only love compels to death

So....I decided to stay home this morning and try to put finishing touches on Easter.  My computers decided they did not want to connect to the network so I have spent over an hour just updating one stage layout...should take 15 minutes.  Frustrated I decided to lay everything down and go to the Word for some focus and to calm my blood pressure down!

I picked up a study I use from time to time and it took me to John 21:15 - 23 where Jesus asks Peter "Do you love me" and Peter asks Jesus, "what about him?" referring to John.

If you follow Christ you realize your life is totally in His hands, He created you and He knows the plans He has for you.  How much do you love Him?  really...

The commentary talked about love being the only thing powerful enough to compel us to death if that is what God's plan holds for you.

So I honestly ask myself, how much DO I love Him...really?  Am I too busy looking over my shoulder worrying about someone else who seems to have an easier way to look into His eyes and focus only on what His plans are for me?  I say "what about him" way too often!

Sitting here trying to drink in the message that this passage holds just for me I must thank Him for once again bringing me perspective.  Frustrations when things don't go my way, frustration with selfish people, frustration with the lack of instant productivity that I long for,  all these things can be managed, accepted and over looked if I just love Him... really.

So laying all these trivial things aside I examine my life against this question- is my love for Him strong enough that I would follow Him even to death?  Will I miss what my life can really be by worrying about everything around me?

Do you love Him?

precious memories

One of the amazing orphanage directors for Asia's Hope (not the Crossroads orphanage), sent me this picture yesterday - it causes my heart to yearn...

I have been consumed by the countless details of our Ken Ham conference ever since I got back from Asia.  I thanked the Lord for the timing of this pictures arrival today.  It took me back and helped me focus on the work I was just about ready to sit down and begin.  Work on how to touch the heart strings of our congregation - not just emotionally, but to uncover compassion they didn't know existed for those less fortunate then they are.  A compassion built deeply into each of us by our God - just waiting to be activated and challenged.

The coming weeks promise to be defining weeks for Crossroads - please begin to pray the God will lift the earthly veil from your eyes just as He recently has done for me.  A lifting that has revealed a whole new world to me - a world I chose to ignore previously.  His world.

falling for distractions

I am easily distracted, knocked off course or sidelined, whatever you call it, I am sure it applies to me.

Right now I am in the middle of one of the most powerful 3 day events that Crossroads has ever hosted.  Lives are being changed for eternity.  Worldviews are being re-formed.  Clear creation teaching is bringing clarity to areas of our thinking that have been sitting on the fence - precariously teetering between Truth and worldly misconceptions for years.

So many positive things this weekend.

And still...my head is turned by careless remarks made by a couple of people that didn't get their way.

HOW can I so easily look away from God's work toward the enemies' distractions?  He gets my focus time after time.  Shame on me.  And yet...

Just as I got a bit discouraged, He reveled His provision once again in a most unexpected way, drawing me back into His request to, "Follow Me" ...

And so - re-focused yet again, I look forward to another blessing from tonight's services, where we will experience just a wee taste of heaven lifting our voices together and learning more about defending our faith.

Sometimes I wonder if God looks at me and thinks "Good grief, what do I have to do to keep her attention on me?" He is so patient with me and I love Him - waiting anxiously to see what precious truth He will reveal to us tonight!!

weekend report

We had a tiny set list this weekend in order to allow Ken Ham, CEO of Answers In Genesis and The Creation Museum, plenty of teaching time.  We have been SO blessed already by his teaching and we are back tonight and tomorrow to hear more!  So amazing!

Our Setlist:

Let Creation Sing - Hillsong
There Is a God - 33 miles
God of Wonders - Kutless
How Great Thou Art - Baloche

You can watch our live stream services at www.crossroadswired.com and watch our archived services too!

To see what other ministries used in their setlists go to www.theworshipcommunity.com

final countdown

And I'm NOT talking about Ohio State!

We are just a few hours away from hearing the first of 6 teachings by Ken Ham and Dr. Jason Lisle.

I could not feel more blessed already.  As we tested the sound last night - and I heard just a small portion of one video I was overcome with wonder at the power of God!  I think the video was a simulation of water upon the earth or something, but, just the roar of that water made it so easy to picture the omniscient power of God.

We then had a training on cash registers this morning in preparation to help our congregation and visitors purchase amazing curriculum.  The resources are going to be such a great asset to the families of Crossroads and our community as people seek to know the truth and teach that truth to their children and families.  Very moving to just look down the row of tables holding the resources and imagine how God will use them!

I have no way of knowing how many will be coming, whether it will be standing room only or just a regular sized crowd.  But I do know this.  Who ever God has chosen to attend these sessions will be here, will learn tremendous truths and leave able to defend their faith in a way that is life changing to everyone who crosses their path!

Please come expecting a great blessing!!  See you there!

facing this day

I woke up 3 times last night, each time my head was swarming with details of the coming weeks...
-Ken Ham
-communion on the weekend in a couple of weeks
-Palm Sunday, Easter
-building an orphanage
-training programming teams for the house churches

Crossroads, I believe as a congregation we are walking into a brand new era of amazingness!  Are you ready to be part of it?

This era will require commitment from each attendee at Crossroads.  But, it will be SO worth it to be part of God allowing all of us to be involved in changing lives for eternity!!!  We are brothers and sisters in Christ and it's time to be fully engaged in one anothers lives,  to take next steps of maturity and to get involved.

Looking ahead to the coming weeks it is hard to stay fully focused on the day at hand!

Facing this day was a bit daunting but so exciting I could not wait!

the cross

While I was in Cambodia - a staff member who could NOT afford to do so, walked up behind me and placed a cross necklace around my neck.

This morning I removed it for the first time to wear another necklace.

As I looked at it in my hand, it dawned on me that God chose this form of death for His son.  Can you imagine choosing how your child would die?

He could have chosen an easier death for Him, a more private death for Him but didn't.

Did it take this horrifying a death just to get the human race's attention?  I know in that culture that form of death represented many things that were very much a part of God's decision.  But, it really hit me today as I looked at that cross in my hand -

how much I cost Him...

what I learned today

It is probably just my age, but all of a sudden I find myself terribly interested in learning more.





Today I took a small step by signing up for a 12 week course on creativity.  It sounds really interesting and practical.  It concentrates on a balanced focus between three areas of creative work,  passions/skills/experience.  The focus of week one was the development of practices = regular practice built into our lives increase the capacity to do great work and not get burned out.


I love practical teaching that transfers into my spiritual life as well.  I am looking forward to the evaluation of my work that this course encourages.  I want to learn, I want to work in an excellent way while remaining healthy with my family and my spiritual walk with Christ.  Very exciting.

Next, I decided I am very interested in taking a writing course of some kind (after Easter).  Do any of you educators out there have a suggestion?  I would prefer doing this on-line as opposed to attending a class.  It could be through a college or a reputable site of some kind.

After spending time investing in my 'work life' I went to the Word and read the most blessed things...

I John 1:14-18..."From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." vs 16

I should be so full of joy based on these verses that my love for the Lord is overflowing.  All things can be found in Him!

John Piper says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him".

He offers himself and all that means to us, and yet time an time again we settle for what the world has to offer.  My prayer today is to intentionally pursue Him - to remain in Him, to be completely satisfied in Him!  How amazing His grace is to me!

usually my day off

Typically Monday is my day off, but, not so this week!  Because of the huge work week ahead I want to fully dedicate each day to the Lord in prayer.

While over in Cambodia I was once again reminded about the fact that the staff and orphans of BB3 take one day each month and FAST and PRAY for Crossroads.  This has caused a conviction within me to be more fully devoted to prayer myself.

Last night as sleep once again waged battle with morning - trying to convince me I must wake up and begin the day at 3:30 a.m. , I laid in my bed and prayed for the most random people that God brought to my mind.  I don't say random in a demeaning way, but I was totally unsure how to pray for several people that I woke up thinking about.  One I have had no contact with for years and have no idea what he is even doing these days - still I prayed for him.  It was impacting to lay there praying that God would direct my thoughts toward who ever needed prayer.  I completely believe I had a divine appointment with the Lord this morning, our bedroom was filled with Him. 

Within this precious time, I also poured out confession to Him.  I have been preoccupied with a former acquaintances' choices concerning ministry work he is involving himself in right now.  God reminded me again, this is not to be of any concern to me.  I am not to talk negatively against this person/ministry and He reminded me that He is in control and does not need my help.  So, I turned it over to Him and today I feel so much more free to focus on the work He has for me.  And so I returned to work today...

Seeing such total dependency on prayer and trust in Him from the orphans and the orphanage staff was a wake up call for me.  I hope to hang on to the lessons I have learned in Cambodia forever.

home

We just arrived home.  God was merciful in our travels - everything went the best it has ever gone for any team !  Such a blessing when you are tired!  We just completed 34 hours of travel!

As we drove back into Mansfield I looked across the town at all the many homes stretching as far as I could see from Route 30.  Even though only 1% of Cambodia has even heard of the Lord, I wonder what the percentage of Mansfield is that has an authentic walk with the Lord?  Probably not very high.

This is where God has placed Ron and I.  Even though our hearts are now also committed to the protection of, and Spiritual Maturity of our little ones in Cambodia. So with new eyes we return home to follow the Lord and serve at Crossroads and whatever else he wants of us.

Thanks for all of your prayers and for following our travels on our blogs!

I am going to try to upload the video that is one of my favorite moments from Cambodia when they surprised us with this hip hop dance.  May God bless you richly as we all worship together this weekend at Crossroads!

sitting in Taipei

No, I didn't say sitting in the dock of the bay, I said Taipei!  Ok, bad joke, but we have an 8 hour lay over so just trying to entertain ourselves!

 As we walked to our plane in Phnom Penh, I looked over my shoulder and saw the big billboard that said "welcome to Cambodia", the sign that greeted us just a few days before. This time the billboard caused tears of sadness at a journey's end.  I will prayerfully make that 'welcome' a priority to see once again next year - I have to come back, the sooner the better!

Goodbye for now - I may write more while we are here, but for now I must go.

final cry in Cambodia

Tonight was the final time I will cry in Cambodia...well at least I think so!

Our team treated all the orphanage directors and wives of Asia's Hope in Phnom Penh. These amazing people were so thankful and precious! Our team sat on one side of a huge table with the directors across from us. In broken English we spoke of the things of the Lord and then Ron prayed.

He thanked God for these amazing leaders, these people who spend their entire life giving these beautiful children a home and teaching them to love and serve the Lord.

What made me cry was as he prayed - I heard every pastor/director murmuring agreement and praise very quietly, almost silently to the Lord they love so completely. Of everything we have experienced it struck me as quite peculiar that my soul would find this spiritual moment so moving.

As brothers and sisters in Christ our hearts were truly united before the throne of God in those brief moments - I knew I was in God's presence. As the prayer ended, it took me a few minutes to gain my composure.

The fellowship continued although we didn't know them well and they didn't understand all that we said. I am pretty sure this is what the word communion truly means and I feel blessed beyond words.

our last day

I just cannot believe this is almost over...

Tonight we have the privilege of treating all the staff from Phnom Penh to a rare dinner out. Such simple things mean so much here.

I hereby commit to enjoy simplicity more!

I would say one of the main changes in me as a result of this trip will be contentment. Although some people here are so content it works against them. We have all commented on the people we see day after day that wake up in the morning, walk out to their front porch and sit there. I do not know how they wake up each day only to face another day of the same. Blank stares with no concept of ambition or hope.

So as I go home - I pray I can be much more content and thankful in my daily life while remaining totally dedicated to see each opportunity God puts within my reach to tell of His love to all who will listen.

It is no mistake that this very team, this group of individuals from Crossroads have been brought together this week in Cambodia - we have grown close inside shared experiences. We have even met several other Ohioans visiting with their Asia's Hope orphanages - more brothers and sisters sharing our passion! I underestimated the instant connection that a common God cause creates.

In the ministry our staff and our dedicated volunteers at Crossroads connect around the common goal of reaching the lost and creating an atmosphere conducive to spiritual formation. And that God - cause certainly affects all that we do. But, this 2 weeks has been an instant connection - we all 'hit the ground' running for God! So amazing!!

So as we return, as we sit in Taipei for 8 hours and we experience two Fridays before arriving home, pray for us, not for safety but for opportunity to witness as we travel - to be the light for just a little longer in this country before arriving home Saturday. May God richly bless all of you who have read about our adventures - it encouraged us tremendously to know you care about us.

And, if Internet is available as we wait to fly - you may hear from us one more time! See you soon!

many questions

(This picture is one of me working on a craft at the Christian School with some of the Phnom Penh orphans - such a blessed time. The other picture speaks for itself - how can these beautiful children be orphans? )

We have had a little time this afternoon to just kind of digest what has happened this past week..
I find I have many questions very unsettling.

I am thinking about the children we left just 2 days ago and the fact that when these children became orphans God knew they would have great influence on my entire family. It is overwhelming to begin to think about the omniscience of God. We see just a tiny bit of the overall life picture and certainly have little understanding or grasp of anything eternal. That is obvious in how we live each day.

I feel I have been given a glimpse of eternal things here - these pastors, school teachers, orphanage directors all spend everyday trying to teach the things of God to a completely pagan society. It may be the adults who have touched me even more than the children this week, if that is possible. These precious adults face a society so dark Christianity barely exists...in fact statistics say MAYBE 1 percent of Cambodia practices or even has knowledge of Christianity. So the glimpse into eternity is a glimpse of separation from God for all of eternity. Staggering and heartbreaking!

God has chosen to allow families at Crossroads to get personally involved in influencing little ones toward their Creator and helping our pastors survive - how did we get chosen for such an opportunity as this?

I also have questions about a few beautiful children last night that I saw be taken by the hand of evil men on the streets of Phnom Penh, men who care only about their own desires. Our BB3 orphanage protects our little ones very lives - by keeping them safe from this trade. However, there is one older brother currently trying to get his 4 younger siblings released from Asia's Hope for this very purpose and everyone knows it. He will probably not be successful in getting them because Asia's Hope does everything legally required to protect them until age 18. But pray for these precious children, 3 girls and one little boy, who's own family intends evil toward them should they be re-united.Several of the men on our team have told the Asia's Hope director that they will help in anyway they can if this brother continues to harass his siblings.

This isn't a pretty place, and I don't want to give the impression that we just came over here and hugged our children and everything is perfect now...that is not the case. It's life and death, evil against good and the difference between idol worship leading to eternal damnation vs the Awesome, Loving, Savior, Father God that they must be told about!

The good thing about the evil here is it is obvious, darkness is everywhere. The greater tragedy perhaps exists back home where things are so 'gray' as Pastor Tim just taught about. Anything goes - watch what you want - eat what you want - spend what you want...whatever makes us happy. It's the debt we all have ourselves in that binds us completely, allowing no generosity to exist because even in our overwhelming wealth we want more.

I believe God has obviously placed each one of us exactly where He wants us so there is no guilt in having much - but we have got to realize that we are completely deceived by the evil one into feeling content and entitled to all that we have. Instead, all that we have has been given to us to be good stewards over so that we are free - not bound.

What makes me the most sad about this trip is how much I didn't get it when Ron has returned each year from over here. Each time he got back we were right back into the middle of stuff and busyness giving him no time to re-adjust and adequately express his experience. I regret that deeply, but I guess I just had to experience it myself in order to connect with him on this level. I should have gone long ago - I wish I had gone with him long ago. But again, it was God's timing - this year was the year God chose for me to come and so I did and I pray that I remain fully devoted to the values I now feel are most important.

...devoted to the local church as well as to this place. I love them both more than I can possibly say...and I truly believe one will not exist without the other.

more preciousness

Precious describes all the children we have had the privilege of meeting this week and a half! God's kids! Dar was immediately surrounded by precious children upon arriving.

Today we painted the Christian School in Phnom Penh - our team painted and loved kids, painted and loved kids - so much fun! Ron was reunited with all of his pastor buddies, it is so great to see the people you spend all year praying for !

Tonight we go to the Riverfront. I'm bracing for that as I hear the experienced team members describing the little ones we will see who are used in the sex trade...I am praying already.

If I have time later I may report a little bit more on details from our day .

already in the past

This morning was one of the most difficult things I have had to do... ever, that was to say goodbye to the gorgeous children in Battambang. I cannot believe that part of the trip is already in the past! My heart remains with them as I remember the quiet crying and the tear stained faces. Our hands stuck out of van windows holding theirs until the drivers finally pulled out of reach.

The veteran team members marveled at the change they saw in this departure. They felt they had gained the children's trust, this being the 4th consecutive year a team from Crossroads has gone to the BB2 orphanage. The kids believe us now when we say we will be back making the departure a wee little easier!

Now I will try to refocus on the Christian School we will paint and the new faces we will meet here in Phnom Penh tomorrow morning. Faces that need us.

So much for just 2 weeks.

So little giving for a 52 year old life.

I understand you don't have to travel across the world to do the work of God - I am fiercely devoted to the local church, but, you have to give your life. Really give it. Have I ? No, not really.

I understand now why our son talks about living here to teach English and help Asia's Hope and the orphanages. I understand now why my husband has fallen in love with this place and has been over here 4 times. And I understand why God loves orphans and demands our care of them.

As we left today several of the children ran back to the girls bedroom area and brought me their own bracelets, hair pins and photo albums just so I would take something that they personally love home with me. But they gave me far more than these little things...they themselves have become my sons and daughters. I desperately love them and will need to see them again!

swimming and tears

Today was quite a variety of emotions. From a fantastic worship service this morning, a little later the laughter and squeals of swimming children to the first tears from the older kids that realize we leave tomorrow.

I am not looking forward to the final goodbye with our BB3 - Crossroads orphanage tomorrow. But it is time to go and it is also time to move on down to Phnom Penh, so we will go. And now it is also time to figure out what the Lord wants me to do in response to this visit.

I believe the Lord wanted me personally to come. It has opened my eyes to complete poverty and to the complete dependency of orphans. I will always remember both.

But is that all that it is? Just something to remember, something new to care about? I highly doubt it - I want this visit to make a difference somehow, but that part of the trip is up to God. For now I will face the tears tomorrow, tears of the orphans...pray for them please!

a child's thank you

One of our Crossroads families that sponsor a child, asked me to give the child they sponsor a hug and "we love you" from them. This was their child's response. He has carried the little picture book that their family sent over around with him constantly!

This is what is so amazing about sponsoring, your family can email the orphanage directors to communicate with your child, and talk to them on skype when we have our skype gatherings at Crossroads - it's a very personal way of introducing your kids how to reach outside of America to change lives for eternity!




Remember there are more writings from our team at www.crossroadsgomissions.com and www.scottstoops.com

in front of you

Our team devotions this morning encouraged us to 'see' serving opportunities right in front of us, particularly when we get back home.

It is SO easy over here to see what needs to be done, what is the most pressing need. But how about our regular lives? So I have forced myself to begin intense prayer now that God will give me new eyes to see who I should serve and what I should give my time to back home. It is easy to focus on the 'big' events and look right past the true serving opportunities, usually individuals that may only be in front of me one time, a brief encounter, a missed opportunity. Busyness must go - and focused work must take its place.

I long to see only what God places in front of me - and no longer to be distracted by things that don't have to be done. This is my prayer - to always look with God eyes in front of me.

temporary things

Today's life lesson. All we see, touch and spend our time doing is temporary unless it's within God's will.

We visited one of the 7 wonders of the world today (not sure who decided what the 7 were), anyway Angkor Wat is a huge area of extraordinary temple ruins. I guess they were forgotten and then rediscovered some time later - what a discovery!

I was captivated by the detail of each old piece of stone. Each carving represented hours of an artists life. Each stone represented the pain of endless hours of toil lifting and arranging these huge pieces for a greedy earthly king.

My understanding is that the king that commissioned all the artists and builders and slaves that had to labor for years to create this temple complex, killed them when they finished his kingdom. The very people that provided the splendor in which he lived were rewarded with death. He did this in order to protect the kingdom's construction secrets.

The complex now lays in complete ruin - attracting tons of tourists, yet in the eyes of eternity - pointless - even evil. Still today idols are worshiped here.

Although I was completely breathless at the craftsmanship that went into this marvel, it made me extremely sad as well. So pointless that all the years of building, all the loss of human life and now the rubble were simply the result of a selfish, Godless man-king.

I searched my heart as I left the site, hand in hand with the 'daughter-orphan' we love so much, have I built pointless kingdoms in my own life? What needs to be torn down in order for my life work to not be temporary? What is it God wants from me?

hard to recieve - easy to give

I was given a ring today by the orphanage mother. It was very hard for me to accept because I know what that money could have been used for instead.

Next her daughter, Channa, who my daughter Jocelyn calls sister, gave me a beautiful cross necklace. Again, very hard to accept but I did because I already cherish anything these amazing people hand me.

Next was the most difficult, a 7 year old boy walked up to me and unwrapped and placed a candy, his only candy in my mouth. I almost completely broke down. I realized it is much more difficult for me to receive than to give. Is it pride? I don't know...I'm honestly not sure.

The other offerings came in the form of hand-drawn pictures from children, removing water bottle caps for me and very dirty little hands tucked constantly into mine. Giving and giving and giving....completely overwhelming!

Their actions toward me today demonstrated how Jesus lived when he was here on earth. He gave and gave and gave to the point of death, and we take and take and take requiring His death.

I understand in a way I never have before, I am in this world to give and not to take.

25 orphans taught me that.

creativity describes our day

Cambodians are extremely creative, their very lives depend on it.They must be creative in order to survive.

We have yet to meet anyone who has an easy life. We have yet to meet anyone who complains about his life or anything for that matter.

This is their kitchen - a creative way to feed 25 at every meal. This is their water supply and this is their make-shift gutter system - creative.

Our goal in 2011 is to raise $50,000 to build a permanent orphanage for our little ones. Right now they are in a temporary home, a leased home. We have the land paid for, now comes the building.

Creativity is required.

So on this day we spent the entire day creating with the kids. We again taught sewing, you can see the pretty blue print dress that was sewed, we provided thousands of beads and pipe cleaners which awoke great creativity in orphans and adults alike.We thought Eileen looked like the Statue of Liberty - I have no idea what I looked like as I become more and more covered with the gifts of pipe cleaner crowns and multiple bead bracelets and necklaces. I wondered if this creativity could be used to help them financially.

So today little hands worked to create beautiful water color paintings that will travel back to the Mansfield where we will have them duplicated and re-printed to create cards and possible other items that people can purchase. They were so excited about the project.

What in your life requires creativity? Can you be creative for the Lord - to further the Gospel? God never called us to easy, follow Him into whatever His will is for you, please don't settle for easy.




(Last night we lost our internet connection so this post is late. If we have internet later today I will post again) May God richly bless your next day - fill it with intention...

I have two daughters

Senghong is my youngest daughter's name. She lives in Battambang, Cambodia. I wish I could take her home with me. We have had the privilege of providing financially for her for the past 2 years. She calls us mommy and daddy when she sees us or emails us. If God allows we would love to provide for her for as long she needs us - even through the University.

I have also fallen deeply in love with her baby sister and brother. Actually even if I could take them home with me I wouldn't, I would be doing Cambodia a huge disservice. They need them here, they can change this place, I cannot.

Knowing we would come today, a tiny open air church sent their people out to invite 70 men, women and children from 'the village' to come to the church to hear God's Word for the first time. The Gospel was proclaimed and the faithful church members gathered information in order to visit and follow up with the families that began their walk with the Lord today. Senghong was one of the actors in the powerful musical skit we used at Easter a couple of years ago at Crossroads. Amazing how drama and music crosses all language barriers, especially when children perform it. And amazing that God has chosen to use orphans to lead the lost to Himself.

And then it was time to leave these precious believers as they stood with the coconuts in hand that they had chopped open for us to drink. Coconuts were all they had to offer us, and they couldn't have given us anything more generous.

Back in the vans my daughter fell asleep on my shoulder as we rode on to a lake. Leaning against my shoulder I steadied her head with my hand so it would not dip forward. I watched her as she slept and I knew she truly was my daughter just as Jocelyn is my daughter. Jocelyn and Eric both used to sleep as Senghong did today - comforted in the fact that while they slept I stayed awake caring for them.

The ride today was a step back in time. A time when our children required our constant personal care and carefree days in the water. Each important.

And today the graciousness of the Lord allowed us to play a small part in the eternity of people we will never see again...and that in itself could be my life purpose fulfilled.

surrounded

You can hide here from what you really are.

No one cares who or what you are, all they care about is that you hug them back. They surround you whether it is just one of them or many. You feel completely surrounded, swallowed up and accepted. Needed and wanted. You feel important here and it has nothing to do with anything you have done, accomplished, created or planned, it has nothing to do with you at all. It is only about these amazing children once abandoned, once forgotten and now known and loved and wanted. And now belonging they include all who cross their paths for they know the feeling of hopelessness and long to show all who hurt and don't belong the path to their Savior. They lead you there and tell you everything about their Lord without being able to communicate verbally. Although their language is unknown to me they speak more clearly than anything I have previously heard. Their eyes speak, their dance speaks and their praise songs lead me to Him. Here I am truly surrounded by the purest love I have ever know.

Again I say, no wonder God loves the orphans so much!

orphans

As I sit here in Cambodia, completely surrounded by the worst poverty I have ever seen, I become completely overwhelmed by the goodness of God. I see past the poverty by looking deeply into the eyes of His little ones. The orphans who have come to know Him in a way that makes me very jealous.

They see Him and know Him. He IS their Father, their only Father.

As they sing "You're the God of this City" at the top of their lungs it becomes apparent why God loves orphans so very much. They touch the heart of God with their complete reliance on Him and Him alone. It is this kind of Fatherhood He longs to reveal to us - if we would just allow Him to.

I also watched today as children who have nothing gave everything. As they took the Sunday offering, little hands dropped all the tiny coins that they possessed. Coins that their wise orphanage parents allow them to earn only so they can teach them how to manage money and most of all how to give their money. This was difficult to watch without feeling deep regret for my own selfish priorities.

I will share more when I have a chance, but right now we get the privilege of delivering each
Christmas present that all the generous Crossroads parents sent with us to give them! They are SO excited...may God bless your day!

sitting and waiting

We are waiting to board the airplane that takes us to LA! Leg one of the journey - the very long, long journey. I'm pretty sure you all will be enjoying your weekend before we reach our final destination - Cambodia!

Already the team is enjoying 'inside jokes' and lots of teasing - a sign of love!

Darlene is busy writing to the Go Missions blog as I sit across the way blogging here - how cool that we can stay in touch this way.

One of the days planned for us in Cambodia will be an outreach day - can you imagine? Us none speaking Americans trying to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ while not speaking a bit of the language...we will see. I guess the oldest orphans go with us as we infiltrate the surrounding areas! So exciting.

We will be shooting video that we will attempt to share with all of you back home - so stay tuned to the blogs and Crossroads facebook site!

Take care - we will talk to you soon...

Today is brand new

Today certainly marks a brand new era in my life!

I have been granted the privilege to go over seas for the first time in my life today.

Please follow our team's adventure as we go to minister to the orphans of Asia's Hope in Cambodia the next few days!

specifically pray for:
-that we can identify their needs (not allow American ideas to decide what they need)
-that we can introduce Christ to as many people as we touch while there
-that our team will be changed personally
-that many more will feel the call on their lives to serve these precious children - several of which have no Crossroads support for the next year
-and safety would be nice too!

I will post as often as I can while away on my blog - I'll try to leave comments on the Crossroads facebook group as well as each team member will contribute to the Go Missions Blog while we are gone. So pray us through and we'll try to communicate back to you!!

May God bless you my friends!