Trust in the Lord

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart?  Heart, in Hebrews, refers to one’s emotions, intellect, or will.  This means we have to first realize that our wisdom, or insight, is no match for God’s.  God’s ways are sometimes meant for us to understand and sometimes they are not, but we must follow because He is trustworthy.  The second part of this verse says we are to acknowledge God and He will make our path straight.  Strong’s Concordance defines the word acknowledge, in this passage, as submit.  We are to submit our ways to God and trust in Him to lead the way, and then the pathway will be clearer to see. 

God gave us a call and the first thing we decided to do was to acknowledge that it was something we needed to answer, and answer we did.  Answering meant we had to sell our home and most of our belongings in order to free ourselves of unnecessary possessions and unnecessary debt.  This task seemed to come easy, because God provided a buyer for the house.  The belongings went pretty fast as well; who doesn’t love a yard sale.

The second part of answering led us to leaving the security of our jobs.  Telling our bosses that we were leaving to serve God was an emotional strain because of the friendships built, and a leap of faith because we would no longer be living on a typical salary.  We would be living on what little bit of savings we had until we arrive in Africa and begin to use the money we have been raising for support.

We have had the privilege of learning to trust in God and to submit to Him in ways that are unfamiliar to us.  Over the past 28 years, we have relied on God to provide for us through the jobs we held, and on the finances we earned ourselves.  We seemed to have some control.  Our life, now, is totally in God’s control.

We planned on being in Africa by the end of February, but God had other plans.  Living with our children and granddaughter was a joy, but after living together for over 5 months it was time for us to give them a break.  They love us tons, but in smaller doses.  So, we prayed we’d find a place to stay for the month of April.  We gave it to the Lord and trusted in Him to provide for us.  God is faithful and trustworthy!  God provided a beautiful cottage for us on Lake Michigan, through generous believers we had never met before.  He gave us a place far better than we even imagined.  God also used this situation as a time for preparation.  The house has no Internet, cable, or cell phone coverage.  Wow!  This is how it will be when we move to Africa.

Because of our downsizing, and living in a small house with our kids, we lost our ability to exercise and we needed to get back in shape after such a long drawn out winter of being cooped up inside.  God provided a month or more of free memberships at a local gym.  Time to pump it up!

Friends of ours offered us their frequent flyer miles to purchase our airline tickets for the flight to Africa.  We were in awe that someone would do that for us!  This was a very generous offer, but was a bit difficult to use due to the fact that we had to keep moving our departure date out. (Short on support)  We shared with our friends that we greatly appreciated the offer, but we were torn about using them because it would be difficult to lock into a date.  If we had to cancel for any reason the miles could be lost and they would have wasted them on us. We could however, lock into flights through a missionary organization and cancel at anytime (not using flyer miles) without penalty.  Our friends asked the amount and then offered to pay for the tickets out of their pocket.  We told them they did not have to do this. Their response was, "God had told us that He wanted us to get you to the field in Africa."  This brought us to tears. (Literally)

We share these stories with you not to be boastful, but to remind us, and you, that God does provide for His people when we call on Him and are trusting in Him.  We may not understand everything God is doing or why, but we can trust that He is in control and that He will make our paths straight.

Our Prayer Needs 

  

* God to supply the remaining 30% of support needed

* Our May 22nd departure to happen as scheduled

*Lead us in preparations and packing

*Visas and all paperwork in order

*God prepare us for all the cultural and language challenges we will face

*Our Children and Grandchildren to adjust to our leaving and adjust to family separation

*Protection

*Keep walking in Obedience and humility the path marked out for us!

Views from the house we are Blessed to stay in for the month of April

My Grace is sufficient for you

II Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

This past month has been a real learning month for us.  We have definitely seen God’s Power in our weakness displayed as we continue in this support raising process.  It is a process, a learning process.  God has been teaching us to depend on Him and not on our own strengths. It has been one of the most difficult and challenging experiences, yet it has also had so many rewards and blessings.  We have seen God work in the hearts of people we didn’t expect or imagine, and been rejected by some we thought would be a help and encouragement.

The many joys we have experienced this past month far outweigh the discouragements.  We have been able to build relationships.  Some old relationships have been renewed, some new ones have been established, and some close relationships have grown deeper.   We have been able to share God with some for the first time; and we have learned how important the ‘Ministry of Giving’ is for us and for the giver.  God has given us the opportunity and pleasure to pray with, and for, our partners in Christ.  We have been able to share prayer concerns with each other and lift our burdens and blessings to Him in prayer.  We have seen the power of corporate prayer and what God can do in and through His people.

As most of you know, we were planning, and hoping, to leave for Uganda mid February, but we are still here.  We are learning that we can plan, work, and do all that we can to raise support, but everything is in God’s timing and in His control.  We have visited many churches and friends and put many miles on our little car while raising support.

We have reached 62% of our monthly budget.  We continue to seek God’s guidance as we reach out to people and churches for the remainder. We are looking at securing our flights for April 3, but still this depends on if we are closer to 100%.

If you have made a pledge already, but have not sent it in, please do so.  And, Thank You to all of you who have committed to serve in this way, and for being a part of this Ministry Team with us!

If God is leading you to help, please visit our Donate Page for how to support us.  Please feel free to contact us anytime.  We would love to hear from you and share or pray with you.

We are excited to get to Uganda and work with our Team!                                                                    Since the start of this year 94 Women are now in the Women’s Bible Study!  Many have received Bibles in their own language.  The men’s Bible study has grown to about 40 and St Paul’s Primary School’s enrollment is busting at the seams with over 300 students.  Hearing all the good things happening and knowing our Team is waiting for our help makes our hearts ache more, but we know God’s timing is perfect and we will get there in His time.

A.W.Tozer “God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.  What a pity we plan only the things we can do ourselves.”                        

Our Prayer Needs   
* God supply our remaining 38% of support
*Lead us in preparations and packing
*Visas and paperwork in order
*God prepare us for all the cultural and language challenges we will face
*Our Children and Grandchildren to adjust to our leaving and adjust to family separation
*Protection
*Keep walking in Obedience and humility the path marked out for us

Our Children & Grandchildren

We took a trip to Indiana to visit John & Lorella Rouster, founders of

Every Child Ministries

Proverbs 19:23 Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

FEAR….What is it?
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge and wisdom.
Fear implies respect, awe, and sometimes terror.
Fear of the Lord leads people towards humility and away from pride.
Fear  acknowledges that everything including knowledge and wisdom comes from total dependence on God.

Total dependence on God is against our natural instinct.  Even as a young child we are taught to become independent, "I can do this all by myself".   Realizing God is in control and not ourselves is hard.

There have been a few days of fear for us over these past few months.
Fear that we are not good enough to serve as missionaries, fear of failure, fear of relying on others to supply our income, fear of family separation, fear of the unknowns.
Satan knows our weak spots and tries to come in and steal our joy and replace it with fear.
We must continually, in the big things and small, hold to the verse,  "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13

Fear also challenges us to stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zones and do what He asks us to do because we know He will give us what we need.  Fear can make us grow.
We have seen God work in amazing ways!  And we are so thankful for family and friends that give us the support and courage to walk the path marked out for us!    Wherever God is asking you to go or whatever He is asking you to do, we pray this for you.  "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Many of you came to our Fundraiser and heard our testimony.  Thank you for sharing this special night with us.  Thank you to the many who have invested in our lives through teaching us, ministering to us, and being a godly inspiration and example for us to follow!!  We are grateful for the parts you have played in our lives!

We look forward to the next year and all that lies ahead.  We hope to be moving soon to our new home in Uganda and joining our team there.  Our team leaders sent us a video to share at the fundraiser.  It highlights where we will live and work.  It gives you a taste of what our Ugandan life will look like.     It makes us laugh and makes us cry and makes our hearts ache each time we see it.
To see for yourself check out this link: https://vimeo.com/83927286

Thought we would share a picture of our whole family taken at Christmas. It was happy and sad at the same time knowing it is our last one together for a few years.   We can honestly say we will not miss the snow.

Where did the time go?

Where did the time go?  2013 has been filled with many life changes: selling our home, a short-term mission trip to Uganda, College Graduation, losing Loved ones, buying and renovating a small home, leaving jobs we loved, and answering God's call to a life in Uganda.  This past year has not been an easy one.  We have experienced so many different challenges and emotions yet, we have an inner  PEACE and JOY knowing God has been leading us each step of the way.

The business of life has a way of distracting us from the important things we should be focused on during this time of the year.  We are reminded each Christmas as we read the story of the birth of Our Savior, JESUS, of the JOY and the inner PEACE that Mary, mother of Jesus, experienced.
Luke 1:1-2:51
She received an extraordinary message through God's angel Gabriel that she would give birth to God's Son, the Savior of the World.  In simple faith, she humbly submitted to God's will.  Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant.  May everything you said about me come true" (Luke 1:38)
For all Christians, she is a model of complete humility and obedient submission to God's will.
We know this next year will be filled with many joys and challenges but, we pray we will remember to live each day with a humble and obedient faith like Mary.

Today was Bruce's last day of work at Northern.  Leaving his job of 18 years was not an easy decision.  With this final change came many emotions and realizations.  This next chapter of our lives will be far different than anything we have experienced before, but we are confident that through our joys, fears and challenges, God will watch over us and guide us.

Each day is a step closer to our move to Africa.  We continue to be amazed at the people God has placed in our lives and how He is working in their hearts to help us help the poorest of the poor.  Many have joined us with  their financial and prayer support.  And we Thank You!  What God has called us to do is impossible to do by ourselves.  Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26.   We still need more to join our team of prayer warriors and financial supporters.  We need more monthly supporters that can help by giving what they can, whether it is $25 a month or $200 a month.  Any gifts to help us in this work is greatly appreciated! We ask that you, Please, Prayerfully Consider what you can do in joining our support team.

Our prayer needs

We will be at 100% of our financial needs by January 31

Our Going Away / Fundraiser on January 18th is a success and  that many family & friends attend

Our travel papers and plans get set and organized

We would walk in humble obedience each day with Joy & Peace

Merry Christmas & Blessings to All!