s I sit here at my desk and look out the window at the big Alberta sky, I'm reminded again how huge God is! To think 3 months ago, I was looking up at the same sky, but in Uganda, I can't help thinking how much of an adventure it is knowing the Lord. As I mentioned in my last newsletter, I was timidly looking forward to going to Africa for the first time and it definitely was a life changing experience. Randy and I flew to England at the beginning of January and stayed there for a week, touring and ministering in the South of England. I then flew on to Uganda with 3 British and 1 Canadian. 2 of the Brits were coming to the conference to lead in dance and the other, was an intercessor who was coming to cover us in prayer as well as learn. The other Canadian, Theora Mayers, is an intercessor from here in Calgary, who has a real heart to see Canada united. Her coming was a surprise and a blessing to me and when I got sick in Africa (yes, I got a parasite!! doesn't everybody who goes there?!?) she took great care of me.
I found Africa complex and a place of contradictions. One thing that God showed me powerfully is that the Africans know how to pray in a way that we need to learn in the West. They pray and seek God's face until they hear from Him, even if it takes hours. I'll never forget sitting next to a Kenyan women and the preacher telling us to stand and bless (pray) for the person next to us. Well, in our North American way, we would pray for 3-5 minutes and say "Amen".......45 minutes later we were still blessing each other! But the neat thing about this is that as you press through in prayer, God begins to drop things into your head like HOW to pray and WHAT to pray for this person you don't know! It was very exciting. Also, nothing can prepare you as a westerner for the culture shock and the poverty. AIDS is a very real sorrow there and the orphans that have been a result of this disease. We need to pray for Africa and God's mercy. I come home so grateful for my nation and the richness we have here and I sure encourage everyone to go to a third world country. It will change your life.
Since coming home at the end of January, things have been very hectic. I've been travelling extensively and God have been so faithful in all the little things. While I was in Uganda, the Lord told me to give my guitar away, SO when I came home, I didn't have a guitar. I'd seen a Taylor guitar that I loved the sound of, and had said to the Lord, or should I say pleaded in a "spiritual" way (which really means I tried to manipulate Him, which of course is a very stupid thing to do!), for this gorgeous guitar! And you know what?!? I was in a small and wonderful charismatic church in February and they gave me an offering that covered the cost of the guitar, so I was only without an instrument for about 2 weeks. Isn't God awesome!?!!!! I also had the privilege of being interviewed on "It's A New Day" in Winnipeg last month and have received much encouragement from your emails. There are so many more experiences that I can't list them all in this newsletter, but be encouraged that God is doing a great thing in our land! His hand is still on the church and I'm so grateful for that.
I will be in studio for sure this summer working with Graham Ord (he is a vineyard singer/songwriter/worship leader) and I'm so looking forward to what God's going to do. Graham is a great guy with this amazingly weird sense of humor and I think we're going to get along just fine! My daughter Vanya will be in England nannying for a family we know there. Jordan is hoping to work in Abbotsford this summer and Adam is going on a mission trip and camp. Poor Randy is stuck working and paying for all of this!! SO bless you and have a great spring and summer.
Oh, one more thing....some of you have been asking for the Song for Canada video. We've just completed it and if you're interested in receiving a copy, please email us so we know how many to duplicate. The price will approx. $12.00 + shipping, but this depends on how many are ordered, SO...........
Here's a song I'd like to leave you with that the Lord gave me in Uganda.
Shalom
Lianna
You are the keeper of my heart
You are the lover of my soul
You are my very passion, Jesus
And all I want to do,
Is sit at Your feet
And listen to You breathe, Jesus
Listen to You breathe,
Know Your very presence
Listen to You breathe, Jesus
Listen to You breathe,
Know Your very presence
Listen to You breathe, Jesus.
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