The Waiting Game

So, we still lack one small but important piece of paper for our visa to be able to be processed. We are hoping to get that by the end of this week. 21-25 days later our visa should be approved, and then a two week period for ticketing and travel. Sometimes we don't understand why we are delayed, or why we must wait. At times I get impatient. BUT, I must remind myself that I don't have to be overseas to do His work. I wonder what awaits us back home in Greeneville?

Visa

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have been praying for our visa process. We just received an email today stating that the documents we need will be here by next week!!! Please still be in prayer for our state-side process as we still have many hoops to jump through. We continue to thank God for His perfect timing in all of this.
We learned about the persecuted church this week. I was greatly convicted of the many times I had a chance to share the Gospel and I didn't, either because it was inconvienent or because I was intimidated. We heard of followers of Jesus who were and are persecuted because they won't keep quiet when warned by government or religious officials. These officials try to silence the testimony of the people; and yet how many times do I side with the persecutor because I remain silent instead of sharing my faith. And, something I never thought of before: one should expect persecution to come with being a Christ-follower. It is evident in the book of Acts through and through. If Paul had it, why should I expect to be any different? So, what has been my biggest persecutor here in the US? What has kept me silent? Self. An age-old trick of our enemy: Get us to serve self and therefore God won't be glorified in our lives. We become disqualified as Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. I must die to self, take up my cross, and follow Him.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Pray that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and that He may be glorified in Macedonia.

Equipping of the Saints

We have never been so challenged to dig in and pursue a deeper walk with the Lord. How humbling it is to sit in a room with such Christian giants; those who not only know the Word, they've written books and curriculum on it, taught in seminaries, served previous years overseas. We've heard testimony after testimony of how God has delivered, provided for and made Himself known to the lost of the world. We hear stories of men and women who have lost their lives so that others may hear. Lives given, not taken. When they answered the call on their lives, they laid their lives down, a sacrifice to the Lord. "For it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" Gal. 2:20.

Tears run down my face as I hear a story of a woman who just lost her husband and daughter in a drowning accident; after her husband's body is brought ashore, natives gather to see; like Peter in Acts 3:12, she saw her opportunity and preached the Gospel to them, asking them where they would be if that was them laying in the sand. These people heard of God's love for the very first time from a woman who had every reason to think only of herself at the time. My prayer is that I would only be so strong, and that I would not let even those small moments go by when I can share His love, hope, atonement, and light with someone in the dark.

The Journey Begins

We've said goodbye to our house, cars, animals and most possessions and are about to begin our missions training for 8 weeks before heading overseas to Macedonia. We have 6 suitcases in our possession. God has once again proven Himself faithful to us as we watched in amazement as He provided buyers for our house, furniture, and other items. God's timing is perfect, and we know His timing is now; knowing that gives us great peace.

We are excited of things to come at our missions training and are humbled that our Great God has called us to Him.