Surveying Your Inheritance

“O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot, The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.” -Psalm 16:2

Today’s cuppa is a large tumbler of iced tea garnished with both lime and fresh mint leaves. The current heat wave calls out for this cooling and restorative drink. In fact, this is my third glass of the day. 

My mother died at 57 years of age and Daddy followed soon after at 60. For my two sisters and me (I am in the middle), it was a rough few years. I am grateful that my mother lived long enough to hold Grace (our youngest daughter) as a tiny baby before she died in hospice care in Louisville, KY. Grace was the fifth granddaughter my parents had and the last one born. My sisters and I sold their farm and divided up their things without so much as one cross word among us. In my almost 69 years, I realize this is not the norm.

I am grateful for the blessing of a material inheritance I received, but much more thankful for the legacy of hard work, being a person of your word, Christian faith, love and laughter I was nurtured by on our Kentucky farm. My sisters and I knew we were fully loved by my parents and that we would have what we needed when the time came. We were not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination, but we never felt we lacked for anything. We were taught to study hard, work hard and good things would follow. They did. 

Our grandparents lived in the same little town. I have treasured memories of Sunday lunches at Mom and Pa’s, my mother’s parents. My daddy’s mother was a widow of many decades. She lived with her sister who never married. Their home was at the bottom of my elementary school which was perched on a hill. We girls spent many afternoons there between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m., when my mother got off work as a public health nurse. We ate ice cream at Me-Maw’s house or picked at leftover fried chicken on a saucer near the back of the stove if we were lucky. Me-Maw played a peg board game called HighQ with me, called out my spelling words or would let me watch Art Linkletter’s “Kids Say The Darndest Things” on TV. Her Bible was always nearby, along with a prayer guide for the latest Billy Graham outreach. She wore hats and gloves to church, and it was a special treat to sit with her in her pew on Sunday morning. She would open her coin purse and give me a few coins to put in the offering plate, my first experience in giving. 

I am grateful for my small-town Kentucky life and those who invested in me with their time, encouragement and prayer. I remember my elementary school years in GAs (Girl’s Auxiliary) where I was captivated by a lady missionary named Lottie Moon who served the Lord in China. About the same time, my Great Aunt Ermine, the town librarian, invited me into the stacks with her and handed me a book she thought I might enjoy reading. It was Pearl Buck’s “The Good Earth.” This was another gift to awaken me to an awareness of an amazing world beyond Kentucky, full of people very different than me, but created and loved by God.  

Psalm 139 celebrates each of us as “fearfully and wonderfully made” (v. 14). No one has your DNA, your fingerprints or your uniqueness. Verse 16 celebrates the mystery of our creation and design, accompanied by a divine plan and purpose for our existence, each and every day. My response to this grand psalm is wonder and worship, especially when I take time to “connect the dots” on some of my own journey and the activity of God in it, day by day, season by season.

Enough of my memory lane moments for now. I leave you today with an encouragement to fix your own cool drink and ponder your inheritance, boundary lines and how the Lord formed your life for His purposes. 

Cheers,

Nancy

A Roof Over Their Heads: God Makes a Way

On May 14, devastating Cyclone Mocha ripped through parts of Myanmar. Only months before, our associate there welcomed 19 young people who had tragically lost their parents. His family of 5 became a family of 24.

Then the cyclone hit. Their two-story home lost its roof. It was ripped off by 130 mph winds, leaving the second floor exposed. Neighbors who lived in bamboo houses lost everything. They all huddled on the first floor. Firefall friends provided emergency food, water and other basic supplies.

Materials to replace the roof were scarce, and when they could be found the price gougers were charging 4 to 5 times the normal rate. Authorities prevented more materials from being shipped to the devastated areas.

Then the rains came

During monsoon season, the family was living on the first floor with rains pouring down on them with no roof for protection. Our hearts were broken by their suffering. We all cried out to the Lord to intervene in what seemed to be an impossible situation. “Lord, make a way for their roof to be replaced!” You prayed with us, too.

David determined to ask permission for materials from the city of Mandalay (purchased at normal prices) to be trucked into the devastated area. It was a long shot. The government official who reviewed the application noticed that it was submitted by “House of Glory.” He asked, “Is this group associated with Glory Football Club? I’ve watched them play.” The application was approved, and the materials were purchased and transported. Construction has begun to repair the roof.

The material and transport costs were $3,000 and construction costs $1,500. This family has endured so much tragedy, yet God is making a way for their home to be restored as he restores their lives by His grace and power.

Your investment in this project will help demonstrate the compassion of Jesus to this dear brother, his family and the 19 children in his care. Can you even imagine opening your heart and home to so many? 

We thank you, Firefall partners, for your regular giving that provides food and school supplies for these children. Let’s pray they will know the love of Jesus and healing for their hearts in this caring home. 

But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. -Psalm 10:14

Bright Minds & Intense Competition at Glory Library

On July 17-18, we helped sponsor a quiz bowl and speech/debate competition at the Glory Library. 

Here is Pastor David’s report of the event:

“First of all, we would like to express our gratitude and heartfelt thankfulness to all the Firefall friends who helped in prayer and supported in finance to accomplish the vision of Glory Reading Room during the student competition. The Lord is working beyond our imagination!

Though we hoped to host about 200-250 people, on the first day, more than 400 people came to participate in our event. That day 48 high school students from 16 different government and private high schools competed in general knowledge and quizzes. Each school brought 10 students and 5 teachers to observe and cheer for their schools. Some of their parents came. Their school administrators were there, too. 

I greeted the crowd and introduced our library for 10 minutes, sharing the goodness of God as a testimony of the history of our reading room for another 10 minutes. Everyone listened very carefully. The competition was lively and intense with everyone giving their best. We fed all of them lunch with rice, chicken curry, beans and chilies. Our funds for two days were exhausted on the first day.

We were in an awkward position and prayed together for the second day with the library team. When I checked my Messenger after prayer, I saw a message from Nancy asking about the situation. Jehovah Jireh provided for the second day through Firefall - on time. Hallelujah!

There were about 500 on the second day, including military officers and leaders from the local authorities. Thirty-two students from 16 schools competed with impromptu speeches (take an unseen topic from judges and talk about it for seven minutes). We included this competition so that the students would read more (at the library). We fed everyone lunch like we did on the first day. I got another 15 minutes to share a testimony! 

The Glory Kids led by my daughter also presented three gospel songs and dramas during those two days. They performed twice when the people requested them to. We gave presents to all competitors. We gave small cash gifts, trophies, medals and presents to all winners who won first, second and third place. They all were very excited and happy to receive them.

The most exciting news is that 127 people registered as new members of our reading room after the competition. Most of them are the brightest students from each school, teachers and military officers, too! 

We made an effective bridge during these two days beyond what we could imagine! Many of the students had not laughed, enjoyed life, or felt free like this for quite a long time because of our political and economic situation. We saw how much they enjoyed and loved this event by the joy in their faces.”

R.I.P., Dear Buttercup

For this crazy hot summer, my cuppa today and most days is a bracing English Breakfast blend over ice and fresh mint. Celebrating my southern heritage of Kentucky, Arkansas and North Carolina.

Ten years ago, Jim and I welcomed two adorable lab puppies into our hearts. For many years I had a dream of owning two dogs, one black and one white. As we approached the pen to view the litter, my heart leapt with a mix of amazement and delight that God might just be answering a secret desire. We chose a shy, sleepy yellow female and an equally reticent black male. We named them Buttercup and Wesley after characters in a beloved family movie, “The Princess Bride.” Is there anything cuter than a lab puppy? Yes, I say, two of them!

As we put them to bed on their first night with us, I began to sing a lullaby in an attempt to comfort and calm them. It seemed to work. This frequent serenade became one of my special rituals with them. As I sing, they lie down, rub their eyes and nod off into a nap. Each dog had particular preferences for scratching and favorite parts for petting. They trained us well. 

Our first two years together were full of “training” and replacing lattice, shoes, sprinkler system heads and other destroyed items. Once they hit the 24-month marker, the worst of the damage mercifully stopped. 

This duo accompanied us through our move to Raleigh and the birth of our five grandchildren. Their love is unconditional. Their trust, protection and affection have graced each day of the past decade. 

Buttercup’s quick demise over three weeks this summer has been dramatic and heartbreaking. Accompanying the sorrow was a fierce determination to release her from suffering as soon as we could. I am grateful for a caring and professional veterinarian and staff. Saying goodbye was so sad, but the thought of her incurring more devastation was worse. We let her go, grateful for the decade we had been granted as her guardians. 

We are the owners of one dog now. It feels strange. Wesley seems disoriented and downcast. He wailed two times on the porch the other day. I took it as an acceptance that his constant companion in this life would not be back. We are walking him more and spending extra time with him in his residence, our screened-in back porch. We will all adjust to four becoming three. It will be different, but ok. 

C.S. Lewis got it when he wrote, “We treat our dogs as if they were ‘almost human’: that is why they really become ‘almost human’”. I will leave it to theologians to contemplate the Romans 8 implications of dogs being in heaven. For now, I am nursing a tender heart of remembrances, grateful for the love of precious Buttercup. 

Danish Update with Grace

Today, I’m munching on one of my favorite simple breads here in Denmark, a boller. Which is basically a breakfast roll. My favorite kind is from a local supermarket, føtex, and it’s got some wheat or rye (maybe?) flour and is studded with dried fruit and nuts. Soft bread, cranberries and hazelnuts – I mean, who wouldn’t love that with some salty Danish butter?

So, why am I eating bollers in Denmark and what do I have to share? Let’s dive in.

I don’t know that I’ve ever been a great neighbor. I’ve always tried my hardest to get to know those living around me, when we lived in apartments and in our first home, too. I invited people over for parties or once-a-year meals, but we never repeated them. I always worried about being a bother.

Well, now that I’ve been living as an expat in Denmark for 3 months, I feel like I’ve been able to meet a dozen neighbors, and I remember half of their names (that’s surprisingly pretty good for me). Now, this didn’t happen immediately. And it seemed to speed up when two things happened: I became more familiar (people saw me repeatedly), and I asked for help.

We moved here from North Carolina at the beginning of April to fulfill an exciting career step for my husband. I was all too happy to follow along since I’ve dreamed of living in Europe again after my 4 months studying abroad at Oxford years ago. And I knew that it would be hard. And I knew that Danes can be a little closed off at first.

So James, my 22-month-old, outdoor-loving son, and I went to 2 parks daily and walked the neighborhood. And after a few weeks, we saw similar faces and dogs and kids. I got more confident saying “Do you speak English?” in Danish (most people do, luckily). And I asked where to buy fresh fish and kids’ clothes and if they had heard of this daycare or that restaurant. And they answered and gave me extra helpful information, inviting me to join the neighborhood Facebook page and upcoming park events.

While I’m still working on how to truly love these new neighbors around me, I feel as though I have received the neighborly love and kindness that God speaks of in the Gospels. And it’s been a lifeline for someone who isn’t familiar with much yet. 

Whether you’ve found yourself on the giving or receiving end of such love, I hope you can keep spreading it around your home, work or virtual “neighborhood.”

Stay tuned to our blog for more updates on my Danish adventures, or you can follow me on Instagram to see more of my day-to-day.

2022 Recap: Your Part in Revival

God is moving in unprecedented ways in the nation of Myanmar and you are part of it! The power of your prayer and the generosity of your support is transforming lives for eternity.

In many ways, 2022 was a terrible year in Myanmar. Thousands were killed or imprisoned by an evil government. Others were displaced (internally displaced people) when their homes and villages were burned to the ground or bulldozed into rubble. Floods and disease have added to the misery.

All this trauma has opened doors to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus through feeding programs and providing other essentials like clothing and bedding.

• 2,100 people heard the gospel during 8 Christmas outreaches

• 60% of them had never before heard the name of Jesus 

• 95% were unbelievers

Seeds of faith were planted in hearts and many requested Bibles to learn more about following Jesus.

And here are some statistics from what we’ve accomplished together throughout 2022:

Please pray with us and, if you are willing, even increase your prayer in 2023 that this season of revival, this visitation of God’s Spirit in Myanmar, will continue and grow. With God all things are possible. (Mt. 19:26)

It's Harvest Time in Myanmar

As the daughter of a farmer, I am well aware of the cycles of soil preparation, seed planting, cultivation, irrigation, watchful care and finally, the long-awaited harvest. My Daddy taught us to “make hay while the sun shines,” which means understanding the season your crop is in and acting wisely to maximize and protect the harvest. What I learned on the farm now serves me well in Firefall International.

The sower by Vincent Van Gogh

A few days ago (after returning from our amazing journey to Myanmar), we learned that 450 people have received Jesus as Savior and Lord in the House of Glory network as of December 1, 2022.

Firefall partners have been sowing the precious seed, the Word of God, for nearly 20 years across Myanmar. We shouted for joy as we learned of this miraculous harvest of souls. We had the joy of watching five people baptized less than two weeks ago.

8 Upcoming Christmas Outreaches

Pastor David shared the 2022 Christmas Outreach schedule with us today. There will be 8 outreaches touching a minimum of 1,220 lives, beginning on December 8 and ending on Christmas Day. There will be a meal, singing, drama presentations and a clear presentation of the love of God through Jesus Christ. Many teams of joyful servants undergird each outreach.

Our goal (and giving opportunity) is partnership with the House of Glory vision to give a delicious meal, a small gift and a Bible in Burmese to those who show an interest. The cost per person is $7 USD.

We would also like to replenish our “storehouse of seed” (Bibles) so we may freely share them when evangelists and church planters in Pastor David’s network call and request them. The total amount needed is $8,500.

Update on Giving

We are currently 33% to our giving goal, with $5,570 remaining.

Thank you for praying about how many $7 “seeds” you wish to sow this Christmas in Myanmar. Thank you for praying for a continued and fruitful harvest as the miracle of lives turning to Jesus continues.

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” I Corinthians 3:6-9

The Beauty of Team

We had the joy of hearing Pastor David share his thoughts about 42 families receiving Jesus a couple of weeks ago in a Zoom call. I asked him to look back over the past several months and share what he is learning as a leader, pastor and soul winner. His response touched me deeply. He said, “I am learning that this work is not a ‘one man show.’ It is a step-by-step process, orchestrated by God. I am aware of the value of many teams and helpers in the process, as never before. This is both joyful and humbling.”

For Jim and me, fulfilling our small role in Jesus’ great commission is the passion of our lives, what fuels us each and every day.

David’s powerful insights continue to stir my heart. I think of the Trinity being a team, existing in mutual unity, love and purpose. I think of those serving on teams at House of Glory. They might be cooking or distributing food, preaching, overseeing a well supplying abundant and clean water, playing soccer with poor neighborhood boys, playing music or creating dramatic productions which demonstrate Biblical truths. I think of you, dear Firefall team member, and how you have continued to pray and invest as the Holy Spirit leads. 

As we contemplate the challenges that come with multiplication, it is the joy of the harvest that refreshes, along with the confidence that the One who has called us as a team will continue to guide us, sustain us and accomplish His perfect plan. Thank you once again for your part in this amazing journey of faith. 

Because you prayed, Pastor David and his family recovered from serious bouts of COVID.

Because you invested in thousands of evangelistic Bibles, many are reading and discussing these concepts right now.

We could go on and on. Suffice it to say, your role in Team Firefall is treasured and appreciated!  

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” —Helen Keller

“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.” —Mother Teresa

“But truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” Numbers 14:21

Ask for the Ancient Paths

Update to this post (8/14/22): Thank you for your faithful prayers on my behalf. I have known the presence and comfort of the Lord. My lumpectomy went well, and my prognosis is exceedingly good. I will receive low-dose radiation for five days only (August 15-19) to reduce the chance of recurrence even more. I am grateful for Jesus, for the wonderful medical community around me, and my loving and devoted family.

Today’s cuppa is a strong one called Yunnan Noir. It comes from a part of China where tea is believed to have originated. The taste is full, with peppery notes and a hint of caramel. What is your cuppa today?

My intention with this writing was to share about my recent health journey in greater detail and ask you to pray before my upcoming lumpectomy on June 17. A small cancer was found during a yearly mammogram a few weeks ago. We will know more about the path forward after surgery. Thank you for prayers for my healing and full restoration.

Yesterday I had the joy of hosting my seven-year-old granddaughter, Eve. We baked cookies, watched a movie and played tic-tac-toe over and over. She brought the sewing kit Jim and I gave her on her last birthday and we had our first sewing class. It was a peaceful and intimate time, deeply satisfying to me as I realized I was forming a memory in Eve’s life of holding a needle, attempting straight stitches and learning that a stitch you don’t like can easily be removed and done again. As I praised her progress, our hearts were joined in a stronger connection across the generations, linking us to my grandmothers who taught me the basics of sewing. I thank God for my 67 years and for the privilege of this day.

Today I am grieving for the families in Uvalde, Texas whose children were murdered in their school classroom. Life will never be the same for these parents, siblings and extended families. My heart is reflecting on two passages of scripture as I wrestle with this and other tragedies gripping my own nation.

This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

As followers of Jesus Christ, may we take time to ponder these verses and respond as the Holy Spirit gives us intercessory prayers and direction for action. The healing of our nation depends upon it.