Submitted by Jason
The first 10 days here have been nothing less than educational. We have met several families and individuals that have been a wealth of information to us. Learning where to shop for the best prices, how to plant and cook foods that are native to Central America, which "weeds" have medicinal purposes, and how to say a few words in German as well as Spanish are just a few of the things that I have learned from others in our brief time here.
There are some things that you learn just by experience. They just can't be explained with words from someone else. There are some things that can be revealed by the Holy Spirit to you. Instantly, it's as if you've had information downloaded into your spirit from Him. Usually, for me, the Holy Spirit teaches and reveals things to me when and how I least expect it. His unpredictable nature is the fabric of my Christian walk.
Last night was one of those occasions, for me.
For the first time, we attended the church of our pastor friend in the community where we're having our house built. (This is the same pastor that originally proposed the idea of us partnering with his church to help build a school.) A small, modest outbuilding on his property is where they gather. 55-60 people made their way in as the ushers carried more pews in to accommodate the larger than usual gathering.
We were welcomed by Pastor Victor and the congregation. I was given a moment to address the congregation. With Pastor Victor interpreting, I basically thanked them for welcoming us, told them that we come to them from the US in the name of Jesus Christ, as servants to the most high God and look forward to meeting and getting to know each one of them individually.
As they opened the service with song, they sang with all of their hearts. The volume of their voices was equal to the volume of the instruments. I can't recall ever having been in a service anywhere in my 18 years of Christianity where I have experienced a similar worship experience. These people have so little, but express their gratitude to the Lord for what they do have in ways that, in my experience, are unrivaled.
The children outnumbered the adults in the service. It started at 7:30 pm and generally goes on until midnight on Sat nights. The mothers brought blankets for the toddlers. As the service went into the night, these toddlers would lay their blankets on the concrete floor in the aisle between the pews and go to sleep. The children were called up front to sing us a song in English in our honor. (As I understand, it is common for the children that do attend school to know some English while their parents know very little or none at all.) They sang "Be Careful Little Eyes What You See". The teens were challenged to recite scripture and adults took turns coming to the front to sing songs as the Lord led them.
Throughout the service, the Holy Spirit used these people to convict me of my heart and attitude towards worship, servanthood and thanksgiving. He made it very clear to me that there is much to be learned from this body of believers as long as we remain humble and teachable. We are here to teach, encourage and serve, as well as learn, receive encouragement and be taught.
As we discover that there is much more purpose in why we are here than we originally thought or imagined I'm reminded of the song "Room Enough To Dream" by Stephen Roach. (I highly recommend that you search this song.)
God's plan for us is the same, only He chooses to reveal it to us a bit at a time because He loves us.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
So We Go
Submitted by Jason
Here I sit at the makeshift computer desk on the backside of our hosts', Mark & Pam Proper, home that they are renting. It's 6 am. The house is quiet. Outside the window I face a man made pond about 50 ft in diameter. The turtles swim freely as the horse, cows and chickens enjoy sharing the land surrounding it. Over the ridge of the far side of the pond is a row of trees, bush or jungle, whichever you prefer. The morning is alive with the sounds of roosters, thankfully, in the distance, groups of parrots flying over the coconut trees, chickens cackling, doves sounding off and the constant buzz that a field full of insects generates.
Yesterday we went to our home, in progress, to survey the land in hopes of getting a better idea of the logistics of our new homestead. We are considering everything from the placement of a grazing area for a cow, the chicken coop, the compost pile, the brick oven, the garden and our trees. We have much to learn and little time to make critical decisions on these considerations. We have been told that the next 7-10 days is the ideal time to plant. I'm confident that the acceleration of the Lord's timing of our move had several purposes and this is just one of them.
Each day that we've been here we have met new people. Everyone has been extremely friendly and willing to help us obtain the information and resources that we need for this task. Friday we met a single man from the states that spent 8+ years living among the amish. He has a greenhouse and has invited us to come see his property and offered the use of his greenhouse to us to get some of our plants or trees going in the meantime. Our means of communication are limited here for now, but we are hopeful to arrange a day and time to visit him.
Yesterday we met a man that attends a local church here. He invited us to his house. We visited with him and his family for about 3 hours. They have 6 children, four of which where away at a Christian camp. They had friends of their children visiting when we arrived and they, with our children, enjoyed volleyball as we, adults, sat and talked. Isaac and Anna are originally from Canada. Their use of the German language is obvious even in their English. We felt extremely welcomed by, and comfortable around, them. Through our discussions about our current task at hand regarding our homestead, they strongly recommended that we meet a couple that they and our hosts, the Propers, are mutual friends of. Today we, and the Propers, have agreed to attempt to visit this family. They apparently live completely "off grid", so without the use of a phone, we will have to just drop by which appears to be much more commonplace and acceptable practice here than in the states.
So we go, 12 people raised in the suburbs, in a foreign land in more ways than one, seeking to accomplish the necessary every day tasks to lay a foundation on which generations to come can build upon, furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of our God.
I'm being informed by my bubbly, early rising, 3 yr old, Liberty that the task at hand is actually feeding her. Adios.
Here I sit at the makeshift computer desk on the backside of our hosts', Mark & Pam Proper, home that they are renting. It's 6 am. The house is quiet. Outside the window I face a man made pond about 50 ft in diameter. The turtles swim freely as the horse, cows and chickens enjoy sharing the land surrounding it. Over the ridge of the far side of the pond is a row of trees, bush or jungle, whichever you prefer. The morning is alive with the sounds of roosters, thankfully, in the distance, groups of parrots flying over the coconut trees, chickens cackling, doves sounding off and the constant buzz that a field full of insects generates.
Yesterday we went to our home, in progress, to survey the land in hopes of getting a better idea of the logistics of our new homestead. We are considering everything from the placement of a grazing area for a cow, the chicken coop, the compost pile, the brick oven, the garden and our trees. We have much to learn and little time to make critical decisions on these considerations. We have been told that the next 7-10 days is the ideal time to plant. I'm confident that the acceleration of the Lord's timing of our move had several purposes and this is just one of them.
Each day that we've been here we have met new people. Everyone has been extremely friendly and willing to help us obtain the information and resources that we need for this task. Friday we met a single man from the states that spent 8+ years living among the amish. He has a greenhouse and has invited us to come see his property and offered the use of his greenhouse to us to get some of our plants or trees going in the meantime. Our means of communication are limited here for now, but we are hopeful to arrange a day and time to visit him.
Yesterday we met a man that attends a local church here. He invited us to his house. We visited with him and his family for about 3 hours. They have 6 children, four of which where away at a Christian camp. They had friends of their children visiting when we arrived and they, with our children, enjoyed volleyball as we, adults, sat and talked. Isaac and Anna are originally from Canada. Their use of the German language is obvious even in their English. We felt extremely welcomed by, and comfortable around, them. Through our discussions about our current task at hand regarding our homestead, they strongly recommended that we meet a couple that they and our hosts, the Propers, are mutual friends of. Today we, and the Propers, have agreed to attempt to visit this family. They apparently live completely "off grid", so without the use of a phone, we will have to just drop by which appears to be much more commonplace and acceptable practice here than in the states.
So we go, 12 people raised in the suburbs, in a foreign land in more ways than one, seeking to accomplish the necessary every day tasks to lay a foundation on which generations to come can build upon, furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of our God.
I'm being informed by my bubbly, early rising, 3 yr old, Liberty that the task at hand is actually feeding her. Adios.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Like A Flash
Submitted by Jason
In what seemed like a flash, our transition is behind us. The packing, the selling, the giving away of our "stuff", is all behind us. The driving, the flat tire on the u-haul, the replacement battery in Brendan's truck, the untimely, mid-trip discovery of head lice on two of our children, the rental car representative mistake, the speeding ticket, the cracked tooth...all behind us.
The last 7 days has been an adventure that we will never forget. Stepping foot onto the cruise ship in Galveston, Tx and watching everything that was once comfortable and somewhat predictable to Francie, myself, and the kids slowly fade off in the distance as our ship departed was a surreal experience. My life thus far played before me like a movie projector as I clung to God's promises in a feeble attempt to keep my composure.
I couldn't look at my kids without entertaining questions like; "Will we ever step foot in the US again?", "What will become of this nation teetering on the brink of chaos in the face of religious, political and economic turmoil?" and "Why have we felt called to the nations?", to name a few.
We had some interesting encounters with individuals on the cruise from Galveston to Belize. Everyone from the intoxicated lady laughing hysterically as she struggled to get to her feet in the elevator, to the head waiter at our dining table that made animals for Libby out of her napkins, to the friends that our kids met in their kids groups, to the women that we met that contacted us on board the ship hours before we were to disembark just to give us a book, sow a seed into us and pray for our family.
Just like that, in a flash, behind us. Such is life. Sadly, these small pockets of time that make up life, happen to pass us by too quickly. Our lives are but a collection of moments. I've determined not to spend my life counting time, but making my time count. Making the most of every moment is somewhat of a new priority in my life.
Today is our first full day in Belize. We are staying with some friends for a few weeks while our home is being completed. Today, two gentlemen that live in the area stopped by the house that we are staying in on horseback to chat with our hosts. Our hosts invited the men in and they stayed most of the day. We talked about everything from; farming, religion, marriage, our backgrounds, etc... They stayed for lunch and one of the men allowed us to take turns on his horse, even our 3 yr old, Libby, found herself atop a horse for the first time. When the men left, I asked our host, Mark, how he knew them and he told me that he barely knew them. He met them once at a store in the area and they recognized him as they were passing and stopped. Such is the life in Belize. Life is slowed down a bit here compared to the states.
So, our current task at hand is to plan our homestead. The positioning of the garden, the fruit trees, the chicken coop, etc... The gathering of information and supplies will be at the forefront of our minds in the next few weeks while we hope to, in the process, not look past those moments that make up life.
On behalf of all of us, thank you to all of you who have committed to pray for and financially partner with us as we purpose to be about the Father's business.
In what seemed like a flash, our transition is behind us. The packing, the selling, the giving away of our "stuff", is all behind us. The driving, the flat tire on the u-haul, the replacement battery in Brendan's truck, the untimely, mid-trip discovery of head lice on two of our children, the rental car representative mistake, the speeding ticket, the cracked tooth...all behind us.
The last 7 days has been an adventure that we will never forget. Stepping foot onto the cruise ship in Galveston, Tx and watching everything that was once comfortable and somewhat predictable to Francie, myself, and the kids slowly fade off in the distance as our ship departed was a surreal experience. My life thus far played before me like a movie projector as I clung to God's promises in a feeble attempt to keep my composure.
I couldn't look at my kids without entertaining questions like; "Will we ever step foot in the US again?", "What will become of this nation teetering on the brink of chaos in the face of religious, political and economic turmoil?" and "Why have we felt called to the nations?", to name a few.
We had some interesting encounters with individuals on the cruise from Galveston to Belize. Everyone from the intoxicated lady laughing hysterically as she struggled to get to her feet in the elevator, to the head waiter at our dining table that made animals for Libby out of her napkins, to the friends that our kids met in their kids groups, to the women that we met that contacted us on board the ship hours before we were to disembark just to give us a book, sow a seed into us and pray for our family.
Just like that, in a flash, behind us. Such is life. Sadly, these small pockets of time that make up life, happen to pass us by too quickly. Our lives are but a collection of moments. I've determined not to spend my life counting time, but making my time count. Making the most of every moment is somewhat of a new priority in my life.
Today is our first full day in Belize. We are staying with some friends for a few weeks while our home is being completed. Today, two gentlemen that live in the area stopped by the house that we are staying in on horseback to chat with our hosts. Our hosts invited the men in and they stayed most of the day. We talked about everything from; farming, religion, marriage, our backgrounds, etc... They stayed for lunch and one of the men allowed us to take turns on his horse, even our 3 yr old, Libby, found herself atop a horse for the first time. When the men left, I asked our host, Mark, how he knew them and he told me that he barely knew them. He met them once at a store in the area and they recognized him as they were passing and stopped. Such is the life in Belize. Life is slowed down a bit here compared to the states.
So, our current task at hand is to plan our homestead. The positioning of the garden, the fruit trees, the chicken coop, etc... The gathering of information and supplies will be at the forefront of our minds in the next few weeks while we hope to, in the process, not look past those moments that make up life.
On behalf of all of us, thank you to all of you who have committed to pray for and financially partner with us as we purpose to be about the Father's business.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
How great is our God?
Submitted by Jason
In the last few weeks, as we've planned the logistics of getting to Belize, we've realized that the dates of our departure from the US and our arrival in Belize are of major significance. While these dates will always be of significance to us, they've been celebrated long before we ever agreed to go.
On the 16th of Sept, the day that we, with one foot, step onto a Carnival cruise ship in Galveston, Tx, and with the other foot take our last step on American soil for an unspecified amount of time, marks the beginning of Rosh Hashannah. It is the celebration of the Jewish new year. Being that I have never before observed this holiday, I decided to research it. I was delighted to find this; "Rosh Hashannah observances include: a) Eating a piece of apple dipped in honey, to symbolize our desire for a sweet year, and other special foods symbolic of the new year's blessing. b) Blessing one another with the words 'Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim,' 'MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED AND SEALED FOR A GOOD YEAR.' c) Tashlich, a special PRAYER SAID NEAR A BODY OF WATER (an ocean, river, pond, etc.), in evocation of the verse, "And You shall cast their sins into the depths of the sea." And as with every major Jewish holiday, after candlelighting and prayers we recite kiddush and make a blessing on the challah."
Israel is God's chosen nation and the Jews are His chosen people. That is very clear in scripture. It is also clear in scripture that Christ's sacrifice made way for non-Jews to partake in the promises and covenant originally intended exclusively for the Jews. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal 3:28-29 KJV). Scripturally, we have every right to observe the Jewish calender, fully confident that God's promise is to us, non-Jews, as well.
On the 20th of Sept we will arrive in Belize City, Belize, which happens to be the eve of Belize's independence day. On Sept 21, 1981 Belize, formerly British Honduras, attained full independence from Britain. This holiday is celebrated much like America's 4th of July with parades, music, dancing and joyful gathering in public places.
What does this mean to us? To me, it's another sign of the goodness of the Lord upon our lives. I could not have coordinated these dates to line up with our departure from the US and our arrival in Bz if I had tried. We will depart in the midst of a new year celebration and arrive in the midst of a celbration of independence. How great is our God?
In the last few weeks, as we've planned the logistics of getting to Belize, we've realized that the dates of our departure from the US and our arrival in Belize are of major significance. While these dates will always be of significance to us, they've been celebrated long before we ever agreed to go.
On the 16th of Sept, the day that we, with one foot, step onto a Carnival cruise ship in Galveston, Tx, and with the other foot take our last step on American soil for an unspecified amount of time, marks the beginning of Rosh Hashannah. It is the celebration of the Jewish new year. Being that I have never before observed this holiday, I decided to research it. I was delighted to find this; "Rosh Hashannah observances include: a) Eating a piece of apple dipped in honey, to symbolize our desire for a sweet year, and other special foods symbolic of the new year's blessing. b) Blessing one another with the words 'Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim,' 'MAY YOU BE INSCRIBED AND SEALED FOR A GOOD YEAR.' c) Tashlich, a special PRAYER SAID NEAR A BODY OF WATER (an ocean, river, pond, etc.), in evocation of the verse, "And You shall cast their sins into the depths of the sea." And as with every major Jewish holiday, after candlelighting and prayers we recite kiddush and make a blessing on the challah."
Israel is God's chosen nation and the Jews are His chosen people. That is very clear in scripture. It is also clear in scripture that Christ's sacrifice made way for non-Jews to partake in the promises and covenant originally intended exclusively for the Jews. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal 3:28-29 KJV). Scripturally, we have every right to observe the Jewish calender, fully confident that God's promise is to us, non-Jews, as well.
On the 20th of Sept we will arrive in Belize City, Belize, which happens to be the eve of Belize's independence day. On Sept 21, 1981 Belize, formerly British Honduras, attained full independence from Britain. This holiday is celebrated much like America's 4th of July with parades, music, dancing and joyful gathering in public places.
What does this mean to us? To me, it's another sign of the goodness of the Lord upon our lives. I could not have coordinated these dates to line up with our departure from the US and our arrival in Bz if I had tried. We will depart in the midst of a new year celebration and arrive in the midst of a celbration of independence. How great is our God?
Saturday, September 8, 2012
"I Give Myself Away"
Submitted by Jason
One of the first items that we sold when we felt that the call of the Lord was being confirmed in our lives was our digital piano. Francie listed it on Craigslist and we received an almost immediate response from a man that turned out to be a pastor of a church in Indian Trail, NC with intention to use it for his church worship team. When he came to look at it, he and Francie discussed the reason why we decided to sell it. He mentioned that he'd like to have us share our vision at his church before we go and that he desired to support us. I recall how Francie called me shortly after he left and tears ran down my face as I drove my truck. Tears of thanksgiving that the Lord was sending people our way to not only confirm His calling but to stand with us as we pursue it.
When we reached an agreement on the property in Belize, we contacted Pastor Lonnie Riley of The Freedom Center to inform him of our departure date and he, in turn, proposed to us a date in which we could come share at his church. We accepted the invitation.
On Thursday Sept. 6, we attended The Freedom Center. During worship, Pastor Lonnie and his wife Kim led the worship team in a song called, "I Give Myself Away". While I've never heard of this song before, the Lord poured out His love on me as they sang these lyrics:
I give myself away so you can use me
Take my heart, take my life as a living sacrifice
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands
My life is not my own, to you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you
The presence of the Lord was so thick upon Francie and I during that song, it was almost tangible. In the midst of it, I looked at Francie who worshiped beside me with tears streaming down her face, thinking of how this amazing God, that people have struggled for ages to believe in and comprehend, chose to use the very piano that I bought for her when we were newly married to wrap His arms around her through a vessel using his talents obediently with a lyric that perfectly depicts the current cry of our hearts.
Who can fully comprehend this indescribable God that intricately orchestrates our lives in such a way. A God who scatters His promises throughout a book written by men, inspired by Him, with the power to transform countless numbers of believers into ministers of the gospel for anyone willing enough to believe in and stand on these promises. A God that you can't touch, but you can feel all around you. A God that surrounds you with His invisible attributes, but you can't see Him. I, for one, can not, but I'm determined to live my life with the purpose of revealing this God to others through me even if my life is spend laying a foundation on which my children can stand on to walk in a greater level of freedom for His call.
Following the worship, we shared our hearts with the congregation. We shared about our journey thus far into the missionary life through pictures and testimony. We received communion with them and afterward, had the opportunity to speak with and pray with people individually.
Thank you Pastor Lonnie, Kim and the body at The Freedom Center. We look forward to seeing how the Lord opens doors for us to minister together in the future.
One of the first items that we sold when we felt that the call of the Lord was being confirmed in our lives was our digital piano. Francie listed it on Craigslist and we received an almost immediate response from a man that turned out to be a pastor of a church in Indian Trail, NC with intention to use it for his church worship team. When he came to look at it, he and Francie discussed the reason why we decided to sell it. He mentioned that he'd like to have us share our vision at his church before we go and that he desired to support us. I recall how Francie called me shortly after he left and tears ran down my face as I drove my truck. Tears of thanksgiving that the Lord was sending people our way to not only confirm His calling but to stand with us as we pursue it.
When we reached an agreement on the property in Belize, we contacted Pastor Lonnie Riley of The Freedom Center to inform him of our departure date and he, in turn, proposed to us a date in which we could come share at his church. We accepted the invitation.
On Thursday Sept. 6, we attended The Freedom Center. During worship, Pastor Lonnie and his wife Kim led the worship team in a song called, "I Give Myself Away". While I've never heard of this song before, the Lord poured out His love on me as they sang these lyrics:
I give myself away so you can use me
Take my heart, take my life as a living sacrifice
All my dreams, all my plans
Lord I place them in your hands
My life is not my own, to you I belong
I give myself, I give myself to you
The presence of the Lord was so thick upon Francie and I during that song, it was almost tangible. In the midst of it, I looked at Francie who worshiped beside me with tears streaming down her face, thinking of how this amazing God, that people have struggled for ages to believe in and comprehend, chose to use the very piano that I bought for her when we were newly married to wrap His arms around her through a vessel using his talents obediently with a lyric that perfectly depicts the current cry of our hearts.
Who can fully comprehend this indescribable God that intricately orchestrates our lives in such a way. A God who scatters His promises throughout a book written by men, inspired by Him, with the power to transform countless numbers of believers into ministers of the gospel for anyone willing enough to believe in and stand on these promises. A God that you can't touch, but you can feel all around you. A God that surrounds you with His invisible attributes, but you can't see Him. I, for one, can not, but I'm determined to live my life with the purpose of revealing this God to others through me even if my life is spend laying a foundation on which my children can stand on to walk in a greater level of freedom for His call.
Following the worship, we shared our hearts with the congregation. We shared about our journey thus far into the missionary life through pictures and testimony. We received communion with them and afterward, had the opportunity to speak with and pray with people individually.
Thank you Pastor Lonnie, Kim and the body at The Freedom Center. We look forward to seeing how the Lord opens doors for us to minister together in the future.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Sound The Alarm
Submitted by Jason
In talking with co-workers and friends about the new season in our lives that we are about to step into, the response has been surprisingly positive. Several people have told us that we, as a family, are courageous and inspirational. The general response from our immediate family members has been not so favorable. For obvious reasons, they have more emotional investment in, and concern for, our family. I understand and appreciate each and every one that has taken their time to let us know what they think and how they feel. To me, it just shows that you care about us.
For 18 years I've been singing songs in churches on Sunday mornings from Az to NJ to SC. Songs with lyrics like "I surrender all", "Lord, be the center of my life" and "I will trust in you", just to name a few. Why should we, as Christians, be surprised by or envious of the faith and courage that it takes to step out in this way. I've honestly thought, "18 years, what took us so long?". I feel like the real faith and courage was shown by the disciples that literally dropped their fishing nets and followed Jesus.
There is no mention in the bible of the family dynamics of the disciples. Were they husbands? Were they fathers? To my knowledge, we just don't know. What we do know is that there was an alarm that went off in their hearts at whatever stage of their life they were in. An alarm that obviously awakened them to the realization that there was a greater purpose for their life. When Jesus came through their towns they believed that he was the Messiah that was prophesied of. They immediately walked away from the lives that they were familiar with and into a life of uncertainty with faith, courage, and a promise.
The Lord is strategically positioning His children for His purposes. As we commit ourselves to serving the Lord in a different capacity, we desire for our lives to be used to sound the same alarm in the hearts of others. It doesn't have to take 18 years to hear it. Tune your ear to heaven and listen for the alarm.
In talking with co-workers and friends about the new season in our lives that we are about to step into, the response has been surprisingly positive. Several people have told us that we, as a family, are courageous and inspirational. The general response from our immediate family members has been not so favorable. For obvious reasons, they have more emotional investment in, and concern for, our family. I understand and appreciate each and every one that has taken their time to let us know what they think and how they feel. To me, it just shows that you care about us.
For 18 years I've been singing songs in churches on Sunday mornings from Az to NJ to SC. Songs with lyrics like "I surrender all", "Lord, be the center of my life" and "I will trust in you", just to name a few. Why should we, as Christians, be surprised by or envious of the faith and courage that it takes to step out in this way. I've honestly thought, "18 years, what took us so long?". I feel like the real faith and courage was shown by the disciples that literally dropped their fishing nets and followed Jesus.
There is no mention in the bible of the family dynamics of the disciples. Were they husbands? Were they fathers? To my knowledge, we just don't know. What we do know is that there was an alarm that went off in their hearts at whatever stage of their life they were in. An alarm that obviously awakened them to the realization that there was a greater purpose for their life. When Jesus came through their towns they believed that he was the Messiah that was prophesied of. They immediately walked away from the lives that they were familiar with and into a life of uncertainty with faith, courage, and a promise.
The Lord is strategically positioning His children for His purposes. As we commit ourselves to serving the Lord in a different capacity, we desire for our lives to be used to sound the same alarm in the hearts of others. It doesn't have to take 18 years to hear it. Tune your ear to heaven and listen for the alarm.
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