Pictures

These are pictures of the church courtyard its a big place that the people of the church built with their own money and hands. The auditorium is huge and can seat a lot of people 2000 to 3000 I think. The hearts of the people here are very open and loving and it's good to see what I am a part of here in Mauritius. People are here from many nations Tanzania, Congo, South Africa, America, France, England, and the surrounding islands of Madagascar and Reunion Island. Its so nice to meet so many people from everywhere.

more piks

This is café the dog and me and Noella.

pictures

Sorry these pictures are of the downtown, on the way to the market, Me and Doris, Little Micah and some patries yum!

Abundantly Blessed!

Above is a picture from the balcony near my room ...the window on the left.. Wow where do I start? The flight was long with many screaming babies but I had my earplugs and voila we made it here in one piece. The first day went like this... 2 guys from the church Brian and Oliver, picked up me and anouther guy, Danielle from France and brought me to my friends the Neeladoos. I was so blessed to hear that I was staying with them as I have a special place in my heart for them. Randy surprised Robin and Luke at the airport, he had rented a car and drove them to the house he was staying. It was so wonderful to meet the rest of the family...son Alex and daughter and son in law Sharon and Jonno and their little one Micah. There are guys here staying for conference and bible school Sheldon, Meowri, Lorik, David, Sheldom and another guy sorry cant remember his name ...they are all precious brothers mostly in their 20's. They are from Madagascar, France, England and Mauritius. I'm hoping to get a picture of everyone but its a very busy time and some of them are on the worship team which practices late until late at the church. What an awesome family of God I'm part of! Also on my first day hereI got the privilege of hanging out with Mrs. Neeladoo, Noella and a wonderful sister from a neighboring island...Doris...sweet sisters! The internet isnt very reliable because there are so many people pulling on it from here thats why I havent posted much and some of this my not be perfect beause Im hurrying. I want to upload more pictures but Im not sure how it will go. Yesterday, I had the privilege of going to another elder's house for dinner with the Neeladoo family and I ate beef tongue for the first ....and probably the last time....but I tried it non the less...wwhat an adventure Im on. That house was also full dont ask me all the names but they were great and we had a blast chatting and laughing even if most of it was in french...fortunately there was another sister from Boston there she has been here 3 years and could translate for me her name was Tatiana and the elder was Mark and his wife Millie, their two sons and a guy from France, two guys from Zimbabwe and another guy from Mauritius. Tatiana told us a great story about the monkeys in the backyard ...they live on the edge of a ravine...she's hillarious! Apparently she was sleeping outside and started to see one monkey, then two then three and more and more untill there were 15 and she ran screaming into the house and no one was there so they don't believe her...its better when she told it...too funny! Today we went to church and it was great to be in the house of God with everyone. Others had just arrived from our church in America this morning and they were in church...amazing ...I'm sure they are wiped out today! I finally met my pastor face to face today...what a blessing! They assured us that we will have a time when we can all be together...I'm looking forward to that. The house is quiet now much like oura house after church on Sundays. Well I guess thats it for now...more later love to all...Christy

I'm Getting Ready to Ride!

Have you ever been on a roller coaster? I used to love to ride them. You get in line to wait your turn and with each slow step the line advances, your heart starts to race a bit more as you anticipate the relinquishing of all control.

Finally, you make it to the top platform where you climb in and the harness comes down tightly over your shoulders...your heart beats faster until you think it will burst and with a jerk off you go!

Click, click, click, clack, click ...up higher and higher...man, what a view but don't look down!

Then your at the top and the car hesitates just for a split second .... that incidentally feels like an hour...then vrooooom down you go twisting this way and that up and down ....and my personal favorite the loop... weee!

Well, enough said you get my point, today I feel as if I'm in the line slowly making steps forward as I will be embarking on a journey to the other side of the world.  Lord willing, I am going to an island in the Indian Ocean called Mauritius.

It is where our church was founded and it is our annual conference time.  I'm very excited to be one of many ambassadors from our small Florida congregation.

I will be making posts along the way to share my adventures. I'm asking the Lord to do many things in me....oh, how I need to mature and grow deeper in my love for him and others.

More is to come and I can't wait to share.

It's got me thinking...

Recently, the Lord has been challenging me to see people as he sees them.  He's opened my eyes to the lack of love I have for people and he desires to change this in my life.  I am confident that he wants to change this because he doesn't show us our lack just to leave us to our own devices to fix ourselves. He shows us what the need is then we work together with him to bring lasting change.

In Nehemiah chapter 1:4, I saw a clear reflection of the state of my heart.  As Nehemiah heard of the state of his people he was grieved, he wept, mourned and fasted for his people.   What love he displayed for his fellow man.  Would I have reacted the same or just remarked in momentary sadness.

Oh, that I could have the heart of the Lord for people.

Another scripture he brought me to this morning was Isaiah 25:8-9. This was another challenge from him for my heart's disposition towards God himself.  "...your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you..."  I'll be honest, God was the last thing on my mind last night as I surfed the net with diligence for something I wanted to buy.

Oh, how my heart needs to change.

Lastly, there has been something the Lord has revealed to me that has given me great victory and these are the words spoken from my heart as God revealed it, "God, I surrender to you and accept your will for me today, I trust you."  so simple and yet so profound as I truly accept his will for me today.

Thank you Lord, I am confident that you are changing me and I desire to work with you on these things which you have confronted me today...thank you for your love and thank you for your dicipline...grow me up:)

Wide Open Spaces

I'm so very blessed by the church family God has put around me that I can trust to speak truth into my life. What a gift to have loved ones who challenge me to grow and cause to see my state and need for God.

Recently, a sweet sister came halfway around the world at a time such as it was to speak such a truth that rocked my boat and is changing my life!  Simple words spoken...faithful are the wounds of friend.  What were those blessed words that the Lord spoke directly from her lips to my heart?

People in all walks and phases of life need to feel the heart of the Lord for them and if they can't feel it from us...me...why is that?  Could it be that my "laws and principles" have made safety walls around me, barriers so to speak that can't be breached by me or anyone else for that matter.

Laws and principles I've had all my life....dos and don'ts.  I was shattered when she spoke these words to me...I saw my legalistic self.  I could live by these but I'm the one in the cage.  God was challenging me to come into an open plain and live by his grace that has no walls or barriers.

How can I reach others with the Gospel of Christ when I'm applying my laws and principles to everyone expecting them to live up to them as I do...miserably I might add.  Paul's words ring in my heart as I'm writing..You foolish Galations! Who has bewitched you?....Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galations 3:1-5

I'm seeing in me how much I live by the law instead of Grace. But I'm encouraged because seeing it is more than half the battle and God didn't show me these things to leave me here! Praise the Lord he will bring me into great freedom like I've never known before and it's the power of His Gospel that is accomplishing this in me as I allow God to work in my heart deciding to die to my laws and principles and choose his life....freedom on an open plain of Grace!

What that looks like lived out I'm not totally sure but I've seen a glimps and I want it with all my heart! I want more!