It's almost here: departure day. The whole team is here and financial support for the four of us north americans is in (we still have 2 Venezuelan women who are working hard to finish raising theirs) and for that we are giving great thanks to the Lord! It's been so fun to see the way He's provided financially over the past few weeks. The Lord raised up a handful of champions (you know who you are) to fight on my behalf and help me reach a seemingly impossible goal of full financial support. Thank you.
Please pray for our team as we prepare to leave the country for the next 9-11 months. Pray that we will say goodbye to friends/family/culture well and be ready to step into life in Venezuela wholeheartedly. Pray for safety in our travels on Tuesday and Wednesday. Pray for wisdom for Bryon and I as we lead our team into this coming year and start making plans for the ministry. Pray that our team (Emily, Bryon, Sam, and Amber) continues to grow in love and appreciation for one another and that we would love Jesus well together.
(I'll post a picture as soon as I get ahold of one).
Monday, August 28, 2006
Sunday, August 13, 2006
The road that lies ahead
I wish you could see the smile on this girl's face. Today we head to the mountains! I'll spend some time with my parents before saying goodbye (for an entire year) on Monday, when our Stint briefing begins in Copper Mountain, Colorado. We'll be coming together for training and commissioning with everyone who is spending the next year overseas with Crusade. It will be the first time that Bryon and I meet our American teammates, Amber and Sam. I can't wait!
Please pray for us in this week (August 14-20). Pray that as we as a team we come together: united in heart and vision for what God has called us to this year in Venezuela. Pray that we will be learners during this week of training. Pray that this week will set the tone for the rest of our year-that as a team we love the Lord well and love each other well. Also, there are some of us on the team that continue to have significant financial need. We continue to step out in faith, trusting that the Lord will provide the means for us to do the work that He has called us into.
Please pray for us in this week (August 14-20). Pray that as we as a team we come together: united in heart and vision for what God has called us to this year in Venezuela. Pray that we will be learners during this week of training. Pray that this week will set the tone for the rest of our year-that as a team we love the Lord well and love each other well. Also, there are some of us on the team that continue to have significant financial need. We continue to step out in faith, trusting that the Lord will provide the means for us to do the work that He has called us into.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Who said learning is easy?
This summer I've been praying that I would be desperate in my dependence on God in this coming year, and that I would also trust Him for impossible things.
He's taken me up on that request (a bit earlier than I expected) and I'll admit that it's been much more difficult than I imagined to really allow myself to enter fully into that desperation. I've always been the kind of person who's been able to be the glue that holds other people together, relying on my own strength to stay calm and steady. Throughout the course of this summer, I've watched situation pile upon situation; driving me beyond the limits of my own emotional and mental strength and to a more complete reliance on God. It's almost impressive how thickheaded I've been throughout the whole process. Just yesterday as I was sitting in the ER at my mom's bedside, amidst the tangle of IV's and ceaseless cacophony of beeping monitors and sounds of hurting people (she's fine now, don't worry) I found myself telling God that I would be fine dealing with raising the rest of my financial support if it weren't for all of these extraneous circumstances (and there are many of them!). "Bingo. Do you get it yet?" is what I heard in response from the Lord. "Are you ready to admit that you can't do it all on your own?"
It's amazing how hard it can be to say that yes, I am ready. I am ready to relinquish control. I am ready to be desperate.
He's taken me up on that request (a bit earlier than I expected) and I'll admit that it's been much more difficult than I imagined to really allow myself to enter fully into that desperation. I've always been the kind of person who's been able to be the glue that holds other people together, relying on my own strength to stay calm and steady. Throughout the course of this summer, I've watched situation pile upon situation; driving me beyond the limits of my own emotional and mental strength and to a more complete reliance on God. It's almost impressive how thickheaded I've been throughout the whole process. Just yesterday as I was sitting in the ER at my mom's bedside, amidst the tangle of IV's and ceaseless cacophony of beeping monitors and sounds of hurting people (she's fine now, don't worry) I found myself telling God that I would be fine dealing with raising the rest of my financial support if it weren't for all of these extraneous circumstances (and there are many of them!). "Bingo. Do you get it yet?" is what I heard in response from the Lord. "Are you ready to admit that you can't do it all on your own?"
It's amazing how hard it can be to say that yes, I am ready. I am ready to relinquish control. I am ready to be desperate.
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