As you may recall, we had a life-changing experience almost two years ago when we went to the Dominican Republic on a short term mission trip with our church. We came back with a sense that maybe one day God would lead us into the mission field at the DR. We began to prepare by taking spanish together as a family. We've prayed and asked our family in Christ to pray with us for the last two years....that God would lead us first....that He would perhaps open a door there.....that He would use us in a way that would take us totally outside of our comfort zone.
Today, we are renewing our request for prayer. About a month ago, God decided to open a VERY unexpected door. Bruce was asked to meet with our Pastor of Missions at our church. He was given two "field descriptions" working directly with the Crossroads Missions organization down in New Orleans. Both outlined the responsibilities of a Project Manager. One for renovating existing homes. And one for building new homes. Both positions would entail coordinating and working directly with incoming volunteer teams from all over the nation, coming to help in the restoration process as a result of the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina. And in God's perfect way, both are opportunities that I think Bruce has been preparing for through his own business and also working for the company he's been with for the last 13 years. They have had alot of confidence in his abilities and have given him many good opportunities to learn more about his trade.
This would be a missions assignment for our family. The time commitment is indefinite. We would all be working together with Crossroads using our gifts and talents to fulfill the purpose of sharing God's love and introducing others to Jesus Christ through this ministry. It would be an assignment that would require fundraising for financial support.......and a whole lot of FAITH. Ironically, this is a major "crossroads" for us.....unchartered territory.....a whole new experience.
My first impression was NO WAY Lord! Are you crazy???? I said I would do ANYTHING for You, but come on?? New Orleans?? That's really NOT what we were looking for!! What about the DR??
LOL I can laugh about that now because it appears that every message I've heard in the last month, every book I've read, every scripture I've meditated on, almost every intimate conversation with friends, has revolved around understanding and discerning God's good and perfect will in all this. I can honestly say that He has changed my heart. And, I believe He is leading us in a very new and exciting way. Together, Bruce and I have been exploring all the possibilities, and asking God alot of questions.
The more I've thought about it, the more I've realized that this has His Name all over it. How long have we been not quite satisfied with life in general? Sortof a "holy discontentment", as our Pastor Steve used to say. It probably was intensified when we went to the DR. But, Bruce and I have sensed for a long time that we should be doing something more with our lives. We wanted more to life for our kids. We have felt a "drawing" to something bigger then us for a while.
In "crazylove" by Francis Chan, a moving book about God's crazy, relentless, all-powerful love for us. He talks about "Lukewarm Christians" in Chapter Four. He says, "Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for "extreme" Christians, not average ones. Luke warm people call "radical" what Jesus expected of all His followers."
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22)
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins" (James 4:17)
Gosh, I don't want to be "lukewarm". I don't want to even be close! I know that God's "radical" is different for every one of us. I know that. He has a good and perfect plan for every one of us if we will only stand up and answer the call. For some it's in our church. For some it's in our community. For some it's a little further away. For all, He calls us to GO.
Please pray for Bruce, myself and our children as we work through the implications of this opportunity. Pray that God will give us the strength and tools to fulfill this calling, if it is indeed what He desires for us. Pray that God will continue to confirm His desires to us, that He will lead us with His mighty outstretched hand. We ONLY want to do His Will. We ask that our sisters and brothers in Christ stand in the gap with us and be a part of this possibly most amazing part of the journey yet.
Thank you so much for loving us and praying with us and being a part of our lives.
We pray that God blesses you and your family abundantly and graciously.
Hi! My name is Deborah, and I want to thank you for taking a moment out of your busy day to visit Home For Him. I hope in some small way that you find encouragement and ideas for not only your homeschooling experience, but also your walk with God.
The Boss ~ Bruce, my hubby and best friend, is a Project Manager for CrossRoads Missions here in New Orleans. He likes to listen to music, watch old concerts on Netflix, play practical jokes and be with family. He also spends alot of time in the Word these days, trying to be the best leader for our family and mission that he can be.
The Serious and Organized One ~ "Bri Guy" likes to read, play soccer, listen to music, build bionicles, collect pocketknives, hang out with friends, go to CBS, and be with family.
The Creative Dreamer ~ "Sissy Lou" likes to write on her blog, love on her pets, rides horses, scrapbook, read, play soccer, be with her girlfriends, and study the Bible.
The Extreme Goof ~ "Con Man" likes to do math, play football and soccer, snowboard, make people laugh, build bionicles, play with his dogs, play with friends, build forts, and go to small group at church.
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June 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment