Europe the New Dark Continent

Although Africa was once considered the dark continent by missionaries, many are now beginning to call Europe “the dark continent”.  This was reported on a Christian radio broadcast recently and the entire article can be read at www.mnnonline.org/article/11657.  With less than 2% of the population evangelical Christians, Europe is darker spiritually than it’s ever been.  There are lots of churches in Europe, but few of them are thriving and growing and it’s become a challenge to think creatively in order to reach out to the younger generation.  ”Reach Global’s Rick Burke says many people calling themselves Christians are actually nominal Christians. Reach Global wants to see more believers and a thriving church in Europe. ”  This article encouraged us that other mission agencies are seeing the need in Europe and responding.

Too many blessings?

In case we forget, please remind us.

When meeting with friends last week we were asked what our biggest faith  challenge was.  Without hesitation our reply was believing that God could get us to Brussels.  It’s not that we don’t want to go or that we don’t believe God has called us there, it just feels like the obstacles are impossible.  A lot of it centers around finances and the ability to raise the staggering amount needed to live in a European city much like New York City, but in one where the dollar is increasingly worth less and less.  We left our meeting last week praying that God would increase our faith and show us His power.

Almost a week later God showed up in lots of unexpected ways.

Today we received a substantial financial gift that got our attention reminding us that God does own the cattle on a thousand hills and all the money in the world is His to distribute how He wills.

On Sunday a couple told us that they wish to join our support team after God has laid it on their hearts to give to us.

Two family members sent gift cards, money and clothes in the mail to help David with his teaching wardrobe that needs updating.

Today I passed my gestational diabetes test after failing the one hour last week.

There are many more things to add to our list of blessings, but tonight we sat at the dinner table not only humbled but honored to know that God has not forgotten us or the mission He’s called us to.  Last night I read from Job and this is the song of my heart tonight.

“I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted…Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know…I had heard rumors about You but now my eyes have seen You.  Therefore I take back my words, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:2-6).

Reflections

So for those of you who have been dying to know how last night went, we wanted to share our thoughts and moments with you.  Thank you for praying and supporting us in SO MANY amazing ways.  We counted at least 30 people who volunteered to help make the concert such a success.  God was faithful once again and kept us all healthy and full of energy throughout the day.  The evening was one of the most amazing nights of our lives.  It was a dream come true to share our hearts through our music so having the opportunity to do that on a beautiful stage with a Steinway grand piano was truly beyond our wildest imaginations.  We will hopefully have an audio live recording so if any of you would like a copy please let us know and when we get it we would be happy to pass that on to you.  For now, the results are in God’s hands.  We would love to be given the opportunity to do something like this again in many different places and for many new people.  We believe that it is crucial for everyone to know not only the spiritual condition of Europe, but how God is working and moving.  “A movement has begun, momentum is building.  For the mission, for the passion and all for Christ.”  Christian Asssociates International

Come One Come All

Hope you can join us!

SAVE THE DATE!!

 

“This is the church, here is the steeple, open the door…but where’s all the people?”

On June 6th, 2008 David and I are going to give a concert telling our journey to Brussels through original music.  We’ll be giving background on the spiritual condition of Europe and share with those present our struggles and triumphs as we walk this road to church planting.  Keep watching our blog for more details.

June 6th

Tabernacle Church of Norfolk

7-9 pm

Childcare provided

Does Europe deserve a second chance?

HEALTH CARE AND OMAHA STEAKS

Thursday night was the “straw that broke the camel’s back” as they say.  We went to pick up my asthma medication only to find that it was going to cost us another $180 for the month even though we thought we satisfied the deductible the month before.  Frustrated and upset with the entire healthcare situation we’ve been in, we went home to read the “fine print” of our plan.  There in bold letters “generic ONLY medications covered”.  A quick google search gave us the information that Advair is not a drug that has a generic and this drug happens to be the only one so far—-after many other drugs—-that keeps me breathing well.  There were many tears.  In fact tears that soaked my pillow as I fell asleep.  We really felt that maybe God didn’t love us very much anymore.              

 

The next day brought rain.  It hadn’t rained in weeks.  I love the rain.  It’s like a visual reminder that God is pouring his love down on me.  During devotions I cried out to God asking him to show me in some way that he loved me, oh and it would help if he’d let me know just how much.  Eleven thirty a.m.  a friend offered to buy me lunch.  Eleven thirty five a friend who’s a Dr. talked with me and said he’d call a few drug companies to get some free drug samples for a “missionary who didn’t have healthcare that would cover the prescription”.  One p.m.:  arrive home from lunch to find a chest of omaha steaks on our porch with the anonymous note:  ”Just for you…because we love you.”  I called David sobbing while the reality hit home:  God loves me way more than I knew and he cares a lot that I know that.             

 

 

I can’t tell you how many times on this journey to church planting that in our desperation, God has shown up as our lover, our provider, our friend and even our teacher.  We feel overwhelmed by his love tonight and at rest knowing that he has even prescription drug coverage under control.  To be continued… 

HOME!

For all of you who were thinking of us during our trip home to see family, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.  The girls were amazing all through the travels and it was good to connect with those we don’t get to see very often. Now that we’re home, reality is sinking in a bit more as we look at the things we need to accomplish in the next 6 months.  Our goal is to get to Brussels by the end of July.  Currently, we are at around 27% monthly support and we need to be at 100% by the summer.  In order to accomplish this, we need 100 more people who would support us at $50 a month.  We believe that what we find impossible God finds easy and because He owns the cattle on a thousand hills this sum of 5,000 a month is nothing to Him.  We’re excited about seeing how God will come through for us. Another thing on our hearts is trying to prepare little talks to give to small groups who are interested in hearing about Brussels and Christian Associates.  We’d appreciate your prayer as we begin to formulate the best way to express our passion for what we will be doing. Last night we met with the core leaders who will run our advocacy group when we are gone.  We see this group meeting supporting us so that we can get to Brussels and to keep us there once we’ve arrived through praise, encouragement and petition.  It is a wonderful group of people who have a heart for missions and especially for Europe.  It was so much fun thinking big dreams together about church planting and even about how we can stay connected across the ocean. So we are home and we hit the road with a running start.  Thanks for taking the time to pray for us! 

Christmas Greetings!

Here’s a little summary of 2007.  Enjoy and Happy New Year!

This year, for us, has held a continuing theme of gifts.  Gifts given and gifts received in a new way.  It was evident at David’s farewell ceremony with the Navy in Aug. that the past 5 years have been a special gift from God to us.  It was bittersweet saying goodbye because we enjoyed our time in the military.  We also, at the same time, realized the incredible gift ahead of us: being mission interns at our church while we raise support to launch to Brussels, Belgium within the next year to plant churches.

            We have now been interning at Tabernacle Church of Norfolk for 3 months and have continued to watch God give us the gift of the body of Christ coming alongside us in our journey to another land.  People have given gifts of time such as babysitting our girls, gifts of prayer for us as we have struggled to find our way in this big transition, and gifts of money by supporting us financially not only for our internship, but also towards our final goal of being funded 100% for Brussels by July of 2008.  We’ve been surprised over and over as God has used people to meet our practical needs for fundraising events.  We could tell you many stories about how God laid on someone’s heart to give the exact thing, and amount we were lacking.  These gifts have built our faith and caused us to be humbled and acknowledge that it is only through us working in community that we will accomplish the task ahead of us.

            We have been given the gift to grow in areas of our lives that we are sure we will use in Brussels.  David has been doing a lot of teaching at the church and both of us are mentoring others while being mentored as well, along with helping plan strategic outreaches and being involved in the international ministry at Tab.  It has grown us to learn how to communicate our needs to others and to allow people to come alongside us in our endeavors.  David is also trying to finish his seminary work while Joanna stays busy as a mom and a supporter in the ministry.  The most difficult challenge for us this past year has been learning how to work together in a new way.  Discovering who can do what best has helped us lighten the load we both were carrying.

            Our family of four has been a constant gift from the Lord.  We’ve been learning in a new way what family looks like in the middle of full time ministry.  The girls have a way of reminding us of our priorities, and it’s amazing the joy and perspective they bring to both of us.  Eleri is 3 and Adley is approaching 2 this coming May.  They both are the best of friends…most days, and are growing not only physically but also spiritually as we see them respond to God working in their hearts.  Eleri especially is recognizing the truths that God wants to help her make right choices and she often says to us “God keeps her safe”.  It’s a blessing to watch Adley, who is not far behind, follow in her sister’s footsteps.

            As we wrap up 2007 we see the gift of friends, family, and ministry.  Just by getting this card we want you to know that we consider you a special gift in our lives from God.  Our prayer for you this season is that you will not miss the most perfect gift of all, the arrival of our King and Savior!  His presence is gift enough for us all.

 

Christmas 2007!

I had hoped to do a better job of keeping everyone up to date on our holiday adventures.  However,  because I got sick, everything kind of got tossed aside.  I did get to bake at least one batch of cookies even if it was done on Christmas Eve.  My mom was the most amazing cookie baker ever.  I remember most Christmas seasons making at least 15 different kinds of cookies!  It was so much fun.  Someday I’ll be there but we’re taking tiny steps:)  Some of the highlights of the past 2 weeks was  visiting the live manger scene at a church up the rode from us.  It had to of been the most frigid night of the year and even the camel was complaining!  It was a special way to explain to the girls the meaning of Christmas though (even if we suffered frost bite afterwards).  I think Eleri was more into the camel then anything else.  She wanted to know where they live and why they can go long times without water.  It was pretty cool giving my child her first geography/zoology lesson.   
Eleri performed in her first choir concert ever.  It was so exciting for us since we are both musicians by degree and also because we have directed children choirs before.  Eleri had a hard time in front of all the people so she did what kids do best…sit down and suck your fingers!  Of course we were only slightly embarrassed seeing all the other kids were able to sing, but God sweetly reminded us that he loves Eleri just as she is even when she’s timid about trying something new.  (I never thought I struggled with pride until I became a mom and then I’m constantly being humbled by my kids!) This was our second Christmas ever being away from our extended families in OH.  The other time was when we visited Brussels in 2005 to see if God was calling us to  Europe.  We missed family this year but we also felt a peace that God is forming our little family here in Norfolk.  The celebrations were simple, but also very significant for us.  Eleri and Adley came to the Christmas Eve concert and were able to participate with us.  It was so beautiful at the end when they turned out all the lights and we held our candles singing Silent Night to signify that Christ coming into the world has become our light in the darkness.  We were able to take communion and it was touching to watch Eleri and David as he explained to her the meaning of the bread and juice.  It’s our prayer that this is just a foreshadowing of the relationship our girls will have someday with Jesus.  We pray that all of you had a very special holiday as well.  Our thoughts and prayers have been directed to many of you during this special season.  If you sent us a card we so appreciate it and have it on our mantel in the living room.  Thank you for traveling 2007 with us and we look forward with anticipation and joy to 2008! 

Back on our feet!

Thanks so much for praying for our family. Adley did get better shortly after the last post, but I came down with the flu and was sick all of last week. It was actually a blessing from the Lord because we got, or should I say, I got a lot of rest and down time which I haven’t had in a long time. Can I just say that David was entirely an angel and not only played the role of dad and wife, but he also was nurse, doctor, thanksgiving chef and whatever else we needed him to be. I feel so grateful to God for my family and the love they so quickly give. You can continue to pray for us as we look at our lives and try to manage the five major categories that face us each day. They are: 1.Family 2.Internship 3.David’s Seminary 4.Support Raising 5.Preparation for Brussels. We are asking God to give us insight and wisdom into what we can trim down so as to be able to function well in each area. It was a good reminder by my body falling apart that we can’t do everything even if we’d like to. We have confidence that God has good in store for us though, so thanks for asking with us what this needs to look like.