The Big Move

First of all, here are a couple photos of our fun night last Friday. We had such a nice time.


Since so many have contacted me privately regarding our possible upcoming move, I thought I would elaborate a bit more. We are in the beginning states of seeing if it is feasible for us to make the move from Duiwelskloof into Tzaneen, a town about 15-20 minutes away. Tzaneen is where all three kids attend school, we attend church, and do all of our grocery and other shopping. Most afternoons are spent in Tzaneen as the kids attend various activities, so this move will make things much more convenient for all of us and cut out about an hour of driving a day!

So far, we’ve talked to a realtor friend who will determine what we can sell our house for and what we might be able to find in Tzaneen. We made a good investment in our current house, which is a blessing and should allow us to get what we need in a new place. We don’t have a time frame, so in a way it’s great to not be pressured, but we also don’t want to drag out the process. We are simply praying that everything goes through quickly and smoothly. That we will be able to sell for what we need and find something that will work for us in Tzaneen. I’ll post periodic updates regarding the situation here on my blog.

Please keep us in your prayers regarding this situation.

Blessings!

Lisa

How many people can you fit in the back of a truck?

Always one more! That’s pretty much the philosophy here. There’s always room for another person, or goat, or chicken, or piece of luggage for that matter. I see flat bed truck every day jam-packed with workers, people crushed into the seats of a taxi, and already full cars stopping to pick up one more person on the side of the road.

What does that have to do with me, an American who needs her space when it comes to traveling and other similar close encounters? Friday night I got a phone call from a friend who’s a part of our English cell group. This group has been a real blessing to us as we need the spiritual interaction with other Christians (especially English speakers).

The group was planning to come to our house for dinner and to watch Michael W. Smith’s new movie, Second Chances. (A GREAT Christian film I highly recommend BTW!). Well, Debbie called to say that there would be a few extra people coming. I said that would be great. When she got done listing off the names I realized it would be about 30 people in total. Thankfully, we won’t all be traveling in the back of a taxi! Seriously, I was quite excited because the extra families are people we knew, and while we ended up being packed like sardines in our living room, it was a wonderful night of fellowship and encouragement. I’m so thankful for the support that God has given us on this side of the world as we strife to share His word. God is good!

Have a great day! I’ll plan to post some photos of the fun in a day or two.

Lisa

Hot and humid

Ever wonder just how hot and humid it is over here while you're throwing another log on the fire? Well, I've just added a feature on my blog that will give you the current temperature in Tzaneen! It won't come directly to your mailbox, though, so if your interested, log onto my site, scroll down a bit, and voila. . .it's 88 degrees today.

Blessings!

Lisa

Company and Changes

COMPANY: Our internet has been down since last week, so I haven’t been able to post, but we’ve been busy with company the past few days. We found out on Thursday that Gabriel’s swim gala was canceled because the government didn’t want to pay the expenses. We’d planned to take the kids to a movie after the meet since Petersburg (an hour a way) is the nearest theater and decided to go anyway. Both Gabriel and Mariah had friends over to spend the night, so Saturday morning we headed for Petersburg and enjoyed Night at the Museum with a happy meal afterwards. This was a great treat for the kids since we don’t have movies or McDonalds nearby and we all really enjoyed the time together.

Saturday afternoon, on our way home, we picked up a Peace Corp friend of ours. She spent the night and we all enjoyed lasagna and good fellowship.

CHANGES AHEAD: This year has brought some changes to our family life with all the kids going to the same school in Tzaneen, a town about 15 minutes away. Between the cost of gas, the kid’s school activities, and the fact that everything we do (including grocery shopping) is in Tzaneen, we finally made the decision to call a friend of ours who is a realtor. The good news is that we made a good investment in our current house that should allow us to afford a place in Tzaneen. Please pray for us as we look into this possibility, as a move of any kind is time consuming.

Blessings!

Lisa

Summertime!

Since many of you have shared with me how cold it is in the states right now, I thought I'd share with you a few photos (slideshow below) of summertime in South Africa! We are hitting triple digits many afternoons, which is hot without air-conditioning, so we are very thankful for a swimming pool!

Speaking of hot, Scott's due back soon from Mozambique where it is even hotter than here. His work with the government to get us approved there has been very slow this week, but he's hoping to finish up today. Please pray that he has a safe trip home.

Summertime means track and swimming. Here's a blurb from this weeks school newsletter.

Sports Roundup: Good luck to Gabriel Harris and Samuel Varrie who will be competing in the Summer Games in Polokwane this weekend. Samuel and Gabriel were chosen to represent the Limpopo Province at this years Satellite Games.

We are quite proud of our little athlete!



Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

Blessings!

Lisa

Happy Birthday and off to Mozambique

BIRTHDAY: Once again, I'm hopping online while our internet is up and running. I wanted to post a few photos of Mariah and her eighth birthday party. She invited six girls from her class and they had a tea party, swam, and made jewelry. It was a lot of fun and she really enjoyed the day.

TRAVELS: Scott left for Mozambique this morning to meet with some government officials. When working in a foreign country, it’s essential to register and jump through a lot of official hoops. Along with our work to start churches, we are also hosting another medical clinic this summer, so permission must be granted from the government for all of this. It shouldn’t be a problem to get everything done, but it does take time. Please pray that Scott accomplishes all he needs to get done in the next few days.

Blessings!

Lisa

New Cover

I just have to share the cover of my book coming out this next August! This books combines my first three historicals with Heartsong Presents, Michaela's Choice, Rebecca's Heart, and Adam's Bride.

This will be my first trade paperback.

Blessings!

Lisa

Renewing your Passion

I’m popping in now between power outages and downed internet service, something I’ve finally decided is going to be the norm from here out. (Okay, I’m a bit slow at times LOL).

The past few months have been busy for us between family, ministry and writing, and, like most of you, finding that balance is tough. Most years, when New Years rolls around, I’m excited for new beginnings. For a chance to set new goals after reevaluating the past year. This year was different. I didn’t have the excitement of a starting over and I wasn’t sure why.

Until now.

I realized this past week that I was losing my passion. The reason behind why I do what I do. Why do I live in a country full of crime, far from friends and family, surrounded by a half a dozen language I don’t understand? Why do I spend hours every day writing books that will pay me little in the end for my time and effort? Why do I continue to work with my kids to train them to be what God would have them be?

I’m sure you ask yourself similar questions from time to time. Questions like why do I work 40 hours a week with never a word of appreciation? Why do I ferry my kids around from one activity to the next without hearing thanks? Why do I volunteer to teach Sunday school, coach little league, or even. . .pray? And does God even hear my prayers?

Last year I read through the Old Testament, ending up, of course, with the prophets. This year, I decided that Revelation was the next logical place to read and with it, I picked up Randy Alcorn’s book HEAVEN. This is the third time I’ve read his book and let me tell you, along with God answering my prayers, I have seen my passion renewed full force the past week. It’s as if He reminded me that yes, IT IS WORTH IT!

I want to write stories that convey what God has done for us by sending His only Son as a ransom. I want to minister to the people around me who don’t know God. I want to train up my children in the Lord so when they are old they won’t depart from it.

And there’s more. God reminded me that my ultimate goal is heaven. Eternity with Him!

A problem often comes up here, though. Heaven is a reality, as is hell, but how can we long for a Heaven when we don’t understand it? How can we look forward to reigning with Christ for eternity if we never think about it?

II Thessalonians 5 talks about when Jesus comes back and then Paul tells us to encourage each other with these words. We need to be encouraging each other that life here is temporary. We’re involved in a spiritual battle, but ultimately, Christ will win. Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

If that doesn’t motivate your passion to persevere, then I don’t know what will!

Randy Alcorn’s Heaven is a phenomenal book that will help rekindle your excitement to not just go to church on Sunday, but to faithfully walk-the-walk. This is only our temporary home and getting excited about spending eternity with Christ (and I’m not talking about floating on clouds and singing forever!) will renew a passion inside you!

Here’s what Alcorn’s website says about the book:

“We all have questions about what Heaven will be like, and after twenty-five years of extensive research, Dr. Randy Alcorn has the answers. In the most comprehensive and definitive book on Heaven to date, Randy invites you to picture Heaven the way Scripture describes it—a bright, vibrant, and physical New Earth, free from sin, suffering, and death, and brimming with Christ's presence, wondrous natural beauty, and the richness of human culture as God intended it.”

Check out his website here: http://www.epm.org

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book. I promise you it’s worth every penny you spend on it. And in visiting his website I was also thrilled to note that he has a children’s version as well, something I will definitely be adding to my library.

On a completely different note, I’d planned to post some photos of Mariah’s eighth birthday as well as Gabriel’s last track meet, but Scott left for language school with the camera and I forgot to download the pictures. Mariah had a great time with six other girls, a tea party, jewelry making, and lots of goodies.

Gabriel has two track meets this week after doing well last Saturday. He came in second in the 100 meter, but unfortunately tripped at the first hurdle during the 70 m sprint and was unable to make up his time. Thankfully he will have another change this week to try again, as he has the potential to bring home a metal in that race. We also heard he qualified for the South African summer games in the backstroke for swimming, but we’re still waiting on the details for that. If it’s something that requires traveling, we won’t be attending since he’s only nine and has lots of time left for competing when he gets older.

Blessings!

Lisa

Say What?

I have to admit I’ve encountered a few rather odd things this week that have made me laugh. First of all, I’ve been so excited over the fact that our internet is now connected to a new tower about a mile from our house. I’m finally able to work and research without the internet going down every other day. Or so I thought. For the past week, the internet has started going off every night then eventually coming on in the morning. As you can imagine, with a looming deadline that requires online research, I’ve been a bit frustrated. Apparently the company that handles our internet service has been trying to find out what the problem is, fearing there was some sort of big issue to deal with. Turns out the problem wasn’t that serious at all. The new tower is on top of a woman’s house, and she’s been cutting off the electricity every night!

When’s the last time you went to McDonalds and ordered this burger for lunch?

An all beef patty, mustard sauce, cheese slice, tomato, hash brown, diced onion. . .and apricot chutney sauce. That’s the latest Steers special.

Lastly, the plagues of Egypt have been visiting in the form of frogs. Yesterday I stepped outside my back door and tripped over four of them. Everyday I find at least one inside. We’re just thankful that it’s not the snakes choosing to take up residence in our house!

Blessings!

Lisa

We're official and other good news!

First, I want to thank you all so much for your prayers. Many of you have contacted me privately to tell me you are praying for us and it means so much. I wanted to share a few answered prayers today!

Visas: After working for the past six months to extend our Visas, we finally received new work permits allowing us to stay in South Africa! Our old ones expired last month (we had to cross the boarder to renew them temporarily) but our new ones are good for another four years!

Kids: Gabriel has completely recovered from his allergic reaction. We still don’t know what caused it this time, but except for a bit of peeling around his face, he is fine. He participated in the year’s first track meet with other schools in the area and did very well. He came in first in the high jump, first in the 70 m hurdles, and second in the 100 m sprint!

Mariah and Jayden were able to run their first track meet last Saturday, and while they won’t be running any other races this year, they sure enjoyed this fun day.

Ministry: Scott and Allen leave on Sunday night to spend a week in Johannesburg for intense Portuguese classes. Then the following Monday Scott leaves for Mozambique to work on finishing up our registration that will allow us to work in the country. We are anticipating three groups coming this summer to help with a medical clinic in Mozambique, a camp for the orphans we support in Zimbabwe, and help for a church in Zimbabwe to build a structure.

Writing: My last deadline is next week, and I’m currently working extra hours to finish up my first contemporary for Heartsong Presents that will come out this November. I’m waiting to hear from publishers on a number of projects, but until then, I’m looking forward to a bit of time off to catch up some other things between the kids and ministry.

Blessings!

Lisa

Prayers for our little athlete

We ended up taking Gabriel to the emergency room Sunday during church because of an allergic reaction. He’s had four reactions in the past three years, but we’ve always been able to trace them to something specific. So far we know he’s allergic to two preventative malaria medicines (he now is unable to take any malaria medicine) and fabric softener. This time we have no idea what caused the reaction.

At the hospital, with his lips and face swollen, they immediately put him on an IV to administer the medication as he was starting to have trouble breathing, though part of this we are sure was also a panic attack. He stayed about an hour before we were able to bring him home, but this was a scary time for all of us. Some of his reactions in the past have been severe, lasting up to a month. This one should clear up much sooner.

In spite of this, he was still able to participate in a swim meet Friday and the inner house track meet for his school on Saturday. In fact, all three children were able to run on Saturday, and while the meet was long, (at least for the mommies and daddies) they really enjoyed themselves. This is a compulsory day for all the students where they compete in a fun yet structured athletic meet to determine who will make the school team. Jayden loved his first track meet and was disappointed he couldn’t run more races. Even Mariah had fun, and this is coming from a girl who in the past has hated any kind of sports day. It’s nice when peer pressure helps in a positive way as many of her new friends enjoy track.

Today, I just found out that Gabriel ran the hurdles for the first time during practice and came in first. He’s also done very well in the high jump, long jump, and the 100 meter. He will be competing in all of these on Wednesday in the year’s first meet with other schools.

Please pray that we can find out what caused this last allergic reaction, and that God will grant Gabriel a measure of peace. He knows how bad it can be, and that’s scary for a nine year old.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement!

Blessings,

Lisa

Enduring patiently

Have you ever really thought about those two words? Enduring patiently. In my mind, I have a hard time putting them together. Yesterday, our power went out for about six or seven hours during the day and then again during the night. Thankfully we’re not in the middle of an ice storm like so many Americans, but I did have another problem. I’m on a tight book deadline and losing a day of writing. . .well. . .let’s just say I can’t. I typed ferociously until my battery died, then switched to Scott’s laptop, managing to finish most of my goal for the day. With frequent power outages expected to continue across the country, my battery is staying charged now that the power’s back on in anticipation of it going out again.

A power outage won’t be the biggest test of my patience, nor has it been, but it reminded of something God’s been reminding me about lately. Patient endurance. I’m amazed at how many times these two words are used in the New Testament. Over and over we are called to patiently endure trials. It’s a fact I’m reminded of everyday. In Africa, I see difficulties and trials on a daily basis like poverty, AIDS, crime, and corruption. But I know the same is true for people no mater where they live.

I receive a number of prayer requests from various friends and email loops on a daily basis. What I read often brings me to tears at the helplessness in people’s heart wrenching stories. Unemployment, sickness, loss, divorce. . .and the list could go on and on. How can God have simply called us to patiently endure these hardships? What happens when it’s simply too much to endure? There are no easy answers. It’s a topic I often deal with in my books, yet happily-ever-after-endings are too often missing in real life.

In my eyes, Paul was a man of endurance. He seemed to stay strong in his faith whether in prison, sick, or even shipwrecked. Yet I read this morning how he came to the point where he despaired even of life. Things had progressed far beyond even his ability to endure. Then he writes that this happened so that he wouldn’t rely on himself, but on God. (II Cor 1:9)

It was God who delivered Paul from deadly peril.

And he will deliver us!

“On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” (vs 10-11)

None of us know what the future holds. The Bible says that there will be wars and rumors of wars, but Jesus tells us not to be alarmed. Instead, he calls for “patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” (Rev 14:12)

So whatever your situation is at the moment, “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful!” Hebrews 10:23

Blessings,

Lisa

As I mentioned on a previous post, my internet connection has been pretty worthless lately. Today, Scott was on his way to apply for a different provider (not that we have many to chose from), when our current provider showed up and connected us to a new tower down the road from us! I now can actually research my book, post on my blog and check email. Yeah!

In the midst of all of this, I've also been switching servers for my website and email after designing a new site. So if you have a chance, please check out my new website. Same address, www.lisaharriswrites.com. You might have to refresh the settings if you’ve visited before. I'd love to hear what you think!


Below, I've posted some picture of the kids, the first day of school, and their school.

Blessings,

Lisa

What's for dinner?

One of the things I’ve always loved about living in a foreign country is the chance to try out new foods. From shema, to steaks au poivre, to fire-hot curry, I’ll try it all. Okay, well, maybe not all. I’ve managed to drawn the line at fried worms and sheep brains, but for the most part, I love not only trying out new dishes, but learning how to make them as well.

In West Africa I learned how to make Ghanaian peanut stew and spicy fish sauce. In France it was rocklett and crepes.

Right now, my latest effort is curry.

I’ve tried a dozen or so recipes and finally found my favorite curry mix. Rajah. There’s nothing like cabbage with curry. . .chicken with potatoes and curry. . .beans and curry. . .

So no takeout tonight (not that Duiwelskloof has a great choice--or any choice really--of take out) . . .we’re having curry.

Back to School

School starts for most of South Africa on Wednesday, and since this is the beginning of the school year, the kids are bouncing off the walls with excitement. We’ve been blessed with financial help that will allow them to all go to the same school this year, so it will be nice to have them back together again. The beginning of school also signals back to school supplies and uniforms. Except, there’s no Walmart or Target here for one stop shopping, and the supply list. . .well, it’s not always easy to interpret. After four stores, here’s a few of the things I brought home.

1 French Knitting
1 Ball of wool in soft bag
1 ponal glue
Kokis
Arch lever file
Mon Ami “Twisty” wax crayons
1 large scrapbook (bigger than an A4)

And, of course, don’t forget the big (empty) ice cream container to store stationery in. For some reason, no one was selling those. . .empty that is.

On a different note, I always try to keep my post upbeat and fun for the most part, but we’ve been under a lot of spiritual attack lately and would really appreciate your prayers. What has amazed me, though, is in the midst of all this is seeing God’s sovereign hand at work. Praise God for his faithfulness.

Allen and Scott are in Lusaka right now after four days with the leaders in Zambia and will spend this coming weekend with the church in Zimbabwe. So far their time has gone well. Please pray for their safety as they travel!

Blessings!

Lisa

Coming soon. . .What’s for dinner?

2007 and Perseverance

I had great expectations of posting a moving New Year’s piece that would motivate us into the coming year. Then life, along with no internet access, stepped in. So much for motivation. I haven’t even set my goals yet for 2007!

New Years did bring with it something wonderful, though. A few days of cold weather! The mist in this photo drifted into our living room, something the kids thought was too cool. We made it down to the high 50's! Unfortunately the cool weather didn’t last and we’re back into summer.

Scott and Allen left for Zambia and Zimbabwe last Tuesday to meet with the leaders and plan the coming year. They made it to Mongu safely and so far their time has gone pretty well. Please pray that these meeting will go well and the focus will stay on what is important.

School starts on Wednesday and the kids are raring to go back. We will be starting a new school year which will mean new teachers and friends and a bit of adjustment, but I’m looking forward to a good year.

The past few weeks have been challenging for me, and I know that that has been the case for several of you as well. For 2007, “let us throw off everything that hinders us and run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and prefecter of our faith.” Hebrews 12: 1-2

May we persevere together!

Lisa

The rains have come!

Rainy season is a mixed blessing in the midst of a hot summer. A storm hit yesterday and in the space of an hour dropped the outside temperature from the mid 80’s to about 69 degrees. It was wonderful. Of course once it passed and the sun came back out the temperature quickly began to rise again.

There are challenges as well. The power was off yesterday, and then there are the ever present leaks in our roof that require a run around the house with bowls and towels every time it rains. This morning the floor in our living room was soaked, but the air is fresh even if it is a bit humid. I love sitting outside and watching the valley spread out below us while the birds chatter in the trees.

The heavens do declare the glory of God!

Blessings,

Lisa

Family Photo

It seems to be a rare thing when we actually have a photo taken of the five of us. So here is the very latest (taken Christmas Day).

We just finished enjoy a wonderful dinner with Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and are looking forward to some the apple pie later.

Merry Christmas, from our side of the world to yours!

Lisa and family

Merry Christmas!

It’s hard to believe that we are about to leave behind another year. 2006 has been full of challenges and blessings for our family, and through it all God has shown his faithfulness.

We’ve traveled from Zambia, to Botswana, to the Indian Ocean. We’ve cried through an unexpected visit to ICU, homesickness, and the loss of loved ones back in America. There’s been the blessing of signing five book contracts, the unexpected gift of an airline ticket home to see family, and trepidation of putting our house in Texas on the market.

We’ve watched expressions of awe as men and women heard the story of creation for the first time, rejoiced in their decisions to accept Christ, and praised Him at their baptisms.

We prayed for the life of a co-worker’s child and asked God why he said no, ministered through prayer and medical aid to those in need, and continued our discipleship training.

We helped our children work to fit into a new community, prayed for more co-workers, and strove to wait on His timing.

So many of you have prayed for us, supported us financially, and encouraged us. For this I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for sharing with us in our ministry.

Right now, as I look out over our back yard where the breeze is playing with the leaves of the palm trees and I hear the chatter of the birds, I know that I’m where God would have me. It’s not always easy, but He is faithful, and for that I am blessed.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider this. . .so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

To each of you reading my blog, may you fix your eyes on Him, may God bless you richly, and may you have a very Merry Christmas!

Lisa

Mozambique slide show

Here's another slide show from our trip to Mozambique.

Enjoy!

Lisa



Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

I’ve been attempting to post some photos from Mozambique for the past three days, but our Internet has been too slow. It’s working better today, so here’s a slide show of some of the scenery. I’ll plan to post some more in a day or two.

Driving down pot-hole filled roads, you pass sellers hawking pots, prawns, and fresh produce. Empty cement houses are everywhere, even through the thirty-year war ended almost fifteen years ago. Everything is rundown from the thatched roof compounds to the sky high apartment buildings in the rambling cities.

The people are friendly, moving slowly in the blistering heat as they gather water from wells, sell shoes and pineapples in the market, or pile coconuts in waiting trucks. Palm trees fill the horizon, stopping only at the deep blue ocean that’s filled with a fisherman’s livelihood.

Please pray for the people of Mozambique as we strive to be a light for Christ to them.

Lisa

Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow

Home again!

After about sixteen hours of travel, we’re home!

We had planned to stay in Maputo today for a wedding, but there was “no room in the inn.” So instead, our long day included stopping in two towns on the way home to visit with people, including the family of the bride where we were able to greet them and leave a gift. We felt that this was important as we strive to build relationships.

The only really exciting thing that happened before we left was related, once again, to the ever present heat. . .and bathrooms. I seem to have this thing with bathrooms, because I managed to lock myself into the bathroom of the place where we stayed. You have to understand that this is not the first time I have done this since we’ve lived in Africa, but the third! (And never my fault, of course!)

I was giving Jayden a bath and as we finished up, the door wouldn’t open. Scott was gone to get a part to fix the car before we left, so I hollered for Gabriel. After thirty minutes, sweat was pouring down my face in the unbelievable heat. (yes, later Scott asked me why I didn’t simply rinse off in the shower, but at the time I was too focused on getting out and forgot that I had a cold water source!)

Instead, I worked to find a way out and calm down Jayden who was convinced we were going to be locked in the small room forever. Every few minutes I would press my face up to the key hole toward the bedroom, where I’d been packing with the air-con on because of the heat, so I could feel the wisps of cold air against me. Thirty minutes later, I managed to unscrew the door handle, but it turned out to be a process that did nothing to further our escape. Next I worked on the window, a small hole about two or three feet above the toilet. Scott got back about the time I had unscrewed the handle and was hoisting Jayden through the narrow opening where Gabriel could grab him.

Even with Scott home, though, we were still unable to get the door open. I was going to have to somehow maneuver myself through the window and pray that I would fit. The kids offered to take pictures at this point, which I’m sure managed to propel me through the hole before they arrived back with the camera. After what must have been at least an hour from the time I first tried the locked door, I emerged outside the house.

Overall, our time in Mozambique was beneficial. Beside the much needed family time, Scott was able to take care of some needed work with the government and practiced a lot on his Portuguese. We also were able to develop some relationships. Unfortunately, we were not able to meet with Edwardo as planned, but we continue to pray that God will lead us to the right people.

Next year, we have a Portuguese couple coming who will be training under us and working for several months in the country. We also are making plans for an extended medical clinic next year with several Portuguese speaking people as well. God is good and we are excited to see where He leads us.

I’ve posted some photos below and will post some more next week as well.

Blessings,

Lisa

Mozambique Update

I tried to update my blog a few days ago, but after an hour and a half of frustration, I gave up. We found another internet cafe and I'm having much better luck logging on.

Sunday, December 10:

Imagine it’s the middle of summer in Death Valley. Now imagine you have to bake a dozen pies in the heat with no air-conditioning or cooling breeze. This would be but a fraction of how hot it’s been here in Mozambique.

We arrived last Wednesday night after fourteen hours of bad roads and one very long boarder crossing. I’d been told to bring most of our food as availability was limited. I’d also been told to bring receipts for what we brought into the country. No problem. It wasn’t as if the customs officials were going to cross check my receipts with my boxes of food.

Or so I thought.

Our first hint that there was a problem came when the man informed us that we were only allowed to bring in a total of $50 a person. My receipts were too high. So we quickly told the man that some of the items on the list we had left in South Africa. This was true, but he wanted to know which items.

So Scott and I began the tedious process of crossing off items we hadn’t brought with us. There were only a couple other people crossing the newly erected thatched boarder crossing, giving the customs people plenty of time to deal with us in their typical laidback manner.

In the end, they charged us 46% of the excess we brought in, which thankfully, was only a little over ten dollars. Finally, we were free to go. Somewhere along the pothole-filled road we managed to break one of our shocks, so about nine o’clock that Wednesday night, we limped into Maxixe (Ma-sheesh) thanking God that we’d made it.

We had picked up a fellow Christian along the way who planned to help translate for us for a few days. On Thursday we visited the Health department to make an appointment to meet with someone the next day who could help work on arrangements for the medical clinic we want to hold here next summer. We also visited the market for fresh vegetables, flip flops for Jayden who somehow managed to forget to bring shoes, and a toothbrush for Gabriel. Dozen’s of women formed an intricate maze inside the market with their wooden tables piled high with a colorful arrangement of produce. Every woman sells about the same thing. Tomatoes, onions, garlic, potatoes, cabbage, and spices. Staples to the African diet. I passed on the fish, where plump Mamas sat fanning at flies determined to land on their wares.

With our purchases in hand, Scott treated us all to a custard-filled pasty from the bakery, one of the best things you can find here. Everyday, we buy fresh bread to go with our meals of rice and sauce. Even the kids are loving the food. Because Antonio’s staying with us, I’ve been fixing curry dishes and cabbage sauces in my hot kitchen with nothing more than a tiny stove and a freezer. We keep unplugging the freezer so it will work more like a refrigerator, though it still froze my leftover salad. The heat makes it necessary for everything to be bought daily. Tomatoes will ruin in a day, along with the other items. It’s a way of life here. Buying and selling enough for one day, makes the market the heart of activity.

Friday was another day of work, as Scott met with the Heath department who is excited about our plans to help with a medical clinic in several of the surrounding villages. He also was blessed to find a recommended mechanic who fixed our shocks for under $10! Praise God for little miracles.

On Sunday, the heat seemed to intensify as we held our first house church. We studied Queen Esther and talked about how God could use us for His glory if we let Him. The family who was supposed to join us didn’t show up, but another man joined our small group. We prayed that this would be the beginning of hundreds who put on Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Last night a storm passed through, bringing cooler weather. A blessing considering our electricity ran out in the middle of the night. All five of us cram into the one air-conditioned bedroom at night, the only relief from the heat. Electricity, though, is paid up front and added in a meter box on the front porch. Our $6 of electricity we had been using all week ran out in the middle of the night. Once again, we were thankful for the rain that made sleeping bearable.

Prayers:

1.) Scott plans to meet with Edwardo this week for discipleship. Please pray that that time will go well.

2.) Please pray for Gabriel as well who has once again had an allergic reaction to the malaria medicine. (As of today, Thursday, he's doing much better!) This is despite the fact that we bought him a brand new drug that is not suppose to be related to the previous one that had him sick in bed for a month two years ago. We stopped giving it to him immediately, but his face is swollen and his skin is very itchy. Today he is up and playing which is a good sign. Once we get back home, we have to find out what the common denominator is that is making him so sick.

I’ll post some photos once we arrive home next week.

Blessings,

Lisa

Prayers

Today we decorated the Christmas tree in the stifling hot weather. The kids didn't seem to mind as long as there was time to jump into the pool for a little while. The water is out again, this time completely for at least twenty-four hours. We had company last night for dinner and my friend was gracious enough to help me quickly wash the dishes before the water completely ran out. Life is never dull in Africa, she told me, a fact we've become well aware of.

We leave on Wednesday for Mozambique for two weeks of work and a bit of fun at the sea. Scott has three goals for the trip: To meet with the new Christians most evenings, meet with the Health Department, and work on his Portuguese. We would really appreciate your prayers while we are gone. I will try to post as often as I can, but we will have very limited access to the internet through an internet café.

Prayer requests:

1. A safe trip to Mozambique which will be about twelve hours across rough roads.
2. That we will all return home malaria free. We are taking every precaution, but the risk is still there.
3. That Scott will have ample time to meet with and disciple the new Christians
4. That we will receive the permission we need from the Health Department to run another medical clinic next year.
5. That our house in the states will sell. I calculated that we have had our Dallas home on that market over two years off and on during the past six years, and we have yet to receive a decent offer. (In fact, only one offer at all!) We also need wisdom to know when it’s time to go ahead and rent it if it doesn’t sell.
6. That I can get my deadlines complete while enjoying time with my family.

Blessings to each of you! Enjoy the cold weather.

Lisa

Sweet Home Alabama: Heart to Heart Interview part 2

First off, congratulations to Beth and Ross for winning copies of my books, Adam's Bride and Sweet Home Alabama! I'll be having another contest soon, so stop by often.

Now to my chat with Pamela Kaye Tracy, who wrote Ready or Not the last story in the collection.





LISA: What was your initial reaction in finding out you sold your first book? How many books have you sold since then?

PAMELA KAYE: Are you kidding? I jumped up and down. Now, picture this. I, innocently go to get my mail. In amidst the bills is an envelope from Barbour Publishing. Envelopes mean: Dear Author, we’re sorry….. So, with a sigh, I open the envelope, right there where the mass mailboxes are, and inside is a letter telling me that with a few changes, they’ll buy my book. Yup, I jumped up and down, all alone, while cars drove by. I’m sure drivers thought I was killing a bug or something.

That was in 1998 and that first sale was a Barbour Heartsong. Since them, I’ve also sold Barbour eight novellas and two prayer books. I’ve also sold a romantic comedy to Kensington, and in 2007 I have two Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense books scheduled. Yabba Dabba! I’ve jumped on a lot of bugs since that first sale.

LISA: Tell us about your story in Sweet Home Alabama.

PAMELA KAYE: “Ready or Not” has its roots from my days as an elementary school teacher at a small private Christian school. The people I worked with at that school became family. They led me to a deeper faith and a better sense of self worth, which is what Callie, the heroine of “Ready or Not” so needs. Callie built her dreams on sand. Home, family, God, those are rocks. It’s about Callie’s journey to appreciate the before mentioned, and her journey of motherhood. It’s also about Darryl, the hero of “Ready or Not,” finding the helpmate he needs.

LISA: Can you give us an insight into writing a novella collection with three other authors?

PAMELA KAYE: After eight novellas, I hope I have a ‘grain’ of insight. First, let the leader lead, and thank the Lord when the leader isn’t a boss but a team player (Waving at Pamela Griffin - the other Pamela.) Next, don’t wait until the last minute to begin (frowning at how often I don’t take my own advice). Also, let the others read your work and make suggestions, especially when it comes to how you characterize their characters if they appear in your novella. Next, be flexible. Usually compromise makes the story better. LOL, near the end, put the novella aside for a month, read the other three novellas, and then rewrite your novella one more time (this seldom happens because you’ll never have the month you need, or like me, you’ll have a novella, a book, and galleys due in a week span (and a few months ago you agreed to judge a contest that week because it was so far in the future. Oh, and don’t forget your computer will crash that week). Finally, after you hit the send button and the novella goes off to publisher land, say a prayer of thanks to God because you are so blessed. What a dream come true… holding a book, your book, in your hands.

LISA: I find in my own writing that I often grow alongside my characters, especially spiritually. Is there a character from your book who you relate to and who made an input on your life?

PAMELA KAYE: I think I put a piece of me in just about every writing. My first book It Only Takes a Spark was somewhat about the lost me. The novella “Letters to Timothy” was about the teacher in me who agonized about lost students. I’ve turned up in books as a daughter dealing with a stepmother, as a waitress dealing with diners, as a older single woman maneuvering through the dating world (scary), etc. The books that don’t seem to have a piece of me are my suspenses. They take the longest to write and maybe I do learn the most from them. I learn how God might help people in true peril. I’m not sure I’ve ever been in true peril. And, for some reason, when I pick the scripture that goes with the suspense, I feel such ownership of that scripture’s message.

LISA: What is the number one thing you’ve learned from your writing journey?

PAMELA KAYE: Discipline is number one. And, from watching and learning from others, I’ve learned the best authors are the ones who know when and how to delete.

LISA: Any future plans for your writing you’d like to share? Any specific dreams you’d like to accomplish in the area of writing?

PAMELA KAYE: Short term: Finish the Love Inspired Suspense due Feb. 1st. Long term: My dream is write three books a year for Love Inspired.

LISA: Because I know there are many aspiring writers out there, can you share any tidbits of wisdom on getting published?

PAMELA KAYE: Sure, get involved. I only know a handful of people who managed to get published ‘alone’. Most did what I did. I took creative writing classes: made friends, joined a critique group. I got involved on the AOL romance writing boards. I joined RWA (acfw wasn’t around back then). I attended every workshop I heard about, I went to conferences, and I made friends who had the same goals I did. Plus, I read, read, read, read… Did I mention I read a lot?

Good luck all! Dreams do come true.

Thanks for the great interviews, ladies!

Blessings all,

Lisa

Sweet Home Alabama: A Heart to Heart Interview

Today is the official release of my latest book, Sweet Home Alabama! To celebrate, I thought it would be fun to chat with my co-authors who were a part of the novella collection with me. Here's my interview with Paige Winship Dooly. Tomorrow I'll announce the winners of my books and post my chat with Pamela Kaye!





Paige Winship Dooly
http://paigewinshipdooly.com


LISA: What was your initial reaction in finding out you sold your first book? How many books have you sold since then?

PAIGE: I’d had this niggling thought that day that I might hear something, but the mailbox only had junk mail and something that was supposed to go in someone else’s mailbox. I was on my way to visit a friend, so dropped off the mail that was at the wrong house as I went. On my way home, I thought that maybe if I had the wrong mail, someone else had some of our mail, too, and maybe I WOULD hear if I checked again. Not really expecting to have more mail in the box, I drove up, opened it, and there was a large yellow envelope. My heart jumped. It was from the publisher. I figured it was a rejection since it was large, but I opened it and they wanted to buy my book exactly as it was! I was SO excited. I drove up honking my horn and all the kids and my husband ran out. The funniest thing was, on my way up to tell them what I was so excited about, we found a turtle egg nest beside our steps and got side-tracked by the coolness of that. We almost forgot about my sale until someone asked what I’d had to tell them a bit later.

Since then, I’ve sold four novellas and another Heartsong Presents with a tentative release date of December 2007.

LISA: Tell us about your story in Sweet Home Alabama.

PAIGE: “Head over Heels” is the story of Nicole, a young widow, and her teenage daughter, Shannon, who come back to their family hometown where Nicole runs into her old flame, Jason. She’s impetuous and peppy, and had run off to chase her dreams, where he’s hardened and methodical, having stayed put to control his. She goes to work for him at his diner and Inn, and manages to keep his life in constant turmoil. Both have to learn to focus on God before expecting the pieces of their lives to fall into place. And through the journey, they find drawing closer to God draws them closer to each other and balances their differences in a wonderful way.

LISA: Can you give us an insight into writing a novella collection with three other authors?

PAIGE: It’s a great experience, yet very challenging. Sweet Home Alabama has an interwoven storyline with overlapping characters, so any change that one author would make, would affect the other author’s stories all down the line. We had to be sure each ripple was addressed so that things would flow smoothly in each following story. You have to be willing to tweak things continuously, which is harder than writing a freestanding story on your own where you only have your own thoughts to put into your work. Even the planning phase is very time consuming when you’re combining four authors’ creative suggestions and input. But it’s a growth experience and I’ve learned a lot by working this way with my various co-authors. I think the end product is well worth it!

LISA: So do I! I find in my own writing that I often grow alongside my characters, especially spiritually. Is there a character from your book who you relate to and who made an input on your life?

PAIGE: I definitely relate to all my characters, and find that as I analyze them to see how they’d react in a certain situation; I’m analyzing myself at the same time. Nicole has a habit of jumping first and thinking later, which I catch myself doing, too. I constantly have to remind myself to slow down and to seek God first when dealing with all parts of life. But I’m also like Jason, a planner who likes things to stay constant and without change. So I have to learn as he did to roll with the changes and savor them as blessings as they come along. Shannon, who at one point spouts her mother’s advice back at Nicole, reflects my children, who never seem to hear what I say when my wise words are relevant to them, but can sure quote things back on the flip side! And, of course, even my husband has to get in there and tell everyone that the romance scenes and Alpha heroes are purely modeled after him. So apparently my whole family feels they relate to the characters in some way.

LISA: What is the number one thing you’ve learned from your writing journey?

PAIGE: Patience! Or, then again, maybe I haven’t exactly mastered it and am still working on that virtue. The entire publishing process is so out of our control, which parallels the reality of life, right? We think we’re in control, but we aren’t. And I want to be in control and to know what’s going to happen when, but life and plans never happens the way I expect or want them to, which makes me more impatient. It’s nutty! All that said I know God is ultimately in control and I like it that way. But my human nature is to plan and control…Okay, so maybe I’ve learned through my writing journey that change is good. Whether the changes are edits, or a different publishing house than planned for a certain project, or whatever comes my way, I need to be open to change. God is in control, not me, and I need to sit back and enjoy the ride. The writing journey is an ongoing process. I can’t imagine ever reaching a final destination and knowing the journey is complete. There’s always more adventure, just around the next corner…if you just have enough patience to sit still and wait for it.

LISA: Any future plans for your writing you’d like to share? Any specific dreams
you’d like to accomplish in the area of writing?

PAIGE: I’m working on several projects right now, and trying to get a feel for which one is going to take my attention and run with it. Our life can get so crazy with six kids, home-schooling, and both of us working from home, that I like to write completes as much as possible before sending them out. As I mentioned above, my plans never go as expected, as I’m sure everyone can relate to. I had the summer slated to work on a mystery, but I sold the Heartsong Presents so wrote that story instead. Not a bad change at all, but I had to redirect my focus. I have several proposals out right now, and have decided to work on some completes while I wait.

As to writing dreams, I mostly want to make people smile, and to take them away into another world for a small part of their day. I don’t have any grand plans. If God wants to use me someday to write a great novel, that would be fantastic. But I’m happy to know I’ve made people think through the words of a story and that they might realize they can chase a dream and make it happen if they try. Or that times might be tough at a specific moment of a reader’s life, but better things are just around the corner.

LISA: Because I know where are many aspiring writers out there, can you share any tidbits of wisdom on getting published?

PAIGE: Put words down in print! You can study forever, but if you never get the story down, you’ll never be published. Continuously study the craft and never stop learning, but only take the parts relevant to you to heart. Don’t try to change your natural God-given style because someone tells you to do something that isn’t in your voice. In the same way, be open to critiques, and if several people are telling you the same things, give their comments some serious thought. When you get ready to send a proposal out, know the market and know which publisher will most likely appreciate your style. It’s a tough business, but well worth it when you get that hard copy book in hand!

Blessings!

Lisa

He's home!

I left Tuesday for Joburg with no internet connection (it's been down lately more than it's been up, and even today it's sooooo slow) Arrived back home to no water, but. . .Scott is home!

I want to thank everyone Stateside who helped him during his trip-- through a place to sleep, meals, borrowed cars, financial support, and encouragement.

His trip was a blessing in a number of ways, so we can't say enough to those who blessed him along the way.

Thank you!

We plan to leave on Monday (as a family!) for Mozambique for two weeks of ministry and a bit of the sea. I'll plan to post a few pictures before we go, but will have limited access to the internet while we are gone. Will try to update as often as possible, but please do pray for us as this will be a remote area filled with its own unique challenges and joys.

Blessings,

Lisa

SOLD! An interview with Beth Goddard

I can’t tell you how excited it is for me to chat a bit with my long time friend, Beth Goddard. Beth and I began critiquing each others manuscripts. . .wow. . .I’m not even sure how many years ago. At least five or six. Today, I get to announce Beth’s first sale to Heartsong Presents! Beth happens to be a huge history buff, and spins a fantastic medieval tale as well, but her first sale happens to be a contemporary and will be released December of next year. What is really cool about this is the fact that her story, A Season for Love, is a part of a three book contemporary series set in Massachusetts. Lena Dooley and I will be writing the first two books in the series that combines romance and mystery.

Okay, enough from me. Let’s chat with Beth.

LISA: What was your initial reaction in finding out you sold your first book? In other words, tell me about. . .THE CALL

BETH: Well, as you know, with Heartsong, “the call” is actually an email. I’ve received so many rejections that when I first saw the email, I figured it was yet another rejection. I opened it and scanned the first line, quickly realizing that it wasn’t a rejection but congratulations!

I gasped in utter surprise, then ran up the stairs to tell my daughter. Before I reached the top of the staircase, I remembered that I hadn’t read the entire email. So, I ran back down the stairs to read the rest!

My daughter was on the phone with my mom so I told her too. She was thrilled to share the excitement with me since she, as well as the rest of my family, have supported my dream through the years.

LISA: Tell us some of the background behind the idea for your stories and about the story itself.

BETH: When I first began writing novels I trained my mind to stay tuned to those little nuggets of inspiration that could generate an idea for a novel. I saw a short news clip on cranberry farming. The bright red berries floating on top a bog as they were harvested completely intrigued me. I decided I’d love to set a story on a cranberry farm.

Several years passed before that opportunity came. I needed a story set in Massachusetts, the perfect opportunity to write my cranberry story. The other aspect comes from my background and education in computer software and technology.

In Seasons of Love, Riley O’Hare trades in her stressful corporate job for a season of peace. She leaves California and heads to a place closer to home and closer to her heart—her grandfather’s farm nestled in the cranberry bogs of Massachusetts. She’ll also be closer to her brother, but before she leaves for the New England state, he dies. Once Riley moves to the farm, her brother’s business partner at a forensics technology company offers to help Riley through the harvest season. She has no clue what Zane Baldwyn is really after and guards her heart.

Zane wants answers. The police believe the car accident that killed John, Riley’s brother, was nothing more. Zane has doubts. Before his death, John—a brilliant programmer—left a cryptic clue with Riley without her knowledge. Zane must discover what John believed was so important and if he was killed for it. On the verge of losing his heart to Riley, Zane learns that John’s alleged killer is searching for the same thing, and no one is safe.

LISA: Readers are going to LOVE this story! (I can say that, because I’ve read it!) On to the next question. I find in my own writing that I often grow alongside my characters, especially spiritually. Is there a character who you relate to and who made an input on your life?

BETH: There’s no doubt that writing causes you to slow down and look deeper into your own motivations as you explore those of your characters. In Seasons of Love, both the hero and heroine’s discoveries about their lives are based on my own experiences. Riley realizes that she doesn’t make enough time to spend with God because her life is consumed with work. Zane learns that maintaining control over his life and achieving worldly success is not going to make him happy. These are things I learned during my own stint at climbing the corporate ladder. I started out knowing these things about my characters, but what I learned from both of them was that I could have a deeper sense of trust in God’s plan for my life.

We spend our lives going to school, getting educated to have a career. I think it can be difficult, especially for women who choose to stay home with their family, to let go of your career. I thought I’d left behind that desire and drive to succeed in corporate America. The characters in Seasons of Love allowed me to release that remaining portion, though small.

LISA: What is the number one thing you’ve learned from your writing journey?

BETH: Well, I have to say that content, craft and connections must take a backseat to the spiritual side of things. Writing forces you to dig down deep and discover things inside you’ve ignored for years. It forces you to cry out to God and ask him why he called you to write. And because of that, the writing journey is more a spiritual journey. The desire to become published can be overwhelming. I’ve learned that the writing really has to be about God, for Him and to Him, and content in writing for Him alone.

LISA: Any future plans for your writing you’d like to share? Any specific dreams you’d like to accomplish in the area of writing?

BETH: I do think it’s funny that after working on historicals for so many years, the one and only contemporary that I wrote is what is getting published first. I have to say that I loved writing this story and it’s sparked a desire to write others along the same vein—suspense stories that include technology. But the main thing I’d love to accomplish is to write something that affects someone in a powerful spiritual way. Of course, author Francine Rivers comes to mind. I think the spiritual depth she achieves in her novels is something we all aspire to achieve as writers.

LISA: Because I know there are many aspiring writers out there, can you share any tidbits of wisdom on getting published, especially from someone who has just broken in?

BETH: I’m sure there is no new advice that I can offer. We all know that persistence pays off. To work hard. Read, read, read, and write, write, write. I think something that has really kept me going is the fact that I haven’t been bowled over by rejection. I’ve received plenty of rejections, yes. Coming from a sales background, I know that it’s all about the numbers. The more you write, the better you’ll become. The more manuscripts you complete and have circulating with agents and editors, the better your chances. I think it’s important to keep yourself thinking positive and when you receive a rejection, go back to the numbers. Look up one of those sites that lists all of the rejections received by famous writers. Because even the big guys have gotten them, and still do! That always encourages me to keep moving forward.

One more thing is to cultivate those relationships that God places you in because God will use those. We really do need connections to help us along the way. God has blessed me with some wonderful writing friends, people that I can say are really my best friends because who else can understand me better than another writer. The writing journey is truly about your relationship with God and with others.

LISA: Wonderful words of encouragement, Beth. Thanks! Can’t wait to see your story in print next year! Beth also spent time chatting with me on my books recently and that interview will be posted at two of her blogs, so please take a moment to check out www.bethgoddard.blogspot.com and www.favoritepastimes.blogspot.com.

For those of you dropping by to check out my interview with Beth, I’m running a contest this month for TWO free books. (TWO people will win TWO free books!) Leave a comment, and I’ll enter you for a chance to win book three in my historical Massachusetts series, Adam’s Bride AND a copy of the light hearted comical novella collection, Sweet Home Alabama that I’m a part of.

Have a great Holiday Weekend!

Lisa

Fellowship and bittersweet good-byes

Okay, I have to admit that I’m tired. The past week has been crazy with company, sick children, and life in general that is always busy at the end of the school year. Gabriel spent a week in bed with tonsillitis. You know Gabe is sick when he doesn’t want to get out of bed. Thankfully, he’s back in school now and doing fine.

Friday night, I had our English cell group over for sloppy Joes and enjoyed a night of fellowship, singing, and prayer for each other. It’s been a blessing to be invited into this group where we can fill ourselves up spiritually every week and enjoy the fellowship of other Christians.

Sunday after church, our Wednesday night Bible study came over for a traditional meal of pap (This is the staple food of South Africa, a porridge made from corn meal then cooked with water and salt to a fairly stiff consistency) rice and sauce. They also enjoyed the German chocolate cake I made. Darlington asked for prayers because his employer is forcing him to work on Sundays, and he hasn’t been able to attend church the past two weeks. I challenged them to continue encouraging each other, praying for each other, and persevering. Life is not always easy for these workers, especially for those who are away from their families trying to earn enough money to feed their families. Please continue to pray for these new Christians.

As for bittersweet good-byes, November marks the end of the school year for us, and with it comes many activities. Last Friday we celebrated the graduation of Jayden’s pre-school with a number songs and a Christmas party. I became the class photographer, and enjoyed spending time with Jayden and his classmates.

While the school Jayden and Mariah attend has been a blessing to us, we knew that we were going to need to move them at some point to Gabriel’s school for a number of reasons. Financially, though, we were not able to do it, so I prayed that if it was God’s will he would provide a miracle and felt content, in the meantime, to keep them where they were. Last week, the miracle came as our board told us to go ahead and move all the children to Gabriel’s school next year and the finances would be taken care of. That left me with last minute testing for Mariah, while Jayden filled the last spot for kindergarten. They have both been accepted, and it will be a blessing to have them all at the same school.

Despite the move, though, we are really going to miss the King’s Court, the teachers, and the blessing this school has been to our kids.

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soard on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Soar with HIM today!

Lisa
Jayden at his end of the year celebration

The price of forgiveness

Have you ever thought about the cost of forgiveness?

I think I often learn as much or more from the studies we are going through with some of our new Christians. As we work through the steps of freedom from sin, I’ve been struck by what it really means to forgive. I can forgive the driver of a car for pulling out in front of me, or my kids for leaving out their shoes, but what about when the stakes run a whole lot higher? It’s something I’ve been pondering all week.

I mentioned a few weeks ago how one of our new Christians was beaten severely while crossing the boarder into Zimbabwe. The issue of forgiveness became real to him--and all of us--as we discussed the importance of choosing to forgive. He asked me what he should do if he ever encountered these men again. The study we were going through was correct when it said that forgiveness was most likely the most difficult step.

We live in a world full of pain, violence, and hatred. Almost everyone I know here in South Africa has been affected by crime. One close friend of ours lost his father when he was shot and killed for his cell phone. Later his uncle was murdered in his home for barely more than $100. Stories like these happen far more often than anyone wants to admit.

And yet Christ calls us to forgiveness.

Difficult? Yes.

Impossible? No

Lord, teach us to forgive the way you’ve forgave us.

Blessings,

Lisa

Win two of my new books!

To celebrate two of my books being released in the next few weeks, I’d like to offer a contest! Leave a comment and I will include you in the drawing. Two people will win a copy of both Sweet Home Alabama and Adam’s Bride. I will draw both names on November 30th. Remember, you can't win if you don't sign up, and be sure and leave a way for me to contact you.

SWEET HOME ALABAMA
An anonymous, old-fashioned love note-a literature student's homework assignment-has been misplaced by its author. Jason finds the love note and mistakenly believes his new employee, Nicole, is hopelessly infatuated with him. When Zak finds the note on his tool cart at the garage, he's convinced Ellen's snobby friends and wealthy parents no longer pose an obstacle and plots an all-out strategy to win her heart. A matchmaking sister uses the note to ignite romance between Samantha and friend Garrett. And the note causes a collision of mistaken identity for Callie and Darryl and results in true love for two lonely souls.

ADAM'S BRIDE
From book three of my historical Massachusetts series:
Adam Johnson’s brother was killed by a Polish man, and he judges an entire people based on one man’s actions. But when he falls sick and is forced to rely on the kindness of two Polish immigrants, will Adam realize his prejudice is wrong?

Lidia Kowalski knows the New World is filled with prejudice. She’s done her best to hide her Polish heritage, and yet she knows she can not change who God made her to be. After finding Adam half-dead in the snow outside his door, she helps harvest his maple syrup. Once he recovers and they share a stolen kiss under the stars, she realizes that she’s losing her heart.

When Adam leans that his brother’s killer and Lidia’s brother are the same, will intolerance and loathing steal away Adam and Lidia’s future?

Rejoicing

Last night, in the midst of hosting a Peace Corps friend for the evening, we had another baptism from our Bible study group. Jumbalonni accepted Christ and was baptized by David in our pool last night amidst songs of rejoicing from the rest of us. I challenged each of them to continue striving to know more about God and to encourage each other in their Christian walk.

Darlington, who was baptized three weeks ago, shared with me his excitement over reading about how God created the world for the first time from the Bible study book I gave him.

Have a great weekend!

Lisa

Light in the darkness

We just finished our Bible study, week one on freedom from sin, and confronted freedom from false religions with some serious issues like witchcraft, charms, and ancestors. During the study, I was struck by God’s great mercy and power. Tonight we had all seven of our group here, including Darlington, one of the new Christians, who just returned back from two weeks in Zimbabwe. Darlington shared how his way there, he and at least one other man was attacked, beaten by a group of men, and robbed of everything he had. The other man was stabbed in the chest and killed.

While Darlington is still having trouble with his ears, we praised God for saving his life. But more importantly, for knowing that he doesn’t have to fear death anymore because he is a child of God.

Toward the end of the study, two Elizabeth and Jombalani expressed a desire to learn more about accepting Christ and baptism, so David is continuing the study with them right now.

In a continent so full of darkness, please continue to pray that many will see the light of God and accept His love for them.

Blessings,

Lisa