Tonight Rob and I met with some of the church leadership to discuss a meeting with a Brussels attorney regarding opening a pre-school in Brussels. As it turns out there is a huge need for English speaking pre-schools, however the schools must be run completely through the government. This makes the feasibility of outsiders coming in an opening one next to impossible. We learned of two other organizations who tried to go around the government to open schools only to be shut down days before opening. In one case 4 missionaries lost their visa privileges. Of course this is discouraging news,  we were excited about the opportunities that could arise from the school. It seems for now that this is a no so we are re-grouping and seeking God’s will.

Because I believe that God IS doing a mighty work in our lives and I trust His plan completely I am taking today’s news with a thankful, praising heart. That said we certainly appreciate your prayers, encouragement and support. You remain our partners and lifeline in this journey.

For His Glory,

Cynthi Rob and the R’s

Mother's Day Three Year Journey Cont....

Three years ago today…we entered into the wildest adventure of our lives. On Mother’s Day of 2009 we sat in our driveway and put our yes on the table to follow God’s plan for our lives. It has been a rocky road filled with encouragement and painful goodbyes. We’ve sold three vehicles, found a new home for a big dog, moved out of a house we loved and purged of many “things”. We’ve met new neighbors, volunteered at Wherry Housing, served as small group leaders, Wednesday night teachers and on the encouragers team at church. The changes that God has brought in us and our family have been invaluable!

We finally have some news, we are going this fall! Rob and I will be opening a LifePoint Creative Learning Center in Brussels. God laid on Rob’s heart a few months ago that the Brussels Church needs an English language preschool as an outreach. With a little research and a lot of prayer we’ve been encouraged by church leadership to continue the research and begin the visa process.

I can’t tell you how excited we are about this development. We never questioned that God would get us to Belgium, we did however long for the moment that things would be made clear. So thankful for His constant leading and encouragement. We also continue to be thankful for your encouragement support and prayers. So please keep them up, you are our partners in this adventure and we wouldn’t be here without you!

For His Glory!

Cynthi, Rob and the R’s

Do you have labels you'd like to escape from? Think about this, Rahab was a prostitute. Her body used by men, unmarried, unloved and unappreciated. Then she met God. He redeemed her, she married a Godly man and became the great(5x) grandmother to...Jesus!

One more great week in the Who Are You? series at LifePoint Church.

God gives us two specific things to remind us of who we are in Christ.

1. A brand new name Abram and Sarai(sp) became Abraham and Sarah, parents.

Saul the murderer became Paul the giver of life saving news.

Simon the fisherman became Peter (the rock) and fisher of men.

2. He gives a new purpose. Seen in the story of Rahab and countless others in the bible. God is great at taking our biggest weakness and turning it into our biggest strength.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"

In Christ we are overcomers! Revelation 12:11 ESV

"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony"

Know who you are and who He created you to be...

Who Are You?

For the past two weeks, Pat Hood has been exploring the question "Who Are You?". It has been a fantastic message and I wanted to highlight some of it here. If you would like to hear the sermon in its entirety go to http://lifepointchurch.org/media .

Sunday January 7

Who Are You?

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come...","Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."

We are ambassadors for Christ. Our real home is the Kingdom of God, we are here as His ambassadors.

John 15:16-19 "I chose you and appointed you..."

Look at the examples of God's chosen:

Moses couldn't speak well, God used him to lead His people out of Egypt

David committed adultery and murder, he was king to God's people

Paul was Saul, the Christian slayer. God used him to spread His Word to the world!

Acts 9:15 "he is a chosen instrument of mine..."

God called me to represent Him. I am a chosen instrument of God!

John 6:38 "I have come not to do my will but the will of Him who sent me".

We represent God.

Sunday January 15

Identity

Ephesians 2:1-3 "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of the world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

Ephesians 2:4-9 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him...","for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not a result of works, so that no one may boast"

God redeemed you, saved you, gave you life!

Ephesians 2:10"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them"

We do good works so that people will look to God and praise Him!

The greek word for workmanship is poeima it means beautiful workmanship.

Psalm 139:13-16 You formed my inmost parts, you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. In your book are written the days formed for me

With His hands God created me. I have significance. I am here by the purpose and plan of God.

2 Peter 1:3"He has given us all we need to do everything He has called us to do"

-Thank you God, for creating, saving, redeeming and giving me purpose! - Cynthi

Word and Verse of the Year

After a lot of thought and consideration I have chosen a word and verse for this year. My word is HOPE. For what I think are obvious reasons I love this word. It is positive, encouraging and of course gives an outlook I want to have.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

The assurance of things hoped for. Why are we assured in our hope?

Let us hold tight to our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

We are assured because He who promised is faithful.

Has this process of "getting to Brussels" been hard. Of course, one of the most difficult things I've ever done. Have I wavered, wondered, doubted? Sadly in my reflection I must admit there have been times that I have questioned how it would happen, and why God chose us. I have however never doubted that God has called us and that He is making a way.

This year as I continue to watch God's will and perfect timing unfold I will rest in the HOPE that I have in Him. I will draw strength and even a little patience, knowing that He is faithful.

Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4

Wednesday December 28

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10. A great verse, it calls us to be quiet, reflective, still. But it's the second part of that verse that really hits me..."I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" Did you catch the "wills"? He is going to be exalted regardless of what we do. But He is inviting us to witness it. Be still and Know. It's like He's sitting us down looking into our eyes and saying "Pay attention! I don't want you to miss this!"

I must confess that much of this past year I have been in such a hurry trying to make everything work out that I haven't taken much time to be still. I don't believe in New Years resolutions but I am committing to spending more real quiet time with God. Reflecting on the amazing things He's doing and just how amazing He is. I don't want to miss out anymore on His greatness.

I am trusting that 2012 is going to be a year filled with the miracles that come only from knowing and seeking God.

Blessings!