Friday, August 31, 2007

Are You Family?

I read this on a pastors blog this morning and wanted to share it with you... it is awesome and reminds me of what happens when someone enters the family of God. I reminds me of what God thinks about me... about all of us. I can hardly wait for the homecoming celebration for the French and eventually other Europeans. Now I could plan that party.... okay, I could be the social chairman at that party. :-)

The movie, Antwone Fisher, is the true story of a young man abandoned at birth by his mother and raised in abusive foster homes, orphanages, and reform schools. After his 18th birthday, Antwone attempts to escape the horror of his past by joining the navy. It is there his bitterness and anger surfaces and he becomes embroiled in a series of scuffles. After several fights, he is considered a disciplinary problem and is ordered to undergo counseling.

Psychologist Jerome Davenport probes Fisher's past to find the root of his present difficulties. After hearing Antwone's story, he encourages him to find his family in an attempt to promote healing. After several phone calls, Fisher reaches one aunt and uncle in Cleveland. He arranges a visit with them and they escort him to a dilapidated apartment complex where his mother lives.

Fisher's knock at her door is answered by a suspicious and aloof woman. As she realizes that Antwone is the child she gave up at birth, she retreats to another room, sits down on a soiled and worn couch, and begins silently crying. Antwone asks for an explanation as to why she gave him up and never sought him out. She cannot answer. She simply stares ahead, not daring to look at him, while tears roll down her expressionless face.

He gently kisses her on the cheek as if to say, "I forgive you" and walks away devastated; feeling helpless and alone. His mother remains on the couch and stares at nothing; making no effort to reach out to him as he leaves. A despondent son leaves the apartment with his questions unanswered and rides back to his aunt’s house with his uncle.

As he exits the car, his slow gait betrays the loneliness of a man with no hope of a meaningful connection to anyone. As Antwone enters the front door, however, his world changes. He is met with a chorus of cheers from 50 plus relatives, all waiting to meet Fisher for the first time. There are cousins, uncles, and family friends all greeting him with hugs, slaps on the back, and beaming smiles. The hallway stairs are filled with kids holding up signs with his name scribbled next to crayola-sketched smiley faces and rainbows. One cousin tells him his name is Edward and adds, "I’m named after your dad." An older aunt squeezes his face in her hands, while Antwone, overwhelmed, tries to take it all in.

He is then led into the next room where a grand feast is spread across a long table. The table is overflowing with chicken, mashed potatoes, pancakes, fruit salad, and many other dishes. The room is prepared for a party in his honor. For the first time in his life, Antwone is the center of attention and the focus of every one's affection. You can see it in his face, as it slowly dawns on him, that for the first time he belongs...he is family.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Vive l' Automne en France

According to "This French Life" "many people say that the best time to visit France is in September and October, when the tourists have gone home but the weather is still lovely and warm." It is also about a quarter of the price to come in the off season ($300 vs $1200).

This French Life lists a number of festivals and events celebrating the harvesting of the crops, as well as discover the work of artists and savour the talents of musicians.

For those of you who are following our journey to France, pick a festival and come visit us. We expect to take in France in every way we possibly can when we get there as long as God leaves us there. We then expect to take on Europe in more ways than one (spiritually as well as historically and astheically).

Here is a list of just a few of the festivals listed by This French Life:

Antique market, Saint Quentin, Picardy

Over 1,500 stalls will take part in a fair that existed before the Great War and it has been growing ever since. Typical Picard dishes will be served such as tripe and black pudding.
September 3
Pumpkin & Wine festival, Chateau du Rivau, Centre Val de Loire
In the magical setting of the Château du Rivau, the festival offers pumpkin juggling for children as well as vegetable garden festivities, arts & crafts, a gourmet market and workshops for the rest of the family.
September 9
Jewellery Festival, St Martin-de-Valamas, Ardèche
Two thirds of French jewels are created in the Boutières region, among them, those of Christian Lacroix and Thierry Mugler.
September 15 and 16
Accordion Festival, Tulle, Limousin
The 19th edition of this annual festival known as the “Nuits de Nacre”.
From September 13 to 16
Seafood Festival, Granville, Normandy
16 regional chefs will be demonstrating their cooking prowess at the Halles de Granville with a spread of the best variety of Norman seafood.
September 29 and 30
Wine harvest festival, Tarascon, Provence
Big fair to celebrate the harvest with wine and gastronomy, abrivado, parades and a motorbike rally.
October 6 and 7
Fiesta des Suds, Marseille
During eight days and nights of festivities, discover various cultures and music with four concerts every night, from reggae, rock, soul, electro, sounds from Africa and Brazil.
From October 19 to 31

Friday, August 24, 2007

Wake Up Church!

I found this true excerpt from a pastors blog I follow. This little story came from an actual 4 year old at Cramerton Baptist Church (I have no idea where that is).

As they were getting ready to go to “big church,” the Sunday school teacher decided to prepare her class for the upcoming worship service. So she asked one of her brightest students, four year old Holly, "Why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"

Holly looked up and replied in complete sincerity, "Because people are sleeping."


As funny as that is, that is the reason we see this new generation of churches that are relevant and exciting in the U.S. People can hardly wait to go to church because they like the music, and they are dying to get out of the mess they have gotten themselves into in their lives, so they listen to everything the pastor says and apply it because it is applicable. It is an amazing concept, but for those of you who grew up in church and ever fell asleep in church, you know what I am talking about.

Sadly to say the young generation in Europe have actually surpassed this phase with no relevant exciting church to fill the void. Their parents quit going to church because it was boring and had no relevance to their lives... they began to sleep, and now the kids have no experience with church... yet they are searching. Even as I write this my heart gets heavy and I find it hard to breath... my heart aches for the emptiness the people in France feel and long to fill. They have food, they have jobs, they have homes, yet they have no hope.

Ken and I are so humbled by what God is doing in us in order to be able to use us to fulfill the dream He has put in our hearts. And trust me their is alot of work to do. We actually see a light at the end of the tunnel. We know we are going and we know how we are going to get there. We know now He is going to provide, and it is an awesome feeling. After 3 years of raising awareness of the church in Europe, traveling all over the U.S., taking many research trips to France and learning about the heart of the people, our God is so faithful and in His time He has prepared the way. If we had gone 3 years ago we would have missed out on being used by Him here and growing in some amazing ways.

I will share more later, but I can just hardly contain the peace and joy and humbleness I feel as God is showing us something new.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

C3 Leadership Conference '07

I forgot my hubby posted notes from the C3 leadership conference at our church with guest speaker Dino Rizzo. You can go to his site to get the notes.

You also need to go to the podcast and hear his tell about doing whatever it takes for the kingdom.
He shared the story of how an organization donated sleepwear for them to pass out to the poor and needy in south Louisana. When they received shipment and opened the truck to check out their merchandise what they found was an entire truckload of leopard-print lingerie. They made the decision to go ahead and pass out them out to an area known for poverty. He said people came up to him for months after that in that part of town and gave him that sly kind of smile.

Now that's my kind of church!

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Martha Fry - my sister... the shining star


I almost forgot to blog about this past weekend. We had a leadership conference at our church that was lead by Dino Rizzo and our pastor Matt Fry. It was awesome! I will try to post the notes tomorrow...

But the best part about this weekend was my sister... sorry Matt and Dino... My sister, Martha, spoke at all 4 services. She is over leadership and development at C3 which includes all the Connect groups. This weekend she spoke on connecting with God, Others, and Our Community. It was awesome. She is an amazing speaker and I hope to bring her to France someday to speak at the women's conference we hold at the largest theater in Paris, or the largest soccer stadium, whichever holds more. :-) You can download the podcast here.

Martha, your gifts are amazing, and thankfully I finally came to terms with who God created me to be so I would stop always wanting to do the things you did. I love to serve in the shadows while you are the shining star. I love you Martha.

... and for anyone who is wondering, she is older... prettier, but older. :-)

Monday, August 20, 2007

Sauerstown Carepoint and Abused Children


Don't forget to join the 40 days of prayer for Children's Cup. Today was about the Sauerstown Carepoint.

Sauerstown is a community on the outskirts of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The fact that houses are relatively large can be deceiving. It is not comfortable suburbia. A dozen or more people pack into the homes where power and running water are the exception. Few people have any money at all. The economic depravity of this once-thriving nation is destroying the hopes and dreams of its children. If it is true that God loves to hang out where people are hurting, then He’s in the middle of Sauerstown. Pray that our team there will be able to exemplify Jesus to the children here and that God will restore their ability to dream.


A few days ago the Children's Cup prayer was for abused children. The Rehmeyers, missionaries for Children's Cup in Swaziland, had a great post on abused children called Trust and Recovery. It's a great post that reminds me once again that I don't have any problems, and I have been so blessed my whole life.

The numbers for abuse are very high here in Swaziland. We examined a little 8 year old girl from one of our new care points last week. Upon examination, it was evident that she had been raped. She told us that she was HIV positive. Her mother and father both died with AIDS. She is living with an aunt who doesn’t know much about her. She has a skin rash all over her body, ringworms on her head, swollen lymph nodes, and some kind of vaginal infection.There is another little girl who is about 6 years old. She was raped by an older man a few months ago. The teacher from the care point brought her to the clinic.

There are thousands of children with the same story...

"Father save the children. Save the grown up children. Hear their cries when no one else hears. Hear our cries for them and help us never to close our ears or our eyes to their pain. We love you Lord. Show us how to love them and help them."

Viva la France!

As I have been catching up on my blog reading, This French Life had a couple of great articles... one about French markets, and the other about thieves pumping gases into caravans... And just when you thought France was the perfect place to live. I will post the article about markets, but you will need to follow the link to read about the thieves. :-)

SUMMER market in France can turn up some real surprises, but can also turn into a bit of a mad crush as once quiet village squares fill up to bursting point.

I've spotted a number of entertaining articles over the past couple of days that highlight the many characters, differences and treasures you can find.

16è grande Foire à la Brocante à Ribérac
Clare spots some fabric for her quilting work, but at a price that would make anyone wonder if they were seeing straight.

My French gourmet summer vacation, part 1
An interesting insight into the changes a Frenchman has seen after living in the US when it comes to all things food and wine upon his return to France.

When food tribes go abroad An entertaining look at some of the people you can cross in French markets, and others. I'm sure you will recognise one or two.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

My Sweet "Oreo", or better known as "Kitty"

The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind. We just got back from Chicago last night... or should I say this morning. I love coming home from a long trip. I love a nice clean house and being greeted by my kitty who really does think I am his mother. I love putting the kids to bed in their beds knowing they need a good nights sleep, and then climbing in my own bed with clean sheets on it. It is such a great feeling... but something was really bothering me last night and I don't know why. After 14 hours of straight driving pulling in at 2:45 in the morning, I couldn't get to sleep.

Our kitty was really wanting to go out, and he is and indoor/outdoor cat, so against my first instinct to keep him in until morning, I let him out. I didn't know if he had been out much that day, and he kept meowing, so I let him out. Something woke me up about 5am sounding like a child falling down the stairs but it was out on the front porch. I listened for a second and I didn't hear anything else and went back to sleep. We then were awoken by a doorbell at 5:30am. A little frightened, I woke Ken up and whoever was at the door was then banging on the door. I then recognized the voice... it was our neighbor. So we opened the door and she said a dog had attacked our cat, and it had woken her up by all the noise on the front porch.

We ran over to check on him. He was way back in some bushes and only responded when he heard my voice. He kept reaching his head up to look at me as if asking for help. We got a towel and gently picked him up. He was pretty beat up, but we didn't see a lot of blood, so we brought him inside and laid him down and I watched him for a few hours. At that time he couldn't really walk yet, so he would try to crawl wherever I was and would just lay there while I petted his head. At 8am I called the vet, and at 10am I decided to go get a pretty big cut on his stomach looked at. I wasn't prepared for what he had to say.

When I laid him down on the table, the Vet did not even look at his stomach, he pointed to a place in his side where it was a little sunken in and said, "See that there? He has some broken ribs and a punctured diaphram and probably a punctured lung." He then said this cat is really messed up, and it will probably cost about 2-3 thousand dollars to fix him up and even then you're not guaranteed he will live. If it were me, I would put him to sleep." I had only been in the office 10 minutes. I was not ready to put the most loving, fun, smart cat who loved my kids and our whole family to sleep... The was the first pet that was a little more like a family member. He would wake us up in the middle of the night if something was wrong with the kids, or sleep with the kids as if protecting them. He was an amazing cat.

I took a while to call around to a couple of Vet specialty hospitals and ask their opinions, talked to my husband, got some X-rays just to make sure there was not hope, and made the decision to put him to sleep, all while he lay there looking at me like he knew I was his primary care taker and he knew I would take care of him... I always had in the past. That was a very gut wrenching nauseating decision. I just got back into town 7 hours ago, and with only two hours of sleep I couldn't believe this was happening.

I am still in a little shock over this, but I know God is in control. In the past when I have had a hard time letting go of something to move on, God has gently helped me let go. I was thankful I didn't just find him dead somewhere. I was thankful this didn't happen while we were gone. I am thankful that I had such an awesome pet and I got to be there petting him as they put him to sleep. He really was in alot of pain. I really do believe, though, that God took him away because He is about to do some big things in moving us towards France, and it would be challenging to move a cat around with us, and He knows how hard it would be for me to just leave him behind.

So, thank you Lord that You know all things, and that you care about the things we care about, and that You are so gentle in loving in all Your ways. Thank You that You lead us and guide us and purify us and prepare us and provide for us as we walk in Your ways and follow you. I pray You will give us a deeper passion for the lost, and help us to be renewed in the areas that keep us from fulfilling Your will.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Day 11 Children's Cup 40 days of Prayer

"Orphan-Headed Households"

Stop for a minute and try to imagine being fourteen and burying your parents and being left to take care of 3 younger siblings. Your dreams cast aside, the reality of 3 mouths to feed crashes down on you. Your parents left no money. There is no insurance. All you have is a cold, tiny cement block house - if you can call it a house. You have an uncle, but he is sick too. You dread waking up each day. You want to play soccer with the other kids your age but you don’t have the time nor the energy. You want to go to school but you can’t afford it. Your life is consumed with trying to find ways for you and your three younger siblings to survive. Imagine the emotional, physical, medical and even social wounds that haunt these young children who are the heads of their households. Pray for them to find hope.

Please pray with me for the children of Africa. Go to childrenscup.org to get the daily prayer guide.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Children's Cup 40 days of prayer

Because of all the events in my life I have not done a very good job of highlighting Children's Cup 40 Days of Prayer.


This was a post a couple of days ago that really expresses some of the horrible issues facing the people in Africa Children's Cup is trying to reach.


When you sit at a street corner or look into any crowd of people in Swaziland and think that almost half of the people you’re looking at are HIV positive, it makes you wonder. How does an economy survive losing so many workers? How many funerals happen every day? How does a society deal with such a culture of death and the prevalence of AIDS-related illnesses? Add to that a spiritual darkness that is all too real.


Pray that God will use Children’s Cup and other groups of His people to make a real and true impact on the key influencers in Swaziland and begin a revival that touches every person in this nation.


Today, David Meyer, Director of World Missions for Joyce Meyer Ministries - a long-time integral support for Children’s Cup, is leading us in prayer.


David Meyer

Lord, I thank You for the good work that You have begun in Swaziland through Children’s Cup. We stand amazed as we watch Your faithful servants daily carry out Your plans. You are bringing them closer to completion…but there is still much to be done.

Raise up the leaders in this land. Give them energy, dreams, and hope for the future. Lord, I pray specifically that Your people would make a true impact on the key influencers in Swaziland, so they would become country changers and history makers.

Through the blood of Jesus, I ask You to break the curses of poverty and HIV/AIDS that have oppressed this nation. Bring supernatural healing and prosperity to the people as they turn from darkness to Your light.

I pray for supernatural strength, a passion to reach the lost, and divine wisdom for Your servants dedicated to bringing hope and healing. Thank You for granting them favor with all men and for Your hedge of protection that surrounds them as they faithfully obey Your voice. Continue to open doors of opportunity beyond human ability for Your glory and honor, and bring revival to every soul. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


You can sign up to let Children's cup know you are joining them in prayer. And if you haven’t signed up yet, send them an email at pray@childrenscup.org.

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Isaac Jordan Leino Feb. 25, 2007 - Aug. 5, 2007

Today was the funeral for Baby Isaac... and I am not sure there has ever been a human who lived who touched my life so much and helped me know my Savior in a deeper way. I got to see Isaac today for the first time even though I know it was not really him, because he is with our Savior in heaven. It was not as sad as I thought it would be... he suffered so much in his short life, it was peaceful to know this is just his earthly body, but that his precious baby spirit that we got to know is still just alive as it ever was, yet with the one who created him.

We love you Baby Isaac, Jordan and Patience, and we thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life.

My hubby also posted a great blog on the life of Baby Isaac.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Maine, Steeples, Baby Isaac, Chicago, and Catalyst France

I cannot believe I have been home 5 days and I have not posted a blog about my trip. Now I have 5 days of things to say on top of my trip, so I will just attempt a brain dump and start where my brain is at...

2000m Steeplechase Champion
The race was awesome! If you tried to watch the live feed or the archive, since I ran in 4th most of the race you could only see me sporatically. Now if i'd have know that I may have run a little faster so I could be on T.V. :-) Actually I was very happy with my time. I ran exactly where I was training. I knew I was not in my top shape, so when that is where you are at, you don't race faster than you've trained... or the race can be a miserable memory...

The barrier my husband built me made a world of difference. The steeplechase race I ran a few months ago was horrible because I was not prepared for the water jump... it can be very startling as you crash down into the water if you have not trained your body to jump, land on an incline, and start running from a dead stop. It can put you into oxygen debt very quickly and can make the rest of the race miserable. I felt like I cruised over the barriers, was very strong coming out of the water pit and never went into O2 debt. It was just an awesome race and I give all glory to God.

...So, I won my age division, got an awesome medal, met some great ladies I am going to keep in contact with, and was National Champion which is what I went up there to do.
There were so many other incredible stories and pictures to share... like many people twice my age (that would be 80 and above) competing in all sorts of events. The story of my rental car that I had to break into and crawl through the trunk to get into the car because the key would not unlock the door. How beautiful the north was, but how in need of a Savior they were...

Baby Isaac Feb-Aug 2007
I hope to share so many stories with you over the next few days. But today we get to go and celebrate the brief life of Isaac Jordan Leino, (and what an amazing story that is). His funeral is today at 3pm and the strength and faith of his parents have been amazing.

Chicago
We then get to prepare, (wash, pack, pack car, etc.) to leave early in the morning for Chicago to visit a church we may be partnering with, and to meet a very gifted couple on staff there who may be going with us to France.

Bill, the husband, has an awesome site that shows alot of his gifts and talents, and explains alot about what their church (Christian Community Church) does in collaborating and sharing high quality arts with one another. Their church has 8 satellite campuses in the Chicago area and 9 churches around the U.S. that have their own pastors, yet they still collaborate and share material. It is an amazing concept and one we think may work in Europe. And we may get to take the couple that helped make this idea a reality to France with us.

Pray for Bill and Rachel Carroll :-) because we will be staying at there home for 4 nights. Yes, us and our 4 kids ages 6 and under will join their probably more quiet house of 4, a daughter who is 2 and son who is almost one. We will also get to spend a whirlwind weekend visiting many of their campuses in the Chicago area and then getting to attend an invited only training for church planters that may be interested in being a church plant of CCC (at least I think that's what this conference is) :-).

Catalyst France
So I will share more later... but things seem to be getting more and more exciting as God continues to lead in His plan for Catalyst France. We have had so many new supporters, and people who have actually used our Catalyst France website which is really cool to see God working like this. Life is so exciting when you get on God's plan, and not your own.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Isaac Jordan Leino - Feb. 25, 2007 - Aug. 5, 2007

As I return back home from Maine, and return to the blogging world... my heart is heavy. As I wanted to share so much that happened on my journey and the awesome things God is doing...

Tonight 5 month old Baby Isaac (Isaac Jordan Leino) went to be with the Lord. I don't have anything profound to say except that we know our God is perfect, and that His ways are not our ways. Please pray for Jordan & Patience and their families as they walk through this sad time.

Father, we pray to you tonight and ask that you would comfort them in ways that only you could know. Give them sweet sleep tonight and rejoicing in the morning. We are so sad. I pray the enemy would be defeated in so many ways because of the faith of this family and the road You have called them to walk. Hold them close... We know You are perfect. Show us your beauty and Your strength as they take this next step in life.

Friday, August 03, 2007

Gina is Running at Noon Today live via webcast

If you read this in the next 25 minutes you can watch Gina race.


Gina will be running the 2000m Steeplechase at 12pm noon today at the US Masters Track & Field Championships.

She would hate for me to tell you this but she won the USATF 2000m Steeplchase championship in 1992 and 1994 and was on the US Goodwill games team in 1994. But that was 13 years ago. Her times should not even be close to what she ran so long ago, but she is amazing. Who knows? If you are interested you can watch her run online. Go to this site and select Live Webcast.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Bangor, Maine and Children's Cup

Bangor, Maine

Well today I leave on a jet plane for Maine. I have never been to Maine, but I hear it's beautiful and I am very excited to visit. The Masters Track & Field national championship is there in Bangor and I will be running the 2000m steeplechase (a 5 & 1/2 lap around a track with five 30in. wooden barriers you have to hurdle, and one that you jump up on and then attempt to jump over a water pit). You can go to my hubby's blog to get an idea what a barrier looks like. He also put a post up today about the race.

I also have two very close friends that live in Maine; one from college, and one from our former France team. I told my husband the other day that I feel like I am going up there just to see them, and the meet was just the instrument to get me there. Pray for my time with my friends that I would be able to be an encouragement to them. Pray for me also as I run on Friday around noon. I just want to compete well and meet some new people who may have never have met Jesus.

40 Days of Prayer for Children's Cup

Today is also the first day of 40 days of prayer for the children. This is a prayer focus put on by Children's Cup. Children's Cup is an organization that was founded in 1992 that now serves the love of Christ to over 4,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Africa through a growing network of CarePoints. The goal of Children's Cup is to making true and lasting change in entire communities where AIDS, extreme poverty and disease threaten to destroy the lives of hundreds of thousands. "We offer them hope. And hope's name is Jesus."

You can read more and sign up to join us in prayer for the children at www.childrenscup.org.