Billy Graham’s prayer for the nation:
‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable… We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from sin and set us free. Amen!’
“
To my American friends…
For a long time, America has felt like my ‘second nation’… that is probably a result of having made more than 30 trips there I guess
I am very mindful of the USA today, and of my many friends there. Election day is always a big day, and I am joining you in praying that God’s will be done
I believe however, that the future of your nation does not depend on the outcome of an election.
Sure thing… participate in the democratic process. Watch the results with great interest (I will be doing that too)
But today, make sure you go to the secret place, the place of prayer… that is where the real power is!
That is where real change for America is coming from
There is another American revolution coming… not from the corridors of power in Washington, but from the lives and prayers of burning hearted, Jesus loving, Kingdom releasing people!
Much love to you all from the ends of the earth. We are praying for you today… (right now actually, in the Tauranga House of Prayer)
Kristen
“
30 beds.
Lying in bed trying to fall asleep last night decided to count something. How many beds have I slept in in these last 2 years? Then decided I couldn’t really remember what happened at home, but I counted the ones while I was away. In the 19 months away from home and family, I’ve slept in over 30 different beds, no bed being mine for more than 3 months, averaging sleeping in a different bed about every 3 weeks.. Traveling is fun! But, I’ve learned, it can definitely get tiring. Especially constantly switching the friends and family (and weather!) along with the beds. Oiy…
But, this is what I’ve been asking God to let me do for years and years, and, though there are tired days, I do really love it. I just love counting the fun facts too. Thank you Lord.
A church in a Mangyan village we went to the other day. And Matt letting the kids on the top bunk play his guitar.
It is my happiness to suffer for you. This is my way of helping to complete, in my poor human flesh, the full tale of Christ’s afflictions still to be endured, for the sake of His body which is the church.
“
—
Paul
Holdin’ babies at Ruel Foundation again :) Love it.
Please pray for these people. Hopefully I can explain more on why later. Thank you! Salamat Po!(Tagalog)
What’s the weather like there?
This seems to be the common question!
The weather is usually in the 80’s by 10AM, with somewhere around 200% humidity, and sunny at least half the time.
The people are constantly smiling (and constantly staring), and we’re learning new Tagalog words every day!
This is only the end of Week 1 since we left the New Zealand, and already we have been through so much! The weeks are full, but it is a good full, and challenging full, a very growing full. The hope is that none of us come back to New Zealand the same way we left, and so far, I think it’s working.
(sorry that you can’t find me in the picture, but this is the rest of the team; I was busy checking us in at the hotel that first night in the Philippines)
Picture 1: Day 1 at MercyLink: Medical Outreach. The two in red are from our team, Micah (EMT from MN) and Dr. Marianna (from Brazil) Picture 2: And what did I do? Play with this kid. Haha, well part of the time anyway. Otherwise, I did the job of overseeing, encouraging our students into their roles, and stepping in where ever needed (which was everything from praying for the sick, to helping check BPs, to taking baby’s temperatures, to singing songs with the kids).
Picture 3: This is the village we were in, right next to the sea. There are some beautiful (“maganda” in Tagalog) people there!
We spend most of our time here leading various bible studies, preaching at churches, and, of course, giving medical care to many people who cannot afford to see a doctor and many moms who simply want a check-up for their child.
Filipino size.
One thing I love about the Philippines, is I am not short any more! Actually, I fit right in. We brought the 3 tallest guys from the DTS, and the 3 shortest girls. For us short girls, we finally feel our height is redeemed!
1. We don’t hit our heads on the doorways, or ever have to duck (unlike the rest). 2. We fit in pictures!
(The pictures are on our way to a bible study at a church in the middle of a rice field, lovely people there!)
Hey Dad! Guess what?! I mowed the lawn with a machete today!
(Got this from my mom last week:)Anyhoo again, David Bartlett was preaching today. Steve & I were in the 4th row. He was talking about Knowing something, and then Really Knowing something, and then KNOWING KNOWING something. And he had a few examples first and then looked at me and said, there’s a mom in our congregation whose daughter is doing mission work overseas. And Mom knew about surrender. But when her daughter went overseas, she Really Knew surrender. And then when her daughter STAYED overseas and felt like she was a million miles away, she KNEW KNEW KNEW about surrender. (and of course I got teary, ha!)
Haha, my parents are stars! (left: with a mother here in Tauranga who’s family is from the Midwest and who always makes sure to take me in. Right: saying goodbye to my mom one of those times..)
So we had such a good song today:
Bless the Lord oh my Soul, oh my soul.
Worship his holy name.
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
Worship Your Holy Name
(and my favorite verse)
The sun comes up it’s a new day dawning
it’s time to sing your song again
whatever may pass and whatever lies before me…
let me be singing when the evening comes.
Bless the Lord oh my Soul, oh my soul.
Worship his holy name.
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
Worship your holy name.
You’re rich in love and you’re slow to anger
your name is great and your heart is kind
for all your goodness I will keep on singing
10,000 reasons for my heart to find.
Bless the Lord etc.
And on that day when my strength is failing
the end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing your praise unending
10,000 years and then forever more!!
Bless the Lord, etc.
(This is from my mom, so I thought I’d pass it along. We sing it all the time here, but mostly just the chorus, so I’d love to bring in the rest of the song! Hooray for NZ missions and Iowa church working together to sharpen each other :D )
This is a video some of our students made to help in raising support for those who still need it for outreach! My team are the ones going to the Philippines (most of which mention medical things). Enjoy!
