As we are on our way out the door to head to Guatemala on a mission trip and then come back to begin our 9 - 12 month journey of selling everything and sharing with anybody that will listen about what kind of ministry we will be doing.....I wanted to share with you this sermon from Francis Chan. He totally speaks my language and will explain exactly where our hearts are. So please just take this short time (36 min) to watch and join me on this journey! This would mean the world to me and may just speak to you too!!!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The Dumbfounded Stares are beginning......
Ok....so we've made the announcement that we are moving to Guatemala next summer to work full-time as missionaries....Let the STARES begin!!!!! haha
One of the first questions I get is usually, "How do you make money?"I really have a love/hate relationship about this question because it is definitely awkward because people LOVE THEIR MONEY and some don't want to give it to ANYBODY.
I get to educated people on how Christ Followers all work together to help people in need that have not heard about the love of Jesus or witness it. Some of us are SENDERS and some are GOERS....we are a team.
I hate the question because for just a second you feel like they are looking at you like a lazy non-working person with your handout.
HAVING SAID THAT......I have not asked anyone for a dime....and I probably won't.
What I will do is SHARE with as many people as I can in the kind of ministry we will be doing. And if you want to partner with us AMEN TO THAT.
If you don't want to partner with us BUT you already partner with other missionaries....AMEN TO THAT TOO!!!!
If you don't want to partner and you don't sponsor any orphan or missionary.....you should REALLY pray about it. You are missing out in a HUGE blessing for YOU AND THEM!!!!
FAQ's already:
Q:"Won't Brian be working there?"
A: Yes....we both will probably at least 16 hour days! Hunger, sicknesses, desperation is a 24 hour day problem there.
Our pay is through other Christ followers wanting to be a part of helping because they are unable to be physically there.
Q: "Wow....must be nice?"
A: Amen to that! We get to work for the best boss in the world! We get to constantly share the love of Jesus. We get to hopefully aide in healing people! We get to love on orphans and show them how a parent loves. We get to feed the hungry.
BUT
We have to leave behind our adult"ish" age children, our parents, our extended family and friends. We leave all the comforts of home and take the bare necessities because it cost big $ to ship items there. We live on the hope that people will sponsor us so we can eat and keep a roof over our heads. We will do without electricity at times and internet to keep in touch most times.
Q: Why are we doing this?????
A: Because this is the reason we are put on this Earth.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." Psalm 82:3-4
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Now THAT'S what it's all about!!!!!
Have you heard someone say before, "I just don't ever hear God speaking to me" or "I can't see where God is doing anything to help me (or others)." I just have to say to that .....are you stepping out in faith and starting the conversation????
My Dad called me about a month ago and told me that I was going to be his secretary on an event he wanted to do. It's summer....I'm off work and the risk of sounding like a kid on summer break....I get a little bored if I'm not constantly moving. So without hesitation I signed up and we began working on a Bikeathon to raise money for the Village of Hope in Guatemala. This is a new special needs orphanage and feeding center that my sister and her husband, Amy and Todd Block and their very large family along with Dan and Christi Ucherek are starting in partnership with Lifesong for Orphans and Project Hopeful.
So Dad and I began our "little" event planning. We started by going around our little town of 3600 (I think) and asking for people's help, donations, time, money, advice. The results have been CRAZY AMAZING! The gifts...and I don't mean just $$$ but that's awesome too....have left me in AWE! Without blinking we have people hop on board....donate without hesitation, want to partner because it's a wonderful cause and do WHATEVER is needed.
I can just feel God smiling and saying....all you have to do is ask! He's pushing us and urging us to use HIS people.
One day last week I seriously was pooped out from talking (yes....those who know me know are shaking their heads and laughing I'm sure) but I really was done one day....ready to go home and relax when Dad said, "Oh let's just stop in this one last place." I have to push myself at times (ok...most of the time) to keep up with my 74 year old father. So I reluctantly went in this Ag business to hand out fliers for our bikeathon. The young man at the counter began asking questions...he was very familiar with Lifesong for Orphans AND Project Hopeful which made me so happy because I usually have to explain the whole background! He had heard about them because he and his wife are in the middle of adopting from Thailand! It's been a long road for them....waiting for about 2 years now to bring their daughter home! It was so heartwarming to hear his story. Dad promised him that we would pray for their family....and I haven't forgotten to every day since!
We've had so many cool moments....like when a check out clerk at the grocery store had a sister that went to Guatemala last year! Her excitement to share it with us was beautiful! You could tell how much her sister had told her of the need there.
I'm praying that God blesses the Village of Hope with this Bikeathon and not only this year but in all the years to come with making it an annual event. But I know He has already blessed me with the VALUABLE time I have gotten to spend with my Dad....seeing his passion for orphans and his children and incorporating that with his love of bicycling! I will not forget our conversations, jokes and all the heartfelt stories we have shared with each other and so many others.
So back to my original question.....are you hearing God????
If not......Are you starting the conversation??????
Please join us for a Bikeathon to raise money for the Village of Hope a special needs orphanage in
HELMETS REQUIRED
Date: Sat, August 4th 2012
Same day registration begins at 6:00 am. Must begin biking between 6:00 am and 8 am.
Cost: $20 for all participants over 18 years old. No refunds if rained out. ($20 fee waived if you get $100 in sponsors.) Free to participants under 18 years old but we ENCOURAGE you to fund raise and set a goal of $100 in sponsorship! You can raise more if you like...choose your own goal!!!!! Don't worry if you don't make the $100....every cent helps!
Place: First United Methodist Church, 201 N Chestnut St, Le Roy, IL 61752
My Dad called me about a month ago and told me that I was going to be his secretary on an event he wanted to do. It's summer....I'm off work and the risk of sounding like a kid on summer break....I get a little bored if I'm not constantly moving. So without hesitation I signed up and we began working on a Bikeathon to raise money for the Village of Hope in Guatemala. This is a new special needs orphanage and feeding center that my sister and her husband, Amy and Todd Block and their very large family along with Dan and Christi Ucherek are starting in partnership with Lifesong for Orphans and Project Hopeful.
So Dad and I began our "little" event planning. We started by going around our little town of 3600 (I think) and asking for people's help, donations, time, money, advice. The results have been CRAZY AMAZING! The gifts...and I don't mean just $$$ but that's awesome too....have left me in AWE! Without blinking we have people hop on board....donate without hesitation, want to partner because it's a wonderful cause and do WHATEVER is needed.
I can just feel God smiling and saying....all you have to do is ask! He's pushing us and urging us to use HIS people.
One day last week I seriously was pooped out from talking (yes....those who know me know are shaking their heads and laughing I'm sure) but I really was done one day....ready to go home and relax when Dad said, "Oh let's just stop in this one last place." I have to push myself at times (ok...most of the time) to keep up with my 74 year old father. So I reluctantly went in this Ag business to hand out fliers for our bikeathon. The young man at the counter began asking questions...he was very familiar with Lifesong for Orphans AND Project Hopeful which made me so happy because I usually have to explain the whole background! He had heard about them because he and his wife are in the middle of adopting from Thailand! It's been a long road for them....waiting for about 2 years now to bring their daughter home! It was so heartwarming to hear his story. Dad promised him that we would pray for their family....and I haven't forgotten to every day since!
We've had so many cool moments....like when a check out clerk at the grocery store had a sister that went to Guatemala last year! Her excitement to share it with us was beautiful! You could tell how much her sister had told her of the need there.
I'm praying that God blesses the Village of Hope with this Bikeathon and not only this year but in all the years to come with making it an annual event. But I know He has already blessed me with the VALUABLE time I have gotten to spend with my Dad....seeing his passion for orphans and his children and incorporating that with his love of bicycling! I will not forget our conversations, jokes and all the heartfelt stories we have shared with each other and so many others.
So back to my original question.....are you hearing God????
If not......Are you starting the conversation??????
If you are interested in joining the Bikeathon I copied the information below. If you would like us to email you a registration form just leave me a comment with your email! Please join us in praying for this event!
Hop on For HOPE!!!!
Guatemala. We have family that serves these amazing kids and they need your help to further their ministry. To find out more about how your efforts will help go to www.lifesongfororphans.org/orpCare/guat.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Our theme song
We are all about music at our house. Brian sent me this song after it spoke to him about our committing to serve in Guatemala.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Our New Journey Begins.......
To some of you this will be a HUGE surprise....to other's it will be, "I could see this coming a mile away!"
WE ARE MOVING TO GUATEMALA!!!!! The official move will be summer of 2013!!!
I have been blogging for a short time to open my heart up and let everyone see how we have been praying and searching for our plan that Jesus has for us in the world.
As I am sitting here writing this....I was asking God to give me the right words to explain to many people who are going to think I am CRAZY( Enough) to do this.....I looked up at the TV while Brian is playing some youtube video's. We began watching one with Francis Chan reading the Bible to a homeless man who is hearing the gospel for the FIRST time!!! I began getting choke up witnessing that! I guess that sums up the reason why we feel so strongly about going and serving.....I want to do that EVERYDAY!
We have been having more and more of these confirmations over the past few years. Last week more confirmation after watching children in Africa literally dying of hunger and eating dirt to try to fill their bellies. We were all so broken after watching those video's.....we could barely function the rest of the day.
We asked God to break our heart's for what breaks his....so we thank God for letting us not only feel what he feels when He witnesses pain and suffering AND also for letting us to realize that WE are His HANDS AND FEET!
Thank you God for letting us understand You have called us ALL to reach to ALL nations.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
The easy part has past. We have said YES! We have accepted that we are selling EVERYTHING....all of our comforts and familiarities. We are ready to "live simply so other's can simply live". That part was a slow process of God showing us repeatedly that He didn't have the big house and luxury vacations and nice cars as part of our plan. :)) STRESS.....QUILT....PAIN....SADNESS....More STRESS...haha!
Now for the hard part....hurting people we leave behind....leaving jobs that we love ....leaving friends and family that we adore. Leaving Tyler, Sydney and Raegan here.
Those are the things that we will need you all to lift us up in prayer.
We are spending 10 days in Guatemala this month to serve and have God show us in what way and where exactly we will serve. We want to use our gifts and talents to touch as many people's lives as possible and let them know the love of Jesus.
James 1:27
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Can't stand by anymore....
As I made my favorite breakfast this morning....peanut butter whole wheat toast....I sat down with my hubby who was watching a pastor on TV praying for help for children in Africa. My heart broke for these children and their parents who have no other choice than to watch their children starve to death. Please watch this video.
http://vimeo.com/40968319
I'm DONE watching....I can't just stand by any more.
We all need to do SOMETHING! When I think of all that God has blessed me with and how much of it I waste....it makes me sick!
Find a cause now and partner with them. God places a special place in our heart for something....RECOGNIZE IT.....SEEK IT OUT....PARTNER WITH THEM!!!!
If we are the hands and feet of Jesus.....why is this still happening????????
I want to ask God
why He allows poverty, famine
and injustice in the world when He
could do something about it,
but I’m afraid He might just
ask me the
same question
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