This Is My Story...

...A Year in the Life

We experienced a lot of firsts this year-all without husband or father in our lives. Amerel volunteered at several horse farms and also a therapeutic (horse) riding center. She also took horse back riding lessons. She joined the adult Christmas choir which has been a longtime dream of hers. Isaiah played on the worship team at our church...a dream he's had since he was a toddler. He's also been teaching himself how to play electric and acoustic drums which is a more recent dream of his. My two little ones both had solo parts in the children's Christmas choir. All of the kids began trying to learn how to swim over the summer break from school. Daddy would have been proud of his children this year!

I've also had some firsts...I began driving regularly on the local highways-something I would never have done if it wasn't absolutely necessary! I have learned to pump my own gas. (In the state I'm originally from it's illegal to pump your own gas, and Tyren always filled our gas tank ever since we've been married.) I had my first surgery (for hernia repair) and am gracefully recovering. Bought my first vehicle by myself. Rented our first house. Even got my first regular stay at home job! Praise God! My husband would have been proud of me, too. But he wasn't here to walk through any of it with us. Sometimes, I honestly don't know how I made it through this year-BUT GOD!

God has faithfully brought us through this year! When I prayed for a reliable vehicle big enough for our family that would last us years-God came through. I prayed for a home with enough room to homeschool our four children comfortably and a nice sized backyard for the kids to play in. God opened up the windows of heaven and poured it out upon us. I prayed that by January 1st I would have a part time job that allowed me to stay at home and support my kids' homeschooling. Again, God miraculously came through and I was hired earlier this month for an online chat support position at a Christian school! Has God been faithful to us?! Amazingly so! And there are so many other ways He's been faithful to us that many of you have had a huge part in.

So, as hard as it is to believe and to fathom, life still goes on here in this place I've decided to call Narnia (see my blog from March of this year). Because, for me, life in that other world where my husband still walked beside me can not co-exist with this new life I have to walk in. It is another reality that no longer exists in this new world we are destined to live in now. But I now know something that I didn't know, or believe, a year ago when my beloved husband graduated to his eternal heavenly home-God still has a perfect plan for my life here in this place...and I am choosing to walk in it. God is faithful.

So, for as long as God has given me to live here in this place...

This is my story,

This is my song...

Praising my Savior

All the day long!

Thank you to all of you who have stood by us in love, prayer, and support in this most difficult year of our lives.

Happy New Year!

Tiffany

A Chapter in the Chronicles of Narnia

This is My Story,

This is My Song,

Praising My Savior,

ALL THE DAY LONG!

It was as if we had entered into another world.  A world unknown to any of us.  We had never crossed these shores before.  Nor was I sure I wanted to cross them now.  But the song "In Over My Head" sung by Bethel's Jenn Johnson kept crashing over me, leading me deeper and deeper into uncharted waters.  This is the beginning of entering in to the Chronicles of Narnia...

Assumane Fun Day (August 2015)

My beloved husband, Tyren, was absolutely exhausted.  I had never seen him so tired before.  The only other time I could compare it with was the time he had crashed, physically, after he single-handedly delivered our little Chayah over six years ago in our Lichinga home.  He was so exhausted in the days following that home birth, that I felt I should be attending to him after giving birth rather than him attending to me.  This was worse.  I can't even describe it.  I don't know what exactly caused him to get so worn down.  He was doing everything he normally does-and then some.  But it didn't seem to be to the point where he wouldn't recover-given some extended down time and relaxation.  Which was exactly what I ordered.  And he did that-to the best of his ability at the time.  He couldn't just stop everything with so many people dependent on him for so many different things-from the guards to our family-everyone needed him daily for something.  And being the kind of person he was-always supporting, always caring, always exhorting and stirring others up to walk into their God given destinies-he was there for everyone who needed him, even in his time of weakness.  That week, he gave of himself to his family, our Lichinga base, the prison, and everyone else he felt he needed to be there for.  

The following week, our whole family left the reality of our known world and we entered into another reality.  One where Daddy and husband began to lose his strength.  One where Daddy and husband leaned on us more than we leaned on him.  This was a strange new world for all of us.  But Tyren continued to lift us, his family, up in prayer and encourage us in the word of the Lord.  God had some specific things to share with us that week and Tyren delivered them.  He watered and washed us with the word of God that was pouring from his heart for our family and for myself, his wife.  Contending for strength in his body, he continued to contend for his family for our strength in the Lord.  God told him that he was going to graduate and be skipped a couple of levels and that we were also going to be graduating.  As Tyren shared these words with us, none of us had any idea what graduation day would look like-not even Tyren himself realized when he spoke to us that day.  I told him that I was going to write a blog about him after he and our family graduated.  I already had the title which you read at the top of this blog.  I thought we would have a great and awesome testimony to share about how God miraculously restored Tyren's strength.  Little did we know that God intended to promote him to the highest level of graduation.     

Briefly, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Chronicles of Narnia, it is about 4 siblings who are suddenly and without warning, transported from their normal, mundane life in England to another world called Narnia.  They face and overcome many evils and fight many battles.  During their many trials and tribulations, along with their many victories, they find out that they are actually kings and queens in a kingdom where Aslan is the loving supreme leader of Narnia.  Aslan eventually lays down his own life to defeat an evil witch and save Narnia and is then raised back to life victoriously the following day.  

Last week, my oldest daughter and I were talking about Tyren and she mentioned that she felt her Daddy had suffered more spiritually than physically before he died.  I told her that I agreed with her and that God must have decided that this was to be his last battle.  That's when she told me the title of the last book in the Chronicles of Narnia-it's called The Last Battle.  In this last battle, the Narnians are fighting for their lives and for Narnia when they are instantly transported into Aslan's country, the allegorical heaven, right in the midst of the battle.  One moment they were fighting, and the next moment they had graduated!  That was their last battle.  Victorious and triumphant, they entered into the next level.  Tyren fought his last battle and, peacefully, he graduated to the final level-the ultimate level-where he will fight no more.  He has overcome and has entered into his victory.  

Flowering tree Tyren planted in our front yard (Lichinga)

Now, I feel that we have been left here in Narnia for a time.  And I know we have many battles and challenges ahead of us in this strange land.  But, I also know that, like Tyren, one day we will graduate and enter into the victory that Christ has already won for us.  And if we really believe in who God says we are in Him, we can enter into that victory even now, well before our time comes to leave this land.  

Flower Tyren planted in our front yard (Lichinga)

And that is the end of the first chapter for the Haynes family in the book of the Chronicles of Narnia.


Blessings,

Tiffany 

Preparing for Christmas in the Prison - 2015

This year, I believe the Lord put a special Christmas celebration on my heart for the prison – chicken for all of the prisoners and guards.  Then, a business in town recently offered to sell chickens to me at the wholesale price just for my prison celebration!  Whole chickens sold here in Lichinga are small – they generally weigh 2 lbs. or less.  Therefore, we plan to purchase approximately 170 chickens (at most 200). We also plan to buy some chips, or small chocolates, as well.  The total estimate is around $700.  This is very good for a party of about 300 people.

We’ve already received the o.k. from the prison.  I’m excited for the prisoners, many of whom have not tasted chicken in years.  For us, it will be a special day as we celebrate the love of Jesus Christ and a prophetic year of destiny (celebrating the birth of a nation) as Mozambique is celebrating 40 years of independence this year.  Our prison ministry team also plans to eat with the prisoners, which will be a first for us.

If you would like to help out, please send in your donation by December 14^th.   See our blog's homepage for information on donating (heartsforharvest.blogspot.com).  Also, send us an email to let us know.  If we receive more than $700, we’ll gladly buy rice for the prison as well!  Rice is a rare food in the prison.  Thank you for helping us celebrate the love and goodness of Jesus Christ in the prison.

With love for His Harvest,

Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Suddenly, I Lost My Right to Drive!

My motorbike with the yellow carrying
containers I added

Imagine driving for many years, and being told that all your documents are legal and in order.  Then, suddenly, one day the same police department tells you that you can no longer drive your vehicle because your documents are not legal.  And you get a fine on top of that!  That’s exactly what happened to me in the beginning of this month.  The transportation department apologized for the error of incorrect information these past eight years, then informed me that I’d have to pass the written exam to get a Mozambican driver’s license if I want to drive my car again.  (By the way, here in Lichinga we do have an amazing police department and transportation department.)  Suddenly, I felt this great joy - as though I’d been given a privilege - stirring up within me that took away other feelings that could have ruled my heart.  I think you know what I mean.  To honor and care about our police department and Jesus Christ, I stopped driving.  The joy kept overflowing.

A couple of months ago, my wife received a word from God about changes He was about to make in government.  It might seem like these changes are against us.  But, they are good for the development of the nation because they will help Mozambique walk in the destiny God has for it.

As missionaries we are here to help usher a nation into its God given destiny.  Maybe our part is small.  But, by honoring the laws of the transportation department, I can celebrate and encourage the birthing of Lichinga into its God-given destiny.  When the church operates in the kingdom of God, it opens the way for a city to walk into its destiny.  Even more, when we honor what God does, His presence abides with us.  Presence is the “place” where people (a city, a nation) awaken to God’s reality for their lives.  We are blessed to be able to please the Lord by submitting to and speaking well of (blessing) our local government.  Not all believers choose to do this.

We don't need to be shipwrecked by moments we don’t understand, or “beached” in our wedding attire (we, the church, are the Bride of Christ).  We need to be so in love with Jesus – our groom -  that we soar in the “all things work together” (Romans 8:28) moments that God has ordained for us.

On Monday, November 23rd, I passed the written exam in Portuguese.  Yes, on the first try.  Come on!  God is good!  Now, I am a legal driver!  All for His glory.  There is nothing else worth living for.

Love,

Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Night Evangelism: Two Drunk Men

While we mere ministering on the street, two drunk young men came and interrupted us (myself and our visitor from Scotland).  One of them, especially, seemed to be laughing, taking the presence of God lightly.  But the Lord was intent on pouring out His goodness.  The Holy Spirit decided to “play”, too.   I felt the Holy Spirit “rise up” within me.  I felt like a “living puppet”.  Willingly choosing to yield to His will, I told the man, “Stand up.  The Lord wants to show you that this is real.  The wind of the Spirit is going to blow on you.”  The young man started falling backwards.  He exclaimed to his friend, “I feel this wind blowing inside of me.”  Then, he started taking things seriously.  God’s fire fell on them.  Our visitor and I both began to pray.  The young man’s friend was willing to pray for salvation.  They both hung around until the end of the night, praising God and encouraging others to hear the word of God and receive prayer.

Honestly, I think I was more amazed than the drunk young man.  I pray that we may carry His heart, and be challenged in our own personal unbelief that keeps us from submitting to the grace of God that can touch people in the depths of their hearts.  More than anything, we long to know our God and experience Him (John 17:21-23, John 15:4-5).

Love,  Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Night Evangelism: Experiencing the Goodness of God

It was a night that seemed as if the Lord was having fun, celebrating people and pouring out His goodness upon anyone who was willing to receive.  The presence of the Lord upon the area stirred up a hunger for Jesus in some hearts.  People who heard us ministering came on their own to hear the gospel.  Others asked for prayer on their own initiative.  

While Victo was sharing the gospel with people along the street, there were some who ignored him, mocked Jesus, told him to leave, or just walked away.  But two people gave their lives to Jesus; one remained alone to hear Victo preach while everyone else walked away.

One woman, from another faith, heard me prophesy over someone. She interrupted me while I was ministering (I guess she couldn’t wait).  “Pray for me.  I’m sick," she said.  When I went to pray for her, she said, “I am not from the church.”  “It’s not important.  Jesus loves you anyway and He wants to heal you,” I responded.  She was healed of shoulder and back pain that she has had for many years since childhood.

Christians and people of other faiths received healing and encouragement, and were set free from bondage.  The Lord filled our hearts with joy and gave us the privilege of walking in His love and authority that night.  I was amazed at just how freely the Lord was willing to reveal His goodness to us and use us to touch people, especially people that didn’t believe in Christ.  We pray, “More Lord!”

In the next blog, we'll share about 2 drunk men that the Lord touched last Friday night.

Love,

Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Pure Love 3 - More of the Presence

In God's love, any time, situation, or place can become the ideal moment for people to encounter Christ Jesus.  Here's a testimony that happened this summer.  One day a warehouse manager had an employee give me a bag of cement that I discovered was ripped open.  When I refused it, he told me that if I didn’t want it, I’d have to carry it back to the warehouse myself and choose another one (but, only employees are authorized to enter the warehouse).  I wanted to open my mouth, but Jesus met with me in that moment.  I yielded to the Lord, and let go of any rights I supposedly had to contend for better treatment and service.  Immediately, I saw the presence of God fall upon the man.  In an instant, his whole demeanor changed.  He spoke kindly to me, and had another sack brought to me.  He even told the employee to make sure I approved of the new sack.

Afterwards, the Lord explained to me what had happened.  By forgiving the man and yielding to the will of God, I had opened the way, who is Jesus (John 14:6), to encounter the man.  Instead of being locked into darkness by "unChrist-like" behavior from a Christian, the man was given a moment of freedom to behave how Jesus made him to be.  The Lord told me that since his heart wasn’t hardened through this ordeal, it would remain more open to the Lord.

Years ago, the Lord told me that the answer for Lichinga was more of His presence.   Lately, we’ve been seeing the importance of seeking what God Himself has made the priority for Lichinga – His presence.  Presence is everything.  We pray, Lord, help us to live for your presence!  You are all our city needs.

Love,  Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Pure Love 2 - The Presence

As we love God, who is worthy of our love, He enables us to love people.  As we simply love people, we set the stage for them to have amazing encounters with Jesus that no person, mere method, or project could produce.

A Christian and a man of another faith were debating.  The unbeliever was openly denying Jesus Christ, the only Savior.  The Lord’s compassion moved upon me for this unbeliever.  I made a comment to the Christian about how he shouldn’t be arguing with the other man and coming against his opinion.  I could see the love of God penetrating the heart of this unbeliever.  I said to both of them, “No matter what people believe, Jesus knows who He is.  He is the Son of God and the only Savior.”  The presence of the Lord came upon the unbeliever.   I could see the argument in his mind (against Christ), but he shook his head in agreement and said, “That’s right.”  Then, he just stood there looking bewildered because of what had just come out of his mouth.  God’s presence revealed what this man truly believes about Jesus, even though he is not willing to put his faith in Christ.

The love of God awakens people to the reality of who they truly are.  Who they are to God has nothing to do with their mere religious credence.  If we love, we can help prepare people for encounters with Christ that can change their lives forever.

In love with Christ,  Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Pure Love

The Lord continues to invite us into the simplicity of His love which includes loving our neighbors as ourselves.  As we love people, we are also learning to enjoy valuing people – even when they seem contrary to the gospel (Matthew 5:43-48).

A man of another faith frequently comes to me and asks me to buy eggs from him when I am at the market.  Often, he doesn’t greet me.  Instead, I am met with a pushy demeanor, selfish remarks, and unpleasant behavior.  I asked the Lord to help me love him, my neighbor.  I chose to think good thoughts about him from that time forward.  Then, I began to see what God sees – a completely different person than the one that was in front of me.  The Holy Spirit also shared some of the secrets of this young man’s heart with me.   One day at the market, I began to prophesy to him about his life, who he is really is, and explained why he had a strong desire for some worldly things.  He listened intently, and thought for a little.  Then, he asked me for a Bible so he could read more about the Lord.  I am planning to highlight some scriptures in the Bible to encourage him in his life, and in learning about the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Pray that this young man’s heart might open fully to the good news of Jesus Christ.  Pray that we may continue experiencing the presence and power of God as we simply love people with the Father’s heart.

Love,  Tyren and Tiffany Haynes