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giving

Blog, Faith, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Travel

Expect the unexpected: Feeding the hungry in Guatemala

surprises

Recently I traveled to Antigua, Guatemala, for the first time. Although I want to travel all around the world, Guatemala was never on my radar. But it was a “God thing.” I’m writing a Guatemala blog series to show you the beautiful pictures and to share about the amazing things God did there. This is Blog #7, Expect the unexpected: Feeding the hungry in Guatemala. You can read my other blogs in this Guatemala Blog Series at the end of this post. 

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Before I went to Guatemala, my friend Dana Arcuri (speaker, author, and wellness coach on YouTube) was praying for me about my trip there. One morning she received an exciting word for me about the trip: “Expect the unexpected!” That is exactly what happened, in more ways than one! You can listen to her interview of me about this amazing trip on YouTube here.

When it was nearing the end of my trip in Antigua, Guatemala, my new friends Kim Rogers and Stan Edwards encouraged me to stay longer there. Kim said a week was simply NOT enough time to visit Guatemala! She is so right. They invited me to stay at their beautiful home in Jocotenango, which is close to Antigua.

Stan and Kim with lemonade at Guatemalan restaurant

Stan and Kim with lemonade at Guatemalan restaurant

I told them that I wanted to stay, but I had only booked my Air BnB in Antigua until Sunday and I was running out of money for my trip! They generously said that I could stay at their house free of charge and they’d feed me! (Stan is a great cook, by the way!)

Kim & me on her home's terrace, drinking coffee

Kim & me on her home’s terrace, drinking coffee

So, after praying about it and felt a peace from God that this was what He wanted me to do, I contacted the airline and rescheduled my flight to stay two days longer in Guatemala. Kim told me that the day I was scheduled to leave (Sunday), her friend Maureen Mckeon, a former Delta airline flight attendant, was volunteering at Parque Central (Central Park) with her friends to feed poor, hungry people. 

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Blog, Faith, Marriage, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Travel, Writing

Of Things Not Seen

Pumpkin scented candles - Pinterest

Pumpkin scented candles
Pinterest

Pumpkin spice scented candles. Soft sweaters. Brightly colored scarves. Boots, oh boots of every length and color!

Leaves in glorious shades of orange, yellow, red, and brown. Fall is here, and we love and welcome it like a best friend who moved far away and is visiting, her stay much too short.

We’re teased in stores with the promise of Christmas around the corner: smiling snowmen, snow globes, shiny red and purple gift bags, this year’s cute Christmas tree decorations, fun toys and techy gadgets for the kids and teens, Silent Night or Carol of the Bells playing and our hearts sing and worship along in adoration of Jesus, the King of Kings.

But while so many are getting ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, I prepare for Africa.

Purple journal

Purple journal

I journal in my new, oversized, purple diary about things on my heart. The excitement of this great adventure, a dream I’ve had for years and have been praying about.

The drums of Africa beat in my heart and blood. And at night, I’ve dreamed of Africa, even though I’ve never been there before. The dreams have been so real, like I was really there.

I’m reminded of the line in the movie Out of Africa, when Karen Blixen (played by my favorite actress, Meryl Streep) said, “I stayed in the room where I was born in Rungstedland and tried to remember the colors of Africa.”

I long to see the colors of Africa.

Africa

Africa

I also journal the fears. Ridiculous fears. And some that are warranted. Africa may not be “The Dark Continent” as many describe it, but there is some darkness there to respect.

I make lists. What to bring like my passport, driver’s license, and yellow fever immunization paper. What not to bring, like a hair dryer.

What to buy like dresses, skirts and blouses on sale for the warm climate and chocolates for the orphans. What to take here from home, like our daughter’s soccer ball, for children there to play with and keep.

Only a few more weeks until pastor Rose’s annual women’s conference in Bungoma, Africa. When she first invited me to speak there, I prayed and believe God told me to do this. Then I talked to my husband Ray, whose fleece was “if God provides.”

While Ray and I may disagree on how exactly God has accomplished that [he has wanted money to just fall out of the sky and I believe God provided through my July car wreck settlement, but Ray didn’t agree], this past week we were able to finally purchase Ray’s round trip plane tickets through some of his hard overtime work! (The website booking buddy has some great deals.) This is so exciting!

Initially we were going to buy my tickets first, but Ray was concerned about being “left behind” and me being alone and in possible danger in Africa, so we bought his first. If something were to happen to where I can’t go, then pastor Rose would still have a speaker for her conference. Ray is an amazing preacher and teacher!

Several weeks ago, a few donations came in from my friend Rochelle Valasek’s fundraiser webinar and my jewelry artist friend Jennifer Whiddon’s Dream BIG bracelet and I was able to get my yellow fever immunization!

This weekend some sweet friends made a donation and I was able to purchase my round trip tickets from Nairobi, Kenya to Kisimu Airport, Kenya, and then the return flight from Kisimu to Nairobi. Praise God!!!

Now Ray and I and my intercessors are praying in the money for my round trip tickets to Africa: for the long (expensive!) flight from Kansas City, MO, to Nairobi and then the return flight from Nairobi to Kansas City.

Beth Jonees, International Speaker/Author

Beth Jones, International Speaker/Author

I have faith that God will provide the money so I can go.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1, KJV

The evidence of things not seen. I don’t see it yet ~ in the natural. But I see it by faith.

Will you join me in this great adventure to encourage God’s daughters in Kenya, Africa?

To learn more, click here.

Patricia King books
Blog, Faith, prayer, Spiritual Gifts

Are you a giver? Giving unlocks God’s blessings

Patricia King books

Patricia King books

This weekend friends blessed me with a free ticket to the Glory School with Speaker/Author Patricia King, and to my delight, I won one of her books at the very beginning of her presentation!

She was giving out a variety of free info products before she spoke, and when she held up her book, 10 Steps To Success, I turned to my friends Ruth and Anita and said, “I want that!”

Right after Patricia shared about the book, my hand shot up and she said, “You want it?” and walked toward me. I was exuberant and hopped out of the seat quickly to get it. This was just one of the blessings from this weekend.

One of the keys to walking in God’s glory which Patricia shared about was generosity. The generous will be blessed. (Proverbs 22:9). Generosity unlocks God’s blessings and is a key to accessing the glory of God.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25, NIV

The pastor of Christ Triumphant church, Alan Koch, and the audience were stunned when Patricia suddenly announced at the end of her speaking presentation that she was just going to give away all of her products on the back tables, instead of selling them. She said, “Just take them. Get whatever you want.”

This was a live, sincere demonstration of what she taught. My friend Ruth quickly got me the book, Dream Big (one of my life mottos, especially now with my upcoming Africa trip!). I also got The Favor Factor and Step Into Supernatural Provision.

I estimated Patricia had well over $1,000 – and perhaps $1000’s – of products on the back tables, including books, audios, CDS, and DVDS. She said she has given away a car, she gives away her clothes about every 6 months, and she sows financially into many other ministries and charities.

Patricia said she never tells people publicly her needs, but God always supplies over and above her needs. He knows what they are, as well as her desires. (Such as pretty clothes. When women come up to her and tell her they love her clothes and jewelry, she tells them that God dresses her, because people are constantly sending her beautiful clothes as a gift. When she spoke, I noticed and loved her stylish clothes, especially her tall, brown boots, sort of like these.)

She understands God’s eternal principle, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

I was talking to a woman in the foyer afterward and she said she felt almost guilty taking the books for free and not paying Patricia. But I told her that I didn’t feel guilty at all; Patricia understood that God would pour back into her what she was so generously giving to others: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38, NIV

My friend Ruth also said that when we don’t allow someone who has a gift of giving to give, it deprives that person of a blessing from God. (Giving is one of the spiritual gifts. – Romans 12:8)

Givers are compelled by God to give; they LOVE to give! Giving fills them with joy.(http://www.intouch.org/you/article-archive/content?topic=the_gift_of_giving_article)

Patricia exhorted us several times not to be stingy and “not to hold hands with a stingy person.” It can lock up your blessings from God, and lead to poverty. Stinginess is the opposite of God’s loving heart of giving.

“A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.” – Proverbs 28:22, ESV

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” – Proverbs 11:24, ESV

Do you have the gift of giving? Are you generous or do you struggle with holding onto money (or your love, time, or spiritual gifts) tightly?

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Would you like an opportunity to give and further God’s kingdom here on earth?

You can give to my GoFundMe donations fund for my trip to speak at a women’s conference in Kenya, Africa in December 2013.

This is good soil to sow into. You’ll be partnering with God and me to make an impact globally.

Just click here to learn more or donate. No amount is too small or big.