Please Pray!

To Our Dear Friends and Family of Supporters,

I realize that I just sent an update to you several days ago, but I felt that in light of the latest development I needed to ask for your prayers even more.

This morning I spoke with the school where our children will be attending in Lima. In a nutshell, one, and possibly two, of our children won't be able to attend school there this year unless we are able to be in Lima before February 26th - the cutoff date for the enrollment process.

Currently there are three churches that are seriously considering support for us. Plus, there are around 4 or 5 others that are in a dialogue with us about it.

I am urgently asking for all of you to plead with our Father in heaven to work all of this out.

THANK YOU...sincerely,
Jim for Sara and the kids

Jesus' Submission and Obedience

I was just reading the Bible in Hebrews chapter 5, verses 7 and 8.

It just struck me how God says that Jesus, in referring to his prayers while alive on the earth, "was heard because of his reverent submission." I have been thinking, reading, studying a lot about prayer recently and have wreslted with this idea of "has God heard me." And God clearly says that He hears our prayers offered in the name of Jesus.

But, here - this idea of 'reverent submission' is so important. Quite frankly, the main motivation in most of my praying about getting 100% of our support so that we can go to Lima is because I'm impatient. I'm done waiting. I'm tired and worn out and want this chapter to close so that we can move on.

;( Sad, isn't it? What I've just described isn't even close to 'reverent submission' is it? I'm just so unwilling to submit with great respect to God Almighty's plan for us when it comes to fundraising and when we get 100% and when we go, etc., etc., etc. I'm so sorry, Father.

I'm thankful that He treats me, us, with a richness of grace and forgiveness and love! I would be so "dead in the water" if He didn't. I'm thankful that I know He is committed to us (just as He's committed to you) to mold and shape our inner being, so that we are continually changing to be more and more just like Jesus. (See Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18.)

Wow.

Just in the simple act of writing this post God's encouraged my heart. When I started writing I was so heavy hearted and down. But, getting to the part about His grace and love and forgiveness just reminded me of those things and lifted my heart! God is so good. What a great Father!

Time Flies...Progress Doesn't

It seems as thought time if flying by me and yet we're not any closer to getting to Lima. I know that I can be impatient and ungrateful...so, Lord, I'm sorry.

These last few days have been tough. I'm not sure how to make my way forward. I guess it's just do what I have to do and what I have been doing and expect that our Father and our Lord will make it plain to me each day.

Florida!

So, tomorrow (Thursday) we're leaving for Florida. A supporting church in the Daytona area is having a missions conference and we're participating in it!

We're also speaking Sunday morning at a church in the Melbourne area.

While we're there we are hoping to meet up with other folks and/or churches to ask for support. Pray for us. Pray for those potential partners. Pray that God will move in all of our hearts to do as He asks of us.

January is Here

Well, we've arrived in January: our goal to leave for Peru. However, God has us waiting on Him and not ready to leave yet. We remain at 71% and so unless something miraculous happens. We will not be leaving this month.

Yes, it makes us sad. But, as I've mentioned to folks, God has clearly shown us kindness in many, many ways to remind us that He has us and is working a plan that includes us and it is good - no, it's the best....only because He allows us to know Him and walk with Him through life's adventures.

If God is able to bring in 71% of what we need to go to Lima. He can bring in the remaining 29% too!

So. Let's wait together on the Lord and see how He's going to do this. :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Welcome to 2008, my dear family and friends!

Isn't it good that God always gives us new beginnings throughout our lives...like a new year every 365 days?

It's refreshing amidst the day to day routine of our lives.

Enjoy!

Last Day of 2007

Happy New Year to everyone!

It's been a good break so far from 'normal' life. But, I also look forward to getting back at "it" in a few days.

I don't know exactly what the Lord has in store for us in these next few months, but I know that He will do what is good and right, not only for us, but also for all of those connected with His ministry in Lima.

Yesterday, we had the joy of attending Redeeming Grace in Owensville, MO. The pastor was away on vacation and asked me to step in to lead worship and preach and lead Sunday school. They are such a great group of brothers and sisters in the Lord. It was good to worship with them.

I wish you all joy in Jesus in the new year!
Jim for all