In China, Christmas Was No Ordinary Time of Year!

The Christmas Eve Tree Lighting :)

In China, Christmas was no ordinary time of year. While many people had little idea about the meaning of the season, You could see splashes of Christmas everywhere! Trees decorated, one entire street of small shops dedicated to selling Christmas decorations and artificial trees. Boa ai lu(the name of street in Mandarin)...Aw yes, I remember it well.

We shared the true story of Christmas as often as we could, in class, at our home during "English Corner" (a time to practice speaking English), at public celebrations. 

Every Christmas Eve most 5star hotels hosted a special evening with catered food, live entertainment, Santa clause and often an American family. :) James Sr. was an easy pic for Santa and our whole family was often asked to sing. But one year we got to share the birth of Christ! Right on the stage with 500 guest present. What an opportunity!

Our family hosting a Christmas Eve celebration, we invited guest to come on stage and act out the birth of Christ

Jia Jia, our foster daughter. She lived with us on the Island of Hainan for 2 years. Her first Christmas with our family

The Three Self Church, Christian Choir(A Government operated Church)

We wish you and yours the Merriest Christmas ever! 

As we reflect on God's perfect gift of salvation, may we also remember in prayer, those who have not yet heard of His extravagant love! 

Yours truly, The Dick family

2009 - 2011, God Is Faithful...

God is faithful!

As 2011 comes to an end, we are looking ahead toward 2012 and the changes it will bring to our family...I am also reflecting on all God has done for us and the people who have been such a part of His faithfulness...God is so good. God YOU are good! We began a journey with God so much further back than we were aware. But in the year 2000, James and I along with 4 of our children obeyed the call of God on our lives to extend to the nations. This journey began with a call to China, a nation that is communist. Where God has been outlawed by man. We were not intimidated by the call. God is omniscient, He is everywhere! We knew He would go before us and make the crooked places straight. We were serving at Jubilee World outreach...what a place! What an awesome body of believers. So much, love, joy, growth, training, change and preparation... James and I had the privilege of serving as Children's Pastors for nearly 3 years. We were given a gift, Diane. The missions coordinator. With the blessing of our pastors and the support of our congregation and many other friends we left for China. What does "leaving for China" look like...We sold everything we could, we gave away everything else. We moved in with friends for a month before spending three months with my sister and her family, right here in NC. We filled out a 35page interview packet, attended a three day interview, and believed God for a house and school in China that would except such a big family! :) God did it. He supplied the school we would teach English as a Second Language at and He provided the house in which we would live. We lived in China for 7 years. First in Xian, and later on the Island of Hainan. We knew God had a call on our family for nations, so it should not have been to big of a surprise when we were asked to consider Africa...We began a three year preparation process while in China. Before leaving China, we moved from the country into town, sold and gave everything away again and then gave birth to Jaedon our now 2 year old. He was 11 days old, when we took a two hour ferryboat ride to catch the bus, we would be on for 12 hours to go to Guangzhou to apply for a passport for him. We flew back to Hainan and began the visa process for him to be able to leave the country. Truly it was a miracle and intervention from God, a process that usually takes up to 3 weeks was completed in 3 days! The day we received Jaedon's visa, was the day our other family members visas expired! We had already purchased plane tickets by faith. We then  flew to Hong Kong for 3 days while awaiting a connecting flight to Japan that would bring us back to America. We flew into Raleigh/Durham where my sister and her family welcomed us to live with them again for about 3 months. In between that time, we boarded another plane to Oregon, where we stayed in Missionary housing for a month, and then Chicago for a week. Back to NC. :) In November 2009 we came across Siloam Missionary Homes...Praise the Lord! God had located a place for our family to live. We spent our first Thanksgiving back in America in our "own home"  with every need supplied. Siloam provides temporary housing for missionaries on furlough, transition or medical leave for a low cost. We were so blessed by their generosity and care.  Beatrice our eldest daughter returned from China to be married to Will, while living at Siloam. And later that year I flew with Elizabeth our second eldest to CA, where she is currently attending Simpson University. God has provided for her in every way to include covering her tuition! Praise the Lord! While living at Siloam God continued to show Himself faithful. He then led us to a another body of wonderful believers Word Of Life Family Church. Can we say praise the Lord again? Praise the Lord! Our teens had found a family, and we were being refreshed, encouraged and embraced by our pastors. WOL, has since become our sending church. God is so good. After living at Siloam for more than a year, God relocated us to Burlington NC where we are currently residing until we extend to Tanzania in the Spring of 2012.... While living in Burlington we graduated James Jr. the 3rd of our home schooled graduates.  I have not included the other trips to for missions training and the many other hills and valleys...but one thing is clear in all that I have shared with you my friends....God is faithful. We returned to America with our children and our suitcases. We can testify, God keeps His word, He has proven He will open the windows of heaven when you are in alignment with His word.  He has proven if you preach the gospel you will live by the gospel. We give Him all the glory and honor for what He has done and will do.. We thank God for each of YOU! Stay with us, and see the glory of God. We will be a blessing in the earth. We will make His praise glorious! It's not over yet, we have only just begun...again!

Thank YOU for your prayers, financial gifts and care. We can "go down there" but we need YOU to hold the ropes! a famous quote by a missionary to India.With faithful prayer partners we can GO forth in the name of the Lord!

The harvest is truly plentiful,

Much love The Dick Family

It's A New Season...This year and beyond.

Hello dear friends,

We are 7 months away from extending to Tanzania. Wow!!! So much to do and plenty of time to do it! God lives outside of time and when we are walking in His will, time is just a matter of numbers. When ARE you leaving? Is no longer the most important question...,but WHEN you extend...now that has purpose! For though the vision tarry, we wait for it; FOR IT SHALL SURELY COME TO PASS! 

Our reason for going to Tanzania, is in obedience to the call of God on our lives; our mission will be to offer hope, help and love. Together we can!

What's up for the rest of the year? Everlasting Love Missions is planning a jewelry fundraiser with Jewels By Park Lane. We will kick it off at the Holiday Market at Word Of Life Family Church our sending fellowship here in NC. We will close all sales by Dec.6th.  Pat Jordon will be our host, there will be a drawing for a free piece of beautiful jewelry!

The event will take place at:

Word Of Life Family Church

November 12, 2011

9:00am - until 1:00pm

Lunch is $5.00 

Other vendors will be present, but we alone will be raising funds to support VISION TANZANIA. Our project to send the Dick family to Africa in the Spring of 2012.

Beyond this year we are hosting a 5K MOVE-A-THON,  April 21, 2012. This event will be Everlasting Love Missions last fundraiser before extending to Tanzania. 

The Move-A-Thon will take place:

Downtown Burlington NC

Registration will begin at 8am

Move-A-Thon begins at 9am to 12pm

We will be offering a mini health fair, with free health care screenings, live skits, free food samples, local vendors and business will staff booths, kids tent, bounce inflatable, face painting, prizes for the largest team, fastest team, and the most pledges! We will also be giving gifts from our community basket. Bring a non perishable food item and your name will be placed in the drawing.

You'll have to come to experience all the fun! If you can not be there because you live out of town, please consider making a pledge of $25.00.It's for a great cause and you will be blessed! 

Thank you for reading our blog, for praying for our family and Tanzania. We thank God for each of you and we pray for you daily. Your prayers and support are making a difference!

I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. 

Isaiah 49:6b

CiCi's Pizza Fundraiser and the Questions People Ask! :)

We had a purposeful day at CiCi's Sunday September 11th. So, many of our friends came out to visit with us and partner in the vision for Sending our family to Tanzania as missionaries. We were so blessed by everyone's kindness.

We have a few of the videos shot during our time there ready to view. These videos feature questions asked by different people who are curious about what it takes to GO to Africa, and live as missionaries.

I hope to post different videos of questions asked throughout the rest of the month for you to view.

Thank you for taking time to follow our blog and we pray God's most abundant blessings come your way!

For Jesus. because only what we do for Him will last,
The Dick Family

So sorry for any inconvenience however, to view the 2 YouTube videos below, please highlight, right click, and then click open in a new link. It will then take you directly to the video interview. Thank you!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOInMZB7jPo&feature=share

http://www.youtube.com/user/lightheartedparties#p/a/u/1/AY_Vwx2ccgU

What Everyone Is Up To!

Jambo!(hello in Ki Swahili)

We trust you are all well. We are praying for you as friends, partners and intercessors. Your personal involvement in our effort to fulfill The Great Commission makes it so much easier for our family to plan, prepare and in the Spring of next year; GO! We are excited about the timing of the Lord!


Bea our eldest is back from China with our son in law Will. He recently was hired here in Burlington! Bea is homeschooling  for a friend in exchange for an apartment, sweet! They spent more then a month in CA with Will's family prior to joining us here in Burlington NC 

Will and Bea

James Jr. is now enrolled in the transfer program at Alamance Community College.He's intention is to transfer to The College of the Ozarks in two years. He is attending with a full grant, to God be all the glory!
Liz has completed her camp job in Oregon and has returned to CA. She began classes this week. This is the beginning of her Sophomore year at Simpson University, with a full scholarship, to God be all the glory!
JeNi and Mahayla have begun homeschooling again. Jaedon is getting ready to start the "Your Baby Can Read" program. :) Fun times! JeNi will have classes out of the home at least 3 days a week this year, she is super excited to be involved with other students.

Mahayla!

JeNi in plaid shirt

Jaedon

James Sr. continues to hold a full time job. He is one wonderful man! I (Deanna) I am teaching a bible study Monday evenings, serving at Word Of Life Family Church which, is also our sending church, helping to co teach an enrichment class based on the continent of Africa to homeschoolers. Working on a BIG ministry project for Vision Tanzania. Speaking as doors open, and of course being a joyful steward of our family and home. I am also training to run a half marathon next year, so planning to run a 5k in a few weeks,  and a 10k in Dec. I start a boot camp next month. So, your extra prayer support would be welcomed! :)


The BIG plans we are working on will be announced later this month. We ask for you to pray God will give us wisdom, revelation, insight and favor as we go forth in His name.

Much love to you all and peace be multiplied,

The Dick Family
Missionaries to Tanzania

We Had A Great Turn Out!

A big thank you to the Word of Life Family who were able to join us at  Yo Zone in the Holly Hill Mall last month. We set up a small display table and enjoyed talking with people for about 10hrs of the day. It was fun to meet with old friends and to make some new ones while eating frozen yogurt. Our next event will be on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH at CiCi's PZZA on South Church Street in Burlington NC. If you live to far a way to attend...you can mail in a donation, just ask us how! Our goal remains the same...we are planning and preparing to deploy to Tanzania, Africa in the Spring of 2012. More info to come in the weeks ahead!

A few pics of some of the friends who were able to join us.

Amber our Missionary Care Leader

We had some little visitors as well!They are holding a Masai warrior club and wearing a tribal necklace

Paula, our Missions care team event coordinator

Moving Forward! Vision Tanzania Let's Go!

 

Listen closely, they are amazing!

We left for Tanzania at the end of March 2011 for a 10 day survey trip. While we were in Tanzania we had the privilege of spending time at a Christian School for national children operated by nationals. What a joy this group d 4 and 5 year olds were, as they smiled and apprehensively quoted all of Psalm 100!

This morning as I re watched this video I was reminded of how important it is to preach the gospel, and to reach children with the message of Jesus Christ. As I go through today with an attitude of prayer, I will continue to contend for Tanzania, I will continue to believe in the call and the vision of missions and our plans to GO!

We are currently at about 20% with our support. We are adding precious people every day to our team. The Vision of Tanzania will be seen, and you can be a part of it. Though the vision tarries, wait for it...for it shall surely come to pass.

Our most important need, is for true intercessors to come forth and stand with us! Is that you? Do you have the call of intercessor on your life, do you like to pray? If so, we invite you to stand with us in prayer. Please let us know we can count you in!


Much love,
Deanna for the Dick family

We had a good time!

Some photos of our recent trip to Tanzania. We will try to post something new each week, hopefully we don't run out of pics to share before we return to take more! Please pray for the Nation of Tanzania, pray for Muslims to know the true and living God, and for Christians to be bold and share the gospel.

Our first trip to the beach, the most beautiful place in our eyes in Dar Es Salaam

Kids fortunate enough to attend school on their way walking.

A visit to the local fruit market, plenty of bananas and watermelons.

Meeting new people in the town of Tegeta. He was eating spicy bananas, yummm...I think? :)

Our Last Days in Tanzania....Where Do We Go From Here?

Hello friends, family and partners in missions,
   
     Our journey to Tanzania ended with a walk on a Sunday evening through Tegeta, a very lively town up the road from our host families home. We looked to the right, and took in the sight of the many homes local squatters had illegally built in the rock quarry. We looked to the left of us and saw a very over crowded road with cars, buses, bikes, tuk tuk's (local taxi, made of motor cycle and cab), people walking, garbage here and there and children playing. Then we happened on the towns open market, full of people selling their wares, fruits and vegetables, shouting out to us, "habari" which means welcome in Ki Swahili. We smiled and spoke the greeting we had learned, "Asanta Sana" which, is to say, "Thank you."  We often added a common phrase we heard spoken, and put to memory. "Bwana asi fi wei."(Praise the Lord) They in turn would answer "Amen."  How cool is that, people openly praising the Lord. Not in China! :) We said, "Jambo," (hello) to almost everyone who gave us eye contact. :) We were in Tanzania and we were alive! We are following His footsteps, and this is where they are leading us...

     We happened on a circle of people some sitting, others standing while listening to music being played over a loud speaker, and women dancing in the center...What is this? We thought, so we moved in closer. Camera set to record, we watched and smiled as they sang, danced and told a story with their hands. What a beautiful sight... I wanted to join them, I wanted to understand the words they sang, I wanted to be a part of this people, culture and town.

     Monday, arrived and it was time to return to America...we missed our children...they missed us, how we wished we had them with us, and could have stayed on...but our time is in the Lord's hands. He will direct our steps. Our hearts continue to say, "Yes Lord" Here are we send us! Send us!

Phase one, pray about where to go in Africa. Complete, go to Tanzania.
Phase two, go on a survey trip. Complete, we went to Tanzania, to the city of Dar Es Saalam
Phase three ?

Now, we are at the third phase toward relocating our family to Africa...Would you like to know what that means??? Post a comment and we will email you. :)

Thank you as always for reading our blog...I hope to become more frequent with my postings and to become more savvy at arranging it.  Stay tuned, there will be more to come!

Deanna for the Dick family
Missionaries to Africa







 

Tuesday in Dar...

Hi again! Kari bu! (welcome!),

Today we went to the Bible Training School...We worshiped with Indian sisters and Tanzanian brothers...What a joyful sound as they sang in Ki Swhaili and English. James and I shared our calling and journey to Africa with them...James also preached a little and asked them " Is there not a Cause in Dar?!) While we were worshiping, I got a sense of being home...a sense of this is where we belong. One of the short term missionaries shared a powerful word about the call to missions and the importance of going even from Africa! The Pastors wife who is the co pastor, also shared from the book of Acts...Jesus gave us power! What are we doing with it!? It was a full morning of teaching. God also released prophetic words.

Afterward we went to one of the Indian sisters home to join in a time of prayer...we stayed in God's presence for more than two hours, praise God for revealing His mysteries and leading us in the way to go. As we sat in the humidity and high temperatures, a strong breeze came from the back door to the front, the wind of His Spirit is blowing, God is opening doors through prayer and He is making crooked places straight through prayer. No one was tired and we really just had to stop. The hunger here is so precious.
Next it was time to eat homemade Indian food! The ladies made butter chicken with cardamon, onion, saffron, peppers, and a delicious sauce to be eaten with a special bread they were making in batches. Afterward we enjoyed a vermicelli noodle pudding, very nice. :)

It was then time to head back to the house after making several stops. We were able to see some of the city and the possibilities of life here. Tomorrow and Thursday we will have the entire morning free to survey the city. Friday we will look into; two schools that offer schooling for missionary kids. JeNi will be happy to hear this! The harvest here is plentiful, we will see what God has in the way of schooling for our children, we may need to make an adjustment. Not my will, by your will be done, oh Lord. I think we are going to be busy!

In the afternoon we will visit the sick in the hospital, and we will have Chinese cell group in the evening! Now you are saying, "I thought you were going to Africa to reach Africans?" We are....God is just extending our tent pegs and bringing in an international harvest right here in TZ! Go God!

I will tell you of our Wednesday adventures tomorrow evening....


Every blessing friends...

Now that we are here...

Hello friends,
I am sorry I have not made a post in a while...We were super busy prior to leaving for Tanzania on March 26. For those of you who were able to join us on the 19th for our reception, Asanti!(thank you) For those of you who helped to make it a successful event, great gratitude to you! To our venue president, thanks and again thanks to all the artist.
We are now in Dar Es Salaam, TZ...We are a walk away from the Indian ocean and the climate here is much like our beloved Hainan Island, so we are feeling right at home. It has been about 90degrees everyday plus humidity, so yay...just a little warm! In TZ it is required that ladies where a skirt or dress covering our knees, it is actually cooler than wearing jeans or pants. James is sweating all the time, lol, and I am loving the warm breeze and don't mind glistening at all! :)
Our host family have been very gracious, the wife met us at the airport about an hour drive away from their country home. We waited outside the airport looking like we were either tourist or very lost until we connected with her. I actually had to ask to use a computer in the ticket agents office because....we forgot to write down the address, telephone number! Not a good idea... :)
We had a little trouble getting through customs because we had a bag from a friend for their family members here in Dar that had items they considered gifts, so before they could open every bag we had and see all the toys we brought with us, we quickly paid the officials and received a receipt and stamp. :) We have since been told, if they are donated items or second hand you do not need to pay the tax, so....lesson learned.
God gave us favor in the airport in DC, as they were weighing carry ons! Yes, carry ons. Ours was over weight because, we packed all the clothes we brought with us in our carry ons; so we could use our other bags to accomadte the items for the Missionaries and for the children.  Praise the Lord for favor! The nice guy at the counter checked our carry on bags for us and did not charge us the 300us dollars he could have asked for, God is good! All the time....God is good!
Well, it is Monday here and it is the Sabbath day for the missionaries and christian workers so, we rested as well. We went to the beach and had a picnic lunch with a MK and a short term missions gal. It was nice to see the deep blue ocean, walk on the sandy beach and observe the people while listening to their beautiful language. I will learn it! God will help me. :)
Tomorrow we are up at the crack of dawn, off to Bible school as they operate a Bible Training Institute.
After wards we will go to ladies prayer with the Indian ladies, we have been told they will cook for us and they make the best food ever, we will let you know!

Much love,
Deanna for us all

Tanzania Vision Presentation

Thanks again for being here today!
We received a peach colored slip in the mail box yesterday...James went to the post office to pick up our returned Visa's from the Embassy! And for the best news yet, our number 2 daughter Elizabeth is flying from CA to NC during her Spring Break to help her brother James Jr with the 3 younger kids! Our good friends from WOLFC have been so kind to offer their homes and services as well during the time we will be out of town. God is so good.

This weekend on Saturday, March 19, 2011 we will host our Vision Tanzania Presentation in Saxapahaw. Come join us as we share our testimony of  life in China , and how we are preparing for the new life we will have in Africa.

Your presence is requested, your listening ear and compassionate heart. The refreshments are complimentary and their is no obligation to come, listen, look and fellowship. We welcome you all!
Saxaphaw: Artist Art Gallery  from 4pm - 6pm
Presentations are at 4:30 and 5:30
Browse and look at all the beautiful art, and talk with local artist a portion of all sales will be donated toward Vision Tanzania.

See you there!

Thirteen Days and Counting! Let's talk about the need for clean water in TZ

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our blog. I have not made many updates lately....a bit busy but, also adjusting to having a public journal! We hope many of you will check back frequently for updates and soon lots of pictures.

We have received our Yellow Fever Shots(check.), sent off for our travel visas(check),of course we have the tickets(check)... We have been told it is better to get visas from this side, and avoid the lines and any potential challenges at the airport in Dar Es Salaam. Next we need to order Malaria pills. We have the prescription but need to call around to see which pharmacy has the better price.

The City of Dar Es Salaam  is the Capitol city of Tanzania and is on the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique. Which means it is in the south... and that means it will be hot and humid! I guess living on a tropical Island in China for 5 years and middle China for 1 year has somewhat prepared us for these conditions. :) We  have read and have been told, the temperatures in the evening are considerably cooler, however still somewhat warm.While I, Deanna enjoy warm weather, James is more partial to cool climates, so for him it truly is an act of love and obedience living in China and now moving to Africa. :)
Map:


Facts you may or may not know about Tanzania:

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
5.6% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1.4 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
86,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and plague water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian
Ethnic groups:
mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African
Religions:
mainland - Christian 30%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 35%; Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim
Languages:
Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note: Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 69.4% male: 77.5% female: 62.2% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2007)

I will post more later time to get out the door!

These facts and links are taken from the CIA World Fact Book, you can follow the links and learn more!


Tanzania faces a great need for clean water to drink and for personal hygiene. There are many other needs to be addressed as well. We will talk about them one by one. Today it's water!
The website below has very good basic information, about the increasing need of clean water in TZ.
http://www.wateraid.org/documents/tanzaniagw.pdf

We will talk more next time, so glad to have an updated blog, and thankful you have all continued to fellowship with us!

Good Things Are Happening!

Well, today my(Deanna) passport came in the mail! Whooo hooo! Renewed for 10 more years ready to GO again and fulfill The Great Commission! I think everyone should have a passport, just in case you're next! :)

Praise the Lord we have our tickets to Tanzania for our vision trip; our departure date is March 26th. We will land in Dar Es Salaam. Our Toy Campaign is on target, thanks to everyone who has donated!. Our goal is to take 1000 small hand held toys with us. The Children's Ministry at Word of Life Family Church (our sending church) is also cooperating with us and we believe we will reach our goal!!!

We are inviting anyone living any where near Burlington, NC to join James and I for an afternoon reception in Saxapahaw, NC just outside of Graham, NC; at the Saxapahaw Art Gallery. Those of you living outside of the city and state are welcomed as well! Your prayers are especially appreciated.

On behalf of VISION TANZANIA...

The Saxapahaw Art Gallery, welcomes you to their village.
Nestled in the corner of North Carolina on the beautiful Haw River, sits the best kept secret outside of Greensboro, Chapel Hill and the Raleigh, Durham areas.
Saxapahaw...
Join the Saxapahaw community on March 19, 2011 for an afternoon reception from four pm to six pm at The Saxapahaw Artist Art Gallery.
Local artist will be featured and will donate a precentage of art sales to support VISION TANZANIA...
James and Deanna Dick, the Vision Tanzania project promoters; will share their heart to bring hope... and humanitarian aide to Africa.
Please join us!

Refreshments will be available

All donations are tax deductible and appreciated

Contact information:

Deanna Dick cell: 1 336 588 7043 other: 1 336 270 5095

by email :  wol2na@gmail.com

Please click on the link below to view a map and information about the town of Saxapahaw

http://www.rivermillvillage.com/map.html

Why Tanzania?

We often get asked the question, "how do you know God wants you to go to Tanzania, or to nations or even to be a Missionary?"(which is really Apostle) :)
Our answer would be, because His sheep hear His voice and a stranger they will not follow(John 10:27) We have all been given "The Great Commission" go into all the world and preach the gospel to all men.( Mark 16:15) We believe this is our assignment in life, we believe it is our reasonable service.(Romans 12:1), We believe because, God so loved the world that He sent his Son(John 3:16) and now he is sending us. It's because of love. God is shaping our heart, and giving us a love for people we have not known because, He loves them. He has a plan and purpose for the people in Tanzania, and we are honored to be chosen to go.
While we wait, we serve...we occupy...America is our home and nation. Everyday we come in contact with people who need Jesus in "our Jerusalem." The love of God must constrain us, we must be about our Father's business, whether it be far or near. The harvest is truly plentiful, pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers. He said, "go" we simply said, "Here are we Lord, send us!"
So yes to Tanzania, yes to China, yes to the nations! For nations are people and people are the reason Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood. We all have a mandate today....What will we do with it.

In His service and love,
Deanna

Wow What A Day!

Spent a day fasting and what a difference it makes...time set apart for God can only produce good results. The anointing to teach is that much more powerful. I believe we ladies at the Girlfriends Small Group were blessed today with God's presence. Now, James and I are off to do an interview with TCT TV in Greensboro. We will keep you posted as to when it will air. James and I will be with the WOLFC Youth group(Vertical) this weekend. We are sharing in all sessions, we appreciate your prayers for each teen attending, for all the leaders and for us as we impart the word of truth. May we all come back changed!
Thanks for reading and we encourage you to share your heart with us in the comment section, or send us a personal message. We are praying for our friends and partners daily!
With love,
Deanna

Getting the Word out about Missions!

Good morning friends,
We trust your week was filled with opportunities to be salt and light. We have been very  busy unpacking and setting up the house in Burlington NC. We are just about finished and hope to have everything in it's place by Thursday this week. All of this is happening in between starting back with homeschooling and managing ministry happenings. We took a short break and now it is time to get back on track!  Today I (Deanna) had a radio interview with Joyce and Larry George of Siloam Missionary Homes. They host a weekly broadcast on Truth Broadcasting in Winston Salem NC. Another missionary and myself were interviewed by their Aunts who were visiting. The questions were centered around the life of a missionary wife and mother. You can check out the website at www.siloamhomes.com to see when they will post it and have a listen!
Last evening we were in Walmart to get diapers for Jaedon and guess who we met??? A beautiful couple from Tanzania! We were so excited. I heard her speaking in Ki-Swahili and asked "where are you from" when she stated "Tanzania" I thought God you always confirm you plans and will. We have already set a date to visit their home here in Burlington and talk about the possibility of cooperating together to bring hope and change to their hometown. Dar Es Salaam, the city we will be visiting next month in March! God is good! We will keep you updated!

Well, time for me to get the kids ready for the day, juice some veggies and have a protein shake!

Thanks for reading our blog,
Have a very wonderful day and check back again for frequent updates!

New Beginnings

Welcome to our blog! We have been planning to establish this for sometime, and now it is finally here! We hope to keep you updated on our preparation and planning; for our Vision trip in March 2011 and for our family deployment scheduled for March 2012. We are getting very excited! We are scheduling our appointments for Malaria shots and Passport renewal this week. We hope to purchase our tickets by the first week in March 2011 for James and I (Deanna) to travel to Tanzania. We will stay in the city of Dar Es Salaam. The ministry that will host us during that time is helping to arrange a guest house for us to stay in. We will volunteer with their ministry while there. It is not clear exactly what they will ask us to do, but we are willing! At this time we have started a toy campaign. We plan to take 1000 toys with us for the children they reach each Saturday at their Kids Clubs! If you would like to help support this trip in any way you can contact us by email at Wol2na@gmail.com. We look forward to remaining in contact you and hope you will check our blog frequently and will also recommend that your friends read our daily blog. We are always happy to pray for you, please email us your prayer request as well.
in His love and Power, Deanna for us all