"Pack your bags, you are headed to Kigali". This is what the computer screen showed me. I had just booked our tickets to Rwanda! I had been watching the ticket fares go up steadily, but it wasn't the time to buy the tickets. Over the weekend, I found a good deal, and by Monday, I knew we needed to act soon, but how? The last few months had been incredibly difficult for Kim. Jobs were delayed by the wintery weather and just when he would get going on a jobsite, the weather would turn bad again. Added to this, payments were slow coming in and we were working with an income cut in half for the last three months (yet throughout this time, bills were paid and all our needs met). Now, to spend over $4000 on tickets seemed outrageous.
The tickets were booked and within a few days, they have been 3/4 paid for. Don't ask me how, all I know is God is good and when He calls us to step out in faith, He is with us every step of the way. It's a battle though. I spent much of this last week overwhelmed by the task before me. Never have I felt so inadequate and untrained. I have no regrets with my years of Bible school, children's ministry and homeschooling. I absolutely love what I do, but I don't have credentials behind my name. It's just me. So the thought of going overseas and serving in a country where certificates and credentials are valued seems overwhelming to me. However, God is bigger. He did not stir us up in this direction if He didn't think we could handle it. The battle comes down to me choosing to go in God's strength as opposed to my own.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! It's incredible to know that God can take my simple gifts, strengths and passions, and use them them in a mighty way! I think of the story of the boy who shared his lunch (fish and bread) with Jesus and it was used to feed over 5000. It was all God's power, but He used someone offering what they had and the miracle took place.
This is where we are at. Our family is offering what little we have to God to use us as He sees fit. Whatever the outcome, it is up to Him. In the meantime, we want to be willing and obedient, ready to be used however He chooses. The best is yet to come!!
--so, how can you help?
1. Pray, for peace, protection and provision
We are in Kigali, Rwanda, August 5-20
2. Get creative, we want to bring up to 100 knitted or crocheted beanie (tight-fitting) hats for the kids. They will be coming back to the home for a reunion/birthday party in November, so if we can take over gifts and party things in August, it will help. The hats will be a gift and the extras will go to Kenya for the kids there (ages 5-18, boys and girls)
3. Give, if you can to help with our flights, accommodations, etc. We won't say no to money (or pop bottles, or Epicure orders where 30% of the order goes to Rwanda (those can be ordered from anywhere in Canada and shipped directly to you).
Thank you:)
an ordinary family who just wants to do what God wants
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Not My Child!!!
One of the most amazing parts of this journey to missions to Africa has been the incredible words of wisdom given to us. As crazy as it seems, there's not a hype or giddiness about this possible life-changing event. It's been an agonizing, slow surrender, with an underlying peace.
Just yesterday, my husband met with a wise friend who challenged us to think about the worst possible scenario and process how we would deal with it.
A mission trip is not a honeymoon period of highs with a few lows, instead, it's challenging, tough, and lonely, with a few bright spots. It is getting past the glamour of short-term and recognizing the battle of the long-term, without the familiar, safe and secure.
When I think of surrender, I have to say that probably the easiest is to surrender ins my own life. However, the thought of possibly losing my husband, takes the surrender to a deeper level . . .okay, so God can take care of me, right? Now, what about the reality of losing one of my kids? Now wait a minute! God has plans and purposes for them, He wouldn't really ask me to give up my child, would He? I've heard it said that God won't ask us to do what He hasn't already done. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, He gave His only son . . ." Oh. I see.
I have never lost a child, never, not even in early pregnancy. I cannot fathom the grief that pierces a mother's heart when she experiences such a loss. Now, God is asking me to surrender? I cannot think of a single scripture that promises you a life without loss, grief or surrender, but there are countless that speak of God's comfort, love, and hope for a future.
This surrender is not limited to when you approach the mission field. Thinking of the bombing of the Boston marathon and how a young boy lost his life, it was not in a "dangerous territory", this tragedy took place in a safe place.
I am not getting into the power of praying for protection, etc, there is incredible power in prayer and might in praying scripture, however, where it all starts is a deep rooted surrender in the heart of the parent. Can we fully entrust our child into the hands of God no matter what happens?
This is what God is asking me to do. I need to surrender myself and my children to whatever may come, good or bad, life or death. This could be what God requires, or we may not all come home from Africa. If that were the case, I can't say how I will handle this, my only hope and prayer is that somehow, only by the grace and strength of God will I be able to keep stepping forward.
Just yesterday, my husband met with a wise friend who challenged us to think about the worst possible scenario and process how we would deal with it.
A mission trip is not a honeymoon period of highs with a few lows, instead, it's challenging, tough, and lonely, with a few bright spots. It is getting past the glamour of short-term and recognizing the battle of the long-term, without the familiar, safe and secure.
When I think of surrender, I have to say that probably the easiest is to surrender ins my own life. However, the thought of possibly losing my husband, takes the surrender to a deeper level . . .okay, so God can take care of me, right? Now, what about the reality of losing one of my kids? Now wait a minute! God has plans and purposes for them, He wouldn't really ask me to give up my child, would He? I've heard it said that God won't ask us to do what He hasn't already done. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, He gave His only son . . ." Oh. I see.
I have never lost a child, never, not even in early pregnancy. I cannot fathom the grief that pierces a mother's heart when she experiences such a loss. Now, God is asking me to surrender? I cannot think of a single scripture that promises you a life without loss, grief or surrender, but there are countless that speak of God's comfort, love, and hope for a future.
This surrender is not limited to when you approach the mission field. Thinking of the bombing of the Boston marathon and how a young boy lost his life, it was not in a "dangerous territory", this tragedy took place in a safe place.
I am not getting into the power of praying for protection, etc, there is incredible power in prayer and might in praying scripture, however, where it all starts is a deep rooted surrender in the heart of the parent. Can we fully entrust our child into the hands of God no matter what happens?
This is what God is asking me to do. I need to surrender myself and my children to whatever may come, good or bad, life or death. This could be what God requires, or we may not all come home from Africa. If that were the case, I can't say how I will handle this, my only hope and prayer is that somehow, only by the grace and strength of God will I be able to keep stepping forward.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Point of Impact
This morning started off like a typical Saturday, sleeping in, reading and generally taking our time, but that all changed when a series of emergency vehicles came to a screeching halt at the park behind our house. When the police arrived, we realized that something serious was going on.
As we ponder the thought of going to Rwanda, it was recommended that I read as much as possible to get a better understanding of the genocide and political climate of the country both 19 years ago and now. I am in the middle of reading about one of the deadliest civil wars of my lifetime. What stands out as most tragic is that those who felt completely safe and secure one day were killed the next.
It's a tragedy when life loses it's sanctity and violence on the other side of the world doesn't impact us nearly as much as it should. How often do we find ourselves caught up in the day to day "trappings" of today's society and forget the need around us?
I was able to tour a beautiful new home my husband is working on. The best way to describe it is "grand" and "spacious" with every convenience possible right at the young owner's fingertips. I am pretty sure the walk-in-closet rivals my kitchen in size! As I walked through the house, I couldn't help but think about the scripture that speaks about storing up your treasures in heaven. . . Life here is so temporary, do we really want to put our everything into living for today?
Back to the park this morning . . .the police tape is gone, the body is gone, but the sorrow of what happened remains. A life forever gone, a family forever impacted. We don't know the circumstances of this death, but we do know that for this person, their time is done. You can't help but wonder about those moments leading up to the end. Did they know yesterday that they would die? Would they have changed anything in their life? Could anything have been done to change this course? Only God knows these answers.
For me, I can't help but wonder if this was a neighbour, a familiar face, someone who needed to know about Christ. Was there a point where our family could have made a difference in this person's life? Again, I will never know, but I can't help but wonder . . .
So why have these seemingly random events together made such an impact on me? Well, as we've considered going overseas, I have to say that the dangers of bringing our family into unfamiliar territory present a very real concern. Missionaries are not exempt from violence, murder and torture. Years ago, when faced with my trip to India, God clearly asked me if I was willing to die--and I almost did die from a ruptured appendix. Now, I feel like I am being asked if I would be truly willing to risk my family. What if we all don't return? What if my children are hurt or killed? Would I be truly willing to take that risk?
Just today I was reading in the bible this verse: “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. (Luke 12:4 NLT). It's so easy to see death as the ultimate end to everything, but that is not the case for believers. At the same time, it's easy to see life here as our everything, so the focus can easily be to live life to its fullest.
But what if there's more? What if we have the power to make an eternal difference? How can we make an impact beyond our own little world? What if our family was prepared for such a time as this, to surrender our comfortable living to make an impact in Rwanda, Kenya, or wherever God places us?
I don't want to settle for comfortable if God is calling us to make a point of impact in the lives of others. If that means a new country, a new culture and new dangers, so be it. As a family,we want to fully embrace all that God has for us. It's time to step out . . .
As we ponder the thought of going to Rwanda, it was recommended that I read as much as possible to get a better understanding of the genocide and political climate of the country both 19 years ago and now. I am in the middle of reading about one of the deadliest civil wars of my lifetime. What stands out as most tragic is that those who felt completely safe and secure one day were killed the next.
It's a tragedy when life loses it's sanctity and violence on the other side of the world doesn't impact us nearly as much as it should. How often do we find ourselves caught up in the day to day "trappings" of today's society and forget the need around us?
I was able to tour a beautiful new home my husband is working on. The best way to describe it is "grand" and "spacious" with every convenience possible right at the young owner's fingertips. I am pretty sure the walk-in-closet rivals my kitchen in size! As I walked through the house, I couldn't help but think about the scripture that speaks about storing up your treasures in heaven. . . Life here is so temporary, do we really want to put our everything into living for today?
Back to the park this morning . . .the police tape is gone, the body is gone, but the sorrow of what happened remains. A life forever gone, a family forever impacted. We don't know the circumstances of this death, but we do know that for this person, their time is done. You can't help but wonder about those moments leading up to the end. Did they know yesterday that they would die? Would they have changed anything in their life? Could anything have been done to change this course? Only God knows these answers.
For me, I can't help but wonder if this was a neighbour, a familiar face, someone who needed to know about Christ. Was there a point where our family could have made a difference in this person's life? Again, I will never know, but I can't help but wonder . . .
So why have these seemingly random events together made such an impact on me? Well, as we've considered going overseas, I have to say that the dangers of bringing our family into unfamiliar territory present a very real concern. Missionaries are not exempt from violence, murder and torture. Years ago, when faced with my trip to India, God clearly asked me if I was willing to die--and I almost did die from a ruptured appendix. Now, I feel like I am being asked if I would be truly willing to risk my family. What if we all don't return? What if my children are hurt or killed? Would I be truly willing to take that risk?
Just today I was reading in the bible this verse: “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. (Luke 12:4 NLT). It's so easy to see death as the ultimate end to everything, but that is not the case for believers. At the same time, it's easy to see life here as our everything, so the focus can easily be to live life to its fullest.
But what if there's more? What if we have the power to make an eternal difference? How can we make an impact beyond our own little world? What if our family was prepared for such a time as this, to surrender our comfortable living to make an impact in Rwanda, Kenya, or wherever God places us?
I don't want to settle for comfortable if God is calling us to make a point of impact in the lives of others. If that means a new country, a new culture and new dangers, so be it. As a family,we want to fully embrace all that God has for us. It's time to step out . . .
Monday, April 1, 2013
Little Seeds
When Kim and I were thinking about the approaching interview for missions, we did our best to talk through as much as we could. One question we wondered might come up was how many people we had led to Christ. Even as we vocalized it, I felt myself inwardly cringing. I am not a numbers person. My life's goals are not consumed by how many people I've "witnessed" to. For me, relationship is needed and being sensitive to where God is directing me is vital. There's been times where someone in our family has run into a church acquaintance during the week and barely recognizes who they are (because their actions were so opposite of how they are on Sunday). This has been sobering. I tend to be a "what you see us what you get" person, so seeing contrasts during the week is disturbing (but it happens). I know I am quite transparent with my feelings (even more so when I write), so I can't pretend to be someone I am not.
Back to the cringing with the "soul winning" thing. . .I am not afraid to share my faith, but I would much rather use actions. Words come and go quickly, but your actions and day to day living demonstrate who you are and what you believe on a much deeper level. While I may not have the quick answer to persuade my neighbour to Christ, I can deliver a meal and just listen when they are going through a tough time.
But, when I stop and try to thing of actual numbers, it's easy to feel inadequate as a Christian. I can't say that I've personally led hundreds to Christ . . .to be honest, I have no idea, we taught kids ministry for many years, but???? However, have I been able to inspire and encourage? I would hope so, using gifts, talents and opportunities God has given me. If I can encourage someone to get one step closer to God, haven't I played a part?
Too often we count ourselves as insignificant because we aren't the one preaching from the pulpit, bringing the masses to church or leading a bible study, but wait! God can use us right where we are at, we just need to be willing.
During the week where Kim and I were feeling the most inadequate, God brought a student to us who needed Jesus. Only a few days into her stay, she made a decision for Christ. We didn't see her as some " project" or "target", she was a young lady who wanted to know more about Canada. She was searching and we were in the right place at the right time to be used by God.
We just learned that she's already been sharing Jesus with her family! Wow! A seed sown, a seed being used by God!
It's the same with this mission trip. God isn't able to use us any more then anyone else. Just because we may end up in Africa doesn't mean you can't be used any less right where you are. We ALL can be used by God to reach those He puts in our path. Isn't that exciting? Don't ever let yourself feel inferior or insignificant just because you aren't doing what the person beside is doing. God has so much for you. Hey, if God can use us, God can use anyone:) We all have little seeds to sow.
Back to the cringing with the "soul winning" thing. . .I am not afraid to share my faith, but I would much rather use actions. Words come and go quickly, but your actions and day to day living demonstrate who you are and what you believe on a much deeper level. While I may not have the quick answer to persuade my neighbour to Christ, I can deliver a meal and just listen when they are going through a tough time.
But, when I stop and try to thing of actual numbers, it's easy to feel inadequate as a Christian. I can't say that I've personally led hundreds to Christ . . .to be honest, I have no idea, we taught kids ministry for many years, but???? However, have I been able to inspire and encourage? I would hope so, using gifts, talents and opportunities God has given me. If I can encourage someone to get one step closer to God, haven't I played a part?
Too often we count ourselves as insignificant because we aren't the one preaching from the pulpit, bringing the masses to church or leading a bible study, but wait! God can use us right where we are at, we just need to be willing.
During the week where Kim and I were feeling the most inadequate, God brought a student to us who needed Jesus. Only a few days into her stay, she made a decision for Christ. We didn't see her as some " project" or "target", she was a young lady who wanted to know more about Canada. She was searching and we were in the right place at the right time to be used by God.
We just learned that she's already been sharing Jesus with her family! Wow! A seed sown, a seed being used by God!
It's the same with this mission trip. God isn't able to use us any more then anyone else. Just because we may end up in Africa doesn't mean you can't be used any less right where you are. We ALL can be used by God to reach those He puts in our path. Isn't that exciting? Don't ever let yourself feel inferior or insignificant just because you aren't doing what the person beside is doing. God has so much for you. Hey, if God can use us, God can use anyone:) We all have little seeds to sow.
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