So, when the Lord asked me to go to Iran, initially I was soooo excited, but when reality started hitting me, I realized that I would have to take 15 flights!!!!!   Some of you might not know that I really, really hate to fly.  I don’t like packing or unpacking much, but I totally HATE to fly.

I’ve been through the logical aspects: more people die in car accidents than planes, etc.  I’ve been through the medical aspects, just stay awake all night the night before and then take a sleeping pill when you get on the plane.  I’ve been through the spiritual aspects: Perfect love casts out all fear, be anxious for nothing, etc.  I’m still afraid to fly.  So, I had a little chat with the Lord and said 15 flights, Lord, really? 15?!?!!?!    It made me stop and think. As I prayed about it, I’d love to say that He took all my fear away, but the truth is is that He is with me in the midst of my fear.  My faith is strong enough that when He tells me to go, even though I am afraid, I will go.  I love that my faith is stronger than my fear – that can only come from Him.  I love that I don’t have to pretend to be the perfect Christian with no fears or doubts, but instead, He works through them and gets me to move on in spite of them.  So, I have another flight tomorrow and if you think of me, please pray that even though I’d rather not get on the plane, I will do so in communion with Him.

PS  More about Iran in the next blog – I promise

Wow, How I wish you could all be here with me.  The people here are so incredible and they are totally open to talking to us about everything.  At least 10 times a day people come up and ask to take my picture with their cell phone.  I think that most of them assume we are European because when they find out the we are Americans, they get sooo excited!  “No way, you are from America?  You are welcome to Iran!  Thank you for coming!  Why are you here?  Do you like Iran?  We love America.  We love freedom.  Please tell everyone that we want freedom – we are not like our government.” etc.  It’s been fantastic. 

The country is beautiful. We have been able to visit many historical and cultural sites but the best part is the people.  I wish I could say more, but for now this will have to do.

Hey everyone,

Things here are going great.  I’ve already had 2 divine appointments even before I arrived.  On one of my flights I sat next to a Catholic priest who had been serving there for almost 30 years.  He is from Nigeria and his mom just passed away.  It was such a blessing for me to be able to listen and counsel and pray for him for 5 hours.  Then my flight to Istanbul was delayed by 6 hours but that worked out because Samantha’s flight was delayed getting into JFK, so we still got to meet up and hang out before the flight.  When we arrived in Istanbul, we only had to wait 3 hours.  We met up with Ron and Terri and then we headed off.  On my flight into Persia, I sat next to a guy from Croatia.  He was really open and seeking and I ended up sharing all about the Lord!  It was incredible, and a perfect start to my trip.  I left Maui Mon morning at 10 am and finally got here on Fri morning at 3 am.   A very long trip, but totally worth it. 

Yesterday we started our tour.  We went to a museum that was amazing.  It was so beautiful and ornate.  Our tour guide is very knowledgeable and I learned so much already.  Last night we met some other believers.  I’ll expound on that later.  Then we had dinner with a woman and her husband.  They are very sweet and we will hopefully keep in touch. 

Ok, I’ve got to go, but please continue to pray for me when you can.   

 Blessings,

Ann

The Lord has opened up a door for me that I almost can’t believe.  He is allowing me to go to Persia!!!!  There is so much happening there and I truly believe that what is happening in the physical is just a representation of what is happening in the Spiritual.  I think that the people there are ready for revival and it astounds me that the Lord would allow me to go and be a part of the plan that He has for this nation.  Please pray for me.  Thanks and blessings.

Well, in May I gave myself a birthday present of getting out of debt!!!!!!  I am so excited that the Lord allowed me to do that.  Good timing too because the next month I lost my job.  I guess if you’re going to be unemployed it might as well be in Maui.  I know that the Lord has good plans for this season so as I’m looking for a job I am also looking forward to what He wants me to be doing.

I’m going to try to get some more pictures up of both Burma and Nepal.  Between everyone on both trips, I have about 4000 pictures to look through, so it probably won’t be for another week or so. 

I still don’t know yet what the Lord has in mind for me, but I am teaching another class at the Bible college here this semester.  It’s called The Persecuted Church in the 21st Century.   I’m sooo excited about it.  We’re going to be going through the 15 most persecuted nations and hearing stories about the things our brothers and sisters have to endure for the sake of our Lord.  There will be a semester project that each student will have to do – please pray that it makes an impact on their hearts.  Thanks, blessings, Ann

Well, when I got back home I found out that the company that I work for has lost a lot of funding and jobs are going to be cut.  I work as a counselor for a non-profit.  I found out today that my job was cut in half, so now I will be only working part-time.  Thankfully, I can still keep my benefits since i ended up at Urgent Care last night because of my bleeding ulcer.  I didn’t get too sick on my trips, but traveling takes a lot out of my body and I’m in a lot of pain. 

I realize that I am in a really good position because I know that the Lord has something planned for me.  I will still work at my job 20 hours a week and then I will see what else God has for me.  I can tutor, or substitute teach, or re-open my own private practice counseling, or do something completely different.  please pray for me as I’m trying to get healthy again and as I look forward to what the Lord’s plan is for me.  Also, I want to be a blessing to my co-workers as they go through the same situation.  Thanks so much, blessings, Ann

Well, my team arrived, sore but happy.  They had an amazing time going up the mountain and spending time with like-minded friends.  One of them wrote this:

There is a man of God who has taken his family there to lead a tiny community.  There was one lady there who has prayed for 20 years for someone to come to teach her village about Dad.  When the leader came it was a long time answer to prayer.  This is a very tiny body of believers, but mighty. 

One man in this little community comes from miles away.  He came the day before so he would be there in time.  He is the oldest son of a very high up family in a neighboring village.  He is about 35 years old and the only believer in his whole village.  His father just died and being the oldest of the family it was his responsibility to publicly pray for the soul of his father…in the Hindu religion.  He refused because he is a believer and does not believe the Hindu religion any longer.  He has been rejected by, not only his own family but his whole village.  You should have seen his face in church, praising our Dad.  Just totally glowing.  He will have persecution all his life, but he is living with joy.  

The first lady I told you about….her husband will not give his heart because they have threatened his life if he does.  The wife….well she says ‘to live is JC and to die is gain.’  They have 4 girls and all have come to be in the family. 

 
This has been such an amazing trip.  God has done miracles left and right.  I just want to tell you about our last day in Kathmandu right now.

It started out with 7 of us going to a little town that is like back in another century.  No motor vehicles and all the buildings are from the 17th century.  You drive to a certain spot and then walk the rest of the way into this place.  It was a pretty dark place…..all Hindu and Buddhism and just a very oppressed place.  But historical and interesting. 

As we were leaving to head for a very special baptism we were trying to get out of this place in our hired van/taxi and ALL the roads were closed.  One was closed due to a fatal accident, one was closed due to a land slide and I have no idea why the last was closed.  NO WAY OUT.  We all were praying because we did not want to miss this special time ahead of us.  There were hundreds of cars in line waiting for something to open.  Our little driver stopped, got out, walked up the street a ways and came back.  He said ‘we will be able to do it’.  He drove and the people all just moved out of the way and we got through the one spot with less than an inch on either side.   Later we asked what he told the people….he said he had a whole van load of tourists that needed to catch a flight.  All the people worked to get us out….but we KNOW it was all our Lord!! 

We got to the church for the baptism and there were 9 new baby Christians there to get baptized from the first village we went to on our first little trek.  Now you need to understand….in Nepal, if you become a believer, you are not only going against your Hindu religion, but your whole culture.    Most of these believers have been rejected by family and villages.  They are taking a very hard stand and may in fact become martyrs for JC.  Oh, I pray I have that kind of faith.  What a sweet blessing to watch these 9 brothers and sisters make a public profession of their faith.  It was a very sweet time.
 
This morning we headed for the airport.  It was very hard to leave Nepal.  We got to the airport with much time to spare, D, our leader, paid our taxes and then we got all our bags checked in.  We all stepped back as D and L (the greatest leaders a team could have) worked to get us our boarding passes.  About 2 hours later and with 9 Nepali men working very hard we finally got them. 

You see, they have JUST started the whole e-system ticket thing.  There were 4 team members that just were not in their computer.  If those 4 ‘did not come’ how can we let them leave!!!  Our leaders worked with them and because of their kindness and gentleness (and calmness) all these Nepali men tried everything they could think of to get us out.  The Lord had our plane delayed just long enough for it all to work and we all made it to Hong Kong, along with ALL our bags this time.  So, you see, there really were so many miracles along the way.  And what was so fun too…..none of us team members were anxious at all.  We knew that what ever happened was all for God’s glory and our good and growth.  So fun to see God at work.
 
  The leaders of Nepal say ”don’t pray for peace….God is working among the persecution’.  Please pray for these new believers that they will stay strong and many many more will come to know His saving Grace.
 
You know, it is not easy for me to go.  I don’t want to make it sound like everything was perfect and that it was just the best time ever.  In reality, most of you know that I HATE rice – it looks like maggots and I just can’t get past that.  I also HATE to fly – I know, I know, I’ve flown all around the world 3 or 4 times and then some, but still it totally stresses me out and makes my bleeding ulcer explode.  I also really had a hard time being alone in Kathmandu – it seems silly, but I get really lonely and scared when I’m in a strange country by myself.  I know that the Lord is always with me, but it was still hard for me. 
 
I want to glorify God in all that I do, but I can see Him being glorified in the fact that I am not always a good missionary or even a good Christian.  Rather, I want to obey Him even when it is hard for me and I’d rather not do it.  Even now, people are already asking me what’s next – if it’s up to me, I want to stay here in Maui for the next year at least – I am so sick of traveling (esp flying), but as I’m typing this, Russia and Georgia are on my heart and my mind.  Please pray for the people there and that God’s will will be accomplished there.  If He wants me to go , of course I will, but hopefully He is just putting it on my heart so that I will pray and encouage others to pray. 
Wow, that’s a lot for one night.  Thanks for your love and prayers, blessings, Ann

Live simply, that others might simply live.

Well, the Lord is so good to me.  Just the other day I was feeling lonely and then the Lord sent me P.  He’s an American guy who is with an agency here for 2 years.  He’s already been here for 6 months and has done 5 months of language so he can speak fairly well.  He works a few days a week at PT doing construction.  We hung out on Fri and then he showed up again on Sat. for service.  He doesn’t usually come, so I was really surprised and happy to see him.  He interpreted the whole service for me and when I spoke, he interpreted for them.  God is so good to me! 
 
I have been spending time with the students here.  So many of them are being persecuted because of their faith.  Family and friends and community have all turned their backs on them, but yet they are still here desiring to know Dad more. 
 
I got to go to an orphanage and play with the kids.  They have 39 girls.  It is run by 2 couples.  Foreigners can’t actually live there with them, so a national couple lives there and the other couples come each day.  I got to talk to 2 sisters whose mom committed suicide.  They both found her body and of course have been traumatized.  Then I met with a girl who was raped when she was 7.  Her mom is mentally unstable and her dad is not yet a Believer.  I forgot to mention that the 1st girl I counseled who was raped by the pastor was then beaten by her mother when she told her what happened.  There is so much evil and damage that the enemy wants to do to Believers here, but Dad is at work and is bringing restoration to these people.  You can’t imagine how humbling it is for me to be a small part of bring His healing to them – I am so overwhelmed at my own inadequacy, but I know that it is His plan for me to be here ‘for such a time as this’.  It just amazes me how much they have been through and that I get to be here to pray for them and counsel them and be a minister of His peace. 
 
Last night I had student after student lining up to talk to me about their lives.  I wish I could stay here for another month or 2.  Many of them come from mixed religious families who are all united against ours.  When I get back to the States, I will be teaching a class on the persecuted church and I could sadly spend the whole semester on Nepal. 

This morning I got to teach a class on Sp. growth and discipleship.  It was really fun for me.  Tonight I am meeting with a guy who will go to the village that we went to last week.  He will move there and be the leader.  They have never had a leader before and it is a very exciting time for them.  I have a real burden for that place.  Tomorrow I get to speak in Chapel and then my team hopefully will return.  Hope all is well with you. 

Blessings, Ann

Live simply, that others might simply live.

Ok, so much has happened in just a few short days. My team left to go trekking, and I was still very unsure of what the Lord had for me.  I spent the first day praying about different options, and the Lord led me to P. T. 

It is a ministry that takes care of handicapped people, teaches them to become independent, and they pray 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.  There are 4 of them scattered throughout Nepal.  I got to go stay at one of them for 2 days.  It was such a blessing.  Just hearing their stories and how much the Lord is using this ministry. 

As you can imagine, if you are handicapped, the only option is to become a beggar.  This ministry takes them off the streets, teaches them skills (one of the girls made me a kurtha – a Nepali shirt), and teaches them about the Lord.  They have study every night and it’s so great. 
 
Then today, I was supposed to go to an orphanage, but the Lord had different plans.  There is a 14 year old girl here who was recently raped by a Christian pastor.  It’s a horrible situation and the Lord allowed me to meet with her and minister to her.  I did a combination of art therapy and counseling, and I pray that it will be a part of God’s healing in her life. 
 
Tonight I am at the B. college.  I’m really excited to speak to the students and I will get to teach a class.  Of course I miss my team, but I am happy to be doing what the Lord has asked.  Please pray for me because I get really emotional and lonely when I am alone (not that I”m alone – privacy means nothing here), but you know what I mean. 

Love and blessings, Ann