One of the tiers of Son Safaris is for me to be invited as a guest speaker to speak at retreats, conferences, Sunday church services, or any other event.
My goal, after sharing stories of safaris and wild animals in Africa and combining this with God’s Word, is to draw people closer in their relationship with Christ.
The results are sometimes not instantly evident.
ALAS,
Midway Christian Church celebrated their 113th Homecoming & Revival this week. I was invited by John Birchfield to be their guest speaker. I spoke at all 5 events from Sunday to Wednesday. After the session on Tuesday, a lady from within the congregation, whom John had been mentoring for the past 4 years, approached me and thanked me with tears in her eyes. Her words:
“I have truly struggled making a concious decision to follow Christ. Tonight you have made it all make sense”.
Wednesday evening John had the honor of baptizing her and we were honored to hear her repeat these words:
“I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and I accept Him as my personal Lord and Savior.”
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Thank you for your prayers for this ministry, and for me and my family to stay faithful to God’s calling. Your support helps life changes like this become real.
I am who I am, and I do what I do, because HE LIVES!!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Son Safaris: On the Outside Looking In
Often times, we take for granted the interconnectedness of all life. We tend to forget that our lives are inextricably linked with those around us, whether they are human, animal, insect, etc. We forget that we are all God’s creatures, and that creatures other than ourselves may have valuable information for us.
On Wednesday night, August 25, 2010, I watched as Fledge Fiamingo was able to bring those messages to life to people who may have never considered them before. Fledge combines a strong faith with extraordinary experiences on safari, as well as the vast knowledge of wildlife needed to survive in the bush. Through the example of lions and hyenas, vicious predators and natural enemies of one another, he interwove a story that held the attention of the entire room. He challenges fellow Christians to take the final leap of committing fully to Christ by realizing that doing everything alone does not accomplish much for the Lord. The most moving part of the evening was when the congregation had the honor of witnessing the baptism of a member. A young woman had struggled for four years with committing herself to Christ but through Fledge’s message, was able to finally give her self over to Him totally.
We are all in this together.
Isabela Rzeznik
On Wednesday night, August 25, 2010, I watched as Fledge Fiamingo was able to bring those messages to life to people who may have never considered them before. Fledge combines a strong faith with extraordinary experiences on safari, as well as the vast knowledge of wildlife needed to survive in the bush. Through the example of lions and hyenas, vicious predators and natural enemies of one another, he interwove a story that held the attention of the entire room. He challenges fellow Christians to take the final leap of committing fully to Christ by realizing that doing everything alone does not accomplish much for the Lord. The most moving part of the evening was when the congregation had the honor of witnessing the baptism of a member. A young woman had struggled for four years with committing herself to Christ but through Fledge’s message, was able to finally give her self over to Him totally.
We are all in this together.
Isabela Rzeznik
Monday, August 23, 2010
I love these guys
I had the great privilege of attending two reunions in the last week, one for the counselors of Woodland Camp, which I was a part of this summer as well as another one for 20 different men who have all served with me at one point or another.
The Woodland Camp reunion Saturday August 21st was great because I was able to see those wonderful people with whom I served over the summer, as well as getting to know their families. It is always great to see that people are progressing in their work for the Lord!
On Thursday August 19th, I met up with 20 people at the Taco Mac in Buford, GA, and the one thing all of them had in common was that they had been a part of my life and ministry over the summer. I regularly meet up with these friends every third Thursday of the month, this being our first meeting after summer vacation. We all come together because we understand that it is not about ourselves, it is about Christ, and realizing as well that there is no reason to serve Christ alone. Strength for the Lord comes in numbers, and having a group of people who believe in that is truly a blessing!
The Woodland Camp reunion Saturday August 21st was great because I was able to see those wonderful people with whom I served over the summer, as well as getting to know their families. It is always great to see that people are progressing in their work for the Lord!
On Thursday August 19th, I met up with 20 people at the Taco Mac in Buford, GA, and the one thing all of them had in common was that they had been a part of my life and ministry over the summer. I regularly meet up with these friends every third Thursday of the month, this being our first meeting after summer vacation. We all come together because we understand that it is not about ourselves, it is about Christ, and realizing as well that there is no reason to serve Christ alone. Strength for the Lord comes in numbers, and having a group of people who believe in that is truly a blessing!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Starting the week renewed
This week, I’m going to be participating in the good ol’ Southern tradition of a Church revival! While I know that certainly there are revivals in the more northern areas of the United States, the South seems to have a claim on them that rivals any other. I really enjoy the idea of a revival because it serves as another way to wipe the slate clean for a church as well as for the people in the congregation. In a way, it serves as a rebirth of the church and a way to get back on track.
The particular revival I will be speaking during this next week will be held at Midway Christian Church in Winder, GA, about 20-30 minutes down 316. The event will be starting on Sunday, August 21st and ending on Wednesday, August 25th. I will be speaking twice on Sunday, and once every evening finishing on Wednesday. If you would like anymore information, please visit www.midwaychristian.net.
also see details:
http://midwaychristian.net/MCC%20Bulletin%2020100815%20Insert%20Homecoming%202010.pdf
The particular revival I will be speaking during this next week will be held at Midway Christian Church in Winder, GA, about 20-30 minutes down 316. The event will be starting on Sunday, August 21st and ending on Wednesday, August 25th. I will be speaking twice on Sunday, and once every evening finishing on Wednesday. If you would like anymore information, please visit www.midwaychristian.net.
also see details:
http://midwaychristian.net/MCC%20Bulletin%2020100815%20Insert%20Homecoming%202010.pdf
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Why we need to be like: a soldier, an athlete, & a farmer
I was reading and reflecting on 1 Tim 2: 3-7, in which there are three pictures painted by Paul of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Paul connects these three occupations with being a Christian during Biblical times. I, however, saw a clear connection between those occupations pertaining not only to our modern times but also to myself and being a Christian today.
For me, the occupation of being a solider was the one which stood out to me the most, having spent time in the military. Paul shows that the obedience a soldier exhibits towards his commander should be the same that we as Christians should show Christ. When Christ gives a command we must follow it, just as a soldier must obey the commands of his superior, with no deviation and not listening to the rest of the world.
As an athlete, well, we have a fantastic example of UGA football here in Athens. While fans take great pride in the team, and we have a new season to start going for a national championship, half of the team appears to be in jail for not following the rules set out by the community, not to mention federal law. As Christians, if we do not follow the rules the Lord set out for us, how can we be expected to go out into the world and do his work?
While today farming is not as widespread of a job (in Athens anyway, but thank goodness we have farmers), we can still relate the work of a farmer to any work we do today. The farmer works hard in the field to reap the benefit of a good crop, and we work hard to reap the benefit of wages or salary. Working hard for Christ should come as second nature, and we know that we will reap the benefits when the ‘end of our day’ comes.
For me, the occupation of being a solider was the one which stood out to me the most, having spent time in the military. Paul shows that the obedience a soldier exhibits towards his commander should be the same that we as Christians should show Christ. When Christ gives a command we must follow it, just as a soldier must obey the commands of his superior, with no deviation and not listening to the rest of the world.
As an athlete, well, we have a fantastic example of UGA football here in Athens. While fans take great pride in the team, and we have a new season to start going for a national championship, half of the team appears to be in jail for not following the rules set out by the community, not to mention federal law. As Christians, if we do not follow the rules the Lord set out for us, how can we be expected to go out into the world and do his work?
While today farming is not as widespread of a job (in Athens anyway, but thank goodness we have farmers), we can still relate the work of a farmer to any work we do today. The farmer works hard in the field to reap the benefit of a good crop, and we work hard to reap the benefit of wages or salary. Working hard for Christ should come as second nature, and we know that we will reap the benefits when the ‘end of our day’ comes.
Monday, August 16, 2010
New Semester, New Start
While the first day of a new semester may not be quite as exciting as your first ever day of school, it is still an occasion to be celebrated. Why? College is challenging, especially for those students attending UGA, and comes with the myriad of different stresses. At times, students may not always have been able to achieve their academic goals at the end of the semester. With the beginning of a new semester, however, students have a shiny, new clean slate and get to start over.
When I was baptized in the Lord, I felt brand new. I had a fantastic and fresh lease on life, and felt like I could begin again, this time with a much better mission and reason for being. With the Lord in my life, I began to realize that with every new day, we get a second chance to correct any mistakes made yesterday. For that knowledge, I am thankful everyday.
Good luck to all of you college students on your first day today!
When I was baptized in the Lord, I felt brand new. I had a fantastic and fresh lease on life, and felt like I could begin again, this time with a much better mission and reason for being. With the Lord in my life, I began to realize that with every new day, we get a second chance to correct any mistakes made yesterday. For that knowledge, I am thankful everyday.
Good luck to all of you college students on your first day today!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
If 28 years of service was not enough...
My dear friend and mentor, Tim Hudson, is now a “walking miracle”.
As a pastor he baptized my wife and me as well as married us at the Campus House. He is also the supervisor and now chairman of the Son Safaris Board and an extremely important part of my life as well as my family’s.
On Saturday July 31, 2010, I found myself in a state of uncertainty and pre-mourning because Tim was not expected to regain consciousness after an emergency heart operation. I was finally allowed to visit with him the following day which did not help the situation because of my emotional state. I called for prayers from friends of mine as well as Tim’s and strangers. Together, we were able to manifest an unbelievable wonder.
Why not read about Tim's experience in his own words...?
http://shadowlander.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/what-happened-to-tim/
As a pastor he baptized my wife and me as well as married us at the Campus House. He is also the supervisor and now chairman of the Son Safaris Board and an extremely important part of my life as well as my family’s.
On Saturday July 31, 2010, I found myself in a state of uncertainty and pre-mourning because Tim was not expected to regain consciousness after an emergency heart operation. I was finally allowed to visit with him the following day which did not help the situation because of my emotional state. I called for prayers from friends of mine as well as Tim’s and strangers. Together, we were able to manifest an unbelievable wonder.
Why not read about Tim's experience in his own words...?
http://shadowlander.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/what-happened-to-tim/
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