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Win Himalayas

/ Gina Haney / 3 Comments

The first thing that captured my attention when I first saw winHimalayas on Instagram was that Pastor Haron seemed to always be on his knees. The more I get to know him the more I can see that even while standing tall, the posture of his heart is always kneeling. This man is anointed. He has said a brave, “yes!” to a sacred calling on his life. He is truly a reflection of Christ’s love and humble service.

When he responded to my invite with a desire to write an Easter post my heart sang.
Last year for Lenten our family ‘gave of’ rather then ‘gave up’. The idea behind it came from “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs 19:17
This verse left me wondering how could I lend to the Lord when it’s already all His. My human brain is still baffled by Gods amazing reasoning.
I decided to ‘give of’ rather than ‘give up’ because that’s really what Jesus did isn’t it? He gave of Himself.
I am thankful to the Himalayan missionaries and grateful my eyes have been opened to the needs of this area. I pray you agree.

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Dear family and Friends,
Greetings to you from the Land of Mt Everest!

As I reflect on Easter this year 2015, my heart is worried. I can’t help but think about the millions of people who are living without Jesus Christ in the Himalayas. It is heart breaking to hear of the spiritual oppression, self-mutilation and blood sacrifice that is happening throughout Himalayas. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, yet millions of people have still never heard His name and are living in desperate physical and spiritual poverty.
As we celebrate Easter (God’s love for us), I want to take a moment to thank you for showing your love to the “least of these”. You’ve truly helped bring a “living hope” to so many without hope, and blessed those who need it most with life-changing relief. What an incredible testament to the power of your compassion.

Will you consider giving towards this Easter by delivering lifesaving relief and hope to the most vulnerable children and families in the Himalayas. Our faith calls us to reach the poor, the hungry, the sick and the orphaned—just as Jesus did. This Easter season, RISE UP and HELP children rise up to a new place of hope and promise,

May God bless you, your family, and fill your hearts with joy,

Pastor Haron

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What better way to celebrate Good Friday (the day Christ gave of Himself) then by giving of, and lending to the Lord!       ~Gina

DONATE A BIBLE $5
SPONSOR LUNCH $3
EVABGELISOUTREACHES $4001200 http://www.reachhimalaya.org

Reach Himalaya Ministries is a compassionate ministry working among the indigenous people groups of the Himalayas, reaching thousands of remote villages by providing much needed resources and sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

ReachHimalaya.org

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Are Our Sanctuaries Really Safe?

/ Gina Haney / 4 Comments

It’s my favorite wednesday of the month, Wise Woman Wednesday. This one is extra special to me because this wise woman is extra special to me. If you know my husband, you know that there is a rockstar momma somewhere to be found. Men like that don’t just happen. I’m more than humbled that she said “yes” to my invite. I just can’t wait for ya’ll to see how smart she is. *Said in a really high pitched voice.* Without further ado, my mother-in-law Tammy Haney.

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My life the last three years could be categorized in huge highs and great blessings interspersed with great overwhelming loss. There have been times my faith has taken a severe bruising so that the only thing I could pray was “He restoreth my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness.” I have often taught that you need to have your relationship with God in place and know where your faith stands because when you are tested or going through horrific loss there is no time to start that relationship. I knew God was there and He was walking with me and all I could do was hang on.
I boldly proclaim the truth that what got me through that period was finding One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Learning to count blessings and looking for the small gifts God gives everyday helped me put one foot in front of the other when I really just wanted to lick my wounds and turn into a hermit.
The thing is we all have periods like that where life is hard and we are barely holding on. There have been times I put on the brave face and shared what I was going through with my Christian sisters (which is really hard for me because I am a very private person) only to be looked at like I had two heads. All I needed was someone to wrap their arms around me and say “I am sorry for what you are going through”.
In our churches do we offer comfort and hope? Is church or women’s Bible study a safe place to share or do we fear judgement? Is church a country club where we have to keep up appearances? In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Paul says God comforts us in all our tribulations THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE TROUBLED.
I am SO guilty of looking past people and rushing past people. But I am asking God to give me a sensitive heart and spiritual eyes for those who need just a hug and a word of encouragement and hope that the rough places do smooth and the road won’t always be so difficult.
Join me in being the change! Don’t just say “I will be praying for you”. Stop and pray with them right then. Give hugs. Send cards. Tell the hurting you are sorry for what they are suffering. Shed tears with them. Love them as Jesus does.

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Aid for the Grey Sky Days

/ Gina Haney / Leave a comment

Our story’s aren’t the same. Some have buried friends, children, siblings, parents. Some have been martyred. Some are clinging to their I.V. pole as they heave from the chemo. Others are swaddling babies and cheering victories. But whatever in this broken world you’re doing; this still rings true.

Josh proclaimed it from the pulpit that Sunday morning; how we have peace not because we understand, but because we have faith in our God who understands.

A few hours later we read the news. I realized we can proclaim the truth when our hearts need it – then witness how things really can get worse and our hearts can need it even more.

Our souls groan at the headlines, and we must recall the truth we’ve heard, we’ve spoken, we’ve read, and we believe; to deliver us in this time.

Yeah! Absolutely, God is our crutch. Because we are those people who’d rather hobble through broken than set down or set out.
We would rather acknowledge our weakness’ and lean on God’s strength than pretend we’re fine, it’s fine, we’ve got this, and walk around saving our pride and hiding our authentic need for a savior.

That truth that we must declare isn’t just for the brokenness within our own flesh, or within our own walls. It expands across the ocean. It reaches into houses, and huts, and hearts.
The only effective aid that can span the whole space of the broken world, and hold up the to the weight of it all – is Jesus.

If we hide it, deny it, or make light of it; then we are withholding the aid the whole wide world needs.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid from them who are lost. 2 Corinthians 4:3

We can know it in our heads, hide it in our hearts, and feel it in our bones. “Your ways our higher than ours.”

Jim said every breath we take is only possible because God gives it, but the last thing we do when we die is exhale. You can die without God, but you can’t take your next breath without Him.

For better or for worse; it is impossible to hear someone’s last words and not be changed. For better or for worse; it is impossible to hear Gods word and not be changed. Your heart becomes tough or tender.

Lisa ask where the happy was. I could have sworn the whole world was a monochrome grey that day. I said I didn’t know, but that’s not exactly true. It’s just that neither of us needed a sermon right then. We just needed to be real, and to lean, and to not put some phony patch on things. Just lean on our crutch, and let the tears fall, and the sky look grey. Because God always sends a rainbow, but he reserves it for after the storms done passed.

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