Mari Isaacson

Thoughts on seeing missions from the perspective of a missionary!

M = the Message…

1. …is the most important in the world. As missionaries, as believers, we have the one message that has literally turned the world up-side down! It has transformed lives for centuries. That atoning message is bound up in one person, the Lord Jesus Christ. His coming was foretold in detail centuries before transpiring. The impact of the few short years He lived here as a human was radical. His death and resurrection are critical for a relationship with God. His coming again is the foundation for Hope and a Future. Jesus gives meaning to an otherwise meaningless existence. Those who come to faith in Jesus are never the same again! John 3:16 sums up the message in a nutshell: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Another way to sum up the message is found in Psalm 118:8, which by the way, is the very central verse of the Bible: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” So, why is it…
2. …the most unpopular and offensive? There is just something about the name of Jesus that brings such a negative response to so many. The fact that Jesus himself said in John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”- is NOT tolerant! Only one way? Many say, “No way!” In my experience on the mission field, you can talk about God all you want and most people won’t care, as if God were harmless. If they knew God even a little, they would find He is anything BUT harmless. “Go ahead, talk about God. Just don’t talk about Jesus!” In Austria as long as I taught out of the Old Testament, the Austrians even encouraged their children to come to club. But as soon as Jesus came into the picture, many children were no longer allowed to attend. The Bible even refers to Jesus as being an offense and stumbling block: Isaiah 8:14 says: “He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense… as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” 1 Peter 2:8 says, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. They stumble being disobedient to the word, to which they were also appointed.” Jesus was continually rejected along with His message. Thus, the majority of the world doesn’t want to hear what we have to say either. Perhaps it has to do with Psalms 118:8. They don’t want to trust in the Lord. They would rather put their confidence in man. Still one is…
3. …always trying new ways to present the oldest truth in the world. It is not easy to find new ways to present an age-old truth… perhaps we try too much and in so doing, complicate a simple message. Perhaps we need to take a closer look at how Jesus did it. Many would say that was culture. Jesus goes beyond the boundaries of culture. He is the creator of all culture!

I = Isolation…

1. …from family and friends. If you have never been there, you can never fully grasp this concept. You are literally giving up your family and friends. That is, you are giving up the close relationship you had with them. Perhaps that is what Jesus meant by Matthew 10:37, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” When I first went to the field, there was no email or Facebook. To call home cost a dollar a minute. To send a letter was also over a dollar and took a few weeks. Today communication is more accessible even with Skype, but it still is not the same. To hear of the family celebrations such as weddings and birthday parties along with other gatherings and not be able to attend was a loss that tore at my very soul. I especially missed the special gatherings my sisters had through the years. The loss: that bonding time and growing closer together as adults. Being sure of my call didn’t make the loss any easier. The desire for that closeness never ceases. The same was true with close friends and church family. God did give me good friendships and even a great church in Austria, but that closeness was lost with those I grew up with and really cared about. As a result I experienced…
2. …deep loneliness and discouragement. When you are on the field, you can share struggles and prayer requests, but often the deep struggle doesn’t show through on black and white. Often times the missionary is afraid to share the personal struggles for fear of misunderstanding, ridicule, and even judgment. We are not more spiritual than anyone else. Loneliness and discouragement are real. Each move to a new area, starting over, is a challenge. New relationships take time. For some areas of the world, MUCH time.

S = Service…

1. …24/7 You are always on call! It is expected of you. So, it’s a part of life. It’s not always bad, though it can be very draining. Funds are not always available to take some time off and get away. Ignoring the phone is an option but you don’t really get the break you need, your body needs. And then there is…
2. …service of all types, even those you are not good at or have knowledge about. Flexibility and being able to learn on the spot are an important part of your resume’. Paul wrote: “He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.” 1 Thess. 5:24. God does enable.  He also wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness…“ Without His help we would be lost. It is awesome to be totally dependent on Him. Only thing is, when you are busy doing what you aren’t good at, there is often a shortage of energy to do what you are capable. Mistakes happen. Expectations are high for the missionary to know everything. We don’t. This attitude then brings about…
3. …lots of thankless jobs. Again they expect it, so why thank you for it. Oh what a joy and encouragement when someone does say those two little words, “thank you!”

S = Sacrifice…

1. …of Personal goals: We all have different goals we hope to accomplish before we pass on from this earth. Some goals we have had since childhood. Goals are a good thing. But often as a missionary, some of those special goals just aren’t possible. They get put on hold indefinitely. Some missionaries are just too tired to even think of personal goals. Which brings us to…
2. …personal wishes and dreams. It was always my hope and dream to get married and have a family some day. Yet once I said yes to Austria as a missionary, I knew that dream would most likely be just that, a dream. Even now, living in Canada hasn’t changed that. For one, my line of work does not put me in the right circles for meeting other singles my age. For another, I have been single so long, I don’t know if I could ever get married. The adjustment might be too big a task. Which leads to…
3. …personal feelings. We have thoughts and feelings too. Sometimes we just want someone to care about how we feel. As a missionary, we often have to keep those thoughts and feelings to ourselves. There are times for expression, but people often expect us to be stronger and don’t understand when we are not. Then too, there is…
4. …personal touch. Sometimes you need that personal touch or tenderness that comes of good friendships. As a single missionary, that personal touch may often be very sporadic, definitely not a daily thing which all humans need. What do they say; a person needs at least 7 hugs a day to be healthy. Spiritually, God should be sufficient, but let’s be honest. We are humans and we need that physical affection. That’s why God gave us friends, spouses, children, church family, etc. We need each other! Then there is the topic not many like talking about…
5. …which is personal health. Unless they are very motivated or have a job where they do lots of walking, many missionaries struggle with this issue. Not to mention that in many countries good medical care is not available. You would be surprised at the lack of medical attention many missionaries get. Then there is the biggie…
6. …of belonging. You are always the outsider! Living in a country for years doesn’t change the fact that you are still the foreigner. In Austria I could never get my friends, even close friends, to break the habit of introducing me as their “American” friend. They couldn’t understand that for me it was always a reminder that I was the outsider. Missionaries who often have to move around don’t always have the opportunity to bond with people. I was lucky to live in one area for 17 years, but that is often the exception to the rule. Now in Canada I am starting all over again and am greatly overwhelmed with trying to adjust to my new country. Perhaps Canada isn’t a lot different than the USA, though some would very much disagree, but Canada is very different than Austria. It’s the Austrian culture I have been familiar with for the last 19 years, not the American culture. Most difficult is being an outsider in your home country. Living “overseas” has changed your lifestyle and thinking. Thus you no longer fit in at “home”. Family and friends don’t understand. They say they want to hear all about what it is like living somewhere else, but never take the time to do so. They expect you to fit back in, but don’t want to find out why that is easier said than done. As a result, you never really BELONG anywhere. The song: This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thru… is something missionaries understand very well.

I = Insomia

1. Seeing the needs of which there are often so many. Jesus said in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” You want to help, but you can’t do everything. Nationals are trained to help, but unless they really see the needs for themselves they won’t be devoted to the task. Often I have been told, “Well, that is why you are here.” No, I am here to train you to do the job. I strongly believe this to be one of the big reasons God pulled me out of Austria. We had trained so many in my area and only a few were doing anything about it as long as I was there. Which leads us to…
2. …expectations a missionary has them of himself and of his work and those that others have of the missionary and his work. They can be killers, causing many sleepless nights. Then you can be…
3. …overwhelmed by work, by life, by change, by culture differences. These all can cause sleep deficiencies because it is very hard to shut down at night. 1 Peter 5:7 says, ”Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you” is easier said than done. To totally let go and trust God is something we all try to achieve. I’ve even quoted Psalm 127:2 many evenings while lying in bed: “For so He gives His beloved sleep.” And when I don’t go to sleep I then struggle with the thoughts of inadequacy. This…
4. …leaves one often too tired to care about diet and exercise: it’s a vicious cycle.

O = Only by the Grace of God!

1. Missionaries also make lots of mistakes. People tend to think that missionaries are some kind of “super heroes” but we are not. I have made many mistakes in my lifetime. I have often felt like a failure. Many apologies I have said. Sometimes that has only been by the grace of God. It is not easy to say that you blew it… especially when expectations are so high. And yes, we…
2. …make wrong decisions for which we, just like everyone else, have to pay the consequences. People forgive the “normal” person much easier than the missionary because the missionary “should know better”. Well, we too are “sinners saved by GRACE!” Do I dare mention…
3. …bad habits. Yes, missionaries struggle with bad habits. Tiredness, health issues, laziness, allowing themselves to be over-burdened, and more, all these contribute to developing bad habits. For we are…
4. …imperfect people in an imperfect world. We could do nothing but for the GRACE OF GOD!!!

N = Never enough…

1. …time for yourself, for the work, or for God: Time?!?! The work is never completed. Often, time with God or even for yourself is sacrificed for the work. The goal is to get caught up, but you never really do. Then too there are never enough…
2. …finances or resources to do the things that need to be done. Especially with the economy the way it has been the last 5 years. People are hurting and support is down. Unfortunately the cost of living continually goes up. But not even that is the biggie. There are never enough…
3. …converts. People expect you to have lots of converts. Often it is years before you see the fruits of your labors. In the 19 years that I was in Austria, there were perhaps a dozen who I personally lead to the Lord. It wasn’t until the last few years of my time in Austria that I started seeing the fruits. In the meantime, I was often discouraged for lack of results. Moreover, I struggled constantly with what I was doing wrong. Still, the biggest lack was…
4. …prayer. I never pray enough. Prayer is a constant struggle. Martin Luther once said that because he had so much work to do, he had to spend MORE time in prayer. He often spent 4 hours a day in prayer. I honestly don’t know how he accomplished it. Also getting others to pray for the ministry is difficult. Communication is the key. Communication takes time. It is hard to always get those prayer requests out. Furthermore, it is difficult getting people to attend  prayer meetings. Thus it is necessary to spend more time not only praying myself, but getting the needs known.

S = Spirit Fed

1. It is His ministry, He is at work. But in the end, it is the Holy Spirit’s enabling that brings about success. Acts 1:8 says, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” He is the one who gives us the spiritual gifts for ministry. He intercedes. He moves in the hearts of non-believers and believers. He convicts. Titus 3:5 says, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, He strengthens the inner being. He gives hope and the ability to persevere. Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” The Holy Spirit goes beyond cultural differences. A missionary friend’s daughter said this: “You can never fully understand how one culture interprets an event until you are actually a part of that culture. And that, I suppose, is an excellent reminder of why the Holy Spirit is the ultimate and indispensable agent in communicating the gospel.” Without the Holy Spirit we can do nothing. Consider this:
2. James 1:2-4 says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Key words: COUNT IT ALL JOY. Joy has nothing to do with circumstances, but everything with the inner confidence in God who is at work in everything. Therefore as the song says:
3. “It will be worth it all”:

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav’n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem – just go to Him in pray’r.

Life’s day will soon be o’er, all storms forever past,
We’ll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We’ll share the joys of heav’n – a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we’ll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Please pray for:
1. more possibilities to share the message of Jesus Christ with those who are open to hearing it!
2. The isolation, loneliness and discouragement!
3. The difficulties of service!
4. The many sacrifices and their affect on the ministry and personal life!
5. For restful sleep on a regular basis!
6. More GRACE!
7. More monthly supporters!
8. More fruits due to the working of the Holy Spirit!

Thank you and blessings,

mari

Dear friend,

It was almost 23 years ago that I began to work full time with Child Evangelism Fellowship. I graduated from Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada in 1987 and worked on staff there till God literally kicked me back to Austria. Before Bible School, I had spent a year in Germany and Austria in ’82 – ’83. Through that experience my heart became burdened for Austria… a burden that grew with time. In 1988 I spent time in Austria and Germany again then took the CEF CMI (Children’s Ministries Institute) training in Switzerland. The application for CEF was sent off during that time and the acceptance letter was waiting under the Christmas tree when I returned home from my second adventure in Europe. Little did I know the journey that would lie ahead.

The purpose of CEF is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to disciple them in the Word of God and in the local church for Christian living.

In May 1990 I left America and joined the work of CEF in Austria, one of the 165 countries where CEF is presently working. There were blessings and challenges during the next 19 years that followed. Learning a new language was perhaps the greatest challenge as well as adjusting to life in a country far from home. It had helped that I had already spent some time in Austria before. Nevertheless, it is a major difference between visiting a country and moving there. Some have said that the heart of CEF is its training program. Believers appreciated help in how to share the Gospel with boys and girls.

God’s plans are often not the same as ours. My plan was to stay in Austria forever. God began to show me in 2007 that it was only for a season. He had other things in mind for me. So, in the early summer of 2009 I packed up everything that wasn’t already shipped and moved back to Eastern Washington, which was only a transition to my next country assignment.

In 2007 and 2008 CEF Alberta asked me to join the small team there in reaching Alberta’s lost children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2008 I accepted and in the spring of 2009 was packed up again. This time the move was to Edmonton, Alberta. Alberta has approximately 600 thousand children, most who need to hear that there is a God who loves them and wants a relationship with them. Matthew 18:14 says, “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” So it was with mixed emotions that I said goodbye to my time in Europe and settled back in North America.

An important part of my own ministry is to have a strong support team. I am thankful for each one who partners with me by praying and giving, some since I began in 1989 and others just beginning. In order for my ministry to effectively continue more people are needed to join my support team. My prayer letter will keep you informed of current requests. I am in the process of raising support and am asking the Lord for people who will give monthly for this ministry (whether $10, $50, $100, —or another amount). Paul wrote, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7. Would you prayerfully consider joining my support team? If so, please contact me at: austria.girl@gmail.com and I will give you the information you need.

Yours in His care,

Mari Isaacson

How many of you enjoy living out of a suitcase? I don’t particularly. Still I am glad that I am on the road again. It is one step closer to my goal of getting to Alberta, Canada.

Christmas time with my family was really special. I had to keep pinching myself to check to see if it was real! Yep! It has been more years than I can count since the last time I was able to be with family for Christmas. Christmas with family. It is a time to really treasure. The laughter. The sharing. The giving. The food. The listening. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be with family.

Still, this Christmas left me with lots of time to ponder. Though I was very glad to be with family, I really missed Christmas time in Austria. Being gone all those years, I had started my own traditions… Christmas Eve was always spent with the people in the house. My landlady, her son and his live-in girlfriend. Though they celebrated Christmas for totally different reasons other than the birth of Christ, it was still a fun time. I tried to be a witness thru example and would also share when I got the chance. Unfortunately, most of the time they didn’t want to hear what I had to say in regards to “religion”. Well, what they didn’t realize was that I didn’t want to talk about RELIGION at all. I wanted to share with them what it meant to have a personal RELATIONSHIP with the Creator of the Universe! The One who loves them so dearly. The One who wants a relationship with them. The One who demonstrated His love so drastically in that He died for them. No, they really didn’t want to hear any of that. Jesus is just not “that” which they believe they are looking for. They just don’t get it… they will keep searching for “that” and never find it till they find “that” in the person of Jesus Christ.

Christmas day was always special as well. My two “daughters” would come over before breakfast to open Christmas stockings. No, that is NOT an Austrian tradition. They learned it when they lived with me for a few years. My landlady would also come and we had a stocking for her. She never added anything to the stockings, but that didn’t matter. We were just trying to use anything possible to love her to Christ. The last few years the group was even bigger because Aure had gotten married. Last year she even had a second child with her. After opening the stockings, we would then have breakfast together. After breakfast came the fun part. We would sing Christmas songs accompanied by Peter on the Violin. That was a real treat! The Christmas presents came last. It was great. Frau Krainer would usually leave right after that. Tabea, Aure and her family would follow slowly after more fellowship. By lunch time, I would be at my dear friends, also missionaries, the Bryans, where I would spend the rest of the day. They lived in the next big city over a half hour away.

There were other traditions during the month of December in Austria. There were the Christmas Party clubs with the usual Good News Clubs and then also “one-time” opportunities to share with Children in other party clubs the true meaning of Christmas: CHRIST! Then there was the Christmas celebration at our church where we tried to invite people who normally don’t come to church. The message was always really clear: CHRIST! I enjoyed singing a solo each year and Willie always made an appearance as well. Then I can’t forget the special tradition Tabea and I started a few years back. We would take the very early train to Salzburg arriving around 9am. We wanted to be early enough to enjoy the Christmas Open Market before the crowds. Believe me, even in the freezing cold, there was always such large crowds by 11am that one could hardly move around. After that, it was off to the Getreidegasse to the fish restaurant for lunch. Oh yah, our favorite place. Great food. We then went to other shops and caught the bus to a friends house for coffee in the afternoon. Then we would hit the evening train home. We loved it.  The Austrians were getting more and more into Christmas lighting as well. Each year there were more and more lights on private homes. The cities themselves really knew how to decorate which added to the spirit of the season. Then the SNOW!!! sigh. No show here this last Christmas!

My landlady would always say to me in January… guess what, we will be celebrating Christmas again this year! You know what, she’s right!

Well Christmas is passed, though you wouldn’t know it with all the decorations still up. Still, it’s time to get back to work. So, it’s on the road again!

Today I surprised my home church by stopping by. It was great! Many wanted to know what my future plans are, especially when I plan on moving to Alberta. Perhaps that is your question as well. Well, I leave here (Everett) and go to Idaho for a few days. Then it is off to Eugene, Oregon. My first stop of many the next 2 months in Oregon. If all goes well, I will then fly up to Canada the end of March to see if I can find an apartment. Hopefully then the middle of April I will be able to move up there.

What has to happen first:

1. I need to raise another $500.00 per month in support

2. I need to raise 14000.00 for a vehicle for Alberta

3. I need probably $2000.00 in start-up fees

4. I need my VISA (which I have been working on and am still waiting to receive)

Sometimes it is totally overwhelming especially now that there are so many people hurting financially. Still, Pastor said at the end of his sermon a phrase that really makes one ponder: YOU TRUST GOD, YOU’LL SEE HIM! I really need to trust Him in this whole adventure. The Alberta workers need me… there are only 4 workers for the whole provence! The Alberta workers really want me… I have talents and abilities to do aspects of the work that the others aren’t qualified to do! I need to TRUST God.

Still. God needs hands and feet to do His work down here on earth. Would you be willing to be use by Him in reaching the children of Alberta with the Gospel of Christ? Most of you can’t go, but you can give. You can become a vital part of my ministry by becoming a prayer and financial partner. Perhaps you say you can’t give much… remember: LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT! Especially now during this financial crisis, YOUR help is needed.

Please send Donations to:

USA donors: CEF PO Box 348 Warrenton, MO 63383 for Mari Isaacson Acct# E3AT 4541

Canadian donors: CEF of Canada PO Box 165 Winnipeg, MB R3C 2G9 for Mari Isaacson ISM1

PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER THIS. The saying goes for you too: YOU TRUST GOD, YOU’LL SEE HIM!

Please pray for my time on the road now to raise more funds. Please pray that my visa will arrive soon.

Thank you so much. God bless you richly,

mari

(Eugene) - January 18-22

(Medford/Talent) – Pick up Mari at CYIA staff mtg in Salem (Jan 23) to take down to So. Oregon

(Klamath Falls) – January 24-31

Dallas area) – Feb. 2, 7 pm prayer meeting

(capital district/Salem) – Feb. 3 – ?

(Portland) – March 5-6

(Roseburg) – March 18, 6 pm, Banquet speaker

There are still time slots open if you want me to come speak to your group in Oregon!!

My favorite song since childhood has always been “Jesus Loves Me”. You know it, “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. They are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me… the Bible tells me so.” That song was written for children, still I have never come to outgrow it. The truth that Jesus loves me is powerful and life-changing. Yes, He loves ME!!!

Children have always played a very special role in Jesus’ life. He loved the children. He rebuked His disciples when they wanted to keep the children away from Him by saying, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not”! When you read Matthew 18 it is all about children. We need to be like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Woe to those who are a stumbling block to children… there are powerful words if you are… it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Think about that for a moment… Think of the world’s view of children today. Think of all the possible stumbling blocks, some greater and more hideous than others, still to Jesus they are all the same and have the same reprimand!

I was the speaker at a CEF prayer luncheon the other day and heard some things that really shocked me. I would have not been surprised if we were talking about Austria, but the disturbing prayer requests had to do with Washington state!!!

Did you know that there are parents going to the after school clubs with the sole purpose to disrupt the club and keep the children from hearing the gospel.

Did you know that parents are encouraging their kids to physically harass children who participate in the after school clubs.

Did you know some schools are no longer allowing CEF workers or even children to pass out invitations to the after school clubs. The children can only be told thru the internet. For those of you who don’t know, a child can’t attend such clubs unless they have a signed permission from their parents. Many of these parents aren’t getting the permission slips because they don’t have internet or don’t check on what the schools are sending thru the internet.

Did you know, that although it was ruled that these clubs also have the right to take place, many schools are still trying to do what they can to prevent them from happening. In some schools the clubs can only take place if there is a janitor available so some schools are making it harder for a janitor to be available, especially on a regular basis. You can understand or imagine what irregularity does to a club. It’s hard to reach the children if they don’t know when the next club is.

There are more such stumbling blocks all over the US!

Praise God for the schools where children are still encouraged to attend an after school club! We need to pray more earnestly for God’s protection for students, teachers and staff of these schools. Some schools are even clamping down on any teachers or staff who are caught praying in the schools.

We need to pray for victory over the different stumbling blocks keeping the children away.

We need to pray for more club teachers for the schools that don’t have any clubs due to the lack. Pray God will send more workers into His harvest field!

Please pray for me as I prepare to go to Alberta to reach the children there. Right now there are only four full-time workers for all of Alberta! Oh, there is such a need. I am in the process of applying for my work visa at present. Pray that there won’t be alot of complications. The counselor at the Canadian Consulat in Seattle was really trying to discourage me.

More regular supporters are desperately needed for me to go to Canada as well. Plus I need to raise the funds for a good vehicle. If all goes well, I hope to be able to move to Alberta in April. Your prayers and support will make a big difference!!! If you would like to help out with a one-time or monthly gift, you can send your donation into CEF, Int. PO Box 348 Warrenton, MO 63383. Make the check out to CEF but put on the designation line for: Mari Isaacson E3AT 4541. Remember, little is much when God is in it!!!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. God bless you richly!

mari

27. September: Singing in the morning service

30. September:  Speaking at First Baptist Church in Moses Lake. 6:30pm

2. Oktober:  Speaking to the children at First Baptist Church in ML. 6:00pm

3. to 18. Oktober:  Edgewood Baptist Church

19. to 30. Oktober:  Greenacres, WA with Ray and Nancy Paulson

more to come…

Poem: Who Cares? by Mari

Who cares about the child who was never allowed to see the sky; The child, who, so young, was never meant to die?

Who cares about the child who is undeniably all alone; The child with no family, no friends, no home to call his own?

Who cares about the child whose talents are forever unknown; The child, with disease or handicap, abandoned to an overcrowded home?

Who cares about the child who is cruel and filled with bitterness; The child who knows no other example but such a life of self-centeredness?

Who cares about the child who has so many possessions he doesn’t need; The child, whose parents have no time for their affections to take seed?

Who cares about the child who faces horrors too young to comprehend; The child, who forcibly loses his innocence before the age of ten?

Who cares about the child who thinks he knows it all; the child who attends church and club but short of salvation does fall?

God cares about the child, He bids each one to come; For him, He gave the greatest gift; the sending of His son.

Jesus loves the child, He cared enough to die; So he could be forgiven and someday live with Him on high.

Do you care for such as these, enough to do your part? You may be the only beacon in the storm, to a lost and searching heart.

A support team is a group of people who are willing to pray and financially support the ministry on a regular basis. CEF is a Faith Mission… we depend on the financial giving of others to enable us to do our work. We get paid through the financial support that we receive.

If you are interested in becoming a regular supporter or even one time giver, let me know and I can share with you more about it. I would need your address and phone number… or if you don’t want to leave it on this blog, you can send me an email at: austria.girl@gmail.com

Please prayerfully consider this as the work among children is vital. Over 80 % of all those who decide to follow Jesus are children under 15 years of age. In Matthew we read where Jesus said, “Let the children come to me and forbid them now for such is the Kingdom of Heaven”!

Lord bless!

mari