Into Africa

“I’m leaving on a jet plane. Let’s hope I’ll make it home again.” No, it’s not a new song I wrote. Just this week’s reality.

Some know the movie Out of Africa. Well my husband and I are going into Africa (again)—to four countries. Louis will, of course, train leaders and national pastors, and mentor in evangelism and church planting. I’ll teach the women and especially work with street children, poor children, orphans…in hopes of catalyzing a ministry to suffering children among the African churches. (I first did this in India in 1998, and then founded Orphans First to provide a support system for more needy children’s ministries: http://www.orphansfirst.org/). Anyway, please keep our trip to Africa in prayer. Back in April.

Meanwhile, the CSFF blogtour is set for March 19th – 21st, but since I’ll probably be either in a plane or in some African country when my co-bloggers post their reviews, I’m posting mine a few days ahead of time...

Double Vision by Randy Ingermanson

I love Randy Ingermanson’s book, Double Vision. Unlike Randy and his two main characters, Dillon and Rachel, I’m neither a physicist nor a computer geek, but my love for character-driven stories made this book a delightful read for me. Randy’s characters are distinctly portrayed and their lives intertwine with enough curious complexity so as to keep you turning pages—at double-pace.

Double Vision is the story of “three secrets, two women, one man and no time.” Dillon Richard is the one man whose unusual gifting of geekishness, integrity and good looks make him intriguing. He is a genuine genius who finds himself entangled in an adventure involving two lovely women: Rachel Meyers and Keryn Wills. One is a genius and extroverted beauty of Jewish background; the other an attractive novelist, down-to-earth financial officer and practicing Christian. Both work with Dillon on a project that, if successful, could revolutionize the world. A complex adventure ensues endangering their lives and their secrets. In the mix of the complot is the added complication of two women liking one man, and one man needing to make the right choice.

Christy Award-winning novelist. Randy Ingermanson is also a Berkeley-trained physicist. Double Vision is humorous, suspenseful, and romantic and Randy’s style reminds me of another of my “favoritist” writers and good friend, Bill Myers. Is the world ready for both Bill Myers and Randy Ingermanson? I’ll let you decide. Check out Double Vision here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0764227335
Visit Randy Ingermanson’s website - http://www.rsingermanson.com/index.html
And visit my fellow CSFF bloggers and see what they are saying about this book. Links to their sites can be found here http://csffblogtour.com/

Now, out of marvelous fiction and back to reality. I really am leaving on a jet plane…and really do covet your prayers. I’ve been to Africa several times but I cannot forget that on my first visit some pesky little mosquito made straight for me, took a long sip from my arm and ignored the fact I was taking the malaria meds. That mostinko was immune. I got the worse strain of malaria that exists and it almost made me extinct. I barely got out of Africa alive. But that was years ago, in my younger days when my blood was more appealing. Or so I like to tell myself…
Prayers appreciated – for health, traveling mercies, blessing for those here on the homefront, and that the work of God be done so that many Africans hear the Gospel and many poor children are concretely helped.

As we say in French, until soon (à bientôt). Que Dieu vous bénisse.

Amazing Grace the movie

The other evening some friends took my husband and I to see the movie, Amazing Grace for my birthday (sigh – another year rolls by). ‘Tis indeed an AMAZING film filled with grace. Grace needed for the call which is always too big for us to accomplish but which God is faithful to perform through us: “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thess.5:24, NKJV).

Why do I love that movie and others of its genre? Because it reminds me why I do what I do with Orphans First (www.orphansfirst.org). It inspires me to keep going forward in the battle to save innocent souls. It reminds me that I have an impossible task to fulfill and am easily discouraged and overwhelmed. But since I am called by One greater than I, then surely I am also energized by Him. Certainly as I look back over the past year and see how many children were helped by Orphans First, then I know it’s surely because of Him, because of the help of others who give so generously, because of His amazing grace.

Although the film kept me riveted to my seat, and urged me to shout “yes” at every victory (a little too loudly much to the embarrassment of my hubby sitting next to me), there are two areas which I would have liked to see slightly differently. One was when England’s youngest Prime Minister ever—William Wilberforce’s very close friend, Billy, lay dying in bed very afraid. “I’m scared. I wish I had your faith”, he said, or something to that effect. Sadly, William Wilberforce, a man of strong faith, squeezed his friend’s hand but didn’t share the Gospel with him.(I’d like to believe that in real life William was bold with in his witness). Another area is that the tragedy and inhumanity of the slave trade could have perhaps been more greatly emphasized if by showing some of the slaves as they did in the film Amistad, an older film about the fight against slavery.

However, having said that, EVERYONE should see the film. It was rich in inspiration, character portrayal, humor, tragedy, history, culture, Britishness (and for a Brit to say that, you can trust it). I also LOVED the fact that Wilberforce’s house was filled with animals, showing a very humane and tender heart. As well as bringing about the abolition of the slave trade in England,Wilberforce was also instrumental in creating the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. His deep compassion and love are clearly the fruits of his intimate walk with Christ.

The timing of seeing this movie was perfect for me in my walk with Christ. Louis and I (and perhaps our son) are off to four different countries in Africa next week. It isn’t our first time by any means. (In fact, I almost died of Malaria when I first visited Africa some 17 years ago). One of the countries we’re visiting, Benin, is the original home of most African-Americans. Sadly, and unknown to most people, it was not only the fault of the white man that these precious souls were enslaved. It was especially the fault of the African dignitaries of the time. The King of Benin sold his people! I may write more on that later but for now, suffice it to say this French-speaking country has a sordid History. It’s a privilege bringing Christ to this people. Your prayers for our trip are appreciated.

I will be working with street children and teaching women in several churches and Theological Institutes (offshoots of our work in France), and Louis will be training pastors and investing in leaders—including some government officials who gave their hearts to Christ. We’ll be mostly in French-speaking countries and one English-speaking. More on that when I return next month—or whenever. I covet your prayers for every part of the trip, and for my son (whether he goes or not). And for my cats. Poor things. They’ll have to survive without me. There is no purrrrrrrrrrr-fect world, that’s for sure!

If you’d like more information on how the Lord is leading us at this time, please check out the following article in Assist News:

http://www.assistnews.net/mysearch/pagedresults.asp?SearchText=New%20Direction%20in%20Ministry%20for%20Couple%20who%20Faced%20Discrimination%20as%20they%20Ministered%20Together%20in%20France

As we say in French, à bientôt (until soon),

Janey