tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90863654752797226412024-02-07T21:24:51.238-05:00Me TooSuccesses..Failures..Joys..Sorrows..Mountain Tops..Valleys..THE JOURNEY...Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-6321290398664996472012-02-16T12:59:00.000-05:002012-02-16T12:59:49.602-05:00What Now Lord?Do you ever find yourself asking that question? We are back in the US, and in Bryan Texas to be exact. We moved here to take a job that Chris had been offered only to arrive and find out the exact job was no longer a possibility. Chris is still in training with the prayer that there will indeed be a job that opens up, and we really pray SOON.<br />
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I think the most common question has been... "How are you really doing?" and "Are you completely discouraged?" To give you the real life answer... We have grown in our faith. We as well as our children are trusting God in new ways. We believe that God lead us to Texas. We know He is out for our best good. We know we can trust Him. We do have hard days when there is discouragement. We do not understand the big picture. There have even been moments of excitement. Each and every time we have had a wilderness time, the Lord has been preparing us for something greater. We have questioned. BUT...<br />
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We can say without a doubt that when our heads hit the pillow each night, We believe God and place our full trust and faith in Him despite what we see. Take the time to read Psalm 40. I feel like this was written for me right now and it is so encouraging!<br />
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We greatly appreciate all your prayers!<br />
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Oh, P.S. I am getting ready to re-do my blog. I am excited about what chapter God has next for the Feild Family!Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-52950233607675117612011-03-23T13:13:00.000-04:002011-03-23T13:13:25.566-04:00Riots and GunshotsThis morning we received a call that our kid’s school had been canceled for the day. There is some military that is rioting. They broke into the military armory and there have been reports of violence through the night. We have been advised to stay in our homes. Several of our team mates who live in the city have heard gun shots throughout the morning.<br />
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There is a planned riot/march that will start in about 2 hours at the military down the street from our home. Please stop now and pray for peace and safety in Burkina.<br />
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A couple weeks ago news had broken of a university age student who died in police custody. People believed that he was the victim of police brutality, but the police said that he died from meningitis. Some scattered protests began and several have been killed. Due to the strikes by the Burkinabe students they have missed almost a month of school. They are due to return the 28th; however, we were told today that this may be extened due to the military situation.<br />
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Just recently Gabriella and I were on the way home from taking the kids to school and she commented on how pretty this building was and how badly she wanted to go to that place. It looked like a “princess castle.” I explained to her that the outside of that building did look really pretty but the sad thing was that inside that pretty place people were dying and going to hell… "Gabriella,this place is called a mosque" I said. This is where the Mvslims go for prayer. Instead of going to visit the mosque we need to pray that the walls would come tumbling down and that the people would hear and know the truth of Jesus. We stopped at that moment and prayed.<br />
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Little did I know that every single time we passed a mosque the entire car would hear, “WE NEED TO PRAY!” Needless to say this was at first funny and then became annoying. The other children would even try to distract her from seeing the ones we would approach as we would drive down the road. <br />
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DARKNESS… We live in darkness. So often I feel like we are deceived at how dark places are because the surface seems so light. From riots, to rebellion, to deception, to death…. People are living a life separated from the Father and desperately need Jesus. Please pray for salvation to come. Pray for safety and protection.Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-74481584588968069572011-03-05T11:09:00.003-05:002011-03-14T23:29:03.744-04:00Trials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Ox_6QNEUbtCvloL3ueZO274YA9Uf_FQRTZXrx8JYC15jyWT6df-ZhT3ReHS_7b5es4xML2hW_pc-XtvSgoIRG533hEg2KyTKChZZTgLjrTFchLIGKGhPwpz-DeS9mDi0YisFix_qmXy/s1600/Feb+at+the+LAC+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi38Ox_6QNEUbtCvloL3ueZO274YA9Uf_FQRTZXrx8JYC15jyWT6df-ZhT3ReHS_7b5es4xML2hW_pc-XtvSgoIRG533hEg2KyTKChZZTgLjrTFchLIGKGhPwpz-DeS9mDi0YisFix_qmXy/s320/Feb+at+the+LAC+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>So I threw grace out the window last night. We have been praying about making another 2 year commitment here in Burkina and really do not feel like God is done with us here yet. We still have to be approved through all the channels to come back, but we have felt like we will indeed return.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RlA5lD3-3cQHP7DVewknexv0n7nofr1zCWQh-tDSkailvMQLpIonZ2CMXf35-Qd5_i04yuQWVwa8pkuTBAzf_4-m80wwrGo_nCtmcjXpxkEkFYt-fI0M5Hy13pCjZNB-9oFdQLbW-6wz/s1600/Feb+at+the+LAC+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RlA5lD3-3cQHP7DVewknexv0n7nofr1zCWQh-tDSkailvMQLpIonZ2CMXf35-Qd5_i04yuQWVwa8pkuTBAzf_4-m80wwrGo_nCtmcjXpxkEkFYt-fI0M5Hy13pCjZNB-9oFdQLbW-6wz/s320/Feb+at+the+LAC+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Just yesterday morning I was talking with the Lord and saying that there is no way that this cannot be You drawing us back. We were excited. I really felt encouraged that we have been going through 12 hour power and water cuts at the same time, mind you I have had three kids with vomit and diarrhea in the midst of this. I promise you that this is not fun just in case you would have thought otherwise. I have gone from freaking out about all the money we will have to raise on top of our current support that needs to come in….. To believing God for His provision and even excited to see how He is going to do it. So do you see the picture, we said yes we would return when things feel yucky and very uninviting. Lord doesn't this effort some immediate blessing here?!?!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1ml2UOSa4XqpR9VApM9S6VCMemnWmGH_wwTqpVctMn8vh9OqKWvMOzDwHfVoTFHtYgFM13FBTDGHiVKUdfZDnayBu8prLs5DeScb1Ly7S5DYEgo5a_b2FgK4fhO_dUyqda6k5C4_qkGY/s1600/more+ga+pics+222+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1ml2UOSa4XqpR9VApM9S6VCMemnWmGH_wwTqpVctMn8vh9OqKWvMOzDwHfVoTFHtYgFM13FBTDGHiVKUdfZDnayBu8prLs5DeScb1Ly7S5DYEgo5a_b2FgK4fhO_dUyqda6k5C4_qkGY/s320/more+ga+pics+222+139.JPG" width="298" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">OK so I know I am not the only one here……. The classic situation took place yesterday afternoon. The feeling you have when you have watched the Father and said I am stepping out of the boat in faith and walking on this water even though I have no idea how this will work. It feels amazing to trust Christ that way. However, with-in hour’s one attack after another began to come like a punch in the gut each time. I knew that the enemy was at work and I do believe that this is a spiritual attack. For that moment, I felt discouraged, but trusting my Father.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">So as the evening comes, Samuel has bible study in town. I am then happy to have to drive into town to be out of my dark hot home. This is what I thought would be good for us… sitting in the air condition and just praying. It was STRESS. Driving the road with a million little mopeds, bicycles, and a few aggressive cars on the road was insane. They are not great about respecting traffic lights to start with, but when it is dark and there are no street lights on top of no traffic lights, it was a nightmare. I think the tears started to fly after seeing the 4th very disturbing accident.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We returned home to a dark home and decided to have a spend the night party in the car. The kids got settled on their movies and I began to complain to the Lord. I was mad but even more than mad, I was sad. My comments were Lord, SERIOUSLY!!! I feel like we have given up so much to follow You, can we not get a little break. You are the King that is reigning on the throne and I know that this is nothing for you. The picture that came to my mind right away was a picture of Jesus on the cross. He did not need to use words with me, I knew. He had given up His son so that I could have eternal life. My sacrifice is nothing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I went to bed just discouraged.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I woke this morning I wish I could tell you that each situation that arose yesterday had been miraculous taken care of, but I can’t. What I can tell you thought is that as I sat down to start my Bible study the first thing that I wrote on my paper was, “My grace is sufficient for you!” I really felt like before even opening my mouth that this is what the Lord spoke to me. I then started to try and have email downloading while I was readying and this subject title pops up…..The Benefit of Trials. I knew that this was for me. I have pasted the devotion below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>THE BENEFIT OF TRIALS</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>My grace is sufficient for you.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>2 Corinthians 12:9</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>If none of God's saints were poor and tried, we should not know half so well the consolations of divine grace. When we find the wanderer who has nowhere to lay his head who still can say, "I will trust in the Lord," or when we see the pauper starving on bread and water who still glories in Jesus, when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction and yet having faith in Christ--oh, what honor it reflects on the Gospel. God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring--that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This patience of the saints proves the power of divine grace. There is a lighthouse out at sea: It is a calm night--I cannot tell whether the edifice is firm. The tempest must rage about it, and then I shall know whether it will stand. So with the Spirit's work: If it were not on many occasions surrounded with tempestuous waters, we would not know that it was true and strong; if the winds did not blow upon it, we would not know how firm and secure it was. The masterworks of God are those men who stand in the midst of difficulties steadfast, unmovable--</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>CALM MID THE BEWILDERING CRY, </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>The one who would glorify his God must be prepared to meet with many trials. No one can be illustrious before the Lord unless his conflicts are many. If, then, yours is a much-tried path, rejoice in it, because you will be better able to display the all-sufficient grace of God. As for His failing you, never dream of it--hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now should be trusted to the end.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><br />
</em> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I am reminded that I am honored and blessed to serve the King of Kings, that He hurts when I hurt, that He wants nothing more than a deeper richer relationship with me and it is through these tough times that He is able to really shine in His greatness. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">TRUSTING HIM!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.readypromotions.com/images/clients/westridge/burkina/support_button_thankyou.jpg"></div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-53367839890366635202011-02-25T03:06:00.000-05:002011-02-25T03:06:01.260-05:00When God moves in your Child's Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blog Part 4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6UFsDfPYR2sSgdIol9bMjxe_aR_TfkIVI19qzIdBnaT_yBkGw5QpaNRqcYQriKwy2idRiwQMd5sSYxpPDV6L9uWTtA6Kzt_09zzBCt5YCW7K-EXg1V5iWtyATaN0atoiKd25Ssq1R2Y7/s1600/DSC_0135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6UFsDfPYR2sSgdIol9bMjxe_aR_TfkIVI19qzIdBnaT_yBkGw5QpaNRqcYQriKwy2idRiwQMd5sSYxpPDV6L9uWTtA6Kzt_09zzBCt5YCW7K-EXg1V5iWtyATaN0atoiKd25Ssq1R2Y7/s320/DSC_0135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Silas is 9 years old and is in the 3rd grade at the International School of Ouagadougou.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgQLo2HIwm8s0SQ60DerSG0-Xssp7Vg0K7Ih_jd9_UcNwOKSOw8N4c2k1zQmXsUeWeSJjHUExVD8G66H5tFpZ-ajh3eMe-CfmE0JqlJO27iyqTVQX8ACSPlLhGouFxbAOrMsYYnDfW1k3/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVgQLo2HIwm8s0SQ60DerSG0-Xssp7Vg0K7Ih_jd9_UcNwOKSOw8N4c2k1zQmXsUeWeSJjHUExVD8G66H5tFpZ-ajh3eMe-CfmE0JqlJO27iyqTVQX8ACSPlLhGouFxbAOrMsYYnDfW1k3/s320/DSC_0161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Silas likes Superman and I think part of this comes from his love for his older cousin Bo.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXc2qG6JUVKat41n7t76dqZLBfxw6ASI3nmlhidJZ1NmyPbYe8pNV-e0khbF2Ctf1uI191oFebE51qzeT0zoJpybBKrnnpLrnwTwORMsVc39BiA94YTSn8vlXS12RrS_st_7xMzHuDQY7/s1600/ouaga+feb+16+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXc2qG6JUVKat41n7t76dqZLBfxw6ASI3nmlhidJZ1NmyPbYe8pNV-e0khbF2Ctf1uI191oFebE51qzeT0zoJpybBKrnnpLrnwTwORMsVc39BiA94YTSn8vlXS12RrS_st_7xMzHuDQY7/s320/ouaga+feb+16+050.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is Silas in the school assembly! They had a cause and effect presentation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Silas also learned a little about cause and effect in his own life and obeying God.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Silas struggles being here. He trusts God, but he has at times counted down the days until he can be with his best friend, Jonah Brooks again. He heard Noah praying that God would tell us if we are to come back after our Stateside. Our stateside does not start until January 2012. We would go home to raise support for 6 or so months and then possibly come back. 4 days ago during our morning prayer time while Noah was praying Silas busted in with a WHAT? You said we were coming here for two years….chin is quivering and the tears begin to fall. I do not want to come back. I really miss Jonah and American football he says. I simply am heartbroken for him and try to encourage him as we are about 2 minutes from school.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color: red;">Fast Forward to a week later- Samaho gets SAVED.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYLvYRad5DnZlk4j0taC9eK-mRpBHmWaVelAM-KSYihCiUAyIdm7pnmIxxjaUZuQYWANVWekjQmIx9XSfLVpXtQYQx1TqCqJt-Xk1W5x6JOw7BtLCkqFHPpuuwqb5SnMjgH8GRI5zloDM/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" l6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYLvYRad5DnZlk4j0taC9eK-mRpBHmWaVelAM-KSYihCiUAyIdm7pnmIxxjaUZuQYWANVWekjQmIx9XSfLVpXtQYQx1TqCqJt-Xk1W5x6JOw7BtLCkqFHPpuuwqb5SnMjgH8GRI5zloDM/s320/DSC_0248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center">This is Samaho and her son Philemon!Fast Forward to the next morning during prayer time- </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">We use the ACTS- Acknowledge, Confess, Thanksgiving, and Supplication…. We are on “thank” and the excitement that we all shared in her decision for Christ was amazing. Silas stops in the middle of his prayer and says, “Wait a minute, so do you mean that because of us like 22 people will go to heaven now?” I respond not understanding the number he gave, “YES, Silas. Because you loved, prayed for, and showed Jesus by your life- Through God’s power Philemon’s mom and Surge gave their lives to Jesus and they will be in heaven with us. Who are the other 20 people?” Silas responds, “Ya know the people who come to church just because we are white and they want to see us or because there is a team here and then when Pastor Agabus is preaching they ask Jesus into their lives. That is because of us too?” My response with a quivering voice and tears streaming down my face was, “Yes Silas. Does it not feel so good to be the usable part of God’s power so that others come to know Jesus and heaven gets bigger? Silas, now do you understand that it breaks my heart that you miss home and Jonah and American football, but if God asks us to come back to Burkina it is only because He needs us to be the usable tool so that he can extend his grace and power and people will give their lives to him?” With a tender sweet almost shy looking smile he shakes his head yes. “Silas, if God calls Daddy and I to come back to Burkina Faso after our two year commitment here is over, He does not just not leave you out of the picture. He has a plan and wants to use you, but He cares that you hurt. It is in times like these that we have to trust God even if it does not feel like he is taking care of us or out for our best good because we really are sad and our hearts really do hurt….. Because we really do miss Jonah very bad or we really want to play American football. We are now at school and the kids have to get out of the car…. Silas is in the front seat and as he takes his seat belt off with the sweetest smile I have ever seen he says, “I love you mom.”</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I know that it is in times like these, God reminds me that even though we hurt and suffer, it is He who will also grow and teach us love and protect us. At age 9, Silas’s heart is sufferings but he is learning lessons at 9 years old that I pray will mold him into a man of God that can trust God in ALL things because He knows WHO God is.</span><span style="color: black;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Thank you God for Silas, please bring Jonah here for a visit. We will wait for your timing, but please bring him! AMEN!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>God’s Power in Usable People Brings Changed Lives and Amazing Things!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><br />
<strong></strong></span></div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-51946358096763116142011-02-22T03:48:00.001-05:002011-03-14T22:29:29.950-04:00Samaho Gives her Life to Jesus<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Blog Part 3</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwFMZEGlZXYcPqdE4je417AR7I0S7tKwMouteLL97EOHXBRXRrinKWpnO4QPrM4ZScG6W7HOrM5wpMhO8Cqicks_9fqoSzOC7-tlvjxsi5kJ5sKYSr0vT5m7-To0CVttt7w8mGFLy42pD/s1600/ouaga+feb+16+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwFMZEGlZXYcPqdE4je417AR7I0S7tKwMouteLL97EOHXBRXRrinKWpnO4QPrM4ZScG6W7HOrM5wpMhO8Cqicks_9fqoSzOC7-tlvjxsi5kJ5sKYSr0vT5m7-To0CVttt7w8mGFLy42pD/s320/ouaga+feb+16+027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This was taken on the way to school. The creator of the Universe is still in the same yesterday, today, and forever!</span></div><span style="background-color: red;"></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Talk about a thrill. This was better than anything I could have received.... seeing God move on and in the heart of my friend in which I have been praying for… Word do not describe the joy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Philemon's mom has slowly allowed us into her life. She has slowly shared her hurts and struggles. She has shared how she is in an arranged marriage with a man who has been married 4 times and she had no idea before the marriage took place. She has shared that her husband has had 11 other children in which she had no idea before they wed. She has shared some very intimate details about the pain she has endured in this marriage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She, just like all women wants to be loved and cherished. She wants a husband that will care for her and her needs. She wants a husband that will love and care for their son. She lives in a constant state of stress at how she will provide for her son and herself alike. She lives in a constant state of stress being married to a man that has had 4 other wives and all have left him. She has had a void that she continues to just explain away as her circumstances.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have shared with her for months that more than anything she needs Jesus. More than anything she needs that void to be filled with the peace that can only come from the Father. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">She had come to fix a meal for our team and I asked her if she had been reading any more of the Bible I gave her. She said yes, and still said she knew she needed Jesus but "the day would come" when she would make this decision. This is the response she has given each time. I felt the spirit urge me to question her directly..... Samaho, what will happen if you die on your way home tonight... your eternity will not be in heaven with Jesus. Is it that you do not believe or is it that you are afraid? Her response, "I believe and I am ready right now." Seriously, I think I about fell off my chair.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ie_FYWLnVbGbl_jKaHZJQKkpnukfqpRKIDmej42uN5caCv0IoteRxH0DoDj1ee8JD8OKeCR2_4U8WpEpnw3KBoa9Xd4s2CiWtZgFCycvH0YSe2SABv7967PUx9XqYmA79SAZglPay802/s1600/ouaga+feb+16+210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ie_FYWLnVbGbl_jKaHZJQKkpnukfqpRKIDmej42uN5caCv0IoteRxH0DoDj1ee8JD8OKeCR2_4U8WpEpnw3KBoa9Xd4s2CiWtZgFCycvH0YSe2SABv7967PUx9XqYmA79SAZglPay802/s320/ouaga+feb+16+210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: red;">This is the meal she prepared!</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a precious moment as we gathered in a circle with our hands locked as John Arnold lead her in the sinners prayer and she gave her life to Jesus. Did I say it was AMAZING! This was a Mvslim woman who gave her life to Jesus. I wanted to do front flips right then and there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so glad that it did not stop there. She brought her sister in law to church with her the next Sunday and she too gave her life to Jesus. Since then she has brought 5-6 people each week as she wants others too to know the peace that she is experiencing. Her present sufferings have not changed, but she can face each day knowing that the God of the universe is on her side.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We now are praying for her husband. She said that if he gave his life to Jesus, it would be an absolute miracle. We began a 30 day prayer journey for her husband. Please be part and have a hand in his salvation story. Pray that God would give him dreams and visions of his separation from Him. Pray that God would not let him rest. Pray that the blinding that has been placed over his eyes would be removed. Pray that God saves this man from himself! Pray that he will see and know the TRUTH and that the TRUTH would set him free!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please also pray for Samaho and her sister-n-law Sali. They are amazing woman. They works hard. They have just stepped into the battle field and the enemy is ticked that once again he has lost another soul. Pray for her growth and protection in the Lord.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC3dFUPfdtNZwt3Q6egi38bMDZrQGhdvXoOpTwqnjSOK71gJac1Yud9RdQ1qQFQ2EvKk8Yf8SS7HY-W1SWrrEmwOAcC-veuqvbgs-0-8iSxTSlDn5U0hzaU6muWgs9xbZSHe19g2BeUl-/s1600/ouaga+feb+16+247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkC3dFUPfdtNZwt3Q6egi38bMDZrQGhdvXoOpTwqnjSOK71gJac1Yud9RdQ1qQFQ2EvKk8Yf8SS7HY-W1SWrrEmwOAcC-veuqvbgs-0-8iSxTSlDn5U0hzaU6muWgs9xbZSHe19g2BeUl-/s320/ouaga+feb+16+247.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: red;">Make a deposit to God's bank account on our behalf.... click the link below and give!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12"></a><a href="http://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12" target="_blank"><img alt="Yes! I want to support what you and your family are doing in Burkina. Click to give now" border="0" src="http://www.readypromotions.com/images/clients/westridge/burkina/support_button_body.jpg" /></a></span></div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-73884070623272961752011-02-18T13:14:00.000-05:002011-02-18T13:14:25.207-05:00Realities of Life in Burkina Faso<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blog #2</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfXtxp-x-VYTfU_E1dDTLmD7YrMq5FLjFUJDfhGEcAX0llvGnrImGDZw6kd-B3V_aoqU79IM-PV5c5YlH1VxLaf1uH81KWkfLq-UGR9DmPhUQWM8hipB4bREo31we9qtekUNgS03XuMm9/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfXtxp-x-VYTfU_E1dDTLmD7YrMq5FLjFUJDfhGEcAX0llvGnrImGDZw6kd-B3V_aoqU79IM-PV5c5YlH1VxLaf1uH81KWkfLq-UGR9DmPhUQWM8hipB4bREo31we9qtekUNgS03XuMm9/s320/DSC_0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a poem that Philemon has written since his salvation. Through his eyes, this is how he views Burkina. God is working in this kid. He is anointed! Please stop and pray for him right now. Pray protection, favor, blessing in his studies, salvation for his family members, and grace to pour upon him!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Realities of Life</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He who believes in the Son of GOD has the witness in himself; he who does not believe GOD has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 John 5:10</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE WORLD IS FULL OF HYPOCRISY</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is full of despair and indifference.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many are those who are poor and weak and have been neglected?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many are worthy of the money they possess?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In today’ s time the poor must remain quiet even when he is right and the rich can lie and still have the last word.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the field, both morning and night the poor search for bread, honesty, and merit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rich know that they will eat whether by fraud or through indignation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many rich earn their money honestly?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the rich who are worthy of the money they possess, how many are there?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The flesh is full of desire and of feelings which often lead to disobedience and ruin. And once we start, we cannot stop.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suffering and perseverance are mothers of success.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After sufferings and perseverance, comes peace and joy given by the LORD.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today we can be in abundance and tomorrow in destruction; as well as destruction today and abundance tomorrow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Jesus is not there, everything we do goes bad.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is only by the gift that is given to us through Jesus that we can persevere.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The world is full of treason.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes the best feels like the worst.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only the Father and Son are worthy of confidence and hope.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t let us be carried away by pride and the search of prestige only to one day be humbled.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The work never stays in distress.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He who works and makes an effort will be rewarded.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“ONLY THE FATHER AND SON ARE WORTHY OF CONFIDENCE AND HOPE."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-28711628372039421002011-02-07T07:33:00.001-05:002011-03-14T23:04:13.376-04:00Life Change<div style="text-align: center;">Part 1 of 4 Blogs…. They are long but well worth the read!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fVezVuE36acRE_QJzWkr-iZ3dXAnWARMGxgNtwTfng2cAcM0zgEObi5DCesbw7TbFh0nWVwTUTbUMDcB74mVlEJTchyphenhyphenOMsfDh98_IkSYBitf83UjIxVUcwki9sHxS4LDkYd8PzMRW3EC/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fVezVuE36acRE_QJzWkr-iZ3dXAnWARMGxgNtwTfng2cAcM0zgEObi5DCesbw7TbFh0nWVwTUTbUMDcB74mVlEJTchyphenhyphenOMsfDh98_IkSYBitf83UjIxVUcwki9sHxS4LDkYd8PzMRW3EC/s320/DSC_0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Noah, Philemon, and Amadou</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Separation was born separated from God and from a relationship with Him. Separation’s needs have been met by a loving mother and father. Separation did not even realize that he was separated for many years. As Separation grew in years he felt like all his traffic lights looked green. In all honesty he had no idea what the traffic light was for many. When he was young he had two friends named Love and Grace. Love and Grace were different than he was and he always enjoyed being around them. Even when Love and Grace had things come into their lives that would normally destroy others, He noticed that they always would be around their friend named Peace. It was being around Love and Grace that Separation noticed the road that they traveled was always going the opposite direction as his. He also noticed that they would watch these traffic lights. When the light was red, they stopped. When it was yellow, they waited and were never quick to keep going. Sometimes they would move forward and sometimes they did not move at all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOWUm__S86KziuM_USpnQJsWCp7lZXsEmt9CNlSSt1Fpv73JBtc1x7XhZ_2QEpIwX1IDxg2Be4MuqnZ_we8mMIsfLzpWlQg0Fy82xFI4zZbMzqXwSVsZZwU7AoZp5KgKCd7GYRW7FAPZC/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglOWUm__S86KziuM_USpnQJsWCp7lZXsEmt9CNlSSt1Fpv73JBtc1x7XhZ_2QEpIwX1IDxg2Be4MuqnZ_we8mMIsfLzpWlQg0Fy82xFI4zZbMzqXwSVsZZwU7AoZp5KgKCd7GYRW7FAPZC/s320/DSC_0503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Three Mvslim Boys singing "We Three Kings"!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Separation was always curious about this light they would look at. He questioned in his mind, “Why is my road going the opposite direction? Why are my lights almost always green except when I am with Love and Grace? Even this week when I noticed the traffic light, it was the first time my light turned red and what does that mean?” Separation has a good life. He has a family that loves him, his needs are met, he has good friends, and he feels happy most of the time. So again he ponders, “I have a good life and I am blessed, but something is different even better for Love and Grace.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The more he is around Love and Grace his feelings begin to become conflicted. He loves being with them but they have something he feels like he is missing. Many times he also feels yucky about himself or choices he makes. In his mind, they are things or choices that are perfectly O.K. so why does he feel badly. Love and Grace have done nothing but love him and shine this light towards his life. One day Love and Grace begin to explain to him that they have so much love for him that they have to let him know that the road he is on is a bad one. It is a road that is lying to him. This is a road that may make him happy right now, but is leading him to death and hell. Separation really does not always feel happy, but he cannot see how their road is the right one. His road is the only one he has ever known. Most of his friends and family travel this road. His father has even warned him that the road Love and Grace are on is the road that is death. He has been warned to never make a u-turn or his family would not be pleased and even may disown him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL42hHYJUZdLNztu5enNKPtL_i2y5C1EC2aT2IkdKs6EPMze75QCBA06FpXIoPPxjhGSULFpe9WyIa9N8ilL7ApSAGznLx7X3z6jS9cVfCA0rOYJNyxqUFKih6HJrQpE7krm5j8SZNvPv/s1600/DSC_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjL42hHYJUZdLNztu5enNKPtL_i2y5C1EC2aT2IkdKs6EPMze75QCBA06FpXIoPPxjhGSULFpe9WyIa9N8ilL7ApSAGznLx7X3z6jS9cVfCA0rOYJNyxqUFKih6HJrQpE7krm5j8SZNvPv/s320/DSC_0073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Brice a Catholic who wants to be sure of his salvation!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">At first, Separation thinks that they are crazy. He laughs and then even finds himself angry. He sees that his traffic light is bright red and is almost commanding him to stop this conversation with them. He begins to ask many questions to challenge their belief and faith. As Love and Grace are sharing what their road and their traffic light have done and continues to do for their lives he notices that Love and Grace have friends that begin entering the room. All of a sudden the traffic light is there and is actually blinking U-Turn. Faith, Hope, Peace, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, and Self Control have all come to join Love and Grace as well. He feels more conflicted in his spirit than ever before. He recalls times when he has felt pulled in this other direction, but it simply makes no sense to him. Love and Grace give him a little more insight into the road he is traveling.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You see, Love and Grace are able to see where Separation’s road ends. Separation is riding in cruise mode. Love and Grace know that if Separation does not turn around, there will be a day that Separation will not be able to stop. He will be on a curve and an 18 wheeler truck is flying down the hill coming the other direction getting ready to turn the corner that Separation is traveling. Separation has been told that these trucks travel his road at fast paces and how dangerous it is. Separation has no idea that this truck is headed straight for him or even how fast the truck is traveling. Love and Grace are able to see very clearly what is about to happen to Separation and they cannot handle it. They love him and simply agonize at the thought of his death, hell, and separation from the Father in Heaven.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxrZR2-CJLrfi6kJD9_pcnckhz9QfcxjONyX4xIMjFUe-516UpS0lFD_rtDBpRO8MgPzKtgnWHT073D_faIgxwQWzEAGq6z9lqHQs4-UFIxwa3bmNCUSmoV4ok5hPjPKeb-JMaxKWrZBn/s1600/DSC_0480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxrZR2-CJLrfi6kJD9_pcnckhz9QfcxjONyX4xIMjFUe-516UpS0lFD_rtDBpRO8MgPzKtgnWHT073D_faIgxwQWzEAGq6z9lqHQs4-UFIxwa3bmNCUSmoV4ok5hPjPKeb-JMaxKWrZBn/s320/DSC_0480.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Three Mvslim boys we long to see know Jesus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love begins to tell Separation that the road he is on may be a whole lot of fun, may even seem completely safe and moral, but the person controlling his traffic light ultimately wants to kill him. He was born on the road that leads to death. Then the controller of his traffic light is going to do everything he can to keep him on this road. His road is like the road that Love and Grace travel- it will tempt him to steal, cheat, lie, gossip, be consumed with pride, look at inappropriate things, be unfaithful to his wife, bring depression, a low self image, fear, anxiety, etc. The big difference is, on his road when those temptations come, his traffic light will always be green…. ALWAYS. There will be times when the light is green and yet you will still stop. You know in your heart that these are not good things, but you stop because you are a good man. You may stop because you may see the risks… for whatever reason… you stop.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Separation says to Love, “you talk about all these things but you have all of these things in your road too.” Loves explains that he is absolutely right. On our road there are these traffic lights that appear that are there to try and steal, kill, and destroy us. The controller of your lights tries to control our road also. He has put things there to trick us and try to destroy us; however, there is never a trick or a temptation that does not have a beaming bright red light telling us to stop. Sometimes we allow ourselves to see it is as yellow. We may stop and think about it and many times the light becomes clearly red. Sometimes we see it as orange so we move forward anyway and find destruction.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3TSLlMiXRHeMYmHxzF1sPvqnMtJVQfnskiIli9Rcjey0wJaANZtanfsPdpLilTvsMziMUda-jk7CzSotL5QKvPJ5B22TmZPsP1tReRTKHeGzlkB627XkSLS8swrWjEQ8X4FFwu_ntAas/s1600/DSC_0504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3TSLlMiXRHeMYmHxzF1sPvqnMtJVQfnskiIli9Rcjey0wJaANZtanfsPdpLilTvsMziMUda-jk7CzSotL5QKvPJ5B22TmZPsP1tReRTKHeGzlkB627XkSLS8swrWjEQ8X4FFwu_ntAas/s320/DSC_0504.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: red;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">2 Mvslims playing Mary and Joseph in our Christmas play.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">There has been a friend in the room that Separation could not see. As Love, Grace, Faith, Hope, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, and Self Control were all praying for Separation….a beautiful thing took place. Separation began to see a small flicker of this other person in the room. The more he listened to Love and Grace the clearer the person became. Separation felt a battle in his soul. He felt pulled to stay on his road, but He could not resist his spirit pulling him to this other person. Separation finally said to the others, I want your road. I do not understand all of this, but I want your road. I want your traffic light and the person that controls it. I do not want to travel any longer on this road of destruction. I want to make a u-turn and fully receive the life that is waiting for me. It was then that through the small crowd, a man walked up to Separation. With tears running down his face, Separation said, “I just do not understand how this is possible for all of us?” Truth lifted the hem of his robe slightly so that Separation could see these huge scars that cover the tops of his feet. He then holds his palms open to show the nail scares that take up such a huge part of his palms. This man put his arms around Separation and pulled him into his chest holding him tightly and said, “Hello, my child… my name is Truth.” He then said, Separation now that you are my child, I am going to change your name….. You are no longer Separation and never again will be… you are Saved and always will be!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Think about this for one moment, how many people in your families, jobs, neighborhoods, grocery stores, and churches are named Separation? Are you Separation?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In this 4 part blog post, I am very excited for you to hear the Story of Philemon. He was first named Ishmael and also separated. He is now called Philemon and also SAVED!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12"></a><a href="http://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12" target="_blank"><img alt="Yes! I want to support what you and your family are doing in Burkina. Click to give now" border="0" src="http://www.readypromotions.com/images/clients/westridge/burkina/support_button_dyk.jpg" /></a></span></div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-83711212701827885212011-02-07T03:40:00.000-05:002011-02-07T03:40:02.044-05:00More Blogs Coming<div style="text-align: center;">I seriously have 8 blog posts sitting in a file and have not had internet to post them. They are coming and each have exciting news to share!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-48257386888467829042011-01-23T18:33:00.000-05:002011-01-23T18:33:16.087-05:00From My Anointed Gabriella<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPOB1gIIBrqykhLAZvaAljdqW5SxxLExM-sLl9buoXI-c8Pq41EhA6bnISt9-JlAXEobCQdI2SShGAPyNpw-Ie3RKp7bFvb8_mF7ug4wYw0QqFvDKDvCIFUJ1Sh18py5J_qHn1vlc_JzB/s1600/DSC_0355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPOB1gIIBrqykhLAZvaAljdqW5SxxLExM-sLl9buoXI-c8Pq41EhA6bnISt9-JlAXEobCQdI2SShGAPyNpw-Ie3RKp7bFvb8_mF7ug4wYw0QqFvDKDvCIFUJ1Sh18py5J_qHn1vlc_JzB/s320/DSC_0355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seriously, my baby girl is a constant reminder of Jesus and brings such conviction in my life. I love her!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each day holds something new and I have started writing down things in a folder called, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Out of the Mouth of Gabs." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning my daughter walks out from her room with her wire curly crazy hair going into a million directions and she says, "Mommy, heaven is better than America ya know." My response as you can imagine was, "You are exactly right Gabriella and aren't you so excited to get to Heaven and see Jesus?" Gabriella responds, "Yes mommy! I just woke up and have not eaten breakfast."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do not have to be on a particular subject or in a certain place and my girl will bust out with some type of powerful statement that I know is a sweet reminder and encouragement from the Lord. Today, I pondered what she said. We are often talking about what we miss in the US. First is always a name of someone in our family. We then move to friends, church, restaurants, schools, movies, stores, etc. We get excited and we talk about the first place we want to go when we get back. We talk about who we hope will meet us at the airport and we really get excited with a longing for that day to come.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God was precious with me this morning and I really felt that Gabriella's very first words after waking up were for me. Connie, continue to long for me, for your real home, for My presence. Do not be caught up in your human understanding, serve and live with the anticipation of heaven, and with an excitement longing for eternity in paradise. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you Father and Thank you Gabriella</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-43082383191901498122010-11-24T06:36:00.000-05:002010-11-24T06:36:22.042-05:00Why am I surprised that God did it again?<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLsewdXtDRa5rPWF4YfbkX-ucyFtH1PwzIRwLtsZEAd8ITZpIT7K7dFvvLKZdFp1L4tNANpuS09SiN5X8KbZtuPJblFDnx24NtVEHExsnu6MQHYQ_Js6AQwCg1pJEBVhtmsYioeKUYUGc/s1600/DSC_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLsewdXtDRa5rPWF4YfbkX-ucyFtH1PwzIRwLtsZEAd8ITZpIT7K7dFvvLKZdFp1L4tNANpuS09SiN5X8KbZtuPJblFDnx24NtVEHExsnu6MQHYQ_Js6AQwCg1pJEBVhtmsYioeKUYUGc/s320/DSC_0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We told her we were headed to a meeting and she was so excited she was getting to go.... yet she had no idea the surprise she would get!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In my life I have honestly experienced some enormous God-sized miracles and blessings… Sometimes even back to back. To this day I do not know why I do not expect God to blow my mind in the blessing area. For some reason if God has just like blown my mind with an amazing gift I assume it will be some time before I receive again. God has been a God of blessings in my life for as long as I can remember. I mean like in the department “of only God can do” things. He continues to be up close, real, and personal in my “heart” department.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After being able to surprise my family back in September, having someone buy me a plane ticket… Never did I dream that the same thing would happen for my mom coming this direction. My kids have been doing great here, but have really been missing family. Without exaggeration, they pray every day for Grammie as well as others in my family to get a plane ticket. I have known and trusted that God’s timing is perfect, but I have been discouraged that each time she has tried to plan a trip it has just not worked out. I found myself praying this way, “Lord, I know You have the perfect time for my mom to be here and I feel so blessed that you gave me that trip home. I am just choosing to trust You and Your timing.” Why did I not believe that God could and would bless my mom the same way he blessed me? I operated as if I felt like I had used up the blessing box or my blessing was just so big that it sounded crazy that another one would come along so quickly?!?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Lord for reminding me that your blessings and mercies are countless and timeless. Thank you to the family that made it possible for my mom to come and surprise my kids. Let me assure you that their love and joy tanks are over flowing. Thank you for providing her the opportunity to come and see how God wants her to be part of what He is doing here in Burkina. May your family be forever blessed for your sacrifice!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJadFqEhdvneac8WU_U5C-fPEctSIqmJf6BJx7GzMaY-PLxVhq3SJACZLzM-MjBN4oG1f97lO5sFDu-2y7bBFTa1KFKBTD8OxSfGvK4MnLMt-d-w8lv57RkTb9fy6ozKfeuL4YAIW3tn7E/s1600/DSC_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJadFqEhdvneac8WU_U5C-fPEctSIqmJf6BJx7GzMaY-PLxVhq3SJACZLzM-MjBN4oG1f97lO5sFDu-2y7bBFTa1KFKBTD8OxSfGvK4MnLMt-d-w8lv57RkTb9fy6ozKfeuL4YAIW3tn7E/s320/DSC_0679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Isabella and Gabriella walked up to where I was standing. When I moved and my mom was standing there, Isabella froze... Gabriella busted around her to get her Grammie.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PfSj-2RIFSjMqWOGChHEC8O9OgWeqcLLoFHH45Y-o3dgUszdGwk5_haYBDFYhZTL7MCC3eoXvOX3bF5ejve5hGCzI5truL9V91TZHgZw3vUwuHLMByijWnt-Q3-mcLvXl40cuc5kgMsw/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PfSj-2RIFSjMqWOGChHEC8O9OgWeqcLLoFHH45Y-o3dgUszdGwk5_haYBDFYhZTL7MCC3eoXvOX3bF5ejve5hGCzI5truL9V91TZHgZw3vUwuHLMByijWnt-Q3-mcLvXl40cuc5kgMsw/s320/DSC_0680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Talk about one happy Gabriella!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWhiWGhxKj7ILiuwcu-thHzKrxuOSRYpzm1M8ZvuLYq8nOKOYgnJqyOJzGZvv5EJxm8HpT2u5pxx9L7TovBSWX-qTOVzUl6WsoGH9zhJRGfyvpVzsHmh5Jfm-JDPjQH4K6_64fk7Mgveb/s1600/DSC_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWhiWGhxKj7ILiuwcu-thHzKrxuOSRYpzm1M8ZvuLYq8nOKOYgnJqyOJzGZvv5EJxm8HpT2u5pxx9L7TovBSWX-qTOVzUl6WsoGH9zhJRGfyvpVzsHmh5Jfm-JDPjQH4K6_64fk7Mgveb/s320/DSC_0681.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Isabella's smile has gotten bigger but she still has not moved! I think she was in SHOCK!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZl2m0LF2JXuS2auI4L0DHUBfxmzF97MtEG8-5cTzwlcKsLIj3kUceKcwppLdZrqZdBqxHplnkJKPqw9-QaXUSZgpdEBO8-fGhxwgDsXO_qJemd2C7pjGdIT5AuF-0y93EWbQzWO_vsR1/s1600/DSC_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZl2m0LF2JXuS2auI4L0DHUBfxmzF97MtEG8-5cTzwlcKsLIj3kUceKcwppLdZrqZdBqxHplnkJKPqw9-QaXUSZgpdEBO8-fGhxwgDsXO_qJemd2C7pjGdIT5AuF-0y93EWbQzWO_vsR1/s320/DSC_0682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Gabriella is still in heaven with her BFF.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-6Nh7aE4B02wKMPC5S3Bg2l6W8_rszk13NouMyl7KCpumkISazXApqRzzThTLiDtQUQ-THm4HyU6mvWsGYzCFDGg2eQ4xtyf1AfD9umdyKcVTnzaqHviVWwCqNmqN6TBLScDzwals17L/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-6Nh7aE4B02wKMPC5S3Bg2l6W8_rszk13NouMyl7KCpumkISazXApqRzzThTLiDtQUQ-THm4HyU6mvWsGYzCFDGg2eQ4xtyf1AfD9umdyKcVTnzaqHviVWwCqNmqN6TBLScDzwals17L/s320/DSC_0683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Reality for Isabella has sunk in and now she is wanting some love from her Grammie!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL-fv4e6jMcVEC-n-Wy2dHmdDPzXqvLjpPpsgRkpTKqz6DBvOocOO48zcEybl-jcUBdGUXThgsn4_0UXSjmQ-dmFhD3L3a4rubKDkUuJFTyRhc_m7jdch4Cp0QqPXHkBeqHhX9-oloKJN/s1600/DSC_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkL-fv4e6jMcVEC-n-Wy2dHmdDPzXqvLjpPpsgRkpTKqz6DBvOocOO48zcEybl-jcUBdGUXThgsn4_0UXSjmQ-dmFhD3L3a4rubKDkUuJFTyRhc_m7jdch4Cp0QqPXHkBeqHhX9-oloKJN/s320/DSC_0684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">A lot if joy, but Isabella still has had no words!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX_O0-X7UqDQQ5jdvGfMGlid4Ov3F3JAXxFVako2sa3PtaJXvldGuXZRNekq_Rjas81yBYFXVzfNgSH5v5nkHDx-2V1-JHuurCVOpMxj4-qlu_2iCMQ-C0w3MU7DrOhH5vmacQo4C0c6P/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyX_O0-X7UqDQQ5jdvGfMGlid4Ov3F3JAXxFVako2sa3PtaJXvldGuXZRNekq_Rjas81yBYFXVzfNgSH5v5nkHDx-2V1-JHuurCVOpMxj4-qlu_2iCMQ-C0w3MU7DrOhH5vmacQo4C0c6P/s320/DSC_0687.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The Favorite Son-n-Law is excited too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd75Dm0zgdB3gVFtyV-4iePuLOAiUlCNxoPPvsF0em1kqH0YGtOe2Fo-mcFSq2YEhxQ__BGQazRPNw62vvzTY0Ud0cyDU9iH5cdcSn5qc8TDKnBokIb1hZTWRUYRyTdWv8L9bOwTFMBEjW/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd75Dm0zgdB3gVFtyV-4iePuLOAiUlCNxoPPvsF0em1kqH0YGtOe2Fo-mcFSq2YEhxQ__BGQazRPNw62vvzTY0Ud0cyDU9iH5cdcSn5qc8TDKnBokIb1hZTWRUYRyTdWv8L9bOwTFMBEjW/s320/DSC_0689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The girls said that this was the best meeting ever!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FhqvvS9g1F2sKfbBSxrKQnSU8eYxv9UIACH9uNySGr_AtSs-tb65XPVrH1J2y6X9LK6SqSqHukTlGwQFQ8MJ7BR_-8Fr9PAv8TKK3TotIFNCvKpZYyi2QudMJIfYEHVAPnO20rWtYB1w/s1600/DSC_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FhqvvS9g1F2sKfbBSxrKQnSU8eYxv9UIACH9uNySGr_AtSs-tb65XPVrH1J2y6X9LK6SqSqHukTlGwQFQ8MJ7BR_-8Fr9PAv8TKK3TotIFNCvKpZYyi2QudMJIfYEHVAPnO20rWtYB1w/s320/DSC_0690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Our guard Surge knew the surprise that was coming. He stayed with the boys to be part of the surprise and to meet his white Grandma.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg80HQ8CvrAbA75XFBYcxyCFx74FuKq66QF7xi7xYPQTMvC0hH9yayRLB_AToqG_yHQeXueWxtNvDbB4kFWyZQEyZSv5s7UpR6LQtenXRuaLRxKzZoeOWl7xtOf9E_ggUClCjZjFrx4-NV/s1600/DSC_0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg80HQ8CvrAbA75XFBYcxyCFx74FuKq66QF7xi7xYPQTMvC0hH9yayRLB_AToqG_yHQeXueWxtNvDbB4kFWyZQEyZSv5s7UpR6LQtenXRuaLRxKzZoeOWl7xtOf9E_ggUClCjZjFrx4-NV/s320/DSC_0692.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">After about a minute Surge got up to greet my mom. He sat down and within 10 seconds Noah noticed a very familiar face and his jaw dropped.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD-kgwI8wi3b_aTXQfiyTeUU5QKMKTeQnj-NQthzJjeMiuB4HXKehhN5JVl3APg7aHAg_0Q7n1f_jJJdd0eu3oNkGKFC0pX0P_y1ELRTK7b7hVPM_6boHLy__G97CNQGXKeoye65KDkse/s1600/DSC_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD-kgwI8wi3b_aTXQfiyTeUU5QKMKTeQnj-NQthzJjeMiuB4HXKehhN5JVl3APg7aHAg_0Q7n1f_jJJdd0eu3oNkGKFC0pX0P_y1ELRTK7b7hVPM_6boHLy__G97CNQGXKeoye65KDkse/s320/DSC_0693.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">IT"S GRAM!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPTtb6of7GFHDFP34UvTbxoJ82QOd454EBpNbmoWdpJ7il1ejFGUOnXR5APiact3LRjI-wUarvtbwurIHAef7V-y0dvynkbCIEJxvlLiiBqrIbKF9SmjJVEUvFieY46k-E_9PB-3R7tMp/s1600/DSC_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPTtb6of7GFHDFP34UvTbxoJ82QOd454EBpNbmoWdpJ7il1ejFGUOnXR5APiact3LRjI-wUarvtbwurIHAef7V-y0dvynkbCIEJxvlLiiBqrIbKF9SmjJVEUvFieY46k-E_9PB-3R7tMp/s320/DSC_0694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Samuel and Silas want to join in on this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZStazsbb5pZmpcpm_p4SxZqXVubKyJWUSlvq46ZGvEcr2pi4MD8S_k92WdLiVTv29JQe-dHYw5Q3ffj0BUtti4sXsm3tSkyP0D2nb_epb4RGYVrC9lOjDWqVmR5DNVAh8mSnecx_3jkU/s1600/DSC_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZStazsbb5pZmpcpm_p4SxZqXVubKyJWUSlvq46ZGvEcr2pi4MD8S_k92WdLiVTv29JQe-dHYw5Q3ffj0BUtti4sXsm3tSkyP0D2nb_epb4RGYVrC9lOjDWqVmR5DNVAh8mSnecx_3jkU/s320/DSC_0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Samuel and his Grammie!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtupQsiQWLZHcdPmH_FksebXlfQsos1_Bbqd4yxqDcPzUkqCNauR1kFEuGz6WyU4XJyTFbLnkacdaeUxrXax8Apjk1s0q4O9GyOmQBP6-TLYPXSwjvqm1nSmNIim-J5Lamw-dDAr-L2qSC/s1600/DSC_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtupQsiQWLZHcdPmH_FksebXlfQsos1_Bbqd4yxqDcPzUkqCNauR1kFEuGz6WyU4XJyTFbLnkacdaeUxrXax8Apjk1s0q4O9GyOmQBP6-TLYPXSwjvqm1nSmNIim-J5Lamw-dDAr-L2qSC/s320/DSC_0699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Silas and his Grammie!</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfwD9kLeMEEG_QDQM-gFA70tSHdnRB3-Jn_rGz-L6LfBkkpj5uQq6jue8qzZ-HuHDQLUjcqHvd3yLgKMtUND9p6sLpm7X-EE1PiBQBlQP8hr3CFxwPtF6z5q1S8sZNdWZZaYsWFQmUZ9K/s1600/DSC_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfwD9kLeMEEG_QDQM-gFA70tSHdnRB3-Jn_rGz-L6LfBkkpj5uQq6jue8qzZ-HuHDQLUjcqHvd3yLgKMtUND9p6sLpm7X-EE1PiBQBlQP8hr3CFxwPtF6z5q1S8sZNdWZZaYsWFQmUZ9K/s320/DSC_0701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The Feild Family as well as Surge are very HAPPY and BLESSED!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></div></div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-42539596534668171972010-10-22T11:35:00.000-04:002010-10-22T11:35:27.517-04:00Listen to a story bout a man named Jed!<div style="text-align: center;">Did you watch the show Beverly Hillbilly’s?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, go ahead and sing the show’s opening song…..if you watched the show the tune is probably already going through your mind.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Listen to a story about a man name Jed, poor mountaineer barely kept his family fed. Then one day he was shooting at some food and up from the ground came a bubblin crude. Oil that is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Being here in Burkina but specifically on the property where we live, I have often felt like the Beverly Hillbillies just with the order being different…. Let me explain…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wr6UFeBl5zxi-YPXCQ0L-BX_gyTqczTXpv38C5Tw4M04cdpmZzqVFnFDq142-Xm3xbWMMtMRUmvSzK5cWgvHzSu4irHHYiJBhUyvuQowUh8i6xHkahbU1AmM_7Xhk2pZBqUbuTg_KA_R/s1600/more+ga+pics+222+602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wr6UFeBl5zxi-YPXCQ0L-BX_gyTqczTXpv38C5Tw4M04cdpmZzqVFnFDq142-Xm3xbWMMtMRUmvSzK5cWgvHzSu4irHHYiJBhUyvuQowUh8i6xHkahbU1AmM_7Xhk2pZBqUbuTg_KA_R/s320/more+ga+pics+222+602.JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">LAC- This is a Christian boarding school that has boarding for boys. Girls are welcome but there is not a boarding option for the girls; therefore, the population of boys to girls is a huge difference. This year there is a little over 400 students. I am not sure with this new school year what the ratio of Christians attending the school is, but many years there are more non-Christians than Christians. Why would non-Christians come to this school- The answer is easy…. This school has a reputation of assisting students to walk away with a good education. Also, there are exams that are required to advance to the next grade level throughout their education. At this school the percentage of those who pass these required exams are higher than many of the other schools. So, a devout Mvslim will agree to their child being in a Bible class every day if being at this school will help produce a passing mark.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVZg-jLhyNBQ1XtD38UATa8jEmZwfSQpMvdNZxKEPRhBUvav-vdnLaAVhJDJyWZPBhyphenhyphen_HqHmGsN-x8mMpGsjMmM0TPPcrFOoeiUD828LcDNJaCAl_0X4HBfGpUidnwjFIERUoU0d-osu0/s1600/more+ga+pics+222+612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVZg-jLhyNBQ1XtD38UATa8jEmZwfSQpMvdNZxKEPRhBUvav-vdnLaAVhJDJyWZPBhyphenhyphen_HqHmGsN-x8mMpGsjMmM0TPPcrFOoeiUD828LcDNJaCAl_0X4HBfGpUidnwjFIERUoU0d-osu0/s320/more+ga+pics+222+612.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: red;">This is the administration building.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously Connie, how do the two relate???- From the start, Chris and I have felt like God lead West Ridge to partner with the LAC, and this place is a rich oil field with so much potential . Here we are this white southern family that lives with black poverty stricken Africans. Physically, we stick out just like the hillbillies did in Beverly Hills. Yet, whereas the Hillbillies went to Beverly Hills after discovering oil, we have been brought here where the riches are seemingly yet to be fully realized; we have been placed on this land before the oil has really begun to come to the surface. We believe on this campus there is some deep rich life changing oil that has the potential to change the country and beyond and unlike the hillbillies our gain is much greater than monetary wealth. Jed struck oil when he was out looking for food for his family; I believe we will strike oil as we are out feeding His.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovMUjl48AOyuy8JW-UEPNnXLL1jDsJCNpccppghI4nAWWBVazn4LciPoX0E-JiB0jo6nsKfwoX6XMlgViI7OiUwPO2jhiq6_PWToTLmfNEk05ZpTQTEcro_NS-uRJgmp3nyLDGdRUIacU/s1600/LAC+Clinic+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovMUjl48AOyuy8JW-UEPNnXLL1jDsJCNpccppghI4nAWWBVazn4LciPoX0E-JiB0jo6nsKfwoX6XMlgViI7OiUwPO2jhiq6_PWToTLmfNEk05ZpTQTEcro_NS-uRJgmp3nyLDGdRUIacU/s320/LAC+Clinic+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You see, when these children give their lives to Jesus, they are coming from all over Burkina as well as a few from other African countries. They have the opportunity to return home and be a direct source of light. There are already reported testimonies of life change that have affected entire families. At times there has also been abandonment for these students as well. Their salvation has the potential to come with a grave price. Back in April, a non believer asked me the question, “If what you call salvation would cause a person their family, friends, and possibly their life..Why would you be so cruel and put them in that position?” My response to her as tears streamed down my face was, “Everything in me agrees with how horrible their circumstances could be…. I cringe at the thought of the cost, but what I do know is this…It would be cruel and selfish for me/you/us not to tell and proclaim the truth with them because of the possible horrible things that could happen. For one day EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. My mind does not even want to grasp their possible circumstances, but my mind cannot handle that their knee being bowed could be upon their separation from God the Father and their entrance into the flaming confinement of an eternity in hell. I trust in God’s sovernty that losing a physical life and gaining life eternally in paradise with Him is well worth the trade off.” My friend did not respond.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8WZPfJuvQkhXCQrr1KS-jTqnJRtCp1jQZA_pDZU0T7dm5F-UkJPfO6gVA3DdCp9Wr9RGNBORGChaAsCPqCzhmfDq7NLuxCVh12bhs_ArmXTcJyNoZK6AwnGklxWYC9rGEO11YdiN7XrG/s1600/more+ga+pics+222+596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8WZPfJuvQkhXCQrr1KS-jTqnJRtCp1jQZA_pDZU0T7dm5F-UkJPfO6gVA3DdCp9Wr9RGNBORGChaAsCPqCzhmfDq7NLuxCVh12bhs_ArmXTcJyNoZK6AwnGklxWYC9rGEO11YdiN7XrG/s320/more+ga+pics+222+596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: red;">This is the new LAC classroom being built. This will facilitate students coming back here for their first year of High School.</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot explain the burden our family has for this school and the honor we feel to be so closely connected to them. We are very excited about the specific doors God has opened for us here…Please, Please, Please pray for us and that salvation be upon these children and their villiages.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Last Saturday was our kick-off English movie night. Twice a month, we will have a movie night projected on a huge wall. We will stop the movie mid-way and the gospel will be shared.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-We will host the 50 plus staff members in a luncheon each quarter and share the gospel, encourage, and pray for the staff. Many of these teachers are Mvslim.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-I will be working in the admin office a couple hours a week, helping to learn and then teach a program that can help them be more efficient in the office.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-We are both working with students in a smaller setting helping the students with their English.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-We will be helping out in the classroom, having an opportunity to build relationships with the students.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">-Once a month, we will have a sports day. This will be an opportunity to simply invest in these students in a non threatening way showing the love of Jesus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We have spot-lighted the LAC and our specific ministry here and we really are asking for your help. We cannot do this without you. We need people who will pray for us on a regular basis. The spiritual warfare that takes place here is at times overwhelming. We need people praying. We also need your support financially. We have been so encouraged and blessed each month at God’s provision through His children because we cannot be here without your financial support. Please pray about supporting us financially. Lastly, we need to purchase a vehicle. This would be a tremendous help to our family and ministry and so we are asking God to bring the funds and show us the exact vehicle he would have for us. Please pray about God’s provision for us and giving towards our monthly support and or our vehicle fund. The link below will take you directly to our giving page. All donations are tax deductable.<br />
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<a href="https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12">[ click here for ] BurkinaBound Online Giving</a><br />
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</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-10298670502893812212010-10-21T05:29:00.000-04:002010-10-21T05:29:08.904-04:00There is a curve in Learning French... What I thought I said was really not what I said... YIKES!<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWysdKfjUt_OiIEEQYFzDhsRi4pK9E1bErYqPev7NUzgU0vUGooHfC4caBdSyHc8mXUaO2vZ-d_OzgzTEDI4g0poj9uJWagni3xldz15sPyvPMpXj9K90lwce-XItb1X3zm4TIlK3y4OT/s1600/LAC+Clinic+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWysdKfjUt_OiIEEQYFzDhsRi4pK9E1bErYqPev7NUzgU0vUGooHfC4caBdSyHc8mXUaO2vZ-d_OzgzTEDI4g0poj9uJWagni3xldz15sPyvPMpXj9K90lwce-XItb1X3zm4TIlK3y4OT/s320/LAC+Clinic+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last Saturday night we kicked off the year with a movie. The kids started back the 1st of Oct so it has given them time to settle in and was a good break from studies. More than 200 students came and all stayed very interested to the end. We showed the movie Narnia. While Chris was setting everything up I explained to the students that Chris and I were here because of our great love for Jesus and our great love for them. All the students were quiet and Agabus was standing there with me and I noticed him looking at me weird. I paused and he got a little clarification from me... With my terrible accent, the word for love and death/to die sound very much the same. They seemed to all think I said we have a lot of death for Jesus and we have a lot of death for them and we wanted them to know the death of Jesus also. Though it was a very embarrassing moment for me, it was a great start as the kids and myself laughed. After being able to clarify, Agabus said that this was good because it broke down some walls right from the start. We invited all of them to be part of worship yesterday morning and they now know why our family is here. At the end, Agabus explained the symbolism of the movie. It was really a great night. Pray that God will stir the hearts of these students unto repentance and faith in Him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QPnoCSUMRxCZQ9LcTyRUhx_wFO3Kbmh4KZabBnIOqblSjbwLH4mJexGVrHSHrHWPY5rBAvTR49FV_Lp-X7-6hc7xyb13m620jch9cHnsWAEQr3jYB_2Lsv-951E2aU8npyfu9_up-_Vy/s1600/LAC+Clinic+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QPnoCSUMRxCZQ9LcTyRUhx_wFO3Kbmh4KZabBnIOqblSjbwLH4mJexGVrHSHrHWPY5rBAvTR49FV_Lp-X7-6hc7xyb13m620jch9cHnsWAEQr3jYB_2Lsv-951E2aU8npyfu9_up-_Vy/s320/LAC+Clinic+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The second thing is I have become very good friends with one of the students moms. Saturday was a day at the LAC for parents to come and visit. I have really been praying for her salvation. She is mvslim. Her son gave his life to Jesus here at the LAC a little over a year ago. Each time we are together, she has opened up more and more. Today, God opened the door for me to share the gospel with her. She is suffering and really feels like her life is hopeless. I told her she needed peace in her heart and life and that could only come from Jesus. I gave her a bible and asked her to read the book of John and on her own she promised. I do believe the day is coming that she will give her life to Jesus... please pray for her. Just pray for Philemon's mom. The funny thing about this story is that again before she left I really stressed that she needed al lot of peace in her life that could only come from Jesus.... with many tears her response was, I know! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Praise God He worked in spite of my very bad French because once again my accent did not serve me well.... (this is terrible and I feel so stupid and sorry mom for saying this word out loud) the word for peace and the word for fart sound very similar. Chris about fell over when I was so excited telling him in French what I said to her. His response was so Connie... you just told her that she needed a lot of fart in her life that can only come from Jesus. Please tell me you really did not say that. ..... Seriously will not make those mistakes again... You better know I now have a better pronunciation of those 4 words! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank the Lord he works in spite of me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We really are excited about what God is doing at the LAC!</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-78755068896395783462010-10-11T19:20:00.002-04:002010-10-11T19:42:54.911-04:00I Love Number 32's Mom!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the past few months God has used the lives of others to make a major impact on my life. I love to hear the life stories of others especially when one has allowed God to be the center point. Over the next few weeks, I want to high light a few people that I think are hero's in the faith! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VKJktAgsgASOKS5ufKHEoEA8ZdCFcY1a_aa2Ii_SYrIYIZfHNs5ITRqn92Ti8bBzgQV2ZlU76_UNpNHAAVFI2gHt-ERqda6fOuIEyOh9Sg_OdCoOO3N8YdRFp8MGoKN4zXqX8G34u5vJ/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VKJktAgsgASOKS5ufKHEoEA8ZdCFcY1a_aa2Ii_SYrIYIZfHNs5ITRqn92Ti8bBzgQV2ZlU76_UNpNHAAVFI2gHt-ERqda6fOuIEyOh9Sg_OdCoOO3N8YdRFp8MGoKN4zXqX8G34u5vJ/s320/Lori's+Pictures+042.jpg" width="147" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you live anywhere near North Paulding High School you have probably heard of number 32 on the Wolfpack football team. The name of this senior is Chris Conley. Last year before leaving for Burkina, my three boys fell in love with NPHS as well as cheering on their cousins Bo and Joel who are on this team. Our family has regular prayer time and I remember hearing my boys pray for their cousins and the name Chris Conley would find the way into our prayer time also.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I finally asked my sister about who this kid is. My boys would say that he is one of the players on the NPHS team and he is real good. They would also say, “And he’s a Christian too.” My sister began to explain that this kid started playing football in 9th grade. His mom desired that her children know and have God first in their lives above all other things. After that she desired that they be committed to their education. If those things were in check… then they could play sports.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am all about peewee sports and even my own children have played baseball, basketball, and soccer. This is not in any way a judgment or a bash about young kids being in sports. This is simply something God used to touch my heart as I connected with hers in longing for our children to be rock solid in the Lord. I must admit that when my sister shared with me the testimony of this mother who had such great wisdom that she put what seemed to be a joy to her children on hold for the sake of what she knew held a much greater importance…. My thoughts were….”Lord, may I as well live with that kind of wisdom.” I already desire these things but never would I have made the concentrated point to hold off sports and other things so that my children have a foundation built solid on the Word of God and their relationship with Him. I must add that this could mean them never playing sports. I cannot choose Jesus for them- I can only love, live, and direct them in the way of truth and pray that they choose a life that is submitted and committed to the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am sure that Christina Conley over the years was talked about for not allowing her children to play sports. I bet her children possibly asked her more than one time why she felt this way or even assured their mom that they were ready before 9th grade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Her first son has graduated and is in Tennessee on a track scholarship. Chris will graduate early and is heading to UGA on a full scholarship. WOW! She also has a daughter that is excelling in track as well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know that faithfulness does not always bring a reward such as this on this side of eternity; however, I know that faithfulness and surrender does indeed bring blessing and honor to God and the reward will come. Christina Conley, you are a courageous woman and example of a mother who loves truth and the Heavenly Father more than the temporary happiness of your children. I love to see your strength in the Lord and I love to see how God is blessing the lives of your children. I also love that Chris has become a huge role model in our family. My boys see the God factor in Chris’s success. Know he is prayed for and looked to as a hero by us all the way over here in Burkina Faso. Go Dawgs!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">P.S. To make sure I had my facts straight, I emailed Christina and allowed her to read this blog entry before I posted it. I am going to paste just some of the words in her response…. It only goes to more affirm the woman of God that she is and that she is living a life committed to him!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Response from Christina: I know the compassion of our Savior and how He knows the mess of human flesh that I was before I came to know Him as Savior and then miraculously, blood covered mess that I still am as I grow daily by His grace. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love reading the wisdom of Catherine Marshall and Elizabeth Elliot, and I believe it was Catherine Marshall who when asked if she would talk about being a mother likened her acceptance of such an invitation at that point to someone negotiating a trip across a stream on horseback and yielding midstream to discuss how it's done well before the completion of the journey. I believe myself to be midstream with much more ground to traverse long before being the subject of one of your blogs. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our Lord is so incredibly awesome in the LOVE that He has shown all of us, particularly me. If I could share anything with someone right now, it would not be about me, it would be that we truly cannot be separated from God's love and that He (GOD) is incredibly merciful and will forgive us our sins if we call upon His name. I am proof of that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-8615637107402962942010-10-07T14:51:00.001-04:002010-10-07T15:19:57.467-04:00My HUGE Surprise<div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever felt so much gratitude for someone that you did not even know how to express yourself?? As many of you know, an amazing family made it possible for me to return to America to surprise my family. I did not spend one dime for my ticket and the sweet time I had going home was a gift that I will remember for the rest of my life. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfOUvFcB2_7eIw3y1SUJP50sEx6NGLxRNgrMlLtZwwGaxNCx8GpFgITCx4tST63QvquevpiYMr3cCdfcOS5MAsZfhvTkOGEV2ioVgnkZ5gDaL9T5sdD2lCTIRKN8lk-7_JDpTSiKFrWJQ/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrfOUvFcB2_7eIw3y1SUJP50sEx6NGLxRNgrMlLtZwwGaxNCx8GpFgITCx4tST63QvquevpiYMr3cCdfcOS5MAsZfhvTkOGEV2ioVgnkZ5gDaL9T5sdD2lCTIRKN8lk-7_JDpTSiKFrWJQ/s320/Lori's+Pictures+052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">To the family who did this for me… Thank you and may you be forever blessed by your graciousness!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I arrived in Atlanta and had asked my brother to pick me up from the airport. He did an amazing job keeping a secret! Thank you Tod!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-XNAOiKWrkZLlgdDVHbtmSAz-g5oylXmr2luYBwIY9akiFDhB_grlI1GYZ-luXXVl01BH_J7yrBcnMYrt-OTwJp0AmysPcb_cjbVlk5bgWllhTs7PDaWrvfv8SR7HA37spL6OXHCQNQB/s1600/usa+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-XNAOiKWrkZLlgdDVHbtmSAz-g5oylXmr2luYBwIY9akiFDhB_grlI1GYZ-luXXVl01BH_J7yrBcnMYrt-OTwJp0AmysPcb_cjbVlk5bgWllhTs7PDaWrvfv8SR7HA37spL6OXHCQNQB/s320/usa+093.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My first surprise was when I walked into his home and was able to surprise my sister-n-law. She did as I expected- her mouth dropped open and then her hands flew up over her mouth. It was then great to receive a huge hug. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxbuNxdpHwezEJT2Ii_zGwhA1oe3BY4lemBANP8tZEseJap6WPWTosHv6qVGmkoJkPBs_WPeryj24I85fVXdwvZ89OZYMmllK0Q4M4uxKUnhFyoirodcvRAkXo5DS7pNbqi3QduzAkNo9/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxbuNxdpHwezEJT2Ii_zGwhA1oe3BY4lemBANP8tZEseJap6WPWTosHv6qVGmkoJkPBs_WPeryj24I85fVXdwvZ89OZYMmllK0Q4M4uxKUnhFyoirodcvRAkXo5DS7pNbqi3QduzAkNo9/s320/Lori's+Pictures+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">She was the camera... We did not get a picture together :(</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From there we headed to the school where my nephew Robby had a football game. He was on the field but so was his older brother Bo. I stood at the fence and looked at Bo straight in the face. I normally do not wear sun glasses and was wearing them so this did throw him off a little; however, the stare and him trying to figure out how someone could look so much like his aunt was so funny. It became hilarious when he began walking backwards biting on his fingernail just looking at me… then it clicked… it is my Aunt Connie!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ajKN0yugvzl67qrbcP9aRJUbvm3LZgwP6y0EE73mr-AFxbYEZg-cyyqXvYkaOwgrpbgBMcVpadi1RwRKk9K1MGgjLCo1Gh1H34dA3n-NfWKnhrlOBjEvGLqi9-9sEkKqlASbwQv4lb8d/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ajKN0yugvzl67qrbcP9aRJUbvm3LZgwP6y0EE73mr-AFxbYEZg-cyyqXvYkaOwgrpbgBMcVpadi1RwRKk9K1MGgjLCo1Gh1H34dA3n-NfWKnhrlOBjEvGLqi9-9sEkKqlASbwQv4lb8d/s320/Lori's+Pictures+044.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-2o6xN11jp3Ae7N8xd39wDmEQD_oKWiJXgMUlVUNs1Ou5G_UjZDJGfvkfu71Y-yoQzkKxjEOaaHqRJvi9OzlHSPKKUNXvpCch0sQDtxdJEyQuT1eQYqNKMR7lAI0wue5hOfF6Cr05Dqf/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-2o6xN11jp3Ae7N8xd39wDmEQD_oKWiJXgMUlVUNs1Ou5G_UjZDJGfvkfu71Y-yoQzkKxjEOaaHqRJvi9OzlHSPKKUNXvpCch0sQDtxdJEyQuT1eQYqNKMR7lAI0wue5hOfF6Cr05Dqf/s320/Lori's+Pictures+043.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr05ZrYBIHDWf_idDGFUB31mkm4bJd40f1Z7FF4QRuApKP4cM1mbDMouatC8SN-gG_Y4nvIQTPTi-gRIszDtSlHXYwevHGD6TGK8uCU50Yzue4Xk0PkgnUh6exuuH9JHocyABHG5Tu0mPj/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr05ZrYBIHDWf_idDGFUB31mkm4bJd40f1Z7FF4QRuApKP4cM1mbDMouatC8SN-gG_Y4nvIQTPTi-gRIszDtSlHXYwevHGD6TGK8uCU50Yzue4Xk0PkgnUh6exuuH9JHocyABHG5Tu0mPj/s320/Lori's+Pictures+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had been waiting for the moment to throw my arms around my mom. I knew she would be at the ballgame so I started a few rows behind where she would be sitting with the hope that she would see me when she walked up… no luck there. I then walked down and sat 2 rows in front of her thinking she would catch a glimpse of me…. No luck there either. My sister-n-law was down at the fence taking pictures. We all wave as she takes a picture. I then turn and look at my mom and smile and she smiles back…. Again no luck there either.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek5hsZaPYq2lij_H3vn8sxo8s_-7KY3kHY7Rr2GFAsmICms_RMm2C6TYtS1c8pLo2l-JOcNjVQTg-OsFbWmYQvHyPAZxbgJZu9txU8EjQytRm_XGb_68EbLKat4RTv3_DIwNq5QWBIsPc/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek5hsZaPYq2lij_H3vn8sxo8s_-7KY3kHY7Rr2GFAsmICms_RMm2C6TYtS1c8pLo2l-JOcNjVQTg-OsFbWmYQvHyPAZxbgJZu9txU8EjQytRm_XGb_68EbLKat4RTv3_DIwNq5QWBIsPc/s320/Lori's+Pictures+030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCsITzC8CZPM789HwL3ABtmx_YrmB5mEAfFP0UujJF40lDdrECiWCXHbLWjVkGgovKiN2auOZFc7z10D9MnSkURp9fmYj6b4KyayixY675FxCUrAGY_p1SWwNNnNwB6nbUxMglvFHzj7W/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCsITzC8CZPM789HwL3ABtmx_YrmB5mEAfFP0UujJF40lDdrECiWCXHbLWjVkGgovKiN2auOZFc7z10D9MnSkURp9fmYj6b4KyayixY675FxCUrAGY_p1SWwNNnNwB6nbUxMglvFHzj7W/s320/Lori's+Pictures+032.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My laughter is now a bit uncontrollable. My nephew and I both are cracking up but with such anticipation for her to see me. Well, a little help from my brother and this was her first couple moments after she saw me…….</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlgb6-QmTQ4WyiCIuuCwXOUDCsxL5ZLXToxyKCfCKU9gtB-P_93mhiMCb7FVSfOiVVcXeMmUKa8e4PEnEkCxCgXqmV3VlXOQcVqGWkoCIhTPW1Q5VbcpARn5uBa9D6KGXT5ohaX4QCcCQ/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlgb6-QmTQ4WyiCIuuCwXOUDCsxL5ZLXToxyKCfCKU9gtB-P_93mhiMCb7FVSfOiVVcXeMmUKa8e4PEnEkCxCgXqmV3VlXOQcVqGWkoCIhTPW1Q5VbcpARn5uBa9D6KGXT5ohaX4QCcCQ/s320/Lori's+Pictures+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyxI5DM7n_Znk4tbWir5l8LJk-RsUPc5ZbMv6QYXDPaIXZ-mZ16aebPnkiIPfcuueDU4mHwZ7I75AkDAVH__CH5ALQqChi8qU87IaNtmIMnUeZweqKxuUwOF22XN9jOGBOwqgkOMWLI3a/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinyxI5DM7n_Znk4tbWir5l8LJk-RsUPc5ZbMv6QYXDPaIXZ-mZ16aebPnkiIPfcuueDU4mHwZ7I75AkDAVH__CH5ALQqChi8qU87IaNtmIMnUeZweqKxuUwOF22XN9jOGBOwqgkOMWLI3a/s320/Lori's+Pictures+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v4H9x_tRlVXi7Y-l0ZcVKDT-xyWi10AzvJ4kKiuVxzLrQBneCZuGVUci1A9dN4-adIGz1Tnoy13hnv9KqajsDnOJ3Hn67vQKNkp9ygKEDijRdrvxLCVLszXabPOF-bnY2z5O7EBdyJQ0/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v4H9x_tRlVXi7Y-l0ZcVKDT-xyWi10AzvJ4kKiuVxzLrQBneCZuGVUci1A9dN4-adIGz1Tnoy13hnv9KqajsDnOJ3Hn67vQKNkp9ygKEDijRdrvxLCVLszXabPOF-bnY2z5O7EBdyJQ0/s320/Lori's+Pictures+026.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdbsCFuyPaUSGDdUhXCxB8KUMPwEXvHDtVBpgjtVdLWRn4BT9-TMpE2LJcK94jSvYMoabrlAd2Ogo2dPEqRMEJNToOss_E7wjj5D0Ua36RSazsgZLqZaMrTuCzc0742uSO03i8r_LzU2a/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdbsCFuyPaUSGDdUhXCxB8KUMPwEXvHDtVBpgjtVdLWRn4BT9-TMpE2LJcK94jSvYMoabrlAd2Ogo2dPEqRMEJNToOss_E7wjj5D0Ua36RSazsgZLqZaMrTuCzc0742uSO03i8r_LzU2a/s320/Lori's+Pictures+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS5u8QW_dJAbvBaGXAazERvdTzw45iBOdnWAkKUp6jfvWwmzLRvGq-7dVOoKyLMEjcM5pAxMM2l78I2VvLG-__1cox14KfVFY58sogmrXcCQKeWjK-NKwjpC2yM60N-qOl2tCzkElphZ3/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS5u8QW_dJAbvBaGXAazERvdTzw45iBOdnWAkKUp6jfvWwmzLRvGq-7dVOoKyLMEjcM5pAxMM2l78I2VvLG-__1cox14KfVFY58sogmrXcCQKeWjK-NKwjpC2yM60N-qOl2tCzkElphZ3/s320/Lori's+Pictures+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">It was everything and more that I wanted it to be. I cannot express the joy that filled my heart hugging my mom and just being in her presence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Robby who is on the field was pretty quick. We all yell at him and wave and he waves turns around and then does that fast speed rip his head back around as we notice that it has clicked that I am there. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS3KZUL4WeC1ikTFf5LkCdEPRxXZnrr5BoGLJjjj4TYXepjkzA_eS2LEBSRufgvMut-f0RV6rCFiOwW36IcWqr5jXVqUmkJrDSBRdKbR0w6Hk4qsj2wY5-lIo4nXD7KztYwtGpdSbj69e/s1600/more+ga+pics+222+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYS3KZUL4WeC1ikTFf5LkCdEPRxXZnrr5BoGLJjjj4TYXepjkzA_eS2LEBSRufgvMut-f0RV6rCFiOwW36IcWqr5jXVqUmkJrDSBRdKbR0w6Hk4qsj2wY5-lIo4nXD7KztYwtGpdSbj69e/s320/more+ga+pics+222+004.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I did not get a picture with him that night, but here he is</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next is Joel, another nephew. I again am sitting in front to him. I look at him several times and every time I look directly at him, he turns to talk to someone else. When it finally clicked, he busted down and threw his whole body in my lap…. Again laughter and tears flowed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QZTy2pgv-omwe9l4LAVfP-59EiHz8Gq4N0GbUQv3VFN1Kovhxwu0Nd3aH9jmQeFZ1P0nAAqDXA-5d1LMEUcwxgrHJjiFR83SOnLbpgDXx6DJqW2sD2PekMXq3ZnrSTabXNY7LofOUDyM/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QZTy2pgv-omwe9l4LAVfP-59EiHz8Gq4N0GbUQv3VFN1Kovhxwu0Nd3aH9jmQeFZ1P0nAAqDXA-5d1LMEUcwxgrHJjiFR83SOnLbpgDXx6DJqW2sD2PekMXq3ZnrSTabXNY7LofOUDyM/s320/Lori's+Pictures+003.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBxcteOJBdd95FTDx224VnJ0p6gvECmqe9LJ7vqfvlG5I0tDcqZK8hfrcumjOn0IJZVr8BQ5IgL8WLdTy1Z9fWsZonEYYRYx2CZp8M5lnzgK_V_pwkkT1lGCYCLtwMiE2nJyU7v95geOx/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBxcteOJBdd95FTDx224VnJ0p6gvECmqe9LJ7vqfvlG5I0tDcqZK8hfrcumjOn0IJZVr8BQ5IgL8WLdTy1Z9fWsZonEYYRYx2CZp8M5lnzgK_V_pwkkT1lGCYCLtwMiE2nJyU7v95geOx/s320/Lori's+Pictures+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBz-ECbQNXjNueSABlCfKW-RTmUnREMCmItm_bA9EYzL2UYYEkVdvEOnxmd7zz-esX0itAqzloxtewDO9pYpXYXJTzSeqiOGPumrthSlIeB2DVkGmf7xDtBPp5StfHQcemAhJrUDySRYW/s1600/usa+109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBz-ECbQNXjNueSABlCfKW-RTmUnREMCmItm_bA9EYzL2UYYEkVdvEOnxmd7zz-esX0itAqzloxtewDO9pYpXYXJTzSeqiOGPumrthSlIeB2DVkGmf7xDtBPp5StfHQcemAhJrUDySRYW/s320/usa+109.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I know we look like Ken and Barbie.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Half time has come and we move on to the concession stand where my brother-n-law and 2 nieces are working. I wait in line for some time and they have now all looked at me and not noticed. A little girl asked me if I wanted something and when I asked if the cheese or pepperoni pizza was better the 2 girls busted out the door and more tears began to flow. It was amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqYSAq4RlXL0HAc74_XEQXWKDnLclDyTo2lvIeoRAdogIJpAvm8i-Gt7FSU4TFuW7AQD6DpJMa-EB8_ZP6HvqXfSBW24PCZFPGJekwRwA3Rhyhen6lnB_SZrvaIfdpHjclG2MDGDLSSuW/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqYSAq4RlXL0HAc74_XEQXWKDnLclDyTo2lvIeoRAdogIJpAvm8i-Gt7FSU4TFuW7AQD6DpJMa-EB8_ZP6HvqXfSBW24PCZFPGJekwRwA3Rhyhen6lnB_SZrvaIfdpHjclG2MDGDLSSuW/s320/Lori's+Pictures+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORzfdWAIE4vWctlqrcbECteunCN2FkzeQokmG1dxhaEKajTcnkttNT5Kv60bD1Dqjm9iEL1oOHEk3LPBGgSFYW2WVAfpnxj3DOc8r0ZHeyzmLNoZeYMHH51rw51ClJuO5CHz6Y9FryF19/s1600/Lori's+Pictures+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORzfdWAIE4vWctlqrcbECteunCN2FkzeQokmG1dxhaEKajTcnkttNT5Kv60bD1Dqjm9iEL1oOHEk3LPBGgSFYW2WVAfpnxj3DOc8r0ZHeyzmLNoZeYMHH51rw51ClJuO5CHz6Y9FryF19/s320/Lori's+Pictures+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From there we do everything we can to keep my older sister at Five Guys where she is ordering dinner. Poor girl, she has now been to the counter three different times to order and all she wants to do is get home. I make it there just in time and when I walk in… her words from the start… “SHUT UP!” And yes once again, tears come. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMX61m14KPreLIay2MTDf4Y8AveR7bEPACtRY9pQmso-H2UaI1fUEMeKwXqecIwhNR-j4nUW5_PXgLc0kiicm4vvS-w3Oaegb1FsiJTEbVLqrq3xIQ4j4sDIUFrpDGjw_bHyM3YlUXFxQ/s1600/usa+105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMX61m14KPreLIay2MTDf4Y8AveR7bEPACtRY9pQmso-H2UaI1fUEMeKwXqecIwhNR-j4nUW5_PXgLc0kiicm4vvS-w3Oaegb1FsiJTEbVLqrq3xIQ4j4sDIUFrpDGjw_bHyM3YlUXFxQ/s320/usa+105.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We did not have a camera to capture the surprise, but here is my big sister whom I adore!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I think one of the saddest yet sweetest moment was when Jonah her son walks in and though he is glad to see me, his heart is so sad that his BFF my son Silas in not there with me.</span></div><span style="color: black;"> </span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiWLUNyUnVNaJIQHDE2ID0NRU6vL4mTCtOxXOjwBxXGqtOpVrwsYvNN4zjctYT2CrjZ61pX9qGIjRpC0ANCPQdU03GpcM5MztkJYgJwiAnFtAQUr92vf9DYaJU03KbbZaRuuqKyWQT77d/s1600/usa+094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiWLUNyUnVNaJIQHDE2ID0NRU6vL4mTCtOxXOjwBxXGqtOpVrwsYvNN4zjctYT2CrjZ61pX9qGIjRpC0ANCPQdU03GpcM5MztkJYgJwiAnFtAQUr92vf9DYaJU03KbbZaRuuqKyWQT77d/s320/usa+094.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I am sure that this is what my nephew Jonah felt until he realized that Silas was not with me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We head back to the house and I decide to just bust in the room where my little sister and niece are… the niece I have not yet met. She was much the same as my older sister…”SHUT UP!” And yes, the tears flow. I then have the greatest joy in meeting my new niece and sitting in the presence of my baby sister and my family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Susie- Why in the world do we not have a picture together where you can see our faces???</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup2mXjy0pZzFlIQmCTkL7INt8UmsLxF-_-e8QGYJtQJQqdg6jhyphenhypheny_aB8Db8tHuwSs30t-cWBo-ugo0Fs4YLZqGtbiCVsK8beQRAoNb3Svf-jTMj6PgbYjo1UWi11fIJh5RIfiCe0vGUSb/s1600/donna's+camera+pictures+1387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhup2mXjy0pZzFlIQmCTkL7INt8UmsLxF-_-e8QGYJtQJQqdg6jhyphenhypheny_aB8Db8tHuwSs30t-cWBo-ugo0Fs4YLZqGtbiCVsK8beQRAoNb3Svf-jTMj6PgbYjo1UWi11fIJh5RIfiCe0vGUSb/s320/donna's+camera+pictures+1387.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqN1x_cJj5Z5mMxC3Sd5Xr1Q5TT-AkKCeTkP4hBDrNGnNtngc020BiOjn1QlajBUpwm-KqpBDYnJJBUz5t225MvpwgzgIHmi5X0uCEJ0HWK6vK0YiASTqAAPxNRLbGJfrLodsg2l3Pc08/s1600/donna's+camera+pictures+1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqN1x_cJj5Z5mMxC3Sd5Xr1Q5TT-AkKCeTkP4hBDrNGnNtngc020BiOjn1QlajBUpwm-KqpBDYnJJBUz5t225MvpwgzgIHmi5X0uCEJ0HWK6vK0YiASTqAAPxNRLbGJfrLodsg2l3Pc08/s320/donna's+camera+pictures+1388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lastly, my brother-n-law Eric walks through the door and by that time it is just laughter. Can I even begin to relive and tell you the joy and excitement that filled my heart that day! I LOVE my family!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRaIEjF7kYg_Yz8MKEQC8hTrbnCCT73I8qxp_lMLgdfJ2EGV3XDXUYXOhDu1De9X2fJb2H4X3Lo5MwTym9B5bBcxsBPAk780kGOvE9ZK0SNgoUF5bvFUIShoozcxpPTVvycqiEtaAm86O/s1600/donna's+camera+pictures+1389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRaIEjF7kYg_Yz8MKEQC8hTrbnCCT73I8qxp_lMLgdfJ2EGV3XDXUYXOhDu1De9X2fJb2H4X3Lo5MwTym9B5bBcxsBPAk780kGOvE9ZK0SNgoUF5bvFUIShoozcxpPTVvycqiEtaAm86O/s320/donna's+camera+pictures+1389.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I think this in and of itself is a sweet story, but the best part of this story is how down to each detail, God gave this to me as a gift. It was so detailed that I honestly feared that I was coming home because something bad was going to happen that I needed to be there for. The Father knew that I needed a time of rest, that I needed to spend some long overdue time with my family. I had prayed months back about going home this particular week because I knew that school was out and so many of my family members work in the school system. I just cannot express just how special I felt cradled in the arms of God through his presence and this gift. Others were gracious and God so blessed.Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-53162970515868281532010-09-09T15:03:00.002-04:002010-09-09T15:03:54.814-04:00Gabriella's Big News!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo8h4h2Lfqwikn97HsdpSQMk9sUwU0yEK8lJEerVcF6hEgYuQnRQnyAqC9M2j5CdYRqSVOz7519AeusZUJS63i42h8sdC8LP16vaB2CE0NiiQyFP8dD6eS-VyF5Dv0cunqLRR9Qzkzdb3/s1600/ghana+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTo8h4h2Lfqwikn97HsdpSQMk9sUwU0yEK8lJEerVcF6hEgYuQnRQnyAqC9M2j5CdYRqSVOz7519AeusZUJS63i42h8sdC8LP16vaB2CE0NiiQyFP8dD6eS-VyF5Dv0cunqLRR9Qzkzdb3/s320/ghana+073.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I totally get why the Word tells us to have faith like children…</div><br />
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Gabriella is naturally expressive and very passionate about things. She has been passionate about Jesus and the truth of who He is honestly since she could talk. She has wanted to ask Jesus into her life for some time now. I kept putting this off just due to her being so young and wanting to make sure that she understood. Chris and I have both had conversations with her and she knows and believes the truth, but again we have just waited – well due to our lack of faith because she is 4. Well, yesterday she was done with me putting her off until she, daddy, and I could talk once again….this is her salvation story!<br />
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“Mommy, I know that you are having your Bible time and I am not allowed to talk to you, right?” That’s right Gabriella. “Well, I have a reeeeaaaalllly important question.” What is it Gabs? “When do I get to have my Bible time?” We will do that tonight. “Well, I want to talk about becoming a Christian really bad. I do not want to wait for Daddy.” Ok let mom finish my Bible time and we will talk about it. “Well mom, I am just going to ask Jesus in my heart right now.” Ok so the girl is ready and this time I am not going to stop the spirit of God from moving in her life… I put my Bible study down and asked….Gab, tell me why you want to ask Jesus in your heart and be a Christian so bad? “Jesus died on the cross for my sins. Sin is my bad choices and I do not like to make bad choices. He was on the cross and he died. His mom was Mary and she was so sad and she cried. Mom, no one even gave Him medicine at all. His Father who is in heaven just breathed like this (she put her hands to her mouth and blew) and brought Him back to life. No one even helped Him it was only His Father. Really? Wow Gab.. Where is Jesus now if He came back to life? “He is in heaven with His Father but they are the same God too.” What about us? I thought that someone was going to stay here and help us? “That is the other God, but He is the same too… like the other 2 Gods.” Gab, why do you want to ask Jesus into your life? “Mommy, because I want to be with God really bad and I do not want to make bad choices anymore.”<br />
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Needless to say, we got on our knees and my sweet baby girl prayed from the depths of her soul and gave her life to Jesus! <br />
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PRAISE THE LORD!!!Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-5328497349869980772010-09-05T16:42:00.000-04:002010-09-05T16:42:23.557-04:00So I Have a Middle School-er!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cjsEITwxlzTufzXxxVbcl_UwSc_gwv4pyKe9OPnYRk0XNsKWtuW7ouRELWKY_qLZK74kyQF2b1qPLeztWKzjMjCdtTjX55SzCOwI2hbng2Npqs7d-P2M4v0Nk6tl_PbCnSKS1nYYQzhH/s1600/ghana+2+115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cjsEITwxlzTufzXxxVbcl_UwSc_gwv4pyKe9OPnYRk0XNsKWtuW7ouRELWKY_qLZK74kyQF2b1qPLeztWKzjMjCdtTjX55SzCOwI2hbng2Npqs7d-P2M4v0Nk6tl_PbCnSKS1nYYQzhH/s320/ghana+2+115.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Samuel is a super special kid. Two weeks ago, I had a total flash back of the day I delivered. Samuel was 2 weeks early, my labor and delivery was amazing, and here we had this sweet baby boy. Looking back I remember almost feeling like I was in a daze; yet, at the time I did not realize that really I was sick and fighting an infection. Within 45 minutes my sweet newborn baby was whisked away and taken to NICU to be evaluated. My sister who had been down this same road with her son noticed that he was grunting when he would breath. </div><br />
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Within 2 hours we were told that he was being admitted into the NICU and they were going to take some blood and see if they could determine if there was any infection. His breathing continued to get worse and it seemed that from that moment everything went downhill from there. In less than 24 hours I was told that I have a very sick baby and that he was in critical condition. <br />
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I had been to the doctor a couple days before my labor had begun because I thought that my fluid had been leaking. I knew in cases like these it is very dangerous because it is an open door for infection. They did a sonogram and said that my fluid level was ok so they were not concerned. Little did we know that during this time, my baby was getting very sick.<br />
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On day number 2 we were numb and not understanding what in the world was happening to us and to our baby. We were told that he had not been showing any signs of improvement and he actually had continued to decline. They had given him drugs to temporarily paralyze him because they needed his body at a complete state of rest. They felt his heart and lungs were working overtime and so they did not want any stimulation of his body at all. I was able to put one finger on him, but was not even to move my finger. The only emotion possible for me at that time was total dependence on God. It was because I believed in Him that I could get out of bed despite the intense pain that I was feeling.<br />
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We get to night 2 and we are told that our baby needed to be transported by ambulance to Egleston Children’s Hospital. We were told that there was a machine there called Ecmo. It is really used for a last resort procedure because it is very invasive. It is a heart and lung bypass. From what I understood at the time, they put a tube in the side of the neck and basically use this machine to work as your heart and lungs to give your heart and lungs time to rest and hopefully strengthen them. YUCK is right, but if it meant saving my baby’s life, we will take it.<br />
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The prepared him for the transport and my mom prepared to follow the ambulance and take Chris and I to the hospital. Of course my mom could not drive fast enough as the anxiety mounted in my entire body. We got there quite a bit after Samuel did and anxiously waited in the NICU waiting room for someone to come and give us an update…. This tall woman walks out. She has short hair and is wearing no make-up and really looks more like a man than a woman. Right off the bat, I was not feeling this great sense of compassion from her. She introduces herself and has us sit down. She sits in front of us with her legs spread and almost resting on her knees with her elbows, and begins to give us an update.<br />
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Samuel did not do very well during the transport. It was rough on his body, but we have him hooked up to the every machine imaginable, IV’s in place, etc and we have him stabilized for now. We will watch him through the night and make a decision about what is the next best step for him. She then looked me in the eye and said, “Your son can not get any more sick, or he WILL DIE!” My response, “What I am supposed to do with that information?”<br />
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She encouraged us to go home and get some rest and to call or come back early in the morning. I remember going home and falling apart and then crashing. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and found Chris calling radio stations asking if they would ask people to pray for our son. We could not ask too many to be standing in the gap for his life. We knew that it would only be the hand of God that saved our child.<br />
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We returned to the hospital the next morning to be greeted by an angel. We had a nurse that was assigned to watch Samuel 24/7. She was short with black hair and glasses and could not have been more gracious to me not only having a sick baby, but being a new mom as well. She had made him a name tag above his bed. It was one of those sweet babies that was made to look like a snail and had his name below it. Her words were, “Samuel can move as slow as a snail as long as he moves in the right direction.” She explained every machine and said that he was still very, very sick, but again stable.<br />
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At that moment, I knew that the more I appreciated each person the better care they will give my son. I tried to respect every wish they had and not to be demanding of anything. Every time we would leave the room I thanked them, let them know that we appreciated them, and asked them to pray for our baby.<br />
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Well, he not only made it, but made it without Ecmo. I believe with all my soul that God touched his life and healed him physically. We signed all kinds of waivers as some of the treatment could have some very severe side effects. To this day, we thank God for touching his body and love that he is still with us today and healthy as can be! As much as I am trying to handle this whole middle school thing, I know God has a great purpose for his life and cannot wait to see how God will use him!Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-79838974315907952462010-08-19T07:57:00.000-04:002010-08-19T07:57:24.408-04:00Courageous!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoM3hnjLm1M0zWgRk043gxsUtIT6AX1vGOqCHoPddnIV710i-KgSfB3cPgonQDIvEcHZFvZqDQbpUfJwihhgmoe90A7F3UFHr_pFo2rMfvmWaDCHoipeDznghYeRCNPGpXKZkfEM9w8uN/s1600/Burkina+june+377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoM3hnjLm1M0zWgRk043gxsUtIT6AX1vGOqCHoPddnIV710i-KgSfB3cPgonQDIvEcHZFvZqDQbpUfJwihhgmoe90A7F3UFHr_pFo2rMfvmWaDCHoipeDznghYeRCNPGpXKZkfEM9w8uN/s320/Burkina+june+377.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This picture was taken rigft before they headed to the airport heading back to Atlanta!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Courageous is the first things that comes to my mind when I think about Joanna! We are putting out a major call for prayer and blessing for her. Joanna has been to Burkina several years in a row and we were blessed to have the opportunity to serve with her this past June. She has an amazing spirit, beautiful smile, heart for ministry, natural ability, and willingness to be lead by the Spirit of God. I LOVE being married, but I hate that I was so consumed with being married that I did not open myself up to being used by the Lord during my single years. </div><br />
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As you may be aware… I am not a home schooling mom. I so loathed the thought of home school that I told Chris while we were dating- yes pre-kids that if he wanted a wife that home schooled… it was not going to be me. For the record, I am a mom that supports home school 100%. I in fact, am jealous of the moms who do this and do it well. Seriously, each home school mom in my book has a hero metal to wear proudly. <br />
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Well, would it not be the case that God would have some type of home schooling in my future. Thanks Lord! In the past 6 months I have given up the right to not be a home school mom. Have not held back my feelings from the Lord, but have truly surrendered to walking in obedience even if that meant home school. During this time, the Lord made it very clear to Chris and I that we were to take this next year with Samuel and home school him. As the Lord revealed this to our hearts, we asked Samuel to be in on this process and asked the Lord to give Samuel a peace about this as well. …. He did!<br />
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We felt like God was asking us to take this time and invest in Samuel on so many more levels than schooling. He is a neat kid and is at the fresh I am starting middle time when so many things change. In thinking through what God wanted us to do over this next year, I really felt like God was asking me to do this home school part by myself. I really felt encouraged to look for someone that God would call to come and help us in this process. Well, I feel like we were blessed beyond what we could have imagined. After asking Joanna to just pray, I honestly was shocked when she responded. Not because she would not be obedient to God’s calling, but that God would give us greater than what we were praying for. We were asking for a teacher that would love our children and model Godly character. We are getting a teacher that is that and so much more.<br />
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Please pray for her. We are praying fishes and loaves as we know and have seen how God provides in times of need. We hate raising our support and we know the mindless energy that it takes . Our prayer is that Joanna will have every dime either given or committed as soon as possible. If her funds are there, she plans to come in January. Our prayer is that the months leading up to her arrival she will not have to focus on finances; rather, she will be able to prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for this next chapter in her life.<br />
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Many people want to give financially but often feel like with their own financial plate, it is just not possible. Many have mentioned that they feel bad sending a $10.00 check because it seems so small and they feel embarrassed so it is easier not to give at all. PLEASE do not let that stop you. When 10 people give $10.00- that is $100.00. I am asking that you stop right now and prayerfully consider supporting Joanna. Take the money you would spend going out to dinner just one time this month and help her, help us, faithfully serve here in Burkina Faso.<br />
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To support Joanna financially: You can give a one-time donation or you can commit to a monthly donation. If you would like to do this, you can write a check to Engage Burkina with her name written in the memo line. You can send the check to Engage Burkina at 3522 Hiram Acworth Highway, Dallas, GA 30157. If you choose to make a monthly commitment, please include a note informing Engage Burkina that you would like to give a monthly donation and what that amount will be.Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-45865504042276054252010-08-15T16:47:00.000-04:002010-08-15T16:47:15.689-04:00From my heart....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmuNsww-ou06HkeIZ_XiYVHMpI7k2WbrDmqR1bbwRpk5FBBoLgs6zKVlebr69sxBlJSfwyXM475WybwGsin95hi-sqHVHv8IxIDoWl6wDgYLJ5fbqU7TgK8dS8UddX6tNDRcV0SUVAL4n/s1600/ghana+2+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmuNsww-ou06HkeIZ_XiYVHMpI7k2WbrDmqR1bbwRpk5FBBoLgs6zKVlebr69sxBlJSfwyXM475WybwGsin95hi-sqHVHv8IxIDoWl6wDgYLJ5fbqU7TgK8dS8UddX6tNDRcV0SUVAL4n/s320/ghana+2+101.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: lime;">I adore these guys!!! Just because picture...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Matt Wilmington did a sermon several years back and talked about his families mission statement. I really wanted to do something like this with my family but also desired a personal mission statement as well. One big confession for me is that many times God might put something on my heart and then I move forward with a right heart but get side tracked on a marketing view. It has been years and “I” have not come up with my personal mission statement because there was not anything that “I” could come up with that reflected my heart’s desire and sounded fluff and catching!</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Fast forward to this past week…. I am in the middle of my time with the Lord. I am asking God to manifest himself in my life and may the fruits of the spirit be evident. I began asking the Lord once again as He knows my heart to give me a personal mission statement. One that reflects my heart, two-something I could share with others and it point them to him, and three- one that He inspires. After a gentle rebuke, I felt like this was a crash and burn attempt last time because I took my eyes off him and took the controls in trying to formulate the words of my mission statement. This particular time, I committed to wait on the Lord. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously all the while I am praying this song is in my mind. I continue to move forward after prayer with more of my study and I find myself singing out loud… “To love the Lord our God, is the heart beat of our mission.” Talk about a stop dead in my tracks… Lord, in the past I did not use just a scripture verse as the heart beat of my mission because (and I say with shame) it was not fluffy and did not have this cutting edge sound. In my mind I needed a flashy statement that reflected the verse I would use. For the record, I love when people seeking God can put together something and in such a way that it could be used as a bill board…. so this is in no way a negative to those that God has gifted in this way or spoken to in this way!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">OK so the Lord did not literally speak but He so spoke to my heart. Connie, I want you to stand on the basis to Love me with all your mind, soul, heart, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. My very first thought was loving you Lord will be way easier than loving my neighbor. I then began to meditate on this verse… yep another confession not knowing where it was in the Word…. To love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. This does not just mean to practice the expression of love as a feeling. Loving means Obeying!Trusting!Following!Honoring! and oh how the list go on. Then to love my neighbor as I love myself. I do love myself and want the best for me so even when someone rips me up, cuts me off in traffic, makes a stupid choice, hurts my kid,- Connie love them. Seriously think of all this verse means…WOW I honestly want to live this way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I finish my Bible study and then later take some time to find out the reference of this scripture. This verse is mentioned 3 times that I could find in the new testament. First, in Matthew- When asked which is the greatest commandment of the law. Second in Mark- When Jesus says there is no commandment greater than this. Third, in Luke when Jesus says, “Do this and you will live.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So for all to know, I believe that God has given me a mission statement for my life;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To: Connie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with your strength, and with all your mind, and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” -Luke 10:27</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">From: God</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">To take this a step further, I believe that God was asking Chris and I to talk to our kids about a family mission statement. Be ready… I am so excited to share with you what God is doing in our home and how He is speaking to our kids and giving them scripture that they want to bring to life in the lives of our family!</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-18252743943618228982010-08-11T22:46:00.001-04:002010-08-11T22:49:43.112-04:00A Big Fish Out Of Water...... AND Loving It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoqZ7aEkL5By4e-6bl2AuE-76uiXu38auYEmwKLecScOIDWzNvf-5tsrxJba9PyEOB4qHljdHL9hO3D2fN8ay7yv69A4KtDPM8ziDXtxXm_aeo8hvOsinKHefO4weLjuGjLU4tsf5d5Fa/s1600/2010-08+Ghana+%26+Bella%27s+6th+Birthday+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoqZ7aEkL5By4e-6bl2AuE-76uiXu38auYEmwKLecScOIDWzNvf-5tsrxJba9PyEOB4qHljdHL9hO3D2fN8ay7yv69A4KtDPM8ziDXtxXm_aeo8hvOsinKHefO4weLjuGjLU4tsf5d5Fa/s320/2010-08+Ghana+%26+Bella%27s+6th+Birthday+129.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I think I just had my first official girl’s night out since I have been in Africa. I have to start by bragging just a little bit on Jesus. He placed this amazing vision on the heart of a woman here in Burkina to help girls/teens in crisis. She prayed for years and the doors never opened. She did not allow the lack of an open door to end her praying. Due to the war in Ivory Coast- 8 years back, God moved Steve and Amy Nehlson to Burkina. An amazing family!! Who ever knew that God would connect these two women to come together and start this amazing ministry…..<span style="color: red;"> <strong>The Dorcus House!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Currently there are I6 girls that are living at the Dorcus House. These girls will capture your heart and mostly due to the fact that they glow. One of the things that I have expressed since living here is that I hate that I do not see people smile very often. Maybe I am just not at the right place at the right time, but I have had to work at times to pull a smile out of people. These girls walk in a room and they light it up with their smiles. I believe this is because they truly have a deep appreciation and love for the Lord. When you are saved from much, I think gratitude goes to a whole new level.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So a little about this ministry… They run an amazing program. Just a few things they are doing for these girls… First- They are loving them and giving them Jesus. Second- They are loving them more and giving them Jesus. Third- They are watching lives change as these girls surrender their lives to the Lord. They have regular prayer and bible study. They all have responsibilities in cleaning and cooking on a rotation basis. They are being taught to read and write French which brings so much value in and of itself. They have learned how to make purses that are amazing. They know how to make soap and are learning to sew clothing. They have been given a gift. They are being taught a trade that after leaving, they will have skills to return home and use to look for work. There is no doubt that God is doing some amazing things in the lives of these young women!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok so fast forward… There has been a CMA youth camp here at the LAC. 11 out of the 16 girls were able to come for the final 2 days of the camp. I was so excited when they showed up at my door during their break time to visit. We began talking about the evening and they could not wait for the closing ceremony to begin. They were stoked about praising the Lord through song and dance. I told them that I would try to stop by. Well, glad I really did get ready for this because at 9:00pm, I had 11 girls at my front door ready for me to go over to the worship time. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPAq7ThqMY8VfqqDL1G6yI5Z4S1m6EpIr8F7Cn69c6MA7h4SxaR67ZFGCfzt_hk6_gxVcUdBxdzvXaEpywymJNqpiOYQ-AYhyphenhyphennTl-iS5lXEz2qtQ1bQ3iAIhDUdT7mNsNomJiTFgYt6KI/s1600/2010-08+Ghana+%26+Bella%27s+6th+Birthday+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPAq7ThqMY8VfqqDL1G6yI5Z4S1m6EpIr8F7Cn69c6MA7h4SxaR67ZFGCfzt_hk6_gxVcUdBxdzvXaEpywymJNqpiOYQ-AYhyphenhyphennTl-iS5lXEz2qtQ1bQ3iAIhDUdT7mNsNomJiTFgYt6KI/s320/2010-08+Ghana+%26+Bella%27s+6th+Birthday+167.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please picture this… a couple hundred black people and then me. My tan is not even good. Yep, I was so the only white person to be seen and everyone knew I was there. I stood out like no one else. I think the only thing brighter than me were these shoes that I want to bring home for Pastor Brian to wear one Sunday morning. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KgPzDrUF4QJVb25vhNmvE-t8mO-3Gyrn-HrnxIZGK9JjBYAFGlhBuE1sQ3UNv7tRJ4F-hokoJ2G13emkQNXkKjWOEEUmAcowoJgFxP6bsVPylx1g9CDm-8MpTIzb3lGhR_Y1gbBZrTSi/s1600/2010-08+Ghana+%26+Bella%27s+6th+Birthday+126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KgPzDrUF4QJVb25vhNmvE-t8mO-3Gyrn-HrnxIZGK9JjBYAFGlhBuE1sQ3UNv7tRJ4F-hokoJ2G13emkQNXkKjWOEEUmAcowoJgFxP6bsVPylx1g9CDm-8MpTIzb3lGhR_Y1gbBZrTSi/s320/2010-08+Ghana+%26+Bella%27s+6th+Birthday+126.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Take it a step further… White girl who cannot dance, danced and worshiped with them until 3:30am. It was amazing. What was even more amazing is that I am missing my family and girlfriends badly. I am nowhere near ready to be done here, but just to have a phone line and good internet to communicate…. Please help me here Lord! Desperately miss my mom sisters and brother. I miss my Randal girlfriend, My Roswell 6 girls, my amazing Jax friends, and my dearest Bec. I have been one of these girls that has been so blessed with amazing girl friends in each place I have lived…. Really only God could give friends like I have. Well would it not be just like Him to fill that void with these amazing girls and worship. I was totally embarrassed trying to learn some of these African dances. My children would have been like, “Mom, please stop!” BUT… in it all was a gift for me. I really experienced this time of worship in His holy presence as a gift. I learned that being a fish out of water may not be something I will run from in the future; rather I may need to run to it…. I would have never thought such a gift would have been awaiting me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please pray about supporting us. We are only able to be here because people give! Can you support us $10, $25, $50, $100 a month? See the link below that will take you directly to our support page. If you want to support us by sending a check please email us and we will get you the specific information needed. Click below to give in-line!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12">https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-46511234275450186382010-07-28T20:32:00.001-04:002010-07-29T05:54:58.671-04:00He Came Back for an Encore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">God the Father is indeed worthy and due our praise!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>APPLAUD HIM, BOW BEFORE HIM IN WORSHIP, FOR HE IS HOLY!</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is time for more worship as we praise God for all He is doing in Burkina Faso!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I pray that you would continue to applaud Him as I share some of the highlights of our last team.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This will sound crazy but the teams almost feel like pregnancy in a very small way. We are so excited for them to get here, but we always wonder if we will love the new team as much as we did the last. Will we connect, Will we be able to meet their expectations, Will they hate it here? Each time it is just like that second or third child that you wondered if you could love as much as the first. You never dream another team could be as good as the last. After each team leaves, we honestly mourn their departure. We are amazed at the love we have for each person that God brings over here to serve. See below the July team that ministered and blessed many lives…. Including the Feild Family!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2MeMNm-di_skQVqW0t5YMaEs3LszmLrRq4pWKGPdi38ymXuYfXa8pB3S5WSyuY7_nSMhS8Pj-8vIMv4Z8Z0VNKmPwWLRMZTxzWfG4Gjj1tY86NsZ5kDVAU8IRMW5zv3_QXX6hq46ci9t/s1600/Red+Camera+July+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2MeMNm-di_skQVqW0t5YMaEs3LszmLrRq4pWKGPdi38ymXuYfXa8pB3S5WSyuY7_nSMhS8Pj-8vIMv4Z8Z0VNKmPwWLRMZTxzWfG4Gjj1tY86NsZ5kDVAU8IRMW5zv3_QXX6hq46ci9t/s320/Red+Camera+July+100.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>West Ridge July 2010 English Camp Team</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;"></span></strong> <strong><span style="color: blue;">Please pray right now for this team. Pray that they will not ever forget how God worked in and through their lives.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">We started off the week with a time of evangelism. We were able to show the World Cup on a large screen at the LAC soccer field. During half time, Vince gave his testimony and the Pastor followed up by sharing how to be saved. We were very excited that more than 100 came. This also was great as there were several there that did not know there is a church on the LAC campus.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGyFXcu0YdqFhcng1q4m34VE0UlQIJCd9JcbvI5eG-ghwoDz56ElvlUB7pJgAQC7pb22F1Jt3xXLDUqeQWfwBb8EDsp9U7HUc_PCymrPQMjGrBj1BnEk5QYnT3IJDvrY6heXDmWagtrW7/s1600/team+july+wr+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGyFXcu0YdqFhcng1q4m34VE0UlQIJCd9JcbvI5eG-ghwoDz56ElvlUB7pJgAQC7pb22F1Jt3xXLDUqeQWfwBb8EDsp9U7HUc_PCymrPQMjGrBj1BnEk5QYnT3IJDvrY6heXDmWagtrW7/s320/team+july+wr+018.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>People gathered to watch the World Cup</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"></span><span style="color: blue;"><strong> Please pray right now that the seeds that were planted will be watered and those who do not know Him will not rest until they are secure in their salvation with Christ.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were blessed to have a little over 40 students for the English Camp. In the opening ceremonies, Holly shared that they were here because we sincerely wanted to help them learn some English, but the number one reason was to share the love of Jesus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQsh69XnO-zwe1uxL5OxAL1uhUtBb3ryXHrVk7dXv-pizXsDCj9xD31wpP1oRisLXefSEXAOJ6nC-SpOChUVybL6dXt7GvkrhNJ_CgDLIrSUg1j6pf_p2RHrajI-fTsbAMeQn4voCTtdc/s1600/team+july+wr+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQsh69XnO-zwe1uxL5OxAL1uhUtBb3ryXHrVk7dXv-pizXsDCj9xD31wpP1oRisLXefSEXAOJ6nC-SpOChUVybL6dXt7GvkrhNJ_CgDLIrSUg1j6pf_p2RHrajI-fTsbAMeQn4voCTtdc/s320/team+july+wr+053.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>We started with a test to place each person in the class they needed to be in.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">We cannot rave enough about each teacher. Those who are teachers by profession in the States and those who are not, all did an amazing job. Each student was thrilled to have the teachers and class they were assigned.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG8Xtpq_TdH5GnJh_ejmTC1pKkdRuiOIo75r-9-NVslLKJn_ANbehao0KbwIWJkkfkZzmFGmyqPQfs2EMsogt9Yw9Cw6ze15pSts4M4P8IRrBH685NURRnOKO6IicXL4jGJ-fstwofP9i/s1600/team+july+wr+288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtG8Xtpq_TdH5GnJh_ejmTC1pKkdRuiOIo75r-9-NVslLKJn_ANbehao0KbwIWJkkfkZzmFGmyqPQfs2EMsogt9Yw9Cw6ze15pSts4M4P8IRrBH685NURRnOKO6IicXL4jGJ-fstwofP9i/s320/team+july+wr+288.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Vince had the older students. Most of them had a good knowledge of English.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gWg8a0GBOVu5qTG4Uhdl73lRz7cqjjW3LlIiJxEz-dgwFWcO4jZbetCLB1tkrjphuWqrpBWT3ket7Fann8M5hol2f25HtidcbWfUmR14QCDyqAxynLxcMa0s2j6_fDQ__S4OJ2vs3TeS/s1600/team+july+wr+283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gWg8a0GBOVu5qTG4Uhdl73lRz7cqjjW3LlIiJxEz-dgwFWcO4jZbetCLB1tkrjphuWqrpBWT3ket7Fann8M5hol2f25HtidcbWfUmR14QCDyqAxynLxcMa0s2j6_fDQ__S4OJ2vs3TeS/s320/team+july+wr+283.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Vince brought the heat in his classroom. The students received way more than just an English camp. I am amazed at the amount of information Vince was able to go through in just one week. Each time I was in his class, the students just hung on every word.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCmQxDvdN_Pjf2bPy8pNoZwXwELhhXMhM0um1vZybWAx_66BtsZFryyaWLGduqrj2v-O1oTOZXqUvqcRzAuWtAw_y7tPi5wfBNdM-cSjeepfkUtpLF1BoxBCdBAENECj4G2W-y-lv09s8/s1600/team+july+wr+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCmQxDvdN_Pjf2bPy8pNoZwXwELhhXMhM0um1vZybWAx_66BtsZFryyaWLGduqrj2v-O1oTOZXqUvqcRzAuWtAw_y7tPi5wfBNdM-cSjeepfkUtpLF1BoxBCdBAENECj4G2W-y-lv09s8/s320/team+july+wr+100.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>This was a girl in Vince's class. One Day a picture of her was taken and a combination of bad lighting and a cheap camera put spots all over her face. She had tears coming down her cheeks and asked for prayer over this. She was afraid that there was an evil spirit that caused this and she could not return to her village like this. My heart broke as I touched her back and literally felt her trembling. I have no doubt that God allowed this. It was simply another opportunity to talk about Him and truth.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Please pray right now for her and her salvation. Pray that she will rest in the peace and power of our creator.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6KnUBrhKg2SkFaMMZC7vPsh0rzxKlhRaS6tXX5KRSXeaWtfOAFZ_TL5j3YaYWWqJMexzc5EFjUNUu6VKqpw_JwcbXYx2Wdp_e-jkAQnbVmRKaNSOVsCRmLPWe1Cj6WlNw7KoahlQwukS/s1600/team+july+wr+309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP6KnUBrhKg2SkFaMMZC7vPsh0rzxKlhRaS6tXX5KRSXeaWtfOAFZ_TL5j3YaYWWqJMexzc5EFjUNUu6VKqpw_JwcbXYx2Wdp_e-jkAQnbVmRKaNSOVsCRmLPWe1Cj6WlNw7KoahlQwukS/s320/team+july+wr+309.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>This was Holly and Anne's Class. They had one of the intermediate classes.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEca6E__bE6PIPy-BGS_-0xHlpN6rUQouD7TRNUW7TYmypUEJoQP8JYHYCQ6PKX03900EQ5voTL7ynHP9SqgZ9lpya_SnEA3zKWfznr7UqyOl6kwOa27ia-RnyAiA1uUZyjNEE8le0C1hR/s1600/team+july+wr+105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEca6E__bE6PIPy-BGS_-0xHlpN6rUQouD7TRNUW7TYmypUEJoQP8JYHYCQ6PKX03900EQ5voTL7ynHP9SqgZ9lpya_SnEA3zKWfznr7UqyOl6kwOa27ia-RnyAiA1uUZyjNEE8le0C1hR/s320/team+july+wr+105.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Holly has a gift. She does this in the States and we were very blessed to have her head up this camp. Her classroom would have not been near as fun had Anne not be there to teach with her. They were a great team and the students loved them! I have started working with three of the students from their class 3 days a week and they can not say enough how much this camp has helped them.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Jfsov9ElSTFN2yo4ZVkJBhh8Eb6FhiOgzmIazU0GWsH9xVcPh1kUAKvWm1ooI-kih79epo4PCyew0axHMd6R2TNyLV2dfFok3BUY1D7nQ5hBUDrXgjtrbaSUc4AOTDClnb_oyXlGmJxC/s1600/team+july+wr+331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Jfsov9ElSTFN2yo4ZVkJBhh8Eb6FhiOgzmIazU0GWsH9xVcPh1kUAKvWm1ooI-kih79epo4PCyew0axHMd6R2TNyLV2dfFok3BUY1D7nQ5hBUDrXgjtrbaSUc4AOTDClnb_oyXlGmJxC/s320/team+july+wr+331.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>This is Colleen's class. She also had some intermediate students. When I talked about Colleen to my husband my words were, "She not only gets it, and believes it, but she lives it." My heart connected with hers and I feel so blessed to have a prayer warrior like her praying for my family and the lives of those here in Burkina. Above is a drawing of a warrior who has put on the armor of God. The students in her class were discipled.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdvxea-8QL34pj2pz8ORyV80J75UbJN6B4jKxjKpdGMPMF752IMr6sV1PjO6shMU0em7dvAb3xtIW5zJT2Bln3-4XLdFYU1cxBZFSV1G5yrd3wxarcXFrSbLh6N4cvEVtuEeTOHn3pbhB/s1600/team+july+wr+114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdvxea-8QL34pj2pz8ORyV80J75UbJN6B4jKxjKpdGMPMF752IMr6sV1PjO6shMU0em7dvAb3xtIW5zJT2Bln3-4XLdFYU1cxBZFSV1G5yrd3wxarcXFrSbLh6N4cvEVtuEeTOHn3pbhB/s320/team+july+wr+114.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqM9os6N5GwQ-iZ1PlenD6_pzCJRFkjOs1WZrwMBrpBwMlHqu1w8KIgui4PWRl_nkFiAUGNB5hvsxgwF7eMwdjoIyc_0girh3U-GOgxqeWhyphenhyphenrGyYsQk4nyQ7EvnI0udo_5m5foj-lhsAF/s1600/team+july+wr+155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqM9os6N5GwQ-iZ1PlenD6_pzCJRFkjOs1WZrwMBrpBwMlHqu1w8KIgui4PWRl_nkFiAUGNB5hvsxgwF7eMwdjoIyc_0girh3U-GOgxqeWhyphenhyphenrGyYsQk4nyQ7EvnI0udo_5m5foj-lhsAF/s320/team+july+wr+155.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>This was our class that knew the least amount of English if any at all. This was Jennifer, Sue, and Michelle's class. We are thankful to the Varsity as the kids loved the hats and the photo opportunity.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZrY99j_ppQyPJh0z323HOe3UXPibGDIvDcMf-TN0BsISKe8aWUvG61unCC7umqoOUSv3qufFB55BA0YE2GvQOCqOfbRuoVpJpcTdvQqyA5KYSvnNiBqKAcpSVUXT8ibPpuDX9UG7zNcn/s1600/team+july+wr+106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZrY99j_ppQyPJh0z323HOe3UXPibGDIvDcMf-TN0BsISKe8aWUvG61unCC7umqoOUSv3qufFB55BA0YE2GvQOCqOfbRuoVpJpcTdvQqyA5KYSvnNiBqKAcpSVUXT8ibPpuDX9UG7zNcn/s320/team+july+wr+106.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>These ladies did an amazing job. One of the children from this class told me in French that he wanted the same class and the same teachers next summer</strong></span><span style="color: red;"><strong>.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;"></span></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRIlmhA_oMTPDKQMDPwEry7kkSyygMFSIwdV19J3AAbKvFQobuRjQRXn8nFvPu3qE2ODvvvxziq8OVfo7GOmEw5MtSbm0s38VnruIv_rAWwBYOgDm2Ndf4TfY6R9vvNcX-2G6t-16DKqu/s1600/team+july+wr+186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRIlmhA_oMTPDKQMDPwEry7kkSyygMFSIwdV19J3AAbKvFQobuRjQRXn8nFvPu3qE2ODvvvxziq8OVfo7GOmEw5MtSbm0s38VnruIv_rAWwBYOgDm2Ndf4TfY6R9vvNcX-2G6t-16DKqu/s320/team+july+wr+186.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Our last class is one that we did not plan for, but a blessing beyond what can be described. Kay was able to invest and teach the ladies that work at my home and in the center. They felt so special and continue to practice their English. Kay was able to start “Apples of Gold” in Burkina!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1YXYCvhwPQZWZkrOsMPudAwH5nYkEZh1E_JI7zGwGpQmyZ_ILprx-KHk3S8pcy-BK01iGa1ZR3fNm1VyKHCSgJ2adhzcyGNVYko4MIZNdz2yQpPawPB5k-RhcGWKjXkv-PsGE-NyDwIa/s1600/team+july+wr+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1YXYCvhwPQZWZkrOsMPudAwH5nYkEZh1E_JI7zGwGpQmyZ_ILprx-KHk3S8pcy-BK01iGa1ZR3fNm1VyKHCSgJ2adhzcyGNVYko4MIZNdz2yQpPawPB5k-RhcGWKjXkv-PsGE-NyDwIa/s320/team+july+wr+056.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NJlvB8OBpxm2VTzfD5I3KzRocLFEdpY4TpbOtsoYpgfl8LeBt7VtmSzcNX-NbqoOm1Pz5QFE2RqA5ibvK6mfvsOWQ4uYTeNp_D5xwylVg51KET9PqtaAHhFl6HB4JDqDlTH6UC-k_mfm/s1600/team+july+wr+242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NJlvB8OBpxm2VTzfD5I3KzRocLFEdpY4TpbOtsoYpgfl8LeBt7VtmSzcNX-NbqoOm1Pz5QFE2RqA5ibvK6mfvsOWQ4uYTeNp_D5xwylVg51KET9PqtaAHhFl6HB4JDqDlTH6UC-k_mfm/s320/team+july+wr+242.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: red;">Kay put together some great crafts for the students. They enjoyed each and every </span></span><span style="color: red;">one!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHSpOYnhDfZqBLG_UvN5S3U0UTLrDcDPYdy1ABbq6qWGG_sAiBnwosp_uuAeGSI193mcn8drY9j8RU2YYnH03afJmZuzlLi-njZWo4Zj_2Qv9TRZ1HpkfI5SenwAsSV8wGYZwohooxsoB/s1600/team+july+wr+318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHSpOYnhDfZqBLG_UvN5S3U0UTLrDcDPYdy1ABbq6qWGG_sAiBnwosp_uuAeGSI193mcn8drY9j8RU2YYnH03afJmZuzlLi-njZWo4Zj_2Qv9TRZ1HpkfI5SenwAsSV8wGYZwohooxsoB/s320/team+july+wr+318.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>This is a guy who has made some of our furniture. He does not know the Lord; yet, he heard the name of Jesus all week and was making a cross necklace representing Jesus death and resurrection.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCNPhInfnSxaz1PQxM0VkY7H_7evxLLZ5nt4cvoEjz0NaFBu3K3teDYpCmAvhOwoWvf-vkd2QQy1xeVZ26Jj-oIXMwevilIpq0JL68QHYjt74DtBlk53K_Mb-BNr-z2l9OMlK-KTWHjMV/s1600/team+july+wr+123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrCNPhInfnSxaz1PQxM0VkY7H_7evxLLZ5nt4cvoEjz0NaFBu3K3teDYpCmAvhOwoWvf-vkd2QQy1xeVZ26Jj-oIXMwevilIpq0JL68QHYjt74DtBlk53K_Mb-BNr-z2l9OMlK-KTWHjMV/s320/team+july+wr+123.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03Nzx0X-li0ph7GthXUZDxXg-RfR73bgfmEz4_FIgQ5ePPOAnPqDqL9sHZQjIDso01eoYNmq7ccYnja5JYJS0_DXIA5BuN4mDMt11fNKNgMvQA_KesBmUl9Q7mDt7fP8XmwgkyDBF_1iX/s1600/team+july+wr+136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03Nzx0X-li0ph7GthXUZDxXg-RfR73bgfmEz4_FIgQ5ePPOAnPqDqL9sHZQjIDso01eoYNmq7ccYnja5JYJS0_DXIA5BuN4mDMt11fNKNgMvQA_KesBmUl9Q7mDt7fP8XmwgkyDBF_1iX/s320/team+july+wr+136.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJYUN7k1ZME5oucj2eDL5NTwpkVd8TcknlB7501ZrdqyZ1d7z-zUruB8Yk2jzJOw240ZUGWxk_7NKPfur2VZGvVIY2MUkBEX4xMWllCG80-T0IpUuwXM2dfeohTh30cFIDeuvUMrLQgeb/s1600/team+july+wr+134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJYUN7k1ZME5oucj2eDL5NTwpkVd8TcknlB7501ZrdqyZ1d7z-zUruB8Yk2jzJOw240ZUGWxk_7NKPfur2VZGvVIY2MUkBEX4xMWllCG80-T0IpUuwXM2dfeohTh30cFIDeuvUMrLQgeb/s320/team+july+wr+134.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuFEzK6HTkRXvdu04Lyge_JlPGBpd8ycS18dGt4m5LzOrwFaViGOgRAW6EXVA3-66NtBb9UTsxnQrYQTqyO7y4zeVHLgpwa_7fIfGeKF7a_k7sD2GwLLhW-uZXAJRYhvKhWJWJozsuCiq/s1600/team+july+wr+140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuFEzK6HTkRXvdu04Lyge_JlPGBpd8ycS18dGt4m5LzOrwFaViGOgRAW6EXVA3-66NtBb9UTsxnQrYQTqyO7y4zeVHLgpwa_7fIfGeKF7a_k7sD2GwLLhW-uZXAJRYhvKhWJWJozsuCiq/s320/team+july+wr+140.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>After class, the students had the opportunity to play basketball, volleyball, soccer, or sign language.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Needless to say, the camp was a huge success. We have been asked not "if" but "when" we will be coming back. We have also been asked if we will do this more than one time a year as well as making it longer... even up to a month.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHtRP57GW_dY72dIFQxUaaeD4LcGi4MCDulibNGX-mb99uvZNkM6X-m6_w8_V7xNcjWzOV2etY1P4vKYPJkfuijlO6c0GfAKseAuEeiPUgN81KAuPJ4O1RSrOMoBvJ83-zfZshUq2SuOz/s1600/team+july+wr+386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHtRP57GW_dY72dIFQxUaaeD4LcGi4MCDulibNGX-mb99uvZNkM6X-m6_w8_V7xNcjWzOV2etY1P4vKYPJkfuijlO6c0GfAKseAuEeiPUgN81KAuPJ4O1RSrOMoBvJ83-zfZshUq2SuOz/s320/team+july+wr+386.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Closing Ceremony was a time of worship.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvTLhlAQ_7I_VuU1V06-Teg8D_x7HB8fz1gHmWX1eurwQsq4PsvxBtu0gVy41NZd1wEJ1pKE2RZ4CAa1y0LhVCrdbqRDMPErQE1Qel8-HUhkhD64UkT8XOYjwIwSWJgyWo1HM6ijjwHX1/s1600/team+july+wr+422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvTLhlAQ_7I_VuU1V06-Teg8D_x7HB8fz1gHmWX1eurwQsq4PsvxBtu0gVy41NZd1wEJ1pKE2RZ4CAa1y0LhVCrdbqRDMPErQE1Qel8-HUhkhD64UkT8XOYjwIwSWJgyWo1HM6ijjwHX1/s320/team+july+wr+422.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>We were humbled and blessed when as a gift the students sang God is so Good in English. They also took up a collection and gave each one of us a gift. They have nothing and yet they are still giving.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">While the English camp was taking place, Chris, Matt, and Caleb were working in the extreme humidity and heat helping with the next classroom at the LAC. This will enable the LAC to open up more spots for students to attend this next year. They also spent time painting another room in the home of the LAC pastor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4R6fHrDKwGoHMH9dKu7Q5F0dUHaMRnnmXRhRcELVJQNZNRI8gDATJft5nSq_-FA7UQul2diWJMOfJHxfN_t3L4IFvMDzlI83JVAdpL1WlSndGSOCSsXA1GEOVRjtMWg3rSTy7oVR1YVl/s1600/team+july+wr+164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4R6fHrDKwGoHMH9dKu7Q5F0dUHaMRnnmXRhRcELVJQNZNRI8gDATJft5nSq_-FA7UQul2diWJMOfJHxfN_t3L4IFvMDzlI83JVAdpL1WlSndGSOCSsXA1GEOVRjtMWg3rSTy7oVR1YVl/s320/team+july+wr+164.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;">These three guys worked very hard and I think even felt a little "high" with paint fumes and no ventilation!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBkBtzxrsl1w3KF7BUcg6CIG5BwmFc9vq8SNiKYLwF5bOEcIm9OgPEblsUHSzsdm9mzg3ImGsMUA_TT_-1ChV7ARLCmCXnfsxJat0DrTvypQGjP-uyOw8RmOeR8CdoGC2QylfUZQS_EuS/s1600/team+july+wr+191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBkBtzxrsl1w3KF7BUcg6CIG5BwmFc9vq8SNiKYLwF5bOEcIm9OgPEblsUHSzsdm9mzg3ImGsMUA_TT_-1ChV7ARLCmCXnfsxJat0DrTvypQGjP-uyOw8RmOeR8CdoGC2QylfUZQS_EuS/s320/team+july+wr+191.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>This is the Compassion Center at the LAC. This was a highlight and a heart break. These children were writing letters to their sponsors.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ICNCUwbWuDTRg_VOR4pDW9Az3jnuZdzTorZTDRQFtsGs8m48rhnBmnxlLTltUQMgqz8ArEySe6P5ZKMwjSEFNeMttRDhNc7uCMXoPjbpeQcrW05jTn9w6qzfOszDmErX4TtYAnOOzV-u/s1600/team+july+wr+202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ICNCUwbWuDTRg_VOR4pDW9Az3jnuZdzTorZTDRQFtsGs8m48rhnBmnxlLTltUQMgqz8ArEySe6P5ZKMwjSEFNeMttRDhNc7uCMXoPjbpeQcrW05jTn9w6qzfOszDmErX4TtYAnOOzV-u/s320/team+july+wr+202.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;">This was one of two meals they ate during the time they were at the Compassion Center.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRngOVjYLrfeDPR5ASxTzG7AGqRPKPLlXzRRmypklQF6JHHLJLqaeSgikJY5ZTWvvmM2pVUodbHCUhEnH2BRO4Ha_A8WLpH8kCyBSruwAmo2EQ6KhUezwyKzFtpm9KRNxu8tdebWq9QB88/s1600/team+july+wr+213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRngOVjYLrfeDPR5ASxTzG7AGqRPKPLlXzRRmypklQF6JHHLJLqaeSgikJY5ZTWvvmM2pVUodbHCUhEnH2BRO4Ha_A8WLpH8kCyBSruwAmo2EQ6KhUezwyKzFtpm9KRNxu8tdebWq9QB88/s320/team+july+wr+213.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>The children were given bread and milk. This taller girl offered to give her lunch to one of our team members. Humbling!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: black;">We are ONE in the Spirit proclaiming the Name of Jesus so that all may know HIM!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>APPLAUD HIM!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKvm7kw6gt3cPi7V__L-uglS4Evj5ShE2FayQUe851mEbz7ohsSDBrZ2ILCovpUjiSXgRY5yeq70GyaaonQ3wTlxJJssMV2VppyxOzSI6L4S0VpSka0cmdlSJcqECd95Bznu2HZJdoPq5/s1600/team+july+wr+414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKvm7kw6gt3cPi7V__L-uglS4Evj5ShE2FayQUe851mEbz7ohsSDBrZ2ILCovpUjiSXgRY5yeq70GyaaonQ3wTlxJJssMV2VppyxOzSI6L4S0VpSka0cmdlSJcqECd95Bznu2HZJdoPq5/s200/team+july+wr+414.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa7no2M6m0aY-cmylbB5bDbKSY7lfa9rqmESB0yEYWqL7QqPnEC4EnXLwNZNx2UPyD9ygRLux67golIW380fg5S5w9epYXwlj6rrIMMwY7UwZ9RcCGzhC1Kjv5d1wR9GgOd9E-Og4iR6K/s1600/team+july+wr+413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa7no2M6m0aY-cmylbB5bDbKSY7lfa9rqmESB0yEYWqL7QqPnEC4EnXLwNZNx2UPyD9ygRLux67golIW380fg5S5w9epYXwlj6rrIMMwY7UwZ9RcCGzhC1Kjv5d1wR9GgOd9E-Og4iR6K/s200/team+july+wr+413.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMPMehG24K_HlIHJ3UyvEd63xIhHH7_mb8JBbs3iAusppo3a6MiNfeBhXPSoR8js78npzz0lmuJ6wP1QzhE1DFT27gYdCgiuXRLk23rEuda8yPaMEIOQRy2QHrI7AJYyuEthkYvHMUQvJ/s1600/team+july+wr+412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMPMehG24K_HlIHJ3UyvEd63xIhHH7_mb8JBbs3iAusppo3a6MiNfeBhXPSoR8js78npzz0lmuJ6wP1QzhE1DFT27gYdCgiuXRLk23rEuda8yPaMEIOQRy2QHrI7AJYyuEthkYvHMUQvJ/s200/team+july+wr+412.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>APPLAUD HIM!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Once again, we want to thank you for your support to us as well as all the needs we have here in Burkina. PLEASE- </strong><strong>will you pray for us and the ministry?!? The field is ripe and as much as God is working, the enemy is ticked…. We need prayer!</strong></div><br />
We hate asking for financial support, but we can not be here without people supporting us financially. Will you pray about supporting us financially? Can you support us $10, $25, $50, $100 a month? We are only able to be here because people pray and people give. See the link below that will take you directly to our support page. If you want to support us by sending a check please email us and we will get you the specific information needed. Click below to give in-line!<br />
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<div align="center"><a href="https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12">https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-16969101269964106802010-06-29T18:25:00.000-04:002010-06-29T18:25:41.876-04:00APPLAUD HIM!<div style="text-align: center;">Family and Friends,</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since arriving the end of January, we have had 2 film/production teams and 2 large teams that have done work on a school and building churches in addition to evangelism and ministering to pastors. We have been asked several times, “How have your teams been? Did everything go O.K.?….” I cannot keep from smiling and cannot explain how honored we are to be doing this job. We love it, love it, love it! Today in my Beth Moore Bible Study she said on her video that she is always applauding God. She just claps all the time and applauds Him for the amazing things He is doing. I loved her follow up line when she said, “Don’t think He won’t come back for an encore.” Right now feel free to just start clapping. Are you at work, in the library, in your bedroom…. APPLAUD HIM!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISntp1veq4g0PqfMe_uLfdQaBNq78bozSn9BMATV8zG42ZUx89cE76joDjTSP-UGK4Jih6zDnFoo6z1mYAsBiDVMw7GhgX0TQq5F-NnFQE4n3bNbTxkRKkCiFgzwjY6Qz27zbm96glb15/s1600/Burkina+june+376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISntp1veq4g0PqfMe_uLfdQaBNq78bozSn9BMATV8zG42ZUx89cE76joDjTSP-UGK4Jih6zDnFoo6z1mYAsBiDVMw7GhgX0TQq5F-NnFQE4n3bNbTxkRKkCiFgzwjY6Qz27zbm96glb15/s320/Burkina+june+376.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">These are some really amazing people!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our last team was made up of 13 people who were from Church at the Ridge and West Ridge Church – both are located in GA. What an amazing group of people. To hear story after story of how God prepared them for this trip and then to see firsthand how He moved in their lives while they were here. APPLAUD HIM! Lives will be changed as a result of each person that He used to make this trip possible. There are those who prayed, gave financial support for them to come, watched their children, and paved the way for each person to be here. Then there are those who made the trip with long travel hours by plane, then long travel hours in a crammed Land Cruiser on unpaved roads with no air conditioning, and then worked long hours in the hot-hot sun. Many played with children and ministered just by their presence. There were days with no indoor plumbing and life that is unimaginable to many of us. One thing that always amazes me about this is that there are tears and smiles despite these conditions- it shows the desire for God to move more than the desire of our own comforts…. Amazing…. APPLAUD HIM!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkTgBOi9NM0jlT5d-HDqwzkDlSNY5afph78z2wsoUYuleMH6K1BxxxVlvMf9dLJjCE2PWHG8V5SU6gTyb0puBVRVJ5J_2voMrJfvsM3Gb5UltXXrabLdOunopjJxpP-rpRaJaOqda8amn/s1600/Burkina+june+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkTgBOi9NM0jlT5d-HDqwzkDlSNY5afph78z2wsoUYuleMH6K1BxxxVlvMf9dLJjCE2PWHG8V5SU6gTyb0puBVRVJ5J_2voMrJfvsM3Gb5UltXXrabLdOunopjJxpP-rpRaJaOqda8amn/s320/Burkina+june+125.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Headed to the Bush!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVgNq3eAeC5GWeuO4pwpe9DRJffxE1xXK5BrXpv3RLALcipbvkaJgpX6S90DeiQauRQ3Ud3V5C2_dqcxU2BjJ4eRVr9QvLsyYxOTgznvtBHW0FkAwpdhXJHoALp4xwLb3wVeMhoJABjFz/s1600/Burkina+june+123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVgNq3eAeC5GWeuO4pwpe9DRJffxE1xXK5BrXpv3RLALcipbvkaJgpX6S90DeiQauRQ3Ud3V5C2_dqcxU2BjJ4eRVr9QvLsyYxOTgznvtBHW0FkAwpdhXJHoALp4xwLb3wVeMhoJABjFz/s320/Burkina+june+123.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Lucky one's who sat in the back!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">While the team was in the Bush they put up 2 hangers that the church will build walls around. They met for church in their new buildings last Sunday! In this culture, this structure gives validity to the church.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pZjtIWkMA_YfEBQbilyqjmDCXXLr2y8PUHLNWV9ffdOe05Tf_eJavKatafc4WrMXv9_ZLGHY5wVHmiaRwyjOwlD-mp-0nqR2sM-BI23hYc7HqOp2USO6R3zkTO2-dNNt1WAqq5C-1ZQl/s1600/Burkina+june+157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pZjtIWkMA_YfEBQbilyqjmDCXXLr2y8PUHLNWV9ffdOe05Tf_eJavKatafc4WrMXv9_ZLGHY5wVHmiaRwyjOwlD-mp-0nqR2sM-BI23hYc7HqOp2USO6R3zkTO2-dNNt1WAqq5C-1ZQl/s320/Burkina+june+157.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Getting started...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5A_U7d4pBITRrVAOb4Y0Kgops0BGkGWHfW43GbLIMjbIylXnB_6s0XSlevhcSV2E4Uhzf9aZenmoywBguCfZJ2FuWorD5MSd7S46pn1LhILARvClu3g3LezKdyhe0v0Q2OfD4vxaOS7o/s1600/Burkina+june+133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5A_U7d4pBITRrVAOb4Y0Kgops0BGkGWHfW43GbLIMjbIylXnB_6s0XSlevhcSV2E4Uhzf9aZenmoywBguCfZJ2FuWorD5MSd7S46pn1LhILARvClu3g3LezKdyhe0v0Q2OfD4vxaOS7o/s320/Burkina+june+133.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Lives that have been impacted by the Love of Jesus though this team!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Va-IWdeeWqmmuqsPNPrKCkTuGsRNYxmlGwiHzJJdlJR7SHba8hkwc45MWbVnQATxM5HlpZ5WC6F1o5rsU-NY91qcOufmlSpRdXukzNypswToIXnlLXkX5xL4AXnYBMz_9DWQFFe85Ijg/s1600/Burkina+june+227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Va-IWdeeWqmmuqsPNPrKCkTuGsRNYxmlGwiHzJJdlJR7SHba8hkwc45MWbVnQATxM5HlpZ5WC6F1o5rsU-NY91qcOufmlSpRdXukzNypswToIXnlLXkX5xL4AXnYBMz_9DWQFFe85Ijg/s320/Burkina+june+227.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Stop right now and pray for this church to be blessed and that many come to know Him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_scqf0hmvJHq2hh-UjhA1TE5Jp1j-B6OLNp5BHcWcaswPMCBPhRiUi-r3gBzJUwPn2ZdejrdRTS0eYe_y-cH60ZmBpS8dRG6Y_bRYagU9zhcrGvJAyTTQ28B-Kota5d5Chrzgcvt0Q9eV/s1600/Burkina+june+232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_scqf0hmvJHq2hh-UjhA1TE5Jp1j-B6OLNp5BHcWcaswPMCBPhRiUi-r3gBzJUwPn2ZdejrdRTS0eYe_y-cH60ZmBpS8dRG6Y_bRYagU9zhcrGvJAyTTQ28B-Kota5d5Chrzgcvt0Q9eV/s320/Burkina+june+232.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Playing with the children... Notice the teams sleeping quarters???</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u10YdMOat6sPylQnNu2YK-MuBTm8R2MDm3N1jAs679pRNhzxmczOpc8eWIPEKqZRy9hCyO7mJyKt0shaGMhvxZu0HuQp49zpJsAQiDNMWUjKGd4eI01iCkRtP9msrZjYwkCItuIUx0w4/s1600/Burkina+june+244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-u10YdMOat6sPylQnNu2YK-MuBTm8R2MDm3N1jAs679pRNhzxmczOpc8eWIPEKqZRy9hCyO7mJyKt0shaGMhvxZu0HuQp49zpJsAQiDNMWUjKGd4eI01iCkRtP9msrZjYwkCItuIUx0w4/s320/Burkina+june+244.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">APPLAUD HIM!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlstzGKM2DZSAOoXs2CrnRUAimnSexA6V0WLjPZgmzcasqnLpld7a_SK1eG6u9e64DyQ9MrWYOet49svaax95vCMMr8FRrm_Ua0sT31GBsy9J6tJUsPwDDwq3cVC3PmuZef1Ods0BYFgkh/s1600/Burkina+june+273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlstzGKM2DZSAOoXs2CrnRUAimnSexA6V0WLjPZgmzcasqnLpld7a_SK1eG6u9e64DyQ9MrWYOet49svaax95vCMMr8FRrm_Ua0sT31GBsy9J6tJUsPwDDwq3cVC3PmuZef1Ods0BYFgkh/s320/Burkina+june+273.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is a hole in the ceiling of the pastors home. The roof had some major issues over their bedroom and needed to be replaced.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45igjHvKHsQ-aR9-aSeDO8TW5U1SZe9MxjaYKdiV1o2fUSB5bSahB-aI-Sut_nDIIMx1BRzXXj8ofNk4i199wsPzvNkZI2Zw6okp-IzQSc5oNnzaOZNMB_6ARoM1E5Wcwo_ib9RXXe19P/s1600/Burkina+june+278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45igjHvKHsQ-aR9-aSeDO8TW5U1SZe9MxjaYKdiV1o2fUSB5bSahB-aI-Sut_nDIIMx1BRzXXj8ofNk4i199wsPzvNkZI2Zw6okp-IzQSc5oNnzaOZNMB_6ARoM1E5Wcwo_ib9RXXe19P/s320/Burkina+june+278.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is the pastors den area that was in need of some major cleaning and painting. This was not a planned part of the trip. After several days in the Bush, the team was not ready to stop serving...APPLAUD HIM!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaTSu27PHbU8-PKx_TxdiLDGKVnSqNsDNCHsPmwlI4O5sDHRWPo5eGzPCklnQ72WGyHrxz-rpT_yP918gC7Y8DidILlEF6qjF6QVqGZ8O-soJs8uLiDFOeqhUu3-knZqKccYdadAJhxRU/s1600/Burkina+june+291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaTSu27PHbU8-PKx_TxdiLDGKVnSqNsDNCHsPmwlI4O5sDHRWPo5eGzPCklnQ72WGyHrxz-rpT_yP918gC7Y8DidILlEF6qjF6QVqGZ8O-soJs8uLiDFOeqhUu3-knZqKccYdadAJhxRU/s320/Burkina+june+291.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">The roof was fixed!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRQm4JPwiavC17tdyTxO8kvv9hZgcD-s75pk3p-yTpyrB6CJietLTR6EJ6HKm7D8TVXAoRgAL4Sx5JIjtzj1IudfYbTphVAn_PJNkfC4xQFRMNLk2Kg1ffgNRkFUQltOiOO5gZq6HvQ5S/s1600/Burkina+june+307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRQm4JPwiavC17tdyTxO8kvv9hZgcD-s75pk3p-yTpyrB6CJietLTR6EJ6HKm7D8TVXAoRgAL4Sx5JIjtzj1IudfYbTphVAn_PJNkfC4xQFRMNLk2Kg1ffgNRkFUQltOiOO5gZq6HvQ5S/s320/Burkina+june+307.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is Suzanna...the pastor's wife. She told me today that God brought saints into her life and the life of those in Burkina.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"> They are standing in her den freshly painting den with joy that she could not explain!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHhpYdf6Hj3y_rAoV7dArFy7MOYhfGThaj0AWc_qBNleQmaYCQitHjfUY-_wb3LlLpVhwXy5z0Nfe3KrgIy6QlFsgScT65Flfd7SR3DHz8IIGgTJgjXzgUHxquLYJev-oteKowotxqq0a/s1600/Burkina+june+346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHhpYdf6Hj3y_rAoV7dArFy7MOYhfGThaj0AWc_qBNleQmaYCQitHjfUY-_wb3LlLpVhwXy5z0Nfe3KrgIy6QlFsgScT65Flfd7SR3DHz8IIGgTJgjXzgUHxquLYJev-oteKowotxqq0a/s320/Burkina+june+346.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">We did manage to get some African dancing in!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6hAGiReHI1tWPjgKVTdmL0vjylbD3pmCjglTllHvoxEq1K46F1LX79ovFwOSP6pR0rjr9ZJniBXI7j9BFnkYbWZWSuLI94zE2bpiIshHIx_MDIftSuNy0bk3QY7d7HhZ3B4GzLcI0odZ/s1600/Burkina+june+330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6hAGiReHI1tWPjgKVTdmL0vjylbD3pmCjglTllHvoxEq1K46F1LX79ovFwOSP6pR0rjr9ZJniBXI7j9BFnkYbWZWSuLI94zE2bpiIshHIx_MDIftSuNy0bk3QY7d7HhZ3B4GzLcI0odZ/s320/Burkina+june+330.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is Hailey Oby. She was the only high schooler to make it on this trip. She is brave, courageous, and has a heart sold out to serve Jesus. We love her and are so glad she was here!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpLrFdxVpB6vNPapVwPxXx6tNjNECS5iaCXMvorwyAQLKAODoDFWKHomZmOrMFNvL7j7necDepQ-PFRbalgME-6ArQwRbTvdUH-jVc2eXZyfI9M4VRN_IpfmJAZ4RCdMcRk58uGayOiyn/s1600/Burkina+june+258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpLrFdxVpB6vNPapVwPxXx6tNjNECS5iaCXMvorwyAQLKAODoDFWKHomZmOrMFNvL7j7necDepQ-PFRbalgME-6ArQwRbTvdUH-jVc2eXZyfI9M4VRN_IpfmJAZ4RCdMcRk58uGayOiyn/s320/Burkina+june+258.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">One of my favorite times is when we have the team in our home. We love hearing specific ways in which God worked in their lives on the trip.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_TK5hiaGIWIt-YFIVIIQMx7YvEKtIeHuiTBRELdpYsOeA6NVPYOOhFhNMcSdDfgyB7ZdstWeZTirm61kyoS25jiC2gFvGFijheVu0IeVOE55K60fA8gzo8xHVDDLqgDeZkM458Qg3qPs/s1600/Burkina+june+377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_TK5hiaGIWIt-YFIVIIQMx7YvEKtIeHuiTBRELdpYsOeA6NVPYOOhFhNMcSdDfgyB7ZdstWeZTirm61kyoS25jiC2gFvGFijheVu0IeVOE55K60fA8gzo8xHVDDLqgDeZkM458Qg3qPs/s320/Burkina+june+377.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is Joanna. I am thinking she will be our intern very soon... and we can not wait!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPKoOdTn6puQjbcJ9zOfh-epv-wPcDqe0nLXFBfOV3F9OWRYCNbLVFbp7vXtGDy5mnIi1-AfmyN_CK6KpC3UkcwR7fR2hyphenhyphen3siUMy_EwyZin0cmzfOHlMSU6TqfrAjVxZaMXThDcmDKVyY/s1600/Burkina+june+383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIPKoOdTn6puQjbcJ9zOfh-epv-wPcDqe0nLXFBfOV3F9OWRYCNbLVFbp7vXtGDy5mnIi1-AfmyN_CK6KpC3UkcwR7fR2hyphenhyphen3siUMy_EwyZin0cmzfOHlMSU6TqfrAjVxZaMXThDcmDKVyY/s320/Burkina+june+383.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is when the Feild family starts to mourn... We hate having to say goodbye and will never forget the impact this team had on our lives!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">APPLAUD HIM!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, will you commit to pray for us and the ministry here in Burkina?!? The ministry is ripe and as much as God is working, the enemy is ticked…. We need prayer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Second, will you pray about supporting us financially? Can you support us $10, $25, $50, $100 a month? We are only able to be here because people pray and people give. We need your support! See the link below that will take you directly to our support page. If you want to support us by sending a check please email us and we will get you the specific information needed. Click below to give in-line!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12">https://www.cmalliance.org/give/online-giving?projectName=Approved+Special&projectDesc=Chris+and+Connie+Feild&project=1-X7434-49-12</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-79160194078324561032010-06-08T04:54:00.000-04:002010-06-08T04:54:17.582-04:00Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATRFglb9celcNNi0FvC4FWvklWAkkV_461KLoLzz8bSiNpw3ei4gxFPpfSn-9dcAv_hmvL5lWwPVSKY4lvd8QKuwBilw_mdfxzo4-zGmFugvEsmAnGH_lsx_FwqbnyrB0y25mebSToHOf/s1600/ouaga5-24+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATRFglb9celcNNi0FvC4FWvklWAkkV_461KLoLzz8bSiNpw3ei4gxFPpfSn-9dcAv_hmvL5lWwPVSKY4lvd8QKuwBilw_mdfxzo4-zGmFugvEsmAnGH_lsx_FwqbnyrB0y25mebSToHOf/s320/ouaga5-24+042.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Just Because Pictures</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sometimes the books I say are the best ever are the books that have so hit me right where I was at during the time I read the book. <br />
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So I love Beth Moore but in all honesty, I have not done many of her Bible studies. When I arrived in Africa, I was told about a ladies Bible study that took place with other English speaking women in Ouaga. I went for the fellowship more than anything in the beginning, but have found that God really did not have the fellowship as the first priority in my life. One thing after another has kept me from being with the ladies, but it has not kept me from being in the study or the Word!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnJBfwZ_cJ4KRhhips-inO53JezLFjdq41C4a5QyB4UsrVUA9BMiBNwQgZAucPO2L7S3VdD7y9VEC4GqP7hJzQx7-A7QbgfCmW19UbRA5eUwPOCOWHuitF4THOOThl4tGOEbhr1w0qC2x/s1600/ouaga5-24+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnJBfwZ_cJ4KRhhips-inO53JezLFjdq41C4a5QyB4UsrVUA9BMiBNwQgZAucPO2L7S3VdD7y9VEC4GqP7hJzQx7-A7QbgfCmW19UbRA5eUwPOCOWHuitF4THOOThl4tGOEbhr1w0qC2x/s320/ouaga5-24+047.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Well, the study we are doing right now is Living Beyond Yourself. I honestly have wanted to send Beth a picture of myself and ask her personally if she saw a vision of me when she wrote this study. I think Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb is the only other book that I have read that has been frightening at how the writings and encouragement in the book reflected the things that were so fresh in my life. <br />
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I feel terrible to say that I never dreamed that a study on the Fruits of the Spirit would be so amazing and help me to identify things in my life being related to a lack of a certain fruit. This is even more embarrassing to say after thinking that I have been a Christian for 28 years.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMQji7DgPa0LMWQwAx98NnFhV30d2Jd0aWumR5qf8lmNHHGHwhnVp_lzbv29NH2Rxk_k3PLbdS_wbSYFCbWwNvAKbdtvk9Nmvir7KdUpnQHS3IzXwnQR5dxNWR2FK_iekIoGCixeBDEEV/s1600/ouaga5-24+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMQji7DgPa0LMWQwAx98NnFhV30d2Jd0aWumR5qf8lmNHHGHwhnVp_lzbv29NH2Rxk_k3PLbdS_wbSYFCbWwNvAKbdtvk9Nmvir7KdUpnQHS3IzXwnQR5dxNWR2FK_iekIoGCixeBDEEV/s320/ouaga5-24+040.jpg" /></a></div><br />
A couple weeks ago was on peace. Most are familiar with the story of Job. We know he had intense trials and we always say we sure don’t want to be in a “Job” experience. Though I have read Job in the past and have heard the story many times, it was so good to go back and re-read the story of Job and to pay closer attention to each detail. I honestly cried as I read verse after verse at how the enemy tried to rip his life apart and God allowed it. Job was not going through this because he has sin in his life.. this was not about God pruning him. The enemy just wanted to prove that he would indeed crack and turn against God. In the first round all his children and possessions were taken from him not to mention all in one day! What did he do in response…? Ripped off his clothes and bowed before the lord and worshiped. <br />
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I must confess that there have been circumstances in my life that have caused me intense pain, but I did not bow before the Lord and worship as Job did. <br />
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I have really been challenged to worship Him in all things great and small, good and bad, and when I understand and when I don’t. <br />
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May the peace that passes all understanding fill you and every circumstance you may be facing as you worship Him!Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-78196258512160244762010-05-23T17:33:00.000-04:002010-05-23T17:33:05.005-04:00I'm wife # 3, been let go from my husband, and I have AIDS....Pinch me as this can NOT be real!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxoHMGSxiWly9cZMwYvYJOSPS4ITkOsyUiv_qO2VD3vTSaB6vP5FhkMbfhENb8wCtot932u4KewjjF8uD1YVu1NbRn4uTzs0biGVE_iCaSPWUmIMt5gHpZpSUd39wbFOXH3eRFFf2wcFH/s1600/20100417-DSC_4931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxoHMGSxiWly9cZMwYvYJOSPS4ITkOsyUiv_qO2VD3vTSaB6vP5FhkMbfhENb8wCtot932u4KewjjF8uD1YVu1NbRn4uTzs0biGVE_iCaSPWUmIMt5gHpZpSUd39wbFOXH3eRFFf2wcFH/s320/20100417-DSC_4931.jpg" /></a></div><br />
To suffer alongside people you love is difficult. I am certainly a newbie living in Africa because each time I experience something new, I go through every emotion imaginable. I know living in Africa my heart will always be sensitive to these things, but I hope I will do better at handling the extreme emotion I feel with each new situation.<br />
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I just cannot wrap my brain around my newest situation. I am telling you that people drop dead here all the time. I have never seen so many children living with tantie or grandma or village friends because mom and/or dad are dead. Yesterday I had an African friend come to my home and she sat for over an hour and wept. Africans do not like to cry and most often they won’t in front of others; however, this has not been what I have experienced since I have arrived. Anyway, the reason she was hurting so much was she has a cousin who was infected with aids. She was the third wife to her husband and when he found this out he left her about 10 years ago. Not divorced as we know it, but just left. They had 3 children together. Two of them are older and could take care of the youngest who is now 12 but if they take her on, they almost throw every chance of marriage out the window. My friend was asked to take this 12 year old when her cousin dies and that appears to be very soon. She cried and cried because she said she had to tell her cousin no. She herself along with her husband have children of their own and an additional 6 people that live with them and they can hardly afford to live themselves. I still cannot wrap my brain around 11 people living in a 3 room home that is the size of my den.<br />
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Ok so what will happen with this child... she will either just remain in her village and really have no place that she really belongs or in many cases like this the child becomes a street kid because the MVslims will take them in. They will cram all these false teachings down their throats, filling them with lies, provide them enough food to just stay alive, yet use them as begging slaves that walk the streets on Burkina. They receive no education and learn to survive which in turn many times makes them really rough kids.<br />
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In times like this I want to explode and the reason I want to explode is that this is normal. <br />
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Please stop right now and pray for this 12 year old girl. Pray that God will provide just the place for her when her mom who is a Christian by the way, goes home to be with the Lord.Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-61021452506968628222010-05-22T18:55:00.000-04:002010-05-22T18:55:40.036-04:00The soil is ripe... Pray for the harvest and it's protection!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunoikRyhoqIJrWbTPaLrk6XKE1rj2-32yLWWq5lZVx5xtlWpnur3PuGyV8dH2R937q5-5Xqm5Wnmksrg968rR4ZxZcdLPc__N92yBjcjdE7tKjOdLHUP8B4XQk7XW85ZwhCTNMWqT87Os/s1600/lac+iso+may+22+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunoikRyhoqIJrWbTPaLrk6XKE1rj2-32yLWWq5lZVx5xtlWpnur3PuGyV8dH2R937q5-5Xqm5Wnmksrg968rR4ZxZcdLPc__N92yBjcjdE7tKjOdLHUP8B4XQk7XW85ZwhCTNMWqT87Os/s320/lac+iso+may+22+021.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">These are some of the top academic students at the LAC</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I have to tell you that despite how hard this has been, Chris and I do not doubt one bit that God brought us here. When we are asked by people who live in Ouaga where we live, everyone looks at us like we have 2 heads. To be 16km from Ouaga, we live far! It is a long drive to go into town but in many ways we have the best of both worlds. We are close enough for our children to go to ISO which is invaluable to us, but we live on a piece of property that could not be a better fit for our children and we are sitting at the front door of a gargantuan ministry opportunity.<br />
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Just as I said in another blog post, the LAC is under some intense spiritual attack. Each week, our eyes are opened to new things here and it is as much exciting as it can be scary. At this moment, we know that first and foremost our job is to pray. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9UKu48xsbraM1C3HWO8cHgstev4C2iyfkJU364dRg_KtRtJG3FVEIdyODmFuHhS9TCKHaVqxzVLKGM9j8Yx2KjiIJQjDyiDEprXa3ia8lO4dRtft1lbvUWGgvi6hXECR2Djx8JkcxF-P/s1600/lac+iso+may+22+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9UKu48xsbraM1C3HWO8cHgstev4C2iyfkJU364dRg_KtRtJG3FVEIdyODmFuHhS9TCKHaVqxzVLKGM9j8Yx2KjiIJQjDyiDEprXa3ia8lO4dRtft1lbvUWGgvi6hXECR2Djx8JkcxF-P/s320/lac+iso+may+22+016.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is Agabus...He is the Pastor at the LAC Church</span></div><br />
Today we were told that back in September 2009 there were 3 days of evangelism that took place here. On one of those days, a man spoke a prophecy over the LAC and he said this, “God is at work and wants to do some huge things here, but unless people are praying it will not happen. There is going to be an enormous amount of attack from the enemy that has already started here.” We can attest that this is just as real as each breath we breathe.<br />
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In no way do we think our work on wells or cities should stop. A village will be changed if a well and clean water is brought to that village. The pattern of this has held true. But the comment was made that by investing in the LAC, we can see more than just a village change, we can see a country change and other countries greatly affected. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5w4iKaWxMp5UvsKbrLjNXDohw5aTWR1EmbWhalUbcZbr5AHTUbKLmnuBDZvRWcOLW4-lPNqxexvRK8_rPf9jziWEc6gH9gQu8jou8F_UGXsXLTKmyAhwMSs-X-HyJDlS08qfpGPh41n6/s1600/lac+iso+may+22+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5w4iKaWxMp5UvsKbrLjNXDohw5aTWR1EmbWhalUbcZbr5AHTUbKLmnuBDZvRWcOLW4-lPNqxexvRK8_rPf9jziWEc6gH9gQu8jou8F_UGXsXLTKmyAhwMSs-X-HyJDlS08qfpGPh41n6/s320/lac+iso+may+22+009.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">This is Poda. He is the director at the LAC.</span></div><br />
Our church, my family, our faithful financial supporters and others have invested a ton of time, energy, and money etc for us to be here…. but please please please pray! We need an ongoing inundation of challenging people to pray. Our purpose to be here was to see God work and lives changed, but unless we pray we are in trouble. <br />
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Please stop even right now and pray!Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9086365475279722641.post-62374807018829229222010-05-09T16:36:00.001-04:002010-05-09T16:41:49.182-04:00My First Mother's Day in Burkina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My children can make me want to pull each hair from my head, they can totally exhaust me, at times I wonder if they will ever grow out of these very annoying stages; BUT, when they are sweet… they are really sweet to the core! Today, I was the Queen in our home and I felt so special!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8xkOKcjL0_g4NFRGlmBZSm9XJ1HfKylCz_UUjZHEwSrcca4AmTsy9L-omMKFEfX6e_WI7zeFlJPBoxLbwLZuGi2FWAi768dQv9cIYW9ZMXnLEV7jUIloDdnXzmQCpiad5z7kW-TWzucY/s1600/Mothers+day+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8xkOKcjL0_g4NFRGlmBZSm9XJ1HfKylCz_UUjZHEwSrcca4AmTsy9L-omMKFEfX6e_WI7zeFlJPBoxLbwLZuGi2FWAi768dQv9cIYW9ZMXnLEV7jUIloDdnXzmQCpiad5z7kW-TWzucY/s320/Mothers+day+017.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">My Homemade Red Carpet </span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My day started by sleeping in with air conditioning. If this was my only gift, it would have been enough…. But it kept going! I got up and opened my bedroom door to five very excited children each with a homemade card- (which are the best), and a homemade red carpet walk to the love seat in our family room. I sat down and a crown was placed on my head and above me a big sign hung. I was served pancakes and whip cream and slushy orange juice. Can I tell you that I could not hold back the tears as I read my sweet cards and how loved I felt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OGCYN0M8zouR72OTl50mjes9Iq_BHPGxef6JyjFviNfzfKWiaofgmZK1-zIEl6PdGFWA_QUZ-7uYqzHcWlWI5op9Jx5oj-GOQKEzij-Givra2Afzg5CE9k4CPhzpH9yrd6bm5hBhuHqw/s1600/Mothers+day+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OGCYN0M8zouR72OTl50mjes9Iq_BHPGxef6JyjFviNfzfKWiaofgmZK1-zIEl6PdGFWA_QUZ-7uYqzHcWlWI5op9Jx5oj-GOQKEzij-Givra2Afzg5CE9k4CPhzpH9yrd6bm5hBhuHqw/s320/Mothers+day+020.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">My crown which read, "Happy Mother's Day... Queen for the Day"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We then had some family time with Chris leading us in Bible study and worship. This is not normal for us not to be in church, but I almost hate to admit, it was nice to worship in English. Before our church time began, I was given a gift to open. When I opened my gift, I laugh at the thought of how excited I was…. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzzWl4_3JaumvhtwCBpyNe7OzgznIL8ru9_V1vh49OBiMZ625UCQABuDZkDK_L5AD9ctZtbcT57ouJqXB1ABEmLl1EIeKXY6F0_nDebPzJuRodDBjxhH876L6_VJVrQIqZHbOrrP6sbdB/s1600/Mothers+day+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzzWl4_3JaumvhtwCBpyNe7OzgznIL8ru9_V1vh49OBiMZ625UCQABuDZkDK_L5AD9ctZtbcT57ouJqXB1ABEmLl1EIeKXY6F0_nDebPzJuRodDBjxhH876L6_VJVrQIqZHbOrrP6sbdB/s320/Mothers+day+024.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">One of my gifts!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes… Oreo Cookies. I was so excited that it did not matter that I had just eaten pancakes… I was eating some Oreos right that moment. I was also given a very cold diet coke that was simply icing on the cake. We went to the pool as a family and had lunch there to return home to a nice spaghetti dinner. I have been so blessed and am so thankful to be a mom of these five children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On another note, </div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I have thought all day about my mom today too.. Hence the blog about her below.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I have reflected on my day, my mom, and all the emotion and feelings that have come with such a special day, I could not help but also think about God the Father. How He must want to pull every hair out of his head because of me, how frustrating I can be, BUT how much He delights in me despite my sin, my faults, my mess-ups…etc. As I delighted in my children’s love for me, I can only imagine how He must be blessed when I roll out the red carpet for Him, crown Him king, and delight in loving Him…. WOW!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">I am blessed to have a wonderful mother, be a mother of 5 precious lives, and to be a loved daughter of the King! Who could ask for a better Mother's Day!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Connie Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13565199374217440076noreply@blogger.com2