Pardon me for the ramblings...

Wow, has it really been that long since I posted?  It is amazing how quickly time flies and life gets busy.  I must also admit that I get analysis paralysis.  You know, you start to over think things and you end up not acting on anything.

I have been working multiple topics for this blog but each one seems to be longer than the next.  I haven’t finished any of them as I get stuck in the middle and feel they are too long so I start on another topic.  Mentally I put pressure on myself based on my flesh.  I think that I have to be some sort-of super spiritual person; after all, I am going on the mission field.  Pride rears its ugly head again.  Pride comes veiled as so much in our lives.  Try to be a better musician; you can start thinking you are better than you really are.  Become a teacher; you can start thinking you know more than you really do.

The reality in this for me, besides pride, is that we are to keep things simple.  We have a way of making things more difficult than they should.  When I look at Christianity it is easy.  Acknowledge you are a sinner, believe Jesus is God, that He die and He rose again to pay for your sins.  Live for God.  It is almost unbelievably simple, but my flesh makes things harder. 

Simplicity is part of the reason why Jesus used parables, so that all could understand.  When we speak with people, break the Gospel down into the simplest of terms.  God can use anyone He wants.  There is no prerequisite of education.  Could you imagine the rejection letter Jesus would have gotten from some of today’s churches or schools: “Thanks for your application but you do not have the required title of MD or PhD.”  I know that they are protecting themselves from wolves in sheep’s clothing, but sometime we hide behind it because that is what the world does.  It can also be a reason why we don’t feel like we are called to do certain tasks.  I’m not qualified; I’m not as smart as…  The simple truth is, if the Spirit is prompting you, listen, meditate, pray, and act. 

Love is an action.  My paralysis is a form of non-action, a selfish look at me instead of simply letting others knows how God is working in my life.  Lord, forgive me for my lack of action. Forgive me for my lack of simplicity.

In Christ,

Andrew 

A Word from The Word

As we journey closer and closer to the date of our exploratory trip, we have been encouraged to ask God for a word of confirmation from The Word.  Having received confirmations outside of The Word, we were already excited and confident of what God is calling us to do.  With further guidance we have been challenged to step out on the water in a different way.

The word that I received came at an unexpected time and location.  I was at the church offices helping out with something and a framed scripture on a friend’s wall made my heart beat faster.  Really, Lord?  That scripture.. is it for me?  Yet, as I read it and read it again, my eyes hung on seven words: distributing to the needs of the saints.  We aren’t sending funds, Lord.  We are feeling the call to go. 

Funny as He is, as I was sharing with Andrew that evening about the word I had received, I had the inkling to look it up on BlueLetterBible.com and get to the root meaning of the words.  I actually laughed out loud as I read what this portion of Romans 12 meant.  The Greek meaning for the word “distributing” in this particular scripture means to partner with and to be in communion with.  The reason why I laughed, this is our heart, to go to New Zealand and partner with an established ministry, to help them.

Andrew has received a word from The Word too, but he will share that at a later date.  I am once again encouraged to ask God for more words from The Word, for further confirmation.  The great thing is, this is not something I need to conjure up or make happen.  As we have seen, God will make it known when and how He wants to.  We just need to stay open and aware as we read His Word.

God is awesome and most worthy to be praised and adored.  We long to live our lives as living sacrifices unto Him, walking in obedience to what He has called us to do.  Won’t you join us and see where He might lead you?  Who knows, that person’s situation that you just can’t stop thinking about may be your next opportunity to be Jesus with skin on.  Be open to whatever He calls you to do.  It could be as simple as buying lunch for the person behind you in the line or reaching out to a friend that has been on your mind.  

Let go and let God!

Change isn't always bad

I find as we get closer to taking our exploratory trip, I think differently than before.  I know I shouldn't be shocked that God is working in my life but sometimes it just isn't how you expected.  Just like the clay in the potter’s hands, if we truly are surrendered and pliable, we do not fully know how God will mold us.

As an example, I find myself wanting to be in New Zealand right now.  I have had these types of feelings before but they were for selfish reasons like I don’t want to be at work or I am having a bad day in general, it was a reason for escape.  Now, it is about the people; learning about the people that I will come along side in ministry.  Who are those people that I will meet daily and talk with about Jesus?  What are the things that God wants to teach me through them.  How can I serve them in the spirit of love and Christ?

Too many times I have seen evangelism to be about numbers and not the people.  How many people did you talk to?  How many accepted?  As if people’s salvation is like a selling technique and it is all a numbers game.  When you look at the ministry of Jesus it is built upon the relationships he had with people.  He poured into the apostles; even the one He knew would betray him.  It is the difference that we have in Christ.  Christianity is about a relationship and not a religion. 

I continue to pray for a heart molded by God.  I pray that I would see people through His eyes and not my own.  I pray for the people I do not know yet but desire to see.  I pray The Lord’s will be done in my life; less of me, more of Him.

He must increase, but I must decrease – John 3:30 (NKJV)

God Bless

New Subscriber Entry

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God Bless!!

Andrew

Dawn's Thoughts . . .

Hi all!  We are just under 82 days out and I have to admit, I am both excited and nervous about this wondrous trip ahead.  There is so much to be thankful for and we both can see the hand of God in all of this.  I admit one of the challenges that I have encountered as we prepare our hearts and minds for going overseas long term is the emptying of our home.  I find myself attached to strange things, oh those silly sentimental strings!  

I love this tea set that I bought many moons ago and have only used once.  Why???  I think because there is a mental value for it and the simple beauty of the set, something that I am not sure I would easily have again.  So, I place that pretty little tea set into the storage unit box in my mind and continue on.

We have already started to offload some of things through the exciting world of ebay.  We have sold over 60 DVDs and a few pairs of shoes.  Just today I listed a fabulous coat that I have only worn once.  I know that little beauty will find its way into hands that will love it even more and enjoy it more often.  Let the metamorphosis begin!

I often think about the visa process and what that entails.  I understand that it is a good one inch stack of paperwork.  Goodness me, they are thorough on their review of who they let stay in that wonderful country for more than three months.  I am not daunted by the task, but truly wonder how long that process will take.  There are physicals to have done, bank reviews to provide, police history to render (not that it will take but a moment to provide that.. no .. really!), and a plethora of other items they need to make a well educated decision.

As August approaches, please pray for us!  It will be a crazy beautiful month for us.  Our five year anniversary is August 1, my 40th birthday is August 16 - with a party to be thrown, and our trip over the great blue sea to New Zealand to commence on August 28.  With all of these precious things going on, it will be easy to lose track of time.  

So many things on my mind and I just wanted to give you a glimpse of whats going on for me.  Thanks for taking a moment out of your busy day!  Blessings to you and yours!  

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.  Numbers 6:24-26  

The Start of Something New...

Welcome to our (Andrew and Dawn's) blog about missions and preparing for the mission field.  For those who do not yet know, God has put upon our hearts the country and people of New Zealand.  We are still prayerfully considering where in New Zealand He would want us to serve and that is a part of what this blog is about.  Over the weeks, months, and years we hope to use this space as a way of communicating how God is moving in our lives.  Now, on to a few basic questions.

First, where is New Zealand?  New Zealand is a small island nation just west of Australia.  There are two main islands (cleverly known as the North and South Islands) and then a few smaller, less know islands that make up this country.  New Zealand is a part of the British Commonwealth but still operates is own government under the auspices of the British monarchy.

Second, why New Zealand?  Oddly enough, we had thought about moving to New Zealand about 4 or 5 years ago for totally different reasons than missions.  We knew it wasn't for the right reasons so we dismissed the idea.  As time when on, both of us would have thoughts, dreams, and ideas about New Zealand but neither of us would say anything right away.  Eventually one of us would bring up the idea and the other would be totally shocked as their thoughts and mind were thinking about New Zealand as well.

In 2012, Dawn was able to hear from a family at church who was going to New Zealand to be apart of Calvary Chapel Bible Institute.  The next day she sent a text to me (Andrew) saying 'Lets go to New Zealand'.  My first reaction was 'For what reason'.  We spoke a bit about the family she had seen and we resolved to pray about it more.  Through times of prayer and asking for God to show Himself in these plans, we both concluded that God wants us in New Zealand.

From that time, God has been working on us that everything needs to be in His timing and His way, not our own.  We were thinking about moving, getting jobs, and gathering information on the process to stay in New Zealand.  (New Zealand is fairly strict in who they allow to stay for longer than 3 months, they are even stricter on who can become a citizen.)  But God had different plans.  Slowly we have realized that God wants us to go as missionaries, serve the leadership that is already there, and to trust in God's provisions.  We won't have "normal" jobs but will seek to stay in New Zealand's under their Religious Visa.

Now for a fun question we get all the time, have you seen Lord of the Rings?  Yes, we have seen all three movies and no, that is not the reason we are going to New Zealand.

Well, I think that will wrap things up for this posting.  We will write more as God leads and we look forward to talking more about New Zealand and how God is moving in our lives in preparation for this adventure.  We have listed some prayer requests on the right hand side of the blog and will continue to update those as well.

Until the next blog entry, may you find the peace and love of God overwhelming in your life.

Andrew