Gayla's Magazine

Happy Birthday Gayla

Today is my 54th birthday... and I' m having a wonderful time beginning the next season of life.  

I can think of 54 reasons to celebrate why I'm happy to be 54 today in the 'now' season...

Or 54 blessings that have been already given to me in my past...

54 people that mean the world to me....

54 pieces of my puzzle called life starting to make sense....

54 future  things on my bucket list still to do down the road...

54 things I'm happy are behind me and don't have to relive...

54 projects at home I still want to accomplish before I die....

54 little surprises for my family in my future....

But most of all.....

I'm 54 years closer to going home to  Heaven.... YES!! 

And amazingly I'm still here and healthy and going strong!

Thank you to my family for making my birthday special... and all my friends for thinking of me and sending me special calls, texts, cards, emails and facebook notes.  I love all of you!!  And to my beloved husband for a sweet and precious birthday!!

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I know those mammography slides look so terrifying to you.  Yes without knowing exactly what they mean it is concerning to see.  When you don't have any answers yet..... and even IF YOU DO have a bad diagnosis from a doctor.....

Wait!  Stop!  Hold on a minute!  Before you fall to pieces think.... do you know the One Who made your body?  Do you know the Creator of you?  Why not take this to Him in prayer and ask Him about this situation? 

He knows what's happening to you... He cares what's happening to you.  And if you allow Him to come into this situation it can become okay.  It will be alright with Him in full control. Why not put these reports into His Hands.... yes the full reports.... and yes the doctors words too.

The facts are not necessarily the truth...

I know.... I'm a survivor and I'm still here.... because He said it's not time to go yet.

You can be at peace when God's in charge.... I'm living proof!   Gayla Holley

Alan, Gayla, Marvin and Regan Latta (and Monkey)

Words cannot really express how life was for us as children in the bush of West Africa.  It's best told as single events that happened.  Each one of us experienced this incredible time in our lives in personal ways that can only really be told by each one of us.  All four of us remember different things... One of my personal memories was a miracle that happened to the four of us one night.

After moving to Monrovia we lived in a house that seemed to be the right place for children to safely be raised. Three bedrooms - I had my own room (closest to the front area of the house) my brothers all stayed in the same little bedroom down the hall, and my parents had their bedroom at the very end of the hall.  One night while all were asleep a thief broke into our house and robbed us. 

In Liberia thieves commonly take their clothing off and pour oil all over their skin.  (so if someone should catch them it would be impossible to hold on to them and they would escape easily) He came into the house and into my bedroom, naked and dripping in smelly oil.  He came to my bedside searching for anything of value.  He emptied my little special box on the bed right to my head.  Oil dripped down on the sheets as he bent over trying to see what he could take.  The little 8 year old golden haired girl asleep right there at his mercy.  He could have stolen me in the night, the thoughts of what could have happened that night troubling.  Yet I was untouched and deeply asleep. I never felt his actions next to me, but the oily sheets were proof of his actions that night.

He then crept down the hallway and entered my brothers room, leaving trails of dirty oil along the floor.  Finding nothing and leaving each little boy unharmed he went to the door of our parents room - finding it locked he then went to the living room and proceeded to take everything he could find.  Oily marks were all that remained of our precious few belongings. We lost our 'missionary equipment' that night.

Except our precious lives.... he could not touch our precious lives.  Thank you God. 

The Newborn's first Miracle...

April 5 is a very special day in my life every year.  It's the first miracle of my life that happened!  I was 7 days old and just brought home from the hospital as a tiny newborn.  That same afternoon after arriving home mother laid me in a crib and went into the living room.  They had guests celebrating my arrival with them.

A terrible storm arose outside and suddenly a tornado came out of the skies and swept down toward our little wood frame house.  Someone noticed it and alarmed everyone.  My young dad made the split second decision to have everyone kneel down by a small closet door in the middle of the house. 

Someone ran and grabbed me from the crib and my parents kneeled over me and my 18 month old baby brother.  Just then the tornado hit the house full brunt- the force destroyed the roof, walls and all of the house was swept away in the ferocious wind in seconds.  ALL OF THE HOUSE WAS DESTROYED BUT THE LITTLE CLOSET BY WHICH WE WERE HUDDLED. 

God has His protection upon us that day.... and on my life from the very beginning.... No one suffered even a scratch.

Thank you once again for this miracle God.  You still have Your Hand overshadowing my life.

 

The Miracle of our lives

Driving down I45 we had just picked up our brand new custom van. We were so proud of it's powder blue leather interior, little fridge and table, back couches and custom stereo sound.  Wow- back then it was the 'cats meow' to have this little piece of heaven to travel in.  We were headed for Canada for an extended ministry tour and we drove for home to pick up our travel gear and hit the road.  Bibles and music... sermons and enthusiasm we were ready to go. 

As my husband drove we enjoyed the completion of this project and he said to me, 'try out the seat... lay it back'.  So I did (no seat-belts in those days) as I laid the seat back I remember saying, "Ah this is the life!"  A split second later the car in front of us suddenly lost control and flipped around and we hit her head on.  Behind us was a semi truck who suddenly plowed into us splitting the back of the van and his engine was just behind our ears!!  The sound was explosive, the sight unbelievable! Stunned we sat there with the steering wheel in my husbands chest and the dash board on top of me. 

Slowly we were able to get out of the van and shakily help the other people out of their vehicles. (this had turned into a 4 car pile up)  Our van, and the cars were totaled but miraculously we were not hurt- NO ONE WAS INJURED. I believe it was God's protection upon us that saved the other people as well. I remember a little red sports car that was beside us- not even a scratch was on it. The guy was in shock, saying 'Am I still alive'?? The police marveled at this whole scene as well.

We lost our baby blue van that day. I learned things can disappear in a moment. In spite of this life shattering experience we went on to Canada and preached the Gospel. 

Don't hold onto anything too tight except God's Hand.  Many options could have been the outcome of this terrific accident - BUT GOD. I praise Him again today for the miracle of our lives...it's testimony time!

An answer to prayer!

"You have NO IDEA how badly we needed you!"  The words start pouring out of both J. and F. as they both begin to tell us what has been happening to them.  Other mothers and children start coming in as word spreads quickly 'americans are here'. Everyone is silent and listens...

T. can speak some spanish so he interpets for us all....

Pastor F. and his children stand with bright eyes - the girls never left his side... I know they know all about what is going on too by their actions of staying close beside daddy.

This precious family were one of the trapped chrisitan families looking for a better life.  When it became impossible they  felt like maybe God would use them right here.  So they stayed and began ministry to the people around them.  Today they pastor two churches and are both hard workers and walking by faith. 

I feel for them as I know the danger they live in daily, and the lack of help they now are caught in.  Americans are too afraid to cross over and bring them supplies. So they are cut off from outside help.  J. tells me " I pray pray pray all day everyday for the  people.... they need Jesus and so do the drug cartel"  She has started walking around the church area praying for the people here and the violence to stop. Ask me to pray for angels to come and protect them and the church family. 

I could tell she needed encouragement and strength.  When they saw what we brought- the eyes filled with tears again as they knew God had provided for their needs yet again....

There is no way we could have known what was planned to happen this very week there at one of their churches.  60+ pastors are traveling and making their way slowly to this little church for a weekend of prayer together.  Pastor F. and J.had nothing to feed them, so they had decided it would be a fasting weekend for everyone.  BUT GOD....

We felt we needed to check on them while we were here so we got food together (another story to come) the B.'s connected us with T. again(they are 1000 miles away from here) we loaded up with foods ...

And just like that.... they had all the food they needed to feed these 60+ pastors coming to them. The tears of gratitude mean its worth the risk we have taken to get to them. The Pastor could barely control his emotions...

We love being used of the Lord to be the answer to someone's prayers....

To those who believe ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

It's serious business going on here!

 

Inside the border of Mexico

This trip across the border was surely of the Lord for brothers and sisters who are trapped in a serious situation.  Helpless to escape and each day the violence explodes with the aggresive cartel demanding more and more from the innocent. They plan to kill everyday anyone that opposes them. 

I didn't have a ball cap to hide my hair - so I just watched and prayed from the back seat.  When we had to slow down I would put the window up as to not be seen.... (my face is a little swollen from a toothache.  More about THAT later too.

This area is just across the border in Reynosa, and the families trapped here cannot get home- their hopes dashed and it seems that all is lost to them.  Now the drug cartel is trying to control them.  Last week 47 were killed who refused to be a part of them in combat at the border. My heart breaks for the mothers with children who are here.  Oh God..... oh God......

A mom reaches for her child as we come up.... she does not know who might be in that car.  I watch her push no.... a better word is 'shove' her baby stroller along the ruts and bumps this dirt 'road' has.

And when we get to the safety of the church the pastor's wife is so very thrilled to see us. They both were there along with their children inside.   J. is so happy to see us, she hugged and hugged me with tears. She starts telling me all about what is happening to them there and her face shows me her deep fears for her daughters and her husband.  Their church has grown so much during this crisis - they now have 2 churches and she pastors one while he pastors the other one.  So at service times they are in separate locations.... another deep concern for both of them. The Bishop ministers to him while I minister to her, and pray....

More later.....

 

The Mexico Border

The troubles of Mexico are endless it seems.... all of the recent violence between the border issues, two governments and the drug cartel has resulted in daily killings just inside the border of Mexico. Much of it is unknown by the US press.  We are here on the border (my dentist) and concerned about all of the missions that are dependant upon American help to survive.  The word here is that virtually NO ONE is going across to send aid now.

What happens when aid ceases?  What happens to the ministries feeding the innocent children?  Do we trust in the protection of the Lord to continue or not? When we hear the reports of different areas of need and how supplies are very limited right now, we decide we must send food NOW. Our routes for getting help into Mexico have failed and we must find new ways to get our supplies in.

Phone calls begin from authorities.... 'don't go'. ' Your life is at risk, please stay away'.  'Do not cross this border'.  'This crossing is unsafe'. 45 people were killed in a shoot out with the cartel earlier this week right here. There is a heavy army presence at the border (but the trouble is when the cartel arrives they just start blazing guns and war breaks out between the two- and the innocent get caught in the crossfire) Even local missions urge us not to go.

We prayed and decided to go anyway.  How do we leave precious people in peril without support?  Having lived through a war in Africa already - we do understand the dangers, but also the tremendous boost of encouragement others can receive by just seeing us, may it ever be so short a time. It means SO VERY MUCH to someone living in danger to see and receive supplies from someone who cares.  Fear can take over the mind and torment the spirit. The old statement 'war is hell' is true.  Been there and done that!

Meet T.

He is a rugged courageous missions minded man who is thrilled we are unafraid to go in.  He tells us of so many that have stopped going due to the trouble happening.  We decide to go in at the hottest part of day, in a old black suburban with the windows down, to look as much as possible as unimportant to watchers 'trolling' cars looking for open opportunities for trouble. We fill the car with supplies(more about that later) say a prayer and leave for the border.  The army inspects us - speaks rapid spanish to us(no idea what was said- it was said so fast) So we just smiled and went on.....

 

T. tells us this very road is where his last brush with death happened.  2 weeks ago he and the Borens were traveling here when suddenly 2 big buses turned and blocked the road (criminals had siezed them).  The traffic stopped - men stepped out and begin to rob each car at gunpoint - those who did not give them money were shot dead on the spot.  When the traffic realized what was happening people started backing up, panic happened and briefly the cartel lost control as cars started going everywhere.  Others jumped from their cars and ran.  B. and W. and T. were in two vehicles - one guy reached in Billy's and tried to grab the keys - he fought him off.  Another one opened W. door and tried to pull her out of the car.  She fought him off.  They shoved their vehicles in reverse ( pulling a trailer) and turned around the (trailer was flopping) and floored in headed back. They tell us strangely it all happened so fast they were not even afraid.  6 people were killed.

This road today is empty of all traffic. We begin to pray for the poor people who live in these conditions everyday.  We risk our lives bringing life sustaining food to them.

The odd man is standing out beside the road.. is he a lookout?  A car with dark tinted glass is setting beside the road... another one?

more tomorrow.....

Sometimes in life a decision must be made for self protection, or ones principals.  If something happened - we are all three ready to go.... and would be thrilled to wake up in heaven!  So it's best to live by our principals and let God take care of us as we do His work.

 

 

 

Moms Against Hunger Zimbabwe Shipment

I have been intensely focused upon my Moms Against Hunger food shipment for Zimbabwe.  Everyday ....prayer all day long, every single day my attention has been on pulling the money together for this shipment - producing it straight out of nothing.  I have had my total mind upon speaking this into existence.  That early morning 1 month ago I arose with an overwhelming urgency in my spirit to reach out and find a way to ship.  Moms Against Hunger already had shipments going, so this was in addition to what we were already doing.  So to find the extra money was going to take a miracle.  God came through for me and here's the rest of the story!

I am happy today to tell you that the shipping portion of the money needed has been raised.  A special thank you to all of my compassionate supporters who joined with me to make this happen.   The day after the rest of the funds came in,  a container was ordered and we prepared to ship!!! 
Yesterday was my husband's birthday and we spent his special day pouring out for the needs of others.  (Today we will  celebrate his birthday!)

 

It's 107 degrees here when the container arrived.  Already I am sweated down, but excited.

 

The container smells! So a layer of absorbent product is put down first to absorb all smells. A closed in place for a month can get overwhelming - so it's important to take care of this first.

 

My husband oversees the guys loading.  Every inch of this container is to be jam-packed, and he is a professional making every inch count.Look how sweated down the guys are getting already.  We only have 2 hours to load this container so it's fast and hot work!

 

Angela meticulously counts the boxes for our paperwork for the load.

 

It's so tightly packed that he gets on the forklift himself and pushes and pushes to make sure it's going to not have any 'air' between pallets.

 

It takes many hands to actually do this work, I am so thankful for every staff member who jumped on board to help complete this.

 

 

Just one more box! 

 

I know what will happen the day this container gets reopened.  There will be laughter, and joy and bouncing around.  Africans will all joyfully come to lay their hands on it and help carry boxes.  Pastor Clyde Bismark will be so thankful.  So from my hands to yours my African family..... here is aid with love.  I know this will be a help and an encouragement to you that your American Christian family cares and sends aid at this most desperate  hour in your country.

 

My husband and I pray over this load, for all sorts of good to come from it.  I am thankful it's done. 

I feel exhausted, and drained.  Going away to rest now.

 

Where is the Cop when you need him?

I am home this week, and something strange happened last night after church.  Hmmmmm not sure about this, but I'll tell you about it.  See what you think about everyday miracles.
Standing in the foyer of the Community Center talking with someone - nearly everyone was gone already, Kids are being loaded into their car outside, our policeman on duty was right outside in his car - a regular Wednesday night was finished and the last of families headed home.
When suddenly out of the field next door appears a man running straight for the Community Center.  I couldn't see him, but Angela did and hustling her kids in the car, calls out to the Officer - who is this coming?  He must not have understood her meaning about possible trouble, so he didn't move.
I am inside and suddenly the doors are thrown open and I see this wild guy coming in. Now in the split second I instantly knew this is danger - he's  6 foot 3-4 inches tall, full beard, wild long reddish hair, and his eyes were on fire, and he's breathing hard. Looked like he was about 40 years old, dressed in all white (weird for a regular guy to be wearing)  He looked straight at me (only two ladies standing there) and started rushing straight for me. Breathing hard and his face was red, needless to say my discernment told me get out of the way.  So I side stepped him - and at that moment another lady saw this and rushed back in the Foyer and was trying to get between him and me. Now all of this is happening so fast that it now seems orchestrated. 
When I opened the door and called out (rather strongly - now that I think about it)  'Officer I need you NOW', he jumps out and comes quickly  in the door.  The wild man takes another look at me, sees the Cop coming and the two ladies and runs down the hallway and burst out the side door.
The Policeman takes off after him calling him - the man acted like he was going into the Sanctuary (and I have no idea who might have innocently been in there)
When he knew the policeman was after him, he abruptly turned and took off running as fast as he could out through the parking lot and disappeared into the darkness.
Our officer called for back up and shortly the man was caught in the darkness of the neighborhood and cuffed and taken in.
Now this morning when I think about  this - this is strange enough to have been something about to go wrong. But God......... was there with us and the man was unable to harm me, because everyone's actions confused him.  It's like instantly everyone went on high action and he couldn't focus on me.
And after everyone's hearts calmed down and we all peacefully went home - I thought to myself,  because of the Lord - we all continue on with our lives safely and normally.

I called my husband and our Security Director when I got home, and now more safety issues will be put in place for us.  Sadly I can't just go openly among the people anymore.
And now you know why .....
I am thankful for waking up this morning at home safe and sound, and for the lives of those who were standing around me, and for our Officer on duty - because of several  quick actions  by everyone it may have saved our lives.
Where is the Cop when you need one? He was right on time..... He could have been patrolling the outer areas of the property, or behind the building, or parked over by the sanctuary - but he was right where I needed him at the right moment. Bless you Officer Dan!!

Thank you God.