Annette Eckart

Mountains of the Moon and Meat Sticks

2012-02-12T20:17:00.004-05:00

Where are my clouds that float in crystalline blue sky piled high like mounds of fluffy whipped cream? “It’s the dry season, Mum,” my companions tell me. Our previous three visits to Uganda were in the rainy season. A heavy haze hangs over fields and limits visibility as we start our six hour journey to Nsenyi. It will take longer, because we have several appointments along the way, and of course there is always the meat sticks!

We’re driving the Bwarara Road, an excellent highway for skewered chicken legs and chunks of beef roasted on open fires. “The best spot is ahead,” Fr. Peter says. We pull over. Men and women rush to our SUV’s windows with baskets of avocados, papayas, sodas and barbecue. Stacked meat sticks teeter-totter as vendors vie for position. Our Ugandan team leader, Selevest, who I have always known as an animated man, becomes a study in chiseled stone. He shrewdly assesses the offerings, his eye roves over the goods, selecting this and that. Volleys of words fly between him and a woman. We don’t understand the language, but we know they are bargaining. His offer is not accepted. Eventually, he grunts to the driver who pulls away. The woman runs alongside our car and yells out. The car stops. Selevest opens the community purse. Uganda shillings pass through the window and she hands over a papaya large enough to need its own seat in our car! Selevest juggles the purchases and we scramble to make room. Rolling again, we pray a hearty blessing over the food, before our friends rip into the meat sticks.

Warthogs edge the road, herds of Ugandan kobs, a type of antelope, dot the plain, and a two-foot tall Colobus monkey drops from a tree. He lopes across the road and dives into the scrub. Long silvery hair flies out from his shoulders, like a silken cape billowing behind him.

We speed toward the Rwenzori Range, the Mountains of the Moon. Heavy dust obscures familiar emerald terraced hillsides and cascading streams of water. We turn off the highway and bump along the red earth to our final destination. Fr. Peter jumps out to open the twelve-foot iron security gate. Fresh cut banana stalks tied with bouquets of yellow flowers stand at attention alongside the road like an honor guard to greet us.

“Welcome home!” Young women with brilliant smiles, their heads wrapped in bright patterned cloth, run from the house. “Welcome home,” swirls around us until even the Mountains of the Moon echo the greeting. Children race toward us from every direction. When we make eye contact, they laugh, drop their heads and shyly peek at us. Finding us happily watching them tickles their delight and big grins spread across their faces.

The power is out tonight. After prayers and goodnights, Ed assembles our mosquito tents. We crawl into bed, zip ourselves in, and flick off our headlamps. In moments, Ed’s sleeping. Our room is black. I wave my hand in front of my face to test whether or not I can see it. I can’t . But as I close my eyes a jumble of happy images, loved ones all over the world, Mountains of the Moon and meat sticks go round in my mind.

“Clay Under His Seal” Mission Team Enroute to Uganda

2012-02-07T13:53:00.010-05:00

The flaming sunset finds an answering fire in my heart as our plane draws nearer to Uganda. When the sun rises again I will be looking into the shining faces of Exodus and Margret, Augustane and Jennifer, Peter, Stella, Nelson, Elizabeth, and many others we love. Ed and I are the sole members of this mission team. Setting a new precedent, we picked our team name while driving to the airport.

Even though mission team names are generally chosen from the scriptural Word and direction received on mission, "Clay Under His Seal" presented itself before we set out. We adapted the phrase from Job 38. My brother Kevin had quoted it at our Saturday morning prayer meeting and it left me breathless. Later, Ed and I prayed the Word. We heard it as a promise from God. He set His seal upon us for this trip. We go forward as His ambassadors. The Word gave direction. We pledged to move in submission, choosing to be consciously soft-hearted, teachable, and awaiting impressions from God.

I sense God will mold our hearts, re-form them, and deepen our awareness of His Sovereignty. I pray God will find us malleable as He presses His signet ring into our hearts. I pray we will be as "Clay under His Seal", conformed to our King's desires.

As sky colors fade and stars appear, I recall Job 38:12, "Have you ever roused the morning, given directions to the dawn...earth stands out clear like clay stamped by a seal, in all its colors …". I wait for arrival in Uganda and the dawn.

Long Distance Prayer

2012-01-19T14:54:00.001-05:00

"I sent Bridge for Peace Healing Cards to two friends," the caller said. "One had stage four cancer and is now totally healed." The other friend had tests that showed a high number for "cancer markers". After retesting, the marker numbers indicated her friend was healed. All glory to God.

Sometimes people are surprised to learn that long distance prayer yields results. But think about Jesus Christ. His Blood shed for us 2,000 years ago is the source of our salvation and healing today. Maybe we need to rethink our definition of long distance!

God of Possibilities

2012-01-13T14:55:00.001-05:00

Cathy was scheduled for surgery to remove an abscessed gland. The "pain from the abscess was excruciating." In the month of December she received "high-powered antibiotics…intravenously…then…oral antibiotics. Cathy's husband emailed Bridge for Peace for prayer.

Before her surgery "Cathy was required to sign a release so that her doctor could remove the gland where the painful abscess was located." While Cathy was in the recovery room the doctor brought amazing news. She said the abscess had disappeared and "…since the abscess had disappeared, it was not necessary to remove the gland."

Cathy asked the doctor, "How did the abscess disappear?"

The doctor replied, "I don't know. It might have been the medicine."

Cathy said, "I know how the abscess disappeared—it was God!"

The doctor responded, "Well, that is a possibility." Praise to our God of Possibilities!

Camera Angles

2012-01-11T14:07:00.001-05:00

A father of young children was rushed to the hospital with chest pain. Medical personnel determined he had two arteries blocked 70-90%. The hospital staff would not release him and scheduled surgery for next day.

I received the phone call asking for prayer. As I prayed on the phone I heard myself say, "When they go into surgery they'll find the arteries clear."

The next day, another phone call came from the same faithful family member. "When he went into surgery they found the arteries totally clear! They're saying it was the camera angles!?!? I told them, "It's not the camera angles, it's GOD!"

I related the facts to a doctor friend, as well as a nurse who works in the emergency room of a local hospital. I asked for their expert input. How conclusive is the test for blocked arteries? The doctor described the extensive procedure that determines occluded arteries, the views taken from different directions – the details are beyond the scope of this blog.

The doctor then asked me the same question Bridge for Peace lay people asked. "What about his chest pain?"

I checked with the family. The reply, "Chest pain? He has none."

From this angle, it looks like God receives all the glory.

Newly Created Bone

2012-01-10T12:45:00.001-05:00

A mother asked for prayer before her adult daughter's ear surgery. "The doctor says her ear bone has disintegrated."

As I prayed, I heard the Holy Spirit. I did not hear an audible voice, but having spent years listening for the Holy Spirit I know when God speaks. I spoke in obedience to what I understood with my spiritual ear. "When they operate, they'll find a bone. God creates ear bones. She will have an ear bone."

I don't speak casually about healing. Our healing cost Jesus His blood.

Weeks later the mother said her daughter's, "…surgery went well. We'll find out how she's doing when the gauze is gone….Oh and by the way, she had an ear bone. The doctor said it was just under a lot of gunk."

"Wait a minute," I replied. "The doctor said she had no ear bone. The doctor said the ear bone had disintegrated. He didn't say maybe we'll find one when we get in there. He gave no possibility at all. And now the doctor says she has an ear bone? We have to give God the glory He deserves!" However, I didn't want to be premature, so I did some investigating before posting the news.

I checked with two doctor friends. Both said the same thing. "If she had an MRI, they'd see it if it was there. MRIs show bones whether they are under gunk or not."

Phoning the mother I asked, "Did she have an MRI before surgery?"

"Yes, it was after the MRI that the doctor said she had no bone." But the mother went on to tell me something else. She said her daughter joined her in a prayer of committal to Jesus Christ. In the month since the surgery her daughter "…has more peace. She's changed." Jesus Christ makes all things new!

Holy Spirit Relief

2012-01-04T19:07:00.001-05:00

She waited patiently surrounded by empty chairs as the New Hyde Park ministry came to an end at around 10:30 pm. She came forward and told her story. "I had so much pain in my knees tonight before I left the house. It was hard for me to come. As I sat here, I sensed the power and love of God. When the team got up to give their testimonies, I no longer felt the heaviness and burning in my knees. I've just been waiting to tell you…"

The Good King

2011-12-29T17:40:00.003-05:00

Remember "Good King Wenceslas"? He's the regal gentleman who looked out "on the feast of Stephen" in one of my favorite Christmas carols. I learned the first verse as child, but because this song moves me deeply I'm memorizing more lyrics.

A lively tune (I wish I could hum it for you) accompanies the story of the Good King who, I imagine, is quite toasty by his hearth. I picture him alongside one of those huge stone fireplaces I've seen in England's stately mansions, a fireplace big enough stand in. He peers out from his regal window and sees a poor man foraging for fallen branches. The King watches the man closely and knows the man's efforts won't supply his need.

Good King Wenceslas inquires of his servant, "Who is he?" His page says the man lives a far distance, beneath the mountain, against the forest fence, and the King makes a decision. He instructs his servant to bring meat, wine and wood and says, "We're going to see this poor fellow enjoy a feast tonight." And out the King goes into the howling storm to find the peasant.

The wealthy King's selflessness and determination amaze me, but it's his joy that grips me. When I sing the words, "We're going to see this poor fellow enjoy a feast tonight," I feel his joy in bearing gifts that will relieve a cold and hungry man. I touch the mercy of Jesus Christ, the Good King.

Seeing me from the window of heaven—my helplessness, my poverty—Jesus bundled Himself off, appearing in flesh on this dark and ravaged earth. Jesus came from Paradise braving every cruel element. He set His face like stone against every hardship to give me a gift I could never purchase—the gift of life in His Presence forever. And it was His joy to do it! A joy birthed by love.

Jesus Christ was born as a Child for you and me, both as Child and Good King. May we sing the story with heart and joy!

Congenital Dysfunction Healed

2011-12-15T12:13:00.001-05:00

You never know what might turn up in your email box. This l was too good to keep to ourselves.

" … every muscle and bone in my body (was) hurting. I have a congenital deformation that was treated when I was eleven years old. The orthopedic told me that when I got older I would have arthritis. I believed that the day would come when I would limp and be in pain for the rest of my living days. I started taking Tylenol for arthritis…stopped all sugar and bread as told by my doctor for weight purposes….

I was prayed over… on Nov 19, 2011. That night the pain dissipated. I could bend and I was quite surprised…I have to admit that I wasn't trusting .... Believe me, the pain was very bad before…getting out of bed was a major event. Well, I bounced out of bed. I still wasn't sure it was going to be alright… Then one morning I forgot all about it…. (My husband) said, "Well, look at you walking with no limp or pain."

I laughed and realized …I had been healed."

Thank you, Jesus. I well remember the night a group of us prayed with this dear lady. She's in her fifties. Though she suffered for many years, she never gave up hope. May her testimony strengthen our resolve to persevere in prayer.

TNT

2011-12-14T15:18:00.001-05:00

TNT (Tuesday Night Team) in Selden finished the Bridge for Peace Foundation in Healing Bible Study and we heard revival had broken out! Ed and I visited them to witness what we had been told. We made ourselves available for a question and answer session.

One gentleman asked, "We know you see miracles in Africa and other nations, but do you see these kinds of healings here?"

"Absolutely." We explored his question and then prayed for each other. The Holy Spirit, our perfect Teacher, knows how to best answer a question. God makes it plain. As we prayed, everyone received healing. Even one who didn't ask for healing testified he had received healing. The Holy Spirit demonstrated the truth of God's Word.

Acts of the Apostles 1:8 says, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…" The word for Holy Spirit "power" is "dunamis" in Greek. Dunamis is miraculous power—dynamite power. TNT prayer group participants are filled with the dynamite power of the Holy Spirit. TNT in Selden, Dynamite in Selden, lives up to their name!

Gratitude Parade

2011-12-02T14:45:00.001-05:00

Ed and Lori bustled on the right side of the aisle, plugging in equipment before ministry in Floral Park. I sat on the left and closed my eyes for a moment, listening to Jesus. Several people slid into the pew behind me, I heard them removing their coats and whispering to each other. I thought, "Their need must be great since they arrived so early."

Later, when speaking to the assembly, I noticed a beautiful teenage girl with an oval face in the second row. Her large brown eyes were troubled. She rested her head on the shoulder of an older woman who stroked the girl's long dark hair in a consoling manner. At the time for personal prayer, they came forward immediately.

The grandmother spoke, "She has cone-rod dystrophy." The grandmother said the girl was going blind. The girl never uttered a word. She sat hunched in a chair, nearly trembling with fear.

To test her vision, I showed her a flyer that was handy. She could read the huge heading, but not the large words. I prayed in the Name of Jesus and His authority and showed her the flyer again. She read the words. The girl and grandma were crying. I prayed again. She read smaller print, eventually reading standard print in a church pamphlet. We all thanked Jesus, testified to what God did, and grandma and the teenager returned to their seats, tears running down their faces.

The Bridge for Peace Team prayed long into the night, many people had come in need of healing. At one point I turned toward the congregation. The church had emptied out as people had received, but the beautiful girl still sat in the second row with three other girls. She approached me. "We were waiting to say 'Thank you.'"

She hugged me and said, "Thank you." I hugged her and replied, "Thank you, Jesus." As each girl stepped out of the pew, we hugged and thanked Jesus. It was a gratitude parade.

Ponder the good things God has done. Gratitude may burst from your lips easily or you might be struggling today. The Holy Spirit is ready to help. Ask the Holy Spirit to jog your memory, reminding you of reasons to be grateful. If you can read this blog, you can begin by thanking God for sight.

Let's have a personal gratitude parade! "Thank you Jesus Christ for eternal life. Thank you for your healing grace. Thank you Jesus for love!" Tell someone what God has done for you!

STEADFASTNESS and SPIRIT LIFE 2

2011-11-28T08:46:00.001-05:00

Bridge for Peace Team had a blessed time ministering at Spirit Life 2 in Melville on Sunday night. God's steadfast love was our theme.

The next day, Andrea, one of the leaders, phoned Ed. She said, "…counselors had advised their clients to come and many lives were changed last night…"

Yes, our "conditions" change. God's Word never changes. God's character is steadfast. Bridge for Peace Teams apply God's promises to circumstances and the Name of Jesus is glorified. We encourage you to do the same.

You might wonder, "Where do I start?" An easy and effective way to familiarize yourself with God's promises is a Bible Promise Book. (They are inexpensive and readily available. If you don't know where to find one, Bridge for Peace can help. Call us at 631-730-3982.) Expose yourself to God's promises in scripture. Meditate on His steadfastness. You receive God's promises and God receives all glory.

Sudden Arrival

2011-11-17T10:35:00.002-05:00

Marty Lombardo stepped into Bridge for Peace, Wading River, stopped in the foyer and boomed, "Greatness, greatness, that's what the Lord says!" Marty leaned on his staff and expounded, "This place demonstrates that you don't take for yourself first and give God leftovers."

One of the many things Ed and I appreciate about Marty is that he doesn't waste time in small talk. On our way home from the airport after Australia mission we learned he was planning to arrive within the week. Though we meet overseas nearly every year while on mission, Marty hasn't been back in Wading River since speaking at our groundbreaking celebration in 2006. During his visit he developed his message.

"Greatness – you didn't choose it. God chose it for you. Bridge for Peace is a worldwide ministry and you all have to get that in your hearts. You have greatness because you have favor. This place is God's favor. Don't ask why…it just is. You walk in favor because you go deep."

Marty addressed Bridge for Peace one morning prophesying, "This is your ordained hour. Seize it. Don't forsake your mission. I've called you to move. Do not draw back, go forward. Be alert, be ready. Do not become stagnant. Many have. Don't step back, step forward. I've raised this work up to be extraordinary. I've placed a responsibility here that I've put nowhere else. Don't worry about copying even the good in other ministries. This is My call-not your call-it's what I've called you to do. You are pioneering a work that is to the ends of the earth."

Marty struggled to express himself, "I can't put it into words because it is so big and so important what you are doing here. Move forward in the power of the Lord. Make sure this floor (he indicated the ministry space) is accomplishing everything it is supposed to. Do all things placed in your hands well, to the best of your ability. I can't capture it in words, it's profound. There are more floors to be completed, added in both the physical and the spiritual."
Marty arrives suddenly, stays briefly and impacts us greatly. We never know when he might turn up, but he knows he is always welcome. We're strengthened, encouraged, spurred on, refueled and recharged by his visits. Most of all, Marty reminds us we're loved. You are loved. Keep the door to your heart open to the Holy Spirit. When you least expect it, perhaps when you most need it, don't be surprised at God's sudden arrival.

Winds of Change

2011-10-26T02:36:00.001-04:00

"Winds of change are coming…let them blow," a male voice called out from the back of the hall on our last night of official ministry in Australia 2011. The visible results of Holy Spirit power has been seen here in New South Wales. I don't go on mission to be satisfied, but to preach the gospel of healing through the Blood of Jesus Christ. Yet, I feel great satisfaction on our last day here as we pray with Sally and Tim Worner, leaders of Bridge for Peace Australia.

Travelling through Temora, Wollongong, Penrith, and Lawson, I encouraged listeners to "receive big!' They laughed, but they also opened their hearts to allow the King of Kings to lavish them. Grace was not squandered, but received. Rather than wrapping up a mission, God is opening up the nations to Bridge for Peace. I won't be premature, but expect to hear about the results of the Holy Spirit's winds of change in the next few weeks as God does a new thing in Bridge for Peace.

In yesterday's blustery weather, we sailed to Darling Harbor where hundreds of flags snapped in the wind. Each bore the same message, "Expect Everything." Yes, Lord. Blow through our lives, we're expecting you, and the doors of our hearts are opened.

Running by Grace

2011-10-17T07:43:00.001-04:00

(Sunday 16^th October)

Our morning began with Mark's homemade sausages and a tour of deadly poisonous spiders – red backs & white tails – on the farm. And then we needed to load up again as it was time for us to start out – destination Newcastle.

The whole team is sleep deprived, but as Gillian put it "Excited, excited, excited". Gillian only slept about 3 hours last night. She woke up singing, "You've got to move".

Lives were changed yesterday – deaf ears opened, knees, back, hearts restored. I marvelled at testimonies of miraculous healings from prior visits. Nearly two dozen received the gift of tongues.

Jesus is going forward and we're running by grace, hand in hand.

You’ve Got to Move

2011-10-17T07:22:00.001-04:00

(Friday 14^th October, 2011)

Tim and Ed loaded the van at 6am this Friday morning. We're still on the road, scheduled to arrive at the school in Temora at 1.30pm to address two classes, then on to the radio station for a 4.30pm broadcast.

Yellow Canola flowers brighten rolling hills in NSW. I watch a pickup truck bounce across the paddock. Dozens of cattle trot across the field hustling for their lunch.

Temora is still one hour ahead of us on the road. After bustling Sydney, the single lane country road edged with gum trees and vistas opening to where woolly sheep dot the hillside brings an ease to the eyes and signals a halfway point in our Australia mission.

These past two week, we have seen extraordinary manifestations of the miraculous power of Jesus Christ - eyes opened, diseases healed and paralysis overcome. Many received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with pounding hearts and tears of joy.

Tomorrow morning we begin teaching a workshop between 9am and 3pm. I'll be speaking in church at 6.00pm and we'll begin the Healing Service at 7pm in the hall.

On Sunday, we travel back 5 hours to Sydney, pick up some clean clothes and head out for the two hour trip to Newcastle. Sharron and Gillian will join us again for this segment.

Praise God for the continuous prayers of all intercessors. Astonishing results of prayer, teaching and training have abounded on this mission.

By the way, last night at about 10.10pm we named the team. It was unanimous. We are the "You've Got to Move" Team Australia 2011. Appropriate, don't you think?

Holy Wind Currents

2011-09-28T06:08:00.001-04:00

We're here in Sydney and more excited than ever about the upcoming Australia Mission. Unboxing resources, creating power points, and getting reconnected online added up to a great day. Picking up the word from our worldwide inside team of intercessors supercharged us. The Brazil Bridge for Peace Team sent a synopsis of their prayer meeting to Mission Control New York who forwarded them to Bridge for Peace Mission Team here in Australia. (Be encouraged everyone, intercession for great communication is bearing fruit!) Fernando shared his vision of a plane flying on the wind of the Holy Spirit. "…no man was controlling it, but God Himself. So, no matter the position we are in, God will guide us, wherever, whenever and in the way He wants." Amen! Let's spread our wings team. There's a gust of Holy Spirit wind rising. We're soaring together, higher than ever, all for His glory!

God’s Phone Number

2011-08-28T08:41:00.002-04:00

Ed and I sat in Dr. H.P.'s waiting room. We heard him bustling down the hall, chatting to a patient and accompanying her to the reception desk. Turning, he spotted us and burst out, "Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Eckart! My pastors are here!" (We're not pastors, but he's been calling us that for over twenty years.) "Where does it say in the Bible, 'Call unto me and I will answer you… '?"
I replied, "Jeremiah."
"But where in Jeremiah? Come with me, please." Ed and I followed him into the examining room. He closed the door behind us saying, "I received a pamphlet in the mail. It said, 'God is giving us His phone number.' Then it went on to quote 'Call unto me…". His infectious laugh rang out. "Excuse me, one moment…" Exiting, he swiftly returned, Bible in hand. Ed took the Holy Book and paged through it, checking the reference.
Dr. H.P. swiveled on his stool and I became excited as I realized he was about to tell us one of his marvelous stories.
"A patient of mine was dying of pancreatic cancer. I asked if he wanted to go to the hospital. He said no, he would go home and wait for God's angels to take him. I went to visit him at home; his daughter was caring for him. I went to the edge of his bed, he was sleeping. I sat down. He must have sensed someone was present. He opened his eyes, looked at me, and said, "Are they here?" He was looking for the angels.
"His daughter answered, 'No, Dad.'
"He said, 'Okay' and closed his eyes.
"After he died, his daughter came to see me. She said, 'He left his thousands to family members, but as he himself told me, 'To Dr. HP, I leave my most treasured possession.' It was this Bible.' HP indicated the book Ed held in his hands.
Ed thumbed through Jeremiah in the deceased man's bible and found chapter 29:12, "Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you."
I looked at the words and exclaimed, "It's already highlighted!"
Florescent yellow marked the passage, but the previous owner lived them. He called, God answered, and now he's seeing angels.
What a privilege to have direct access to God. Why don't you call God today? Call Him and He will answer you and show you great and mighty things!

From Whoops to Wow

2011-07-16T01:57:00.003-04:00

While snipping fragrant herbs outside my kitchen door, I discovered a huge caterpillar decimating my curly-leaf parsley. I clipped the stalk and brought the beast into the kitchen, "Katie, look at this!" Katie (13 years old) is into nature. "Aunt Annette, it's great!" Everyone exclaimed over the fuzzy body with the bright yellow/orange spot and then it was time to dispose of it. "Don't get rid of it," Katie pleaded.
I turned to Nina, Katie's mom. "Looks like Katie will be keeping her new pet in a terrarium." Since Katie and her Mom were sleeping over, the caterpillar would be overnighting also, cuddling up to parsley leaves in a vase on the kitchen peninsula.

Early the next morning we hustled to get ready for the Bridge for Peace Praise Trolley. Saying goodbye to the caterpillar, we hopped onboard to praise the Lord. Six hours later we piled into the kitchen. The parsley greens had been stripped bare and Katie's big fat hairy caterpillar was missing. Whoops! We looked high and low; the insect was g-o-n-e.
I felt a bit like I was living Jurassic Park, never knowing what might turn up in the kitchen when.

About a week later Renae, our Australian intern, pointed to the base of our wall of windows and shouted, "Look, a cocoon!" It had attached itself to the wooden molding.
Ed considered moving it outside, but hesitated, afraid to maim the caterpillar.

Another week passed and my birthday came. After a day of celebration, Ed, Renae and I ate birthday cake at about 11pm. Renae twirled the bud vase on the table, a gift from my friend Bernadette. "The butterflies on this vase are beautiful," Renae said. "Butterflies! The butterfly! What's happened to the cocoon?" She jumped from her seat and squealed, "I knew it, for your birthday!" I joined her on the floor where a brand new butterfly, wings still not quite unfurled, rested. The wings shone a metallic blue color, with white spots, black edging….astonishing. I exclaimed, "Wow! This is the year I come out of my cocoon!"

What began as a "whoops" became a "wow", caterpillars to butterflies, God's special gift. I wonder what He is cocooning for you right now? If you will wait patiently for Him to do His work, I know His blessing for you will emerge at the right time.

Surefooted through Holy Spirit Power

2011-07-10T23:34:00.001-04:00

Dynamic Renae Wiencke from Temora, Australia, has been interning with us at Bridge for Peace for a month. She's sparkled on Bridge for Peace outreaches, moved with power at our healing services (including working with a translator for the first time at a Chinese fellowship), touched people on New York radio, and the Bridge for Peace television program. One of the books I've recommended for Renae as a result of what I've seen God doing in her life right now is Hinds Feet on High Places.

All day long she makes various notes on topics we discuss. One day, she stood at the kitchen peninsula, pen poised in hand. "What was the name of that book you mentioned this morning?" she asked.

I thought for a minute and said, "Hinds Feet on High Places". She started writing, just as she has for the last three weeks. For the first time, I glanced at her paper. My accent had clashed with her Australian understanding and she had written, "High Speed on High Places." We laughed at the misinterpretation, and then the Holy Spirit spoke to me. "She'll walk confidently in places where others struggle. She'll wade in when others stand at the shore. She strides on the heights of My Glory, because she looks up to Me always and never looks down."

High Speed on High Places. A mistake? No. Renae is destined for great things in God, she's moving quickly in the Lord. May we all have that anointing through the power of the Holy Spirit to move fearlessly at High Speed in High Places, surefooted through Holy Spirit Power.

A Welcome Home Prezzie

2011-06-19T21:53:00.001-04:00

"A prezzie!" Sally exclaimed when I handed her the small package while on mission overseas. "I love prezzies!" And who doesn't? For those of us who are not Australian, I'll interpret. Prezzies are presents. Oh, and fam din is family dinner. Get it? Our Australian friends like to abbreviate everything—lippy for lipstick, sunnies for sunglasses, cozies for bathing costume or what we in America call a bathing suit. Ed and I arrived home from Uganda mission very late on May 27 and when the jet lag cleared a bit, I found a super welcome home prezzie awaiting us!

I clicked open an e-mail to find great news from Cristiano Nunes, Bridge for Peace leader in Brazil and my dear brother in Christ. He had contacted a Catholic foundation in Italy and had gone through the tedious process of application and verification. He wrote, "The project for the Ugandan sponsorship … is almost complete. Ten kids ... will be assisted at the beginning...then after these, (we) can submit more children as the project develops...I'm so happy for this little sign of hope....some more kids will be able to go to school. And I'm part of it. Praise the Lord!"

My brother Christiano has a way with understatement. Ten kids is a big sign of hope to me. It's a big sign to the ten that get to go. It gives others hope, also. The day we left Uganda. I prayed privately for a pastor. In a low voice he said. "Yesterday I had a telephone call from parents who could not afford to send their children to school. They were looking for help. My heart bleeds…" This is a sign of hope for that pastor.

Five years ago, we took a step in faith. Sensing God was leading us Bridge for Peace board of directors voted "yes" unanimously to sponsor 14 Ugandan orphans education. We had to raise up sponsors, plan fund raisers, put together power points and brochures and speak to interested groups. It was a struggle, but God met the need. Now with the help of Cristiano in Brazil and a foundation in Italy 10 more children would have good news. What a gift! God is joining together the body of Christ from America, Australia, Brazil, and Europe to meet the needs of our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ from Africa.

Thank you, Jesus. I love my welcome home prezzie that is so obviously heaven sent!

June 3, 2011

Francis of Assisi

2011-06-11T08:34:00.005-04:00

“I like your hat!” Ed and I turned to the voice booming across the narrow Assisi road, ricocheting off stone buildings, climbing uneven staircases, and penetrating wrought iron gates leading to courtyards.

“Is it Australian?” he asked in a British accent. Quickly correcting his assertion he said, “Excuse me,” and bowed slightly from the waist. “I like your hatsss.” He emphasized the “s”, motioning toward my own ordinary black cap.

“A gentleman,” I thought.

As he bowed, the bald center of his head reflected a hazy sun poking from behind a threatening cloud. His graying hair blew out wildly from his temples. The tall man had actually passed us before he called out. I’d eyed him from our side of the street that lacked sidewalks, watched him stride by striking his staff against the stone roadway with big movements that caused the caped coat to billow like a sail in the wind. He sported a fluorescent yellow crossing guard’s vest with white ties beneath his arms. A safety measure, I’m sure, because he commanded a chunk of space on a road where even Smart cars barely escaped scraped doors from stone homes and shops that lined the street’s edges. The vest covered his brown oilskin Driza-Bone coat (originating from the phrase "dry as a bone”). We recognized the distinctive outer garment from our missions to Australia. (Extremely effective against the elements and definitely pricey.) I didn’t want to stare, but I had the impression of a bright blue cloth tunic beneath his coat and bulky white ankle socks in sturdy sandals.

We stayed on our side of the roadway, he on his, and we conversed with each other, flattening ourselves against the walls when the occasional car passed. He bellowed over the wind, “I had my own computing business, knew Bill Gates, though my company was very small compared with his operation. Did a lot of riding (he indicated his Driza-Bone coat)—money, traveled anywhere, put the money down, hotels… You never get to meet the people. I feel I never really saw anything. Now, eating with the nuns. They serve soup, bread, everyone’s welcome… they don’t ask you who you are, you know?”

“Are you living here in Assisi?” I asked.

“I’m on my way to the Holy Land…staying with a couple. The lady gave me five Euro to go to the butcher for her...must be on my way.”

I identified. Go where God leads, live by faith, rejoice at His provision, engage the challenge that proves His Glory. I live the perpetual excitement of traveling a course known only to God with the Holy Spirit at the helm. I wanted to bless him. We crossed the street to shake hands and introduce ourselves.

“I’m Annette, my husband Ed.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Ed said.

He replied, “My name is Francis.”

I knew it all along.

“Tim, Over Here!”

2011-02-06T06:58:00.002-05:00

I clicked the sunshine icon on Ed's phone to check out the weather for January 28, 2011. A cloud with little snowflakes appeared on the screen. The expected high temperature of the day was 26, that's below zero in Celsius, the measurement scale used by Tim Worner, native Australian, scheduled to arrive at JFK at 7a.m. (Tim and his wife Sally serve on Bridge for Peace Board of Directors and head Bridge Australia.) Tim had never had the thrill of navigating piles of snow or bracing for freezing temperatures like we experience on Long Island.

Ed and I pulled up before Terminal 7 and Tim pushed through the doors wearing a zippered front sweatshirt – yikes! I waved and waded over to him in my Snowlion boots. "Tim, over here!"

A big grin spread across his face as he strode toward us, lugging his travel gear. It wasn't much later that he was testing out the snow blower in our long driveway. Ed laughed, "I've spent a bit of time in the last couple of weeks teaching fellows from the southern hemisphere how to operate a snow blower!"

Working at the computer, I looked out the window, shaking my head in amazement as Tim manoeuvred the machine clearing the parking area, a plume of white shooting high into the cloudy sky that threatened another winter storm. My mind wandered back to
1988 when the Lord told us through the book of Isaiah that He would send people from the other side of the world to help with the huge needs intrinsic to a worldwide ministry for the healing of the nations.

All those years ago, Jesus saw Tim, his wife Sally, Ed and I joined together for His worldwide work. Over twenty years ago, while Ed and I sat praying in our living room, listening to the Lord speak, praying for those who would yet come, Tim was a 26 year old single man. I wondered how our prayers had played a part in his life through his marriage, the birth of his four children, and his career decisions. I thought of Tim's obedience to God that led him on this extraordinary path, a heart connection with a ministry group headquartered in New York.

I remembered the mutual joy Ed and I shared sighting Tim at the airport that morning. Tim's turning, grinning and striding toward Ed and me. A new scene suggested itself, the joy of the Father when He called, "Tim, over here." That day as Tim heard God's voice, he turned from the course he planned for his own life. I imagined Tim grinning as he heard the Lord and strode toward Him.

Today, Tim is clearing obstacles away in the Name of Jesus to help others find their way to peace, the kind of peace that goes beyond all understanding. Peace that is not a feeling, but a person, Jesus Christ.

In my heart I pray, "Thanks, Jesus, for sending Tim to us. Though his visit is short, he brings strength to all of us who call ourselves Bridge for Peace, Your nation without geographical borders." As Tim leaves us today, flying back to Australia, we look forward to being reunited on the Bridge for Peace Uganda Mission in May. Tim and Sally will both be with us. God is putting all of the pieces in place for a couple with many responsibilities to leave their family for seventeen days. Ed and I are so happy they are on the team. And I am grateful that once again Tim stepped out in faith when He sensed God pointing to Africa and beckoning, "Tim, over here!"
January 31, 2011

Triple Fire Team Arrives

2011-02-06T05:59:00.004-05:00

Fernanda, Fernando, Felipe

Exuberance characterized our New Year with Fernanda and Fernando from Brazil flying in on Christmas day followed by Br. Felipe native to Brazil and living at his mission base in Jamaica, West Indies for ten years. We gathered in Kevin and Karen's dining room in Wading River. Logs crackled in the fireplace. Karen lit candles on the table and mantle creating a golden atmosphere that reflected my inner sense of God's glory surrounding us. Fernanda speaks mostly Portuguese, so Fernando and Felipe translated, flipping between languages. The conversation turned toward Bridge for Peace Brazil.

"What we have to offer Brazil," Felipe said, "is an ecumenical body ministry." Felipe's gift for conceptualizing and articulating the heart of Bridge for Peace was shining out, lighting a path so others might walk it. Bridge for Peace body ministry consists of seekers who wait on the Lord, worshipping, sharing what they hear, whether through scripture, prophetic word or dramatization, sharing revelation, praying in the Holy Spirit, and discerning their next step communally.

Fernanda asked "What basics do we need to begin?" Then answering her own question, she spoke swiftly, as though bursting with Holy Spirit inspiration. She began laying out their plan, suggesting a time frame, Portuguese words tumbled out of her mouth! Fernando waved his hands as he translated, adding his insights. They planned to transform their attic space to house Bridge for Peace. They would begin as Ed and I began, using what God has given.

Amid all of the excitement, I felt the world stop for a moment. The Lord was smiling at me in a knowing way, nodding, saying, "You see now? You see?" I looked at the young eager faces across the table. Their eyes sparkled with clarity and a love for the Lord and I saw that we were again at the beginning. At the beginning of what Rev. Vincent Muhindo from Uganda calls the 6 billion project. I uttered to myself Vincent's New Year prayer, God's strength be with you until all hearts are bridged.

Certainly, Bridge for Peace has been a work of grace, not a dream Ed and I had, but a walk of obedience. As we heard, we did. Listening to the Brazilian's inspired plans, I knew this trio would drink from God's cup of joy, as joy is the charism of Bridge for Peace. I saw struggles ahead for them and had peace even in that knowing, because as they face each battle with prayer, the Holy Spirit will teach and strengthen them.

Felipe, Fernanda and Fernando lift high God's torch piercing the darkness of an oppressed world with a brilliant flame. The flame is Christ, and lettered in gold on the torch handle is the name Bridge for Peace. Bridge for Peace is God's physical instrument that can be touched and taken hold of by those in despair. The Triple Fire Team, Felipe, Fernanda and Fernando, takes us to "Higher Fire" through their passion for Christ and obedience to His call. Lead on, Fernando, Fernanda and Felipe, lead on!

January 1, 2011

A BOX OF SUNSETS

2010-12-01T00:47:00.003-05:00

Concord, Australia
Sally was already busy at the computer and Ed sat at the other end of the table with paperwork spread around him administrating the wind-up of the mission when I joined them this morning.
"Did you ask God for mangoes for breakfast today?" Ed asked. Ed knows my habit of prayer before I leave the bedroom.
"I was thinking how wonderful it would be to have a fruit salad with mango in it," I replied. I also knew there was no way we were going shopping today. Too many details had to be addressed. Gray skies and pattering rain confirmed our plan to stay in and tie up loose ends.
"The doorbell rang this morning and someone left a crate of mangoes," Sally said indicating the breakfast bar.
Twelve mangoes were nestled in a blue cardboard crate, each in their own slot to protect them from the jostling that could cause bruising. They were packed by the Harvest Company in Queensland, Australia.
I thought, "A box of sunsets!" The mangoes flesh blushed from warm gold to honey orange!
I never dreamed of having my own mango for breakfast, but I had two! I inhaled the sweet fragrance before biting into the perfectly ripe fruit that tastes likes perfume—a heavenly gift from our heavenly Father through a special anonymous earthly messenger.
Thinking back, God often sends us "fruit" signs when a mission is underway or on the verge of completion. Thank you Lord for a tangible affirmation of the choice fruit Your Spirit produced on this Australia mission. Special thanks to the many we worked shoulder to shoulder with to bring in the 2010 harvest. Most of all, praise, glory, adoration and love to our Jesus Christ, His Father, and our Beloved Holy Spirit. We taste of God's goodness, release an aroma of life, and enjoy the fruit of the Spirit in increasing measure within our souls, because the Father gave us the Son, Who sent us the Holy Spirit.
December 1, 2010

Australia 2010 Team Name
Team Base, Concord
I sent an email from the sheep farm in Temora to Lori at Mission Control, Wading River, NY and signed it as "The Soon-to-be-named Team." Sally, Tim, Ed and I knew it was time to get down to the nitty-gritty. Every Bridge for Peace missionary team has a name. We believe God gives the name, and by the Holy Spirit, we discern it. The field team reviews the Word sent from Mission Control, our notes while in the field, prophetic words, dreams, visions, messages at different venues, the attention-grabbing events and synthesize them into a name. It takes courage to undertake the process!
We begin with nominations. All agreed a central message from the Lord was "harvest", appearing throughout the mission in various ways. Most nominated names had a harvest theme. To give you an idea, I'll share a random sample of suggested names.
"Harvest Labourers"—we all liked the Australian spin in the spelling of "Labourers". Other possibilities that ran—"Down Under Harvesters," "Holy Harvest," and "Harvest of the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit." (In some circles, Australia is known as the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit.) Nominations close, followed by several rounds of voting to determine the final choice.
The joy of remembering specific blessings God gave us during the mission escalated into hilarity as we drank of the New Wine of the Spirit! How great it was to serve together, how intense was my happiness, thinking of the faithfulness of the Home Team intercessors and the bonds God has forged. How grateful I am that joy is our charism, our special gift from the Holy Spirit, a God-given characteristic of Bridge for Peace. We are serious about the choice of our Team Name, and had solemn moments of reverent reflection considering what God did, but in the end we blended nominations and "Itinerant Harvest Reapers" was birthed with laughter.
An itinerant worker goes from place to place to assist with seasonal work, oftentimes bringing in the harvest. We met farmers who were working sixteen hour days reaping wheat, oats and other grains in Temora. Bridge for Peace inside and outside teams have been itinerating, going from place to place, joining with those who labor day in and day out in their own areas to bring in what is ripe, what is ready in the spiritual realm. We've covered hundreds of kilometers, ministered in city and country, according to the Holy Spirit's roster.
The "Itinerant Harvest Reapers" are on the move, the harvest is ripe. By day and by night, infused with God's supernatural power, the "Itinerant Harvest Reapers" continue to work by His Light.
November 21, 2010

Australia Mission 2010 - Greystanes

2010-11-21T03:17:00.011-05:00

GOD REMEMBERS

It's been years since we ministered in Greystanes, but I remember some of the amazing understandings God gave me in those days. I remembered the young woman who came to Greystanes ministry at ten o'clock on a rainy Sunday night. She couldn't forgive until God showed me how to help her. God showed me a vision of poison arrows in a heart to teach me about unforgiveness. I described what I saw and she was able to choose forgiveness. The Holy Spirit set her free on that long ago night. That vision has become a touchstone teaching, a lesson I have repeated worldwide to help people choose forgiveness.
Memories flooded my mind, wonderful recollections that brought tears to my eyes. Greystanes was the place where I first met Sally, who now heads Bridge for Peace Australia with her husband Tim. I remembered precisely where Sally and I stood when I had first prayed for her..
This morning, D. and I sat together in the front pew reviewing the day's schedule. I asked, "Do you remember when we both prayed for V. in this exact spot so many years ago?".
Elderly V. had come to the service leaning alternately on the arm of a nursing sister and on her cane (or stick as they say in Australia.) The faith-filled nurse told us V. had dementia. Surgery was scheduled to relieve her painful knees, but the doctor wouldn't operate because V. had fluid retention. Elastic stockings covered her enormously swollen legs. D. and I prayed, and V. looked around, babbling to herself. God's power went through V.; her legs shrank and her elastic stockings fell down and lay around her ankles in thick folds.
I asked her, "How do your legs feel?"
V. responded appropriately saying, "My legs didn't bother me, it was my knees."
I smiled at her correction. "How do your knees feel?"
She pounded on both knees with her fists and said, "They feel fine. I don't have any pain." She left her cane on the bench seat and we walked around the church. She spoke with me the entire time, perfectly coherent. At the front of the church V. said, "I can dance."
I responded, "Well, let's dance."
She said, "I don't know how!" I knew her heart danced with Holy Spirit joy, because my heart was leaping to the same heavenly music! P., an author was there and witnessed the whole thing. She asked me to sign a permission form to include the story in her book. The following year she presented me with a copy. Let the testimony of God's love and power go out far and wide!
At Greystanes today, G. came up with open arms, "Remember me?" How could I forget? He had trigger fingers, plural. His fingers would get stuck if he closed his hands and he had to manually open them. It was terrible and he cried many tears during prayer.
Several Bridge for Peace team members prayed for G. one year. I remembered sitting around the table late at night after ministry as the team discussed his situation. His fingers would be a bit better, and then get stuck again. It was one of the most stubborn spirits I had met up until that time, but satan is a defeated foe. We continued to pray for G. until we saw the manifestation of his healing.
G. stood before us today, years later, hands raised in the air, still opening and closing his healed fingers at will. Glory radiated from his face, he laughed out loud—and I joined him with total delight! G. was surprised I remembered his situation, but God etches into my mind particular instances of the triumph of the Cross.
Ed and I exchanged glances, a special moment in the midst of the busyness. His eyes told me he was thinking of how important the people and experiences at Greystanes have been to him since our first visit to Australia in 2000. I thought of the wonderful people who had served on Bridge for Peace Australia missions through the years and the deep attachments formed through shared service.
Ed set up projection and sound equipment in the front pew, Sally and Tim bustled about getting us situated. D. approached to introduce the associate pastor. His name was Zechariahs. I thought of the biblical book Zechariah—the name means "The Lord God Remembers".
I felt God draw close and whisper, "I also remember early mornings and late nights in Greystanes."
I knew God had been with me, but I now realized God shared in my sweet memories and I felt my love for God deepen. It sounds strange, but I can only describe the moment as bonding with God in a new way. God wants to be included in my reminiscing.
I have long been in the habit of recounting moments of astonishing grace. That practice brings even greater joy today, because the memory is a shared moment. God remembers, too.
November 12,2010

Australia Mission 2010 - Concord

2010-11-16T01:40:00.017-05:00

GOD KNOWS

We ministered at Concord Community Hall tonight. My message came from Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the thoughts I think toward you…" The Holy Spirit brought me new revelation when I was reading this passage again. I realized God always knows the thoughts He thinks! That reality alone amazed me. I most certainly am not always aware of what I'm thinking.
At times, when I intentionally sit before the Lord to meditate on Him, my "to do" list runs through my mind. Minutes pass before I even know the thoughts I think.
At the Concord Community Hall I tried to express what the Holy Spirit showed me—how the Spirit increased my understanding of the enormity of God's knowing. How God's knowing is like a weaving of eternal threads! The people received the word and responded. Some told me they had "ah ha" experiences, others expressed a shift in their thinking that they believed would manifest in healing. Alleluia! Then came the prayer ministry with Ed, Sally and Tim.
L. came first. I'm so glad I asked her, "Have you received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?" She had not. I prayed with her and she received the Holy Spirit, emotional healing and power to overcome her circumstances.
S., strikingly beautiful inside and out, had a frozen shoulder and showed me her swollen arthritic hands. Her palms and fingers had a general redness with white areas around the joints; finger motion was restricted and painful. I clearly remembered from my own history the terror arthritis brings. I often sense satan lurking in the shadows when someone with arthritis asks me for prayer, but I'm more aware of the Presence of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ that healed me.
As I prayed in the authority of the Name of Jesus, S. experienced relief and repeatedly opened and closed her fingers to demonstrate what God was doing. Then S. began to roll her frozen shoulder. She noticed relief and lifted her arm saying, "I couldn't do that before!" Jesus touched her and we hadn't even prayed for her shoulder. Our dearest Jesus continues to reveal His mercy to us! Deliverance, emotional and physical healings—Jesus did it! There isn't time to list all of the healings. Yes, God KNOWS the thoughts He thinks toward us, for good not evil.
I want to know more about the thoughts God thinks toward me, don't you? To make it easy for us, He's written them down in the Bible. God bless you, I'm off to read God's Word!