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Saturday, September 29, 2007

We called Enoch and had some news from Goro, where Paul went last week to minister.

I already told you that miraculous, the people's fields were not touched by the thunderstorms, while the surrounding villages all were. While in Goro, they asked the team to pray for more rain to finish off the rainy season and have a good harvest coming up. They called saying that it's been raining hard since - and again, ONLY in their village!! The people of Goro are so full of joy, they brought their first products to the weekly market in Dio on Saturday, praising God and testifying of what He's done.

This upcoming week we're going to the other village of Sotoly.

Friday the AGEMPEM meeting was ALL day, leaving us really tired, but it was worth it! I decided I needed a day off, and so I had Paul do the street kid program without me today. He's been doing it all summer. Next Saturday I'm gonna start our curriculum again.

I was able to catch up on some office working during the day, and in the evening, I went out to eat with a missionary friend. She lives on the other end of town, right next to a great pizza restaurant, which is where we went. I had great pizza, and even greater fellowship with her.

The solar panels are paid - all $20,000, praise God! Plus, a huge donation of $13,000 came in towards the construction of our first house! Hallelujah! Only $36,000 to go for the house, and two more months! He can do it!

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Thursday, September 27, 2007

Today was the second full day of the general assembly of the Malian association of churches and ministries. Another early morning. We were there until 1:30 pm, and it was a good time. I learned a lot, seeing things on a more national level.

During lunch break, I had to go downtown to pick up my frequent flyer free ticket from Air France for my trip to England. Because it's Ramadan, it went quickly. I then decided to stop at the little restaurant there and invite Paul to lunch. He deserved it! We had a good time eating good food and talking.

Even though I would have loved to be at the assembly in the afternoon, I was so tired I knew I couldn't do both, the assembly AND the prayer meeting at night. So we went home, and I took a nap during the little time that was left until the prayer meeting.

Tonight we had Kassim back with us - I haven't seen him all year, I believe. He is the one who should have been baptized last year. Then he left town. He said he's back now.

We spent 80 minutes worshipping God, and it was wonderful. Then we had another 40 minutes where we did intercession for the different needs. It was a good meeting.

I'm sure tired, and intend to go to bed early tonight. Tomorrow is an even longer day. The assembly is from 8:30 am until 7 pm or so tomorrow!!! Thank God it's the last day.

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Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Today was the second day, and first full day of the general assembly. I had to get up very early (I'm not a morning person) since we had to leave at 8 am to go there.

Most of the day today was dedicated to all the 38 churches or ministries/missions that are part of the AGEMPEM for them to give a report of their activities of this past year. That included us. Since this is our first time participating, I didn't know what was expected of us. In the morning, I listened to the first 11 organizations, and we were the second of the 11 in the afternoon (the rest didn't have a representative present).

We had a two-hour break, and I realized I also needed to have a written report to hand to AGEMPEM leaders. In my mind I was already forming what and how I'd say things. Arriving at home, I quickly had a bite to eat (right now I usually only eat at noon - I'm nearly back to my pre-US weight), and then I started writing the report. It was really easy, and after half an hour I was done. We had to leave a few minutes later.

I was a little nervous about speaking in front of all these pastors and mission leaders, but also excited about the opportunity to make known what God is doing with CAM. When they started the afternoon session, I was even asked to do the opening prayer, though they couldn't even ask me by name. Not long after that it was my turn. I was nervous, but the nervousness soon left. I was simply sharing my heart, as I always do - I wouldn't know what else to do.

When I was done, a lot of people had questions to ask me (there was a Q&A after every speaker). In fact, I was asked more questions than anyone else. Even before getting up there, I had handed it all over to Holy Spirit, and asked Him to put the words into my mouth to answer this people, like He promised He would. While the first pastor was asking his question, I was amazed to feel God putting the answers into my mind. It was a 3-part-answer! He asked how we prevent people from pretending being Christians because of the food we give them. First, we don't feed everyone, just widows and their kids. Secondly, by the fruit we see whether someone is really a Christian or not. Thirdly, it's not my responsibility. I just love them, feed them, be Jesus to them, whatever they decide, whether to be Christian or Muslim.

Honestly, people were amazed by my answer. Paul told me that his neighbor turned to him saying that I was really frank.

Other questions followed, and the Lord was faithful to give me answers. Then they prayed for Paul and me, as they did with every ministry.

I'm curious about tomorrow. Tonight we left right when it was over, but tomorrow there will be opportunities for people to come up to me and talk to me. I'm curious what they'll say.

This morning one Baptist Mission shared that they have the problem of having one pastor who sees people healed when he prays. He said they are trying to deal with this problem. Paul was shocked to hear all that. He's been so guarded so far! He loved it, though, when I did not hide the miracles and healings God is doing among us.

In fact, I forgot to mention another miracle that happened in Dio. There were several severe storms that destroyed the harvests of the villages around Goro, but their fields were untouched. Only the people of Goro will have their complete harvest! Praise God! What a testimony!

Another thing they did at the assembly today was dedicate a new book - the history of the protestant church in Mali. I'm excited about that, and can't wait to read it once it's on sale in a few weeks.

I have not been doing well the last few days. Tonight my Dad Papa Bill came online and did a session with me. God took me to a traumatic early childhood memory where I felt the same way as in the present, and gloriously set me free. In fact, after I hung up, I jumped into the air with joy a couple of times. Hallelujah!

God keeps going deeper with me, in healing me, and I connect with my emotions more and more. The last three days were definitely the most painful days emotionally in quite some time. But when we go through pain, it's always because God is at work in us, making us more like Him and healing us. What an awesome God!

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

When they got to the village yesterday, everybody was very excited, and people from other villages had even come - a few hundred in total. Even before the sun set, Paul started teaching them. Then they set up the equipment to show the MATTHEW film. First one of the big generators wouldn't work, but then it did. Everything was working fine. They spent some time in praise, and people participated praising and dancing before the Lord.

When it was time to start the movie, both the DVD player and the projector died. The DVD player was still pretty new, but it's dead for good, I checked it out. I haven't checked the projector yet, but I can only hope it's just the light bulb. In any case, it's been working hard and faithfully for 3 years, and it wouldn't surprise me if it's time had come.

Paul felt really bad about the broken equipment, and other things he should have done and forgot, but I told him those things happen, and he's not superhuman. We ended up doing a TPM session tonight, and he received the truth from God and was set free. Hallelujah!

Instead of the movie, Paul preached. After his message, dozens of people were healed and saved, as they prayed for them.

This picture shows Paul and our village pastor Enoch with the village chief and some elders.

The meeting was only over at midnight, but still the village chief and others had so many more questions to ask about the Christian life. They stayed up long, Paul answering all their questions, and he ended up getting very little sleep. They got up at 6, spent some time in prayer, and at 7 am Paul started teaching them again, until 11 am. They saw more people healed and saved.

This lady came because spirits would visit her at night, and was unable to sleep. She gave her heart to the Lord, and Paul asked her if she had any idols in her house. She brought a "gris-gris" - a magic object - to be burned.

When they first tried to burn it, it wouldn't, even though they had put petrol on it. It would even move in the fire, as if it was living. That scared people big time. So Paul prayed over it, breaking its power, and then it simply burned up without problems.

The people of Goro were very excited about our team's visit, and want us to come back soon. They are now getting ready to build a church even. The village chief is totally serious about following Jesus, and hungry to grow and learn. Thank God!

Tonight their annual general assembly started. We were accepted a year ago, and I only just found out a few days ago that I was expected to be there for the assembly.

We had a hard time finding the location, but did, even still being on time. There were a good number of people - maybe 70 - and I knew several of the white missionaries. It was only the opening meeting, and thankfully didn't last very long. The electricity went out only minutes into the meeting, and never came back. So the speakers did everything with a candle and torch.

Paul commented afterwards how shocked he was that all these pastors and leaders were just sitting while singing the praise songs, without emotion or movement at all. I had to explain some things to him about non-charismatic evangelicals, which most people there are. Paul was the only one clapping his hands and saying AMEN from time to time :-).

Tomorrow we're spending all day there, from 8 am till 5:30 pm, and will have a chance to present our church and what we're doing.

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Monday, September 24, 2007

After a short, restless night, I was very tired and not feeling well at all. I was contemplating cancelling our trip to the village, and then I decided to let them go without me.

So I helped them prepare everything, made sure they understood how to set up the technical equipment, and gave Paul instructions about what needed to be done in Dio as well. I was hoping I hadn't forgotten anything. Seybou had never been to the village, so this was his opportunity; he's the only other person with a driver's license, and since he is still a beginner, I admonished him to drive carefully.

I asked Paul to give me a call if he needs anything, since they have a mobile network there now, and he did. He called telling me that the projector wasn't working. He also told me that they had been feeling much spiritual opposition from the moment they arrived, and had been doing spiritual warfare in prayer. He said he'd simply preach the gospel instead of the movie.

He also told me that when they arrived at the village, they took him to a woman who'd been bedridden for a week, and everybody believed she'd die any day. They prayed for her, and she got off her bed, completely healed! Praise God! Then they prayed for her grandson, who was also instantly healed. Hallelujah!

Woman before and after:

Paul told me there was more to share, and he'll do so when he comes back to Bamako.

I'm so proud of my son Paul. Tomorrow he's gonna teach them all day before returning to Bamako. Please pray for him. Pray also for me to be made well.

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Sunday, September 23, 2007

My topic today was holiness. As always I so much realized that I have nothing to offer God but myself. So I gave myself totally to Him, asking Him to come and speak through me.

I put on some of my pretty new clothes, and we had a good time of praying before the service. Then Paul led Bambara worship, together with Firmin and some kids. I was proud to see Solomani up there doing one song with Paul. Yeah! It was great. Then I did the French worship, which was wonderful too.

Everyone was there, except for the new people Paul had been telling me about. That was a little disappointing.

I then preached for over an hour on holiness, getting rid of sin and bad habits, and being sanctified and changed from glory to glory into His image. Some of the kids listened carefully, especially Saloum. Abdias seems totally disinterested in God since my return.

I went back to the piano to sing a song, while praying and giving an altar call. I felt like tonight was a turn-around night for some, and they needed to take a step forward to publicly declare tonight is the beginning of a life of sanctification and holiness. For some time nobody came, and then Saloum was the first, and most everyone else followed. Even Emma who usually doesn't respond to altar calls. Only Simeon stayed in his seat. I prayed for each one, and really believe some took the sermon to heart. Hopefully we'll see the difference in the children's lives. I'm taking Saloum to the village with me tomorrow, as well as Solomani.

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Saturday, September 22, 2007

Every September all the missionary women from all over Mali get together for a 3-day women's conference in a hotel in Bamako. This year I could only go to the Saturday morning session, followed by lunch. My primary purpose for going is to reconnect with other missionaries and refresh relationships.

I had a very hard time getting up so very early and leaving to have breakfast at the hotel. And then the car breaks were much worse than they had been last time I drove, and it was scary to know I wouldn't be able to break in an emergency. I was driving extra carefully, and told Emma the breaks need to be repaired before going to the villages on Monday. He picked it up later and took it to the mechanic, praise God. We've had a lot of expenses even while I was gone to repair and maintain the car.

I had a wonderful breakfast at the hotel, and saw several of my missionary friends around, sitting next to one. A few other people came up to me saying how great I looked (first time they saw me since the weight loss), and how long it's been since they last saw me. The missionaries have an evangelical service every Sunday night, and though I try to go there regularly (after our own service), just to stay in touch (and go out to eat), I have hardly done so this year, because I've been so busy with other things. I was able to testify to a few people about how I lost weight, and the role healing and TPM played in it. I also shared with a few people about Daniel Messner (Papa Bill's spiritual son who I met 10 days ago) coming end of January to the CMA field conference, and that he's doing TPM and will talk about it. There was a good number of CMA missionaries at the women's conference.

I enjoyed the people I sat with for lunch (no meat - sigh), sitting next to another friend of mine. After lunch I had the opportunity to talk longer with another friend I hadn't seen in a long time. She wanted to hear the story of this past year - Ghana etc. - and I told her everything. Then she shared with me the difficult time she's going through, and my heart was so moved with compassion (I sure could identify with her!), I asked if I could pray for her. I did, and I was glad to see the Lord touch her. She then prayed for me also. It was a precious time, and I hope we'll finally see each other more, even though she lives quite far away. She is 64 years old, and very busy; she teaches at the American School and is very involved in her church here.

It was getting late, and time for me to go home, where I was able to take a much-needed nap.

Jesus Camp

In the evening we continued watching JESUS CAMP. I can only encourage you to watch this awesome movie of this generation God is raising up. It's about Becky Fisher of Kids in Ministry International (I use her materials), and shows several on fire kids, and her conferences. They actually filmed in my church in Kansas City, and there is one shot where you can see me. I also know the pastor whose kid is featured, and the family whose daughter is featured. So it was wonderful to see "family" all over the movie. While watching it, I was praying for my kids to be stirred up and inspired, to see what passionate children are like. Half of them were watching carefully, while the other half couldn't care less. Paul was deeply touched, as he saw those kids in intense intercession for their country.

Emmanuel

Emma picked up the car, and we were able to talk for a few minutes. While I was in the US, and God was setting up all those things for our business ventures, connecting me with the right people, He spoke to me that Emma was the person to head all of this up, like a marketplace pastor. It would combine his passion for business and for pastoring. So I mentioned it to Emma, and he mentioned what is on his heart to do. He said he was feeling totally lost right now, not knowing what to do. He's been struggling for years with what God wants him to do, and he himself wants, but what other people want from him. He's been robbed effectively of the wonderful things God has for him by giving in to fear of man and going the opposite direction. We were also robbed of all Emma could have contributed to our community. Please pray for him to take the right decisions, and for him to be restored and healed. I hope he'll be willing to do a TPM session some time. He has some problems with authority, and submitting to women and myself, but I don't think he's very conscious of it.

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Friday, September 21, 2007

I continue seeing fruit from my time in the US. We just finished our nightly family meeting where we talk about the day, discussing anything necessary, and then I pray for each kid together with Paul, blessing them and calling forth their destinies.

Looking at them tonight, I felt again so much love for them, like I have been since coming back. My love for them is greater than ever before, and I'd like to spend more time with them than I'm doing. I'm so proud of them all, and it's such a great joy to see them walking with the Lord and growing. While things were falling apart in July and August, there has been a turnaround that happened before I came back - in fact it dates back to about the day when I was in a prayer meeting in Kansas City where God broke my hearts for the kids, and we all prayed for them. The one who has changed the most is Saloum (the oldest), and it's very encouraging. More below.

Yesterday we were looking at all my pictures from my trip, and I was telling them stories, and they loved it. We had such a great time. They also received candy bracelets - that did not last long.

Second Prayer Meeting

This afternoon Seybou damaged our car big time - the whole left side is all messed up because he moved the whole car along the metal door as he drove into the garage. I was so shocked! I had just put the new car magnets with our name and logo on the sides of the car, and even the magnet was damaged a little. It honestly bothers me how things get broken and destroyed all the time, and how they don't seem to realize people work hard to send us money to support us. Often they seem to think there is always more money coming, so it doesn't matter.

In any case, that whole story threatened what God was gonna do tonight, and unfortunately Seybou never joined us for the meeting in the evening. He probably felt guilty. As with the huge phone bill, he's not able to pay the repair either.

Thankfully, I spent time with the Lord and got a needed nap (the drums have been waking me up every morning, sigh), and was fine by the time the meeting started.

I got the keyboard out, and led everyone in a time of worship. How I've missed this! Then I put in the DVD of that powerful session at the HIM conference. We participated in what was happening, which was mainly crying out for more of God and receiving from Him. Some of them were touched powerfully, as they testified later, especially Saloum, Firmin, and Paul. Three of the kids fell asleep on the floor. When I stopped the DVD, I got back on the keyboard and sang prophetically. I also shared with them what God had spoken to me that night at the conference they had just watched. God had told me that I would never be the same again, and He wanted the same for them. He also talked about the coming revival in Mali. A the time I said, "the Mali Revival", and God corrected me, saying it would be called the "Desert Revival". I passed that on to them tonight, and Paul had a strong witness, as God showed him more about it. Firmin also had several pictures, and even Solomani shared something he'd seen.

How exciting! God is so awesome! I love this! I told them I wished we'd continue doing "spiritual stuff" like that, rather than them watching all these movies.... We'll see what we'll do tomorrow night. We started watching JESUS CAMP today, and might finish it tomorrow.

By The Way...

Our request to stay longer in our house was granted by the agency. We're moving onto our property December 5th. We still need $49,000 to finish the house.

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Thursday, September 19, 2007

Yesterday was a rather strange day. I guess it's quite a change from Ohio to Mali, temperature-wise, culture-wise, people-wise, separated from my spiritual Dad, and after an intense week of healing that needs "the cement to dry" now, like my friend says. I spent most of the day catching up on administrative work, and there were irregularities in the accounts, as always. They're still learning. In any case, I had to address one more serious issue, and Paul always has a hard time being corrected. Unfortunately he refused to do a TPM session.

Second Day

Well, this afternoon he was ready for it, and as always he was gloriously set free and healed. All these hours of misery for nothing :-).

Picture: Paul and Hama

This morning I had a wonderful time with the Lord where he surprised me with His presence. He's so awesome! I also spent more time with my kids, which was wonderful. And of course there was more administrative work...

Awesome Prayer Meeting

Picture: Saloum, Fousseni, Firmin, Souleymane

In the evening it was time for our weekly prayer meeting. I was excited about what God would do. The Lord spoke to me during my trip about doing these two meetings, Thu and Fri night, and I felt He was up to something big.I have two DVDs from the HIM conference in Pasadena, and put in the first tonight. During that meeting, God released liberty in worship, and worship was just going and going, and prophetic worship released. I told them to not watch, but participate. It didn't take them long to get into it, and they were all dancing and shouting and praising God and waiving my flags. I recorded 18 seconds of it that you can watch here:

I did not translate everything that was going on on the DVD, but instead the Lord gave me words to speak to them. He was encouraging them to greater hunger for Him. I had those who wanted more of Him line up, and prayed for them. Paul is the most sensitive for the Spirit of God, and he lay down on the floor, visibly touched by His presence. Saloum also lay down. They both stayed on the floor when the DVD was done, and I shared what was strongly on my heart.

I told them that the Lord has something extraordinary in store for tomorrow night (I've felt that for weeks), when I'd show them the second DVD, which is all ministry. God touched me deeply during that meeting at the conference, and spoke some things to me, and I know He wants to release that same anointing on my people here tomorrow. I talked tonight about hunger and God's response, and preparing your heart for more of Him. I told them they'd get filled according to the room they'd have. If your stomach is full, you can't eat any more. I encouraged them to empty their stomachs of other stuff, and come with empty stomachs to Him tomorrow night to have Him fill them. Whatever is gonna happen tomorrow night will depend on their hunger for Him. But I believe God is up to something big, to the point of it being a milestone for some of them. I told them I'll do everything I can do to be ready tomorrow night, including fasting and praying during the day. I encouraged them to do likewise. Several said they'd fast one meal tomorrow, praise God.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

I was done packing early and set to go, and had a few more hours to kill before my Daddy picked me up. It takes organizational skill to pack well when you have so much, and I kept weighing the bags to make sure I was within the weight limit. No more grace at the airports, it seems.

I was gonna have lunch with my Daddy and his wife before going to the airport, but she was too tired to come along. So the two of us went for lunch. I was pretty sad about leaving my Dad, though I know that it's just distance separating us.

He took me to the airport, and as I was trying to check in, something was wrong. A week ago they had quickly rebooked me on another plane so I'd still make it to Dayton, but they had not put that into the computer, and now they had canceled my flight out of Dayton, thinking I had never actually got there! Oh my!

Time was passing, and missing this plane would delay everything by a day, since I was gonna take the day's last plane to Paris. But thank God, they were able to still get me on that plane, and I was not charged for my overweight bags - maybe they were trying to make up for their mistake.

It was hard saying good-bye to my Daddy, and off I went.

That first plane was 15 minutes late, which meant I only had 45 minutes in Cincinnati to catch the connection to Paris. I half ran across the terminals to get to the gate where boarding was already in progress. I still needed my boarding pass, and again they had the same problem as in Dayton. My reservation was canceled, and it took them quite some time to sort it all out and still get me a seat on the plane. Thank God!

On the plane, I was the one who had the only headset with a production error - it had two left ears, so I couldn't use it; but they gave me another one.

From then on, it was a wonderful smooth trip home :-).

Paris, France

I arrived in Paris this morning, and someone from our sister church came to pick me up, since I had a 5 hour layover. I love the church here, and it was wonderful to meet all my friends there again. They were also happy to see me, and I realized afresh how loved I am there. Unfortunately the pastors were out of town, as well as another lady from the pastoral team who's been with us in Mali.

They had a prayer meeting for France and the nations, and I was invited to join them. They had a map of France on the floor in the middle, and as I saw the map, my heart started to break for France. I have always had a love for France, and since I lived my first half year as a Christian in Paris, I've done a lot of praying for this country. As my heart was breaking in intercession, I was reminded of the prophetic word Che Ahn gave me in January that God was gonna use me to bring revival to France. Thank God!

Loving Reception At Home

On the plane to Bamako, I realized how much I was looking forward to seeing my kids and holding them in my arms again. More than before. I also realized that I hug my kids a lot, but not my adult kids. That will change.

It was cold on the plane, but that changed quickly when I stepped out into the hot Mali night. Everything worked out without incidents, and Paul and Seybou were waiting for me. Since all the kids had wanted to come to the airport, Paul decided none would so none would be preferred over another. I was disappointed to not see my kids.

I hugged Paul and Seybou, who were so happy to see me, and then I drove us home. The kids had gone to bed, but they were all still awake, and I hugged each one of them, so happy to be reunited with them.

And then little Hama came into the house, pulling himself as quickly as he could across the floor with his good arm. I picked him up and just held him tight. I love such a special love for this little one, and he was so glad to see me, he couldn't even talk. He just smiled and held me tight. I didn't want to let go of him either. I sat down with Paul and Firmin, holding Hama, and we prayed together, thanking Him for the good trip, and praising Him for His goodness and greatness.

I saw my little daughter - as my kids call my cat - but she refused to even have me touch her (sigh); she's always like that, so unforgiving.

So I spent some time sitting with Hama and my grown-ups, and enjoyed it. First thing that has changed. In the past I would just go into my room, unpack, and need some space to readapt.

I finally sent Hama to go sleep, and went to my room. Several things weren't the way they should have been, things I had even told them several times, but I was not angry (like in the past). I simply told them in a loving way, without negative emotions. Second sign I have changed.

Praise God!

Then we had a late visitor - Olivier. Olivier has been a part of our church for quite some time, and he's especially been close to (pastor) Paul. He came by because he is going back to his country Cameroon tomorrow, for good. We prayed for him, and he had tears in his eyes, because he has to leave us, and it's so hard because he loves us and is gonna miss us. I could only tell him I know what that's like (yeah - it was only a few hours ago I went through that!) but that we'll still be connected even though separated. We'll stay in touch by email. Olivier is in the middle, Firmin on the left, and Paul on the right. I succeeded in making them smile.

Now it's late here in Mali, even though it's not in Ohio where I just came from, but I'm still very tired having slept only an hour or two last night. I'm gonna sleep in my own bed tonight - and it's very hot, even though the AC is on. By tomorrow night I will have adapted again.

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Monday, September 17, 2007

Five amazing, wonderful, full weeks have come to an end, and it's time to go back home and pour out everything on my children and team members. I'm looking forward to seeing my loved ones again, and take them into my arms, and am excited about all God is gonna do.

There is also LOTS of work waiting for me, but His grace will be there to accomplish everything He wants me to get done.

I have scheduled two meetings, for Thu and Fri night, to worship, pray, and pray over everyone. Next week I'm talking Paul (and maybe some kids) to go to the two villages where hundreds were saved and healed. I've been very troubled by the lack of follow-up through our pastor there, and will spend a few days teaching and discipling them. It will be a challenge, though, to leave the city for several days, AND have Paul with me.

Please pray for a smooth trip home - no flight delays leading to missing connections, favor at the airports, etc. I'm leaving tonight, arriving in Paris in the morning (if I don't miss it - the layover is short). I'll then spend a few hours at our sister church in Paris before boarding the plane to Mali in the afternoon, arriving there at night. I just talked to the kids and Firmin, and they're excited about my coming back.

Please pray for me to adjust quickly and easily to being back in Mali, on every level, from heat, to loud kids, to constant demands, and stuff to do.

He is in control!

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Sunday, September 16, 2007

What a fitting name! It's my Dad's church name, as well as his ministry name. Bill started his first church in the 70's, and has seen God move, as well as several church splits. Today it's only a small little church with a handfull of people - Abundant Love Christian Center - and they sure seek to live up to their name.

They did not have a worship leader, and so they put in a CD to worship. I just entered right into worshiping Him, and God started showing me His heart for this church. My heart was breaking for the broken hearts in the room. I soon couldn't help but kneel down before my awesome God.

Two different people said some things, and then my Dad came up to give a little message. He talked about forgiving others their sins against us. It was really good, and God spoke to me about a very fresh testimony to share with these people.

Bill had a guy come up and lead in a few hymns, before it was my turn. God's presence was already so strong, and my heart full to pour out to these precious people. I started off praying, then giving that testimony, and then sharing my heart, telling them about Mali, and my journey there, talking about all the healing God has done in my life. I encouraged them to each get healed themselves and not limit God, but to step into their destinies. If they are weak or lowly or despised, praise God, they are qualified! (see 1.Cor 1:26ff)

When I was done speaking, my Dad asked people to give an offering to me, and he led the way by doing so himself. That touched me deeply. Then he asked people to surround me and pray for me, which they did.

The service was over later than usually, and people dispersed. We then went to a restaurant for lunch, together with the wonderful couple that has hosted me this week.

Unexpectedly, I got to have one more session today - and God knew how important it was. We had 3 hours again, and once again the Lord went so deep, going to the core of things, taking me into a horrible memory, but today I got more truth and healing at the end than I had the other days.

It makes such a difference when you get to do several days of sessions in a row, because every day you simply move deeper. It gets easier and faster each day, and I had a glorious breakthrough today. I'm curious to see what way things are gonna be different when I get back, but I have no doubt that they will be.

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Saturday, September 15, 2007

I don't know what else to call it - prayer meeting, service, etc.

Papa Bill picked me up from home and took me to this place. The meeting had started nearly 2 hours earlier, and people were lying all over soaking in God's presence, worshipping. The room was decorated beautifully. We sat down, and entered in. I soon got up and lay down on the floor to worship, and God was doing some deep stuff in me, all related to the sessions of this week.

The leader of this ministry is also a spiritual daughter of Bill's, and so she had him get up and say a few words. I just loved listening to him, and felt so proud to have him as my Dad. How blessed I am that God would give me such a wonderful Dad! After that, I was invited to do likewise, and so I shared my heart. They loved it. Nearly everyone took my flyer and CD, and even signed up for my mailing list!!! Wow!

Then they prayed for me, and I was greatly blessed, as they prayed and prophesied. One said that I was like an Esther, that He was giving me a queenly anointing, and someone came up to me and put an Esther prayer shawl around my shoulders. As she did, the power of God came on me big time.

We then had a break, and I got to talking with several people. At the end of the break, I was talking with the ministry leader, who showed me the whole place, all the prophetic pictures and veils etc to represent different parts of the Tabernacle. An awesome place! I could have just stayed in the glory there forever. As we were talking together with Papa Bill, she invited both him and me to come with her to Haiti.

They continued the meeting, and she wanted Papa Bill and me to pray for her for her upcoming ministry trip to China. Bill prayed first, and then I did. I LOVED this opportunity to pour out and see the Lord touching her.

We left then to go do another session. We had about 3 hours (the average now), and again God was going very deep. I'm so thankful that He is doing this deep work in me, bringing healing in the depth of my being. I wonder what kind of Claudia is going back to Mali on Monday.

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Thursday, September 13, 2007

I thank all the intercessors out there who are praying for me this week as I have daily theophostic sessions to receive more personal inner healing. I believe I had a major breakthrough today - on the first day of the Jewish New Year! It's the beginning of a new season in my life!

Please pray for the remaining two days for God to do a deep work of mind renewal, sanctification and conformation into the likeness of His Son in me.

I spent the evening tonight getting much done on my book, really being inspired to write. I'll email the first three chapters to you, if you're interested.

I talked to Paul for over an hour today. Things are going very well, and I jokingly said there's no reason for me to come back, but he immediately objected saying they can't wait for me to come and they need me :-). I'm also looking forward to being back home, and implementing what I believe the Lord has shown me.

The children are doing much better spiritually, but physically there have been some problems. Paul took them to a regular clinic, since our doctor didn't have time to help. Saloum had both malaria as well as typhoid fever, and Fousseni had malaria with something else as well. I'm still crying out to God to send us a Western trained doctor to be with us fulltime!

CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN PICKED UP AGAIN! Praise God! Now the kids will help Kossi build until school starts Oct 1.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2007

I had to get up early, because the citywide pastors' meeting was in the morning. Papa Bill came to pick me up, and we drove to a poorer African-American neighboorhood. About 15 or so pastors and ministry leaders meet together regularly to pray and prayer-walk, including Papa Bill, always at another one of their churches. There where white as well as Black pastors and leaders, and I loved it. They shared some things about what God is doing in their churches, and discussed a city-wide campaign that's in preparation. After 80 minutes we all went out in groups to prayer-walk into different directions around the church. It broke my heart to see the poverty and imagine the people inside the houses. It used to be a crime-filled neighborhood, but the since the prayer-walks started, it's changed dramatically.

When we got back to the church, they had ordered pizza, and we had a time of fellowship. At the end of the meeting earlier, I had had an opportunity to share in two minutes what I'm doing in Mali, and so I got talking with some people while eating.

From there we went to somebody's house, where we could do the second TPM session. It was a fruitful time again, with God going deeper.

In the evening, Bill had other commitments, and so I was with my host family, having dinner, and showing them Mali pictures.

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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

I stayed up until 3 am last night working on the second chapter of my book (but it was only 2 am in Kansas City where I had just arrived from :-)), but thankfully I was able to get up whenever I wanted to, which was late.

Bill came over at 2 pm, and we started our first theophostic session of the week. The Lord took me to quite a deep-rooted place, that we barely scratched today. But it looks like a setup for the rest of the week. Please pray for the Lord to do a deep work in me this week.

Bill had an appointment in the evening, and my host family took me out to eat with them. It was their Mom's birthday today. We had a good time at the restaurant, where I was mostly talking with their Mom. Back at home, all her kids gave her her gifts, as you can see on the picture. Then we had cake and icecream, and then they watched my 6-min clip. We had a good time.

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Monday, September 10, 2007

I went to bed very late, but got up early enough to run my last errands, and then pack my bags. One was 48 and one 58 pounds. I said good-bye to my great hosts and friends, and left early for the airport. It's nearly an hour to drive, and then I had to return the rental car. I found it alright, and everything went smoothly. I then had my 2 suitcases and one carry-on, but it wasn't as bad as I had feared. I had to take a shuttle bus from the rental agency to the airport terminal, where I checked in. They wouldn't let me have those 8 pounds excess baggage, and I had to put two in the other bag, and take the rest into my carry-on. It worked out fine.

Now I've been sitting at the gate for 90 minutes, and the just announced that my flight is delayed by an hour, which means I'm not gonna make my connection flight, which means, I don't know anything right now, since there is no person to talk to here. I don't think there is another flight going out from Cincinnati to Dayton tonight, so it's all just a big question mark. All I know is that I'm gonna get to Dayton eventually.

Just after sending out what I wrote above, God intervened - talk about an immediate answer to prayer!

At the gate next to mine, they were boarding a flight to Atlanta while I was writing to you. I was even thinking about going to Atlanta. They were done boarding, and then closing the doors. One lady was walking over to my gate, and so I asked her whether she was coming to help. I told her I was gonna miss my connection with the one hour delay the plane had. She wasn't actually gonna go do this at the gate, but she looked at it anyway. Another lady came and started typing on the computer. Suddenly she shouted, "Stop the plane to Atlanta!" They told me to quickly get my stuff and get on that plane nextdoors. They had already closed the door, and opened it again. They quickly printed out my changed itinerary and boarding passes - Kansas City to Atlanta and then on to Dayton - and got me on the plane. I saw one lady run down onto the ground, and it did take another couple of minutes before we actually got moving. It turned out that that lady actually ran to get my two checked-in bags over into the plane. Wow! What service! What favor! Awesome God!

I changed planes in Atlanta, where I left at the time when I would already have arrived in Dayton originally. Poor Papa Bill - I arrived late, at 11:30 pm. During my two plane rides, I was writing the second chapter of my book, and it was going really great. It was too bad I had to stop because we had arrived :-)

I was so excited to meet my spiritual Dad, Papa Bill, again. What an awesome gift the Lord gave us in Ghana - he knew then, but I only knew for sure in January. Bill has been such a huge blessing to me, having impacted my life greatly, as I have for the first time a Dad who truly cares AND is available (even though he's far away). So I was very excited to see him again after 8 months. I had been looking forward to this day for a long time, and it was a wonderful reunion. It sure is something else to be with a loved one in person, instead of talking on the phone.

He drove me to the house where I'm staying for the week, and I greatly enjoyed the car ride, and then it was already time to say good-bye again - but only until tomorrow :-).

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Sunday, September 9, 2007

Today was my only opportunity to preach on this trip (as opposed to doing homegroups or sharing during services), and I always love having this awe-some responsability of standing in front of His people to represent Him and His heart and words. I always realize that I have nothing to give, nothing to offer, and I offer that nothing up to Him, and He always makes something out of it. I have His fear on me as I stand in front of His sheep, but also a great sense of the honor it is to be His vessel, to get to be the channel for His love and actions.

This was my second time preaching at THE BARN in Kansas City, but still, most people didn't know me. I started off telling what I do, and how I got there, and showed the 6-min clip. Then I had about half an hour to preach (challenge - I never preach under an hour in Mali!). I started off with 1.Cor 1:26-end, and just shared my heart from there. I encouraged them to dream big, to rekindle their dreams, not to limit God, but to step into their destinies. I encouraged them that each one had huge potential if they met the condition of being weak, lowly or despised.

After my closing prayer, I prayed for person after person, and God showed up to encourage and heal and touch lives. Awesome God!

After leaving church, I drove home, and my hosts Bill & Linda cooked an awesome meal - my favorite - steak! When I come to the US, I always look for meat, cheese and mushrooms - which I don't get in Mali :-). It was great having the good food and the wonderful company of fellow missionaries. It might have been the last time I've seen them for years to come.

In the evening I went to see some of the few original good friends I have left in Kansas City. Tom & Luanne are very precious friends from the very beginning when I had just arrived in Kansas City. They have been a huge blessing to me, and Tom is one of few people who email me regularly. They are both faithful intercessors and supporters of me and us in Mali. They both do Theophostic Prayer Ministry, and it was actually Tom who first told me about the TPM training in Ghana that so changed our lives. I had 5 and a half wonderful hours with them just talking and talking. I thank the Lord for friends like them.

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Saturday, September 8, 2007

I had a slow morning, getting some things done, and running my last errands. I also talked to Paul for a long time (see below).

In the afternoon I was invited to join the Ryser family for a going-away party for Phil. It took place in a park. I had the joy of spending most of the afternoon talking to my former dean, teacher and Dad (see picture), which was a very precious and rare time. He always believed in me and saw me with God's eyes. I owe him much. Thank you for the impact you've had on my life!

Back home it worked out for me to have dinner with my wonderful hosts Bill & Linda; with all of us so busy it's miracle it worked out tonight. I enjoy talking to these fellow missionaries (to Uganda). They are very precious people.

The rest of the evening was spent praying and getting ready for the service tomorrow morning. I preach in a little church; I have 30 minutes - in Mali I preach about 70 minutes, so it will take much grace to be short :-).

The kids came back from the village on Monday. Two of them just had malaria, and Fousseni has something weird. One of the kids was healed of malaria after prayer, and one of the blown-up cheeks of Fousseni was healed as well.

Paul also told me of the wonderful things going on on our property. A week ago, he prayed for a Mom who was sick, and for her child that was dying. A week later, they both came to be taught, totally healed. Praise God! Another lady showed up for the meeting. She could hardly see. After prayer, her eyesight improved dramatically. Awesome God!

There is now a little faithful crowd gathering on our property every week when Paul comes to teach them. All the kids came with him this week, as well as Emma, and they all enjoyed it greatly. Emma is starting to realize what he is missing out on by never coming.

I have felt that we should start doing services on our property right now, instead of doing them in our old house. This is the new season! In 7 weeks we're moving there. Exciting times!

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Friday, September 7, 2007

I had to get up early to go for a follow-up check-up to the eye doctor, together with my good friend Elisabet. Everything was okay, and I'm excited to have contact lenses again after 10 years of glasses.

Later I visited another good friend, Dawn, who is very sick and needs our prayers big time. My heart was broken to see my friend this way, while I greatly enjoyed seeing her again. I lived with her and her family during my second year in Kansas City, and we went to School of Ministry together.

My next visit was to the church I used to be a part of and where I went to school, to see J.D., the director of the ministry network. I greatly enjoyed talking to him for an hour.

In the evening, I went to the service there, and enjoyed it.

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Thursday, September 6, 2007

In the morning I drove back to Kansas City from Topeka, which takes about an hour 15 minutes. I had a chance to go to the grocery store - where you can buy anything you want - and have some lunch, before going to CTC, the church that supports me in Kansas City and through who I receive all American donations. The pastor had forgotten an appointment, and so we only had one hour to talk. It was short, but good. I love pastor Alan dearly. He's such a precious man of God!

From there I went straight to the house of other friends I wanted to meet - Ralph & Rebecca. They cooked a great meal for me, knowing how much I love steak, and we had a wonderful time of fellowship together. I showed them my pictures, and we ended up watching some Christian TV after that. It's great to have friends like them.

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Wednesday, September 5, 2007

In the afternoon I left on the 80 min drive west to Topeka. I was looking forward to sharing in a home group meeting of Bread of Life church. The pastors and this church have been a tremendous blessing to me since I first met them and preached there a year ago.

I met up with pastor Tom who then guided me to the house - yes, that's him on the motorbike! He might look tough on the outside, but he's one of the kindest and most compassionate men I know. He has such a father's heart, and the Lord's love flows through him. He and Debby have adopted several kids from difficult backgrounds they are raising.

We gathered at Donna's house, a lovely grandmother. There was still some time before the meeting, and so we prayed together. I had been burdened about the situation in Mali all day, and tears flowed freely as we prayed, and as these people spoke kind words over me. When the meeting started, I shared the situation with them, and we prayed together. Then I showed them the pictures and just shared all that God is doing. We had a wonderful time together. In the end we had a short time of prayer before closing.

I then enjoyed talking to two young men who so badly want to come to Mali - may the Lord guide them over at the right time. I believe they'll be a great blessing. Not having eaten, I drove to a fast food place with the pastor, and since it was closed except for the drive-thru, we ended up eating and talking in the car. I was very blessed having that one-on-one time with this precious man of God, and it seemed far too short.

Back at the house, I enjoyed talking to my precious host for some more time, before crashing into bed at midnight. I also enjoyed the little kitten they had.

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Tuesday, September 4, 2007

I've been going to bed late, and getting up late, and it's okay. I'm finally getting more sleep on this trip.

I met with my good friend Elisabet, who took me to an eye care place. I've been so fed up with my glasses, and hearing all about the laser correction, I'd so much like to do that. Maybe next year. For now I decided to get contact lenses again. I had them for 10 years, but 10 years ago I switched back to glasses for financial reasons.

Today I had an eye exam, and the received my first pair of contacts. They are the kind that you leave on for 30 days. I've been wearing them the last couple of hours, and I can't even start to tell you how happy I am! Thank you, Elisabet!!!

From there we went to do more shopping at Walmart and a thrift store. I got a nice pair of shoes there that go with my new clothes.

From there I went to meet a friend, and greatly enjoyed my time with her. Then I had another appointment to go straight to, meeting someone I had never met before. Somehow I had ended up on this ministry's email list, and when I saw that they are based in Kansas City, I asked to meet with him. They send containers with whatever is needed wherever it's needed. We had a great time together, sharing with each other, and time will share what will come of it.

In the evening I was invited to join a group of intercessors for a prayer meeting. The past two years that meeting was at CTC, and it has always been an awesome meeting. Now they meet in a room in a coffee shop owned by Christians. I knew 3 people, and didn't know 2. The meeting was 2 hours, and they prayed most of it for Mali. It was great! Thank You, Lord!

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Monday, September 3, 2007

TToday I met with a very special friend of mine, Debbie. She always invites me out to a steak restaurant, and today we found the best one Kansas City has! It's called "Texas Roadhouse", and the food was GREAT.

I spent 11 hours with Debbie, getting home very late. I just love being with her, and we just caught up with each other, talking all day.

At one point she took me to her brother's house to meet her niece Hannah (on the right - Debbie is in the middle) because God has spoken to her to go to Africa. So I told them about Mali and showed her some pictures. They enjoyed it. Debbie would like to come to Mali with her niece, and then go with me over to Mozambique. That would be awesome!

From there we went to IHOP (prayer), and then the Plaza where we had coffee/hot chocolate and talked the rest of the night. It was a wonderful time!

Back In Mali

I talked to Paul for over an hour today. The kids came home from the village today, and it was so wonderful to hear their voices and talk to them! I miss them, and they miss me, and I can't wait to be back with them.

Paul told me about a serious incident that happened with Souleymane in the village, the kid that moved in with us in July. This past year Souleymane lived with our pastor there, who is very upset about what has happened because his name has been tainted, and he said he'd understand if we wouldn't want to take him any more. I told Paul that ALL these kids have these issues, and we just need to love them and pour our lives into them until they are whole. Paul needs to make a few things clear to Souleymane, and when I get back, we will talk seriously about it and do some TPM sessions.

Other things happened in the village, but they had not had time to talk about it yet. I will find out tomorrow.

Please keep praying for the kids and Paul; pray for God to visit us in power so that the kids would be changed forever!

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Saturday, September 1, 2007

Today's special event was what I arranged this summer's US trip around - one of my best friend's wedding; Carrie who went to school with me in Kansas City.

I went together with my other good friend from school, Elisabet. I enjoyed spending all this time with her in the car. We got there early, and enjoyed the gorgeous setting outside. The wedding started at 2:30 pm. Pastors Tom & Debby Richardson of Bread of Life church in Topeka married them. Carrie has been going to this church for a while. I actually had the honor of preaching in this church last year, and I'm there again this coming Wednesday. They are wonderful pastors with a huge heart.

The ceremony lasted for 30 minutes and was very beautiful. When it was over, we all lined up to congratulate, and I had the opportunity to take this great picture.

We then went inside where they had a reception for everyone, with snacks and drinks and wedding cake. I spent time talking to different people, which was great. We also took this great picture of us 5 girls. My friend Elisabet is standing next to me, the girl in green also went to school with us, and the girl on the far left also lived in Kansas City the same time we went to school. What a reunion!

At one point Carrie's veil fell down, and she walked away. So I picked it up and put it on, practicing for my own wedding :-).

And the preparation continued - somebody gave me lipgloss exactly my color today. Thank You, Lord!

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