Guard Our Hearts

We don’t watch a lot of television in our house.  Our kids are all under the age of eight, so outside of Dora the Explorer, Chuggington or Animal Planet, we do a fairly good job of being able to not only limit the time, but also keep a tight control on what is being watched.  We do watch a good bit of sports, though, to the point that our three year old knows full well that a game between the Cowboys and Eagles is your classic “good versus evil” match up.

As you know, sports is great television.  No drama and “adult situations or content” like you find on most network television shows.  Commercials, however, are a different story.  We find that some of the commercials during games have become fairly deplorable.  We seem to constantly either turn down the volume or simply turn the channel.  If I can’t find the remote, I’ve even resorted to saying “turn your head, please!” 

Recently I was convicted about this.  If my eight year old son shouldn’t willingly see or hear something raunchy on TV, why is it OK for me to see or hear it?  Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

There is so much static in our lives – TV, newspaper, books, billboards, radio – that we all have to wade through each day.  Reading this verse reminded me, again, that I need to continually ask myself, “Is this pure?  Is this lovely?  Is this noble and admirable?”  We try to guard our kids hearts and minds, but I need to do a better job about guarding my heart and mind, as well, and make a conscious effort to put it away if it’s not.

-Tim Pereira

What a gift we've been given...

As I reflect on the trip to Moldova in December of 2011 and January 2012, I’m struck with the fact that I have never begun a new year in another country before...at the same time, I’m overwhelmed with the fact that I’ve never started a new year without a warm, safe, comfortable place to sleep. Oh, I’ve gone to bed too late on New Year’s eve before or I’ve probably slept somewhere other than my own bed, but I’ve never been faced with sleeping in a 50+ year old, broken down bed with a urine-stained mattress in a marginally heated institution with others who have no home or no parents. In fact, I can’t remember a single New Year’s where I wasn’t somewhere I chose to be, even if it wasn’t at home or with my own family. I have never before been forced to depend on someone else to care for me because those who God gave me to, decided someone or something else was more important. Am I fortunate? You bet! Am I more blessed than someone else? In some people’s estimation. What about in God’s eyes...Am I more fortunate...not really...I’m doomed to the same fate as every orphan; an eternity of separation from God. It is only because of Jesus that I have been adopted into relationship with God the father. I was fatherless just like many of these orphans, but by His grace I am an orphan no more. Am I more blessed...not hardly...the blessings that have been showered upon me are available to all, it is simply the fact that I have been made aware of those blessings and have received them. Jesus said He came that we would have life and have it to the full. Some of you may say, but Tony you live in America, and you have a job and a family, etc. You are MORE blessed. Those are things God has given me and I am grateful for all of them. But the most important blessing I've been given is the knowledge of who Jesus is. Most of these children do not realize what they don’t have, but they do understand compassion and affection and genuine love. And they do understand when the love of God is shared with them. What an incredible gift has been given to us as followers of Christ to share His love with those who don’t know Him and those who are less fortunate than us. I’m more determined now than ever to share that love and I hope as you read this you’ll make the decision to share the light God has placed in you with a lost and dying world. God Bless you and God Bless the orphans in Moldova and around the world. Let’s make a difference for them through prayer and through action. Let this new year be the year you get involved in the life of “the least of these”. (Matthew 25:40)

A Gift of Wood and Nails...

2011 was another powerful year of ministry in the life of Sweet Sleep which featured ground-breaking work in South Africa. As has been custom for the team members we've sent out over the last 9 years, each day a person is given a note from a prayer partner back home who is continuing to lift them up during the preparation and execution of their ministry work.

One night during our team's devotional time, team member Ashley Lamb shared this note from her prayer partner, Keely Boggs:

Ashley,

Today marks the first day you will begin building beds. It's easy to assume that this is a task that is simply accomplished by hands, but be reminded, it's so much more---just as much as this is a task of the hands, it's equally a task of the heart.

It may seem strange, but I looked up the term "bed" in Webster's dictionary. Not because I'm unfamiliar with its function or its purpose, but I wanted to be reminded of the meaning of something that we often take for granted. And while I anticipated many of the listed definitions, I came across one that caught my attention: "an area of ground, typically in a garden, where flowers and plants are grown."

When I read this, I couldn't help but be reminded that this is exactly waht you and the team are doing today. Except instead of planting flowers and plants, you are planting spiritual seeds of love and hope. And instead of toiling grounds and gardens, you are ministering to hearts.

With each piece of wood, each nail that is sued and each strike of the hammer, you are not only building beds, but you are changing live. With the provision of a physical gift, you are opening people's heart to a much bigger, a much greater spiritual gift.

Because of you, because of your obedience, people will not only receive sweet, peaceful rest, but they will have the opportunity to have their souls forever at rest because they encountered the love of Jesus through you.

So, as you bullied, remember what it is you and the team are really building: opportunities for Jesus to reveal Himself to the hearts of each and every person who will rest their head on a bed--some maybe even for the first time in their lives. Today, people will know love because of the works of your hands and heart.

I am mindful that the gift you are giving is much like the gift that you were given. Each gift uses wood, nails, and a level of compassion that can never be matched. And each is a symbol of love that echoes long after the task at hand has been accomplished.

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13-15

As Ashley read her friend's words of affirmation, love and encouragement, I couldn't help but cry. Keely's words were a powerful reminder that we HAVE been given a gift that used wood and nails and incomprehensible love and compassion. It was also a reminder that this gift is not for us to keep to ourselves. It's a gift for all. A reminder that once we have received this gift, we have the responsibility to make sure others can receive this boundless love and compassion.

My prayer for 2012 is that all that Sweet Sleep does points the lost in the right direction and provides hope for those who are without hope and love for those who have never known it. My prayer is for God to use Sweet Sleep in a way that is eternal. My prayer for you is that you would reach out to find your place in the abundant opportunities, here and abroad.

Sweetly,

Jen

My Journey

Jeremiah 29:11, says "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future".

Our God of this universe, maker of all heaven and earth, has a plan for each one of us. HE is concerned about you and me. HE knows each of us and still loves us without condition. To prove this HE sent HIS only son JESUS to die on the cross for each one of us. So we could spend eternity with HIM. This gift of Christmas is for each one of us to just ... Believe this promise.

This is the experience we wanted the least of these (orphans) to feel. How very great God is. The same God that called a team together to travel thousands of miles just to see them. To tell and show them how much God loves us all!

Spending Christmas in Moldova with the orphans was incredible. Late one night we were asked to tell one thing that stood out to each of us. As your mind races to try and settle on just one experience. You realize there are so many. The sparkle in the eyes of the children as they receive their own bed. The smiles on their faces as they are running to see you as the van drives up. The joy of hugging them, playing games with them and telling them about the Christmas Story. Giving them a banana. A banana! But not the least of these also is the team God brought together of individuals from different walks of life for this journey together. So many images run thru my mind. Memories of a life time. A bond of laughing, crying and working side by side to make life for these orphans a little better with a bed of their very own. Letting them know ..."How much God loves us all!" The true CHRISTMAS STORY. The story of Unending Love for others. May we all remember and share that same love God shares with us daily.

Buna! Amen!

Debra Thedford

Words are not adequate

Spending Christmas in Moldova has been incredible! I am at the point in the trip where I am processing all that I have experienced and can find few words that are adequate. I will do my best share a few thoughts.

I am learning that one of the things I will never regret is loving people well. Loving people well is what Scripture demands that we do. It is what sets us apart as followers of Christ. Loving people well is fulfilling. Being with the orphans in Moldova this week has reminded me of this in incredible ways. We connected quickly and it will be sad to leave them tomorrow. It has been incredible to give them a bed and teach them the significance of the bed. I love that there are 50 orphans sleeping sweetly in their new beds! I love that they will be reminded each day of God's love! I'm thankful that I got to be apart of this!

I wish you could be here with us. Check out this video of an orphan named Maxim receiving his bed. Maxim showed us joy today! It was simply incredible.

On this trip I have laughed so much! I have been reflective. I have seen hard things. I have seen joy in the eyes of orphans. I have been reminded why I believe so strongly in the ministry of Sweet Sleep. I look forward to the Lord showing me more about Himself as I continue to reflect.
 

My first Sweet Sleep bed in Moldova

Maxim

What A Blessing It Is...

Oh, where to start? I keep looking at my watch to remind myself that today is Friday. I could tell you that two days ago we were visiting a special needs orphanage in Transnistria (a scouting trip for us to see the shape of the beds in this orphanage).


Transnistria is a portion of Moldova that still wants to live with Russian ties and Russian ways. They actually have the Russian military guarding the “border”. There were 260 children at the orphanage / boarding school. The beds there were in bad shape and now I know why we were to go see this.



Or I could tell you how beautiful that Chisinau is at night as we went down town to see the Christmas lights (most people here don’t celebrate Christmas until Jan 07) and that out team ended up getting multiple Christmas pictures made. Many may say, “I thought you were going to work in an orphanage building beds and sharing God’s love.”

Well, we arrived at the orphanage in Visoca Moldova yesterday afternoon (we are 150 km from Chisinau (the capital) and our base house). We visited the orphanage, viewed the rooms that we would be placing beds in, practiced putting a bed together and then spent some time with the kids and passed out bananas.



It amazes me how grateful they were with being given a single piece of fruit. I think about the reaction that children back home would have had if you said here, enjoy this banana.






















After leaving the orphanage yesterday evening, we were treated to a guided tour of a fortress that was built in the 1530’s. It was amazing.






















Today we were able to bless 24 children with new beds. Oh, the look on their faces when they received them and were told that God loves them. It seems that one little boy continued to try and tell people how beautiful the beds were (and he didn’t get one today; however, I believe that he will get his tomorrow).

























After lunch we sang with the children and then divided up into three groups and we did crafts, had a Bible story and did recreation. I spent my time in crafts and was in awe of the artistic ability of some of these kids.












I started out with the goal of teaching the chicken dance but felt led to play something different. There faces lit up when I played Christmas music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (and it didn’t matter whether it was a fast or slow song). We concluded our time with the children by singing to them,them singing to us and the then us passing out three bananas to each kid (I think I need to apologize to the produce guy at Metro for over selling bananas to us. It turns out that we had the right amount for what God wanted us to do with them and that was give them fruit two days in a row. It’s amazing how things can work when we get out of God’s way and stop questioning why things are happening). Before we left the orphanage, the director told us that she was amazed at how the children have accepted us, become attached to us and look forward to our returning visits (she just doesn’t know how much we look forward to our time with them as well). Before we could leave Joe just had to hug her (the orphanage director). This was followed by Tony hugging her and before I knew it, she pointed at me saying she wanted to hug or be hugged by me. Needless to say, that hug led to a second hug and then a picture of the two of us.

So far it’s been an awesome experience being used by God to share HIS love and to meet the needs of others. I can’t wait to see what He has in store for me / us tomorrow.

Dan McBride

Prayers for you to meet your Maxim..

We went to the orphanage today and began building beds. Our goals for the day were to build half the beds and have story time, craft time and recreation with the children. I'm happy to report that all goals were accomplished with the amazing team that God placed here this week! It is hard to describe the amount of teamwork that happened in that orphanage in Visoca today. My team began putting all the mattresses in plastic covers. We were able to complete all 50. Then we began covering pillows got all those completed also. Meanwhile the other 2 teams were building the frames for the beds. We then completed each bed with new sheets, pillow cases and comforters . Next we had the privilege of showing the children their new beds and explaining that they were receiving them because of Gods love for them. Beaming smiles and hope filled eyes said it all. They were very pleased and so grateful! Lunchtime was fun and interesting as always! This team is full of comedians! We laughed alot and Joe had another run in with a dog! Moldovan dogs just don't like him! Back to the orphanage to play games, do crafts and have story time. I'm in the recreation group- honestly when the first group arrived I'm was a little intimidated by the language barrier. But as we begin and as always God has provided the perfect translators!! We play a game with the hula hoops and a game with soccer balls, kickball and with the younger group instead of kickball we do a Moldovan game named hunt the duck. Children stand in the middle and we roll a ball thru them trying to hit them. Sarah J and I were the hunters- they were fast!! Fun fun times. Then by a divine appointment a little boy named Maxim entered my life. During all the games, fun and excitement he pulls me to the side to simply tell me the beds in the rooms were beautiful! And he wants to know if he will get a new bed. For all the doubting Thomases who asked if ALL we would be doing was building beds--- I pray God sends a Maxim into your life just one time- so that you can see the hope that I saw in his precious little eyes and face-the hope that he might get a new beautiful bed tomorrow! Then picture time began. They love to have their picture made with us! Maybe it's just to be touched or hugged- we were happy to oblige. Each child was able to get 3 bananas today- the director and children were very thankful! They just don't have the funds for fruit. They sang for us and we sang for them. One of their songs was asking God to bless their country and send awakening and blessings upon them. Our time seemed short but as we were saying our goodbyes-my little friend Maxim told the director to tell us that if we built him a new bed he would be good and he promised he would not wet the bed!! My feelings on this were overwhelming to say the least. Absolutely brought tears of happiness, sadness, distress, sympathy and empathy. Wow! Never knew how many emotions that God gave us! We should use them for others more often.

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 63:6-7

"Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"

"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep..." Did you ever pray that little prayer as a child, or hear a child pray it? I have heard that prayer my whole life and it's never really impacted me...but as I think about it tonight, it becomes very meaningful. Today 25 discarded children received brand new beds and bedding, and for maybe the first time in their lives they will lay down and sleep sweetly because of the love of God in the hearts of so many people that made this moment a reality. I had the pleasure today of presenting some boys with their beds. The faces of those children when they walked into their room was God given; one young man in particular, John, sat down on his bed with me and began to move closer and closer to me until he was holding my hand. As I sat and told him and the other boys that God loved them and cared for them, I was filled with joy and thanksgiving that God had allowed me to play a small part in his plan for these precious souls. Not all of us are called to a mission field, not all of us have the means to provide for others, but we all can pray. And as these children pray tonight they'll pray from a brand new bed provided by the mercy of God and the special people who heard from God about this work. Thank you to each one of you who answered the call to help "one of the least of these" and give them a chance to lay down to a very sweet sleep.

Orphans, Beds & Bananas

Buna ziua everyone...that means hello for all of you English speakers! This is Lannette. As I sit here tonight in a room with electricity, plumbing, and a warm, comfortable bed, I can't help but think about the time in my life that I took all of those things for granted. I didn't think about what a luxury it was to have a pantry stocked with food, a faucet that provides clean water to drink, power to cool or warm my house, and a safe, warm bed to rest each and every night. I am also reminded of the day that God "knocked me over the head" with the reality that most of the world doesn't share in the luxuries that I was so selfishly taking for granted. I vividly remember God laying a burden on my heart for the orphans of the world. He wanted me to stop paying "lip-service" to the truth's taught in James 1:27..."Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this; to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world." He wanted me to take action! He wanted me to GO and the place He called me to was Moldova...a place I didn't even know existed 3 years ago.







Since that time, my life has been forever changed by the mission trips I have had the great privilege of being a part of each year. I can't help but always think about all of the thousands and thousands of children around the world who do not have the opportunity to have a safe, comfortable bed to rest in or any of those basic comforts that I took for granted for all of those years. It's something that I strive to teach my children and the children I work with at our church to always be sensitive to...

As I was preparing to blog tonight, a whirlwind of feelings and emotions were swirling about in my head...exhaustion (my body is still trying to adjust to the time change and I had so many responsibilities to complete before I go to bed tonight)...happiness ( I have met so many new friends and had so many wonderful experiences already)...about being asked to sing on camera...(side note: those of you who know me are aware that I only sing for preschool audiences who think that there teacher is the best singer in the whole wide world! LOL)...but ABOVE ALL OF THESE...IS THE OVERWHELMING FEELING OF LOVE that surrounds you when you are following God's plan for your life! My heart is filled with love for these kids. My goal is to not only help provide the comforts of a new bed but also to bring the light of Christ to an otherwise dark place. As my prayer partner so sweetly reminded me in her letter to me this morning of the words found in Daniel 2:20-22..."Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells in Him."



Today we made our first visit to Soroca. We were able to meet the director and the children at the orphanage in Visoca. We were able to play an interactive game with the kids, sing Christmas carols, discuss the true meaning of Christmas, and share a sweet snack...BANANAS! You could see the excitement in the children's eyes and the anticipation of special surprises that are coming tomorrow. I look forward to the opportunities we have over the next few days to share the light of God's love with these precious children. I ask you to join our team in prayer as we continue this great adventure God has for our team! I also ask you to search your heart. If you feel God tugging on your heart to take action on His perfect plan for your life, don't be afraid to answer the call! Believe me...you won't regret it!


In Him,
Lannette Burlingame

Today we went to the Russian occupied area of Moldova called Transnistria. We were able to visit the orphanage in hopes to build a partnership with Sweet Sleep. As you can see, their current beds are in poor condition from the years of use with many, many kids. Hopefully a Sweet Sleep team will be able to replace all 120 beds in March when they return!

We were able to leave the children with a special treat. Long live bananas!