The Harvest

Matthew 9:35-38 - Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

The photo was taken in Pastor Chipaya's backyard in Zambia, Africa. We really did go from village to village teaching and preaching and healing.

( Michael sent home 4 updates while we were on our trip. Thank goodness for internet cafes. I added a few notes of what actually happened but I thought it would be fun for you to read it as it happened. It was a very challenging and rewarding trip. The best part for me was to be able to see the teachers teaching the children what we had taught and then in turn watching as the children taught the children what the teachers had taught them.) Hello All! Friday August 1 This is Michael from the Zambia Team. I’m just sending out a quick note to update you all on what is happening here in Nairobi, Kenya. As you may or may not know, our flight into Lusaka this morning was canceled, supposedly due to toilet failure. The airport has been very accomodating, and put us in a very nice, five star hotel. We each have our own rooms, and they are quite nice, complete with tile, and mahogany finish, granite counter tops, flat screen tv's and a spa and pool. Down the street from us is the location of the old US embassy. It was bombed in 1998. The embassy is now 3 Km outside of Nairobi. Our plane will be coming in tomorrow morning, the 3rd, at around 11:40 am, at the Lusaka airport in Zambia. We are very disappointed at missing Pastor Chipaya's church service in the morning, but I'm certain God will do amazing things when MaryElaine preaches. (We actually arrived at the church about 12:30 pm for the end of the service. As we entered the church and walked down the aisle we received a very warm welcome.) I, along with the rest of the team, look forward to seeing all our brothers and sisters in Christ once we arrive. God Bless! Hello Friends! Monday, August 4 This is Michael again! We have made it to Lusaka safely, although all our luggage is lost. We trust God will bring it to us safe and sound. Last night, on Sunday, MaryElaine preached to Pastor Chipaya's church for anointing and gifts of the Spirit. It was an amazing experience. We all helped to pray. Today, Monday, we went to see the camp that Gary Schneider is running for 200 orphans, we observed how they operated, to get ideas for our own camp. We learned many songs, and games to play with the kids. It was so much fun to play with them, and see the faces of the kids we have come to bless. (Every Orphan’s Hope). Pastor Chipaya took us out to his 10 acres, the site where he will be building his new church. He asks that we pray for provision of funds, as well as workers, in order to achieve a speedy completion of the project. So far, just the steel beams have been erected. We prayed over the property with him. (When we arrived back from Lukulu, a week later, Pastor Chipaya informed us that he had heard from an investor in Houston who was wiring him $25,000 for the total cost for the roof on his church. Praise God) Tomorrow we will check at the airport for our nine pieces of lost luggage, which contain our clothes and camp supplies for next week. Pray that they arrive safely, in their entirety. Thanks and God bless!
Hey All! Wednesday, August 6 This is Michael Miller from the Zambia Team again! Its time for another update! Much has happened since monday. All of our luggage has come in safe and sound. That was a big relief. Yesterday, Tuesday, us guys went to help build an orphanage in the bush for Every Orphans Hope. We spent the day moving the 11,000 handmade adobe bricks it takes to build one duplex, which holds sixteen orphans and two widows. It was a lot of fun. During lunch we got to walk down into the village to see how they live. While we were doing that, the ladies went to visit a poor area of town, and had the opportunity to teach and pray with the 90 vulnerable children, and leave some curriculum with the teachers. (This was Bylina compound sponsored by Pastor Chipaya’s church. Seinet was mentored by Pastor Chipaya. He is a powerful man of God and is the pastor for this compound and church. He also took us to the site of his new church and school will be. Construction has begun.) Afterwards we all went to the compound church were MaryElaine taught a powerful message, and we ministered and blessed the people individually. Today we spent the day painting and making repairs at Pastor Chipaya's house. The girls went to one of the Zambian compounds and encouraged and blessed the Zambian ladies. (We were invited into one of the homes and held a Bible study with these wonderful women of God who are so thirsty to hear more about Jesus.) Tonight we went to Pastor Chipaya's church, where once again, powerful messages were spoken, and we laid hands on, and prayed for everyone, that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit. While we were there, the lights went out, and we finished the meeting with flashlights. Satan didn't like the message. Tomorrow,Thursday, we leave to see Victoria Falls, and minister to Pastor Nyirenda's congregation, and paint his house. We are very excited to see the falls. (Actually, we got on the wrong bus and what should have taken us 6 short hours took us 10 long hours stopping at every village along the way.) We arrived too late and missed the church service and didn’t have time to paint. Pastor Nyirenda and Lynette were very gracious and found very nice accommodations for us and transported us around. The Falls were beautiful with a double rainbow ending at the bottom of the falls. We were able to bless them. We had a wonderful time together even though we didn’t get accomplished what we had purposed. Due to our time constraints, we opted to fly back on an 18 seater aircraft to Lusaka instead of a bus ride.) Once we return on Saturday, we will leave for Lukulu, the bush area, to hold our own camp for the children there. We will return a week later. We aren't sure how much communication we will have in Lukulu. God Bless You!



Monday, August 18
Hello everybody! Its Michael Miller again, sending out one more Zambian Mission trip update! We returned from camp Lukulu, gave a tv interview, twas already broadcast by the time we went to dinner, and we were recognized by people at the restaurant. That was interesting. While in Lukulu, the District Comissioner was healed of hypertension, and kidney problems. We also saw a blind womans eyes improve to the point where she could walk without assistance. A total of 2850 children were in attendance at the camp, along with 250 teachers, and 550 salvations, on the first day of camp alone. Unfortunately, the pastor from Kaoma was killed in a car accident during camp, his wife and five children are still in the hospital. Church members had to leave, to take care of the situation. Pray for their church, and members, as this is sure to be a trying time for them. (On our 10 hour bus ride to Lukulu, we stopped overnight in Kaoma at a guest house. The people were very gracious. We had room on our bus to take a Sunday School teacher and some children to camp with us. This accident was a very sad experience for us.) The team has now scattered to their respective airports to get home. Four of us are here in Nairobi, Kenya, waiting for a flight to leave. We should all be home by tuesday, God willing.

Coffee Rose

"Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation (wasteful expenditure, intemperate living, excessive drinking, amusement, diversions) drunkenness or the anxieties of life (painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind over an impending illness or fearful concern or interest) and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon ALL those who live on the face of the earth." Luke 21:34-34

I do "coffee cup counseling" with Mercy Matters. I lead or participate in 5 groups of ladies who meet each week to encourage each other, support each other and to remind each other of how much God loves us and who we are in Christ.

ALL our hearts get weighed down at some time if we live on the face of the earth, with financial problems, amusement/recreation, fear, concerns, conflicts, and our apprehension to cope.

When we get into the Word we discover Jesus already knew these things and He gives us encouragement and endurance for hope. (Rom 15:4) He gives us the answer so that we are able to cope and to live a life pleasing to Him. He shared the love of His Father during the day and spent time with His Father each night.

Is your heart weighed down? Let me encourage you to find a friend to share a "cup of coffee" with, get into the Word and encourage each other with God's great love for us.

The Children's Rose

The blooms make a bold show of bright color in the garden and last well when cut for the house. The flowers grow tall with long stiff stems like so many lollipops. There is a light fragrance. The roses always amaze me with their beauty, and appropriateness of the names chosen. This rose is actually named the Gina Lollabrigida, however the proceeds of the sale of the rose benefit The Children's Hospital in Britain. Hence, the name The Children's Rose.



Recently, the opportunity has been presented to me to go to Africa on a mission trip with our church. We will be helping with the Children's Bible Camp. My specific role will be teaching the women how to teach the children. We will also have the opportunity to visit orphanages. We will be with the children and people of Zambia having the opportunity to bring hope and the love of Jesus for them.



These children will be roses in my garden. The seeds will be planted. I know the garden will be beautiful because the Lord promises. "For the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Soverign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." Is 61:11

Pray for this Mission Trip, the Zambian people and the seeds the Lord wants to plant.

Sweet Surrender Rose

After feeling sluggish, moody and even depressed over the last few months, I read an article that changed the way I eat. The article came from "Life inside the thin cage", page 120. The author is Constance Rhodes. In this article she talks about the powerful effect that sugar can have on us by the way it affects our serotonin level. Serotonin is the chemical in our brain that regulates our mood and helps our minds focus. When our serotonin level is high, we feel calm and happy and can handle stress. But when our serotonin level drops we become edgy, distracted and depressed. Sugar elevates our serotonin level but when it drops we have no energy so we eat more sugar. When my energy level dropped, I would drink more caffeine and eat more sugar. I realized that every year beginning at Halloween, I purchased candy and ate it. Then on into the holidays and through the winter, I baked cookies, brownies, cupcakes, cakes, cinnamon rolls. I ate a lot of sweets and it is always during this time of the year I struggle with my weight and depression. A cycle that started many years ago. The doctors treated my migraines with medication increasing my serotonin levels and antidepressants. Wow. What a revelation to me. I surrendered sweets about three weeks ago. I have lost 2 pounds, am clear minded, and don't need my naps anymore. I am not craving sweets or caffeine. I encourage you to ask yourself if you are addicted to sweets. Sweet surrender is worth it. I feel so good.

Eden Rose

Is. 51:3 - He will make her deserts like Eden, Her waste land like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

My daughter went to a ladies retreat recently. She won a door prize. The door prize came from Eden Women's Ministry. http://edenchina.org

My friend in China is involved with this ministry. What a small world that our Lord would connect all these ladies together. I am continually amazed with my Lord.

If you want to know more about the ministry, order products to support the ministry, or pray for the ministry, go to the website.

These ladies are truly roses in the garden of the Lord.

The Love Rose

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Hallejuah! He is Risen. Happy Easter.

High Hopes

Recently, while reading a friend's blog http://tynertellings.blogspot.com/ she wrote on "Presentation". I began to ponder this topic and came up with some interesting things to consider. This rose is vigorous, upright and arching. It is sweet smelling, sometimes strong. It makes a good presentation.

Have you ever felt like no one really understands you? No one really knows your heart. The real you. So the question becomes how do you "present" the gift. The real you, your heart, the part that no one knows. The person who wants friends, romance, adventure, beauty, hospitality. How do you present the mystery of what is on the inside. I want presentation of my home, myself, my servanthood to be a reflection of the hidden treasure that God has created in me. How do I present my home that others will feel welcome? How do I present myself that others will want to be my friend? How do I present "me" that others will want to know more about my Lord, Maker and Creator.

Charles Trumball wrote in his book Victory in Christ - "I need never to ask Him to help me as though He were one and I another, but simply to do His work, His will in me and with me and through me. My body is His, my mind is His, my will is His, my Spirit is His and not merely His but literally part of Him."

We do this by building a relationship with Jesus. He is the Creator and just as He presents the marvelous beauty of nature, His Presence shines through us to others in our home, in our servanthood, friends and life. Our Hope is Christ in us. Christ in you the HOPE of glory..We proclaim Him...so that we may present every man complete in Christ. Col 1:27 - Our HOPE is Christ in us. What a presentation!

Queen of Beauty and Fragrance

The Queen of Beauty and Fragrance has a sweet, spicy and heady fragrance. It's habits are to be bushy, dense and spreading. The names of the roses always amaze me. Of course, we always associate Queen Esther as the Queen of Beauty and Fragrance. There is a wonderful story about her in Scripture that not only talks about her beauty but also about her tenacity and grace to protect her people.

The story is about how Esther had a time of prayer and fasting before she put on her royal robes to go before the king. She requested the king to save her life and her people's lives. Because the king had sealed the edict with his signet ring he could not overrule the dispatch to destroy her people. However, an edict was granted for her people to assemble and fight to protect themselves. They entered the battle, fought, and won with plenty of plunder.

"And who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14 is a call to all women to rise up and enter the battle for such a time as this. This was true in Esther's day and it is true in our day as well. There will be conflicts and fears in our life. We need not take a "this is life" attitude. We need not feel hopeless. The Lord has given us the tools to enter the battle, but we must enter the battle and fight for the victory to be ours. The beauty of this plan is that the Lord fights for us. Do not be complacent. Put on your royal robes and go before the King of Kings. Trust Him to protect you and give you a plan to restore hope and peace to your life.

Mystery Rose

In the first line of her poem titled the "Christian" Maya Angelou penned "A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find her." I think this is phenomenal wisdom.

Col 1:27 says "To them God has chosen to make known...the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." What a challenge to us as women to have the heart of God and be mysterious enough to draw others to us. (Maybe that is one of the things that drew King Xerxes to Queen Esther.) We as women all desire beauty, adventure and romance according to Stasi Eldredge in her book "Captivating." Could it be the mystery of accomplishing our desire is the mystery of Christ in me, Christ in you?

It is my desire to teach Col 2:2 "My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Doesn't this picture make you want to enter into a relationiship with our Lord who bestows His love and beauty upon us and gives us the desires of our heart as He leads us to the plans He has for us. He has so much for us. Such a mystery and so exciting to discover the hidden things of Christ in me.

"Dawn Chorus"

One of our favorite sayings is to "Take time to smell the roses."

A thought occured to me as I was reading the Psalms this morning.

"where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy."

"the hills are clothed with gladness."

"the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."

When we really take time to enjoy the wonders of nature, to watch the beauty of the sunrise and sunset, the peacefulness of the hills and valleys, we are entering into the presence of the Lord who bestows songs of joy and gladness into our lives.

Take time to smell the Roses today.