The Vintage Generation

I have had some precious moments in Trinidad, but one of the most precious so far happened in church a week ago...

We had our first missions team in service with us for the worship time before heading to the ocean for a water baptism...during worship an elderly woman walked forward to worship at the altar. She was walking very slowly and a bit unsteady so I took her arm in mine and went up to the altar with her, helped her kneel and stayed with her worshiping alongside her. I motioned for Nate to help me get her up and she continued to pray and praise during which time she took my hand and kissed my palm a few times. She looked at me and told me how much she loved me. Our team needed to leave so I got someone else to help her. That experience will last me awhile.

Marabella Open Bible calls the elderly at their church the "Vintage Generation." I like that. When I think of Vintage, I think of rare, priceless, in many cases "one of a kind." I am not there yet...(although some would disagree:) but I want to be up at the altar in my Vintage years, whatever it takes!

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So much has happened since my last blog...

We have a Van! Thank you to those who have been praying...We still have some paperwork to get done, but we have keys in hand! Thank You Jesus!

We have had our first missions team here from Oregon. They were here for 9 days of amazing ministry. It is our heart to help shape the missions culture in our American Churches. I believe we were able to show a realistic picture of the heart of God for the World to the team. They were a blessing and we have made new friendships which will last a lifetime!

It was hard to be away from family for Thanksgiving. We were able to skype, but nothing is as good as a real hug and having my granddaughters on my lap! It was still a very special Thanksgiving, with the Oregon Team here with us. We did the best we could to put a traditional Thanksgiving meal together. Either we couldn't find the "normal" things or had to get creative with ingredients, but we pulled it off and got as stuffed as past Thanksgivings:)

One Thanksgiving Tradition that Melanie brought to our day was chasing everyone with a can of whipped cream...oh my:) My big disappointment was not having pumpkin pie. I may make one from scratch for Christmas!

Our weary bodies have reminded us about our firm conviction that we must set a realistic pace here in Trinidad, so our work is sustainable. While it is necessary to put many experiences into a missions trip, we know that we can't live that 24/7. So we have intentionally taken it a bit easier since the team left.

We just celebrated Ashleigh's adoption day...She is our party girl so from early on she wanted to celebrate the day she legally became a "Lumbard" Our tradition is ice cream so we had the SGL team and two of Ashleigh's Trini friends over for the celebration.

The team goes back to Immigration this Friday. The Missionary Permits are in for everyone, so now the process for multi-entry visas is next. Pray that all will go smoothly for this process.

We haven't had any of our personal things shipped from the states yet which included our Christmas Decorations. We were blessed to receive money specifically to decorate for Christmas. We have been able to put some decorations up to give our home a festive atmosphere! We are making new memories!

That's it for now...Until next time, That's my take on it!

Hurry Up and Wait!!!

Add my type A personality and my western mindset and you get frustration!!! I could mention many "hurry up and wait" moments while living in Trinidad, but the one at the forefront of my mind is a 12 passenger van we are waiting to get possession of so our team can travel at the same time to ANY PLACE!!! We have heard later today, tonight and tomorrow so many times that you have to laugh or cry. I am not laughing...

I realize all this is the making of "missionaries", but let's move on to the next lesson...sigh...

We had a wonderful time with the TT National Board this last week. Their support is vital to what we are doing here and we are excited about our partnership with them.

We have our first missions team from Oregon coming at the end of this week. We have a full itinerary of ministry planned. They will experience a water baptism at the ocean, Caribbean style worship services, preaching in services, prayer meetings, they will sit in on a class of perspectives, visit a crisis center, a children's home, soup kitchen, children's outreach and evangelism at a church outpost (church plant) and a traditional Thanksgiving meal with our team (with perhaps a Trini flair)!

Christmas is BIG in Trinidad! We heard our first Christmas music in a store in September, Sang our first Christmas song in Church in October. We will have Christmas dinners to attend, special Christmas services and a huge Christmas Village event put on by First Church that goes for several days. The School of Global Leadership is also putting on a Christmas Open House on our top patio to say thank you to many!

We are still in the rainy season, in fact, the team played football (that is soccer here in Trinidad) in the rain and mud last Saturday at Operation Smile Children's Home. We are told it will start drying out and getting hot in December/January. That is when it is really getting cold and snowy back home:) I do miss Fall. I won't miss ice. There is something soothing about staying inside with a cup of hot cocoa and looking out at a blanket of white...getting out in it is a different story. Here, the only thing that might keep you home is torrential downpours that lead to flooding, mudslides and horrific traffic jams.

It won't be a "white" Christmas for us, but Jesus is Celebrated all over the world in every type of climate... Hot or Cold, Wet, Dry or Snowy. From grass huts, to dilapidated shanties, under trees and in mansions. From Turkey to lamb, Roti to rolls, a clear broth with little else, food purchased, grown or donated...believers will worship the same Christ this Christmas. I encourage you to "shake up" your Christmas a little this year. Do something outside of your normal routine, do without so someone else does with. Christmas is about Christ, not about our traditions, comfort or presents. Celebrate Christ. Do whatever you have to do, to make this happen!

Until next time, that's my take on it!

Lizards and Spiders and Frogs Oh My!

So.....I was the last to go to bed one night and out of my left peripheral vision I saw movement on the wall. I looked and something fell off the wall onto the floor. I put my feet up on the ottoman and waited. Then I saw it jump! It was a frog. Actually, it was the second frog we have found in the house, the first was a tiny one and we tossed it out on the patio. I left this one alone and let it go to wherever frogs go...We have also had lizards in the house (not big ones) but they seem to feel at home here. Then there are the spiders. Dealing with spiders is what I have a husband and a daughter for, I take a quick glance and say "kill it" and they do their deed.

The last week and a half or so have been eventful. Melanie broke out in a rash that was serious enough, we decided to go to the free clinic to have it checked out. So...we went early in the morning and sat with about 100 sick people in a clinic that was not air-conditioned. Late afternoon she finally got in and they diagnosed chicken pox. There was no cost to the visit or for the medicine that was prescribed which was a blessing. The next evening we got a call from the Dilly's that their daughter Ailah was very sick and running a high temperature. Because it came on so quick, we felt it was necessary to get to a doctor right away. Our pastors wife, Sister Anne Marie Homer sprung into action and got people praying, she also called Pastor Quamina at First Open Bible who knew a doctor from his congregation that worked in emergency at the hospital. By the time we got there, there was a doctor waiting to usher Josh and Melanie and Ailah past the long lines and receive quick treatment. They drew blood and determined that Ailah has dengue, a virus caused by a mosquito bite. There is no treatment...she will have blood drawn in a couple of days to see if she needs to be hospitalized. The doctor at the hospital looked at Melanie and said it isn't chicken pox, so who knows...we think it may be shingles or latest diagnosis some type of fungus. Melanie thinks it might have been ring worm. The important thing is...it's gone! On top of these health issues, there has been a heaviness the last few days. We decided today to take authority over the strategies of the enemy and had a time of prayer as a team. If you are reading this, would you take time to pray for our team as we combat the enemy who does not want us here. Thank You!

Well...it's been an interesting couple of weeks...Oliver, Abbie, Ashleigh and myself all got sick. Varying illnesses from flu to dengue. I think I made five trips to the hospital and the one to the clinic mentioned above. Not fun...But...we look for God sightings everywhere we go and we certainly have had more than one. The doctor that Pastor Quamina had waiting for us the first trip to the hospital was definitely one. Another trip to the hospital with Abbie, we finally got in to see the doctor and he looked at us and asked, "Are you Christians?" We said yes and he told us that he thought so and that he was also. He then asked if he could pray for us! What a sweet moment! Doctor Maicoo has given us his cell phone number and has told that he and his wife are doctors and would love to be available to our team for any medical needs. He wants us to come to a Sunday evening service at his church. Absolutely a God sighting!

So, we all seem to be well now. Thank you Jesus!

Mike spoke at the Bible College to a Missions class this last week. God continues to give us connections. We are blessed to be a blessing and we are trying to walk that out in the reality of life here in Trinidad and Tobago.

My friends Kris Beaird and Jeannie Rodgers from the U.S. were here this past week end. It was SO GOOD to see them. They came bringing a lady from Jeannie's church in Florida to speak at the WOW (Women of Worth) National Convention and then Jeannie preached at one of the Open Bible Churches up north. I needed the hugs and prayers!

We head into a full week. We have been invited to a staff meeting at First Church, we start a discipleship class at Marabella Thursday evening and hopefully we get our van this week! Please stop and pray for the paperwork to go smoothly and the right connections for some minor repair work.

All in all, we have purposed to see God in the midst of the "stuff". Christianity is not for whimps. We want to make Jesus look good in Trinidad and Tobago!

Well, we are on our way to put our absentee ballots in the mail and pay a few bills...

Until next time...that's my take on it!

Go Team!

Finding a new kind of "normal" is easier said than done! Since coming back from Stateside orientation, getting all the housing logistics settled for the team amidst many interruptions and delays has taken a lot of energy. When I have had the time to write, I haven't had the clarity to write. I will try to give a glimpse into our life in Trinidad over the last month.

I want to start with a more recent event so that I can give kudos to the team. We had our first church service as a team a week ago last Sunday at Gasparilla Open Bible Church. I am so proud of the awesome job everybody did! Mike and I got up first and cast vision for the school and the need to raise up missionaries. Preacher man Nate gave a short testimony on his heart for the world, Abbie sang a song and Josh preached. The whole team prayed for people and we took time to pray for and bless the pastor. Melanie got up after the team prayed with people with a timely word about missions. We were there to bless them but the church blessed us in more than one way and we saw God do great things!

It's important that we have some "wins" because adjusting to a different culture is not easy. Overall the team is doing very well. It has been hard waiting for all the appliances for student housing, but we are now very close! The Kitchen is fully functional now and the patio where the washer and dryer are sitting has a new cover. We spoke to a man today that was working on getting the washer and dryer hooked up.

Transportation has been challenging. We have looked high and low for a twelve passenger van and still have not purchased one. We have a rented car right now that does not seat the whole team so Mike spends a great deal of time each day driving back and forth to get all of us to where we need to be. We have two vans in mind right now, so if you are reading this please stop right now and pray for the Lord to open up the right van for us! We have a mechanic looking at a possible van for us on Thursday of this week. Having our own vehicle that will hold all of us will make life and ministry possibilities much easier.

We are starting to get a feel for areas of ministry the Lord wants for us. We plan to visit a children's home soon, and we have been asked to have ministry to the elderly at Golden Jubilee where the team is living in the guest house. We also have possible ministry starting in a neighborhood that is mostly Hindu.

Our mornings are generally academic and our afternoons outreach. We are reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. We have had good discussion. We are in the 4th lesson of "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement." It has been good to be reminded that God is a Mission God. He has had the whole world in mind from day one. It is amazing to me how He sees me and He sees the world at the same time. It is amazing to me that I am part of His redemption story, my redemption yes...but also my partnership with God to reconcile the world to Him in order to bring Him the Glory due Him. My part is to partner with God in order for the nations to come into right relationship with Him...then His mission will be accomplished, and then "the end will come"! Believers want Jesus to return... but it is often for selfish reasons. Jesus won't return until every nation, tribe and tongue has people who know Jesus. So, what we don't want is for Jesus to return just to rescue us out of our life here, but for Him to come because He says, "mission accomplished"! Let's all do our part, so that what I said at the start of this blog is what we hear Jesus say... "Go Team"! Actually, He said it best..."Well done, my good and faithful servant"!

Until next time, that's my take on it!

What's Your "Theme"?

I'm backkkkkkkkkkkkkk! Didn't get a blog in last week. Things are heating up as we get closer to coming back to the states to get our very first "Team" for the School of Global Leadership. Just this last week...we visited the Department of National Security in Port of Spain, wrote and delivered a proposal for student housing, continued our search for a van, went to the licensing office and started the process of getting our Trinidad Drivers Licenses, continued working with Ash to get through Biology, put more finishing touches on our stateside orientation, purchased tickets for the team leaving the states on the 20th of September, went to a deliverance service, two church services, took Ash to a youth service. I'm sure I'm forgetting something...but you see that life has not been dull or calm! We are learning so much and at the same time realizing we have a lot to learn!

One of the things I have enjoyed, been blessed by and impressed with as we have traveled to more than one Open Bible Church is their yearly "themes". Sometimes it's on the front of the building, sometimes it's hung over the platform or both...but there is always a banner with a yearly theme and a scripture. Last week the church we visited had a theme of "The Year of Irreversible Goodness", another church "A Year of and a Year for Change", another "A Year of Promise". I love it! It is like speaking life into your future before it happens! What is my yearly theme? Well...I would certainly say this is a year of change for me, a year of transition, a year of refining...Hard to choose just one! For the sake of this blog, I will choose "A year of Change". When we are considering our yearly theme, let's make sure we focus on what God says in addition to how we feel. When I say "A Year of Change", that is an understatement. I could focus on how the "change" wore me out and down, how it didn't feel good at times etc. But...in the midst of change, I am reminded of several things. I am reminded that God does not change, He is my constant, my true North, my refuge, covering and safe place. That's Truth! So put whatever name to your year that works for you...but ALWAYS INSERT GOD! The Word of God has a promise you can stand on, find it and stand on it...write it down, memorize it, speak it to yourself and out loud to others. Remind yourself again and again.

You know what I like about a "Yearly Theme"? It has a beginning and an end! Yep, God is always doing a new thing. Enjoy your year or at least learn from it and don't get too comfortable...a new theme is on it's way! Oh and make sure your theme is so big and impossible that it requires God. He smiles at that and is pleased, because without faith it is impossible to please Him!

Well, that's it for now. I will try to write next week before we leave for the states...until then, that's my take on it!

Living In The Moment

My Devotions this morning were about "Living In The Moment". A very hard thing for me to do...It brought back to my memory a poem that I read on a poster as a teenager. I was able to find it to share with you!

MY NAME IS I AM

I was regretting the past, and fearing the future. Suddenly my Lord was speaking:"My name is I Am". He paused. I waited. He continued, "When you live in the past, with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there.My name is not I WAS. When you live in the future,with its problems and fears,it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE. When you live in this moment it is not hard. I am here. My name is I AM." ~ Helen Mallicoat ~

Helen never had it copyrighted because she believed it was a gift from God. It came to her in the middle of the night and has circled the globe many times. Hallmark itself has used it millions of times according to the late Helen Mallicoat.

My head and heart are almost always somewhere other than the here and now . Much of my emotional energy is used up in wishing something had been different or in hoping something will happen. Worry usually has little to do with what is going on right now, but rather on what has happened or what I think will happen.

Here's another one:

"Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."
— Corrie ten Boom

I am so tired of re-learning simple truths. May God forgive my lack of trust in Him.

What is He saying NOW. What is He doing NOW. What does He want from me NOW. A popular Christian song years ago was entitled, "One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus". I remember my Mom telling me years ago that sometimes a day at a time is too much, sometimes we need to go moment to moment.

A friend sent me a devotion this morning about whispering the name of Jesus in the midst of the storm swirling around. It reminds me that He is with me.

A few short notes:

We are looking for a permanent vehicle and are believing God to provide what is needed for the school. Everything is very expensive here. That is one surprise for me. The exchange rate allows our U.S. dollar to go further, but many things are more expensive and so the exchange rate doesn't help in the end.

Trini's smile and/or give me a strange face when I ask about thrift stores and getting gently used clothes or furniture etc. One of them said, "why would you want used? Most of used items are junk". We find that to be true. You need to know someone who knows someone to get certain things. May God give us supernatural connections!

We are feverishly working on Stateside orientation with our team coming for the pilot year of the School of Global Leadership. What is impossible with man, is possible with God! Prayers are much appreciated.

I am not sleeping well. Can't get to sleep at night and then when I wake up, my mind starts racing...Please pray.

Ashleigh is finishing up Biology...then we order 11th grade curriculum. Pray that this next school year will go smoother.

Much transition...May God help me to live in the moment, whisper His name, remember He is the God of the impossible and trust Him.

That's it for now...until next time...that's my take on it!

Home Sweet Home!

I've heard it said, "If you don't learn the lesson the first time, sooner or later, you will have to repeat it". 


It has been hard to be unsettled for about a year, living out of suitcases and not having a place to call home. We spout cute sayings like, "Home is where the heart is" and as Christians we want to smile and say that Jesus is all "the home" we need. I wish I could say that it was/is easy to discover "Home" is Jesus, but I can't. I am on a  determined journey to find the "Secret Place" that the Bible talks about, however, I am finding it does not come easy for me and I am convinced it is a lifelong discovery.


I do believe that I am willing to do anything God asks of me, even if it means not having a place to call home, so perhaps I have learned enough of a lesson, for now... 


I also believe that God built into the human heart a longing for "home". We are referred to as "Strangers and Aliens" on this earth, so obviously our ultimate home is heaven, but...I think God understands the need for "home" since He built the need for it into us. 


Having said all that, it is good to have a permanent address and start settling in. My birthday and Mike's birthday were this week, so finding a home is a great birthday present!

It's reassuring to me to know that God "gets me"...even when I don't get myself. He is my place of safety, my refuge, my counselor...my listening ear. He hears the junk, sorts through it and discovers what my heart is really saying. He thinks as much of me on the other side of my sorting through a myriad of emotions as He started out thinking. He sees my frail attempts and reminds me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Home Sweet Home? Yeah...it's found in Jesus...and curled up in a favorite chair with a great cup of coffee in a familiar setting:)

That's it for now...until next time...that's my take on it!