Fear vs. Faith

As I was reading my perspectives lesson today, I came across a great point that one of the authors made.  "Fear is the opposite of faith." It got me thinking, that it really is a very true analysis of the relationship of the two. If I want to call myself a disciple of Christ, fear is not an option. I have been thinking a lot about that lately as we have been speaking at different churches and groups. One question we get asked a lot, is about the safety and security of the country in which we are going to serve. Concerns that we hear a lot usually deal with disease, violence, our kids safety, and overall risk of being a Christian witness in a country where there is a Muslim presence in some areas. While I know people are truly concerned for our well-being, it does make me wonder sometimes if we are letting fear triumph over faith. Before we made the life changing decision to go into full time missions, fear was definitely a factor and can still be something that comes up now and then as we still face unknowns. But we have to keep coming back to faith, because that is what sustains us. Faith should drive us into doing things that may not always be safe or comfortable. The disciples when filled with the Holy Spirit could not help but risk their very lives because of their passion to spread the gospel. They faced persecution, and most of them even death for the sake of their Savior. This kind of sold out faith should not just be something we think about when it comes to the early church in the book of Acts, but it should give us the model that Christ intended us to use as the way of spreading our faith today. I count it a privilege to serve Christ in this way and I hope that I will always let faith outweigh my fears.

-Andy

Update

As of today we have 37% of our monthly need met. You can't even begin to know how excited this makes us! God has been moving in amazing ways and people have been responding to His prompting and partnering with us. It's a very humbling feeling and we have been blown away by all the love and support we have received.

You want to know another awesome fact? We have 40 families that have committed to praying for us specifically. This is HUGE! Knowing that we have such an amazing team committed to praying for us, and our ministry, is so incredibly awesome and humbling. It makes the tough days easier and makes us want to keep on doing what we've been called to do, all the while knowing we are not in this alone. None of this would be possible without prayer.

So, this is a BIG thank you, to all that have made this possible! Because of you, we are that much closer to Africa and doing what God has laid on our hearts.

We are still looking for churches and groups to share with. If you know of any that would be interested in having us come and share, please let us know. We have enjoyed the times of sharing that we have been given already and are looking forward to more.

Again, THANK YOU! We love and appreciate you all so much!!


-Stephanie

Looking Back

As I reflect back on 2013 and look ahead to this year, I really can't believe how much difference a year makes. To think that we would be in the position we are in right now, on a totally different course than I ever imagined, is quite unreal. 2013 for us was really the year of "the cliff", the cliff being full time missions. We may have flirted within distance of this cliff before, but never really considered walking up to the edge and jumping off. Well, God had a different plan than us, and it was ultimately Him that pushed us over the edge. I think of how many people in the Bible that God "pushed" into doing something that they never thought they were capable of doing. It seems that all throughout scripture He uses ordinary people to accomplish great things. I believe the God that existed 2000 years ago is still the same One in control today, and He wants to use each and every one of us to be Christ to others. That will look different for every Christ follower, but we have to be willing to be used by Him.

For me the hardest part of this journey that we are on, is just remembering why we are here and what we are supposed to be doing. This culture has engrained in us an idea that tells us that life is all about what we can accomplish ourselves, how much money we can make, how nice of retirement we can save up for, etc. I don't recall those things in the Bible as being important to God, and I would rather spend my time accumulating heavenly treasure since eternal life will be much, much longer than this one. All that He asks is that we take up our cross and follow Him. I really like Chris Tomlin's song "I will follow." It gives me a picture of what following Christ really means by putting me in His footprints. "Where you go I'll go, where you stay I'll stay, when you move I'll move, I will follow you. Who you love I'll love, who you serve I'll serve, If this life I lose, I will follow you." My goal for 2014 is simply just to strive to live that out more in my own life, because HE is worth the cost and deserves nothing less!

-Andy

Faithfulness

In this journey that we are on I have been learning so much about the God that I serve. He has revealed Himself to me in ways that blow me away! Daily He is reminding of His faithfulness, and in turn how shallow my faithfulness to Him has been at times. If He is the God that I claim Him to be, how can I ever doubt Him? Maybe I am the only one that struggles with these type of questions, but then again, maybe I'm not. I am so thankful that His faithfulness to me is constant, never failing, full of grace and forgiveness, and is there for the taking. I know that this month is the month of thankfulness, but I want to be truly thankful for all in my life every single day, that includes the hard and trying times. Today, I am thankful for His faithfulness in every aspect of my life, even the not so pretty ones.

Steer Inc 2013

I had the opportunity to travel to North Dakota for the first time over the weekend to a missions conference and really enjoyed this experience. Steer Inc. was founded by farmers in North Dakota as a way to "steer" money to missions. They have sent over 10 million dollars to various mission agencies and missionaries around the world just in the last 10 years and have sent over 20 million dollars in total since their founding in 1957. They also have a long history with World Gospel Mission and currently work with 16 missionaries in WGM. I was amazed to find out that what they need was not more money, but willing farmers to give money to. Since farmer's cash flow is not always constant and can sometimes be a once a year deal, farmers joined together to form this organization so that they could still financially help missions in a consistent way. Steer actually gives the farmer money to buy a cow, hog, or inputs for the crop, and then the farmer basically blends that into their operation. A lot of times the work and land cost are already being used for their own use anyway, so for example, the one or two cows Steer Inc. buys, blend right in with the other 30 cows they already have. Then when that cow has a calf once a year the sale of the calf goes to Steer Inc. and Steer pays the mission agency/missionary of their choice. Anyway I know for those of you who don't farm this may not be too interesting, but it is just one way that God can use people in extraordinary ways to be a blessing to others.  -  Andy

http://www.steerinc.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzm8FWUd4QY&feature=player_embedded

Reflection

As I reflect on all that has led us to this point, that being full time ministry; I can't help but be blown away by the fact that God wants to use our family. It's a very humbling feeling and one that takes my breath away. It amazes me that no matter how many times we mess up or don't get it right, He still chooses to use us to reach the lost. That goes for all Christ followers, no matter who you are, if you have a personal relationship with Christ, He uses each one of us. How awesome is that? I am so grateful that we serve a loving and merciful God, one that forgives, transforms, and meets us where we are. So, I leave you with these questions. What is God asking you to do? What is your role in the Great Commission? Because we all have a role, it is not a task for just missionaries, church leaders, and pastors, or an optional command, but is for every single Christ follower to obey. Please don't misunderstand me, I do not believe that God will call everyone to overseas missions, but I do believe without a shadow of a doubt, that He calls each one of us to reach the lost and live intentional lives. We just need to come to the place where we give Him complete control of our lives, and be willing to say yes, no matter where He leads.

-Stephanie