Please consider supporting...

I have a very amazing friend whose husband is trying to make it to Uganda by April...but I am praying that he gets so much support that he can make April and October! I am asking that you consider skipping one out-to-eat-evening or a few Starbuck coffees and donate a little to help him to get there. I have known them for several years now and have rarely met such authentic Jesus loving Christ following people as they.

His link to donate through paypal is linked on my sidebar (I hope)!

Here is a letter from Chris to any desiring more information:

Dear Friend,

This letter is to tell you about an opportunity I have to join God in what He is doing among the nations. I have recently been presented with a chance to take a trip to Uganda with an organization called Churches Together (CT). I am very excited about this opportunity, and I am praying for God to provide me with the necessary resources to make this trip possible. If He chooses to do so, it will be through the generosity of people just like you. I could write pages about the needs and opportunities present in Africa right now, but I will refrain. However, I do want to give you some information to help you as you prayerfully consider whether or not you will financially contribute to this trip.

Let me pause here for a disclaimer. If you’re reading this, obviously it’s because I already know you. That being the case, I will take this opportunity- as informal as it may be- to forewarn you that this letter is to tell you that I would like to go to Africa, and I would like for you to help me cover the cost. Ways that you can do that are at the end of this letter. It will take between $2,000 and $2,700 to go, depending on whether I go in April or in October (the October trip will include Mozambique as well as Uganda). I would prefer to go in April, but if I don’t have the money to go then, I will continue to raise support for the October trip. This letter is a bit lengthy, so I wanted to be upfront and honest with you before you commit to reading it further. Now that I’ve tipped my hand, I sincerely hope you’ll read on to see why I’m so excited about Churches Together and what they’re doing in Africa!

Africa is plagued by poverty, malnourishment and starvation, civil wars, genocide, disease, spiritual darkness, and bondage. If it seems like God has turned His back on or forgotten about Africa, it’s our fault. After all, we are His hands and feet, are we not? I know many people have different views concerning the problems present in Africa, the causes of those problems, and what (if anything) they are willing to do about them. But I’m sure everyone can agree that the ones most affected - the women, children, widows, orphans, destitute, and infirm – are the very ones we are commanded to care for. We see this command many times throughout the entirety of the Bible. When we think of the unimaginable number of people suffering from so many problems it can be overwhelming, but remember that each of those numbers has a face. And each of those numbers represents someone very precious to our Father- someone for whom He sent His only Son, my beloved Jesus! Who will share this good news with them? Well, thank God that there are some pretty incredible churches in Africa doing just that.

Churches Together is not a relief organization. CT is committed to helping the African Church to minister in Jesus’ name to those in their communities. CT has a broad strategy, but its key component is facilitating partnerships between African churches and North American churches. CT is dedicated to the conviction that the redemptive force commissioned by Christ to lead the attack against everything that stands in the way of God’s will on Earth – including hunger, injustice, poverty, abuse, bondage, etc.- is the Church. So the vision of Churches Together is, just as you would expect, to bring churches… together!

God is providing vision and power to pastors and churches in Africa as they serve His purpose in their communities. To say that their task is enormous would be a huge understatement! But the good news is that we can help! In fact, we should help. We are called to help. In Matthew 25 Jesus teaches us about helping “the least of these”, and in Luke 10 He teaches us the parable of the Good Samaritan. He teaches us that whatever we do for the least, we do for Him! Whatever we do not do for the least, we fail to do for Him. He teaches us that we are to be a good neighbor to others by helping them in their need. And, in his epistle, James teaches us that to love in word and not in deed- isn’t love at all. In fact, it’s not even Christian. The American Church has the technology and resources to play a crucial role in the lives of millions in Africa. And, at the same time, we can learn a lot about perspective, priorities, and God’s heart from our African brothers and sisters. CT helps to introduce North American churches to African Churches who are looking for a partner in this God-sized task in hopes that they will form and maintain a life-long relationship that will result in hope being shared, lives being saved, souls being saved, churches being strengthened, and God receiving glory – on both continents!

Our trip will involve seeing first-hand what God is doing through local African churches in Uganda. We will be accompanied by representatives of at least one North American church as they pursue the possibility of partnering with a church in Uganda. We will meet local pastors, encouraging them and being encouraged by them. We will see ministries carried out by local churches to help people in their communities. We will see the positive effects of CT’s Biblical worldview training being implemented in and by local churches. We will strengthen the relationship between the North American Church and the African Church. This trip will give me an education in and glimpse of the poverty of mind, body, and spirit that exists in Africa without Christ. I want so badly to go to the front lines of the battle and experience it for myself! I am praying for God to use this experience in my life to give me a better understanding of His heart, make me a better mouthpiece for Him, and allow me to be a stronger voice for those who have no voice. I hope that you will pray the same thing for me.

If you are in a place where you are able to help me go, I would greatly appreciate it. Every dollar helps- there really is no gift too small. Of course, there is no gift too large either! But either way, whether you do or don’t contribute financially, I truly hope that you will pray. Pray for me. Pray for Africa. Pray for Churches Together. Pray for yourself- that God would break your heart for the things that break His. And pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He will send out workers into His harvest!

You can send donations to me at:

Chris Furnell

8405 Newcut Rd

Carlisle, AR 72024

OR - I have a dedicated account set up at National Bank of Arkansas where you can send checks directly, if you prefer. Make the check out to me and be sure to reference account #1280732 and “Africa Trip” in the memo line.

Mail the check to:

National Bank of Arkansas

PO Box 837

North Little Rock, AR 72115

Thank you so much!

Chris Furnell

PS- To get a more complete picture of the dire situation in Africa, I strongly encourage you to read The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns. I really can’t recommend it enough!

Crazy, Sexy Diet

I am in LOVE with Kris Carr's newest book: Crazy, Sexy Diet.

Get it. Read it. Change your eating habits and change your life. I am back in full force...gone are the days of eating like garbage. She gives good arguments about how healthy eating can fight and reverse the course of some diseases. We are a week into green juices (even the kids), fruits, veggies, limited meat (none for me), and zero sugar. OA has even kicked his to-the-grave-diet-soda habit. I am so proud of him.

He has also lost 10 pounds in one week. I have lost 5.

But it's not about being skinny. It's about living a full, healthy life. It's about having the energy and happiness to do life with my children the way they deserve. It's about fueling my body and not poisoning my body. It's about teaching my children that eating healthy is fun, fulfilling, and freeing. 21 Day Vegan Kickstart

I was grocery shopping and realized that the last three years since J's diagnosis have brought healing in more ways than his mind. Every family member is a healthier person because we have learned how insanely linked food/behavior/life are.

I am not saying go embrace a Vegan lifestyle (yet). But at the very minimum avoid sugar and processed foods. Period. Well...and dairy. But that's another rant.

I am actually going to watch an episode of Oprah tomorrow. She and her staff have taken a Vegan challenge for one week. Cannot wait to see Michael Pollan!

Check out a great website to encourage healthier food choices: 21 Day Vegan Kickstart. Great ideas and they are launching another big Kickstart in April.

Shooting Star

I saw a shooting star today.

It was brilliant...for one moment...it burned so brightly that only it had my full attention...and then it was gone...as quickly as it came...unexpected...unnoticed by many...poof.

Once upon a time...there was a little girl who would wish upon a star every night before she went to bed:

"Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight; I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight...a doll, my daddy to come back, and for any child going to bed sad or scared to know that somewhere somebody out there loves them."

Many years go by and suddenly her "star light, star bright" wishes go away. They are replaced with survival. They are replaced with terrified prayers for protection...visions of angels surrounding her small family unit...baby dolls are used to make a perimeter barrier around her bed so that she would know if anyone came into her room while she was sleeping. There are no stars big enough to make her daddy come back and save her.

Many more years go by and the little girl grows up thinking men are bad, not to be trusted, worthless. She only attaches herself to the ones incapable of attaching themselves back. She is stupid with her choices, actions, and body. She is completely and undeniably miserable.

Several more years follow and the girl is not a girl anymore...and she is tired of where her life is not going. She has given up most of her own dreams for a boy...a boy she knows was never the answer. A boy who leaves...and with his absence...she is forced to recognize that she doesn't even know herself anymore.

She packs her bags and moves away. She vows to never date much less to ever marry. She finds herself alone...empty...confused...scared...and full of regret. But in the loneliness of her life, she discovers that she is strong, smart, valuable.

She still swears to never marry.

And then along comes a boy.

This boy never lets her run away...no matter how hard she pushes...she simply can't seem to shake his loyal resolve. He is in love. She is terrified. Somehow four months later, she finds herself staring at this boy in front of a handful of loved ones and several strangers promising her life...till death do they part.

What has she done?

There is no such thing as happily ever after.

Volatile years pass...up and down...like a roller coaster...events throw the girl and the boy together and make them strong. But she still finds herself praying that she will find the boy doing something wrong...reason to leave...despite all they have built up together. Those prayers and children, children with special needs, built walls and walls between them. Eventually the boy stops climbing over her wall...stops daily ripping it down. And she decides to accept that real love...the kind of love that makes your heart worth beating...is exactly what she has always feared: non-existent.

And then something happens...and she and the boy are forced to decide if what they have is worth sticking around for. They both examine what their marriage has become for the first time in years.

He begins ripping down her wall, stone by stone, with his bare hands. He isn't giving up without a fight...and she has finally decided to admit something to herself that she has tried to deny for all their years together: she loves him more than she ever thought possible...but even more...he loves her more than she ever thought herself worthy.

The girl decides to surrender her fears...she decides to trust this boy...now man...she trusts her man. And the man is a good man. And happily ever after is what they have been living all along...she has just been too blinded by her own fears to see.

As I looked up at the star that shot across the sky, I hesitated...for a moment I wanted to make a wish...but I had no wish. My wishing had been replaced with living...trusting...hoping...believing...loving.

And of course the ever present prayer that God would continually wrap His infinitely wise Arms of Protection around each and every child...happy or sad...but especially reveal Himself to the ones who find themselves unworthy.

May they come to understand that we are all unworthy...and that's what makes unconditional love become happily ever after.