Blessed By Bosnia

UNLOVABLE

2011-07-03T12:15:00.000-04:00

First an apology for technical difficulties both at home and on my blog. I'm working to get all of my photos back online. It has been a while since my last post. I usually do not allow a month to go by and I have missed two! I'm back on track.

My mind has been in many places, but lately I'm stuck on a spiritual quandary. With the Bible having so much to say about loving one another, why is it we, not only Christians, but humanity in general has such difficulty loving? I think it is safe to say the one thing most people want in this world is to be loved. Maybe, this is followed by a desire to be heard and valued. But, loved must be number one. Granted this is not a result of a straw poll or anything, just a half century of life experience informing me.

As Christians, at least we know, when we feel most unlovable ourselves, we have a Savior who loves us unconditionally and who will never forsake us. Imagine the pain and isolation, the desperation, of those who do not know our Jesus in these trough times.

I have been observing behavior lately. the head turn at the pan handler (whom I was later told buys a steak dinner every night with the money I just gave him), the awkward pass by the blind man or down syndrome child - outcast in her culture, the snickers, the stares, the whispers at the expense of the transexual, beautiful, homeless, lost. The angry outbursts in retaliation for someone who mistreated another. But, Jesus was quite clear. We were all made in God's image, yet we are all different, and no one escapes the love of our Lord Jesus. We are called to love, even those who may be challenging to love.

In Bosnia, among the first to be ostracized at wartime were those who married outside their ethnicity. During a war of "ethnic cleansing," this made a division of loyalty impossible. Those who did so wound up in the Christian churches where all were accepted, friend and foe. All were loved, though the rest of the country persecuted them and still does, in some cases. Jesus said,

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.

Matthew 43-47, The Message

I heard a statistic once. Something like 90% of the world population believe in a higher power. 90%! That includes those who claim to be atheist. So, when it comes down to the terminal medical diagnosis or the mayday call on the airplane, even the resistance joins the ranks of those with "foxhole" religion. "Okay, if there really is someone up there, I could use a miracle right now!" It's a start. What I'm getting to is this.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[c] There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:28-31

So, if 90% have the 1st commandment down, so to speak, where did everything fall apart on the second one? Let's not even go into the wars! We'll be here all day. What about our families. Bullying in school. Simple acceptance of those unlike ourselves. Prisoners. People who've made colossal mistakes and want a second chance. The God of second chances would give them one. Why won't we? We all have a story. We are more than the sum of our behaviors. We were made in God's image, called to love those who are "seemingly" unlovable. Its a trick, a trap. There are no such people. We can choose to forgive, love from afar. We can love a complete stranger outcast by their culture. We can emanate the love of Christ in a myriad of ways, if we ask God to show us how. It is the second commandment in a world gone crazy with hate. Of course there is an implied message in all of this. "Love your neighbor as yourself" meaning, it is assumed you love yourself. Is that where you need to begin? Is that where we must all begin?

Love,
Kathy

John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 John 3:11
[ More on Love and Hatred ] For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 4:7
[ God’s Love and Ours ] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

1 Thessalonians 4:9
Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

2 John 1:5
And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

Romans 13:8
[ Love Fulfills the Law ] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

1 Peter 5:14
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1 John 4:11
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

2 Corinthians 13:11
[ Final Greetings ] Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

1 Peter 3:8
[ Suffering for Doing Good ] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic,love one another, be compassionate and humble.

1 John 3:23
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Galatians 5:13
[ Life by the Spirit ] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
[ Thanksgiving and Prayer ] We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Lessons Learned from Les Miserables

2011-03-29T20:52:00.001-04:00

I am miserable! I'm miserable because I am being challenged. Often a challenge is a good thing. It gets the blood flowing, the brain stimulated, but I suppose it depends on the struggle. Currently, I feel like my capacity for grace is being challenged, and I don't like it. If you have kept up with my posts, I'm kind of exhausted. I think my grace needle is on empty. I have prayed about this, but I am floundering with my hearing as well. I know God is there, I just cannot quite tune into His frequency lately. So, I find myself drawing from literature.

I never liked reading as a teen, until tenth grade English Lit class, after reading the classic fiction, Victor Hugo's, Les Miserables. I didn't read this book because I decided I wanted to enjoy this now favorite pastime. I read it, voraciously I might add, because many upper class-men told me the book was terrible. Ah! A challenge of the other variety! An opportunity to defy authority figures, in the ill-gotten gains of high school status wars. Prove them wrong. After all, every authority figure in my life let me down so far, or so I perceived. I was all about defiance, non-conformity and boldness. In a week, however, I was a pile of mush curled up under my covers, with a flashlight, crying over the final separation of Jean Valjean, the former prisoner, and the policeman who hunted him over seventeen years. In an act of unfathomable grace, Valjean saves him, when he could have left him for dead.

So much like our Father who sent his son, Jesus, to save us not despite our sin, but because of it! Imagine! We cannot.

Someone, a friend, tests me, beyond reason. I am exhausted. I do not believe I have the grace to give or give up any more than I have. Yet, I am drawn back to this book, to another scene. In the beginning, Jean Valjean is first freed from prison. He spends the night with a Bishop and takes advantage of his gracious hospitality, stealing the fine silver, then jetting out at dawn. Caught, looking again at prison time, Valjean experiences his first encounter of grace, as the Bishop, aware of the betrayal, appears and offers the silver candlesticks as well. All were a gift; there is no crime. Valjean receives his second chance.

We worship a God of second chances, and we are called to give them as freely as He does, as the Bishop did, as Valjean learned to do, so those who take advantage of our kindnesses and mercy, our grace, may someday become dispensers of it.

In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, we are given clear instruction for what to do when others test us, in big ways and in little. Be it our patience or our pocketbooks, we are called to be gracious.

'If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.'

"...When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best -- the sun to warm and the rain to nourish -- to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."

"...Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."Matthew 5:39-48, the Msg

As the Wisteria drapes the spring trees of Atlanta in royal garment, so shall I cling to my vine, our Heavenly Father, and learn the lessons of Les Miserables and Christ Jesus, lessons of grace -- the only way to relieve the misery of being taken for granted, having your patience tested, or as our Bosnian friends have known too well, experiencing persecution.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the people of the ECC of Capljina, Bosnia who are powerful examples of dispensers of grace in a diversified culture. They reach the Jean Valjeans of their communities and introduce them to our God of second chances. Please pray for their strength and commitment to their cause and the ongoing health and support of their congregation.

In the grip of His grace,
Kathy

WHEN GOD ANSWERS YOUR UNSURE PRAYERS

2011-02-20T16:41:00.001-05:00

It has been a long gap between entries. There is a reason for it. I find myself from the splendorous view of the mountaintop to the desolate experience of a desert walk, not my first, where, seemingly God is silent. A two year high followed by silence, separation and solitude - an emptiness I created. I prayed for brokenness, not knowing the extent of the fallout which would ensue by my own power, my own strength. Last summer, my blog entry included a review of a book I was given to read, "A Tale of Three Kings." For me, my journey from mountaintop to desert began with this book. I identified a life long problem with authority like so many kings from our Biblical heritage. Convinced I, more David than Saul at times, soon discovered the opposite to be true. This child, forced to be parent to her earthly father's inner child, seemed to have authority tousled and turned into a paradigm which only made sense in her, indeed, in my world. The world I organized, mastered, perfected and seemed to manage with a leader's admirable capability. But, perfection is over-rated and mastering is fine unless the price is an undue cost to others. Organization is a gift, a spiritual gift in fact, but imposed upon another can deplete the free spirit making its home there. And leadership, also a spiritual gift, is a quality to be valued and carefully honed, although graciously entrusted to those chosen by God in situations where He has chosen leaders for you.

Broken, indeed. My husband of 22 years and I are divorcing. I find my issues with authority allowed me to miss the most basic principle we are asked, as women.

"Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands." Ephesians 5:22-23

I didn't always do that. In fact, mostly, I took the lead. I was a survivor at a young age, so that is all I knew how to do. Don't misunderstand. Divorce was our decision, not God's. But, we also know he will bring good from all things (Romans 8:28) and trust Him as we begin a new journey learning from our own mistakes and missteps. God wastes nothing. He alone will use everything for His glory, even the unraveling of one of His most precious gifts -- the cleaving of man and woman as one.

Who has not secretly thought at some point in their Christian walk, "be careful what you pray for!" You know them well, don't you? Those prayers you are unsure about. For example, maybe, you want a child so badly, but you pray, "God if it is your will for me to be childless, help me to accept it." Deep inside you agonize whether you really have this much strength and trust as you surrender with everything that you are, tears streaming down your face and, in the next breath, you want to yank it all back! "God, no! Please, I want this child. "

I recall this feeling as I prayed for brokenness. Did I really, really want to learn how to respect authority better, if it meant breaking me, again? I have found it unbearable for months to be in this position, yet I have faith in a mighty God that not only is He talking to me, I will be forgiven and redeemed. I already have. Someday, when I am squarely focused on Him again, I will hear His sweet voice speaking to my heart and know He has been carrying me through this difficult time, maybe even proud of me for my willingness to surrender complete authority to the only One deserving of it.

In the meantime, please pray for my broken family. Sometimes, most times, our actions have ripple effects that cannot be mended by any other than our Mighty God whose sovereignty over all and whose healing power and unconditional love surpasses all understanding.

And, as you add us to your prayer lists, please do not forget the people of the ECC in Capljina. Many of the young people are greeting the next year with Spring plans for weddings of their own. May they learn from those who have walked this road before them, while setting their unions firmly, securely in God's plan for marriage. Pastor Bernard is finishing up his Bachelors degree with hopes of raising enough money to complete Masters study and continues to look for more partnerships for the church.

A prayer for our families, here and abroad.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:14-21

Humbly and with great gratitude,
Kathy

RESERVOIR OR CANAL? (excerpt from "NO BURNING BUSHES: Discovering God in the Ordinary")

2010-10-31T15:10:00.003-04:00

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” 2 Tim 1:6

It was the anniversary week that marked a date of questionable celebration. The week my mentor and best friend had spent as many years out of ordained ministry as he had spent in it. That is it. That is all I received in my email. A simple sentence, yet there is so much more lying beneath the surface of those typed words.

This is a man who led me to Christ and has been my adviser for two decades. He has touched as many lives out of the pulpit as he had in it. The same week my dear friend had been pondering the synergy of a ministry, I had been grappling with a spiritual thought nugget that kept resurfacing in my studies – Is it better to be a reservoir or a canal? There are many pithy quotes on the subject. If you want to be wise, be a reservoir and wait until you are filled. Nourish out of abundance. Still another suggests a canal to be best. In this way, we are simply aligning ourselves with God and becoming empty vessels. No need to concern ourselves with supply issues. God provides.

If we store up, before we minister to those in need, are we wasting time? Will we only reap what we sow and not sow as much, or will we accomplish more? In contrast, if we are canals, with nothing reserved from which to draw, will we continue to be replenished with an inexhaustible supply making the reservoir obsolete? What a challenge! I have been amazed at how many times this theme has come up in my reading. Even more surprising is how many authors have biblical backup for their theories. Frankly, I don’t know who is “right?” I’m thinking this is pretty subjective. God probably does what he does and we can’t place a formula to it. I’m quite sure if I chose to be a reservoir, he’d decide I would have made a better canal, or vice versa. So, on this one, I’m going to just continue to place it on my list of questions to bring to Heaven!

Nevertheless, as I celebrated my own anniversary, a birthday, I looked down at my birthday candles and found the answer which my special friend might have offered. While I had been struggling back and forth with the answers . . . reservoir? No. Canal? No. I heard my mentor's voice in my head (this happens a lot) . . . “It is neither a reservoir nor a canal. It’s a flame.” I laughed! So like him, of course! He would have some completely different spin on how to dispense our God given gifts and blessings, be it tangible or intangible. Almost immediately I recalled a scripture he used in a blessing he led for our two families at the beach one summer. "…. fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. . ." (2 Tim 1:6) We don’t have to “become” anything. We already have the flame in us! As he described, there are certain things we have that can be taken from us. Water is an example of such a thing. If we have a glass of water – or a reservoir for that matter – and we gave some away, we would have less. But, as followers of Christ Jesus, we have an inextinguishable fire inside of us. Like a candle, we can give away some of our fire and still possess the same amount. A reservoir can dry up. A canal only disburses what it receives, but the fire of Christ Jesus burning in us – this gift, if fanned into flame will continue to burn and we can give it away all we want without depleting the source. Of course, there are those standing watch ready to throw a veritable reservoir on your flame in an attempt to squelch it. But, this flame, from the Divine, cannot be extinguished, only made brighter. Maybe I won’t need to put this question on my list after all!

Ministry is not confined to the pulpit anymore than church is confined to a building. It is about God’s people fanning the flame of the gifts they have been given, and then going out and, with that flame, winning those souls for Jesus. I am grateful for my sweet friend who continues to exemplify this with his life.

Abba Father, You are so incredible. Thank You for giving us the freedom to worship You and ask all of the heady questions, even if we never figure out the answers to them. Thank You for listening to us and for allowing us to have a relationship with You and for giving us amazing people, mentors, that we can do life with, journeying through both mountaintops and valleys. Thank You for the people of the ECC in Capljina, Bosnia who never stop fanning their flames, no matter the odds, as they continue to win souls for Your kingdom. We praise you for all You do, all You are going to do and especially all You delight to do through us and the precious gifts You have given us. In Your precious son Jesus’ name, Amen

P.S. Two years ago, the Lord placed writing on my heart after a mission trip to Bosnia. Little did I know, this writing would result in a book deal with proceeds going to the ECC in Bosnia. I have never written before, never knew I had this "gift." It is with grateful praise I attribute this success, from which the above excerpt is taken, to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To find out more about your God-given gifts, please visit Gameplan! Look for my new website with more relevant information, photography, stories, from yours truly and readers about "Discovering God in the Ordinary," coming late November at No Burning Bushes.

In awesome wonder to our Mighty God,
Kathy

From Victim to Victor

2010-09-29T19:12:00.001-04:00

I recently reconnected with a childhood friend. On the one hand, he is a person whose physical footprints in the sands of my life’s journey were few. Yet, like a well crafted sandcastle, even three decades of hurricane force tides of suffering, pain and darkness, couldn’t remove the evidence that something noble was once there. Orphaned and abandoned as a teen, the storm surge hit and, in a flash of flood waters, our families were separated. Whisked away by the rising water over the next fifteen years of my life, sporadically finding refuge between the bands of increasing intensity, I learned what it meant to live the life of a victim. With each wave of debris crashing down around me, I brought with me the remnants of the wreckage left by the last. There was no time to regroup or heal wounds. Survival was my only agenda, while crawling deeper inside a safe place created within myself. Oh, such is the plight of the oppressed who know not of a safer place into the arms of a Savior.

It would be fifteen years, before I would find my way to the door of my first pastor and closest friend, who would rescue this broken child of God and, ultimately lead me straight to His heart forever, through a moment of forgiveness. I often wondered, “Where was God?” in my struggle, but have come to understand, He was there in the suffering. It was He who led me to those places of refuge between the bands of the storm, and He who groomed in me a heart for the weak, the lost, the suffering and the broken. Through my own years on the path from victim to victor, I found my life’s calling – not in spite of it, but because of it.

It has been fifteen years as well since the Bosnian War. The prejudices and unforgiveness still riddle the various ethnicities that comprise this country. The “victim mentality” is being passed down to a generation of children who do not recall the war, only inherited the pain of it. Forced to choose survival, there are masses of people still crawling deep inside themselves, carrying the burdens and wreckage of war, not only from their own experiences but from those they love as well. Imagine it! The victim of the victim. The layers of agony. The weight of such deep anguish. The not knowing of a lighter yoke to carry. "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30)

Our July team experienced one of those rare paradigm shifts through some work they did in partnership with Novi Most, the youth center run by Mick and Ali Holstead. The summer program was a virtual trip around the world. It was the “trip” to Haiti, which brought the most glory. The youth creatively raised funds for the earthquake survivors and restoration efforts of perhaps our world’s poorest country. Through interactive game play and festivities not common to Bosnia, all nationalities amassed in public squares for prior generations to see their hearts for others. We are beginning to witness this young generation refusing their inheritance. Refusing to be unforgiving, and choosing to come together instead and make a difference for the betterment of our world – to know the glory, joy and peace which comes from having an “others first” mentality, and remove the label of victim, replacing it with victor!

I am grateful to my rediscovered friend, who has catapulted me back to one of the darkest yet biggest turning points in my life – the end of innocence and beginning of an arduous journey to the foot of the cross. It has served as a powerful reminder of the healing balm of Jesus and the glory of the cross … where forgiveness begins, where hatred ends, where victims become victors again.

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
Psalm 82:3-4

In the grip of His grace,
Kathy

IN THE NICK OF TIME -- GOD'S TIME

2010-08-24T19:52:00.002-04:00

Years ago, I read the book “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis. In it is an intriguing chapter about time, from God’s perspective. So complex, is Lewis’ take on time, from a divine vantage point, he actually offers his reader to skip it altogether. Not one to pass up a challenge, I forged ahead, and it has always stuck with me. Throughout the years, his wisdom has rung truer. What was once as clear as mud has, for me, crystallized into something I can catch a glimpse of from time to time.

Most recently, this issue of God’s timing reached a pinnacle of clarity as my son began his 8th grade school year. A right-brained child in a left brained world, my child has not had an easy go of it in school. For several years now, we have tried to relocate him to a new environment more appropriate for the visual learner cut from non-traditional cloth, yet in the interim years he had to suffer much ridicule from his peers. This adolescent age still shows no mercy as we read headlines of the Phoebe Price’s of the world taking their own lives for the suffering endured from peer groups, misguided and cruel.

Had God not heard our prayers? This is a cry familiar to all of us at some point in our lives, and I believe it comes down to this issue of time. Our perspective is that God views our lives on the same linear continuum as we do. He does not. His view is from above. We live from point to point. God sees the whole line! He knew us before we were born. He knows all of our days. He sees our life from above, the beginning to the end. (Psalm 139:13-16)

In times of suffering, we feel he has abandoned us, he hasn’t heard our prayers, yet God hears and answers all prayers. (Mark 11:24, John 14:13, John 16:23) He doesn’t always answer them in our timeframe, however. As C.S. Lewis describes Him, the author writing the book of our lives, He does not live in the novel of our lives, He created it. With the stroke of His quill, He writes and as He lay the book aside it is at the same time the year 2000, when we prayed, and 2010 when we received our answer; or, to us, when it seems He picked the book up once more . . . a vapor in time to God, a decade to us. He has not abandoned us. In fact, He has shown up in the nick of time.

Louie Giglio gave a sermon once about a girl, an atheist, who died suddenly after coming to Christ. Her brother had a difficult time understanding how God could allow her to leave this earth just as she came to know the Lord as her Savior. How could He not save her? In the end, her brother realized, God did show up. She died just as she came to the Lord – in the nick of time.

I read a blog post this week, Be "the Hands and Feet". It was about a young girl, Nabakoza, found dying in a dilapidated hut in Uganda. She seemed to have been lying there for 10 years in her own excrement, with no food or water, for who knows how long. A missionary, Renee Bach, found her, carried her off, but was turned away at every hospital. “Too far gone,” she was told. Today, 48 hours later, Nabakoza is alive, eating, and sitting up. God showed up, through a missionary, in the nick of time.

Last week, two youth died in a car accident in Capljina, Bosnia. Racing their car at high speeds, they crashed into a mountain and were killed instantly. Where was God? These families grieve. They are in shock over such senseless deaths. Where is God in this story? We don’t know. We do know there will be a ripple effect. He has a purpose for our lives. He had a purpose for theirs. We don’t know it. We do not see what he sees. He is there in the good times and the bad, and he will bring good from all things. (Romans 8:28) Just when we have lost all hope, He will show up, in he nick of time.

In just a few weeks, Veronika Stasjuk will be married to Mufid Besic at the ECC in Capljina, by Pastor Bernard. So many have waited for this joyous occasion, not the least of which are Veronika and Mufid! There will be absences from the pews as all of the Atlanta teams wish we could be there supporting, celebrating and loving them through this amazing chapter in their lives. But, this absence pales in comparison to the empty seat left for Rajka Koprivnjak, Veronika’s grandmother who received her angel’s wings on May 29th. Rajka suffered terribly from cancer and was in great pain particularly toward the end. She was a small woman of big faith, great passion and a strong grip for such a slight woman. I’m quite sure her plan was to dance at Veronika’s wedding. Perhaps this is God’s plan as well. No longer able to get around on her earthly legs, her Heavenly ones will do just fine. God’s timing is perfect. Dance Baka, dance. Maybe we’ll hear the thunder from your footsteps!

In the nick of time, our prayers were answered for our son. Just when we began to fear we ran out of options, the ideal school for my son responded to our call and accepted him, off year, by the grace of God. There are too many questions that do not have answers of how this could have happened, but I find it remarkable our anxieties were quieted in this new school year themed the year of “fearlessness!" How could they have known? They could not. But, God did. He showed up in our circumstances in His perfect timing. Not when we thought we had the right solution, but when He did. Not when worry gripped us with a stranglehold promising to choke out what was left of our faith. But, when our faith still held fast to a single strand of hope in a solution, a divine one. For worry solves nothing, solutions do – divine solutions begotten by worry surrendered. Surrendered to a God, not bound by time, as you and I know it, but to the author of time who knows no bounds.

Still in One Peace,
Kathy

IS GOD IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES?

2010-07-30T18:15:00.001-04:00

I’m currently working on getting a book published. With abundant blessing, it will be out by December. I cannot take an ounce of credit for it. Seriously! I recall every step of this journey. From the moment I decided to write it to the first writer’s convention I attended, the first publisher’s meeting, and so forth. I remember hearing God speak to me in my quiet time. No, it was not an audible voice. It is hard to explain. It was just an answer – to a question – during a weekend-long silent retreat. I was completely and utterly centered and devoted to God. As usual, my agenda for the weekend was soon abandoned for His. At first, it was just a feeling, then a certainty. I was drawn away to commune with my Father for reasons I was not originally prepared. I came weighed down by micro decisions, while God had something of a more macro nature in mind, more eternal -- my purpose. I realize how arrogant this sounds, as if I know what God wants or what He is thinking. I don't. Like I said, it is hard to explain. All I am certain of is this -- by the end of my pilgrimage, this former math/science geek (me), who barely passed English, only later to be told by a college professor she was a terrible writer, left a monastery as an aspiring one. What!? A WRITER!? Really? What about the decisions I came here to make regarding my son’s education, our church home, finances, our housing purchase? I was looking for some Divine Guidance. Did I hear correctly? A Career change?! Fast forward . . .

At my first writer’s conference about eight months afterward, I was told never to pitch “the voice of God” as the reason for penning a manuscript (or in this case, a fraction of one). I had fifteen minutes to come up with a new angle, since this was the only explanation I had to offer. Fifteen minutes in the ladies room praying for God’s voice to once again “Help me to speak and teach me what to say” (Exodus 4:12) led to a positive experience with a publisher, and here I sit waiting for my first contract, for my first book, from my first meeting.

A message I hear constantly is “God is not in our circumstances” or “God does not care about the minutia of our lives.” “Our faith is in a person, the person of Jesus Christ, not in our experiences or circumstances.” So here is my question ... If our faith is only in the person of Jesus and not in our experiences with Him, doesn't this limit His complete sovereignty over each of our lives? If we are called to be in relationship with Him, shouldn't that mean all of it? The good, the bad and the ugly. If he is not in the circumstances, even the minutia, of our lives, I think this allows us to justify our feeling abandoned by God during times of suffering. So, we praise God for the victories, the answered prayers, but banish the sufferings to “part of life”…”the fall of man?” I believe I can trace both my sufferings and my victories to God’s hand. While I don’t believe God causes my suffering, I believe He allows it and brings good from it. (Romans 8:28) I believe He is in all of my circumstances. I believe He is sovereign and, if it is His will that a tongue tied, non-linguist become an author, He is the only one that can make it happen, as long as it will glorify Him, edify His people and bring His kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven. Conversely, I believe He will allow the persecution of a nation of people until he has finished His work, giving to those who believe and persevere and do not doubt His sovereignty, knowing in His time the victory will be sweeter for the patience and pain with which it was purchased. What about the flipside? Can non-believers become authors? Can persecutors escape punishment? Sure! Could Jesus have anything to do with that? Absolutely! It took me looking back at half of my life as a non-Christian to trace the hand of God pursuing me the entire time. Not enough evidence? What better example of both author and persecutor than Paul the apostle. Jesus had something to do with that. He was very much in the circumstances of Paul's life.

I have seen this manifest in knee-dropping experiences through the work of the people at the ECC in Bosnia. Their faith in Jesus has never wavered. Their desire to know and be known by Him against incredible odds has stood resolute. Their trust in the Word of God, revealed through tradition, lived out openly in an oppressed and closed society has placed them in dangerous circumstances, caused suffering, yet produced the perseverance offered in the book of James, never once believing they were abandoned by Jesus. With full knowledge that God is a living God, ever-present and sovereign, a God of circumstance, my Bosnian friends never cowered, but prayed, plead and waited for Him to show up in their dire situations, on His time, not ours. And, He did.

It is the end of another mission season. More connections have been made. There are park benches adorning the streets of Capljina, Bosnia with New Testament scripture upon them. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” says one, a concept as foreign and as precious as this region we visit. Still, a message ten years overdue, by our standards. Yet, God has been in this struggle every step. Watch how the scripture will still be there next year rather than vandalized or torn away. God’s timing is perfect. Youth classes were attended. Photography lessons were given, and contacts were made with the local newspaper, a favorable article written. More mayoral approval occurred. A surprise guest at a barbecue, a sign of relationships mending, healing. We can chalk this up to time spent to leverage relationships, invest in people and a city, or we can ask ourselves, “Is Jesus . . . is God in our circumstances?” “Does He care about the minutia of our lives?” “Is He really concerned whether I write a book, or if someone places His Word on a bench in a predominantly Muslim country struggling to break the shackles of hatred and intolerance?” If not, then why do we teach our children to pray at all. Minutia? Our youth are praying for puppies and toys. Why not tell them Jesus doesn’t care about these things?

Because He does care! What matters to us, matters to Him.

Jesus is not just an entity to be believed, but also a person to be known. Because we are called to be in a relationship with Him, you in Him and He in you, He is, by design, in our circumstances, whether we choose to accept Him as Savior and acknowledge His presence is another story.

The next time you are faced with the question “How?” or “Why?” and there seems to be no rational answer, no foreseeable reason, perhaps it is God, the all-seeing, all-knowing, omnipotent, sovereign Father who sees something you just do not see, working in your circumstances.

In the grip of His grace,
Kathy

P.S. A huge "Thank You" to all the 2010 team members and leaders who traveled across the seas to allow themselves to be used by God in such a mighty way, in the experience of missions! God Bless You and all of my readers who prayed for You! Hvala!

"God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering." St. Augustine

LEARNING FROM LELAND

2010-06-24T15:09:00.001-04:00

"A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

A year ago, I experienced the great privilege of traveling to Bosnia, not once, but twice. On my team, in both instances, was a professional photographer and, now, amazing friend, Leland Holder. Something about this man drew me to him. In retrospect, I think it must have been his humble nature and his thirst to grow in his relationship with our Savior. There exists a "no holds barred" quality in him, despite what life has thrown his way. His arms, mind and heart are wide open, ready for anything, completely surrendered, with childlike curiosity, knowing if he falls, who will catch him and where he will land. With no sense of urgency, it is as if his heart beats to a creative rhythm none of us can hear -- a special beat defined by God only perceivable by the two of them.

Ironically, however, this man I describe was unsure of the idea of a mission trip at first. He waffled back and forth, whether or not the call to Bosnia was a Godly one or one of his own. The team listened and encouraged him as his heart ebbed and flowed, yet none of us could have imagined this trip without him on it. This must have been an uncomfortable quandary for an unguarded, free spirit of a man. He knew only of his desire to grow spiritually, but like all of us, he questioned his avenue... missions? Am I worthy enough? Can I fly halfway across the world lifting people up through prayer who've suffered the unimaginable? How can I think about my growth in the face of their needs and loss? Leland's humility answered his own questions. None of us are worthy, but the fact that he asked those questions made him an excellent candidate for the team.

I cannot begin to describe Leland's experience there, it is not mine to share. However, I can testify to the fact that he arrived in Bosnia with his head on a swivel with camera and lens attached. Through his lens, he soaked up a country and people as a child would first experience rain. He drenched himself in their culture and was saturated in a love for and by our "family" there, so much so, he returned again in October '09 promising to marry his now wife, Lynne, atop the fortressed walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. In just fifteen days, the two of them will return on the next team to work with the children of Novi Most ("New Bridge"), a center open to children of all ethnicities and run by Mick and Ali Holstead. These children, the future of Bosnia, are the ones whom have little memory of war. Although, they still live in segregated conditions, most do not like it. They do not necessarily share the generational hatred from scars passed down over the decades. Leland and his team will bring their love and lenses this trip, and maybe, God willing, through the aperture of hope, the youth of Capljina will see a city unworthy of God's love, but freely given it out of grace, nonetheless. Despite the scarring and the wounds, the hatred and the persecution, the past, the recklessness, the questions, the wandering, they will capture glimpses of God's desire to redeem what he has created.

I find it inspirational, a marvel, really, to see how God has used Leland over this last year. Leland had somewhat of a plan, however unsure about it. I don't believe he ever would have imagined, a year later, his journey would have found him in this place on his walk -- married to an amazing woman, (also with a heart for Bosnia) returning for his third trip, and readying himself to share his God given passion for photography with the youth of Capljina ... all with that same childlike curiosity, humble spirit and thirst for more of our Savior.

I am a big planner. But here are just a few lessons I've learned from Leland: Ask more questions, make less plans. God is in the details. You really don't need to have the answers. In fact, you don't have most of them anyway. When planning, think big picture, God is directing our steps.

Humbly yours,
Kathy

For donations to this or any other trip, please see the sidebar under "Want to Know More!"

To follow this team's blog, click on "With Love for Bosnia" under BLOG ROLL in the sidebar.

To view or order some of Leland Holder's photography, you may find it in the viewing gallery at the following website PhotoFactoryInc

PRAYING FOR BROKENNESS

2010-06-05T23:13:00.000-04:00

My Internet has been glitchy for months. That's computer speak for - It doesn't work all the time. It's broken! I constantly have to reset the power to the modem, and, well, it's driving me nuts. I am utterly reliant on this technology -- to write, to blog, to pay bills, email, keep track of finances, manage health care, order almost everything... you get the idea. I'm not telling Noah about the flood here, right? We are a society, a world, submissive to technology and have relinquished all power to coaxial cables, motherboards, bits, bytes, and terabytes, gigs, droids, snow leopards, and on and on it goes. We give away power so easily, if it will make our life simpler, faster. If it will make us more productive, absolutely, let's give the power away. However, when there is a problem - a glitch - our flawed thinking comes crashing down like the computer itself, leaving us crippled, frustrated, wondering. How could we trust so much with something so fallible? All we treasure is tied up in a system now held captive and unable to be retrieved. We are powerless.

It's a strange metaphor really. It reminds me of our relationship with God. Like the computer, we believe we have it all under control. We have all the power. God gives us some input, with His Word. A particular sermon drives home a message which seemingly equips us for some service or work ahead, and again, we believe we have it covered. We are grateful and obedient. We follow the code, the internal instruction to the letter. As Christians, there is the misguided notion we run a fairly current operating system, and all of our parts have been fed with the most cutting edge updates. We're empowered.

And, there that word is again. Power! We delude ourselves. If not reconnected to our power source each day, every hour, every minute, we stand to suffer the same plight as my Internet-- powerless. Yet, here is what I am learning. I think that is what God wants for us. He wants us to be powerless, broken. An epiphany for me! I believe it is only through our willingness to exist in a perpetual state of submission, humility, brokenness and powerlessness, that God can actually use us, completely emptied, to bring his Kingdom here on earth.

I just finished reading a book that changed my life, "A Tale of Three Kings." In it, Gene Edwards talks about the kind of person God is looking for as a "student" to groom for greatness, for authority. It discusses those God already possesses...

"He has people who claim to have God's authority... and don't -- people who claim to be broken ... and aren't. And people who do have God's authority, but who are mad and unbroken. And he has, regretfully, a great mixture of everything in between. All of these he has in abundance, but broken men and women, hardly at all."

Hmmmm. This is powerful to me, eye-opening. I admit to have fallen in more than one of these categories. I can see it now, but not until it lay sprawled out in black and white. This and many other passages in this wise, little book help me see how incorrectly I interpret God's desire for me to be a broken vessel, moldable clay, so that he might be able to use me. So that he might be my sole power source, not just my Father whom I praise and consult daily with my questions and petitions. He doesn't just need me here and there. He needs all of me, every bit and byte, tossed about in utter confusion, broken, powerless without Him. I think when we cry out to Him in prayer, "Abba, break me, so I am nothing without you," we show Him the unwavering faith of a child trusting a Father to supply all needs and equip her to do His work as He intended it, not as she did. Such surrender finally sets the captive free, and the captive was never our stuff, our to-do lists. It was us!

Maybe when we pray in this way, as opposed to beginning the day with our litany of petitions, it sounds more like a Hallelujah chorus than a prayer to God. Perhaps that is what Amy Grant was referencing in her song "Better than a Hallelujah" . . .

"We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah."

Sometimes, I find myself disappointed in others, those who might have let me down. I forgive easily, but it only serves as a reminder of how broken we are as a people. I think we are the broken window in the path of a misfired baseball, but with each disappointment, I realize we are more the shattered and ravaged window, mere shards of glass left by the selfish bombings and blasts of warfare raged out of misguided pride and prejudice. The problem with my analysis is I don't always turn my assessment inward. This book has forced deeper introspection. I find myself praying for brokenness more these days. Yanking back the power all the time, from God and others, gets exhausting.

Still in One Peace,
Kathy

HOLLOW YEARS

2010-05-25T16:05:00.000-04:00

Two children with much in common, gripped by a madman’s war. Both felt the separation from family as fathers, uncles and loved ones were drawn into fighting, while mother and child were left behind, sent away or renamed, refugee. For one, it would mean spending a week at a time in caves hiding from troops, but not without first escaping the execution of all of her childhood friends. As the military invaded her schools, the swastika replaced gold stars. For the other child, school was a distant memory, but still today, the swastika can be found on his city walls, reminders of the hatred and persecution still alive and well in his homeland. Several countries separate them. Decades divide them, but the synergy is undeniable. It is the stench of war and the hollow years that embody it, follow it and pervade those still caught in its stranglehold.

Commonalities such as separations of families either ripped apart or, worse, being faced with the impossible choice of choosing one over another existed. Then, even when the wars end, fathers sometimes don’t come back or, if they do, they may not be the same. They walk away. Unhealthy cycles begin, leaving families, communities, cities, countries in shambles. Hollow years and empty souls, witnesses of the worst of mankind leave them crushed under the heel of the goose-step march or deafening sounds of sniper fire blasts still ringing in their ears. These innocents have paid the price. They have watched the world come undone.

Is this just another war story, from a child’s perspective? No. The first of the two children is my mother, a child of Nazi Germany: the second is young Rados Jovanovic of Sarajevo, Bosnia. On weekends, Rados plays in the worship band of our partner church in Capljina. At 8 years old, Rados was old enough to remember the Bosnian war, a war, which continues to plague generations of people in BiH. A lyricist and musician, Rados began writing at a young age, journaling his thoughts about the unthinkable.

Always with a song in his head, he inspires me with the words from his youth, long stored away, a treasure. “Children of War,” the publication reads, with young Rados’ narrative among them. “I Hate War” he pens his words, the beginnings of lyrics one day?

There are many such stories in this region we have grown to love. The elders have seen both wars. Nazi occupation still looms where we stay, while addictions plague those who witnessed atrocities, found no mercy but knew desperation as their only friend. Economic, political and social tensions continue to riddle the classes.

But, glory is coming through our sisters and brothers who are moving into the streets. Our next team will come alongside the Evangelical church to mount park benches, adorned with scripture, to honor the departed and, hopefully, draw closer to the lost, the broken and unchurched. Please join us as we cry out to our Savior to fill these empty souls, forgive their hollow years, strengthen their weak, mend their hearts and the wounds of war, break down the walls of un-forgiveness and hatred and use our teams and partnership for His glory.

Merciful Jesus, Let your Word soon to be etched on benches around Capljina, hide in the hearts of all who will rest there, and dwell in them richly. Free them from the shackles of bondage, so they might come to know You and Your love. We know You had something else in mind when You created us in Your perfect image and entrusted us with Your creation. We’ve made a mess of things. But, we also believe Your plan is to be bring good, to be just, to love and to redeem the world you have created. Amen

"Hollow Years", by Rados Jovanovic ~ a Dream Theater rendition (click here)

I HATE WAR
By Rados Jovanovic
8 years old, Grade II

‘War means shooting, wounding, killing, theft, closed roads. During the war, there is not enough food, water electricity, gas and footwear. Families are separated; mothers and sons go away and leave their husbands and fathers. People are left without apartments and they become refugees.
I hate war. War prevents me from having a nice life – going to school on a regular basis, walking far away, going to the seaside, buying a bicycle . . . “

Excerpt taken from “The Corridor” magazine, Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina, October 1994 II, no. 11, p. 11

PAINTING WITH LIVING WATER

2010-05-05T10:18:00.000-04:00

Not a traditional coloring book kind of kid, my favorite childhood art genre definitely goes to the "paint with water" book. Do you remember it? With paintbrush in hand, a little Dixie cup of water and what resembled a run-of-the-mill crayola coloring pad, a simple black and white line drawing would transform before your very eyes with one brush stroke. Oh, the thrill to see what colors lie waiting for a drink from my well saturated paintbrush. I recall letting only a drop or two land at first just to catch a taste of what lie beneath. Pinks and purples would swirl with greens and yellows, often to an audience of one still unaware of what the final picture would reveal to me.

I found painting with water better than coloring with crayons. Why? I think it was because of the mystery and the lack of control. I, the simple vessel, will not predetermine the beauty that will result. Someone else has done that for me. With crayons, it is all about me and my own creativity. Painting with water is different. There is someone else in the picture, but not physically there. Someone bigger than me decided how this masterpiece will turn out. I have been given only instructions to follow, and if I am obedient to those, something beautiful will evolve. Sometimes that happens with crayons, but often it doesn't. Many times, with crayons, pencils or chalk, it just isn't quite as wonderful as you pictured it in your head. Not as stunning.

I think when we live our life by the example of Christ, when we let our light shine, when we love, show kindness and care, we bring out the God colors in others. Like a tiny paintbrush in God's hand, dipped into the living water that is Jesus, He uses us to change the black and white worlds of those we touch into technicolor masterpieces beyond which were ever imaginable. The secret of course is always remembering who is the painter and who is the brush. Without the water, our picture is but a line drawing, and without a constant return to the well, we cannot keep our brush saturated to complete the predetermined work at the Master's hand.

I think about this as we embark upon mission season for NPCC once again, with four new trips to Capljina, Bosnia. Our first group leaves in two days for a prayer/connections trip. We will have a work team and a youth trip this summer and end with another prayer team in the fall. Our major focus this year will be outreach. Indeed, painting with living water! As we start and end this season in prayer, let us remember to return to His word daily, pray continually, anoint these teams often, and never, ever forget those we touch are God's masterpiece. We only hold the paintbrush. Our returning to Him and His word will supply the living water, so that we might bring out the God-colors as we lead others to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

In His humble service,
Kathy

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message)

LIGHT FROM WITHIN

2010-03-22T18:58:00.000-04:00

It has been awhile since my last post. I find blogging much like journaling. Sometimes, like wildfires needing a fire-stop, the inspirations come to me. I feel very much in a place of seeking and wonder. Questions fill my mind at every turn, provoked by thoughts, memories or fresh, new experiences. Lately, however, I am more wanderer than wonderer. Seeking again the light I seem to have lost. Desert. Discouragement. Personal Circumstance. Suppressed emotion. Global crises. Like stormy clouds suddenly blotting out the intensity of sunshine, darkness prevails, as I stand disoriented and confused. How did I get here? This is life on every level, whether dealing with personal setbacks, community challenges or matters of global proportions and catastrophic consequence. Yet, as Christians, we hang tight to hope. Hope in a sovereign God, merciful and faithful, the One who is omniscient and omnipotent. Knowing where we have been and where we are going, we place our trust, our Faith in Him. Trust? Faith? "The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see." (Hebrews 11:1, The Msg)

But we have seen it! Henri Nouwen writes, it is because we have known intimately the presence of the Light, that we seek it with such fervor. It is why, in these trough times, we seek it all the more -- when circumstances of this world inhibit God's plan for us and subvert our spiritual walk. When the Enemy pounces to distract us, to instill doubts, trying to extinguish the Light, a light we so easily forget is radiating from within us! Like the candle fading to a peaceful glow, its wick no longer visible as it burns deep inside the unique and special creation, we find our Light and our Light is God in us!

I look to my friends in Bosnia as role models, as over-comers. I acknowledge their unwavering faith. I recall their praises to our King not only for what He has done, for each life given to Christ, for every outreach to the addicted, the least, the lost the broken, where hearts and minds have opened, but also for what He is going to do, for all there is left to do. Because of their faith in a God of promises, a God who is the "I am," not One of circumstance but a faithful Father who is who He claims, I am reminded of His sovereignty, His mercy, His love. With my heart afire, I know, then, He is guiding me into the warm glow of the Light inside of me through His "Whispers in the Dark" . . .

"No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes I'll light the night with stars
Hear my whispers in the dark
No
You'll never be alone
When darkness comes you know I'm never far
Hear my whispers in the dark"
© skillet

Still in One Peace,
Kathy

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE

2010-01-22T14:28:00.000-05:00

All eyes and hearts are on Haiti. Following a cataclysmic earthquake of unprecedented proportions, the world stands in complete dismay. How could this happen with scalpel-like precision to the poorest, most needy country on this entire earth? It is incomprehensible. We look and then look away. We don't want to understand it. There is no explanation. Almost more impossible to understand, as the first night befell the people of Haiti . . . as utter darkness consumed this country now riddled with a new form of gloom . . . was not the silence of the streets devoid of traffic, or the cities devoid of electrical noise, was perhaps an unexpected sound, as unexpected as the quake itself. Anyone having experienced the quiet following a natural disaster knows too well the deafening quiet of a land robbed of the sound of life beating. The sound of nothingness is almost surreal. Thoughts race through your mind. Does anybody know we are here? Does anyone know what has happened to us? Does anybody know our suffering? Thoughts will soon turn to the only One who always does. And, the silence will fill with singing.

Singing! A joyful noise? In the dark of night, less than a day after loved ones were ripped from the arms of our fellow man? The media reports confirmed it. "The Lord will save us" became the battle cry of the Haitian people and song filled their hearts. Amazing grace in the face of utter disaster, unconscionable fear, grief seemingly too great to overcome . . . a people paralyzed, save for their ability to sing.

This is a country on the mat. Like the paralytic in Capernaum, they cry out making a beautiful noise, waiting to be lowered through what is left of some makeshift straw, mud and tile roof down to the floor at the foot of our Savior, Jesus. Over $300,000,000 has been raised in relief effort. Rescue agencies, teams and militaries have been mobilized as a world stands by watching the miracle begin to take place. It gives me pause to be reminded, again, about our humanity and compassion for our fellow man. More importantly, however, I stand amazed at the magnitude of faith of a nation choosing praise over sorrow, anger or self-pity.

I have seen this strength of human spirit first hand in every visit to the ECC in Bosnia. Fifteen years after the ethnic cleansing of the Bosnian War, the faithful continue to gather and make a joyful noise. Still, they hope and pray for complete recovery of a country torn apart by war, hatred, persecution, ignorance and intolerance. As Muslim terrorist groups move into the Northeast (see side bar article), the faithful sing out to their Savior. Deliver us! You are mighty, God. You are sovereign. Nothing will challenge their belief in an all knowing, all seeing God who will not forsake his children.

This, too, is a country on the mat. Whether for a moment or for a decade or two, it is all but a vapor in time from God's perspective. He has a plan. He will never leave you and will never let the righteous fall. He is faithful. To witness these truths, this kind of faith, lived out by those who have the most reason to question is most humbling and strengthens my own walk.

Psalm 100 is one of my favorite psalms. It is a psalm of thanksgiving, inviting us, reminding us to be thankful to God. He is a God of mercy. I thank God for those who reveal His truths to me in such relevant ways, and pray continually for their deliverance.

"Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing."

Psalm 100:1-2

Make a Joyful Noise!

Grateful,
Kathy

THREE YEAR ITCH

2010-01-05T14:22:00.000-05:00

Army brat! No matter how old I get, how many New Year's Eves or birthdays I celebrate, I find I am still, to a great degree, the precocious kid living the nomadic life of the child of a military man. From Oklahoma, to Germany, to Texas, California and back again to the place I "call" home, San Antonio. Then, my father retired, my mother passed away, and the family imploded. Nothing but shrapnel remained. So began a journey that mirrored the life I had been leading - a hopscotch of hunkering down in temporary quarters for the next 15 years, trying to avoid the rocks and obstacles along the way. Always on the run, I never seemed to establish roots anywhere for more than 3 years at a time. It wasn't until adulthood that I recognized this Pavlovian response nothing more than the "Three Year Itch," the sense that a move was on the horizon, an inner preparation I must have made as a child to ready myself, to mentally and emotionally prepare for the next relocation.

I'm quite certain I owe my love of travel to living the military lifestyle. I'm sure it is in part why I count down my next trip to Bosnia. I can't explain my affection for this country. It is a "calling," they say. I do feel it in this regard, as if something long dead or asleep inside of me awakened when I first visited. With every visit, I feel as if I have finally found my true home. This past year, I have had visions of my family relocating to Bosnia and living the missionary life which, until now, has only been a dream, not yet something we have felt affirmed through prayer or called out in our quiet time with God.

The thoughts of moving should have been my first clue. Surely, I could see the pattern. How many years have we been in our "new" house, which we bought to be closer to school and church? After some quiet time in the mountains last weekend, completely unplugged from computers, cell phones, and television, it occurred to me. We moved into our home three years ago! Once again, I have been bitten, by the "Three Year Itch." How blind! How the world interferes with our ability to see what is so clearly in front of us. How technology and the noise in our heads separate us from hearing God's voice.

We sat in a cozy cabin barely warm enough, save for the fire-making skills of my husband, Mike. Outside the air was frigid atop the mountain, so close to the plentiful stars we could almost touch Orion's belt. The full moon provided the only illumination to light our path, while the brisk winter breeze whistled through the temperate rain forest. It is there we all realized our lives have been out of balance. We needed more of this. Our New Year's resolution came not in looking forward, but in looking back. Were we on the right path at all? If not, why make a resolution to continue going forward? We needed to go back to where we lost our way, before making unrealistic promises to ourselves about moving forward.

For me, this exercise took the form of realizing we were not a family Bosnia bound for good. Maybe someday, but for the right reasons. In response to God's call to serve, not some age old call fulfilled long ago by my father as he served our country.

I wondered why I had not heard God's answer to my prayers about taking a giant step towards Bosnia. Yet, while I was looking for a voice coming from a cloud, He sent me a whistle through a rain forest instead. There was no burning bush, but a crackling, fire blazing brightly. I had not lost my hearing, nor my vision. I had only lost my perspective, which time in reflection with God restored.

I wish all of you a Happy New Year, hoping you will take the time to reflect on 2009, before setting expectations for 2010.

And, as always, I hope you will keep the Evangelical Church, in Capljina in your prayers, specifically, the following requests:

* Their Sick - Gara (Zlata Mehic) suffers from Sclera Derma and suffers terribly from this disease. Her medication no longer offers much relief. Rajka Koprivnjak is also very sick and is not getting relief from medication either. Please pray for these precious women and the health of the congregation in general.

* Their Small groups - Pray for this time spent together, that God will reveal Himself, and hearts will be ready to receive with a bigger desire to know and be fully known by Him.

* Their Youth - Their is now a youth group meeting regularly. Please pray for those who attend - for the Holy Spirit to lead, wisdom for Pastor Bernard and Mick, for the hungry hearts, hearts after Him, for His guidance.

* The 5 Plus program - This is a program for the children, not just in the church, but in the community as well. Please pray for Nada, the Pastor's wife who heads the program, for strength from above, encouragement, and freedom to continue to dream, and share the vision. Pray for the team, for strength, open eyes and willingness to serve and give their time. Pray for the children and parents that will come. Pray this might be a seed from which their own relationship with Jesus Christ might grow.

* The Pastor and his family- Please pray for Pastor Bernard - for fruitful meetings and for God's guidance; for strength and good health. Please pray for His wisdom in leading people into the knowledge of our Jesus and that he himself will continue to draw closer to Him. Pray for him to have ears to hear God clearly and words to speak His truth, that God might "give him the words and help him to speak", particularly with those who seek his counsel. Let those who are in his presence know unequivocally that he has been in God's. Pray for, Nada, his wife, for her health, for his children and for their protection.

* Their Workers - Matthew 9:37 says, "There are many people to harvest but only a few workers to help harvest them." Pray for the workers, for their strength and wisdom in setting priorities, for opportunities from above to share the "Good news." And as the scripture says, pray for more workers.

Thank you in advance!

Happy New Year,
Kathy

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS

2009-12-21T16:42:00.000-05:00

We're counting down the 12 days of Christmas. Today is the day we are celebrating "five golden rings," the gift of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible written by Moses, the Torah. We're well on our way to the two turtle doves, the gifts of the Old and New Testaments and, finally, on Christmas Day, the Partridge in a Pear Tree, the ultimate gift, a Savior, born to give His life for us nailed to a tree. Despite Relient K's clever and catchy rendition of this favorite Christmas Carol, this traditional song is rich with meaning intended to teach young children about the whole of the Christian Faith.

It gives me pause to think of the many inventive ways we create to bring the essence of Christianity and Christ alive to our toddlers and tykes, through song, or selflessness, outpourings of generousity, Christ-like expressions of good cheer and service. And, lest we forget Saint Nick, the greatest metaphor for selfless giving of undeserved, unmerited gifts. Grace personified in childlike fantasy, complete with flying reindeer. A man who can circumvent the globe in a single night with the same love for all, yet no one has ever been able to see him. Still with a child's innocence, there exists an undeniable belief he exists.

I recall the day we explained the Santa metaphor to our own son. There were no tears. There was no disappointment. He was humbled, however. To know that his parents loved him enough to carry on this charade until he would be able to grasp the full meaning of the metaphor. To fully comprehend this holiday was and has always been completely about Jesus, His gifts to us. Giving gifts and receiving them took on a whole new meaning from that point on.

I'm reminded of this as each year we try to remember others abroad. Like "Santa" and his flying reindeer can circumvent the world in one single night giving, graciously, freely, lovingly as God so loved the world, He gave us his son. There are organizations like Samaritan's Purse, Heifer, Int'l, World Vision and local charities through which gifts can be given in someone's honor. The emphasis no longer on receiving, but on giving as God gave.

Today I received word from our friends in Bosnia, Mick and Ali Holstead, who run the youth center, Novi Most (new bridge)http://www.theholsteads.org/, in Capljina. I was encouraged to hear the news that Capljina, too, is involved with Samaritan's purse and gathered 3000 boxes to be delivered! The outreach in Capljina has obviously soared to great heights. More extraordinary to me is they actually helped deliver them! Our shoeboxes travel across the world. Those at Novi Most have the benefit of being able to see the fruit of their labor manifest in the faces of the children who will receive these selfless gifts.

Throughout the update, I read another youth has come to Christ. Praise God! And, the center, as well as the church, continues to experience favorable reception. One more for the kingdom as we celebrate the gift of "five golden rings." Just in time for Christmas. And to think Moses was quite sure God had chosen the wrong man for the job. Let us all be grateful for the "five golden rings" this day, and perhaps, even tongue tied, we might share our faith with someone or give of ourselves this Christmas expecting nothing in return but to show the love of a Savior.

"Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

Exodus 4:12

Merry Christmas,
Kathy

TEARS FROM HEAVEN

2009-12-02T13:53:00.000-05:00

It's raining in Atlanta today. It's raining in Capljina as well. I used to love the rain, especially walking in the summer showers on the beach in Florida. Hurricane Andrew changed that. An unwelcome drenching on the outside only served as a reminder of how helpless I felt on the inside. Much the way I feel now.

There are hundreds of reasons it is raining on twos sides of the world today, Georgia and Bosnia. Our climates are similar, seasons a mirror of each other. Still, the dreary, damp and darkness once again paints a bleak, but relevant, picture capturing the essence of hearts broken globally over the loss of a sister, our "Sestra" in Christ, Marica Vega, who went to be with the Lord last night.

I choose to believe the droplets falling from the Heavens, though reminders of our sadness and loss, are the tears wept by Jesus at His great gain - a reunion with his precious, humble servant and most obedient, loving daughter. The disciple, John, could not mention his own name and Jesus' in the same sentence referring to himself only as "the one Jesus loves." It is true of us all. I can picture in my mind's eye as Jesus opens wide His wings, while Marica is now able to run, in her crocks, to Jehovah Rapha who has healed her, the one Jesus loves, of all afflictions and envelopes her now with the warmest embrace. Their tears are different, however. They are tears of joy! Marica is with Our Savior. She has all we could ever want for her. And, still we, and especially her dear husband Andrija, are left wanting . . . for us. More time, with someone dearly loved who gave without exception, who lived as Christ asked, who leaves behind a legacy, a life, we want to emulate. There is never enough time to spend with one such as this, only time to be grateful for the privilege to have known her and apply to our lives the lessons and images she left emblazzened on our hearts.

The Bible says:

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecc 3:1-8

Marica has lived through it all. Nothing broke her spirit, and God fulfilled his promise. His love endures forever, through it all. So, let us weep and let us mourn for “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Mt 5:4), but let us not forget to laugh and dance. Rejoice! Our sestra is in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I'm quite sure she is smiling her incredible smile with the light beaming down on her face, praising and laughing and dancing with us. She will never leave us. She is a part of us. It rains today, but tomorrow there will be sunshine, and I will think of the light emanating from Marica's face.

Goodbye for now, my sweet Sestra!
Volim te,
Kathy

SURRENDER

2009-11-20T09:44:00.000-05:00

It has been a few weeks since I posted. How time seems to stand still following reentry from the mountaintop experience of a mission trip, only to find it hasn’t stopped at all. Time has moved rapidly, while we are the ones still in His presence processing all we have seen and experienced. We are moved beyond words. While there exists a flutter of activity around us, all we hear is the flutter of the southbound birds soaring in the thousands overhead reminding us of the swirl of new movement churning deep within us, beckoning us to process all we experienced and apply it in some meaningful way. But how?

My husband and I struggle with these emotions each time we return from a trip. What does it all mean? Life? Missions? Service? Our Purpose? God’s Will? Where are we going? Where have we been? Why? Ultimately it boils down to one issue – Surrender! Not a complicated word at all to define or understand, yet the application of it seems almost unattainable at times. No sooner do I believe I have surrendered my life, or even a day, an agenda, than I find I have stolen it back.

Still the more we travel abroad, the more we learn about the freedom there is in surrender. It seems counterintuitive. At first, it feels incredibly vulnerable, naked, to be completely barren of all control, hoping and trusting in that which we do not see. Yet, isn’t that what faith is all about? Swinging from the proverbial cliff knowing God has the other end of the rope in his hand. There were glimpses of these moments, where we felt this feeling of utter surrender.

I believe John felt it standing on top of the fortressed walls of Dubrovnik, 1000’s of years old. On the one side, overlooking the Adriatic Sea in all of its beauty, while on the other side, marveling at the age old city ravaged by wars and rebuilt, surrendered and survived. I believe Leland felt it, as he stood atop Capljina, and saw our sister city through the eyes of our dear friend, and Associate Pastor, Predrag as they gazed out upon the Evangelical Church. The church, once dedicated to our Lord despite the vandals and naysayers, now stands pristine, pure and accepted along the banks of the Neretva, God’s house.

Most of all, we see this surrender modeled every day, in every way, in the Christian followers of our partner church. Their humble worship and simple faith is a testament to lives surrendered to Christ Jesus, come what may. They have seen the worst of humanity and still they come, with the greatest, purest, most authentic, submissive faith we have ever witnessed.

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven!” This is what we see. This is what we saw. How do we bring it here, into our daily lives, into our communities, into our churches and relationships, with reckless abandon and total . . . surrender?!

"Surrender to God! Resist the devil, and he will run from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you. Clean up your lives, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you people who can't make up your mind."

James 4:7-8 (CEV)

In His Service,
Kathy

http://www.evangelica.ba/en/index.php

TRANSFORMATION

2009-10-29T13:25:00.000-04:00

I have a favorite quote from one of my dear friends. I latched onto it, as I do many of her spoken insights as she thinks aloud. We were talking of transformation, when she thoughtfully said, "I think we all want transformation, it's change we don't like!" We all reveled in the truth of her statement. Transformation, true body, mind, spirit overhauling would be fantastic if not for the hardwork involved with the changes required to achieve it. The more work to do the longer it may take, the greater the dedication, commitment and obedience. Oh, the surrender. Are we ever done tweaking and growing, learning and adjusting. Even when we are "grown," we find ourselves still in need of a Savior, every day, in every way.

If I had to sum up our trip to Capljina this month in one word, I would call it "Transformation!" Not that the city has arrived at its ultimate destination of growth, mended fences and hearts, minds and spirits turning towards Christ in vast volumes. No, not yet. However, when considering where the Evangelical Church was 10 years ago and where it is now - Where it was just a year and a half ago, 6 months ago, compared to what I saw two weeks ago, there is a transformation beginning. Something amazing is happening, and I can only attribute it to the profound presence of our mighty and sovereign God in this city. A city that Pastor Bernard, and Mara and Stana before him, vowed not to give up on. A city that the church, the missionaries at Novi Most and both their benefactors, including NPCC and you, our supporters, opted to pour into out of your love for Christ Jesus. In this city, the needle is moving toward positive change, towards loving others, towards rebuilding and taking pride in their city - rightfully showing gratitude for even what little they have.

Last year, the people walking the streets strolled aimlessly with little lift in their step. There was no place to go, the jobs virtually non-existent, all factories still bombed out from the war over a decade ago. Hardly recognizeable, two weeks ago, there was traffic! People and cars, a hum of activity, government jobs kept trucks moving dirt and vegetation cleaning up the banks of the Neretva River, 24/7, causing a traffic jam. Those on foot were many! They greeted us as we walked by. There were smiles, a warmth, an acceptance. We struck up conversation with perfect strangers, unprecedented. We felt not even a little uneasy about inviting them to church, and gracious acceptances were returned. Seeds planted. A small city which uses the "honor system" at 4 way stops is now installing roundabouts to control the increasing flow of traffic. Personally, I have prayed after each trip that the youth might have a movie theater to go to, some fun entertainment place more appealing than the bombed out tobacco factory, a snare for alcohol and drug abusers. To my delight, as we prayer walked the city, we passed the war memorial and came across the new cinema!! Still a work in progress, but there nonetheless, a towering presence of tides changing. And, on the graffiti clad walls of the tobacco factory? There are now postive expressions of love and pride in their city. Perhaps on our next trip, the factory will be in a state of rebuilding as industry, other than the government run variety, moves back to our sister city.

The most stark change was the disappearance of the bombed out building next to the Evangelical Church. The juxtaposition of the former fall of a nation next to the rise of the Evangelical Church captured what was once a dream, a prayer to our Lord and Savior. Now, to see the prayer being answered speaks to the sovereignty of our God. Indeed, through Him, nothing is impossible. He is our strength, our fortress. He alone can tear the old walls down and make them anew. It IS hardwork, but it is a supernatural work, the work of a merciful Father who is defeating the Enemy and freeing a city, and perhaps a country, from the clutches of evil. There are still a lot of cobwebs on the crooked cross, but not for long. The Lord is near. Renewal, Restoration and Resurrection are sure to follow! Hallelujah!

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Humbly yours,
Kathy

"GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD" MATTHEW 6:11

2009-10-22T10:40:00.000-04:00

Last Friday, we had the amazing privilege to be in Capljina during the "Dan Kruha" or "Day of Bread." I've learned many countries celebrate this feast of bread and baking (see button in the side bar), often in coordination on October 16 and have for years. I'm not certain of the origin, but feel free to post if you can shed light on it. For us, it was a welcome first stop on our prayer walk. Most of the primary school children brought breads and pastries to the town square and sold their goods to benefit the disabled children we worked with on Wednesday evening.

It was incredibly festive as several of the schools represented donned themselves in native costume adding to the flavor of the festivities. Of course, we could not get rid of our kuna (the local currency) fast enough for either the delicous treats, the delightful smiles it brought to the children's faces or in knowing our new friends would be the benefactors. Sadly, there was a presence missing, however. As I read more about this day of celebration, from Israel to Germany and Argentina to Australia, in Capljina, the Muslim children were not allowed to participate. For as much progress as we experienced this trip, there is still so much work to be done on the heart. Our prayer walk continued . . .

We made our usual trek around the city. It is always a wonderful reminder of God's timing and presence. Invariably, He has answered at least one prayer, while other buildings prayed over for years remain in ruins. Our next stop, a former tobacco factory, is riddled with graffiti and continues to rob the teens of Capljina of their youth. It has become a haven for drugs and alcoholism, but this time, amidst the same names prayed over trip after trip, we found praise for the new mayor and expressions of love, while adolescents played soccer in the light of day between the hollowed out shells of what was once a thriving icon of economic prosperity. Tides changing?

Further down the road, we come to the Serbian Orthodox church, bombed out for almost 15 years - a reminder of war and destruction. Today, it is rebuilt, readying itself for opening day, while Pastor Bernard prepares to endear himself to the new priest as he has to the Imam and the Franciscan Priest. The Serbian people will have a place to worship. Another fence will come down, when the scaffolding is removed. Hallelujah!

We ended our day with the jewelry making outreach. This time our mission was different. We planned only to invite the unchurched, the unreached. Our hopes were high for a large turnout, but only one woman, Hermina, came. She was the mother of one of the disabled men from the center Wednesday night. BJ, Nancy and John loved on this family as if they were the only ones in the room, lavishing them with attention and the love of Christ.

Although a showing of one was at first disappointing, Hermina promised to return to the church. A lesson in God's timing, the strength of one, the power of love? Perhaps. I see it as Oswald Chambers stated in "My Utmost for His Highest," . . .

"One life totally devoted to God is of more value to Him than one hundred lives which have been simply awakened by His Spirit."

Friday was a powerful day full of lessons from God above. So much is happening in the city of Capljina, but so much is left to do. Jesus teaches us to pray "Give us today our Daily Bread" Matthew 6:11. This was never so real to me than last Friday, the "Dan Kruha". We petition for our future, but Christ gives us enough for today. One life leaning toward him, enough food to eat, another fence to tear down and the strength to do it, and one more group of people whose absence is felt and acknowledged, an emptiness, work still needed to be done. Give us our daily bread and the courage to act with the Divine strength it gives us, for today.

Be a Blessing,
Kathy

FITTING IN

2009-10-16T07:45:00.000-04:00

The last three days have been a bit "puzzling." I wonder about a world, a broken world, with so many problems, so much pain, suffering, war and hatred. We travel miles, across the seas, because we feel called to a country torn by all these things, not the least of which is unforgiveness, and I rack my brain for reasons why we can't find a place on this big blue ball where we'll all fit in. Like a big jigsaw puzzle, we seem to be looking for the perfect piece with the right ins and outs save for one corner that slants sharply instead of gracefully curving. We try to force it, but it simply doesn't fit.

Wednesday night, we held our outreach for the disabled children of Capljina. We brought developmental toys, puzzles among them. I engaged a young girl, tentative to participate during round one, but decided to trust me during round two. Our fun lasted only a few minutes, as I taught her how to find the corners. When I relinquished the tasks to her, she began to cry in frustration. She couldn't find the missing piece which fit. Perhaps the puzzle mirrored her own feelings of the plight of the disabled children of Capljina - no school of their own, needing to be shuttled to Mostar for their education, in search of a place to fit in. As she walked away from the table, my heart broke. If only she knew how her actions captured such a profound reality about the human condition. How we all feel our inadequacies and place far too much of our identity in whether or not we accomplish tasks others call upon us to perform, instead of loving God and loving others as Christ has called us to do. She fits in more than she knows, as much as anyone.

Yesterday, we took a trip to the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia. What an incredible blessing to walk the walls of the fortressed city gazing out upon the Adriatic Sea to one side and hundreds of barrel tiled roof tops of various hues - yellow, oranges and reds - to the other side. The old city seemed to fit together as it's own puzzle, harmoniously from above. Yet, take the stairs down below and you can easily become lost in the chaos of only slightly differing tonal qualities. Like the most complicated jigsaw, you believe you have picked up the exact shade, and are headed in the right direction, but again, you are lost, not knowing where you fit in without the vantage point only seen from above.

Tonight, we gather at church with non-believing women from the community for a jewelry outreach. We will spend some of the day organizing baubles and beads and practicing making clasps for necklaces. Very few of us really know how to do this ourselves, so we are praying for some Divine Intervention! My clasps may not fit properly. I might get frustrated like my puzzle partner Wednesday night. I wish she could be here to see me - imperfect, not fitting in, flawed. There is one thing about a mission trip. It humbles you and teaches you, we are all the same, all over the world. None of us fit in perfectly.

My puzzle partner ran up to me at the end of our evening at the center and threw her arms around me saying, enthusiastically, "I like you!" in Croatian. My heart skipped a beat! She got the point after all. Life is not about fitting in perfectly. It is about spending time with each other, bearing one another's burdens and liking each other. Somehow, at the end of the day, it smooths out the sharp edges and smooths out the corners, until we all fit in well enough.

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

Still in One Peace,
Kathy

LOVE

2009-10-14T09:03:00.000-04:00

Last night, about 30 of us gathered at the Evangelical Church for a time of worship and praise, followed by prayer and a sharing of testimonies. Those with specific prayer needs, Pastor Bernard anointed with oil. A powerful presence felt by all left us emotionally drained, but spiritually awakened and, for many, restored to a sense of wholeness.

Although unable to join in Croatian song, the team managed to immerse in the essence of the Spirit which enveloped the room. Some things transcend language. While snow fell from Sarajevo to the mountains surrounding the city of Capljina, sending the brisk Bura (north winds) rushing through the streets, around every corner, seemingly without means for escape, inside the sanctuary, hearts were melting - afire for Jesus. Amidst the candlelit room of raised hands, not even the unprecedented early arrival of the Bura could penetrate these hearts and douse the fire raging within.

The passion, transparency and authenticity of the Bosnian people ignited the night. Many commented about how amazing it is to come together from across the oceans to worship the same God. For this, we gave thanks. Such a simple blessing. Such a small thing. It serves as a reminder of the truism in Mother Teresa's words. . . "We can do no great things; only small things with great love"

"I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you." John 13:34

in His Love,
Kathy

THROUGH TEARS, LAUGHTER

2009-10-13T06:18:00.000-04:00

It was a looong 1st day as we embarked on our journey abroad at 4:35pm Atlanta time with a bit of a luggage snafu which, miraculously, only resulted in one lost bag. Unfortunately, it is the bag containing all the toys and games for the outreach with the disabled children scheduled for Wednesday. So, right out of the starting gates, we would appreciate prayers for a speedy return of this bag or a Plan B better than the first. So like God to redirect our steps to something bigger, better, greater and beyond anything we could ever have imagined. Our faith is in Him, and we know He will be glorified, no matter what.

Toss in three legs to our journey, more than one language barrier, some sleep deprivation and Leland Holder, and you've got a recipe for much laughter. To keep this "G" rated, suffice it to say, Leland seems to be a target for "wanding" through security checkpoints. For starters, we've concluded, either all airports need to invest in the private, curtained scanning booths or Mr. Holder needs to stop losing weight just in case he's asked to remove his belt and place it on the conveyor belt. We can't decide who should play him the the movie version of "Leland goes Global," either Martin Short in his Ed Grimley persona holding up his pants, or Tim Conway shuffling his feet slowly to keep his pants from falling down. His team was no support at all, snickering from the sidelines. Good fodder already and sure to get exaggerated as the week gains momentum. Kathy (me) is doing caffeine! The new tag line being, "You don't WANT her on that wall. You don't NEED her on that wall!"

There were so many laughs with the team and with our family here, just 24 hours into our trip. Adrija insisted, as usual, we are not to return home. No more of this back and forth. We'll just stay here together in Bosnia, as brothers and sisters, until we are together in Heaven. Nono, Associate Pastor, has been shuttling many visitors this week, to and from Sarajevo, and us, to and from Split. He could hardly keep his eyes open at dinner making an encrypted reference to Bugs Bunny holding his eyes open with toothpicks, then tossing his head back with that wide grin and contagious laugh which makes his eyes smile too. Some things translate despite language barriers.

By night's end, the Atlanta weather caught up with us and it was flooding in Capljina. Tony (our translator) said he'd never seen anything like it, and John Morgan, our team appointed driver, couldn't find reverse, on the stick shift, in the van. It was another adventure that only brought more laughter in our over-tired state. Fortunately, Tony bailed us out and got us home.

Still there's a heaviness offset by a sense of wonder and anticipation. A desire to know where the church and our Bosnian church family goes from here. We watch Bernard meet with benefactors and prepare for his upcoming trip to America and pray for all the success of the next chapter in the life of the Evangelical Church. We pray for funding and support and for God to use them and all gleaned from our past partnership as they go out and become a flagship model for others in the country and a beacon of light reaching out into into their city and beyond. What our roles will become going forward are unknown. Only God knows the answers to these questions behind those tears. As we come alongside our Bosnian family, we hope, as they do, to hear God's voice with indelible clarity that this is not an ending, but a beginning for all of us, a new chapter, a door opening, a new direction, the way of which will be revealed in God's perfect timing.

It is now Tuesday morning. We began with morning prayer and worship, as we will do each day. Our plans for the day are dedicated to prayer, worship and encouragement - a full day at the church, which will eventually include most of the congregation. Please pray for a large turnout tonight. We are certain there will be many tears, and through the tears, more laughter.

PRAY CONTINUALLY

2009-10-08T08:55:00.000-04:00

They say you can tell the age of a tree, by the number of rings pressing in around its core. The more encircling it, the more seasoned the tree. This is the image that comes to my mind as I consider the current season of my life. I have reached the time when many of my friends, or their children, are now struck by grave illness. I attend more funerals, deliver more meals, and spend more time in supplication than in praise. My world seems a bit turned unfavorably on axis. A bit of a magnet for the wounded and the broken, I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of suffering souls. More a stream of consciousness prayer warrior, I am left wondering if I have left someone off of my mental list today as I go to our merciful Father in petition. I count on His knowing the meditations of my heart on most days of late, in my feeble attempt to "pray continually."

I wonder why I make promises I cannot keep perfectly. “I will pray for you.” Unless I have a pen and paper, I have to rely on memory in those fleeting conversations. Praying right then and there. Is it just me, I ponder? Or, do we all fall prey to this spiritual blunder? What is our alternative? “I will not pray for you? I don’t have a pen! I might forget. Don’t count on me to remember.” We could run to our cars or homes and jot down another name, I suppose. I’m sure there are many solutions. Still, I don’t know if this is the crux of the problem. I have a pretty decent memory and can retain a lot of information up to a point, but eventually, I am overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of those in trough times and become frozen, unable to pray at all. I lean hard into my Savior and the Spirit within me who “knows not what we ought to pray for, but intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26

Jesus was surrounded by crowds all the time. Those hoping for healing were continually at his feet, literally. In one particular scene, Jesus was almost crushed by a crowd, when a bleeding woman, squeezed through the rings of suffering seekers to touch his cloak. Jesus, at the epicenter of this circle of sickness and sorrow, felt the power leave him. His power was being depleted! It is then, at that moment, Jesus knew someone had touched him.

Was Jesus overwhelmed? Maybe. But, significant to me is that he felt his power leave him. That is precisely how I feel, when I am frozen in my prayer time and my list is lengthy. I feel powerless. I have come before my Savior and I have no words. I don’t even recall all the names for whom I am petitioning anymore. There are too many of them. But, in the very moment I hear another story of cancer, a child’s death or our friend, Gara, in Bosnia who is battling a debilitating disease, someone has touched me as well. I know I am called, like Jesus, to have compassion. But, my power is not like His power. My strength unlike His as well. Therein lays my crisis.

In my arrogance, I have likened myself to Jesus in the story as if my loved ones have come to me for healing. They have not. A prayer and a present may restore and replenish in part, but not in full. So many of us, as caregivers, try to become the hands and feet of Jesus. It is a valiant and noble gesture. We are called to be like Him, but we are not Him. When we are overwhelmed because our power is depleted, it is an earthly power, not a heavenly one. I am not Jesus in the story. I am the bleeding woman. I must find my power in the hem of His garment, just as she, while my loved ones encircle Him, seeking His healing.

We have conditioned ourselves to believe we must, must, must. We should. We do to our own undoing, until there is nothing left for others. We become overwhelmed, then overwrought and are no benefit to those who need us to be like Jesus to them. We, too, need to be restored and replenished, daily, through the touch of his garment.

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes? You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” Mk 5:30-31

In 3 days we leave for Bosnia. We are to come alongside our brothers and sisters there to pray and encourage, nothing more, because God will use this gesture of love and grace for His glory. He will provide the healing, the replenishment, the strength they require to keep going, keep reaching the unreached and unchurched, keep persevering. Our prayer request for all of our supporters to pray on our behalf is for God to "help [us] speak and teach [us] what to say" (Exodus 4:12) so that our words will nourish them and edify His people.

We welcome all of your comments, prayers and posts as we FINALLY greet the arrival of our departure day, this Sunday. Please keep checking in as we will update from Bosnia. On behalf of the team, THANK YOU, for your unwavering support of this ministry. We appreciate you more than you know. We are also happy to announce we have exceeded our fund raising goal of $16,800, raising over $23,000! We are so humbled by your generousity and God's grace and provision.

"pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Humbly and Gratefully,
Kathy

WHAT'S IN A NUMBER?

2009-10-01T10:26:00.000-04:00

Have you ever considered the importance of a number? I mean, “give or take” we say, as if it’s not really that important. Of course, it depends on what we’re talking about.

Birthdays, for example. I hear 40 is the “new 30,” while 50 is the “new 40.” Funny, though, I don’t see any of my friends clamoring to flip that 9 to a 0, do you? What about all of you sports fans out there? One point in a basketball game drawn from a 3 point basket may be easily overcome in a high scoring game, but if you’re pitching for the Mets, one point ahead, with two men out at the bottom of the ninth, that number matters!

We teach our children how to do math the “old way” – long division and so forth, even though we realize, in a matter of time, they will be just as dependent on a calculator as we are. Why do we do this? Because, in our world, numbers are important. Consider Social Security numbers, UPC codes, and sku numbers. Have you taken a gander at a URL lately or some HTML code. Custom color codes shown as digits, instead of “Cornflower Blue” straight from a box of 64 crayons. Do you remember when the 64 box came out? Or the 96! Wow!

This week, I had the opportunity to speak with Pastor Bernard about the impact the Evangelical Churches are having after suffering through persecution to acceptance and, now, exacting change. A remarkable movement towards forgiveness, since the Evangelical churches only represent 10% of Bosnia’s total population. It is awe inspiring to potentially be on the edge of finding a watching world stand in witness as our family of believers begin to move the needle in this broken land, out of darkness and into the light, with hearts afire for Jesus! At this, Bernard corrected me and said the number of evangelicals, or protestants, in this predominantly Muslim country, actually represents only .0002 (1,000 out of a 3.5 million)! I paused. I must have done the calculation three times on my calculator. Have I misquoted this figure for the last two years? A feeling of doubt began to sweep over me. Ten percent stood a running chance, but .0002? Maybe not! There are too few! The scars run too deep, the hatred and un-forgiveness coursing through vains more greatly outnumber those who now worship a risen Lord than before estimated.

How quickly we must unlearn the ways of our world. Almost immediately, a number of Bible stories came flooding to my mind. In Genesis, Chapter 18: Abraham posing question after question to God – What if 50 righteous people remain? What about 10? The number didn’t matter to God. All would be spared. In Matthew Chapter 15: How will we feed the 4,000? (Forget that Jesus had just blessed 5 loaves and two fishes in Chapter 14 to feed 5,000!) The number was not a stumbling block for God. 2 Chronicles Chapter 20: Jehoshaphat’s victory over combined armies, numerically an egregious advantage to the other side - a seemingly no win situation, yet he reigned victorious as the Lord promised.

For the split second of my waffling, I was like the disciples who forgot about Chapter 14. I forgot the Lord’s words to Jehoshaphat, “the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15b

And, this is what it is in Bosnia, a battle for souls. Souls in need of forgiveness. A forgiveness to be experienced by each other and in the arms of a Savior just waiting to meet them. God doesn’t care about the numbers. No number is too big to save, and no number is too small to use as a conduit for the One relationship which will lead to salvation - for all people, regardless of religion, ethnicity, what they have done in the past. Jesus is available to all of them, and it is happening through the .0002 of evangelicals, give or take, witnessing the love of Jesus in cities like Capljina, Bosnia!

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

By His Grace,
Kathy

NO FEAR

2009-09-22T14:53:00.000-04:00

What would it look like to live life without fear? I've often asked myself this question. Every once in a while, I encounter someone who seems to have it figured out. My last trip to Bosnia was just such an occasion.

I first met her during an outreach for new Christian women and seekers in Capljina. It was a jewelry making event. I knew little about creating these artful trinkets. Neither of us could understand a word each other spoke, yet somehow we managed to communicate with a woman’s tendency to speak with flailing arm gestures. Immediately, I could tell she was a woman who knew what she wanted. She cared little whether her necklace of various sizes and shapes had perfect symmetry, only that the black shimmering colors matched; or whether there was slack in her bracelet, as long as everything was included as she created it. There was a contentedness about her. She gave up on perfection long ago. It was not important to her. She had found something more important. Tonight was about joy. Her expectations were clear.

Had I spoken the language, I am certain I would have had a few questions for her, but the evening was fast paced, and there was not much time to unpack this peace she emanated. She left an impression on me.

Later in the week, my group would make a trip to a village for visitations to those in need of prayer. Our last stop was to the business of a fairly new Christian woman under extreme persecution for her new found Christian faith. To my surprise, it was my jewelry partner. She greeted me with a big hug and kiss for both cheeks, as is customary in this country. Inside her shop, we would hear her story, which would illuminate all of the unanswered questions raised the night of our women’s outreach.

She came to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ much to the opposition of her entire family. This is not uncommon in this region. Her family is opposed to her decision. A parent has threatened her with imprisonment and even death. When asked what we could pray for on her behalf, she asked if we could pray for the safety of her business and for the salvation of her family. Afterward, she openly solicited questions. Many were asked. But, I was having a difficult time wrapping my mind around a loved one who wanted her in prison or, worse yet, dead! This was unimaginable to me. Still, there was something about her. It was beyond forgiveness, beyond grace, something more. It was the same contentedness I saw the night of the outreach, this peace. What was that? How did she get it? So, I asked her, “Do you ever feel in danger or threatened? Are you afraid for your life?” To this she replied (thru a translator), with this same peace and utter confidence, “No, not at all. I would go through all of this again, if the alternative meant not having Jesus in my life.” I realized, then, I was standing before someone who truly trusted the Lord and loved Him with a perfect love.

John tells us about this truth, about the incompatibility of love and fear, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, (1 John 4:18b). I think I finally understood how short I fall in the fear-based life I lead. My fear of the unknown, my anxieties and my worries, the “what ifs”, the “things are going too well,” it must be my turn next! Have you ever had these thoughts? This woman has known worse things and still loves and praises Jesus for what He is going to do next. I have seen Jesus do great things in my life, and still fear the table is going to turn as I watch the tragedies which surround me. Her reality is the trinket is perfect in its imperfection. She sees herself, her circumstances and others as God sees, which affords her perfect love, perfect peace, unfathomable faith and no fear.

We could all heed a lesson from my new friend’s pearls of wisdom. Whether strung together or gazed upon in isolation, her message hangs together, timeless and relevant, and is as brilliant as the black beads she hand selected of every shape and size to create her masterpiece, just as God created her.

"Fear never wrote a symphony or a poem, negotiated a peace treaty or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that." (a)

(a) Lucado, Max, "Fearless", Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2009

Peace,
Kathy

DISPOSABLE INCOME

2009-09-17T13:30:00.000-04:00

Driving around Atlanta thinking of ways I could support our Bosnian friends, now family, I came to the conclusion it would have to be by other means. We don’t have much “disposable income,” I rationalized. If only God could use me in some other way. If my writing could be used to glorify Him, while at the same time cast a beacon of light on the plight of our brothers and sisters in need of so much, yet with great faith petition for very little. Still, the words, “disposable income” disturbed me. They hung in my head on a noose and caught in my throat, choking me as I spoke them aloud. The face of a Bosnian child begging for throw away coins haunted me. I asked myself, "Who coined such a phrase?" An oxymoron at a minimum, a slap in the face of our current economy if nothing else. It was then I realized, again I had fallen into the snare of our culture. No longer thinking of first fruits, I was considering leftovers. How quickly I fall. Only a few months ago, our pastor gave a sermon series on financial balance. How we tend to spend, repay debt and taxes before saving and charitable giving, when in reality the list would be far more generous and far more tax favorable if we followed this regimen in reverse. I rationalize with some kind of loopy logic that we are “robbing Peter to pay Paul” as it is. Then, something happens to me when I arrive in Bosnia. Things of this world fall away and, all of a sudden, I am rich! Rich in treasures not measured by man, but abundantly blessed with grace and love, hope and friendship, a connection which transcends understanding. A part of my heart is there. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21) Suddenly, I have enough.

My thoughts gradually have meandered over a week’s time to the support letters we have prayerfully written and sent asking for both prayer and financial support of our trip. I think many of us on past and present trips bristle at the fund raising aspect of missions. I came to a conclusion this week. I believe it is because of our list. I believe it is because we have fallen into our worldly thinking again, and our lists are turned on end, leftovers instead of first fruits. We’ve failed to give our loved ones an opportunity to weigh in on the health of their own lists. I have to remind myself, my team and our readership, if God has called us on this trip, He will show us - He will show you - how to support it. We will go, you may send, or you may pray. But, it is not a worldly decision. It is an eternal one. No level of support, no type of support, is more or less important.

In fact, earlier this year, I participated in a walk for Breast Cancer in memory of my mother. I sent a fundraising letter to someone special who I knew would never be able to support me financially. She did not have any “disposable income.” Still, I wanted this person to know what I was doing. The fundraising did not go well at first, until finally a response. It was from the person I least expected a reply. The support was not financial; it was a blessing and a praise. In the end, this became my greatest supporter, a gift from God.

On behalf of the October Prayer Team, I want to say to all of our blog readers, prayer warriors, and “senders” offering donations, you have blessed us. Titus walked the land we trek in Bosnia, at that time Dalmatia. And, as Paul said to the Corinthians, speaking of sowing generously, after Titus' trip to Macedonia

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." "And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you." 2 Cor 9:12,14

In His service,
Kathy

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL

2009-09-07T13:43:00.001-04:00

Travel back with me to the time of the great Martin Luther King, Jr., when his dream lay only but a dream inside a brilliant mind. How far we have come as a nation from such time of segregation and persecution of basic civil rights. Recall the marches and the children, the future, now many our leaders. What if we never moved the needle off of where we had been? What if today our children were still segregated to such extremes, where there was no opportunity for intercultural growth? On the contrary, the only alternative facing the youth was to widen the chasm created by generations of hatred and un-forgiveness. It is unfathomable to believe this is the reality in many a nation today. This is the reality of Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to a recent article by msnbc.com, “Bosnia’s ethnic divisions are evident in schools.”, Bosnia stands as “one of the worst examples of segregation in Europe.” I have witnessed it on past trips and written about the struggles just last year -- threats of pulling the Muslim students out of the primary school there to send them to another building, formally used for detention and torture of Muslims during the war. Each visit brings new issues to light, more unimaginable than the next. As uncomfortable as it is to read the msnbc article from August 23, 2009 (see sidebar for a link to it), I cannot help but feel a sense of relief to see global attention given to this issue. Three ethnicities of children being taught in shifts, from differing textbooks that their nation’s capital is not the same. Religious slurs taught as truisms securing the hatred and persecution passed down from generation to generation.

All of this can be seen in Capljina, Bosnia. Our church family there has brought to light a new issue regarding the teachers. Their pay has been cut in half due to the recession. So little keeps this economy going as it is. The unemployment hovers at around 50%. The speculation is there may be a strike. The last strike lasted 2 months and school starts today. I suppose the only thing worse than segregated school days are no school days at all.

All this in the span of about two weeks! We also began discussing what we might be doing on our visit there – potentially working with disabled children and visiting the refugee camps. Yes! They still exist. Since ruminating over the statistics, the articles, the memories and prayer requests for the children of late and pondering all God has in store for us as we prepare our hearts, bodies, minds and souls for our mission, I cannot help but think of a verse from Whitney Houston’s famous song, “The Greatest Love of All”

“I believe the children are our future.
Teach them well, and let them lead the way.
Show them all the beauty they possess inside.”

Why can’t that happen in this country, Bosnia, which we have grown so passionate about, whose people we have come to love and admire for their resiliency and perseverance? I believe the lyrics later reference the greatest love is inside of us. Indeed! But, it is not a self love. At least, not alone. It is the love of a Savior!

Therein is where the answer lies. This is what the Evangelical Church of Capljina is trying to do: to create a unique environment where others might grow in a personal relationship with our Lord, Jesus, to reach the unreached, to unite a community, to break down the walls which divide them, to start with one city, one corner of their world that might shine like a city on a hill. How will they accomplish all this? A tall order! They will do this with love, "The Greatest Love of All," the unconditional love of an all powerful, merciful, faithful and sovereign God who gave his only son for all mankind. "Christ in [us}, the hope of glory" Col 1:27b.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Please pray for the school systems in Bosnia, particularly in Capljina. Pray for the teachers and for the children. Thank you for your support.

Still in One Peace
Kathy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ECC!

2009-09-01T18:54:00.001-04:00

I am a big believer in marking milestones, celebrating victories, placing a pin in turning points -- good or bad. Without these signposts, I cannot reflect as effectively on where I have been, nor praise the One who delivered me, redeemed me, rejoiced with me, carried me, empowered me, cried with me and equipped me.

We did not make a fuss about birthdays when I was young. Consequently, I am an avid proponent of them now. As soon as my birthday is over, I am already looking forward to the next. "Mark them!" I say. "Which one was your favorite?" I'll ask. "Tell me about it." It tickles me to hear my husband's response to this question when others inquire. "So, Mike, which birthday was your best?" Without hesitation, he responds with the enthusiasm of a child, "10! Double digits were HUGE!" He is my joy mentor. There continues to be a 10 year old trapped in his 40-something body, ever ready for reason to celebrate.

This morning, I discovered one . . . a reason to celebrate. The Evangelical Church in Capljina, Bosnia just turned 10 years old! I watched online as they began collecting pictures, signposts, of their victories and milestones to mark their journey, an arduous, but fruitful road to redemption and celebration.

On many levels, it is hard to believe a decade has passed. On the one hand, this seems like a young church. On the other, once only a small gathering in our hosts' home then a tiny mustard seed planted on the banks of the Neretva River from which a mighty oak has grown, providing the necessary refuge and shade, comfort and nourishment for the seekers who have come. In that way, the church and her congregation seems greater and wiser, beyond her years. This is a place that has been tested and challenged, ridiculed, defaced, stoned. In stark contrast today, a decade later, this house of worship is accepted by the community. Walls which divided a people socially, ethnically, politically and religiously have crumbled by the power of the people who have congregated inside them and left their burdens at the foot of the cross,giving their lives to Christ. Enemies have found forgiveness and grace. The broken and wounded have found healing. Just 2 years ago, the town square map did not acknowledge the existence of The Evangelical Church yet, now, it's presence is graced by a marker - the Cross. It is a place where one may find a path leading to a Savior to free them from the chains that continue to bind a country, a region, from decades of oppression.

If you ever are in Capljina, look for the markings on the map and the mighty tower of the ECC standing steadfast, resolute and tall despite 10 years of rough road to reach this glorious day of celebration. Until then, join us as we mark it, together, in grateful praise to our merciful, faithful and soveriegn God who receives all the glory for all He has done and will continue to do through this church, its leadership in Pastor Bernard, and his congregation. Praise be to God!

Happy Birthday, ECC! We love you,
The NPCC Teams

"Rejoice with those who rejoice" Romans 12:15a

TEAM UNITY

2009-08-22T12:54:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been a part of team? Maybe you were asked to join a church committee or perhaps you are a teacher, a member of the faculty. Athletes aren’t the only ones called to experience the team dynamic. The corporate arena is inundated with opportunities to work in unison with others with different skill sets toward a common goal. This is the intriguing part to me, the differences. One might hope those joined together to form a unit fulfilling a common interest might share similarities creating a cohesiveness from the start. Yet, it has been my experience this is seldom the case.

Think of it, a football team would hardly be effective with 11 running backs, not one good wide receiver or quarterback among them. The same principle holds true for a choir or band, teachers or corporate teams. We need the visionaries and the dreamers, the pragmatists and the realists, the listeners and the mouthpieces, the leaders and the followers, they all play a part. Separately, there may be discord in their setting, but brought together, particularly when there is a realization of the gifts they bring, a harmony can evolve.

The keys to experiencing this unity and balance is in knowing what you bring, knowing what you offer and what you do not. Recognizing your gifts as well as the gifts of others. Where yours end and theirs begin. Most of all, we must recognize all gifts are God given and to be used to glorify Him. When we serve God as a team, in this sense, we are acting as the church in the world, one body many members, each reliant on the other.

As my family and I were driving through the country, we came across a picturesque site. It was a rusty old shed, doubtfully used for anything anymore, barely standing next to the gnarliest yet distinguished old tree, not a leaf upon it. Covering the ground was the intimation that spring would soon arrive in a wide spreading patch of daffodils, their brilliant yellows spectacular against a backdrop of winter grays and rusted metal. Deep in the meadow these elements fixed themselves intertwining each other with a sense of belonging. Apart from one another, there was no story to tell, but together in harmonious splendor, they were a team, not detracting from the next, but adding to it.

The effervescent yellow blossoms, so positive and upbeat, with nary a clue how short lived her contribution would be to the team. The old shed no longer consulted for much, now a tremendous support for the vines which would cross through him, remnants of which still dangled beneath the roof. He was a battered and rusty spectacle, but his incredible support of the vines to come were only secondary to the crotchety old tree, hundreds of years old now leaning her heaviest branches on his rooftop, propping up the old girl. Her leaves would render her heavy calling many tiny creatures and birds to nest in her comfortable branches soon. They always make her feel useful and needed as well. She is so grateful for her team.

I am too. Each of us comes together with a bit of knee knocking, wondering what we bring. Soon we will realize there is something God has specifically woven in each of us, a fiber runs through our fabric. Like the vines run through the shed, we will be connected as one, knitted together into a single garment blanketing our Bosnian family. Like the picturesque scene in the country, we will be drawn to that which God will create. Not by the gifts of one, but by the gifts of the whole, woven as one . . . BJ's mercy, Leland's authenticity, Lynne's encouragement, Sandy's goodness, John's gentleness, Janet's devotion, Nancy's caring, Kathy's love . . . and so much more. More than we know at this point, maybe more than we'll ever know. And, that's okay.

This is our team. And, I love them. BJ, Leland, Lynne, Sandy, John, Janet, Nancy, & Me. Please pray for our unity, strength and endurance. Pray that we will grow our gifts, embrace our limitations, and surrender all to our Lord and Savior.

In One Peace,
Kathy

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ro 15:5-6

FISHERS OF MEN

2009-08-14T16:18:00.000-04:00

At Northpoint Church, we have a relationship with a number of strategic partners around the world, like The Evangelical Church in Capljina, Bosnia - international churches led by indigenous pastors, such as Pastor Bernard, who align with the North Point model. These partnerships are developed through strategic consulting, team trips, and various other resources to help them create churches that unbelievers love to attend. The long-term goal of these relationships is to help these churches become flagship models that will influence other churches within their countries to rethink the way they do church. In post war torn Bosnia, I would render to say a new layer was added to the primary mission of leading others into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Throughout our years together in partnership, we have seen, not just the hearts of the unchurched or unbelievers moved by what is happening through the leadership of Pastor Bernard and his congregation, but the churched as well. Walls which divided cities, villages, a country and a people, also created ethnic and religious barriers, making forgiveness an impossible virtue. Tolerance had no moral position in a country divided. Yet, in a small, unique and unprecedented oasis found on the banks of the Neretva, Muslims (Bosniaks), Croates (Catholics), Serbians (Orthodox) along with our Evangelical brothers and sisters have found a place where all are welcome. Come as you are. God will meet you there. No questions asked. You are forgiven. We are all forgiven. Here you will find love. Pure and simple. And, Peace, the peace that surpasses all understanding.

This October trip will be a very special prayer trip, unlike those in the past. It is the first time we will make the near two day jaunt (with the boost of a 6 hour time difference) since hearing of the changing relationship between Northpoint Community Church, our home, and The Evangelical Church, our strategic partner. It is a bittersweet time. Our partnership has been a successful one. And, like every student must some day leave the nest to fulfill their true purpose, every bird must eventually learn to fly on its own, Northpoint will move on, looking for other partners in other parts of the world; where there is a need and a desire to create relevant church environments, which will draw people back to the heart of Christ or perhaps draw them there for the very first time.

The "bitter" comes when we realize our times together are now limited. We wonder, like the uncertainty that comes with each of life's crossroads, "Will they think we have forgotten them?" As a college student pulls away from his family home, so much excitement and wonder, challenges and growth opportunities, in store, yet how many thoughts and emotions, positive and negative swirl through the graduate's head as well as those left standing on the curb. But, speak to Pastor Bernard, a man full of faith and he remembers our God is faithful.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isa 49:15-16

Pastor Bernard knows God is true to His promises. Our invested time together was to create a flagship model and as we came alongside him and his amazing team, we watched them build their vessel. The ship is ready to set sail! This is the "sweet" part. The Evangelical Church is strategically positioned to fulfull the Great Commission in their own part of the world, "to make disciples of all nations" (Mat 28:19), to follow Jesus and become "fishers of men" (Mat 4:19). Hallelujah!

We are so excited to go and be with them, to encourage them in this transitional time full of questions and unknowns, not knowing how God is going to do it, just that He will! The reality is whomever God calls to this church through these amazing vessels of His love and grace, they most likely will not have the income to support the church. Few do, as the unemployment still hovers around 50%. But, we know our God is mighty and sovereign and when we surrender our plans to Him, He will show us the way.

Please pray with us, for us, for them. We are grateful for your support in any way - of this trip, of the Evangelical Church. Praise God for all He has done to bring us to this day, for all of His abundant blessings. May the name of Jesus become famous in this region so wrought with the need of His healing touch.

In His grip,
Kathy

WHO WILL GIVE THE BLESSING?

2009-08-06T14:10:00.000-04:00

We are a prayer team headed to Bosnia to support and encourage a partner church, The Evangelical Church of Capljina, which has faced seemingly insurmountable odds, personally as individuals and together as a congregation. The building structure itself has been stoned as little as two years ago. These are a people who have been persecuted, hated and oppressed. Why? Because they love Jesus and they worship Him in a contemporary setting which is as unfamiliar as the land to which we travel. It would be understandable if our brothers and sisters questioned God's provision over the years, both during the war and since. Rebuilding and finding hope among the hopeless has been an indescribable journey.

Now, I want you to picture a familiar setting - your family, clamoring around the dinner table, maybe you are the child, perhaps all grown up, now the parent. Capture the visual in your mind's eye. It could be a special occasion, Thanksgiving? Christmas? The children are jockeying for position. No one is taking the seat at the head of the table, but no one quite knows who's going to sit there, or it could be a given, a non-issue. Finally, everyone is settled in, even the family pet is positioned to receive renegade morsels of runaway goodness. Then, comes the question? "Who will give the blessing?" I know in my house, this usually ends the clamor. Silence falls upon the scene followed by the ritual of eyes darting around the table in chaotic triangular patterns. Finally, someone offers. The food is blessed. God is praised for his provision, and the evening continues without incident.

Last April, I had the opportunity to visit our amazing church family in Capljina for my second trip. As we gathered for a prayer meeting, again I was humbled at how my brothers and sisters pray, so slow to petition but quick to praise and give thanks. At the outset, Pastor Bernard suggested we begin with only praise, all of us, in unison. I ask you once again to picture a setting. There were maybe 15 - 20 people, 8 of us American, all praising El Elyon, God, Our Most High, for who He is, for all He has done, for all He is going to do, for His Providence, for being who He says He is, for delivering His promises, and on and on we went for several minutes in grateful praise and different languages. I don't believe there was a dry eye in the house afterward. Who will give the blessing? Indeed! We all will. And, God will bless us in return. He already has.

I have often said, I don't know who is blessed more by these mission trips, the short-term missionaries, our brothers and sisters we are supporting, or those who support us through prayer, financial support, and encouragment. I just know we are "Blessed by Bosnia." Who will give the blessing? We all will. Won't you join us?

https://ssl.northpoint.org/ssl/globalx/giving.html

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. Psalm 150:6

Slava Bogu!
Kathy