Posted in Musings

I am so excited today! In a few hours I will be getting on a plane to Spain! This trip that I am taking with my husband is the answer to some very fervent prayer.

Last May my husband received an email from a man named Wolfgang Simson. Wolfgang Simson is the author of the book "Houses That Change the World." It's a book that has influenced our ministry here more than any other. Like so many others, God used this book to help us see what it was He wanted us to do here in Ecuador. It is but one of many books on the subject of house churches that have come into our lives, but has the distinction of being the first to point us in that direction.

I confess that I have not read as widely as my husband on the subject. However, recently, I read the latest book by Mr. Simson called "The Starfish Vision." It's a free book that can be found online. And it's one of the most exciting books I've read in a long time. I'm not sure how to explain what it is about so I will post a few quotes from the introduction.

It "explains a global vision and the resulting mission that is probably bigger than anything you have heard before."

"It is not a new vision some individual person has or owns; it is, in a very real sense, a historical and thoroughly biblical vision of which no one can claim authorship... it cannot be owned or copyrighted; it is rather, something that can and might very well invade us...."

"Many followers of Jesus are gripped today by a historic call, being mobilized into a new run. As more and more people join God in this present day endeavor to finish the apostolic task Jesus has given us, we watch the emergence of a global phenomenon, and we might quickly discover ourselves to be part of the biggest, most audacious, dangerous and daring enterprise mankind has ever had."

This book excites me! It tells of what God is doing in His empire, His kingdom, His work. The author feels, as do I, that we are entering into the final stage of human history. And this book is about completing the mission that God has given us to take His good news of salvation to the whole world. I am no prophet but the eyes of my heart have been opened to God's working in the world. I'm thrilled at the prospect of what He is doing and I don't want to be a spectator. I want to be a participant! I want to be a part of it!

The email from Wolfgang Simson was an invitation to a meeting to be held beginning next week. The meeting will serve three purposes: 1) to listen corporately to what the King has to say, 2) to respond individually to what the King says, and 3) to prayerfully consider corporate implementation of what the King reveals. My heart literally jumped when Guy told me about this invitation. He was the one invited, but oh, I really wanted to go. I mean I REALLY REALLY wanted to go.

Wives were included in the invitation and then began the prayers for God to provide for both of us to go. Many tears were shed as I begged God to provide for me to go with Guy. We really didn't have the money for Guy, much less for me to come along as well.  We aren't really allowed to solicit funds for things like this so we didn't. We just prayed to God. As we shared with people about the opportunity, God laid it on the hearts of some to help us out so we did not have to ask right out for funds. God provided not only the funds, but permission from our Board as well to take the time to go. God is so good!

We set out making our plans for the trip. Our flight was to pass through Madrid, Spain where we have some good friends from seminary days. Our missionary friends that we homeschooled with two years ago recently transferred to Granada, Spain. And we have a long time Ecuadorian friend who now lives in Barcelona, Spain. So, we decided to take a few days to visit our friends on the way to our meeting. It will be a short visit in each place (one or two days) but it will be so nice to see them.

God has provided in every way for our trip and I am humbled at how He has done so. I am so excited to be going- but more thrilled at what awaits us in this coming meeting. I expect God will be doing "God things" and I hope to be a part of what He does!