Wow. Time absolutely flies! Although it’s hard to believe, our departure is truly just around the corner. In many ways it feels like we have reached our goal of actually going to the mission field where the Good News is so desperately needed. But in even more ways, we are reminded that this is just the beginning. We have come all this way through years of training and support raising to reach this point, only to realize that we have barely gotten our feet wet.
Now, we’re not saying this hasn’t been an accomplishment on God’s part to get us this far! –But there is a lot ahead of us. Before anyone can hear and understand the Truth from us in Asia Pacific, we will have to spend 2 years learning the national language/culture, followed by another 2-4 years (at least!) learning the language/culture of a people group without access to the Good News. Then begins the part where we get to share the reason why we were there in the first place. If it weren’t for what our Savior did for us 2,000 years ago, we definitely wouldn’t be going!
I think in the midst of all this we need a good reminder of why we are going. We go because God wants everyone to know Him. That is what is best for them. We go because Jesus said to. Because we didn’t deserve His sacrifice, or even to be told about it. Because eternity is real and everyone will spend it somewhere, either with or without their Maker. To sum it all up, IT’S WORTH IT!
And a bonus reminder… “Enjoy the process, not just the end result.” – Wayne Smith
| For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (14) How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (15) And how are they to preach unless they are sent? – Romans 10:13-15 |
As expected, this next week before leaving is pretty packed [ha]. We need to finish boxing up our home which has been made so much easier with the help of our sister (who gave up her Spring Break to spend several days packing and cooking for us!), our mom, and the Ward family! Also, we are privileged to spend time with my (Tyler’s) whole side of the family since my brother came back early from Papua New Guinea just to see us (or maybe it had something to do with their pregnancy and also the coronavirus…). We are so thankful to get to see them all.
Health Update:
I was able to get my check up for Lyme disease after a few dramatic days of canceled flights, missed appointments and airline re-bookings. Due to those travel issues we thought we’d have to forgo the appointment, but God made a way and we got a good report from the doctor. Things aren’t improving very quickly but there is still hope and reason to believe that may change. In the meantime, we are trusting the Lord for His strength in our weakness on the path before us. He’s been faithful up until now, and that’s not changing!
Praise
For God’s amazing provision of our partnership team! It’s a privilege to be part of this with you.
That we get to spend time with family!
That we got our initial visas without any problem.
For the help (from the Lord and His people) in packing and preparing.
For our sweet 1 year old!
Prayer
For our health as we prepare to leave and enter a new environment. (We’re both just getting over bouts with the stomach bug!)
For wisdom in preparations and decisions.
For our growth in the knowledge of God–both individually and as a family.
That we would trust Him through this challenging transition.
For the last 12% of our support goal to come in.
