Last Saturday, our family crossed over the Columbia River from Washington State into Oregon. That would be our final departure from our home state as we headed south toward Mexico, and the significance of the moment was not lost on us! What, as we left home behind, would God have in store for us next? Turns out… something just a bit more than we expected!
Our past week was spent at the Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center. Those couple of days with Jordan’s immediate family in Seattle behind us, the conference was intended to be a time of rest and relaxation… one where we could say goodbye to the extended family, recuperate from our crazed packing and loading, and – with some awesome Bible teaching at the conference center – prepare ourselves for walking with the Lord through our first steps in Mexico. And indeed, all of these things happened! Yet God had planned details we could never have imagined.
Ten years ago, I (Jordan) was wrapping up a three month period in which God was directly leading me into cross-cultural missions work. He used a variety of means, foremost among them three men: my college pastor Mike Benkert, New Tribes teacher Ron Lindsey, and that year’s speaker at Cannon Beach… a man named Ron Cline. Ron was a missionary working particularly in radio broadcasting, and I found the Lord speaking directly to me through his exhortations! Ron never knew the impact God had on me through him, but he was a key part of my realizing how God desired to use me for His glory!
Well, ten years later at Cannon Beach as our family is literally enroute to Mexico… who would we run into as one of the week’s two speakers but Dr. Ron Cline?! Wow! Here was an opportunity I never thought I’d have… time to share with Dr. Cline how God had used him, and to participate in one of those special times when God reveals unexpected fruit of His work through a believer’s faithfulness!
This week, we had the privilege of being blessed by Ron (and co-speaker Randy Remington, a local pastor for whom I am also incredibly grateful right now!) through several incredible teaching sessions. And through those sessions, Dr. Cline responded to our news by continuing what he helped begin ten years ago: through his advocacy and exhortation, several of our fellow conference-goers learned how God is leading us to Mexico’s unreached. Many came to encourage us, pray for us, ask for prayer cards, and express interest in partnering with us as we go! Even as we travel, we get to watch God continue to build a strong team from within His Church… with the common goal of extending the reach of the Gospel further into Mexico. We are so excited to see God work!
Well, time to hit the road again and wrap up our day’s travel. We’ll be meandering here and there through Oregon for a few more days, and anticipate crossing into California late Tuesday afternoon. Please pray for us as we travel… many tears were shed as we said goodbye to family today, and as a result today’s journey was the most difficult to date. Our desire as we travel is to be a blessing to those with whom we visit and stay, whether reconnecting with old friends or meeting the new ones with which God brings us together.
And after the unexpected surprise He provided this last week, we are thrilled to see what God has in store for the days to come!
Sharon Guldjord (Gramme/GiGi says
So good to hear from you so soon after leaving you. I’m so thankful for the blessing of God. I think you
could add to that list Josh McDowell who also encouraged you to finish your schooling before you went into
mission work. In Russia is where you first wanted to be a missionary. Remember? You were only 13 years
old but you really had the bug. Wanted to say so much more to you before you left, but didn’t trust my
emotions so I’ll write it to you. You know how I feel anyway. Hug those beautiful children whom I love
very much and give Amy a big hug too. You are a great family and I’m so proud of you. Loving you &
praying too! Grammie
Esther n Wilf husband says
We have been praying for you very much today,knowing the deep emotions as you depart your home state
and depart from family for an extended period of time . Bless you and be assured of our daily prayers as
You travel and your entrance into the land to which The Lord has called you to serve Him.
We will look forward to your blogs with great interest. Much love to you both and to Elayne and Titus.
Grandpa and Grandma Husband