✨#SurpriseMe💫
🙏🏿And most of all, help me to do Your will. In #Jesus’ Name, #Amen.
✌🏿Contrary to popular belief, God does not surprise us with negative things. #Disasters, #disappointments, and #destruction all come from a place of #prophecy or #warning.
✌🏿❤️
As I continue to get messages and replies, I have been released from On High to share my sentiments on Israel, Palestine and beyond.
An open letter to those who say,
“NO! DON’T GO THERE!”
Shalom,
Thank you so much for your comment. I am incredibly pleased to hear from you. The gift of this educational tour is to see the conglomeration of the bitter and beautiful. The goal of Passages Israel and COGIC World Missions is to provide an authentic experience of Israel.
Although much that I’ve experienced has been magnificently overwhelming because of the Biblical historical context while visiting, I’ve also witnessed heart wrenching facts right before my eyes and observed the misery that many endure. I’ve touched these people and walked on their grounds in their community.
This is certainly a place to tour.
👵🏾 On the #WashingtonDeluxe 🚌 #bus from #NYC to #DC and I’m grateful for the last rest stop. I just took one of the #bracelets that my 103 year-old Great-Grandma Brown left behind after transitioning in February (She departed on #Superbowl Sunday and during Black History Month. She did nothing small even in her departure! 😂) and moved it closer to my #heart. ❤️
June 14, 2017(Memphis, TN) The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) World Missions Department has sent 40 youth leaders to Israel for an eleven-day tour.
The Church Of God In Christ (COGIC), under the leadership of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., has deployed 40 youth and young adults from the World Missions Department to a tour of Israel. The trip is a partnership between COGIC World Missions, the Hobby Lobby retail chain, and Passages, an organization that offers educational tours of Israel.
With each attendee under the age of forty, the goal of the trip is to invest in the emerging leaders of the Church Of God In Christ. During the trip, participants will explore the roots of their biblical faith and will be introduced to the complex landscape of modern Israel.
Bishop Vincent Mathews, President of COGIC World Missions says, “I have learned so much from Presiding Bishop Blake, and one thing is collaboration. This collaboration with Hobby Lobby and Passages is valued at over $160k! It is worth it to invest in our emerging leaders in the Church Of God In Christ. Exposure is the greatest education that an individual can receive. This will prepare our leaders for future ministry in challenging places.”
The itinerary includes visits to foundational biblical sites, as well as sites relevant to the history of the modern Jewish state. Participants will hear from a diverse set of speakers and local people throughout the region who will help the students understand Israeli culture, government and economy, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and geopolitical and security issues surrounding Israel.
This sponsored trip to Israel begins an unprecedented summer that seeks to leverage the energy and passion of COGIC’s emerging leaders to literally touch the world.
In August, youth and young adults will engage in transformative ministry on a mission’s trip to America called, “The Awakening.” Hundreds of young people will serve 12 cities simultaneously across America.
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The Church Of God In Christ is one of the oldest Pentecostal denominations in the world and the 4th largest Protestant group in the United States, with churches in 87 countries worldwide and a membership of nearly 6.5 million adherents.
My time in Saudi Arabia was sweetened by the people. Both the students and staff from the universities and the members of my church home in Riyadh added sweetness to each day.
Below you’ll find one of the treasures of my trek. This song, until this very hour, held lyrics that I never understood, but always enjoyed hearing members of my church sing at various points in the service. Asking invites answers. It’s just that simple. Google invites answers too. But it’s always fresher to get it straight from the source.
This Zulu song and is truly music to my ears. Now the lyrics ring even louder in my soul.
Please enjoy it today.
Ithuba Lokuthandaza (A Moment to Pray) Lyrics by Benjamin Dube
Ithuba Lokuthandaza (A Moment to Pray) Lyrics by Benjamin Dube
(Sung in Zulu)
Verse 1:
(Ithuba lokuthandaza), sinalo, sinalo, ithuba lokuthandaza
(I have a moment to pray) we have it, we have it, we have a moment to pray
(Ithuba lokuthandaza), Nginalo, nginalo, ithuba lokuthandaza
(I have a moment to pray) I have it, I have it, I have a moment to pray
(Repeat)
Verse 2:
(Ithuba lokudumisa), Sinalo, sinalo, ithuba lokudumisa
(I have a moment to pray) we have it, we have it, we have a moment to praise
(Ithuba lokudumisa), Nginalo, nginalo, ithuba lokudumisa
(I have a moment to pray) I have it, I have it, I have a moment to praise
(Repeat)
Chorus:
Ungithatha la, angibeke la (You took me from here, and raised me here)
Angisusela angibeke le, unobubeleka (rescued me, and established me)
uJesu unobubele ngami , uJesu unobubele ngami, unobubele ngami
(Jesus is gracious towards me)
uJesu unobubele ngami , uJesu unobubele ngami, unobubele ngami
(Jesus is gracious towards me)
Have you ever heard a song in a foreign language that spoke to you although you didn’t know the meaning? How long did it take you to find the meaning? I hope I’ll never wait this long to dig into the meaning of a song.
(The video is NOT from Grace Outreach Global Church in Riyadh. All details are on the link to the Youtube channel.)
#Unedited ❤️
Yesterday, I gleaned from my students as I taught a new song that neither the students nor I have ever heard. In this segment, we work together on the lesson of discipline. This song is now called, “The Discipline Song.”
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As a substitute teacher in my former school district, Papillion-La Vista, I take pleasure in empowering students to take ownership of their lives by being disciplined. No notes were used for this lesson. Instead, I simply allowed the Lord to guide me as I taught.
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I had the pleasure of working with many students in this class last year as a paraprofessional, including Mason who is mentioned in the video multiple times. He, along with the other gems in class, truly stood out and sparkled!
💋
A special thanks to all of my teachers throughout the years from the Papillion-La Vista School District, Oral Roberts University, China, Saudi Arabia, my parents and grandparents, and countless members of my community who have rendered lessons throughout my life.
🌍
Visit sevenby30.com/books to read more of my story and to snatch my eBook about #Antarctica for only $.99!
👩🏾🏫
Finally, teaching was a catalyst for my adventures around the globe to all seven continents. I am so glad I answered the call.
❤️
#LiveAsYouAreCalled #Hebrews11v6
Click HERE for the video!
It’s nearly been five years since I scooted off to a summer camp with English First in Hangzhou, China. Below is the video and the initial text from my 2012 video post:
I had a blast teaching English to this group of students this past week at summer camp. I taught them this story which is a version of a paper bow story my 3rd/4th grade teacher Mrs. Gaggiano taught my class almost 20 years ago. I reworked it and added my own flavor. When I acted out the story, the kids ate it up and wanted to perform it as a class. This was their unrehearsed performance based off of watching me two times. I think they did a great job and we all had a lot fun!
Today I decided to steal away and visit my home church to write, listen, rest and pray. I was at the altar jotting a few thoughts down and in walked the pastor of our Spanish speaking church, Fey Esperanza.
I was unaware of the church’s schedule and asked if they were meeting tonight. They were planning to pray in about an hour and I let him know that I would plan to join them.
The pastor’s young daughter looked at my things at the altar and said, “Is that a ladybug pillow?” I laughed and said, “Yes.” I quickly gathered my things and snuck away to the library to catch up with my sisters on Whatsapp.
About an hour later, I made my way back into the sanctuary. I kneeled down to pray with the dozen or so that were there. After about 30 minutes of corporate prayer, the pastor began to share with the congregants. I ran back into the library to grab my journal to take notes. I knew I wouldn’t catch everything, but I was sure I would catch something. Five minutes into his message, he gave an instruction to one of the children present.
