Gayla's Magazine

A Blast from the Past

Looking for something in my files I came across my 'small beginnings' and it brought a smile!  Look at my newsletter way back in the 1980's.  It's so funny to see now.... what was in my heart then... is still there. I am still writing.

Take what is in your hand and just start today on your dream. If it's a God dream it will prosper and grow into something far beyond you can imagine.

It doesnt feel like a sacrifice when you love what you do.

Hate Mail

I will not dignify the men who have sent me hate mail in the last few days.  But it is a very sad thing to see the hearts of wicked men who want to kill and destroy the innocent lives of children suffering from horrific cholera.  These words written to me from different parts of America will only come back upon themselves - for what is sown will be reaped by each person. So  I will not respond to them.  Just carry on......

What I do for the Lord.... is for the Lord.  He sees all and has read every email with me.   I am thankful I am safe in Him.  The poor and destitute break His heart so I will keep pressing on with Him.  We pray for safety in His Hands.

Faith Lessons in the Storm

What a lesson Columbus gave to the world of perseverance in the face of tremendous difficulties!

 

Behind him lay the gray Azores,
Behind the gates of Hercules;
Before him not the ghost of shores,
Before him only shoreless seas.
The good Mate said: "Now we must pray,
For lo! the very stars are gone.

Brave Admiral, speak, what shall I say?"
"Why, say, 'Sail on! sail on! and on!'"
"My men grow mutinous day by day;
My men grow ghastly wan and weak!"
The stout Mate thought of home; a spray
Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.
"What shall I say, brave Admiral, say,
If we sight naught but seas at dawn?"
"Why, you shall say at break of day,
'Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!'"
They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the Mate:
"This mad sea shows its teeth tonight.
He curls his lip, he lies in wait,
With lifted teeth, as if to bite!
Brave Admiral, say but one good word;
What shall we do when hope is gone?"
The words leapt like a leaping sword:
"Sail on! sail on! sail on! and on!"
Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck
And peered through darkness. Ah! that night
Of all dark nights! And then a speck--
A light! A light! A light! A light!
It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!
It grew to be Time's burst of dawn.
He gained a world; he gave that world
Its grandest lesson: "On! sail on!"
--Joaquin Miller

Faith that goes forward triumphs.

What is Cholera?

Having lived in several African countries in my lifetime, I have learned to watch carefully any health issues that occur.  Water borne infections, sick people and environment issues must be taken seriously when someone gets sick.  Maybe you don't know what cholera really is, so here is a little information for you.

I am very concerned about what is happening in Haiti right now as I write this.... please know that Moms Against Hunger has shipped enormous amounts of clean water and now is working on water purification systems. Digging wells is good, but when the water source is contaminated greater danger is given to the innocent to drink. It's purified water that's essential for life.

Cholera is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, which affects the intestinal system of the body. An infected person experiences severe vomiting, explosive diarrhea and severe dehydration. Without immediate medical treatment, cholera may result in death within four to twelve hours after symptoms begin. Due to a large loss of body fluids, cholera is gruesome in the way that it leaves survivors in their physical appearance, as well as in the biological toll it takes on the body.

Cholera is very contagious. It is spread by the unintentional consumption of infected feces that contaminate food and water. It can also be spread through human to human contact. Some people have been infected with cholera by eating raw or undercooked shellfish.

Cholera is easily treated with fluids and antibiotics. When antibiotics are unavailable, which is commonly the case in areas that are plagued by cholera, a simple mixture of water and glucose for rehydration is life saving. Cholera usually resolves itself after a period of time; the danger is the severe dehydration that quickly causes death.

Similar to the bubonic plague which has showed its face time and again, cholera is a plague that is suspected to be an ancient disease. It has unquestionably reoccurred in seven pandemics since 1817, including in Europe and the United States. The most recent pandemic began in Asia in 1961 and continues to the present day in Africa.

In developing countries, cholera is prevalent in areas that do not enjoy sanitary living conditions because of poverty and a lack of resources. In pandemic regions, even sanitary conditions may not prevent further outbreak. Many people do not receive information on how the disease is spread, fear seeking medical help or simply do not have access to any kind of treatment.

Cholera is not common in developed countries due to the availability of medical treatment, regulated heath standards, clean water and effective sewage systems. Cases of cholera in developed countries are the result of raw shellfish or people who have contracted the illness while traveling. Those traveling to countries that have cholera epidemics should take careful precautions to prevent infection.

Precautions for travelers include boiling water before drinking or washing. Water can also be treated with chlorine or iodine. Frequent hand washing with clean water, especially after using the toilet, is imperative. Travelers are also advised to ensure their food is fully cooked and hot, peeling their own fruit and avoiding raw vegetables, including salads. Raw and undercooked shellfish should also be avoided.

Article by www.wisegeek.com

 

Cholera has broken out in Haiti

I received this email  from Haiti 2 days ago..... PLEASE READ. 

Thank you for your prayers.The last death count was 153 as of yesterday afternoon. However, I am not sure that was after or before Ingvild and I dropped off another body at the hospital morgue. People continue to die and the challenge now is to get to the hospital as soon as you have symptoms as the Cholera kills in 24 to 48 hours.

Thanks to Mercy Trucks who donated an Ambulance to us after the earthquake three lives were saved yesterday morning! Duncan, a medical assistant, said; “We drove in as close as we could and then here came the sick woman being brought on the back of a horse!” Because the Ambulance and medical team got in close enough and they were equipped with IV’s, meds inside an air condition Ambulance this lady was saved!  Today the focus continues to be on mobilizing the Ambulance, distribution of bottled and pure water and setting up and repairing water filters throughout the area infected.  Pray for our vehicles, drivers and security so that people will not riot.

 We also spent precious hours yesterday with bad roads trying to get water to the interior villages. Today we will be shuttling with 4x4’s, from a larger distribution truck, bottle water into these areas.

Moms Against Hunger is here to support them in this crisis.  Please give today.. Click the donate button NOW.

 

 

Role Models of America Store gets a new look

 I love the Role Models of America store.... we have helped thousands of families over the years here, had a innumerable amount of ministry opportunities happen right here in the store, have regular prayer for people who shop here, seen provision come through for NL, it's  a missions base for supplies for shipments to the needy (in the millions now) Everything  here is neat, organized and clean.... just need more space for our workers and the people.

It's my favorite place of ministry!  I am known as Pastor Gayla to everyone who comes here - shoppers, our Community Service workers, and families in need. It's 'church' on a whole different scale.

This week I have been enjoying time spent in the store making upgrades. It takes pre-planning, measuring, crews scheduled, and staff outlined to all smoothly make a big transition while not disturbing our shoppers.  A challenge I am up for!

I have prayed for a new shoe system store wide for women's, men's boys and girls depts. And the day has arrived and I have what I have prayed for. My new fixtures will triple my space - it's a good thing.  My  crews arrive..... I start with the inside isles while it's early and quiet we will work from the inside to the outside isles.I didn't take many shots.... just too busy!

My new fixtures look great! Out with the old black iron ones and in with the new updated look.

Can you see behind the rack at the back wall.... these are the new shoe racks in the ladies dept.

Old display....

New display with a crackle finish, each area can hold triple stock now.

In one day the entire store is transformed....

The shoppers will feel greater love....  our family clients will have a more enhanced view of what is given to them..... our CS will take greater pride in their work.... the employees enjoy a more update and professional workplace. And I get to enjoy the beauty, the fun of it all!!

Now what's next..... it's been a dream day...... joy job!

This isn't just a regular thrift store..... it's ministry on a awesome level! If you are in Houston Tx... come by and support this incredible place.

 

The Lonely Journey of Faith

A short story of the heart......

The piercing eyes of Wisdom perched above the ways of man watches all, and waits for a opened entrance to help the one that asks for help. Trundling along the pathway of faith walks the lone soul looking for relief and comfort in his struggle of life.

Not only does Wisdom watch man's laborious footsteps marching through the personal timeline of life.  But Distraction stands as well, at the turn down the road of expected hopes, ready to dissuade the traveler into a side road that leads to nowhere. The twisting vines and dark knobby roots of fear lay gathered  alongside the faith pathway prepared to trip his feet if wandered into. 

As he tries to make progression along the hint of direction, the wide wingspans of Discouragement glide over his head marking his directional movements. Pinpointed between the trees of experience and the outlined patterns of the sunshine of blessing day by day, the faith walker moves slowly day by day.  This solitary soul draws enough breath for each day..... sees nothing around him, but hears only his own silent thoughts. He is caught somewhere mentally  toggling  the past events of life and rushing into the unknown future which is so often the mistaken view of what lies ahead.

The soul is oblivious to living in today, being caught in the mental maze of the inner world, while the eyes of Wisdom watch him with kind patience.

Discouragement calls out to him from the shaded overhead branches of dense understanding.  These leafy branches of experience only show the underside of the one dimension view of life commonly held by man.

Soon he will pause to look up at the darkened gloominess of his experiences thus stopping his forward movements.  So Discouragement wings back and forth overhead wafting the sounds of his voice down upon the shoulders of the traveler. 

Wisdom neither stalks nor calls down to him.  Simply watches and waits in the celebrated stance of knowing all and understanding all.  The whispers inside the travelers mind try to help him to keep going.  Dredging up remembered promises he enforces his own code within his heart.

'Head down... feet move... ignore the view from here'.  Trying to ignore the reality of the signature of depressed memories he moves slowly through the thickness of the little used trail of faith.  His weakened stance says "I wish there were a better way than this shadowy  nebulous place to travel on..... I wish I was at the end of this journey."

Discouragement listens to the spoken words of man and doubles its efforts to press down upon his heart to quit.  Distraction stands at attention recognizing a small mental door has become unlatched that would allow an oily hindrance to enter.

Wisdom swivels to watch mans words. Shall his words form his actions? Shall the voiced complaint entrance yet another weighted action of missed timing?  The stately attention of Wisdom intently eyes the figure of man.  Will he cast off his own words and continue on.... or is this the beginning of slowed progression of faith in him?

The pieces of this drama play out in each life each day.

Stay to the path my friend and ask for help..... Wisdom waits to be asked - you do not walk alone. Provision has been made already for you.

Gayla Holley

Prayer Before Work

I have so much to do today - I need to spend my time praying instead of writing.  Without Him I cannot do it all.

Don't Be Afraid

Don't be afraid I am on board with you.  Instead of focusing on how you feel focus on my provisions for you.

I will never leave you.

I will never forsake you.

I am making intercession for you.

My grace is sufficient for you.

My strength is made perfect in weakness.

All things work together for the good.

I shall supply all your needs.

This too..... shall pass.

When the enemy comes in, my spirit stands against it.

My will is being done.

My timing is perfect.

The promises of God cannot fail.

In quietness and truth shall be your resting place.

I am not mocked.... whatsoever is sown shall also be reaped.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.

Lamentations 3:22-25

It is because of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion saith my soul. Therefore will I hope in Him.  The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. 

 

I need to go back to Haiti..... please help!

 

Just the look on her sweating face made me want to reassure her that her newborn baby would be okay out here in the hot sun.  The burning sun mixed with dry blowing dust made my shirt stick to me as I stood there looking at this mother and her newborn wrapped in a towel.   Where was I?

 

In Haiti ….where 1 million + people still live outside in the dirt!  And as I walked around the tight tents of 20,000+ people giving away supplies, I see a beat up box truck with a woman inside.  And suddenly I was shocked to find out that she had given birth inside this truck just a few days before!!

 Her labor came on strong and having no place that was  off of the  dirty ground – a stranger had seen her gasping and groaning in pain…. and managed to pick her up and lay her inside this truck and left her to go through labor, delivering a child by herself!!!  Alone in the heat…. with a toddler beside her and no husband to help her, she somehow delivered her own child without help in this terrible place.

 

I saw the depths of sorrow in her eyes and knew that she was suffering trying to care for her 2 children.  Only another mother can understand how worried she is, how afraid she is, and completely dependent upon other mothers to help her in this her worst hour of life. Moms Against Hunger comes to her aid to help.  No words are needed between us – the eyes say it all…. Desperate fear and relief is the only way to describe the look in her eyes.  I know she saw love and compassion in mine as I gave her supplies.

Today I need your help….. we have  worked diligently gathering all the needed supplies of food, clothing, baby supplies, water, first aid, shoes and portable tents.  Lots of time has been spent finding the shipping money to send each container.  Then painstaking time has been taken to pack each container and get it across the waters.  And one at a time we have shipped an enormous amount of aid to the masses in Haiti still struggling to survive.  One by one we have continued to ship necessities to mothers with children.  Moms Against Hunger has shipped 18 containers of aid directly to Haiti and our support systems on the ground there.  Every time you sent money to me…. we shipped another container to Haiti.

 Now I need to go again to Haiti to find out how the mothers with little children are coping and I need your support.  I can’t rely on the media to really tell us the truth of what is happening there with the actual people and our co –laborers are very close to the problems.  The only way to know what’s truly going on ……is to go myself.

The news tells us of celebrities and politicians who have raised millions of dollars for Haiti and yet the aid has not been seen there.  I wish I had their support….. together you and I have shipped millions of dollars worth of aid for pennies!!!! Millions of meals have been given out without raising any money!!   How very, very sad that makes me when I KNOW exactly how much it costs to ship aid and equipment.  It really makes me sick in my heart to know what could have, should have been done with the millions they have raised.   We must continue on.

Please send me to Haiti.  Please put in my hands money to distribute to the workers as I visit the warehouses and ongoing work.  I intend to bring back a complete report – the good, the bad and the ugly truth of what is happening there for you my friends who have been a silent supply line of aid to hurting people.

Thank you for helping Moms Against Hunger make a difference in this world.

Dr Gayla Holley

Moms Against Hunger

°         Yes Dr Gayla count me with you…. go and bring me back some answers.

°         Yes Dr Gayla here is my financial support to send you to Haiti.

°         Yes Dr Gayla I would like to see some current pictures of what is being done there now.

°         I will go online and donate my support today   www.momsagainsthunger.org