"I have done what is mine to do, now you do what is yours to do" St. Francis - a blog by Lisa-Marie Black

Alexis going to SPAIN!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Spain Newsletter

I am so excited to share with you what God is doing in my life. i just graduated this past May and i felt God calling me to take time to learn his word and live in community with other followers. My passion for God and missions truly began when my family moved to Africa in 2006. I feel in love with with the people and reached a spiritual maturity level that i had never encountered before. At the time, the Leadership Academy in Spain was talked about, but not up and running yet. However, i was so excited for what might happen there. When i knew i was moving back to the states i had planned to graduate high school then take a year to experience God and find myself.

Around May the school year had been winding down and i had decided to just stay in Colorado and work for a year. It was comfortable, but i didn't really know what to do with my life or where it was going. After a lunch date with my Dad i had decided Spain. In that conversation my dad had challenged me to dig deeper and gain a stronger knowledge of God and life. I went home that night and prayed about moving yet again to a foreign land. This meant giving up a lot, but after a few days God told me to go.

Which brings me to now. it is so exciting to here about all the amazing, life changing things going on in Spain that i soon get to be a part of. I feel like this year is going to be a growing year for me. It's going to be a six-month long internship, costing all together about $8,000. I'd like to ask for your help as I step out in obedience. By praying for me as I prepare and go to Spain, you will have a direct impact on my ministry. Prayer is so important in life and this project is no exception.

In addition, will you consider supporting me financially? i would like if people began to support me monthly starting in January. I need to buy my ticket ASAP, so, if you would like to help with that, we can do that now!! The term starts the beginning of January. Please know that all financial support is sincerely appreciated. Please send contributions G42 or AIM and a statement of your giving will be mailed to you at the end of the year. I am also willing, for those of you locally, to work for support. Dog-sitting, housecleaning, car washing, etc. Just let me know if you'd like to take up that offer.

I look forward to what God will do in my life through this experience. Your support and prayers mean a great deal to me. Thank you for sharing in this opportunity with me to influence the lives of many people, not just in Spain, but my life and the lives of the rest of the group.

Thank You for your Time,

Alexis

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." -James 1:27

Thank You for Donating
Go Here to donate and help me to get more discipleship, more life and more of the Lord!

Click on 'Intern Support' and give all your billing info. Once they have all your information they will ask you to review. Make sure you type in 'Alexis Black' under Intern's name. Contact me if you any trouble billing.
-or-
If you would rather pay by check, make checks payable to G42 and mail to:
G42, Inc. P.O. Box 17419 Fountain Hills, AZ 85269

You can pay once, or give monthly, both are equally appreciated. I will be in touch!
-Alexis

Love you Michael....

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

16 years ago today a beautiful blue eyed, blonde haired angel was sent to this earth, and I was totally unaware. Michael was not born to me, in fact he was about four years old the first time I saw him and he made quite and impression. I was walking out of a bible study class on a Tuesday morning and I was nearly plowed over by a flash of a yellow t-shirt and bright blonde hair. In an effort in avoid knocking me over at the last second, I watched in amazement as this child defied gravity, it was like a scene from Matrix. To this day I am not sure how he did it, but he was side ways on the wall, feet off the ground, and laughing the whole time, as if time stood still for him, and gravity was not real in his world.
Fast forward 2 years, and I was becoming the step-mother to that little blonde boy with "super-powers". When we first began to blend my "all girl" family with Gary Blacks "all boy" family it was surprisingly a BLAST. We brought the balance to each others tribe that we desperately needed. The "chick family" needed some protection and fun, and the "fella family" needed some stabitily and calmness in their lives. We all got along brilliantly, and despite the outside attacks against us, and the people that wanted to destroy us; the seven of us just got closer and tighter all the time.

Michael was our biggest challenge, he wasn't a bad kid, he just couldn't seem to control himself, some days I thought he was going to wear us out completely.....he had energy that just would not stop. He had the face of angel, but he also seems to have no comprehension of consequence. He was so wild, so impulsive, yet he was not mean spirited. That little guy was just carrying so much, and had so much going on inside him all the time, it would just seep out in the most loud and sometimes destructive ways. I loved this boy with passion from the start, I could see his heart, I could see his hurt, I just kept praying and asking the Lord to show me how to love him the way he needed to be loved. How to be the Mother he needed me to be, to use me somehow to heal some of the wounds in this little guys heart.

Every weekend when we were becoming a family we would load up all the kids, the tents, and the boat, head up to the mountains just to have some fun and get away from the madnes and the craziness. One particular weekend in a small western town, Michael was set on buying this wooden gun. He worked and saved...and he was so excited when we drove to the same shop the next weekend to buy his desired gun. We took all the kids to a near by park to play and let Michael shoot the rubber bands from his gun into the air (and not at his siblings). Gary and I walked hand in hand and stumbled upon a fabulous tiny white historic Church, and went to get a closer look. Knowing I love history, Gary pretended to be interested as I read the placard aloud, "Historical monument, over 150 years old, protected and preserved by the historical society of...' BAM, BAM, BAM! What the????.....Gary and I both started running to the sound of wood, hitting wood with great force....I could see Michael...but my legs felt like they were stuck in mud and I could not move them fast enough. There was nothing sweet or angelic on Michaels face; his eyes were somehow not even blue, but dark. He had more physical strength than he should have been able to possess in his little body as he was slamming the end of his new gun into the fragile aged wood of the beautiful church. Hitting it, over and over, with everything he had, destroying them both, the look on his face was one of absence, as if in a trance. I was horrified, on every level. When I saw Gary s face I was even more horrified.... "Go sit in the car"....Gary said with a stern "dad" voice and took the gun from Michael. No longer was Michael in any trance, but snapped quickly back into a dire reality. He was fully awake now, and fully aware of the consequences.

Only quiet sad sounds came from the inside of the car, as we drove back to the cabin. Little whimpers and tears streamed down Michaels face, his little head hanging low, dreading the spanking to come. There was Gary's heavy breathing, anger mixed with disappointment. Tyler, Alexis, and Emily were staring out the window, afraid to say anything; sad for Michael, and always a little relieved they were not in trouble them selves....even baby Caleb didn't make a sound....and that was a miracle in itself, since he had at least 4 times the amount of words to use in a day for an average 3 year old.

I was quiet as well, taking it all in, and I was praying. And feeling very heavy. It did not take long for me to hear the voice, the whisper, the One I have known since I was a child. I prayed, "Lord, there has to be punishment for this, Michael is out of control, he has to understand that he has to control him self no matter how he feels, we can't let him keep acting like this, especially as an example to the other kids, but God, I cant let Gary spank him....Look at him God...Look at him, my baby boy is hurting.....what do I do Lord....."

Many times in my life those prayers have been met with silence, but this answer came instantly, " You are right Lisa, someone has to pay for what was done, but NOT Michael"...and I knew......

When we got back to the cabin Gary called all five little ones into the bedroom, (all our kids were 8 years old and under at the time) and asked them to sit on the bed. Gary explained the salvation story about how Jesus Christ had not committed any sin in his life, but someone had to pay for all the sins we had committed as his children. It was a sacrifice of love that Jesus gave him self for us to die on the cross and take our sins, paying the price for what we had done and setting us free. The eyes of our little ones were larger than normal, and Gary continued..."Mommy feels like the Lord has told her that Michael has sinned, and he knows that what he did was wrong, but Mommy wants to take Michaels sin for him this time." Michaels jaw, literally dropped open, and with that Gary took his belt off and proceeded to hit me with it, not once, but three times....I fell to my knees with the pain off it. I am certain that Gary laid it on extra thick for the dramatic effect, but the pain was intense. Gary and the other kids left the room, and Michael and I sat in silence for a moment....."Why did you do that for me?" His watery blue eyes asked looking up at me. "Because I love you more than I love me"....and with that his little arms wrapped around my neck, and we held each other and cried for what seemed like hours. After that day, Michael was different, he was still wild, like little boys should be, he was still full of energy and life...but so much of the hurt and the anger evaporated that day, we were both healed as God molded our hearts together in our tears. there was a trust and a bond that grew between us that day that nothing could ever destroy, no one could every take away. When God molds hearts together, blood or distance does not matter. Ten years later Michael continues to be one of the greatest joys of my life. Every morning when we are getting our coffee, and he hands me the creamer, he puts his arms around me, and tells me he loves me, he is so tall now, my head rests exactly where his heart is. He often hugs me for a while, and sometimes even strokes my hair. I always tell him that is heart beats so fast, he says "It's because I have such a high metabolism mom"....but I think it's because there is a ridiculous amount of love rushing through that heart of his, every second of everyday, and it is just always struggling to keep up....

Happy 16th birthday Michael, Hope it is the best one yet,

I certainly love you, way more than I love me, and it is so easy!

Mommy

Please join us if you can!

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We invite you to come and indulge in an experiential evening of fashion, food and fun. Enjoy the beautiful new designs from KEZA Fashion along with the exquisite cuisine of the Briarhurst Manor. This evening should not be missed as we travel to the African savanna for the journey of a lifetime. Beer and spirits will be graciously provided by Bristol Brewing and Liquor City.

Tickets: $40

Attire: Cocktail

Purchse tickets here!

Our Mission

KEZA is dedicated to developing sustainable fashion businesses for women in Africa through our franchise system. We will provide top of the line marketing, branding and business systems in order to ensure sustainability, integrity, efficiency and quality. We will work diligently to instill solid business principles and strategies into each of our partners. We aspire to establish Africa's position in the luxury fashion industry and bring much needed careers to those in need. We will no longer speak of "those Africans" living in poverty. KEZA is where "they" become "we", and together we will strive to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

Plaza of the Rockies Building

South Tower, Main Lobby

121 S Tejon St.

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Join the
KEZA family?
Join our mailing list for
monthly updates.

KEZA
P.O. Box 681381
Franklin, Tennessee 37068-1381
888-358-KEZA

Gift and Philie

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

From Gary's blog:

As you know, I believe Africa has to help and restore Africa; missionaries need to go and serve the people of Africa, but... our "Western Christianity" has not helped, and in-fact, has hurt the progress of the Church there.

Pastor Gift is an African that understands this very well - he has taken up the responsibility for his people, for his home, and he and his family are giving their lives away every day.

Everyday Gift and Philile minister to the dying; they minister and empower the orphans of Swaziland; they do it when no one else is watching - day after day...

I received this letter from Pastor Gift a few days ago. I thought a few of us could help make this 10^th anniversary a very special one.

Pastor Gary

Greetings! So far you are the only ones who wanted to know what this surprise entails. Here it goes:

My wife 's greatest wish is to fly. She has never been on an airplane before and it would be a treat of a life time for her to fly. She would love me for it. Embarrassingly, I have been all over Southern Africa but Cape Town. I have always wanted to go to Cape Town and I know my wife would love it.

I am saving some money but this dream is not possible without any kind of help. If we were to go it would look like this:

We would leave Swaziland on the 11th of September, our anniversary day and by coincidence a Friday. Drive to Joburg and fly to CPT same day. Stay the weekend and fly to JHB on Sunday and drive to Swazi. The cheapest ticket sales for 2 people are 2, 704 ZAR including tax and everything excluding accommodation. The ones from Southern Airways on the same weekend are 3, 760 ZAR on the same weekend.

If this fails, we can just fly to JHB, honestly not interesting, and stay with friends there and take public back to Swazi. This sounds wow! However, she deserves more then this for sticking with me all this past 10 years. I am open to other suggestions though, you know me guys and you are married longer then me.

Love you all

Gift

Here is all we need to do; go to; www.pastorgift.myadventures.org hit the support button on the left; the exchange rate is around 7.5 to 1 right now; so, $800 gets them tickets and accommodations to celebrate 10 years of life! Thanks for this - it's kind of a no-brainer!

BlackTribe Update, July, 2009

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

We have been back from Swaziland just over a year now... what a year it has been! For our blended family of 10 years, it has been in our two most challenging years.

Because we travel internationally as much as we do and work with the poor, orphans and an emerging generation, I thought we would adjust back to American life with a breeze. I was wrong. Let me say, if you are living over seas as a family, or thinking of it; please make sure you sit with people that have done it on both sides and get the WHOLE story.

We did not re-enter properly and it has been a very valuable and hard season for all 8 of us.

The blessing has been watching the kids loose themselves, and then, find who they are again thru the process... most of our six have adjusted now and are back flying in their gifting and life!

Alexis Noelle just returned from a mission's trip to Nicaragua and is headed over to Spain this October to our G42 Leadership School; she is 18 and out the door!

Tyler started playing Rugby over in Africa and was just named the National Player of the Year for the U.S. 19 and under Rugby association... he has one last season left and will be headed to England to play semi-pro while they pay for his University - he is very excited to say the least!

Emily is in dance and enjoying the American life! She wants to get back with us to Swaziland very soon as she does miss the kids; we try to get over every few months...

Michael was named in the top 15 National Rugby Players of the year for the 17 and unders and has just started two-a-days for football; at almost 16, his integrity and love of life will carry him very far!

Caleb went undefeated and won the Gold Crown Basketball Championship and just pitched his team to the Global World Series Championships in Baseball - he is VERY 12 right now, but has an amazing tender heart for the Lord.

And then there is our almost 7 year old Noah. He does NOT miss the orphans at all! He does miss Swaziland and Cape Town, but, the orphans pulled at his blond hair and messed with him constantly... he is the only one not looking forward to the next trip to Africa!

Lisa and I are learning how to be Americans all over again and strengthening our marriage and family - she was very ill for the past year, but, the Lord has healed her and she is feeling as good as ever; we never did find the parasite or viral infection; thank God for miracles.

I am working on Oil and Gas contracts and some very large Energy projects with our Russian partners. We really believe a season is coming soon for major release of finance for the Kingdom of God! The dream that is becoming a reality is that our foundation will fund "Kingdom" projects; we are not interested in good programs - we want to find young people and the like that have experienced the nations and God's heart and help them birth businesses, orphanages, community, Church's and sustainable life all over the planet.

Our first Children's Village in Nsoko is moving along at a rapid pace as many teams are in and out of there all the time. Pastor Gift is in his gift and is watching the Garden of Eden coming to life right before his eyes!

If you would still like to continue to support what we are doing and help bring life to barren places for orphans, widows and the fatherless - you can donate directly thru Every Tribe International - (ETI) mail directly to us at 13849, Windy Oaks Rd, CO Springs, CO 80921 (just put ETI on the check for a write off) We continue to support and sustain family's and individuals in Africa and the more help, the more we can do.

And/or give directly to the Children's village in Nsoko here.

We have all heard it; "it's not about the destination, it's about the journey - that means more to us every day... we are grateful for all of you.

Gary, Lisa, Tyler, Alexis, Emily, Michael, Caleb, Noah

KEZA

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Two of my favorite spiritual son's are serving the women of Africa - I am so proud of both of you! Thank you, momma

No longer afraid

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I heard a quote today that hit me hard! "the definition of oppression is when something, or someone controls your life or your destiny". I started thinking of the days and weeks I have lost in my life because I let something, besides God, besides the Truth, control my life. I have lost sleep over what people did say, or might say, or did do, or might do...and this gave them control, this made them my god.... Oh, how I wish I could get those hours back. Most of the things that I have worried might happen, never did, but the time lost thinking about it was stolen from my life, time I can never get back....what a waste, what sad reflection.

I started really thinking about who I am today, and started thinking about what it would take to be who I really want to be tomorrow. I need to make some changes, some big, some small....but I realized the only one who can change my mind, my thoughts, my speech, my LIFE, is me. I have the power, and I know the power Source.

It has seemed that God has been so quiet this last year, or maybe He just isn't saying what I want to hear, or maybe I am just not listening at all....but one thing I do know, I am still here, I still have a job to do, I still have a lot of children to raise, and a man that needs a lot of love, support and prayer, and I am the only one that can do it. All my strength still comes from Him, I definitely can not do this alone, and I don't WANT to.

I have no idea why today was the day for me to finally GET a concept I have known all my life. Maybe it is maturity, or brokenness, or maybe, it is just TIME. Suddenly, I feel empowered instead of intimidated. Suddenly, the things I have been dreading, I am now excited about, because I know God is in all of it, and somehow it will all work together for good, for those that love Him. My children will not only survive their teenage years, they will thrive, the word of God is living and alive in them, they HAVE been brought up in the way they should go, that much I know for sure. Gary and I are embarking on the most exciting time of our lives, even though so much is unknown to us, even though it looks different than we thought it would. Together, stronger than ever, facing one day at a time, armed with truth, and falling even deeper in love....

I think of all the things I have made my gods, and all the ways I have been disappointed by them, always left empty, always left wanting the real thing. And there He is, ever-present, ever-loving, able to heal, and willing to forgive. It is time for the cloud of doubt and oppression to lift, and time for us to walk in our true destiny....a life of freedom and joy, a life of forgiveness and understanding. A life different than we thought, and better in everyway...it feels so good, to no longer be afraid....

I am almost DEAD!

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

I have thought recently that Satan was trying to kill me....I have been in the emergency room a few times, and the doctors office more than I would like. I have shook with uncontrollable chills and fever in the heat of Africa this past month....I have wept in my husbands' arms because I was in so much pain....I have avoided the phone calls from my mother and my best friends'. I knew I could not hide the truth from them, and if they heard my voice they would worry. I did not want anyone to know my dirty little secret, how depressed, how discouraged, how overwhelmed, and how sick I truly was....I didn't want anyone to know that for the first time in my life, I had lost HOPE.....I confess to you now that I have recently felt and said these words out loud "Surely God has forgotten me, He does NOT see Me and HE DOES NOT care!"....I am so far from perfect, but since I can remember as a very small child, I had always loved, known, and trusted God...

These are words that I did not even think, let alone speak when my first husband died, I did not say those words when my precious nieces were ripped from our family and handed over to a demon disguised as a human to be abused however he choose to abuse them....I did not say those words the two times that I started bleeding days after the pregnancy test was positive and Gary and I started to think of names for our unborn yet already loved baby, a baby, that was not to be.......

No, every time hardship hit my life, I STILL KNEW! I knew, no matter how deep my own pain, God was still on the throne, and all would make sense in time, somehow, I KNEW God would not only heal my heart, but use it for His Glory. This past year, for the first time in my life, I started to doubt His faithfulness, His love, His provision, and His power to heal, not just my mind and emotions, but my soul and my body....

This last six months I have been rendered helpless to BE Lisa-Marie Black, as I saw her, a wife, a mommy, a comforter and encourager.....many days it was all I could do to bathe myself, let alone cook, clean, check homework, disciple, teach, travel, speak and write...there have been days, visitors and conversations I have been told of, but I have NO memory of.

I still do not know the name of the mysterious disease that has stolen my life, my identity, my joy and my hope for nearly a year now.....I know the day it started, I was working out with Gary (in Swaziland) when a pain in my lower abdomen doubled me in half...I brushed it off and "pressed through", and then pressed through some more like a good little solider...until I had nothing left......depleted in everyway, back in my own country a year later.....laying on my bed today telling God, as if He didn't know how miserable I was....tears soaking my pillow, alone, I asked Him one last time.....
"God, are you going to let Satan kill me, is this how my journey ends, I hate this, I hate my life, I can't stand the pain, I can't stand being this weak....I CAN"T DO ANYTHING!!!!! I CAN'T DO ANYTHING!

All I heard Him say was, "serve your kids" (I was looking for something more like "take a nap honey, It will all be better when you wake up)...My children are sick and exhausted, sports, school, exams, projects and jobs have worn them out.....I have been embarrassed and ashamed of how much help I have needed to keep this house running...Gary is working night and day, never stopping to provide for our growing expenses. All that combined has filled our normally peaceful home with anger and resentment.....the "perfect storm" for everything we DON'T want it to be. I have not been loving them or serving them they way they have always known me to, I had just been distant, short, snippy, and not very nice.

So, I cleaned their rooms and bathrooms, did their laundry and left them all love notes on their fresh beds, telling them I wish I could do more to serve them, how much I loved them, begged for forgiveness for being less than pleasant in my pain, and left the rest up to the Lord. Strangely, I had energy to do it all, with...dare I say JOY.....still unsure of the point of all this, I was just happy to hear SOMETHING from God, seeing as He has been annoyingly quiet this past year!

Only Caleb and Noah were home, so we ate our chicken in the "fancy" dinning room, and put apple juice in wine glasses to have our own little dinner party on an ordinary night. And that is when God showed up....Caleb, (almost 12) and often over looked in a house full of loud and demanding teenagers and I started to talk....I mean really honestly talk, about the past, about our hurts, about the people that had abandoned him, how hard it has been on him to have the only Mommy he remembers to be sick, and not "present" like before. Tears of deep pain streamed down both our faces...and I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING,

But hold him, pray with him, beg him to forgive me, show him my true heart.....and trust that God was healing us both....and He did. In less than an hour He healed almost 10 years of pain and hurt and confusion in my beautiful little boy.....because, I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING, but let Him be God.....Now, I realize, Satan has not been trying to kill me, GOD HAS BEEN KILLING ME....all my pride, all my knowledge, all my performance....I am a dead woman, and somehow I know when I wake up tomorrow I will have more life to give than I have ever had before......This whole being DEAD thing may very well save my life, and my family!

My "different" Tribe

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Very soon, Gary and I will travel to Kenya to debrief our large and fabulous Squad of World Racers. We will then fly down to Swaziland to join Seth and Karen Barnes for a vision trip...I am counting the days until we can love-on our team, teach them, encourage them and breathe life into their weary souls. I can't wait to see Pastor Gift and his family in Nsoko, or see my little sister Kriek Gerber and giggle with her, like only sisters can. I am craving a huge bear hug from my brother and hero, Jumbo Gerber. I am looking forward to our time with Seth and Karen; they are dear friends and amazing people.

To be completely honest, our time since we have returned from Swaziland nine months ago has been one of our most difficult seasons as a family. Mind you our Tribe has faced death, divorce, harassment, loss, and devastation in our nine years together....Dare I say moving home to the most amazing country in the world from one of the most devastated countries in the world, has nearly killed me? That does not make much sense now, does it? Our parents live here, and we are very close to them and love them deeply, we also love Colorado and call it "home"....so what is the deal?

One difficult thing has been the judgment that shocked and hurt us deeply upon our return. We all have found we just don't fit in anymore. We feel like outsiders, regardless of what people do, or don't do. When we left for Swaziland our kids were young, and our teenagers where still dependant on us for everything. In Swaziland we had dinner, breakfast, and many times even lunch together as a family. Now, everyone is working, playing sports or just running. Friends and activities have taken precedence over family time. We got sucked back into the whirlwind of America in 15 seconds flat. The spiritual funk that covers this great country covered our minds and blinded our eyes in no time at all...

Attending Church is another conflict we have dealt with. Worshiping with passionate believers that are desperate and hungry for the power and presence of God is a vast contrast to most of our local mega churches. We have a hard time sitting still and listening to ear tickling messages, flashing lights, disco balls and entertainment.

If I sound pessimistic, I apologize, if I sound like a victim, forgive me....I do not feel like one. If I sound like I want to leave this Country, or do not love it, nothing could be further than the truth....I would gladly lay down my life to serve this Land. The only way I can explain it is this; for 14 months we saw life through the eyes of the sick, the poor, the orphan and the widow. Now, our eyes can not see life any other way. This does not make us special, blessed, or better than, in fact I would not wish how I feel on anyone....it is painful, very painful. At the same time, I welcome the pain, and I wouldn't remove this pain from my children even if I could, it is making them who they are. I am thankful for the pain, and I want to use it for the Kingdom, for His Glory.

Despite the war, our family is still very close, if not closer because we are all in this together. We gather in our home several times a week with other "messy" believers who crave relationship over religion, and most of the people that fill our home are broken in the same way we are. Most of them, like us, just want Kingdom, but feel a little lost, and sometimes confused as to what that looks like in America. No, I do not think the grass is greener, I just know this Tribe is different now; we have been changed and will never be the same..... I think that is what is supposed to happen when you breathe the stench of death into your lungs, when you hold the forgotten in your arms. You realize how helpless you really are, and cry out for Mercy from the Throne of Grace to save those who can't save themselves.....no, I guess I wouldn't change a thing, after all...

Life, full circle....Part 1

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Thirteen years ago on a cold gray day in November I stood in a cemetery with my brother-in- law Chuck, his son Tyler and my two tiny daughters. We stood there bracing ourselves against the wind, and physically holding each other up. The tears streamed down the faces of my brother and I, the children just shy of 5, 4, and 3 looked up at us, confused, and a little frightened to see us so upset. We watched in disbelief and horror as they lowered the body of our beloved John into the frozen ground....we stayed until they filled in the dirt, slowly we walked to our cars, and drove to our own houses, that no longer seemed like homes. The shock of the sudden and tragic death of a perfectly healthy 30 year old man, full of the spirit of God, and overflowing with abundance of life and joy.....literally destroyed us all. John's parents, his sister (Rhonda), his twin brother and I could not look past our grief enough to lean on each other for support a healing. Instead, the pain turned us against each other, and within a year I picked up what was left of myself, my life and my dreams, packed up my babies and headed west.

Over the next five years I cried, grieved, wailed and broke things. I ran and hiked, I fasted and I prayed, I literally ate scripture in desperation, and slowly God healed parts of my heart I did not even know were broken. I loved my job, my family, my mountains and my LIFE again; however, I was always saddened by the loss of not just my young husband, but his entire family as well. John's family held the keys to his story, a story I did not join until he was 23 years old. They had a piece of the history for Alexis and Emilie; a piece I could not give them, no matter how much I loved them.

Over the past year communication with Johns family started, forgiveness was given and received, emails were exchanged, slowly relationships were restored.

Then last weekend, Rhonda called in the early morning, their mother Shelby Hunt had lost a long battle with Parkinson's disease, and went home to be with the Lord. The moment I heard the message, the Holy Spirit whispered, "you are to take the girls and go to Michigan for the funeral". It is December, not my favorite time to go North, and every extra penny goes to Christmas gifts for my kids, not to mention the girls had finals. I was sure Gary would think I was crazy, but he was fully supportive. He agreed this was important and spent hours on the phone cashing in air-miles, and securing a rental car, I called schools, talked to teachers, and this last Saturday we were off to Detroit. Rhonda wept when she hugged the girls now young ladies, the last time she saw them they where preschoolers with "mushroom" haircuts. I cried when I hugged her as well, we both whispered, "I love you"....and we both knew it was more true than it had ever been. The reunion with Alexis and Emilie and their grandfather was by far the most emotional for all of us, not a dry eye in the house. Ron, just losing his wife of 50 years was holding his grand-daughters for the first time in over 10 years. I had always deeply loved my father in law, he was a proud, hard working man, yet faithful and strong like few men I have ever known. Few people knew the cross that Ron had carried tending to his wife the last 14 years; he is a hero to me in a much deeper way now. Ron fed, bathed, carried, and dressed his wife, he honored his covenant and wedding vows to the very end, and I wish him much rest and peace as he heals from yet another great loss.

The girls loved their time with their "new-old" family; they were truly celebrated, just for being Alexis and Emilie. Any shame or confusion over the death of their birth father was dispelled, and for the first time in their lives they heard over and over what a great man their dad was, and how deeply he loved them, from so many others, not just their mother. We didn't just get our family back, but their wonderful spouses, and beautiful cousins, Kara, Tyler and now Chuck's three year old son.....little John!
I stood again in the freezing snow in a dark cemetery, staring at the grave of my first love, with a new mound of dirt next to him; Shelby was buried next to her sweet son. I think she would be proud, this time Chuck, his wife Angel, Tyler (now much taller than me), Alexis, Emilie and baby John stood together, united against the snow and the wind as a family, now and always....

To my kids across the world, and the ones at the breakfast table

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

My heart is heavy every time I talk to Gary; he is in Hong Kong debriefing our team. I first met these kids at training camp in Georgia in August. Their eyes were huge with wonder, and slightly intimidated by Gary (no one is ever intimidated by me!) We got to spend a week with them in Manila in September; they sat in the heat, and respectfully listened to hours of teaching. Without sounding too dramatic...they won my heart. For five days we talked, prayed, cried, and learned together...and they became my kids.

To serve my spiritual kids, means leaving my own six kids. One thing that was tugging at my heart was the realization that, no matter how wonderful the nanny's that serve our children are; my kids still need their Mommy. Of course they miss their father, but dads are supposed to leave, to go off to work, that is just what dads do. Your mother, however, is just supposed to be there, to make your dinner, and to hear about your day, to make you hot coco when it is cold outside. Mommies were created to kiss your boo-boos, the ones on your knees and the ones on your heart. I don't think what you need from your mother ever really changes, all of this is just as important when you are six and when you are eighteen.

When Seth, Mike, and Gary all blessed my decision to travel less, and focus on my own children, I was relieved, and filled with grief. My little ones (Caleb and Noah) were thrilled that Mommy was not leaving them, my big kids did not say as much at the time, but my 17 year old "tough-guy" has been sending me "I love you Mom" text messages randomly throughout this week.

I love teaching, I love traveling with my husband, I love the challenge, but mostly I love watching these kids come alive, and receive healing in their souls. I fear the racers will feel rejected by me, so many of them have been so hurt by leadership and mentors already. Not to mention, Gary and I are much more effective as a team than on our own. I know I am doing the right thing, but my heart still tugs.

I will feel torn either way.

This is the third time in my 18 years of mothering that God has asked me to lay down a dream, and serve my family. I am not sure what all this means, I am not sure why we have opportunities that seem like a gift from God, only to walk away from it, and serve HIM. in the most simple ways. Maybe that is the point.

All I know is, I have fought hard for the health and the well being of the family that God has trusted me with, and as far as I know, I only get one shot....So I am going to serve them all day, everyday. I will cover them, physically and spiritually. I will go to every football game, and make Emilie tea after school, and kiss all the boo-boo's, inside and out....the rest is out of my hands, which is probably for the best.

Walk a mile in my shoes...

Wed, 8 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I wonder how much more we would love and respect our spouses if we all spent a day in their world? Or anyone close to us for that matter. For example, I wonder how much more children would care for their mothers if they spent their days doing laundry, wiping boogers off antiques, and cooking meals only to hear, " I am not hungry mom, I stopped and McDonalds after school"...

No, wait this is NOT about me, sorry...

Anyway, I married my husband Gary Black many years ago because I saw his heart, and I saw his anointing and who he was in the spirit. Important fact here; Gary and I were together for years before I ever saw him preach, so it was not a huge stage that attracted me. He was in a very low place when we met having lost everything dear to him the year before, so it was not a "rock-star" status that drew me to him. I saw his heart towards his own children, and his passion for the next generation, I saw authority when he spoke....and I vowed to serve him the rest of my life. There have been times when I have resented his call...it comes with a cost after all. There are times when I have not defended him like I should to people who have judged him, because our life looks different, and most people just don't get it. There have been times when I have not covered him in prayer like I should, because I have lost sight of who he is and what he needs from his wife.

I am thankful for the last week with him in Manila, once again, watching him give his life away, for the call, for the next generation. He preached his guts out, he cried with the wounded, he slapped the boys and insisted they be real Men, and held little girls while they cried in his chest.

Not everyone may get my man, not everyone may respect him or how he lives, but his wife stands in awe....Visiting him in his "office" reminds me of what his "job" requires,

It would probably do all of our marriages good to spend a day in our spouses shoes, our respect, compassion and love for them would likely grow....

I wonder if Gary will wipe boogers off my antiques tomorrow???

Adding to the tribe!

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

No, I am not pregnant, well not literally anyway, but our family is definitely expanding!

Gary and I have just met a whole new crew of brothers and sisters, in a little town called McGregor, Texas.

If you want to find it on a map, it will be a little tiny dot just outside Waco. It is the hometown of our long time brother, Mike Paschall, who now resides there again in a "full circle" expression of Gods love with his fabulous wife, Ms. Patti. McGregor and its people are a great deal like their pastor, quiet, unassuming, humble and an absolute GIANT in the spirit.

Friday night Patti and I had the honor of speaking with the beautiful women, while the men went into the woods to find their hearts with Mike and Gary. We both brought a hard message and were both received with love and acceptance.

Sunday morning standing in the mist of this body brought us to our knees; the worship was powerful, and very sweet. The message was amazing, Gary is hitting new levels in the Spirit and leaving me in awe watching and listening to him. After the "service" though was a memory and is now seared into my heart in the most brilliant way.

Each Family took communion together, and prayed for one another, and husbands washed the feet of their wives and mothers washed the feet of their children. The ministry was real, the hearts were sincere, the people broken and hungry for more of God. All I could think was, "now this IS what church is supposed to be", how sad that we have missed it. How sad that we have made it about performance and built it on one man, instead of the entire body.

This small body of believers in the town that most have never heard of is being promoted to do great things in the kingdom of God. They are aware however that that "promotion" is a result and a requirement of more "death to self", not celebrity and certainly does not come with out a cost.

The Lord is asking them to live in community, to rise above all they have seen and all they have been taught to serve Him and each other and be better than, by laying their rights down....

After what I saw in them this weekend, I have no doubt they are on their way. Best circle McGregor on your map, there is a remnant there of humble believers that soon the entire World will know!

Swaziland Vision Trip - Jan 28th thru Feb 4th!

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From Seth's Blog:

This January 28 through February 4join Karen and myself, plus Gary and Lisa Black, on a life-changing vision trip to Nsoko, Swaziland.

You'll be exposed you to the devastation and beauty of Africa. Swaziland, a nation of a million people, now has highest percentage of orphans in the world. It is desperate for help and the children of Nsoko are among the most needy. By going to them, you can make a difference and your life will be impacted forever.

How Nsoko got started

Lisa relates the story: "One day my husband Gary was showing some of the World Racers an area an hour and half from our home, when they stumbled upon a group of starving children. They had not eaten in weeks, and the grandmother that was trying to care for them was beside herself with grief. She told us she never stopped praying that God would hear her prayer, and send someone to help the children.

The children in this area all have a story. Some are double orphans, meaning both parents have died, some as young as 5 are the oldest living member in the household, and struggle to care for their siblings. The poverty is overwhelming, the number of very small children fending for themselves is heart-wrenching, and the rate of HIV/AIDS affecting every age group of this country is mind-blowing. Yet the vision and hope are inspiring."

What we'll do

undefined undefinedWhen the church of America links hands with the church of Africa, miracles begin to happen, for everyone. You will experience the beauty of the land and it's people, and be changed forever. We will start our days with prayer, and then go to minister by feeding the children, playing with them, holding them, praying for them, teaching them, and singing with them.

We will minister healing to the GoGos and encourage them in their daily lives. We will see the community center and the site of the children's village you will help build. If you are a doctor or a nurse, you can provide medical care out of our new clinic. We will enjoy genuine African worship and meet the people of Nsoko. You will hear their stories and realize that they are no different than you - they have dreams; they love their children, and life has cost them more than they could pay.

We'll also spend a few days meeting and ministering alongside a team of World Racers (the team that Karen and I coach) and will see what a lifestyle of radical abandonment looks like.

Where we'll stay
Nisela Farms, in the LaMatata Guest house, is where we'll be staying. We are fortunate to partner with the owners of this beautiful game preserve just a few miles from Nsoko. Lions, impala, ostriches, and warthogs wander just a few yards outside our restaurant. One or two afternoons we'll go on a safari. Breakfast and Dinner will be served there. Gary and I will teach in the mornings and John Kale will lead worship.

Please join us!

Some of you need to scout this out as an opportunity for your church to engage with orphans and AIDS in a meaningful way.

For others of you, it's just time for you. If you think you might be interested, please put your name down here in the comment section below so we can contact you.

Or, if you have friends you feel need to go, let me know that as well.

E-mail Alison Sellers for more info.

How to do it ALL...

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

How to do it ALL...

I have NO idea, but I am open for suggestions.....I have six children, and countless spiritual children, a girls' bible study, a home church, an intense international traveling schedule, and a really hot and relatively high maintenance husband. On any given week I have fourteen football practices, four football games, three taekwondo practices, and 4 dance classes. As well as an average of 2 to 4 houseguests, and sometimes 12 or 14! I change the sheets on seven beds, and do an average of twenty loads of laundry, and wipe disgusting things off of sinks and toilets. I cook a home cooked meal EVERY night, except Sundays, I am taking the Sabbath very literally these days! I visit Wal-Mart no less than 4 or five times a week, and strangely, someone will still leave me a note about something they absolutely HAVE to have by tomorrow or their academic or social life (if not both) will come to an end. I read and comment on hundreds of blogs and emails from past, present and future World Racers and kids all over the world. I have friends, family and projects in Africa that keep me awake at night. I workout 6 days a week, and run tons of miles and lift obscene amounts of weight by weeks end. It takes me at LEAST an hour to pray for all my children, it takes DAYS to pray for Gary (high-maintenance, but so worth it!) I have to prepare teachings, and continue to write. I try to spend time with each child individually, and look sexy for dates with my husband. I have parents and in-laws that are wonderful people and make no demands, and are in many ways neglected by me; yet never make me feel bad. Every night before I turn off my lamp ( or 1 or 2 in the morning most of the time) I make myself a to-do list for the next day, every morning I look at it and think ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Meanwhile, I have young wives watching me, living with me, and studying me. I have many young women observing my life, at a very close range. I spend hours with the next generation everyday, whether it is my children's' friends or kids that we are mentoring or counseling, I am being watched. Everyday I fail, everyday I let someone down because I can't give them the time or energy they need from me. I do not do it all perfect, but I have no intention of changing any of it right now. I love my life, I love my family, I love my marriage. I have my share of critics, and I bless them and move on. (don't have time to worry about that, I have to pray while I am folding laundry!)

I have a great deal to learn, and no doubt I could do and be better in every area of my life. I KNOW there are areas where I need more brokenness, more depth, and more humility. I could be a better mother, a better wife, a better daughter and friend. I don't have all the answers, I don't have it all figured out, and there is NO ONE that knows me intimately and would describe me as "perfect".....but hopefully, I am described as REAL. With all my stuff, my scars, my failures, and a few accomplishments....all I really want to be is real, to be true, to have grace and bring the Kingdom in my own rushed and crazy way.....

My list for tomorrow, "do what is mine to do!" That's all, nothing less, nothing more...and that is good enough for now!

don't have to do it all! part 2

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Well, based on some of the comments it looks like my point in my last blog backfired a bit, I didn't mean to complain, I really do LOVE my life, and this is the reality of my life right now, racers or NOT....and when ever they are here....they serve, above and beyond, and my kids absolutely have chores, I think it is bad parenting to create dependant children, and I do NOT respect parents who do that. I am sure my kids would tell you THEY do to much.....

I cook because I LOVE to cook, it is my favorite part of the day, and my family really appreciates it, plus I believe the most important family moments happen in the kitchen. Cooking with my kids, and watch them inhale healthy food cooked with love is a bit of a drug for me. Fall is a busy season, and my children are either at work, school or sports. There was a season in our lives that sports was our god, Africa broke that off of us. Now, it pure enjoyment, and very limited outside of football, and I love watching my boys play football more than just about anything. I take an average of 50 pictures a game and scream like a wild woman!

I am married to a Prince who serves me, adores me, and is my partner in everyway! He protects me, and in many ways spoils me. He is up before me everyday reading the word to our children and always wants me to sleep in, and brings me coffee in bed to start my day.

My point was, I CAN'T do it all, and I am NOT supposed to, I am supposed to teach these girls by being real, and living a real life, imperfections and all......I am not choosing martyrdom for the cause, I am living an extraordinary and fabulous life that happens to be very busy right now, SMILE!!!

Thank you Gary for once again revealing too much information, Sunday is our little secret, no one needs to know, but I know you think that is good discipleship, to let young couple know that we have a lot of kids, a busy life and are still deeply in love....what can I say?

But good for you Seth Sr. for protecting your wife, she is a precious jewel and she DOES work to hard! By the way Seth Jr. not only serves me, thanks me and compliments me constantly....no one even has to tell him too....He will make a great husband!

Tammy, thank you for loving me, you are a great and beautiful friend, and I love you too!

Condition of a heart,

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I was leaving a lunch date with one of my favorite couples, Steve and Nicole Brewer last Thursday, when my cell phone rang. It was Gary who had just left the parking lot minutes before me, "your dad was in an accident, go to Memorial right away, I am almost there". That was the only information I had, and of course over the 15 minute drive every thought possible raced through my mind. It was after all my dads 66^th birthday, and I was planning on meeting him that afternoon to look at IPods to help him make the best choice. My dad is a huge music lover, and Emilie and I were excited to organize his hundreds of CD's for him.

Desperately, trying to drive the speed limit, my emotions went from tears and sadness to complete fear and panic, all the while praying, "Please God don't take my Daddy, not yet, we are not ready!" Five minutes from the hospital I called Gary, "what do you know, is he okay?" Gary was steady as always, my rock, today and everyday. "I just prayed with him, he knew it was me, your mom is here, they are taking him to X-ray, all we know is he was hit by a woman, she was drunk."

My sadness turned to rage, violent rage "make sure you keep her there Gary, I am pulling into the parking lot and I am coming to kick her BLEEP! If it were a man I would let you do it, but since it is a woman I will take care of it myself, who does she think she is trying to kill my dad!"

The front desk must have been warned a crazy lady was on the way, because they took one look at my tear stained face, red with anger, and walked me right back to my family.

My mother hugged me and let me cry, she was perfectly calm and graceful, answering questions from the police and nurses. Gary let me rage and told me firmly to get a grip, dad would be fine, and we were not going to kill anyone today. The woman had already been taken off to jail. My mother was asking questions about the woman and wondering if she was okay, then the police officer told us that he does not know how she even walked to her car to drive it, she was so drunk. My mother was concerned for this woman and how sad her life must be to drown herself in alcohol at one in the afternoon. Gary suggested we pray for her, my sweet husband, my compassionate mother....and me, fists still clenched, jaw tight, ready to swing at anything that moved, fully sarcastic I smiled, "yes, I will be sure to make her a casserole and pray for her the second she gets out of jail"

My dad is still hurting, his truck is trashed, he has not returned to work yet, this man has never stopped working since he was fourteen. We still have not celebrated his birthday. I don't know the long term damage to his body; I don't know what will become of this poor woman.

I do know that I have slept little since that day. I have been awake since three this morning. I was shown the condition of my heart, and it's not pretty. What does it say when your first emotion is anger? My responds to this accident is saying volumes to me right now about who I am, and deliverance I need... there is some work to be done here, and I know the only One who can fix me, is more than capable and willing to fix me, but first I have to humble myself....I hope this confession is a first step.....

the true success of a real man

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I have listened to many opinions of what success is since returning to America, success as it relates to a man, and his life. I have listened as older women say monetary success and financial freedom is the most important thing to possess later in life, or receive from their husbands. I have listened to young fathers rattle off a million appointments and obligations with puffed up chests, meanwhile their children are left fatherless, their wives frustrated. Sadly, even in ministry, or mostly in ministry, men are encouraged to desert their own families to "serve" the body of Christ.

We really can't blame the men for all this; I think the poor guys don't know what the heck to do. Success for men means financial success, business success, fame and fortune. The men that are hero's in our society are in truth, most times moral idiots...professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities that may be dripping with wealth, but are completely lacking in character, and actually what I consider more sad little boys, then men!

Then, we have what I consider "real men", like the man that I am married to, and the man that raised me. A real man, is often an un-sung hero. The world does not celebrate the men who day in and day out choose to do the "right" thing. The men who are faithful to their wives, the men who never abandon their children, the men who work hard to provide for their families, these are the only real hero's that I know of.

Today is my daddy's birthday, and Sunday I will make him his favorite cake (carrot cake) and a nice dinner to celebrate his life and honor him. I wish I could do so much more to thank him for his love and commitment to his family all these years. I wish I had the words to thank him for taking his own childhood ravaged by abuse and choosing to be a better man than he ever saw with his own eyes. He never had an example of a good man, he never had a mentor or anyone to lead him, he simply made a choice.

If I had the words I would thank him for always loving and honoring our mother, so that my sisters and I would expect nothing less from the men in our lives. If I knew what to say I would thank him for working a job he probably hated to make sure we had all we needed, and even the things we just plain wanted! I would thank him for giving all the boys that came around that intimidating stare-down, and put the fear of God in them. Although I hated it at the time, I know now that my Daddy saw my worth, and wanted to make sure teenage boys saw me through his eyes. I would thank my dad for walking me down the aisle and laughing with me to keep me from crying and holding on to me tightly so I would not trip over my white dress. I would thank him as well when six short years later he physically held me up, this time my legs to weak to carry me, as I walked down a different aisle to say good-bye to my first love and release him into the arms of Jesus.

I would thank him for all the motorcycle trips, the car shows, and laughing with me about politics, and religion. I would thank him for loving my children, all six, from the minute he laid eyes on them.
I wish I had the words to say how much I love my dad, how handsome and sweet he is to me, how I love the way he smells, and the look of his big strong hands that somehow manage to be gentle. I wish he could see himself as I see him, as a raging success in life and as a man; I wish he knew that he is and always will be, my hero!

Happy Birthday Daddy, your life is SO worth celebrating, I love you more than I have the words to say!

Life: The Missionary Challenge

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From Gary's Blog:

Last week the Gazette Telegraph, our local paper here in Colorado Springs called me and asked if they could interview my family about how the drop in the US Dollar affects our mission efforts around the world

As we continue to raise personal support - work a few jobs and raise money for Nsoko and our other work around the globe; it's good to know that people are aware and that we are in this together.

Pray for the missionaries and organizations that send them you know around the world today; there are some great people doing what they have to do to "Go".

Of course they didn't get it all right, and they left a lot out I wish was in the article; but they did get the World Race and Adventures in Missions in there and the picture of the BlackTribe is not bad!

You can read the article here - Life: The Missionary Challenge

Devestated

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sitting in our home office, reading the blogs of the World Racers, going over all our travel plans for the next six months to teach and counsel all over the world. All of this for one purpose, to raise up a generation of broken, humble, men and women that want the Kingdom of God to come to earth.
Suddenly, I am interrupted by the sound of our seventeen year old daughter screaming, "Mommy, Mommy" as she burst through the front door of our home. I knew something tragic had occurred, I knew Alexis was in a state of shock and hysterics. Her body was rocked with sobs, finally she mumbled a broken sentence of pain.all I heard was "killed himself last night".Alexis and Tyler were informed before there shift today that their friend and co-worker had taken his own life last night.

As Alexis goes from tears to disbelief, Tyler's eyes are wide and wild trying to comprehend. I feel, guilty, devastated, and nauseated. This young man, in a word was adorable. Our whole family loved him, I think most that knew him loved him. Tyler and Alexis marked how fun work would be that day based on his presence alone. In is mid-twenties, tall, handsome, popular, funny, and full of life and energy. The kind of guy that flirted with old women and for the time made them feel young and beautiful again. The kind of smile and charm that made you giggle when you saw him from across the room. This sweet boy just a week ago was concerned for my recovery, and shared with me in a most casual way about his addictions and pain of his past. At least it appeared to be his past, cleaned up, back in school, in love with a pretty little girl, with loving parents by his side.

What went wrong, and how did we miss it? I feel as if I have been punched in the stomach, and I am in no hurry to numb the pain. The reality is, someone was dying right in front of me, and I missed it. The generation I am called to just lost a warrior, a young prince. The enemy stole from us a son, and we missed it.

Lord, please open our eyes, so that none would parish, the wounded right in front of us, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, wisdom to speak truth, arms to hold the hurting, let us feel the sting, wake us up to pray. they are all worth fighting for. All over the world, and in our own country, this generation is isolated

and alone. They need to be nutured by mothers, and protected and taught by the fathers. Show us all who we are respondsible for, whether they are our flesh and blood or not...they surely are ALL Yours!

Laying it down...again

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Several years ago I was working as a counselor, at a center that I loved. My supervisor approached me about revamping one of our programs, and made me the project manager, along with a wink, wink' from her that said, "This will likely be a promotion to run this program as well." I worked tirelessly, every spare moment I invested into this project, it was truly a labor of love. They accepted all my ideas, thanked me for all my hard work, took my proposal to start implementing it immediatelyPerfect! Except for one thing, the board decided to put this program under a different department that they thought was a better fit.not mine. As I opened my mouth the words "But that is MY program" came out, at the same moment I felt as if I had been picked up off the ground and slammed down on my butt. A nearly audible voice said "Excuse me Lisa-Marie, whose program is that???" It was the voice of God, a verbal spanking, reminding me that all the inspiration, the ideas, and the favor came from HIM, and it was His not mine.

Almost ten years later, I like to believe I have learned that lesson, and in many ways I have matured a great deal in this area. I really don't care about recognition, I really just want the Lords Kingdom to come.but this week I am struggling with a bit of pain, and it is not just from the incisions due to surgery.

While in Africa the Lord downloaded several ideas that I was honored to dream into being that would serve the community of Nsoko. I was so excited about this vision trip and have been planning it for months. I could not wait to show our participants, my people, my friends, and my community. I couldn't wait to hold a two day workshop with the Go-Gos and the teachers, wash their feet, minister to them, bless them and feed them a special meal in their honor. I knew exactly what I was to teach on to encourage them and have had my notes ready, once again, for months. I was most excited that after a year of battles and set backs we would finally use the "I AM" boxes as a form of therapy and healing for the emotionally and spiritually wounded of the community. I had started these projects, and now I would get to see them come to fruition
It was not to be. My health had decided I would instead have major surgery, and be on pain meds and bed rest, not traveling, teaching or ministering, not doing what I had planned.

A call from the field made it abundantly clear that Gary, Pastor Gift, Seth and Karen were more than capable of making this vision trip a raging success. They are moving, building, ministering, and working hard. Things are happening, and all of it is very good. It turns out I had little to do with the success of this trip, it is all HIM. These are HIS people, HIS orphans, HIS widowsthese are HIS children. He will accomplish what needs to be accomplished for His Kingdom to advance, He does not actually need us, and He just loves us enough to bless us by including us in HIS glorypretty cool when you think of this that way, really

Gary always says, "It is as it is supposed to be" and I do believe he is right, yet again.

This past week I have my precious friends bringing dinners, and I have had time to catch up with people I love, and laugh until I think my stitches will pop. My children are treating me like a queen, caring for me, checking on me, and serving me. My husband is desperately missing me, which can only be good! Kisses on my forehead from my sons, and snuggling with my daughters watching a chick-flick. Noah even sleeps on his dads side of the bed to "Batect" his mommy. I have had a house full of teen agers until late into the night which has been my favoriate form of entertainment, and in turn I have gotten to know my children's' friends at a deeper level. I have had time to write, and time to read. I am missing my friends in Africa, but have loved every moment of this recovery with my kids, my parents and my friends, (okay not every minute, pain is well, PAIN!) Tomorrow is Tyler's birthday, and we will be celebrating all weekend long, I am glad I am here for that, and so is he. Once again, I am glad I am not in control, I would just mess things up anyway!

recovering and blessed

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

They say hard times show you who your friends are, well, this past week I was reminded again of the blessings I sometimes take for granted. I really did not want to advertise my health problems, or discuss my surgery with the world. My husband, however wanted prayer and support, and so he has discussed this with pretty much EVERYONE. I am much more private than he is which is a continual place for us to disagree. This also puts me in a difficult position, one of dependence on those around me, which I hate. It is always easier to do it myself than ask for help. Maybe that is why God allows these things, so we are reminded that we are merely human, dependant on Him, and each other. The recovery is no picnic, nor was the brief hospital stay, had I known it was going to be that rough I probably would have been less peaceful going under than I was. Of course all I could think of was all the amazing women I know in Africa, ones suffering much more than I can imagine. Women that have no loving husbands to support for them, and INSIST that they rest. Women that don't have friend's constantly bringing meals, flowers, and love to their homes. Women that don't have parents that adore and care for them, and their families. Women that suffer alone in their huts, not a private room in a state-of-the-art hospital. I have all those things, and then some; I am not sure why I am so blessed. I really always have been supported, loved, and cared for. Sometimes I wonder.WHY? Why do I have these gifts, why do my friends in Africa seem to suffer on every level, when they no doubt are much better people than me? I wonder if "the first shall be last" will all make sense when we are living together for eternity. It is then we will see the humble women, men and children that suffered horribly on this earth rest in peace right by the side of Jesus, while some of us will be much lower on the food chain than we think. Being back here in this amazing country, I am more convinced than ever that we are closer to the Kingdom of God than we think, We are all rich, we are all blessed, and we are all living a dream, whether we appreciate it or not.

Thank you to all of you for the messages, cards, meals, visits, flowers, prayer, support and mostly the LOVE..

Slow down, and be a family...

Sat, 24 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The resent and tragic death of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter brought me to my knees. Not because this family is considered celebrities, or because their little girl was an orphan. The simple reality that this accident could have happened to any of us, brought that familiar "punch in the gut" feeling, followed by prayerful tears.

Just two weeks ago we sat down as a family for a quick reality check, brought on by a re-occurring nagging maternal instinct I could not shut off. Living in the suburbs now, with two teen age drivers, constant visitors or houseguests, and two more "permit holders" just a few months away. We have a minimum of 4 cars in front of the house at any point during the day, and a street full of little ones playing.

I kept thinking of the rush of life we are now in again, the sports, the jobs, the meetings and the appointments, the constant rushing in and out of our house, in and out of the garage, up and down the driveway. Meanwhile, our favorite neighborhood child is our own 5 year old Noah, riding his bike, running around with is buddies in front of our home. "This is a perfect set up for a stupid accident", a voice kept whispering to me for several days as I unpacked boxes, and between my daily runs to Wal-mart restocking the simple necessities of life.

And so Daddy called everyone for a meeting. We sat around our kitchen table as a family, like we have a million times before, the same kitchen table that has Michaels 3^rd grade history project accidentally carved in the wood. The same table that Caleb and Emilie sanded and painted with me a few years ago when we were snowed in and needed a project. The same table that I attacked with a screw-driver on Christmas Eve in 1996, over-wrought with grief after the death of my first husband, frustrated, exhausted and angry trying to assemble gifts for little girls to open the next morning. This same table has changed colors, changed rooms and houses, but has a history that makes me want to protect it like a precious family heirloom.

Our meeting this day was simple, back to basics, defining who we are and what we stand for. We are the "Blacks"; we are family first, ministers of the Kingdom in everyday life, no matter where we live or how busy we get. Dinner is at six tonight, and almost every night a home cooked favorite. Bible study and prayer is how we start our days.PERIOD. We pray together, we eat together, we protect each other. No radio blasting while you are driving, no talking on your cell phone without an ear-piece, and absolutely no text messaging while you are trying to drive. We will ALL identify Noah's whereabouts before we climb in our cars, even if you are running late,especially if you are running late.

Life has dealt us enough tragedy and pain, lets not willingly sign up for more, if we parish defending our country or our God, so be it. Let's not loose precious members of this tribe in the rush of life, over things that do not matter, over appointments and sports that may or may not be there, no matter what we do.

All the family agreed we need to slow down, refocus, and protect the vulnerable under our care, cherish everydayand remember who we are, and what REALLY matters.

This horrible accident broadcast over the radio and internet confirmed it all to us again, the price is just too high. I cannot even begin to imagine the grief, shock and desperate pain this family is in, we must all pray for them to be bathed in Grace during this season. Their unspeakable tragedy is a reminder to all of us to slow down, take a deep breath.

Make love to your spouse, you have no promise of tomorrow, trust me, I know. Hold your babies, look them in the eye, listen to their hearts, teach them the Word of God, it is the best preparation they will ever receive to handle life. Make a meal, and sit and talk, turn off the TV, un-plug your I-Pod, and for the love of God turn off your cell phone.

The most interesting, fascinating, and important people you will ever meet are right in front of you.

Somebody's baby

Thu, 8 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Ever left your crying toddler in the Church nursery, or your kindergartner on the first day of school, or even a pre-teen at a summer camp? They look up at you with "Please don't leave me, Mommy" tears brimming, lower lip protruding, arms reaching out to for you to pick them up. You know there is nothing you can do; the time has come and you have to leave, but you feel a little nauseated. And the second you get to your car, you let the hot tears flow.

My last week in Nsoko felt just like that. I did not have a choice; I had to leave these precious little ones. They didn't understand, and in many ways, neither did I. They tried to crawl in my car after my final goodbye. I kept explaining over and over, that I was coming back, but everyone says that to them, and most never do.

Maternal instinct is a powerful thing; I still check on my all my kids in the middle of the night (even the ones that are taller than me!), and I think about the Children of the Dirt all the time.

I will be back with them in the middle of June, with a group of people broken for them and willing to give up time and finances to come and see them. In the meantime, the Nsoko Project fund has run dry, and my mothers' heart is racing for these little ones. I know God will not let them starve; I know He will provide like He always does, but they are so far away.

The same way I awaken with a start, wondering who in my home has kicked off their covers and might be cold, I awaken several times a night, and wonder what the community of Nsoko is facing today.

I wonder if Pastor Gift feels alone and overwhelmed. I wonder if Jumbo is beside himself with work, all of us knowing he will never give up, because he truly loves the kids. I wonder if the children are getting cold at night now that it is nearing winter in Africa. I wonder if anyone will check to see if they even have covers to kick off. I am counting the days to be with them, and praying for the floodgates of Heaven to open up over them.

My last meeting with the GoGo's, the elders, the Chiefs, and the teachers were also filled with tears and goodbyes. The one thing they all asked before Gary and I left was: "Please, don't forget us."

Back in America, I see the economy feels less than booming. I feel the stress as people strive to maintain the American dream, and I know that "giving" is down more than ever. I also understand that people feel overwhelmed. I am struggling with that myself since returning to this great and wonderful nation. I know my feelings are stronger for these little ones because I have held them, and I know their names.

I am blessed, I know. I am also selfish. I do believe that what we reap is what we sow. I often think we are so arrogant to think that our children would never be in that situation. Sometimes, I think "what if..." What if something did happen in our country: a plague, a war, a catastrophic event. What if we were all gone, except Noah, the baby of our family, or the baby or your family? What if our five year-old prince was suddenly alone on this earth? No parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters, just little Noah walking around vulnerable, alone, searching for food, exposed to the elements, scared, and prey for predators.

Would someone who didn't know him take him in, feed him, love him and protect him, simply because God commanded them to? Would a stranger make a sacrifice to save my baby?

See, my motives here? They are all someone's babies; they could be yours.

We can all do something, no matter how big or how small.

It matters to them...

Click Here to Give to the Nsoko Project

just the truth

Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

People keep asking me, "why have you not finished your book," the truthful answer, because every time I finish a chapter, God tests me in what I have written.It is painful but true, I am frustrated, and thankful, I have often said,
"You can schedule me to speak, but know this, I will not speak, preach or teach on what I do not know".a costly prayer,

Tonight I accompanied my husband and my dearest friends to a wedding. To most it was a quaint affair, an orphaned Russian girl marrying her prince. To me it was an all encompassing truth to my life message. I can not sit at a wedding now as an almost 38 year old woman without picturing my own six children on their wedding day. I picture my own two daughters although adopted by my husband, wondering what their biological daddy would be like on this day. Their daddy is dancing with Jesus, their daddy that they will spend eternity with, their daddy that will love, respect and honor their now dad for all his sacrifice and hard work on their behalf. I wonder what emotions will manifest. I picture my three step-sons that I would die for; I picture their dilemma when it is time to dance with their mother. I cringe at their pain, and look for a back door to sneak through. I do not care what they do; I only wish to ease their suffering. Tonight, I held one of my spiritual daughters who lost it during the "father, daughter dance" her own father abandoning her for a life of alcohol and lies I could not ease her pain.

On the way back to our home, my husband pulled over the truck and let me sob black mascaraed tears all over my red velvet jacket. Tears of lost daddies and mommies, some taken against their will and some willingly choosing to destroy their own offspring, hearts hardened, much like Pharoh. I cried, I raged, I sobbed, and he listened. I sit here still, sobbing at all the moms an dads that have a choice , and walk away, for pride, for addiction, for weaknessfor what ever, you rob yourself, and your rob these kids..I despise you, I pray for you, I forgive you and I fear for you.they are worth fighting forand you need to be man enough and woman enough to rise to the challenge, no matter what the cost, they are worth it..this generation is worth fighting for, I do not have a tax Id number for that, I do not know how to raise money for that, I just know it is my heartbeat, it is what I was born for, it is the reason I married Gary Black and will serve him until I die, that is all I knowtomorrow my head will ache from the tears shed tonight, and I will be more determined than ever to fight for them, I will gladly face the pain, the criticism, even the rejection.but I will not abandon my call, I will not abandon them, regardless of race, or social standing I will fight for them, fight with me, or get the out of the wayorphaned, abandoned, ignored, or forgotten, American, or African, fatherless, and motherless, they are all holy.join the fight, or crawl back in your hole..it is ALL about them, and it will cost you everything.show up or shut up..come humble, or go away, I beg you, before you stand before Jesus and your time is up....fight for the children, fight for the vulnerable, fight for the widow....nothing else matters, I promise you, all else is fleeting, all else is distraction...do what is yours to do.........Just the truth, according to the Bible, according to Jesus Christ.

How you can tangibly help Swaziland

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This is from Gary's blog today... will you please fight with us, this community is living and breathing because you care... James 1:27 - we are living it!

I have had many people ask me for specific ways in which they can tangibly help in Nsoko, Swaziland, and many have sent money for clothes (see my blog).

Here is a list of what we need urgently and what will help us start educating the children and producing our self-sustainability projects...

Most of Phase One is done - the church is planted, (see video), the community center is built and paid for (we are feeding hundreds everyday, doing workshops on AIDS and teacher-training five days a week in the community center), the security fence is up, and the ground is graded.

Our immediate needs are:

Drilling of bore hole and pump - $7500 ($5000 raised; need $2000 more)
Electricity for whole village - $2500 (ready to be installed)
Pastor Gift's house - $12,000 (He will be managing on site)
Transport to get food and medical - $375 per month (to reach all 7 care points)
Clinic built and furnished - $19,125 (doctor has donated all med equip)
Church building, open steel plan - $7000 We have already out grown the center!
Sewerage $588
For $350 a month we can provide a package of Maize, Maltabella, (porridge), Beans, Oil, Sugar, Salt and Soap for 120 kids!

Think about that: for $350 a month, 120 of our "Children of the Dirt" can eat nutritious food once each day - this has not happened in this area for a long time!

The eight orphan homes where we will house six to eight double orphans (a double orphan is where the mom and dad are both deceased and the child has no other family at all) are ready to go up now as we have the construction teams waiting. A church or a business could sponsor a home for $22,589. We have the mothers ready to move in.

Then soon after, we have to start working on the market place in front of the village. The locals can sell all of their goods to help with the self-sustainability of the project. Then the vegetable gardens, the essential oil fields, and the fish ponds will need to be in place to produce income on a monthly basis. Each double orphan will be in charge of her own 10 meters of garden. They can sell it, buy more meters and become their own entrepreneur. We are helping orphans to build life skills and deinstitutionalizing them!

Remember, you can come and see all of this happening right before your eyes on our vision trip this June!

If you want to make an online donation, please click on "Give to the Nsoko Project" or click "Support Me!" and get the mailing address to send a check. Make sure and note what you are wanting to give to.

Clothing the Children of the Dirt, with love..,

Sun, 6 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over 300 brand-new outfits, complete with underpants, and sandals,

This last week has been one of the most memorable ones of my life thus far. Alexis, Emily and I along with three team members, Heather, Caitlin, and Becky lived in the bush to handout all the clothes to the children at 6 different care points in Nsoko. My instructions to my team of beautiful young women were this:" take your time, pray constantly, and listen to the whisper of the Lord." Africa does not need more humanitarian efforts; any celebrity can show up for that, what these children need is a very real, very tangible touch of God. So, we patiently set up our stations, in the dirt, with the flies, and the cattle dung, our packages of baby wipes and lotions, nail clippers, and bags of new clothes. One by one, for days, we wiped down, clothed, prayed for and prophesied over the children. Little babies to young teenagers, we took our time, despite the heat, the crowds, and towards the end, our own fatigue. I would do it again tomorrow if I could. There certainly is no lack of children that need help. Many times, as I would look into the eyes of the little ones that stood before me, the Lord would show me who they were. I saw the future pastors, teachers, warriors, mothers and fathers. I saw tender hearts who knew the Lord; I saw broken spirits that were on the verge of losing all hope. When we first arrive, the children are unsure and quiet, even if they know me and my daughters; they are not sure about the others we have with us. They do not fight, and rarely cry, they just go along with what ever is happening, this, I always find disturbing. It is almost as if they have surrendered to the fact that they are defenseless and vulnerable, and there is no use in fighting. We speak gently to them, and they start to relax. Removing their rags from their little bodies is something that still amazes me. Many times it is hard to tell the girls from the boys, since their hair is all the same length, and they wear whatever is available, little boys with pink flowers on their shirts, it is their only option. Several times at one care point I removed "shorts" from little girls that were actually cut up old sweat-shirts, their legs going through the arm holes. Many 3 and 4 year old children were squeezed into t-shirts, the tag reading "6-12 months" size, their malnutrition tummies, boated and pushing out of the too small shirt. As I wipe them down, I pray over every inch of them, I speak softly and smile while I smooth lotion over their dry skin. Their skin soaks it up quickly and evaporates, as their spirits soak in the truth of whispered prayers. All the while in the background their stories are reported to my team by the GoGos, "mother dead, father dying, lives with grandmother" or " six years old, both parents gone, head of house old, caring for 2 younger siblings"hard to comprehend, hard to walk away. Although we sat with hundreds, all special, all precious there are certain ones whose faces are burned in my heart. The sisters, 3 and 4 who giggled in shear delight during their "spa" treatment, looking at each other, eyes sparkling, princesses in new white dresses. The little boy with knees like a camel who let out an audible "ahhhh" when I rubbed in the lotion, and then threw his little arms around my neck. The beautiful little angel that stood before Alexis, only 8 years old, they looked nothing alike, but they had identical heartsI saw my own sweet daughter pray the gift of purity that she so gracefully flows in over her new friend. She dressed her in a yellow sundress, and the little angel, still shy, began to glow. I saw each of our own six children in the eyes of the little ones we touched, I saw Caleb's tenderness, Michael's depth, Tyler's warrior, Emilie's determination, Alexis' goodness, and Noah's wild and intriguing character. These children are not different than ours; they are not different than yours. The deserve food, health, clothing, education, a fathers protection and a mothers tender touch.and just like all of our children, in them lies the truth, the hope, and the future of the world.

When the process is over the children are transformed. Their heads no longer hang, but their posture is straight. They are no longer ashamed, but proud. Their former sad faces are full of life, and smiles. The girls prance around in their dresses, their feminine spirits brought to life, and the boys, look like young men, walking taller and more sure of their masculinity.

This clothing drive was so much more than new clothes for orphans, it was hope and dignity and a touch of God in a tangible way.

For all who sacrificially gave, I hope you understand the depth of the gift you gave.all those who received it certainly do..Thank you..

Oh Jezebel....we laugh at you!

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

When Jezebel rises up, you know you are on the verge of great victory!!

If you don't believe in spiritual warfare, hangout in my world for awhile, live in a country that does not have the covering of America, or just read the Bible. A resent blog of mine on Good Friday was a celebration of freedom from the weapons of the enemy, and the knowledge that Jesus gave US the weapons to fight the enemy with. All the enemy has is words, threats, intimidation, and lies, but nothing else. One such spirit that has tried over the years to attack my family is Jezebel, the infamous Queen that lied, manipulated, and intimidated the Prophets of God. All the while emasculating her husband Ahab. Jezebel always seeks to kill the Prophets of God to stop the people from being set free; she does not want them to hear the truth of freedom in Christ. The spirit of Jezebel despises the ones with the message and uses her intimidation, and manipulation to discourage and defeat them. I have known many that CHOOSE to walk in the spirit of Jezebel; it is the spirit that destroys marriages, family, churches and great moves of God.

This week while my daughters and I met with Princesses, Princes, and community leaders you could feel the shift, the blank stares have been replaced with fire and excitement. The desperate and hopeless places like Nsoko are now filled with joy and hope. The hidden and dark sins are being exposed, and people are being set free! And Jezebel is feeling a little nervous that she is loosing her grip, on this land, and my family. She seeks to discourage, to slow down this move of God, she has pulled every little trick she can..but she is DEFEATED!!!!! And the word of God continues to go forth. Children are being rescued from the clutches of abuse and death, the Prophets are screaming the Truth at the top of their lungsand all I can do is laugh. When the cars breakdown, or the budget is overextended and the needs are great, we laugh! When we are harassed, and when my children are betrayed by someone they should be able to trust. I hurt for my child, I encourage my husband, and he covers us all, and then together we all laugh, deep down belly laughs, tears coming out the corner of our eyes laughterbecause we know how this story ends, God provides, miracles happen, deeper healing comes, and we WIN! King Jesus is on the throne and his train fills the temple!

So, Jezebel we just thought we would remind you today, that you are defeatedin fact you are so defeated, you are unrecognizable.Here is some scripture for you in-case you have forgotten your place in history.that is right I said HISTORY

II Kings Chapter 9-The Message Bible

(Jehu ordered the eunuchs)

"Throw her down!" they threw Jezebel out the window. Her blood spattered the wall and the horses, and Jehu trampled her under his horse's hooves.

'''''

They went out to bury her, but there was nothing left of her but skull, feet, and hands. They came back and told Jehu. He said, "its Gods word, the word spoken by Elijah the Tishbite:

In the field of Jezreel,

Dogs will eat Jezebel"

The body of Jezebel will be like

Dog droppings on the ground in Jezreel

Old friends and lover will say,

I wonder, is this Jezebel?'

Enough said!,

Nsoko Vision Trip: Journey to Swaziland, Africa

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We are very excited to announce our first vision trip for Nsoko, Swaziland. Since we arrived in Swaziland a year ago we have been focusing on this rural area which is consumed with great need, as well as some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.

One day, Gary was showing some of the World Racers an area an hour and a half from our home. They stumbled upon a group of starving children; we have come to refer to as "Children of the Dirt."

They had not eaten in weeks, and the GoGo that was trying to care for them was beside herself with grief.

Knowing God would hear her prayers, she told us she never stopped praying that He would send someone to help the children.

The precious children in this area all have a story. Some are double orphans, meaning both parents have died. Some children as young as five are the oldest living member of their household and struggle to care for their siblings.

The poverty is overwhelming, the amount of small children fending for themselves is heart-wrenching, and the rate of HIV/AIDS affecting every age group of this country is mind-blowing. However, there is hope.

God has highlighted this country in the hearts of many people around the world. We realize not all people are called to move to a third-world country, but we are all commanded in Scripture to care for the orphan and the widow.

The mission of a "Vision Trip" is to take Americans with a heart for the dying and forgotten men, women and children of Swaziland, and connect the people, heart, and resources of the two countries.

It is a controlled environment to expose you to the devastation as well as the beauty and the hope of Africa.

Swaziland is considered to be the "pulpit" of Africa, meaning that the prophesy and healing will flow from Swaziland into the rest of the continent.

Swaziland is a "one Tribe nation," so tribal warfare is not an issue here, which makes it a safer place to visit than most of the rest of Africa. As the church and business leaders of America link hands with the Church and business leaders of Africa miracles begin to happen for everyone.

Please pray about joining us for seven days and nights of reality and hope. Through the beauty of the land and its people, you will be changed. Through the experiences and relationships, you could help change a nation. We will start our days with prayer and then go to minister where the Lord leads us. We will hold and pray for the children, teach them and sing with them. We will minister healing to the GoGos, and encourage them in their daily lives.

We will be working on building projects in the homes in the neighborhood. You will see the community center that has just been built and opened, as well as our first G42 church plant.

You will walk the property where the first children's village will soon come to life. We will enjoy a genuine African worship, and meet the people of Nsoko.

You will hear their stories and realize that they are no different than you. They have dreams, they love their children, and life has cost them more than they could pay.

Dates for the vision trip are June 18th to 25th, 2008

Trip includes all your lodging, food, transportation, and a safari; we will take care of all the details, so all you have to do is focus on are the vision and the ministry. We are looking for people to partner their churches, business, and families to our projects here, in Swaziland. People can join us as families, or representatives of a church body, Bible study or a business.

You can read the Nsoko blog for more information on the projects on which we're working in Swaziland.

If you are interested in going on the vision trip, or have any questions regarding pricing or details, please email Lisa Black.

Looking forward to seeing you in Swaziland!

A very Good Friday!

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are moments in life that define your journey, moments and days that are seared in your memory forever. This last "Good Friday" was that kind of day for me. I had been praying for some very specific things from the Lord for a few weeks, I was fighting a heaviness that I knew I had to release. The World Racers have been in Africa for a few months. They have come and gone out of Swaziland, and some teams have stayed here the entire time. They have become a part of the family, and our kids have adopted them as brothers and sisters. We have taught them, prayed with them, lived with them, and poured ourselves into them like a mother and father should. There have been moments of discipline, and evenings of rejoicing. Over all however, Gary and I still felt there were some bondages that were hanging on that needed to be released from their lives for them to step up to the new level of anointing and deliverance the Lord had for them. Mo and Andrew Shearman arrived last week, and brought with them a powerful message of Truth. Our last morning together in our Lapha, just happened to be Good Friday, the day we acknowledge as the day Jesus Christ was tortured and killed, taking the sin of all mankind with Him. Andrew spoke with great power, telling us the story of our Savior descending into to Hell with authority and crushing Satan's head with His heel. Jesus took all the weapons that Satan and his army use against us. He stripped Hell of all its power, and gave US those weapons to us, to use against Hell itself! Rejection, depression, fear, lust, no longer can hold us when we take out our Sword of the Lord, and cut in off! The Spirit of the living God fell all over each one of us, and with a shout, we were set free! You could see in the faces of all the kids, mine included, today was a day of victory and deliverance! Prophesy began to flow, and one by one we watched with tears streaming down our faces as the generation we would die for, step out into their calling and gifting. Powerful words of healing and truth filled the air, and these kids that we adore, began to prophesy over each other and our own children, answering and confirming all the prayers I had whispered for the weeks before, only to God.

It was then that several decided to be baptized in their new "life" by Andrew in Noah's little pool. Alexis, Emilie and Noah were baptized for the first time, and Michael and Caleb for the second time, but now under the covering of Andrew Shearman! Tyler, the focus of most of the profesy sat quiet and still before the Lord, deep in thought, and absorbing all that had been spoken over him. I was consumed by complete peace, and overwhelmed by the faithfulness and glory of such a Great and powerful GodI will never forget this "Good Friday" and the truth of what it meansit truly is a GOOD day!