I'm not Perfect, but my God is! - Update

Here's a link to my most recent update.

And here's a snapshot of what's inside the update!
Click the link above to see the whole thing and join our prayer team!

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8 days from today, we will pack up the car and the two little dogs, and head to Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and New Hampshire, en route to S. Asia!

9 days from today - my little brother, Mark, gets married - in Virginia!

30 days from today until we leave for S. Asia! (June 29!)

2 days (41 hours within a 48 hour period) is how long we will spend on 2 (of the 5) trains in S. Asia

63 days - is the total how long we will be on the road/in the air/on the train, etc.

112 degrees - the current temperature of one of the S. Asian cities we'll be traveling through

1 day - Tomorrow - I will spend a couple hours praying and preparing to enter this next season of travel, as an ever-learning to be: wife, daughter, sister, trip leader, logistics coordinator, and daughter of the King.

Email Update- Happy Easter and Banana Town Update

HAPPY EASTER!!!  :)  (a few days early!)

Dear Friends and Family,

SHORT VERSION:

**Banana Town Story Workshop Update- “Oh, like that?  Okay, yes, now I can do this- now I can tell stories!”

**ESL Stories Update- “She is using the stories in a small group with her neighbors!”

**Go!  Stay!  Go!  Stay!  - What is God calling me to?

Watch for a Newsletter in the next few weeks!

LONGER VERSION:

Banana Town Story Workshop Update – I travelled to Banana town in March, to help with another story training for the Mercy teams.  In short, we helped to check the process of how the teams are doing their daily story work, as well as coach them in how to use the stories in real-life situations, particularly in small fellowship groups.

[Picture: Left to right, Abraham and Adam- Mercy story team members.]

One of the days, I asked a story-teller (Martha) to come with me to tell a story to some local friends I had made at the compound.  I took a video of her telling the story of Zacchaeus.

Martha did such a good job telling a natural story, that I shared the video with the teams.  After seeing how natural and easy it was for Martha to tell the story, one of the Mercy team members, ‘Adam’ said – “Oh, we should tell stories like that?  Okay, yes, now I can do this- now I can tell stories!”  We discussed how telling stories can be easily woven into daily life and the teams got excited about sharing stories with their communities.

 

If you want to see the actual video of Martha telling the story a few weeks ago, please go to:

http://www.youtube.com/elizabethstories   ---   “Martha Tells the Zacchaeus Story”

(I hope to get another video uploaded with a translation of what Martha is saying, but if you are familiar with the Zacchaeus story, you can kind-of get an idea from this video).

Picture below: Martha and me.

ESL Stories Update & New Story Teams

ESL Stories – Recently, a colleague of mine and I met with the local group who has been using the ESL stories (that are not quite finished!).  They have started integrating the stories in some of their other classes and one of the Hispanic ladies who came to the class is now hosting a story fellowship group in her home with her neighbors- right here in Orlando!

New Story Teams- Just today, I had the opportunity to interact with a couple who has joined One-Story and are leaving for the field soon.  Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of meeting others who want to know about overseas work.  Being close to Wycliffe Headquarters, I am often asked to meet with folks interested in South Asia, or story projects.  I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing, and hearing from these people and can’t wait to see what God does in and through them.

Go!  Stay!  Go!  Stay!  - What is God calling me to?

During my trip to Banana Town, I felt extremely excited to be back in South Asia.  It felt like God might be calling me back overseas again longer term.  Since I’ve been back in the states, I’ve met with several wise counselors and mentors in my life who have helped me think through some of this.

I am asking God what he wants me to do (stay or go), and I would appreciate your prayers for this as well.  You can keep in closer touch with my thought process through my blog: www.elizabethstories.blogspot.com.

Photo: last week’s Orlando Corporate 5K race (14,000 participants!)

P&P

Praise for the work accomplished at the Banana Town Training!

Praise for relationships built with local women and stories that Martha shared with them

Prayer for the Mercy team and other story teams, as they work on try to finish their stories in preparation for using those stories in a story training to happen in JUNE!!

Praise for a special visit to Wycliffe, in March, from Mr. and Mrs. Don Cain, and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bonnet who were in Orlando!

Prayer for transition in consulting roles.  I am now coaching another consultant for the Mercy team, and will be taking on consulting for the “Courage” team.

Prayer for me to hear God’s voice- whether it says ‘Stay,’ or ‘Go.’

Picture below – two of my best friends in Orlando, and also my roommates (Jen & Jen!).  We volunteered one weekend at the Great American Pie Festival!! :)

SCHEDULE:

Mid-June- Family Reunion (North Carolina)

June 25-July 20 – Mercy Team training, (Banana Town, S. Asia)

July 20-25- Possible Story team Process Checks, (K Town, S. Asia)

Mid-August – Possible Story Process Checks & Training (Africa)

November – Mercy Team training, (New Town, S. Asia)

Until All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

Email Update!

Dear Friends and Family,

“The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go (to South Asia!), both now and forever.” ~Psalm 121:8

Greetings from a few thousand miles away from most of you!

I’m in South Asia for the next 3 weeks assisting with story training for the Mercy teams!!

Short Version:

*”Non-stop stories!!”  – Even at a workshop for Mercy Team projects, stories must still be checked for other story teams in other areas!

*”Nothing is impossible for God” – Discussing testing results, and how to improve the stories… it’s a huge blessing to be able to do this with the Mercy Story team in person!

*A stirring in my heart – blog entry regarding ‘re-entry’ to my second earthly ‘home.’

Longer Version:

“Non-stop stories!” – I was talking with another consultant this week about the flow of stories and she said, “It’s non-stop!!  I’ll finish consulting on a story, and I’m lucky if a half hour goes by before another story comes in my inbox!!”  It’s true!  It doesn’t matter what day it is – Saturday, Sunday, AM, PM, rain or shine, the stories never stop coming!  Even while I am here working on the Mercy team stories, I still receive story files from the Tea Town teams in another part of the country!  While it can be overwhelming, it is a good sign because these portions of God’s Word are getting crafted into oral stories to be shared with those who have never heard!

”Nothing is impossible for God” – Right now, I’m in South Asia with the Mercy Teams.  We are checking every part of the process: story crafting, testing, and documentation.  Today, one of the Mercy Team members, ‘Abe’- played the Abraham and 3 visitors story for two friends and asked them to retell it  [This story is when God tells Abraham that his wife will have a baby, and then says, ‘is anything is impossible for God?’]

When both friends retold the story, they left out the part when God says to Abraham, ‘is anything impossible for God?’  We discussed how to make this part more memorable since it seemed to be a big point in the story.  Abe said that he would adjust his voice, add repetition, as well as answer the rhetorical question with a statement.  The story now says something like, “Is anything impossible for God? No, nothing is impossible for God.  Nothing is impossible for God.”  When tested again, it was retold accurately.  A seemingly small, but still very significant change in the story!

 

I’m excited to see the team applying the things they have learned in the past few months to new stories they are working on!  Here is a picture of us, hard at work!

A stirring in my heart – a recent blog entry:  As usual, travelling, has got me thinking… Here’s a recent blog entry about the strong pull that this country has on my heart.  http://elizabethstories.blogspot.com/2011/02/stirring-in-my-heart.html

P&P

Praise for safe travel!

Praise for a peaceful place to call ‘home’ for the next 3 weeks.

Praise for the Tea Town teams working hard on their stories – pray for logistics to be worked out for final recordings.

Prayer for continued rest and sleep at night, and no back pain.  I typically wake up and can’t go back to sleep because my back hurts so much.  This happens when I’m in the USA too, but it is worse in South Asia.

Prayer for good communication for the Mercy teams at this workshop-- 4 different nationalities and multiple languages (8+) represented at this workshop!

I’ve been posting pictures and updates on facebook…you can ‘friend me’ by going here:

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/elizabethjanewilson

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

Blog: www.elizabethstories.blogspot.com

Email Update- Mercy Team, Banana Town, Prayer, Hope!

Dear Friends and Family,

Short Version

* “I may need to withdraw from the Mercy story team…, but I still want to use stories with my people” – Andrew (Mercy team member)

* “Where are you going this time?” - I’m going to “Banana Town,” South Asia- Feb 25-March 20!!

* “There are definitely going to be a lot of people praying for Storying projects!” – Watch for the an upcoming issue of a publication from the company I work for!

* “Surely, you have a future and your hope will not be cut off...”   Not to mention the blessing of community in the midst of it all!

* Prayer and hope for Precious.

Longer Version

“I may need to withdraw from the Mercy story team…but I still want to use stories with my people.” – Andrew (Mercy team member).

Andrew, one of the Mercy team members, sent me an email a few weeks ago and said that he may need to withdraw from the story team.  He is currently working a full-time job and is unable to complete the story work in addition to his regular work.  It is hard to lose him because he adds so much to the team.  But fortunately, his passion for sharing the Story among his people has not faded.  Andrew said, “I am not done with the story work.  Even if I can’t do it all now, I will continue to learn about it and use it with my people.”

“Where are you going this time?” – Banana Town!

On February 25^th, I will be travelling to “Banana town,” South Asia.  I have been to this town once before- almost 6 years ago.  At that time, I received my first orientation to the country I would be working in.  This time, I will be working with the Mercy Team story project.  They Mercy team is just one of several story teams that will be represented.  Consultants from South Asia, S. America, and USA, will travel to Banana town to work diligently with the teams one-on-one and provide immediate feedback for their work as they prepare to lead story trainings among minor languages in their respective states later this year.

“There are definitely going to be a lot of people praying for Storying projects!”

Recently, I had the privilege of providing information for a bi-monthly publication produced by the organization I work for.  Some of you probably receive it in your mailboxes!  It is sent to several thousand people and generally highlights a specific project, or people group.  Next month’s issue is focused on story work and story projects around the world.  It has been really exciting to watch the publication come together, and to think of those who will pray for the consultants and national story crafters, some of whom I work with directly. After it is published, I’ll send a link to you so you can access it online.

“Surely, you have a future and your hope will not be cut off...”  Plus the blessing of a community!

January 2011 has been a frustrating, joyful, discouraging, energizing, draining, and enlightening month!  God’s grace has been reinforced through His Word and through His people.  Proverbs 28:18 (above) has solidly anchored me to Him and His plans for me.  In addition, I don’t think I have experienced the full blessing of a community of believers as much as I have in the past month.  Through some challenging decisions, God has reaffirmed his love for me and reminded me of who I am – I am His.  His daughter, and His princess. 

Prayer for Hope for Precious…

I received an email this morning from my dear Kahani friend, Precious.  I believe she needs to be reminded of God’s love for her too.  Below is part of her email.  Please continue to pray for her heart.

“I asked my husband to help me with finding a job, but he refused to help.  Two days ago, he said that I don’t have any qualification- that I don’t deserve any job, that I am a worthless person in the world.  Now my heart is totally broken.  I cried, but he says that my tears are nothing, they are just ****.  I don’t know what to say or what to do, but still I hope that everything will be alright.”

P&P

--Praise for additional prayer for story projects, through my organization's publication!

--Praise for God’s grace extended to me this past month, through His Word and the community of believers I live among.

--Prayer for the final recordings preparations for Tea Town Teams – Alice has not gotten her visa yet, and the teams are not yet ready for final recordings.

--Prayer for Andrew as he focuses on his job, and prayer for the two other Mercy team members as they have more work to do without Andrew’s help.

--Prayer for upcoming trip to Banana Town, S. Asia- Feb 25 to March 20.

(Pictures - Just some of my community here - my wonderful roommates - Katie, Bola, Jen and Jen!!)

Til all have heard,

~ Elizabeth

Happy New Year!

January 9, 2011 – Happy New Year! :)

Dear Family and Friends!

“…God does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number…” –Job 5:9

“…But God knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold…” Job 23:10

Short Version

*Mercy Teams - “Can you hear me?  I can’t hear you…” – the joy and frustration of communicating via the internet, with my story teams in South Asia!

*Tea Town Teams – It would be great if the final recordings of their stories could happen in March, but there is a lot of work to do between now and then.  There are also concerns for visas and health for colleagues involved…

*How might God describe you?...and Hold fast! (Chronological Bible Reading Update…) - I am reading through the Bible in (hopefully!) less than a year for the second time in my life.  Here are some thoughts from recent readings in Job…

Longer Version:

Mercy Teams- “Can you hear me?  I can hear you…” – Over the past few weeks, I’ve had several skype calls with my teams in South Asia.  For the most part, technology has been wonderful and truly aided the work- allowing the teams to share what they have been doing, and giving me insight into their lives and their work, so I can help guide and direct.  The frustration of bad connections is outweighed by hearing the voice of ‘Abraham’s’ daughter in the background, or solving a technical issue through a lot of patience!  Abraham, Andrew and Adam from the Mercy team have all asked for prayers for their families, and their story work.

Tea Town Teams- Final Recordings in March?– Lazarus (my on-the-ground point man for these 6 teams) recently wrote that he will be meeting with the teams again soon.  I am hoping they will be ready for final recordings in March, however there is much to be accomplished by that time.  In addition, “Alice,” an Eastern European woman who helps with some of the logistics of these projects is waiting to get her visa to return to Tea Town- she does not know when this will be granted.  In addition, “Eduardo”- a South American man who has agreed to help with final recordings has recently shared that his wife has had increased medical complications.  These two people are essential to these projects finishing (at least in my minimal view of things!)!  We are all eager for these unreached groups to hear His story, and the Enemy is just as eager to stop the work, as we get closer to that reality.  And yet, I know that God is in control, and as usual, He is giving me yet another opportunity to trust Him for the outcome, and timing!

*How might God describe you?...and Hold fast… (Chronological Bible Reading Update…) - The past few days, I read Job and was struck by God’s description of Job- (chp 1: 8, and chp 2:3- “Have you considered my servant Job…a 1) blameless, 2)upright man, who 3) fears God, and 4) turns away from evil.’  I thought about each of these qualities and wondered if I could ever receive such a description.  I certainly asked God to grow me in these areas!

The story of Job is fascinating.  As Job questions God’s good presence in his life, his friends don’t offer very helpful advice.  Even Job’s wife suggests that Job turn and curse God.  In Job’s most desperate time, He is alone, and eventually, it is God himself who answers his questions.  This is a reminder to Job that everything in life will eventually fail him, but God remains constantly present in our lives.  He is One we can depend and He will never let us down, even through suffering and frustration.  Although it is not easy, it is a joy and truth to hold fast to!  “For I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  After my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” – Job 19:25-26.  It is my prayer that my confidence and dependence is firmly fixed on the One who can hold me, and everyone else, no matter what!

P&P

Praise for encouraging time home with family over Christmas.

Praise & prayer for good communication with teams in South Asia

Prayer for Tea town teams: Alice’s visa and Eduardo’s wife’s health concerns.

Prayer for my upcoming trip to South Asia in February-March.

Picture: Enjoying a few inches of snow while at home for Christmas! (my sisters Jennifer and Natalie)

  

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

Email Update! - Back from S. Asia!

Dear Friends and Family!!

Happy Fall!   :)

Short Version:

1. “Your daughter is a tough teacher!” ~ Mercy Team member, “Abraham,” to my mom on skype!

---see also prayer answered regarding conference held by Mercy Team!!

2. “I felt like I was coming to meet God” ~ Precious (story crafter from first Kahani project) - talking about how she felt as she boarded the train to meet me in Major City.

3. “Did that just happen?” ~ Roberta talking about our trip to S. Asia, as we entered back into the USA.

Longer Version:

1. “Your daughter is a tough teacher!” ~ Mercy Team member: “Abraham” to my mom on skype!

For most of October, I was in South Asia working with two clusters of story projects.  We spent the first two weeks giving the 2nd story training to the Mercy Teams.  One day, I surprised my mom by letting the Mercy Team members talk with her via skype (phone call via internet)!  “Abraham” said, ‘Your daughter is a tough teacher!’  My mom replied, “Hurry up and get your work done, so Elizabeth can come home!!”  I never know exactly what to do when my worlds collide, but I loved this moment, and was so thankful that the Mercy team felt privileged to speak with ‘aunty’ and hear her encouragement to them in the great work they are doing.  (PICTURE – Talking on SKYPE!)

Just after the training, the Mercy team had a big meeting with local leaders regarding story projects in the future.  The Mercy team (As well as the 3 other language projects in this cluster) will complete their story sets and then use their sets to train additional minority languages in their areas!   Here is Andrew’s report he just sent me in an email today:

Thank you for raising prayers for the conference…We were targeting 150 odd leaders for this meeting…Almost 350 people responded to our requests. Because of certain limitations we had to request many to stay back and we had 185 people present on the day.  We have 25+ dialects on card so far. We talked about 16 dialects in the  meeting and representatives from 12 were present out of 25+ This is so very exciting! Praise Him!

I may have mentioned this before, but this Mercy Teams story movement is really exciting to be a part of!!  These minority groups should receive their first story training in March 2011.  (PICTURE: Mercy team)

After 2 weeks giving training to the Mercy teams, my cousin, Roberta, and I travelled to the second group of projects (Tea Town teams).  These teams are nearly half-way done, and I hope will be ready for final recordings of their stories in March (please pray for this!).

It was good to see these teams again, and be reminded of the harsh conditions in which they live (it takes them 2-3 days to get to their homes in the same country, while it takes me 24 hours to get to my home on the other side of the world).  I was also reminded of the persecution they face for their beliefs and their faithfulness to the One who has called them.

2. “I felt like I was coming to meet God” ~ Precious

One weekend between two intense trainings, Roberta, and I were able to spent about 20 hours with Precious (story crafter from my first story project 05-07) in Major City.  Precious utilized every minute to share with me the struggles she has been facing, primarily connected to her new marriage.  Precious asked if we were going to ‘pray’ on Sunday and if I would tell a story like we used to do weekly for year and a half in our old home ‘Kahan.’  She said, “I felt like when I got on the train to come see you, it was like I was coming to meet God – I need to know more of the Stories, and know that you have the answers and can help me know what to do.”  (PICTURE, Roberta, Precious and me)

Roberta and I shared the story of the Sermon on the Mount – focusing on the part that God cares for his children more than the flowers, or birds- Precious really liked that part.  As Precious cried on my shoulder for a long time before I left, we talked about having ‘prayer/story sharing’ more frequently, on the phone or via the internet.  I also shared with her how one of the Mercy Story team members, ‘Andrew’ lives in her city and could possible connect her with like-minded people- pray for these connections!

3. “Did that just happen?” ~ Roberta on our rip to S. Asia as we entered back into the USA.

While the visit with Precious was a blessing, it was also overwhelming as I heard her struggles.  My response was: “I should just live in the town where Precious lives.”  Then later, as we spent time with the Tea Town story teams, and listened to them share how situations are extremely challenging.  I again responded with, “I should just live with that story team in their village.”  Finally, Roberta said to me, “Well, then you should just live everywhere……but you can’t – you can’t even live in 2 places at once.”

I paused as her truthful words hit me right where I needed it.  Even though God may use situations like the ones I was facing to move His people to different places, I was somehow incorrectly thinking that the solution to some of these problems, was ME.  Wow.  Humbling.  I can’t provide the Eternal Solution, any more than I can live in two places at once.  Hmm.  (read this and another thought sparked by my cousin on this blog post: http://elizabethstories.blogspot.com/2010/11/you-cant-live-in-two-places-at-once.html )

Just a note: I can’t begin to  tell how much of a blessing it was to have my cousin Roberta’s company during this trip, and experience every aspect of my life there (bathing with a bucket of cold water, thin mattresses, overwhelming heat, eating rice every day, cockroaches, foreign languages, city pollution that hides the sun, honking horns, etc, etc).  Her willingness and desire to come speaks love to me in so many ways- and I will always cherish our special time together!  Thanks Bertie! :)

P&P:

·         Praise for safety and overall a successful trip to S. Asia and enjoyable time with my cousin, Roberta!

·         Praise for good connections with my friend Kristin, and Precious, and re-connecting with the story teams!

·         Praise for the conference that the Mercy team was involved preparing for the minority languages story projects!

·         Praise for my ankle – the visit to the specialist in September went well – the conclusion was a recommendation for a minor surgery that could relieve the scar-tissue ‘pinching’ that causes me pain.  The prayer is knowing when/if to go through with that surgery.

·         Praise for a new roommate!  And also praise for great conversations already with local friends since I’ve been back!

·         Prayer for Precious – for her to connect with some like-minded friends in her town.

·         Prayer for the Mercy Team – they have a lot of work in front of them – prayer for encouragement and endurance!

·         Prayer for continued adjustment back to the USA – and that I would continually embrace God as my ‘Home.’  A praise that I worshipped today in my own mother-tongue- English!  It was refreshing!

Until All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

Email Update!- Going to South Asia on Wednesday!

Dear Friends and Family! :)

SHORT VERSION

-          Local Friends & ESL Update- (pictures below)

-          I leave this WEDNESDAY for South Asia and come back Nov 2 (itinerary below)

-          P & P

LONGER VERSION:

Local Friends and ESL Update

I had a few good talks with my friend Beth last week - if you want to know more, let me know!

The ESL classes have been going well.  There are several students who are ‘regulars’ now and really love the stories.  Each week, we give the same homework assignment.

Students have to tell the story they learned that night to at least one person.  Then, they have to give us a report about how it went the next week.  They love doing it, and come with great stories about the people they have told the story too!

Last week, one lady from Puerto Rico said, “I shared the story with my husband- and it really helped us to be kind to each other.  And, even after the story, I asked him the questions just like you ask us.  I asked him what he liked about the story, and what he learned about God.”  

How great it is to be reminded that His Word cannot be contained, and see the positive influence it has on those who hear and tell it!

 

Trip to South Asia

I leave Wednesday for South Asia.  I’ll be doing training and consulting for two clusters of story projects in two areas.  My cousin, Roberta is coming with me on this trip!  I’m so thankful to have someone to travel with, and looking forward to sharing my “home” with her.  I am also looking forward to Roberta’s help with working with some of the teams!! :) Here is our general itinerary, in case you are interested!

October 6- 2 FLIGHTS – USA to SOUTH ASIA

October 8- 2 FLIGHTS – Capitol city to “Major City” to “New Town”

Oct 8- TAXI from New Town Airport to visit my friend Kristin whom many of you know – She is a long-time friend and works at a Children’s Home outside of New Town.  This Children’s Home is the place that I first visited one my very first trip to South ASIA 11 years ago.  I’m looking forward to seeing Kristin, as well as re-visiting the place that sparked my passion for this area so long ago.

Oct 10- TAXI from Children’s Home to New Town

Oct 11- Oct 23- Training for Mercy Teams

October 23 – FLIGHT – New Town to Major City

Oct 23 night – in Major City –visit with “Precious” from my first Kahani story project- she now lives in ‘Major City’ with her husband – just married in July!!

Oct 24 – 2 FLIGHTS – Major City to Capitol City to Tea Town

Oct 24-Oct 28– Consulting for Tea Town Teams

Oct 29- FLIGHT- Tea Town to Capitol City

October 30-  TRAINS to do some sightseeing

October 31 – FLIGHT – SOUTH ASIA to USA

November 1 – TRAIN- Airport to Delaware

November 2- FLIGHT – Delaware to Florida

P & P

Praise for continued good friendships here in Orlando, including Beth!

Pray for Dana – I am going to visit her tomorrow!

Pray for a new roommate – one of my roommates moved back home and getting ready to go serve overseas!!  We need to find someone else to rent her room!

Pray for my trip to S. Asia – logistics, good relationships, clear communication, strong health, sound sleep, increased time, stable electricity.

Til All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

Email Update!

Facebook/Blog Friends: I send these updates via email once/month and occasionally include other information that is not posted on Facebook, or the web.  If you would be interested in receiving those updates, let me know!!)

Short Version

* “Can we do a Skype call today?” – Talking, and seeing my teams in S. Asia, while sitting at the office here in Orlando!

* Dana, Beth, Kim – friends to keep in mind!!

* ESL stories – to take off tomorrow night!

* P&P

Longer Version

“Can we do a skype call today?”

Yesterday, I woke up to an email from ‘Lazarus’ – my on-the-ground point man for the Tea Town story teams.  I usually receive emails from him every other day with stories to consult on, but this time, he said one of the teams was visiting him, and wanted to talk with me via Skype.  I went into the office, and pretty soon we were ‘face-to-face’ via the computer and internet.  The picture below is Lazarus’ wife’s amazed face – she couldn't believe that it was 10am in USA, while it was late evening in S. Asia! :)  Needless to say, I had a good conversation with the Masala team– encouraging them to not get burned out, but also to press on.  I’m looking forward to seeing, Lazarus, the Masala team and other teams in about a month!

Dana, Beth, & Kim 

 I'd love it if you would pray for these friends of mine!!  If you want to know more about them, let me know! 

ESL Stories- to take off tomorrow night!

Between consulting on stories for teams in Asia, I have been working on ESL Bible stories for a large local Group here in Orlando.  They want to use Stories in their ESL (English as a Second Language) ministry.  They have actually decided to expand their ESL classes to two nights a week – the second night is solely devoted to ESL conversation through storying.  Another colleague and myself are the main leaders!  Tomorrow night is the first night!  No one knows how many students will come, and we don’t know exactly how the stories will work with the English levels.  All we know is that it’s God’s Word, and by His grace, it will take care of itself – He has only called us to be faithful to be used by Him!

P&P

Praise for my ankle – As per my aunt’s suggestion, I’ve recently been drinking raw milk-- shipped down from an Amish farm about 20 minutes away from my parent’s home in Delaware!  And…it seems to be helping!  Pray also for a doctor’s appointment with an ankle and foot specialist on Sept 20.

Praise for continued adjustment to life in Orlando – I’ve been here 45 consecutive days now! (blog entry about that: http://elizabethstories.blogspot.com/2010/09/grounded.html)

Praise that my Mommy was able to come visit me recently and meet some of my friends here in Orlando!  (Picture below)

Prayer for the Tea Town teams as they prepare for their ‘process checks’ in October when I visit them.

Prayer for Mercy teams as they prepare for their second training session also in October.

Prayer for wisdom as I daily check stories from several story teams in S. Asia.

I would love to hear where you are in the Story that God is writing- and how I can pray for you in the chapter He has you living right now!  Your faithfulness in prayer and support is an incredible blessing to me – thank you for partnering with me.

Till All Have Heard,

~ Elizabeth

Twitter: http://twitter.com/elizstories

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elizabethjanewilson

Blog: www.elizabethstories.blogspot.com