The first month week one Beria, Mozambique

I arrived in Mozambique September the 29th after missing my connecting flights in Atlanta. That ordeal was a long headake and I wanted to turn around and fly back to dallus,but I new my mission and what the Lord was saying to me was clear. God is my delight!!!


The first week was in Beria Mozambique to help with a conferance,and it went fast. This was an extra out reach I chose to do before school started. Our leaders were Ken and Jan Wigley from Australia amazing people and funny too. You will here me say that a lot because everyone was pretty amazing. As we flew into Mozambique the Lord said to me "I am giving you a new sword and I will teach you how to use it." Our week in Beria we prayed for many people on the streets and invited them to the meetings. I prayed for a blind lady and a baby with stomach pain. We really take much for granted in the westen world, for example books they don't have them readily availabe as we do so the books become special,any little book with words. We were asked to hand out little book tracks and at first were only going to take a few but were told take them all because we would hand them all out in a matter of not minunits but seconds. No joke! All we had to do was stand next to the bus stop,people were actually comming to me asking for one. The outdoor stadium was made to hold 3000 people, most every night it was full. God is moving in Africa. The last night of are time there the pastor and his team prayed over our team. We all fall down in the Holy Spirit and my whole upper body was shaking. Now God dose not do things without a purpose,I recieved healing in my back and arms, Praise God!! I also now reallize that it was the beginning of my spirital sword trainning.

"The Lord's Spirit has come to me, because He has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor.
The lord has sent me to annnounce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers." Luke 4:18

The Begining....

After several years of praying asking God to let me go on a medical mission team, my church sends every year by Gods grace to Kenya ,2010 was the year He said GO! I did not know at this time He (God) was also saying yes to a hearts desire to go to Mozambique,and sit under Heidi and Roland Bakers ministry. Shortly after I made the disidtion to go to Kenya God started bring up Heidi and Mozambique, not knowing much about the ministry ,I did not know what I would do in Mozambique, I did not know she had a school that started six and a half years ago, with the first school having to dig there own latreans. (toilet) I found Heidi on the internet and saw she had a mission school. My heart lept at the possibility of going,long story short, after praying/talking with God about the timing of it all,the Lord clearly said "If you don't go now there may not be another opportunity." The school started with the name 'holy given' and now is called 'harvest school' the heart behind the school is to raise up 'laid down lovers of Jesus' bring a Kingdom culture instead of a Africa or western culture. Heidi's book compelled by love,captures my heart,because as I was reading it I felt as if I was reading my own heart verbatim. The past four months have been an amazing time with the holy three in one. I have learned so much about myself and God in me.He has just taken me deeper, deeper in love with Him. He has spoken to me about prayer and is raising the bar all over the earth in regards to prayer. I also have a heart to care for others/the poor and hunger. As I thought about what to share when I came back to the U.S. I became overwelmed and didn't want to, but that would be wrong,wrong not to testifie to the goodness of my dad and God. As I cryed out to Him to help me share the last 4 months of my life He gave me the flowing verse, and I immediately felt peace.......Psalms 119:25-32



"I am laid low in the dust;

preserve my life according to your word.

I recounted my ways and you answered me;

teach me your decrees.

Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;

then I will meditate on your wonders.

My soul is weary with sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

Keep me from deceitful ways;

be gracious to me through your law.

I have chosen the way of truth;

I have set my heart on your laws.

I hold fast to your statutes,O Lord;

do not let me be put to shame.

I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free.

i can see a picture for you now ... i just want to encourage you that this is going to be a real building time for you. ( A word from a friend too me) I say..Amen..Do it Lord!

portions of a prayer that was written for me in 08

I Pray
"That you would more full recognize and understand the hand of God in your life.
That your understanding of the Lord's sovereignty would increase................................
That you would recognize truth for you and those around you..........................
That you would be filled continually with the Holy Spirit and receive your encouragement from the source ( God)"

Middle School is a very significant time in our lives. A time when we begin to step a little way from mom and dad, and begin developing more are relationship with others. This is also the time they are forming there own beliefs, about God, the world, and there roles in this world. I am honored to be a part of some young lives. Myself and co-leader Rachel spend some good girl time with the middle school girls at our church. We meet one to two times a month and each one of the girl that we work with have quickly found a spot in our heart! We also encourage the girls to bring there friends because it is a time the girls can just be .... Girls..!!! I hope you can see from the pictures that we have tons of fun...

September of 2009 marked my 30th year on earth.....and since I don't like to be made a fuss over I decited to spend the day on Lake Anna with a few friends. It was over cast that day so a bit chilly but we still had a blast. I still got in the water and took my turn on the raft. It actually is quit fun sailing though the air.....

Pumkin Patch 2009!!!!!

This past weekend was a busy ,but very a very good one. I decided to take the my nieces and nephew to the pumkin patch, and then we went back to mimi's and graddaddy's to carve them. They loved it, it was a day or afternoon spent with aunt Lara. I must admit I had a blast carving pumkin faces too!!! Isaac ,the youngest, did not thing to much of pulling the " gutts" out of the pimkin,this surprised me... after about a minunite he wanted to wash his hands and use a spoon. Me and the girls on the other hand...pulling out the "gutts" was most fun!!! :)


Pictures to come soon.........

Ummmmm...It is the end of a very long day-and I am glad that today is almost history, with all of it's crazyness!! Even though some of todays stuff will follow me into tomorrow it's stress don't have too. Why you may ask?? Because Gods mercies are new every morning, and for that my dear friends I am thankful!!!! I look forward to a fresh NEW day :)

My forth niece Addison Elizabeth was born recently. We are having such fun with her, there are picture of her to the right and at the bottom of this page. Is she beautiful or what!!!!

"This is my desire to honor you, Lord with all my Heart I worship you!"
Lord my heart and life are complete in you and I am completely yours.

Some of you know that East Gate the Ministry I am working with moved out of the home we were in and that we are looking to bye a house in ruffly the some area. I am going to be blunt and say that yes there is a force out there that would like to see things fail, and I went that force to know I will NOT be moved.

Anyway, I am so at a good place with trusting God, for His timing is EVERYTHING. Even today the spirit of the Lord said to me "be quick for no thing" In a world were there is instant gratification, I want,what i want now... this is hard, and i see it slipping into the church. Now my God can defiantly do things in a blink of an eye and I have seen Him do it, Amen. However, most often he dose things over time. Why? Because that my friends is when we see God. We learn He is faithful and that He really and truly will never leave us. He wants relationship. When we are deeply hurting we don't want it to just be fixed we want and need relationship with someone who really cares. If you think about someone who is having Major or minor surgery what is the most critical thing they need. HELP!! Before, during and after......The Heart my friends behind East Gate Ministry is to take the girls by the hand and walk (with Gods help and wisdom) everyday with them. Helping them fine the love of God, acceptance, healing, a home, job, new life in Christ! How do we do this with Gods Compassion.....

" Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long,and the one the Lord loves rest between His shoulders."

Deuteronomy 33:12 (niv)

Well were do I begin........I am never quit sure where or how to start Hmmmm.......Well let start with this my friends, God has given me some verses to meditate on and I think it will maybe give you a little glimpse into me at the present..... so here go's..I hope it will encourage you as well..
"In the day when I cried out, you answered me, and made me BOLD with strength in my SOUL" Psalms 138:3

"He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities,that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthian 12:9

" The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of your hands." Psalm 138:8

Still Here!!!!

hmmmmmm.......at the end of the day it is nice to just set back with a good cup of hot tea close ones eyes and dream......Lord you are faithful, compassionate,merciful,gracious.loving and the list go's on. Father you know my heart and my dreams, you know them because you gave them to me.



Some of you might be wonding were i am. :) Still here!!!!! East Gate Ministries just had there fall banquet Monday night. I enjoyed myself greatly and i am glad to be in the center of Gods will for my life. Is it always easy? No. Dose it produce joy? Absolutely When you are doing what you are created to do it is most fun. It doesn't mean you don't get physically tired at times. We are human and need sleep, and if you are like me sleep is very very important. :)

well hmmmm where to begin......How about with the fact that God is good all the time! He is always at work on are behalf but with Jesus interceding for us continually what else would we expect. He has established a prayer team for Grace House. Thanks Lord!! God is personally taking me into a deeper place of intimacy with Him, which I am loving. I love sitting with Him, chatting with Him and playing my Harp for Him. I have this strange feeling that when the girls come to live at Grace House ,God is going to have me pull out my harp and........who knows I am a bit nerves.....I don't do well playing in front of people. However, when God says go I go....the opportunity may or may not rise again. God wants to know if I am listening to His voice and His heart.
Jesus loves His children, all His children of the world, red,yellow,black, and white. They are perishes in His sight.
We are living in a time of grace.....not judgement. Judgement is for a certain time that is not now.
"Grace, grace to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love-give me an undying love for you"

Love and Grace to you,
LB

God is good! In my last blog I was in a hurry because I did not leave lights on at my house and I hate going home to blackness. I was asking God to help me,well I turned into my lane and as I got closer to home I saw the pourch lights on....God was looking out for me someone had made sure to leave the lights on for me before they left. So I say thank you to that kind angel.
Graham Cooke starts to night! O'ya looking forward to it.

Today was just dandy! I got homemade cookies-mmmmmmmm and went out to lunch with my new and very cool Eate Gate Family.......It was to celebrate the day on which I was born. :) Thanks Ladies for blessing me with you time, friendship and stories.....Good times were had by all.

Well Friends,
I have got to get home, because it is getting dark and I did not leave any lights on. I am suppose to have gotten a land line and Internet at the house today so hopefully.....we did. I am good ,but have stayed busy. I am loving Grace House and God has just been building a heart in me for the girls that will be living at grace house. There is still things to be done a lot outside...Again if you would like to come by we would love to have you. If you want to volunteer to help with some outside stuff and fixing up the shop for the girls let me know I would love help or just even a visit from you would be wonderful!! :)
Hugs

Fire

Hmmmmmm..... I should be cleaning and straighting up my room at the parents house but as you know at the moment I am not. I am looking forward to having Graham Cooke here for a conference this coming weekend, and my sis from Richmond will be coming with her family and bring a few friends with her. That is why I have got to pull my room together, right after I finish writing on my blog. We were just in Richmond this Sunday celebrating my Brother-in-law Chris 40th birthday. Love ya Man! Are you all bring your motorcycle this weekend? :)
Anyway, It was a good trip and good times with friends in Richmond. Thanks Richmond family for being excited for me in the new things God is doing. I have had lots of support here at home, but I love networking and seeing the excitement in other place.
That is how fire is spread. We each carrie a light/flame and we get to set things on fire. So you remember all those times your mom and dad said not to play with fire.....Well church family it is time to play with fire.... with the Holy Spirit leading of course...I think somewhere a long the line I became fearful of fire...and truthfully fire can be very destructive and cause pain, if it is not handled properly. However, fire when handle properly can provide warmth, comfort and healing emotional and relational. Just think about the last you sat by at cracking fire. How did you feel and who were you with? Did you want to stay close to the fire because when you walked away you felt cold? Think about it and ask God what He wants to reveal to you about fire, His of course.
I could go on and on with what God is revelling to me at the moment, but I want to know what He is saying to you? So go ahead and drop me a few lines.
Love in Him,
your neighborhood blogger
Lara

Grace House

For those of you who are just learning about East Gate ministries here is some information from there literature,
" For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11

East Gate Ministries exists for one reason:
to transform the lives of women who are broken and without hope into new creations for Christ,through the power of Jesus Christ

East Gate Ministries was founded in May of 2002. In addition to its current counseling and Bible study programs,plans are underway to open a residential maternity home for the pregnant young women ages 18+ who are in crisis pregnancies. ( this indeed has happened) The residents of "Project Grace" will live in an atmosphere of unconditional love while receiving intensive counseling, Bible teaching, and life skills training

President and founder Elsa Weaver explains " Our experience reveals and statistics show that women in crisis pregnancies are more likely to have been, or to become, victims of sexual abuse or rape, or to find themselves again in a crisis pregnancy. Project Grace will help break tragic cycles before they destroy lives. These women are already broken, but they are not beyond the power of Christ to heal, restore and make new.

"Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don't stand back and let them die. Don't try to avoid responsibilty by saying you didn't know about it. For God knows all hearts, and He sees you. He keeps watch over your soul, and He knows you knew! And He will judge all people according to what they have done." Proverbs 24:11,12 (LASB)

Thankfully, we are never beyond the reach of God's amazing grace and His unconditional love.

Flower Shop

Today was a strange day at the flower shop. It just seemed I could not get my brain wrapped around things. Lots of funnel work today and tomorrow, and request for things we don't have available. So it was time to get creative. O' wait I do that everyday....... After a busy day at work there is nothing like a few 20 couple laps around the yard in the go cart with nieces and nephew. see Pic...

Matthew 6:9

Our Father in heaven,
May your name always be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come
And may your will be done
Here on earth (grace house) as it is in heaven
Give us this day are daily bread.
and forgiveus our sins
Just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever
And Ever
Amen



The Lords Prayer has taken on a whole new meening for me! Thanks Lord

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might.

Put on the full armor of God, that you maybe able top stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers,against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly place.

The Beautiful Butterfly

"But now ask the beasts,and let them teach you;And the birds of the heavens,and let them tell you. Or speak to the earth,and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea declare to you. Who among all these dose not knowthat the hand of the Lord has done this.
In whose hand is the life of every living thing.
Job 12:7-10

A small caterpillar inched its way purposefully across the porch. I stepped aside to aviod stepping on it and watched it continue its journey. As I watched I thought about how I had moved to protect this small creation so it could continue its journey. Why do we protect such mundane and small craeture? Why...because it is going to become something beautiful one day. It will turn into a beautiful butterfly and I don't want to hinder or stop the caterpillar from becomming something so beautiful. The caterpiller has a difficult journey to become what God intends it to become. When the time comes for the caterpillar to become that beautiful butterfly it will weave itself into a chrysalis and allow God to take complete control. The caterpillar will totally disintegrate and God will totally rebuild it and it will become a new creature. As the butterfly emerges from the protective cocoon it stuggles but the struggle makes it strong and able to fly. It emerges a new and beautiful creature ready to begin a new.


This is how I see Grace House for these girls who have beenhurt and wounded inthe deep recesses of their hearts. Grace House is their cocoon a place where they can give themselves over totally to God. It is a safe place where they can allow God to begin a new work within them. A place where God can heal and redeem and they can once again be the beautiful person God intended them to be.