There are so many things that get us down. Sometimes we wake up in the morning already overwhelmed with what is to come, and we forget to thank God for what we could be blessed with during the coming day. Other times, we wake up in a great mood, ready for what is in store for us, thinking we have it all figured out. Then, life grabs us, and the things of the world and our busy lives choke the joy from us. We begin to lose sight of what God is doing right in our midst each and every day. We cannot see through all the "stuff" how Jesus is interceding for us, commanding His angels concerning us. We do not see the little joys that happen and pass them over like bumps in the road. Oh, yeah, every once in a while we catch a moment and are able to feel God's blessing on us, but just as quickly as it comes, we allow Satan to steal it away even quicker. So many things hinder us from enjoying life, or should I say we allow these things to hinder us. We put off so many things because of circumstances and troubles and no time. For example, a call to your parents, siblings, your uncles, aunts, cousins. Saying an encouraging word to your children. (The last one I can REALLY step on my own toes for.) We grow up so fast, and our children do as well. One day, they'll be the one's moving away, and we'll think "Wow, where did all that time go? Why didn't I enjoy those times we were together as a family before the kids grew up?" (Again, my toes are hurting!)
I wrote all this, if it makes any sense, to direct you to a post at the blog of a friend of ours I read just today. One that is filled with triumph, and heartache. It is a story with a video that everyone must see, and you will realize that WE must celebrate every day, despite our circumstances, because those circumstances and troubles will be with us until the day the Lord has pre-determined to be our last. Please go here, and remember to wake up tomorrow celebrating what the Lord is going to do with you AND for you that day and every day. (Once again, I'm preaching to myself).
"This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Decisions, decisions
What a wild couple of weeks. Again, we have had many lookers for the house, but no offers yet. Same story. We have been proceeding with plans to be at orientation in August. We have sold many pieces of furniture (to lighten the load of a move) and will store the rest in a storage facility. The kids have their passports so we are ready to go. As I have said, we trust that the Lord's timing in this is perfect, and we do not know how He will work things out when we are at orientation and still have a house payment that we will not be able to make. It has been a roller-coaster of emotion here over this, but we always come back to the realization that it is the enemy who is seeking to steal our joy in this matter. We thank all who are praying for us in this matter. We are so excited and blessed to be going where God is sending us, and we will not let satan take this joy and blessing away! We have decided to lower the price of the house. The amount will still pay off everything we owe everywhere, but not leave us with much to purchase the things we need to travel, such as luggage. We continue to trust that the Lord is in complete control, and will press on to do what we need to prepare and not let this situation be a stumbling block in our preparations. I know it is blocking me from writing anything really interesting here, which is why it has been 2 weeks since my last post. I just have not had the motivation to write lately. Please continue to pray for our family during this time.
Following Jesus,
SAM
Following Jesus,
SAM
Monday, May 14, 2007
Time getting short
Wow, is our faith getting shaken! Two and a half months till FPO. We are so excited to begin the journey God has placed in our path, but time is getting short. As much as we hear, "God is going to provide. Your house may sell tomorrow or 2 months into your service. This is not keeping you from going and doing God's work." It's hard to see all the people coming to look at the house, which we've had a lot lately, but no offers. To see all the houses in our neighborhood for sale, yet more sold signs going up seemingly quicker than they are on the market. July will be 1 year our house has been on the market. As I have said, we trust in the Lord, and there are many more prayer requests more urgent than ours. Sometimes we just wonder, what's the holdup? Why don't things just move more smoothly and easily? Why do we have to sound like my 4 year old asking for something over, and over, and over, and... well, you get the idea.
God's plan is right, perfect, and on time. We are encouraged by all the prayers for our situation, which of course is not life-threatening. We understand that God will bring the people of South Asia to know him without our help. We are going on with our plans, though a little hesitantly. We have sold much furniture and none of us has any dressers, and our dining room table is gone. We will both be done with work by the end of June to give us a month to prepare, which we will be giving our notice no later than the end of this month. Please continue to pray for our house to sell soon and for us to be strengthened through all this waiting (I hate waiting!). Thank you all for your encouragements and prayers so far.
God's plan is right, perfect, and on time. We are encouraged by all the prayers for our situation, which of course is not life-threatening. We understand that God will bring the people of South Asia to know him without our help. We are going on with our plans, though a little hesitantly. We have sold much furniture and none of us has any dressers, and our dining room table is gone. We will both be done with work by the end of June to give us a month to prepare, which we will be giving our notice no later than the end of this month. Please continue to pray for our house to sell soon and for us to be strengthened through all this waiting (I hate waiting!). Thank you all for your encouragements and prayers so far.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Great time of prayer
Last night, my wife and I attended a WMU meeting we were invited to so that we could raise prayer support for our upcoming trip into the harvest field in South Asia. We spoke for 10 minutes about where we are going and the lostness of where we are being sent, so that we can gather as much prayer support for going as possible. We feel that putting faces to names helps people to pray for us, because we are now actual people instead of just names on a sheet of paper or prayer card. Thank you to all who were there last night and committed to pray for us.
We were also priviledged to listen to a dear friend of ours speak; Tina Hutchison, who is one of the most amazingly Spirit filled ladies we know. She leads her own ministry, Holding Out Hope Ministries, in which she leads a choir of ladies every week at one of the local prisons here and inspires them to rise up and be what God created them to be despite their circumstances. She is so inspiring, and has such a huge heart, she affects so many lives around her. She is incredibly gifted by God with a voice that can draw the Holy Spirit and make the most conservative of church goers stand up and raise their hands to the Lord. Please visit her site and see the great things that God is doing through this lady. We are so blessed to know her and her family. Too bad we can't take her with us into the field!
God has blessed us incredibly with people who have inspired, encouraged and lifted us up during this journey in our lives. Thank you Jesus, for all your blessings upon us.
We were also priviledged to listen to a dear friend of ours speak; Tina Hutchison, who is one of the most amazingly Spirit filled ladies we know. She leads her own ministry, Holding Out Hope Ministries, in which she leads a choir of ladies every week at one of the local prisons here and inspires them to rise up and be what God created them to be despite their circumstances. She is so inspiring, and has such a huge heart, she affects so many lives around her. She is incredibly gifted by God with a voice that can draw the Holy Spirit and make the most conservative of church goers stand up and raise their hands to the Lord. Please visit her site and see the great things that God is doing through this lady. We are so blessed to know her and her family. Too bad we can't take her with us into the field!
God has blessed us incredibly with people who have inspired, encouraged and lifted us up during this journey in our lives. Thank you Jesus, for all your blessings upon us.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Observations from recent trip
So much happens on volunteer mission trips, sometimes its hard to put into words right away. Returning from one of these trips, your mind tends to be a little foggy and its hard to process what you've just gone through. One remedy to remember is to journal every day's events in the evening while winding down. I began to write things down, but the trip went by so fast and so many things happened that I did not get a chance to journal. Here are some general observations that came to me today as my mind begins to get clearer and further recovers from jet-lag.
1. Culture shock- This happens in phases. The first phase is the 14 hour plane ride with the nationals to the country to which you are going. Slowly you are initiated into the culture you will experience with the sights, sounds and yes- smells. The second phase is the airport. You quickly realize that personal space is something you have left at home, and standing in lines is a whole different story- because there are none that make any sense! The third and final phase of your culture shock is when you emerge from the airport with your taxi driver that speaks little English if any, and he leads you across the most treacherous and crowded and confusing road you have ever seen. 5 or 6 men come to help you with your bags, and at first you think that they are with your driver. But soon you realize that your car has only six seats, not enough for the team and them. They are just porters that help you in order to make money. I forgot this and had to pay 5 men for helping us. While I paid them, the rest of my team watched, and suddenly I realized I needed to just get in the car. Like a parent coming out of the grocery store with his kids, I told my 3 other team members- "Get in the car!" Not that we were in danger, but we needed to move on.
2. Realization of where you are- When we arrived at a guest house where personnel for the company stay on their way to their final destination on the field, we met a new M family just in from the US ready to head to their city. We were excited to talk with them, and fellowship with them for a while. A family of 5 on an amazing journey and eager to share. I looked at my watch and realized that back home, it was Sunday morning, and our church family was worshipping at this very moment. We all took some time to pray for our church and their worship. It's an incredibly powerful and emotional thing to be able to pray for your church while they are worshipping half-way around the world. I can't do it without tearing up. You then realize where you are, and that God is with you here as well. You begin to realize that God is a lot larger than you ever thought.
3. Mosquito protection- They tell you to protect yourself from mosquitoes with some sort of bug spray. Something with at least 30% deet is sufficient for South Asia. Before my first trip, I went to Wal-Mart, into the camping section and started reading labels of the different sprays. One spray had only 10%, one had 20%, one had 30%. Look further, and there is 45%! But, there was one last one- 100% deet!! Better to have more than enough protection, right? I heard all the objections, even from my wife, that too much of anything is not good. I brought it anyway. One night, while there, we were stuck outside at dusk, and not only did the mosquitoes come out, but every other flying insect seemed to be attracted to us. Out came the 100%. Who else wanted to use it? Everyone! All those who thought it would be too much. Who's got too much of a good thing now? My 100% deet has come back with me the last two times also, and everyone uses it. If I spray it on, however, there is a 5-10 foot deet radius that if we all huddle into, we are safe from all mosquitoes! HA! The 100% deet bubble!
4. The moon- This may sound a little cheesy, but here goes. We fly domestic to our destination city, and when we get off the plane, we walk outside, usually at night, to the terminal. My first trip I looked up to the sky, and noticed the moon. I said to myself, "The moon looks the same here on the other side of the world." And I thanked God for placing me there at that time, and allowing me to be there. My last two trips, I got off the plane looking for the moon, and I point it out to the other team members that it looks the same way over here. Like I said, kind of cheesy, but I try to experience and notice everything I can, and share with those who are seeing it for the first time.
5. Worship- Another moving, powerful and emotionally uplifting experience is worshipping The One True God with local believers in their own language. You really feel the Lord pouring out His Spirit on you and the group you are with. Words cannot describe the feeling, but I get choked up witnessing these Christ Followers sell out for Jesus. They are obeying the greatest commandment- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength.
1. Culture shock- This happens in phases. The first phase is the 14 hour plane ride with the nationals to the country to which you are going. Slowly you are initiated into the culture you will experience with the sights, sounds and yes- smells. The second phase is the airport. You quickly realize that personal space is something you have left at home, and standing in lines is a whole different story- because there are none that make any sense! The third and final phase of your culture shock is when you emerge from the airport with your taxi driver that speaks little English if any, and he leads you across the most treacherous and crowded and confusing road you have ever seen. 5 or 6 men come to help you with your bags, and at first you think that they are with your driver. But soon you realize that your car has only six seats, not enough for the team and them. They are just porters that help you in order to make money. I forgot this and had to pay 5 men for helping us. While I paid them, the rest of my team watched, and suddenly I realized I needed to just get in the car. Like a parent coming out of the grocery store with his kids, I told my 3 other team members- "Get in the car!" Not that we were in danger, but we needed to move on.
2. Realization of where you are- When we arrived at a guest house where personnel for the company stay on their way to their final destination on the field, we met a new M family just in from the US ready to head to their city. We were excited to talk with them, and fellowship with them for a while. A family of 5 on an amazing journey and eager to share. I looked at my watch and realized that back home, it was Sunday morning, and our church family was worshipping at this very moment. We all took some time to pray for our church and their worship. It's an incredibly powerful and emotional thing to be able to pray for your church while they are worshipping half-way around the world. I can't do it without tearing up. You then realize where you are, and that God is with you here as well. You begin to realize that God is a lot larger than you ever thought.
3. Mosquito protection- They tell you to protect yourself from mosquitoes with some sort of bug spray. Something with at least 30% deet is sufficient for South Asia. Before my first trip, I went to Wal-Mart, into the camping section and started reading labels of the different sprays. One spray had only 10%, one had 20%, one had 30%. Look further, and there is 45%! But, there was one last one- 100% deet!! Better to have more than enough protection, right? I heard all the objections, even from my wife, that too much of anything is not good. I brought it anyway. One night, while there, we were stuck outside at dusk, and not only did the mosquitoes come out, but every other flying insect seemed to be attracted to us. Out came the 100%. Who else wanted to use it? Everyone! All those who thought it would be too much. Who's got too much of a good thing now? My 100% deet has come back with me the last two times also, and everyone uses it. If I spray it on, however, there is a 5-10 foot deet radius that if we all huddle into, we are safe from all mosquitoes! HA! The 100% deet bubble!
4. The moon- This may sound a little cheesy, but here goes. We fly domestic to our destination city, and when we get off the plane, we walk outside, usually at night, to the terminal. My first trip I looked up to the sky, and noticed the moon. I said to myself, "The moon looks the same here on the other side of the world." And I thanked God for placing me there at that time, and allowing me to be there. My last two trips, I got off the plane looking for the moon, and I point it out to the other team members that it looks the same way over here. Like I said, kind of cheesy, but I try to experience and notice everything I can, and share with those who are seeing it for the first time.
5. Worship- Another moving, powerful and emotionally uplifting experience is worshipping The One True God with local believers in their own language. You really feel the Lord pouring out His Spirit on you and the group you are with. Words cannot describe the feeling, but I get choked up witnessing these Christ Followers sell out for Jesus. They are obeying the greatest commandment- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength.
6. Realization of the harvest- It becomes vividly evident that there is a spiritual warfare going on in this place. People on the street, non-believers which 99% of South Asia is, seem very empty. Blank stares with seemingly no hope in their lives. People worshipping idols and gods that they only worship because that is all they know. They are spiritually blind. How can they call on the one they have not believed? How can they believe in the one they have not heard?Seeing the difference of the local Christ Followers and the local non-believers is like looking at night and day. The joy of the Lord is so obvious in their faces. They have found their hope. We need to share this hope with those who do not know that they have the gift of this hope. The harvest is plentiful.
These are just some things that I experience while on a short term volunteer trip. It is emotionally uplifting, and sometimes funny to experience these things. God calls all of us to go when we are ready. All He wants is a willingness to obey and a courage to step out of the boat and go. No matter how unworthy or unqualified you feel. The experience will change your life, guaranteed. Probably not as dramatic as going into full time mission work, but I promise you won't be the same. It's ok to support missions financially and prayerfully, but experience God's work overseas and it will change your perspective on many things. It will strengthen your walk with Jesus.
Team Members Coming Home!
Hallelujah, praise the Lord! Our last two team members from our trip to South Asia are coming home Friday. This is a huge relief. Our worship leader stayed with our sick team member in the hospital over there for this last week, but she has received her clearance to come home. I will feel much better when they are home Friday. Please continue to pray for these two traveling in the next days. Thank you all for your prayers up to now. God has been so good to have this situation in His hands and take care of our brother and sister.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Encouragement needed!
Still processing an incredible trip to South Asia, leaving behind two of the team for medical reasons, and negotiating our house. I need encouragement after yesterday's happenings.
Quite the emotional roller coaster ride! After wanting to call fire from heaven down like James and John did on the Samaritans :-), I calmed down and asked forgiveness for my anger over the situation. Needless to say, we are disappointed, but have come to the conclusion that God is still in control of the situation, and will work things out in His time. We have prayed and sought His council for our disappointment. We are still proceeding as planned, because we trust that things will work out. We are too far along to stop preparing for our field orientation and trip into the harvest fields. Thank you all for your prayers, and please continue to pray for our spirits to be lifted and for the Lord to lift our heavily burdened hearts in this situation.
In Christ,
SAM
Sister who was possibly to begin the journey home today with our worship leader has not been released medically. She may be released by Thursday, but her husband is going forward to go to her tomorrow. As I said, his company has graciously helped him to get to her side by paying for everything from his travel to all travel documents. Please continue to pray for this situation.
Sunday my wife and I looked through the offer we received and came back with a decent counter. Verbally, we heard that everything was fine, the only thing we changed was the price, by meeting half way between the two. While awaiting for the counter to be signed and sent back, we heard from our agent who said the people wanted to first look at a foreclosure property in our neighborhood before they signed. What???!!!Quite the emotional roller coaster ride! After wanting to call fire from heaven down like James and John did on the Samaritans :-), I calmed down and asked forgiveness for my anger over the situation. Needless to say, we are disappointed, but have come to the conclusion that God is still in control of the situation, and will work things out in His time. We have prayed and sought His council for our disappointment. We are still proceeding as planned, because we trust that things will work out. We are too far along to stop preparing for our field orientation and trip into the harvest fields. Thank you all for your prayers, and please continue to pray for our spirits to be lifted and for the Lord to lift our heavily burdened hearts in this situation.
In Christ,
SAM
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