Me and my bride of 17th Anniversary at Fort Bragg

A view from the Mendocino coast.
 

The Power Of Simple Prayers

The Power of a Simple Prayer

I had the most amazing weekend with Angel, my wife.  Saturday, June 28^th, was our 17th anniversary. Anniversaries, as a rule, have always been a tough thing for me to plan. I have always wanted to plan something super special that would blow Angel away. However, my creativity always seemed to dry up when our anniversary would come around. This year would be different. This year's celebration began with a simple prayer. In light of past years, I decided to ask God for help. I simply asked, "Lord, help me make this year's anniversary special." 

Over the months that followed my prayer, I began thanking God for hearing my request. As I did this, my anticipation grew. As the weeks passed, it dawned on me that one of my closest friends, Richard, would probably help support Angel and my anniversary. (We did not have any money set aside for the anniversary). I was not sure if this was just my idea or the Lord's, so I waited a week. The idea only grew in my mind, so the following week I called Richard and explained our situation. Richard agreed to allow me to borrow one hundred dollars for the anniversary.

By this time, several weeks had passed and it was the second week of June...crunch time. I knew God had heard my prayer, and He is faithful. I continued saying prayers of thanksgiving over our anniversary.  One morning on my way to the kitchen, God brought back to my memory a conversation Angel and I had had. The conversation was about what she wanted to do for our anniversary. "I want to go to the ocean," is what she said to me. Immediately, I thought of the Mendocino coast, there is a YWAM base there called The Lord's Land, (www.lordsland.org) .

As the month drew to a close I decided to tell Angel about the trip to Mendocino. The word "doubtful" best characterizes her response.  But I kept saying the prayer of thanksgiving. By the week of our anniversary, Angel’s perspective changed. God started by providing a babysitter. The babysitter just happened to drive a hybrid car, which she allowed us to borrow for the weekend. Then there is the subject of money. We were expecting to at least spend a quarter of the hundred dollars we had on the cabin. That was not to be. God directed a fellow YWAMer to leave us another hundred dollars at the Lord's Land that paid for the cabin, and left us an additional sixty dollars.

 Two days before Angel and I left, Deb, (a mission builder) asked about the cabin we were staying in.  Angel told her that we were basically staying in the least expensive cabin there. Deb asked if we could upgrade. Would we want to? Angel turned and asked me if I wanted to upgrade." Yes, of course I would,“ I said.  Just like that, Deb paid for an upgrade on the cabin.

As if that was not enough, another mission builder, Janice, reached over and planted more money in the palm of my hand with a smile on her face. “You kids have a good time” she said.

The last blessing before we left the base came from Deb. A heart shaped basket filled with chocolates and a candle. “Every anniversary should have a candle and chocolates. Don’t you think?” she asked us.

Finally, Friday afternoon, Angel and I drove away…anniversary or bust. Our heads were spinning with so much favor from God. Truly I live the blessed life.

 

Break through

 Every Friday me and about nine other Christians go to a local community called Hamilton City. The city's  residents are mostly Hispanic who work in the surrounding orchards.  The city itself does not hold much promise for the present or the future for the youth in the area.   Not having anything constructive to really be involved in the youth has begun to participate in gang life. As with most places where there is darkness one finds other things:  Drugs, alcohol, and the sex trade are all alive and well in Hamilton city.

God has spoke to us at YWAM Chico about this place. When God looks at Hamilton city he sees a truer site then I just described. God has called Hamilton City the city of Hope, the hope of salvation. Heaven will rest in that place and go out to light up the darkness.  

In the beginning; God sent us to play soccer…. funny, I know. For six months the team and I have spent about an hour and half, to two hours playing soccer with twelve boys. There have been a few times when the numbers have swelled to twenty boys.  As the weeks have gone by we have gotten to know the boys; however, a barrier still remains.

Two months ago during a prayer time with the team, we felt like God was leading us to invite the boys from Hamilton City to the Springs of Living Water where we live. As we prayed for clarity the idea bloomed from a visit into a day camp. Mike (one of the other team members) spoke up, and took the lead planning the day camp.

Over the next two months we prayed for the day camp, and the boys who would come to the camp every week. On Fridays during our trip to Hamilton City we shared with the boys about the day camp. The boy's response was not favorable. The boy's said things like "we don’t trust you" or just plan "no". That was hard to hear, but the team kept praying.

Fast forward to last Wednesday, June 18 the day before the day camp. As far as any of the team knew only one of the boys from Hamilton City was coming the next day. Thursday morning when the boys arrived I was surprised to see about 8 boys.

Thursday morning as I approached the group of boys and some of our team I sensed a difference in the atmosphere surrounding the group. Normally the prevailing feeling one gets when around the boys is hardness. A hardness that acts as a barrier to keep others on the outside of their lives. That day as I approached the group the hardness in the boys was completely gone.

During the day the boys went on a hike to three cross hill, maneuvered their way thru and obstacle course, and ended it all at the pool with ice cream.

I watched the boys play in, and around the pool. I was in owe of God's power. These boys who were normally so callas were just playing like a bunch of 13 year old boys should. As I sat there with thankfulness welling up in my heart, I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me. "Why don’t you go and get in the water with the boys?"  

Those of you who know me know that I am all about playing ruff in the water. What choice was there really. I pealed off my shirt, threw off my socks and shoes, and grabbed the nearest boy I could and tossed him into the water.

For the next two hours we had water fights, and we wrestled in the water. I cannot help but think that for at least a little while these boys knew what it was to have a Dad

Me and my son, Joey

I have been spending time with Joe. It's been very rewarding to get to know the boy who calls me dad. I have discovered that a lot goes on in Joe's head that he only shares when we are alone having "man time" as he calls it. 

YWAM Chico where I live.

Home

 Some of you may or may not know that Hannah and Joe have had challenges with their reading.  As the teaching staff here at the I.C.S  (International Christian Schools) have worked closely with Hannah and Joe their consensus is that Hannah has dyslexia. This was not a new diagnosis thought, Hannah had undergone testing in Kentucky. Until now we have refused to label Hannah with this. The last thing we wanted to do was saddle Hannah with the label "disabled" . Angel and I changed that line of thinking now. You all know Hannah, and I would venture to say that you would agree that Hannah is anything but disabled. That being said, I think that we operated in a state of ignorance. We believed that by accepting the diagnosis of dyslexia we would be identifying Hannah as wholly being dyslexic . We operated out of a mind set of fear.  We really could not even clearly pray for healing for Hannah because  of a perspective of fear over the matter.

 The teaching staff here at Springs of Living Water have helped us move from fear to hope.  For the first time we hear God speaking to us about this situation. God has led Hannah's teacher, Mrs. Anderson to champion Hannah through this challenge. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit Mrs. Anderson found a program called the "Barton" program (www.BartonReading.com). The program is founded on research that shows that the dyslexic mind is not disabled as much as just made differently then other minds. The research showed that the differences are so drastic that these individuals need to be taught in a complete different way then tradition academia is taught.

  When the school approached us with the idea of using the Barton system for Hannah we faced one basic challenge, the expense. The school did not have the funding to purchase the program.  If we wanted Hannah to use the system we would have to purchase the curriculum. Angel and I were not detoured by this little hurdle. We believed that God had directed us to the Barton program, and He would pay for whatever the school needed to use the system.  A added bonus for us is that the Barton program is not limited to one child, or one use. Now that the school owns the first phase anyone can use it for as many times that is necessary. This is especially powerful because right now the research is showing that one in eight children are dealing with dyslexia in one form or another and to some degree of severity . This tool will be used again and again to help children in the families of this base. 

The Barton program is split into nine phases. Hannah has  worked her way through the first phase of the baton program in the last two months. The change in Hannah has been so amazing to watch. Her confidence, and desire to read has increased greatly. She has begun reading on her own where she was reluctant  before. She has become excited about school.

 Angel and I felt compelled to purchase the next phase which cost $264. Like I mentioned earlier there are nine phases with the first two costing $264, and the last seven phases costing $300 each or $2100 in all for the remaining phases.  We believe that God has already planned for the expense of the program. This blog post is a part of that plan. I believe that there is an opportunity to include anyone who is willing to be apart of the break through that Hannah is approaching, and will soon have. If God has lead you to partner with us please contact me at michaelsweazy@gmail.com

Angel and I have been given an exciting opportunity. We have been asked to be the "Mission Builder Coordinator" for YWAM Chico . What that means is this: A mission builder is a person[s] who volunteers to come to the base and work in exchange the base provides room and board for the volunteer. This program allows the base access to skilled professionals who may otherwise be unavailable. Angel and I will be the ones coordinating  everything from the first inquiry  to the final arrival of a mission builder. Once a mission builder arrives we will be the touch points for each person serving as mission builders. We will have the chance to serve in a pastoral way. Angel and I will be having cook outs, game nights, and bible studies. Our hope is that the Lord will bless the birth of a small community within the YWAM base here.