It’s time to Exit….

There’s a Time to Exit:

by Bill Yount (October 3rd, 2016)

“I saw many of God’s people driving down a major highway as their life and ministry were seemingly going wonderful. All of a sudden I heard the Lord say to them, “Take the next exit!” They appeared shocked, for they were certain they were well on their way to fulfill their God-given calling.”

 

I arrived back in Uganda on the 2nd August, and after just one week, things that I had previously been praying about…’things in darkness would come to light’,  they did…  Through that, God gave me an awesome and also quite terrifying message to preach.  It was a message that no-one asks for, as i trembled in Gods presence.  I have since preached this word and almost 70 repented in total of the three churches i gave the message.  That was just the leaders!  More repented from their seats of the congregations, as a response to the Lord’s call for His Bride to return to holiness.

It was such an amazing word – the Lord then urged me to make it available in a PDF book, that can be passed by email, downloaded for free, printed, given away – for as many to read as is possible.  The book is now finished, called : Church-Wake UP! (by my author name: Fenella Stevensen).

Before i left Malta it was prophesied by the same person who prophesied i would write three books: “There is one more book to write.”  I could not have believed it, as i  felt empty since writing ‘Catching Foxes’, but once the Lord had spoken, i have worked diligently to see it completed.  My friend Julie in Malta has edited it for me.

In fact another prophesy was spoken when i left Malta to travel to UK: “You will be offered to work with a ministry. Take it or you will be without a home the rest of your life.”  As I traveled i met no one involved in a ministry – so thought nothing more of it.

That same person,  as he prayed for me returning to Uganda also said to me: “You will be back in 4 months“.  Now that did seem crazy to me.  I was returning to Uganda for life on that major highway mentioned at the top  ….. so i thought!

On September 3rd, i felt a sudden swirl of turmoil about me, unsure of it being the Lord trying to tell me something, or an attack from the enemy.  I had been playing a “new to me” worship song, that i felt so attached to it – i put it on repeat called “Letting Go.”  I sent a very negative sounding message to a friend but she was unable to respond to me immediately,  as she was away at a conference.  Whilst she was there, she was going to have a spiritual experience involving me, which i will tell in a moment.  Because it seemed strange and very different to what i am doing, she didn’t want to influence me in anyway so remained quiet for the whole weekend. …… meanwhile….

That same night, i was restless and sleep did not come then i heard very clearly a ministry name in the UK.  I stood up, went to their webpage, and saw job vacancies.  I felt the Lord tell me to apply.  I worked through the night on my CV and posted it.  It was based in the North of UK.  Returning to bed to sleep.  The next day, the Lord began to speak to me again.  I felt the need to read a book i had on Kindle.  I bought it a year ago, but suddenly i felt it was right to start to read it.  The first chapter “Surrender”.  As i read through the first pages, it was speaking to me of letting go – like the worship song, and to surrender to the Lord the things i loved.  “Surrender to me Uganda, surrender to me your family, surrender to me the lavender.”  As i held my hands open before the Lord with the worship song playing, i wept as i offered up my life here in Africa to Him.

A little later, i was sitting in the lounge with the two babies playing around me, and tears were creeping out and rolling silently down my cheeks.  I closed my eyes to try and stop them, and in that silence, Rebecca – 3yrs old, silently climbed on my knee and took the bottom of her blouse to wipe my tears away.  I returned to the book to continue to read.  “It may feel like a demotion, but the Lord is setting the stage for your promotion.”

A week prior to this i had received a word and picture from the Lord, which consisted of the Hymn Jerusalem (words below).  God had placed my focus on the second verse , of His bow of burning gold, and arrows of desire.  He had shown me that He had placed a quiver on my back of children here in Uganda.  The arrows in the quiver were out of spiritual alignment, and He had sent me to nurture them in the Lord, to bring alignment to the arrows, but instead of them remaining in my quiver, i placed them in Gods quiver, for Him to send out from His bow.  The Lord has shown me that when i leave, the ministry will be passed on to my son and his wife, who will minister to their own people.

(If a white person ministers a word of God, that goes against culture and tradition, they will say – ahhhh that is white culture, we have our own culture, to dismiss the word and the change required to walk in obedience.  But for a local to preach the message – it will be received.  These last two years the Lord has given my family an incredible testimony of His love, mercy, forgiveness, Holiness, faithfulness, healing and deliverance, and it is included in the book Church – Wake Up! )

One week later the Lord was telling me that i have fulfilled the purpose for which i was sent.  It was time to let go.  So it looks like i will be back in four months after all.

My friend then told me what she had experienced at the conference. She had not wanted to influence me, but after I told her I had applied for the job in the North of England, she was amazed.  She had heard in the spirit an old English hymn…. yes – the same … ‘Jerusalem.’  But she was focused on the first verse, of the dark satanic mills.  It is mostly in the North of England, the mills were originally built.  She had felt the Lord was calling me back to UK – but didn’t want to share it because she knew i had a call to Uganda!

And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God, On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine, Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,  Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!  Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear: o clouds unfold!  Bring me my chariots of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight;  Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem  In England’s green and pleasant land.

God is going to do something amazing i believe in UK…. The Lion of Judah is on the move.

I have not heard back from the job application in the North, however, i know the Lord has spoken that it is time to move on.  On the 3rd October – one month later, ‘A Time to Exit’ was posted – part of a word by Bill Yount. as a confirmation to all the Lord had been previously saying to me.  It’s time to take the next exit turn! Regardless of the job application, the Lord has spoken, so i am ready to obey.  I will head first home to Manchester.  An air mattress in my sister’s lounge is ready and waiting.

So what now?

I had planned a trip to Tanzania, but one of my sons, who was going to drive remembered too late to renew his passport, so it was not ready in time, meaning we had to sadly cancel… I will travel to Rwanda 25th October, and from Rwanda to Kenya 31st October – 14th November, to encourage, and say farewell the churches i have had contact with.  I will return to Uganda, to fix dates to fly back to the UK i believe by the end of November. What i cannot pack in the suitcase allowance will remain here as property of Samson and Salome.

I have no winter clothes, i hope this year might be the mildest winter of all times hehehe. Christmas in Manchester!  I hope to get a cheap flight from Manchester to Malta for New Year, to visit my church family and friends for possibly 2 weeks.

What of the house and family in Uganda?

Pretty the Pig – she will hopefully be carrying baby piglets 🙂

Well – i dont’know.  Since we moved in together, there was the addition when Joshua was born, and our maid Josephine to help.  That is eight people now in total after i leave.  They have the lavender in the garden, which they drink and sell locally as tea, they have a pig who is currently on honeymoon to give them piglets – part of a financial investment.  They have Rabbits which are intended also as a source of income.  When we agreed to share our home together, i paid the rent and they covered all the bills… but i will not be able to continue paying the rent – at least i cannot foresee it at this moment.  They grow veggies in the garden to help with the day to day costs, but they cannot afford the rent once i am gone.  The three older children are in school, and the two ‘babies’ are due to start in February 2017.  For them to get care and good education, they have to pay every term.  The older three (Melissa – 12, Elisha – 11 and Israel – 7) are all in the top three of their year.  So very proud of them all.  Joshua will be 2.5yrs old when he starts, but he is already speaking more than Rebecca who will be 4 at the end of February.  Samson is in full-time employment at Entebbe Airport. (An average  monthly salary is approx 80 – 90 GBP.) Salome is starting her end of year exams – She was never able to finish her schooling when she was younger, so has been back at school this last year.

early photo of the home before we moved in. The monthly rent is approx. 250 GBP Four bedrooms, garage, kitchen , open lounge/dining. Inside and outside toilets.

For the first time I am asking if there is anyone reading this, who is willing to support them financially to remain in the house on a regular basis.  The place where they were living prior was in two small rooms with an outside cupboard where the coal stove was used for cooking, and sharing the outside latrines and shower room with 11 other families in the neighbourhood.

They do not know i have posted this request.  I admire them beyond words. Their faith and trust in the Lord leaves me lacking.  In many ways i can say – i have received the most love and embarrassment of kisses through this family than i have received my whole life.  The kisses i admit through my two babies…. but i truly am embarrassed by such love to me – it will be a departure of many tears.  We have endured many things together these last two years!   If you would like to support them in any way, please message me at:  joyce.brandt56@yahoo.co.uk

The rent is paid up to 11th January 2017.

I expect my next newsletter will be from the UK – though i will be posting as usual on Facebook.  I will upload soon the book ‘Church – Wake Up!’ on my Fenella Stevensen site:  https://fenellastevensen.wordpress.com/

With much love to you all – Joyce xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

27^th August 2016

Its time to Catch Foxes!

I have been back in Uganda since 2^nd August…. I returned wondering what was going to be different… what was I going to be doing for the Lord – for what purpose am I here Lord?…. The Land is at peace, the churches seem to be growing over night –  a new church under the mango tree here and another there…. Why send this “musungu” to a place where they clearly have it all together?

Then my heart began to weep and I have been weeping since… the tears of the Lord never cease… longing for his beloved ones – lost and deceived.  Surely Lord you mean those to be harvested in the end days ….. and His heart just wept and said “No…. I mean those in the building they call church – for they are long from me.”

The Lord began to show me that time is short… and his people are sleeping, and sick.  In fact there was a church leader last week, who had  a vision… “He came late to the church and found it packed with chairs full of people and packed in the empty spaces were mattresses – the people in the chairs were sleeping and many sick were laying on the mattresses.  At the back, seated facing the back wall – the preacher was preaching – but no one could hear – they were sleeping.  In the dream the leader came to the speaker and said – first wake them up and heal the sick – then preach the word.”

I was at that church in reality, to preach the word the Lord had placed on my heart with tears.  One man at the back of the church had literally laid himself down on the bench and was sleeping, when I went to stand over him and shouted “Wake Up.  This word is life or death and you are sleeping.”  Then all the church laughed, until I told them he was a picture of them all!

15 – 20 people repented by the end of the service and that was just the Leaders of the church!  God have mercy!

Indeed it is true – the people of God have fallen asleep – they have been drugged by compromise, and the word that pacifies but never fills and satisfies.  Familiarity breeds contempt… and the global church has been familiar with the ways of God – and become contemptuous to His Word, using it for their own need,  to build their own empires, and their own self esteem.

In a world where everyone wants to be a star – a sign of success, the ways of the world have been filtered into the churches, ways of church management taken from the business world, as if they have what we want or need?  Have we not come out of the world?  Have we not taken the Lord to be our Lord and Master?…. Are we not bondservants to Christ, in that we choose to serve Him… out of love, to do His will, not ours?  If we truly are born again, we gave up our rights, we surrendered our will to His will – or did we?

The truth is for the majority of people filling the churches – they are familiar with God – because the leaders who are supposed to disciple are only familiar with God.  We are not called to familiarity; we are called to intimacy with God.  Intimacy with Father.  Intimacy with Jesus.  Intimacy with the Holy Spirit.  Intimacy breeds Sons and Daughters.  Intimacy breeds obedience.  Intimacy breeds holiness and purity…. Because Intimacy brings us face to face with the Living God, and to know Him, know how his heart beats with love and longing.  But familiarity only knows what someone tells of God…. There is no first hand experience of Him… it is like a fairytale in a book….

His heart is weeping for the many who have been led astray with “half truths”.  Do you not know – there is no half truth – it is either true or it is a lie!  We will do anything to get people into the church – we are willing to tell them it is for free – just come and prayer the sinners prayer with me and then you are saved!  And people do that believing that now they can continue their lives as before without change.  Still living in sexual sin: fornication, adultery, homosexuality, pornography, and the rest…  lieing, cheating, gossiping and slandering one another… and that is just the leadership!  Jesus gave His All for us and requires our ALL – that is the cost – total surrender.  And the Lord is weeping –

“Whom shall I send?”  And I said –“ Here am I Lord – Send me!”…

Do you not understand – that the Word of God tells us that if we tolerate Jezebel and feed on food sacrificed to idols – we will be cast into a sickbed!  Maybe that is why so many are sick… for they have been fed food sacrificed to idols…. What is that?  The Word of God is our food – it is what we must eat everyday and inwardly digest it – Taste and see that the Lord is good!  Food sacrificed to idols is false teachings based on the teachings of this world… Nothing is Impossible  – but we leave out ‘with God’ so as not to upset others.  It is taught in psychology and used to motivate people to be whatever they want to be.  If we don’t tell them ‘Nothing is impossible WITH GOD’, then we are telling them it’s ok to be independent of God.  It is not a half truth, it is a complete LIE.  Christian leaders preferring to quote famous people who have all their life lived in rebellion to God… yet we quote them as if to say it is ok to follow them.  There is only one reference we should have on our lips – and that is the Word of God.  It is the same yesterday today and forever, it will never change!

What else do we serve on the menu each week to feed the people of God?  Do we tell them your sins are forgiven past, present and future?  It is true – but the future ones are because we are yet to recognise the hidden sin still within our hearts and repent… not to continue with fornication and adultery, lieing, cheating, stealing… etc because all my sins are forgiven.  No wonder the rest of the world looks at the church and detests, for we are HYPOCRITES!  Don’t you know the Lord searches our hearts and minds… He knows the difference of one who is battling to be free, and one who is satisfied to continue in sin.

God has declared that in the last days even the elite will be deceived!  He talks of the churches at the end of the time for the gentiles before He comes again… He talks of the Loveless Church – who has lost their First Love for the Lord.  It is not zealous works – it is laying down all our own desires that He becomes the desire of our hearts and only Him.  The consequence is that the Lampstand is removed from your Temple.  Jesus is the Lampstand…. i believe that is the same as our name being blotted out of the Book of Life.  The Compromising Church – involved in sexual immorality and a stumbling block teaching others to do the same.  The Corrupt Church.  tolerating Jezebel  which is sexual immorality, control and manipulation, as already mentioned.  The Dead Church.. busy busy busy doing things for the Lord and yet you have no intimacy with the Lord – did you not know that salvation is not just good works – it is about the relationship.  People are in love with manifestations of the spirit – but they are not in love with the person from whom all things come from.  You look to be alive but you are dead… your works are dead if you are breeding familiarity instead of Sonship through intimacy.  There is The Luke Warm Church who God would rather spit from his mouth… not hot and passionate for Him, nor cold and unbelieving… nothing worse than a cold cup of tea….

Does not Jesus tell us not to fear those who can kill the body but rather FEAR the One who can, after the body is dead, have the power to send it to hell.  It is time for the Holy Fear of God to rise upon us.  If we are His – there is nothing to Fear, for He is Love, but we need to understand and have a fearsome respect for what He has power to do.  He will not be spending eternity with those who have prostituted themselves with the Father of lies and all He represents. Time is short, the Bridegroom is coming soon.  He is coming for those who truly love Him… dressed in purity and holiness, having layed down the past life and clothed in His righteousness… do not be like a dog that returns to its own vomit…. Arise and Shine – forget the things of the past – do you not see it – the Lord is making all things new… Now is the time to Repent!  To go and sin no more – for such is the grace of God for those who trust in Him and Him only – we are forgiven!  He is not coming back for those who are still prostituting themselves with this world… He is a God of Love!  And He has given us a space and time to come to know this love… this perfect and wonderful love… and those who  love Him  – without compromise, without corruption, without half-hearted luke-warmness, without rebellion…. Yes we are all a work in progress but be careful not to use that as an excuse to carry on in sin.  Now is the time to worship in Spirit and Truth…..

The Word tells that whosoever believes on His name shall be saved.  I ask you to evaluate what the word ‘believe’ means… for it is also written that the demons believe Jesus is the Son of God – and they shudder – for they are not saved!!  To believe is not a statement we speak… to believe is to live our life according to our belief.  If we are not living the life the Lord has called us to live – with our lives laid down – taking up our cross daily to follow after Him… then I suggest we are not believers and therefore not saved.  Jesus said “If you love me you will obey my commands.”

It’s quite simple really – Do we love the One who gave His life for us.  He left His Glory in Heaven with the Father, to die that we would not have to, according to His commands.  He became the Lamb of God sacrificed once and for all…  A friend once said that he needed a kidney or he would die.  A friend gave one of hers – and he said that he felt ‘beholden’ to her  for the rest of his life, for giving him life again.  Are we beholden to Jesus?

 

I want Intimacy and Sonship, Intimacy and Obedience, Intimacy with the King of Kings, the Lover of my Soul,  Intimacy with the Conqueror who has conquered death and says that one glance of my adoring eyes in worship have conquered Him!  That makes me more than a conqueror!  I want intimacy with Pappa – Abba, to sit on His knee with my head on His chest to hear His heartbeat… I want intimacy to dance to the sound of His love…  I want intimacy with the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the secrets of Abba’s heart, to reveal the truth and presence of my Beloved – Immanuel – God with us.  I want intimacy with the Holy Spirit that He will open the eyes and ears of my heart  to see as He sees and hears His still small whisper as I seek Him in the secret place.  Intimacy so I recognise His Spirit convicting me of things that need to be surrendered to the cross… My will is Your will!  My heart Your heart!  My desires Your desires…. Forever and ever Amen… to worship You and adore You, praise You, glorify You.

2016….HAPPY EASTER

First let me apologise for the length of time since i wrote the last time.  I had been to India – and it was for me 2015 a very painful year.  i had been waiting for the good news to report the pain was gone… but it didn’t leave my body and so i entered into 2016 having not posted anything further.

To recap – in October 2014 i began with severe back pain…. I felt the Lord asking me to trust Him in the pain.  Of course i believed He would heal the pain, but it was not what He was asking me to do.  I eventually on Jan 1st 2015, surrendered and said i would trust Him, and Jan 2nd i awoke to no pain. I counted days of being pain free, but as the lord was sending me to India the pain returned and much worse…. I had thought three months of seeing great miracles in India, to instead be three months on bed rest dependent on others to care for me… a humbling experience… but ALL PART OF THE HAND OF GOD IN MY LIFE.

I returned to Uganda for three months, still on bed rest and having to stay home… except a taxi car would come to take me shopping and bring me home again…. people came to visit and i would share on a one to one basis … but i did not venture out til the visa ran out and i needed to leave the country again….

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this time to Rwanda.  It was an amazing five days of teaching in a church hidden on a mountainside from the world but not from God…. wonderful friendships made and two sons added to my family… God is soooooooooooo good! The pictures above are Bishop Bihizi and me, the church assembled for me to speak and the lady on the front in brown is Mrs Bihizi,, and my two sons Boutroce and Clement.

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The next visa run was to Kenya where another son – Pastor James invited me to rest and relax.  It was however a time to work – work on the book that the Lord had asked me to write whilst i was in India.  It was six weeks of resting with views out across fields and bush and zebra, wilder beast, antelope and giraffe could be seen….then i returned to Uganda to my home in Entebbe for Christmas and New year!  Travel in all not easy because of the roads, causing the back to jolt… but God’s grace has been with me.

I continued to work to finish the book before i left for Europe via a week in Kenya again, so it was sent to the publishers.  I then arrived in Malta on 17th February… six weeks ago.  It has been an amazing time of visiting and seeing friends and church family… sharing the heart cry of the book wherever possible, praying for the sick and receiving prayer…and now I am just three more days before i will fly to UK.

Part of the Malta experience was my birthday – i turned 60!  I just find it so hard to realise how i have reached such an age…. how fast indeed the years have gone when looking back… and i thank God for the amazing journey.  It has of course entailed great heartache and pain, but it has also brought me great healing and restoration and an amazing testimony of Gods hand of Grace upon my life.

Catching Foxes by Fenella Stevensen, will be available online through Amazon and other such book ordering companies approximately from the 14th April.  It will be available as a Hardback, Paperback and an Ebook… and it is different from the first two books – Rejoice…   Catching Foxes is a book for the Bride of Christ based on Song of Songs 2:15 and the love of God that draws us into a deeper relationship with Jesus, as our fiance, urging us to prepare and dress ready for the Bridegroom cometh!  It is a story mixed with true testimonies of my own, to encourage others to join the Fox Hunt in readiness.  No fiance wants to marry a bride still prostituting herself… His love is calling us to a new and deeper level of commitment and surrender as we ready ourselves to be blameless and without spot or wrinkle.  The Lord is collecting the fruit of His love within us…. and the foxes are damaging the harvest…. and He asks us… Will you catch the foxes for me….. We will do it together!

If you know of The Passion Translation, the Pastor and his wife have written an endorsement for the book, as has also a non-christian award winning journalist.  The foreword is a prophetic word by Lana Vawser who has received amazing words from the Lord and describes the content of the book completely.

LAVENDER:

See how big the plants are after one year!!!!  Salome an Josephine are picking the dried leaves from the base of the stems, then dry it in the sun, before crushing it in the pestil and mortar, to use for tea!  The first crop of flowers was minimal, but we harvested it and dried it in bunches, and then pruned the plants for the first time as instructed.  The leaves were brought into the lounge to dry before they were crushed to make more tea.

I am looking for larger plots to plant up and people to help me with it.  I have found that the lavender whilst growing really does push back the mosquitoes… lesser in the house since growing it in the garden, and the tea has medicinal qualities… one local who comes to buy it is diabetic and believes it is helping him… another suffered stomach ulcers and has no problems since drinking the tea.  Headaches and possible IBS has also been helped by drinking the tea.  I want to be able to build a distillery to make the lavender oil – which has also so many uses…. do you know someone who may want to stand with me?  Please email me privately on: joyce.brandt56@yahoo.co.uk

UK:  I will be in UK – travelling up and down the country if you would like to see me, want me to share in a church or house group meeting – let me know again by email.  I will be in Manchester then down to South West…. no exact dates yet – but i will post them as soon as possible….. i hope to see you 🙂

DENMARK: I hope to be in Denmark hopefully May – first in Randers and then to travel down to Copenhagen.  If you would like to see me also on route – to share about the book or the work in Africa – please email me…

This picture was taken with Pam (ma) who is 86 yrs old, helping me to celebrate being a young 60!  I hope to see you soon – with much love to you all

Joyce Brandt xxxxxx

 

 

India 2015

Like a queen – in India

23rd February 2015.  I arrived after approx 15 hours seated by the Grace of God.  Before I left my home in Uganda – I could not sit for five minutes… but the Grace of God is when you need it not before.  I arrived with my son Manoj waiting for me… I was excited and happy, my first time ever in India!  As a child I had dreamed many times that I was standing before the Taj Mahal, a sign of being in India, but having once heard that missionaries had been and slept on mattresses on the floor with rats running across them at night – I vowed I would never go.  But now at the age of 59 (my birthday whilst in India) for the first time… I stepped onto the continent of India – expecting to be amazed and like a stranger in a strange land – but it all just felt like home! I was in the region of Kerela, Kochi… the southern part of India.

The first day I met many students, and started to learn the names, and the staff at the YWAM base, and the second day I would teach two sessions… the first an English lesson, and secondly my testimony as the platform from which I would teach of God’s Grace.  After arriving I had been tired but of no serious pain… believing it was all just either an attack from the enemy or a test…. But after the end of the second session, one of the students had to help me down the stairs, I went to lay down – and there I had to remain.  Unable to even sit at the desk to eat, or go down stairs to the dining area – I had to eat laying down and wait for hot water massage from the hospitality to help me with the pain.  It was getting worse!  Students would come one at a time to see me or in a group of four – and I would share with them and encourage them…. But it was decided I needed to see a doctor.  My other son Isaac from the YWAM school in Kampala,was the one to come for me and escort me by train to the house of his friends in Thumpamon.  His friend – Pastor Thomas had an old school friend who was now the Doctor to the rich and famous in India… travelling from afar to his hospital for treatment.  He examined me and told me I would need 7 days treatment followed by 7 days bedrest.

When I left the YWAM base I told them all I would be away probably just 2 weeks and left my luggage there taking only with me two books and a few clothes.  There were two hospitals one for the rich and one for the poor – I went to the poor man’s hospital.  He examined me and told me come on the Friday to start the treatment.

Thursday was my birthday, and I was astonished, they had taken me to buy night dresses for the hospital.  First time in my life three men accompany me and bought for me… such pain they had to make the decisions for me.  I returned to my bed from the ordeal, then about 10 pm I was requested to come to dinner.  I walked into a darkened room to people singing happy birthday and a birthday cake with candles burning.  I was so overwhelmed by their kindness to me.  Also at the house was Yared, my Ethiopian son from the Kampala YWAM school… it was a wonderful celebration and feast, finishing at 1am. It was to be my last day of eating meat, chicken, or eggs whilst receiving treatment – vegetables only.

I knew that my time was going to be special with God when I was told no phone or laptop at the hospital because of uncertain security issues.  I had only two books with me – My Bible and The Passion Translation – Song of Songs! (You really should consider getting this book it is revelationary of the love of God for you!)

It was hard… the treatment was invasive in as much I was stripped every day and had to have oils that were hot, poured onto my body and massaged into the whole skeletal area by two nurses – so no place was excluded. The staff spoke little English but they understood my hugs and kisses… and they knew from my many tears when I was in pain!- everyday!!! After two days of the treatment the Dr came to make the necessary adjustment to my pelvis which he said was out of alignment – tilting backwards and trapping the sciatic nerve, making the left leg shorter than the right.  He had said – had I not gone for treatment soon I would have become paralysed and that the injury was intense, requiring bed rest… not for one week as first said – but for three months!!!!!!!!  The day after the adjustment was the worst pain ever… but from the first day in the hospital- everyday was a revelation of God in the midst of the pain…He was there with me, speaking clearly to me and directing me to write a book, which I am in the process of doing… of which I will not write of here – but save it for the book when you read it, except to say it will be called “Catching Foxes by Fenella Stevensen”!  Needless to say to those of you reading this and not in favour of fox hunting, this is not about a physical but a spiritual fox hunt!

What was India like? – Hot…. But more I hardly can tell as I was on bed rest.  Even when I returned home to the family, they had to continue the oil massage and then bathe me – I was not even able to do that for myself. Isaac had borrowed a car to drive me where I needed to go – and we had to drive at slow pace because of the holes in the road… they did take me to see the elephant house, and I was taken by friends to buy an Indian dress… as I had felt I could manage to teach a little in a school… I was going to do three days – but only managed two because of the pain.

Bed-rest means bed-rest – and I had to learn that!  In the 11 weeks following the hospital, I had several return visits to the Dr, with problems of pain and dizziness, and when I was leaving he sent me packing with another three months of medicine to continue.. and more bed-rest in Uganda… NO BODA taxis or even the public taxi as yet…  He only charged me for the medicines and gave his consultation times to me free of charge… I was blessed.  The cost of the one week was marginal to that which I would have paid in the other hotel but for the same treatment… the only difference was the luxury of the rooms, or lack of in my case hahahahah.  But it was all I needed and I could not have paid for better care of treatment from the nurses than they gave to me that week.  I cried when I left hahahah saying good bye had been an emotional ordeal to these precious people who had tended me.

mum and daughter-in-law Resmi

mum and son Manoj i love you

I am so very grateful to my sons Manoj and his wife Resmi, and Isaac… and also the wonderful family who hosted me and cared for me everyday – Pastor Thomas, Rani and their son Richi,  Isaac’s sister Simi who came to help bathe me and care for me.  Isaac’s parents Simon and Lucy – who visited me often and showered me with such love and prayers… Abraham- Kochimun’s family – who are richly talented musically, and Juby and Sonia and their children who blessed me richly.

The YWAM team came to visit me a couple of times with ministering servants of God to pray for me… I was deeply blessed by the Indian hospitality.  People I had met on facebook only, came to visit me and meet me in person… I was overwhelmed by their love and determination to travel a long distance.. Pastor Wilson.

It was a time of great pain, and isolation.  God was speaking personally to me of

my son Isaac – i love you

areas he wanted to heal and restore, and it was at times a great battle for me, wanting to catch an earlier plane home to run from the things I was there to do.  I have felt like a caterpillar having gone into its cocoon of transformation… I believe only now – two months back in Uganda that the cocoon may be breaking and a butterfly is about to immerge.  Strangely it is nine months since the pains first became a part of my life last year.

I may not have achieved much outwardly. I had gone to India believing I would be teaching and preaching and ministering to many – but the Lord had another plan – He wanted to teach and preach to me, and allow others to minister to me.  It was a humbling time, but a time of great love.  I learned that I belong!  How strange that may seem… I learned that I am not a burden when I belong to them… and they to me… I had seen myself as a burden… but when I left – I truly belonged and was loved greatly by these wonderful people… as I truly loved them!  I learned that in as much I cannot allow others to love me – I also am holding back from the Lord being able to love me fully too.  His operating table, always deals with matters of the heart… and something He had showed me in the hospital was an area of compromise I had hidden in the depths of my heart, unrecognised by me until He showed me it – that was keeping me from the fullness of His love… which I reveal fully in the book.

CURRENTLY:

It is July already, and by August 8^th I have to have left the country again.  I am writing still the book – but not every day – it takes time for that which He has called me to write to sit and hear what He wants me to say.  I still have some discomfort in my left foot from the hip… so I am still resting much, and my heart is still being operated whilst on His Table.

Emma Hammond arrived in Uganda for almost 3 weeks of missionary work

Emma Hammond who i first met some 15yrs ago whilst working at Dartington Tech, arrived for the second time to Uganda since last year, where she is involved working with my son Haggai in the Orphanage School in Nateete Kampala.  Last year i missed her visit, but i was overjoyed to be the one to welcome her this year and to have her as a house guest for two days!  Wow she was a great blessing to so many – so proud of the work she is doing!  I was blessed to borrow a car for my son to drive me to a conference in Kampala – a team from Australia, also working together to help my son Haggai and the orphanage and new pharmacy… where they blessed me with my hotel accommodation, and meals out with them, and some wonderful teaching and one on one straight talk – setting me to see things I needed to see and understand before I continue in the ministry. Thank you Patrick and Rodney! Though nothing happened, on the way back someone attempted to rob me through the open window of a private taxi, but failed.  I had just shared a word to the Pastors at the conference – The wolf is at the door but don’t focus on what he can and is doing, but focus on the Lord and what He is and can do!  I felt the wolf at my door in the taxi – but the protection of the Lord was and is with me!

January 2015

July 2015 – Salome collecting the dried leaves at the base of the stems

Salome collecting a harvest – she drinks it as tea… whilst we wait for the real harvest to come

Dillie has a baby!!!!!

The Lavender is growing wonderfully – spreading in all directions… it is hard to believe that just six months ago they were just single stick cuttings.  We are still waiting for the flowers to come…  Our next challenge will be to learn how to take cuttings and plant… however to plant we will already need a larger plot.  I was once taught to dream – and dream big.  Well – just last week we were informed of a plot of land for sale, so yesterday my son went to see it.  It is on the shores of the Lake Victoria, a prime area that would suit a private beach and hotel not far from the airport in Entebbe.  It has its own landing stage for boats to the islands or for fishing, it has rich vegetation on the ground suggesting a fertile land… and it is 26 acres!  Imagine a luxury hotel retreat on the water’s edge, private beach, and the amazing smell and sight of lavender… Heaven’s Scent.  There we could also build a distillery to produce the much sought after essential oil, and build a family home on location to oversee the work at the hotel and the lavender.  (I recently learned that the perfume lavishly poured by the sinful woman over Jesus called Spikenard is the same as we know it now to be … Lavender! )  The dream is big… too big for me alone, but the dream could support the lavender project to help fight back the malarial mosquitoes, and help to clean up the slum towns from cholera and typhoid, and give employment to many currently without an income and training… in fact there is one who had a vision/dream of creating electricity and water for a large hotel type building from the vast area of water… this is the perfect site.  The cost however is not the perfect cost in as much it is way beyond my capacity, but I believe there are people who are out there with the financial resources to fund such an enterprise that would bring rest, retreat to some and a healthy life to others… so this is a prayer request to you who are reading this, to pray with me if this is the next step – God will make a way where there seems to be no way.

Joshua is 1 yrd old!!!!

I had been invited to South Africa to rest with Elijah and Thandi in August, but the dates I need to leave Uganda, Thandi is away and therefore it is not good timing… again just four weeks before leaving – it seems all plans have changed… what I thought is not!  I believe that a connection through a friend and sister in Malta to a Bishop in Rwanda, who wrote to me again with invitation is where I will be going… not to rest but to minister.  There is a need for ministry with the women whose men were killed in the genocide… and to minister in other churches… so I hope that the next letter will be of that time in Rwanda and all the wonderful things I know that God is continuing to do in my life and the life of others…

So we keep our eyes fixed on He who is the Author and Perfector of our faith… drawing ever closer to Him in intimacy and humility, repentance and a contrite heart.  Let us not condemn the world, or indeed one another, but let us first see the plank of wood in our own eye instead of the splinter in someone else’s eye.  Let us not judge those who do not believe in God – for their misdeeds according to our own understanding, as they cannot be expected to understand if they believe not in the first place.  The Lord says that they will know He lives because of our love one for another.  My challenge and each one of us is to love one another as Christ has loved us… I believe my friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord – it is time for the church of God to repent… we who confess that we know Him, Jesus our Lord and Master, continue to walk in compromise to His word.  We criticise those who live passionately for that which they believe is right – but we fail as the church to live passionately for Jesus, who we believe died for our sins and giving us eternal life as sons and daughters of the Almighty God, and Bride to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!.  As a global church we have been sleeping, but the time has come when He is shaking the heavens and the earth, and the church is waking up to taste the coffee so to speak.  Let us not grow faint but let us with the courage and boldness of Joshua, enter into the promised land of our inheritance, and cause the walls of Jericho (compromise) to fall, as the Church arises to shine with the light and the glory of the Lord upon her…. Like a mighty army go forth into battle like the bones of Ezekiel… led by the wondrous Lord of Hosts…

With much love to you

Joyce xxxxxxxxxx

Its a Titanic moment with Rani… behind the smile is pain!

The beautiful Rani – wife to Thomas.

The beautiful Thomas – husband to Rani

Juby and Sonya family

receiving a plaque of thanks for the days of teaching

Simon and Lucy – Isaacs mum and dad

my beautiful Lucy – Isaac’s sister

This lady could speak no english but could kiss me more that even i can kiss… a neighbour to Thomas and Rani

Richi – Thomas and Rani’s son.. love you

Thomas Rani and Isaac preparing the breakfast

 

January 2015 – South Africa.

Greetings to you in 2015!  Firstly let me apologise for the delay of this letter being published.  I had written prior to my leaving Uganda last February, thinking i would have time to post… time was more than i could have imagined, but circumstances were so different to what i had expected i was caught off guard and for much of the time offline!

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All during the Christmas and New Year i suffered with my back pain.  People were asking why? – so many have prayed and still there was no relief.  Just when i thought it was better – i became worse.  I had thoughts and a hunger to see the films of Jeremiah and Daniel – and the Book of Revelation – on Youtube.  Such was that i then needed to read for my self the stories in the Bible.  The thing i love about the Bible is that you can read something you have read before, but what you did not see before, now becomes lit up.  Although it was not lit up – i heard a voice asking me… “Will you trust Me in the pain?”  I started to see the lives of Jeremiah, Joseph, Daniel, the three Hebrews – Mishak, Shadrack and Abednigo… and of course Job, who suffered loss after loss.  As i was thinking of them, i felt the same voice say to me… “Did i take them from their ordeals, or did they trust me in the midst of it all?”    “Lord do you really want me to trust you in the pain?  I have been years trusting that you will heal all pain and sickness… now you want me to trust you in the pain?”  Two days before Christmas i went shopping, and thinking i was feeling better, took the taxi boda (motorbike) to the shop, but walking into the shop i burst into tears from the knife like pains.  I couldn’t even stand!  The staff were amazing, sitting me in a wheelchair, one pushing me and another my trolley – helping me to shop.  It was both humbling, and embarrassing, and amazing.  All the staff ran to me and hugged me – each one causing more tears as they showered me with love and concern.  Humbling because i like to see myself strong helping others.  Christmas almost came and went without much notice… no pomp and ceremony, no large shopping extravaganzas, no excess eating and drinking, and me mostly in my bed!

On the day of January 1st, i lay in my bed – this was my conversation with the Lord!:-

“I am here Lord because you have a call upon my life to be here.  It is Your Call, Your Vision, and Your Provision.  If you want me in my bed and preach my heart on a one-to-one basis to all who visit me – OK!  If you want me to travel and speak to many at a time – OK!  I TRUST YOU!  I know you have plans to prosper me and not to make me fall…. and if for some purpose my time here on my back is better for me – I will trust You in the pain Lord!”   I woke up on January 2nd completely pain free! and have been so since!!!!

Elijah Maswanganyi

January 15th – I flew to South Africa, as i mentioned in my last letter at Christmas of how i was excited and feeling it to be a Divine Appointment.  It was so wonderful – though my memory was not so great – I called the boy Martin – but he is the eldest son, and the one i met is called Themba.  I was met by a friend of Elija’s whilst he drove from a conference he was speaker for in Johannesburg.  We had a huge breakfast, followed by a wonderful lunch of Macaroni Cheese – i love cheese sauce with anything – and find it so settling on the stomach after travelling and lack of sleep.  I did manage to take a warm shower, and sleep, as well as minister the word to my host as she was hungry to hear more and more.  Then Elijah arrived!

 

Mama Thandi

Oh it was an amazing time seeing Elijah after all the years, now in 2015 February – it is 28 years ago!  Thandi – his wife had never forgotten me because of teaching a Butterfly kiss and an Eskimo kiss to Themba in the midst of the apartheid then.  Elijah told me – when i without thinking placed my eye to eye with Themba or nose to nose – without thinking or hesitating over the colour of their skin – He said i was the first white person ever to show him as a black the love of Jesus.  For me – i had not even thought of it as being something extra-ordinary, but for them who suffered in those days, it transformed Themba’s life he told me.  He returned home telling all his friends and family he had a white mum!

 

not a butterfly or eskimo kiss.. but enjoying the moment with Themba 🙂

My preaching times were reduced to one each Sunday and one mid week in two different churches, so as not to rush.  I was nervous – Elijah had prophesied over me twice the same word in 28 years… i wondered what he was expecting, but i knew in the end – i just must be me – and not worry about what he or others think of me.  The meeting went really well and half of the church responded to my message – coming forward for prayer.

After church – The Pastor and his wife took Elijah, Thandi and myself to a Country Lodge for lunch… wow – i had not eaten a three course meal in a long time and needless to say felt stuffed needing to sleep.

On the Monday, i began working on Elijah’s book for him, which he had asked me if i would edit it for him.  Elijah is 70 and does not live in the techno era of today hahahahah, with no internet connection, and he writes everything by hand, so i offered to retype as i corrected it – and gave it to him on a flash stick to give to the printer.  I felt honored to work on his book for him, and was not expecting that the words he had written were another confirmation of my reason in Africa, and what the lord has done and is still doing in my life.  As i drank in the scriptures and explanations, i was expanding and growing in the Spirit.  That evening he offered to me to be my Mentor and Spiritual Father.  I was overwhelmed.  He said you can mentor many but only father a few, and i felt so privileged.  He would like to help establish the platform for me to deliver the message from the Lord, and not just in  Africa – but also the World.  He then suggested that i base myself in South Africa, instead of Uganda.

with Papa

It was a wrench at first in my heart – and said i would pray…. what about the house and my family and the Lavender?  Elijah then had to travel away for the next six days, so i had time to talk with the Lord.  I felt very clearly that i am not leaving all the things he has thus placed in my life – He has given me a family, a vision for the Lavender, and the house, which i believe we will at some-point purchase or build, to expand with an upper floor providing guest rooms and my own living area, allowing the family to spread a little downstairs, as Melissa is getting older and will soon need to leave the room to the boys.  I have been battling with a visa problem here in Uganda for any length of time, but i don’t need one to go into South Africa, because i am British.  I could base in South Africa – to be mentored and fathered, and be free to travel for three months at a time to Uganda – for ministry / Lavender… or relax time with my family.

The following two services were amazing also, with the congregations and their pastors and wives excited for the word delivered.  The last Sunday – the Pastor and wife also took me to the Country club for lunch for another three course meal!!!!  To my surprise they also drove me to their home – a farm, where they are having a mango orchard, a pig farm and to my utter surprise, Lavender!…plus other herbs of which most are also mosquito repellents.  I suggested they increase the lavender plot and if they know a bee keeper to get lavender honey!  Again surprised, the Pastors wife is a bee keeper! Immediately we discussed my vision and a local township that is battling with mosquitoes – so who knows – that might be the next place to further the lavender vision!

Lady on the left was healed!

There were two Pastoral visits i was asked to make – praying for the sick – where one was instantly healed, and the other reported to be feeling much better the following day…. and also to minister to a Pastor whose son had suddenly died.

Time with Thandi and Corrie – the daughter, were special.  We ate well – i even cooked for them one evening a meat free pasta dish.  I had been overwhelmed by an abundance of meat every meal.  I had been accomodated in a guest apartment over the office, providing me space and time to rest as needed.  Oh such an amazing twelve days!

On my return  – Elijah had driven back from Pretoria especially to take me to the airport for the Domestic flight to J’burg, before continuing his journey to Swaziland where he was planned to minister, and continue his travels keeping him on the road for the next three – four weeks.  I checked into a guest house close to the airport, then my son Solomon, now also in South Africa – came to visit for a few hours.

with Solomon by the hotel pool

I arrived back healthy and strong, sharing with the family the news to which all seemed genuinely excited for me… ready to plan the next part of this incredible journey of my life.

Please pray with me if you are an intercessor.  I have utmost peace – despite not knowing the plan yet, and despite three weeks from now i will be on a plane to be away for sometime longer than one month but who but the Lord knows where to, i believe I am in the Lords hands, and I trust Him!

With much love to you – i will finish now and share more as and when i know the plan!

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It is now the last day of June!  If you have followed me on Facebook you will know that i was led to India for three months… you will know that after i purchased the ticket to go, my back became sick again, and that for two weeks prior to flying i could not even sit for five minutes because of the pain.  As i cried out to the Lord why i had received this pain back – He encouraged me that the first time was letting me know of His plan and preparing me… now was not the time to fear but to trust!  Trust Him in the pain.

I will post this now… and try briefly to tell of the time in India….

With much love to you all….  Joyce! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

A Personal Message to my Danish Friends…..

The Danish fields 2014.

Kære danske venner.

Dette gælder specielt for jer. Jeg er blevet spurgt om, hvordan jeg kan modtage støtte fra Danmark til det arbejde, som Herren har kaldt mig til i Afrika. Det er blevet arrangeret sådan, at hvis I ønsker at støtte mig finansielt, kan I gøre det gennem City Kirken, Taastrup. Linket står nederst på siden og vil føre jer til en side på City kirkens webside. For at støtte det arbejde, jeg laver, skal I bruge ordet ”Rejoice” på listen.

The fields are ripe to harvest… the wheat growing together with the tares… the wheat bowing in humility as a sign of readiness, the tares stand proud. The Danish Fields 2014

Det virker – Jeg har allerede modtaget støtte derigennem. På min opgørelse vil den fortælle mig, at jeg har modtaget støtte fra City Kirken, men jeg kan ikke se andet end det, så hvis du ønsker at støtte mig anonymt, er det metoden, for jeg kan intet se om, hvem der sender penge. MEN hvis du gerne vil lade mig vide, HVEM du er – så vær venlig at sende mig en personlig mail enten til joyce.brandt56@yahoo.co.uk eller som en privat besked på Facebook.

Wall of Blue Iris on parade for me Denmark 2014

Jeg håber på at være i Danmark i Januar eller Februar måned – ca. 4 – 6 uger. Det er min plan at registrere min eneste adresse i verden i Danmark. Siden jeg opgav min adresse på Malta, har jeg følt, at jeg igen skulle registrere mig i Danmark, så jeg tager imod tilbuddet fra Debbie og Simon Svarre om at bruge deres adresse i Taastrup. Dette vil så give mig mulighed for at åbne en bankkonto igen i Danmark – som også vil gøre det nemmere for dansk støtte uden det nuværende valuta omvekslingssystem i England.

The King’s Garden, Copenhagen 2014

I de uger ønsker jeg også at rejse rundt og besøge så mange af jer som muligt. Hvis I skulle ønske, at jeg fortæller om arbejdet i enten kirken, smågrupper eller ved kaffebordet eller endda som et seminar – så må I venligst lade mig vide, hvordan jeg kan hjælpe jer. I skal endelig være frimodige og skrive til mig og spørge om mere specielle ting. Jeg underviser og prædiker, hvis I er interesserede.

How beautiful the way God clothes the fields of the valley! Danish fields 2014

Jeg ser frem til at se jer alle sammen igen.

Med de kærligste hilsener fra – Joyce Brandt

(Translation by Tove Petersen)

Link: http://www.citykirken.dk/kontakt/betaling/

Mange tak til City Kirken – Taastrup!

So This Is Christmas….

This is my design from many years ago that i created for Christmas Cards… i never thought of it before – but i see the Crown of Thorns – the destiny of the Baby born in a Manger.  We still celebrate him as the baby in the Manger, but let us not forget that Jesus, endured the thorns and the cross, died and was buried.  He went down into Hell to claim the keys, and set the captives there free, then He rose from the dead, He appeared among His disciples for a short time, before He Ascended into heaven sending us the Holy Spirit to be with us help us and guide us – that we, through confession of our faith and baptism of water, may begin a journey with Him as Lord and King… allowing Him through every trial and tribulation endured, to transform us into the likeness of Christ… a lifelong journey of His faithfulness to complete the work that He has begun in us – to the END.

I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas time…. may it be a time for forgiveness towards those who have trespassed against us – whether great or small… knowing that He who was without sin, loved us enough to die taking upon Himself all of our sins… and forgave us.

My prayer this Christmas is that Jesus in me, will big enough to say “Father, forgive for they know not what they do!”  I know that with forgiveness of others come the release of the Joy and Peace that we wish and pray for every Christmas…..

If there is anyone who is reading this that i have offended in any way at any time and you still remember me for it….. please forgive me – I am sorry.

So – may i wish you all a Very Wonderful Christmas…. and a Happy New Year – filled with triumph over trials and tribulation… and in the midst of the battle – His Presence that fills to overflowing with His Joy and perfect Peace – immeasurable and unfathomable.  I wish you LOVE

The New Year

I have just booked tickets in faith to South Africa in January.  If you know my story, then you will know that 27 years ago i met an evangelist called Elijah Maswanganyi and his wife Thandi and then five year old son Martin.  He prophesied over me back then, and then we had no contact for 26 years… last year i heard the Lord tell me to contact him… it was a miracle in itself because he had no web page or internet…. just a blue empty screen, and i heard the Lord tell me to look deeper… and behind the blue density i saw white numbers… i added a tel prefix for South Africa and tried calling…. and Elijah answered!  He proceeded to prophesy the exact same word over me as 26 years earlier…. i was so amazed… i had not told him my name but He knew me because i was the one who taught Martin a butterfly kiss!

I do not know why, but i know that this journey is essential and a key to the future.  I will be 12 days in all, away – in Tzaneen, where there are already three Sunday meetings and a midweek meeting planned for me to speak over a seven day period.  On my return i will overnight in a guest house in Johannesburg near to the airport, before returning to Uganda on the 27th January…. with then only One Month before i need to leave the country or have alternative visa in place.

Translation from Danish to English – Merry Christmas

There is an invitation to me to Ethiopia for one month with a Pastor living here in Kampala, who is planning a home visit, and would like me to speak in the churches there… i have also an invite to return to Kenya and spend a longer time than last speaking in the churches in Nairobi and Mombasa…. and still invitations to travel to the churches here in Uganda …. so there is plenty on the menu, but knowing what to choose is wisdom required.

Please pray for me – i believe that the Lord has called me, so i need to see victory in areas of my life to overcome my health issues with now a three month prevailing pain from the back and sciatic nerve in the left leg.  I was checked for DVT and there was none – grateful for that – but it is still a weakness that is hampering me in moving around…

I want to invite you to pray about being a personal prayer /support partner with me.  I have stepped out in obedience, but it is much for me to do alone…. I know i am not alone… but if you would like to be more than just a facebook follower of that which God has called me to – please message me….  It would be wonderful to receive letters!  My email address is: joyce.brandt56@yahoo.co.uk

LAVENDER

I will be shortly planting up the first step of faith in this project, in the garden of where i am living… 20 x 21ft patch in five raised rows.  I have ordered the lavender cuttings from the local farm i visited where he grows many different herbs.  I will plant them also in pots around the house and on the verandahs.

Rented Accomodation:  The house which i saw first in a dream and then became reality, is rented.  It is soon 12 months since we moved into the property, and we have been blessed.  The landlady gave it to us at a reduced rent, but is now requesting for it to be increased as from the New Year.  It is for sale, though she has promised the house to us so whether we rent or buy it is ours… but we cannot control the possible continual rent increases… so if there is someone reading this with a special burden to help purchase the property…. hahahaha – or should i say ho ho ho in this season to be jolly….. feel free to write:)

Let me finish here for now – i will continue to update the newsletter when i can… though i may only send this approx three months, i am regularly on Facebook and always reply to any emails i receive on the above address.

With love to you from my whole family here in Uganda…. Haggai (my first born) with Agnes and family, Beatrice, Samuel, Samson and Salome – Melissa, Elisha, Israel, Rebecca and Joshua (whom share house together with me),Gladys, Steven and family, Emmanuel, Daniel, and Shadrack… Solomon, Ronnie and all….

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Joyce xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Uganda / Kenya November 2014

A long time seems to have gone by since my last letter…. Apologies!

I am going to try and update in a shorter version, as much has happened, so I will try (a miracle in the making) of keeping it concise! Hahahahahaha

1. Nakumatt Supermarket: Following my last letter and praying for the guard’s leg, the next visit she greeted me with high kicks, saying that after the prayer, she was completely healed! I also became acquainted with the managers, and received an invitation to share the word of God to the staff on the Sunday morning before the store opened. The following week I was called to preach the same word but this time in an open-air meeting of remembrance for the people who died the previous year by terrorists in Kenya where people died and some badly injured whilst shopping at the Mall and in Nakumatt. It was indeed a privilege to stand at this time and preach a message on forgiveness. On another note.. i met one of my sons one day – Fred he is a police officer, and we met at the Supermarket then went for coffee together and to chat. I was the one to ask him what a police officer earns a month…. it was the same i had just paid on my shopping bill!!! My heart felt so crushed.

2. Joshua.  Joshua was dedicated at the church… he is now getting so big and heavy. He still has soft black musungu hair (soft and wavy) Coming up to 4 months old, he is developing well – laughing and chatting, happy in the same room as others, hating to be left alone. The other day I was left with him longer than anticipated, and he was desperate to be fed. I tried to give him the bottle I made, but he refused… crying crying crying. I took him to lay down as mummy does to try and comfort him and he started to search for milk through my dress. I decided to see if he would rest if I gave him breast – dry of course hahahahah. He sucked and sucked – the crying had stopped… his at least – mine began arghhhhhhhh it was too painful to allow for long, so I ran for the bottle and immediately he accepted it and drank til contentment! Mum and dad laughed so much when I told them…. It was my first time ever to have a baby try to feed from me – heheheheheheh Experiences I never thought I would ever have! I have learnt to wipe snotty noses, and wipe bottoms. If you knew me – you would know this is a miracle!!!!

3. YWAM DTS – Kampala. What an amazing week, sharing my testimony and from it teaching on the Grace of God! The team was small – but an amazing group of six young men, two from India, two from Ethiopa – both Pastors, one from Rwanda and one from Uganda. I met the Base Leaders, from India – Saji and Sheena who I immediately fell in love with and their son. At the end of the week, they were to give feedback… one said that the first day he was angry wondering why such a woman would be allowed to teach having lived such a life!!!.. but he confessed that God had used me to see His amazing love and Grace for him and for all, when on the last day I knelt in worship and washed all of their feet. Another said his life had been totally transformed, and all said they had never known such love as God revealed to them that week. As writing this – they are here in Entebbe working with local churches on outreach, and having heard some testimonies – one of the things I know is God had delivered some from a Religious Spirit! Amen

Kissing the feet.. How lovely are the feet of they who bring good news

 

 

After the DTS, Haggai came to pick me up as we were to attend an Introduction (Cultural engagement ceremony) of his son, my grandshon Addadi… A picture of us in the morning about to leave in our Ugandan official dress Agnes, Haggai and myself.

 

 

4. Kenya. I needed to leave the Uganda and re-enter for visa purposes, so receiving another invitation from a Pastor who had invited me twelve months ago to come, I accepted. Planned for twelve days which the Pastor had arranged two seminars of six days, I booked the tickets… then one of the seminars cancelled!!! Whilst at the DTS, visiting people from Kenya came to visit – a Canadian (welsh born) man called David married to a beautiful Kenyan woman called Lucy. He had once been involved in YWAM and saw the base popping in to say hello. (In group picture above with red T Shirt) Becoming friends on Facebook, he saw I was coming to Kenya and invited me to see them also. They ended up hosting me for the 12 days in their home – such amazing hospitality, and God saw to it that they also opened doors to minister in the six empty days! People’s lives were being transformed from the messages preached, it was wonderful to see God setting the captives free from many years – some all their lives, from the prison of bitterness and resentment -called “Unforgiveness”. The door has opened to me for a longer time to be spent in the land of Kenya, with invites from other Pastors to preach at their churches and to return to those I already preached. One Pastor, Pastor James and his beautiful wife Eunice, will take me down to Mombasa where I was 25 years ago, and introduce me to the churches there where he is known and respected.  Pictures below with my hosts (Left) Omondi David and Kezy (Right) David and Lucy

 

 

 

5. Pastor Jimmy. Pastor J is living just a little past my home, and is Pastor to a church in the area, and leader of the Pastors fellowship in the area of approx. 40 Pastors, that meet every week and pray together. He came to my home and fellowshiped at my invitation, and from that decided to open up doors to me of preaching in churches in Jinja, Kampala and his own here in Bunono. He is married to Margaret (a GP) working in the local HIV clinic, and they have become wonderful friends.

6. Family. My immediate family that I am living with – Samson and Salome and the five grandchildren. God has been binding us together with cords that cannot be broken! Just as the teaching at the DTS in Kampala finished, I returned home to a family situation, where Salome had left for one week needing rest and help suffering physical pain since giving birth. When she was away, it came to light that maybe not everything was as it seemed in the marriage. Salome returned and we were able to talk, as I had also been able to talk with Samson. They had been praying for a long time for someone they could both talk to… and it was me. We planned a time when the children were at school to sit down all together and discuss the problems – all of them – what ever they could remember that brought pain. But it was not to look at the individual actions but rather to look at the Spirit behind it! The bible tells us we fight not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities. Over the two days we were able to discuss and I wrote down everything… the second day we actually began to confront the spirits as they were discerned, there was repentance from both and forgiveness to each other, and curses were being broken from generational lines. As we concluded the second day – we lit a bonfire and burnt the paper with all the accusations – it was finished!! The next day it was an instant change… the atmosphere was totally different… and continues to be an amazing testimony of Gods healing and setting the Captives Free!

Just after we received a visit from Salome’s own grandfather from the village and her Uncle, living nearby,  Jajja (grandfather) had lost his eye sight and not seen for many years, but had come to Kampala for an operation, and he could to my surprise see me loud and clear, and delighted in having his first ever musungu kiss

7. My Health.  Shortly after the praying for the marriage, I became sick – my back was affected, and I believed it was a trapped sciatic nerve. I have experienced it before – but it was a different leg, and what I had never felt before was like ice running down my leg putting my leg and foot into a state of pins and needles / tingling and numbness! A thought came to my mind, due to the throbbing in the calf, Blood clot. I however dismissed it immediately from my thoughts believing that the Lord is taking care of me. I ministered with Pastor Jimmy, but had to travel with the front seat right back in horizontal position… struggling to sit for any length of time. Salome would bathe me with hot water and massage my leg to try and help the release of the nerve, and bring feeling back to the foot. Pastors Pete and Esther and others from the church came to visit me and pray for me, Bishop Edison and the team from Tanzania who were in Uganda, came to visit and to pray for me…. I managed to board the plane to Kenya…. But the roads in Nairobi were horrendous, and having experienced all the potholes the first night I was unable to lay on the bed, or sit the pain was so excruciating I spent the whole night leaning against the wall and crying, listening to worship and praying, but not sleeping. Pastor Omondi came to pick me up in the morning and took me to the hospital just where I was staying to see a dr friend. She gave me pethidine and further painkillers. Lucy and also Pastor Omondi’s wife Kezy would massage my foot every day….  (Despite the pain – when i took the platform to preach i was completely pain free!!!  God’s Grace was amazing!) When I returned to Uganda, it was still bad, and a friend who was concerned led me to look up DVT on the internet. The symptoms were that of the same I was experiencing. A friend from church agreed to take me to the hospital the next day… costing a lot of money to see the dr, who then sent me to another hospital in Kampala for ultra sound and supposedly an MRI scan which I refuse because of the cost. Ultra sound proved there was no blood clot! On the way back after being prescribed more painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicine, I felt the presence of the Lord telling me I had failed to trust him and allowed fear to enter my heart. In fact He was showing me that there is hidden fears still within my heart – fears that He wants to free me from through His perfect love… Perfect love casts out all fear!!! His love once again was revealing to me that my lips have confessed complete trust in Him, but my heart was not inline as yet – He is drawing me into His loving kindness to trust Him in all things… not just words spoken but in the very depths of my being… indeed I am still a work in progress in the Hands of the Master Potter! He has been given my permission to Break me, Melt me , Mould me and Fill me with more of Him! I am still having some numbness in the foot – however I know that it is for only a short time before fullness of health is resumed!

My first Motorbike ride (borda) since my back injury, was unexpectedly to the airport… when i saw on facebook that my friend from my own DTS in YWAM last seen some 27 years ago had been here in Uganda and leaving to return home to his wife and children.  He works for World Vision now…. oh what a treasure it was to meet up after so many years!!!  Jaap

28 years ago – smiling and laughing together back then

 

 

 

 

 

8. Salome. Salome was continuing to experience pain in her chest, and was also at the hospital due to stomach ulcers and problems with the stomach not closing after eating, meaning she was always hungry, then she began the same symptoms as me in the ankle and back. All of the above had been slowly but surely an increase since the time of the marriage counselling. I was certain that it was due to spiritual complications. Last Saturday I had gone to bed, and was woken with Samson knocking on the door. Salome was screaming and crying with the pain. We could not get her to hospital without transport and now it was midnight and no bordas working in the night. She asked for the anointing oil…. So I began to pray as I placed it on her forehead and chest where the pain was extreme. Laying on the sofa, I places one hand on her head and one on her chest, and with Samson placing hands on her feet, we began to worship….. and she fell almost asleep it seemed…. During the quiet I told Samson I believe there is something to do with witchcraft that was released during the time of repentance some six weeks earlier, and now was the time of deliverance. We continued to worship and pray quietly, then she awoke and was convulsing in her body, when we started to command the spirit to come out! She started to burp – but not normal – she never burps actually, and they were long and very deep sounds that we being released… I commanded them to leave this place, and not to re-enter anyone in the house, or even the chickens but to depart to the Lake. I told Samson that I had seen in my mind’s eye a snake, its tail inside of her, at her right ankle going up her leg, to her back then coiling around to her stomach and its head in her chest. She had bent forward as if to vomit, at which I replace my hand on her back. It was later she said that she could feel something let go from within like claws being released as I placed my hand on her back. After about 30 – 40 mins – she was quiet, and joining us to sing in worship. She slept without interruption and the next day – she was completely healed! She also tested with eating and drinking what before would have caused severe pain, plus she was able to eat a small portion and be full! She continues to remain free from sickness or pain of any kind.!!!  All Glory to God!

God came to set the captives free!!! Repentance is the door to freedom. As the Lord shows us – not in anger but in loving kindness of the things that are within us – hidden iniquities that need to be repented of – turned away from, I believe it is at that moment when we give the Holy Spirit authority to do a spring clean within…. And unknown to us – He is gently at work releasing the strongholds til that time of deliverance! To God be the Glory!!!!!

measuring / marking the plot

Lavender! I have measure out a plot of 20 x 21ft in the front garden and Samson is digging it up, and preparing it to plant the first of the Lavender as a step of faith. It was also a spiritual lesson in itself – the ground before hand had a house built, so as the digging began many bricks had to be removed.  The Lord is active in the same way in our hearts – His garden / vineyard of love (Holy Temple – His dwelling place)  Before  the seeds can be planted with the expectancy of fruit, the ground must be cleared of all boulders and stones (the sins and iniquities in our heart)… thus making the ground ready for the Holy Spirit to bear fruit…. or as it is said in Song of Songs… there are foxes in our vineyard of love hindering our love…. will you not chase them away.  Let us do it TOGETHER!”

The local farmer where we buy fresh milk every day, has freely given us manure for the garden and a next door neighbour has also said we can have some rich soil, so we need only to have some sand to mix with – which helps with the drainage, then make the raised rows ready to plant. There is local farmer who is preparing for us some seedlings – 50 to begin with. I have also seeds which I want to try to cultivate, and place in pots around the house… to make a pilot for the growing of Lavender in a larger proportion in the future to help push back the mosquitoes transmitting malaria and other deadly diseases, and to eventually give out lavender for all to grow in pots or garden around the house in an effort to save lives. The website for this is: http://heavensscent.eu.worpress

My son Samson, doing the hard manual labour of digging up the ground

FUTURE:
• Next week I need to go to Immigration offices to renew the visa again and to request a longer visa to be able to work on the lavender project. I have three possibly four pieces of land that can be rented with a view of planting lavender. I cannot follow up on it until I know I will be able to stay here for a longer period of time to oversee the project.
• Attending the DTS Graduation day 22nd November as a proud mum to the six amazing young men of God – a happy day for me indeed.
• Depending on the result from the immigration office, to prepare teaching for a teaching invitation in January, and to prepare for my first family Christmas here in Uganda.
• Make contact with South Africa with a view to going to visit the Evangelist from 27 yrs ago that prophesied over me and is awaiting for me to come and set up speaking engagements for me.
• Make arrangements for another trip to Kenya for a longer time – again depending on the visa requirements if I need to leave the country etc.

• The farmer who has given us the manure, showed Samson how he cooks with Biogas.  It is a large plastic drum, with pipes coming from attached to the gas stove/stoves.  He just keeps topping up the manure.  He has told us that if we wanted to do the same, he is more than happy to give us for free the manure, all we would need is to prepare the ground – building a base, and placing the plastic tank in place, and he would come and set up the pipes.  The cooker i bought is half gas (two top plates) and the rest electric- (two plates and the oven)  and Salome still tries to cook with a charcoal stove… which costs approx 50pence per day in charcoal…. it doesn’t sound much – but it is long and sometimes the coal doesn’t light if its wet.  The outlay of the tank and other things is costly up front to do – but once the estimated electric / charcoal are covered, it would then mean cooking for free.  And we could place another gas stove like a camping stove on the back veranda… freeing up the garage to be used more beneficially, either as a workroom /  guest room.
• It is also something to need consideration – a vehicle.  Having such problems is not easy without transport…. to go to the airport just a 15 minute drive away takes a borda ride, then a public taxi, then a private taxi….

 

• Please stand with me in prayer as i trust the Lord that He who has called me, and given me the Lavender vision will be the one also to provide for all our needs.

Uganda/Tanzania: July 2014

I arrived safely in Uganda on the 17^th July 2014, after an excellent flight via Dubai with Emirates.

I left Denmark, with the confirmation that it was now time to leave…. Having met new and renewed friendships after many years… it was an amazing time. The last thing to happen was that a group of six has agreed to come together, from two churches in Copenhagen: City Church – Taastrup and Pinsekirken – Drejervej; to form the initial board for an NGO  – Rejoice Ministries. These six persons are: Clause Mester-Christensen, Bent Thomsen, Jens Klarskov Pedersen, Pia Raaschou and Thomas Christensen headed by Henrik Bendsen as the Chairman. Once the summer is over, the team has agreed to meet and to set up the team and do all the necessary paperwork.

Rejoice Ministries will cover different aspects of ministry, including:

• Teaching/Preaching/ Worship,
• Heaven’s Scent – the Lavender project that I received a vision for to help push back the mosquito carrying the number one killer of Malaria and other deadly diseases.
• Book Promotions of the Autobiography called “Rejoice”                                             (Author name: Fenella Stevensen),
• Evangelism through Jazz Concerts – “an Evening with Fenella”
• Create and establish a Sunday School Curriculum to be introduced in the churches with staff training.
• I would also like to have some kind of café / internet center that would help to fund the work – selling home-made cakes, teas and coffees – especially bi products of the lavender which are too numerous here to mention and home-made crafts.

I am in the process of making a website for the Lavender Project, and there will be also an individual newsletter for this project…. the newsletter link is: https://arrowheadofgodslove.wordpress.com

I returned to Malta for 13 days, where I received hospitality with Maria Grech… to whom I am so grateful. Her hospitality and willingness to help me in every way was such a blessing. Tony also blessed me with Internet connection whist at Maria’s…. God is Good!  It was indeed a short time back in the church ‘Apostolic Renewal Centre’, before I should resume my time in Uganda. Such wonderful friends in the church – people wanting also to not just bless me – but the family I am living with here…. So I was given babies clothes, and shoes, electric hand mixer, even a grapevine. Friends invited me for meals, took me out to dinner, and my dear friend Julie treated me to a retreat day at a beautiful hotel, and I ended the last two days with Ann and Andy at Open Door Church, where I also had the chance to share the message of what God has been revealing to me.  (I will try to get the message that was recorded uploaded, or I will add the link where it can be found at Open Door Church website)   The time went oh so quickly.  I was then sent out with prayers and blessings, and an amazing word given to me from Revelation, from a new friend and sister in the Lord!

On the 16^th July, I had some problems at the airport of Malta as my luggage was 8kgs overweight…. And they insisted I emptied out the excess. Because I had some cargo booked – just four small plastic boxes also booked on the flight – they called the cargo officer and I was sent to the office to pay for the 8 kgs – a cheaper rate than if paying 359 euros for excess baggage! The cargo officer – Stefania was amazing…. She gave me a box to pack into – and sent them free of charge! Gods favour was upon me!

Mwanza choir performing for us… the church may be made of sticks – but it has been made beautiful with the colour hangings

Sons Haggai, Emm and Ronnie…. I am a proud mum!

 

I was supposed to travel then on the 22^nd to Tanzania, but because there was a delay in releasing the cargo at this end, it was delayed by one day…. Then together with Haggai – my first born, Emm my 7^th born, Ronnie also my son – we set out at 04.30 in the morning of the 23^rd, to drive 12 hours to Chato in Tanzania. The border was indeed our next challenge… Haggai had forgotten to take with him the car papers. Someone helped and directed him through the paperwork – and then we were off! What an amazingly good road except for the speed bumps which are so high they almost tear out the bottom of the car….

my Tanzanian son – Emmanuel – elder and amazing worshiper

But such amazing views of the Lake Victoria. When we arrived, Bishop Edison received us with great joy and we were taken to unload the luggage at the guest house, and then on to the church. What an amazing welcome from all the Pastors…and the children all ran to the car to greet us. Along the road that we had driven from a town called Muleba, the road was extremely hilly – extreme highs and lows with no sight of people living in the vicinity… and we found that five of the Pastors’ only means of transport was a bicycle each… and they took two days to cycle such a road for the conference, and the same to return home again.  Such determination… back home had I not been able to get a bus or car even for what is a 30 min drive – I would remain home… indeed I was humbled.

Ronnie and Emm spent time involved in the crusades in the afternoon and coaching the choir, whilst Haggai and I together with the wonderful Dr Dale from Rwanda were teaching… and the inevitable happened – they all fell in love with Haggai too hahahahaha. God has blessed me with an amazingly God fearing family, who happen also to be the most adorable and easy to love! Haggai has a gift in training leaders in the church, and his gifts were being gulped down by the hungry leaders and Pastors. On the last day, after the conference closed we drove 50 km out to one of the village churches – in the middle of nowhere. Bishop / Pastor Peter had not attended the conference as he was busy setting up something special.

First we met at an official local community government office in the village, here we met and shook hands with two important people in the village leadership… they sent word to Bishop Peter who then arrived on a Borda taxi (motorbike)…. who almost broke my neck as he hugged me and greeted me – he was so very excited…. Then we followed in the car to a piece of land to look at it. This piece of land has been given to the Bethel Assembly Church as a gift to be used to set up a work for the community… it is a long piece of land with its own water source all the year round… and the ideas of the church was either an orphanage or a school and medical center. It is yet to be determined, but it has been suggested that orphans are better to be brought up in family homes, with community workers to oversee the children’s well

Dr Dale and I surveying the land to the left up to the big tree behind my head

being, and instead provide schooling for all! – and a Health Centre.  We went from the land – to Bishop Peter’s home, where many children were waiting for us on the road…. and to my surprise the whole village were there waiting to receive us. Wow!!!!!!! A tent had been set up with official chairs of honour for Pastor Julius

Bethel Assembly Church in the village

– General Secretary for the Bethel Assembly Churches, Bishop and Mrs Edison Mugisha, Dr Dale, Haggai and Myself. There was then a row for all spiritual leaders from the village – including Muslim, Catholic…. And then a seat for the elders of the village – about 90 yrs of age….. and then everyone else.   They provided a meal of rice and meat with water and coca cola, and then the speeches. I was left as the very last – as the guest of honour…. And I was informed that in honour of my visit – the first ever white person to have visited them in the village, the community buildings will be called after my name…. Depending on the size of their buildings – maybe there is space also to grow lavender. It was indeed an amazing honour. … though when I kissed the elders with a blessing from the Lord – somehow fear turned to laughter and joy.

As we journeyed home the next day with Dr Dale and two of the Pastors from near the border with Uganda,

Bishop Peter = a wonderful man of God

we hit a problem. As we entered into the town of Bukoba, we were stopped by traffic police. I was driving, and when asked to see my driving license – I couldn’t find it – and couldn’t remember where it was…. Haggai got out of the vehicle as did also Dr Dale. The police decided to fine us…. But not only for the driving license, which I later found in my suitcase in the back of the car, but also for two other reasons which don’t apply to Uganda. This was a ploy to get money from drivers. Dr Dale however insisted that if we paid this fine, we were to have a police officer escort us to the police station for a signed receipt. This was our saving grace! Already with the police officer in the car – just 5 minutes or less down the road – another police officer decided to pull us over…. until she saw the police woman in the car with us. Including the first fine – we were stopped nine times along the way to the border. All stops were wanting to charge us a fine for something or another – but when we showed them our receipt, Haggai told them we had already been vaccinated and were immune to all further charges hahahahahhaahhaah. It worked… but I was so conscious of the corruption within the police to bring in extra pocket money especially at the end of the month!!!

At the border, shortly after dropping our other two Pastors off in their home town, all was going well…. To the point I even entertained the Ugandan Border Police with an accappella rendition of ‘Summertime’…… but Haggai seemed to be having problems with the car. He was stopped and asked for his car papers. He showed the officer the paper that had infact been signed by himself whilst crossing into Tanzania…. The officer was in disbelief… HOW IS IT POSSIBLE YOU MANAGED TO TAKE A CAR THROUGH WITHOUT PAPERS???? Then he laughed….. this was surely God’s Grace with us!

Whilst we were in Tanzania, the day we had left – Salome had gone into the hospital to register as being soon ready to deliver, then returned home again… but at 9pm she called Samson at work to say the baby is coming! He left work to pick up a car which was arranged for the time of emergency, and drove Salome to the hospital. In fact the baby did not arrive til midday the following day. 24^th July, Joshua was born – according to the dream I had received back in March (and his name shall be Joshua) His African name is Asanti – which means Thank You.

Charlie defending his territory from an amazingly beautiful neighbouring cock from down the road, whilst Priscilla watches. How magnificent are charlies feathers with his Heckles up !

I have just acquired an office desk and chair, and a reclining chair to relax and read in my room…. So things are coming together. I have ordered the carpenter to finish the wardrobe space which is still needing a shelf and hanging rail, until which I have  my clothes folded and in bags. He is building also a book shelf, two chest of drawers and bedside tables, and a nest of tables for the lounge.  I will post pictures when it is finished:)

On our way to church, my first Sunday

The next project needs to be the chicken coop! As much as I love my chickens…. Charlie the cockrel, and hens Latitia and Cecelia are Kreulers… and Priscilla is a local hen, that is hatching the eggs… 8 currently in the basket.  The offspring that survived the predators are: Cockrels – Bertie (nicknamed Dirty Bertie as he comes into the house and poops everywhere) Donnie and Little Sammie.  The Hens are: Lucia and Alicia.  They eat anything green in the garden, and I am afraid that anything I plant of the lavender will be eaten by them …. So I need to look at a wooden hen house with fencing and netting over the top to stop any eagles or

Salome with Joshua before he was born

preditors from stealing the chicks which has happened already. Once this has been erected – we can then go about planting up lavender patches in the garden…and I have been pricing plastic pots also for around the house on an elevated part of the foundation. I brought also seeds for mint, basil, strawberries, rocket (ruccola), rosemary marigolds and lavender.

When I returned to Uganda, I of course enjoyed re-visiting the big supermarket called Nakumat. I did not expect what happened…. There are security guards at the gates where all cars and individuals have to be checked… as per usual – I walked with my arms outstretched ready for the search. But the female guard instead of searching me, hugged me and welcomed me back. All the guards came to chat…. Then in the supermarket – the same happened – all the staff were greeting me and welcoming me back… it was so beautiful. I asked them why they remember me…. They said that I am always smiling and bring joy with me into the place, a sense of blessing. Today one of the guards on entry was sick – her leg was paining her and she could hardly stand. On my way in – I prayed for her healing. As I entered into the shopping mall – I visited another shop – she asked me if I was born-again…. I said yes – she asked me to pray for her, and invited me to preach next Sunday at her church…. As usual my shopping at Nakumat was longer than most due to greeting everyone, then as I left I asked the guard how she was feeling. She stood and to her surprise she said it was still paining, but definitely an improvement – she was not standing so awkwardly. I asked how exactly it happened…. She said it felt like she had been injected with something in the ankle and the pain extended up to the hip – though nothing had physically touched her. I rebuked the spirit, and released the presence of God… she was confident that her healing in full was imminent.

Last but not least – I had recently three visits from my sons… Daniel my baby who is just finished his mock A levels, and using these two weeks holidays to study hard for the actual exams in November.  Steven, who came on route home from working nights at the airport… who will be helping me in the future to bake some lovely cakes …. and Solomon – who took a day from working on his borda taxi in Kampala to come and visit his mum. My heart is so blessed

Prayer Requests:

1. Help to put together a paper to present to the Ministry of Health, that they would grant me an extended visa to work on the pilot for the lavender project, to be able to oversee it.

2. Concentrated time to write the third book of the trilogy Rejoice! – the publishers are now asking me for it.

3. To set up an office, with record keeping as will be necessary for Rejoice Ministries – Arrowhead of God’s Love

4. I will be teaching on the YWAM DTS 25 – 29 August in Kampala

5. 30^th August I will be officially accompanying the Bridegroom at his Wedding Reception.

I have been asked by different people for ways of supporting me – so I have now added a page, at the top, with Support Details. In Denmark – the City Church have offered to receive financial support for me – allowing the Danish to receive the tax back. They will then forward all funds on to me. I have yet however to get those payment details. Again – as soon as people have returned from their summer holidays and business resumes as normal – I will update the page.

Once the NGO has been set up – then there will also be an online international bank account set up which will then be able to receive payments in all major international currencies…. But that has to wait for the NGO to be fully set up and operational.

Much love to you all – with thanks giving for all who are following me in this exciting time of my life.

Joyce

 

Denmark.. beautiful Denmark

What a roller coaster of a time it has been…. i came on a one way ticket – not knowing what to expect, or how long to expect it hahahahah…. but it has been like coming home.  I first came to Denmark in 1986 to be part of the Roskilde Rock Festival… where a team from YWAM Netherland came to be part of an outreach.  It was there i met Ruth and Rene Hartzner.  Rene translated for us, and i fell in love with them instantly…. and they invited me back to their home for a holiday later that year for three weeks!  They became my Danish mum and dad…  God gave me mum and dads everywhere i went… and i haven’t seen them in many years… probably since after i was married.

It was Rene who wrote to me in 1988 to invite me to
be part of the mobile team with Youth With A Mission (YWAM)in Copenhagen… as they had been praying for another team member and received my face in his thoughts…. and 1989 i came to Denmark.  Imagine – 24 yrs later… getting to spend a day with them again – was just wonderful… a bonus to meet his son Kim, who together have built up Mission East… a fantastic work of Gods love.
I took an early train to meet them at their church in Hillerod, to be so blessed to see more friendly faces from the past that remembered me… we went home for a wonderfully cooked family meal…. how time has flown but hearts of love have not!

Then it was off to Charlottenlund and Ordrup.  I had wanted to visit Germain and Poul Erik sooner, but because of my throat infection i needed to wait… they live just across the train line from Henrik and Marianne.  It was in 2011 i was last in Denmark for Henrik’s 60th birthday celebrations… time had always been such joy spent here – and this time was no exception…. but first it was a trip into Copenhagen to meet up with my good friend Curt, we had lunch… and talked for 4.5 hours!  It was wonderful… as i shared my testimony – Curt was drinking it up and it wasn’t just him.  I got to meet new friends later at Henrik and Marianna’s… we enjoyed a walk into the King’s Gardens… I went out for wonderful lunch with Germaine like old times, and coffee and ice cream with Poul Eric… and i shared my testimony with all… and all drank in thirsty to hear more….. so a promise was made that after i return from Jylland, i
would return to share more with friends of friends

It was time to travel to Jylland – to Randers to see my good friend
Tove… and my first suprise was lunch at Jensens Beef House with Ole.  Tove and I first met in Spain in 1989… we have shared some humorous times together in just the first 12 months… enough to establish a friendship that would last even after years of silence.   Tove found me on Facebook in February 2010, and came to visit me in Malta in March 2010… now it was time to visit her.  I was two weeks based with her in Randers… where she set up some amazing surprises for me – of people to meet … it was a blast from the past!  Wow what a blast hahahahahahah  I was re-united with so many from my 1989 days… people not
seen since i married in 1990… and i shared my testimony and they drunk it in…. amazed at the things the Lord has done in my life.  To meet again the wonderful Hanna and Hossein, but one huge surprise was to be introduced to two missionary couples  Ove Thingaard missionary to Kenya and Gunnar and Bente missionaries to Malawi, Swaziland and Mozambique… only to find that Gunnar and Bente

remember me from 1986

remembered me from 1986 at the Go Festival in South Africa, and is good friends with the evangelist that prophesied over me then, and the same 26 yrs later after no contact in between…. They were working in Swaziland.  Oh what an amazing tapestry God weaves in our lives… often without understanding… we often only see the back side with all the mess and knots and unclear pictures…. but when God turns the tapestry to the side He sees…. wowowowowowowow its a picture of overwhelming beauty and intricate finess!  I am in such days where the Lord is revealing to me all the beauty of His hand in my life – even through the darkest days… He was working His perfect will…. and i am left in awe of Him!  Even as i was here in Denmark, the Lord revealed some more truths to me about my life that have just left me in utter joy…. and i cant wait for a chance to share them with all who want to drink… drink of His love and mercy and grace through the things i am learning about myself!  God continues to set me free – and i am R E J O I C I N G!

Whilst in Randers i took the train one day to Aalborg… not sure of all our plans, i did not want to miss the chance of seeing my beautiful Godson – Filip and meeting his gorgeous fiance Simona – who will be getting married on August 2nd… which i will miss!

I returned to Copenhagen to a week in bed due to another back injury… blessed by prayers from people all over the world. and hands on physiotherapy help from Lena here at City Church… managing to get me ready for a  return visit to hold a 5 hour testimony-share at Henrik and Marianna’s to their invited guests… it was a wonderful day… followed by a fabulous sunday at church in the morning, and a house visit to see beautiful Susannah who had missed the day before….  but what a difference a day makes… on the Monday i awoke with a need to check the calendar and see what needs to be fulfilled… when Henrik knocked on the door and said – I have a word from the Lord – time to plan the things you need to do – its time to travel!  That day he took me to the Ugandan Embassy a 5 minute drive from their home to plan a 6 month multi-entry visa for Uganda (and i collected it two days later!!!!!) Then on to City Church for a gathering of Snkt Hans – (a feast day remembering John the Baptist)… with a huge bonfire and bbq food….

The tickets are booked, farewells began being said already last Wednesday… I managed a last visit to Germaine on Saturday… Tove arrived over from Jylland and we had lunch after church on Sunday when the City Church prayed for me as i continue the exciting journey….  Thank you Claus and Per Eivind… and the wonderful Christian family i have here!

In 1986 – that is when i first met Debbie… before she was married to Simon… before they joined YWAM…  and when i came to YWAM Denmark in 1989 – they were always the home from home to come back to… and although there was no plan… they opened their hearts and home to me yet again… where i have had  a base to come home to, a bed to sleep…  their wonderful hospitality, their well cooked meals, and their whole family not holding back their warm embrace of love….. I am blessed beyond measure… i gave up one home and instead have many!  Thank you Simon, Debbie, John, James, little Charlie, Filip and Simona. On Thursday 3rd July i return to Malta for 13 days before flying out to Malta on the 16th and arriving 17th July in Uganda.  Four days later i will travel to Tanzania to be part of a conference for the leaders and pastors of the Bethel Churches – TZ and Rwanda

I am also expecting to be a proud grandma to Joshua by the time i arrive in Uganda… love and prayers to Samson and Salome for a safe and painfree (as much as is possible) delivery!!

With much love to you as you read and follow me in my journey… hoping that you enjoy the ride through the stories and pictures.  Please feel free to continue praying for me…… until the next update..

J O Y C E  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX