by Suellen | Missions
I love Wednesday nights at church. It seems that almost every week when the time rolls around, I feel too tired to go – but I go anyway. And every week I leave with more energy than when I came.
Last night was no different.
We had several missionaries present, and they really inspired me. One of the speakers was a young man who has been called to evangelize Spain. It would be easy to pooh-pooh such an assignment, since such western nations are tons of fun to visit. Yet visiting the nation and evangelizing the nation are two different things, and the latter is hard!
Across Spain, there are many who know abut Jesus, but relatively few who truly know Him as their Savior. They are often religious, but seldom born again – and that makes it harder then usual to reveal the truth of the Gospel. Yet, through the leading of the Holy Spirit, this young man and his family are impacting the entire nation for Jesus – especially among the youth. (more…)
by Suellen | Ukrainian Encounters
I have a new keepsake. It’s a little wrinkled, and not quite balanced in proportion, but it is beautiful. And beautiful for a special reason.
My husband and I just returned from Ukraine and Poland, where we had the privilege of speaking to several groups of people. One was at an orphanage in Kiev.
When we arrived, we saw a group of beautiful children playing in the backyard. Their eyes sparkled and their faces beamed as they met the new Americans who had come to visit.
Through their interpreter they were full of questions. “Do you have any children?” “What is your favorite thing to eat?” and the one I hate – “How old are you?” Then they giggled as they heard my replies.
After a period of this quasi-conversation, I retreated to inside where the adults were gathered.
Then came the special moment.
A little girl, probably 9 years old, brought me a present. The glue wasn’t quite dry, so I had to hold it carefully at first. This precious little girl had brought me a piece of artwork she had made for me. There was some paint, some glue, and a few leaves and wildflowers. A beautiful creation.
Memories flashed of my own children bringing me such treasures – many years ago. I also thought about the creations which had come from my grandchildren.
But this one was unique. This art treasure – along with the smile – were the only ways Olena could communicate with me. We didn’t speak the same language, but we could demonstrate the same language. The language of love.
I plan to frame my new treasure and keep it as a reminder. A reminder of the human heart and the kindness that we see.
This little girl didn’t have a happy home for security. She was isolated from family who could bring her love and moral support. Yet here she was showing me perfect love and kindness.
My new treasure also reminds me of the human desire to have purpose. Olena wanted to create something beautiful – and she sought to be a giver. In her action she showed her desire to be significant. And she was.
I carefully inserted this new work of art into a plastic bag and found a secure spot in my luggage. This was significant to me, and I wanted to make certain that it made it home in a good state.
As we look around us, we see many children who are yearning to be significant. Of course, they are all significant to God, but many don’t know it. They may have turbulent homes which don’t encourage them. They even may be demeaned by those closest to them.
That’s why it’s important for God’s people to show these little ones something different. A smile or a word of encouragement can be helpful. If there’s a chance for greater interaction, take it. Your actions might be just what the little ones need to bring them to a higher place in God.
Reach out. Take the time. Show them love.
That’s what I plan to do.
In as much as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me, also.
Keep Moving Forever Upward!
by Suellen | Africa, Liberia
Clean water is something we take for granted in most western countries. There are purifying water systems in the towns and deep wells in rural areas. Clean water and the health it fosters are priorities throughout most of society.
However, the area around Monrovia, Liberia is different. The Liberian civil war, which lasted for nearly 2 decades, caused devastation to the country’s infrastructure. Today there is not a central water system, and many people are totally without a pure water source.
Meme is a 5 year old boy who lives with his mother and 3 older brothers in a small tin hut just outside of Monrovia. They have no running water, and have to push a wheel barrow a mile and a half in order to fill their jugs with water from a creek. Not clean water, but it is water.
We have a desire to change that. Global Reach Project and our partners, World Harvest Church Liberia, are going to dig a well on the property. The methods are primitive, as the wells in the area are dug by hand. But that also means the project costs less than more modern techniques. Only $2500!
A bonus will be that the entire community can benefit from the project. Clean water and greater health for all!
We hope you will help us accomplish this. You can text a donation to 1-770-691-1651 . Every gift helps. Check out the project Here.
by Suellen | Africa, Liberia
The day has finally come, though it’s hard to believe. You know the feeling. There’s something you are planning for – and you work and you plan until that day finally arrives. Then when the day comes it seems surreal. Like having a baby.
Come to think of it, that’s exactly what it feels like now. Mickey and I are giving birth to the next phase of our ministry. Today, as I write this, he is in Liberia.
Ever since we met Pastor Stephen Tour, we have had Liberia on our hearts. The country has a connection with the US for many reasons. A major one is a monumental occurrence which happened during the mid 19th century. Just before the Civil War, a Christian group – the American Colonization Society helped ex-slaves from the United States move to Africa and establish the Colony of Liberia.
The new immigrants had only known the American culture, so they began to emulate it. They designed a flag very similar to the US flag. The houses they built were reminiscent of the Greek Revival homes they had left. At first, the clothes they wore were copies of those they had known in their old land.
There were occasional clashes with some of the new neighbors, but the people were able to establish a certain order, and their lives began to flourish. The new Liberians were experiencing some good times.
However, as is always the case when differing cultures collide, resentments began to build in some of the neighboring tribes and at the end of the 20th century fierce fighting broke out.
It’s hard to understand all of the motivations – or even what people were trying to achieve with their fighting, but there were two decades of such intense battles that 500,000 people were killed. Most of the country’s infrastructure was annihilated. Finally in 2004 the UN sent peace keepers into the country and the president was arrested and sentenced for war crimes. (He is now serving a 50 year sentence in a British jail).
So back to the present…
Many of the people who had fled Liberia during the onslaught are now returning to their homeland in order to rebuild. Two of my heroes in this mission are Pastor Stephen Tour and his wife, Pastor Annette. Though they both had escaped miraculously with guns pointed at them (that’s another story for another day), they felt the call of God to return to their land. Ten years ago they moved back and began the hard, complicated task of building a church and helping others to rebuild their lives.
Remember I said that the infrastructure had been destroyed during the wars? Well I really meant that. When the Tours returned there was no central water system and no electricity. No phone service and, of course, no internet. Oh, and streets? Forget it!
Bravely this couple gathered some others to begin the work – and the progress has been incredible. Ten years later, they have a church building with several stories. They have also started two rural churches, and they’re bringing changes wherever they go.
Such noble people.
Mickey will be teaching the Word in some of the church meetings. He’s also going to assist in opening a Bible School for local pastors. Pastor Tour’s long range vision is to open a conference center on the coast – where he has six acres. So much is possible when the vision of God is involved.
I’ll be posting often as I hear the developments. Thanks for your prayers.
Forever Upward!
by Suellen | Awakening
The little girl, curls bobbing, confidently nestled into the chair right in front of the podium. She had almost run from the very back in order to acquire this select spot. She didn’t want to miss a thing.
All around her the adults smiled at her anticipation, but they were perplexed. Children didn’t often desire to be up front. It was unusual for children to exhibit such excitement over such events.
Then Oral Roberts, the famous healing minister climbed onto the platform, and a hush came over the audience. Praise filled the tent and an amazing night of God’s presence was underway. This was one of his famous healing services during the days when Dr. Roberts carried his huge tent from city to city.
The little girl was not disappointed. Her jaw dropped as she saw a grapefruit-sized goiter disappear from a lady’s neck. And there was much more. Person after person received God’s touch – straightening legs, healing cancer, and delivering from depression.
The girl was hooked. At 10 years old she had witnessed some of God’s miracle working power, and she knew from that moment that she wanted to be part of His miracle-working army.
Several decades have passed since that moment.
Last week the evangelist who was that little girl came to our church and it was obvious that she and God have maintained that special connection. Elaine Hollmer has a healing ministry with many testimonies. And a boldness for God’s purposes which is rare. She has made a name for herself as one of God’s “stokers.” When the coals grow dim in the hearts of Christians, God sends her to stoke them, causing the flames to rise again.
Over the decades since I became a Christian I have seen many people come and go. I have known men and women who at one time were on fire for God, but whose hearts have grown cold. There are others who are still going through the motions, but you sense that there is a quiet desperation in their ministry.
Not so with Elaine Hollmer. She exhibits greater zeal – and greater fruit – than she did the first time I saw her many years ago. Full of love, full of anointing, full of God’s healing touch, and changing lives in the process.
Elaine’s diligence is evident. “Through faith and patience she has inherited God’s promises,” (Heb. 6:12)
You can’t stay in ministry for decades without some challenges coming your way. I don’t know what hers have been, but I know that she has met them head on.
Something very interesting is that when you see a person who has walked closely with God for a number of years, you see a sweetness and humility which can only come through time. But also a boldness – and does she ever have boldness! A holy boldness which stirs hearts for more of God.
Well, I’m stirred.
We have some exciting years ahead. There’s a Great Awakening on the horizon and I want to be a full-fledged participant, don’t you?
Let’s Stay Strong – and Finish Strong.
