Skype interview with Lynne Gentry (and a surprise giveaway)

I recently sat down with friend and author, Lynne Gentry for a Skype chat about her debut novel, Reinventing Leona. This is my first time to do an interview like this and we had so much fun. Watch the video to find out what she is giving away! (You'll love it!)

You can find out more about Lynne and her book on her website.

Enjoy!



PS Don't forget to leave a comment on my last post for a chance to win copies of Blood Ransom, Blood Covenant, and An Ocean Away.

Lisa

Contest closes Wednesday, July 5th, midnight CST. Winner will be announced on or around July 6th. This contest is limited to the United States and is void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

Summer Giveaway Part Two!

Would someone please tell me what happened to June! Actually to the entire year for that matter. I can't believe how fast the year seems to be flying by.

Which means with June almost over, and I'm just in time to post my second promised summer giveaway. Who isn't looking for great books to read this summer? So in celebration of everything summer (okay, it is slightly chilly and winter where we live) but nevertheless, I'll choose one winner by a random draw to win one copy each of Christy Nominated Blood Ransom, Blood Covenant, and An Ocean Away.

So spread the word and leave a comment, telling me that you'd like to participate in this month's contest. Also, make sure to leave a way for me to get ahold of you. This contest closes at midnight PST July 2 and is limited to US addresses.

If you've had a chance to read any of these novels, drop me a note. I'd love to hear what you thought. Or if you have a moment leave a review on Amazon or other online site.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!

Lisa

Blood Covenant Book Trailer from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

Contest is limited to the United States and is void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

How to build a house 101

I've had several ask about the house we have been building for one of our Christian women, so I wanted to share this video as her house is now finished!

Thank you so much for the help from our disciples, the Katy team, and funds from The ECHO Project that made all of this possible.



Be a blessing today!

Lisa

Never say never...

When we bought our house in South Africa, I gave Scott a list of things I would never do.

*I would never move until my children graduated from High School (if ever)

*I would never learn another language

*I would never home school my children

*I would certainly never send them away to boarding school.

Hmm...if you know anything about my life since that day several years ago, you might also know that God was probably smiling down at me and my plans. Because he soon made it very clear that my plans weren't His plans.

Through a very miraculous and clear word, God called us to Mozambique. What did this mean? It meant moving to not one, but two countries (Brazil on the way to Moz for language learning). It meant learning another language, and pulling my kids out of school in order to home school them.

Never say never? Right.

And now, the last of my "nevers" has just come about. I will never send my children off to boarding school.

With that said, I'm so exited to share that my baby (at fourteen) has just been admitted to Rift Valley Academy, a boarding school primarily for missionary kids, where he will start high school this fall. I can't say that I'm not a bit weepy over the prospect of him leaving, but I also know without a shadow of a doubt that God's hand is in this decision and in this transition for our family. Because of this, and for Gabe's sake, I couldn't be happier for this opportunity.

We visited the school last fall on the way to the States and knew at that time that Gabe was ready and that this is what would be best for him and his life.

Thanks so much for all of you who have been praying for his acceptance the past few months. And as for me, I'm already missing my boy, but also trying really hard to never say never. Especially when God's hand is involved.

Lisa

Photos of the day

Mozambique's Walmart

We spent yesterday at one of the government offices for our yearly renewal of our papers that allow us to stay in the country. On the way home (we were about an hour away) we found a new Chinese shop that has recently opened. I'm calling it my Mozambique Walmart as it sells everything and has some really good prices. It surprised me at how excited I got, but it's always nice to have new options of places to shop even though it isn't a town I visit often. Funny thing is, you can actually see the town from our roof, but it is across the bay so we either take a boat which is quicker, or drive around if we need a vehicle.

UPDATE ON THE VILLAGE HOUSE BEING REBUILT

Many of you probably know that one of our sweet Christian woman's house burned down a couple of weeks ago. She is a single mother of five and to build a new house would have been extremely difficult. Thanks to donations to The ECHO Project we were able to buy the materials to build her a new house. Several of our disciples have been working on this project over past two weeks along with some added help from our mission team from Texas. This also gave these young men some added income that will help them greatly as we gave them gifts for their hard work. I've posted new photos below.

Yesterday, they put in the cement floor, and now all that is left is the hanging of the door. We have a lot of exciting things that we are going to be sharing regarding The ECHO Project in the coming months where you can involve your youth groups, children classes, and small groups, so be sure and stay in touch!

Be a blessing today,

Lisa

African Wildlife

First, I want to thank you all so much for all your prayers and notes for Scott's health. While in South Africa this week, we took him to our doctor and found out that he did still have malaria. It is a strain that didn't show up on the basic tests done here in Mozambique. We're so thankful that we were there, because malaria isn't something that you can play around with and not treat.

He's still weak, but is already much better than he was earlier this week. The doctor told him to rest for the next 7-10 days, so my job will be to make sure that he does!

While we were in SA, we spent one day at Kruger before the team left to return to the States while Scott stayed and slept where we were staying. I had planned to post some photos, but with all that was happening, I forgot my camera. So instead, I thought I'd go ahead and repost some of my favorites from the past couple years.

Enjoy!

Lisa

Update on Scott

Thanks so much to all of you who have been praying for our health! Scott has taken the brunt of it and we found out on Saturday that it was malaria. He started feeling better with the treatment, but took a turn for the worse last night. I took him this morning to a private clinic in town we just found out about, hoping to miss the long lines and waiting at the hospital. It turned out to be a big blessing.

He was actually the only patient. It was very clean and the staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. They put him on two rounds of antibiotic IVs after another malaria test came out negative. This meant that the malaria was gone by today which is good, but he has a secondary infection his body is fighting. The blood work didn't come out conclusive, but after the treatment he is feeling a bit better tonight (after ten hours at the clinic) though very weak.

We are still planning to leave with the group from Texas for South Africa early in the morning, so we would appreciate your prayers. We'll be taking the team back to catch their plan, then heading on to Tzaneen to sign the final papers for Janelle's home. We considered leaving Scott here and skipping going to Tzaneen for now, but decided that in case the antibiotics don't treat what is wrong and he ends up needing more medical attention we'd rather be in SA.

As I was driving home today from the clinic, I was struck with several reminders. One, we were so blessed to have found out about this clinic (just as we were leaving for the hospital.) There were no lines, no waiting, and fast treatment, but because is it a private clinic, it isn't a place that most of the people here could afford, even though it isn't expensive by US standards. I was so humbled knowing that we have so much and can get what we need when so many people can't.

The second reminder was regarding the house that we were able to build for one of the Christian women last week thanks to funds from the ECHO project. (You can watch a video I posted a couple days ago that shares about this) I saw her yesterday when I was out in the village, and she showed me the house). It is a simple reed hut, with one room that she will share with her five children and yet she was beaming with joy over this new house that is being built for her. Again, I was so humbled as I came home to my running water, electricity and air conditioner I can use when it's hot.

It reminded me how important is it so not take for granted what I have, and of the importance for all of us to use what we have, both in physical things and through our talents to make a different in peoples lives around us.

Be a blessing today!

Lisa

Summer ministry continued...

It's hard to believe, but our visiting mission team is already into their last couple days here. Today, they are helping to finish up the house that is being built in the village for one of our Christian women, then tomorrow will be spent visiting several of the churches for worship.

Our family will be heading out with them on Tuesday to take them to South Africa where we'll spend a day with them at Kruger (yeah!) then head on to Tzaneen for to finish up the paperwork for the sale of Janelle's house. Please pray for Scott and my health, as we've both been sick this week. Thankfully, between the visiting team and the disciples, things have still gone great!

Here's another short video I put together to share some of what the team is doing.



Don't forget, I'll be holding another Summer book giveaway later in the month, so be sure and stop by again soon!

Be blessed,

Lisa

Katy Team

We're so enjoying the Katy team's help with our ministry! They spent two days painting the children's rooms in a local orphanage. Today was spent out in the village doing dramas and teaching. Here are a few highlights from the week so far.



Be blessed,

Lisa

How far would you walk?

Those of you who follow my blog regularly, know that summertime (our winter) is extra busy for us as we always host several mission teams. This year is no exception, and we are excited about the coming weeks and all that will be happening!

Last week, we had our first team arrive. Mel and Mandy are single women from the UK who have been working about four hours north of us for the past three years. They brought with them a team of local Christians and on Thursday we all headed out to one of the villages. Mandy is a nurse, so with her help and with donations given through The ECHO Project, we were able to give out vitamins and worm medicine and treat some basic health concerns.

We also took with us several of the disciples we work with to start building a house for one of the Christians who lost hers in a recent fire. Once again, we are so thankful for the generosity of those who have given to The ECHO Project as it allowed us to buy the supplies needed to build her house. She is a single mom (her husband recently left her) with five children so this is a huge blessing to her.

So how far would you walk for water?

Scott was humbled when they went to get water to build the foundation and realized just how far people have to walk. Watch this video to find out just how far.

How far would you walk? 18 miles for water from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

Be a blessing!

Lisa