Amman Conference September 29, 2008
Posted by LaWanda in Amman Jordan, God, Travel, Women's Ministries International.add a comment
“If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out.
To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it…
I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world…
In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”
Mother Theresa
This morning I told Rex, “Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but I left part of my heart in Amman.” God answered prayer in such amazing and wonderful ways, far beyond our hopes and requests. Thank you for being part of “the team”, I could feel your prayers and support as God worked every day.
Since the first minute we were invited to have a woman’s conference in Jordan, I was a bit concerned. While I knew in my heart that God would not fail, I was also painfully aware of my own limitations, both physical and emotional. It’s easy to fret when we get caught up looking at ourselves isn’t it? Still, each time I would begin to worry, I remembered the incredible promises of God’s Word exhorting us to “cast our cares on Him for He cares for us!” What a liberating reality! As I continued to take those truths to heart I discovered peace and power to go forward.
With that confidence–truly a peace that passes ALL understanding–I boarded the plane to meet the rest of the team in NYC and travel together to Amman.
The beginning of the first night of the conference was rough; the translator had a very difficult time finding Arabic words for our English phrases. Slowly the atmosphere changed as we forged ahead and God came to our rescue. It was soon evident that our sessions and prayer times were being blessed by God; He refreshed, renewed and encouraged the women (and with typical grace–He also refreshed, renewed and encouraged ME too). We witnessed the healing of bodies, emotions and situations. By the third session the pastors and leaders said they could see a remarkable difference in the women, they could see God at work in their lives.
In response to so many miraculous encounters with God through the ministry and fellowship we had, the leaders now want to have another women’s conference AND a marriage conference AND a men’s conference AND a children’s workers conference each year. That’s four conferences a year! This was their first conference for the women and everyone saw what great things God accomplished. All glory be to Jesus!
I wish you could have been with us. So many beautiful saints of God are there, reaching into their community with love and assistance to the poor and the refugees. Many are suffering. We met women whose unconverted husbands are deeply abusive, unfaithful and make home life unbearable. These women received strength, comfort and encouragement from the teachings of God’s Word and the fellowship of the U. S. team.
Your brothers and sisters in the Lord send their greetings. The pastors and people requested that we pray for God to provide them with:
1) Outreach in their communities, that they would able to reach others around them with God’s ‘Good News’, for God to work in them and through them for His Glory
2) A volunteer doctor for their clinic
3) A bus so they can transport people to and from the services
4) For the refugees in Amman as well as for the people in Iraq
5) For jobs for those who are able to work
6) For families to be united (many families are in different countries, some waiting ‘year’s for visas to travel to a host country)
The final day of the conference as my teammate and I prayed with various ones, Ha-nan, a beautiful woman of God, walked up to me and said in broken English, “I want to pray for you.” “Good,” I said, “I need it.” “Yes, you do.” she replied, “You have been giving and praying for others but you need our prayers.” She placed her hands on my shoulders and I placed my hands on her shoulders. Our tears mingled as she prayed heaven and earth together. God spoke through her straight to my heart. She described the Father’s heart of love toward me and relayed His message to me. What a tremendous time of refreshing, joy and enrichment we both experienced.
I am always amazed that as we reach out to others, as we become the hands and feet of Jesus–truly His Body–we find that our own wounds are healed. One Christian writer commented that we are “wounded healers.” That is certainly true for me; I feel that God longs to minister to our needs as well as the needs of others and He is so faithful to do that as we walk in obedience to Him.
What an honor and privilege to take part in this tremendous trip. Thank you again for your faithful prayers for me and the team while ministering in Jordan and for being coworkers with me in God’s Kingdom’s work.
With my love, appreciation and prayers as we journey together,
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible, should be made payable to WMI, marked ‘WMI Mission Trips’ and mailed to:
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
Amman Trip Goodbye September 21, 2008
Posted by LaWanda in Amman Jordan, God, Travel.add a comment
I’m on the plane, a Boeing 727-200, 7 seats across. The team let me off the van at Delta and I went thru security and immigration with totally no problem. It’s the 1st time I’ve not had to take off my shoes, remove my computer from the case or keep my ‘liquids’ in a plastic bag. I had bottled water that I brought to the airport and have it with me now, ‘no problem’ said the security guards????!!! Thank the Lord and Hallelujah!
The check-in attendant was writing up a charge for my 3rd piece of luggage bit I told her I was a medallion member. She checked it out then gave me an invitation to the VIP lounge which was a beautiful 5 star service lounge. They had complimentary food and drinks, a variety of teas, honey, raw sugar, many different cheese and breads, even small boxed cereals, cheese filled croissants, fruit, gourmet cookies, etc, etc, etc in a beautiful luxurious setting. There were private wireless seating areas with ear-phones and TV’s. Wow, wish I’d had time to stay longer than 5 minutes. 
At the moment I have the 3 center seats in row 31 to myself and I pray it stays that way so I can stretch out for the almost 11 hour flight to JFK, NYC.
What a great trip, what a great team, what a great God! I am so privileged and thankful to have had this honor.
Everyday brought it’s challenges and everyday God was near and gave his help.
Thank you for prayers, we’re taking off,
Love U
Mom/LaWanda
Connected Again! September 19, 2008
Posted by LaWanda in Amman Jordan, Family, Travel.add a comment
Hi all,
I spent over an hour 2 different days on Verizon’s toll free # at the hotel phone and FINALLY I have email–I think.
Rex, it was great to talk to you even tho I know you are so busy and must be very tired. How I thank God for your prayers and for others who are praying.
Jonathan it was great talking to you- even briefly–what timing, huh! Thank the Lord. (To the rest of you, J. just stepped out of a meeting the exact moment I called).
Sherilyn, Allan, Brittian and Jessie, please check your home phone answering machines-I left you and the boys a message. Sorry I didn’t get to talk to you. I bought a Jordanian global phone card for about $10 and I still have a few minutes left. I think.
Brittian the reception from your phone was not good on my end so I hope it was much better on yours. If not, just want you to know I’m thinking of you and am doing TERRIFIC–don’t know when I’ve felt better.
I’m on the 3rd floor of the hotel with no elevator so am getting good exercise. There’s no air conditioning either so I leave the patio door open to keep from roasting. I do have a portable fan for which I’m very thankful.
We’ve been able to eat some of their food and their lamb is incredibly delicious. It doesn’t taste anything like the lamb we get in the U.S. Our (Egyptian) team member told us it’s not only the way they prepare it, it’s what they feed the sheep.
It is sooooo dry here that dust covers everything-even in the room.
I don’t think I’ve seen any grass, it’s all rocky soil and more often than not, mostly rock.
The people are wonderful. They are full of amazement that we came and so very thankful.
It was fascinating today riding the church bus from the retreat center back to the hotel, seeing huge multi-million dollar, marble stone homes on the hillside then in the valley below, a very long tent with a shepherd outside, in his turban and flowing robes, watching over his flock of sheep.
On the way to the retreat we saw another shepherd walking with his staff, leading a large flock of sheep.
Every moment here is fantastic but it WILL be super to get back home.
I love each of you SO much and thank the Lord for blessing my life with you. I’m praying that God keeps you in His wonderful care.
Mom/LaWanda
Amman Jordan Women’s Conference September 16, 2008
Posted by LaWanda in Amman Jordan, God, Women's Ministries International.add a comment
The first few days were very rough–I was so tired in every way–but each day is better than the day before. Thank you so much for your prayers-God is answering, giving strength, encouragement and His Presence.
It is truly a privilege to be serving the Lord here with these wonderful people.
The Marka church, one of three Free Methodist Church’s in Amman is led by Pastor Upthum and his beautiful wife, Miah. They have a sweet one month old baby, Jonathan and all 10 of us on the team were privileged to be in their home Sunday. They and the other pastors here give so much of themselves to help the needy.
The people in this area and in the church suffer much-especially the women. Many are Iraqi refugees temporarily in Amman until re-located by the embassy of the country to which they will go.
Families are separated, even to different countries. Situations are heartbreaking.
God put it on our hearts to fast and pray, asking Him for healing of many situations and conditions, to work His will for His Kingdom and glory and that satan would be put to flight.
Tonight after teaching from Heb 7:25 ["Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us"] each woman came forward for anointing and a mighty volume of prayer rose to heaven. God met with us in a wonderful way. You could sense Him at work. I’m expecting great things from Him in these next few days. Continue to pray with us for the powerful Hand of God to be manifest among us.
God is helping me to get in 20-30 minutes of walking each day plus a little bit of rest. He is giving me strength and His Spirit.
THANK YOU again for your faithful prayers and for continuing to lift us to the Lord. We are co-laborers together with Him.
With my love, prayers and appreciation,
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible, should be made payable to WMI, marked ‘WMI Mission Trips’ and mailed to:
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
Petra September 14, 2008
Posted by LaWanda in Amman Jordan, Family, Travel.Tags: Petra
2 comments
Thank U, Jonathan for your sweet note.
Thank you Rex for the cute card and ‘laughs’ you packed. I hope things are going OK.
I’m trying to learn a few Arabic words–it is MOST difficult.
Verizon got my email fixed now the phone won’t go through. Oh well, the email’s MUCH less expensive than the phone.
Last evening I stayed in and rested while the other 9 went to a “meet and greet” service then dinner at the pastor’s home. Evidently it was all wonderful.
Today we ate breakfast at the hotel then headed for Petra 3 hours away. Quite a ride, seeing flocks of sheep with their shepherds, camels in the fields AND getting pulled over by the police. 
Our driver was Iraqi but legal. They said we were speeding…there are no speed limits–go figure. So basically we paid the “bribe” money and they let us go. Our group paid $20 ID (Jordanian money, 70 cents for a US $), the driver pad $30. It was a bit tense as the 3 officers had our driver get out and come to their patrol car.
LOTS of men and women in Muslim attire–and lots not. Interesting to me to see the women all covered in black except for cute high-heel sandals. Hanny, our Egyptian team member,guide, (from Iraq) told us the women like to dress “modern” at home but put on the coverings to go outside.
There is very little to no activity around the homes–you wouldn’t know anyone lived there except for clothes hanging to dry on the line.
Petra is totally AMAZING–rather like the feeling of awe you get when going through the CA redwoods.
I rode a camel for about 1/2 mile (?) Then a donkey for about 1/4th of a mile, then rode a horse drawn buggy for over a mile, the later was the roughest.
And of course you know I got LOTS of pictures…
WRONG….my battery died. I didn’t waste time crying, I just asked others on the team to let me have copies of their pix but you can imagine how painful it was for me not to be capturing those memories on film. I did purchase postcards.
Petra was all so very amazing.
Tomorrow we rest, have a team meeting after noon then a service in the evening, dinner at the pastor’s home afterward.
Rex I’ve constantly wished you were here.
Sure wish I hadn’t forgotten the camera battery charger. I hope to find one at a store in Amman tomorrow.
Love you all so much, thank you for your prayers. Please remember to pray as the conference begins Mon.
Mom/LaWanda
Jordan September 12, 2008
Posted by LaWanda in Amman Jordan, Family, Travel.3 comments
Hi!
I’m here – safe and sound – in the Canary hotel, 3rd floor. It’s hot except for a fan on the floor. There are loud speakers on the building across the street that blasts out their call to prayer about every hour to the entire community. I’m told it goes on all night.
Oh well!
There are 10 of us here. All went to a meeting this evening but me. I’m resting because I have to.
Love you,
Mom
We’ve arrived in Jordan September 12, 2008
Posted by LaWanda in Amman Jordan, Travel, Women's Ministries International.add a comment
Had a non-eventful flight except for the Tampa flight leaving 15 minutes late, giving me less than 30 minutes to walk [run] to the other end of JFK airport in New York and meet the rest of the group already on the plane. I got in my exercise for the day.
Amman is actually 7 hours ahead of FL time, so at 2 AM they were serving us breakfast.
All luggage came through, PTL!
More later!
Thx for your prayers!
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible, should be made payable to WMI, marked ‘WMI Mission Trips’ and mailed to:
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
