The Special Forces Warriors

These are just some of the Prayer Warriors at the Bruce Community Living facility. 

Monday, I drove to Bruce to talk with the residents about participating in the Untapped Power Grid project. We discussed the words of our Lord to the apostle Paul, "My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9) These precious Prayer Warriors already know the truth of that verse. Although their bodies are weak and many are confined to wheelchairs, God's power is being made perfect in their weakness. 

These brothers and sisters know and understand Scripture in a way most of us have yet to achieve. They've lived through the Great Depression, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, the turbulent 1960's. They've lived through agonizing loss, terrifying sickness, and heartbreaking frailty. They KNOW God is able, because they've seen Him do the impossible, over and over again.

This group had already considered how they wanted to partner with us before I arrived. They wanted to take one missionary family and pray the biggest prayers they could. 

They'd memorized the words of Jesus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." (John 14:12 nasb) 

"If we're going to do the works Jesus did, we need to know what those works were," I said. "What did Jesus do?"

They were quick to reply. Healed the sick. Raised the dead. Gave sight to the blind. Hearing to the deaf. Made the lame walk. They knew what Jesus did, and they had already determined to participate in His mighty work by praying big. 

Those prayer warriors chose a missionary doctor and his family, partly because they wanted to participate in the healing power of our Lord through their prayers. They wanted to write letters to their missionaries to encourage them. Meet them when they come to the States.

One of the ladies in the group is three months away from being 100 years old. She knows how to pray big and she plans to spend her last days, however many she has, doing just that. 

I was in awe of these warriors. They aren't fooling around. This isn't just a substitute for bingo. They're a kind of divine Special Forces unit. This is war, and they intend to wage it. And win.

I hesitated a minute, then gave them my prayer card. "If you're praying big, pray big for me, too." They grinned and nodded. They would.

I gathered my extra prayer cards and prepared to leave. Before I did, I made my way around the room, hugging every one of our warriors. They hugged me back and whispered in my ear, "Thank you." 

It's we who should be thanking them. Some of our warriors have been in the facility for years. They live far from family. Have few visitors. It's the love of God that has sustained them thus far, but I'm praying the body of Christ will choose to sustain them with our love and gratitude, as well, as we go forward together. 

________

As a peer-to-peer funded missionary, your support for this prayer ministry (and this blog) is vital in multiple ways, and aids in furthering the Kingdom of God. Please partner with me as God leads through your prayers, your participation as a facilitator, and by giving financially.(I don't get paid a salary or get ministry expenses reimbursed if I don't raise funds.) Thanks for your help!

Here's the link to donate online: Leanna Hollis Account #4841
(You can mail a check to Global Outreach (put account #4841 in the "for" line) to
Global Outreach
P.O. Box 1
Tupelo MS 38802

 #719project  #prayer 

Sam's Project: Rubber Boots for Barefoot Rwandan Children

Thousands of Rwandan children are walking barefoot through the mud and rain to go to school. Sam Wiley wants to help, and he hopes you will, too.

Here's the story: 

Monique Ladosz was a 61-year old widow when she decided to do something bold and daring. She moved to Rwanda to spend the rest of her life as a missionary.  She's been there, serving God and the precious children of that country, and Uganda, ever since. 

When those children went to school during the rainy season, they went barefoot and without protection from the downpour. They literally trudged through the mud and rain to go to school.

For years, Monique enlisted donors to help provide school uniforms, rain ponchos, and rubber boots for the children. We're not talking about a few children. Monique provided for more than 4,000 children, but she didn't just "give" the uniforms and rain gear. She allowed the children to "earn" them by doing chores. Instead of feeling "entitled", these children felt pride in being responsible and earning their way.

On Tuesday, I emailed Monique and told her how much I loved her boot and poncho project. It's a tangible evidence of God's love, and gives her an opportunity to share Christ to thousands of people every year.

She replied back a few hours later.

This year, Monique, now 85 yeas old, has had a shortfall of funds. She had enough donations to provide ponchos and uniforms, but not enough to buy boots. She can't give boots to just a few. If she's giving boots, she has to buy for all the children. 

This year, none of the children will get rain boots. Instead, they'll walk barefoot through the mud.

That news broke my heart. 

Sam Wiley arrived for dinner about that time. If you don't know Sam Wiley yet, he's my 86-year-old neighbor who never finished third grade, but is wise beyond compare. He spent his life as a cowboy and farm hand. Other  than personal and household items, he's never owned anything more expensive than a second-hand car. 

His wife died a year ago. They lost one child to miscarriage and another one to a heart defect. She only lived three months. 

Sam's 6'4" tall and weighs 120 pounds on a good day. His health isn't good and his heart beat is all out of kilter (he has atrial fibrillation) but that old heart is full of love and compassion.

When I told Sam about Monique's children and the lacking boots, it broke his heart, too.

"I ain't never had nothing, but I always had shoes. Except for one time when I squandered my money on foolishness when I was a teenager. I went barefoot for a little while then, but Daddy finally bought me some shoes. I don't like them little African children not having those boots."

"I don't like it either."

Sam took a bite of potatoes and pointed his spoon at me. "How much do them boots cost?"

"Monique said she can get good boots for $12 apiece."

"Lord, have mercy. There ain't no reason those little ones have to be barefoot. We could all get together and get them some shoes. I'll buy two pair."

"I'll buy two pair, too."

"You reckon you could get on that machine of yours and get some people to help us?" Sam doesn't quite understand my computer, but he has an amazing faith in the power of a story and the willingness of people to get involved.

"I can try." 

He chewed a bite of peas and pondered the situation a few minutes. When he looked up, there was an expression on his face I'd never seen before. Grim determination. "Let's do it."

"Let's do what?"

"Let's get all them children some boots."

"Sam, she needs thousands of dollars to buy boots for all those Rwandan children."

"If everyone bought one pair, or maybe two, we could get it done. It don't hurt none to ask. I believe they'll do it." There was hope in his faded blue eyes.

"It's a God-sized task, Sam." 

"Yep. But I believe He's up to it."

"I believe He is, too, Sam."

Our conversation moved on to other topics as we finished our meal. Before he left last night, Sam stopped in the doorway and looked back at me. "I'll give $100 for them babies some boots. I know I've got that much, and I shore ain't gonna take it with me when I die."

He took a step out the door then turned back. "Don't tell people they have to buy $100 worth of boots. They might not be able to do that much and think a little help won't matter. It will. Ask them to buy one pair of boots."

I promised I would. And here I am, asking you to help Sam and Monique buy rubber boots for barefoot Rwandan children. They're $12 a pair. 

It will take thousands of people joining together, because this will cost thousands of dollars, but if everyone gives a little, we can do it. Sam's counting on us to help, and I can't bear to let him, Monique, and the children down. 

Actually, Monique knows we have an idea. She doesn't know we're doing this. It's a surprise!

We've set up a project page so that you can see pictures of Monique and her children, the little barefoot Rwandan feet, and the children getting their boots and ponchos. Have your handkerchief ready! They will touch your heart. You can also donate there.

There's a 100% pass-through on donations, so everything you give will be used to buy boots for children in Rwanda and Uganda. Any extra will go toward next year's boots. None of the money comes to me or to Sam. The account for funds goes straight to Monique Ladosz' boot fund. 

All your donations are tax-deductible.

Here's the link: Help Sam's Kids

You can donate to help Sam's kids (and Monique's) online via bank draft, or credit or debit card. You can also mail a check. Instructions are below.

You can mail a check to: (Be sure to put Acct # 4852 in the subject line)
Sam's Kids
c/o Global Outreach
P.O. Box 1
Tupelo, MS. 38802

Two octogenarians have a God-sized vision and they're not afraid to pray big. We have an opportunity to make their dreams, and prayers, come true. Thank you for helping Sam, Monique, and 4200 children of Rwanda. 

May you be overtaken by blessings for your generosity. 

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Matthew 25:40 NLT
_____________
In case you missed it, here's the link to this morning's blog post: Three Years and 1550 blog posts later...

#makeadifference #samskids #bootsforRwanda #Uganda

Bringing Good from Tragedy: Wives of Warriors Make a Difference

It was December 23, 2013. A news alert popped up on my phone. There had been a bank robbery in Tupelo and two policemen had been shot point-blank. Sargent Stauffer was dead.

Murdered? Someone had murdered a policeman?

The image of our policeman in Blue Springs came to mind and I suddenly understood how fragile life can be for the men, and the families, behind the badge. 

I hit my knees, wept, and prayed for those who had been shot and for their families. I begged God to protect the officers in our area. 

Like I always do when I'm upset, I wrote about it. Tragedy in Tupelo is my most-read blog post of all time. Today might be a good day to read it again. 

When given the chance, our Lord always brings good from evil.

 It should be no surprise that He brought good from the terrible evil that marred the Christmas season that year, as well.

Kim Rushing is the wife of a policeman. As you might expect, the shootings were terrifying to her. When she attended Sargent Stauffer's funeral and looked at the faces of the other officers wives, it was clear they were just as scared and sad as she was. 

It was a seemingly small thing that triggered her next action, but the shift wives had ridden together on the bus over to the funeral. Kim said, "I want a wives' bus. I want to be on it." In that moment, Wives of Warriors began. It didn't have a name. It wasn't even a clear picture in her head, but Kim texted her friend, Darla. "Do you think we could start a wives group?"

Darla replied. "We can try!"

They didn't expect what happened next. 

What they expected is that the wives would get together and complain about life as an officer's wife. What happened was more than 200 women signed up. They meet regularly, averaging 25-60 women per meeting. 

They don't waste time complaining.

The Wives of Warriors are committed to bringing good from the evil that was done, and they aren't fooling around about it. 

They assist when there is an officer in need, when there is sickness or tragedy in the ranks. They love each other. They help each other. They demonstrate support to all law enforcement, throughout this nation.

They aren't alone, and they know that now. 

They play together and they work together. They've made pottery angels and sold them to raise money for a home for high functioning autistic and traumatic brain injury adults.

Together, they have begun an annual Blessed are the Peacemakers Law enforcement Appreciation and Remembrance 5K race. They raised $16,000 at the event this past September. There were lots of ideas about ways to use the money, but the Wives decided to buy bullet proof vests for area officers. 

Every officer needs a bullet proof vest, and they want to help provide them. 

Bullet proof vests aren't cheap. The ones they have provided are custom-made and can cost as much as $1000 apiece. They've provided sixteen for area officers.

My friend, Annette, is married to Brandon. He's the young officer in Blue Springs who received a bullet proof vest because of the generosity of the Wives of Warriors organization. 

I can't imagine the fear Annette must feel when Brandon dons his uniform, straps on his gun, and goes to work. Life, as she and their boys know it, is on the line every single day, just as it is for all the officers and families in our area.

Brandon does it because he feels called to it. Annette does it because she loves and honors her husband. 

It's hard, but the bullet proof vest, I would imagine, has made it a little easier.

When tragedy comes, we can react in a variety of ways, many of them destructive and non-productive.

Two women faced tragedy head-on and chose to make a difference because of it. More than 200 women choose to join the effort.

This week, the families, friends, and coworkers of sixteen men will breathe a little easier because of the good that came from the shootings that cold December day.

Kim and Darla made a choice to make a difference, and we can, too. It started with a simple text message and grew into something that will bless families for years to come. 

Just one person like you. Like me. One person is enough. 

We can make a difference, if we will.

"And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." Genesis 50:20 nasb


~~~~~~
In case you missed one of this week's posts, here are the links:  Cutting Down a Tree and Praying for Miracles, and The Tree That Preached a Sermon, The Wounded Deer and the Unsaid Words, Being Angry Without Sin, Starting Over: It's Not as Easy as It Seems, Behavior That Demonstrates Belief, and Answered Prayer: The Bulletproof Vest.

#makeadifference #WivesofWarriors #policeshootings #JesusChrist #Christian

The Potential for Heritage

Reading through Genesis continues to surprise me. This morning, I read these words:

"Two nations are in your womb..." (Gen 25:23)

Rebekah (wife of Isaac, Abraham's son) was pregnant with twins. The children were struggling so much that she took her concerns to the Lord. "Why?" What did it mean? 

God was clear. The children in her womb weren't just babies. They were nations. 

Ponder that for a moment.

Psalm 139 tells us that God not only knows us in our mother's womb, he knows our "inward parts" because He formed them. He "knit us together", putting all the parts together to make something perfect and beautiful. He knows about the days of our lives, including how many there are. (Ps. 139:16... more on that tomorrow)

When Rebekah approached God about the struggle of her unborn children, she saw them only as pre-born babies. 

God, however, saw the children and the kind of heritage they would leave behind.

He knew one would be stronger than the other. He knew the older would serve the younger. Rebekah didn't have to orchestrate it. It already was. 

God knew the two boys would be born with the potential to father "nations".

I cannot begin to debate the question of predestination and choice, but this is what I know with certainty.

Adam and Eve, in the garden, had the potential to choose sin or not. Either choice took them in a certain direction. God knew their possibilities. Did He know what they would choose when He created them? I don't know. 

I believe He knew their possibilities and the heritage they could leave behind. Just like He knows that about each of us.

We, you and I, are building a heritage for those who remain after our life has ended. We can leave a heritage built on shifting sand or solid rock. Which will it be?

Will we leave a heritage of material wealth or a heritage of faith? Will we leave the heritage of a world changed for God or a world that is relatively untouched?

We can make a difference, but not if we live life focused on ourselves and our desires. 

Look up. Seek God. Look around. See our neighbors. Their is great need and great possibility. There are things only you can do. Only I can do. 

Life is short, but not too short to make a difference in the world around us. Not too short to leave a heritage that will impact generations yet to come. 

Make a choice. Make a start. Make a heritage worth leaving.

We can change the world. If we will.

~~~~~~~~~~

In case you missed one of this week's posts, here are the links: Out with the Old, Freedom and Grace, Walking with God or Hiding with the World,  The Same Jesus, The God Who Never Fails, Halfway to Canaan, and The Blessing Jar.

#heritage #leaveaheritage #makeadifference #disciple #Christian