Lisa Harris's Blog, page 31

African Wildlife

First, I want to thank you all so much for all your prayers and notes for Scott's health. While in South Africa this week, we took him to our doctor and found out that he did still have malaria. It is a strain that didn't show up on the basic tests done here in Mozambique. We're so thankful that we were there, because malaria isn't something that you can play around with and not treat.

He's still weak, but is already much better than he was earlier this week. The doctor told him to rest for the next 7-10 days, so my job will be to make sure that he does!

While we were in SA, we spent one day at Kruger before the team left to return to the States while Scott stayed and slept where we were staying. I had planned to post some photos, but with all that was happening, I forgot my camera. So instead, I thought I'd go ahead and repost some of my favorites from the past couple years.

Enjoy!

Lisa

Update on Scott

Thanks so much to all of you who have been praying for our health! Scott has taken the brunt of it and we found out on Saturday that it was malaria. He started feeling better with the treatment, but took a turn for the worse last night. I took him this morning to a private clinic in town we just found out about, hoping to miss the long lines and waiting at the hospital. It turned out to be a big blessing.

He was actually the only patient. It was very clean and the staff was incredibly helpful and friendly. They put him on two rounds of antibiotic IVs after another malaria test came out negative. This meant that the malaria was gone by today which is good, but he has a secondary infection his body is fighting. The blood work didn't come out conclusive, but after the treatment he is feeling a bit better tonight (after ten hours at the clinic) though very weak.

We are still planning to leave with the group from Texas for South Africa early in the morning, so we would appreciate your prayers. We'll be taking the team back to catch their plan, then heading on to Tzaneen to sign the final papers for Janelle's home. We considered leaving Scott here and skipping going to Tzaneen for now, but decided that in case the antibiotics don't treat what is wrong and he ends up needing more medical attention we'd rather be in SA.

As I was driving home today from the clinic, I was struck with several reminders. One, we were so blessed to have found out about this clinic (just as we were leaving for the hospital.) There were no lines, no waiting, and fast treatment, but because is it a private clinic, it isn't a place that most of the people here could afford, even though it isn't expensive by US standards. I was so humbled knowing that we have so much and can get what we need when so many people can't.

The second reminder was regarding the house that we were able to build for one of the Christian women last week thanks to funds from the ECHO project. (You can watch a video I posted a couple days ago that shares about this) I saw her yesterday when I was out in the village, and she showed me the house). It is a simple reed hut, with one room that she will share with her five children and yet she was beaming with joy over this new house that is being built for her. Again, I was so humbled as I came home to my running water, electricity and air conditioner I can use when it's hot.

It reminded me how important is it so not take for granted what I have, and of the importance for all of us to use what we have, both in physical things and through our talents to make a different in peoples lives around us.

Be a blessing today!

Lisa

Summer ministry continued...

It's hard to believe, but our visiting mission team is already into their last couple days here. Today, they are helping to finish up the house that is being built in the village for one of our Christian women, then tomorrow will be spent visiting several of the churches for worship.

Our family will be heading out with them on Tuesday to take them to South Africa where we'll spend a day with them at Kruger (yeah!) then head on to Tzaneen for to finish up the paperwork for the sale of Janelle's house. Please pray for Scott and my health, as we've both been sick this week. Thankfully, between the visiting team and the disciples, things have still gone great!

Here's another short video I put together to share some of what the team is doing.



Don't forget, I'll be holding another Summer book giveaway later in the month, so be sure and stop by again soon!

Be blessed,

Lisa

Katy Team

We're so enjoying the Katy team's help with our ministry! They spent two days painting the children's rooms in a local orphanage. Today was spent out in the village doing dramas and teaching. Here are a few highlights from the week so far.



Be blessed,

Lisa

How far would you walk?

Those of you who follow my blog regularly, know that summertime (our winter) is extra busy for us as we always host several mission teams. This year is no exception, and we are excited about the coming weeks and all that will be happening!

Last week, we had our first team arrive. Mel and Mandy are single women from the UK who have been working about four hours north of us for the past three years. They brought with them a team of local Christians and on Thursday we all headed out to one of the villages. Mandy is a nurse, so with her help and with donations given through The ECHO Project, we were able to give out vitamins and worm medicine and treat some basic health concerns.

We also took with us several of the disciples we work with to start building a house for one of the Christians who lost hers in a recent fire. Once again, we are so thankful for the generosity of those who have given to The ECHO Project as it allowed us to buy the supplies needed to build her house. She is a single mom (her husband recently left her) with five children so this is a huge blessing to her.

So how far would you walk for water?

Scott was humbled when they went to get water to build the foundation and realized just how far people have to walk. Watch this video to find out just how far.

How far would you walk? 18 miles for water from Lisa Harris on Vimeo.

Be a blessing!

Lisa

The least of these...

I've spent a lot of time during the past week glued to the news about Joplin. My heart goes out to those who have lost not only their physical possessions, but also loved ones. I can't even imagine what I would do in that situation.

Yesterday I was out in one of the villages for church and we found out that a young woman's reed house burned down on Thursday. She's a mother of five whose husband recently left her. Scott's lesson, from Matthew 25, couldn't have been more appropriate.

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25: 37-40

It struck me again, that no matter where we live, there are people around us hurting. We are called to be lights, to be different, to be radical. This is how we want to live, and this is how we want to teach the Christians here to live.

The coming weeks are going to be very busy. We are planning to go out with the disciples this week to begin building her a new house. We also very excited to have two mission teams coming within the next week. The first group will be here two days from up north and will help us teach and in conjunction with The ECHO Project, we'll give out vitamins and worm medicine in the several villages. The second group arrives Sunday from Texas. They will be teaching through drama and helping us with two outreach projects in the community.

Lastly, I wanted to share photos from Scott's recent trip to the village of Zongéne with several of his disciples where they continue to do monthly teaching and follow up.

Be blessed. Be a blessing.

Lisa

School uniforms for our orphans

While the main desire of our ministry, African Outreach Ministries, is to make disciples who make disciples, we also strive to help meet the physically needs of those we work with.

For many years, our ministry has worked with dozens of orphans in both Zimbabwe and Zambia. Recently, there was a need with our orphans in Zimbabwe for new school uniforms so that the children would be able to attend school. Last fall, we started The ECHO Project as a way for us to meet the needs we see on a day-to-day basis, primarily in Mozambique, but also in conjunction with our orphan ministry.

Thanks to the generous donations of many of you, we were able to give money to buy uniforms for many of these sweet children so they could attend school.

We have a number things I'll be sharing with you in the coming weeks as we reach out to the community around us along side several summer mission groups that are headed our way from the States and Brazil. We are also in the process of finishing up an exciting ECHO Project fundraising kit we will be unveiling soon that can be used for Sunday school classes, youth groups, ladies classes. Stay tuned for a chance to make a difference!

Be blessed today!,

Lisa

(Some of the children with their new school uniforms)

An the winner is...

Thanks so much to all of you who stopped by and left comments on my blog post for my May contest! I wish I could give copies away to each one of you, but with a bit of drumroll, the winner is...


Julie!!! I'll be in contact with you, Julie, for your mailing details.


On another quick note, Scott and Gabe returned last night from a couple days in the village plus a couple more in South Africa to deal with the finalization of Janelle's house. They brought back with them some cool gifts with them from our friend's farm including raw honey, macadamia nuts, and avocados. (The Dr. Pepper wasn't from the farm, but the boys are very excited that Scott found some.)



While we eat a lot of cashews here (they sell them on the side of the road) I've never made anything with macadamia nuts. If you have a favorite recipe using macadamia nuts, I'd love for you to share it in a comment below.

And don't forget that I'll be giving away more copies of my latest three books later next month, so drop by again soon!

Be blessed today!

Lisa

Lost in the bush

I took a wrong turn and got lost in the bush this morning on my way to one of our village churches. It wasn't that I didn't know the way, (at least I thought I knew the way) but in the past few months the crops have grown tremendously and the road that winds through the bush really isn't anything more than a slightly worn path.

I've noticed the same growth in our own garden. In less than two years, it's taken on a completely different look as all the bushes and shrubs have grown, been pruned, and grown some more.

















There are so many spiritual parallels that struck me as I stood out in my garden today. Jesus often used farming in his parables. He talked about good soil and bad soil, and how the cares of this world can end up choking us and making us unfruitful.

It's a good reminder me.

None of us know when Jesus will return, but He made clear how we should live until that day. Life is full of ups and downs, but I Cornthians 15:58 reminds us to stand firm and let nothing move us. And of the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2)

Be blessed today as you seek Him,

Lisa

Summer giveaway!

As we head into winter (Yeah!) most of you are getting ready for summer. So in celebration of graduation, summer vacation, and my Christy Award Nominee for Blood Ransom, I've decided to have a summer giveaway!

But not just one giveaway.

Every month through July, I'll be giving away copies of my three latest books, Blood Ransom, Blood Covenant, and An Ocean Away, to one lucky winner. Three winners in all.

So spread the word and leave a comment, telling me that you'd like to participate in this month's contest. Also, make sure to leave a way for me to get ahold of you. This contest closes at midnight PST May 24 and is limited to US addresses.

Happy Reading!

Lisa


Contest is limited to the United States and is void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.