Satan Lives in Sound Systems

There is hardly a time when I get up to speak that the sound system doesn’t go wacky. It could be a number of things. But not only that, there are so many different kinds of microphones, and not one is made for women. There are the ones you clip on your lapel or necktie. Well, women don’t wear neck ties, and we seldom have a lapel. I will go to the ladies room and try to maneuver this thing in order for it to be close to my mouth and not fall off.

Then there are the hand held microphones – that is just not going to work with me. I need both of my hands, I can’t hold a microphone. So they will put it on a microphone stand. That doesn’t work either. I can’t talk and stand frozen in one place for 45 minutes to an hour. I move around. So, here we are. Women like the ones that go around your ear. It’s the same color as your skin – you can’t see it…perfect for us. But they often give me one of those black head sets that go over your head. Oh, please, I look like an astronaut. But even though I try to make it all work, when I get up to talk, the sound system goes dead. No sound.

The men back in the sound booth are pushing every button, changing wires, or whatever, trying to make it work. Finally they come all the way up to the platform to put a new battery in that little gismo that is hanging on the back of my skirt to see if that is the problem. Now if that isn’t a picture to behold! There he is fiddling around in the back of me, bending over trying to put a new battery in the receiver that is hanging on the back of my skirt. By now the audience is laughing their head offs. It is all very entertaining, but I have just lost about 8 minutes of my speaking time.

Even, when it all goes well, my microphone, the sound system and all… everything’s just hunky dory, the people are having a hard time hearing. What? Oh yes, when they were building the church they did not consult a reputable sound man before they started the building. Here we are sitting in these, incredible, beautiful, lovely, comfortable churches, but… poor sound, no matter where you sit you can’t hear. So now, after the church is built, they consult a qualified sound man and thousands of dollars are spent in trying to somehow make adjustments in the sanctuary part of the building. You know, it is all about the message, the Word of God, the very thing that Satan does not want anyone to hear. Satan has no power over the Word. So he tries and interferes some other way. He is a pain, a nuisance, and very annoying. Pay no attention. Press on.

If you had any idea of how many times this happens in one week, you too, would be frustrated. It’s absurd. God is looking to see how we respond to all this. Well, we don’t respond…or at least we shouldn’t. We press on. We can send men to the moon, but we can’t make a sound system that works. It’s Satan taking advantage of the situation.

Back in the dark ages when all these enormous cathedrals were built in Europe, they didn’t need a sound system or microphone; you could hear a pin drop in those buildings. How is it we can hear a tiny little bird singing off in the distance up in a tree somewhere? Did you ever think about that? Well, maybe we need to have church under the trees. Actually, in Hauna Village, in Papua New Guinea, before we could build a thatched roof church, that is exactly what we did. We met under the palm trees. We could all hear just fine.

But in spite of all the sound difficulty, I let people know that we will not allow Satan to interrupt this meeting. We press on in the name of Jesus, who has a whole lot more power than Satan or the sound system. He makes it work, and people are blessed. We win.

What a great meeting it was those two days (in Elk Grove, IL; October 20 and 21, 2007) in spite of the sound system. At the brunch, where there were around 80 people, we had a great time talking and sharing about the amazing things that the Lord is doing all over the world. It just loosened the people up. We laughed and bantered back and forth…the message went out and the people are still talking about it. Thank you Lord. The same scenario at the worship service – bad sound, but the Lord took care of that, and I gave my testimony and shared the gospel of Jesus. Satan looses again. It was one of those meetings where you felt like you had known each other for years. Just a warm and comfortable feeling. The presence of the Lord was there.

I had all the teenagers sit in the front, and after I had finished my talk I had them all stand up to be recognized… a generation that God is truly using to impact our country. They are a special generation. I also held up my book, Mission Possible, and asked the adults to pick out just one of these students and buy them the book. The book was written for Jr. High and High school students. Back at the table where the books and DVD’s were displayed, a woman came up and bought a book for each of those teenagers. WOW! Now that is the work of the Holy Spirit…touching lives. No matter how difficult a situation may seem, press on, and keep pressing on. God will take care of it eventually. Satan looses again. We win.

Thanks for allowing me to let off some steam.

Have a blessed day,

Marilyn Laszlo

PS - I have many open slots on my speaking calendar for next year. Would your church or group invite me to talk? See http://www.laszlomissionleague.com/ for my calendar and speaking details. Thank you!

Thank you

Dear Partners in the Great Commission, November 2007

October was certainly a very busy month with 14 days on the road, speaking 19 times to 2,083 people in five different states. What incredible opportunities. I am overwhelmed as I watch the Lord work in every meeting, whether college campuses, retreats, mission conferences, or youth groups. This is such a humbling experience to be given this opportunity to work for God.

Thanks, supporters, for your the prayers. I go into my meetings feeling comfortable as the power of your prayers is covering me. Amazing how God is right there. Thank you for being my friend and partner in this ministry.

Thank you, too, for your generous gifts. We are a faith mission and are very dependent on the gifts of people like you to keep me on the road, and Laszlo Mission League operating. It is by faith that we are able to minister all over this nation, and you are a major part in all this. Praise God!

We continue to rely on you, our team, to help us continue to bring God’s blessings, by sharing the Good News of Hope and Salvation in Christ.
Thank you.

Believing God for the best in your life,

Marilyn Laszlo

PS - I have many open slots on my speaking calendar for next year. Would your church or group invite me to talk? See http://www.laszlomissionleague.com/ for my calendar and speaking details. Thank you!

Prayer and Praise

Hey, prayer works!!

I forget my age when I am with the teenagers. I just jump right in no matter what game they are playing.

My wrist is not broken - not even the tiny little bones...that is amazing, considering my age and some osteoporosis...and a very bad fall...my whole weight was on my left wrist. It is very bruised...a very bad sprain. The color is dark red and goes up into my arm. Actually, no one knew anything about my injury until after I got done speaking to the teens. They saw that I had fallen really hard. They were very concerned and asked if I was okay. I assured them that I was just fine. I only told the youth director after we were packing up and getting ready to leave the church. However, I could not put my coat on because of the pain and just carried it out to the car.

After I got to the house where I was staying, we started the cold and hot procedure.

Packing up the next morning and going to the airport, through security was not easy with my suitcase and backpack and using just one hand. I think you could picture that.

After I got home I called the doctor. He told me I had to get to the Emergency Room right now! I said, "Emergency Room? I will be there for hours." He said, "Get going! They may even need to do an operation." I said, "What? An operation? I have never had an operation since I was twelve years old when I had my tonsils out. I can't have an operation." "Marilyn, just go on to the Emergency Room, you'll be fine. I will see you later."

I now have a splint on that is really helpful, because without it I would really have a hard time dressing or putting my coat on...or going to the toilet!

Yesterday I was on the lawn mower for about five hours with the Vac Track sucking up the leaves.

Thank you so much for you prayers. I am so thrilled that I do not have a broken wrist.

I always seem to have a story of some kind. Some are better than others. My dear friend, Claude Bowen, a big business man with Dale Carneige, taught me how to tell stories. He said, "Everyone has a story...everyday...they just don't know it." God has brought so many beautiful and precious friends into my life....like you!

Love you.

Marilyn



PS - I have many open slots on my speaking calendar for next year. Would your church or group invite me to talk? See http://www.laszlomissionleague.com/ for my calendar and speaking details. Thank you!

Poetry

I just returned recently from Grace College, Warsaw, Indiana…just 1 ½ hours from home (Valparaiso, Indiana) with 1,300 students. Before Grace College I was in Santa Barbara, CA, at Westmont College, with 800 students (you can hear my talk online). Two colleges in a row and two totally different cultures, but it is so rich to be around these very dedicated students who want to serve the Lord and make a difference and a positive impact on people’s lives. I love being on the college campuses around all that energy and passion.

All of these students want to serve the Lord in some capacity, whether it is in teaching, engineering, medicine, or whatever. My job is to uplift them, encourage them, and make them feel special, because they are. We are ALL special to God, and the mission field is wherever God puts you. People need the Lord.

There are often students who attend these Christian Colleges and Universities that are not Christians, but because these schools have such high standards, morals, and integrity, and cost less money than most universities, they are compelled to go there. I can tell you, their lives become more meaningful, self-assured, and purposeful as they are impacted by the staff and students whose focus is God.

Look at the Hollywood gang – all these people getting involved in the African tragedies, and Katrina, and other disasters, etc. They are looking for some purpose and meaning in life beyond playing the part in a movie of someone who they are not.

My time on these college campuses is so encouraging so see that we have students who will be a part of our future in this country striving for excellence. The media does not focus enough on these students who are making our country look good…if they did it would challenge others to be the same. The media is very powerful but unfortunately it is mostly negative news. We do not have to be like that. Being positive is not only encouraging and uplifting, but it is also healing.

However, I have a story that goes back 42 years. I lived 24 years in the rainforest of Papua New Guinea. It is not hard to get the attention of students when you talk about cannibals and headhunters (something that hardly exists anymore…there are still a few, however, back in those jungles). In the first two minutes they were on the edge of their seats and fully engaged. I had connected. This is not always easy when they hear that an old lady missionary is going to speak in chapel. Oh, please! Unfortunately, chapel is mandatory, so I did have a captivate audience.

I make it a point to let them know that I would be accessible for the two days that I was there. I hung out in the coffee shop where there is a steady line of students coming in and out all day long between classes. I had more chocolate Mochas with whipped cream than I would normally consume in a whole year. But, what a privilege to spend time with these students as they asked questions and shared their passions and worries. It usually starts with a hug, and we go from there.

I was engaged in a conversation for two hours with two young men who wrote poetry. They have a group of students that have formed a club for the poets. Anyway, I do not like poetry. I mean, I really do not like poetry. I know the Bible has a lot of poetry in the Psalms and Proverbs, but it seems to me that this is somewhat different. I’m not sure if anyone could out-write God. The Bible is the most incredible literary book ever written. I could be wrong on that point. It doesn’t matter, I do not like reading poetry or listening to poetry. But, hey, these are young students, and I do need to engage and encourage them with whatever passion they have. God can use it.

These two guys read me some of their poetry. John asked me if I would like to hear a poem about pidgins or possums. “You have to be kidding” I said, “Pidgins.” Well, it was hilarious and well done, I have to say, but nothing really rhymed. I guess it doesn’t have to rhyme.

Well, I was invited to the poetry forum that night in the “Little Theater.” It holds about 80 people – it was full to capacity…everyone walking in with their poems waiting for their turn to read them. Their poems were about campus life, their girlfriends, boyfriends, making fun of people, etc. Some were fairly deep and spiritual.

I was asked to participate. “What?” As I listened for over an hour to these poems, I was asked to read something from the Bible I had translated for the Sepik Iwam Tribe in Papua New Guinea. However, as I was sitting there listening to these student’s poems, I decided that I could give this poetry stuff a try. Not knowing what I was going to do, I got up on the platform, the last to speak, and I started winging it all the way. Here is a sample of what I think I said. I did polish it up a bit. I was amazed that I did make some of it rhyme.



"The Jungle boys from PNG coming to the USA."

They were amazed by all they saw
These funny people running to and fro
Not knowing for sure where to go,
It’s just the way of the USA

There were things those jungle men did not like
For one example those horrible stop lights
They are very controlling as we drove around
And they did not make a single sound

Those lights up there had three different colors
Red, yellow, and green that’s all
Controlling every car in sight
Making sure you did what was right

Red meant that you had to stop
Green meant that you could go
Yellow, well, nobody rally knew just what to do
The yellow is the worst of all the lights
Either you go or either you stop.
The yellow is bad no matter what
Are you going to go slow or slam on the brakes?
Speed it up and just go through

The yellow is dangerous as you all know
So just take it out and let them go.
So we need not worry about this yellow light
Just sip on through, it will be alright

For as you all know
It’s just the way of the USA


Well, I got a rousing applause and a lot of hand shakes. Well, that too, is the way of the USA .
Thank you!
Marilyn Laszlo

P.S. As far as I can remember, that was my very first poem I had ever told. Have you written any poems about missions or God's work that you'd like to share in the comments?

What do I do?

When you first meet someone, we often ask "What do you do?" So here's what my ministry does!

Now that I am finished with my work in Papua New Guinea, I am a full time National, Motivational Speaker with Laszlo Mission League…and still representing Wycliffe Bible Translators. Laszlo Mission League has a board of seven members, and the headquarters is in Shawnee Mission, KS. For more information check the website, www.laszlomissionleague.com.

I have spoken in every state except Alaska. Next April, 2008 I have a meeting in Anchorage, Alaska! I average 3-4 meetings a week (except during the summer months) and can have as many as 8 flights month.

What Do I Talk About?

· First of all, my personal testimony.
When I asked Jesus into my heart
When the Lord called me into full time ministry
How did I end up working with Wycliffe Bible Translators?
How did I end up in Papua New Guinea?
How did I know that was God’s will for my life?
· I spent 24 years in the jungles of Papua New Guinea working with the Sepik Iwam Tribe located 500 miles up the Sepik River.
· The challenge of learning their language, figuring out their alphabet and grammatical structure, and then finally translating the Bible into their language took 24 years.
· Today, there are thousands of believers throughout the seven villages that speak that language. That’s the power of the Word of God.

When you are smack tab in the middle of God’s will there are joy, energy, and peace. I love what I do.

The types of meetings that I am involved in are:

• Church Worship Services
• Sunday School
• Universities
• Mission Conferences
• Schools
• Revivals
• Camps
• Home meetings
• National Conventions
• Youth Conventions
  (All denominations)
  

I speak to all denominations, small churches of 100 or large churches of 5 or 6 thousands. The largest meeting I had was in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the Billy Graham Crusade… 58 thousand – (Could have been more.) Urbana was 28 thousand.

I would love to come to your church... take a look at my schedule and see if I'll be in your state...perhaps we can simply add your church to that trip!

Tell me more about the Hauna Village folks who visited the US!

To: John.

Your First Question: “I would like to know more about the ‘boys’ who came with you to America. What did they say about the USA?”

1. About the boys:

These 6 young men were the sharpest young men in the village. They all have a wild sense of humor and are such a delight to be around. They were all in their twenties when they came over to visit the USA. Three of them are now pastors and the others are leaders and teachers in the village. It was December 2, 1989, when I brought them over to visit the USA. Winter. The coldest it gets in Hauna Village is around 85 degrees but it was 2 below zero in Chicago!!

2. What did they say about the USA?

They were amazed to see the huge, high rise buildings, so many cars, the roads were all cement, the large number of people in church, the numerous places to eat, restaurants everywhere, and the tons of food in the super market just blew their minds, everyone was friendly, and a lot of people were fat No one is fat in Hauna Village...all muscle. We could go from state to state and yet we all speak the same language and were not enemies. Everyone is in a hurry and just rushes around.

They visited in 29 states and had 200 meetings!

They were very anxious to go back to their jungle where life is not so complicated and fast.

They said that we did not have much freedom. We were pretty much enslaved. I asked them what did they meant by that. I told them that we are the freest country in the world. Well, they did not think so. I asked them to explain what they meant.

They said we were controlled by three things:

(1.) They said that we are totally controlled by the watch. We look at it hundreds of times a day to find out what we have to do next. It tells us when to get up, when to go to work, when to eat, even if we’re not hungry, if the clock says it’s time to eat we eat, it tells when to come home, when to go to bed, etc. They hate the watch. They think we should go to work whenever we want and eat whenever we want, etc.

(2.) The other thing that controlled us was the stoplights. No matter where we were, Chicago, Los Angeles, Valparaiso, big towns, little towns, there were stop lights everywhere. So we have to look up there and wait to find out what to do. If it is green all the cars go, when it is red all the cars stop, when it is yellow, they never knew what I was going to do, speed up, or slam on the breaks. They said we had to get rid of the yellow because no one really knew what to do with yellow. And then of course when we were going through towns late at night when there were few cars but still had stop lights, they would get angry when I would stop because of a red light. And they would ask why I was stopping when there were no cars anywhere or from any directions. I told them that I had to stop because the light was red. They really thought that was stupid. So we just waited, waited, waited, for nothing. How ridiculous.

(3.) The third thing that controls us is money – we cannot live without money.

They said that they did not need watches, stoplights, or money and that they would never be controlled by those things.

3. Have they made return trips? Yes, they have been to the USA four times.

4. Would they like to return? Yes, they would love to return.

Hope you enjoyed these answers about the Hauna people.

Marilyn Laszlo - 24 years in Papua New Guinea and 39 years with Wycliffe Bible Translators

Question to readers: Have you ever visited Papua New Guinea? If so, where did you go and what did you see and do?

Feelings During Translation

To Jess:

Thank you for the kudos! I am delighted that you enjoyed the meeting at the Okoboji Bible Conference.

Your question: “What were your feelings when you were trying to translate the language?”

My Answer:
“Well, I could write a whole book on that question. Did you get a copy of my book Mission Possible? It goes into more detail than what I will be able to do right now.

My feelings: Excited, propelled, anxious, scared, happy, blessed…full of God’s peace that I was where He wanted me to be. To analyze the language and start translating the Bible for these people is such an arduous task, but so rewarding. The Bible is alive and active and it will touch and change lives…even for the most remote and isolated people in the world.

It is all about Jesus and the Bible. We can’t lose. It is a win-win situation giving the people the Word of God in their language.

People who had no idea that their language could be written discover the power there is in a written language…especially when it is the Word of God. It answered many questions that these people had…concerning creation, life, the future, death, sickness, sin, polygamy, killing, forgiveness…where did it all begin. The Bible tells them. To see these people get so excited about one verse makes it all worthwhile.

All people in the world are prepared for the Word of God. The laws of God are written on the hearts of all men. The fields are ripe unto harvest…that means that everyone is ready for someone to come and tell them about the Big Father Creature. Some will believe and will not. It is such a thrill to see someone come to the Lord.

Bible Translation is probably one of the many challenges that a missionary will face. It is demanding, intensive, and an arduous task. It is long term – could be twenty some years or more…depends on where you are. Some countries are a lot more advanced than Papua New Guinea and takes a whole lot less time. It took us 24 years….and I would do it again.

The languages are one of the most incredible proofs of God. No agnostic, evolutionist, or atheist talk about the languages. They are so incredibly difficult. The grammatical structures and the orthographies make English look simple. Some of these languages come closer to Greek and Hebrew than English. You really can’t explain the nearly 7,000 languages in the world apart of Genesis 11 – the Tower of Babel.

What is your work? Wherever God put you that is your mission field.

Marilyn Laszlo - 24 years in Papua New Guinea and 39 years with Wycliffe Bible Translator

Welcome!

Hello everybody! I wanted to be able to talk with you all more often than my monthly newsletters and a blog seems like something to try so here we go!

Help me get new posts up by sending me your questions about mission work, about God, or about how to live as a Christian in this world. That way I'll have some new ideas about what you want to hear more about! Thanks!

With love,
Marilyn