Living With Eyes Wide Open

...My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

I'm a planner. I like organization. I like to think that there's a purpose for everything. I can be spontaneous, but I prefer that spontaneity be followed by a brainstorming session before setting out on an adventure.

Yet, as prepared as I may seem, God's plan supersedes anything I could imagine. Many times, I reason through changes in my life; but my linear thinking pales in comparison to God's multidimensional plan.

Are you aware of the lives you are affecting, just be being alive today? The mother whose day was just a little better by your passing smile. The man who feels like someone noticed him when you said hello. An acquaintance who just needs to vent to someone who he can trust. The child who sees you as their hero because you are kind.

There is a world of brokenhearted souls around us, and many people are oblivious to the footprints they are leaving behind on other people's lives. We can be so concerned about the end result of God's will in our lives, that we forget that His ultimate calling is to LIVE life, LOVE Him and others, and SHARE His good news - anywhere, everywhere, anytime, all the time.

Don't live an oblivious existence. Ask God to open your spiritual eyes and help you discern the lives you are affecting today. Don't limit yourself to believing that God is using you for one single plan; don't get discouraged because things aren't going the way you expected.

Your very breath, your very heartbeat, are evidence that God is using you at this very moment as His salt and light, right where you are.

Don't limit God's will to your plan.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord; ... The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:1, 9 

The Remedy of Love

I have a secret.

I'm divorced.

The church tends to look at divorced individuals as broken artifacts needing repair.  Some churches pretend we don't exist; they place us in a pretty curio cabinet for an undetermined "healing process" because they're not sure how we fit into their concept of acceptable Christian social status.  Some churches think a little bit of "counseling" and "group therapy" will be the glue that puts our broken lives back together and we should just jump back into life as if nothing happened.  Some churches are so uneasy about seeing a single man or woman in the church that they deem themselves as divine matchmakers with a holy cause to seek out a future spouse (because, after all, it's only biblical that a man or woman should be serving the Lord with their soulmate - Where's that scripture reference, again?)

I've experienced all these reactions, and more.

I was a pastor's wife, and a missionary.  Everyone knew that our relationship was tense and unbalanced, but no one knew how to ask me about it.

No one saw the bruises that covered my arms and stomach.  No one knew the pain that I carried of losing two children to the violence.  No one heard the names that I carried in the depths of my soul, or the filth that I saw in the mirror when I looked at the woman who didn't fight back.

No one saw the pornography, or the emails, or the videos.  No one heard my cries to God when I realized I wasn't the only woman who shared my husband's heart.  No one knew of the nights that I spent alone in my bed, wondering if this would be the night he would leave (and feeling guilty because I wanted him to leave).

And no one expected the day that I decided that enough was enough and stood up for myself, which included walking away from my marriage of six years and finding help and shelter; or my guilt-ridden relief when, just a month after our divorce, following a short 4-month separation, he proposed to her.  Someone finally knew.

Divorced individuals are not broken artifacts.  They cannot be cured by group therapy and counsel sessions.  They don't need sanctified dating services.

You won't convince them that life as they know it has not ended.  You can't make them better.  You can't force them to move on.

But you can love them.

In the past four years, I have been incredibly blessed to be surrounded by a loving church who embraced me just how I was: broken, sad, hurting, confused, and leery of trusting of anyone.  They didn't try to counsel me out of my depression, or shake me out of my singleness.  They just loved me, and accepted me.

People don't need to be fixed.
They need Jesus.

Jesus was my Savior, but I needed a fresh encounter with Him; I knew Him as my Savior, but I needed to know Him as my lover.  Jesus met me face-to-face right where I was; He saw my brokenness and still wanted me.  That's when I knew that I had a Husband who would never leave.  I knew that I had a future.  I knew that I was loved.  I felt that love through my church, my friendships, my family, and intimacy with my Creator.  As I fell more in love with Jesus, I began to heal; and as I began to heal, I began to dream; and as I began to dream, I began to live.

Praise God, after 4 years of being single, I am alive.  I know who I am again.  The road hasn't been smooth - there've been some pebbles and even boulders along the way - but Jesus has led me by the hand through to the other side.

My future has already been written by my Creator, and each day He narrates it to me a little more.  I found that I am confident, and independent, and I work in a career that I love.  I figured out that God has anointed me to preach, and teach, and the doors He has opened for me to use that anointing for His glory are humbling.  God has brought a wonderful Godly man into my life and we're dreaming together and looking forward to the life God is building for us.

Stop trying to fix people.  It will never work.  Do your job, and let the Holy Spirit do His.  Just love people and God will do the rest.  Love them unconditionally: no matter what they can do for you; even if they are unlovable; even if they refuse to come to your church; even if they never give a cent to your tithes and offerings; even when they refuse to hear your admonitions and counsel; even if it seems they aren't changing.  Change is slow, but for the broken heart, love is the best remedy.  Your love will lead them to Jesus, and He will mold their brokenness into something beautiful and whole that fits perfectly with the story He has written for their lives.

Do Not Pass Go; Do Not Collect $200.

This post was partially inspired by my friend Bridgette, author of the blog, While On This Side.  I encourage you to read her latest post, It's Not Over Until The Fat Lady Sings, an honest and raw perspective on the effects of an unexamined and unbalanced life.
                                                                                     

I like to be on the go.  I like to move.  I love basketball because I can run.  I like driving fast (my local City Police know me by name).  I absolutely tasks that challenge me and force me to learn and grow.

That same drive is why I adore the work that God has allowed me to do for His kingdom over the last three years: training teachers, raising up and organizing ministries, consulting as an event planner, and community outreach coordination.

In the summer of 2013, God began to speak to my heart and prepare me for a coming change in pace... and I balked.

In my prayer time with the Lord, I pounded my fists internally and kicked my feet against the doors of heaven like a little toddler.  I had some open, honest, heart-wrenching discussions with my heavenly Father about how comfortable I was with the pace I was leading.  I was not looking forward to a lull.  I had experienced "lulls" in my life before and I wasn't fond of them.

See, a curious thing happens when you let your professional life overtake your personal life: when the profession isn't there, you forget who you are.  And I didn't want to lose the person I had found over the last three years.  I had learned to be confident, independent, and assertive: natural qualities about myself that, due to circumstances in life, I had forgotten I possessed, and now I associated them with what I did, not with who I was.

So when God said, "It's time to stop," I just kept on rolling.

The curious thing about God is that He's gracious and merciful, even when we're disobedient; but in the end, what He says goes.

I knew that my trip to Mexico last autumn would be my last ministry-related trip for a while.  I had come to terms with that fact.  I even started talking about it openly.

What I did not expect was the heart change that God began to forge within me.  The Holy Spirit guided me into territory I had never preached about before, but for which I have always been incredibly passionate: local missions, social justice, lifestyle worship, and life-long discipleship.  Although I was in Mexico for Children's Ministries, God was redirecting my passions.

As I quietly observed the changes in my heart and life, I wondered what the future would hold.

When I returned to the states, I was slapped with hard reality: an immediate need for an apartment, a steady job, a stack of late bills, and serious car repairs.  Whether I liked it or not, change was going to happen.

We are always so keen to hear God say "go," but we are much less attentive to His voice when He says, "Stop."

Four consecutive training conferences were cancelled in less than a month an a half because of circumstances out of my control.  If I wouldn't listen, God was going to make sure that He had my attention.

At first, I felt like I was in a game of Monopoly.  I remember one particular time as a little girl when I was traumatized because I couldn't pass "GO", couldn't collect $200, and had to go to "jail."  This felt like jail to me. I was without direction.  I had no idea what was going to come next.  I had no control.  Worst of all, I wasn't moving.  I was at a standstill, and I had no idea what to do.

In her blog "While On This Side," my friend Bridgette says it best:

"I couldn’t see that I was getting dulled down, becoming worn out, and losing my balance. But God saw. He knew I was out of breath chasing the wind. He knew I was exhausted trying to [balance] an unbalanced scale by... standing under the heaviest side [and attempting to hold it up]. He knew I needed tranquility.  “Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 ...  Coming to terms with living an unexamined and imbalanced life, isn’t always easy."

Recently a friend asked me, "Why do you have to know what's going to happen tomorrow?  Just enjoy the fact that you have today.  God will work out the rest."  It was a simple statement, one that I had often made to others; but it's harder to take your own advice than to dish it out.

So, I'm taking it one day at a time, and as I do so, God is putting all the pieces together.  I'm moving into my new apartment this weekend.  I've started a steady job.  I've been blessed with the money to fix my car, and I'm on a plan to pay off those bills.

As far as the ministry goes, I still don't know what God's plan is, but I think part of the "balance" that I need to work on in my life is to learn to be "me" with no strings attached: no ministry, no professional protocol, no social expectations.  Just, ME.

The lesson I am learning: Life is to be lived, not managed.  So don't waste the present with worry.  Enjoy every moment, and trust the author of your story - even through you don't know how the novel will play out, He's already written it!  So, let Him guide you through this wonderful story called life.

Transform Ministries, Mexico Update #2

 

Thank you for your prayers and support for Transform Ministries throughout November and December!

I'd like to take a moment and provide you with a recap of what the Lord accomplished in the second leg of the tour in Mexico.

In September and October, 5 conferences were successfully held throughout the state of Sonora, along with 7 evangelistic events for kids and families.  The recap of this first month can be read here.

Clowns for Jesus!

Here is a brief illustrated recap of what took place during the second month of ministry in Mexico.

SINALOA

In Sinaloa, Transform Ministries and Evangelism Explosion (Hope For Kids) collaborated to hold two conferences and minister in three churches. 70 teachers were trained in evangelism, discipleship, effective outreach ministry techniques, and creative teaching methods for the classroom. 11 children accepted Christ as their Savior in the evangelistic outreaches, and over 100 adults were trained in “everyday evangelism.”

 

The Word of God is the center of everything we say and do!
Evangelism training for a conference of 12 churches.

Teachers passionate about evangelism!
Hope for Kids collaborated with Transform Ministries
to train three churches in effective evangelism of kids.

"Creative Teaching Methods" Class
Equipping teachers to lay down the curriculum book and tap into kids' imaginations
in order to make Bible truths stick and apply them to kids' lives.

Candy is essential in Kid Min - for the teachers!

50 teachers trained in Las Glorias, Sinaloa, where 11 children
professed to accept Christ as their Savior in an evangelistic outreach.

The evangelistic program that we held for the children in the neighborhood of the church
was one of the first experiences for many teachers in community evangelism. Most churches
want to evangelize, but don't know how. It was exciting to see these teachers become
passionate about creating evangelistic outreaches in their own communities 
and brainstorming about new ideas in their ministries.

Evangelism Partners in Sinaloa:
Alex Mata and Evie Coult

Ministry Partners:
Doug and Rebecca Coult, missionaries
Fabian Mendoza, evangelist

YÚCATAN

Yúcatan

In Yúcatan, I preached at a three-day children's state camp for the Church of God of Prophecy, and held a two-day conference for 25 of the region's children's ministry leaders. For the following two weeks, I preached nearly every other evening in a different church.  I was blessed to meet many new pastors and dedicated believers across this beautiful state. Many renewed their vows to the Lord, and God worked mightily in establishing an open door for work in 2014. At the end of my time in Yúcatan, God allowed me the privilege to translate for Bishop David Bryan in a three-night evangelistic crusade that he was holding in the state.

The elementary School in Tchenkenen, Yúcatan
The children were thrilled to see us in the village,
and we had an excellent kids service with them.

The worship team at the COGOP Kids Camp 2013,
"I Live For You,"  where I preached three evangelistic services.
The regional worship team did an excellent
job at bringing the children into meaningful and
deliberate worship to Jesus Christ.

Church of God of Prophecy in Tchenkeken, Yúcatan
The majority of the people in this village are of Mayan decent
and still maintain the Mayan language and culture.  Although the region
is highly evangelized, there are still many who have not chosen
to follow Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

COGOP Kids Camp 2013,
"I Live For You."

The state children's director for the Church of God of Prophecy,
Wendy Angulo (right) and her mother, Iliana Beltran (left),
the pastor of the 3rd Church of God of Prophecy
in Tizimín, Yúcatan (there are four churches in total).

Flor Mari, a sweet Mayan sister of the Church of God of Prophecy in Tchenkeken
with three of her great-granddaughters.  Flor, like many residents of this remote village,
owns a home in the city but chooses to live in the tranquil and simple community of Tchenkeken.

My host pastors, the Angulo-Beltran family.  After two months of tacos and soups,
my wonderful hosts took me out for pizza - a welcomed treat!

Regional Teachers Training in Tizimín, Yúcatan, where 25 teachers were trained
in lesson planning, evangelism, discipline, and family outreach.

My hosts in Yucatan for two weeks, the Chan-Homa family

Church of God of Prophecy in Nacutche, Yúcatan

Exploring the ruins of the ancient Mayan city, Chichen-Itza, near Cancún, Yúcatan.

My adventures in learning how to sleep

in a hammock without falling out:

Post by Lacynda Bree Biggers.

CENTRAL MEXICO

México

Hidalgo

Puebla

After my time in Yúcatan, I flew to central Mexico and ministered in the state of Puebla. While in Puebla, I became ill, and after the initial training conference, in which 20 teachers were trained, I stayed in bed for two days, recuperating. Thanks to all who prayed for my health during this trip – the constant travel wore on me, but the Lord gave me supernatural strength and healing several times.

My next stop was Mexico City, D.F., where I held a three-day regional training conference for pastors and teachers. After the conference in D.F., I held a day of workshops in Hidalgo, and then arrived in the state of Mexico, where I travelled around for two weeks preaching, training churches in evangelism, and holding evangelistic events for kids and families.

Transform Ministries and Hope for Kids collaborated
to train 25 teachers in Puebla from 3 different churches
in effective evangelism techniques for children. 

My guitar was my constant companion, and
often attracted other curious musicians!

Damaris Gutierrez is the national children's director for Mexico,
and was my host and guide in Puebla.

Pastor Moreno and his wife, in the Church of God
of Prophecy in Actopan, Hidalgo.

My hosts in Chimalhuacan, Mexico:
Pastor Antonio Canizalez (left) and brother Sergio Hernandez (right).
The brothers took a Saturday off their jobs and took me sight-seeing
through the ancient Aztec community of Teotihucan.

The Sun Temple in the ancient Aztec city of Teotihucan.

Training pastors and leaders from various churches in Actopan, Hidalgo.

Teaching on the necessity to think outside the box in order
to create a good environment for volunteers and new teachers
to come alongside our ministries as participants rather than spectators.

Training teachers, leaders, and pastors in Effective Child Evangelism in Mexico City, D.F.

My host family in Chimalhuacan, México:
Sergio Hernandez and Carmen Gomez, with their children.

My host pastors in Chimalhuacan, México:
Antonio Canizalez and his family

Leaving Mexico was a tearful occasion, but I threw a big pizza party for
all of the friends I had made in the city of Chimalhuacan.
It was a yummy and fun way to say "goodbye for now!"

While evangelizing through the streets of Chimalhuacan, a young man approached our group.
Isaac (third from the left) is part of a successful street ministry that uses rap to evangelize all over Mexico.
It's always exciting to meet other ministers who are passionate about bringing the people to Jesus Christ!

Preparing to minister in the small community of Texcoco, México.
We reached out to families and their children through an evangelistic presentation
in the middle of the town, followed by a time of prayer for specific needs.

The results of this 9-week tour have been overwhelming. Three additional tours have been planned for 2014, in Sonora, Mexico, and Yucatan. Additionally, I will be working throughout the U.S. in several projects this year, including training in Alabama and Washington State, and evangelistic events in Georgia. Definitely, 2014 will be a busy year for Transform Ministries!

Thank you for your continued prayers. Here are specific prayer requests:

SUPPORT

• I've received numerous requests for conferences and speaking engagements throughout the U.S. and Mexico for 2014. At the present moment, I am in the U.S.A. working, and presenting the ministry to potential financial supporters. Please pray that the Lord bring people alongside the ministry who recognize the vision and desire to be a part of it.

WHEELCHAIR

Omar's Wheelchair

Omar with his letter board

Omar is a Christian brother from Ciudad Obregón, Sonora with an incredible testimony.  In his life before Christ, Omar was part of a gang, and in a drug-deal-gone-bad, was shot in the head and left to die in the desert.


A month later, he was miraculously found alive and underwent seven brain surgeries. Shortly after his recuperation, Omar gave his life to the Lord, and has served God faithfully in Eternal Rock church, where I preach each year that I visit Ciudad Obregón. He has an incredible testimony of the faithfulness of God, the only one who gives Second Chances, and isn't silent about his faith.


Although he cannot speak due to the traumatic brain injuries that he experienced, Omar communicates by spelling his words out on a wooden board that hangs around his neck, and also takes care of his aged grandmother, who is now bedridden and with whom he lives. 


Omar could ask for many things, but his only request has been that I bring him a used wheelchair. He has sat in the same wheelchair for 13 years, and it is worn. Please consider helping me fulfill this need for this brother.

God is faithful!  Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Sincerely,

Lacynda Biggers

Transform Ministries

(423) 310-2772

Transform414@live.com

SnowWhiteLace@gmail.com

http://transform414.wix.com

Transform Ministries, Mexico Update #1

Hello and blessings from Transform Ministries!  Thank you for your prayers and support through the preparations of the ministry tour in Mexico.  On September 27th, Lacynda crossed the border into Mexico and we have been running on full throttle since!  Each weekend, we have been immersed in evangelistic events, along with children's ministry conferences.  Our ministry team here in Mexico has seen great victories for the kingdom of God in the last few weeks.  Many children have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior through the evangelistic outreaches that we are holding every Saturday, and many teachers are receiving training in evangelism, discipleship, family ministry, and leadership development.  Each conference has been molded to fit the needs of the local church where we minister, and we see that the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of many leaders.  So far, we have received good reports from pastors who are now implementing an organized children's ministry in their churches, and who are excited about hosting a three-day conference with Evangelism Explosion for Kids (a.k.a. Hope For Kids) in the near future.

As a united team of Transform Ministries, we have some specific prayer requests that we ask that you keep in your prayers:

-- Lacynda has been battling with her health, manifestations of a strong attack from the enemy against this ministry.  Please pray that the Lord surround her with health, strength, and wisdom as the tour continues.

-- Our team has suffered many moments of discouragement and frustration in the preparations of several activities.  We are convinced that this is an attach of Satan against the work that we are doing for the kingdom of God.  We find refuge and peace and strength in Jesus Christ, but pray that God renews our commitment to one another and that He overwhelms us with peace in midst of the storms.  We are convinced of the purpose of this tour and are convinced that as we advance the Kingdom of God for the glory of Jesus Christ, we will continue to face spiritual battles.  Pray that we stay focused and keen to the mission which we have begun.

 

-- Alejandro Mata is representing Evangelism Explosion for Kids in Mexico (Hope for Kids), and has been travelling from Guaymas, his hometown, to each individual conference in northern states of Sonora and Sinaloa, and then returning to attend classes at the university during the week.  The bus trips to each city are long, tiring, and costly.  Please pray that he remains encouraged in the mission, that he finds renewed strength in the Lord to continue with his studies through the week and pour his best into the conferences that he leads on Saturdays, and that the Lord provides all the finances necessary for these trips.

 

-- Fabian Mendoza is an evangelist and artist who has been a faithful ministry partner of Transform Ministries in Mexico for the last 5 years, and in the next year, will be making decisions about new areas of ministry and focus.  Please pray that God guide his steps and his decisions and he moves further in his own personal ministries and continues to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ with the news of the Gospel.

-- Please pray for the work of pastors Hector Valenzuela and Ana Juana, as they pastor the church of Maranatha Temple in Caborca, Sonora.  Pray that their children's ministry teachers be intentional in their presentations of the gospel.  Pastor Valenzuela is organizing a regional conference to train all his subordinate pastors and leaders in effective evangelism of children through Hope For Kids.  Please pray that he and Alejandro will be able to effectively organize and execute this event in the next spring.

-- Sister Olivia is the children's leader for the northwest region of Mexico for the Assemblies of God.  She is organizing a spring tour for TransformMinistries, to be carried out in 2014.  Please pray that she is able to efficiently coordinate this tour and that God move before her to prepare the hearts of pastors and leaders to receive the discipleship training.

-- For the next two weeks, Transform Ministries will be in Guasave, Sinaloa, ministering in two conferences for the churches of the Christian Missionary Alliance.  These churches have had previous basic ministry training and are excited to take new and advanced courses.  Please pray that God continues to mold and bless the CMA churches as they continue to create disciples for Jesus Christ and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit in renewed directions of ministry.

-- In two weeks, Lacynda will be travelling to a city outside the capital of Yúcatan, to preach in a children's camp and to direct several regional training conferences for the Church of God of Prophecy throughout Yúcatan, Puebla, Hidalgo, Morelos, and the Federal District of Mexico (Mexico City).  Please pray for the sisters who are coordinating these conferences, and for the wisdom and direction of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct Lacynda as she prepares for this second leg of the tour.

Your prayers are invaluable to this ministry.  Thank you for your continued support. We know that we are seeing great victories because of the prayer warriors who are lifting us up as we minister.  God bless you and yours, and please know that God is doing GREAT things in Mexico, and we expect and wait for even GREATER things to come!

Your servant in Christ,

Lacynda Biggers

http://transform414.wix.com/transform

www.facebook.com/snowwhitelace

snowwhitelace@gmail.com

Cell in Mexico: 63 7376 0462