ARC Intensive Training Update

In 30 days I will be in California, in the high desert, near Big Bear Mountain, training to respond to disasters in times of crisis.  Training to bring Jesus to those who are experiencing crisis. 

Tonight at the prayer set that I serve on at The Pointe, we were singing and praying and the Lord opened my eyes and showed me that not only should we respond to crisis that comes from natural disasters and economic crashes, but we should be watchful for those crisis moments happening around us each day.  The neighbor who lost their spouse to cancer and needs to know they are loved after all the family has gone back home.  The family down the street...the new one who doesn't have an income because they lost their job and moved in search of new work; who has children to feed and get to school; school supplies to purchase; needs to plug into a church; just needs to know they are welcome and that they have value.  Sometimes we forget, when we are comfortable, that others are not.  That they are lacking.  They need to know we care and who their real provider is.  They may or may not be believers in Christ but they need encouragement and edification regardless.

I am walking in a new season.  One that I feel will challenge me in ways I've never considered being challenged.  Shaping, molding, pressing, squeezing, change.  Good change. 

I am thankful for the desires the Lord has placed in my heart and I'm thankful He is directing my steps.  I am on track with my support raising and praying for the Lord to prepare the hearts of others whom He would have partner with me in prayer and finances.  If the Lord is speaking to you about helping me I would love to visit and share more about what I am going to do.  You can read about the training itself here:  http://criout.com/training/upcoming-trainings/disaster-relief-training/  You can read this blog entry to find out more about how the Lord has been preparing me for this training here:  http://sowingseedshomeschooljourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/crisis-response-international-arc.html

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me during this time.  Your prayers are a great help.  I have a peace unlike anything I've ever felt.  Thank you also to everyone who has partnered with me financially.  The Lord's provision through financial partnership is what is making this trip possible for me. 

I would like to reach out to the homeschool community and ask you to prayerfully consider giving a small gift.  Every donation helps no matter the size.  Most of my blog traffic comes from those who visit to read curriculum product reviews and a small donation (between $1-$5) from even 1/4th of that traffic would be a blessing.   If you are considering a donation they can be made through Paypal.  Thank you so much for praying and considering partnering with me. 

Yet I will Rejoice!

One of the scriptures the Lord gave me when He first began speaking to me about preparedness was Habakkuk 3:17-19.  There is a beautiful song written based on this scripture, by Melissa Mott.  It was recorded over 10 years ago in Israel.  I can't find any of her music on YouTube, but while searching for it I found the video below. 




Over the past 5 years as the Lord has been dealing with me about preparedness, He has taught me the importance of standing firm and knowing the need to rejoice in Him in ALL things.  No matter what we go through, no matter what comes along our path, NO MATTER WHAT.......our Joy is in Him and Him alone.  Learn to hold tight to Him, depend on Him at all times, no matter what your eyes see in the physical learn to walk in the spirit.  We can trust in Him at all times for all things.

I am getting more excited as the time draws near to attend the ARC Intensive training.  Will it be difficult?  Yes.  Will it stretch me?  Yes.  But I am ok with that because I know the Lord will be right there with me as He is always. 

I have written a blog entry that provides more detail about the journey I've been on for the past 5 years.  If you haven't read it yet you can do so by clicking here.  I've also written an entry about how the Lord spoke to me even in the process of learning to raise and keep a flock of chickens in our back yard.  You can read that here. 

Thank you to all of you who take time to read my blog.  I sincerely appreciate all of your prayers as I begin walking in the calling the Lord has placed on my life. 

Crisis Response International - ARC Intensive Training Class

I am excited to share with you information about how the Lord is working in my life right now.  For the past five years the Lord has placed desires in my heart to change the way we live.  He has been speaking to me about physical and spiritual preparedness.  While I knew this was important, I didn’t understand the intense desires I had to do things I never thought I would do.

In a journal entry, dated 1-6-06, I wrote, “When crisis comes it is too late to prepare”.   Between that date, and today, I have learned many new skills to include sewing and canning, studied food storage, keep bees, maintain a garden, and have my own backyard flock. 

Through the church I attend, The Pointe, in Siloam Springs, AR, I learned about an organization called Crisis Response International(CRI).  There is a local Crisis Response Unit(CRU) that meets at the church bi-monthly.  The Lord began to draw me to attend the meetings and when the tornado hit Joplin, MO, I was given an opportunity to go up and work with members of the local Crisis Response Unit.  This opportunity allowed me to experience a large disaster and the enviornment created in the aftermath.  I was able to observe the CRI team members use their disaster and ministry training.

For about two years I have been praying Hineni Adonai, which, in Hebrew, means Here I am Lord and I asked Him to “send me”.  He “opened the door” for me to go to Joplin and I felt the Lord asking me  if I send you out to do this kind of ministry, will you say yes?  My response is yes. 

When you go to the CRI website you will read that the Lord is raising up an army of end time mercy missionaries, or disaster relief missionaries, to reach the harvest in the midst of crisis.  They are training believers in disaster relief and ministry, 24/7 prayer and worship ministry, to bring Jesus to those in need during times of crisis.  This is what the Lord is calling me to do.  He is calling me, a wife, stay at home mom, who homeschools her children, to train to be a part of a disaster relief missionary ministry team that will deploy when crisis comes to an area.  He is also asking me to train to help facilitate missional community or cities of refuge environments and to serve in leading or assisting with worship/prayer at the site of the crisis.  I am very humbled.

Worship at the Joplin House of Prayer after spending time serving with the Siloam Springs Crisis Response Unit

I will be attending a training September 11^th –November 11^th, 2011, in Lucerne Valley, CA.  It is called the ARC Intensive and it is a 9 week course that will provide  well rounded disaster relief training and certifications along with ministry training.  You can read more about the training itself here.  I have the blessing of my husband and parents to attend the training.  My parents will assist in taking care of my children and also help with their home education while I’m gone.

Friends, I am asking your assistance with two things.  I need people to partner with me in prayer and financially.  I need to raise $2,200 to fund the 9 week training and will need to raise funds for round-trip airfare, which will probably be around $500.  The money needs to be raised by August 30, 2011.   I know the Lord does not call us to do something without providing every need.  He is faithful and I’m thankful He is teaching me to trust and depend on Him completely in this season.

Specific prayer request:

1.       Strength to endure the time I’m away from my family

2.      Strength for my family to be able to endure while I am gone.

3.      For my children to be a blessing to their grandparents and father and for their bond to be strengthened; that they will create special memories.

4.      Blessings for my husband who is so willing to allow me to attend the training.

5.      Open communication between the Holy Spirit and I so I will continually hear direction from the Lord in how to walk out this new calling.

6.      Financial provision to attend the training.

Please prayerfully consider partnering with me financially.  I am willing to meet with you one on one, for those friends who are local, to discuss this endeavor in depth.  For those of you who are readers from across the nation, those fellow home school families who read my blog, I am willing to talk by phone or email to answer any questions you may have. 

Financial contributions can be made by mailing a check, made payable to The Pointe, to my home address:  Stacy Hester, 503 S Elm St, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.   Please just attach a note to the check stating that it is to support me as the IRS frowns on seeing any notations in the memo line of the checks. 

Thank you so much for taking time to read this blog entry and to pray for me.  Please feel free to link my blog article to your blog, facebook or twitter in order to share this information with anyone that you think might be interested in partnering with me.   You may contact me with questions at thehesters1@cox.net

***Update 7/23/11 - Thank you so much for your prayers.  I wanted to share a praise report.....I have been blessed to receive 1/3 of the funds needed up to this date.  All credit goes to the Lord...He is faithful to provide.  Please continue praying with me.***