Valerie Rae Hanneman
Isaiah 6:2-3 (NIV) “Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”
I am going to Nigeria. Can you believe that? When I stop to think about it, it just blows me away. When Biana and I first talked on Super Bowl Sunday about me going to Faith Alive it didn’t seem like something that would really happen. Then came the jaw-dropping day when Dr. Chris’ invitation was in my e-mail. This great man, this hero of the faith (and one of my personal heroes) wanted me to come and use my skills to further his work. How cool is that? My acceptance was immediate. For a while, I was walking on clouds – but then reality set in. I, who manage to get lost in my own neighborhood, (embarrassing – but true – ask my kids) was intending to get on a plane – by myself – and fly through Los Angeles, London ending up in Abuja, Nigeria. When I told my mom what I was intending to do – she voiced my concern, “But what if you get lost?” And then other doubts – I don’t know the software program that Faith Alive uses – will I be able to learn it? And I am an insulin-dependent diabetic – how am I going to get six weeks of my meds to Nigeria when my plan will only cover a 30 day supply? How am I going to keep the insulin refrigerated? Where am I going to get the money? Will I get my passport in time? What’s a visa? Who’s gonna take care of my mom? My kids? Rascal? And I REFUSE to think about 18 hours with 30,000 feet and three inches of metal between the earth and me! “Abba!” my heart cried, “I know that this trip is from You – help me to have faith!”
Isaiah’s vision of the throne room of God is extraordinary! I love to read about the train of God’s robe filling the temple, the Seraphs flying, smoke billowing and the doorposts shaking. Is that awesome or what? And I bet that Isaiah didn’t write about even the half of it! I think there were sights so amazing that he was unable to describe them! But he did do a pretty good job of describing those Seraphs, didn’t he? In fact, the Seraphs are the best described things in the throne room. I am of the personal belief that when God takes the time to describe something in detail, it is because there is something He wants us to know – so what is it about those Seraphs? What is Abba trying to show me?
Then it hit me – it’s the wings. There is a lesson in the wings. Six wings, each pair of wings with a different function. With one pair of wings the Seraphs covered their eyes, with one pair they covered their feet and with one pair they flew.
It was a pretty gutsy move to fly in God’s throne room with your eyes covered. How could you tell where you were going? What if – heaven forbid – you crashed into God! Okay, okay – I know – they could not crash into God – He would have known they were coming and ducked. But what about the walls and the pillars? Why were they not fearful of plowing into a wall and becoming nothing more than some loose feathers floating around? They could cover their eyes with impunity because they knew that God had set their path and as long as they released themselves to His guidance He would not let them crash. Their trust in God and His ability to guide them and protect them was absolute.
The pair of wings that covered their feet demonstrated the Seraph’s part in all of this. They had absolute trust in God to guide them on the path they needed to travel, but more was needed. Their commitment to the path was needed. Their willingness to go where God was leading them was vital. They covered their feet to protect their feet from straying from the path that God had set for them.
And with the last two wings they flew. They kept on keepin’ on the path that had been set by God for them. They covered their eyes because they trusted God to set their path, they covered their feet to protect them from straying from the path, and now they are going down the path – and that is the most important part. They might have trusted God’s path set before them, they might have protected their feet from straying from the path – but until they started going down the path – it didn’t mean anything.
I was really “sweatin’ the small stuff” but then came the time when I realized I could not possibly deal with every issue that my mind threw up as a roadblock and I decided that if God wanted me to go then He’d have to take care of the details. After I released myself to God, things started to fall together. My passport arrived 12 days after I applied for it, my visa showed up in 6 days. Blue Cross cut through paperwork and requirements to get me three months supply of my meds, I was shown how a thermos and blue ice would get my insulin to Nigeria. A friend showed me a one-day class in the software, Terrie Hitch gave me an older version of it so I could continue to learn at home. Funding was somehow there. Things I had not asked for were there – a $350 digital camera on a one-day, unadvertised sale, and I just happened (?) to be there, and it just happened (?) to be within my budget. And as for getting lost? Father is sending Biana back to Fresno in July and she and I will be traveling together to Jos. How great is our God!
This is not to say that everything is perfect. Satan has come against me in a multitude of ways. And the most disturbing of all – my mom’s surgery has been delayed and will probably happen when I am in Nigeria. That’s a tough one, but I am trusting in Father that all will be well. Every time something else happens I determine again to keep my feet covered and not to stray from the path.
And so I keep on keepin’ on and I am going to Faith Alive. I will continue down my path with my eyes covered – trusting in Father, with my feet covered, not straying from the path, and continuing on down my path as I pray that I will be used by Father.
The Seraphs, as they flew, were so filled with love and worship that they cried out continuously, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty. The whole earth is filled with His glory.” That’s my song too.
Father God, thank You for the lesson of the wings. Help me to trust You enough to keep my eyes covered, to not stray from Your path and to keep on keepin’ on.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist at Valerie@fresnofirst.org.
NOTE FROM VALERIE: The following is a "wish-list" from Biana for things that are needed at Faith Alive. If you can help just take the stuff to the church - or I cn come and pick it up - leave me a message at the church (559) BAP-TIST
Hi Val. Here's the list of things that people could be picking up when they are out doing their own errands and shopping that I could take back with us to FA.
1. candles - regular tapers, or votives (2 1/4" diameter, 3" high) - I got some marked down at Target in April, but they get used up here fast, and the ones you buy here are very poor quality and don't last long at all. Color doesn't matter.
2. tall kitchen trash bags
3. a plastic or metal "over the door hanger" for hanging clothes or towels on
4. 2 plastic soap holders with either a suction cup thing or a sticky pad to use to attach to bathroom tiles
5. 2 plastic toothbrush/paste/cup holder with suction cup or sticky pad attachment also
6. herb teas and instant hot chocolate
7. 2 cheap plastic stand up file folder holders (like you would use on a desk)
8. ziplock or tupperware type containers (1cup, 2 cup, or 4 cup size), or even things like used margarine tubs.
9. whole wheat pancake mix
10. 2 inexpensive plastic napkin holders (maybe with a salt/pepper shaker also)
11. multivitamins - Costco has very large off brand bottles for anywhere from $8 to $11, these are very useful for the clinic, but hard to ship cause of the weight, so any time travelers can bring a few it help)
12. waterless hand cleaner
and of course, we can't forget #13 - chocolate, cashews, almonds, etc.
Thanks for passing this around. If people can get the stuff to you or to church so I can get it on Sunday 7/15 that would be helpful. That way I have time to go out and buy the things they don't get before we leave. Most things can be found at Target/Walmart/etc.
Good Morning Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you for your continued concern for us. I appreciate your lovely emails, calls and visits to see how Ron and our family are doing. Most days I am at the hospital with Ron. Lately I have spent much time talking to hospital staff and doctors regarding Ron's future care. I apologize for not being able to answer calls and emails. The days seem to fill up so quickly.
Last weekend was extremely busy for our family. Son Steve was here from Salem, Oregon from Friday to Monday. It was great having him here as always. He, Son Michael and I spent most of the time with Ron at the hospital. We had many family discussions about what the next level of treatment should be for Ron.
It was a very hard weekend for dear Ron. His pain was difficult to keep under control. He has been hospitalized for a total of 42 days since February. This time from May 20 until now. He is still on intravenous feeding and fluids. His Shingles are healing slowly, along with his incision from his abdominal surgery. This last stay has been filled with many complications. Now Ron's legs and lower body are very swollen. He is retaining fluids.
The doctors can't really tell us if his body is shutting down.
After much, much prayer and doing everything we know to do to care for Ron -
Yesterday we made the decision to bring Ron home and begin Hospice Care. He will come home on Thursday. It is what he wants. During the past months he and I have talked at length about what he would want at this point. He has always stressed "quality of life" as a priority. It helped greatly to talk to the Palliative Care staff at St Agnes Hospital regarding hospice care. So much I didn't fully understand before now regarding this type of care at home. At this stage of Ron's illness, it seems appropriate to begin hospice and give Ron time for the comfort and peace of being home and hopefully more consistent pain control.
My prayer is that he can still have some good days and enjoy more quality time with us. He may still have more time than we think, so we want to give him that chance.
In reflecting upon all that has happened since February 12, 2007 when Ron was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - I must admit that my heart still aches over all the daily losses as a couple. We have been married for 52 years - December 20, 1954 - almost a lifetime together. It is hard to imagine life here without Ron Dangaran. He and I have been a wonderful team. And he has had the privilege of making outstanding contributions to society in his career as an educator.
I am so thankful for a beautiful love story to remember and cherish. We have had our share of lifes ups and downs, but through it all, we have stayed close and run the race together as one in the Lord. We have our beloved sons and grandchildren as a continuing legacy. We are blessed.
The words of Psalm 23 are very precious to us.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul; He guides me in the path of righteouness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for Thou art with me;
Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
To know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is what gives us such assurance, comfort and peace. This earth is not our eternal home. How thankful we are to have this hope. The boys and I stood over Ron's bed Sunday night holding hands in prayer. My heart was overjoyed to be joined together as a family as one in Christ knowing Ron's life is in God's hands and that his earthly body is only a temporary dwelling place.
God's grace and peace be with you all dear family and friends. Thank you again for your faithful prayers and loving concern for our Ron. We know what a difference it has made to have your support and encouragement.
Love and appreciation to you all, Eva
Note from Valerie: Part Two of report
Ministry Report by Mr. Niranjan Kuldip.
Prison Ministry:
Malkangiri is really hot with the room temperature going from 42 degrees Celsius to 46 degree. Yet the prisoners gather faithfully for their daily literacy programme and the Sunday worship. It is interesting to note that all of them learnt to read and pray to Jesus after they started the Literacy classes.
In the women's cell, two inmates who were in for alleged murder of their husband were released and their cases closed. This has been a BIG boost for the rest of the prisoners to trust in Jesus and an increase in their prayer life, believing that God can forgive them and release them free in their spirit as well as from the prison. The lady prisoners are now doing door curtains and sari embroidery as part of their rehabilitation.
Sanyasiguda Ministry:
The headman / Sarpanch Mr. Ghasi Honthal gathers the children for the literacy class. This is a help as the whole group comes for the literacy classes.
One of the villagers, Mr. Dombru Khora, who was always fully drunk and was obstructing the literacy classes on a regular basis, is now calm and sends his own son for the literacy class. Praise God.
Kadbhal Ministry:
A widow, Gurubari Gadabha is showing a lot of interest in the literacy classes and sends her son Ravi to learn to read and write. This village has No school. Gurubari's mother Gowri, who died many years ago was the water carrier for Dr. Paul when they came 33 years ago to Malkangiri as newly married couples. The opening of this village for God's work after 33 years has made Dr. Iris Paul very happy.
Mundiguda Ministry:
The Evangelist Mr. Padma Kamudi, who covers Mecca area, is being threatened by the RSS that if he continues his work in this area he will be beaten and burnt. So please pray for him a lot. He is covering 7 villages in this area.
Rhabhaguda Ministry:
Please pray for Raba Dulla, who is suffering from TB, and for his wife Raba Dulla who is 3 months pregnant. Please pray for safe delivery. This is their first child.
With deep sorrow we report the death of Kuram Podiyae, who had a C-section and the male child died on the 5th day following severe sepsis. Our missionaries Mr. Sopan Hembrom and Mr. Prakash Takari shifted her to Christian Medical Hospital at Nowrangapur, where she died after struggling for 7 days. This is a big set back as both Podiyae and her husband Kuram Deva were praying to Jesus for a live child as the first delivery 2 years ago was also by C-section but a still born. Due to lack of proper medical follow up she had no clue to all that she was suffering. Dr. Paul who is on leave for the first time in 33 years is very upset, as so much of medical needs in interior villages are unattended. Please pray for more doctors to join this area to work in interior areas. 36 doctor posts are vacant in the government in Malkangiri District as no one wants to come and stay in villages, which has no electricity, no roads and no government quarters for the doctors to stay.
Staff training:
The India Mission Association organized their Annual Conf and National Leadership seminar at National Theological College at Dehradun from 3rd to 5th May 2007. Mr. Laban Soren and Mrs. Satya Jyoti Dongri were RHS representatives. Reaching Hand Society was awarded an award for Excellence in Membercare for Missionaries ' for the year 2006 to 2007 by India Mission Association. Praise God.
Praise God for:
1. Mrs. Rukmani Takri cured of Knee swelling.
2. Mrs. Shanti Hembrom 's grandmother cured of Stomach cancer.
3. Mrs. Prabhasini of Sanayakguda, cured of swelling of her body.
4. Mrs. Karam Koshi pregnant after 13 years of marriage.
5. Mr. Romesh Kosala cured of severe attack of Chicken pox.
6. Mr. Remo Paul fully cured of a sever attack of cerebral Malaria and follicular tonsillitis.
7. Mr. Dilip Bhag received the Patta for the re allotted land.
8. Mr. Dilip Bhag received a grant for the roofing of the house he is building on the government allotted land.
9. Mr. Prabhathi Kuldip's sister had a successful Uterus tumour removal.
10. Mr. Laban Soren and Mrs. Satya Jyoti Dongri could attend the IMA National annual conference and Leadership Seminar at Dehradun.
11. RHS receiving the Award for the "Excellence in Membercare for Missionaries" from IMA.
Prayer Requests:
1. For protection for Mr. Padma Kamudi form the RSS and also for all missionaries working in interior and Naxalite infested jungle villages.
2. Mrs. Kamla Khilo, mother of Evangelist Mr. Budhra Khilo is suffering form stomach cancer. Please pray for cure.
3. Mr. Mohan Angulia requests prayer to be cured of his constant back pain.
4. Master Chinnam Hembrom, son of Mr. Sopon Hembrom had a fall and had a head injury. Pray for healing in the scalp without infection.
5. Mr. Raba Dulla of Rhabhaguda village suffering from tuberculosis.
6. Mrs. Minothi Soren's brother, Kamal Tudu, to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
7. For a life partner for Helima, sister of Mr. Dilip Kumar Bagh.
8. For the house construction to finish well for Mr. Dilip Kumar Bhagh.
9. Dr. Mrs. Susan Sunalini, W/O Mr. Remo Paul as she writes her MD exams - May 28 th-June 4th and practical exams from June 26 th .
10. For Safe delivery of Dr. Susan Sunalini - expected date - July 14th.
11. For special wisdom for Mr. Remo Paul in all the manifold responsibilities that he holds.
12. For the needed funds for the month of May and June 2007.
Closing with Prayers,
Niranjan Kuldip.
Missionary
Reaching Hand Society
Note from Valerie: First Part of report from Reaching Hand Society
My Dear Prayer Partners,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
"Sing unto the Lord Always" came the booming voice of the young pastor. He was giving an exposition on Luke 1:46-55 - Song of Mary. I was in No mood to sing. The pastor continued -" We sing not only when we are happy BUT when we are going through deep sorrow and trials and difficulties. "I know this fact for many years --- my thoughts went racing on - I asked God, ' How can I Lord sing when there so many difficulties and the money for payments of missionaries had not come through for the last month --- The thoughts went from one problem to another in rapid succession-- Tears filled my eyes and I waited for the Lord to reply -- The Lord started to speak to me and it is soooooo good to hear His Voice and His council and guide. The Awesome nature of our God is that He is soooooo individualistic and that He cares for us as NO one can and gives us the Joy in the midst of pain and difficulties -- All we need to do is Go to Him and in quietness hear Him speak. This is a thrilling experience and I pray that each one of you, as you read this will find the Awesome God talking to you and meeting your specific needs in a marvellous way.
This month prayer circular is written by yet another missionary - Mr. Niranjan Kuldip who is a graduate. He is the son of Damo Kuldip Nowrangapore. He joined RHS in 2000. Niranjan married Prabhathi in 2006 February. Prabhathi's mother is a widow and her grandma who is a widow also stays with them. Prabhathi has 2 sisters and one brother. Niranjan and Prabhathi have an 8-month son and they call him " Prince ". Niranjan with his family have been living in Rhabahguda village for the last 5 years. This village has No road to reach and No electricity. No bus comes to this village. This is also a Naxalite area. We are looking to the Lord to provide solar lighting for this village. Those interested can get back to us at remopaul@gmail.com and dririspaul@gmail.com Mobile 09437097466 or 09414400304.
Love and Prayers,
Iris.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Matthew 10:34-35 (NIV)"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn " 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—“
Matthew 27:38 (NIV) “Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and one on His left.”
Matthew 25:32-34 (NIV) “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left. "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world”
When I quit the drugs I had to make a radical change in my life. It did not take me long to realize that if I was going to make the transition from practicing drug addict to recovering drug addict then I had to stay away from people who were practicing drug addicts. I had to stay away from most of my friends. Kicking the drugs was hard. Kicking my friends to the curb was just as hard. But I had to do it - I had to get away from that lifestyle if I was going to survive.. When I came back to Jesus I had to face a similar decision - was I going to live the world’s lifestyle - or was I going to live Jesus’ lifestyle - and was I willing to pay the price of either decision?
Ask most people why Jesus came to earth and they will talk about Him bringing peace on earth and good will to men. They will talk about Jesus making us all brothers and how He makes us all the “family of God ” That’s so nice - that’s so sweet. It’s not true - but it sure is sweet.
The truth is that Jesus came to bring a sword among us. He came to be a divider. He divides families, He divides communities, He divides nations, He divides the world, and He divides eternity. In the middle east, a family member who converts to Christianity is ostracized from the family, and - if they don’t kill the convert - he is considered dead to them. In India, a Christian family grieves the loss of their father. The grief is compounded by a Hindu village that will not allow them to bury their dead in the village cemetery. In China people are taken from their homes, imprisoned, tortured and their only crime is that they are Christian. Even here in the United States it is becoming more and more politically incorrect to be an evangelical Christian. Recently a talk show hostesses said that there was no difference between evangelical Christians and radical terrorists. Her comment went largely unnoticed and unchallenged. Had she made that outrageous comment about Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists she would have lost her job.
Jesus on the cross stands as the divider of history and our relationship with God. Prior to the cross our relationship with God was based in the law and imperfect sacrifices that had to be offered time and time again. At the cross, mercy replaced the law, His perfect sacrifice replaced the imperfect sacrifices and our forgiveness of sin is eternal.
Jesus even divided the two robbers that hung on either side of Him. When I was on drugs, there was a whole network of people that I knew and who did the same thing that I did. It is highly likely that if these two robbers were not partners - they at least knew each other because they interacted in the same network. On that day both of them started out mocking Jesus - but then one of them had a change of heart. He separated himself from his companion with the words, “We deserve what we’re getting, but this Man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me...” Then Jesus completed the division between them, “Today you will be with Me in paradise.”
After I started back attending church, there came a time when, like the robber, I had to make a decision about the direction of my life. I had to choose between Jesus and the world. If I chose to follow Jesus then I would have to give up certain aspects of my life. There were things I couldn’t do, words I couldn’t say, places I could not hang out in. If I chose to stay with the world then I could continue in that lifestyle I was used to - but I would never have peace of mind or spirit. I chose Jesus and he divided my life. There was the life before my choice when I was in the world and of the world, and there is the life I live today where although I am IN the world, I am not OF the world - I am of Jesus. I have learned in my life journey that I cannot straddle the fence when it comes to Jesus. I cannot live on the fence with one foot in the world and one foot in heaven. All that lifestyle does is give me splinters from rocking back and forth on the fence and they are in places that - although unmentionable - are nevertheless, highly uncomfortable.
There is a great day coming, the day when Jesus will divide eternity. On that day it will not make
a difference if you are a liberal or a conservative, a man or a woman, good or bad, rich or poor. In eternity all that matters is - do you know Him as your personal Savior - or do you not? We who know Him as personal Savior will be divided to His right, those who do not will be divided to His left. Those on His right will then go into eternal life in the presence of God, those on His left will go into eternal death and hell, never again to be in the presence of God.
To His believers who are sitting on the fence - aren’t you tired of picking out splinters? Get off the fence and choose to follow only Jesus - discover what life is worth living for.
To those who do not believe in Him - on that last day it will be to late for you to choose Him. Choose Him today and live forever in the glory and light of His presence. Call (559) Bap-tist and ask to speak to a pastor or go to “Knowing Christ” at our website - www.fresnofirst.org
Jesus, the best decision I have ever made was to get off the fence and follow You. Thank You for dividing my life into before You and after You. I choose to live for You today and with You for eternity.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist at valerie@fresnofirst.org