Win a copy of Wild Prairie Hearts

It's been another busy week with Scott in Brazil while I hold down the fort at home. The kids have been working hard at school and I've stayed busy by judging entries for a writing contest, reading through gallies for two of my books coming out this summer, and writing

I've just received my author copies of Wild Prairie Hearts! The book is scheduled to hit the shelves in a couple of weeks, so if you don't win a copy you should be able to find it at your local bookstore.

This month, I'll be giving away FIVE copies of the book. If you're signed up for my newsletter, you'll be automatically entered. (You can easily sign up on my blog at the top) A comment left between now and midnight on Monday (PST) gives you another chance to win. So leave a comment below, letting me know what you love about historicals (I'd really like to know!) and that you'd like to win a copy.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Lisa

Wild Prairie Roses

If you love a good romantic historical, watch for Wild Prairie Roses, coming in May from Barbour Publishing!

It's a three-in-one collection of full length novels set in Iowa.

And look for a chance to win your free copy right here in the near future!

Blessings,

Lisa

Escape with DiAnn Mills' Breach of Trust

Even with a difficult economy, a book's always a great deal. If you love romantic suspense, you'll love DiAnn Mills' latest release.

"Paige Rogers thought she had buried her past when she became the librarian in small town Split Creek, Oklahoma. But her growing relationship with high school football coach Miles Laird and the political ambitions of her former boss threaten to unmask her. Will she risk everything---even love---to expose the would-be governor's past misdeeds?" 350 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

This is a strong beginning to a new series from DiAnn. I was immediately caught up in the small town drama and its far reaching consequences. Several surprising twists will keep you turning the pages.

Blessing!

Lisa Harris

God Encounters

We arrived home late last night, very thankful to be back. This past week was not one I'd like to experience again any time soon, as it was stressful and we are all very tired. But God took what could have been a very serious situation and turned it into a blessing. We had several things happen during the week where God showed us clearly that He wanted us exactly where we were with a number of God Encounters.

One encounter that stands out was after our second round of car trouble. While we were thankful that the problem didn't seem serious, we were frustrated because we were all ready to go home. We made it to the mission guest house (driving all the way in third gear), and to our surprise, we found out that some friends of ours were also staying there. Mel and Mandy, single women from England, who have spent a little over year up in Vilanculos, Mozambique several hours north of us. They were waiting for their ride back to Mozambique after being stuck in Nelspruit for over a week as the bus they needed to take home wasn't running anymore. We first met them in Brazil where they were attending our language school. It was such a treat to see them again as I haven't seen them since Brazil.

Earlier on the long drive to Nelspruit, Scott had felt strongly that this extra delay was for a reason and that God wanted us there, but we didn't know why. Mel and Mandy shared with us many things about their work, including that they had been praying hard that God would give them a car. They often walk two hours one way as a part of their ministry with women and the elderly. Without a car, there are a number of things that they are not able to do, including helping a local midwife build a delivery hut way out in the bush with money that had been donated to them for it.

In South Africa, we owned a second car that I had to use on a daily basis with the kids, but here in Mozambique, we find that we don't use it very much--which meant we have a car we can loan them until another family joins us. We all know that God had arranged us to meet, even if it meant a problem with our transmission and frustrating delays.

I was reminded of Joseph's words in Genesis. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done." And I continue to be amazed at how God continues to lead and guide us to accomplish HIS good will.

These are photos of Jayden's eighth birthday party. The sweet hostess where we stayed made a birthday cake for him Friday night enabling us to celebrate with old and new friends. What a blessing that God would even arrange for Jayden to have a cake on his special day.

Stuck again. . .

We headed out early this morning for Pretoria with plans to hit the mall and maybe a movie before Gabe had a doctor's appointment. About two hours from Tzaneen, we heard a loud clunk. Scott thought we'd blown a tire, but after pulling over, everything looked fine, except we once he started driving again, he couldn't shift past third gear.

Scott called the mechanic who'd fixed the car the day before, but he didn't know what was wrong. The clunking continued. Something was definitely wrong. Next he called our normal mechanic who's closer to the Mozambique boarder, but we were four hours away from him and not sure if we'd even make it to the capital. Scott again explained the problem and he immediately knew what had happened. Apparently, when the seal was fixed on the car the day before, they knocked off something that had to do with the gear box so we couldn't shift higher than third. It has to be fixed, but it's not serious.

Much relieved we went on to the mall, did a bit of shopping (by then it was too late for a movie) made Gabriel's doctor's appointment and headed three more hours to where our mechanic is without any more problems. (Thankfully this is on the way to Mozambique.) A friend found us a mission guest house where we can stay and tomorrow the car goes back into the shop.

The only sad thing is that I'm only forty miles from the game park with no car. We're planning to catch a ride to the mall and watch a couple movies, a big treat for the kids, and head home on Saturday.

Blessings,

Lisa

Quick Update

We're still here in South Africa, waiting for our car to be fixed. Hopefully it will be done today and we can leave tomorrow, but there's a chance we'll have to wait another day. Scott felt a lot better yesterday, but the headache and aches are back today as he probably overdid it. I'm pretty tired as well, so am planning a quiet day doing school with the kids and need to get some writing done.

I thought I'd post a few of my cheetah photos from our time in Kruger. Unfortunately, because the sun was setting behind them, the photos didn't turn out well, but if you look closely, you can seen them running and playing which was amazing. In the bottom photo, there are actually five there.

Scott and I want to thank everyone again for all the prayers that went out for our family literally around the world. It was such a huge encouragement.

Blessings,

Lisa

Prayers Answered

We went to the doctor and Scott was officially diagnosed with African Tick Bite Fever. This is a common sickness here (though we have never heard of it) and something that can be easily treated. Except for a headache that is supposed to last a couple more weeks, he should fully recover without any lasting side effects.

Thank you all again for your prayers!

Lisa and family

Prayer update

We arrived about midnight last night to my aunt's house where we will be staying. Scott finally talked to our doctor on the phone (we've been trying unsuccessfully to reach him all week). He said that his symptoms seemed to be a classic case of Tick Fever and we can start treatment as soon as it is verified. Scott went to a funeral out in the bush two weeks ago and has a bite on his leg (we thought it was an infected mosquito bite) so the timing makes sense.

Scott will be meeting with our doctor this morning for blood work to verify what's wrong. He didn't seem worried and it's not contagious, both good things. Praise God for a close friend who's a doctor and is willing to come in on his day off!

We're also having car trouble, but since today's a holiday we can't take it in until tomorrow. Otherwise, we are all well. The kids have cable TV here, and since we don't have TV in Mozambique, it's a treat for them. We will also try and do some schoolwork, though the kids aren't too excited about that. LOL

I'll be updating my Twitter regularly. You can sign up on my blog (on the right hand side) or just check them on the side of my blog.

Thanks for all your prayers, emails, and blog comments! They are a blessing.

Lisa

Please Pray

Last Monday Scott came down with something we thought was the flu. We gave him a malaria test that came back negative, but he continued suffering with severe headaches, swollen glands, and overall pain and weakness.

We watched him carefully, but instead of getting better, today he woke up with a rash all over his body. We finally were able to see a recommended doctor from Cuba about an hour ago, but all we know is that he has some sort of infection that has spread throughout his body.

Because the hospital here is unable to analyze and treat him, we are leaving for South Africa now to go to Tzaneen where he can get some testing done to find out what is wrong.

Please pray for us as we have a very long drive ahead of us and that God will heal him quickly. We will update in SA as soon as we know something.

Have a blessed Easter,

Lisa

Driving through Maputo

Here's a taste of of driving through Maputo, the capital. WARNING: Possible side effects of watching this video are carsickness.

Blessings,

Lisa

Safari 2009

Mariah and I worked on this one together.

Enjoy!

Lisa

Baboon Attack

We've always been cautious around baboons as they can be quite aggressive. They also think they can get a free meal because of tourists who break the law and feed them. We actually saw this happen while we were there this time. It's no wonder, then, when a car drives up, that they are curious as to what they can get.

On one of the dirt roads, we came across a large troop lounging in the road. They were extremely active, playing and jumping around, but they also had the road completely blocked which meant we had to stop. We had our windows rolled down and were taking pictures until one jumped onto our car. Frantically, we rolled up our windows, and before we knew it, we had baboons jumping all over the top of our car, rough housing on the roof, spying at us on the hood, and staring at us from the spare tire in back. We were finally able to drive away, still a bit unsure if we had company on top.

While we knew they couldn't get in, it was still a bit unsettling. One thing that did amaze me, was the love the mommas showed their babies. It was precious.

The next day, we passed another large troop and let me tell you, none of us waited to roll up our windows as we drove on by.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Lion Pride

I'll be posting photos of the animals we saw for the next week, starting off with one of my favorites animals, the lion. They aren't easy to spot, and we've never seen them as up close as we did on this trip. Early in the morning of day two, we came upon this pride as they crossed the road behind us. We were able to see male lions with females and cubs.




On day three, again, early in the morning, we saw another pride of females and their cubs. They were sleeping on the side of the road, allowing us to take these amazing photos. After about 20 minutes, they started walking off into the bush, one by one. The last female was obviously injured. She had wounds on her neck and body and limped away after the others.







Blessings,

Lisa

Home again

We arrived back home tonight after a wonderful three days in the game park. I think this was the best time we've ever had. It really was incredible. Two prides of lions, six hyenas, two buffalo herds, and eight cheetah for starters. I could spend a month there and never tire of watching the incredible beauty of God's creation.

Here are a few photos. I'll share more of the highlights in the days to come.

Blessings,

Lisa