Sunday, June 10, 2007

~I'm not braggin', nor complainin'...just stating facts!~

I must confess that when it comes to time for our family to go to our churches...OUR FAMILY DOES NOT WANT TO GO! We DREAD every Sunday, and every Wednesday, and Thursday! I know that does not sound very spiritual...but when you have to go through EVERYTHING we go through to get to church, to say nothing of the Spiritual BATTLE we are in to help rescue souls from satan, it's NOT EASY! Walking 4 miles each Sunday, lugging half of our house with us ;), and 3 children, crossing BUSY roads, riding 4 C-R-O-W-D-E-D buses for 4 hours each Sunday, and then when we get off of the buses, we have to walk down dirt or MUDDY roads in the POOR, SIN-FILLED areas where we are working. Sin and Poverty S-T-I-N-K!! EVERY TIME we go to church we pass areas that REEK of URINE, and we have to watch our step not to walk in human vomit, or BM! Yes! We DREAD GOING TO CHURCH! But...we PRAY...and YOU DO TOO, and God gives us the strength to go, and afterwards we are happy to have done our small part to touch some lives for Jesus. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS...WE COULD NOT MAKE IT WITHOUT THEM!!!! =) ~A picture that a kind friend took of our family in Canada~

This morning we walked to catch our bus to church, only to find out it had just passed. But, thank the Lord, another one came a few minutes later! Got to church and had a good service, with a good turn out. For offertory, Kimberly played her arrangement of "Jesus Loves Me" that she had arranged for Sarah's graduation...then we turned to that number in our Spanish song books and the whole congregation sang all 3 verses...WHILE KIMBERLY PLAYED! She did a good job. I'm going to start teaching Kimberly and Sarah songs out of our Spanish hymnbook (there are lots of new ones, in minor keys, etc.) that way they can play for the offertories, and then afterwards we as the congregation will sing along with them AS THEY PLAY...for this will be GREAT practice for them, and we can continue to teach our people new songs. I want to raise 2 piano players for Jesus! On the way home, we got into the SMALL bus, (a little larger than a VAN) and there were 55 of us PACKED IN THERE, and 21 of us were packed LIKE Q-TIPS STANDING in the SMALL aisle (trying to NOT fall over with each BUMP)!!!! I wanted to get a picture of this, but it was impossible to capture!
Got home earlier than usual, and got to eat, and take a baby nap...PRAISE THE LORD!
Went to church and got into another crowded bus. Thank the Lord, some lady that had a seat offered to hold both Sarah and Noah, for I had my hands FULL...standing in the aisle, holding on to the keyboard, and TRYING NOT TO FALL! I prayed that God would give me a seat, and thankfully I did get one later on in the hour-long trip.
We had a good service tonight, and a good crowd too. Today, we taught both of our churches 3 new choruses from Steve Green's "Hide Them in Your Heart" CD...in Spanish. They are Scripture verses set to cute music...and our people really enjoyed learning them...a GREAT way for our people to remember God's Holy Word. (Especially since some of our people CAN'T READ THE BIBLE!) God helped us today...and for that WE REALLY THANK HIM!!

16 comments:

LaDonna said...

Oh my, what a process! I can totally see where you would dread doing something like that 4 times a week! You will continue to be in our prayers. And God will bless your family for the sacrifices that you make for those poor, lost souls!!

Anonymous said...

Your family was really on my heart today!! I've been praying for you. The Lord must smile down every Sunday when He sees how much you love Him to go through so much to reach people!! You all are a blessing and encouragement to us!!

Making Memories 1999 said...

"Thank you for giving to the Lord" May there be many changed lives because of Jesus' love that you all show each week!! And best of all, HE knows and sees your loving sacrifice to HIM!! Thank you so much!! I pray that God will encourage, uplift, and bless your souls this week!! You are truly a blessing!

I've done some "catching up" on your blog this evening! :-) WOW, Lady. . . you've had some wonderful and busy days!! Really enjoyed the graduation pictures. Congratulations!! You all did a beatiful job!! Also enjoyed the vacation pics. Happy belated anniversary!! Also happy belated birthday to Kimberly!!

Thanks so much for sharing your "daily life" with us. I do pray that God will bless you all richly!! Also, thanks for stopping by my blog. It's so nice to "see" you! :-) Have a wonderful week!!!

HUGS from your friend!!

Rob and Deanna said...

Beautiful picture of your family, Heather! So thankful that you are allowing God to use your family to be a Blessing in others lives. You all definitely not following an easy road with 3 little blondies!

Rob and Deanna said...

Beautiful picture of your family, Heather! So thankful that you are allowing God to use your family to be a Blessing in others lives. You all definitely not following an easy road with 3 little blondies!

Les said...

I know I wouldn't want to make that trip either! Nice picture of your family, and how neat that your daughter has been playing the piano in church!

Patty said...

As I read your discription of what you go through every sunday to go to church, I could not help but think about the little excusses that people in the states use for why they missed church. WOW what a day every sunday is for you all.I truelly believe that God will reward your efforts, and the people of Columbia are blessed to have you.

I am wondering why you all do not have a vehical. If it is a lack of money, maybe we could start a fund raiser among our blogging freinds!!

I also wanted to commend you and Phil for going the extra mile to make your family a priority. All of the work that you went into to give Sarah a graduration was just wonderful. You really try to make their lives "normal" and fun. That goes a long ways in making them love the life of a missonary. You all are a missionary family, not missionarys with kids.
Have a great day,
Patty former MK

Martha C said...

Bless your heart! We spend hours on the road every Sunday but at least we are in our own vehicle!
I was happy to read of the girls' piano playing. I know the best thing for me was to have to play for the congregational singing at a very young age.

Tara said...

Thank you, Heather, for another very riveting account of your life on the field. I watched the TLC Commissioning Service at H.S. last night, with John Parker preaching. He was stressing how amazing it is that the LORD of the harvest would even allow us to be partakers and reapers in that harvest. Just think of the reward that your precious family will have for being some of those reapers!

Your dedication and commitment are inspiring and humbling. I agree with a previous comment about the excuses used by some here in the USA for missing church. OUCH! Maybe congregations all across this country should have this post read to them!

Blessings on you and your family today. You are indeed "good and faithful servants."

sherryldickinson said...

You are my sweetheart children. I love you five. Mom D.

lauralavon said...

You are in our prayers as you walk the path you feel He has laid upon your heart. May He bless and strengthen you, encourage and inspire you, and keep you in His everlasting arms! Thanks for sharing. It helps us know how to pray.

Julia said...

Heather;

Your post helped to answer a question I've had for a long time. You talk about how you bake yummy stuff all the time, but your family is so thin. I've thought, how could they eat all that great baking and stay so trim? Well now I know. If I had to walk four miles 4 times a week, I could consume more cookies too. Bless you all. I will try to remember to pray for you esp. on Sundays.

Kim M. said...

Heather your blog has brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for all you go through to win souls to Christ.

sarahmfry said...

Wow. I appreciate your honesty. It helps so much to know how to pray - you keep us so updated on how life is there, it's almost like visiting. Praying that you'll have a wonderful.

Has anyone told you lately that you're beautiful? I love to see the safe home you are making for your family in such challenging situations.

Blessings and hugs

sarahmfry said...

Wonderful DAY. Forgot the end of my sentence. hee hee

Ellen said...

Heather, I can't imagine hauling children and baggage so far so often. God surely will bless you for the trials you go through while teaching people about Him who might not ever know about Him if it were not for you. As I can't seem to say enough, you and your family are so precious and are such an inspiration. What lessons in life your children are learning as they watch and learn by what you are doing there.

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