Week 3: Team

I was so excited to meet the Team (minus 2) this past Saturday! I have already been fired up but now to add my excitement with the others...wow!!! I can see Alley connected with one of the couples as well, that was great to see. Being able to step out of our comfort zone is very crucial for our trip, so making these connections is very important.

This week in our Seven Weeks of Prayer is focus on our Team. Perfect timing (God's timing) as now we have a face to go with the names on our list. I just love that! We also have some specific prayer requests mentioned Saturday to add as well.

Let's start with our focus scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11
"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Pray...
   
      We'd rely on the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-6)
                     *HIS Gifts
                     *HIS love and sensitivity
                     *HIS Boldness

       We'd walk in submission- 1 Thess. 5:12-13, Heb. 13:17

       Order and Unity- 1 Cor. 14:40, Matt: 18:19-20

       Protection- Health

       Provision- Financial, Strength (physical, mental and emotional)

 Here are a few personal pray requests shared by the Team on Saturday.

* Peace- few are having dreams that are turning into anxiety (or could even be the the other way around anxiety=dreams). Also peace for our families.
* Financial- few struggling to gather funds required.
                -We also need additional funds for the minitry items.
* Health/Dental issues- decision to handle now or take a chance to wait until returning from the trip.
* The Temi's- an unreached people group in Tanzania. Few plan to gather information on this people group while we are there. Pray these doors open.
*Continue to pray for translators - mainly women translators.
*Prepare our hearts.
*Prepare their hearts.

Thanks again for joining us on this journey with your prayers and support!

Leadership and Translators

This is week 2 of our Seven Weeks of Prayer. We are called to focus on Leadership and Translators. Without these leaders this trip would not be possible.

Scott Whitson, Local coordinator.
Elias Kashambagani, Tanzania coordinator.

Focus Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-15

For our Leaders we pray God reveals His plan to them (Amos 3:7). We pray for protection for them and their families, against enemy attacks on their hearts, minds and emotions (Phil 4:6-7) Praying for provision; financial (Psalm 50:10), The Holy Spirit to give strength (Phil 4:13), to be seen through their spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-13) and their fruit that is produced (Gal 5:22-23).

For our Translators- that God provides the number we need. We pray for protection, provision and blessings.

Thank you for praying with us as we prepare.

Philippians 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Mafanikio!!!

I promised you an update so here it is :)

I made it! I went all day yesterday with only water, not even gum this time. Sure enough not on my own. I prayed continually all day for strength. I watched other people eat, smelled others food from my desk at work, and listened to others share how they had Chicken Express for lunch that day...nice :) . I really think the gum was why I failed Monday. I think it just teased me and made me hungrier.

So this may not seem like a big deal to some of you but I normally eat 5 times a day, if not 6. Of course some are just snacks, but I eat!

Can I say I think Chick-Fil-a is on the menu for lunch today!


Now this morning on the other hand was harder. I woke up sooo hungry, had a headache and shakes. So needless to say I think I've already had my 5 meals today and it's only 11 am..lol.

What did I learn from this? I know we have it so easy, just to spend the day in prayer and minute by minute relying on Him really shows me where I fail Him everyday. To have full obedience is amazing. To be able to stay connected is humbling. I know I will never be perfect but I know He is always there to pick me up when I fall. For that I'm truely blessed!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12: 9

Thanks for your prayers!

Focus/Personal Cleansing & Prep

Wow, less than 2 months away eeekk! So excited! Our group has started the seven weeks of prayer. This week is on Focus/Personal cleaning and preparation. I love how God prepares us. When I started reading Mandisa's book Idol Eyes the end of December it really stood out to me how much she fasted and prayed anytime she really needed direction from God. I remember thinking, wow to be able to have that much obedience.

She puts it this way:
"I've heard it said that fasting is the direct opposite of man's first sin in the Garden of Eden. Instead of eating what is forbidden, as Adam and Eve did, a fasting person refuses to eat what is allowed. The purpose of a fast is to weaken people physically in order to strengthen them spiritually.
The Bible demonstrates that God honors an obedient child who sacrifices food for a while and instead uses that time to pray." -Mandisa

"So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes." Daniel 9:3

Of course I've heard of other fast besides food, like giving up TV, Computer, things that are distracting us from spending time with God. However, I really feel God has been preparing me for the food fast.

So far I have failed Him twice, I made the mistake of trying this about 2 weeks ago when I worked from home one day. What was I thinking? As Alley would say "Epic fail #1" Then I received the information for the seven weeks of prayer and knew I really needed to do this and was not suppose to give up. So, I tried again yesterday I made it longer than the first time but failed once I got home and made dinner, "Epic fail #2." Oh and does chewing gum count? I dunno, I felt like I was cheating in some way s it probably does count. Ugh, I'm so thankful He loves us no matter how much we fail Him!!!
What's next? I continue my attempts. Any suggestions? I was so hungry yesterday and my stomach started growling right during a meeting..lol. Maybe I shouldn't work out that morning? Maybe I should eat less for a few days to shrink my stomach? I will try to eat less today and retry again tomorrow. Wednesdays are busy days, so maybe that will help? I will keep you posted.



Now to share some humbling news! Check out how close we are to our goal! Just a few hundred dollars away! God is so good! We will be paid in full way before our last due date. Words cannot express how blessed we are. Thank you!
We have started buying our clothes and other items needed. I will be getting my immunizations this week. I know time is going to fly fast and it will be here before we know it.

Please continue to pray for us as we enter the seven weeks of prayer. I will update you each week on our prayer requests. Of course as mentioned this week is on focus, personal cleansing and preparation.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9