Bending the Bow Int'l

December Newsletter ♥ (Double Click Image and It will Make it Easier to Read.)

2010-12-14T00:31:00.000-08:00

Thank you!

2010-12-06T12:25:00.001-08:00

Thank you so much for making our Cornish Cross Fundraiser for Bending the Bow International a great sucesses! We have heard so many great testimonies of how great they tasted and how big they were.We hope to do this in the spring and fall again next year also. Have a wonderful Christmas!

October Newsletter (click on image to see entire page, click again to enlarge)

2010-10-22T23:28:00.000-07:00

Bending the Bow International "Cornish Cross" Fund Raiser

2010-10-21T07:23:00.001-07:00

From our 'farm' to your fridge...
Fresh yummy chicken...

If you are interested in an easy way to help us raise some money towards our next trip, make sure you get your name on the list our "Cornish Cross" fundraiser. For a donation of $12.00 or more, we will reserve a freshly butchered, ready-for-roasting (or freezing) grass and gain fed chicken. We anticipate each chicken will be between 4-6 lbs. Pick up day will be Nov 8th and 9th from 3-6 pm at our house. We only have 46 fat, juicy, home-grown birds for sale, so if you are interested in getting one or more of our birds and helping us raise funds for our trip, contact us soon to get your name on the list.

Just keeping it real....

A thought for all of you who are not in the Sonora area: Would you consider buying a bird and gifting it to someone you know here in Sonora or to be given to a family who is in need? We have a list of families in need if you are interested in donating to a family. Contact us by email at bendingthebow@gmail.com or call us at (209)928-4191

Thanks for your love and support!
Check out the video

All proceeds will benefit our upcoming trip to Indonesia!

COMING SOON...2011 Summer Family Ministry Trainning Camp

2010-10-07T22:29:00.001-07:00

We are so excited about our Family Ministry training time in Mexico coming NEXT SUMMER! We finally have a date that works with APU Mexico Outreach team. This will be one of the best things we have done for families in the area of helping them to move together in ministry and to see how each one of their children can minister now. We have a fun filled week planned in Ensenada, Mexico.

The missionaries we will be serving and working with are Jerry and Happy Dean; they are long time friends and work under their organization: 10 Talents Ministries.

Dates are: July 10-16, 2011

The cost will based on the number of families who actually attend and will be prorated based on the the size of each family. We have a chart if you are interested in knowing the cost.

Families arrive on Sunday evening for settling in and orientation time. Monday though Friday will be filled with teaching sessions, times of ministry, strategic planning sessions for parents, family debriefing time, worship time, personal ministry time for families and fun time. Saturday morning will be clean up time and departure for home.

We have created this schedule for those who can only take off 5 days from work; you can do that by leaving from your home base on Saturday and returning home seven days later the following Saturday.

We only have 5 spots for families this year, as we want it to be small and intimate for all who come with us. Spots will be held on a first come, first served basis. In order to hold your spot we are asking for a non-refundable deposit that will be used to secure housing deposits we must make and other out of pocket costs we will have for the week. If you are unable to come on the trip after making the deposit, but can find another family to take your place your deposit will be refunded.

We will walk each one though the whole process of going once you contact us for more information. It will be very easy as we will help you each step of the way.

We have more information for you so call us at 209-928-4191 or email me at Jer2911ym@yahoo.com
We would love to pour into you and your family next summer!

Blessing and Love the Sponsler's!

A New Country And New Friends

2010-09-26T16:57:00.001-07:00

Wow, we made it to Sri Lanka! AND We all survived our first all-nighter in the Malasyia airport. We are tired, smelly, and not quite sure what is going to happen next. We are, however, excited and a little nervous to meet Pastor Udi and his wife, whom we have never met before. It is going to be a great adventure.

Our family in the airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

We spent a few hours at one of Pastor Udi's (our Sri Lankan contact) friend's house. We left some of our extra bags, rested a bit, and spent a little time getting to know each other. After a couple of hours we left for the train station to get tickets for our journey to the northern part of Sri Lanka, to Vavuniya where the Children's home that were visiting is located.

Hannah and Jonathan enjoying some down time in Colombo before our journey north.

One of the great joys of traveling is to see the different geography in each country. A long train ride provides the opportunity to see a lot of land we normally wouldn't get to see. We love getting out of the big cities and into the villages and smaller towns, where the pace is slower and we can see things that sometimes get lost in the busy pace found in a bigger city.

The first 24 hours in Sri Lanka were VERY interesting! When we went to get train tickets, no train was available, so we decided (as it was the only option we had left) to take a bus ride instead. The boys and I sat in one seat and the girls sat in one seat. The bus was like the old school buses from the sixties. The ride was filled with LOUD music, lots of dirt and dust, sweltering heat, about twice as many people on the bus as there should have been (according to U.S. standards....LOL) !

Pastor Udi's wife, Niti, and a beautiful German woman, Dagmar, who was also visiting the children's home.

Our only complaint about this part of our trip? It was way too short.

Together we can do more!

2010-08-25T21:59:00.001-07:00

Together we can do more has been a theme for us now for the last 2 years. It was so true this last weekend at our "Garage Funraiser" for the MacLean family who live in Indonesia. People prayed, brought stuff, donated money, bought stuff, helped man the two day event, sold lemmenaide and cookies and so much more! Thank you all! We raised over $500 that was needed to send Coset to school next year and had some extra to fix there lap top. Thanks Marybeth for your willingness to think out of the box and to spend a whole week getting everything together! Why because you love this amazing family who loves God so much that they left everything here so they could reach Indonesian's and the students at Mountain View International School with the Love of Christ. God never ask us to given what we don't have only what He has already given us. We are way richer than we realize don't fall into that trap that you don't have anything. You are blessed and have so much to give and to be for the Glory of God!
No Picture's just a short video!

Hello MacLean's ....we love you.

Home For the Night! or A Long Short Night!

2010-08-23T22:15:00.001-07:00

Home for the night in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, where Air Asia is based out of. We have an early flight tomorrow morning to Sri Lanka. Helping the kids and Ashley learn how to save money, have fun, and have great memory's! We have 4 different nights in this small but cool airport! They even have "Starbucks"!!! Mary Beth said "Amen and Thank you Lord"! Here is some pictures from our first night.

Ashley trying to sleep the first night or maybe she is trying to get some personal space as we are in Asia?

One of the things you have to do when sleeping in the airport is stake out an area! We used our luggage and our luggage charts to do it this time.

2:00 am and all is well with the team and when you do all nighters you get to take some pretty interesting pictures! Bonding time and community living has already happen tonight!!!!!!!!
4:00 am and it is time to start getting the team up "YEA"! They all travel so good or this would be very interesting time for all of us! They adapt so well and fine the good in things that would make most people crazy when you are out of your comfort zone! I love traveling with my family! Mary has done a wonderful job with our children and made it so fun to travel as a family.

Welcome to Thailand!

2010-05-19T19:10:00.001-07:00

We made it to Thailand! We were two hours late but finally arrived around 1:00 am, February 2, Thai time. We only spent two very short days here before leaving for Sri Lanka. Bangkok is a great airline hub, so to get the best prices on our tickets we decided we'd fly through Bangkok, take a few days to get over jet lag, and get more passport pages added to Mary Beth' s passport. Her passport was full and because we would have had to put a "rush" to fill the passport with extra pages from California before we left it was going to cost around $60. By going through the US embassy in Bangkok we simply dropped it off and picked it up an hour later FOR FREE. Yeah!! Sadly they did not like the idea of us taking a picture in front of the embassy, so we have no photos to remember this part of the journey. :-(

Here we all are in the Bangkok International Airport after 30 LONG hours of travel time. A short 35 hours from the time we took this picture we will be repacking our bags and heading back to the airport to fly through Malaysia to Sri Lanka! Whew! Needless to say, apart from pictures we don't remember much about the whirlwind of those first few day "on the road". LOL

The flavors of Asia are everywhere. Thailand is primarily a Buddhist nation, but this Hindu "artwork" reminds us of the many different religions throughout Asia and how much Jesus longs to breath His life on them so their hearts will be brought to life as they encounter the goodness of His love.

Jonathan's first new friend (at the YWAM base in Bangkok)! The kids are going to love Asia!!!!!!!!!!

This pictures say it all! "Do we have to leave Thailand?" Our family
motto has become: "We don't say good-bye; we only say, 'Until we meet again, here
on earth or in heaven!'"

Making Fun Memories in the Tokyo Airport

2010-05-17T21:53:00.001-07:00

I always love flying into Japan, partly because MB loves Japanese food and she has made it a fun tradition for us to try different kinds of Japanese food while waiting for our connecting flights. I can't wait until we actually take a trip to Japan so we can try more of their amazing food!!

Joshua loved the Japanese snacks as you can tell by his face!!!!!!

Jonathan found his favorite Japanese snack as well!!!!

Josiah was just ready for a nap and some real food!!!!

And for the girls: any sweet snack is a good snack!!!!!!
Our flight from San Francisco to Tokyo had some of the worst turbulence we'd ever encountered. Mary Beth and Ashley prayed during the worst, most tumultuous part and within minutes the turbulence was gone AND it did not return for the rest of the flight. YEAH GOD!!!

Next, we are off to Thailand. Only 8 more hours and we will be at the
YWAM base in Bangkok.

Starting the Trip Off Right With "FAVOR"!

2010-05-16T21:11:00.001-07:00

In all of our trips, we have never been asked to come up to the cock pit and take pictures! While we were in our seats, Captain Randy approached us and said when we got settled to come back to the cock pit and take pictures! Wow!!! What a fun and exciting way to start our trip! God's goodness is so rich and He lovingly pours it out on us, even in the most simple ways. His love and goodness is our treasure.

Another fun first was to have Pastor Bill Johnson on the first leg of our flight to Thailand. We spent 5 minutes with him before we had to board the plane. It was great to have receive a blessing and encouragement from him before we left as we have grown so much from his ministry over the years.

Proverbs 8:35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

One of the greatest thing about our children is that they travel "GREAT"! They look forward to the food and the movies and just the ride in general, just like mom! MB loves to fly and so do our children. Sometimes I start to remind them that we have to get into the air before all the fun stuff starts and then I remember that fun is a direct result of living and we can enjoy life whether we are on the tarmac or flying above the ocean or where ever we might be!!!!! I am on a quest to learn to enjoy the journey more and more!!!! Slowing down...these are good words for me and I am growing; learning not to miss the small things God wants me to see.

Our Journey in Photo's, Videos, and Stories (more to follow)

2010-05-14T21:16:00.001-07:00

Well here I am (Seth) trying to write my first blog and hopefully let all of you see more of our trip through our pictures and videos. I had a heart to do this with pictures and videos from the very begining of our trip. Three and Half months later here I am!!! Before I get going too far I would like to say thank you for praying for us, supporting us and believing in what we are doing as a family in the Nations. All the people we ministered to were blessed and encouraged to have us come and told us to say thank you from as well them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Together we can do more for the Kingdom!"

Proverbs 11:25 "A generous
man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be
refreshed."

Thank you and I hope you are blessed as we share pictures, videos, and stories from our trip in the coming weeks.

Here we are embarking on our journey, February 1, 2010. This is at the San Francisco airport at 8:00 a.m.! Little do the kids and Ashley know that this will be one of the later morning flights for us in the days and weeks that lie ahead of us at this point in our journey!!!! I'm not going to tell them. Mary might, but not me! Here we are with our 10 check-in's and 7 carry-on's.

Re-Entry...Making the Transition from the Nations Back Home Again

2010-05-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

Sri Lanka

2010-02-19T07:27:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

5 Times A Day

2010-02-18T15:35:00.001-08:00

On our flight from Sri Lanka I sat next to two Islamic women who wore the full length Burquas. They even wore the veil so that nothing except their eyes could be seen. I have always been so curious about what life is like for women like these. I think it was a special treat God set up for me to be able to sit and learn from these two young women.

One girl was 18 and the other was 20. They both had received an academic education up to 6th grade and then attended an Islamic school focusing solely on the Islamic faith. They now teach "religion" to young girls K-4th grade in Sri Lanka. They agreed to be my teacher. I thought it was such a cool "set up". We exchanged emails and they have already emailed me. I was an am able to ask ANYTHING I wanted. I was surprised...so surprised when I asked the girls what they thought about Christianity and about Jesus. Their response: "We don't really know ANYTHING about it/Him." I am looking forward to "learning" more...and sharing more in the future. .

What if God reached their hearts? What could happen if God reaches the hearts of these teachers...these who carry influence over a generation? I LOVE how much God cares for His creation...how his heart aches and groans for them to know Him. He is looking for opportunities to move on their behalf...as much as on our own behalf.

5 Times a Day...
I forget, until we travel into these Islamic regions, about the "Call to Prayer". Faithfully 5 times a day, we hear the Mosques on the loud speaker, the singing, the chanting, the REMINDER, the CALL.

I think of Daniel...His faithfulness to cry out to God 3 times a day. No one reminded Him.

What if...
   ....we prayed faithfully, purposefully multiple times in a day?
   ...our prayers were without ceasing?
   ...we realized how POWERFUL and how EFFECTIVE our prayers were?
...PRAYERS BIRTHED OUT A LIFE OF INTIMACY AND LOVE WITH OUR LOVING, TRUE GOD?

When the call to prayer goes off at 4:00 a.m. every morning, I can feel a shift in the spiritual atmosphere. I can picture a "swirling" of sounds and activity in the spirit realm. We don't realize how powerful these moments are....Devout Muslims everywhere crying out with sincerity and trueness in their hearts I am sure. If only they knew the True God...their Creator loves them...

Our prayers swirl like incense before our King...
   ...Our prayers move His heart
     .....Our prayers change history.

Hmmmm? Perhaps there is a challenge here for all of us....
    Our voice...
      ....our intercession
          ....swirling up to His Throne Room
              .....SHIFTING spiritual atmospheres.
...NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE TO
...NOT BECAUSE WE SHOULD
...RATHER BECAUSE WE ARE IN LOVE WITH KING WHO LONGS TO HEAR US...LONGS TO MEET WITH US...AND LONGS TO MOVE ON THIS EARTH ON OUR BEHALF.

How many Muslims would come to Him if we prayed?

True Peace

2010-02-18T15:10:00.001-08:00

Our time in Sri Lanka was so amazing. As Seth and I planned this trip into Asia, I was actually quite afraid to travel into this country, but I also knew the Lord had spoken to us about going. Fear can paralyze us and keep us from doing important, fun, and significant things...at least it has the ability to do so in my life. If I lived my life based on what the nightly news reported or made decisions about where I'd go and what I'd do based on things I hear about people and places I would probably NEVER leave Tuolumne County. I am so grateful for the peace I have and the security I have KNOWING that I have a Daddy in heaven who holds me so close to His heart and protects me as I step out to do the things I hear Him asking me to do.

Sri Lanka ended their civil war last year. They have been fighting for 30 years. One nation divided and fighting between two different races: the Singhalese (75% of the population and primarily Buddhist) and the Tamil (15% of the population and primarily Hindu). Now that the war has ended I thought the people would be happy because there is finally peace. Instead my friend Mona told me that she is really worried about the future for women, for the Tamil people and for Christians. I realized that I have taken my own peace, safety and sense of security for granted. I don't know what it would feel like to NOT feel safe. Mona told me that "Peace is just a word that the the government uses now that the war is over, but the only true peace that we have is the peace and security that come from Jesus."...and she is a such solid woman. She KNOWS true peace.

We spent 7 1/2 hours on a bus just like this one riding from Colombo to Vavuniya. It was a LONG, BUMPY, and HILARIOUS ride. We were soaking wet from the sweat of those around us. The driver drove around 120 mph (OK...it FELT like 120 mph...but in actuality we only drove 120 miles in 7 1/2 hours...LOL) Literally he honked the horn at people on the road every few minutes of the entire journey. The only things missing were a few loose chickens running around.This is really normal life for Sri Lankans and as crazy (and sometimes scarey) as it was it was a GREAT experience!

Afraid to Fly? Just in Case You Were Wondering...

2010-02-15T06:28:00.001-08:00

Do donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes?

Apparently so! More people are killed from donkey attacks on average than die in plane
crashes annually. There is a greater population in the world that deal
with donkeys than they who ride planes. Many inhabitants of developing
nations still use donkeys for life's daily tasks such as fetching water
or perhaps dragging logs to build their homes or pulling a plow.
Depicted in animations, donkeys may seem loveable and friendly. Though
this is true at times, they have been known to possess a bi-polar
personality. Donkeys are very stubborn animals and are known to get
very aggressive when forced to do a particular chore. This high level
of aggressiveness is the main contributor to the many deaths associated
with donkey attacks around the globe. It is not necessary to provide
exact statistical information to prove this as the numbers of donkey
attack deaths outweigh those from plane wrecks at an exponential level.

---Taken From Wikipedia...and presented to you by a very wide-awake, jet-lagged ME...who found this statistic to be both interesting and amusing. LOL

ARRIVAL in THAILAND

2010-02-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

We made it!!!
Great flights!
Great layovers!

Great Companions!
We even slept pretty good on the plane!
We spent all of yesterday resting, eating good (?) Thai food

Today we are preparing for our travel into Sri Lanka tomorrow.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Psalm 18:30-36
What a God! His road
      stretches straight and smooth.
   Every God-direction is road-tested.
      Everyone who runs toward him
   Makes it.
Is there any god like God?
      Are we not at bedrock?
   Is not this the God who armed me,
      then aimed me in the right direction?
   Now I run like a deer;
      I'm king of the mountain.
   He shows me how to fight;
      I can bend a bronze bow!
   You protect me with salvation-armor;
      you hold me up with a firm hand,
      caress me with your gentle ways.
   You cleared the ground under me
      so my footing was firm.

Three Months, Thirty-Three Pounds, Three boys & a Princess

2010-01-30T17:46:00.001-08:00

Whoa...it takes A LOT to get out the Door.

...lots of grace
...lots of organization
...lots of crazy days
......LOTS OF COFFEE!!!!
AND we LOVE it (for the most part)

There are:
Checklists galore
Piles EVERYWHERE
Meals on the run (..feeling a little guilty about that...thank the Lord for Laurie Heisinger!!!)
Sometimes yelling parents (oh, there is soooo much room for personal growth...and these times magnify those areas crying out for improvement...LOL)
Suitcases, books, documents, and lists (again...list after list after list)
Many, MANY, MANY EMPTY COFFEE CUPS!!!

We must:

Finish School
Contact our contacts...in the countries we'll visit
Make sure we have our shots
Pack the bags
Arrange for the animals and property to be cared for while we're away (thanks Mike, and Ernie)
Clean the house.

We could NEVER get out the door on our own.
We are OVERWHELMED by the kindness and love shown to us by our friends and family by:

Helping us get the house in order.
Babysitting.
Cleaning our house after we leave.
Taking down our Christmas ornaments.
Transferring our music onto iTunes & mp3 players and loading software onto our laptops
Fixing our laptops
BRINGING ME COFFEE!!!!
Driving to the Chinese Embassy so we could get our Visas
THERE IS SOOOOO MUCH MORE. WE ARE SO VERY GRATEFUL!!

Amazingly I was able to fit our entire wardrobe (6 people's clothes for 3 months...) into ONE suitcase. Each kids clothing fit into a 2 1/2 gallon ziplock bag! (AMAZING, again, I might add!)....Each kid ended up with a bag of clothes, a folder of school work, and a bag of books.

Fitting our lives into six 33 pound suitcases...really, it's an interesting concept. Wasn't sure if we could do it! Amazed that we could!

Peace in the Midst of Piles

2010-01-14T08:58:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace

all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

There are piles all over my house.
        Miles of piles that need to be "filed" (so to speak).
             Organized piles, for what it's worth.
                  Piles none-the-less.

These are my "pre-trip" piles.
There are piles of clothes to be packed

Piles of school work to be copied and packed

Piles of medical supplies

Piles of paperwork to be sorted through and organized.

Piles of dishes (those have nothing to do with the trip...at least not directly...should I need to pull an excuse together, I am sure there is a loose correlation that would work, however.)

I don't really like piles...disorder in general, but these piles DO serve a purpose and they are DEFINITELY part of our trip.

And so Jesus, I am asking for peace (and clarity and organization...etc.) in the midst of these piles. I fix my mind on YOU. You are my Peace! What is an organized suitcase or home without the Peace that You want to give me on the journey? It's not about getting there, it's about HOW I get there...and HOW I get my family "there".

Once again the DESTINATION is NOT the ultimate goal. In fact, if I get where ever it is I'm going without my peace, my integrity, my character, and my Relationships (with Him and others) intact, my destination will never be as rich and satisfying as it was intended to be.

Hmmm. Peace comes when my mind is FIXED on Him. Yeah, that's what I want more than anything else: a disciplined mind filled with Jesus, transformed...being transformed as I surrender myself, my day...and my PILES to Him.

I love ALL of the strategies and keys that He has laced throughout His word to make our journey successful and filled with His joy and peace. Peace...even in the midst of piles.

All I Want...

2010-01-11T22:34:00.000-08:00

All I want is to sit in His shade,
to taste and savor His delicious love....

Song of Solomon 2:3

Place me like a seal over your heart,
      like a seal on your arm.
   For love is as strong as death,
      its jealousyas enduring as the grave.
   Love flashes like fire,
      the brightest kind of flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
      nor can rivers drown it.
   If a man tried to buy love
      with all his wealth,
      his offer would be utterly scorned.

Song of Solomon 8:6-7

November/December Newsletter Part 1/2 (Double Click Newsletter and It Will Open As a Larger Document In A New Window)

2010-01-06T16:55:00.000-08:00

November/December Newsletter Part 2/2

2010-01-06T16:48:00.000-08:00

November/December Newsletter

2010-01-06T00:00:00.001-08:00

Here is a link to our November/December Newsletter. It is in pdf format. The link will take you to our Google Document page. Let me know if you have difficulty accessing it. If you are interested in receiving our monthly newsletter via email or regular mail, leave me a comment or email me. I am hoping to provide links to our previous newsletters in the near future. We plan to send out monthly (or very close-to-monthly) newsletters while we are traveling thanks to Jackie Wynn and our church Rivers of Life Christian Fellowship. They have generously printed, stuffed envelopes and mailed this publication for us for the past year. THANK YOU JACKIE WYNN and ROLCF. We love you.

Visa Picts Done: Check...Visa Application #1 Headed to the Post Office Tomorrow

2010-01-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

The Following Post is Self Incriminating...Even So, I had to Post It...

By the Way...what DO they do with all those Visa pictures? I always wonder about that!! You send them two copies (that usually cost an arm and a leg...and for what??? An ugly mug shot!!! Seriously!). The visa they send you back NEVER has your picture on it...and on that note, I pray that these visas are not the one exception to my lengthy experience. Can you imagine having THAT picture in my passport until it expires???!!?

....Oh well! Certainly, with this fine visa picture I am sending them of myself I am hoping to pull at their empathy "strings". Ha, ha. They will either think I am "the old woman who lived in a shoe..." or a hardened criminal.

I am hoping that the lack of makeup and hair "ineptitude" that my picture offers will cause them to pour lots of mercy and grace on our family. LOL...And poor Jonathan. He was sick and had two PAINFUL cold sores...still he smiles with those adorable eyes. I am in love with my family....And so happy we are adopting Ashley for the next few months. (Thanks Joe and Laurie!) My life is so very rich...even if I resemble "the old woman who lived in a shoe..."

Stop philosophizing about what a good man is and be one. -Marcus Aurelius

2010-01-02T22:52:00.001-08:00

I received the following from a good friend in an email. The Lord is using the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Former Roman Emperor to remind me again of things He values and desires for me. I want my love and my life to be lived out in it's fullest capacity and dimension before Him in this lifetime that I have. These spoke so deeply to my heart that I couldn't help sharing them with you.

Marcus Aurelius was Emperor of Rome for two decades before succumbing to the plague in 180 A.D.He was the most powerful man of his day, ruling an empire that stretched from Western Europe to the Middle East and Africa. During his reign, he defended Rome against barbarians, invading tribes, pestilence, and plague at every border.Yet, in those quiet moments of leisure when he was able to take off the mantle of Emperor, he also composed one of the world's great works of Stoic philosophy: his Meditations. The book is essentially an inner dialogue. Marcus wrote solely for himself, not posterity. His goal was to face up to the world, define the good life, and develop a manual for daily living.

His words still resonate today. Here is just a sampling:

*If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. And it is in your power to wipe out this judgment now.

*Be like the jutting rock against which waves are constantly crashing, and all around it the frothing foam then settles back down. Say not "Oh, I am so unfortunate that this has happened to me." But rather "How fortunate I am that, even though this has happened to me, I continue uninjured, neither terrified by the present nor in fear of the future."

*Never consider anything to be beneficial to you which could ever compel you to:

violate your faith in yourself
abandon your modesty
hate anybody
be overly suspicious
curse
be disingenuous
lust after anything which must be hidden behind walls or veils.

*Wisdom and right action are the same thing.

*Whenever you notice someone else going astray, immediately turn and examine how you yourself have gone astray, for example, esteeming money, pleasure, reputation, or something else, as if it were the highest good. Examine yourself in this way and you will quickly forget your anger.

*People seek retreats for themselves in the country, by the sea, and near the mountains, and you too are especially prone to desire such things. But this is a sign of ignorance, since you have the power to retire within yourself whenever you wish. For nowhere can a person retire more full of peace and free from care than into his own soul.

*Kindness is unconquerable, so long as it is without flattery or hypocrisy. For what can the most insolent man do to you if you continue to be kind to him?

*The noblest way of taking revenge on others is by refusing to become like them.

*If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is wrong, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, by which no one ever was truly harmed.

*Someone else may ask: "How may I possess that?" But you should ask: "How may I not covet that?" Someone else asks: "How can I be rid of him?" But you: "How can I not wish to be rid of him?" Another: "How may I not lose my little child?" But you: "How may I not dread the loss of my child?" Turn your prayers around entirely, and see what happens.

His message is simple and direct, but powerful. He values inner strength, dignity, and self-respect. He reminds us that life can end at any moment, that the past and the future are inaccessible, that we are made better by confronting difficult conditions with resolution and courage, and that our most important goal is our own private quest for perfection.

Stop philosophizing about what a good man is and be one.
-Marcus Aurelius

This is what UNSCATHED looks like:

2009-12-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

Before we left for Africa in May 2008, the Lord woke me up one night and spoke a really powerful word to me. He told me that as we traveled into the nations His hand would carry our children. They would be safe. They would not die. They would be unharmed. They would be UNSCATHED...and that their training would be in the nations.

Seth and I had are both really comfortable traveling and so I never really had worried about our children, but it was an amazing promise of safety and protection and I was grateful.

When Josh got sick two months later we had a lot to grapple with, but we KNEW we could trust the Lord's goodness and the word that He had given me. That word became an anchor. After thirteen months of pain, difficulty sleeping and eating, barely getting off the couch at times, Josh is better. Looking at him today it's hard to believe he was ever even sick.

Unscathed...

I Did This For You

2009-12-17T15:40:00.001-08:00

Fear is an ugly, all-consuming monster. I don't typical think of myself as a fearful person. ..Until I find myself feeling afraid of something:

Dangerous situations I imagine happening to us (usually late at night while I am lying in bed awake)
Sickness, accidents, yucky things that steal life
Confronting Issues I've grown accustomed to...comfortable with

Stinky devil: He comes to kill, steal, and destroy and with every fearful thought I give into LIFE is robbed from me.
Amazing Jesus: He has come to bring life...abundant, joyful, rich, peaceful, secure LIFE...all as I surrender my FEAR to Him.

So, I asked the Lord to show me what is in His heart. I asked Him to show me what He wants to do on this earth. I want to be one who brings pleasure to Him. I want to be someone who runs on this earth doing what He longs to see done. That's the beginning of a new place in my journey with Him. I love that He will never stop taking us new places with Him.

Fear...back I forth I trade places: Great faith (I will run hard after YOU, Jesus)....crippling fear (What if something terrible happens?)...great faith (I trust You. I will NOT be afraid!)....crippling fear (...but I FEEL afraid.) ...great faith (I CHOOSE to trust YOU!).

I bet Esther felt this way. Created for a "time", a season of history. Doubting. Called. Filled with questions. Empowered. Fearful. Chosen. Afraid. Courageous. Prone to worry. Bold, unafraid. Moments of great fear followed by great faith and strength. Faith wins. Life, abundant life poured for me; poured into me; pouring through me. Still I must fight the fear. Fear that, at times, I might deny even exists.

Last week it snowed all day on Monday. Two inches turned into four. Four inches turned into nine. I marveled at the beauty. Quiet, peaceful, majestic. Time stands still when you get a good snow storm. The pace slows. People stay home. The electricity goes out. No TV, no computer. Snow blanketed the hills, the roads. The trees were weighted down by the heavy snow. Untouched by the sun the snow was completely still. It did not move. It was silent. Peaceful. Beautiful.

Then we went to bed and FEAR began to stir. At least I thought it was fear. I am certain the enemy wanted me to align myself with fear, because he knows how fear steals from me, how fear robs me of my precious life. I began to think about those heavy, beautiful trees. The beautiful pines and cedar were made for snow, but the oak trees rarely carry the weight of such a load. Usually the first sign of the sun and the snow melts, even just a little bit, lessening the load. But not that night. I began to worry about a tree falling on our house. Where did that thought come from? I have lived right here for the majority of my life. I've never seen a tree fall anywhere on our property, and certainly, not anywhere close to this house.

Still the thought nagged my mind. I didn't tell Seth (and I absolutely did not tell the kids), but I thought if a tree fell it would be near the kids' rooms. So we decided to let the kids sleep in sleeping bags in our room that night. Before we went to bed I suggested that we all pray that no trees would hit our house. Each kid prayed and so did Seth and I .

At 1:00 a.m. Seth and I jolted out of bed after we heard a loud sound. We fumbled around for a bit making sure all the kids were in our room and then we made our way outside (in bare feet and driven by adrenaline). A tree had fallen and come within inches of hitting our house.

As we made our way back to bed an hour later I thought I heard the Lord say, "I did this for you." What did that mean?

I lay awake in bed for the next few hours interceding and thanking the Lord for putting in my heart to ask Him for such an obscure thing: "Please don't let a tree fall on my house." The Lord prompted us to pray something...to ask for His protection. I think He wanted me to know that His hand was on us...and that our prayers are powerful. Surrendered fear...fear that turns into intercession is powerful. God is waiting to change history...waiting for me to find His heart and to ask Him to do what is already in His heart to do. He wants me to know that He is alive and well and aware of me...little ol' me. That night He was waiting for me to ask Him to protect my house from a tree falling, because He knew that tree was gonna fall.

"I did this for you." hmmm? "You caused the tree to fall for me?" I asked Him. "I created a situation to give you a testimony...a reminder of my goodness, of my protection, of my nearness; I wanted you to know that My eye is on you and My hand is close. My ear is inclined to your voice. YOU don't have to be afraid."

It was a long night. I'd like to tell you that I peacefully drifted off to sleep nestled closely to Seth, peacefully resting in what God was speaking to me; but in all honesty, I was up most of the night, awakened by every sound. I had to surrender my fear OVER and OVER and OVER again that night and CHOOSE to trust that I was going to be safe. And I was safe.

He did that for me. His goodness envelopes me even when I cannot clearly see it. "I did this for you." Ahhhh, yes, Jesus. Thank you. Help me trust You when fear feels like it is trying to consume me. Remind me.

Our Trip to Mexico With the Deans

2009-09-23T13:10:00.001-07:00

...great fellowship

...great food

...meeting new brothers and sisters and hearing their stories

...enjoying the beautiful geography

...finding joy and pleasure in the journey

...WE EVEN GOT A TICKET AS SOON AS WE CROSSED THE BORDER INTO THE U.S.
...rich times
..Thank you Jesus! We love you and we love Your people...everywhere we go.

Plowing

2009-09-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

plowing: work done in preparation for harvest.

Tomorrow Seth and I (...and our four awesome kiddos) are meeting Happy and Jerry Dean (Ten Talents Ministries) at the California/Mexico Border and we're heading down to Ensenada. We will be attending a church service and connecting with some Mexican leaders of some ministries in Baja.

One "leg" of the Bending the Bow vision is to provide a place for families and individuals to experience cross-cultural ministry. We want this short term mission's experience to be financially affordable, short enough that people with full time jobs can still participate without jeopardizing their employment, and to provide a gentle transition from American culture and lifestyle into a developing nation's culture. We feel that Ensenada provides all of these. We are excited that this dream is getting closer to becoming a reality.

...Ah, plowing.

Matthew 9:37,38
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Sorely Neglected Blog Is Hoping To Make a Comeback

2009-09-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Our Year in a Nutshell: TRANSITION

1. Seth resigned from his position at Rivers of Life.

2. Mary Beth continues to grow in her great love and appreciation for coffee. (not much transition...just continued growth)

3. Josh has been to a thousand doctors, taken hundreds of thousands of medications (none of which worked) and had no less than one million tests done, just find out: NOTHING ...and through this year of sickness and pain in Joshua's life, we have watched our "little guy" grow and mature in His love for the Lord and in His faith. Our whole family has been stretched to the limits (at least I hope that was the limit) and we have grown closer to the One who holds us so close to His heart.

4. Josiah decided (with our permission) to grow his hair until he is reunited with his best friend Tristan, currently residing in Indonesia. We had planned to see Tristan and his family (The MacLean's) in July, but we post-poned our trip until February due to Josh's sickness. ...Needless to say Josiah's hair may be quite long by the time we get to Indonesia.

5. Jonathan lost his second tooth and learned to read.

6. Hannah started kindergarten!

7. We've caught up with friends from all over the world: China, Philippines, Rwanda, Tanzania to name a few.

8. Seth and I participated in an amazing marriage class, Love After Marriage through Bethel Church in Redding (Start saving your pennies; We highly recommend this class!!)

9. Bending the Bow Int'l officially became an official Non-Profit Organization recognized by the all the necessary government agencies.

10. The next Bending the Bow trip into Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines) is in the works and we are very excited about how it's coming together. We will be leaving in February and returning toward the end of April 2010.

11. Around every corner we have experienced His goodness in our lives. It's been a year of "treasure hunting"...looking for and finding the treasures He has hidden for us. It's been rich a very rich season.

Isaiah 45:3
And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—
secret riches.
I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

2009-07-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Our Mission: To Refresh and Serve

2009-05-28T22:39:00.001-07:00

The mission of Bending the Bow International is to refresh and serve Christian leaders in the nations. Most of what we do centers around five specific areas the Lord has laid on our
hearts:
• Encouraging Leaders through Personal Ministry
• Mobilizing and Leading Need-Specific Teams
• Empowering Individuals and Families to “Go!”
• Equipping “Senders”
• Advocating for the needs of the leaders we serve.

In the coming months we will discuss these individual strategies in greater detail so that you can better understand what we are doing for the leaders we serve. This month we’d like to explain why it is imperative that our missionaries are served and refreshed on a regular basis.

According to the Joshua Project, 98% of all U.S. Christians involved with missions are “senders”.
Senders are the ones that support missionaries through prayer, finances, care packages, letters, and emails, etc.. Less than 2% of U.S. Christians involved in missions actually “go” into a foreign nation and serve. Missionaries carry a huge workload and are out there doing the job all of us are called to do. They are an extension of us. As the senders, it is our responsibility to know how our
missionaries are doing, to find out what their needs are, and to do whatever we can to meet their needs. It is our job to refresh and encourage them; to undergird them so that they can effectively do the job God has called them to do. Their well-being must be one of our greatest priorities. When they are healthy and thriving, His Kingdom is expanding. Our missionaries represent Jesus in the nations. They represent us, as well. And until the work of world evangelization is done, our bridegroom cannot returnfor His bride. We must serve lift and connect with these leaders and take personal responsibility for encouraging, refreshing, and strengthening our missionaries as they lay down their lives to lift up the name of Jesus in the nations.

As we have ministered around the world, we have had the opportunity to serve men,women, families and organizations filled with exciting, amazing, God-birthed vision. We have watched these leaders and their families give everything they have, holding nothing back from the people,
regions, and nations they serve. They have made tremendous sacrifices to “go” and have laid their lives down so that truly every tribe, tongue, and nation will encounter Jesus. These leaders
have embraced the good and dealt with the difficult so that the name of Jesus would be lifted up in the nations. As senders, we MUST do everything within our ability to empower that 2% who are called to “go” and who are influencing and impacting the nations on our behalf.

Our purpose, as individuals and as a ministry, is to make ourselves aware of their needs and to do whatever we can do to strengthen, encourage, and refresh these HEROES as they serve us by serving Him in the serve us by serving Him in the nations.

In the coming months we will go into greater detail about the five areas the Lord has given us to develop that we hope will begin to address some needs we have become aware of through the years. We are driven by a passion to see our brothers and sisters in the nations thriving,
effectively accomplishing everything God has called them to do “...that all of the
families of the nations would worship Him.” (Psalm 22:27)

1 Corinthians 12:25-26
(The Message)
The way God designed our bodies
is a model for understanding our lives
together as a church: every part
dependent on every other part, the
parts we mention and the parts we
don't, the parts we see and the parts
we don't. If one part hurts, every
other part is involved in the hurt, and
in the healing. If one part flourishes,
every other part enters into the
exuberance.

Our Puppies 2009...For Sale and Ready to Take Home Just in Time For Easter: AKC Black Labs...All Proceeds Support Bending the Bow International

2009-04-07T18:07:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Getting Stretched

2009-03-17T22:41:00.001-07:00

I'm getting stretched.
     Ha! Like a rubberband....spread thin, tightly pulled from all ends in all directions...just as far as I think I can go.
         And then just when I think I can't be stretched any further, I find myself being stretched a little more, a little farther.
             Now, am I stretched to full capacity? I hope this it! How much more can I take? Seriously,
who signed me up for this emotional and spiritual yoga class?

Trust...I keep hearing Him whisper, "Will you trust Me?"
         I surrendered my options a long time ago.
               My only option, my only answer, "Yes, Lord. I lay my will down. I trust You. I trust the greater work that you will to do in me...the greater work You are doing in me...NOW, through this painful stretching...Yes, Lord. I surrender to Your hand, to Your love, to Your plan for me. I trust Your goodness. I see Your goodness all around me. You are good and You are my Peace in the middle of the storm."

Security..."I will never leave you. I am with You."
Comfort..."I see. I know. I am."
Strength..."I sing over you. I carry you. My grace IS sufficient, My power IS made perfect in your weakness."
Reminder..."I keep My promises."
Peace...anchors my heart. I BELONG to You. You are my loving Father, my intimate Bridegroom, my Comforter.

You anchor me.

Lifetimes Are Spent Searching For This Key

2009-01-05T15:08:00.001-08:00

...He LOVES to reveal secrets and mysteries to us.

Joshua 1:8
Study this Book of
Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be
sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and
succeed in all you do.

The Word

2009-01-03T13:47:00.001-08:00

I found this cool website with a variety of Bible reading plans. They let you pick from about 10 translations and they have 13 different reading plans to choose from. After you select the options that work the best for you, you give them your email address and every day they email a link to your reading for the day. You can read online...or on your own.

Oh, the Word of a Lover spoken to His bride...His sweet Words to me...His words: my sole source of strength and stability, my calm and my peace. A single Word spoken by my God sends my enemies running for their lives. His Word is my confidence and my security...my offensive weapon.

I am hungry to know His Word...both written and spoken...Logos and Rhema...I want to taste it, chew on it, digest it. I want every fiber of my being to be filled with His Word. I want His Words etched on my heart...written on every cell....transforming me into all that He is...causing me to fall before Him, exposed, undone, alive. I want my heart to beat with the rhythm of His...to move, to speak, to touch...as He is moving, speaking, and touching; not randomly, haphazardly, but rather because I KNOW His heart and I move together, in tandem with His...because I know His Word.

These Words spoken directly to me from my Greatest Love..These Words pierce my heart...quiet my soul...wash me...convict me. His Word causes me to yearn for more...and they release me to run and play and laugh and cry and to live life to its fullest because as I hear Him speak His Word to me I am changed.

Isaiah 50:4

The Sovereign Lord has given me His Words of wisdom,
                                       so that I know how to comfort the weary.
                                   Morning by morning He wakens me
                                  and opens my understanding to His will.

When He speaks into my heart, it changes everything about me: how I think, what I see, how I feel, my perceptions, the way I look at life and the people He has place in my life. His Word feeds me...and it must be the priority of my day to be quiet and to still my heart...to listen...to train my ear to listen.

I am looking forward to these daily reminders and grateful for the accountability that this plan to read through the Word this year provides.

If you want to check it out, click here...

Hangnails and Hugs

2009-01-02T17:37:00.000-08:00

Last night Hannah came into our room crying.

"What's wrong, Hannah Banana?"

"My finger nail is coming off and it hurts sooooo bad," spoken through tears.

First Seth got up with her and clipped her fingernail, but the tears and her acknowledgment of the pain continued. I finally got out of bed and attempted to try "fix" the problem. I started with a band-aid and we went back to bed. That didn't relieve the pain of the raw, exposed nail bed. Then, I put some vaseline on her finger; still the pain continued. She laid in bed next to me trying to sleep, but the pain kept her wide awake. Finally, she cried to me, "Mama, I don't even think I can sleep because it hurts so bad."

She so simply articulated her pain and the problem it was causing her. We got back up and tried a few things....Nothing worked, so I held her. Finally she fell asleep.

Many times as I struggle, I do everything in my own power to work through it and fix it on my own. Tonight I could feel God's compassion toward me when I struggle. He is not put out by my pain or problems. His heart is moved with grace and mercy...with understanding. He loves it as I share my struggles with Him...when I include Him in the things I am working through. Sure He already knows my pain; He sees it; He feels it, but as I include Him in the process, when I invite Him to be a part of the solution He runs to be with me. Sometimes the pain doesn't go away, but it is so satisfying to feel His arms envelope me....and to feel His heart broken by my hurt. That's the journey we're on...sharing the good and the bad with a loving God. HE KNOWS my name and SHARES my life...all of my life; and He loves ME, hangnails and all.

The Journey of The Thousand Gifts

2008-12-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

One of my FAVORITE Blogs is "Holy Experience". Ann Voskamp makes me laugh and cry...and most of all she challenges me in the core...the center of who I am. She makes me love Jesus more. In her blog she offers a challenge: The Thousand Gifts ,to start a blog
gratitude journal. I am going to begin my own list and will try to be
consistent in adding to it.

My Journey of 1,000 Gifts Begins....The things I am grateful for:

1. He knows my name.
2. He love me deeply.
3. Mr. Incredible....who also knows my name and loves me deeply.

4. Laughing children...filled with joy.

5.The Experience of Learning How Other People Live First Hand.

To Be Continued...

Wounded By Another Believer?

2008-12-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

Last week I stumbled across a book on one of our bookshelves. The binding was unbent. The pages pristine. For all appearances it had never been read. "Exquisite Agony" by Gene Edwards. I picked it up and began to read the back...

"Pain suffered by a Christian at the hands of another believer is one of the most destructive experiences
one will ever know. Few recover completely. Many are destroyed from effective Christian living forever..."

As I began to read I realized that I had visited these pages before. This book had quietly and profoundly changed me deep inside many years ago...so much so that the book was only a vague memory; but the perspective and change it brought me has become a lasting imprint of His gracious, unrelenting love toward me. You see, the Lord loves us so much that He wants every single area of our hearts surrendered and healed, and He will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to bring us to a place where we can receive healing. As I read, the Holy Spirit revealed places in my heart I had failed to acknowledge; places where I had been holding onto unforgiveness and offense toward individuals that had "wronged" me. It was as if Someone had pulled a scab off of a long-ignored, festering wound; allowing necrotic areas of my heart come back to life again and the healing process to begin.

A word of caution: if you are looking for a warm, touchy-feeling, make-me-feel-good-about-myself book, then THIS IS NOT FOR YOU. "Exquisite Agony" takes you on an inward journey....into the "house of mirrors". You CANNOT escape the introspective exploration of your own heart as the author leads you on your own journey of healing and wholeness. This book is about one person alone, the only one you have the power to change: It is about YOU! "Exquisite Agony", by Gene Edwards, brings such perspective for anyone who has ever at anytime, anyplace, for any reason been hurt or wounded....which includes all of us, does it not?

Now as much as I would like to expand on the content of the book, I will refrain, because in doing so I would spoil the effect and impact it could have on your heart. Please, I encourage you to find a copy and read this book. The season of history that we living in demands that we walk free from offense and free to release others from the hurt and pain we believe they have caused in our lives.

"Exquisite Agony" is a quick read, with short chapters, and a powerful, lasting impact for those who are committed to personal healing and wholeness. I highly recommend this treasure of a book.

A second, and equally profound, must read: "The Bait of Satan" by John Bevere.

You Know Me

2008-12-20T08:26:00.000-08:00

Your eyes gaze into my heart
    You see me
       You know me.
           Such security in exposure

Known
I am safe in the knowing.
     ....safe in Your knowing of me...
            .....invited to know You.

Deep, Real, Meaningful Knowing
     deeply acquainted with all that I am
          deeply desiring me
              to become more deeply acquainted
                       with all that You are

Complete Vulnerability
Complete Exposure
Complete Security

You provide no immunity from pain...neither do You exempt me from joy and celebration.
     ...these are part of the journey...OUR JOURNEY
           ...and You do not distance Yourself from me on this road; instead You draw me closer
                ...You reveal Yourself on this journey
                    ...this journey of Intimacy and Shared Experiences

The Pain...The Joy
The Laughter....The Tears
      You see through me
           You see in me
                You see me
And these are the tools...the avenue from my heart to Yours and from Yours into mine.
   ...If I will but grant You access to those quiet, secret places reserved for You.

You FIGHT for me and by my side.

You EMPOWER me.

You RELEASE me to be all I was created to be.

Marvelous, Intimate, True Connection
Heart Renewed...Spirit Refreshed

Free...Freedom...You set me free
   free to run
    free to create
      free to hear what You are saying
         free to love
           FREEDOM to bring healing, refreshing, and release
    Deep Refreshing Breaths of Life and Love
Freedom....so sweet.

Wholeness

You fill me up inside
You give me wings to fly
      strength to love
      desire to continue.

Broken by Your love I am completely whole.

Psalm 139: 1-6,16,17
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
      and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
      You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
      and when I rest at home.
      You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
      even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
      You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
      too great for me to understand!
16 You saw me before I was born.
      Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
   Every moment was laid out
      before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me,^{O God.}
      They cannot be numbered!

Jonathan's Dream

2008-12-13T13:09:00.001-08:00

Joel 2:28
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.

Psalm 8:2
You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.

This morning I was talking to our good friends, Aaron and Brenda McKenzie, who passionately love Jesus and have given their lives to serve Him. The McKenzies currently live in Israel where they have established a base for/with Iris Ministries. They spend a great deal of time serving and ministering in and around Bethlehem. While we were talking Jonathan was still sound asleep. When he woke up he began to tell me his dream:

In his dream he had fallen asleep in our hallway. When he woke up (still in his dream) he was in Bethlehem. He began praying and all of the sudden he could see a "force field" of protection around all the Christian believers in that city. No one could see the force field except other believers.

Now, that right there is a GOOD word!!!

Jesus, thank you for the supernatural protection You've placed on Your people,both leaders and laymen, who have been called by You...who have said "Yes! I will go...Yes, I will follow...Yes, I will obey."...and those who are relentlessly serving you in the Kingdom trenches around the world.

Aaron and Brenda McKenzie

Iris Israel

Seth & Mary Beth Sponsler

Bending the Bow International
Empowering Leaders to Hit Their Target
Psalm 22:27 "...so that the families of the nations will worship Him."

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-10T22:11:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Becoming "Bow Flexors" (Team Sponski=A Piece of Exercise Equipment????)

2008-11-23T22:23:00.000-08:00

A Little More Information About Where "Bending the Bow International" and Team Sponski are headed.

Seth and I wanted to let each of you, that have been following our trips, know that we are making some changes very soon.
As of December 31, 2008, Seth will no longer be employed by Rivers of
Life Christian Fellowship. We will continue attending this church and
have been blessed over the past 10 years through our employment,
ministry, and connection with this body of believers. As stated in my last post, we are in the process of establishing a non-profit organization and ministry called "Bending The Bow International". Our paperwork should be complete within the next few weeks.

Since we got married 13 years ago, we have known that eventually we would serve the Lord in the nations in a full time capacity. This time has come and as of January 1, 2009 we will begin this new journey.

For many years Seth and I have known the Lord was calling us to
serve in the nations. We have never felt led to serve full time in one
nation, and through the years as the Lord has clarified this calling,
refined our vision, and given us more specific direction we know that
He is calling us to serve, refresh, and minister to Christian leaders
who are serving all over the world. While we were in Africa this
summer the Lord confirmed to us that it was time to take steps in this
direction. We realize it may seem like a crazy time to leave a job
(in the state of our nation and world's economy)...but we strongly believe the Lord is leading us to take this step of faith and are thus compelled to step. We are extremely excited to continue on this journey of faith and expect to find many treasures along the way.

A little bit about Bending the Bow International:

The idea of "Bending the Bow" is this: When a bow is flexed
there is tremendous potential energy stored up for the arrow that is in
the process of being shot. This ministry is about refreshing, serving,
and equipping leaders and their families who are already in the process of carrying out
God-birthed vision for bringing the Nations TO HIM.
As we serve,refresh, & equip Christian leaders a "bow" (a tool that will propel the arrows) is being flexed so that when these "arrows" are released they will soar...reaching their full potential in order to hit their target.

The flexing of the bow is OUR job: refreshing, serving,
coming along side of, lifting their arms, serving, praying over and
for, bringing in teams to meet specific needs, etc. The goal is that when we leave, that arrow (individual, family, ministry) will experience a greater spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational release as a result of the time we have spent
with them. We hope to see them empowered and filled with the full potential of what God has placed inside of them in that season....so that they can accurately and efficiently hit the mark that God is calling them to "hit".

Psalm 22:27 articulates the heart of why we burn inside to do this....it is
THE REASON we feel called to refresh and serve those in the trenches; Our ultimate purpose and motivation is so that:

Psalm 22:27 (New Living Translation) The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to Him.
That all the families of the nations will bow down before him.

And we want to see families come to the Lord...mothers, fathers, children, siblings..not just individuals...We want to see families ministered to, families ministering together, families who are healed/reconciled/strong, and families
trained up, equipped, and serving together.

If any of you would like to be included in ourmail newsletters/updates and/or our email updates, please email me or leave a comment with your correct mailing address/email addressand I will add you to our list. If you are interested in going with us or just getting more information about one of our 2009 trips into Asia (5 different trips), please contact us by leaving a comment or by emailing us directly. Families with children are welcome.

Blessings and thank you for praying for us during the next several months of transition.

Seth & Mary Beth Sponsler

Bending the Bow International
Empowering Leaders to Hit their Target
Psalm 22:27 "...so that the families of the nations will worship Him."

Transition, Change...and the Launching of "Bending the Bow International"

2008-11-17T17:02:00.001-08:00

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
~Robert C. Gallagher

Do you ever feel like you live in a state of perpetual change....always transitioning somewhere?!?
LIMBO...I think that is the official name.
Waiting...and listening...moving only when you hear Him tell you to step....not always seeing clearly where you are stepping, BUT completely confident as you trust Him...complete peace.
And still it is transition ....and so we are learning to be flexible with the transitions and change or THAT change that was meant to keep us centered on Him wipes us out. Seriously!!
Uncomfortable. Unsettling. All Security Blankets Gone. "Am I doing the right thing? Taking the right steps? Did I hear You correctly before I stepped?" ...The Questions.

And then, Excitement, Joy, Living Centered, Complete Dependence, Refreshed, My Faith is Growing,
My Heart is Learning The Rhythm of His Heart...learning to beat in tandem with His...The Gifts He Brings Me that can only be found in times of "transition"...more treasures straight from His heart to mine.

I feel like I LIVE in TRANSITION. I should be pro by now, but somehow you never become a pro at transition...and you always think it's going be over soon. Perhaps God celebrates our seasons of "transition". Life is about transition and change. It's the process, the journey. And when we learn to surrender to this "work" of "transition" in our lives He makes us ready for the next "place", which usually looks like more transition. LOL!! I guess it's all about learning to completely surrender to a loving God who ALWAYS has my BEST INTEREST in His heart. How much more safe and secure could it get? Surrendered to Him. ....Becoming completely surrendered to His hand, His voice, His heart. That is the goal, isn't it? That is where I want to live.
Surrendered to Him, my ONLY option.

When you are through changing, you are through. ~Bruce Barton

When Seth was in Jr. High the Lord began speaking to him about serving in the nations,specifically the continent of Africa. He had no idea how much pleasure and joy God had in store for him. As for me, during my seventh grade year God began to break my heart for the lost and fill me with His love for the nations. Through the years God has solidified and deepened that calling on our lives...WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT SEEING THE PEOPLE IN THE NATIONS FALL AT HIS FEET IN LOVE AND ADORATION...and we love to see people washed in His love and broken by His adoration of them...His created ones...the ones He's given everything for. He is passionate for these broken, impoverished ones, those in bondage, the widows, the orphans; His

heart is moved by these...and together with these, we are the treasures of HIS heart.

God has tremendously blessed us through the years by surrounding us with great leaders who have loved, equipped, and influenced us. And now the Lord is releasing us to serve Him in a new capacity and we are EXCITED.

As of January 1, 2009 Seth and I will be employed by Bending the Bow International, a non-profit organization that we have established for the purpose of serving and refreshing those living and working in the Kingdom Trenches. (Those who have given up the comforts and familiarities of Western living to serve in other nations. Some are pastors; some are businessmen; some are wives and moms; some are young history makers and world changers being trained as I write this.)We are so excited to run with this vision God has been birthing in our hearts for so many years.

Allchanges, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. ~Anatole France

Our vision is simple: To serve and refresh leaders and their families so they can run hard after the vision God has given them, walk in supernatural strength, and live healthy and whole lives (physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, and relationally)as they serve Him in the "trenches".

The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what you are for what [God would have you] become.~W.E.B. DuBois

A Diversion From the Normal Bending The Bow Post...

2008-10-30T14:55:00.001-07:00

Hannah's Quote of the Day...."Auntie Sarah, Noe was putting chicken poop in his mouth, but it's ok, He spit it out!" hmmmmm?!? A little more supervision maybe?

Oh, the joys of cousins spending time together out on the farm.

"The Chicken Poop Song" by Sarah and Noe (Sporting their "African" tribalwear)
Chicken Poop Makes Me Want To Eat Ice Cream
THE END

Lyricists at the age of 4 and 2. Pretty amazing!!! And what about those dance moves?

Fear, Anxiety, and Other Weapons Formed Against Us That Don't Have to Prosper

2008-10-24T00:11:00.001-07:00

It's election time in a very polarized nation....world for that matter. There is a lot at stake this year. People, positions, propositions that will dictate things for months, years, generations? to come. I keep hearing reports from friends throughout the nations of the effects of changing economies, of political unrest, of living in and amoung people who will and are making the ultimate sacrifice for following Jesus.

Here we face broken economies, job layoffs, inconveniences, and more I am sure, but truly, a broken economy in the U.S. is plush and secure compared to the devastation of broken world economies that reach deep into the developing nations where poverty already threatens life on a daily basis. Their money isn't caught up in the stock market; it is parsed out, stretched as thin as it can go to buy the simple things like food for their families...We hear of bombings and attacks in the Middle East....and persecution of Christians in India, Sudan, Iran, and others. These are things we don't want to or like to talk or think about...things that make me sad and sometimes, even, afraid. Then I think about traveling into dark places...and I think of stepping into new and unfamiliar places. I think about myself,my husband, my children; I think of friends living in these dark places....and nationals whose lives were birthed in these nations. And I THEN I remember the power, glory, victory, authority, tender loving kindness, and grace that He longs to pour out on His people...and not just His people, but all the people in all the nations don't yet know that it is Jesus they themselves are crying out for.And in tandem He cries out for them to be washed in His love, to know Him, and to encounter Him and to be encountered by Him. Our God is not slight and He is not needy. He is stategic, and loving, and good. And He shines in dark places and in dark seasons of time.

Today Josh and I have been reflecting on the life of my mother-in-law, Alma. She was sooooo in love with Jesus. She never met a stranger. She loved everyone like a mother. She was a woman of prayer, filled with faith, and love, and so much hope. She LOVED life. We were shocked and sick and angry and sad when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. We believed God could heal her. She believed, as well. This woman lived a surrendered life. Every breath until her last belonged to Him. She was tired and beaten down before she died, but she was NOT afraid. Things were getting darker for her there toward the end of her battle with colon cancer last summer (2007), but we watched His light get brighter in her, through her, for her. She had peace...true peace. I was with her during the weeks and months before she died. I went to her doctor's appointments with her. Never once did she faulter in her trust in God's plan for her life. She gave Him glory and Honor and permision to have His complete way with her. And in this dark season we saw His hand and His light and His love over and over again. She was brave and courageous and she inspired me like no one ever has as she graduated to heaven. She showed me that we don't have to be afraid of the dark, because His Light resonates in us, through us, around us. His light penetrates the darkness around us.

Throughout history seasons ebb and flow. Certainly there are times of Jubilee; times of plenty. And there are times of grave darkness. We are at a cross roads in our history. Lines are being drawn. It is a somber time; a time to think; a time to strategize; a time to rise up with courage and strength, joy, gratitude, and GREAT HOPE! ...a time rise up in love, praise, adoration, and trust in our Bridegroom, our King. Because as darkness covers the earth...even for a season, LIGHT, HIS Light radiates even brighter. His grace, strength, unfailing love ABOUND. He has hidden treasures for us in dark places...We must look for these treasures and we must fix our eyes on this One who transcends darkness, dark places, dark seasons.

The enemy...he's come to Kill, Steal, and Destroy....and I have let him have a hay day with my mind. I have let my mind worry, fear, feel anxious. Nothing good comes from these....you end up feeling sad, frettful, and hopeless, fearful. But today I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus and to trust His perspective and vantage point and the words He speaks to my heart...in honor of the One I love and in honor of Alma, who has inspired me to ALWAYS trust Him, ALWAYS see the treasure He's hidden for me....to Love Big and to Stand Strong strengthen by His presence and words....even when I can't feel Him or hear Him very well.

So then, today, reflecting on Alma, I remember that the darker things get, the brighter His presence appears as I surrender my fear, anxiety, and all those other weapons formed against me that I have come into agreement with. I SURRENDER THESE, JESUS!!! Thank you for your blood that covers me and my family. Thank you that you are MY VICTORIOUS WARRIOR! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO FIGHTS FOR ME! The battle belongs to YOU. Doesn't matter what the economy looks like, or our nation's issues are, or how unsettled the rest of the world may be. I TRUST YOU completely. YOU HOLD MY HEART. And I again SURRENDER to You in love and adoration and trust.

Enjoy....a little taste of our summer.

2008-10-17T12:43:00.001-07:00

2008-10-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

Vanilla Wafers

2008-09-20T14:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes "re-entry", or, coming back home after being gone for a long time...or really after you experience anything significant in your life (the birth of a child, a death, any huge change really) can leave you feeling a little unsettled. Things change inside of you...and still the world around continues on as before, but suddenly you see things so differently. I always think of myself as box of Vanilla Wafers. It's like "Someone" reaches inside the box and takes a few cookies out....maybe even puts a few new cookies back in the box. The contents change and everything inside has to resettle and find it's place again. All the while, the box and everything on the outside look the same as they always have. It takes a little time to sort the contents of my "box" out. And really it is a beautiful process...experiencing God changing me inside, looking around at the same things I've always seen, but suddenly, and sometimes gradually, seeing them through different lenses...changed. I love that no matter how old I am, no matter how many times life happens around me and inside of me and through me, God NEVER gets tired of providing me with opportunities for my heart and perspective to be changed. I never want to get too old or so set in my ways that I become immune to His transformation of my heart...His gift of change...this treasure of perspective that He brings me.

A Few Things I Love....

2008-09-19T10:34:00.001-07:00

MY BED!!!....with my Husband snuggled close to me!
quiet conversations with my best friend as we fade off to sleep
played with toys
a noisy home filled with chatter and laughter and even tears....arguments sometimes, learning together how love Jesus more....REAL LIFE....REAL RELATIONSHIPS...growing together more deeply in love
my kids running in and out, in circles, all around
hearing someone laugh in their sleep
kitchen messes after a morning/lunch/dinner of cooking together
muddy feet
my journal...my personal journal...or one of my books with a scribble or picture or an attempted word written with love and grand artistic creativitiy...carefully crafted by one of my kids
things attempted, failed, and....REATTEMPTED confidently
a home that is "lived in" (a.k.a. "messy"...at times) that reflects memories being created
3,000 lego pieces on the floor, in the process of becoming what they were created to become (sometime I feel that way about myself)
joy and laughter around my dinner table
sharing stories...not just the nice, tidy ones, but the ones about mistakes made....ones we've learned to laugh about and enjoy and grow from
sweaty kids coming in for a drink of water, a piece of cardboard, and a hammer...or other various things that help them work out their creativity
looking out the window just in time to see my son "sled" down the VERY steep DIRT hill on a snow saucer....and realizing he is not injured, mamed, or worse yet....dead!
lip "closs" and "glitter-sparkly" on my 4 year old daughter...not quite in all the RIGHT places
sitting on the couch together for no reason...huggin', kissin', talking, exchanging hearts
pulling rocks and sticks out of my washing machine...and out of the pockets of boys who had lived the adventures of a lifetime with those very rocks and sticks
unpacking my suitcases after a summer in Africa and realizing that the soveneirs we most treasured (and brought home) were rocks and sticks....and the lovely memories made with these.
children piled in our bed, snuggling, cuddling....laughing...RARELY SLEEPING
overhearing my children planning some grand adventure
having my heart broken by injustice...being soft enough inside to be affected and moved
wiping tears from one of our kid's faces because they,too, have been affected and moved by injustice
enjoying the messiness of a FULL LIFE...the good and the bad....the obstacles and the triumphs...the joy of this journey we are on
ENJOYING the JOURNEY, at least, learning to enjoy it...more and more. LOOKING for the beauty, the sacred, the holiness God interjects through the noise, the messes, the fatigue. The destination cannot become my main focus...The journey, that place of gathering the treasures He brings me...these treasures on THIS journey will make the arrival to my life's destination meaningful, rich, and full. I want to find beauty and value in the journey...in ALL that He provides for me to make my life rich and full and sweet. I don't want to miss any of it because I am so focused on the "destination"...In fact, sometimes, I think our destination is wrapped so tightly together with our journey that the two are inseparable. Sometimes we miss that fact...and in missing our journey we ultimately miss the real destination God has intended for us.

Just a thought.

The Desires of My Heart....His Promise Fulfilled

2008-09-08T20:30:00.001-07:00

My heart is full of gratitude to and love for Jesus. Sometimes the love I feel inside towards him almost overwhelms me. It's not that I haven't experienced difficult times, rather, I have lived with the reality of His presence...His nearness...His love...through both good and hard times, and I have learned that His unfailing love is BETTER than life.

One of the first promises the Lord ever gave me was Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." I was 12 years old and just embarking on my journey with Him...and even way back then I knew what I wanted my life to be about: LOVING JESUS WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S IN ME, being a wife and mom, and serving Him in the nations.

...years upon years later, I look around and take inventory of my life. I am rich! And He has been so faithful to that promise He gave me when I was 12. I gave Him my whole heart and to this day I am in love with Him. He is my life, my breath, my strength, my peace, my rock...and He has given me so much more than I ever believed was possible: An amazing husband, my best friend...he releases me and empowers me. He stands with me, fights for me, and he loves me with his whole heart;
four incredible children that are learning to love Jesus, serve Him, and value the things He values. They are strong and flexible and they make my job as their mom such a delight; and then there is this whole, great, awesome place He has made for me to serve Him in the nations...to lift His name up all over the world...to declared His glory and goodness...to touch, to bring His life and love and healing wherever I go; and these are only a few of the many things He has lavished on my life.

I am rich and my heart is filled with love and gratitude towards Jesus, my King, the One Who holds my heart...Who knows my secrets...Who hears my cries...Who keeps His promises...Who has captivated me. He Owns My Heart...and He ALWAYS will!

No Weapon Formed Against Us Will Prosper! (Isaiah 54:17)

2008-09-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

I Thought It Was Time For A Little Face Lift...for our blog, that is!

We made it home safe and sound. Josh tolerated the right home fairly well thanks to so many of you guys praying for us. After we got home his pain started to escalate again. We decided to take him to the emergency room. To make a long story short, it was decided that Josh would be transferred to Oakland Children's Hospital. This hospital is much better equipped to deal with kids and we had a wonderful doctor who specialized in malaria and other infectious diseases. Once we arrived at that hospital it took several hours before we were situated in a room. Josh had been in horrible pain all day, however, before we could give him anything for pain he fell asleep. The next morning he woke up with minimal pain and (for the first time in weeks) muscle spasm free. It was really miraculous. All his tests came back negative. He has not needed ANY pain medicine or medication for muscle spasms since he was admitted to Oakland Children's Hospital on August 24. That is AMAZING!!!!

The conclusion we have come to is that he has had a reaction to the medicine we were taking to PREVENT malaria....poor guy, not only did the medicine NOT work, but he has suffered horrible side effects!!! Stinky devil! Well, we know how this story ends: Jesus fights our battle and He is our VICTORIOUS Warrior!!!

Seriously! Josh disclosed to me that he had asked the Lord to give Him a fresh encounter with Him. As crazy as this whole journey has been God's goodness has prevailed in all of our lives!! And we love Him sooooooo much and have truly experienced His UNFAILING LOVE and PROTECTION! He is GOOD!

...oh, and the doctor sent away a special blood test to determine if Josh actually EVEN had malaria in the first place....Interesting! We continue to contend for his COMPLETE healing. Lariam (the medication we took) can stay in his system for weeks, even months. He is still having joint pain, muscle pain, and abdominal pain. Thank you for continuing to intercede for him.

Protection, Healing, Nearness to His Heart, Deeper Trust, Reversing Malaria?, A Sweet Journey WITH Him down a Unfamiliar, Uncomfortable Path...These are my Treaures found in the dark places.

Isaiah 45:3
And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—
secret riches.
I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

It's been a long AND grand journey, and we are home!!...AND There is No Place Like Home...

His Unfailing Goodness & Unfailing Love In The Middle of A Crisis

2008-08-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

This is the view of Mount Kilimanjaro from the Street Stacy and Ryan live on. Today was the first day we could see it since we arrived. What good timing the Lord has!!!

Psalm 121
1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.

Today was quite a day. We are feeling a little wiped out and so exhilerated in the same breath! We are grateful for God's UNFAILING LOVE and GOODNESS in our lives. Before we came on this trip the Lord spoke to me and he told me that our lives and the lives of our children would be "unscathed"...safe....protected. He knew that I would need that word. This past week I have tightly clung to that word.

Over the past few weeks Josh has been experiencing an increasing level of pain in his back, head, and stomach...NO FEVER. We did everything we knew to do for Josh...including taking him to the doctor and reading everything possible in the medical books I have with me and off of the internet, giving him medicine to treat the symptoms, and praying like crazy for him.

Josh with one of the doctors we took him to.

All week we have been crying out to the Lord for Josh. I knew He had to do something for us because that was our only option. I was worried, but I really had a peace that I could trust the Lord, no matter what things might look like.

Today Josh woke up worse than ever. I had already planned to take him back to the doctor AGAIN. Stacy suggested we try another doctor. We did. As the day progressed I realized even more how sick Josh was and how serious this could be. Not knowing the cause was making me crazy with concern. After the doctor examined him he ordered some blood tests. While they were running the tests Josh's back started hurting even more. He asked if we could take a walk to help work the pain out. As we started to walk he started acting funny. His legs got weaker and slightly limp. I literally thought I was going to pass out; I felt the blood drain out of my arms and legs. I felt weak and lightheaded....the stress of the possibilities of what could be going on overwhelmed me. I wrestled with a spirit of fear. Immediately I dragged Josh back into the doctor's office. Everyone was extremely concerned. They took him into a back room and laid him down...he was really tired and it felt like he was fading...he was falling asleep while he was talking. I kept thinking, "I can't let him go to sleep." I was so worried he would fall into a coma.

When the doctor returned he informed us that Josh had tested positive for malaria (even though we are on antimalarial meds...) and he had the most serious form, (p. falciparum).

Malaria Cells: plasmodium falciparum

FINALLY...direction. And only hours after we sent out emails to many of you to pray. God is soooo good to us. I know it may seem odd to be so happy about Josh having malaria, but His peace filled us instantaneously. We had direction and malaria is treatable and extremely common in places like Tanzania, Africa. The doctors are super experienced with malaria. They are experts in malaria. Josh did not have the typical malaria symptoms, but malaria is so common here that they tested him as routine act. If Josh would have had these symptoms at home it could have take much longer to figure it out. I am so grateful we were here and the treatment was quick and effective. The Lord's love completely enveloped us today, reminding us how close He is to us. He took me to a new place with Him today. A new place of trusting Him...a new place of knowing Him.

After his first does of medicine he is already significantly better. This is the first night he has not cried himself to sleep. For the past week we have laid with him and prayed with him and over him. I even woke Stacy and Ryan up the night before last in the middle of the night because I was soooo concerned. Each night we prayed until he fell asleep. It usually took around 2 hours. Then came the morning rarely with any relief. In the day time the awareness of the pain returned and even with the availability of the doctors, the internet, and medicine we had not been able to figure out the root cause of all of his pain...until today. He is still in pain..and sore and tired and pretty weak, but there is significant improvement all around.

Recovering After His First Malaria Treatment

I am so grateful to the Lord. I feel like when we sent out that email yesterday to have people pray again He really responded to people crying out for us. I am so grateful....and tired!!! Adrenaline at it's best!!!

So, the plan for Joshua is that I will give him an injection (to treat the malaria) each day for the next few days and I will take him back to the Muslim clinic to be rechecked several times before we leave. When we get home I will have our doctor check him as well.

I feel so washed in HIS unfailing love and goodness, overwhelmed by His tangible presence. He has taken me to a new level of trust in Him through this and I am grateful...and tired. ha!

Can malaria cause THIS??!!?? LOL (Josh lost 4 teeth since we've been here!!! I told him I think the tooth fairy is going to have to go to the bank before you put another tooth under that pillow!!)

...and tonight I held each of my babies a little bit longer. I kissed them with a little more tenderness and feeling. Tears of gratitude fall down my cheeks. My husband and children are safe. I have come to the end of myself....to the end of my resources...to the end of all that I know to do...and the end of me is the beginning of Him. My God can't help but care for me, extend himself to me, show Himself strong on MY BEHALF. That is the character of God and my God has covered and protected my family just as He promised me He would...and in doing so has reminded me of His unfailing love and of His goodness...of His faithfulness.

...so then, as I head off to bed I can't help but think about those who don't carry the same hope that I have inside of me...those who don't even know that there is a God that cares so deeply for them...those whose children WILL die of malaria today, tomorrow, this week. For these I cry out to the Lord: "Show yourself strong on their behalf, Lord. Reveal yourself to these. They do not love their sons or daughters any less than Seth and I. Grace...Strength...Healing...Hope...Let them encounter You as You have let me encounter You. Your presence changes us, Jesus. You are so good and Your love NEVER fails."

Breaking the Poverty Spirit

2008-08-08T11:27:00.001-07:00

Seth and I have experienced something new since we've been in Tanzania. Never, never, never have we ministered in a developing nation and received an offering from the people of any church. One church took an offering for us and a woman from another church brought a gift/offering of shoes and a purse (from her business I think).

An Offering of Shoes and a Purse.

Of course we have never had any expectation of any monetary gifts. But I am so excited for these individuals and churches because they have tapped into an awesome Scriptural principle: Sowing and Reaping. By giving...and giving sacrificially...and by giving whatever they had...I believe they are breaking off that poverty spirit that resides over so much of the African continent.

We were so humbled and shocked and surprised. As I have reflected on the sacrificial giving of these individuals I am reminded of the woman who gave her two mites in the temple as Jesus watched. He knew her heart. He knew her sacrifice. She had given everything. He was honored by her giving and He honored her.

As these people have sown into us I believe the Lord is breaking off a spirit of poverty that has held them down. Freedom, Increase, Fruitfulness, Harvest, Favor, Abundance belong to these, Lord Jesus. Pour yourself out on these who have loved You and have honored us.

60 Minutes of Prayer With the Treasures of Africa

2008-08-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

Bill Johnson has says that we OWE the world an ENCOUNTER with Jesus.

Hand Washing and Personal Ministry

When people ENCOUNTER Jesus their lives cannot help but be changed. His presence effects us that way. One word from Him, one touch, a sudden awareness of His eyes gazing so lovingly on us...the feeling of His love enveloping us stirs us somewhere deep inside...It changes us. When He speaks, touches, looks into us...it is ALWAYS gentle and loving; even when He corrects us. Words and encounters with Him stir LIFE in us, HOPE, STRENGTH, COURAGE. When we ENCOUNTER Him, it CHANGES us.

Asking The Lord For a Nation To Intercede For

We have been given such a privilege by our God. He wants us to ENCOUNTER Him. He knows that His perfect love CHANGES us. He wants to share His heart with us...He wants our hearts to learn to beat in tandem, in perfect rhythm with His.

Asking God to Heal Different Sicknesses and Diseases in the Nations

True intercession is birthed as we ENCOUNTER Him; as we feel His heart; as we share His heart; as His heart becomes our own. When we come out on the other side of these ENCOUNTERS we are changed; and as we are changed so are the situations on God's heart....the things we've shared together with Him, our God; the One Who wants to be ENCOUNTERED by us.

Footwashing and Personal Ministry

Praying for Treasures

2008-08-04T00:09:00.000-07:00

Our family spent time last week praying over the babies at the Treasures of Africa Children's home that Stacy and Ryan are directing. Each afternoon we prayed over 4 or 5 children. Each of our kids were able to to lay hands on the babies and little ones. Our kids really prayed their hearts and God's heart over these kids. Seth and I really enjoyed being a small part of investing in the future of these beautiful Treasures.

"Would You Please Give Me Some of Your Pee Pee?"

2008-08-03T23:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was, indeed, asked this very question by a very cute, little girl! There was a very long pause accompanied by a completely puzzled look on my face.

Everywhere you go people speak some English. The kids in almost every nation learn some English in primary school. Even so, when this little girl came to me after church and asked me to give her some of my pee pee I was taken aback...way, way aback. The only thing I could think to tell her was, "Baby girl, you don't want any of my pee pee!" I was laughing inside, quite sure she didn't understand me anyway.

Later I told Stacy about the conversation. She explained that in Swahili "Pipi" (pronounced "peepee) means candy. ;-)

Our VBS and Clinic in Catambe, Mozambique

2008-08-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

On our Way to the Clinic at 4:30 a.m.

One huge highlight for our team was partnering with Angie, her staff, and the boys from the Hope House to do a VBS and Clinic in a village called Catambe. We got up very early (By ANYONE’s standard, I might add!!!): 4:00 a.m. We loaded up the truck and van and we were off. We drove 30 minutes to a ferry. Once off of the ferry we still had a one hour drive over some really rough terrain. (There is reason that most cars we’ve ridden in while in developing nations are TOYOTA’s) We probably only drove 5 miles, but, nevertheless, it was an entire hour (bouncing up and down, wacking our heads on the roof of the car every time we hit a pothole, which was about every 20 seconds)in those vehicles. (Since then Josh and Seth had to get their back adjusted…hmmm? I wonder if there is a correlation? Lol)…I think that I failed to mention that we took two vehicles: A Toyota Van (like our Previa) and small Toyota truck called a Hilux (it has a king cab and a short bed). We were going to take a shapa (bus) but it was too expensive. ….So, in these two vehicles we fit: all the VBS stuff, all the Clinic stuff, our lunches, and 28 people. I never thought about how crazy that sounded until right now!!! Can you even imagine? Closterphobia is NOT an option!!! All the Hope House boys road in the back of the truck. It was freezing! I felt horrible, but there was no other option. I never heard one word of complaint come out of anyone’s mouth. In fact they sang beautiful, African worship songs for the entire ride there and back home!!! BEAUTIFUL!! AMAZING!! INSPIRING!! We have it soooo easy in many ways.

We finally arrived around 7 a.m. We all quickly ,VERY QUICKLY!!!,

(Please See Picture for Visual Explanation; Please Think of a Disgusting Truck Stop Restroom to stimulate your memory of what this smelled like) used the squatty potty and began setting up for our VBS. From 8-10:30 we worshipped, told stories, played games, painted faces, and had a really good time with the kids.

Miscellaneous Pictures From our VBS

As Soon as the VBS was over we began to set up for the Medical Clinic. Angie, Brenda and I assessed and treated patients. Seth, Michelle, Josh, and a few boys prayed over patients as they entered and left the clinic. We had a wound care treatment station manned by some of the Hope House boys. We saw around 80 patients. Each person received prayer, at least 12 reported some level of healing; each patient was assessed and treated.

Mary Beth assessing a patient; Brenda getting ready to see her next patient.

We all dropped into bed that night, exhausted. It was really fun being the hands and feet of Jesus…praying for the sick and meeting basic needs.

An Mozambican Woman Waiting for Her Baby to Be Seen At Our Clinic

Prayer Walk around Angie's House and Property

2008-07-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

The Kid's Praying Over One of Angie's Buildings

One afternoon our team walked around the perimeter of Angie’s property and prayed. We saw the Lord place angel’s at the four corners and felt like He placed and invisible force field wall of protection around her property. (For those of you LOST fans, it was just like that invisible force field on the island separating everyone from the OTHERS….I knew God was going to use that program in my life somehow!!!)

Michelle, recording what the Lord was showing us.

Praying on one of the corners of Angie's property.
Can you see the invisible force field the Lord put up? ;-)

Each morning at 5:30 am the local Islamic Mosque would project their morning prayers from loud speakers. It woke us up every morning. We specifically prayed that those sound waves would bounce off or Angie’s property. We did not hear those prayers for the rest of our stay. Cool, huh?

The Bocaria..Everyone Has One

2008-07-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

Seth and Pastor Josef

On our last full day in Mozambique our team took a trip to Iris Ministries for a few hours. We were able to reconnect with some old friends: Pastor Josef, Steve and Ros Lazar, and a few others. An Iris transportation vehicle took us to the Bocaria (the DUMP). On our last trip to Mozambique the bocaria (or dump) was Alma’s favorite place to hang out. This is a dirty, dangerous place. The least of the least reside and scavenge here. There is an extremely high crime rate: a lot of thievery, a lot of sexual crimes, and a lot of violent crimes. No one is exempt from the danger; not the elderly, not women, not children. In the Bocaria one goal, one objective exists: SURVIVAL! Extreme poverty seems to coincide with high crime rates. People will do whatever it takes to survive.

Our basic needs are always met, with rare exceptions. We experience minor inconveniences, but our needs are met. We have soooooo much. So….in my mind I grapple with questions like: How do you truly reach people so stripped, so depraved, so violated? How do you make a lasting impact in places like the Bocaria? Offering the gospel and little more is like sticking a band-aid on a foul, rotting wound. God’s heart is tender and broken for the widows, the orphans, for the poor, for the lost, the broken, and so then our own hearts MUST be broken for these as well. We don’t have the right to look the other way and hope someone else will figure it out. IT IS OUR JOB…as His Bride…His ambassadors…His people…those who bear His name…those who have been redeemed from the Bocaria’s we came from. These people in places like the Bocaria are the apple of His eye…they reside in His heart….and so then, they MUST be a priority in our own lives if we truly belong to Him.

So what strategies are in God’s heart to heal their wounds? We must ask and ask and ask….and be still and listen….and then we must act…because the Bocaria exists in every nation…in every person for that matter. The stench and violence and extreme poverty are so obvious in places like the Maputo Bocaria, but until Jesus washed us clean with His blood, until He renewed our mind and heart , the Bocaria existed in each and everyone of us….and it exists even now…right now. Look around. What is God saying about the Bocaria next door? What is in His heart? What does He feel? What does He think? What is He saying? What are His strategies? We MUST ask…We MUST listen…We MUST act! We MUST!! We are His bride…His hands and feet…And if we don’t ask, listen, and act, who will?

The Maputo Bocaria

Happy Tanzanian Birthday, Hannah!

2008-07-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

It's Hannah's 4th birthday today! We love our sweet, little princess warrior. You delight us in so many ways. The word the Lord gave us before we even knew I was pregnant with you was that you would bring JOY, STRENGTH, PEACE, REST, and ENERGY...and that you would know the True and Living God and walk intimately with Him all the days of your life.

Your prayers move His heart and history will be changed as you intercede before the Lord for the things He shows you that are in His heart. We love you and are so proud of the beautiful and powerful young woman of God you are becoming.

We enjoy watching you make friends everywhere you go....the way you dance in worship and sing your own songs of praise to Jesus....the way you play hard and yet are so feminine and girlie. You have brought a lot of spice into the Sponsler family. We LOVE YOU!!! Happy Birthday, Hannah.

The Gift of the Fungi

2008-07-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Ringworm Brothers Celebrating

We had a new experience today...after getting haircuts, I discovered that my three boys all had ringworm...ON THEIR HEADS... GROSS!!! ...but also VERY common in developing nations and in areas with warm climates (and in barber shops where heads with ring worm are shaved?!!?). The really freaky thing is the fact that with this type of ring worm (tinnea capitus) all hair falls out in the area where the the fungis is....The kids each have a silver dollar size pieces of hair missing from their heads...The thought of Hannah catching this made me take quick action....Off to the clinic we went.

The clinic visit was less than $2.00. The medicine to treat the three boys was around $30...$30 well spent!! Premature balding at the age of 10, 8, or 6 is NOT a nice option...the thought of Hannah balding...uh, I can't go there. It has taken an entire year to grow her hair back after Jonathan chopped it off last summer to the scalp. And these African braids/extentions ONLY work if you have some hair to work with. HA!

Thank you Jesus for the clinic and a kind Muslim doctor who didn't want to see the White American children lose their hair.

I guess she's not worried about catching the ringworm???!! I may get myself a head covering to wear until the FUNGI subsides....(fungi...fungus...you must admit the word itself just sounds gross) LOL

60 MOP (our version of Bethel's 48 HOP/MOP....thanks Bethel)

2008-07-16T23:19:00.000-07:00

prayer: (noun)- an act of communion with God

Seth and I attended a few classes at Bethel in the past few months. We felt, both, blessed and overwhelmed by the amount of personal ministry that we received while we were there. We were so impacted and affected by portions of the personal ministry that we decided we needed to bring our own version of their 48 MOP (minutes of prayer) and their Intercession times with us to the nations. Each time we have done one of these it has been a little different, but powerful…and really fun. We call the 48 MOP, 60 MOP (because we set it up for a 60 minute time period. We call the Intercession time 60 MOR (minutes of refreshing).

Preparing to Enter 60 MOP

While in Mozambique we focused the 60 MOP on the Hope House. I taught the boys about recognizing and hearing God’s voice. I also taught on intercession. I didn’t want them to spend an hour uttering a rehearsed list of needs…or even JUST heartfelt, meaningful words. I wanted more for them. I really wanted them to encounter the presence and person of Jesus.

Listening for what the Lord was saying...

I wanted them to taste Him and feel Him and encounter Him. The Lord loves to interact with us. He loves to hear what is in our hearts and He loves to share the things in His heart with us. Sometimes we fail to take time to listen to the things that He is thinking about. I wanted the boys to experience and feel the things that God had in His heart; to share a great exchange with Him, to really commune with Him.

So, we, as a team prepared. I had asked the Lord what music I should play during this time of Intercession. We set up different stations. There was a worship/flagging station, an art station, a station where they could read the word and write what God was speaking to them; there was a white board with a place to write what they were asking God to do in the nations: healing, deliverance, etc. in specific areas. We also had several other stations just for them to be able to sit and listen as the Holy Spirit ministered to them.

Asking for healing in the nations....Worshiping Before the Lord

I had low expectations…what I mean by that is I really didn’t expect them to fully grasp the full concept of interceding in this way. However, I fully expected God to show up and to touch them. The beautiful presence of the Lord Jesus came and the boys really were engaged; not because of anything we did, but because the Holy Spirit came and moved and stirred and taught…all of us, as only He can do.

I can’t wait to do another one of these!!!...even (and especially) if it’s just at home with our family! The awesome presence of God is soooo sweet and refreshing and fulfilling and …..on and on I could go!!!

Healing in the Nations

2008-07-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

Revelation 22:1,2 1)Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2)down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Each leaf had the name of a sickness, disease, or condition we, with the boys from the Hope House, were asking God to remove from the Nations.

While we were still in South Africa we spoke at an awesome village church. Pastor Simon and Edith lead this body of black South Africans.

Pastor Simon currently attends a Bible School that Pastor Wernich has established. This church has grown from a small number of people to over 300 believers. Their church leaders received some teaching and assistance in the area of financial accountability from Wernich. This is one of the only African Churches we have attended where they teach and understand financial principals of tithing, sowing and reaping, and stewardship. Seth preached on a Wednesday night.

Seth preaching at Pastor Simon's Church
The worship was phenomenal; it was LOUD, joyful, and very active!! You could not sit still. Toward the end of the service Seth, Wernich , and I prayed for about 25 people and there were 5 healings reported: Chest pain 100% gone, Headache 100% gone, Stomach Ache 100% gone, horrible Arthritic Pain 100% gone, Hearing Loss: some level of improvement; We also prayed over more people with hearing loss (perhaps due to the VERY loud worship??!?), HIV, and various other illnesses. We aren’t sure what level of healing these individuals have received, but we are trusting they encountered Jesus as we prayed for them.

Seth Teaching On Praying for the Sick...They Boys initiated Praying Over Josh When He Was Sick!! AWESOME!!

We have been able to pray over people for healing everywhere we have gone, but one of the most satisfying experiences we've had has been teaching the boys in Angie's Hope House ministry. Our intention was not to preach AT them or LECTURE them, but rather to equip them and impart the things that are in us to them. Seth was able to teach on healing and praying for the sick. He taught on this before our medical outreach with the intention of giving the Hope House boys some hands on experience praying over the sick. While he was teaching he used Dan Lillis as his "guinea pig".

Seth asked Dan to make up an ailment for the sake of illustration and then they would go through some steps to learn how to pray for someone. Well, Dan actually had pain in his back. As Seth was teaching the boys how to pray, Dan experienced 100% relief from the pain in his back. The cool thing is that Dan didn't tell Seth that he also had pain that was much worse than his back pain in his shoulder. As Seth was teaching and Armando was interpreting Dan's shoulder pain (that they did NOT pray for) completely left as well. That's pretty cool when you are teaching on healing and the Holy Spirit shows up in class and does "the stuff" right there in front of your eyes....Cool God we serve.

Praying over the sick at our medical clinic in Mozambique.

Dirt, Rocks, Sticks, & Boys

2008-07-16T00:09:00.000-07:00

Dirt, Rocks, Sticks, & Boys

The only thing a boy really needs to be happy is a pile of dirt, some rocks, and a few sticks. These “tools” provide a lifetime of educational material, lots of fun, inexpensive creative media, and practical craftsmanship experience. These also provide endless hours of relationship building, team building, and bonding. All cultural and language barriers come down. Words are unnecessary, especially for boys. With dirt and sticks non-verbal communication is usually more than enough…and for boys, less talk and more “rock” is ALWAYS a good thing!

Groceries,Shopping, and Poverty

2008-06-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went shopping for souvenirs in Maputo. I always love the open air markets. They are filled with colorful craftmanship that never ceases to amaze me. The artistic skill that God has put in put is so fun to see, touch, and experience. I love to barter. I love the smells (MOST OF THEM) and I love the culture and the people.

Mozambique is one of the poorest nations in the world. On average an individual makes around $60 each month, and yet the cost of groceries is about the same as in the U.S.A. Gasoline is approximately $8.00 per gallon. It costs money to attend the public schools.
The Grocery Store we Shopped at and the Open Air Market
I am honestly not sure how people here make it. Angie has lived here for almost 8 years and told me that even when a Mozambican shops in the open markets they are still paying within cents of what the local grocery store charges. How do the people make it? They don't eat very much. Typically they eat 2 meals a day: Breakfast consists of bread and possibly butter. The second meal consists of rice and some sort of veggie, occassionally they may eat beans or chicken or fish. It is easy to understand why the crime rate is so high. People are struggling just to survive. They don't think about going on vacation or bringing home a little extra ice cream for dessert. They are thinking about how they are going to provide enough to take the hunger away until tomorrow.

Typical Mozambican Food

When we saw patients at the medical clinic outreach last week there were so many men, women, and children who were sick or sickly simply because they aren't getting enough food to eat and definitely not enough nutrients. These are the basics we take for granted.

I love Starbucks...and will continue to enjoy it when I come home...but here's some FOOD FOR THOUGHT: think about how much a drink and pastry for one person at Starbucks costs compared to the average monthly income of a Mozambican, it is sobering, huh? A $6.00 purchase is 1/10 of a Mozambican's monthly salary. Hmmmm.

Lord Jesus, where can we begin to assist you at home AND in the nations? We need Your strategies, because we know that these, the least,are so close to your heart...these are the ones You are calling to "Come!" Lord Jesus, we long to both know and share Your heart, Your love, and to BE Your hands and feet.

Vaccinations and Malaria Medication

2008-06-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

While we were in South Africa we got our yellow fever and typhoid vaccinations. We had so much to do before we left we decided we would wait until we got to South Africa to take care of this. We had quite an interesting outing. Health care is so different in South Africa. If you need medicine you can simply go to the pharmacy and talk to a pharmacist. You don't need a doctor's visit or prescription. You just stand in line, wait your turn, explain you ailment and, WELLAH, they get you all situated and squared away. Refreshingly different in some ways.

The kids did so great and in keeping with Sponsler tradition, a trip to the ice cream parlor followed our family field trip to the Nelspruit Medical Clinic/Pharmacy. Thankfully no one but Seth cried while getting their shots and he only cried as he paid the bill on the way out the door. Hahaha!

Truthfully, getting our malaria medications and our vaccinations in South Africa we saved almost $900. I am not kidding. AND it took less time for Seth and I AND our four children to go through the entire process (to get our vaccinations, stand in line at the pharmacy, talk to a pharmacist, get our Malaria medications, pay and get back in the car) then it has EVER taken me to stand in line at the Sonora WalMart pharmacy waiting for just ONE simple prescription to be filled.

Another sweet thing happened. The pharmacist that was helping me told me he was moving to California. We began to talk and share a bit about our lives. He and his wife are moving to Redding to work at a Rite Aid Pharmacy and attend Bethel Church. I even volunteered my sister and Gabe to host them if they needed a place to stay. Sarah and Gabe are finding about this as this read this now... I think that was a Divine Appointment. Amazing!

"My Encounter With An Angel" or "When Heaven Invaded MY Earth"

2008-06-23T21:17:00.000-07:00

God is good, ALL the time!

Psalm 34:6-10
6 This poor woman called, and the LORD heard her;
he saved me out of all my troubles.

7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivered me.

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the woman who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.

10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Was Kent Real...or Was He an Angel?
Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Good to the last drop!!!

This story is to be continued...I hope... :-)

Our Babies...How do we love them? Let me count the ways!!

2008-06-23T15:08:00.001-07:00

Joshua the Shepherd

Josiah the King
Psalm 127:3-5 (The Message)
Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.
Jonathan the Warrior

Hannah...the Pistol :-)

Welcome to Mozambique!

2008-06-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

After a few days of R&R with Angie and Popo (Angie's Mozambican "Foster" Son/Vice President of her ministry), we welcomed our team to Mozambique and The Beacon of Hope Ministry Headquarters.

We are so excited about the strength and joy and excitement Dan, Michelle, and Brenda bring. It has been refreshing to just be with them.

This week we begin ministry to Angie's boys in The Hope House. This home boards 12 young men. They go to school in the evening. They have tutoring during the day, as well as household responsibilities. They are being discipled and raised up to be strong men with great potential to change their nation...and THE NATIONS, for that matter. ONe of our primary responsibilities while we are here is to train up, teach, and minister to these boys. What a privilege!!!.

Thank you all for praying for Seth as he has battled with a kidney stone. Interesting timing, huh? Stinky devil. Please continue to pray for him, as he is still having quite a bit of pain.

Thank you for continuing to pray for our safety and health. We are crying out to the Lord asking Him to leave a deposit of His presence and glory in this place. We have such a short time, but so great opportunity to pour our lives out...His life out on these boys. We look forward to harvest. Please lift up Angie, Popo, Enya, Homeguito, and Popeno (Angie's adopted kids). We want to see them refreshed and encouraged so that they can continue to run hard after all the Lord has put before them.

Thank you for lifting our team up: Dan & Michelle Lillis and Brenda Barnhart. Thanks for praying favor and blessings and safety over our children.
Our itinerary:
Monday June 23- teaching at The Hope House; personal ministry to Angie and Popo Tuesday June 24- teaching at The Hope House;and prophetic ministry
Wednesday June 25- teaching at The Hope House;
Thursday June 26- teaching at The Hope House; and 60 Minutes of Prayer (a rendition of Bethel's 48MOP)
Friday June 27- Medical Clinic and Children's Ministry in the Bush...FAR, FAR AWAY...
Saturday June 28- Vacation Bible School
Sunday June 29- Preaching and ministry in Angie's Church, Vacation Bible School
Monday June 30- teaching at The Hope House; personal ministry to Angie and Popo Tuesday July 1- teaching at The Hope House;and 60 MOR (minutes of refreshing) Boys in the Hope House Wednesday July 2- teaching at The Hope House; Thursday July 3- teaching at The Hope House; and 60 MOR (Boys will help us Minister to their staff) Friday July 4- Minister at the Bocaria (Dump) with Steve Lazar/Iris Ministries
Saturday July 5- Monday July7- Debriefing
Monday July 7- Team Leaves for HOME/Sponsler's Leave for Joberg with Wernich
Tuesday July 8- Sponsler's Fly to Tanzania

Good Bye South Africa, Hello Mozambique

2008-06-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

I never expected to feel such an flood of emotions when we said, “Good-bye.” I was completely caught off guard. Monday night as Wernich took us to our debriefing lodging I thought I was going to burst into tears. I am realizing in this moment how much I guard my heart. I rarely let people that I meet get into my heart this fast.

Our last evening was spent with Wernich, Beulah,

Wernich, catching a few zzzzzz's Taking us "Up to the High Places"

and Alicia talking, laughing, praying, and drinking really good coffee; just enjoying being together. The truth is I really crave relationship. I think we all do: deep, transparent, real, safe; relationships like these make us better; they help us grow. God created us this way…to know Him and others AND to be known, both by Him and by others. How sweet it is when you are able to go to such deep places with someone so quickly.

Alicia...We MISS YOU!!!

…so then, here we are in South Africa saying good bye to people we have barely gotten to know; people who have given us everything they had to give; who showed us such love: AGAPE truly…without regard for their own personal gain. I feel refreshed and challenged…and sad to say good-bye.

Our Last Service

…What a ball of emotions; oooh man. And then transition: We saw Angie. In one moment all my heart was filled with deep love and affection for her…as if the years had not separated us, but had brought us closer together. Fears of danger, busy schedules, and potentially overwhelming fatigue in Mozambique melted off of me like butter in a skillet.

So many emotions. I feel soooo RICH! :-)

Kruger and "The Big 5" ...Round 1

2008-06-23T09:33:00.000-07:00

Before we left South Africa we were able to take an overnight trip to Kruger National Park. Jonathan was delighted by the vast number of birds we saw…most of which were in his book on South African Birds. Josh and Josiah were scared out of their pants; No, not by a lion or other scarey animal, but by Wernich’s Ghost Stories and Seth’s snoring . Karen was in heaven, wishing Benton was able to share this amazing experience with us. The ONLY DISSAPPOINTMENT was Hannah’s: she never got to see the pink unicorn with wings that she was expecting to find. We didn’t quite see the “Big Five” (Elephant, Lion, Rhinoceros, Wildebeest, and Leopard) We saw everything except the Leopard.With the massive amounts of awesome food we have consumed, the "Big Five" means something ENTIRELY different to us. LOL! Seriously!

The McKays and Iris South Africa

2008-06-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

Bob and Sue McKay and their daughter, Linda, are working with Iris Ministries in White River, South Africa. This is the base that Aaron and Brenda McKenzie were working at until they moved to Jerusalem to start a new Iris base. Bob and Sue were pastors for many years in the U.K. before moving to South Africa. Linda has a vision to see a children’s center build on the property so that these village kids will not fall behind the academic standards of the schools in the bigger cities. Many times there is so much poverty and so little education among the parents of these children that they naturally fall behind. Linda’s dream is coming true; a children’s center is being built. In addition to this children’s center the ministry has purchased property to house orphans. They will not have a huge dormitory where the kids will get lost in the crowd. Instead, they will build homes. Each home will have a married couple who will “parent” up to 10 children. They have enough property to house around 100 kids. They will also be able to grow crops that will help support the vision. I am pasting a link to their website. If you have time I would encourage to you visit this site. They are not just throwing money into an empty pit. The vision the Lord has given them is really beautiful. The parents will be South African natives. This ministry is raising up leaders in this community to minister and care for their own. They want each child to have a home…not a place that provide room and board. Would you take a few minutes and ask the Lord to bless and provide for this ministry. http://www.hope-for-africa.org/

Sunrise City Church

2008-06-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

Sunday, I had the privilege of preaching at Sunrise City Church (Pastor Adam and Jane, their children Jesse and Nyelieti). This church targets young, black professionals, a population that is growing in Nelspruit. We enjoyed amazing worship. OH, man…if they could just make me a cd of that service; mmm- mmm, it was AWESOME!! I preached on “Entering Deeper Places of Intimacy With Jesus”. We got to pray over about 20 people at the end of the service. Pastor Adam asked Josh to come up and pray over his congregation. I always to receive from Josh when he prays over people, situations, whatever. He takes time to be quiet and find out what is in God’s heart before he prays; the Lord always ministers to me. It was a GOOD time!

Loving on Leaders

2008-06-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

Seth and I love to REFRESH leaders. We've been tired before. ;-) We have brothers and sisters who have refreshed us through the years by speaking words of life and encouragement, standing together with us through tough seasons, serving the vision God has given us, etc. When you are refreshed it really empowers you to run hard and strong after all the things the Lord has put in you to do.

So then, we really desire to see others encouraged and refreshed WHERE they are, doing WHAT they are called to do…so they can run hard, drink in His empowering presence, and minister and serve others from a place of abundance. One of the main driving forces behind what we do is to refresh and encourage
others so they can run hard...for the long haul. It's a marathon we're in, not a sprint.

A highlight for us during our time here in Nelspruit has been ministering to the core leaders of Oasis Revival Center. One night we prepared a huge American meal. Seth planned a great menu: shis-ka-bobs, Becky Peterson’s twice baked potatoes (a MAJOR hit, for which we can take NO credit...Thanks Becky!!), salad, homemade cheese bread, and ice-cream floats. After we ate, we took four people at a time into room that we had prepared for them.Joshua and Josiah ministered by washing their hands and feet and praying over each individual. Seth prayed over each leader and anointed them with the special anointing oil that Stephany Kern made specifically for this trip. I ministered prophetically to each individual. (I know I have friends reading this from many different denominational backgrounds. Prophetic ministry is simply being quiet and listening to what the Lord is saying as I/we pray and then sharing what is heard. It is always encouraging to hear the good things God is saying to us and about us, huh?) We also had a table set up with cards that many of you made for these leaders. Karen prayed over each individual and asked the Lord for a specific scripture and word for them. She rolled these up into pretty scrolls; one for each leader. Hannah, Jonathan, Josiah, and Joshua all took some time and asked the Lord to help them draw a picture that would bless someone else (we call this prophetic art). It was a great night and fun to have everyone involved. After their pictures were done, the kids explained what they felt like God was saying through each picture. I wrote those things down on each card they drew. It is amazing to see how the Lord uses even the youngest in His kingdom,huh? There is NO junior Holy Spirit. When we give our hearts to Jesus, we all the Full Measure . I love to watch them listen to the Lord quietly and then tell me what they hear. Some of the pictures seem a little weird sometimes, but when I take time to listen to what God is showing them, these kids that many would consider to be the most inexperienced and untrained, I am ALWAYS blown away by the depth of what they are hearing!!! "...except you become like a little child...."

Over the course of two nights we ministered to 21 leaders. One gentleman that we ministered to told us that this had been one of the most significant moments in his life. MMMMmmmmm! God is good.

Nelspruit Community Forum and the Homeless Outreach

2008-06-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

Seth, Karen, Joshua, and Josiah were able to serve at a local ministry to the homeless. There were approximately 20 women and 80 men. Josh and Josiah shared a little bit and then Seth encouraged these men and women that God truly has a good plan for their lives. Jeremiah 29:11 Seeds were planted. The fruit belongs to the Lord and the pastors that serve here. It was fun to get to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a small way like this.

Kaapse Hoop: The Land of the Wild Horses

2008-06-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

One of the first days after we arrived in Nelspruit, we visited a small community in a mountainous area called Kaapse Hoop. It is a wild horse reserve. (I, honestly didn't know that any wild horses still existed on the entire face of the planet. I actually have thought about it in the past. Am I the only one that thinks about weird stuff like that?!!?)...and although the horses here were "wild" they sure didn't mind us petting and feeding them. The kids loved being up there. It was quaint and quiet (until we showed up...) and quite beautiful.

Oasis Revival Center started an outreach in this small community. They have a cell group (a type of home Bible study group, in case you aren't familiar with the term "Cell Group") and conduct weekly Sunday services. Karen shared her testimony and Joshua & Josiah, both, very boldly, shared something God had put in their heart. We had a lovely time there.

Spitting into Waterfalls

2008-06-11T03:14:00.000-07:00

Last week, we spent time visiting breathtaking waterfalls. Alicia, Beulah, Wernich and Ethan took us from spot to spot highlighting different interesting facts for us. Alicia (the youth pastor) tells the most animated, hilarious stories...non-stop. She is fun, adventurous, energetic, bold, unafraid, and she loves Jesus with all her heart...she possesses every quality that makes a youth leader great and the parents of the youth slightly afraid . Well, when we got out at one of the waterfalls and she headed off down this path marked "Do Not Go Beyond This Point!!!" I figured she must know what she was doing, AND since my three boys were right behind her way down the trail ahead of me, I decided to follow (quite naively, I might add). You have to understand that these rivers and waterfalls are not peaceful, bubbling brooks; they are raging rivers rushing off sheer cliffs. As I followed down the path I noticed that the trail was getting more and more narrow and that the cliff was getting closer to the trail with each step. My stomach started to turn with fear at the thought of one of my kids tripping and falling to their death. Alicia leading the boys to... THE cliff!

It was a horrible feeling. The next thing I know, Alicia had all three of the boys on their knees inching their way to the edge so they could "spit" off the cliff into the waterfall...of course what young boy wouldn't LOVE that experience?!!? They were in heaven; I was having an anxiety attack...or perhaps God was just trying to stretch my faith? LOL We all lived and are better for the experience! I must admit we had a blast...and no one, NOT EVEN ME wet their pants. lol (It was a very close call though. :-))

Spitting Over The Edge

The spitting "occurred" near the whitish area to the right of the Falls about 1/3 of the way down the falls.

Home Sweet Home

2008-06-09T04:29:00.000-07:00

This is our third time in Nelspruit. We LOVE it here. It feels very much like home, and has each time we have stayed in this area. The Lord is deepening and expanding our relationships here, and we are grateful. It has been nice to "park" in one place for several weeks just to get to know these beautiful friends on a deeper level. It is amazing that you can be so far from home and yet feel so "at home". That's what happens when God knits your hearts together with others that love Him and serve Him, huh?

I thought it would be fun to tell you a little about the Nelspruit area. Over the Past two weeks we have seen a lot of different geography and architecture. There are mountainous areas that get small amounts of snow. There are swampy areas with crocodiles; spectacular waterfalls; warm people; wonderful music; tons of animals; and lots of GREAT food. Nelspruit has around 80,000 residents with as many as 200,000 people in the city working during the day. There is middle class and upper class on one hand and EXTREME poverty in the other; a STARK CONTRAST, really. There are homes and restaurants that would compare to and surpass our American standards; and on the other side of the fence...within very close proximity there are homes made of cardboard, dilapidated wood, with concrete slab floors; where toilets are a luxury and one drinkable, running water faucet is a commodity shared by many families. The beauty of it all is that Jesus lives and breaths in every individual and in each community that calls on His name; race, income level, education...none of these really matter in the Kingdom; our King longs to walk with each of us where we are; and He longs to use us where we are. It's not about what you have or where you live; it's just about knowing Him and falling more deeply in love with Him as you travel on your journey. That's why we can feel so at home regardless of where we are, as long as we are with His people. That's rich!

Elementary School Outreach

2008-06-09T02:31:00.000-07:00

Joshua speaking in front of a class of Sixth and Seventh Graders

Each Wednesday Wernich and few other pastors have an open door to minister in local elementary schools. In one of the schools they have been given an entire class period each week with sixth and seventh grade students. They are going through "The Purpose Driven Life". God has really favored these pastors. South Africa is a very stable, westernized nation. It is very similar to the U.S. in many aspects. The public schools are government run and although they allow things like "Bible Clubs", they do not allow "religion" to be taught. Seth and Joshua were able to share twice so far in one of these classes. Joshua got to share for about 20 minutes last week. At the end of class Josh noticed a girl that a bandage around her knee from a field hocky accident. Josh asked if he could pray for her and she said, "Yes!!" It is really neat to see our kids stepping out on their own as opportunities arise.

In addition to our weekly outreach to the elementary schools, Seth has been able to speak to the local Christian businessmen on Tuesdays. He was invited back and will speak again tomorrow.The Entire Class with Seth and Josh

Our South African Itinerary...& A Few Other Things

2008-06-02T15:12:00.000-07:00

Enjoying Ethan Swart's Rugby Match

Thank you for praying as we minister in the following places:
June 1- Oasis Revival Center
June 3- Nelspruit Christian Businessmen Meeting
June 4- Local Public School June 4 P.M.- Oasis Revival Center Cell Group Outreach-Kaapse Hoop
June 5 P.M.- Oasis Revival Center Leadership Team
June 8 A.M.- Sunrise City Church June 8 P.M.- Oasis Revival Center
June 10- Bob McKay (Aaron and Brenda's good friends)- Kabokweni On the Mountain
June 11- Nelspruit Community Forum (Ministry to Street People)
June 12,13- Krueger National Park...ministering to the lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
June 15- Oasis Revival Center
June 15-17 Debriefing June 16- Karen leaves for Tanzania June 17- The Sponslers leave for Mozambique
Our Kids Patiently waiting for us....
The past few days have been spent building relationship with people that we really are falling in love with. It is amazing how much fun we have had hanging out with Wernich and Beulah, Ethan, and Alicia; laughing, sight seeing, and just enjoying hanging out together. We spent Sunday afternoon getting to know members of Oasis Revival Center at a Braai (prounounced "Brigh", meaning barbeque). We came to refresh, but quite frankly, we are being refreshed by wonderful friends. Wernich Barbecuing Python South African Style

Now, down to business: Quite frankly, I know you all love me, but where are MY INTERCESSORS???? Seriously, there is NOT ONE STARBUCKS here in South Africa....and to top it off, ALL YOU "LOST" FANS: How would you feel if you watched the entire season and missed the season finale???!!!?? I was so excited about having high speed internet. I had it all secretly planned out (after all my praying and fasting and ministering was over, of course). Friday, after the kids and Seth were in bed, I snuck out to our computer and typed in www.abc.com and patiently waited for the "LOST" season finale to load. All was on schedule; it was quiet in the house; I had my Starbuck's frappaccino in hand (oops! that part was a dream I was having)...Everything loaded perfectly and then, "Bam!", an ugly little notice flashed across the screen: "Only viewers in the U.S. can watch full episodes!" AAAAAAHHHHHHH! I got shut down! At first, I thought God was punishing me (Ha,Ha...just kidding for anyone who might have taken me serious), then I realized that indeed He "works all things together for good"...I have several months left to ponder what those good things might be. I WILL find them and in the mean time, I am counting down the days until I can join the rest of you "LOST" fans who already know what happens to the "Oceanic 6", John Lock, Benjamin Linus, Jack, Kate, Sun, Aaron, Hurley, Sayid and other Dharma mysteries are uncovered.

Finally, today, Wernich, gave each of our boys a gift. He told Hannah he was going to bring her something special a little later. After he left she came to Seth and me and told us that she knew what Wernich needed to get her. (Thankfully she was quietly telling us and not assertively informing him! LOL) She thought Wernich should get her a cell phone, one that takes pictures, so she could call her good friend Cybelle MacLean. We all had ANOTHER good laugh. Jonathan found a bird nest at the church "Braai".

Thanks for praying for us as we continue on this wonderful journey. Here are a few more prayer points:

Continued Safety and Health
Protection for the kids: spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc.
We are going to be doing a business conference in Tanzania. We are currently preparing for this . This is out of our comfort zone and area of expertise, but we believe the Lord has opened doors for us to speak into the lives of these Tanzanian leaders and we are embracing this opportunity. Please pray for wisdom, guidance, and direction as we prepare.
That we would be rested and refreshed and would minister from a place of "Overflow"
That the Lord would take us to deeper places with Him and that would trust Him and grow and fall more deeply in love with Him as we continue on.
One of our main objectives is to refresh leaders; this Thursday evening (Thursday 9:00 ish California time) we will have the opportunity to serve the leaders of Wernich's church. Please pray that this time would be a sweet time in His presence; a time of deep ministry to these leaders; that they would be refreshed and encouraged and strengthened by the Lord
Please continue to pray for Karen; She ministers where ever we are through her hugs, love, and serving. Again, we are blessed to have her with us.
We all are going in for shots soon (yellow fever, typhoid) and to get the kids malaria medicine. We thought it would be fun adventure to get shots and medicine while traveling abroad, so here we go….I just hope they don’t use reused needles…!!

Cookies and Car Keys

2008-05-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hannah seems to be adjusting well and is her usual friendly self. I don't think she has a shy bone in her body. She LOVES people and she is quite entertaining. Today Beulah asked her, "Could you go fetch my car keys?" Pronounced with a South African accent car keys sounds like "caw keys? And through the ears of a 31/2 year old it sounds like "cookies". Hannah's eyes were huge with excitement and ran to carry out the task that had been asked of her. Much to her great disappointment our friend Alicia held out a set of car keys for Hannah to take to Beulah. She stood there puzzled; clearly she couldn't quite figure out what car keys had to do with anything!! Smile!

Confusing Conversations Even in an English Speaking Country...

2008-05-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight we went to this very cool church-sponsored fair highlighting different nations. One church put it on and invited the entire community. It was AWESOME. There were about 20 booths and each booth was focused on one nation. We bought tickets and traded them at the booths for food from the country that booth represented. The booth workers were dressed in costumes from that country and many of the booths had flags from their nation and information and prayer points for that nation. Wernich said that each cell group in this church was responsible for one booth and thus, one nation. In addition to these booths, there was a bounce house, face painting, games, music. It was such a neat idea and many people attended, even a priest from the local B'hai Temple.

(Pause the story for a quick interjection: Jonathan at the India table. God has really placed India on His heart over the past few months, so it was cool to "visit" India tonight with him.)

...Story now continues: Each ticket cost 5 rand (about $0.75). At some point during the night Joshua came to me to ask a question. It was loud; many people were talking; music was playing. ...So he asked me, "How much is 5 grand?" I explained that word grand meant thousand and so of course 5 grand was 5 thousand. Then he asked me, "How much is that in US dollars?" So, of course, I did the math and divided $5,000 by the exchange rate of 7.5 rand and came up with approximately $700. His eyes were VERY HUGE...and filled with shock. The next question came, "How can we afford these tickets?" Quickly, my mind caught up to his thinking process and I realized his initial question was NOT "How much is 5 GRAND?" , but rather, "How much is 5 RAND?" I had a great laugh!!!

Safe and Sound in South Africa

2008-05-29T16:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for covering us as we traveled.

To start with, I really wanted to stay at the Embassy Suites Hotel for different reasons. Simply put, it was a desire in my heart. We certainly did not have to stay there, but God knew my heart. I called, they had a 24 hour shuttle and rooms that would accommodate the six of us and Karen and our 200 pieces of luggage…the Beverly (a.k.a Tuolumne County) Hillbillies would be arriving minus one rocking chair atop the car.

As it turns out we didn’t end up needing the Embassy Suites and, as always, I love to save money, so I did a Hotwire.com hotel. I picked the cheapest hotel with a shuttle. They never tell you what hotel you are getting until after you pay. The Lord loves me so much He gave us the Embassy Suites hotel at about half-price. I love the way He loves me….to go out of His way to give me something I desired, but didn’t need or expect. He is good to us. His goodness is never dependent on me receiving something as lavish as the Embassy Suites and yet He chooses at times to kiss my heart with gifts like this that are simply special to me.

When we checked in I asked about getting a 3:30 a.m. shuttle. “No problem, Mrs. Sponsler, it will be ready for you and your 200 pieces of luggage, 25 children, and of course the 3 of you mildly insane adults at 3:30 a.m.” Just to make sure I called again at 10 p.m. and they reassured me it would be no problem. However, being the seasoned traveler, I was compelled to call and check once more when we got up at 3:00 a.m. Good thing I did!!! The night shift lady was puzzled and could not figure out why someone had not informed me that the first shuttle did not leave until 4:30 a.m. She said I should probably call a taxi. The picture that flashed through my mind of all of us and our luggage crammed into a tiny little taxi was hilarious!! Of course that was not going to work. We would have to take 10 taxis to accommodate all of our stuff. (By the way, our personal belongings do fit into 4 suitcases …2 for clothes, one for medical stuff/ministry stuff, and one for school stuff and books)…the rest of the suitcases we take with things to leave with our friends.

Eventually, the front desk people agreed to get us a shuttle that they paid for since they had promised an early morning shuttle. They also gave us a great box filled with dried fruit and nuts and a box of cookies. The Lord took care of us above and beyond what was needed.

After we arrived at the airport, we were moved to front of the line to check our baggage through and get our boarding passes. The Lord really gave us favor. Everyone was extremely kind and helpful…this is rarely the case, and so we are so grateful to the Lord for going ahead of us. When we finally got to the gate we were paged. I went to the desk and the gentleman handed me 6 tickets. He said “We need your seats in the back of the plane, so we are going to have to move you guys into our business class.” He smiled and winked at me. Again the hand of God on us…favor and blessing. My only sadness was that they were unable to move Karen up there with us.

Of course in Business class, we took lots of pictures; who knows when we will see that wonderful place again!!! Hehe Those huge seats fold out into recliners; each kid got their own touch screen personal video player; we had menus for crying out loud. It was a very fun special memory we will not forget. I always love to pray for “first class upgrades” for people when they travel. God truly gave us this on this flight. We had a lot of unsolicited opportunities to share Jesus with people on this flight, as well. It was just the beginning of our sweet time of travel to South Africa

The next two flights were great. Great food, good movies, personal movies screens with games etc. (You can tell what is important to me…I NEVER get tired of flying on airplanes!!) We had a blast! Yes, we had squishy seats and 18 hours worth of flying, but it was fun. They kids did great. And we arrived in JoBerg a little early even. As we got off the plane, Hannah turned and waved to everyone completely unprompted, “Bye! Love you all!” That sweet girl cracks me up .

We got our luggage minus one suitcase; It belonged to Karen. They are supposed to deliver it to Wernich’s home soon. Out of all that luggage, I am not sure why her only piece was THE missing piece, but God knows. Please pray it arrive soon and in perfect, untouched condition. Also Karen is not feeling 100% great. She was a little sick this morning.

Thanks again for covering us as we continue on this journey. We love you guys. You TRULY make us strong!!!

Prayer Points:

· Quick transition into this time zone and getting over jet lag.

· Continued healing from my cold.

· Tonight Seth and I will speak to the youth. This is our passion and we both are very excited about the opportunity.

· The Holy Spirit will move on our kids and take them to a new place with Him. That they would be marked for life by His great love for them. That they would encounter Him and fall in love with Him.

· Anointing and ability to flow together as Seth and I minister together

· No Starbucks here in South Africa; easy transition for me…Hehe J

· Healing for Karen and rest

· Quick recovery of Karen’s suitcase

· Safety…as we travel. There is a lot of unrest here and in Mozambique. We feel very safe and protected, but please continue to pray for this area, not just for us, but for the people we are ministering with (Wernich, Angie…and people like Pastor Surprise)

Praise:

· The many times the Lord has blessed us so far (Embassy Suites via Hotwire, Early Shuttle taken care of, being moved to the front of the ticketing line, no problem getting through security and customs, nice people at the airport….that is nothing short of a miracle, airplane upgrades, good food and movies, wonderful children who love Jesus and travel well, the tremendous blessing of Karen Hembree traveling with us, safety:

· Safety so far

· Health

· The kids are such great travelers. They have had little sleep and have each, even Hannah, carried their own carry on’s without complaining. I am so proud of them. I am so glad they are on MY team. They bless me so much.

· Karen: I am so grateful she is traveling with us. She is probably the easiest person in the world to travel with. She is positive, always sees the good, so flexible. She reminds me a lot of Alma. Being with her helps me grow and inspires me to become better, to trust Him more, and to look for the goodness of God everywhere I go. I love Karen!!!!!

Africa 2008

2008-05-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

Our itinerary:
South Africa
Ministering with Wernich and Beulah Swart in Nelspruit, South Africa
TEAM: Sponsler Family & Karen Hembree
Arrive: May 27, 2008
Leave: June 19, 2008

Mozambique
TEAM: Sponsler Family, Dan and Michelle Lillis, & Brenda Barnhart
Ministering with Angie Wheeler/Beacon of Hope Ministries
Arrive: June 19, 2008
Leave: July 8, 2008

Tanzania
Ministering with Ryan and Stacy Helbling/Treasures of Africa
TEAM: Sponsler Family & Karen Hembree
Arrive: July 8, 2008
Leave: August 21, 2008

Bending the Bow Int'l

December Newsletter ♥ (Double Click Image and It will Make it Easier to Read.)

Thank you!

October Newsletter (click on image to see entire page, click again to enlarge)

Bending the Bow International "Cornish Cross" Fund Raiser

COMING SOON...2011 Summer Family Ministry Trainning Camp

A New Country And New Friends

Together we can do more!

Home For the Night! or A Long Short Night!

Welcome to Thailand!

Making Fun Memories in the Tokyo Airport

Starting the Trip Off Right With "FAVOR"!

Our Journey in Photo's, Videos, and Stories (more to follow)

Proverbs 11:25 "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

Re-Entry...Making the Transition from the Nations Back Home Again

Sri Lanka

5 Times A Day

True Peace

Afraid to Fly? Just in Case You Were Wondering...

Do donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes?

ARRIVAL in THAILAND

Three Months, Thirty-Three Pounds, Three boys & a Princess

Peace in the Midst of Piles

All I Want...

November/December Newsletter Part 1/2 (Double Click Newsletter and It Will Open As a Larger Document In A New Window)

November/December Newsletter Part 2/2

November/December Newsletter

Visa Picts Done: Check...Visa Application #1 Headed to the Post Office Tomorrow

Stop philosophizing about what a good man is and be one. -Marcus Aurelius

This is what UNSCATHED looks like:

I Did This For You

Our Trip to Mexico With the Deans

Plowing

Sorely Neglected Blog Is Hoping To Make a Comeback

Our Mission: To Refresh and Serve

Our Puppies 2009...For Sale and Ready to Take Home Just in Time For Easter: AKC Black Labs...All Proceeds Support Bending the Bow International

Getting Stretched

Lifetimes Are Spent Searching For This Key

The Word

Hangnails and Hugs

The Journey of The Thousand Gifts

Wounded By Another Believer?

You Know Me

Jonathan's Dream

Merry Christmas!

Becoming "Bow Flexors" (Team Sponski=A Piece of Exercise Equipment????)

Transition, Change...and the Launching of "Bending the Bow International"

A Diversion From the Normal Bending The Bow Post...

Fear, Anxiety, and Other Weapons Formed Against Us That Don't Have to Prosper

Enjoy....a little taste of our summer.

Vanilla Wafers

A Few Things I Love....

The Desires of My Heart....His Promise Fulfilled

No Weapon Formed Against Us Will Prosper! (Isaiah 54:17)

His Unfailing Goodness & Unfailing Love In The Middle of A Crisis

Breaking the Poverty Spirit

60 Minutes of Prayer With the Treasures of Africa

Praying for Treasures

"Would You Please Give Me Some of Your Pee Pee?"

Our VBS and Clinic in Catambe, Mozambique

Prayer Walk around Angie's House and Property

The Bocaria..Everyone Has One

Happy Tanzanian Birthday, Hannah!

The Gift of the Fungi

60 MOP (our version of Bethel's 48 HOP/MOP....thanks Bethel)

Healing in the Nations

Dirt, Rocks, Sticks, & Boys

Groceries,Shopping, and Poverty

Vaccinations and Malaria Medication

"My Encounter With An Angel" or "When Heaven Invaded MY Earth"

Our Babies...How do we love them? Let me count the ways!!

Welcome to Mozambique!

Good Bye South Africa, Hello Mozambique

Kruger and "The Big 5" ...Round 1

The McKays and Iris South Africa

Sunrise City Church

Loving on Leaders

Nelspruit Community Forum and the Homeless Outreach

Kaapse Hoop: The Land of the Wild Horses

Spitting into Waterfalls

Proverbs 11:25 "A generous
man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be
refreshed."