December 12, 2021
Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2022 to you!
2021 was a year of changes for All for Him, Inc--
Married life for Tim and Katie Opalenik is opening new doors for ministry and donations.
Tim is starting his own 501c3 handyman service to include peope in our community who need help with house repair services. He is doing a great job!
Our favorite places to donate this year have been to:
House of Hope Nicaragua
Please check out their facebook page as April is doing an amazing job with local Nicaraguan leaders to support women and children who are trying to get free from the chains of prostitution. At some point in 2022 or 2023 Tim and I hope to go down and volunteer for a week--
Emmaus Catholic Evangelization Center in Uganda
Theses lay families are doing an amazing work of supporting people in dire need in Uganda, incuding our beloved Sudandese who are refugees in northern Uganda.
If you'd like to donate to them, you can do so through us, or Grace Ministries with Nancy and Lloyd in Texas who also know Emmaus Center intimately.
Connecting with local Homeless persons
Tim has an incredible gift of building relationships through our Catholic parish with persons struggling with homelessness. We are continuing to pray about how to practically help theses people in a personal way.
Tim and I pray that you are richly blessed this new year. One grace we hope for you is for a deeper grace of "peace that passes understanding" - Philippians 4:6-7 We only find true peace in the One who IS the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. May you experience His healing, love and calm in an increasing way during 2022.
Peace and Joy to you and those you love!
February 03, 2021
God Found Me My Mission Partner!!!
May 14, 2020
Our brothers and sisters in 3rd world countries are really struggling during Covid. Please be generous to support missionaries and the smaller missions that are reaching out to those in need.
Thank you for your generosity!!
December 05, 2018
2018 UPDATE!
2018 UPDATE!
Lots of great news this year and things to thank God for!
Here are a few highlights--
1. Dr. Joseph Ofuho has finished his internship!
Please join me in praying for a job for him. It is not easy to find one in Africa, but I know God has a plan for him to serve his people in Sudan or in the refugee camps on the borders. If anyone has any links, please let me know!
2. YWAM Kerygma - The Catholic DTS is moving forward!
Here is a link for an update: www.kerygmausa.com
Pass the word to anyone of any age who would like to spend 6 months growing in their relationship with the Lord and heart for missions! If you would like to sponsor any speakers, you can do so from this paypal donation site. I did my training in 1994 and it changed my life!
3. I opened my own business in February in Auburn called "Sozo Integrative Medicine" but had to close it in the Fall because of State law requirements that I was not aware of. But I am transitioning to possibly work with an MD in 2019 which will work out wonderfully. Here is my website: www.sozoauburn.com I believe God is longing to reshape the way medicine is being practiced to move away from financially driven motivations and return to wholistic health that honors the human spirit and God's intentions for a healthy lifestyle. It's a growing movement and please learn about your own health, your microbiome and eating and living healthier!
4. A several year process has ended for me...I was annulled from my single-life vocation in the Diocese of Sacrament and am now open to marriage, should God provide a wonderful mission minded husband-- I will be so happy! Pray for me please!
Those are the biggest highlights-- God continues to impress on me the importance that all of us grow in understanding of how great the Father's love is for us. We can only fully give away God's love if we are convinced of how beloved we are and who we are in Christ. It really goes against the whole grain of our self-made American mindset. It has been quite a journey for me, and continues to be, as I discover and embrace with all my being the beauty of God and the beautiful person He made me and you to be. It changes everything-- Vulnerability is the door to this mystery!
May this Advent and soon Christmas season be filled with rich and authentic encounters with God, yourself and the people you encounter each day!
God bless you!
Katie
Lots of great news this year and things to thank God for!
Here are a few highlights--
1. Dr. Joseph Ofuho has finished his internship!
Please join me in praying for a job for him. It is not easy to find one in Africa, but I know God has a plan for him to serve his people in Sudan or in the refugee camps on the borders. If anyone has any links, please let me know!
2. YWAM Kerygma - The Catholic DTS is moving forward!
Here is a link for an update: www.kerygmausa.com
Pass the word to anyone of any age who would like to spend 6 months growing in their relationship with the Lord and heart for missions! If you would like to sponsor any speakers, you can do so from this paypal donation site. I did my training in 1994 and it changed my life!
3. I opened my own business in February in Auburn called "Sozo Integrative Medicine" but had to close it in the Fall because of State law requirements that I was not aware of. But I am transitioning to possibly work with an MD in 2019 which will work out wonderfully. Here is my website: www.sozoauburn.com I believe God is longing to reshape the way medicine is being practiced to move away from financially driven motivations and return to wholistic health that honors the human spirit and God's intentions for a healthy lifestyle. It's a growing movement and please learn about your own health, your microbiome and eating and living healthier!
4. A several year process has ended for me...I was annulled from my single-life vocation in the Diocese of Sacrament and am now open to marriage, should God provide a wonderful mission minded husband-- I will be so happy! Pray for me please!
Those are the biggest highlights-- God continues to impress on me the importance that all of us grow in understanding of how great the Father's love is for us. We can only fully give away God's love if we are convinced of how beloved we are and who we are in Christ. It really goes against the whole grain of our self-made American mindset. It has been quite a journey for me, and continues to be, as I discover and embrace with all my being the beauty of God and the beautiful person He made me and you to be. It changes everything-- Vulnerability is the door to this mystery!
May this Advent and soon Christmas season be filled with rich and authentic encounters with God, yourself and the people you encounter each day!
God bless you!
Katie
November 04, 2017
MD!!!
After 3 years of Clinical Officer schooling in Kenya, Joseph was selected to do an advanced degree as a Medical Doctor. He is now graduating from Kampala International Medical School on November 18, 2017 and will be returning to South Sudan to serve his own people in whatever capacity he is able to help.
Dr. Joseph, we are all so proud of you and pray for you to prosper in your vocation as a Doctor and for open doors to serve in a way that really helps you shine the love and healing of our Lord Jesus to all of your people in such desperate need in the refugee camps and beyond!
For those who would like to send Joseph an encouraging email or donation for the remainder of his Internship and to use to help his people, please contact me or specify on the donate button.
WELL DONE, DR. JOSEPH!!!! You are a man of integrity, faithfulness, hard work and full of love and kindness. You are a shining light to your people of South Sudan and especially to young men in Africa. May the Lord keep you strong, healthy and give you a loving family one day to nurture and grow with. May your relatives and family in the refugee camps be helped also as you prosper as a Doctor and may you having increasing wisdom and guidance for all the decision you will need to make in the coming season! We love you so much and all of us who have sponsored you along this journey are privileged to know you and walk with you!
May 05, 2016
Eagle's Wings in Auburn
I remember seeing a bald eagle as a kid on our drive up to Big Bear Mountain, but never up close except of course in the Zoo.
Today, I saw one in the park behind my house! This hungry eage was so patient as he scoped out his dinner among the man ducks and fish in our local lake. As he sat in the tree, a small aggressive bird would dive bomb this majestic eagle and the eagle was hardly disturbed. After some time, we saw this great bird launch himself from the tall pine tree, and then move swiftly toward a group of ducks. "Not the baby ducks!" I thought. I shouted to a lady with her 5 year old, "Look! A bald eagle!" With a splash, and loud squawk of the ducks, the huge eagle skidded the water and came out with its meal.
As he flew overhead of me, I saw the fish in his claws. Wow! Up he flew. 2 nagging birds followed him, trying to get at the fish. Undisturbed it seemed, the eagle flew in large circles higher and higher. The 2 birds kept pestering him, but this eagle went higher and higher, slowly but surely.
When he reached so high that I couldn't see the bold yellow beak or white tail anymore, the one black bird gave up, but the second kept at this bird at least 6x the size of him. Unfesterd, the eagle just kept going round and round, higher and high until it was too high for the little black bird. It was so high that all I saw was a black dot in the sky flowing on the surf of the wind- so calmly and confidently-- safe and satisfied with his catch.
It was a great lesson from God for all of us watching on the shore. When troubles or our enemies attack us, they are no match if we just stay focussed on our goal of being fed, and faithful to feed those we are responsible for. When we are being pursued, just go higher and higher and higher until the enemy can't breathe the air we are breathing and fall away without even our efforts.
Eagles also represent revival and renewal when they visit us. I pray that Auburn, along with your cities experience a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit during this Easter Season!
Today, I saw one in the park behind my house! This hungry eage was so patient as he scoped out his dinner among the man ducks and fish in our local lake. As he sat in the tree, a small aggressive bird would dive bomb this majestic eagle and the eagle was hardly disturbed. After some time, we saw this great bird launch himself from the tall pine tree, and then move swiftly toward a group of ducks. "Not the baby ducks!" I thought. I shouted to a lady with her 5 year old, "Look! A bald eagle!" With a splash, and loud squawk of the ducks, the huge eagle skidded the water and came out with its meal.
As he flew overhead of me, I saw the fish in his claws. Wow! Up he flew. 2 nagging birds followed him, trying to get at the fish. Undisturbed it seemed, the eagle flew in large circles higher and higher. The 2 birds kept pestering him, but this eagle went higher and higher, slowly but surely.
When he reached so high that I couldn't see the bold yellow beak or white tail anymore, the one black bird gave up, but the second kept at this bird at least 6x the size of him. Unfesterd, the eagle just kept going round and round, higher and high until it was too high for the little black bird. It was so high that all I saw was a black dot in the sky flowing on the surf of the wind- so calmly and confidently-- safe and satisfied with his catch.
It was a great lesson from God for all of us watching on the shore. When troubles or our enemies attack us, they are no match if we just stay focussed on our goal of being fed, and faithful to feed those we are responsible for. When we are being pursued, just go higher and higher and higher until the enemy can't breathe the air we are breathing and fall away without even our efforts.
Eagles also represent revival and renewal when they visit us. I pray that Auburn, along with your cities experience a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit during this Easter Season!
March 22, 2016
Unexpected Unity
The young lady spoke about how her major is inter-cultural studies and she wanted to experience a Mass because Pam told her how she attended a Mass and someone (ME!) explained it all to her so clearly and she "loved it!" This sweet girl had quite the opposite experience and began crying. She even left her phone in the pew and returned 2 minutes later to find it gone. She was told by the person handing out bulletins that there was nothing they could do but to call the office on Monday. Poor girl!
When she was done unloading upon Pam, I looked at her, opened my arms and said, "I am SO sorry you had that experience. I am Catholic, and I want to ask your forgiveness. That is not the heart of our Church." We talked and wept for a few minutes. She couldn't believe this was happening. Healing and unity flowed.
A wise Lithuanian Bishop once told a group of us, "God wants to build community through love. If there is no love, He will build it through suffering." Let us reach out in love to those who are visiting our parishes, our work places, our social groups we attend and make them feel very welcome. It's a new day-- a new season in the world when fear and self protection seems to be increasing all around us. Let's walk in the opposite spirit and be friendly and genuine in the market places. You and I can make a difference!
June 01, 2015
Amidst the shaking of nations all around us and even within our own country, I wanted to thank everyone for your prayers. A lot of good things are happening around the world! This letter is too short to share them all...
Here are a several answers to our prayers:
1. My friends in Nuba Mountains, Sudan are alive and well! They were able to celebrate Easter without bombing! That is an amazing thing. Please keep praying for my friend Margaret Camarca, Dr. Tom Catena (Times 100 top inspiring persons for 2015) and the Sisters and staff. Please pray that the northern Arabs and leaders have encounters, dreams and visions of the True God, and the Father's love--an aspect not present in their religion. Missionary friend have told me that they know of first hand experiences of other religions having these divine encounters.
2. Wonderful time with my California Family.
It's been such a blessing to have these last 2 months at home. My dad is struggling with his "water on the brain" chronic condition and is such an example of suffering with patience. My Mom also has dealt with it with increasing patience also. I'm so grateful to now be in the same State I've been able to spend time with some cousins and my sister and her boyfriend and my Aunts and Uncles... It's great to be back in Cali!
3. I got a job in Sacramento with Sutter Health Care and move in early August!
4. A beautiful ecumenical gathering happened in Phoenix on May 23rd that I attended called the John 17 Movement (which is the name of the 4 page document I wrote last Fall.) Pastor Giovanni and his son, Luigi, who are part of the reconciliation movement in Italy and work with Matteo Calisi presented a video Pope Francis made for us. You can see them all on the links below. Pastor Joe Tosini of John 17, will be bringing a group of over 100 pastors for a private meeting with Pope Francis during the September Congress in Philadelphia. The Catholic Bishops of Phoenix were there and all gave inspiring talks. My new friend Suzy Kranitz led the praise and worship time for over 1500 people from all different churches. I am sure God wants me to share this grace to Sacramento.
5. Joseph Ofuho continues to do well in Medical school. He has two more years before he returns as a doctor to work in Sudan. I also will be able to sponsor a dear Rwandan friend, Pastor Joseph, who has been working for decades to help heal Africans to receive healing from their wounds. God is expanding their borders to even serve churches in Asia. They need $12,000 to buy land for their training center. Also, dear friends from Emmaus Center Catholic Charismatic center in Uganda also have a huge clinic that they are trying to get sponsored. If you know of any groups who would like to help, please let me know. Please pray for all of these three wonderful African brothers and their families.
6. Nate and Kate Freeman are doing great in the Steubenville mission house. The Monday prayer meeting continues to grow. I will be back in Ohio for 2 weeks this month to work and it will be a joy to see them and rejoice in all God is doing in Steubenville.
One of the key things that I am learning lately, or should say trying to learn, is the simple truth that God is with us... always-- at every moment. This transition has been both wonderful, but trying. I keep reminding myself, "No need to worry about if you're going to get a job, or where you will live. God promises to guide us if we are open to be led. Psalm 23 says, 'He sets a banquet before us amidst our enemies". Lately my enemy was and sometimes still is: Anxiety and fear. God tells us 365x in the Bible not to worry-- once for every day of the year.
I deceitfully feel in control if I worry--like I'm doing something about the uncertainty ahead. To instead walk each day calmly amidst uncertainty, trusting that the One who created me, leads me and loves me so much is what brings rest and peace to my body, mind and spirit. It takes courage and a letting go of self control to trust God WILL show me what doors to walk through if I do my best to listen and keep learning how to talk to God and listen to the still small voice. I'm learning... and so are you. It's worth the struggle and we are designed to live this way.
May your and my beginnings of summer be filled with increasing awareness of God's presence all around you. May His love for you encourage you to walk in peace, free from worry and fears so that your light will shine into the dark places around you and put a smile on people's faces!
Blessings and love to all of you!!
Katie
Here are a several answers to our prayers:
1. My friends in Nuba Mountains, Sudan are alive and well! They were able to celebrate Easter without bombing! That is an amazing thing. Please keep praying for my friend Margaret Camarca, Dr. Tom Catena (Times 100 top inspiring persons for 2015) and the Sisters and staff. Please pray that the northern Arabs and leaders have encounters, dreams and visions of the True God, and the Father's love--an aspect not present in their religion. Missionary friend have told me that they know of first hand experiences of other religions having these divine encounters.
2. Wonderful time with my California Family.
It's been such a blessing to have these last 2 months at home. My dad is struggling with his "water on the brain" chronic condition and is such an example of suffering with patience. My Mom also has dealt with it with increasing patience also. I'm so grateful to now be in the same State I've been able to spend time with some cousins and my sister and her boyfriend and my Aunts and Uncles... It's great to be back in Cali!
3. I got a job in Sacramento with Sutter Health Care and move in early August!
4. A beautiful ecumenical gathering happened in Phoenix on May 23rd that I attended called the John 17 Movement (which is the name of the 4 page document I wrote last Fall.) Pastor Giovanni and his son, Luigi, who are part of the reconciliation movement in Italy and work with Matteo Calisi presented a video Pope Francis made for us. You can see them all on the links below. Pastor Joe Tosini of John 17, will be bringing a group of over 100 pastors for a private meeting with Pope Francis during the September Congress in Philadelphia. The Catholic Bishops of Phoenix were there and all gave inspiring talks. My new friend Suzy Kranitz led the praise and worship time for over 1500 people from all different churches. I am sure God wants me to share this grace to Sacramento.
5. Joseph Ofuho continues to do well in Medical school. He has two more years before he returns as a doctor to work in Sudan. I also will be able to sponsor a dear Rwandan friend, Pastor Joseph, who has been working for decades to help heal Africans to receive healing from their wounds. God is expanding their borders to even serve churches in Asia. They need $12,000 to buy land for their training center. Also, dear friends from Emmaus Center Catholic Charismatic center in Uganda also have a huge clinic that they are trying to get sponsored. If you know of any groups who would like to help, please let me know. Please pray for all of these three wonderful African brothers and their families.
6. Nate and Kate Freeman are doing great in the Steubenville mission house. The Monday prayer meeting continues to grow. I will be back in Ohio for 2 weeks this month to work and it will be a joy to see them and rejoice in all God is doing in Steubenville.
One of the key things that I am learning lately, or should say trying to learn, is the simple truth that God is with us... always-- at every moment. This transition has been both wonderful, but trying. I keep reminding myself, "No need to worry about if you're going to get a job, or where you will live. God promises to guide us if we are open to be led. Psalm 23 says, 'He sets a banquet before us amidst our enemies". Lately my enemy was and sometimes still is: Anxiety and fear. God tells us 365x in the Bible not to worry-- once for every day of the year.
I deceitfully feel in control if I worry--like I'm doing something about the uncertainty ahead. To instead walk each day calmly amidst uncertainty, trusting that the One who created me, leads me and loves me so much is what brings rest and peace to my body, mind and spirit. It takes courage and a letting go of self control to trust God WILL show me what doors to walk through if I do my best to listen and keep learning how to talk to God and listen to the still small voice. I'm learning... and so are you. It's worth the struggle and we are designed to live this way.
May your and my beginnings of summer be filled with increasing awareness of God's presence all around you. May His love for you encourage you to walk in peace, free from worry and fears so that your light will shine into the dark places around you and put a smile on people's faces!
Blessings and love to all of you!!
Katie
April 16, 2015
Stepping in
For a while I have wanted to write a book called, "Hunger for More!" As most of you know, I published a book in 2004 describing my recovery from Bulimia called, "Hunger for Freedom." But this book will be different.
It will be about my journey to encounter God and my journey to live out Jesus call for Unity in the Body of Christ. I hope it inspires you, also, to dig deeper into the divine destiny of your life. I treasure the gift of Pope Francis in this season of the world's history... today I want to encourage us with this quote:
"Here is a good question for us to pose to ourselves today: 'But how am I doing vis à vis prayer of praise? Do I know how to praise the Lord? Do I know how to praise the Lord when I pray the Gloria or the Sanctus? Is my whole heart really in it, or do I merely mouth [the words]. What does David dancing here say to me, and Sarah, dancing for joy?...a party!" Pope Francis
God wants to restore FAMILY back to the Catholic Church, a joyous, welcoming atmosphere that flows from our identity in Christ (Ephesians 1,2,3). In a healthy, authentic family, the parents delight in seeing their kids succeed to even greater heights then they. There rearing of the children is imprinted within as a safeguard to launch out into the deep and fulfill their individual destinies. Freedom and joyfulness of spirit is a hallmark of such families that is tangible to all who visit them.
Prayers of Affirmation
In Jesus' Name...
I bless and honor the Catholic Church for her call to be a Mother Church for the world, through the example of Our Lady, Mary, and to embrace and honor all her sibling churches around the world.
I bless the Catholic Church to grow in and understanding of her identity in Christ and to be free of the bondage of a religious spirit.
I bless the Catholic Church to follow Pope Francis' lead to learn from and grow with our Christian brothers and sisters and Protestant churches.
I bless the Catholic Church to come into true freedom in Christ as a way of life and to walk boldly in the Gifts of Healing and the Prophetic to be a blessing to the nations.
November 30, 2014
It's a New Season...
HOPE...FAITH...
I used to boast of my childlike faith-- faith that would allow me to take a plane to Southern Sudan without knowing anyone or ever having camped before and then living in a tent for several years serving as a medical missionary. Or faith that would give me confidence to live alone in a downtown Steubenville dilapidated mansion while I began a new city outreach.
I am sure there was a degree of faith in me for those ventures, but I also have a God-given contagious adventuring spirit to run into dark places with confidence that He has my back, not caring for myself but for the life and light He is bringing through me.
In this new season of my life, He is developing a greater aspect of faith--it's different than the faith I have exercised in the past.
It is FAITH IN THE GOODNESS OF THE FATHER'S HEART.
I am leaving Steubenville and moving back to California, where I was born, and where most of my family and relatives live. It has been the desire of my heart to live nearer to them. I have always desired to live near horses, near lakes and big trees, but I always felt that such desires were unimportant to me or God because there is SO MUCH TO DO on earth and I don't have time for such things.
But there is a mystery about the character and nature of the Father heart of God that I do not yet understand, but that this move to California will help me to understand better. Amidst the crisis' in the world and all around my city, He actually desires and delights to pay attention to my desires and dreams. It's both--and. He desires I have a heart and give time for the lost, the broken and needy around the world, but He also at times delights in giving and refreshing me with the desires of my heart. I don't understand Him... but you will see in these coming years as you read my blogs,a revelation of the Father's goodness and character that I hope will also bless you also!
As I look to sell my home in Steubenville (http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/for/4770196253.html) and possibly buy one in Oakhurst, CA most likely, He is calling me to have a new kind of faith. It's a personal kind of faith. Do I really truly believe that that my Father has a specific house selected for me, and a select person to buy my Steubenville house? Or do I just "pray for it". Instead of having a stance of "begging God to sell/buy the houses", He wants me to know Him, trust Him and consider it already done. He said that we can ask ANYTHING in His name and "it will be done". That means I can be confident and agree with Him that it is done, the house is sold and the new house is already known. I've heard Him say to move, and He has released the mission house to another mission, and so,now it's time for the other house.
It's a different kind of faith. The faith I exercised going to Sudan was and adventurous faith that yelled "Jump! He will catch me!". But this faith He is forming in me is a faith that is quiet, confident because I see the Father's heart and eyes and rest in Him, waiting on Him with eager expectation, confident that it is already done. There is no anxiety or doubt in this kind of faith because it comes from a revelation that my Father is 100% good and has it all worked out according to His perfect way. It comes from a confidence that if we are sheep being led by a voice of a shepherd, then we are made to hear Him and follow Him. He wouldn't call me to just drop me off a cliff. An intimate relationship with God births a confidence that He desires to bless me in all ways, which usually includes trials because trials shape and form us for our betterment. But our hope is on Him and His Goodness...
Thank you for your prayers for me in this transition back to California... that I may do all from a place of rest in Him!
God bless you!
Declarations for you and me....
I declare over you a faith that believes in the goodness of the Father in every situation which silences the fear and anxiety in your life.
I declare over you a greater grace of vulnerability with the Father so that you may receive a deeper revelation of His character and goodness and thus understand how He wants to guide you in every situation.
I bless you with a deeper revelation of who you are in Christ and all that Ephesians 1, 2 and 3 say about who you are as a beloved daughter and son of such a wonderful Father.
I used to boast of my childlike faith-- faith that would allow me to take a plane to Southern Sudan without knowing anyone or ever having camped before and then living in a tent for several years serving as a medical missionary. Or faith that would give me confidence to live alone in a downtown Steubenville dilapidated mansion while I began a new city outreach.
I am sure there was a degree of faith in me for those ventures, but I also have a God-given contagious adventuring spirit to run into dark places with confidence that He has my back, not caring for myself but for the life and light He is bringing through me.
In this new season of my life, He is developing a greater aspect of faith--it's different than the faith I have exercised in the past.
It is FAITH IN THE GOODNESS OF THE FATHER'S HEART.
I am leaving Steubenville and moving back to California, where I was born, and where most of my family and relatives live. It has been the desire of my heart to live nearer to them. I have always desired to live near horses, near lakes and big trees, but I always felt that such desires were unimportant to me or God because there is SO MUCH TO DO on earth and I don't have time for such things.
But there is a mystery about the character and nature of the Father heart of God that I do not yet understand, but that this move to California will help me to understand better. Amidst the crisis' in the world and all around my city, He actually desires and delights to pay attention to my desires and dreams. It's both--and. He desires I have a heart and give time for the lost, the broken and needy around the world, but He also at times delights in giving and refreshing me with the desires of my heart. I don't understand Him... but you will see in these coming years as you read my blogs,a revelation of the Father's goodness and character that I hope will also bless you also!
As I look to sell my home in Steubenville (http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/for/4770196253.html) and possibly buy one in Oakhurst, CA most likely, He is calling me to have a new kind of faith. It's a personal kind of faith. Do I really truly believe that that my Father has a specific house selected for me, and a select person to buy my Steubenville house? Or do I just "pray for it". Instead of having a stance of "begging God to sell/buy the houses", He wants me to know Him, trust Him and consider it already done. He said that we can ask ANYTHING in His name and "it will be done". That means I can be confident and agree with Him that it is done, the house is sold and the new house is already known. I've heard Him say to move, and He has released the mission house to another mission, and so,now it's time for the other house.
It's a different kind of faith. The faith I exercised going to Sudan was and adventurous faith that yelled "Jump! He will catch me!". But this faith He is forming in me is a faith that is quiet, confident because I see the Father's heart and eyes and rest in Him, waiting on Him with eager expectation, confident that it is already done. There is no anxiety or doubt in this kind of faith because it comes from a revelation that my Father is 100% good and has it all worked out according to His perfect way. It comes from a confidence that if we are sheep being led by a voice of a shepherd, then we are made to hear Him and follow Him. He wouldn't call me to just drop me off a cliff. An intimate relationship with God births a confidence that He desires to bless me in all ways, which usually includes trials because trials shape and form us for our betterment. But our hope is on Him and His Goodness...
Thank you for your prayers for me in this transition back to California... that I may do all from a place of rest in Him!
God bless you!
Declarations for you and me....
I declare over you a faith that believes in the goodness of the Father in every situation which silences the fear and anxiety in your life.
I declare over you a greater grace of vulnerability with the Father so that you may receive a deeper revelation of His character and goodness and thus understand how He wants to guide you in every situation.
I bless you with a deeper revelation of who you are in Christ and all that Ephesians 1, 2 and 3 say about who you are as a beloved daughter and son of such a wonderful Father.
September 14, 2014
Join our Prophetic Workshop October 30th - Nov 1st
ECUMENICAL PROPHETIC GIFTS WORKSHOP
October 30th- Nov 1st, 2014
Come grow in your gift of walking in the prophetic and bring a friend.
High School to Adults all welcome!
Thursday night 7 pm - 9 pm
Friday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 5 pm including outreach time
401 N. 5th St., Steubenville, OH
RSVP: katiegesto@yahoo.com or 740-284-2587
Accommodation available at the mission house upon request
October 30th- Nov 1st, 2014
Come grow in your gift of walking in the prophetic and bring a friend.
High School to Adults all welcome!
Thursday night 7 pm - 9 pm
Friday 9:30 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9:30 am - 5 pm including outreach time
401 N. 5th St., Steubenville, OH
RSVP: katiegesto@yahoo.com or 740-284-2587
Accommodation available at the mission house upon request
July 14, 2014
Katie's talk at the Charismatic Conference
If you'd like to be challenged to share the love of God wherever you go daily, listen to this talk I gave at the June Conference at Franciscan University. Please keep me in prayer that God will take me deeper and give me more wisdom, encouragement anointing, and inspiration to reach out to the addicts and street ladies in my neighborhood. It's the most challenging mission I've ever been on! Please pray for dedicated people to help me also-- Thanks everyone!
Here's the links:
Part 1
Part 2
Here's the links:
Part 1
Part 2
July 01, 2014
Isaiah 61 promises...
The definition of Christian is very clear:
One who and has been touched by the love of God shown through Jesus, understanding that he gave up his life and having been touched is impelled to show that love in practical and in spiritual and miraculous ways so others and I’d say if people don’t show it in a practical way to the poor and to others then they’ve never been touched by Love. Those that rule out the idea of miraculous intervention may never of understand that a dead Christ was raised to life miraculously.
Jackie Pullinger – current day missionary, one of my heroes of the Faith
Today, I saw Isaiah 61 lived through me...
A 65 year old Veteran man who was beat up at 11 pm a few blocks down the road after returning from the store just some months ago broke 2 cervical vertebrae and was very sad all the time. We just kept loving on him, praying for his neck pain and today he came to sit on our stairs to hear the praise and worship we do on our porch every Monday evening, carrying his 6-pack.
"I have a lot of demons I am fighting inside me." I then took his hand and explained to him the Good News of Isaiah 61-- that Jesus came to take all our pain that we are drinking away and He really can heal it. We talked for a while, we prayed- He cried-- and gave his life again to Jesus and invited the Holy Spirit to fill him up and heal his heart.
He said, "I never heard the Gospel like that! I always felt bad to give Jesus my pain because He already did so much for me I didn't want to burden him. But now I understand that it's ok to give it to Him."
I encouraged him to meet with his Pastor whom he was estranged from and ask him to help him give his pain to Jesus. We prayed for some residual pain in his neck (much of it he said was healed from paying last time) and his neck felt better. Thanks God. It was beautiful!
Then a man whom a friend has been helping to get off drugs has been coming by for encouragement and we fed him, showed him a movie by Jackie Pullinger about heroin addicts like him who have gotten free from their pain and received a new life in Christ. We then prayed with him for a baptism of the Holy Spirit and power and grace as he is leaving tomorrow morning for Teen Challenge, thanks to a local Pastor and his wife who help people get totally free from drugs.
What a privilege this is! Sometimes I get tired of living downtown, but this is where He is calling me for now. I pray for each of you to reach out to your neighbors, offer to pray with them, get to know their pain and hurt and you also can be the promise of Isaiah 61 to them. The world is hungry for Jesus-- step out of your comfort zone today and believe God can use you to be a blessing!
One who and has been touched by the love of God shown through Jesus, understanding that he gave up his life and having been touched is impelled to show that love in practical and in spiritual and miraculous ways so others and I’d say if people don’t show it in a practical way to the poor and to others then they’ve never been touched by Love. Those that rule out the idea of miraculous intervention may never of understand that a dead Christ was raised to life miraculously.
Jackie Pullinger – current day missionary, one of my heroes of the Faith
Today, I saw Isaiah 61 lived through me...
A 65 year old Veteran man who was beat up at 11 pm a few blocks down the road after returning from the store just some months ago broke 2 cervical vertebrae and was very sad all the time. We just kept loving on him, praying for his neck pain and today he came to sit on our stairs to hear the praise and worship we do on our porch every Monday evening, carrying his 6-pack.
"I have a lot of demons I am fighting inside me." I then took his hand and explained to him the Good News of Isaiah 61-- that Jesus came to take all our pain that we are drinking away and He really can heal it. We talked for a while, we prayed- He cried-- and gave his life again to Jesus and invited the Holy Spirit to fill him up and heal his heart.
He said, "I never heard the Gospel like that! I always felt bad to give Jesus my pain because He already did so much for me I didn't want to burden him. But now I understand that it's ok to give it to Him."
I encouraged him to meet with his Pastor whom he was estranged from and ask him to help him give his pain to Jesus. We prayed for some residual pain in his neck (much of it he said was healed from paying last time) and his neck felt better. Thanks God. It was beautiful!
Then a man whom a friend has been helping to get off drugs has been coming by for encouragement and we fed him, showed him a movie by Jackie Pullinger about heroin addicts like him who have gotten free from their pain and received a new life in Christ. We then prayed with him for a baptism of the Holy Spirit and power and grace as he is leaving tomorrow morning for Teen Challenge, thanks to a local Pastor and his wife who help people get totally free from drugs.
What a privilege this is! Sometimes I get tired of living downtown, but this is where He is calling me for now. I pray for each of you to reach out to your neighbors, offer to pray with them, get to know their pain and hurt and you also can be the promise of Isaiah 61 to them. The world is hungry for Jesus-- step out of your comfort zone today and believe God can use you to be a blessing!
June 04, 2014
Please sign this petition to stop bombs in Sudan
This is a video of our Easter Celebration in the Nuba Mountains before Mary Mother of Mercy hospital was built. This week they started bombing where my friends are working including Dr. Tom Catena, Margaret Camarca and some lovely Cambboni Sister friends. Please sign the petition below and take some time to ask others to sign it by July 4th. We have a month to get 100,000 signatures.
Thanks for helping them! We want them home alive and well and the hospital to continue in peace.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/stop-bombing-mother-mercy-hospital-nuba-mountains-sudan/2xHQ3pHd
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Diving protection over every hospital stafff both physically and emotionally and supernatural sleep and rest amidst the tension and hard work of caring for over 300 patients.
2. Supernatural stopping of the bombing and violence in the Nuba and partiularly on the hospital.
3. Peace in both Sudan and South Sudan and for men to humble themselves before God and promote peace.
Thank you and God bless you!
April 18, 2014
I am in the process of writing a book, HUNGER FOR MORE, but so far it hasn't come together, so I continue to pray and write as I felt led. Please keep me in prayer to finish this work!
In the meantime, this is a rough draft of a chapter for you, and I hope you get something out of it and are blessed.
On the Defense or Offense?
I have been praying that God would speak to me in my dreams about things of the Kingdom. Rarely do I remember my dreams—but since I have been praying this bold prayer, I have remembered more than usual.
One night recently, I woke up feeling all tense in my shoulders. I think I had even awakened during the night and felt the same tension, thinking, “When will this crazy dream end?” I remembered the whole thing when I woke up, and it made no sense—until later that night when I asked God for the meaning of it.
The dream went something like this:
I was leading a mission in some hard-to-reach country which was at civil war. We were planting a mission in the middle of nowhere—but it was definitely in enemy territory. While we were eating lunch one day, a huge enemy war plane appeared out of nowhere, ready to land on our airstrip and attack us.
“RUN TO THE HILLS AND HIDE!” I told everyone. We scattered, each to his own in hopes that by spreading out they would not catch us as easily and maybe a few of us would survive their rampage. The plane soon landed, and the enemy attacked a few of my colleagues. I ran for cover to the woods, hiding amidst the bushes as they tore through trying to find me and the other missionaries.
I survived until evening and was so thirsty and tired. I heard them camping, eating, and laughing. I could smell the food, but I had no appetite because of the tension I was holding. I eventually found a high palm tree that had many concealing branches and nestled myself comfortably there for the night, trusting God that I would be protected from their attacks. Then I slept. At dawn, somehow, I was able to run for cover farther away—and though they followed, I escaped.
At the next scene, I was inside the Franciscan sister's convent, which for some reason was in the enemy’s large compound. I hid myself secretively there to try to get some rest, but the sisters found me. I explained my plight, and I asked them to dress me up like a nun. That way, I could hide among them so that I would not be discovered and killed.
Then, in the next scene, I was somehow back in that first village where the plane had landed. There were now a whole new group of missionaries there, families and couples and vibrant people. The atmosphere was peaceful and even joyous. They were eating lunch, having a good time, and they welcomed me. It was as if they were confident, ‘in control,’ and with purpose and strategy. You could just feel it, without them even talking about it.
However, I was not comfortable. I was tired. I wanted to go home. Their peace and confidence didn’t make sense to me because I didn’t know how to be like that amidst such a war. And then my plane came, and I boarded and went home and left them there.
When I woke up with shoulder tension from all that struggle through the night, I thought it was just some crazy meaningless dream. But it wasn’t. I asked the Father to speak to me in dreams and He did.
This is what the Father showed me the dream meant:
Katie, you are living in a war-type situation where you live. There is war that I am allowing you to be aware of all around you: drug deals, addictions, prostitution, corruption, disunity among the Body of Christ, lack of zeal among the Church people and leaders. The city’s destiny is not yet realized on many realms, let alone your own growth in freedom and conversion and personal relationships. Daily you are facing a war. What is important is your perspective on the war.
You are viewing yourself as one on the defense—just trying to survive and have My protection. You are not taking ground like the missionaries in the last scene. You are just trying to make it through, but without strategy and purposeful impact. True, you are having faith that I will protect you amidst an evil regime that is threatening you. However, my purpose is not just to protect you, but to protect you so that you can be on the offense and influence the darkness.
The Christians in the last scene understood who they were and who I was. They were aware that the enemy was around them in the forest, the air or other hidden places. But they knew that I was guiding them. Even King David, who was the most powerful commander and ruler in the world, responsible for legions of men, knew this truth. He said, “I don’t bother myself with things too complicated for me” (Ps. 131:1). He was totally surrendered to Me and poor in spirit despite the challenge of the enemy around him. He knew that I was leading the army.
I want you, I want the Church to grow in confidence that I have equipped them in Christ to do the impossible and to be on the offense and take the ground of the enemy. It is not often in the arduous battle that I take ground back, but I “set a banquet before your enemies” (Ps. 23:5) and, as in the vision, I let you feast while the enemy is planning their war tactics. Those missionaries could only be at peace and of good humor with their children at lunch because they had a listening ear turned to the wisdom of the Lord of Armies and trusted that He who has called them is able.
I want to increase the faith and thus the confidence of my children in the Church to match who I have baptized them to be in Christ.
(transition needed here)
Oftentimes in the middle of Sudan, I felt like a missionary on the verge of burnout, literally dealing with the civil war that was pounding at my Sudanese brother’s and sisters on all facets. War broke out in 3 out of 5 locations where I was stationed. In one of the ‘peaceful’ locations, though war hadn’t officially broken out, it was not uncommon to hear of a decapitated body thrown in the river. I faced a few challenges needless to say. I know a bit of what it’s like to live on the defense.
But there were many times I chose to walk out of that defensive mode and live on the offense during an actual war situation. Here is an excerpt from my Christmas newsletter from Torit, South Sudan in 2006:
…The security here is becoming worse. Fighting is on the increase just near us. A few weeks ago, I visited Lokondo village where 25 of my leprosy patients live—then militia came and shot people, killing one lady and wounding several…Several days back, militia stopped a bus on the way to Juba (some 30 km away from us) and stole, probably raped and then burned all the people in the bus—their own people.
Just before Christmas, our parish priest asked me if I wanted to drive 20 miles with him on Christmas day to visit the first village that had 19 people killed during a massacre just 3 weeks prior. “The people need encouragement,” he said with begging eyes, “and they will be encouraged if you come.”
Fear gripped my heart and body. These murderers were at large and often laid road blocks and then slaughtered everyone in the car. But I knew I wanted to go. I decided to get on the offense rather than live in fear on the defense. In order to bring these people hope, I had to release every fear into the hands of God and embrace faith that God is with me and will set a table before us amidst our enemies. But I also had to prepare for the possibility of a natural death just a few miles ahead. “Yes,” I said to the Lord, “I will go and represent You.”
Off we went that chilly afternoon, talking and singing along the bumpy road in the parish’s Land Rover as if it were just another everyday trek to visit our people in their village. Then we saw ahead the men in uniforms—with Kalashnikov guns. Fr. Darius debated whether to hit the gas pedal and speed through the road block or (in faith) stop. For whatever reason, he slowed down and faced these unknown soldiers. The closer we got, he recognized one of them and realized they were not part of the LRA rebels but our own soldiers. The waved us on with big smiles. Ah! What sweet relief!
We soon arrived at the village, unknown to the people since there would be no way to inform them prior to our coming, and Fr. Darius announced we would be celebrating Mass with them for Christmas! Though the pain was etched in most people’s faces from the recent tragedy, the heaviness began turning into joy. “Christ in you the hope of glory!” (Col. 1:27) Though I had never met any of these dear people, we greeted each other with strong and emotional hugs, and I wiped the tears from their smiling faces as we held hands during Mass and celebrated the Presence of Christ among us and hope amidst the tragedy.
We are sure we are to remain here and stand firm in prayer and presence but it is not always easy. For several nights I slept horribly as I dreamt all night of someone trying to hunt me down and kill me. Maybe I had a small taste of what my brothers and sisters experience daily. How they suffer.
Thanks for your prayers,
Much love,
Katie
Staying on the offense—choosing to believe that amidst tragedy, we are called to run into the darkness and set a table before our enemies and feast on His Presence. It doesn’t mean that we will not at times be scared, or have some vivid dreams, or sleepless nights. Following Jesus takes courage. It takes faith. And if we will risk to hunger for more of His perspective on who we are and who He is and what is our mission in this world, faith and courage will arise within us.
We all have courage and faith within us—though if not stirred up for a while, we have to dig deep for it and He will give us more than we can ask or imagine! I promise you, it is there because Christ lives in you and He is your hope of glory!
Declarations for your Life
I bless you with extreme emotional confidence and trust in His tender mercies towards you. You are completely forgiven and you can rest in His plans for your life.
You are so special to the Father. You are accepted by Him. You are the target of His affections. You are created to live on the offense and to influence the world around you with goodness.
I bless you to live from victory, in the power of His love, to rise above your current circumstances with fresh hope and wisdom. You will know what to do and will have the ability to do it because He is with you and will never leave you.
I release on you increased faith that sees and believes in the goodness of God and in the power of His might to do more than you can ask or imagine. He is with you and for you, and His power, grace and favor go before you.
I declare that God’s power is flowing into all your life’s circumstances and aligning them now according to His will for you today.
I release you from the limitations of an old mindset that will bind you to fear and self doubt.
I bless you to be mighty in spirit, bold and stouthearted against all opposition, moving forward into all you are destined to live!
In the meantime, this is a rough draft of a chapter for you, and I hope you get something out of it and are blessed.
On the Defense or Offense?
I have been praying that God would speak to me in my dreams about things of the Kingdom. Rarely do I remember my dreams—but since I have been praying this bold prayer, I have remembered more than usual.
One night recently, I woke up feeling all tense in my shoulders. I think I had even awakened during the night and felt the same tension, thinking, “When will this crazy dream end?” I remembered the whole thing when I woke up, and it made no sense—until later that night when I asked God for the meaning of it.
The dream went something like this:
I was leading a mission in some hard-to-reach country which was at civil war. We were planting a mission in the middle of nowhere—but it was definitely in enemy territory. While we were eating lunch one day, a huge enemy war plane appeared out of nowhere, ready to land on our airstrip and attack us.
“RUN TO THE HILLS AND HIDE!” I told everyone. We scattered, each to his own in hopes that by spreading out they would not catch us as easily and maybe a few of us would survive their rampage. The plane soon landed, and the enemy attacked a few of my colleagues. I ran for cover to the woods, hiding amidst the bushes as they tore through trying to find me and the other missionaries.
I survived until evening and was so thirsty and tired. I heard them camping, eating, and laughing. I could smell the food, but I had no appetite because of the tension I was holding. I eventually found a high palm tree that had many concealing branches and nestled myself comfortably there for the night, trusting God that I would be protected from their attacks. Then I slept. At dawn, somehow, I was able to run for cover farther away—and though they followed, I escaped.
At the next scene, I was inside the Franciscan sister's convent, which for some reason was in the enemy’s large compound. I hid myself secretively there to try to get some rest, but the sisters found me. I explained my plight, and I asked them to dress me up like a nun. That way, I could hide among them so that I would not be discovered and killed.
Then, in the next scene, I was somehow back in that first village where the plane had landed. There were now a whole new group of missionaries there, families and couples and vibrant people. The atmosphere was peaceful and even joyous. They were eating lunch, having a good time, and they welcomed me. It was as if they were confident, ‘in control,’ and with purpose and strategy. You could just feel it, without them even talking about it.
However, I was not comfortable. I was tired. I wanted to go home. Their peace and confidence didn’t make sense to me because I didn’t know how to be like that amidst such a war. And then my plane came, and I boarded and went home and left them there.
When I woke up with shoulder tension from all that struggle through the night, I thought it was just some crazy meaningless dream. But it wasn’t. I asked the Father to speak to me in dreams and He did.
This is what the Father showed me the dream meant:
Katie, you are living in a war-type situation where you live. There is war that I am allowing you to be aware of all around you: drug deals, addictions, prostitution, corruption, disunity among the Body of Christ, lack of zeal among the Church people and leaders. The city’s destiny is not yet realized on many realms, let alone your own growth in freedom and conversion and personal relationships. Daily you are facing a war. What is important is your perspective on the war.
You are viewing yourself as one on the defense—just trying to survive and have My protection. You are not taking ground like the missionaries in the last scene. You are just trying to make it through, but without strategy and purposeful impact. True, you are having faith that I will protect you amidst an evil regime that is threatening you. However, my purpose is not just to protect you, but to protect you so that you can be on the offense and influence the darkness.
The Christians in the last scene understood who they were and who I was. They were aware that the enemy was around them in the forest, the air or other hidden places. But they knew that I was guiding them. Even King David, who was the most powerful commander and ruler in the world, responsible for legions of men, knew this truth. He said, “I don’t bother myself with things too complicated for me” (Ps. 131:1). He was totally surrendered to Me and poor in spirit despite the challenge of the enemy around him. He knew that I was leading the army.
I want you, I want the Church to grow in confidence that I have equipped them in Christ to do the impossible and to be on the offense and take the ground of the enemy. It is not often in the arduous battle that I take ground back, but I “set a banquet before your enemies” (Ps. 23:5) and, as in the vision, I let you feast while the enemy is planning their war tactics. Those missionaries could only be at peace and of good humor with their children at lunch because they had a listening ear turned to the wisdom of the Lord of Armies and trusted that He who has called them is able.
I want to increase the faith and thus the confidence of my children in the Church to match who I have baptized them to be in Christ.
(transition needed here)
Oftentimes in the middle of Sudan, I felt like a missionary on the verge of burnout, literally dealing with the civil war that was pounding at my Sudanese brother’s and sisters on all facets. War broke out in 3 out of 5 locations where I was stationed. In one of the ‘peaceful’ locations, though war hadn’t officially broken out, it was not uncommon to hear of a decapitated body thrown in the river. I faced a few challenges needless to say. I know a bit of what it’s like to live on the defense.
But there were many times I chose to walk out of that defensive mode and live on the offense during an actual war situation. Here is an excerpt from my Christmas newsletter from Torit, South Sudan in 2006:
…The security here is becoming worse. Fighting is on the increase just near us. A few weeks ago, I visited Lokondo village where 25 of my leprosy patients live—then militia came and shot people, killing one lady and wounding several…Several days back, militia stopped a bus on the way to Juba (some 30 km away from us) and stole, probably raped and then burned all the people in the bus—their own people.
Just before Christmas, our parish priest asked me if I wanted to drive 20 miles with him on Christmas day to visit the first village that had 19 people killed during a massacre just 3 weeks prior. “The people need encouragement,” he said with begging eyes, “and they will be encouraged if you come.”
Fear gripped my heart and body. These murderers were at large and often laid road blocks and then slaughtered everyone in the car. But I knew I wanted to go. I decided to get on the offense rather than live in fear on the defense. In order to bring these people hope, I had to release every fear into the hands of God and embrace faith that God is with me and will set a table before us amidst our enemies. But I also had to prepare for the possibility of a natural death just a few miles ahead. “Yes,” I said to the Lord, “I will go and represent You.”
Off we went that chilly afternoon, talking and singing along the bumpy road in the parish’s Land Rover as if it were just another everyday trek to visit our people in their village. Then we saw ahead the men in uniforms—with Kalashnikov guns. Fr. Darius debated whether to hit the gas pedal and speed through the road block or (in faith) stop. For whatever reason, he slowed down and faced these unknown soldiers. The closer we got, he recognized one of them and realized they were not part of the LRA rebels but our own soldiers. The waved us on with big smiles. Ah! What sweet relief!
We soon arrived at the village, unknown to the people since there would be no way to inform them prior to our coming, and Fr. Darius announced we would be celebrating Mass with them for Christmas! Though the pain was etched in most people’s faces from the recent tragedy, the heaviness began turning into joy. “Christ in you the hope of glory!” (Col. 1:27) Though I had never met any of these dear people, we greeted each other with strong and emotional hugs, and I wiped the tears from their smiling faces as we held hands during Mass and celebrated the Presence of Christ among us and hope amidst the tragedy.
We are sure we are to remain here and stand firm in prayer and presence but it is not always easy. For several nights I slept horribly as I dreamt all night of someone trying to hunt me down and kill me. Maybe I had a small taste of what my brothers and sisters experience daily. How they suffer.
Thanks for your prayers,
Much love,
Katie
Staying on the offense—choosing to believe that amidst tragedy, we are called to run into the darkness and set a table before our enemies and feast on His Presence. It doesn’t mean that we will not at times be scared, or have some vivid dreams, or sleepless nights. Following Jesus takes courage. It takes faith. And if we will risk to hunger for more of His perspective on who we are and who He is and what is our mission in this world, faith and courage will arise within us.
We all have courage and faith within us—though if not stirred up for a while, we have to dig deep for it and He will give us more than we can ask or imagine! I promise you, it is there because Christ lives in you and He is your hope of glory!
Declarations for your Life
I bless you with extreme emotional confidence and trust in His tender mercies towards you. You are completely forgiven and you can rest in His plans for your life.
You are so special to the Father. You are accepted by Him. You are the target of His affections. You are created to live on the offense and to influence the world around you with goodness.
I bless you to live from victory, in the power of His love, to rise above your current circumstances with fresh hope and wisdom. You will know what to do and will have the ability to do it because He is with you and will never leave you.
I release on you increased faith that sees and believes in the goodness of God and in the power of His might to do more than you can ask or imagine. He is with you and for you, and His power, grace and favor go before you.
I declare that God’s power is flowing into all your life’s circumstances and aligning them now according to His will for you today.
I release you from the limitations of an old mindset that will bind you to fear and self doubt.
I bless you to be mighty in spirit, bold and stouthearted against all opposition, moving forward into all you are destined to live!
June 12, 2013
God bless you!
Katie
April 10, 2013
March 06, 2013
Giving 100% to God...
So, I said, "Heck, I'm spending something on myself! I'm gonna sell my 190K toyota and get a Hybrid like I've always wanted!" Since I miss taking risks like I did in Africa, I said, "I'm gonna buy one on Ebay-- fun!" So, I did. From Brooklyn (of all places...). Got the car 4 days ago and the whole thing was shady.... (Need I say more?)
So, in prayer the next morning, God gently corrected me...Here's the lessons learned:
1. God said, "I understand your desire to risk-- that's ok, just next time, invite me into that risking-- you think I don't want to have some fun, but I do!"
2. Don't buy a car until I release you to (which He didn't cuz I didn't ask!)
3. Even though you may give 99% of your income to the Kingdom, if you KEEP 1% to 'do what you want with' without my overseeing it, then you are like Sapphira and Ananias (Acts 5) and you know what happened to them. If you even put 1% of something before putting ME first, you may get affects by a spirit of pride, ambition and love of money/spirit of coveting over you and that will affect our intimacy and the degree of grace I can pour out on you to others. Is it worth it?
So, He is teaching me that 100% of my income is Kingdom money-- I can't just spend it so carelessly on going out, buying things, etc. without checking with God. This is the challenge of the New Testament example...not 10% tithe, but 100% generosity.
So... I'm going back to my 1999 faithful Toyota and a friend generously is buying my Hybrid (once I get it started--the battery is dead!) Thus, the last lesson:
4. DON'T buy a car unless you have seen and driven it!!!!
On a very uplifting note, check out a video that our local town produced about a city wide Day of Repentance and Dedication of our city back to the Lord that God is leading us to do: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/29488727 on May 5th in Steubenville!
February 17, 2013
Please keep the following events in prayer and if you'd like to be a part of it, let me know!
1. Steubenville Kid Mayor Movement... (see my other blog for details: mamanitascoffeehouse.blogspot.com
2. Appalachian Dawn Movie viewing... (watch the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBnWG4njkXM&list=FLP-Glw--hCGs49N9LCOJ7IA
As we have been praying for our city regularly the first and third Monday mornings along with our weekly Monday night prayer meetings, we have sensed the Lord's passion to heal our city. We believe God is wanting us to have a day of Repentance and Commitment of our city back to the Lord--crying out to God to heal us and ground us in His Ways, Truths and Life. We sense that day is supposed to be May 5th of this year.
Please pray with us to see all the churches and concerned people of our city get on board with what God is doing in this movement back to a restoration of relationship with God and one another.
And so, we are trying to get every church, particularly the Pastors, so watch the movie and ask their people to also view it and PRAY...
3. The Cross Project
A door to door project to ask every home if they will place a cross in their yard that we supply, during Easter Week.
4. Mentoring Project
We have had the opportunity to walk with a few people at Mama Nita's to encourage them in life and in their walk with God. Pray for 28 year old "Mark" ... and that he passes his GED...and that he stays clear of giving into past temptations. He is precious. We love him.
Please keep me in prayer... and our ministry. We are hoping the Lord sends us a few generous people who will serve the Lord in this city wholeheartedly for a year or so. Please pray for that with me.
There is so much more to write about... God is so good.
I appreciate your prayers and support. We really need it...
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