Update from Rwanda

Africa New Life Ministries (ANLM.org) is such a wonderful organization. It's been about 8 months since I started sponsoring this young man in Rwanda.  Shyaka is a precious example of the great need to sponsor children.  I wrote about Shyaka in a previous post (click here to read), so be sure to read that if you haven't already.

Natalie Green, with ANLM,  is leading two different missionary teams to Rwanda this month.  She was directly responsible for choosing Shyaka for me and my kids to sponsor.  She has become a dear friend over this last year, and has kept me up to date with so many different ways to help.  She has just arrived in Rwanda and will be there for about a month this time.

Natalie just sent me a message on facebook.  She said "Guess who I found assisting the leaders distribute new shoes at "Center Day" my first 10 minutes at our main property?! Healthy and joyful...and quite the leader--thanks to your sponsorship! He was promoted to grade SIX! I ran to him and gave him a giant hug. And I told him I would see him many times this month. He will be at the Kigali Sponsored Child Party this Wednesday and I will give him the gift y'all sent him then!"

Natalie Green and Shyaka

I'm so excited!  We sent several gifts for Shyaka with the team.  Things like a deflated soccer ball that the team can pump up, colored pencils, hot wheel cars, and a bit of candy too. :-)  Sounds like Wednesday they'll be having a special party for all the sponsored children, and will present gifts at that time.

It such a good feeling to know that people are actively touching and improving his life.  Not just his life, but thousands of other children as well.  If you'd like information on sponsoring a child, just let me know and I can get you in touch with Natalie and ANLM.

Go! Touch! Tell! Love! Serve!

God's been placing so many thoughts in my heart lately.  My mind has been swirling with words, scriptures, ideas and concepts.  I know these are from my Father's heart, because many of these are come head-to-head against my own fears, limits and frustrations.   I feel He is drawing me into a new season and I cannot wait to see where all this leads.

I just want to journal a rough list of recent things on my heart.  Father let these be done in me...

• My plan is out-dated, old and obsolete.  His plan is the new strategy. 
• Nothing of this world will matter to me any more.
• I have died to myself, I am dying to my own dreams and goals.  I am only alive for the purposes of Christ.  In Him I live and breathe. 
• The book of my life is being rewritten.  Love is the plot, Faith is the binding and Hope is the pen with which I write.
• Fears are gone!  Fear of death, failure, loneliness, fear of growing old, fear of poor health, your notice has been served!  You have been broken!
• Money and finances are no longer the most important thing to me.  In fact, they are being moved to the most insignificant place.  I am fully funded to do what my Father asks.
• Simplify, Downsize, Eliminate, Lighten the load, Sell, Give, Live below my means.
• Cap my spending and income and give the rest.  
• My American dream robs from my Heavenly treasure.
• My earthly cost: persecution, suffering, misunderstood, hated, mocked
• My heavenly reward: priceless beyond measure
• Time to move from the checkbook to the street.  Go!  Touch!  Tell!  Love!  Serve!
• Fast, Pray, Discern, Listen, Hunger, Thirst, Seek
• Risk everything.  Go "all in".  Expect the unexpected.
• 6 billion people need my Father.
• Just Go... Make a difference... the world is waiting.

What's Your Fragrance?

Anyone who has been around me for a while knows that I love Drakkar Noir cologne.  I've been wearing it since my high school years, and I never get tired of it.  Since then, there's been a ton of newer, fancy scents to come and go.  I've tried many of them, but Drakkar has always remained my favorite. It has become part of my daily routine... shower, shave, brush teeth, apply Drakkar, get dressed.

It has a distinct fragrance that is definitely manly... no question about it.  The Drakkar site describes it as "a blend of brisk, tangy top notes of verbena and lemon rind, a sensuous, herbal heart of coriander, lavender and juniper berries, and a woody base of patchouli, sandalwood and fir balsam."

All I know is it smells great and I like it!  It doesn't take much and a bottle lasts a very long time.

Throughout the years, I've received many compliments.  Several months ago it was someone in line at Wal-Mart.  A couple weeks ago it was the clerk at Lowes that was scanning the items in my cart.  I even bumped into an old friend online that I haven't seen in nearly 20 years. Shortly into our conversation she asked "Do you still wear Drakkar?"  Isn't it funny how a fragrance can define you and be remembered by others.

Well, the other night the kids and I stopped by McDonald's on the way to the movies.  While I was ordering our various meals I notice the lady taking our order had a goofy grin on her face.  She finally interrupted me and said "excuse me, but that cologne your wearing smells soooo good."  I smiled and simply said "thank you".  As she gathered the fries, and burgers she made several trips back to the counter.  Each time she'd say something else, and ask me more about it.  It was a bit awkward, but kind of funny at the same time.  Once the entire order was on the tray, she finally asked how Drakkar was spelled, and then ran and grabbed a pen and paper to write it down.  Apparently it made a very good impression, and it sounds like her boyfriend will soon be receiving a bottle as a gift!

Well this memory has been stirring in my mind for a couple days now and today my Father God reminded me of this wonderful verse in His word...


"Through us, He brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life."  (2 Corinthians 2:14-15 Message Bible)

I love how my Father God uses real experiences in my life to "whisper" His love to me!

I had a awesome experience about a month ago in the parking lot of a grocery store.  As I was walking to my car with my groceries, a man that I passed, turned to me and asked me if I was a preacher or a minister.  I stopped and talked with him for a bit.  He said that as soon as he saw me, he just felt like I was one who knew God.  Through our conversation I learned about some issued that he was dealing with.  I put my groceries in my car and asked if I could pray for him.  So right then and there in the parking lot, God reached out to him.  The sweet scent of God in my life was recognized by him... just as the scripture says! 

You know, just like Drakkar , my Jesus has been with me since I invited Him in during my high school years.  I never get tired of His presence in my life even after 25 years!  People have come and gone since then, but I must say that Jesus has remained with me.  He's become part of my daily routine!  And just like Drakkar, His presence in my life is an exquisite fragrance that others can breathe and sense in my life.  I'm thankful God is in my life.

So think about that the next time you leave your house.  People are breathing your exquisite fragrance of Christ.  Be prepared for those opportunities when someone will ask you about your sweet scent.