Part 1
Part 2
Monday, March 2, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
just landed...working on the jetlag...
yeah... as maybe most of u know i was planning to go to australia to work with the iiwec for 6 months, and now after 2 months tim eof waiting, im finally here! it verry exiting, im just waiting foor kimmy and daniel to get down here too and the arise crew will then be ready to work:) unfortunatley we will all work in different churches... im exited to start working for God again cuz ive found that there is nothing more satisfying in the world, ive been haave a little down period since i came back home but now its moving up again and im really looking forward to see what God has on his mind for me the time i will be here! i hope u all is doing great! i would appreciate ur prayers! and pray that daniel and kimmy will be able to come soon!
love u all!
sara
love u all!
sara
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Lone Bible Worker
Hello my fellow ARISErs!
I just want to give you all an update on how my bible work has been going here in Crowley, TX. I’ve been working since the last week of January going door to door and following up bible study cards. I’m finding many people who want to study with me. Here are a couple stories from my work so far.
The very first person I visited when I started was a lady named Tracey. She sent in a something wonderful card saying she wanted bible studies. I followed up this card and gave her bible study guide she wanted. She was excited and told me she wanted to get back on track with God. I visited her the next week, gave her the second lesson, and ended up turning it into a sit down bible study. She had many questions from whether or not tattoos are okay to the antichrist. I was very excited. I went back the next week, but she didn’t answer the door. I kept going back for about two weeks and had no answer. This was very discouraging to me and I prayed and I said ‘Lord, this is the last time I’m visiting her. She has my contact information. If she wants to contact me she can.’ Friday came and I left for Kansas to visit my sister for the weekend. Saturday after church I got a call from Tracey. She left me a message saying she had finished all three lessons I left her and she really wanted the fourth. Monday evening I visited her. I gave her the next lesson and set up a time for bible study. She asked to come inside. I sat down with her and she told me how sorry she was. She was talking to me about the great controversy lesson about Lucifer falling from heaven. She said her phone was cut off and she was almost in tears because she couldn‘t call me. She went to the neighbor’s and used their phone. She really opened up to me. She told me she was driving on the highway and there was a 12 year old boy that ran out into the road. She hit him and killed him. Its been affecting her in many different ways. She gave me a hug before I left and was happy I came. Today, I had a study with her on the second coming. It was a good study. She asks many questions and when I was leaving she asked ‘what are we going to study next week?’
I was going door to door one day and I did the longest street ever! The very last house on that street I met an old guy named Harry. One thing about Harry, he can’t hear anything. I knocked on his door, he came, and I soon figured out that I needed to talk very loudly. So I was shouting so he could hear. He still was saying ‘Sorry, I can’t hear you…’ I finally showed him the survey, pointed to the words, and shouted as loud as I could. The last question ‘Do you want to study the bible with me?’ Harry says yes. Considering the fact that its hard for him to hear me, I was very surprised that he said yes. Monday at nine I was supposed to study with him. I studied with him on Tuesday after overcoming some obstacles (my car broke down…) I think I have never talked so loud in my life. I think that part of the reason God put Harry in my life is to make me learn to talk louder. I did the word of God study and I wasn’t sure if he was into it, but at the end of the study, Harry told me he really enjoyed it and that I inspire him to study the bible more. He wants to study with me again!
I praise God for sending me people who are really searching. These are only two of many stories that God has been giving me. God has really been blessing my work here in Crowley, TX. I preached in my church a few weeks ago on the importance of prayer, bible study, and witnessing. I talked about how these are the three things that made the disciples ministry so great. A lot of the church members were really convicted. I’m starting church training soon and a few other ministries in my church.
Please pray for me and my work here. I pray for all of you guys every day. Keep praying, studying the bible, and witnessing!!
Stay faithful,
Lorina
I just want to give you all an update on how my bible work has been going here in Crowley, TX. I’ve been working since the last week of January going door to door and following up bible study cards. I’m finding many people who want to study with me. Here are a couple stories from my work so far.
The very first person I visited when I started was a lady named Tracey. She sent in a something wonderful card saying she wanted bible studies. I followed up this card and gave her bible study guide she wanted. She was excited and told me she wanted to get back on track with God. I visited her the next week, gave her the second lesson, and ended up turning it into a sit down bible study. She had many questions from whether or not tattoos are okay to the antichrist. I was very excited. I went back the next week, but she didn’t answer the door. I kept going back for about two weeks and had no answer. This was very discouraging to me and I prayed and I said ‘Lord, this is the last time I’m visiting her. She has my contact information. If she wants to contact me she can.’ Friday came and I left for Kansas to visit my sister for the weekend. Saturday after church I got a call from Tracey. She left me a message saying she had finished all three lessons I left her and she really wanted the fourth. Monday evening I visited her. I gave her the next lesson and set up a time for bible study. She asked to come inside. I sat down with her and she told me how sorry she was. She was talking to me about the great controversy lesson about Lucifer falling from heaven. She said her phone was cut off and she was almost in tears because she couldn‘t call me. She went to the neighbor’s and used their phone. She really opened up to me. She told me she was driving on the highway and there was a 12 year old boy that ran out into the road. She hit him and killed him. Its been affecting her in many different ways. She gave me a hug before I left and was happy I came. Today, I had a study with her on the second coming. It was a good study. She asks many questions and when I was leaving she asked ‘what are we going to study next week?’
I was going door to door one day and I did the longest street ever! The very last house on that street I met an old guy named Harry. One thing about Harry, he can’t hear anything. I knocked on his door, he came, and I soon figured out that I needed to talk very loudly. So I was shouting so he could hear. He still was saying ‘Sorry, I can’t hear you…’ I finally showed him the survey, pointed to the words, and shouted as loud as I could. The last question ‘Do you want to study the bible with me?’ Harry says yes. Considering the fact that its hard for him to hear me, I was very surprised that he said yes. Monday at nine I was supposed to study with him. I studied with him on Tuesday after overcoming some obstacles (my car broke down…) I think I have never talked so loud in my life. I think that part of the reason God put Harry in my life is to make me learn to talk louder. I did the word of God study and I wasn’t sure if he was into it, but at the end of the study, Harry told me he really enjoyed it and that I inspire him to study the bible more. He wants to study with me again!
I praise God for sending me people who are really searching. These are only two of many stories that God has been giving me. God has really been blessing my work here in Crowley, TX. I preached in my church a few weeks ago on the importance of prayer, bible study, and witnessing. I talked about how these are the three things that made the disciples ministry so great. A lot of the church members were really convicted. I’m starting church training soon and a few other ministries in my church.
Please pray for me and my work here. I pray for all of you guys every day. Keep praying, studying the bible, and witnessing!!
Stay faithful,
Lorina
My Brother, My Sister, Do Not Despair
I sat in the darkened office alone amidst the silent cacophony of my thoughts. And they were for you. Nearly two months have passed since we, united with fervor for the cause of Christ, set off to the far reaches of the globe from Troy. The grand blaze that we spent months nourishing and tending was dispersed to start fires elsewhere. For three and a half months we dreaded the anticipated departure. For three and a half months the devil concocted his wildest schemes to snuff out the fire of our faith. Over these weeks and weeks following our consecration and commissioning we have seen those wiles, and on different levels, we have all succumb to some of them.
Now, I say, let us lay aside ever weight that may slow us down. Let us renew our vows to the Savior who loved us to death. Dear brother, dear sister, I know there is someone who needs to hear these words. You thought you would have done better than this after ARISE. I do. Your foresight has proven to be human. Mine does. You chose not to share your deepest struggles for any number of insufficient reasons. I do. You feel the struggles that all of our class faces and don't know what to do. I do.
My beloved, do not despair. Let your knees find the floor; let your eyes find the tears you hide inside; let your voice cry out with unfeigned fervor to the God our salvation...the God who parted the Red Sea in Troy...the God who didn't let our shoes wear out in Sterling Heights...OUR GOD. He is the same.
Do not despair in the lies of the enemy. We have fallen before; our God still bids us rise. Pour yourself at the Savior's feet. Cast every care upon him. All of heaven is waiting to spring into action. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. It comes from THE ONLY ONE who is ABLE to keep YOU from falling and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of HIS glory...with so much joy.
Today, exhausted, I felt to my face on the floor in to office and cried to the God of my Salvation. And He heard from heaven. And He answered.
He is strong to deliver. He is mighty to save.
Now, I say, let us lay aside ever weight that may slow us down. Let us renew our vows to the Savior who loved us to death. Dear brother, dear sister, I know there is someone who needs to hear these words. You thought you would have done better than this after ARISE. I do. Your foresight has proven to be human. Mine does. You chose not to share your deepest struggles for any number of insufficient reasons. I do. You feel the struggles that all of our class faces and don't know what to do. I do.
My beloved, do not despair. Let your knees find the floor; let your eyes find the tears you hide inside; let your voice cry out with unfeigned fervor to the God our salvation...the God who parted the Red Sea in Troy...the God who didn't let our shoes wear out in Sterling Heights...OUR GOD. He is the same.
Do not despair in the lies of the enemy. We have fallen before; our God still bids us rise. Pour yourself at the Savior's feet. Cast every care upon him. All of heaven is waiting to spring into action. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. It comes from THE ONLY ONE who is ABLE to keep YOU from falling and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of HIS glory...with so much joy.
Today, exhausted, I felt to my face on the floor in to office and cried to the God of my Salvation. And He heard from heaven. And He answered.
He is strong to deliver. He is mighty to save.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Notes from Asia
The woman with the light brown skin and colourful calf-length skirt put her hands together in a prayer gesture and lifted them to her chin, greeting me in the traditional way. "Hello!" she said to me in her language. "Hello," I replied shyly, utilizing the only phrase of the local language that I know and remember!
My bare feet slapping on the cool tile floor, I went inside the church and sat on a plastic chair at the back of the room, next to some other young people, and tried to make some sense of all that the preacher was saying. I couldn't! One lady, who spoke English a little, told me that the text was from Ecclesiasties 3, and so I looked down at the Bible in my lap and writhed in frustration. I wish I had the gift of tongues!!
I joined my fellow SMs and some other Engish speakers for Sabbath potluck, which was sticky rice and various sauces and vegetables. To eat potluck here, you take a big scoop of sticky rice and fashion it into smaller "cups", with which you scoop up the other food.
My team here has done so much to make me feel welcome and at home, which I really appreciate with all the changes I have to get used to. But this is a beautiful city, full of fascinating things. There are elaborate temples on almost every corner, coloured red and gold, with large idols at the gates and smaller ones carved into the walls and roof corners. Small "houses" or altars to ancestral or territorial spirits sit at some street corners or houses. There are beautiful red and pink flowers, tall coconut trees and deep green plants wherever you look. Almost everyone here rides a motorcycle wherever they need, and the traffic laws are very...flexible!! As one of my team mates told me, "You need to drive defensively if you don't want to get killed!!"
Please continue to pray for me. I'm sure I'll go through some culture shock at some point, and I have many expectations to live up to and jobs to accomplish. In the moments when I can't communicate and everything seems a bit too different, I remind myself that God called me here. He has some plan. And that's enough for me.
My bare feet slapping on the cool tile floor, I went inside the church and sat on a plastic chair at the back of the room, next to some other young people, and tried to make some sense of all that the preacher was saying. I couldn't! One lady, who spoke English a little, told me that the text was from Ecclesiasties 3, and so I looked down at the Bible in my lap and writhed in frustration. I wish I had the gift of tongues!!
I joined my fellow SMs and some other Engish speakers for Sabbath potluck, which was sticky rice and various sauces and vegetables. To eat potluck here, you take a big scoop of sticky rice and fashion it into smaller "cups", with which you scoop up the other food.
My team here has done so much to make me feel welcome and at home, which I really appreciate with all the changes I have to get used to. But this is a beautiful city, full of fascinating things. There are elaborate temples on almost every corner, coloured red and gold, with large idols at the gates and smaller ones carved into the walls and roof corners. Small "houses" or altars to ancestral or territorial spirits sit at some street corners or houses. There are beautiful red and pink flowers, tall coconut trees and deep green plants wherever you look. Almost everyone here rides a motorcycle wherever they need, and the traffic laws are very...flexible!! As one of my team mates told me, "You need to drive defensively if you don't want to get killed!!"
Please continue to pray for me. I'm sure I'll go through some culture shock at some point, and I have many expectations to live up to and jobs to accomplish. In the moments when I can't communicate and everything seems a bit too different, I remind myself that God called me here. He has some plan. And that's enough for me.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Aha!
So today, January 27 at 23:26 (it's almost tomorrow!), I discover this ARISE class of 08 blogg. I didn't know of it's existence nor that I was a member of it. A lot of statements I've read about blogging make so much more sense now. Anyway. This will be a brief message from me as I really need sleep. I've been studying these last couple of weeks, my exam is on Friday. Being back home is good, but I also quickly learned that not all of my "old" problems were solved at ARISE. I still have serious issues with managing my time so please pray for me. On the plus side, I've become more aware of where I keep falling, Jesus is working on me.
I fully planned to go to bed at 9:30 today but then the bible (boot camp style) study on the Word of God that I had with my sisters and cousins started late and then ended late which is why I'm still up. When we started the study my cousin asked me what the point of this study was since she already believed in the Bible. You all should have seen her as she was learning about the claims the bible makes and the proof that supports those claims. She is very excited about this one and is determined to get the rest of them as well. On a side note, the dutch translation I was reading completely threw me off my game. In Dan 2:5 it didn't say anything about the king forgetting the dream. Thats a free tip from me to all of you (esp you foreigners): make sure your translations says what your teaching :) .
To everyone that has left me messages but has not heard from me yet, I still know and love you all. After my exam you shall surely here of me.
I'm praying for all of you still!
Zippora
I fully planned to go to bed at 9:30 today but then the bible (boot camp style) study on the Word of God that I had with my sisters and cousins started late and then ended late which is why I'm still up. When we started the study my cousin asked me what the point of this study was since she already believed in the Bible. You all should have seen her as she was learning about the claims the bible makes and the proof that supports those claims. She is very excited about this one and is determined to get the rest of them as well. On a side note, the dutch translation I was reading completely threw me off my game. In Dan 2:5 it didn't say anything about the king forgetting the dream. Thats a free tip from me to all of you (esp you foreigners): make sure your translations says what your teaching :) .
To everyone that has left me messages but has not heard from me yet, I still know and love you all. After my exam you shall surely here of me.
I'm praying for all of you still!
Zippora
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Discouraged
I've been struggling. For the past couple of weeks I've been going through some dark valleys in my Christian experience. Sometimes there's seemed to be a wall between me and and real communion God, and I don't know what to do about it. I'm finding it hard to get up in time to have a meaningful devotional and prayer life. Sometimes, when I've been reading or hearing certain stories, I ask myself if I could go through the suffering these people do for my beliefs. And I don't think I could. I hate that, because I really want to stand strong for God no matter what... I want to really, deeply believe what I believe so that it's worth more than life to me. So please just pray for me.
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