It's the Weekend!

Friday and Saturday have been busy. On Friday, Mike left around 6 AM, while most of you were still sleeping (or maybe still up from the night before), to go to the MAF airplane hangar with David Francis and some of the other MAF pilots.  He worked on building a base for their flight simulator all day.  (He forgot to take pictures; he has been scolded.) He enjoyed some African style beans and rice for lunch.  He was one tired but happy man when he got home.

Debbie started her day, speaking to the children at the Kinshasa Christian School. They have been studying determination, this week, and learned about Helen Keller, on Thursday.  She shared a little of her own story about being blind and talked about how God wants to use the hard times in our lives to help us learn to endure and persevere--learn determination--and make us into the person He wants us to be. (James 1:2-4).

After being at the school, Sandy, Debbie, three other gals and three children piled into a five passenger vehicle and headed to the school where Sandy teaches.  Don't worry, our car wasn't near as packed as most of the cars in town.  They spent some time walking and playing on the playground.  Debbie got a chance to see where she would be teaching during the MAF conference next week.

Saturday, we started of the day by...well, once we got going, we went to a yard sale.  Yes, they have them here too. It was for the Kinshasa Christian School.  We found some fun Congolese items that were handcrafted, especially for the sale.  Then, Mike changed the tire on the car and we made pizzas...lots of pizzas.

This afternoon the Congolese choir from the International Church of Kinshasa came to David and Sandy's house for rehearsal and pizza party. It was fun to hear them rehearse...and to sing along with them.  

 After they rehearsed, they enjoyed pizza while Debbie shared with them the six principles of finding Joy in the Furnace.

Tomorrow, we will attend church at the International Church of Kinshasa. We are excited to worship with the Congolese and other Christians from around the world.

We are definitely seeing God at work here. So many things break our heart but we know God is here and wants to bring joy, even to those who are hurting.

We're in Africa, Honey!

After two days of travel, we made it safely to Kinshasa, DRC, all luggage in tow, yesterday evening.  The first words out of our mouth were, "We're in Africa, honey."  It still seems surreal.

4 Large Suitcases; 2 Carry-on Bags, 2 BackPacks

Debbie slept pretty well on the airplane but Mike only dozed a little here and there. Despite the seven hour time difference, we were both ready for bed at what would have been 5:00 PM MDT...midnight here in DRC.  We slept about 12 hours, finally awaking around 1:00 PM this afternoon...feeling quite refreshed.


Debbie went to visit the Kinshasa Christian School today. She watched the children rehearse for their upcoming program and talked with the founders of the school.  Debbie will be speaking there tomorrow, during their opening assembly. 

Mike hung out around the Francis' house, taking pictures and visiting with their sentinel, De Gaulle.  I asked him if they were able to talk to each other (the sentinel doesn't speak English) and Mike said, "No, but we understand each other. He really seemed to enjoy his time with him. 

Tomorrow, Mike will be working at the MAF hangar, working on a "project" David has planned.

We sorted all the goodies we brought for the missionary families, enjoyed a nice dinner with a gal, from the US, who we met up with in Brussels and who helped us through the airport in Kinshasa. We are now watching a movie on the "big screen"...and I mean BIG SCREEN.

Let's Go To Africa

We left the snowy mountains Buena Vista, this morning and are now in our motel room in Denver, relaxing, before a long 24 hours of travel tomorrow.  We're toting four suitcases, weighing about 48 pounds each (hoping the airports scales don't weigh them in heavier than ours), two carry-on bags, and two backpacks. So far, the only thing we've discovered that we forgot was Debbie's laptop cord. So, this will be short.

We did want to let you know we are on our way, arrived safely in Denver, and also how you can be praying for us over the next 14 days.  We will be updating our blog while we are gone.  Thankfully, our friends have computers (and maybe even an HP laptop cord that fits Debbie's laptop so she can recharge hers).  For now, here is a list of specific ways in which you can be praying.

Please pray:

For us tonight, Monday, March 24, that we will get good rest, in preparation for the long trip ahead of us.

For us on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25-26, as we travel from Denver to Kinshasa, DRC, with 4 large (checked) suitcases, 2 carry-on suitcases, and 2 backpacks, through 4 airports.

Specifically pray:

We find all of our gates

We make all of our connections

          For endurance through 24 hours of travel

All of our luggage arrives with our contents safe and secure. We are taking a lot for the missionary families and would like it to all be there, when we arrive.  (Theft at the airport is often a problem.)

For our health, physical strength and energy.  We are leaving a cool, dry climate and going to a hot, humid one. In addition, we will be staying with a family with a cat and Debbie is typically allergic to cats. We will also be on the go, quite a bit while we are there.

For Mike as he ministers to the MAF pilots by working on the airplane hangar and/or their homes.  His desire is to bless them by doing whatever work they need done.

For Debbie as she speaks to the various groups (a women’s Bible study, a couple’s Bible study, the MAF wives, the MAF children, and a Congolese choir). Her desire is the God speaks through her and it is His voice these people here…not hers. 

For the hearts of the men, women and children—to whom  we will be ministering—to be open to receive what He has for them to hear.

That God would open up any other opportunities to serve and bless that He might have for us while we are there.  Our ultimate desire is that we might share His joy where ever we go.

That we will keep our focus on Him, not on ourselves and not on each other…but completely on HIM.

In closing, I just want to share a huge praise. God blessed in abundance--far above and beyond--to meet our financial need.  You, our supporters, are going to bless the MAF missionaries in ways none of us could have ever imagined. I can't wait to see what God has planned.  Stay tuned to this blog for how God uses your contributions, as we seek to spread His joy in the Congo.

Miki Speaks Out

Those of you who know Mike, know he's pretty quiet (most of the time). I wanted you to hear from him and know how he is feeling about this trip, or as he put it, new experience.  So, we sat down together and I asked him some questions. I hope this helps you get to know him better and see his heart for the families in the DRC, whom we will be serving.


Why do you want to go to the DRC?  So I can help the people there.  Because I feel God is telling me to go. To see what it's like; I've never been there. And to be with my wife too.

What are you most excited about?  To see how people live over there. Seeing the ocean. Maybe I'll see Popeye.

What are you most nervous about?  Trouble getting on the right plane, getting through the airports.

What do you think will be the hardest thing? Being away from home and staying in different people's houses.

What do you think will be the most different?  I'll be in a different country. I won't be in the United States anymore. That's different!

What are you going to do over there?  I like to help everybody where they might need some help. If I can help them do whatever they need me to do. If I can do it I'll do it. I'll even do windows and dishes and laundry.

How has it felt, watching God provide the money?  I thank God for that, for providing the money. It makes me feel very excited.

Do you think this will change your life:?  It will make me think about their life...how they live.

How did you know God was asking you to go?  I feel it, that God wants me to go over there. I just feel it.

Are you going to preach while you are there?  No, I'm not much of a talker. I would like to be working instead of just talking. I like to be busy.

What else do you want to say?  I just found out a couple of weeks ago my name is Miki, not Mike. So call me Miki but don't call me late for supper. Amen.

If You Say Go

I awoke this morning, with the song, "If You Say Go" playing in my mind. I just have to share what God spoke to my heart, not only this morning but several years ago and how it all comes together, as we prepare to leave on our mission trip to the DRC.

I believe it was in 2006, when I was battling a debilitating flare-up with what was then an unknown illness, I cried out to God, telling Him I didn't want to go on living any longer. I didn't want to die...I simply didn't know how to live like I was.  I had been listening to a CD by a young woman named Amy Nobles and the above mentioned song (If You Say Go) began playing. One particular phrase caught my ear.  "If you call us to the fire, you will not withdraw your hand. We'll gaze into the flames and look for you."

At that moment, God spoke so clearly to me saying, "Debbie, I am in the fire with you. I want you to look for me and see what I am doing in the flames."  Now, it wasn't audible but it was very clear and I knew it was God.  I immediately thought of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Since I cannot read (due to poor vision), I got on my computer and pulled up Daniel Chapters 1-3 and listened to their story over and over again.  God opened up the pages of that story in ways I had never known before, speaking truth into my heart about what He does in and through the trials of my life...showing me what He is doing while He and I are in the flames of my own personal furnaces.  

The next few weeks were some of the most life changing weeks of my life.  My view of trials was turned upside down and inside out. Trials and suffering were no longer something I dreaded but rather looked forward to, with excitement and anticipation because I knew they meant God was up to something huge and it would give me a chance to participate in Him receiving glory.  Now, don't get me wrong, I did not go around looking for furnaces in which to jump. I simply no longer grumbled and complained when they came my way.

I also found myself wanting to share these new truths with everybody with whom I came into contact, especially those facing struggles in their lives. Well, that was just about everybody.  I became so passionate about teaching others these truths.  God began burdening my heart to write a book...not just any book but a Bible study.  I resisted for months but finally obeyed and wrote the study Joy in the Furnace. 

As I was writing the book, I asked my friend, Sandy Francis, if her Bible study group in Kinshasa, DRC, would like to be my pilot group and test the study for me.  They readily agreed and did the study right on the heels of my writing...even before it was edited.  Since then, the book has been edited (twice) and published.  (And now I will get to speak to these same women (and others), about Joy in the Furnace, while I am in Kinshasa.)

This morning's thoughts from God bring everything to a new level...a place I never could have imagined on that very dark day I was listening to this song, back in 2006.  "If you say go, we will go" are the words from the song with which I was awakened this morning. And then there were those words, "If you say step out on the water, though they say it can't be done. We'll fix our eyes on you and we will come."

When Mike and I felt God calling us to go to the DRC, just a few short weeks ago, we so readily said, "Yes." In fact, one reason I was sure it was of God was because of the ease with which Mike said "yes". You have to understand that Mike took his very first plane trip this Christmas to see my girls. For him to agree (after praying together) to fly 10,000 miles to Africa, without any hesitation, confirmed that God was calling us. Ha! In all seriousness, we both knew God was asking us to go...asking us to walk out on the water.  We had very little time in which to meet/talk with appropriate people, obtain a birth certificate, passports and visas, complete paperwork, receive several shots, raise an enormous amount of money, and so much more. In human terms, the tasks seemed insurmountable for the time frame.  Yet we knew that when God calls you to do something, He will not fail. All He asks is that we keep our eyes on Him.

It has been easy to take our eyes off of Jesus and worry as to whether things will get done (e.g. passports arriving on time). However, God continues to remind us that He is the one who called us. It is His job to take care of those details.  We are to do our part, which does include completing forms, mailing items, being responsible with the funds He provides, etc. The main responsibility we have, however, is to keep our eyes on Him, always, always, always.  

And so, in closing I quote the words from the song, "We fix our eyes on you and we will come."

Debbie

Update: Passports Here and Gone

After days of waiting, Friday was a hurry-up kind of day. Debbie's passport finally arrived that day. Whoo-hoo!! Thank you to all who were praying!!  Then, it was a flurry of activity, booking the flights, finalizing the visa application, signing everything, making copies, checking, double checking and triple checking everything to make sure we had all we needed and then sending it off to MAF headquarters. They should receive it tomorrow and our visa requests will be off to the Congolese Embassy in Washington D.C.  

On Thursday, Debbie worked on her teaching plans and is really getting excited about sharing the principles found in Joy in the Furnace with the missionary children. She is practicing by teaching her Friday morning Bible study children the same concepts. This past Friday's lesson was "Jesus is always with me", such an important concept for children to learn...whether they are preschoolers who are sad when their mom leaves them in their classroom or a missionary child growing up in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Our support raising continues to go extremely well.  Our anticipated financial need is $5500. As of today, we are at $4950.  We had the funds to purchase our airline tickets and other expenses thus far and we are confident God will provide the remaining $550 before we leave.

Our flight leaves Denver on Tuesday, March 25th...just over two weeks from now. Between now and then, we will be purchasing some last minute items needed for our trip, purchasing items to take to the missionary families (necessities like Reese's Peanut Butter cups and chocolate chips that they can't get in the DRC), and packing.  Debbie will be finalizing her teaching and speaking plans and rounding up the necessary supplies.  (Debbie's Friday class is helping to provide the craft and snack supplies for the children in the DRC.)

Please pray for us as we make all these final preparations. Pray for the hearts of the women, men and children (with whom Debbie will be teaching) to be prepared for what God wants them to hear from His Word. 

To join our prayer team, please email us at debbie@joyinthefurnace.com.  If you would like to join our financial support team and help meet the additional need we have, you can send a tax-deductible check to Clearview Community Church. Please make sure you put "Martinez - DRC" in the memo line so the secretary knows it is for our account.  Checks can be mailed to Clearview Community Church, PO Box 1336, Buena Vista, CO 81211.  

UPDATE: Passports...One Here and One on the Way

We hoped to get this update posted over the weekend but kept waiting for some definitive news about Debbie's passport. After spending $49 for the requested marriage license and express mail fees, an agent from the passport center contacted Debbie (last Friday) saying they did not need the license after all. She could not understand why the first agent requested it.  She promised to process the passport and have it in the mail that day.  It finally mailed out today!!

Mike did receive his passport yesterday and is quite proud of it. 

God continues to bless us abundantly with prayer and financial support.  We are only $1000 short of our need and have so many prayer warriors committed to praying for us, both now and during our trip. We cannot tell you how it thrills our hearts to hear you tell us you are praying for us.  Friday, one of Debbie's preschool children (from the Bible study at church) told her he prays for us every day. What a blessing!

The excitement within our hearts is building, as we anticipate this trip. As we have watched God work in amazing ways, the past few weeks, we have no doubt that He has indeed called us on this mission. Some people think we are crazy, some worry about our safety, but we are confident that God has chosen us to go...and we can hardly wait!

Please pray for speedy mail delivery of Debbie's passport. Once the passport is received, we will be able to book our airline tickets then mail everything off to MAF, in Idaho, so they can request our visas. We need about two weeks from the time we send this information until we will receive our visas. Yes, time is short but we know God is the Master Timekeeper.  Additionally, please pray for the remainder of our financial support.  We are confident God will provide.  He has provided over $4000 in just under three weeks. Another thousand will be no problem for Him.  For more information on how to join our team, check out our previous blog "The Opportunity, Needs and How You Can Join Our Team",