Love all Around

Love, love, love. Love is all around....so they say. Not too long ago an explicit movie was made on that very premise entitled Love Actually. The movie explored the quite often immoral realtionships (the ups and downs of them) of several individuals. "Love" in this movie was displayed in some very interesting ways, from a worldly point of view. I do NOT recomend it!

So, if love is not what the world says it is, then we may ask the question, "What is L-O-V-E and how is it shown?"....this word that is often used in the same sentence as pizza, your black Sketchers, and even your spouse.

The beautiful people of Brazil are not accustomed to hiding their "love." They are extremely affectionate people. I believe their country modo could be, "If you love someone, SHOW IT." It is not unusual while walking through the mall or through the grocery store to find people of all ages making out. One might think this type of behavior is only your youths, but not in Brasilia. Some might say these public displays of affection are their way of showing love.

The Bible has many things to say about love. Jesus spoke on the topic often. He said the world would know that we are his disciples because of our love for one another. In John 21 the Son of God has a little conversation with Simon Peter about the topic. We find the Lord repeating himself in this selection of scripture. He repeats himself because the point he is making is very very important! Simple, but valuable. He asks Simon, son of Jonas, if he loves him three times. Three times Simon, son of Jonas, replys that indeed he does. All three times, the Lord's response to him is almost identical. Paraphrasing it Melinda style it says something to the affect of, "Well then SHOW it by feeding my lambs and feeding my sheep." It was a command. He didn't say, "Well, when you have time show me you love me by giving people spiritual and physical food." Or, "If you have the energy, love me by feeding others." He just simply said, "Feed my sheep."

I've been thinking about this piece of scripture alot lately. This is a command. An imperative sentence. I do love the Lord, and so I must show it. Am I?

Recently, the Lord has opened an amazing door. He is allowing me to donate my time on the weekends at an orphanage for abandoned boys. I couldn't be more thrilled! On Saturdays, I will be sharing the love of God, the spiritual meat, with these abandoned children through teaching (they have little education) and through the Word. However, the Lord convicted me that I could do more. These boys are also in need of physical food to eat, and so I will also be giving funds monthly to help nourish these children. Many of you know that I have no income here. I am here solely on your support. I tell you this not to put myself on a pedastool. I tell you this because you too can help feed his lambs and his sheep. If you would like to demonstrate your love for the Lord by supporting me in this endeavor, please see the information on the side of this blog that says "Supporting the Call." You will be doing more than sending a missionsary to Brasilia, Brasil. You will be feeding the hungry, as we are commanded to do. Those of you who are supporting me already, I can't thank you enough for reaching out into the world in the name of Jesus! Let's feed his lambs together! Blessings and peace on you in Jesus name!

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21: 15-17

The Wheels on the Bus

Can you remember the last time you rode the bus? Was it when you were a pubescent teenager who had yet to turn 16 and needed a ride to school? Or maybe it was when you took that last trip with the high school football team to an away game, or with the college athletes? I wonder how many skills it took in order to be successful in your voyage? Well, let's see. You had to be able to climb a few steps up, and in turn climb a few steps down. You had to be able to bend your knees in order to place your gluteous maximus on a cushion. And....that's about it. So, if I were to say to you, "I can ride the bus all by myself," that sounds like nothing more than a kindergarten feat. However, let me assure you that here in Brasilia there are MANY skills necessary to ride the public bus AND actually arrive at your intended destination. They are as follows in no certain order of necessity, for all skills are required. :)

1. Require absolutely no personal space - be willing to sit beside/stand beside/nudge absolutely anyone, no matter their gender, age, color, or hygiene.
2. Endurance - be willing walk any uncertain distance in order to get to the nearest bus stop.
3. Bravery - one must be able to cross the public highway in order to arrive at the APPROPRIATE bus stop.
4. Know the route that will lead you to your destination - remember that buses are named by their ending destination. Many buses may end at the same point, but travel very different routes to get there. Your stop may be somewhere along the way, but remember to only get on the bus that is using the correct road/highway, of which there are many! Or you may end up in a very dangerous suburb, as I have done. And don't forget there are MANY buses. Choose carefully.
5. One must always carry very small bills - due to the fact that the bus attendant will not break larger bills at all, on must be ALWAYS prepared and have small change.
6. Stand, walk, remain standing, and remain walking forward on very rapidly moving/stopping/ swerving ground. - this is pretty self explanatory. It doesn't take a genius to realize that all around the world traffic laws don't hold the same weight. Here in Brazil, they are more like suggestions. Very rarely remembered, utilized, and enforced suggestions.
7. Study, study, study - speak loudly so the driver can hear you, speak clearly so he/she understand you, and remember do it in a language you have only been studying for 3 months. :)
8. Be armed and ready - the bus station and the actual buses are one the most common places to be attacked and stolen from....especially if you're as pale and as pretty as me.

Ah..what an accomplishment. Riding the bus in Brasilia, Brazil. I will admit that I am proud of my victory.

As I was on one of my daily adventures across the city for a mere price of 3,00R ($1.80) thinking to myself that I was so thankful to have mastered this form of transportation, the Lord began to whisper a little parable into my ear. Riding the bus here is a lot like my walk with Jesus Christ, and I will be so bold to submit that it's like your walk with the Lord also. All the skills necessary to be successful on my daily earthly route, are also required to master my daily path with the Lord. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must do the following (notice the correlation).

1. Be willing to get involved with people the Lord places in our lives daily....no matter if it's uncomfortable, stinky, or troublesome. Just know in your walk, it's necessary in order to get where you're going.
2. Sometimes it takes effort to locate the place the Lord would have you to be. Be willing to do something in order to stay on track with the Lord. It doesn't happen by osmosis. The path the Lord has for you, may not magically appear under your feet. You may have to find it.
3. There may be moving objects, fiery darts even that are headed right at you. Keep a watchful eye. Sharpen your movements and be aware of the obstacles that will try to deter you.
4. Don't guess that you are headed in the right direction. Know in your spirit you are going forward and pursuing the things of God in the direction that He has led you.
5. Be ready always to offer a small amount of love, word, encouragement to someone in need. Be prepared! There is a time for being silent, and there is a time to speak. If you arrive at a point where your voice should be heard, where truth should be shared, then be ready. Be bold. Be prepared.
6. The Lord never said that walking with Him would be smooth sailing. He calls Himself our "strong tower" for a reason, because unexpected events, storms, potholes, and shaking will come. We must remain standing, remain pressing forward. Do you have that skill? When the shaking comes do you falter, or do you stand upon the Rock, Jesus Christ? Lord, help us to stand. Nothing can deter us from pursuit of the things of the Lord.
7. Be willing at admit that there is more for you to learn. Maybe the Lord is trying to train you in a ministry, a gift. Are we teachable?
8. The devil roams the earth like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Make sure that isn't you. Know that you are not immune to being stolen from or attacked. Have you put on your armor today? When we don't arm ourselves, we are living our life in way that says, "I'm up for grabs. Come and get it. Take all I have." The word is powerful. Know it.

Every day is an adventure. Physically. Spiritually. We have a journey, a path, a walk that the Lord has intended for us. Lord help us to know what it is, to find it, to remain pressing forward upon, and to not be deterred and stolen from. In Jesus Name. The Name above every other Name. Amen.


The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

Isaiah 61: 1-3 KJV

Selling Your Soul

Every time I turn around I hear or see something about someone "selling their soul." Most of the time the words "to the devil" directly follow the statement. After running into this figure of speech so many times times I thought I would scream, it finally occurred to me that maybe...just maybe God was trying whisper in my ear. Unfortunately, sometimes He's screaming before I catch on. I began to ponder, to pray, and ask the Lord what He was trying to convey.

Just as God is divided into the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; so are we. One in three parts. Spirit. Soul. Body. So what is your soul exactly and can it even be sold? Can it be traded for some sort of gain? Can it be traded at all? To whom does it really belong? The movies and sci-fi books of today may tell you can make a deal with the devil. He'll give you something you want if only you'll give him your soul. Movies like Bedazzled or TV shows like The Collector are perfect examples. The she-devil in Bedazzled poses some of the same questions to the naive victim sitting before her. "You won't miss your soul. You don't even know what it is." We should. We may not be selling our souls or making deals with Lucifer, but what I have concluded is that we certainly are ripping off our spirits.

Every time I give in to the god of comfort, or neglect my personal relationship with the Lord because I have other priorities I am not selling my soul, but cheating my spirit. That thing that makes us different all of God other creatures. Your spirit isn't mystical, or make believe. It that gift that God gave us when he breathed into Adam. Your spirit ministers, communicates with God's spirit. Your soul is your mind. The thing we are constantly feeding and filling arbitrarily or not. Selling your soul (your mind) doesn't come via an appointment with a fallen angel. It's much more suddle, more simple than that.

Don't you think that when you neglect your mind (your soul) that you are mudding up the waters? Filling the pond with sewer? Your temple is divided into three parts just as Solomon's temple. The outer courts, the inner courts, and the most holy place. You don't get to that holy place...that place where you commune with God if there is adultery, pornography, addiction to comfort, and only thoughts of yourself (which I refer to as Meism) sitting in the outer or inner courts. Not going to happen! High priests in biblical times dropped dead for far less. So by filling your mind (your soul) with the things of this world, with what you want when you want it, with never ending comfort and ease........that's when you are making a trade. In that moment you are choosing. More of God....or more of me. There is no appointment necessary to forsake the things of God. It's much easier than that.

So, I'm here in Brazil challenging myself to seize the day. To fill my mind and my spirit with the things of God. To forsake all, even my comfort for the sake of the call and to fulfill his great commission. His strength will sustain me. There is too much as stake to slowly, but surely polluting your soul and spirit. There are people all around you, and all around me going to hell. People very gradually giving up the life that God has breathed in to them. People that God loves and with which God wants to spend all eternity. Sometimes I ask God or tell God, I don't know how to help them. I don't know what to do next. You may ask the same question. We'll let me give you (and myself) some advice. DO SOMETHING! Deny your comfort and live out your faith in every way possible. What did Jesus do? Then that's what I need to do in order to help this lost and dying world. Pray, feed the hungry, heal the sick, love on sinners. SOMETHING!

Remember, the devil isn't going to make some grand entrance to notify you that he is stealing what God has given you. We freely give them up via our daily choices to fill our minds with junk. I'll be praying that God gives you more than enough strength and wisdom to be his vessel, and to guard your spirit and soul. I hope that you will do the same for me as I minister to the sweet spirits of theses Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist children, and the homeless of Brazil. The fight is on. There are places to go, people to save, and a mighty God to glorify!

The Ironies of Life...

So how is it that while being an American living in Brazil...technically I came to be standing on Saudi Arabian soil? Well God of course. I can come up with no other explanation for eating with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, while in Brazil. What a creative God we serve that He would arrange such an opportunity.
I had high expectations for the evening...although not really knowing what I was about to walk into. All I knew was I had an invitation to dine with ambassadors...of Saudi Arabia. I did not know what kind of opportunities would present themselves. It's very easy to let yourself think that since God has provided such an opportunity, that He must want me to lay hands on someone while I'm there, or possibly even prophecy. Not unreasonable expectations. None of these things happened, but I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't disappointed because I didn't go to the Saudi Arabian embassy so that God could meet my expectations. I went so that I could meet His.
As I sat in the midst of Syrians, Iraqis, and people from other unknown parts (me and my friend were the only Americans there) I was reminded of Jesus eating with the tax collectors, and Esther living in the castle waiting to be queen of pagan Persia. The Bible doesn't say that as Esther was amidst these pagans that she went around laying hands of people, or yelling prophecies at the top of her lungs. She simply lived...abiding in Him...Him abiding in her...letting the Light shine from here. A city set on a hill. Her reasons were different for keeping quiet, but the point is still the same. When we abide in Him and he abides in us and we then go the places He has told us to go, I believe the Lord will then just use your presence, your life as a testimony of Him. I shouldn't have to yell at the top of my lungs, "I AM A CHRISTIAN!!!!" for people to recognize what I am.....for people to see Jesus...for my testimony of Jesus Christ to be heard.
When Jesus supped with the tax collecters, I can imagine that was enough for them to want to follow Him. He didn't perceive himself so high and lofty...so holy that He couldn't commune with them. That was Jesus sharing the love of Jesus Christ. His presence was Him silently proclaiming the love of God.
I am not comparing myself to Queen Esther or even to Jesus. I am simply saying that offering a kind face, supping with the lost, small words of the Love of God, and letting Him lead you and abide in you simultaneously is what we are called to do. We are called to be like Jesus.
So, I can't say that I prayed over the thousands while at the Saudi Arabian embassy, but I can say that I supped with them (them knowing I'm a follower of Christ), I talked with them, I showed them kindness and love. I pray they remember that I didn't think myself so high and lofty, so holy that I couldn't sit and dine with them. My Muslim student will remember that his Christian teacher made herself available to him and showed him love. Sometimes that's all we can do.

Thanks for reading.
Blessings and Peace in Jesus name...the name above every other name.

Giving Thanks

I have to tell you that every day I´m here I am learning something new about this enormous country, the beautiful people here, and living out my walk with the Lord. I´m learning that in all situations, no matter how they feel or look to give thanks. Just give thanks. That is what the Lord has asked us to do. There is an amazing amount of peace in living with a spirit of graditude.

I don´t need a house of splendor, a high paying job, perfect protugese, or even a cellphone to be thankful. I´m learning that I don´t need a life of ease, or situations to always "go my way" to be filled with graditude. Nor do I need to be in control of all circumstances at all times in order to fill like I´m in the right place.

Several scenarios have reminded me of this truth lately, including the one in which I´m in currently. At this very moment, I am locked out of my house for the next four hours without a cellphone, a car, or fluent portugese to get my any where but the neighborhood internet cafe. Are there things I need to be doing right now? Sure! Am I tired after a very long day? Ofcourse. Do I wish Brasilia had a local Starbucks to sit at until my roomate decideds to come home? As a matter of fact, I do.....BUT I´m actually quite at peace sitting here writing to you beautiful people in this secluded internet cafe.

When I took the wrong bus at nine o´clock to a dangerous suburb of Brasil, I could have been very upset with myself and felt as if my livlihood was endangered; however, how profitable would it have been? Every day I learn more and more that the material things of this world mean less and less, smooth days where all is perfect exist only if you change your heart, and that when you rest in the hands of our loving God there is very little to fear.

How blessed our we not be one of the many orphans running the streets of Brazil who has been abandoned because our parents have died of AIDS? Why did God spare me from being a thriteen year-old bride as many are here? Why am I blessed enough to esape the mysticism and cult activities that are sweeping the country? Why was I not rejected by my family when I chose to f0llow Christ? I do not know. All I know is that the cross God has for me...is just that for ME. Whatever that Lord sets before me, I pray that I will enter it with a grateful heart knowing that those stepping stones ahead of me were made for my feet alone. Knowing that soon this world will pass away. The fustrations, the inconveniences, the stess. It will all dissapear in a moment, and we will be standing eye to eye with the Lord Jesus Christ. When I get there I want my Lord and savior to be pleased that I took the life He gave me and lived it with graditude, with fruit of the Spirit. Not because it was easy, but because that is what He has designed us to do. Praise Him. Morning, noon, night, rain, or shine. Praise Him!

Opportunity

It was another exciting week in Brasilia. Brasilia is a unique city. It is a somewhat international city. Embassies from all over the world are placed here. They have a few choices of where to place their children in school. They can home school, or go to the "American" secular school, a few small other schools, or they can attend BIS (where I am). BIS is unique in that we teach everything with Christian world view. We are always very excited when a new embassy gets word of us and decides to enroll their children. Right now we have students from at least 22 different countries, including Saudi Arabia and Syria (all non-christian families). This week an extraordinary thing happened. After much deliberation a new embassy joined our international team. The embassy of Iraq. That's right....Iraq. For reasons unknown (except by the Lord) this Iraqi Muslim family enrolled their son in our program. Can you sense the opportunity to exhibit the loving, saving power of Jesus Christ? We can! It is a thrill to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I am just praying that as a team we would take on the nature of Christ and do for these students what he would have us to do...and at just the right moment. That's all for this week. Thank you for reading, and thank you for your prayers! Blessings and peace on you in Jesus name!

Making a New Home

We'll if every week I wrote an entry stating that all is perfect and there haven't been any trials, then I would hope that my faithful readers out there would be intelligent enough to know that in the "good fight of faith" that is an impossibility. 1 Peter chapter 4 tells us that trials and suffering will come, but that in them we rejoice. Wherever I am, in whatever state in which I find myself, I have no choice but to rejoice. I will purpose in my heart to rejoice. There have been many challenges that have come my way this week, but this only encourages me to fight harder. To press harder into the things of God. He is moving all throughout the world, Brazil included. I can't wait to see what he accomplishes here during this time.

I find myself loving the children here more and more. I am believing that the Lord will open more and more doors to minister, including to the orphans and the widows. Please pray with me in agreement for this very thing.

I will leave you with a testimony of God's healing power. Three weeks ago one of the missionaries who is set to join us in Brazil received a phone call that her mother was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. But God. My God is still a miracle worker. He is still in the healing business. He is looking a place to move in healing. We have been praying and believing God for that very thing. Just this week I received an email saying that her mother has received an absolute clean bill of health. They cannot explain it and are baffled. I am not! How dare we reduce the miracles of God to a "doctor misdiagnosis." So as the trials come, so do the victories!

Be encouraged, and thank you for reading. :)

It is truely amazing to me that I am writing a blog from south of the equator in the country of Brazil. Having only been in the country for a week and a day, I have found that I love it already. It is a beautiful place, as you can see from the picutres of my school, and it is an extremely warm hearted country.

After flying into Brasilia vis San Paulo, I was picked up by Mr. Bose and the Axworthy family. I have felt at home ever since. We quickly began working the following Friday to prepare for the coming of our students on Augusst 9th. We are praising the Lord that the number of children enrolled for this school year is ever increasing from years previous. New embassys are sending their students to Brasilia International School. This is very exciting. We have such as amazing opportunity here to minister to children who will litterally go into all of the world. I fully expect lives to be changed and impacted for the kindgdom of God this year.

As I looked into my classroom on the first day of school, I say students of all colors. Red, yellow, black, and white. The are both colorful in skin and and personality. When they open their mouths, I hear tounges of every language with all sort of accents and interesting vocabualry words. The most exciting this I have done this week is spend time in prayer with my students. We had a few students come down with the chickenpox, and even though the thought occured to me to pray later, a student approached me and said, "I think we should pray for our ill students today Ms. Grantham." With pleasure we all joined together to offer our petitions before the Lord.

I will end this weeks entry with saying that I am filled with expectation. Please continue to pray the God will touch and impact souls for His kingdom. There is a war waging in the spiritual realm, and we fully intend to overcome. In addition, please pray that the Lord will open up doors for outreach ministry and ministry to orphans. I am believing for divine appointments. Meeting the right people and the right time to see the perfect door of opportunity and ministry open. God bless and thank you for supporting me by partaking in the journey the Lord has set before me.