WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I received a message that the medical nurse here at the IMB wanted to speak with me ASAP. A few close friends prayed for me as I made my way to hear the bad news. As you can imagine, my pulse sky-rocketed and my stomach filled with nervous butterflies. I was super anxious and just knew that it was probably bad news. The entire time we have been here, I have just been waiting for the pink slip. It is still unimaginable to me, even at this stage of the game, that we are really going to be missionaries and that I even qualified! LOL!!!! So I have, jokingly, been waiting for the ball to drop or the door to close.

Well, it doesn't look like that is going to be happening. I sat down at the nurses desk and she said, "You have medical clearance." WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Praise Jesus!

My knee has made huge strides in the past 6 days and I am walking quite well. I am TOTALLY encouraged and know that this is because of the prayers of the righteous.

Costa Rica here we come!!!!

Whatever It Takes

Can you believe that we are drawing close to an end here at ILC? Our training will be over in 3 days. It is hard to fathom how much we have sat (flat butt syndrome has definitely kicked in), how much we have eaten (yeh, you'll notice when you see me) and how much we have learned about all things missions and God related (we still feel inadequate and under prepared).

It would be quite difficult to recap 8 weeks of information overload, but I can highlight a few points and share with you my heart as we head to the next stage of language school in Costa Rica.

Here is a verse that I read today that sums up how we will be going into the mission field:

1 Corinthians 2:1 "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

At times I am paralyzed to share Christ (yes, even missionaries have this problem at times) because I don't have the right words or the right amount of knowledge. God has been teaching me to share His message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.:) I share this scripture because it comforts me to think that even the Apostle Paul, yes, the man who wrote a bunch of the New Testament and helped build the Christian Church, struggled with these same things. But notice he then says he decides to know nothing else except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I leave here with a lot of knowledge, but at the end of the day, this is SOLELY what we will be building the church on.

God has show me so many things about Himself, and also many things about myself - most of which are not pretty. It is so humbling to sit before God almighty and see His perfection and grace and love and then to take a good hard look at myself and see the sewage that often rots in my heart and mind. At times I still do not understand why God is asking me to join Him in His work. He doesn't need me! He's already at work without me! What good am I to Him? Awwwwww........He has plans that are greater than what I can imagine. Plans for me, plans for John and the children and most importantly plans for the people in Lima. I am just asked to obey Him. I say "yes, Lord, but why me? I am so messed up." And then he reminds me of the verse in 2 Cor. 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness." I know that whatever the Lord plans to accomplish through us, it will be through His power. It takes a lot of pressure off of me to know that this is not about what "we" are going to do, but yet what God is already doing.

We leave here tired and excited and exhausted and a little bit plumper then when we came. This is only the beginning of this life of following Christ to the ends of the earth, but yet it feels like an ending of sorts......an ending of American ways and comfort, an ending of all things familiar, an ending of family and friends on a daily basis and an ending of our life here in this country. But yet, it is the beginning of an intimate journey with our Lord. A journey we are most certain will have its ups and downs, sicknesses (lots of them we hear), days of extreme joy and days of extreme sorrow.

If you are reading this, then that means you are going on mission WITH us. It means that YOU are a part of this great commission. It means that you care and are linked arm and arm, heart to heart with us as we go to tell the Nations about the great gift that God offers through His son. As we go, we leave you in our thoughts and prayers everyday. It is your friendship, your prayers, your constant encouragement, and your personal Faith, that their is no other way to God except through Jesus Christ, that enables us to press on day after day.

We commit to you that we will do, in God's power, whatever it takes to get the Gospel to the people in the South Cone of Lima, Peru. WHATEVER IT TAKES!! Thank you for coming with us! The journey is just beginning!

Jess

A change of heart

If we are going to reach a person we have to make sure that their worldview is changed. We can't expect them to change their behavior and consider that salvation. You don't enter into a state of grace by obeying laws and rules.

You enter into a state of grace because God, the Holy Spirt, through Christ Jesus draws your heart to Himself.

If someone is only changing external behavior, we do not call that salvation, we call that behavior modification.

God wants our heart! He wants all of us! He wants to indwell in us.

There is no amount of good works, deeds or efforts that can bring us into a state of grace. In fact, the Bible even tells us that "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not by works - so that no one shall boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

Yesterday we spent the afternoon talking about animism and spiritism and reaching the core of the people that we are working with. I learned that we cannot just reach their external, but their core worldview has to be changed (by God and the Word of course).

This was a big eye opener for me as I could very easily say that their behavior has changed an call that salvation because I can see a change. Yes, we do want to see a change, but it HAS to start in the heart.

Knee Update #2

Not so fast......everytime I say I am getting better I have another set-back. Please continue to pray for COMPLETE healing. I am back on the handicapped scooter and have had major pain since Wednesday night. We spent the entire day in Washinton D.C. walking - walking too fast I might add. We were trying to dodge the downpour and lightning strikes. The colder weather here and rain makes it worse.

I put my running shoes back in the closet. I'd be happy just to walk and sit pain free.

This week we have been learning about the persecuted Christian and the persecuted church. I came to the realization that if I never run again I still have a great life! I will probably never know suffering like many others. I am so thankful for this perspective of reality.

I think I have finally surrendered this running thing to God and I am okay with it - truly okay.
I have also realized the only thing I am in control of in this world is what I put into my mouth (food, that is). And when I get to Costa Rica I might realize I'm not even in control of that. :) So it goes....at least I'm not suffering or persecuted. Although I would count it all joy....I hope!

Prayer is needed, complete healing would be great, I am waiting and hopeful......

Knee Update

Hi friends:

Thank you for your continual prayers for my knee. Please keep them coming. I am about 85% better and have actually walked for 2 full days in a row. This is MAJOR progress. I was aching a bit tonight after 2 long days, but I am excited to be off the handicap scooter (although this has been a huge blessing for me). Anyway, I met with my doctor and he said I am progressing well and he feels like I am fine for overseas travel. He hopes I will continue to 100%. He sent a nice little note on letterhead to the IMB. My physical therapist also sent a nice note as well. I have not heard anything "formal" from the IMB so I am assuming there is no problem. If there is, I will surely let you know. Please continue to pray because I have noticed that ever since I started asking people to pray it started to get better.

I think I had to come to the end of my rope with these knee problems and just realize that ONLY God (not surgery, or therapy, or meds or rest or shots) can heal it. Once I put it in His hands, it has made so much progress. Thank you!

Don't worry, I'm not in my running shoes just yet, but I did set them out and I am looking at them with a twinkle in my eye.

If it means people will get saved

From Jessica.....

I think I have adopted a new motto in life. Recently, God has been showing me that I am going to have many situations in which I have to make uncomfortable decisions and submit to decisions made by leadership and peers that I might not necessarily agree with. The past 2 weeks have brought about a situation in which I have had to bend and mold and be in an absolute flexible state. I can tell you that normally I would put my foot down and not tolerate the situation, but here's the deal: if I don't tolerate it, then I might not get overseas and if I don't get overseas then people won't hear about Jesus. And if people don't hear about Jesus how can they accept him? And if they can't accept Him, how can they be saved? My decisions have eternal implications!

AHHAAA!! It is all so simple now and so easy for me to walk in love and flexibility. God has brought me to a place where I truly care about people knowing Him more than I care about being right or having my rights! If I go my own way, people will not be saved.
This new perspective in life is helping to mold every decision I make.

"If it means people will get saved I will do it!" no matter how uncomfortable it may be for me.

A Glimps of the Future

I have just uploaded three posts tonight, so you can catch up with more recent happenings in the two posts prior to this one. But, recently life here at ILC is starting to settle down. We are getting into a good rhythm of daily life. We take Saturdays to go off campus and get away as a family. Thus far we have taken a road trip through the mountains, climbed a small waterfall and went to a zoo. We are really enjoying life here now. Most of us say here, that ILC is the closest thing on earth to heaven. Like minded believers everywhere, learning about God all day, and all the food you can eat with no dishes or cooking.

I want to lead off with a story that happened while we were on our family vacation just prior to leaving for ILC. While at lunch one day, Parker said, “Mom, Dad, I got to disciple a boy in my kid’s club.” “What do you mean you discipled a kid?” I said. He replied, “I got to tell a boy about being a Christian.” “Tell us about it”, I said with anticipation. He began his story. “Well, I was talking to one of the boys and I asked him if he was a Christian. The boy said, No. So I asked him if he believed in God. And he said, No. And then I asked him if he believed in Jesus. And he looked at me funny and said, No why should I do that. Then I said, you don’t want to go to hell do you.” Well, that wasn’t certainly wasn’t the model presentation of the “Roman Road”. And it definitely left something to be desired when it comes to relational evangelism. But in the worldview of a 6 year old, I couldn’t ask for anything more from Parker. I gave him a big high-five and said, “Way to go son. I am so proud of you.” I am certain Parker is going to grow up to be our evangelist.

Along the same lines, at the beginning of last week, Parker said to me, “Dad, when I get older I want to go to China. I want to go to China. I want to be a missionary in China.” He checked out books everyday about China. What a blessing and confirmation that God is beginning to mold our children into world changers. How can you not want to become a world changer in this type of environment? Everyone here has committed their lives and the lives of their children to be world changers. God has big plans for Parker. But as I thought about the day, Parker would make that decision and actually go to China, I thought,” Can’t you pick someplace safer than China?” Actually, as I sit here and type this, Jessica is reminding met that I actually said, “There is no way I am going to let him go to China. He will need to find a safer mission assignment.” Especially, since I know what danger and security issues are involved in going to an anti-Christian country. Funny, huh? It made me realize, it is easier to go than to be the one that is left. I can’t imagine the day that our kids would leave us to go off to some far off country. And even worse, to take our grandkids with them. So all this to say that God is beginning to answer our prayers. Prayers that by taking our children overseas they would 1.) grow up to see a full picture of God that they could not get here in the states, 2.) grow up to be world changers because they say it modeled in their parents. Praise God that He is working in the lives of our children as much as He is working in our lives. Glory be to God forever. –John.

Lessons from the Shorties

OK. Since my last posting was a little engineer-ish, matter of fact, nuts and bolts, I have a story to share. The second week here at ILC, Parker was having a little bit of a hard time. In fact, we were all having a hard time with the adjustment. As we learned in one of our classes on how to deal with stress, our stress level is at an all time high, based on the compounding life changing events all happening at once. And for me, the stress came out in the form of impatience with the kids. That particular day, I was barking out orders at Parker. You know the typical, “Clean your room, and don’t get out of bed again.” Well, he decided that he had enough and he was entitled to vent a little stress too. So he barked back. Well, of course I wasn’t happy with his tone with me (even though I had set the tone first), and I said, “If you keep this up, I will take away your…”, and then I paused a moment, looked around his bare International Learning Center dorm bedroom and realized that he doesn’t really have anything left to take away. That reminded me of another time, where he actually said to me, “What are you going to take away, everything is already gone.” Wow, another wake up call for dear old dad. What do I really have to be barking at him for? He, along with Allyson, Jaxson and Avery have been troopers through this whole process. They have adjusted amazingly well to everything. Leaving home, friends, family, toys and bicycles. Starting school for the first time, leaving daily living with mommy, and adjusting to new friends and surroundings. Jessica and I are so blessed. Well, God’s lesson for me, through my kids, was not done yet.

Then the next day Jerry Rankin (IMB President) was talking to us about missionaries that have given their lives while serving overseas. He used the expression “giving their lives” instead of “losing their lives” because we all go voluntarily knowing what the price may someday be of following Jesus’ call on our lives. Dr. Rankin told stories of children of missionaries that have died on the field, either from illnesses or accidents. And then it occurred to me. Jessica and I are ready and willing to lay down our lives so the Gospel of Jesus can be spread, but our children have not make that conscious choice. They have been drafted into service. So is it fair? Are we bad parents for taking them overseas? Well, here is the more important question, which can answer both of those questions. Do we believe heaven is a better place than this world? In other words, we know that if our children died today, they would go to heaven. So they would be given a promotion to a better place and existence. Please don’t misinterpret what I am saying. We love our kids and hope they live to be 100 years old and have a fruitful, full life of walking with our Lord. We would rather die than see a single hair harmed on any of their heads. But as much as I try to protect them and guard them from the dangers of this world, God is still in control and He loves them more than I will ever love them. He loves them with a perfect, holy love that is unfailing. And His plan for their lives, as well as our lives, is in His hands. -John

ILC Weeks 1,2,3 at a Glance

It’s finally me. Yes, I am here with Jessica. No, Jessica is not here by herself. But by the absence of any info from me, you could think that. We have just completed our third week. What is my impression of live at ILC (International Learning Center) so far? The best way to describe it would be, “trying to drink from a fire hydrant.” There is so much great information given to us, but we feel like we are only scratching the surface. As Jessica mentioned in the previous entry, we are not just learning about strategy and theory, but we are learning about strengthening our own relationship with God, spiritual warfare and doctrine. But I want to go back and fill you in on some of the highlights of the first three weeks. In this entry, I want to share some one-liners that God has used to really speak to me. I want to share these thoughts, because Jessica and I feel that you, our partners through prayer, go with us through this journey and as we prepare for the work. So what we learn, you hopefully will share in. What we struggle with, you also will share in and lift us in prayer. But, when we see God working in the lives of those we will reach with His good news, you will also share in. Share as partners in the plowing and harvest. So here we go…

Week One - (Overview, Personal Discipleship, Doctrine, Medical Overseas, Personalization)

Monday (Overview) – God was so gracious. Coming into these 8 weeks, the thing I dreaded most was dropping off the kids to school and daycare. Not for my sake but for Jessica’s. None of the kids have ever been in school or daycare, and there would be mourning for the loss of closeness and blessing that comes from home schooling and watching the small ones grow up. Never to miss a moment. But God was so gracious. Jessica cried a little at breakfast, but that was it. I anticipated the day to be an emotional disaster.

Tuesday (Personal Discipleship)
We had a mandatory three-hour retreat of silence. There was a question sheet that helped us to identify unmasked, un-confessed sin. One question asked, “ Do you take the slightest credit for anything good about you, rather than give all the glory to God?” Another question asked, “Do you allow feelings of inferiority to keep you from attempting things you should in serving God.” At first glance these two contradict each other. But what God revealed to me was that I am doing things in my own power. I strive and toil, but it is not out of a Spirit filled walk. That is why I take credit for things. And that is why I don’t try things that are outside of my expertise. Because if I fail then it is a reflection of me and not what God is doing through me. That is the root of my struggle for seeking the approval of man. I am seeking their approval of me and what I have done, instead of walking in the spirit and finding peace in knowing that only He is pleased with me. I resolve to learn to walk in the Spirit. Romans 15:17 says, to glory in Christ in my service to God, and not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, through the power of the Spirit.

Wednesday (Personal Evangelism)
I need to tell people within the first 10 minutes of meeting them that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. If we wait for weeks, until we have built a relationship with them, before we tell them that we all need Christ, they will call us a liar. If it was so important to our lives, and us why has it taken so long to bring it up.

Thursday (Doctrine)
What a great day. So much good truth shared yesterday. Speaker was Tom Elliff, past SBC president. He covered foundation scriptural doctrine the encompassed, “What do we tell our friends about – Mankind and the human problem, God’s answer in Christ, Truth, Faith, Divine Guidance, God, The Church (Ordinances, Spiritual Gifts, and the Mission). There is too much to fit in one journal entry. But, here are some things that stood out:
-The Bible does not contain truth - it is truth.”
-You are what you are doing now. Not what you think you would be when the conditions are perfect. Specifically, when it comes to our daily time with God.
-We pray to get us to want what God wants. To cooperate with Him in what He is doing. -We need to decide to turn to God for the answer first – not last when we have exhausted all other resources.

Friday (Doctrine)
Tom Elliff spoke about doctrine again. What a great day. The thing that stood out to me the most is when he said, “Nowhere does the Bible say that we witness because we have a burden for the lost. If someone doesn’t have a burden for the lost, they are still required to be a witness.” Also, in talking about being a missionary wherever we are he said, “Shouldn’t those around you get a leg up when it comes to heaven. Is anybody’s eternity affected by the fact that you are alive?” I commit to take every opportunity to make sure I can give as many people “a leg up” as I can. I may never see them surrender their lives to Jesus, but I will do what I can, even if small.

Week Two - (Spiritual Warfare, Third Culture Kids, Malaria, Medical, Definition of a Church, Culture Shock)

Monday (Spiritual Warfare)
Jerry Rankin, IMB President, talked about spiritual warfare. What stood out to me was when he said, “God’s purpose in everything is so He will be glorified. We exist for His glory. Missions only exists for God’s glory. Bringing more people to God, to increase His glory. However, if we are disobedient to God, then Satan has succeeded in reducing God’s glory, not ours. Satan doesn’t care about us. We are just pawns. He is at war with God to steal His glory.” Also Jerry said, “He calls us not so much to a place, but to Him.” I want to make sure that I am keeping my focus on why I go overseas. Not to do my best, but to get close to God and see Him glorified.

Tuesday (Spiritual Warfare)
Jerry Rankin spoke about spiritual warfare again. He said, “If you are living in Christ, you can do anything you please. Because if you live in Christ, what pleases Him will please you.” He also said, “Fasting is a desire to know God more than our desire for food.” Wow, let’s give that a moment to sink in and simmer in our spirits, since it can apply to any other object of our attentions in life. I want to begin to learn the discipline of fasting. Every time we get a hunger pang, it reminds us to focus our attention back on God.

Thursday (Spiritual Warfare)
Jerry Rankin spoke about spiritual warfare again. Told us the adversity will come during our time overseas. Much adversity. Bu he said, “Adversity is our greatest opportunity to demonstrate the power of a Holy Spirit indwelt life to a lost and dying world. God’s primary concern is not our safety, comfort or security. It is His glory.

Week Three
In week three, we learned all about Anthropology, Worldview/Religions, Persons of Peace, Training for Trainers. A ton of strategy, theory and practical missiology.

I hope this gives a good picture of how God is using this time and place to prepare us for the years of service ahead. Praise Our Lord that the IMB is able to provide such extensive for its personnel. I can’t imagine just getting dropped on the field without the training that we have received here.
- John