A Year of Changes

Many of you have been asking me what I'll be doing now that James and Cassie are going to Mexico. Let me share with you the awesomeness of God. :)

First, let me recap the last 4 years quickly. Four years ago I went on a missions trip to Oaxaca, Mexico with my church at the time. I'd never been on one, but said to the Lord "Here I am, Send me!". Well, He took that and ran with it. ;-)
James Olson was the leader of our team, and one day when we were painting a dorm room on the missions base at Roca Blanca we were talking about careers. Asking what I did, I told him I was a Pharmacy Tech, and he went on to ask if I wanted to be a Pharmacist. My reply was "no way! I want to be a graphic designer; it's what I got a degree in but haven't had a chance to utilize it". Insert a "God Moment". :) James latched onto that piece of information and instantly offered me a position with his company, Oaxacafe (wa-ha-ka-fay) Coffee Company, of which I instantly accepted. I had been praying for quite a while for God to land me in a position that I desired. Three months later I was working for James at this unique coffee company as a graphic designer and bookkeeper. This coffee company wasn't a usual company in that it gave a large portion of it's profits to missions to support missionaries in Mexico and to help fund community transformation projects. I had no clue at the time what the Lord had placed me in to. But I was soon to find out. :) As the months and years went by I found out more and more what the Lord was bringing about, and it was way bigger than me. That was a humbling revelation for me. Since then, I've been on 2 more missions trips to Oaxaca, Mexico. Each time I found a little piece of my heart was left behind. It doesn't take much to fall in love with the precious people and the amazing country. In an unusual way, God made me a missionary.

In the midst of all this, the Lord has been fine tuning my skills in many areas: I've grown so much in my graphic design skills. I've pretty much been a self-taught student of Quickbooks (considering I never took any classes in HS or college pertaining to bookkeeping or accounting, or had interest to do so, that's quite a feat!). I've become a connoisseur of coffee, i.e. coffee snob. ;-) I've honed my techie skills ... your computer doesn't work, can't figure out Outlook, I fix it for you. My web design skills have improved dramatically from old school html to today's Dreamweaver and CSS. All of this I have to give God the glory, because without Him none of this has been possible. He's been equipping me from the very beginning, it's all been linked together.

As part of all this, not only have I been just working for Oaxacafe Coffee Company, but also LAMP International Ministries (James & Cassie's non-profit ministry), and the newly formed Lamp Cafes Unlimited (otherwise known as Oaxacafe @ Cox South coffee shop). I've been rather busy, as you can tell. ;-) But none of these have ever been a "job". It's always been working for the Kingdom of God. He's been our CEO. And the miracles that I've seen can account for that. In my free time I was doing some freelance design work for several businesses and ministries. To be honest, alot of that work helped me give money to projects in Mexico as well as fund my missions trips. If you were any of those contributors, know that the opportunity to work with you was more than just a blessing.

Now fast forward to January 2009. This was my 3rd trip to Mexico with James, and this time a team from our church, James River Assembly. The precious leaders of Roca Blanca Missions Base, Duane and Sue Kershner, have been like parents to James and Cassie for the last 20 years. We all had an idea that one day that James and Cassie would take over leadership of the missions base, but none of us really had any idea when that time would come. Well, insert another God Moment. :) While in Mexico in January, Duane sat down with James and talked with him about beginning the process of the transferral of leadership - this year. For this to happen, Oaxacafe Coffee Company would have to be sold, but we didn't really know how that would come about. A week or so after our trip to Mexico, James was approached by a a friend - gentleman and his wife saying that they were talking to a business broker about buying a business, they just didn't know what kind. Long story short, Oaxacafe Coffee Co. sold in April (3 short months after the admission in Mexico)!! This has enabled James and Cassie to move to Mexico to be full-time Directors of Operation at Roca Blanca Missions Base. They will be departing the US on Sept.12 and staying till mid-December. We will be having another missions trip with our church in January 2010 again, whereas James will lead that. Then come the spring we are believing that the Lord will have provided the funds for them to be able to build their house in Mexico.

Now back to the original question: What will I be doing now that James and Cassie will be in Mexico? I've been asking that question for months myself. I've prayed and asked the Lord "Where do You want me? What am I going to be doing next?" Many scenarios had been discussed between James, Cassie and myself. But God had something else in mind for this time.

Some of that freelance design work I was talking about was done for a business owned by John & Debbie Tortorice, "The Lamp Stand". Again, this is not an ordinary business. This business also gives and supports missions. I don't believe that this was an accident by any means. :) God knows exactly what He's doing and when. Talk about Divine Connections. Once you are joined with someone that God has brought into your life, you are joined for eternity. John and James began talking about hiring me to work for The Lamp Stand full time. What I will be doing is none other than what I do now: Graphic Design, bookkeeping help, research and development, web maintenance, customer service, anything and everything that is needed of me. I like to use the analogy of the military. I'm a soldier in God's military. I have One Commanding Officer and I've been serving in this Unit for the last 4 years. Well, transfer papers have been issued to me, and I will be serving in a different Unit. When you tell God "Here I am, Send me" He doesn't take that lightly.

So August 20th will be my final day at Oaxacafe Coffee Company. I will begin working for The Lamp Stand full time on August 24th. I will continue working for Oaxacafe @ Cox South as bookkeeper and designer and administration, as well as for LAMP International Ministries. I will most likely be doing some work for Roca Blanca, as James leads and directs, so that will become more clear as the months go on.

If I have done any freelance for you in the past, and you wish for me to do more, you can contact me via puritymatters@yahoo.com or my cell phone (which some of you have) and I'll be happy to continue serving you.

This has been an end of an era. But it's also the beginning of a new one. I'm so excited to see what the Lord has in store in this next season. If He's done all this, what MORE can He do! Don't limit Him. Take Him out of the box, and see what He will do. :)

You can follow my Business & Missions adventures via my blog: http://puritymatters.blogspot.com/ or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/puritymatters

...I thought you fell off the face of the earth

Face of the Earth
by TobyMac

Its been a long time coming
since I saw your face
Since we held it down
Since we were in the chase
It was the road less traveled
The path less formed
A skinny trail
It was barely worn

But we kept walkin'
and slippin' and talking'
And runnin' and fallin'
And cryin' and crawlin'

We were in the trenches
On top of the world
Young refugees but we were momma's pearls
Where you been dog?
Where you been?

I thought you fell off the face of the earth
I thought you fell, I thought you fell
I thought you fell off the face of the earth
I thought you fell, I thought you fell

Its been way too long and we've come too far
For you to drop out of my life like a falling star
Right off my radar
Not a sign or a trace
You know I had love for you that's Bigger than mistakes

Now Hope Road is calling
Let's pack you up and move
'Cause real friends are willing to intrude
So I'm gonna push you in because I wanna love you well
Let the ghosts of your past rest

Open up the door
This is the first day of the rest of your life
What are you waiting for?
This is the first day of the rest of your life
Open up the door

To life ...
Behold I stand at the door and knock
If anyone hears my voice and opens the door
I will come in ...

...made for another world

C.S. Lewis Song
by Brooke Fraser

If I find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy,
I can only conclude that I was not made for here
If the flesh that I fight is at best only light and momentary,
Then of course I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared

[CHORUS]
Speak to me in the light of the dawn
Mercy comes with the morning
I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me

Am I lost or just less found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way?
Is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive?
'Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb
And avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become

[CHORUS]

[BRIDGE]
For we, we are not long here
Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it
And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you
Hope is coming for me
Hope, He's coming

:)

Teardrops On My Guitar
By Taylor Swift

Drew looks at me
I fake a smile so he won't see
What I want and I need
And everything that we should be

I'll bet she's beautiful
That girl he talks about
And she's got everything
That I have to live without

Drew talks to me
I laugh 'cause it's just so funny
I can't even see
Anyone when he's with me

He says he's so in love
He's finally got it right
I wonder if he knows
He's all I think about at night

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He's the song in the car I keep singing
Don't know why I do

Drew walks by me
Can he tell that I can't breathe?
And there he goes, so perfectly
The kind of flawless I wish I could be

She better hold him tight
Give him all her love
Look in those beautiful eyes
And know she's lucky 'cause

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He's the song in the car I keep singing
Don't know why I do

So I drive home alone
As I turn out the light
I'll put his picture down
And maybe get some sleep tonight

'Cuz he's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only one who's got enough of me to break my heart
He's the song in the car I keep singing
Don't know why I do

He's the time taken up but there's never enough
And he's all that I need to fall into
Drew looks at me
I fake a smile so he won't see


© TAYLOR SWIFT PUB DESIGNEE; HILLSBORO VALLEY SONGS; SONY/ATV SOUNDS D/B/A TIMBER PUB CO; SONY/ATV SONGS D/B/A TREE PUBG CO;

Going through the motions...

The Motions
By Matthew West

This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care
If I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause just ok
Is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love
Make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

Take me all the way
Take me all the way
Take me all the way

Present Weakness & Resurrection Life

I get tired...a lot. In my body, in my mind, in my heart and yes, even in my spirit. The tiredness sometimes has a seemingly physical pain to it.

Do you ever do something for so long, that one day you think "why am I even doing this?" The initial zeal and original meaning to what you've been doing has faded into the background and forgotten about.

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." [Matt. 26:41]

And then that small spark comes into your mind, a whisper to your heart...the Holy Spirit speaking to you, quietly reminding you "remember, this is why I called you".

You have to stop and step back and reevaluate all that you've been doing for so long to really put into perspective what it is that God has set you on course to do.

Go back to the first thing you know for certain the Lord said for you to do. Then ask yourself, "Am I doing this?"

If you're not, don't panic (that's what the enemy wants you to do) - just pick yourself up (let Him help you), brush yourself off, and take that next step forward...often times, that is a step of faith.

I know, it can be scary. The unknown usually is. But I also know, that step is worth taking. I know without a doubt that where I'm going is far better than where I've been.

I can't see where I'm going. I have butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. I'm not the best navigator, I have to have physical landmarks to be able to know where I need to go, not to mention being directionally challenged in many cases. I take detours to get around road construction only to find myself running into more road construction. But thank God, He's the one navigating this journey, not me.

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken."With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. [2 Corinthians 4]

"For we walk by faith, not by sight" 2 Corinthians 5:7

Transgenerational Blessings

I had found this newsletter a week after it was delivered in my inbox. Wow! What a refreshing reminder! I wanted to post it as an encouragement to all of you. - T



Transgenerational Blessings
Dr. Patricia Bailey-Jones
Streaming Faith Newsletter

The character qualities of Joseph are revealed in Genesis forty-five. Joseph refuses to retaliate against his brothers, but rather he sets his family up for a breakthrough blessing. He transitions his family out of famine and lack into abundance. He changes their economic status; Joseph positioned his family to receive a bailout package.

This stimulus package not only stirred their economy as a family, it repositioned them for transgenerational wealth. The concept of transgenerational wealth requires generational planning. This is how many ethnic groups in developing countries have failed future generations. The lack of sacrificing present luxuries for future needs breeds a lack of integrity for stewardship.

Unfortunately, even we in the West have embraced the same careless principles. These principles are robed with sophisticated degrees and approved by celebrities, accepted by popularity and executed by government.

God's original plan for families has always been to establish a channel for His goodness and mercy of transgenerational wealth to flow through. This one act of transgenerational wealth would position Jacob's sons and his son's sons to come into their inheritance of the Abrahamic covenant.

The transgenerational blessing of the Abrahamic covenant holds neither expiration date nor limitation of abundance nor scarcity of favor. The covenant of transgenerational blessings vetoes and dismantles the most restricted and hostel decrees and legislations of the day.

The Egyptian government owned Hebrew slaves, which was the judicial custom of the day. Yet Pharaoh promised them the best land of Egypt and the very fat of the land. Oh my God, it gets even better in Genesis 45:18 which states, "And bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land." (New International Version)

When the scripture refers to the fat of the land, it means the choicest produce of the land. The God, El Shaddai, not only gave these slaves descendant land, but He also gave them the most fertile part of the land for future re-production. This land allotment of fertile soil positioned them to become financially self-sufficient through cultivating the best orchards and vineyards.

Even globally today, the Israelis provide the world's best vegetation produce and vibrant flowers. Because of Joseph's loyalty and display of integrity to Pharaoh and his commitment to the transgenerational covenant, the favor of God was transferred from him to future tribes. They were able to develop a business that the sons of Jacob could inherit and pass on to their sons; this is a covenant example of transgenerational blessings. It is a promise to every believer that through us, the nations of the Earth shall be blessed.

You have within your spiritual loins: job promotions, college education, houses, businesses, and career opportunities that have been provided by God through you for your family. Everything that God has predestined for you and your family has already been deposited in you.

You are a courier of transgenerational blessings.

The ministry of Dr. Patricia Bailey-Jones has created a tremendous impact for more than 25 years in over 100 countries around the world, bringing deliverance and salvation to countless thousands through Master's Touch Ministries, a mission outreach that has headquarters in North Carolina, Los Angeles, and London, England. For more information about Dr. Bailey Jones, log onto www.mtmintl.org