His Healing Touch

I’m proud to announce that I am now officially certified in Swedish/American (full-body) Massage, Thai Massage, and Stretching Massage. I’ve been a busy student since arriving back to the States, but I’ve loved every second of it! It might sound strange, but massage was something that God very clearly placed on my heart this year and I know He wants to incorporate it into my ministry. My prayer is for each person I massage to feel the healing, loving, restorative touch of the Living God. I’m so excited to be able to bring it overseas to bless burnt-out missionaries, AIDS patients, others with terminal illnesses, and anyone else who needs the healing touch of God. I pray that as I bring it to unreached areas where people have never heard of Jesus, they will encounter His touch for the first time and I’ll have an opportunity to share Him with them. But it’s been fun to use it here in the States as well! I’m developing some great friendships in my classes and I love getting to pray for and minister to them as we practice on each other. I’m excited to continue new classes in the Spring and to learn more techniques to bless God’s sick, hurting, overworked, and stressed-out children.
If you’re interested in receiving a massage, or if you know someone that you want to bless with one, just e-mail or call me. It’s $35 for a 60 minute full-body massage. I wish I could make them free, but I’m trying to raise some money through them to be able to keep taking classes. I have a table and all the supplies, so I can come to you or you can come to me - whatever works best for you! And I have gift certificates that you can buy as presents for people. Oh, but missionaries are free, so let me know if you know a missionary who needs some loving on!

Knowing His Heart

As I sat pondering this thing called trust one day this summer, I asked God, “Lord, why is it that after walking with you for over 20 years, I still have so much trouble trusting you with certain areas of my life?”
“It’s because you don’t fully know and believe my heart for you, Beloved,” came the gentle response. “You will never fully trust someone if you don’t know their heart and intentions towards you. So ask to know my heart for you - I want to share it with you. And once you begin to truly know my heart for you, you won’t be able to keep yourself from trusting me - it will be so natural.”
I asked Him to share His heart with me that day and share He did! As I sat before His feet that afternoon in my hut, I heard my Lord speak 15 aspects of His heart to me. Things like, “My heart longs for my joy to be in you and for your joy to be complete. My heart longs for you to experience life to the full. My heart towards you is generous and I delight in giving you the desires of your heart.”
As I wrote them down that day, I knew I needed to spend some extended time soaking in each of these truths, meditating on scriptures about them, and letting my understanding of them move from a head knowledge to a heart knowledge.
So that’s exactly what I’ve been doing these past few months. I’ve been plopping on my porch in the morning with a candle and cup of tea and letting the Holy Spirit speak to me about the incredible heart of our God. And as He reveals these truths to my spirit, I close my eyes and just type.
But the thing is, the more I type, the more I’m realizing that these words aren’t for me alone. They are words for all of God’s children. They are words of life that He wants to share with others. So, even though I didn’t plan this at all, I believe I just started writing a book! For now, I’m continuing to listen and write and am trusting Him to lead each future step in the process as it comes. It’s a bit of a daunting and intimidating adventure, but one that I’m excited to embark on with The Ever Faithful One at my side.
I’ll keep you updated, but for now, can I encourage you to ask God to share His heart with YOU also? He wants to. He really does. And trust me, when you begin to get a glimpse of it, it will change everything!

Sharing His Heart

I have been so blessed by the opportunities God has given me this fall to share His heart with others - especially His heart for the nations, the poor, and the oppressed. From churches to school chapels to home fellowship groups to dessert nights, I have loved sharing stories of Africa and our incredible God and watching Him touch, challenge, and inspire lives. This picture is from an event we did in Sacramento called “Hope Walks.” Over 700 kids and their families walked to raise money for our kids in D.R. Congo. We set up simulation tents where the kids could see what a bedroom or classroom is like for a child in Africa. I was the African teacher for the day and had a total blast!
I am excited because this is more of what my job is going to look like as we move into the New Year. My season as Team Coordinator is coming to end and we are currently looking for a new person to take over that position. Though I have loved walking the journey with the teams who serve with us in Africa, the coordination and administration of the job drains me, and I’m seeing that my gifts and passions truly come alive when I get to speak, to be out and about raising awareness, and to spend time with people rather than my computer and spread sheets.