Here is my March prayer letter, accompanied by a letter from MAF. Enjoy!
I realize that I may be rehashing here something I’ve already discussed, but frankly, God has been teaching me so much about trusting Him, it’s been incredible. I’ve been trying to raise ministry support for just over six months now, and it’s been kinda depressing sometimes, when I look at how slowly my on-going support has been coming in. I realize the economy is bad, and money is tight, but this was kinda surprising.
More and more, though, I’ve been realizing that I’ve been relying on my own strength to raise support. I’ve been relying on my own wisdom and ability to find people who will support my ministry. I’ve been trying to accomplish God’s work for Him essentially. I knew all along that God was the one who would provide, but somehow, I felt like I could get it done, and just let the nebulous “working in people’s hearts” end of things to Him. You would think I’d have caught on before this, but no, I’m a stubborn one. God has been waiting for me to ask Him.
In the last week or so, I’ve been learning to ask Him first. And it’s been exciting. I was pretty well at the end of my rope last week, and then I went to a small Bible study. I had hopes of talking with people, and maybe building some relationships. I also really wanted to hear from God, because I was realizing just how much I needed Him. So, He showed up on Saturday night, just for me. He spoke through the people at that Bible study in ways I would never have expected. Not only did I end up sharing about my ministry, but they prayed for me, gave to me, and even asked me to come back and meet with them again! The rest of the week has been just like that. People from all over, in the most random places and ways giving, or committing to give. It has been overwhelming!
When God says He will provide, He will. But don’t get in the way. Let Him work, and just ask Him to keep doing it. And like the persistant widow, don’t stop asking either.
My girlfriend Joy and I have been learning alot lately about communication. It’s been pretty rough somedays. Whoever said that men are from Mars and women are from Venus was pretty close to it. Joy is very relational in everything she does. She can enjoy doing anything at all, as long as there is some element of relationship in it. I, however, focus so much more on accomplishing things, proving facts, and dealing in a very objective world. I don’t need to have a relationship to make something fun. Instead, most of the time, the simple joy of doing something is all that I need to have a good time.
This difference between us has led to some very interesting conversations. Just this morning we were talking on the phone and I approached the subject of politics. Joy and I actually share some similar political views on certain topics, like for example abortion. The way that we approach these views however, and the action that we feel should be taken is actually quite different as a direct result of our personalities. I tend to lean more toward political action, legislation, and civil action to help prevent abortions and to raise awareness of the danger and horror of abortion. Joy’s perspective is more of a relational one. Where I see the movement of a society, and want to change that, Joy sees the individual, and longs to reach them in their hurt. Joy’s approach is to reach out to the young women who are faced with a difficult pregnancy and to help them through it on a personal level. Joy wants to help them see the consequences for their child and themselves that come from abortion.
After a long and confusing conversation, I think we’ve both learned about each other a lot. I think I’ve come away a little better as a person. I’m coming to see that I need to not forget the people in my attempts to accomplish things. I need to learn to see the hurting individual, not just the flawed system. I think that’s how Jesus would have approached it. Yes, He would have been ready to engage the political system (and He did by taking on the religios leaders of the day) but He never forgot the person. When the adulteress was brought before Him, Jesus did both. He challenged the system and convicted the men who were there, saving the woman’s life. Then, Jesus touched her life too, by forgiving her, and sending her on her way.
So, I don’t have a corner on the market on Christlikeness. There are still many things for me to learn. Thanks Joy, for helping me learn today.
Hey folks, there’s a new Prayer Letter out from Wings of Eagles.
There is no place like home. Or at least that’s what I hear.
I moved back to Ohio just before Christmas. It’s was a nice move. I was able to spend time with my family over the holidays, and even took a vacation to New England. It was really a great trip, and a relaxing one.
February 9th is coming fast, and it looks like I’ll be delaying my departure to Indonesia till November at the earliest. This is due to the fact that my ministry support isn’t up to the required 60% for MAF to schedule me for training this spring. The next possible training session starts in August and ends in October, which would leave me with an early November departure for Indonesia.
