For everyone in the Vancouver, WA area: From April 26th to 29th the Engedi Cafe will be donating 100% of proceeds to Ten Talents International. Come in & enjoy a specialty coffee drink or all fruit smoothie in their relaxing atmosphere & donate to Ten Talents International at the same time! Here is the information about Engedi:
Monday – Thursday, 6:30am - 3:30pm
“Refreshing Ministries One Cup at a Time”
Location: The lobby of the US Digital Outreach Center
1400 NE 136th Ave Vancouver, WA 98684
Our Mission: To be a refreshing oasis to our local community by helping fund the US Digital Outreach Center and in turn create a ripple effect sharing Christ’s love. 100% of proceeds help support the 23+ ministries in our outreach center!
Did you know?: All recipe ingredients are free of preservatives, colors, & artificial sweeteners! You’ll love our fair trade, organic Café Femenino espresso and even if you’re not a coffee drinker, our real fruit smoothies and hot cocoa made with homemade chocolate sauce are delightful.
About our name: “Engedi” is an actual place in eastern Israel which for hundreds of years has served as a refreshing oasis in the middle of the desert to weary travelers. Our hope is that you too will be refreshed by our delicious drinks as you refresh our Outreach Center with your visit.
About Café Femenino coffee beans: A new specialty coffee, Café Femenino is giving strength, unity, and hope to women in other nations around the world. Vendors selling Café Femenino beans donate a portion of their profits directly to women coffee growers to help break the cycle of abuse and poverty in third world countries. This gives them their very own money for the first time in their lives and helps provide grants to fund leadership training, education, nutrition, develop alternative income sources, and improve conditions for their families.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
If you are unfamiliar with the location of the US Digital Outreach Center (also the location of our Ten Talents Int. office), it is located inside the US Digital Building on 136th Avenue, north of the DMV/Winco and south of 18th Street.
There is even a small children's area in the cafe area, so even with little ones in-tow you can stop by, be refreshed, and give at the same time! Tell your friends!
God Bless You,
Lisa
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
More Prayers For Our Kids
I read this today on Lysa TerKeurst's blog, and it was so good I wanted to share it with you...
"Angela Thomas was speaking just after me at the E-Women conference and she shared something so powerful, I feel compelled to share it with you.
She described how she prays every day for the Spirit of God to lay across her house. And she prays her kids will feel it. She prays they feel the Spirit of God when they eat their cereal and when they blow dry their hair and they kick their shoes underneath their bed and when they hang out as a family.
She prays the Spirit of God laying on top of them will become their normal and what feels right. That way if they leave home and start sticking their toes outside the will of God it will feel so wrong, they will just have to run back to Him.
I love that. I want my kids to crave the covering of God as well. So, I've started praying for the Spirit of God to lay across my house each day too.
I know with 5 kids I will probably experience some times where toes venture out. But I'm telling you right now, their mama's prayers and the covering of God will be right there to step on them every time.
Yes ma'am."
Isn't that good? So good. Our God is good and he wants to cover our children, our loved ones. He loves them more than we do & his heart is broken more than ours when they venture outside His will. Why not start praying a prayer today that you know God wants to answer? I think I hear an "Amen!" out there somewhere...
God Bless You,
Lisa
"Angela Thomas was speaking just after me at the E-Women conference and she shared something so powerful, I feel compelled to share it with you.
She described how she prays every day for the Spirit of God to lay across her house. And she prays her kids will feel it. She prays they feel the Spirit of God when they eat their cereal and when they blow dry their hair and they kick their shoes underneath their bed and when they hang out as a family.
She prays the Spirit of God laying on top of them will become their normal and what feels right. That way if they leave home and start sticking their toes outside the will of God it will feel so wrong, they will just have to run back to Him.
I love that. I want my kids to crave the covering of God as well. So, I've started praying for the Spirit of God to lay across my house each day too.
I know with 5 kids I will probably experience some times where toes venture out. But I'm telling you right now, their mama's prayers and the covering of God will be right there to step on them every time.
Yes ma'am."
Isn't that good? So good. Our God is good and he wants to cover our children, our loved ones. He loves them more than we do & his heart is broken more than ours when they venture outside His will. Why not start praying a prayer today that you know God wants to answer? I think I hear an "Amen!" out there somewhere...
God Bless You,
Lisa
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
More Mexico
Mike successfully returned from Mexico on Friday night. The orphanage there has many needs & it will definitely take some discernment to decide which needs the team should focus on during their brief visit. Mike also came back from the trip thinking that he & another person should leave a few days before the team, driving down his van with luggage (with the luggage surcharges the airlines have now the money saved would pay for the gas), project supplies, and donations for the orphanage. This has opened up an interesting situation- it looks like Nate & I might be going to Mexico after all... (I am excited but trying not to "jump the gun".) We would transfer Mike's ticket to me & I would fly down with the team. There could also be another ticket open for Nate because of the team member riding with Mike.
The reason "why?" the team needs me to go, besides being with the team on the flight to San Diego, is because they need a team cook! Ack! (That's my inner Cathy coming out.) Cooking for a team of 16 people is a bit intimidating- even more so because of being in a different country, and in a strange (different) kitchen. Of course, if I cause myself to think back to our time in Rwanda last year, there were days when our Rwandan kids were on break from school and we had 7 extra kids staying in our home. So, along with our house helper, I was cooking meals for 12 people. 16 isn't too much of a stretch from there... right? (gulp) And when I was 18 and I did a Discipleship Training School with Youth with a Mission in Kona, my chore there was to work in the kitchen. Of course, someone else decided what the meals would be & the portions, I just did the work I was told to do! I am concerned about figuring out correct portions/amounts for that size of a group. I also will have to make some compromises to how I normally cook (see my other blog) - like, will I make homemade bread for 16 people everyday? Somehow I doubt it! The good news is that Ensenada has a Costco & a Wal-Mart! Can you believe it? Ensenada has changed since we were there last (mission trip in the mid 90's).
KaLia told me last night that she wishes she could be the one in charge of planning the meals & cooking. She allowed that I could be the one, but I must let her help! (Let's see if she still wants to help when it's washing dishes time- ha!)
So, I am excited to go and be a part of the mission to Mexico & scared of the responsibility at the same time. Plus, if I'm busy in the kitchen, and Mike's busy working with the team, what would Nate do? Still requires some prayer & listening to God for clarity. You can pray for us too, and all the Mexico trip preparations, as well as the team members who are going & our ministry while we are there. And let's also start praying now for the van to drive down to Mexico with NO mechanical problems at all!
Thank you!
God Bless You,
Lisa
The reason "why?" the team needs me to go, besides being with the team on the flight to San Diego, is because they need a team cook! Ack! (That's my inner Cathy coming out.) Cooking for a team of 16 people is a bit intimidating- even more so because of being in a different country, and in a strange (different) kitchen. Of course, if I cause myself to think back to our time in Rwanda last year, there were days when our Rwandan kids were on break from school and we had 7 extra kids staying in our home. So, along with our house helper, I was cooking meals for 12 people. 16 isn't too much of a stretch from there... right? (gulp) And when I was 18 and I did a Discipleship Training School with Youth with a Mission in Kona, my chore there was to work in the kitchen. Of course, someone else decided what the meals would be & the portions, I just did the work I was told to do! I am concerned about figuring out correct portions/amounts for that size of a group. I also will have to make some compromises to how I normally cook (see my other blog) - like, will I make homemade bread for 16 people everyday? Somehow I doubt it! The good news is that Ensenada has a Costco & a Wal-Mart! Can you believe it? Ensenada has changed since we were there last (mission trip in the mid 90's).
KaLia told me last night that she wishes she could be the one in charge of planning the meals & cooking. She allowed that I could be the one, but I must let her help! (Let's see if she still wants to help when it's washing dishes time- ha!)
So, I am excited to go and be a part of the mission to Mexico & scared of the responsibility at the same time. Plus, if I'm busy in the kitchen, and Mike's busy working with the team, what would Nate do? Still requires some prayer & listening to God for clarity. You can pray for us too, and all the Mexico trip preparations, as well as the team members who are going & our ministry while we are there. And let's also start praying now for the van to drive down to Mexico with NO mechanical problems at all!
Thank you!
God Bless You,
Lisa
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Mike is in Mexico
Mike left our house at "o-dark-thirty" this morning to go to Mexico for 3 days. He is going to visit the orphanage that the mission team will be working with in June & deciding what kind of project the team will be working on there. Please pray for him to find all the resources he needs and for everything to come together for this trip. He could also use your prayers because he has been struggling with a cold- not a good thing anytime, but especially when you’re traveling & trying to get things done! You can find out more about El Sauzal orphanage by visiting their website at www.elsauzal.org
God Bless You,
Lisa
God Bless You,
Lisa
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Praying for our Kids
This post is a part of Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers
I am captivated by His boundless love for me.
Once captive and bound to sin, but in Him I'm free.
Do you ever hear something said & have your mind take you off on a tangent on that one thing? Well yesterday I was listening to the radio & I heard a verse of a song use the word captivated. My mind suddenly started to think about how captivated and captive are so close & yet have such different meanings. The same with bound and boundless. I came up with the above verse & I like my little play on words that brings out some profound truth. :)
Earlier this week we caught one of our kids in something that was a pretty big deal. Mike & I had to discuss what we were going to do, how we were going to address it, consequences, follow up, etc. I was mulling this over in my mind, and thinking about what a bear it can be to parent sometimes. Sometimes it just is not fun! But then my mind (prompted by God) went back to my prayers earlier that day. I have a prayer that I constantly pray for my kids. I ask God that if they are going in the wrong direction they would get caught & repent. I pray this not only for the kids in my home, but also "my kids" who are in the group homes in Rwanda. I realized that even though we were dealing with something "not fun", in actuality it was God answering my prayer!
This prayer was not original with me, it came from Stormie O'Martian in her book "The Power of a Praying Parent". Isn't it true that "the power of sin is in it's secrecy"? I am reminded of the verse in Galatians 5
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Much of the control that sin has over us happens because it is something kept in secret. Once a sin is exposed & visible then we see how ugly it really is. I can think back over my life & there have been many times when by God's mercy I was caught doing something I shouldn't have. You know my mom must have been praying because I never got away with anything! ;)
So I am thankful for these answers to prayers, even if it is messy sometimes. I am also thankful for new supporters that have pledged in the last few weeks- God is bringing us step by step closer to our hearts' desire. We are about half way there, but we believe God is faithful & able to bring us all the way.
We are also getting closer in our paperwork for the adoption of Christine. We are hoping that when Mike makes a visit to Rwanda in May that we will have everything ready & he will be able to get approval while he is there & bring her home!
Thank you for agreeing in prayer with us!
God Bless You,
Lisa
I am captivated by His boundless love for me.
Once captive and bound to sin, but in Him I'm free.
Do you ever hear something said & have your mind take you off on a tangent on that one thing? Well yesterday I was listening to the radio & I heard a verse of a song use the word captivated. My mind suddenly started to think about how captivated and captive are so close & yet have such different meanings. The same with bound and boundless. I came up with the above verse & I like my little play on words that brings out some profound truth. :)
Earlier this week we caught one of our kids in something that was a pretty big deal. Mike & I had to discuss what we were going to do, how we were going to address it, consequences, follow up, etc. I was mulling this over in my mind, and thinking about what a bear it can be to parent sometimes. Sometimes it just is not fun! But then my mind (prompted by God) went back to my prayers earlier that day. I have a prayer that I constantly pray for my kids. I ask God that if they are going in the wrong direction they would get caught & repent. I pray this not only for the kids in my home, but also "my kids" who are in the group homes in Rwanda. I realized that even though we were dealing with something "not fun", in actuality it was God answering my prayer!
This prayer was not original with me, it came from Stormie O'Martian in her book "The Power of a Praying Parent". Isn't it true that "the power of sin is in it's secrecy"? I am reminded of the verse in Galatians 5
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
Much of the control that sin has over us happens because it is something kept in secret. Once a sin is exposed & visible then we see how ugly it really is. I can think back over my life & there have been many times when by God's mercy I was caught doing something I shouldn't have. You know my mom must have been praying because I never got away with anything! ;)
So I am thankful for these answers to prayers, even if it is messy sometimes. I am also thankful for new supporters that have pledged in the last few weeks- God is bringing us step by step closer to our hearts' desire. We are about half way there, but we believe God is faithful & able to bring us all the way.
We are also getting closer in our paperwork for the adoption of Christine. We are hoping that when Mike makes a visit to Rwanda in May that we will have everything ready & he will be able to get approval while he is there & bring her home!
Thank you for agreeing in prayer with us!
God Bless You,
Lisa
Friday, March 19, 2010
Ups & Downs
I think everyone of us has weeks that are like a roller coaster ride- you're up & then you're down, and then maybe back up again! Early this week we had an awesome blessing of finding out our personal support had increased by $200 per month. Very encouraging after praying & waiting to see God's provision! We still have a ways to go, but this was a big step in the right direction- praise God!
Of course, then there's the parts of life that can bring you down- like power struggles with tweenagers (I endured a 2 hour battle with my 11 year old & only lost my cool a couple of times- I think I should get an award for that!) Or days where you feel like you get a big fat F for the day (the day I was working on the computer & Mike came home telling me he had found Nate talking to the landscapers 3 houses up the street- yup, stellar mommy moment for me).
What I am so grateful for is the grace of God. Through the ups, the downs, the victories and failures, God always holds us in the palm of his hand. John 10:27-30 Jesus said:
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
Isn't that GREAT news?! Thank God that he never lets go of us. I love the verse from Psalm 37:
"If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand."
I hope that is encouraging for you today too!
I've started another blog- I have 3 now! You may think I just have too much time on my hands (ha ha!) Actually everyday I feel overwhelmed with too much to do. Somethings (like an updated TTI newsletter) just get pushed to the side- I've got to get to work on that this month! Plus I need to work on our paperwork for Christine's adoption & getting the kids enrolled in school in Rwanda for the fall. My newest blog is www.walkNT.blogspot.com is because with all the new things I am learning & experimenting with in nourishing foods I wanted to be able to share it with someone. I have been reading lots of "real food" blogs & just decided I would start one too- I think it's a necessary outlet for me since I don't know anyone else (personally) as radical about what they feed their family as I am!
I wanted to add one other thing. I have talked about how it is a struggle for me in our current home- how I wish it were someplace my own, someplace "cute". I have to say though, living with my dad is a huge help. We never pay for a babysitter- my dad is always willing & almost always available. My dad also buys a few groceries now & then (hard for us becuase I'm picky- but I just let those non-organic apples come in, wash them good & don't complain) :) He also does a lot of laundry, complete with folding and putting it away (sometimes I find my socks in Nate's drawer, or KaLia's shirt in my closet, but it is still a huge help). He really does keep us afloat in many ways. So, I am thankful to be here with my dad to help us. I choose thankfulness!
picture of Nate & my dad (the guy in the middle, not the back) at the Rhodie Garden over in Portland, last June- isn't it funny how distance/perspective makes Nate bigger? Someday I know it will be true! :)
Blessings,
Lisa
Of course, then there's the parts of life that can bring you down- like power struggles with tweenagers (I endured a 2 hour battle with my 11 year old & only lost my cool a couple of times- I think I should get an award for that!) Or days where you feel like you get a big fat F for the day (the day I was working on the computer & Mike came home telling me he had found Nate talking to the landscapers 3 houses up the street- yup, stellar mommy moment for me).
What I am so grateful for is the grace of God. Through the ups, the downs, the victories and failures, God always holds us in the palm of his hand. John 10:27-30 Jesus said:
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
Isn't that GREAT news?! Thank God that he never lets go of us. I love the verse from Psalm 37:
"If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand."
I hope that is encouraging for you today too!
I've started another blog- I have 3 now! You may think I just have too much time on my hands (ha ha!) Actually everyday I feel overwhelmed with too much to do. Somethings (like an updated TTI newsletter) just get pushed to the side- I've got to get to work on that this month! Plus I need to work on our paperwork for Christine's adoption & getting the kids enrolled in school in Rwanda for the fall. My newest blog is www.walkNT.blogspot.com is because with all the new things I am learning & experimenting with in nourishing foods I wanted to be able to share it with someone. I have been reading lots of "real food" blogs & just decided I would start one too- I think it's a necessary outlet for me since I don't know anyone else (personally) as radical about what they feed their family as I am!
I wanted to add one other thing. I have talked about how it is a struggle for me in our current home- how I wish it were someplace my own, someplace "cute". I have to say though, living with my dad is a huge help. We never pay for a babysitter- my dad is always willing & almost always available. My dad also buys a few groceries now & then (hard for us becuase I'm picky- but I just let those non-organic apples come in, wash them good & don't complain) :) He also does a lot of laundry, complete with folding and putting it away (sometimes I find my socks in Nate's drawer, or KaLia's shirt in my closet, but it is still a huge help). He really does keep us afloat in many ways. So, I am thankful to be here with my dad to help us. I choose thankfulness!
picture of Nate & my dad (the guy in the middle, not the back) at the Rhodie Garden over in Portland, last June- isn't it funny how distance/perspective makes Nate bigger? Someday I know it will be true! :)
Blessings,
Lisa
Monday, March 1, 2010
Here I am
Let's play good news/bad news. I always want the bad news first (I like happy endings) :) So, a sad thing is I don't think I'm going to be able to go with the team to Mexico this summer. Not only do we not have the extra funds for it, but even if we did it doesn't seem wise to spend $ on that- which would be taking away funds that we need to go to Rwanda. I would love to go to Mexico (have been there on short term mission trips, uh, I don't know probably 5 or 6 times, but it's been since before our daughter was born- 11+ years ago- that I was last there.) But I don't think it's going to happen.
On to some good news- TTI in Rwanda moved a widow & her children into a new safe home today- one that will be much better than the falling down one she was in previously. yeah God & yeah for people who stepped up & gave! :) See TTI blog...
Our journey into "real food" has been going pretty good. My latest thing has been creating my own sourdough starter & trying to make sourdough bread (that did not turn out so good). But I did use my starter to make some tasty homemade crackers, pita bread, and my tortillas have been good too! I am going to keep working on it & I have noticed some unexpected health benefits in myself that is good news too! (hormonal stuff)
Last week at Bible study God dropped a really cool picture in my mind. We were reading Romans 8:14-16 "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
I was thinking about God as our Father, and I thought of my son (age 6). In the morning he likes to give me a hug, but not just a little hug, I pick him up & he hugs me with his whole body- legs wrapped around me, arms holding tight, and I walk around holding him. The thought that came to me was that *this* is what being led by the Spirit means. We are lost in the embrace of God & he carries us along. I love that picture. I need to get lost in God's embrace.
Please keep us in your prayers. The "mountain" of finances seems insurmountable, and yet we know that God can do it. I realize that our target date of being in Rwanda is a little over 6 months away & I know we are not very much closer to where we need to be! It can be overwhelming, but we know that our God can make a way. We believe this is what he wants us to do & we know that our God is a God of miracles! Pray for our faith to be strengthened & for us to begin to see the provision of God in our finances.
Thank You!
Blessings,
Lisa
On to some good news- TTI in Rwanda moved a widow & her children into a new safe home today- one that will be much better than the falling down one she was in previously. yeah God & yeah for people who stepped up & gave! :) See TTI blog...
Our journey into "real food" has been going pretty good. My latest thing has been creating my own sourdough starter & trying to make sourdough bread (that did not turn out so good). But I did use my starter to make some tasty homemade crackers, pita bread, and my tortillas have been good too! I am going to keep working on it & I have noticed some unexpected health benefits in myself that is good news too! (hormonal stuff)
Last week at Bible study God dropped a really cool picture in my mind. We were reading Romans 8:14-16 "because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
I was thinking about God as our Father, and I thought of my son (age 6). In the morning he likes to give me a hug, but not just a little hug, I pick him up & he hugs me with his whole body- legs wrapped around me, arms holding tight, and I walk around holding him. The thought that came to me was that *this* is what being led by the Spirit means. We are lost in the embrace of God & he carries us along. I love that picture. I need to get lost in God's embrace.
Please keep us in your prayers. The "mountain" of finances seems insurmountable, and yet we know that God can do it. I realize that our target date of being in Rwanda is a little over 6 months away & I know we are not very much closer to where we need to be! It can be overwhelming, but we know that our God can make a way. We believe this is what he wants us to do & we know that our God is a God of miracles! Pray for our faith to be strengthened & for us to begin to see the provision of God in our finances.
Thank You!
Blessings,
Lisa
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