New Total

My secretary gave me an update on total given... WOW! So I updated my funds raised. God is awesome! Thank you!

Blessings and Prayers...

WOW!! I have already begun to receive the blessings from some of you offering financial assistance to make this trip possible. Thank you so much! May God richly bless you for your generosity. Once I get a current total, I will update the figures shown. I will continue to trust God for His provision. I have to say that asking people for help is never easy. But a friend recommended that I look at this in different perspective-- ask people to pray for you, and let God lead those who want to help financially. I chose people that I knew would commit to praying for me. So, I did, and God is blessing!

I, also, wanted to give you an update on what our recent missions team discussed this past weekend. In addition to covering some itinerary items, we also began dialogue about how to effectively follow up with new believers on this trip. There are cultural and other considerations so we need God's wisdom to be able to handle the response to the gospel. As you probably know we are called to make followers of Christ, not converts. So, please pray that we follow God's direction in this aspect of the trip. Also, the Pastor and I are responsible for putting together some dramas to aid in the communication of the gospel since there is a significant language barrier. So, specific prayer for that as well is appreciated.

I will update you more later.

How Did I Get Here?

A trip like this will come as a surprise to many of you who know me. In some ways, it is to me, but I think this will only be a step on a journey that is still to come. God has been in the process of moving me out of my comfort zone. For me, this is WAY out of my comfort zone, but I am beginning to realize, that although this may be a big step now, in the grand scheme of things, He has even bigger things in mind.

God has been teaching me that if I really want to please Him, it will require faith. In Hebrews 11, the author gives a litany of those who pleased God by trusting Him, and in the midst of this list, he says this, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (11:6) I am realizing that I have become more concerned about pleasing man (including myself) than I am pleasing God. Genuine faith demands action. I cannot tell you that I am unafraid, because I am scared to death. There is so much unknown that will happen. But I can also say, there is a peace that passes all understanding that comes only when you are walking in obedience. I am trusting in the Lord for His provision, and I am excited to see how He is going to work in and through me. He is the one that has brought me to this place, and I am confident that He will lead me on to where He wants me to be.