April Thoughts

April started with a bang with two Ancient Paths seminars in a row. We had a small one in our home the second weekend and when it was over I felt like I was on a high. It reminded me of how I felt when I was a doula and a baby had just been born. One participant who experienced some significant healing said: "I learned about the power of the blessing. I was healed, especially in areas that I never knew I needed healing. The Holy Spirit just flowed and showed me things I didn’t know in my life. It was an amazing experience of God’s love." This sounds a bit cut and dried on paper, but in real life it was so exciting to see the years of anger, confusion, and unforgiveness melt away.

The rest of the month has been spent getting ready for teams coming from the U.S. Steve has been to Chokwe to work with the group that is making marula jelly (canhu in Shangana). He got a label approved for them and it went much faster than the coconut oil label. It helps to have been through the process before.

I've also found myself pondering Rob Bell's new book, "Love Wins." I have only read excerpts and reviews, but the distortions and omissions of key truths and scriptures is disturbing. Yes, it's a nice message and one that is well accepted by some. But is it the truth? There is a reason Deuteronomy tells us to choose life. It is our choice, and if we don't, there are consequences. I have no doubt that Jesus loved every Pharisee, but he was not afraid to tell it like it was, calling them fools, blind, hypocrites, whitewashed tombs and more. And at the end of that chapter 23 of Matthew he mourns over Jerusalem. "How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! I firmly believe God is a God of love, but when we turn our backs and are not willing to come to Him, we make our choice for judgment and not life. I choose to believe that God is a just judge, and as my Creator He is so much greater than I am, that I can trust him completely with my life now and in eternity. You can read more about this controversy here: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2065080,00.html

To end on a more positive note. Resurrection Day started bright and early as we joined our church's sunrise service at the park. The sun coming up as a bright orange ball over the Delagoa Bay was a great way to start the day, remembering that because of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection we have new life.

We invited several young women to our house for dinner and had a wonderful time with them. We have met many people who come and go from Maputo and they are each a gift as our lives intersect during this time.