Without knowing this background, a few people who knew of her, were sovereignly led to design, train and commission her to produce native embroidered handicraft for her livelihood.

We visited her community and found out how much it would it would take for her to support her children and survive. We established the number of craft pieces she could produce in a month and priced the payment to her for the craft produced, so that she and her family could live.

The word of God was also ministered with Matthew 6:33 being the primary thrust. However, because poverty was endemic; principles of stewardship, biblical prosperity and the supernatural power of the living word of God were also taught.

We encouraged her to depend on Him and to pray. To seek Him and to dream His dreams because the handicraft was meant to be only a temporary helpline and not a permanent source of income.

Lydia took in the word of God and soon carried in her heart, a dream, for starting a haberdashery-bedding supplies business in her community.

She was diligent and was able to produce more than the normal quota of handicraft each month. She also expanded the ministry, by distributing the craft out to other needy ladies in her village and paying them a livable wage for their work.

Beyond everyone’s expectation, Lydia today has managed to save enough money and recently started her dream business.

Her children have continued their schooling and the latest reports are that her oldest daughter is excelling in school.

Her story has developed beyond our imaginations and expectations.

Truly God is able. If we would only catch hold of Him and not let go.

The other amazing thing emerging from this story is the impact Lydia’s example of faith, faithfulness to her God and diligence, is having on the people who know her, and have watched her develop.

The poverty mindset is a stronghold that keeps many peoples and communities trapped in a vicious cycle. In this story we are beginning to witness ones around her, inspired by her faith and journey out of poverty, begin to turn their own hearts to the Living God and to hope in Him for a “Lydia miracle” for themselves as well.

We will probably not know when or how this story and its spin offs will end, but it has been a privilege to have been given a front row seat on this one thus far.

Footnote: Lydia will continue to make handicraft for a while more until her business is a little steadier. Manna is for the wilderness and she has entered her Promised Land. The ministry to the other women in her village will continue for as long as there is a leading to do so. These handicraft are featured in the Speckled Lambs Shop Pages under Community Livelihood Projects – coming online soon.

The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be. And you shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel. (Scripture quotations are from the The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright c 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.)

The verses describe the place of meeting between God and man as being between the wings of the cherubim, above the mercy seat where literally “mercy” covers “the law”. This really also describes the place of the cross doesn’t it, because that was also a place of grace, where God poured His love, and His all, out for man.

The ark, God’s chosen throne zone, also has 2 cherubims. These are 4 faced warrior angels. My research indicates that the faces and their representations have been viewed by some as follows:
• Man, symbolizing wisdom and intelligence
• Lion, representing authority
• Ox, Strength
• Eagle, swiftness and far-sightedness

Truly a throne like no other. For a God like no other. Speaking of His genius, authority, divine strength, perfect foresight transcending time and space.

What a meeting place this is, where Love supernatural, pure and intense like the blue of a candle flame, communes with you and me.

Click on the song download button and listen for the invite.

May you enter the Place where the Flame is Blue.

It’s a Place where the Flame is Blue
Music and Lyrics by Xu HuiLing © 2007 Speckled Lambs Pte Ltd

You are enthroned upon the cherubim
From of old unto eternity
Above the mercy seat
You reign and commune with men
In a place of grace and love without end

It’s a place where the flame is blue
It’s a place where love is true
It’s a place of strength divine
Where eagles swiftly soar and visions are defined
It’s a place of love intense
Where He reveals His plans to men
It’s a place of genius unveiled
And power supernatural

He invites us to that place
When with our hearts we will embrace
The Presence of the Living God
Awaiting there with His love to pour
So let us ascend to that Holy Place
Where with our hearts we’ll see His face
And be filled with His passion intense
And power supernatural

That is the place of rest, the place of stillness and ultimate victory.

Seek God for this place, from where our prayers have power to still every storm, to change situations and influence outcomes.

Click on the button to download the song and soak in His Peace and Presence. May it minister to you, and may the Holy Spirit draw you into the peaceful eye of your storm.

The Eye of the Storm
Music and Lyrics by Xu HuiLing © 2007 Speckled Lambs Pte Ltd

My Refuge, My Deliverer, My Redeemer, My God

He who hears, He who leads, He who guides,
Who is faithful, Whose love is steadfast,
He who sees, He who knows, He who preserves,
Who is faithful, In whose Presence I hide

Secured in the place of His Love for me
Secured in the Truth of His Word
Secured in the power of His Sovereignty
Secured in my Lord God Almighty

The eye of the storm
The place of rest
The place of stillness and victory