In my quiet time this morning, I had one of those thoughts that came flying through. Not a bad thought-but a very clear “picture thought”.
The phrase, “cover me-I’m going in” did a fly by in my brain.
I have said it before, I enjoy a good western movie. Mostly the older ones though. I don’t think they make a western movie any more that doesn’t have a barn full of cussing and clothing issues….if you get my drift. So, I generally stick with the old black and white programs when I want to watch a good western.
It’s a shame though. A true shame that we have become so word ignorant that we have to rely on bad language to sell a movie. You can see real quick I could go off on a rant right here if I’m not careful. So I’ll stop and thank God that we actually have had some good movies in the past few years.
Back to the fly-by. “Cover me–I’m going in”, has been said in countless westerns, cop shows, murder mysteries, etc. What they were needing was back up. Someone to watch out for them. Warn them of … [Click here to read the rest on my personal blog]
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15-16
If you are new here, besides our work in Bolivia, a few years ago, we partnered with a ministry (COFAM International Children’s Ministry) in Uganda that began feeding orphaned children each week. A simple pineapple farmer who saw a critical need with the growing number of orphaned children on the streets of his village. He was not a pastor. He was not a missionary. He was a farmer who loved the Lord and sought ways to serve. With a heart for the children, he formed a non-profit in Uganda.
It was just shortly after the formation of their ministry, God brought together Chase Curti and Sentamu. Through amazing donors, we have been able to purchase land (six acres) to build an orphanage. The government required that FIRST we build latrines, one for the girls and one for the boys, and we had to have a water source.
So, again, God moved on the heart of others to see this and MORE accomplished. A well was hand dug with a hand pump installed, two latrines (bathrooms) built, as well as a storage building with an office area for a monthly Clinic Day, along with a separate room to store the food supplies and medical supplies [that we were able to purchase because of God-sent donors].
The next task was a place for the children to gather under a shade so that they could be fed no matter the weather. In January of this year, two of the Focus Forward Ministry directors along with two other individuals traveled to Uganda to see the progress! What an amazing trip! They discussed the provision of beginning with a “pole barn” type structure. We have since learned that a “pole barn” here and a “pole barn” in Uganda are two different things. The building has a metal roof, thick brick columns and half walls running between each column for stability. It could easily be turned into the first orphanage home by adding more bricks for walls, windows and doors!
That is the GOAL! To provide medical care, food and clean water, a secure roof over their heads, and for those who are living on the streets, sleeping wherever they can find a place to rest, we want to provide a home. Many of these children are orphaned through death of their parents and the relatives that even might be in the same village have no room and no way to provide. Some are “rejected or abandoned” because of a birth defect or just unwanted. There are those precious ladies in the village who come to do the cooking each week, but they cannot possibly house all the orphans–but that is were we come in! God already has a plan in place and we are doing what we can-and it’s through those who have reached out to us with special offerings and donations that we have been able to do what has already been accomplished!
Opening the first clinic day with over 250 children and workers from the village would be daunting to you and I, but our friends in Uganda were so overwhelmed at the gift of the supplies and the building to work in—they were ready to tackle the day knowing God would provide whatever was needed next. They began with prayer for the children and the guardians, and for God to heal the sick.
Breakdown of illness: Malaria, typhoid, worms, hernia*, UTIs, diabetes*, hypertension*, common cold, flu, pink-eye, HIV*, Hepatitis B*, and other minor issues (*referred to government hospital).
There were 83 cases of malaria. The best preventative for this is mosquito nets for their beds. Chase Curti posted an urgent need on Facebook and God supplied! How thankful we are for YOU! We purchased 250 mosquito nets and have just a few left. The cost is $2.50 for treated and $2.10 for untreated. There is always a need for financial support for medical needs.
The other ongoing financial need is food support. Currently, we feed just under 220 children each Saturday and it costs about $100 a week. The number of children is growing. They not only receive a bowl or cup of food, they also receive the Gospel. There are songs, games, dancing and a message of the love of Jesus Christ. More than little bellies get filled each Saturday. Souls are filled with the love of Jesus.
If you would do us a favor? Every single Friday night, say a prayer for the children who are meeting under the roof of the pavilion to be fed. Pray that they each will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Pray that they can be healed from sickness and disease. Pray that they will grow up to become leaders who will carry the Gospel to the lost wherever God sends them.
Members of our team, as well as others have signed up to be sponsors of a child. We currently have 17 of the orphaned children supported through FFM in Uganda. There is an average of 210 children each week that come for food and the Gospel.
Sponsorship to provide for one child is $30 each month. The financial need for food, medical supplies and treatments is ongoing. Anything you feel led to send is deeply appreciated. Our mailing address is:
Focus Forward Ministries, Inc., Post Office Box 5773, Marianna, FL 32447. We are a non-profit and any donation is tax deductible.
As we are “focusing forward”, if you would like to be a part of any of our projects this year—in any way, whether by going with us, giving to any of the 2024 projects, or by becoming a monthly sponsor, please contact us by mail, or email. When giving, please mark your check accordingly: General Fund, Bolivia Projects, or Uganda Projects. If you want to donate through your bank, or PayPal, please contact our Secretary Treasurer at our email address: focusforwardministries@gmail.com
Most of all, please know: Our team is grateful for YOU!
This was not what she had in mind for their first trip together. But in Mary’s mind—she would rather obey the instruction of God than anything else in the world. That was just her nature—her character. Mary wasn’t a complainer by nature—and she wasn’t about to start today.
When Joseph hoisted her up on the patient donkey, she gave the length of the journey more thought. Joseph had told her how far it was, the different routes they could take, and how many days it would take. Would it take longer? Would they encounter dangers along the way? What if it rained? These and other questions pelted her mind like grains of sand against the skin in a hard wind storm. She sat up straight on the donkey, straightened her shoulders and once again had that determined gleam to her eyes that had kept her heart steady all her life.
Yesterday morning, I begrudgingly got out of bed, still exhausted from the previous day; however, I knew my mind wouldn’t let me stay. Too many things racing to be lined up for the day.
So many changes this year—they came rushing in on the coattails of last year. We are no longer inching through weeks, months and years; we seem to be rushing headlong into 2024. What does it hold? For many people, much of the same as the last few years, for others, they are headed into the great unknown of dreams and plans long in the making. Some are about to hold a brand-new life, whether their first or third baby, the changes that little one will make will impact the full 24 hours of every-single-day. And many others are about to step into a new job or new school.
Those on my mind this morning are the ones who have been handed a more drastic change of life—the last days of having a loved one close by. All of these changes take time to process. Some are blessed to have those extra months, but for others, this change in life happens so suddenly it takes their breath away and catapults them into an abyss of sorrow they never expected.
Our family fell into the category of watching a loved one slip away over the last few years, as first the mind began to wander—and then the body began to fail.
You were the one on my mind yesterday morning when I grabbed my notebook and began to scrawl across the page the words below, describing what I could see our loved one’s experience in a place of the spirit that we don’t see physically. Often the emotions or the spirit of us experience things that the camera of the physical eye cannot capture. The paragraphs below are what I felt our loved ones, those who have followed Jesus Christ, may have experienced—not in a physical sense, but perhaps in their spirit.
How many times growing up did you hear that phrase? “Close the door!” If it involved a screen door it might be, “don’t slam the door”.
In the early hours of Saturday morning I woke up praying. Has that ever happened to you? I’ve had it happen a few times–and it always involved a dream where prayer, urgent prayer was needed-immediately. It was 2:04 AM. When I woke, I was actually praying in the Spirit and the need was critical. I’ll explain in a minute.
I got up and came to the living room–knowing there was someone I needed to pray for but didn’t know who. On my knees I called out to our Father in Heaven. I don’t always kneel–sometimes I sit–but this feeling that I had–I felt I needed to kneel–like we did as grandchildren growing up when we stayed summers with Mama and Paw-Paw. On my knees it’s easier to block out other things.
I don’t remember how long I prayed–but when I finished I took my notebook and began writing all that I could recall of the dream. I don’t feel impressed to share all the details this time–but I do feel you need to know the message that I felt the Holy Spirit was impressing on my heart to share with you.
To read the rest of the blog devotion please visit my personal blog.
Yesterday, when I sat down to write and pray, I did what I always do: write the date. August 1, 2023. I knew immediately what Wednesday, August 2, 2023 would represent. Seven years since the diagnosis of breast cancer marched into my ears, as if it was going to take up permanent residence. It was not.
There are some things that chemotherapy snatched away from my memories–but that day feels as if it is grounded in concrete with rebar. After my physician, ….to read the rest, head over to my personal journey blog.
Sometimes I have a dream that sticks. It’s not often–but it happens. In the wee hours of today–it happened. The thing is, I only remember a small portion:
“I was on highway 177 in Bonifay and a tragic accident had taken place somewhere between Miller’s Crossroads and Bethlehem School. Tragic enough that it caused a very large gaping hole in the earth/road. I remember being on a motored bike of some sort–and I had seen it all from above the situation (don’t ask me how). I dreamed I was suddenly further back on the highway–closer to 79 and I was driving fast to give warning. I knew that if people didn’t turn around–they would be stuck. The traffic on that road in the dream looked more like I-10–heavy traffic. Lots of cars and trucks. I went from vehicle to vehicle telling people about what was ahead and that if they didn’t find a turning around place in the road and go back they would be stuck–for no telling how many hours. I remember some finding a place to turn around–while others were determined to stay on the road. Nothing I said could change their mind. Some of the people I knew…some were strangers to me. They would soon see for themselves there was no way out once they had reached a certain point–there would be no place to turn around.”
I woke troubled in my spirit. I dozed off again and found myself in Carmel AG–the church was full-and there were two men standing up at the front. One was holding the mic for the other, who was beginning to give a message in tongues and part English–when he suddenly stopped and said–“I may as well tell you in English–for I already know what it is: “Things will wax worse and worse….” I remember he said some other things, but I honestly can’t remember it all.
I looked at my phone in the dark for the time–4:17 AM. I got up. I needed to meet with Jesus in the living room. I say this like I figure everyone meets with Him like this, but I know everyone does not have this pattern of prayer. People either have a time–or they don’t. It’s either important–or it’s not. He’s either all….or He’s not.
The REST of this (and there is more) is on my personal blog. Click thelink to read the rest.
It lends itself to describe my feelings on a lot of things…from the good -to the bad…even to the ugly.
(I promise I don’t write about cancer often-but when I feel led to…I do. So maybe someone has just had a diagnosis, or needs to just know their loved one can make it through–this is for you.)
The word “WOW” depicts my astonishment over many things…
It’s what I wanted to say when my doctor looked at me in a sort of nervous way- and said the words “cancer” quickly, as if to get them out there in the open air–might relieve some of the stress she was feeling.
Her first words, “Well, I don’t have good news for you”, hung suspended, and I wanted to hit the rewind button and back track and maybe even have a re-do of the past few days events. But that wasn’t happening. It was there. The test run- the mammogram and the ultrasound with the biopsy all told the facts of what was under the skin of me…but just so far. It couldn’t get to the heart of me… that was and is only for God to see.
I sat on the back porch, ignored the obvious humidity and heat and drank my coffee at the beginning of that particular week and I felt a weariness and dread come over me–it knocked me backwards in my spirit. Have you ever felt spiritually knocked down? As if you were in a physically-real-fight?
I’ve been up a long time this morning–counting my many blessings. They are innumerable! I have written my Father’s Day message on my prayer journal blog: Go here to read it.
“Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! I’m not a dad. Never have been one and never desired to be.
There’s a LOT of weight carried around on the broad shoulders of all the dads. Responsibility is not something you wake up to and just have, it’s something that you learn and live on a daily basis. It starts when you are young…You learn to be responsible by being given chores as a kid–little jobs to help out around the house. It is your job to teach your children to be responsible adults. (Yes, the moms have a big role in this, but dads–it begins with you.)….
Yesterday we celebrated the life and love of Grandbuddy. More specifically, Otis Jackson Oliver. To read a few details about his life and what God has done, find me over at my prayer journal: Here.
Jeff & Angie 