PRAY: The Panama Papers, #2 (Cinco de Mayo)
Students share the gospel along Cinco de Mayo. Imagine a flea market, a discount strip mall, and a busy downtown street crammed together. Hear the bursts of Latin music, loudspeakers promoting various businesses, children crying, gears grinding, and vendors pitching their wares. What do you have? Cinco de Mayo—not the Mexican holiday, but a pedestrian mall that forms the end of Avenida Central in Panama City. What else do you have? A constant stream of spectators. Back in May, the team I came to serve had learned Awe Star’s pantomime drama, “Freedom,” which shares the gospel from creation through resurrection to the accompaniment of a musical and (in this case) Spanish-language track. The evening they arrived in Panama, the team spent time refreshing their parts. And now, after a morning of worship at La Communidad Church, the group ate the first of many PB & J lunches and headed out for the first afternoon of official ministry. On my last Awe Star trip, I’d played a part in the drama. This time, I had the privilege of watching and serving the team. Heat radiated from the concrete as we set up the first drama site in front of a busy market. Fingers fumbled as masks, streamers, and other basic equipment traveled down the line of missionaries. Before each presentation, one person introduces “Freedom” and another one or two share a personal testimony. At the drama’s close, the introducer also explains the drama and how it relates to the gospel. Students then head out in teams of three to share the message of Christ with those who want to hear more. Today, Awe Star leadership did most of the speaking. Tomorrow, all that would change. We knew team members were nervous about their ability to remember their parts and perform well. But we also knew they had to push past their fear so the message could go forth. What a privilege to watch that come to pass! Of course, the day’s performances weren’t polished or perfect. But I loved watching the students and adults give their best efforts. I loved seeing them walk up to people who didn’t speak their language and attempt to share what God could do in their lives. And I loved the unseen part of my assignment as well. Yes, I folded streamers, passed out ministry packs, and did other tasks that helped the team move smoothly through the streets. But my special task that day—and every other day—was praying for the team as God moved in and through them. I had the quiet joy of looking out at audience members and asking God to touch their hearts. I had the privilege of standing against the enemy’s attacks. If a team member seemed distracted, I prayed for her to focus. If another looked tired, I asked God to give him strength. At the day’s end, some of the students shared their stories. One group had led three women to Christ who were visiting from Columbia. Only God could have sent them from one country to another to that specific place at that exact time to hear a team from a third country share the good news. And only He could claim credit for the results. Walker Moore’s teaching refers to those moments as “divine encounters” when...
read moreREAD: Review, Called to Serve by Lt. Col. Tony Monetti & Penny Monetti
Military families hold a special place in my heart. As a child, my husband attended 27 different schools before his dad retired from the Marine Corps. He says this helped him learn how to make friends quickly, important skills for a future pastor and teacher. But I can’t help but think about the little boy who went to three different schools in second grade alone. I can’t help but contemplate the struggles of his mother, home with three children—one with severe learning disabilities—while her husband served in Vietnam. My appreciation for military families only increased after we spent almost seven years serving a church close to the Camp Pendleton (California) military base. I loved having Marines in our church. We considered these military members our own extended family, hosting them for holiday meals and doing our best to serve their unique needs. My heart broke for some of the young couples who were barely equipped to deal with marriage, much less the stresses of the military life. That’s why I’m so thankful Tony and Penny Monetti have penned Called to Serve: Encouragement, Support, and Inspiration for Military Families, a small but thoughtful book designed for their fellow warriors. No academic tome, this power-packed guide disarms the reader with transparent stories of the authors’ own struggles. You name it, they’ve encountered it in their twenty-plus years of military life: deployment, problem pregnancy, TDYs (Temporary Duty Assignments), depression, marital struggles, and more. Each of the thirty-one brief (three to four pages) chapters covers one of the concerns either the authors or a military acquaintance has faced. The dual authorship give readers the blessing of both military and military spouse perspectives. I loved the way each chapter opened with a well-chosen Scripture and ended with questions that personalized the content. But what I especially loved were the resources mentioned throughout the book and compiled at its close. These include organizations and websites specific to the many issues the authors address. Although the Monettis are an Air Force couple, they take care to make their book accessible to any branch of the military. I recommend it for active duty, reserve, or retired members of our Armed Forces as well as pastors, churches, and others who want a better understanding of the stresses these families of sacrifice encounter. I salute the Monettis as I thank them for a wonderful contribution to the arsenal every military family needs. If you know a military family, I encourage you to share this book as your special gift. And if you are a military family, it makes a great stocking stuffer for you or your spouse. I intend to share my review copy with my new friend Charlsie, whom I met on one of my summer mission trips. She married her Marine husband only three days after she returned from Ecuador. The two shared a cross-country honeymoon as they drove to their new home near Camp Pendleton. They are already facing the choices and challenges of military life. This fall, he will be deployed to Afghanistan. Do you know someone who could benefit from this book? If you’re a military family, do you have an additional resource to share? Let’s continue the discussion in honor of those who...
read morePRAY: The Panama Papers, #1
Some West Palm Beach team members at the Miami airport “You must have lots of stories from your trip.” “I can’t wait to hear your stories.” “When are you going to tell us about your trip?” After a summer of missions, I do have stories. Most of the Ecuador ones belong to SUSIE Magazine. God did great things in Quito, and I have a full notebook—and heart—to prove it. My Panama trip, July 30-August 7, 2011, rose from my relationship with Dr. Walker Moore and student mission-sending organization, Awe Star Ministries. This year, they invited me to minister alongside them in the beautiful country of Panama. Since God and I often talked about my desire to serve there, I received the invitation as His answer. ************************************************************* “Engage the culture!” Dr. Moore emphasizes this truth in Awe Star’s missionary training. In order to prepare the way for the gospel, a missionary must get involved with the people by any means possible. As his writing partner, I knew the teaching. But I didn’t know God would provide early-morning, in-my-face instruction. I’d left home at 3:30 am, so as soon as I landed in Miami, I headed for the restroom. My goal: to brush my hair and teeth, switch glasses to contacts, and otherwise make myself presentable before I met the team. As soon as I entered the restroom, though, the whispers began. “Wait! She has the same shirt we do—but it’s a different color!” “I wonder where she’s going!” and finally (not whispered), “Are you on an Awe Star trip?” So much for making myself presentable. I paused only long enough to inform my questioners that I was on an Awe Star trip—theirs, in fact. Outwardly, I smiled. Inwardly, I scolded myself. Why hadn’t I spoken first? What about “engaging the culture”? How could I do on the mission field what I wouldn’t do in the airport? God has ways of making His point. And this time, I got it. A few minutes later, I left the restroom prepared to engage the thirty-plus member team. When I reached the gate, I introduced myself to the adult leaders. Then I circulated among the students, asking questions here, speaking a word there. I received some stares. But I also received smiles, questions, and the beginnings of the relationships I’d asked God to build. As I looked around the group, I recognized all the levels of excitement, anticipation, and fear I’d experienced on my first mission trip. And I realized anew that one of my constant prayers for this trip would be the one I’ve prayed for several years, “Lord, let me decrease as You increase in my life. Hide me behind Your cross so others see not Marti but You.” The value of my outward appearance? Little. The value of Christ-in-me? Much. We hadn’t yet left the country. But the adventure had already begun. Have you taken a mission trip? Or helped send others on one? I’d love to hear your stories,...
read moreYA Friday: READ Review, Carrying Mason by Joyce Magnin
I’m an unabashed fan of the Bright’s Pond series* by rising star and author Joyce Magnin. That’s why I found it scary to open her middle grade novel, Carrying Mason. But—as is often the case when we face our fears—I’m so glad I did. Not only does Magnin have the chops to write for the children’s market, but she kept me reading from first page straight through to the end without a break. Yes, plane trips can provoke such attention, but I had options. When thirteen-year-old Luna’s best friend and companion Mason dies, she has options, too. But as she sees it, her decision to move in with Mason’s mentally disabled mother, Ruby Day, and care for her in his stead involves nothing more than simple obedience. “Mason died, and now she’s by herself, and Jesus said to help the widows and orphans, so that’s what I intend to do.” This determined veteran of the road less traveled has plenty to learn, and Magnin grants us the privilege of joining her journey. As the story unfolds, we see the unspoken cruelties of a life like Ruby’s and the gentle but flawed way Luna and others respond. We remember that love endures when all else fails. And we’re reminded that everybody matters to God. Kudos once more to Magnin for creating characters I’d know if I met them on the street, for writing dialogue so real I can hear it as I read, and for pouring truth through story in a way that moves me to step back in awe. And read straight through to the end. What other middle grade/YA novels have had an impact on you and your life as a reader and/or writer? Feel free to leave a comment. I’ve missed my blogger family and have more reviews–and some mission trip stories–to share with you soon. *Click the titles to read my blog reviews of The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow, Charlotte Figg Takes Over Paradise, and Griselda Takes...
read moreWRITE: Interview, Janet Perez Eckles (Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta)
AUTHOR BIO: As a young girl, Janet Perez Eckles packed dreams and expectations when she left Bolivia to come to America. She found not only wonder and beauty in her new life, but also the challenge to overcome trials—physical blindness, marital infidelity, financial devastation, the loss of her son and the acquittal of the man responsible. But rather than despair, Christ’s love ushered victory for each battle, giving her wisdom to overcome adversity, rekindling her zeal for life and ushering peace for each moment. These victories sparked her mission to inspire and encourage others. As a bilingual Spanish inspirational speaker, she ignites in her audiences the same passion to triumph, to find purpose in life and achieve professional and personal success. Janet earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. After graduation, she met Gene, her husband of 35 years. They live in Orlando, FL where they enjoy their sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.Janet serves as a women’s Sunday school teacher and a ministry leader at South Orlando Baptist Church. Janet, what prompted you to write this book? That dear woman who anguishes about life, its burdens, deep heartache and needs someone to point her to Christ and show her the other side of adversity. You share a great deal from your personal journey in the pages of Simply Salsa. How did you develop this type of transparency? Years of hearing my audience’s feedback such as: “After what you shared, I’ll look at my problems differently from now on.” The more I pour my soul on the pages, the more their heart is stirred to seek victory in Christ. You are one of many authors and speakers who also has a “day job.” Can you tell us a little about that? I serve as an Spanish interpreter. I’m on the phone interpreting between judge and defendant, between doctor and mom in labor, between bank and home owner. Each require a high level of skill, concentration and memory skills. All blessings to me because for 20 years :I’ve been performing this work. Unable to take notes, I retain lots of information in my memory–a testimony to God’s provision. I believe your physical blindness has helped bring you to a place of greater spiritual vision. Do you agree? How would you say God has “worked all things together for good” through your lack of physical sight? When my physical eyesight ended, God’s grace gave me insight to see the best of life. When I could see, I focused on the things around me, now I focus on things above—trust me, the view has more depth and beauty. I can now appreciate what the eyes don’t see. If you could summarize the message of Simply Salsa in a sentence or two, what would it be? A passionate guide with Latina flair, spicy boldness and biblical insights, Simply Salsa invites you to dance to the melody of God’s Word. The amiga-to-amiga approach invites you to live a life rich with joy, confidence and purpose. What’s the best writing tip you’ve ever received? If you’re wiping tears from your keyboard, you’re writing not with your mind but with your heart. Please share with our readers anything else you’d like to answer that I haven’t asked. Many have told me I’ve endured more than most...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
