The feet of those...

            How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace.  Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

-  Romans 10: 14-15 (NKJV)

Howdy folks, first of all thank you to everyone for their support over the last couple of months.  There have been a number of small groups and churches that have heard the passion that God has put upon our hearts for New Zealand.  Thank you to the folks who see us and ask us how we are doing.  We appreciate all of your prayers.

If you are looking to support us financially, now would be a great time to set up your account with Shepherd's Staff!  Many of you have inquired on how to support us financially online.  You can support us by going to the Shepherd's Staff website at www.ssmfi.org and support us by using your bank account or a credit/debit card.  

We have created a document that can help you navigate making an online donation.  There are a few options in supporting us.  You can make a one-time donation or sign up for ongoing monthly donations.  The monthly donations can be set-up to be taken out on the 5^th, 10^th, 15^th, or 20^th of each month.  Take a look at the document attached in the link below and let us know if you have any other questions.

Click Here to Learn How to Donate!!

God continues to work mightily during this time of preparation; may He continually go before us on this journey.

Promise Kept

During the month of December and into January, I have been reminded of the priest Simeon and the promise God made to him.  If we look at Luke 2:25 – 32, we see the promise that was made to Simeon.  In verse 26, the Bible states, “And it has been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would net see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.”  What an amazing promise!

I mean, honestly, I don’t imagine that Simeon would have dreamed of such a promise, but he took it and believed it.  He didn’t dismiss it.  He did not forget it.  He allowed the promise to remain in his heart.  What a precious promise to receive, that he would see the Christ before he would die.  If he had shared the promise, I am sure he would have been chided.  “Why would God choose to show you this?”  “Are you sure it is not something you just want so badly, so you think God gave you that promise?”  Simeon was a devout man, which means that he was sold out, all in for God.  When God or the Holy Spirit said something to him, he obeyed.

So when verse 27 talks about him being prompted to go to the temple, it is no surprise that he obeyed.  It is such a blessing when we obey!  His obedience was deeply rewarded and God kept His mighty promise as we can see in verse 28 that he picked up Jesus and blessed God knowing that this child was the fulfillment of the promise God has made to him.

I want to encourage you that when God promises you something, you can trust that He will accomplish it!  He is not a carrot dangling God.  What He says, He will do.  I have an image on my cell phone cover that I simply love!  Ron DiCianni captured the moment that Simeon held the baby Jesus so perfectly.  I almost get emotional when I see it.  Such a powerful moment!

Whatever the Lord has promised, He will accomplish. You can be sure of it!

- He promises to return!  John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

- He promises to forgive our sins.  Ephesians 1:7-8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence…” 

- He promises that you will find Him when you search for Him with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

- He promises to answer fervent prayer.  James 5:16b “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

- He promises that you can be transformed.  Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

God will keep His promises to you!  He is trustworthy!  Will you trust Him?

Blessings,

Dawn McBride

Closing of job and house

We survived moving out of the house and making it in time for closing on Monday. I want to thank the Lord for His provision of help.  We would have not made it otherwise.

Now we have things to sort through for a few tubs of storage at my mom's house and what we plan to take with us... Another sorting exercise. I imagine we will have quite a bit of trash after that process.  It is so emotional letting go of certain things, but I know that what God has called us to will put it all into perspective.  

This morning I was reminded of Matthew 19:29 (“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 NKJV) 
and found comfort in the knowledge that God is mindful of this crazy process we are going through.

So ... How can you pray for us? Pray that we keep our emotions under control (okay.. Me.. Dawn more so).  Pray that the sorting process will be easy and obvious.  Let go and move forward. Letting go doesn't mean I don't care, just that I don't need the items anymore.

I find my emotions are easily triggered for no apparent reason and all I can account this to is all of the major changes we are going through.  I ended my staff position on Friday and the closing of the house was Monday.  Dramatic changes in 4 short days. I will be spending the remainder of my Denver time preparing us for the grand exit to New Zealand.

Merry Christmas dear ones!
Dawn and Andrew McBride

We are online with Shepherd's Staff!

Great news and praise report!  We are now online with Shepherd's Staff!






If you would like to partner with us financially, please click on this link: Shepherd's Staff and make a tax deductible donation.  We are so excited to partner with Shepherd's Staff and look forward to all that God is going to do through this journey!

Celebrate with us as we praise God for this next open door!

We are now waiting for paperwork for our work visas and preparing the house for closing later in December.  Keep praying with us!  We covet your prayers!

Updates and Prayer Requests

Howdy all, well there are a lot of things going on right now in anticipation of moving to New Zealand.  We thought it would be good to give you a few updates and some prayer requests.

The House

For those that haven't heard, the house sold in less than 36 hours!!  We are going through and fixing up a few items the buyer asked for and at the same time, going through everything at the house and listing items to sell.  (If you would like to see any of these items, contact us on Facebook and we can add you to the online garage sale group.)

Missions Facilitator

We are working through the process with Shepherds Staff (www.ssmfi.org) to obtain an account number to be used by those who wish to support us.  They will also provide administrative assistance.  This past week we had our interview with them and all looks good.  We are just waiting on the last little bit and we will be issued an account.  This will allow all who donate through them to receive a tax receipt for their support.

Work Visas

We started to provide CCBI with the needed information about us so that they can present the official paperwork that will be needed to accompany our application for visas.  The whole visa process will probably take a 4-6 weeks on the longer side.  Once we receive the documents from CCBI, it will be go, go go on the paperwork.

Speaking Engagements/Presentations

We started the process of reaching out to Community Groups and other churches to talk about what the Lord has set before us.  So far we have presented to one Community group, have three others scheduled, one group considering it, and we have a few churches that are interested in having us come present.

So, with the above information, we have a few prayer requests:
1. Pray that we can free the house of all of our past consumerism i.e. sell everything.
2. Pray we can get everything fixed on the house within the allotted timeframe.
3. Pray that we receive our account number from Shepherds Staff soon.
4. Pray that God will grant us mercy during the visa process and that everything goes smoothly.
5. Pray that we convey the passion that God has put upon our hearts for New Zealand when speaking.
6. Pray that God would provide the monthly support that we need.

Thank you all for reading our blog.  We will be providing updates more frequently over the next few months.  We are exhausted but excited for all that the Lord has in store for us!!

In His Grace,

Andrew and Dawn McBride

Update: We are headed to New Zealand!

NEWS....   We have been invited and are joining the staff at Calvary Chapel Bible Institute NZ in Rotorua, New Zealand.  We will be supporting the Bible school through various ways including IT, A/V, leading morning devotions, teaching a class, women’s studies, administration duties, assisting in the kitchen, as well as coming alongside a local church. 

We will join the amazing and hardworking team in January as they start their next semester.   We are making a two year commitment and then as the Lord leads, we will follow.

The Vision of CCBI NZ

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  2 Timothy 2:2

The vision of CCBI NZ is to raise up leaders and make disciples, to raise up young people to have a heart to follow the Lord, and then go out and do the same—make disciples.  The price is the hearts of men.

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” C.T. Studd

About New Zealand

• There are about five million people that live in this island nation.
• One-third of the population live in Auckland which is on the north island.
• Maori are the people that gave New Zealand the name of the long white cloud.
• There are very few Bible teaching churches.  What we saw while visiting was religiosity.
• There are 10 sheep to every person.

How It All Began

In 2012, we began praying for New Zealand after a family had departed for the Bible college there.  We spent a few years in prayer and then in September 2014 we had a two week exploratory trip.

We visited three locations and prayed that the Lord would show us where He wanted us.  One location stood out amongst the rest… CCBI NZ.  After returning, we continued to pray that the Lord would show us what He wanted us to do.

God made it clear that He wanted us to go.  In October 2015, we were invited to join the staff of CCBI NZ and we are thrilled for the opportunity to serve the Lord in this capacity.

One way that God has confirmed that we are to go is found in 2 Corinthians 8:10-12.  While Andrew was seeking guidance from the Lord, this verse made it clear to him that we needed to move forward with those things which we started a year ago.  Thank You, Lord, for being so clear!

There have been so many things that God has used to confirm this calling.  If you would like to hear more about our story, please review this blog or email us!

A Key Verse for Us

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love,

In honor giving preference to one another;

Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit,

Serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,

Continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints,

Given to hospitality.

Romans 12:10-13 (NKJV) 

It Takes A Village

How you can help:  We need prayer, prayer, and more prayer.  We know that we cannot do this venture and follow the path God has without prayer support from you!  Please consider joining our prayer partners and contact us if you are interested in receiving our weekly prayer update.

We also need financial support.  Prayerfully consider joining our support team and be an extension of the body of Christ in New Zealand.  We will need to raise monthly support and would like for you to be a part of that team too!

We love and appreciate your support through this process and look forward to all that the Lord wants to do!

Contact Information

Andrew and Dawn McBride

4255 S. Buckley Rd, Box 283

Aurora, CO 80013

Email: mcbrideflock@yahoo.com

Kia ora — "Be well/healthy" in Maori

Blessings to you in Christ,

Andrew and Dawn

Ever feel like your world goes topsy turvy?

Ever feel like your world goes topsy turvy?  What just happened?  Why did things change?  What did I do?  There are times I feel like I must have done something terribly wrong.  This morning as I was waking up, I read this scripture, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go,” from Joshua 1:9 NKJV.  It brought light to what I was feeling. 

I felt like my world was suddenly tilted and I didn’t know why the landscape had changed.  God came into the midst of my whirly feelings and says (loose interpretation)… don’t forget what I told you.  Remember, be strong and of good courage.  Don’t let fear get the best of you and don’t get distressed.  I am right here with you.  I’ve got you.  I hear Him telling my heart, “Do you trust that I’ve got you in the palm of My hand?”  Lord.. I am sorry that I forget just how much You are entwined into the very details of my life, my heart, and my day to day.  Thank You for reminding me that You are right here.  No matter what I am going through, You are right there.  You are the first and only person that I need to turn to, to run to when I am upset about something.  You are right there!  Always there. 

Thank You for the reminder to be strong… to have good courage… to not be afraid even when I don’t understand.  You are right here and that is so comforting.  Lord, there are changes happening that I don’t understand, but I know You’ve got me.  I know I am safe in You.  Things might not happen the way I thought they would, but You already know what is going on.  You see the pattern, the finished product of the quilt of my life and all I can see is the inch right in front of me.  Thank You for the reminder that You are still there.  That You are still in control and I don’t have to try to figure it out.  In fact, You say for me to not to try and use my own wisdom.. my own knowledge to hammer it out. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding,” per Proverbs 3:5 NKJV.  Okay, Lord, You really have this.  Help me to learn and see what You want me to.  Help me to let go of needing to be in the know.  :O)  You are way more knowledgeable that me.. that’s for sure. 

I am reminded of the questions that Job was asked by God.  “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Tell Me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements?  Surely you know!  Or who stretched the line upon it?  To what were its foundations fastened?  Or who laid its cornerstone..” (Job 38:4-6)… God is so much bigger than I can even fathom and day by day I need to remind myself of His glory and majesty.. that He is so infinitely greater.. bigger.. wiser.. than I can fathom.  He is trustworthy and kind, strong and gentle, longsuffering and patient. 

God, I am sorry when I sit down and cry in self-pity when I don’t understand what is going on.  You do and I can trust that You will tell me what I need to know.  You will give me understanding when I need it.  I love that I can let go and trust You.  I can let go and breathe again.  Thank You for Your gentleness!  Thank You for Your kindness!  Thank You for Your patience with this daughter of Yours.  You make me smile with the love You show me.  Thank You for the reminder to be of good courage and to not be afraid, for You are with me!  Thank You, Lord.  I love You!