Psalm 126:2 :)

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

Never before have I felt like I could identify with this verse than this week. I still can’t believe these things actually took place! I’m not making this up!

Just in the last 5 days:

1) At a worship service my back was healed of the aches that began in 2003 when I first began studying for missions.

2) I got a phone call from the “Central Asia” Embassy saying that my Visa is grated and my passport returned to me in less than a week!

3) Found a plane ticket for a ridiculous price.

4) God answered a prayer of mine in a HUGE way before hundreds!

So much anticipation and patience and finally I’m getting through!

The Lord has been speaking to my heart and in many ways aligning me with true Christianity. This week I came to see how religious I have been toward God. I expected him to only do things that look nice and dignified and make sure to not come off as strange or dangerous. But that’s what John the Baptist was. Souls were getting ready for Jesus, being baptized in the Jordan River, listening to a man who claimed to prophesy. We see Bible accounts of people who did not understand, like or condone what John was doing. But he was legit! He was walking out God’s calling on him. But he looked like a freak. This wasn’t a hut civilization that wore unkempt hair, and lived off locust. (Though I think John may have had some sort of Jewish Fro! Ha ha) People wore fine fabrics and braids and ribbons in their hair and ate bread, produce and cooked meat.

To many, Christianity was perceived as strange and dangerous. I think I’ve been short changing myself in my walk because I resist things that don’t fit in my box of comfort. The lid locks from the inside, and God is inviting me to get out. Most of this relates to being afraid/ashamed of what people will think, being misunderstood, being seen as dangerous.

But I realized this week, I want to be like John. I’m not saying my hair, clothes, preference of shelter are going to go tribal, but in my heart I long to be shamelessly obedient to what the Holy Spirit leads and teaches me. Let the lost clearly see that I am a “jar of clay” and that the “all surpassing power is from God” and not from me. That means “all surpassing power” needs to be exhibited in me, for others to see that the jar (my life) is filled with something divine, life-giving, and available to them.

I hope I’m making sense.

Monday December 7^th 2009 I repented of my religious mentality and let go of shame and fear

Tuesday December 8^th 2009 Like many times before, I responded to an invitation for people who had physical ailments, and wanted others to lay hands and pray. My Back was healed.

One person asked: Healed from what? I’m not sure. Stress, Subluxations, Inflammation. It could have been a combination of all three. Or other causes?

All I know is that it started in 2003 after my first term of missions training in Minnesota. Finals and a lot of change must have triggered a new stress level in me, because the pain didn’t result from physical trauma. What I felt was like a vertical column of shrink whapped gravel. Sturdy, stiff, grinding. I began to regularly visit the Chiropractor and I purchased a special foam pillow for $50. This pillow was pretty sweet. Its side portions were designed to support your neck when you lay on your side and the center area was designed with what I call a “neck ramp” and cradled your head and gently supported your neck when lying on your back. Not only did I have the pain, but I had to make sure I used the pillow.

Once I left it in a hotel and hand to turn around back track like an hour because I didn’t want to pay to replace it. My parents can confirm, this but I think after one vacation, we REALLY left it behind, and had it mailed to my house from the hotel! The pillow is dense foam, which means heavy. It’s got a strange shape, which is larger than most normal pillows.

This pillow accompanied me on all travels, including international. Who wants to wedge their belongings into 2 suitcases around a large mass of foam, to move overseas? That’s what I did when I moved to the Philippines in 04. I made myself use it, even in the heat and humidity! (It’s hot in the Philippines, even in the middle of the night!)

Tuesday night, my back didn’t quite feel like a column of shrink wrapped gravel. I’ve described it by comparing it to another set of joints…Have you ever felt like you needed to crack the knuckle of your finger? Have you ever had that sense – but it’s not coming easy, and your range of motion feels limited, and you’re just ready to POW force that thing to crack to relieve the pressure/tension? Well, my lower back felt like that. Quite stiff, not freely mobile, and aching to be moved…but I couldn’t manage to bend, turn or twist in a way that fixed and relieved this. I thought it could use a POW POW POW along the length of it. I went on with things, because the twinges and stiffness were nothing new and stayed at a livable pain level, but certainly no fun.

I sat there Tuesday night and other people came around me. At one point the girl beside me asked if I felt any different. And my answer was, “No, it’s not noticeably different.” So she said, “Let’s pray again”. Most of them prayed silently, and those I could hear were simply asking in a hushed tone, “Father, restore your daughter” “give her the gift of your healing touch”. Nothing dramatic was going on around me, and I didn’t feel fireworks or go into a state of euphoria. I was just sitting, praying, and at one point I decided to rock side to side to see if things were grinding and tight still. And they were. A few minutes later I did the same, but I had to lean farther and realized my pains didn’t show up at the point they normally do. Later when the girl asked how I felt, I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t have a huge response but the words fell out of my mouth as I recalled what the pain felt like and verified with wonder, that things were not how they were when I first sat down. “My pain is gone. I’m able to move freely…” It took a few minutes to grasp that I was healed. Something DEFINITELY happened to me. And I continued to test it, leaning, bending, sitting up straight and even slouching! I’ve asked for prayer so many times, and in 2008 my ability to walk was hindered for almost a week. I asked for prayer then too, but relief only came through a Chiropractor.

I thank God for Chiropractors; God graced me with their assistance on many occasions. But Tuesday night I didn’t get a massage or an adjustment. My pain simply was gone, not replaced with nice feelings, but GONE all the same! How many of us are conscious of our knuckles when we don’t feel discomfort in them? Probably not many. In the same way, I’m not conscious of my back anymore!

After the Lord removed the stiffness and pain, I went to sleep. The pillow, that hasn’t exactly contributed to sparing me from this ailment, was cradling my head when it occurred to me: I MAY NOT NEED THIS ANYMORE! :D so I grabbed a basic pillow, shoved the foam mass off the bed and went to sleep.

I’m still well. My only complaint is that from all my active worship my shoulders and leg muscles are sore (I may or may not have been lifting my hands and spinning around – Charlie Hall – Marvelous Light) :)

Then there’s the Ministry Update:

I was walking though Target Wednesday morning and my phone rings with a 202 area code. The night before I wrote to a friend I haven’t talked to in a while and sent her my cell number. Thinking it was her (Thank God I didn’t think to say something silly! “Domino’s Pizza. Can I take your order?” Ha ha) I answered only to be greeted by a man’s voice. At first I thought it was someone in California, speaking Spanish, who dialed a wrong number when I heard him say, yeeVON KAHdeeNAH? LOL This was a call from the Embassy of “Central Asia” (not the real name) in Washington, DC!!! I slid into the Christmas section where there weren’t very many customers. Thankfully no noisy little saxophone Santa toys were stocked on that aisle! Straining to hear, I began to get a feel for his accent and he told me my Visa was ready! For some reason he began talking about days to get into the country. I was confused and said the letter of invitation bared the date November 27^th. Next he started saying other dates like December 18^th then December 13^th! He was talking about the day I’d get my passport back. I’m tracking the envelope right now and will receive it on Tuesday.

“It’s time to buy a ticket!!!” When I first looked online in August, the average cost was $800 but as the seasons (I'm assuming) affected the fare became somewhere around $600. Lately I've only been able to find $900 - $1200. This morning I was interested in one for $960 through New York. I found a southwest flight for $120 which all together would cost $1080. I was a little bummed because my co-leaders landed a reservation under $800, but I figured $900-$1100 was reasonable since this is just a week in advance, and I have the support to stretch if those where my only options.

Since I was going to have to spend over 1,000 dollars, I decided to look at how much it would cost to make 1 reservation from KC to you guys. And I was delighted to see a $925 flight. I thought I would compare it to the $960 flight just one last time. The MCI (Kansas City Airport Code) to You Guys for $925 page refreshed or disappeared, I'm not sure which. When I tried to find it again, it was gone, so I re-entered my searched and the price that came up was less than $650! Not you're Elite Comfy Time Table, but Bethany didn't train me to be a flight snob. :)

Thursday night I attended an evening worship service. I prayed privately for God to show me, in even a small way, that He still cared for me even today. It sounds silly that I would ask for more assurance, doesn’t it? But that was my heart’s longing that night. “Just show me that you don’t write me off and that I’m not disqualified today.”

During the songs I really sensed the Lord’s presence, stronger than normal. It was like an oily heaviness that brought a sense of rest. After “marinating” in this for a while, I got a nudge to pray for the people who came forward in response to the invitation for prayer. Like a little mouse I weaved through the people praying for this one, and that one. I was just gently resting a hand on their shoulder, and quietly prayed for a few seconds before moving on to the next. From the stage the two MC’s invited people who have a testimony about something God had done in the last couple days to come up for “Rapid Fire Testimonies”. The idea was to get a line of people and give them a few seconds to just state (without the whole life story) something God has worked in them. I waffled for a few seconds, “…should I share about my back? Well, there are so many stories more interesting than mine….Meh, I’ll go anyway.”

Being in the front of the sanctuary already, I was only a few steps from the stage. I thought I was the fourth or fifth person to give my “few seconds” testimony. We were guided to the stage and there were around 20 of us in a line training off the stage. When on stage I looked at the guy behind me who was so animated and seemed like the love of God was coming out of all his pores! “He must have a great story! I can’t wait to hear that one!” I thought to myself. I turned back to the podium and realized that the ones I thought were ahead of me, in line were the two MC’s and a girl who was starting to share into the mic. “Uhhh…I’m not fifth. I’m the very second person!!! GASP!” I’m not sure why it made a difference, but I felt a little more out of place with my little testimony. The girl sharing told of how she was put up for adoption by her real parents, and was adopted into a very abusive family. She’s walked with shame and self-hatred for years, and in a time of prayer, surrounded by people praying for her, her heart became free to see who God made her to be, that she not worthless, but that she is wanted and loved by God Almighty. After she shared, we rejoiced, she was ushered off the stage, and I was waved over.

I stood at the podium with the two MC’s and began to talk about how in 2003 I began missions training, That year I began to have consistent back pain and began going to the chiropractor, even bought a special $50 pillow…Then I got to the part where I’m heading to a cl0sed cou/Vtry, and now I don’t need to carry the bulk of a specialty foam pillow, and with relief from the grinding of my vertebrae. Before I knew it one of the MC’s zeroed in on the “closed country” bit and called up a man who helps lead ministry to the nations. The two MC’s didn’t usher me off the stage. The man came up to the stage was given the mic and lead the whole meeting in praying for me. Even people in line behind me came up to lay a hand on my shoulder or head. They prayed for things like, no intimidation, authority, boldness, prophetic insight, healing to come to others through my hands, and souls to be saved. It was intense. Then the MC asked for the front “altar” area to be cleared and he called for anyone who feels called to the nations to come forward for us to pray for them.

I turned to get off the stage in time to see the whole line of 20 or so “Rapid Fire Testimony” people get escorted away from the stage! I DERAILED THE WHOLE ACTIVITY!!! :/ I felt a little bad that I’ll never hear that kid’s testimony (the one next in line after me), but I was delighted with the focus on ministry to the nationd and yet still in shock that this was even happening! WOW!!!! I left the stage and went to the front area, but the 100 to 200 people who came forward made it difficult to find space. I was turning left and right trying to find a place to wedge myself into to be prayed for too, and people recognized me from the stage, or the large screens (the auditorium can fit like 1,000 people). Some who noticed this inched to the sides, and waved for me to stand beside them!

I found a little nook in the crowd and leaders or just people who have a heart for “Go-ers” came around and began praying for us. A couple people prayed for me, but I realized, “I’ve been Ultra-prayed for! My friends back home and all over are praying for me too! I should go around and pray for others like I was before this whole testimony thing happened.” So I turned to the people who were kind enough to share their spots with me, and I prayed for them. Then I went through the group. My heart was so touched to see all these people from different generations and races who all have this calling in common with me, but are likely not on the brink of going.

I reflected on what the past 12 months have been like, and began praying for them, should they have to experience some of the same things. And this time I wasn’t as self conscious or mouse-ie. Perhaps it’s because I identify with these people, perhaps I felt more confident after being prayed for so powerfully, but this time I was speaking with loud enthusiastic authority for these people’s hearts and the path that’s ahead of them. There were soo many. I was simply floored when I reflected on how many people were being prayed for, because I shared something, that I didn’t think was very interesting or important. The two prayer invitations that preceded a Persian woman’s testimony (the same people group I’m headed for). I caught her as she was leaving the front and told her where I'm headed: to a Persian people! And I asked her to pray for me. God has done and shown this woman amazing things. OH! The way that night unfolded was just AMAZING!

I’m still baffled at God’s ability to shepherd me from one side of a room to the other, so that I was in position to go to be a part of something BIG that would benefit hundreds of people! Not to mention the people watching the web stream and the people whose lives will be impacted by all of these 100-200 people who have a calling to the nations.

I honestly believe that had I heard the “Rapid Fire Testimony” invitation from where I had been sitting, I probably would not have even crossed the auditorium to share in the first place! Later one of the MC’s commented from the stage, "We tried to get through some rapid fire testimonies, but God had a different agenda!" One that none of us saw coming...

Ginger

Here is a recent encounter that I sense God's hand in arranging:

Here in KC I've been able to spend time with a woman we call "Ginger". She's a divorced middle-aged woman who came to Kansas City to visit relatives. She's very religious but her understanding of the Gospel includes doing good deeds - not motivated solely by the love we receive from God - but to help you pay off the sins you and others commit.

She also believes that Jesus was not the only person in who lived without sin. To her, Jesus is not the only person who mediates between heaven and earth. In particular there's a deceased woman to whom she is loyal to and asks for help from.

Recently I had the chance to discuss faith with her in a non-confrontational way. By God's grace I was able to highlight to her that she claims to follow the Bible, but disobeys it. The Scriptures tell us if a person doesn't get right with God on earth, there is no working/waiting to be worthy of heaven or a second chance. The Cross is enough to pay for sins, we don't need to add our efforts to what Christ accomplished on the cross. Our religious/good deeds - in an effort to make ourselves holy - are like filthy rags. That's in the Bible!

The Bible is clear about giving all honor to Jesus Christ, and that all people have sinned (deceased or living, men and women), and fall short of the glory of God. Justification (which could be taken as "Being considered righteous and clean in God's eyes") of our souls comes by grace through faith in Jesus. If this is not the case, what is Jesus the Savior of? If he took the punishment we deserved and carried our shame and guilt, then why would you have to earn merit or credits to be free from its curse? What kind of Good News would that be? Feeling a sense of "regret for one's wrongdoing or sinning" is Penitence. That's a healthy thing to experience. But to believe the weight of your sins remain on you and that you have to "make penance" to "compensate for offense" devalues how Jesus sacrificed himself to on the cross.

Please pray that Ginger sees the distinction between her religion and God's word. I hope and pray that she puts her trust in what Jesus completed at the Cross for her sins, and begins to give Him ALL her praise and honor. It is by grace that we are saved, through faith, not by works, lest any man should boast. "...each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment..."
The Bible is the "plum line" for theology, philosophy, and is consistent in its message of grace in Jesus Christ.

It's an old Christmas song, but it rightly describes Jesus, and we all probably know:
We Three Kings :)
"Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice"
"May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering" -Moravians, 1732

Merry Christmas! Thank God for His mercy in coming to earth!!!
Yvonne

I just want so bad for her to ________!

After taking a leadership role in a ministry, my full time focus was the wellness and spiritual growth of others. Ministering and encouraging younger women who are in ministry training. Fruit didn’t come without its challenges, but I still see it as the greatest way to spend my life and gifting. For now, the Lord is pleased to let me continue serving in this way.

Part of my role in Central Asia is to disciple and to encourage the ladies on the team toward who they are in Christ – as they minister His message to the lost. Seeing what God was doing in these women’s lives made me fall in love with Jesus all over again. Sometimes people asked, what was my favorite part of my job? While I’d be tempted to answer, THE PIZZA! my real answer went something like this: I get to see The Gospel lived out in these girls. Jesus not only saved them from being judged for their sins, but He saved them from condemnation, shame and the attacks of the enemy. They’re getting the inheritance of a new heart, authority in Jesus, and freedom. The Gospel benefits, this side of heaven.

In the hard times, when I didn’t see the indications of any fruit, I would think, “I just want so bad for her to ___!” Fill the blank… make peace with God about that hurt in her heart, to see through the lies she’s believing, to believe that she can be transparent without worrying about being rejected, to believe she was made well and is not “spoiled goods”, to stop blaming the Lord for the sinful decisions of the fallen people around her that rebelled against God’s purpose for the role they could have played in her life, to walk with dignity and assurance of her worth as a survivor of x, y, z.

Praise God, on many occasions I saw their hearts receive God’s compassion, grace, and healing.

You might be thinking, “Whoa Nellie! Those girls had issues!” And I wouldn’t deny it. But I would ask you, who of us doesn’t have issues? Who of us has never had our hearts hurt by someone we should have been able to trust? Who of us has never felt shame about who we are when no one’s looking, our imperfections, our gender, our past? Coming into agreement with God is no small thing. It’s like being a bass, swimming upstream while hooks are tethering us back, so not only do we have to fight the currents, but we are in agreement with and have cuts from things in the past that still hang on to us. In a fallen race, no one is immune to sin’s affects. Not even those who are called to be on the mission field. By God’s grace these girls, in keeping with the bass analogy, began to see that the hooks weren’t from God, the hooks (while agony to remove) were not permanent, that their cuts could be healed, and that the current could be overcome.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I see a whole lot of work ahead of me. I’m feeling pretty inadequate…that’s nothing new. I find God’s grace to do more that I imagine in times like these. But it can get tiring and lonely.

During the worship service on Friday night I responded to the invitation for prayer. While praying I realized Jesus’ heart for me wasn’t a cold list of unaccomplished requirements, and future requirements. I felt Him saying, “I just want so bad for Yvonne to ___!” Fill the blank… At first the thought struck me as silly. No one comes directly alongside me exhorting and encouraging me to grow closer to God and to seek Christlikeness. I’ve got to exhort myself and seek. Alone. No one dreams of what God can yet do in my heart, I have to dream and hope and work for maturity in those areas. No one thinks of me that way anymore, I’ve got to “go for” things on my own, and pray for strength to get anywhere.

While I believed I needed to seek God for these things, I wasn’t really aware that He WANTS ME to seek… God, the Almighty Holy Transcendent Enthroned Perfect One, dreams deep and heart-transforming dreams for me and my relationship with Him. When I’m in a funk, He’s not indifferent and disengaged from me, He knows. He knows. And He wants me back to “normal” and even better than that, He wants me to be “better” and to shape me to be just like His Son. When I'm losing steam, He's no twiddling His uncreated thumbs, shrugging it off as just another trial, just another valley we all have to go through. He is a consuming fire. He is The One who demonstrated the clearest purest most "no holds barred" example of "love", "dedicated", and "desire".

Catching on to this has made me feel less alone. It’s helped me get a more accurate understanding of Jesus, and a better sense of the movements of His heart. Jesus is The One who prayed for nearness, and for us to see His glory: Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

John 17:24 (New American Standard Bible)

Normally I have a really clear idea of what I want to say in a post, and have no trouble closing it. Today I don’t have any idea how to conclude!

I hope this makes some sense and perhaps casts a refreshing light on the God of Compassion whom we serve.
yc

The Real Test For Any Choice

While it could be looked at as an illustration of spiritual realities, it contains inappropriate material (the scenes you fast forward or look away during), The Matrix movie gave me something. Words. "The real test for any choice is having to make the same choice again, knowing fill well it might cost." The Matrix Revolutions

LAST YEAR the Lord placed indications before me, that I prayed about, sought council on, and once received sufficient confirmation, I decided to act on. Anyone remember Austria?

-My "grid" for interpreting and trusting in God was shaken to it's X and Y axis and it took me weeks to conclude that this could happen, and God could still be good. And after that point I was faced with another choice.

THIS SUMMER the Lord placed indications before me, I prayed about them, sought council, and found repeated confirmation, and then I decided to act on it.

-It was such a relief to see things coming together. I was very encouraged even though the choice was to trust Him, just after I watched "the death of a vision" (as some missionaries put it) that was conceived in the same way.

Financially, things are going well. That was my biggest hurdle with Austria. But I remind myself and others that the funding ia no assurance of anything. I still need God's grace to get in! I write this because I'm beginning to feel my smallness in the grand scheme of things, again.

Tonight I received an e-mail from my hosts overseas. They have come up against some opposition regarding their Visas. I'm trying to handle my Visa paper work here in America because of their reports. After reading that they might be deported in January... I don't know what's ahead...
Will they have to leave? Will I be able to (should I) goif they are deported? How come is this happening to them THIS year? How can I expect tobe able to stay and not have similar VIsa issues? Is this going to fall through, just like Austria did???? What should I do?

The only thing I can do. Pray.

So please pray for us. Please please. People who write letters often under-emphasize prayer's significance or tag it on at the end of their communication. My plea isn't for lite weight prayer, we need your hard core prayers! This is no small battle we're in!

Sorry for any type-o's I don't have the chance to polish this post before getting it out to you all.
yc

October 11 - One night only!

Hello again!

What a sweet time at home with family and friends! There's something different about this visit home. Perhaps it's because I'm about to leave for two years, I dunno. But coming up this weekend is something I am bursting to invite you to!

Vision Night: Central Asia
This is a unique gathering where I will disclose details of what I will be doing and where. Raising awareness and getting prayer and support are really important for me to be able to do this.

Even if there is no possibility for you to join financially, please come anyway! Your participation in this work and your prayers have MUCH value to me! Simply come to learn more about another country, taste some baklava, and hear what type of ministry people are doing in Central Asia! :)

Why is this night so unique?

Exclusive DISCLOSURE is why!

So far I have shared nuggets of my involvement with people in Central Asia. This night you will see photographs and names that I have not yet shared openly. You need to understand that the details of my work are "sensitive". This means that just as I am intentional about keeping these details off the web, you too, need to keep it off the web and out of e-mails. Your help in this is more important than you know. Despite the caution we need to use, we can speak freely face-to-face. Be there for the complete description of the exciting opportunity I have to work in Central Asia!!!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Church of the Chimes ~ ROOM 203
1447 Bryan Avenue
San Jose, CA

Two Year Term Ministry Support Goal:
12 new pledges of $20 a month (to Bethany International for tax-deduction)

Questions? Email Me! at hecametomyrescue@gmail.com

It'll be a good time for all!

Only Two

Hello from the Pacific Standard Time Zone! San Jose has been pretty hot, just in time for me, eh? If only I could have fit my Oscillating Fan on the flight from Minnesota! Thankfully we're seeing cooler days now.

I titled this post "Only Two" because I only have two months in San Jose. 2011 is the earliest I'll get to be here again.

That's eight Sunday morning services at COTC, eight SJSU Tuedsay night fellowship nights. Factor in trips out of town to visit family and the number gets even smaller! I am generally available, but there are busy blips in my schedule.

Among the things I want to make time for (while home) is to show gratitude to everyone who has stuck it out with me in this journey. Your prayers, encouraging correspondence, and support have really heartened me to make it this far. And now we're really close to completing the task!

I will be at Church of the Chimes September 13, 20, 27, and October 4, 11, and 18.

Last Sunday was delightful! Several of you were available for hugs on the way into the service! The guest speaker pastors the church our short term mission trips work with in Cuba. That was followed by more hugs, catching up with friends and setting the record straight.

Setting the record straight? Thinking about it now, I can understand how my choice of words would lead someone to think I am going to China. This is not the case. I am going to a Muslim country in the region of the world called "Central Asia". Here's a photo from http://www.imb.org/newsletter/thetask/images/Central-Asia-map_sm.jpg (another mission organization)

I hope to visit with many of you!
Please leave a comment on this blog if you want to get a hold of me!

I thank God for you!
Yvonne

PS: Today is the first Tuesday of the Month:
My team is wearing green, praying and fasting for our destination country. They are an inspiring group of interns. You may join in if you're game! October 6th is our next date.