Zimbabwe: Ministering in Hararae Day 1

   Today was a full day. We are staying in Hararae, which is Zimbabwe's capital. Zimbabwe is beautiful, but it also has many struggles. One in three of it's citizens has AIDS, and the unemployment rate is over 90%! Because there are no jobs. the people have become resourceful by selling everything on the street; downtown and uptown Hararae have become flea markets. The folks are becoming entrepreneurs as they buy items in the city and then sell them at a higher price in surrounding areas.

   We visited an area called Mbare, which they describe as their "ghetto,"  The housing is so sub-standard there that they don't call their homes apartments; they call them flats. (In nicer areas they're called apartments.)

 We also visited a Children's Cancer Center where children from all over of Zimbabwe come to receive their chemotherapy treatments. We were able to worship with them, pray with each of them, and encourage their parents. God is soooo good that He allowed each of us to have our own translator to communicate with the families!

 
   We also toured the church where we will be ministering, Celebration Ministries International. I'll share more about them later.   I'm exhausted......but STILL EXCITED!
I'll keep you posted.

Blessings,
~Lady Paula

Zimbabwe Bound: Atlanta GA

As we prepare to board the plane to South Africa for our 20 hour flight, I am reminded of how my parents encouraged me to use my gifts and talents for the Lord. They always pushed me to give my best and to never compare myself with anyone else. This has served me well in marriage, motherhood, and ministry. Continue to pray for me as I moved when God says move. 

Blessings!

~Lady Paula 

Zimbabwe Bound: 1st stop - Jax FL

I'm so excited about this adventure and the opportunity to minister in Zimbabwe, Africa. Right now, I am in Jacksonville Florida with Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin and Lady Narlene McLaughlin at the Potter's House Int'l Ministries ( tphim.org ). Bishop Vaughn invited me to be a part of his ministry team in Zimbabwe, so I'm here getting my marching orders. We begin our 20-hour flight Sunday afternoon. I'm looking forward to working hard and having a great time! I don't know what God holds for me on this trip, but He has always put me in situations where I can learn and grow and be a blessing to others. I don't expect anything different on this journey. Pray for me. 

I'll keep you posted!

Blessings,

~Paula 

Celebrating MY Freedom (July words)

Celebrating MY Freedom

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45

 

Every year on July 4^th our country celebrates its freedom from Britian. There will be cookouts, parties, family reunions, and fireworks to enjoy and remind us of how far this country has come and the sacrifices made to get to this point. Of course, America isn’t perfect, but it’s better than it was and can continue to improve if it follows the basic principles it was founded on. This sounds a lot like the life of a Christian. We’ve been freed from the bondage of sin by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Of course, we’re not perfect, but we’re better than we used to be and will continue to grow if we believe and follow the basic principles, values, and standards that God has given us. We don’t have to wait to celebrate! EVERY DAY with every breath we are reminded of how far we’ve come and the sacrifice Jesus made for our souls to be free. Our corporate worship services are our opportunities to encourage one another and rejoice TOGETHER for the things God has done. Remember: You are as free as you want to be.  “Celebration time, come on! Let’s celebrate!”

~Lady Paula

MY BIG MAC STORY

MY BIG MAC STORY

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” ~2 Corinthians 5:17

As many of you know, I've really been trying to eat healthfully: more fruits and vegetables and less junk food. Well, the other evening I was out late and decided to grab something to eat before heading home. SOMEHOW I ended up in the McDonald's drive-thru ordering a Big Mac (with no pickles; so they'd have to make a fresh one). Now I haven't had a Big Mac for a minute. I used to eat them all the time, but since I changed my eating habits I really haven't missed them at all.  While I was eating the Big Mac I told myself, "Self, you've done so well that this little slip up won't hurt anything. Plus, you deserve it. You've been working hard all week doing stuff for everybody else so go ahead and do this for you." I must confess: I ate the WHOLE thing and enjoyed EVERY bite! Well..... I should've prayed first and listened to the Holy Spirit and not me!!!!! The next morning I was SOOOO sick; my stomach was turning upside down. As I was praying for healing that morning, the Holy Spirit revealed ALOT of things to me; too much to get into right now, but I will share them with you in weeks to come. I will tell you this: He reminded me of the above scripture, and that I'm not who I once was. My life has changed (and is changing) and doesn't have room or tolerance for the old stuff I used to do.

To be continued……………..

~Lady Paula

THE HANDS OF MY FATHER

THE HANDS OF MY FATHER

"And he took them in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16 (NIV)

As I was thinking about Father's Day this year, I was reflecting on the things I love about my dad: his smile; his sense of humor, his generosity, his need to "tell it to you straight," and his love for his grandbabies. What I appreciate the most is how he has illustrated the above verse in my life. My dad's arms have always been open to me and have held me tight when I've needed courage and reassurance. But it's my father's hands that have blessed me in so many ways. I remember my dad holding my hand as we crossed the street, keeping the bike steady as I learned to ride, and showing me how to change a tire when I learned to drive. I even remember how proud I was when he would try to do my hair for school when my mother had to work late (crooked parts and all)! There were times when my dad's hands dropped the ball, and my mom was ALWAYS there to throw it back to him to help him be what I needed him to be at that time. Of course, NO man can be everything you need him to be; that's reserved for our Lord and Savior. But the hands of my earthly father blessed me and showed me how to receive the love of my Heavenly Father. Thanks dad!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

~Lady Paula

Thank You For The New Day

As we thank the Lord for allowing us to see another day, let us be mindful to enter this new dayr with faith and determination. Believing that God is able, and that we will hold out until the end. Psalm 27:13-14 “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” God’s grace is sufficient to give us the strength, the wisdom, and the power to overcome every obstacle that is placed before us. We must position ourselves to recognize and be ready when His promises are manifested. The Holy Spirit will help us: keep Christ first; consecrate our mind and body for God’s purpose; communicate openly and honestly with God and other believers; and stay committed to the call.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” ~ Hebrews 12:1

~~Lady Paula