Sunday, January 11, 2009

Time Marches On...


Let me start with my apologies for the delay in posting. A few people have commented on my lack of updates. I won't mention any names (Jenny and Doug!) because I'm sure they are only looking out for us. ;) Seriously though, we are just like all of you...way too busy! That coupled with the fact that we haven't had any "news' to report until lately is the reason for the quiet blog.


As usual, our timeline and God's are very different. Although relatively speaking we have not been waiting long it has been longer than we thought it would be. When we heard God call us and then saw so many doors of opportunity open so quickly to us we just assumed that things would continue to move at a fast pace. Needless to say, the Lord needed to do a little more preparing both physically and spiritually.


Our original plan was to sell our farm. We listed it in August. This in itself was a huge step because we love the farm and we know that it was the Lord who led us here in the first place. However, our desire to do His will outweighs all of that and after much prayer, discussion, and , I must admit, a few tears we put it on the market. Although the housing market went south about that time we know God can do what man cannot.


Well, time marches on and continuing in prayer and discussion we soon realized maybe the sale of the farm was not what God wanted, but just to know that we are willing. Most of you know the story in Genesis of Abraham , father of the Israelite Nation. At roughly the ages of 100 and 91 he and his wife Sarah finally had their promised son Isaac. God had made a covenant many years earlier with Abraham promising him that his offspring would be numbered "like the stars" and that they would become a great nation. Sometime later when Isaac was preteen age God essentially told Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering to the Lord. Abraham did not question God. He went in absolute obedience to the place God had told him to go and went as far as lifting his knife to kill his promised son. However, at that very moment the Lord cried out to him and told him to stop. God said, "Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Gen. 22:12) God didn't mean for Abraham to give up Isaac, he only needed to know that Abraham was willing and obedient. It was a test of faith and Abraham passed with flying colors.


As we continue to seek Gods will and his guidance daily He may reveal to us that we do, in fact, need to sell the farm, and if He does we are fine with that. However, at this time we feel led otherwise. All that to say that we have rented our farm house/guest house beginning February 1st. We put out a "For Rent" sign and had it rented within a week. Our plan at this time is to finish up with all that needs to be done here, rent our primary house and leave for Mexico around April 15th. (wow, that looks real easy in writing!!!)


Since our last post we have sold our Honda Civic and LOTS of pigs. We've had one yard sale, but we'll definitely need to have another. And most importantly, we have sent out the majority of our support letters. All I can say is WOW!! God is so good and we are so humbled. Many of you have already given of your means or pledged to help us monthly while we are away. We know that God has this all planned out and He knows who will give to our ministry, but we get to be surprised! We are truly thankful to have such loving and supportive friends and family. We pray for you that you will be doubly blessed and that God's will be done in your lives. We are still far from what we need financially but we know that God will provide in His time.


As far as our to-do list, we still have a LOT to be done and we really need your prayers. Please pray that we do not become overwhelmed. Pray that we are led by the Holy Spirit and do nothing in our own strength. God has called us to this mission and we know that He will equip us, but we also know that satan does not want this to happen. So please pray for our spiritual, physical, and emotional protection.


We will do our best to keep you updated, but if it takes us awhile you'll understand....