why do we feel the urgency to maintain momentum for mission whether we are in the U.S. or across the world?

Mission is a full time job both locally and abroad. Missionaries who think they are going overseas to do a great work for Jesus intrigue me. After all, we are merely participating in the work God is already doing. Of course, all our friends at home will tell us what a great and wonderful thing we are doing. Then WHAM! We come face-to-face overseas with all our inadequacies and weaknesses. We realize how much we are actually going to have to depend on God to see something accomplished. We also realize that being stretched physically, emotionally, and spiritually as well as facing a new culture, language, and living situation is both challenging and difficult. Being a missionary is not about being superhuman and accomplishing a long list each day. It’s about trust, obedience, and hearing the Master’s voice.

Wherever we are living right now, we are in the midst of a battle. As Christians we need to understand the nature of that battle so that we can be victorious over our enemy. When we cross into another culture where Satan has built strongholds for centuries and where cultural cues vary, the battle looks different. However, our victory over the powers of darkness is in Christ alone. Mission is sometimes a huge challenge. And yet, seeds will be planted, and ultimately, Jesus is faithful to complete His work. Our prayers of intercession do not simply begin and end with a mission trip. We are to “pray without ceasing…..for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

While touring Ethiopia our team visited a recently planted church for an unreached people group. Barely standing with its eucalyptus branch frame covered in corrugated metal, a small group of people from the Oroma tribe had congregated before a young zealous Christian pastor. The Oromos are the largest ethno-linguistic group in Ethiopia (34.5% of the population). Most rural Oromo, 80% of Oromo population, retain Animist beliefs. However, it has been said that some Oromo wear Christianity and Islam like clothing over their traditional beliefs. They may claim a religion to enjoy the privileges of that religion, however, they do not practice the religion in actuality. Animism is the belief that all things have a spirit or soul, including animals, plants, rivers, mountains, stars, the moon, and the sun. Each being is considered a spirit that can offer help or harm to humans. As such, spirits must either be worshiped or appeased. Animists offer sacrifices, prayers, dances, or other forms of devotions to these spirits in hopes of blessing upon areas of life (crops, health, fertility, etc.) or for protection from harm.

Animism has been practiced since ancient times and is often mentioned in the Bible. The Israelites, for example, were commanded to not follow the practices of the nations around them who followed other gods. The Egyptians who enslaved Israel prior to their wilderness journey followed many deities as animists. In Daniel, the people worshiped “the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone” (Daniel 5:4). The New Testament also includes accounts of people who worshiped idols and other inanimate objects. In 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 the apostle Paul teaches,

“Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ‘an idol has no real existence,’ and that ‘there is no God but one.’ For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”

Animism has been practiced for generations by the Oromo, therefore what impact could our small team have in demolishing such a rooted stronghold. Very little I am sure without the intervention of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Traveling two hours through the rolling hills and countryside of Ethiopia in two four wheel drive pickup trucks, we made roads where there were no roads, crossed rivers, and climbed embankments to reach this recently planted church.

Carting a newly carved church pulpit, the pickup truck jostled and shook as we ventured forth. There was an excitement as we arrived; people from across the world, from California had come to visit and to share the gospel with them. We were humbled by their celebratory welcome to each of us as if our presence was worthy of such expression.

The young pastor greeted us, and proudly welcomed us to his small newly constructed church. It was necessary to translate throughout the meeting in three languages; English, Amharic(the primary language of Ethiopia) and Oromo. During his opening message the young pastor shared how he had laid out 10 stones on the ground and had prayed daily that those 10 stones would eventually turn into 10 people and that a church body would spring forth and multiply.

Now as he stood before his newly carved pulpit and looked out upon his small flock of 30-35 people, he gave thanks and glory to God for His grace in honoring those prayers. Joyously, the people began to worship God through song and praise. Marvelous to behold, we all sang in our different languages exalting the name of Jesus and the blessings He had bestowed upon this church and on each of us in turn.

Following the praise, my husband presented a message, a teaching about Jacob and the removal of the idols (Genesis 35). Rooted in Animism, his message deeply struck the hearts of the Oromo people as they were encouraged to lay aside their idols and accept Christ as their Savior. It was a heartfelt message that greatly moved the hearts of the people.

Following his teaching, I delivered a message on the power and the glory of God, and our identity in Him. “As He is so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17 ). Here God is commanding us and basically saying, the authority to free ourselves rests in us. Why would He say that? Why is that true? Because the Spirit of God is in us and we have been given all authority through Him to serve and bless the people of this world. This passage defines who we are in Christ and the equity of that power. He has equipped each of us with unlimited power, wisdom, and gifting to fulfill His mission.

As I completed the teaching, my husband joined me at the altar, as we invited the people to come forward for prayer. Almost every individual came forth and we laid hands on them and prayed. Several accepted Christ, recommitted their lives to Christ, or prayed for more revelation of God and His power in their lives. Some came requesting prayers for healing. One young woman was set free from demonic forces through deliverance as two other pastors joined along side us to tear down forces of darkness. The young woman had had a huge swelling on one side of her stomach that miraculously left as we interceded in prayer for her. Amazingly I saw and felt her stomach shrink as the word of God penetrated her body, healing and redeeming this young woman for His kingdom glory.

Following the service we visited the pastor’s one room home a short distance from the church. As the young couple sat on their bed on the floor, heads bowed, we all prayed the blessings and power of God upon their ministry and their lives. It was incredibly moving.

A relationship with Christ will never be founded in a system like Animism or in any other system across the seas. Nor will it be found in the U.S. within our own “religious systems”. Systems bind and hinder the flow of the Gospel. Of the 4.83 billion people in the world, 2.97 billion have never been reached by the gospel of Christ. Within that count are 8105 different people groups, 5539 being unreached people groups. An unreached people group refers to an ethnic group without an indigenous, self-propagating Christian church movement.In effect 63.4% have never experienced the joy and peace of knowing Christ our Lord. Within these people groups are many religions, some are well-known religions while others are tribal religions dating back centuries. Man-made religions all have the same identifiable imprint; they consist of what people must “DO”. They are made up of contrived elaborate systems, duties to be carried out, and ceremonies to be observed.

Systems only offer swimming lessons to lost, desperate people drowning in a sea of pain. Jesus dived into that sea in spite of the system. Unhindered, without fear, He walked forth speaking boldly the truth of God’s word. He didn’t condemn people.He didn’t raise up an army of protesters. He didn’t send out hate letters to the Pharisees or post rude, despicable comments on Facebook. He simply spoke truth and His Father’s truth prevailed.However, truth is often heavy and therefore, few people tend to carry it. Jesus carried truth through His Father and it blazed forth across nations. Blaise Pascal stated that “once your soul has been enlarged by a truth, it can never return to its original size.” How very true that statement is. Daniel, while in captivity, set himself apart in God’s truth and distinguished himself from the Babylonian system. In continuous prayer he rallied a war in the spirit that eventually led to a huge break in a monumental religious system. Following God’s rescue of Daniel in the lion’s den, king Darius wrote to all the lands and the peoples in the many kingdoms under his rule saying:

“May peace be given to you all abundantly! I make a law that everywhere among my kingdoms men fear and worship the Lord God of Daniel; for he is the living God, above all other gods, who only can save men.” And Daniel stood beside king Darius until the end of his reign, and afterward while Cyrus the Persian was king over all the lands.

What an earth shattering break in a system! Religion is something you carry, but Christianity carries you. Reinhard Bonnke, a noted evangelist, stated that today there are many laws about this and that.The “that” being religion. But Christianity is totally different from “that”. It is not a system of religious observances. It consists of “what God does for and through us.” Jesus frees people while systems have a tendency to bind and hinder people. God says, “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried you since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

Religious systems are not run by God but by false gods. False gods need to be carried, but the God of the Bible carries His people, loves His people and sustains them for eternity.

Please join me in prayer:

Father in heaven, please bless the Oromo people and demolish the stronghold of Animism and any other stronghold present in their lives. Father we ask your blessing on the young pastor and his wife as they guide and direct, by your Spirit, this fledging church plant that you, yourself, have ordained. May this body of believers grow, flourish and multiply by your power and strength. Father we pray healing and health against disease, lack of food and polluted water sources. May you intervene and meet all their needs according to your riches in glory. We thank you Father for the Oromo people and pray the blessings of your kingdom upon them.

Father, we also call upon your awesome power to tear down religious systems of ritual, duty, and oppression. Demolish the systems that hinder and bind, and loose your people into full relationship with You. May we be bound only to You for all eternity.

In Jesus name we pray….

Amen.

Abandoned, Abused, Homeless Children- A Word and a Prayer:

June 26, 2015/2 Comments/in Prayers /by Indestructible Daughters

Discarded and abused—but not forgotten

Psalm 27:10

“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.”

2 Timothy 4: 16 – 17 “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. ”

Countless children across the world have been abandoned because their parents have died, couldn’t afford to feed them, or simply did not want them anymore. These children often experience unimaginable suffering while living on their own. On our recent mission to Ethiopia and Kenya we met missionaries and local volunteers of children’s homes spending their lives to give rescued children an opportunity to know and love Jesus. Serving in an orphanage we saw first-hand babies and young children embraced by loving Christian caretakers. And yet, for many we still evidenced the lingering effects of malnutrition and abuse that had previously ravaged their innocent lives. Wrinkled skin and blackened marks were noticeable on many of their hands and feet. A few had larger heads disproportionate to their small bodies as their malnourished bodies drained nutrients from the hands and feet. The body naturally preserves the head as the last place affected, thus the enlarged heads. We also were able to pray and love on a set of 2-year-old twins who lived in a totally darkened place for 9 months. With no light at all, the mother hid them and rarely fed them. By God’s grace a neighbor lady rescued the twins and they were placed in the orphanage. They still have eye problems and difficulty focusing in light. The twins arrived 3 months prior to our arrival. Inseparable, we quickly noticed them following each other everywhere around the orphanage. One of them would cry while continuously squinting her eyes as if in pain. After we prayed and laid hands on her, the crying ceased for the rest of the day… Praise the Lord.

Hungry and vulnerable, many orphaned and abandoned children have no choice but to beg in busy streets or may eventually become trapped in a life of prostitution. Children left to survive alone on the streets face sickness, sexual and emotional abuse, and severe malnutrition. Across the world about 2 million children are exploited every year in the global commercial sex trade. For the millions of children still on the streets, the dangers of human trafficking, bonded labor, extreme weather and various diseases are all threats they must face daily. For those children who have found safety and placement in children’s homes, there is still a long road of recovery they must travel because of the pain and abuse they have endured.

Please join me in prayer …

Heavenly Father, please protect the children living on the streets from the harm that could easily befall them. May you miraculously save the many boys and girls trapped in lives of bonded labor, sexual abuse and homelessness. Please bring wholeness and healing to each of these boys and girls whose bodies and hearts have suffered immensely. May they become physically and spiritually strong by Your grace.

Almighty Father, We lift up the children of this world, the ones who live comfortably and the ones who have no roof above their heads. We lift up the children who have never heard of You. And today as we pray, we remember and lift up in Your tender loving hands, the abused and abandoned, living without love, without hope, and without the basic needs of life.

Lord Jesus, we call upon Your blessed name and pray for the children who are abused and suffering from wounds inflicted deep within them, and those led into sin at a young age, not knowing what they are doing. In Your blessed power, release them from these captives and may their hearts be reconciled in Your perfect love and healing.

Lord Jesus, we ask You to open their eyes and hearts to Your love. May they come to know You deeply, and experience Your love wholeheartedly,

We pray in the blessed name of Jesus, Amen!