Carole Marie Interviews Geneva Iijima
Posted on August 2, 2011
I was recently interviewed by Carole Marie, who happens to be a great friend of mine, for her writers’ blog. Carole Marie and I met at a writer’s conference a number of years ago. Though we’re many years different in age–she once asked to call me grandma–we have gobs of fun together.
I love encouraging young writers and hope you’ll visit her site and see my interview at http://carolemarie.com.
Japanese Edition of Jesus Loves Us All Has Arrived
Posted on August 2, 2011
I’m so excited to share that 10,000 copies of the Japanese edition of Jesus Loves Us All are now published and being distributed to Japanese children displaced by the tsunami–many of them orphaned of one or both parents. A couple of weeks ago I emailed a missionary friend in Japan to tell her about my books being available. She replied that she had already ordered 100 for the trips they are taking into the area where the tsunami hit. So the word is getting out.
I just received ten copies of the Japanese edition in the mail. What a joy to know that God can use my books in another country. Please pray with me that God direct these books to the children and families who need them.
Jesus Loves Us All Ready For Publication In Japanese
Posted on May 11, 2011
God does answer prayer! My dream of printing 10,000 copies of Jesus Loves Us All for tsunami victims in Japan is almost a reality. The booklet is translated into Japanese and the $6100 plus dollars to print it has been raised. All that remains to be done are issues such as getting it completely print ready, getting the ISBN and getting the actual printing done. Pray with me that these things may be accomplished quickly, and that the booklets will be in the hands of tsunami survivors soon.
The situation of those in evacuation centers is really sad. My daughter-in-law, Christine, described it this way. “Can you imagine living on a mat surrounded by boxes of the only belongings you have—many of them donations—for two months or more with hundreds of others, small children, snorers, and whatever else?? Ugghh.”
No, I can’t imagine it. I pray that my books will bring hope in Christ to many.
The cute little girl reading my book is Grace, my granddaughter.
Books for Tsunami Victims
Posted on April 14, 2011
My church is helping me raise money for printing Jesus Loves Us All in Japanese and sending it to tsunami victims in Japan. I want to print 10,000. The publisher I am working with in Japan will ship them to churches in the tsunami area to be given out to needy families. These people have lost everything—their homes, possessions, jobs, and worst of all, they have lost hope. My book will give them hope. Books cost only about .62 each in lots of 10,000. We have enough money to print 5,000, but we need $2,000 more to print 10,000. If you would like to help, send me a message on my contact me page link.
Photoshoot with Carole Marie Photography
Posted on March 10, 2011
While at a writer’s retreat in January, my friend Carole, of Carole Marie Photography took these pictures of me.
The Books Arrived!
Posted on December 6, 2010
Hi just wanted to share.
My Jesus Loves Us All books arrived at the warehouse today after their long, long trip from India. I never realized how many boxes of 140 books it would be to make 3300 books—or how heavy each box would be. My body is telling me, even though I only did half the lifting.
Now comes the happy privilege of distributing them to those who have pre-ordered books. Best of all is the joy of giving them out to Christmas food baskets and some mission organizations. Please pray with me that I will make wise decisions about where to give them.
Praising God, Geneva
Jesus Loves Us All
Posted on July 23, 2010
I have long, very narrow feet. One day when I was at a conference, we had to remove our shoes when we entered the dorm. As we were leaving one morning, a dear, elderly lady said, “Oh my, look at those big shoes.” I felt about as small as an ant, and made sure I didn’t reach for my shoes until she was out the door. But Jesus loves variety, and He likes my long narrow feet.
Sometimes we may question whether we are truly loved by our Lord. Maybe we think God loves our good qualities, but what about the qualities that we don’t like?
Years ago I wanted to communicate this concept to children. So I wrote a picture book manuscript called Jesus Loves Us All. A major Christian publisher promised to publish it, but they met up with financial setbacks, and it didn’t happen.
I knew thousands – maybe millions – of children needed this book, and I asked God what His plan was for it. Then I met up with friends, Helen & David Haidle, a writer/illustrator couple at a conference. Because of the economic down-turn, they had formed a non-profit publishing company, Seed Faith Books
. I almost cried when they said they were taking their books and publishing them in small pocket format and giving them out by the thousands in food boxes for the poor and for missions overseas.
“That’s what I want for Jesus Loves Us All,” I said.
We talked further. I launched into an aggressive Christmas time effort to sell my other books, so I’d have money to help with self-printing the booklets. We found a kind-hearted photographer, Sam Hall, who provided photos, David Haidle did all the layout and design. Now, in mid-summer 2010, the books are almost ready. They will soon be going into food boxes in the U.S. and some will go to needy English speaking countries oversees.
I have an even larger dream for this little book, which assures children that Jesus loves them regardless of what disadvantages they think they have. That dream is for it to be published in many different languages. So, if you buy it, the profits will go toward getting it translated and published again, first in Spanish. If you know a child who would benefit from this little book, be sure to buy one or more copies. Join me in heralding the good news that Jesus Loves Us All.
The Dragon’s Head Is Broken
Posted on March 22, 2008
On this Resurrection weekend, I praise God for the wonderful salvation Christ purchased for me on the cross of Calvary. Because of the sacrifice of his life and subsequent resurrection, I have eternal life. How much better can it be?
For a deeper treatment of the cross, and what it means, I recommend an article www.lookoutmag.com/articles/articledisplay.asp?id=459.
Recently, I read a prayer I’d like to share with you.
Puritan Prayer
“O Lord, I bless Thee that the issue of the battle between Thyself and Satan has never been uncertain, and will end in victory.
Calvary broke the dragon’s head, and I contend with a vanquished foe, who with all his subtlety and strength has already been overcome.
When I feel the serpent at my heal may I remember Him whose heel was bruised, but Who, when bruised, broke the Devil’s head.
My soul with inward joy extols the mighty conqueror.
Heal me of any wounds received in the great conflict; if I have gathered defilement, if my faith has suffered damage, if my hope is less than bright, if my love is not fervent, if some creature-comfort occupies my heart, if my soul sinks under pressure of the fight.
O Thou whose every promise is balm, every touch life, draw near to thy weary warrior, refresh me, that I may rise again to wage the strife, and never tire until my enemy is trodden down.
Give me such fellowship with Thee that I may defy Satan, unbelief, the flesh, the world, with delight that comes not from a creature, and which a creature cannot mar.
Give me a draught of the eternal fountain that lieth in Thy immutable, everlasting love and decree.
Then shall my hand never weaken, my feet never stumble, my sword never rest, my shield never rust, my helmet never shatter, my breastplate never fall, as my strength rests in the power of Thy might.”
Amen