Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Tuesday May 25th

Since my 38th birthday, 12 days ago much has happened. I broke my toe, man does it hurt but I'm stubborn and can't let it slow me down. We put our house on the market last Thursday. So glad we stayed with Dan Alcorn, he will help us anyway he can, even payed to have a stager come and give me some great advice. I love that he finished our meeting with a prayer which he agreed that God is in control. School ended for our pre-school class on Friday so Stephanie and I are using this week to get the room packed up,organized and ready for next year. It's exciting and sad to know that I may not even be with the class through Christmas.

The International Mission Boards decision or rather indecision to get involved has left an enormous financial burden on us it would seem. Knowing that God has called us to serve Him in Belgium gives me peace knowing He will make a way. I am excited to see how He will do it and who He will use. I continue to be humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve Him.

A final stage in the house preparation is purging. All the little personal knick knacks and things that have made this house uniquely ours have to go. It is a revelation to me every time I have the urge to hold onto something I have to remind myself that it is just stuff and the sacrifice of giving up the stuff is going to grow the kingdom of heaven. After all am I wanting to grow my "stuff" or help grow the Glory of God? Pretty obvious choice huh?!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Closing Thoughts on Belgium

Elizabeth K. shared an interesting Bible fact with us. Psalm 23 which for us reads "the valley of the shadow of death" in French is " valley of obscurity".

Micah 6:8 in French reads " I sit in obscurity (darkness) the Lord will be my light". People in Belgium are sitting in darkness, it is oppressive, painful and depressing. They do not yet have a name for the light that is seeking them out. We are called on to share that name, the name we know that saves. No other name but Jesus can call the dead to life, can save us from our lostness. I will praise Him in the struggles, in the battles of following His will because He is my redeemer and He deserves the praise that we all have to give.

For His Glory!

Final Day in Belgium


Friday March 26

Today we rode the train to Namur. John and Elizabeth met us and showed us around this wonderful city. Much smaller than Brussels and completely French speaking. We walked around this city, enjoying the beautiful sights, friendly smiling people and time with each other. I love this group of people and am thankful to God for bringing us together. Only our Creator would fit so perfectly such a group of people. As we enjoyed the sights of Namur we ventured into a large Catholic church. It was beautiful but cold, not just physically cold. Paintings, Statues, Ornately Decorated Confessionals. Amazing things, but no people. No real sign of the Hope and Love that only Jesus brings. I was broken by the emptiness, by the pain that must be felt by seeking forgiveness of sins by a man, not the God of the universe who took on flesh to die for our sins so that we could come to Him and Him alone. It was a moment of true calling for me. The longing for people to come to know Him, it's growing and I don't want it to stop.
Thursday March 25
Availability trumps Ability.
Acts 6:4 (Evan's word fort he day) "but we will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word"

As I am getting excited about the move here and the ministry we will have among the lost I have become concerned about the fund-raising. This morning on the train I read Luke 9:10-17. Jesus feeds 5,000. I know that my God is the God who owns all the money in this world. Raising funds is not a worry for Him, He knows where it's going to come from. It's only up to me to ask. This has been a big encouragement to me today.

My prayer today is that God would plant in our hearts His will to see people come to know Him.
Wednesday March 24
Up early to catch the metro and then a train to Brain L'Alleud for a meeting with Jerry and Jim.
"The soil here is open but not without difficulties. It's not the people mostly but the enemy." Jim

"Be piercing about what you want to accomplish" Jerry

Our meeting took place at a large McDonald's with a children's play area. A small girl named Naomi wanted to play with Peyton and Evan. It was so much fun to watch them interact, even without the language to help.

I am so excite about the way God is moving in us during this trip. The people He's lead us to, the encouragement that comes with a smile, nod or kind word. I am continually praying for God to show people of favor to help us in this journey here.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Monday May 3.
I'm taking a short break from the Belgium Visit posts to update an urgent situation. Saturday and Sunday Nashville received more than 15 inches of rain. All of Middle Tennessee has been affected. Schools are closed, roads are impassible, drinking water is becoming scarce. Join me in praying for the people who have lost homes and more importantly loved ones to this disaster. Praying God's comfort and peace to those in need and guidance to those who would help and sacrifice for others. Thanks for your time and prayers.
For His Glory!