Lisa Newland

Pastor Don Jackson, church planter in Kansas, was the key-note speaker at Ray Avenue Baptist Church's missions conference. What a wealth of wisdom from which to glean!

He talked about the faith it takes to obey God. At first, our faith may be as thin as our little finger- not too strong, but enough for what He asks us to do. As we obey His leading, our faith strengthens to the size of our thumb, and then maybe our arm. How "thick" is your faith? Pastor Jackson mentioned the faith of George Mueller. What faith to take care of thousands of orphans without knowing where the next meal would come from!! Mueller said, though, that it was no easier to trust God for the provisions for one orphan at the beginning of their work than for the hundreds at the end. As we obey, our faith grows...but it is still faith. Am I walking by faith today?

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6

Posted by Lisa Newland at 3:21 PM | Permalink

What fun! This last week I traveled to Salina, KS, for my first missions conference. Whew!! I didn't realize how spoiled you could be as a missionary! Thank you, Pastor Day, and Ray Avenue Baptist Church family for the wonderful meals and fellowship, the beautiful hotel and trip to the zoo, and your generous gift card "shower" and love offering! I'm getting such an education as I travel and see how God is working through so many lives. Praise the Lord for what he is doing in Salina!!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 3:14 PM | Permalink

I've been reading through Acts in my quiet times lately and 20:24 struck me.

"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy,
and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

Paul knew the Lord wanted him to go to Jerusalem, though he had every indication that it would not be a happy event. He received countless warnings that he would be persecuted...but...none of these things moved him. He had experienced suffering- stoning and beatings and scourgings already. I'm sure he did not relish the idea of more excruciating pain...but...none of these things moved him. Who enjoys verbal attacks? He was very aware of the unbelieving Jews' opinion of him...but...none of these things moved him.

What a challenge to my heart! How strong is my faith? When the fears hound me of living in a foreign culture and the doubts come of what could a nobody like me ever do of any significance for the Lord...can I say...but none of these things move me!?!

Lord, strengthen my faith! Help, Thou, my unbelief!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 6:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love Easter! I love the music and messages that focus on our victorious Savior, and the reminder that that same victory is available to all for salvation and sanctification!

Several events made my Easter 2007 extra special! Kristine McLaughlin, friend from college and missionary nurse on deputation to go to the Ivory Coast, stayed with my parents and I for five days over Easter weekend!! We had such fun doing all the "touristy" things around Colorado Springs and talking all hours of day and night. :-) We also had snow and ice on Easter Sunday and played in the snow with my niece and nephews.. and even made a "snow bunny!" :-)

On Good Friday we joined New Heart Community Church for their Seder meal. How interesting to learn all the symbolism surrounding the passover meal that our Lord and His disciples shared together the night before the cross.

The best moment of this Easter though happened Tues morning. Kristine and I joined another missionary friend, Becky Pope, and her church ladies, soul-winning group. Praise the Lord, Kristine and I got to introduce one lady to our Lord! Please pray with me for the follow-up and discipleship of this new believer!

Did you hear about the new church plant in Igekamja? Praise the Lord for 70 new believers and a new church and the active part the believers of neighboring village, Fumagira, played in planting this church!! I wish I could have been there!! Read the Brouwers' blog for further details.

Now do you see why this Easter was so special to me?

Posted by Lisa Newland at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There's just certain small things that annoy us, aren't there? (I think I'm normal, anyway.) My "pet" irritation is sitting at a stop light when there is no one coming. Why must I wait?!? There's nothing moving from any direction and yet there I sit at the intersection! This happens especially late at night. During one of these frustrating episodes, it dawned on me. I will never face this irritation while driving in Mwanza traffic! :-) I admit I'm rather dreading learning to drive in Tanzania, but at least I have one small blessing to look forward to!!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There truly is no place like home!! I had a wonderful two weeks of traveling, visiting with fellow believers, and sharing about Tanzania!! It's so exciting to see how God is working through so many people around this world.

These past few weeks I went to the western slope of Colorado, west of the Rocky Mountains. I enjoy getting involved however I can. These last few weeks, I've gotten to teach Sunday schools, children's churches, Patch clubs, sing in a choir, play a piano duet with a pastor's daughter, and visit Bible studies, as well as the normal share a testimony and show my dvd in the church services. It was an honor to meet God's servants throughout the western slope. God is working through pastors and laymen in each church in unique ways! Praise the Lord for churches shining His light in their surroundings.

Not only did I get to share in five churches, I also learned how to prune grape vines, went bowling, toured a cattle ranch, ate truffles (only two!) in Ouray- surrounded by fourteeners, hiked above the Black Canyon (through snow piles and mud and a bit of rain), and filled up the memory card of my camera in the Arches National Park in Utah. The beauty of God's creation is sometimes overwhelming!!! I'm proud to claim Colorado as my home, but even more honored to remember that I am His special creation!! How glorious is this masterpiece we live in, but how much more glorious are we to our Creator!! Precious enough to shed His blood for!! PTL!!!

Posted by Lisa Newland at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)