January Update

January 2012

5 months and counting!  We are now 5 months away from our projected move to Liberia.  We feel led to approach the next 5 months as missionaries on furlow.  We want to be intentional about prioritizing time with our families and making ourselves available to speak to Sunday school classes, churches, house churches, small groups, and anyone else who will give us an ear.  If you know of any opportunities for us to share, let us know.  

Praise the Lord for what He is doing in our lives.  Matt 13:44 says, “The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”   The Lord has had our family on a sweet journey of surrender during this past month.  Things we have held dear have had to find new homes.  All of our earthly possessions will eventually need to fit within a handful of suitcases within the next 5 months.  The Lord has been showing Mel and I that we need to allow each member of our family go through the journey of surrender at their own pace.  We don’t believe it would be healthy to force our children to give away all they own, rather, we have felt led to model surrender to them and allow them to surrender at their own pace.  The fruit of surrender has been beautiful in our family.  Praise the Lord!  Mel and I bought totes for each child so they can surrender at their own pace.  We were thinking that over a period of time, our children could fill their totes.  When we gave our children their totes, it felt like the excitement of Christmas was in the air.  Our children asked if they could fill their totes immediately.  We said yes and then watched our children joyfully surrender prized nurf guns, cars, trucks, train sets, dolls, etc.  They brought their possessions down to African standards in a matter of one hour.  I praise the Lord for the wonderful family God has given me and for the beautiful hearts that he has placed in my children.  

 

As you know our home needs to sell before we can move to Africa.  Last month we completely repainted and touched up every room of our house.  Our home looks the best it has ever looked.  Please pray that our home will sell.  As many of you know, we also own a second house that we purchased to fix up and sell.  At this point in time we are considering renting this house rather than selling it.  The rental money could help offset our expenses in Liberia.  

God opened the doors for me to share in two churches last month.  I find great joy in this.  Please pray that more doors will open for me to speak about Liberia.  If you would like me to speak at your church, please contact me at 937-451-9809.

Last month we completed a webpage for the Liberia ministry.  It’s address is wordsowerliberia.com.  This month we will start posting Christine’s monthly reports on this website as well.  Christine is the missionary from France who joined our team in Liberia.  

I have attached an updated timeline which shows all that need to be completed before our move.  This tasks in red are tasks that have already been completed, the tasks in yellow are the tasks we are currently working on.  Please pray that the Lord would enable us to complete all that needs to be done this month.

Prayer Requests:

1. Please pray that we would walk in step with God as we move forward.
2. Please pray for more opportunities to speak in Bible studies and churches.
3. Please pray that God would give us wisdom for the budget we are setting for Africa.
4. Please pray that our house would sell.