Day 2 - ESL Classes

What a great day today was!  We began the morning with a visit with a SEND missionary and learning of her experiences.  The world is so diverse and it is always great to hear of how things are done or needs throughout the world.  Thanks Bertha for joining us.

Then we headed to Anna's English school.  This school is for students who are enrolled in public schools and desire to have additional English lessons.  They were all so much fun!  We hosted a party for a group of middle elementary students and taught English.  We all laughed quite hard when we realized we brought foam letters for the children to make name tags with, however, in Ukraine the use the cyrillic alphabet, which has 33 letters and many which are not in the English language.  Oh well, Anya transliterated their names to English for us - we couldn't have read the Ukrainian names anyhow.  The older classes we had an opportunity to have conversations and interaction with the students.  It was amazing how interested the students were in learning the lessons.

We ended the day with dinner at McDonalds and then Shelby, Lea, and I got on the metro by ourselves and found our way back to our apartment,  Yes, we had to call and let "Mama Marsha" know we had safely arrived, but it was a fun adventure.

We leave very early tomorrow morning for a region in the eastern part of the country.  No new permissions have been received, so we will spend one day teaching and one day prayer walking.  Pray that we wake up on time (4:30 AM), for no complications on the train ride, and for God size appointments throughout our stay.  (Due to being away from the city there may or may not be an update tomorrow and Wednesday - but check just in case - we appreciate and feel all your prayers!) 

We are all healthy and doing well.  We all know how blessed we are to have this opportunity and pray that we share the blessings of Christ all around us.

Photos of the day at the ESL school:

Sunday Update

I think our bodies almost know that it is supposed to be bedtime here - we are 7 hours ahead of EST and thanks to a very long day, we all were able to sleep last night like we had never slept before.  Today the weather has been overcast and a little chilly (it's 55 degrees right now - 11:00 PM).  But perfect weather for wandering the city.

The trip from Greensboro to Kiev was uneventful with every flight being on time and all the luggage arriving.   Right before we landed in Kiev, I struck up a conversation with the Ukrainian woman sitting next to me (no, I wasn't rude for the first half of the flight, but instead asleep from being awake all night  :) ).  When I asked where she had been traveling to (assuming she was heading home), she began to sob.  She shared the lives in Florida and her father had died and she was traveling home for his funeral.  Due to an issue with her passport she had been delayed more than a day and was not sure she would be able to get the last flight she needed when she arrived in Kiev and did not know if the funeral would have already occurred before she got there.  I wrapped my arm around her and just listened.  She and her father are orthodox and do not have the assurance that heaven awaits them.  She talked of hoping his passing was peaceful and that whatever waited on him would be good.  She allowed me to pray with her and share, but her heart was very broken.  I promised the team would pray throughout the day for her as she tried  to make final travel arrangements.  Pray for Oksana and that other believers will cross her path and she how to know without a doubt what awaits them on the other side of death.

Tim and Marsha are doing great.  We have laughed and cried together and shared stories from both sides of the ocean.  We can only imagine what conversations they are having about this crazy team when they drop us off at our apartment.

Today we worshiped in New Life Church - a large, contemporary style church that provides an English translator for the service that is broadcast through the radio (we wore headphones during the service).  The pastor preached on the difference in Christianity and false religions then ended the service with communion.  It was a beautiful service.

We spent the remaining portion of the day shopping - what fun! 

Tomorrow we will host a Back to School Party at an English school and teach vocabulary related to school.  Not all the teachers or students at this private school are believers, so pray that they will see a difference in us that is only possible through our relationship with Christ.

An update on the needed permissions for the conferences on Wednesday and Thursday.  We have only received one permission and this will not change.  We still intend to travel to the region and will teach the one conference.  Instead of the two other conferences we will host an informal time of fellowship and crafts with one group (we will not be allowed to do any kind of teaching - no Bible study, no learning styles, nothing).  On the 2nd day when we were to host the 3rd conference, we will cover the area with prayer through prayer walking/driving.  There is no greater privilege than to pray for these people who are experiencing such great oppression. 

Arrived Safely

We have arrived in Kiev safely with all of our luggage. The trip was uneventful and even ended with an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus with a Ukrainian woman. We've been up for 35 hours straight, so too tired for details. Tomorrow we will share more.


Thanks for your prayers - God is hearing them and answering them!

Cindy, Lea, and Shelby

Heading to Ukraine

After months and months of preparation, today is finally the day we leave for Ukraine.  Lea and I will depart from Greensboro around 2:00 and meet up with Shelby in Atlanta for a 5:30 flight.  The fact that we even have flights today is an answer to prayer.  Hurricane Earl threatened to interrupt our flights and on the recommendation of Delta, we did some rearranging of our schedules.  This flight schedule is not near as convenient, but God answered our prayers for flights that allowed all three of us to match up together and even have seats together (and the icing on the cake - they are not in the middle of the row).

This trip has been met with all kinds of spiritual warfare - so pray for the team as we put on the armor of God and go forward to what God has laid before us.  We know that Satan wants to destroy and distort and we pray that we do not allow Satan any opportunity.

Today, pray for safe and uninterrupted travels.  Pray for stamina as we will not arrive in Kiev until 10:00 AM Saturday morning (EST) - and the majority of the time that our bodies think it is night time, is to be spent in the Amsterdam airport for a 5 hour layover.

Continue for God to miraculously provide the needed permissions for the final two conferences.  We will not quit praying for these permissions until the time has passed.  We are prepared to teach, and yet if God does not move mightily, we are prepared to spend the time in prayer walking.  Pray that our attitudes and countenance will not falter.

Pray for Scott as he plays Mr. Mom and Dad over the next 11 days.  Pray for Zach, Hannah, and Alex as they deal with a change in routine.  Pray that our house sells while I am gone.

Pray for Herman and Gerald as their wives are away. 

Check back regularly for updates on the trip and prayer requests - we cannot wait to see all that God has prepared for us!

Cindy

(join Lea and I at the Greensboro airport at 12:30 near the Delta counter to send us off with prayer - prayer is the backbone of this trip)

Just Catching Up

Looking back over the past couple posts and I realized that I had all kinds of insights into life, but nothing about all the changes happening here, so today's post is just to catch you up on life.

Lots of changes (no, we still have not sold the house) and new beginnings around here.  How about just a family roll call...

• Alex - started middle school on Wednesday.  How did my baby get big enough to go to middle school?  He loves it (of course, he loves all of life).  The school he attends has SMOD (standard mode of dress - similar to uniform, but not quite that strict) and he looked so grown up heading out the door to school.  Scott is taking him this year (another first in quite a few years) and he is riding the bus home (he has only ridden the bus about 10 times in his entire life).   He is going to play the trombone in band and we are all praying that this goes well - as in the 5th grade he learned to play the recorder with his nose.  He also made the U12 challenge soccer team this year so his days are full.
• Hannah - is a junior in high school and is once again choosing to be home schooled.  She has her driver's license and we have found a lot of freedom in this.  Her relationship status changed last week after having "dated" the same guy for nearly two years.  It is fun watching her grow up and seeing how all the things we have taught her are coming to fruition.  We begin looking at colleges in September - I know, a little early - but it will be hard to do college visits from Spain.
• Zach - moved back home.  Now we are all trying to figure out how to co-exist in a different sort of relationship than before - he is 20, no longer a child.  Any suggestions on this point would be appreciated.  He is taking classes at GTCC (local technical college) and started flying again yesterday.   He also got a job at a tree cutting service but is looking for something else.  He had a great summer at Camp Don Lee and looks great.  He did grow a "grizzly adams" look, but we are getting used to it. 
• Scott  - decided to wait until October to take his next seminary class.  The class he took in May and June occupied so much time that he had very little time to commit to partnership development (although he did make an A - continues to have a 4.0 GPA in seminary - yeah!).  In looking at our long term plans, we decided that it is essential that together we invest many more hours into sharing our story (haven't heard it or want to know how to become a partner, just let me know).  He has also been involved in a men's Bible study at church and will be helping to establish a new cell group in the coming weeks.
• And me -  I am preparing to leave the country for my last short term mission trip at Cornerstone.  I leave next Friday for Ukraine where, along with two other women, I will be leading several conferences on Learning Styles.   It is a subject very dear to my heart - God made each of us as unique individuals and understanding these differences makes a difference in how we share Jesus, teach, and even discipline.  I am excited about the trip, but a few tears over the fact that this piece of ministry is coming to a close.  Keep on an eye on the blog - I'll write throughout the trip.

And in other news...

• The house is still for sale - real estate has slowed way down in our area, but we continue to ask God to move mightily.  We are having some repair work done on the hardwood floors in hopes of this helping it to sell.
• My car is for sale - anyone want a 2006 Honda Pilot EXL - leather seats and sun roof and all.  No, we are not becoming a one car family.. just eliminating a car payment and preparing for a move to Spain.  We will replace my car with something small and cheap that could be left here for Hannah when we leave.

Guess that is a long enough post for today... thanks for continuing to read and follow our journey.  I pray that something in the midst of these words may encourage you to keep taking steps on whatever journey God is leading you on.

Lesson #2: Loaf of Bread or Bread of Life?

One of the reasons people return over and over again to locations such as Honduras for missions trip is that there is an immediate "feel good" response for what is accomplished.  Honduras is #121 in the list of countries according to their GDP, with an average of $1881/person (US is #9 with $46,381).  Poverty is the norm in Honduras.  Many people have no idea where their next meal will come from and very few have homes that we would call much more than a shack or hut.  School is only required for six years, but only required if the government offers a school and you can afford the required clothing, so the literacy rate in some areas is minimal.  Generations of families have lived at the city dump and generations to come will continue to live there. 

Mission trips to Honduras focus on sharing Jesus through meeting material needs.  Health, dental, food, clothing and more are the focus of trip after trip.  So many teams come to Honduras that one place we visited to shop for souvenirs had t-shirts, magnets, hats, etc. that said "I survived a mission trip to Honduras." 

When working in Honduras there is immediate positive feedback for the ministry you offer.  Smiles and words of gratitude break your heart as you serve.  You can tell immediately that you have made a difference in the lives of Hondurans, even if only for a brief moment.  Missions in Honduras makes you feel good.

Wait, before you react - don't get me wrong.  There are many in Honduras who need to hear the message of Jesus Christ.  There are areas of Honduras where there are no believers in the village.  Honduras needs Jesus!

But, here is the lesson I learned - take a team to some place like Honduras and the team comes back ready to change the world.  Their hearts are broken and they are excited and on fire for missions.   They cannot wait to share a "loaf of bread" with someone and then share Jesus.  Take a team to some place like Ukraine or Spain where there is no need for a "loaf of bread," but instead just the "bread of life" and the team comes back excited about what they did, but often not broken hearted at all. 

Missions often doesn't have immediate feedback of "good feelings."  Once again, I had to step back and evaluate my own feelings.  Is my heart just as broken over people who do not have the "bread of life" as it is over those who need a "loaf of bread?"  Do I come home ready to change the world because of the number I met who needed the "bread of life" or do I just think that is how it is?  What about you?  Are you broken over hearing there are less than 1% of the Spanish population who have the "bread of life?"  What is your reaction to the fact that the team I am leading to Eastern Europe in two weeks has yet to receive permission from the government to teach Sunday School teachers how to teach?  I challenge you to look deep in your heart and ask is how broken is your heart over "loaves of bread" and the "bread of life?"

Lesson #1: Serving God is Fun

Over the entire month of July as I learned about our life as a missionary and then spent ten days in Honduras, I was constantly reminded that serving God is fun. But what struck me somewhere along the way was that for someone who has the privilege of serving God 24 hours a day with no restraints, I don't have near enough fun. Ministry becomes a burden. Volunteering to serve becomes an inconvenience. When I am doing it there is always something that is easy to find to complain about. Laughter is a rare commodity.


But, as I searched my heart, confessed somethings to the Lord, and turned off some "unimportant things" I began to see a few more smiles and a lot more laughter. It is really kind of hard to frown and be miserable when you really stop and grasp who you are doing it for.

And below are just a few pictures from both trips to prove that we really did have a lot of fun!

Preparing for fundraiser to raise support for Honduras trip

Tasting coffee made fresh from the tree (when we were supposed to actually be building a concrete block building)

Even playing with concrete as a way to serve God can be fun

This is the trail where we "slid" down in the mud to build bunk beds and deliver both physical and spiritual food.

Of course we took the Northwest Observer with us to take a picture

Not allowed to take the glass bottles from the store, so they pour your soda into a bag and give you a straw

After a hike down a mountain to a creek, where I dropped my camera in the river and this beautiful lady jumped in after it.

Yes, I am still alive!

I apologize for being "quiet" for so long, but life is crazy after being gone for so long.  I am still trying to catch up both at home and at work.  I discovered yesterday I still have a suitcase that isn't unpacked and I've been back 11 days.  Guess there was nothing in it that was essential.

Now that I have stopped to write it is hard to decide where to start, but for the next few posts I will share some things I learned in the month of July. 

Just a recap for my new readers---

Our family left home on July 10 and drove to Michigan.  We spent two weeks living in a two room "apartment."  While there we spent time in classes that were to prepare us for our move to Spain.  I really think their goal was to take off all the "rose colored glasses" of missions and convince us that our journey ahead was serious and we had better be preparing correctly (I'll post about that in the coming days).  Then on July 22 Hannah and I flew from Michigan to Raleigh to meet the Honduras mission team I was leading (while Scott and Alex stayed in Michigan to finish training and drive home).  Hannah and I were in Honduras from July 23 through August 1.  Every trip is unique, but this one was especially unique after having spent two weeks preparing for a career mission placement.

I learned a lot about myself, my family, our calling to Spain, SEND, friends, and especially God.  Somethings were easy to digest, some are still "stuck in my throat."   But more than anything else, I was reminded that I am a fallen, sinful woman who does not deserve salvation, and yet a God who is greater than words can express sent His son to earth and then allowed Him to pay the cost of my sins.  There is no sacrifice or gift that I can give back to Him that even comes near "paying Him back."  And if I really, really get this - there won't be a single person that passes my path who can't tell that I possess such a fabulous gift, nor will I be able to rest knowing that there are nearly 2 billion people in this world who have never heard His name.

Welcome back to the journey and hang on - as I pray that the next few posts not only share what I have learned, but teach you a little too.

And yes, we still own a house.

Beginning to Reflect

My brain is still overwhelming with thoughts and experiences from the past three weeks.  I'm not sure where to even start writing, but hopefully over the next few days of blogs I will be able to share pieces of the journey with you.  I ask that you continue to pray for our family as we process all that we learned and heard while we were in Michigan.

If I had to write a title for the past three weeks I'd say it would be "Goodbye Rose Colored Glasses."  It is easy to surrender to missions (or a lot of other things) and get wrapped up in the "fairy tale." You know, spending all day with all your new friends who speak the language you quickly learned seeing everyone you encounter coming to know Christ.  In addition, the experience is exciting and thrilling as you worship in many languages and shop in a variety of markets.

Reality is no where near that picture.  Consider a few of the topics, decisions, and assignments we encountered while in Michigan:

• If we were to die on the field do we want to be buried in Spain or have our bodies brought back to the states?
• Complete legal paperwork to allow our field leader in Spain to have temporary custody of our children in the event of our death, terrorism, natural disaster, imprisonment, etc until the permanent arrangements could be made
• Plan to feed ourselves spiritually and isolated since it will be quite awhile before we can participate in worship in a language other than our heart language
• Evaluate what major events are coming in the lives of our friends and family in the coming future and decide what we will be able to come home for and what we will miss (weddings, funerals, illnesses, graduations, ...)
• Be aware of the signs of depression - nearly all missionaries, and especially women, will deal with some degree of depression throughout their first term - begin to pray for a relationship on the field that is a safe place to express these feelings
• Moral Purity - easiest place for a missionary to fail - both on the field and in their marriage
• Language - be prepared one spouse is going to find language acquisition to be a natural task and the other will feel like it would be easier to teach a fish to live on land than to acquire a new language - just one stress on the family unit
• Day to day routine - if you are a task completer (anybody think that describes me?) you are going to have to establish new ways to measure productivity.  Just completing the daily tasks becomes overwhelming and productivity is equated with whether the laundry made it to the washer and clothes line and back in or a meal was tasty to the whole family with unknown ingredients 

This is just a tiny picture of what we learned.  Add to the picture the number of people who have been working to raise their support for 1 1/2 years and the time we spent really discussing the need for Jesus to be shared with the lost and the whole two weeks were overwhelming.

Bottom line of what I learned - the call to be a missionary is a God sized calling that only God can accomplish.  I can plan, work, and even fret and the task is still bigger than anything I could ever fathom.  If I don't learn to depend on God with every ounce of my being every second of the day, then I too will be one of the statistics of missionaries who went to the field and came home shortly after arrival.  If I choose to continue to wear "rose colored glasses" then I can expect defeat.  

I'm choosing to leave the glasses off and instead to wrap myself up in the Word of God - both written in scriptures and spoken through prayer - and to learn a little more about what it means to surrender it all to Him.  The road ahead is full of curves, mountains, and valleys - but the ride is definitely worth it!

How Great is our God

This is Scott (Cindy and Hannah are still in Honduras).  Alex and I had to be out of the house tonight because it was showing. YAAAAY! It's been a while.

We saw this cloud in the sky illuminated by the setting sun. How awesome is our God!

He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Deuteronomy 10:21

I thank God for the reminders of His greatness that he sends for me.  My God is not too small to handle all my needs.  My God is great enough that He can forgive sin.  My God loves me enough that he sent his only son to die.  If you don't know him, you can. 

Reflections

My time at MOP is coming to a close (1 1/2 more days for Hannah and I, 3 more days for Scott and Alex).  At times it feels like we have been here forever and at other times it feels like we arrived only yesterday.  Our brains, emotions, hearts, souls, and more have been challenged and pushed to limits we weren't actually prepared for.  I'll have to come back and share with you some of the things we have been discussing.  Going to need some time to process.

Did you know that 1.9 billion - not thousand, not even million, but BILLION people have no access to the bible?  How can we say we love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our mind and sleep at night knowing we aren't doing everything we possibly can to reach the world?  How can we frolic through life without a burden that is overwhelming?  I just can't get that to add up in my mind tonight.

So much more needs to be shared, but first I need time to meditate on it (and by the way, this morning's spiritual life session was on meditation).  After Honduras I'll share a little more.

The kids continue to have a fabulous time here and already beginning to realize that good-byes are just around the corner.  Pray for them as the goodbyes they will say in the next couple days are just the beginning of a life style of good-byes.

It's been good to be here and we are now even more ready to be in Spain.  Pray that our financial partnership comes in quickly.  Why not even pray about how you might join with us financially?  And yes, continue to pray for the sale of our house - because yes, we still own a house.

God Size Appointments

Well, I left a tease on my facebook status today and have had many people want to know when the whole story is going to be shared, so I figured I couldn't get away with waiting until tomorrow.

Settle in, this might be a little long.

Before we left NC we sent a missions packet to the pastor at the church where we were members when we lived in Michigan (13 years ago).  The pastor is not the same pastor as when we were there and the location of the church has changed, as well as many of the people.  The church was a little country church located in the midst of the cornfields.  We did not hear back from him before we left for Michigan, but did receive an invitation late this past week to meet the missions team chair between services today.

We really didn't know what that meant - were we just introducing ourselves, were we meeting with him, were we with the team, were we sharing with the congregation?  Who knew?  But this morning we piled into the car and drove to Adrian (about 1 1/2 hours away from training) and showed the kids the town we used to live in.  Then off to church we went.

We have been praying about our support and wanting to see God move in dramatic ways and He did today.  We arrived a few minutes early and walked into the foyer of the church (now realize this is while services and classes are going on) and a couple sitting on the couch declares "I know you."  Although we recognized them, we couldn't put a name with their face.  They reintroduced themselves to us and we immediately remembered them and their precious daughter (another story - maybe I can get them to tell their story here).  We started catching up and they asked "are you moving back to Michigan?" 

That opened the door to share that no, we were actually moving to Spain.  Which led to all kinds of questions and conversation - but here's the kicker, the God moment!  He says "I'm on the mission team."  Now we are no longer a stranger sending in a packet, we are known family.  He then takes us over to introduce us to the chair who we were to be meeting.

God had already prepared that way too - because this gracious gentleman knew the religious condition of Spain and was telling us about it.  We had to do none of the "why Spain" conversation.  Hold on - there's more!  He then asks us if Ogden partnered with us on a short term trip what it would look like and the first thing that popped into my head (or was shoved there by the Holy Spirit) was ESL classes.  He proceeds to tell us of the opportunities he and his wife have had to see first hand how ESL is a powerful tool in spreading the gospel.  Isn't God good!

We continued the conversation with constant interruptions of people who recognized us from 13 years ago (do we really still look like we did then?), but they weren't interruptions.  You see, the missions chair was getting to know us through his own church's testimony of the times we spent together.  Who would have expected a 30 minutes conversation with a mission chair in the foyer of a church between services could accomplish all this time did.

Now wait - we aren't done yet - because while Scott was trying to still talk with him and I was talking with old friends, the chairman brought up the subject of financial partnership.  We didn't even have to do it!  We serve a very mighty and powerful God!  (he will get back with us in the coming weeks regarding how we can partner together)

We then went to worship and sat under a fabulous sermon where the pastor preached on Colossians 3.  He called the church to cast off the things of the old self in a very powerful way.  While he was encouraging progress, he made it clear that if the church was to reach the world then their behavior had to be different.  The congregation participated in Lord's Supper during the service (it wasn't passed, but you were invited to come to the table and partake) - but only after you "cast off some old rags of behaviors that were not characteristic of a believer."  Members went to members and you saw tears around the congregation.  The Holy Spirit was moving and present. 

We then went to lunch with a dear friend.  How precious was the time of visiting.  She played a vital role in our lives when we lived in Michigan and to reconnect after so many years was beautiful.  There is nothing like friendships built on a common faith.  I realized during the drive back that my hope for the women of Spain is that they will realize how faith in Christ transforms every aspect of their life, including their friendships.  As we were about to leave she asked if I had pierced ears (no earrings for church today) and as I responded yes she took off her earrings and gave them to me.  She said they matched my eyes and outfit and they were just a little way of her showing God's love to me.  What a perfect ending to a God filled day!

I do not know why I am constantly amazed at how God moves.  I pray that one day my attitude becomes one of expecting Him to move instead of being surprised when He does.

Ogden Community Bible Church when we were members

(they have moved to town in a larger building and sold the original property to another congregation - Cornerstone Baptist Church - such a small world!)

Friday Morning at MOP

We are in our fifth day of MOP.  My brain is overwhelmed and my heart is broken.  What a spot to be!  At this point in life the only thing you can do is to depend on and rejoice in the Lord who is in charge of not only my life, but the entire world!

Yesterday was a stressful day - topics included suffering and persecution in the morning and moral purity in the afternoon.  It was a slap in the face with reality.  We are going to a safe country so in a sense we thought we were "safe."  The discussions were centered around the continuum of suffering - from inconvenience to martyrdom.  Once again the "rose colored glasses" were removed.  I had to do quite a bit of thinking on this quote....

"The man who is afraid to suffer cannot belong to him who suffered."  Tertullian

Still having to ponder that one....

We have enjoyed some time with the kids (played a game of Phase 10 last night that lasted 3 hours), laughed a lot at what they are learning and getting used to everything having a place when you live in small quarters.

For the weekend we have some down time and will spend the day at a park tomorrow with our new SEND family and then on Sunday we are spending the day with old friends from Adrian. 

And yes, we still own a house.

Friendships

Lessons I have learned in three days of MOP -

• I am not a very good sitter.  Classes are all morning and all afternoon and we are supposed to be sitting still and listening and taking notes.  I am definitely better at multi-tasking and moving.  Finally figured out if I eat the new pretzel M & M's it helps me to pay attention
• Cross Cultural Ministry is more difficult than I ever wanted to admit - your own personal culture influences so much of your life and it makes judgment very easy.  Will I ever master the idea that different does not equal better or worse?  
• The "rose colored glasses" of mission work do not give an accurate picture of what life is going to be like when we reach Spain.  Yesterday was our first session on security and safety issues on the mission field.  There are some very serious considerations we must consider as we move forward.  
• I have a long way to go to being the person that God has called me to be.  (knew that before we got here, but have been repeatedly reminded as we have discussed some pretty hard topics)
• Alex and Hannah will do fabulous on the field.  They have made some great friends here already, of course they are going to Japan and not Spain - but they don't seem to think that is a problem.
• God cares and answers prayers.  A family here prayed before they arrived that David, their 11 year old who just finished the fifth grade, would have a friend here.  He doesn't have any close friends with similar interests in Japan (they are already there).  He is either several years younger or several years older than those around him.  They knew these weeks would be so much better if David could connect with someone.  David was the first person Alex met here.  They are both 11 and both just finished 5th grade and both love soccer and asking questions and exploring the world and so much more.  They have been connected since we arrived.  Isn't it great to know that God loves our children even more than we do?

Birthday Help

Day 1 of training down and it was nice to be with old friends and to make new friends.  It is amazing to me how when you are with a group of people who love the Lord and who have decided to leave it all for the sake of another hearing how you almost immediately feel like you have been friends forever.  Oh, there are plenty of differences and idiosyncrasies (had to look up how to spell that word), but the hearts are joined in one goal.   A very neat place to be.

Zach turns twenty next Tuesday and he will be at camp and I will be here in Michigan.  No birthday cake or birthday dinner, but would love to shower him with birthday cards.  If you have a moment, would you send him a card via snail mail (that means regular mail, mom)?  Wish I could be there as he only turns twenty once, but perhaps his name being repeatedly called at mail call time will make it up.

You can mail him at:

Zach Hunter
Camp Don Lee
315 Camp Don Lee Road
Arapahoe, NC  28510

MOP

We arrived at Missionary Orientation Program (MOP) this afternoon.  What fun!  We have spent the evening just getting to know other families who are headed to a variety of mission fields.  Every story is unique.   What a blessing to be amidst believers who want to reach the world for Christ!

Yesterday in the car Scott and I were discussing some of the required reading for MOP.  It had to do with culture adjustment and kept referring to neighbor stories.  Made me start wondering what kind of neighbor we will have when we arrive in Spain.  I decided that between now and the time we arrive in Spain I'm gonna pray for my neighbor (kind of like I pray for my kid's mates).   I now have a personal  prayer for Spain.  Makes me a little more excited to get there.

Pray for us this week as the schedule is full.  Check back tomorrow for another update.  (and yes, we still own a home so keep praying about that too!)

Saturday Travels

House is ready, to do list is nearly complete, and my mind is beginning to slow down with things I have forgotten.  We will begin our drive to Michigan in a little while to take one more big step towards being in Spain.  Pray for us as we spend a lot of together time - really close together time - for the next two weeks. 

We can hardly wait to get there!

Our Schedule

I've had many people ask over the past couple days where are you going and when?  So today, here is a snapshot of what is ahead of us for the next 23 days.  I'll keep the blog as up to date as I can over the next days, but please keep us in your prayers and thoughts.  We will be depending on the strength of God in a way we haven't had to before to accomplish all that is before us.

• Thursday, July 8

• Today is my last day at work until August 2.
• Friday, July 9 
• Scott's last day at work until July 26
• Alex returns home from camp in the afternoon
• Packing and cleaning (house is still on the market so house must being showing order when we leave)
• Saturday, July 10
• We will drive to Independence, Ohio (about 8 hours) and stop for the night
• Sunday, July 11
• We will drive to Farmington, MI (about 4 hours)
• Check in, unpack, and meet other missionary families
• 5:30 is the official beginning of the Member Orientation Program (MOP)
• Monday, July 12 - Wednesday, July 21
• Each morning will begin with breakfast with all the families at MOP
• Hannah and Alex will then spend the morning in classes designed to help transition children/teens to the mission field
• Scott and I will spend the morning in classes covering topics such as
• Spiritual Life
• Expectations
• Coping with Cultural Stress
• Cross Cultural Servanthood
• Leave and Cleave
• Mobilization
• Church Planting
• Finance
• Health
• Moral Purity
• Language
• We will all eat lunch together (as well as meet with SEND staff during our lunches)
• The afternoons for Hannah and Alex will include "play time" while Scott and I return to classes
• Dinner is back together with everyone (a lot of together time during these two weeks) followed by fun activities and homework in the evenings
• Wednesday, July 14 - Sunday, July 18 Zach has off from camp so will be at home alone - sad that his only days off that are long enough for us to see him are while we are gone
• Saturday, July 17 - Sunday, July 18 we hope to travel down to Adrian to visit with friends from the years we lived in Michigan
• Thursday, July 22
• This day is designed to be a Day Alone with God. 
• Hannah and I will leave SEND around 2:00 and head for the Detroit airport, where we will fly to Memphis and then Raleigh to meet the Honduras mission team that I am leading.
• Scott and Alex will remain in Michigan to finish MOP
• Friday, July 23
• 6:55 AM Hannah and I (along with 10 others) will depart for Honduras
• Scott and Alex will complete MOP around 5:00 and then drive to Canton, Ohio (about 4 hours)
• Saturday, July 24
• Scott and Alex will tour the National Football League Hall of Fame (definite father/son time) and then continue the drive home - they are unsure if they will drive the entire way home or stop again, depends on how tired Scott is since he has to do all the driving (about 8 hours)
• Monday, July 26
• Scott returns to work after being gone for two weeks - imagine his desk
• Tuesday, July 27 - Thursday, July 29
• Alex attends soccer day camp
• Friday, July 30 - Sunday, August 1 
• Scott and Alex drive to Arapahoe, NC to visit with Zach
• Saturday, July 31
• Hannah and I travel home from Honduras - we arrive in Raleigh around 11:00 PM and will then drive to Kernersville - hope to see our beds by 1:00 AM
• Sunday, August 1
• 1st time back at Cornerstone in three weeks - will definitely be ready to see friends
• Alex heads to my parents for a week of spoiling and pampering
• Monday, August 2
• 1st time back at work in 23 days - can you imagine my desk?

Difficult Things

Enter ye in at the strait gate . . because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way...Matthew 7:13-14

Today I am going to borrow from Oswald Chambers in his book My Utmost For His Highest.  Just made me think a little about the things I am complaining about. 

"If we are going to live as disciples of Jesus, we have to remember that all noble things are difficult. The Christian life is gloriously difficult, but the difficulty of it does not make us faint and cave in, it rouses us up to overcome. Do we so appreciate the marvellous salvation of Jesus Christ that we are our utmost for His highest? 


God saves men by His sovereign grace through the Atonement of Jesus; He works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure; but we have to work out that salvation in practical living. If once we start on the basis of His Redemption to do what He commands, we find that we can do it. If we fail, it is because we have not practised. The crisis will reveal whether we have been practising or not. If we obey the Spirit of God and practise in our physical life what God has put in us by His Spirit, then when the crisis comes, we shall find that our own nature as well as the grace of God will stand by us.


Thank God He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a glad thing, but it is also a heroic, holy thing. It tests us for all we are worth. Jesus is bringing many "sons" unto glory, and God will not shield us from the requirements of a son. God's grace turns out men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not milk sops. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the noble life of a disciple of Jesus in actual things. It is always necessary to make an effort to be noble."

I definitely do not want to be a mop sop.

Partnership Development

I am learning that this process is a lot harder than I expected.  I guess I just thought we would wake up one day and people would be lining up to sign up as financial partners.  I am learning it is taking a lot more time than I ever dreamed.  I am also learning that Satan knows that partnership development is where he could get a foothold.

Partnership development is requiring a new kind of faith.  Not a faith that God can handle the situation (which He can), but a faith that believes God can and is working on people's hearts to join our team.  I want to shout and shake and make people join our team as on-going team members and yet I can't do that.  I have to do my part and let God do the rest.

The other thing I am learning is that partnership development isn't just going to happen.  It is going to require us to do something, something out of comfort zone.  I said to Scott last night I don't want people to think every time they see us we are going to ask them to be partners, but yet at the same time I am beginning to realize we have to start asking more boldly than we are.

You know, this process is a lot like leading someone to Christ.  We have to believe that God will work on people's hearts.  My job is to tell and let God move in their hearts.  No shouting or shaking will make them come to know Christ.  Only the work of the Holy Spirit.  Also, evangelism isn't just going to happen.  It requires us to do something, something often out of comfort zone.  And out of fear of non-believing friends thinking salvation is the only thing I talk about, I don't talk about it all.  Hmm, maybe partnership development is just a way of preparing us for Spain.

So, if you are reading this post and you aren't a financial partner, how about asking today how to make it happen (or open the form on the side bar).  For us to be on track to be in Spain by March 1 we need to be at 30% by August 1.  That means we need to double our present support level this month.  I am gone for three weeks in July - so I am going to have to talk about it every chance I get and pray that the Holy Spirit works on hearts.

If there were only 1000 people in the world...

If there were only 1000 people in the world

• 206 would be Chinese
• 167 would be Indian
• 79 would be from Central and South America
• 50 would be from the former Soviet Union
• 51 would be from North America
• 45 would be Western European
• 33 would be Indonesian
• 21 would be from Japan
• 22 would be from Bangladesh
• 21 would be from Nigeria
• 24 would be from Pakistant
• 118 would be from other sub-Saharan African and other Asian countries

 If there were only 1000 people in the world

• 114 North Americans, Europeans, and Japanese would own nearly 90% of the wealth in the world and consume more than half of its products

If there were only 1000 people in the world

• 330 would be Christian (leaving 670 non-Christians)
• 198 would be Muslim
• 126 Nonreligious
• 135 Hindu
• 60 Buddhist
• 38 Ethnoreligionist
• 25 Athiest
• 17 New Age
• 4 Sikh
• 2 Jewish
• 65 other

Just something to think about.

Yes, we still own a house

We went to the beach for a day this weekend and closed out VBS on Sunday so life is a little crazy, so come back in the next day or two and I'll post something a little more meaningful but wanted to give you an update - we still own a house and the family who was interested we've been told is still interested, just not quite ready, so we continue to wait and to continue to praise God for still being God.

By the way, the house is showing again tomorrow - keep on praying.

Waiting

...and yes, we are continuing to wait.  Only word from the last lookers at our house is that they have not made a decision yet, but yes our house is still a possibility.  Will keep  you posted and you keep praying.

Showing Update

We continue to pray that God will sell our house today, but we have also found great comfort and peace in knowing that there is a purpsoe for the delay.  We showed the house to a family for a second time tonight.  They called with some great questions that indicate they are seriously considering the house.  When told why we were trying to sell they indicated that would mean a lot to them.  Wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake to sell our home to a fellow believer who saw the purchase of our house as a way of reaching those in Spain!  We now wait and trust.  If this is the family for our house, I will give God all the praise.  If this is not the family for our house, I will God all the praise.  I may be disappointed and I may wish in my humanness that there was a different answer, but I will rest in the peace and comfort in knowing that God is still God.

2nd Showing Perhaps?

We think tonight's showing of the house is a 2nd showing - so keep on praying! 

We have 325+ children now registered for VBS - keep on praying there too!  It's gonna be a blast!

One more showing

House showed Friday, Saturday, and is showing again on Monday.  I'd love to say that it was showing all three of these times to the same person, but it isn't, but it IS showing!  Keep praying.

VBS starts tomorrow and we expect 350+ children.  We use an online program for our registration management and the server went down early this morning.  It's 8:00 on Sunday night and it still isn't back up.  Pray that the tech people get it back up before too late tonight.  Pray for a smooth morning tomorrow, even if we don't have all all our paperwork in line.

House

House showed yesterday and we have another showing at noon today.   Please continue to pray that if this is the time that God has ordained for the sale it will occur.   I am ready for it to sell, but would rather it be in God's perfect timing than mine.

A God Designed Appointment

It is VBS crunch time!  Monday morning more than 300 little children will arrive at Cornerstone ready for an exciting week of music, crafts, recreation, Bible study, and more.  I am responsible for seeing that it is all ready.  I have a great team of volunteers and I couldn't do it without them (although they could probably do it without me).   Yesterday was workday - people were in and out all day and my to do list seemed to be growing instead of shrinking. 

Then at 4:10 I was challenged to get my priorities in line - is VBS about showing the lost the truth of Jesus Christ or about a big production that gets me compliments from the congregation and my boss?  Because amidst the long to do list walks in a beautiful young lady asking to talk with someone about God.

For the next hour plus I got to talk and share and answer questions about the one and only true God that is able to change lives and heal pasts.  She was raised in another religion and has many scars from her past and what was claimed to have been done in the name of "god."  She is searching and scared to trust God or people.

She took a Bible with her and is coming back next week so we can talk some more.  Pray for her today.  Pray that God reveals who He is to her in a way that she can only see as an answer to prayer.  Pray for the courage for her to return next week.   Pray for wisdom and insight on my part to know exactly what to say.  Pray for VBS to be calm on Tuesday so that I can set aside the "to do list" and focus on a hurt and lost heart.  

Thank you God for the reminder of why we really do VBS.

What can $50 buy?

Hannah has her driver's license and I am thoroughly enjoying it.  I hear myself constantly saying "Hannah run to the grocery store.  Hannah run get Alex.  Hannah..."  She also has a VISA Buxx card (parents - this is a perfect way to let kids learn about wise use of a credit card without them really having a credit card).  Her allowance is automatically deposited onto this card and I have the ability to transfer funds to it from any computer.  It is very convenient. 

She has been saving for her Honduras trip so her balance on her card had begun to accumulate until I began to send her on errands.  I say "just use your card and I'll reimburse you" but I am slow on the reimbursing side.  Yesterday, I realized she had done two errands for me and I owed her $50.  All she had bought was some painters tape and one bag of groceries.  Really?  How could that equal $50?

$50 sounds like a lot, until you realize how little it actually buys at the grocery store or how quickly you can spend it without ever noticing.  The average monthly supporter for SEND is $50/month.  It sounds like a big sacrifice to find $50/month in a budget to commit to financial partnership.  For some of you reading this it might as well be $500, but I dare say for the majority of those reading this, you too would be surprised what kind of sacrifice it requires to give $50 per month.

I sat there pondering what does $50 look like and here are a few things I came up with for my family:

• One tank of gas
• My Direct TV bill
• Matinee movie for four of us plus a shared popcorn and drink
• Dinner at Chic-Fil-A twice 
• A pair of shoes
• My Sunday night Zaxby ritual 1 1/2 times
• The four hanging pots on my front porch - that by the way I have already killed

We've had to ask ourselves repeatedly through this journey what kept us from supporting other mission ventures in the past.  The answer we gave was we didn't think we could afford it.  I am slowly beginning to realize that perhaps the real answer was I wasn't willing to sacrifice just a little. 

Will you prayerfully consider becoming a financial partner with us?  We need 208 partners at $50/month.  We have 30. 

Everyday someone dies in Spain without ever hearing the truth about Jesus Christ.  Mormons and Muslims are aggressively reaching Spain with lies.   We are having to cut those things listed above out of our budget to be in the financial situation SEND requires of us.  We're in this together and we understand the cost of this sacrifice.

What about you?  What does $50 look like in your family?

Will we ever grow tired?

Believe me, that title question has nothing to do with physically tired?  Because I crashed last night and do not remember anything that happened until this morning and could still be asleep if it wasn't for our psycho cat that insisted on being accompanied to her food bowl and the fact that I have to go to work.

Instead, I lay there wondering if we will ever grow tired of sharing about the great need in Spain.  We were privileged to share last night with Gate City Baptist Church about our journey and the need in Spain.  As we talked you saw so many people learning for the first time about the desperate need to reach Spaniards NOW.  It was fun and energizing.  Each time we shared we were reminded why God is allowing us to go to.

I could talk about it forever.  At the moment we never grow tired or bored (although those around us may) with answering questions and sharing our journey.  Maybe that is why God directed us to a route different from our original plan?  This route requires us to talk and talk and talk some more about Spain.

Anyone wanna hear a little more?

Happy Father's Day a Little Early

Next weekend is VBS Eve - in other words, starting about Thursday this week I might as well take my blanket and pillow to the church, because I will be there more than at home until VBS is over.  I love VBS and can't wait, but it does require me to do a little planning in advance.

For example, Father's Day is next Sunday - so we decided to celebrate it a little early.  Scott suggested we try the Virginia Creeper Trail again - last time we did it in a downpour.  We waited until Friday to make reservations based on the weather report and then on Saturday morning got up and checked the weather again.  It said 70% chance of rain so no bike riding for us, or so we thought.  We were trying to decide what else to do so we checked it again and it was only 30% - figured if it was dropping it would be just fine for us to go - uh no!

We got ready to go and we were in the car in 15 minutes.  Drove three hours and got fitted for bikes and life was looking good.  Loaded the bikes on the trailer and sat down in the shuttle van and all of a sudden the bottom fell out - it not only started raining, it poured and thundered and poured some more.

By now we were committed (or perhaps should have been committed) so on to the top of the mountain we went.  Then down we came with all the mud we could carry.  It was fun - but it was wet.  People promise me it is even more fun when the sun is shining.  But here is the question - after two tries in the rain will we ever try a third time?

Oh well - we had a great time together as a family and celebrated Father's Day a little early.  Days like yesterday are for memory making - but I must say I am reading for some sunny memories.

Dessert and the Journey

We had three families over last night for a sampling of Spanish dessert and a time of questions and answers.  We weren't sue what to expect, and I guess they probably weren't either.  But it was a lot of fun.  We got to talk about Spain, the people there, the journey so far and the journey ahead, and to encourage a young man in his own journey.  I can't wait to do it again.

We served three desserts which Hannah made for us - two were big hits, so below are the recipes for you to try at home.  But here is the fun and interesting thing about Spain and these desserts - these would actually be served as breakfast in Spain.  Cakes, cookies, pies are breakfast foods (see why I can't wait to get there?) and fresh fruit style dishes are served as dessert. 

Magdalenas - Spanish Cakes

 

Magdalenas are small sweet cakes that are rich-tasting, but light and fluffy.

 

• 4 eggs
• 1 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 4 oz. stick Unsalted Butter
• 1 2/3 cups Unbleached White Flour
• 1 Tbsp Baking Powder
• Zest from 1 lemon
• 1 Tbsp Milk

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Centigrade). Measure 1/4 cup sugar into small bowl and set aside.  In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the eggs with 3/4 cup sugar. Beat until the mixture is light. Add Melted Butter and Lemon Zest  In a small sauce pan, melt the butter on medium on the stove top. Or, melt it in the microwave. Make sure that the butter cools slightly and is not bubbling. As you continue to beat the egg mixture, slowly pour in the melted butter, making sure to mix thoroughly. Stir in the lemon zest and milk.  Measure out the flour into a separate bowl. Add the baking powder to the flour and mix thoroughly.  While stirring the egg mixture, add in the flour mixture. Continue to stir until all ingredients are mixed well. The batter will be very thick.  Place paper liners in to cupcake pan. Use a large serving spoon to spoon batter into pan, filling each one half full. Batter will more than double in size when baked. Use a teaspoon to sprinkle each Magdalena with a bit of the reserved sugar.

 

Place pans on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until Magdalenas have turned a golden color. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before taking out of the pan to cool further.

 

 

 

Orange Cake

 

Orange cake is a typical dessert recipe from Valencia, where the best oranges are produced.

 

• 25 oz cream cheese
• 6 oz biscuits (biscuits are shortbread style cookies - we used a butter cookie - the kind as kids you used to stick on your finger as a ring)
• 2 oz butter
• 2 oz of sugar
• 3 fl.oz orange juice
• 10 oz of mandarins or preserved oranges
• Chocolate shavings (optional)

 

Smash up the biscuits and mix them with the melted butter. Put the mixture in a loose-bottomed tin greased with butter and put it in the fridge for 15 minutes.

 

In a separate bowl, beat the cheese, the sugar and the orange juice until you get an even mixture. Pour this mixture into the tin and put it back into the fridge for four hours.

 

Decorate the cake with pieces of mandarin and chocolate shavings.

 

 

 

 

Positive Feedback so Keep on Praying

We received positive feedback on our house showing yesterday (no, not an offer), so keep on praying.  We are trusting God for his perfect timing and yet at the same time would love for his timing to be today.  I'll keep you posted and you keep on lifting up the sale of our house in your prayers.

Powerwashing and Prayer Walking

The house is being shown tomorrow and I decided that the front porch, back patio, and wall right outside the sliding glass door needed to be power washed.  So at 5:30 I borrowed a power washer, finished cooking dinner, and at 7:00 headed outside to attack it.

When I first started I was grumbling that it was going to be a late night (as I really needed to be paying bills and folding laundry) but somewhere along the way the Holy Spirit took over (yep, God is even present in power washing) and I began to pray over the house, giving God each spindle of the front porch, the door knobs, the garage door (which I also decided needed washing), the flowers that I had to step around, the water faucet, the chairs I moved around, and more (I'm sure you get the gist of it by now).

Amazing!  By the time I was finished it was dark outside and bills weren't paid and I still will have to go to the garage tomorrow morning to find clean clothes - but I was having a good old time.  I had a whole new attitude about the time I had spent outside and am at peace with the house showing tomorrow and got a clean house to boot!

Perhaps I should try this with all my housecleaning.  :)

Convert Baptisms up 81% in Spain

Don't go celebrating that headline yet.  It's not referring to Evangelical Christian baptisms, but the Mormon Church saw an increase of 81% in their baptisms from 2008 to 2009 in the Barcelona area.  It boasts that 2009 was it's most successful year in 20 years.  There were more than 402 baptisms that year.  In addition to the Barcelona area, their other focuses in Madrid and Malaga have celebrated great success.  (information taken from a LDS blog)

Are we ready as believers to wake up and get busy reaching the world?  Or are we too comfortable in our own homes and belief that someone else is doing it.  Well, guess what - someone else is doing it and it isn't Christians.  We are at a crossroad - we either need to get serious about sharing Jesus or admit that we don't care that false religions are winning the world for hell.

Now before you think I am preaching to you, here's the truth - I am preaching to me too.  Yeah, we've surrendered to missions and we are trying to sell our house and prepare to leave for Spain.  I've been in casual mode - no urgency to get there, no need to do things outside my comfort zone - just kind of sit back and let life proceed at its own pace and we'll eventually get there.  But as I pondered that blog I realized everyday that I sit here waiting on progress someone is being convinced that a lie is truth. 

It's time that I get busy - so be prepared. I promise no Amway style tactics, but we need partners and the only way that happens is for people to either volunteer or be asked.  We made less than 5% progress towards our financial partnership in the last 6 weeks.  At this rate, we should reach Spain around 2015.  There is a greater urgency than that.

How about you?  Are you ready to reach the world with the truth or continue to let the Muslims, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, and other lies get there first? 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:14-15

ALL your cares

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous fall" 

Psalm 55:22

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 

1 Peter 5:7

 

Carefully read those two verses.  We Christians (or at least me) tend to miss an important part of these two verses.  We teach about who to cast your cares on and we teach about why God is trustworthy of your cares,  but I am firmly convinced we make these verses so "churchy" that we miss the "what we are to cast." 
 
I know I tend to keep some things for myself, not because I think I can handle them on my own, but because they aren't "spiritual" enough to be cast upon the Lord.  There are times I have cares and anxieties that I need help with that have nothing to do with faith, worship, belief, miracles, or anything else we talk about in our "christian lady circles."  There are times I have cares and anxieties about the details of my daily life and I forget to cast them on God.
 
Today I was reminded that God does care about ALL our cares.  We had arranged with a company to work on our wood floors.  I talked with the owner.  I talked with the estimator.  I read reviews online.  I went and saw a house where they had done the same kind of work and I agreed to have them come today.  I arranged to work from home and Hannah had to go to church for childcare so this allowed for a wonderful blessing - an extended, uninterrupted quiet time. 
 
I had awoke with an unsettled feeling about having the floors done but figured it was just because I am a tight wad in regards to what we are spending to try to sell the house.  I even had time to write out my prayer time this morning and I asked God to stop the floors if it wasn't something we should do.  I felt guilty asking for it, but since I have surrendered the house to Him it hit me the floors were already his anyhow.
 
I felt guilty because I have so many other needs right now related to growing my faith, directing my path to the mission field, what to share on Sunday with the children, and more.  But I asked for there to be a miraculous stop of the work if it wasn't the right thing to do.
 
And then he began to move - the tech called to say they were going to be about an hour late and had thought the owner had actually already called.  I hate late service techs.  I find it very unprofessional - especially when I am the first call of the day.   This being late prompted me to do a little more research and I found some reviews that were not real promising.
 
Then the tech finally arrived.  He looked at our floors and told me there was a 50/50 chance we would be unhappy with the outcome of the process on our floors and that our only option at that point would be to totally rip up the floors and start over.  He then says "if we don't do your floors today we won't get paid for working today, but I think you would be making a big mistake to have them done."
 
I realized right then that God does care about everything - not just what we consider spiritual stuff - all the yucky cares and anxieties.  My hope is that I never miss that part of either of those verses again.

Quote to Ponder Today

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.(Let the Nations Be Glad, Piper 2003)

Missions exists because there is no worship in all nations and tribes in the world.

(quote taken from Scott Talley's Blog)