http://heathermason.myadventures.org Heather Mason - Adventures In Missions - en-us Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:00:04 GMT 30 http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=gentle-shepherd http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=gentle-shepherd The Lord is my Shepherd I will never be in want or need, He makes a way for me to lie dawn in green pastures, He leads me beside the stillness of the water, He brings restoration to my soul He leads me to the paths of righteousness for the very sake of his name. Even as I walk through the valley of the unknown the darkness and pain, I will not fear because He is right beside me; He leads me with His staff and prepares a banquet before me in the presence of the ones who want to harm me. He pours Tue, 8 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=thanksgiving http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=thanksgiving  Today we set aside our normal routines and daily activities to give thanks I wish I had this mindset everyday, looking at everything that that takes place around me, seeing things through a "thankful heart" Living in a world that is fallen and feeling the effects of that daily, I am truly enjoying this day, it brings me to the place of love, and joy Being with family, the smell of fresh pie, the air crisp and clean, I breathe deep to take in everything. The feeling I have today that feel Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=the-barbarian-way http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=the-barbarian-way Looking back at the last few months have been a whirlwind of emotions Pain, Joy, Triumph, Defeat It is crazy that when you are in the situation, the only reasonable thing to do is to question why is this happening? At least that is where I go, God why do you let bad things happen? How can I process what I am seeing everyday? Where are you in this journey? What are you asking of me? This journey we call "life" is tough and the past few months (maybe yearJ) I have been asking God, why? I was h Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=heavens-babies http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=heavens-babies I am helping with the First Year Missions doing Discipleship and ministry with them in South Africa; we came to Swaziland for a week outreach. I have been doing hospital ministry this week in Swazi... I forgot how much I love it here, I go to the baby ward and pray with the mom's and spend time with them, even teaching them how to care for the babies, they don't have the mother instinct, they receive it well and it helps me build relations with them... I then OF COURSE spend time with the babies Fri, 5 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=praise-will-be-the-end-result http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=praise-will-be-the-end-result In this rejoice, though now for a little while you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith may be found to result in praise 1 Peter 6-7    So that your faith may be found to result in praise, I can't get past this sentence! I have been so caught up on the things that surround me, the hardships and I have viewed them as attacks from the enemy and have given into doubt, and in that allowed my spirit to weaken. I have forgotten the most impor Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=the-miracle-of-veli http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=the-miracle-of-veli   Tembisa is a Squatter Camp about thirty minutes from where I live in South Africa; it is where I met a little boy named Veli. Five months old at the time, his mother seventeen. They live with a husband and wife who have taken in 30 children ages between 0-19 Veli's birth mother decided that it would be best to give Veli up for adoption. A team had come through SA and a lady met Veli. She heard of my vision to start an abandon baby's home and she asked me if I Wed, 5 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=ellie-rose-goins http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=ellie-rose-goins     Many of you know and are praying for my five month old niece Ellie Rose, She has had a lot of trouble with her eye, she is blind in one eye, but we are praising God that is all that is going on. We were not sure we would even get the privilege to meet Ellie, Beth has lost two babies right before Ellie and The Doctors told my sister that if she didn't go on medicine for her thyroid than Ellie would die as well, and if she took the medication than the risk w Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=god-is-moving http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=god-is-moving  Remember Lord what has befallen us. Look and see our disgrace! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers; our homes to foreigners, we have become orphans, fatherless, and mother's are like widows. We must pay for the water we drink; the wood we gather must be bought, we are weary and are given no rest. Our father's have sinned and are no more and we bear their iniquities. Our skin is hot as an oven with the flaming heat of famine. Women are raped, young women in t Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=the-treeline1 http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=the-treeline1 Well I have found it harder to blog while being here and leading a team of twelve but here I am and I have lot's to tell you. Let me offer a glimpse of my day today.   I started the morning asking God to truly show Himself to our team, to allow us to see with "Kingdom eyes" To be broken for the things that break God's heart. He came in a way I was not ready for. As we drove into the Squatter Camp you could sense the darkness. Evil was more intense there today. I k Tue, 3 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=beautiful-morning http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=beautiful-morning   Today I woke up to the beautiful sound of roosters crowing, goats crying and cows running down the dirt road It is my birthday and I had to laugh at God's humor! What a fun way to start the day, Well I am back in Africa leading the "real life" team and living in Swazi for the winter (your summer) The homestead we are living in has about fifty goats and twice as many chickens. I love it here. I love that as you walk or drive down the roads in America you have to share with the "b Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=coming-home http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=coming-home   This is the last blog I can write before I leave Africa. I fly home on the 17th of May and come back on June 8th with the team I am leading. I have to say that God has taken me on a journey of trust, love, brokenness and courage. I am grateful for the times of Pain because it has made my faith and courage rise above the fear and doubt. I am in awe at the way the Lord has opened up doors and allowed me to be in His presence. I love the way He has shown me His heart for the pe Wed, 9 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=perspectives http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=perspectives   Thank you for your encouraging letters after my last blog. I was struggling with the idea of painting what I deal with here and not making you think I have lost my mind, I am okay and I think I just need to vent a little. Things are not that bad here in South Africa and it was good for me to come back here and be refreshed, and soak in God's goodness. I am going to give you a clip from my next newsletter that paints a broader picture.   The burden th Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=joy-and-pain http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=joy-and-pain   You can tell I haven't written in a while and I have a ton of emotions wrapped up into one blog so please be patient with me, the end result will be good I promise.   Let's be honest Blogs give light to the reader, but it only goes as far as the viewer allows. I can only give perspective to what I see in a half truth. To be honest with you, I feel as if I die emotionally every day, and I know without God's word I would never make it. My friend Shannon emai Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-child http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=a-day-in-the-life-of-a-child   This past Friday I was in the squatter camp in a town called Manzini, We were going to work in a school, but I was drawn to stay outside the fence. As I sat there looking at two little boys playing with an old tire. I was reminded of my three nephews. I love that kids can make a toy or a game out of anything. They soon dropped the tire, and came to play "thumb war" with me. I tried not to win but my hands are much bigger than theirs and they had to laugh. I don't think I ca Tue, 3 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=laughter-is-freedom http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=laughter-is-freedom   This is Tum he is one of the boys at the "Lesedi home" for children with HIV/AIDS, we went as a team today to watch a few of the children while the others were getting treated at the clinic. We played in the sand, but that didn't seem to be enough so we added water and Tum went crazy! He was laughing so hard, it was the simple act of getting dirty that he loved. We had to wash the kids in the hose outside before we were allowed in the home. I love the children's laugh, for Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=my-heart http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=my-heart   It was in the embracing of my broken that I could identify with others brokenness. It was my role to identify with others pain, not to relieve it. Ministry is sharing, not dominating, understanding not theologizing, caring not fixing Mike Yaconelli   I have been learning this concept of ministry and what it truly looks like. I am broken but in my brokenness I am able to relate, I don't have to fix their problem only identify. I think then they will be Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=deeper-still http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=deeper-still     I am finding that just when you think you know someones story, you find there is still a deeper story. They are private people and I think it is hard to trust. They find it nice that you would desire to listen to their hearts but they dont let you all the way in. I am so glad that I am not here for just a short trip. Building deep relationships are vital here. It takes time and I am willing to give that! I feel Gods heart for the people here. You cant imagine the pa Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=face-to-face-with-death http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=face-to-face-with-death Have you ever stared your biggest fear in the eye? I mean face to face with nothing to protect you? Well I never knew I had such a fear of Rhinos but I found out that it is a big fear of mine. I went on a safari and was enjoying Gods creation, admiring the beauty of his creatures when suddenly our driver says Get out of the truck, Walk with mehe said if the Rhino charges DO NOT RUN, I will tell you what to do from there. I soon realized how unsafe this was. Within a few short minutes Thu, 1 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=starving-for-love http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=starving-for-love     It is hard to know to know who is a true Orphan here, They feel ashamed to say they have no one to take care of them, even if they only have an older brother they will say they have a parent! I met a little boy at of the care points who has only one brother who is three years older than him. This boy I am guessing is five years old. I was told he has been in the same outfit for the past two months. He is small due to lack of food but he seems more in need of a hug or a Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=a-love-for-the-lost http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=a-love-for-the-lost   I am still in Swaziland but will be heading to South Africa on Saturday. I have been going to different care points what is a "care point" you ask? It is a place where the orphans can come and stay during the day, there Go-go's (Grandmother's) who volunteer to take care of the children during the day. They also feed the street children this is usually the only meal they eat all day. One of the care points I went to was in Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=here-in-africa http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=here-in-africa I am here in Africa and I can't tell you how wonderful it is. I will not lie this will be hard and I know I will have days where I wonder why I even came... But I see God here. I have heard the calling but it is different than being here. The people, the smells, the laughter and sweet hugs. I am in Swazi for now but will be heading into South Africa in a few days, Traveling back and forth trying to see where I need to be. Please be in prayer for me as I seek God and decide where he wants Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=breath-of-life http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=breath-of-life                                                                                 For some of you I Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=homeless-for-a-day http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=homeless-for-a-day   I believe that the homeless are some of the most caring people in America. Yesterday I spent a day as a homeless person I was scared going in to this thinking that the homeless would never believe me, and I expected the by standers to mock me. What I found was the homeless took me under their wing. They gave me their food, and told me their story of how they were now living on the streets. The sad thing was it was so simple. One man was married and had a son. T Sat, 2 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=you-are-needed http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=you-are-needed    When was the last time you slept on the street? When was the last time that you had to watch your child go hungry? When was the last time your child had to fend for himself and not have a safe place to go? Like most of us, the answer is never. However, for thousands of families in Swaziland, the answer might be yesterday. What would you do if your child was in such danger? What if there were people who could help, but chose to turn their backs? Would you accept it? Tue, 14 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=reflections http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=reflections     At what point do you go? Forsake your life as you know it, and follow your calling? I have been struggling with this for the past few days. I wrestle with the fact that I know I am called to go, and, I have a deep desire to be in Africa, but I dont have the rest of my support in, and that means I would have to live by faith for food, water and shelter That type of faith excites me, but then I think of responsibilities back home such as bills, insuranceYou kno Mon, 6 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=letting-god-be-god http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=letting-god-be-god I think God keeps bringing me back to the same issues letting Him reign. I dont have a lot of words to say what I am processing in my heart, but my heart has so much inside. Sorry for the lack of words. I was in church yesterday and our worship leader Scott said something that blew me out of the water I think it wrapped up my thoughts of last week, will I still love Him if He choose to take away the things I hold dear He said you either believe God is God or you dont Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=hard-questions http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=hard-questions I went to the mountains yesterday and I as I climbed to the top I felt this longing to know my Father in a way that goes beyond the Christian walk as I know it. I want to let Him out of this box that I have placed Him in. I decided to let my friends walk ahead and I just sat down and watched the sky. October skies have always caught my attention. There is something that happens in my spirit when I am in the cool crisp air and all I can see is the sky and clouds. I feel free. As I Mon, 16 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=life-in-the-big-scheme-of-things http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=life-in-the-big-scheme-of-things I feel this is a picture of my life right now And no I am not the Elephant I am the small helpless Mouse, If I step back and take a look at the small window of my Life it seems overwhelming. So much has taken place I have seen the beauty of new life and I have watched my Grandparents stare death in the face. I have had to face large giants with little success and have conquered walls I thought would never come down. I feel as if my life is closing in. It made me th Thu, 5 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=africa-or-bust http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=africa-or-bust As I drove to training camp a few weeks ago I felt this burden in my spirit for Swaziland Africa. I wasnt sure what to do with this burden other than press it down, and swallow the fact that the Discipleship Team was going to be in the states. Still I had this longing for the orphans and the women who are there. During one of the evening services Gary Black said what Key is God giving you? meaning what desire has He placed on your heart? Everything in me screamed Orphans, Widows, t Thu, 28 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=take-our-world-back-for-christ http://heathermason.myadventures.org/?filename=take-our-world-back-for-christ   I  was HOMELESS Desperate, alone, embarrassed and afraid. I was in a forgotten world, where no one cared. Where people would walk passed me and shutter at the site or the smell. I would cry out to them but they couldnt even make eye contact with me. I didnt even exist! I was hopeless and no one was there I was covered in the smell of fish, vinegar, urine, trash and beer.   Would you like to know how I got into this mess? Well I Tue, 12 Sep 2006 00:00:00 GMT