GiveTHANKS

Normally, I would have preached on my 9th birthday- how fun! But they postponed the meeting and ministering to the older people for a week. That is fine with me- I am prepared now. Yes, I am pumped by God's truth. I want to share it with all of you who are intersted in a simple truth that has the most impact on our lives: GIVING THANKS- Stop for a moment: what are you thankful for right now...right now in this moment? I am thankful that God is in control and that He guides me and that I will see dear friends of mine from Germany in the next days or in the next week!! Giving thanks is powerful- Giving thanks puts us in a humble place- Giving thanks is God's answer to life!!! There are two very powerful accounts of Jesus found in the gospel of John where we can learn something from Jesus concerning giving thanks. 1-Check out the account when Jesus feeds the 5000 in John chapter 6. We do know the story: After Jesus had just confronted the Saduccees and given proof that he was the Son of God, he crossed the sea of Galilee and found himself followed by at least 5000 people (it says 5000 men and therer probably were children and women too). There was no money to buy food for all. Then a lillte boy gave them some fish and a loaf of bread. Now, think with me: I would have prayed likethis: please heavenly Father, please multiply this food, make it more so we can all have at least a little bit, Amen. But what did Jesus do? Have a look: He took the bread , broke it and gave THANKS to God- then he gave out the pieces and there was even enough to fill 12 baskets in the end!! A Miracle!!

What does giving thanks do? It multiplies provision!!

2-Check out the account when Jesus comes "late" to the tomb of his friend Lazarus, who had died. Jesus was moved to tears (the chortes verse in the Bible: Jesus wept!. When He stands in front of the tomb Jesus prayed. Was it a long prayer? Was it a prayer like: Dear Father, please give Lazarus his life back- please perform a miracle? NO - look closer with me....Jesus GAVE THANKS.

Giving thanks brings resuurection- Giving thanks brings things to life!

So I learned to powerful truths from the way Jesus acted and prayed to HIS Heavenly Father:

1. Giving thanks brings multiplication in provision and 2. Giving thanks brings resurrection.

That is powerful and I do believe there are more examples of truth int he BIBLE of how powerful the very simple act of GIVING THANKS really is. I applied it a lot this week already. A lot of times I don't feel like giving thanks and yet through doing it...God is changing my heart! Greetings from Kerstin,with a thankful heart :) Let us approach the throne of grace iwth confidence and let us enter into HIS Gates with thanksgiving!!!

9YEARS

It is time again to celebrate…now for the 9th time!!! WOW! Today, nine years ago (!!!!!), I gave my life to Jesus in a very nice flat in Lausanne/Switzerland. The flat belonged to Christine and God led her to lead me to HIM! Every year on this day, I make a special note, do a special thing and remember that special time that turned my life upside down – UPSIDE DOWN in the best way possible!!! I remember when Christine and I had finished the little prayer (boy was I nervous and excited for I had never prayed like this…2 people together), Christine told me that I am a Christian now and we went from her kitchen into the living room where all the others from our Bible Study waited and I announced:

I think, I guess I am a Christian now

–grin- I remember it as if it where yesterday! Then we popped a German (!!!!) bottle of Champaign and took this picture!!! Blessings to the one who risked so much to reach out to me at that time…blessings to all those who did! Now, 9 years later, I followed God’s call on my life to go to South Africa to bless people in need here. Crazy stuff but fun stuff….stuff to praise and worship the only one who could make this possible: Jesus Christ-DADDY-Holy Spirit=3 in one…what a mystery !!!! I have more of my testimony on my blog on earlier posts from 2 years ago- feel free to browse through HERE! I know that without Jesus, I would not be here, without Jesus I guess I would be in a very complicated marriage and without Jesus I definitely would not be the woman I am today! HE reminds me of this every day…every day I know that without HIM I can do nothing (John 15:4) A humble Miss Sunshine on a very sunny day here in Cape Town

faithfulDETAIL

I call this blog post: being faithfull in the detail. I just came back from the shopping mall. There, I passed an older woman twice and every time I was stunned with her top. I thought to myself: What a great top on her!!! Before I could walk out the mall, I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to share that with that lady. Oh my....then I thought: Kerstin, come on...that would be so awkward telling her ...what would she think? After a few minutes of thoughts back and forth I told myself:

Oh well, let's try.

So I went up to her and told her how stunning that top looked on her. Her whole face lightenend up and she thanked me and said:

This made my day!!!

This would have never happened if I had not tried to be faithful in the detail. I know it is just a small small thing but I think that it is there where it starts! Happy New Year!

FundraisingNEWyear2009

So this is the New Year 2009! Wow! Happy new year to you all! I figured I should write an update on my fundraising. After more than 10 months of being in South Africa (where God has called me), I am really blessed and proud to say that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. I try to obey God in the small things and form relationships here in Cape Town of all places. It is so awesome that I am able to apply my French here as well!! That totally blesses my heart! God knows….- if you want to know more on a regular basis, write an email to me and I can put you on my monthly newsletter if you wish. I am a long term missionary called to make a difference in peoples’ lives in Cape Town at the moment. Read more about how God called me HERE and check out more of my blog posts in the past year or more. Now it is the New Year and I am praying for a monthly support. Please pray with me for a monthly covering while I am trying to be God’s hands extended to a hurting world here.

All I need is several committed givers who see the Lord’s lead in supporting me with 20$ or 20 Euros per month or more for a given time (a year?? Like for 2009??). Last year God provided wonderfully by laying it on peoples hearts (German and American and French!!) to support me financially.

Please pray with me and see what the Lord is doing for I intend to report it here on my blog……. Yes it does take faith and yes it does take commitment. However, at the same time I need to know that I am called to do this and I do know that 100 percent! Thank you Jesus!