Pictures of Mozambique

Yay, Jason's back! I had to be at the church a good part of the weekend so I'm still hearing about his trip myself! But here's some pictures of his time.

Pastor's Gildo and Marco

Quick call

I was over visiting at Brandy's (my sis-in-law) this morning for coffee when I got a call from a number I'd never seen. Could it be from Frankfurt? Yay! Jason had just gotten back to Germany and called me for less than 5 minutes. Fun to hear from him though! He's headed to the airport right now to get his flight home. He sounds very introspective and I am really looking forward to hearing how things went. Please pray for him again on this 10 hour flight, it's not easy being 6' 2" on those planes!

Grace (brandy's middle girl) was so cute earlier. I was eating a muffin I made (whole wheat and very good) at their counter and she climbed up on the stool next to me. Super sad face and says "where's uncle Jason?"  Kind of like, "where on earth is he? I haven't seen him forever!":) Then when he called she freaked out. Jumped on my back when I was trying to talk to him and was laughing gleefully that he was on the phone. Brandy had to peal her off as I was trying to talk. Hilarious. Love those girls!

On another note Good Shepherd (my home church) is having their Global Outreach Weekend. I'll be there all three services at a table to talk about the ministry. Would love to see you come by if you're there or if you want to visit Good Shepherd:) 5:30 pm Saturday, 9 am Sunday and 10:45 Sunday www.goodshepherdcc.org

Update

Hey Friends! Thank you for praying for Jason. I haven't heard as much the past few days. He's tried emailing me a couple of times but the internet connection isn't so great. So they've been quick notes to just let me know he's alive:) He did tell me a story about staying in a home the other night. When he went to bed there was huge spider on his bed. So he killed it and started pulling things around to make sure there weren't anymore and another one came crawling out from under his pillow. Snakes, bugs, other crawling creatures don't bother him usually but spiders, that's a different story.  He said that the locals had a great laugh in the village the next day. 

Circle of Light

Well, they should have arrive in Maputo last night about 10 pm and then were driving 4 hours to a city called Xai Xai. The purpose of this trip is for All Nations Ministries (ANM) to meet with a ministry called Circle of Light, to possibly partner with them in Mozambique. ANM again is a primarily evangelistic ministry, but also seeks to meet people's needs holistically. So sometimes they come alongside other ministries that have specialties, like Circle of Light- (watch this video to see what they do http://www.light4africa.org/news/downloads/circle-of-light-informative-video.html)  The connection from "light" to the Gospel is natural. 

So ANM is exploring what Circle of Light does. They have partnered successfully with other ministries in this way over the years. Like with Samaritans Purse, Living Well Ministries, OrphanAge and Desiring God Ministries.  Again to see what ANM is about go to www.gotellallnations.org.

Africa... and refreshed vision

Jason's on his second leg of the trip now. Leaving Frankfurt for Mozambique. Another 10 hour flight. He slept well last night and had a great german buffet breakfast including meatballs and baked beans. ? He said it was great, not me. Mozambique is just above South Africa on the eastern coast. In case you were wondering why it's taking them so long to get there, it's one of the furthest African countries to get to. We'll see if he has any internet access after leaving Germany. I hope so! I love getting to hear from him. Right before we were engaged he was directing a summer project for 6 weeks in Reijka, Croatia, while I was at a project in Lake Tahoe. I really enjoyed that time as we got to know each other even better through written communication. It's different than being face to face. You have to be more intentional, don't you think? So ladies, if you need to hear more of your man's heart, just send him half way around the world!

On a different note... Yesterday the Lord really renewed my vision for why I entered full-time ministry. One of our pastors shared his testimony, which really involves Campus Crusade. He said he entered ministry because of the power of seeing changed lives. Which is the exact phrase the Lord put on my heart 5 years ago. I fell in love with seeing changed lives. 

It got me thinking about my current role. It's a little hard to describe sometimes; coach, supervisor, problem-solver, counselor, administrator, discipler, speaker, teacher.... None of these words totally sum it up. But what I do is help mobilize missionaries all over the world, abroad and in our backyard. Neither is more important than the other. Both are eternally valuable. But it's not just me, I have a fantastic team of people backing both myself and Jason too. Which means that many of you, are vital in reaching others for Christ and sending many on to the field. 

If you do the math, we've been a part of mobilizing nearly 300 missionaries the past 2 years. If each of them shared the gospel just once a week, that's nearly 32,000 times a year that you and I are a part of the gospel going forth. Times two years, 64,000. (btw that equals you sharing the gospel 88 times a day each year by yourself:) And don't forget, they are still out there, that's an investment with great returns every year!

In Frankfurt

Yay! I've heard from Jason in two emails. They arrived in Frankfurt, Germany and are staying the night there. He almost missed a connection in San Francisco because the plane leaving Portland was really delayed. He called me on the ground there and said "I love you, gotta go!" as he was racing to the last boarding call for the flight to Frankfurt. After a good night of sleep (hopefully:) they will be on their way to Johannesburg, South Africa, then to Maputo, Mozambique. He says he's feeling pretty good and even wanted to get a work out in before going to bed at the hotel they are at in Frankfurt. 

I'm off to my sister Emilie's Bridal shower this afternoon. Making my Grandma's special "Sin Pie" for dessert. I can't believe Emilie is getting married in less than 3 weeks! That will be all of us, everyone married off! My poor parents have had 4 weddings in 2 and 1/2 years!

Globetrotter

Jason leaves tomorrow! He's out getting things right now. And I'm working on a little gift for him to take with him. Trying to take today off to spend some time together. I know a week isn't very long:) but I'm usually the one traveling! 

He's excited to be going and to finally get a better picture of what All Nations does. If you want to check out their website go here gotellallnations.org

          

Some of the info is a little outdated because they need more help. Administrative details can be one of the first thing to go for most missionaries:)

Crusade New Staff

These are some of the amazing people that I got to train in Estes Park last week. I coach all of them long distance so it was super encouraging to get to spend some time with them in person. Many of you pray for them already and I really appreciate that! Please keep praying for them as they develop their ministry partner teams and financial support. 

L to R

Dave & Jamie, Bryon & Sam, Thang & Jennifer, Jennifer, Zach, Seth & Lisa, Rachelle

A fun day!

What a fun weekend we've had! I took Friday off because of just getting back from Colorado. So J and I hit the links at Greenlea. I'm not so great but am enjoying learning how to golf. How's my form look? :) Then we watched Joy for a little while in the afternoon till Tonya took her. We then met up with Sam, Laura and the other girls (Ben & Brandy went away for the evening, which is why we we're all hanging out with the girls). All of us drove down to Macadam Bar & Grill to watch the Cavs game and have dinner. The girls were so good, and we all had  blast together. 

Holding hands over the bridge

Uncle J playing with Grace

Mozambique in a week!

Hey that rhymes:) Jason leaves a week from today to travel to Mozambique! He's excited to see what the Lord is doing through this ministry, All Nations Ministry (ANM). If you got our recent prayer letter than you read a little more about this ministry. It's very cool what they do. 

ANM works under the Luis Palau Next Generation Alliance of evangelists. ANM exists to proclaim the name and Glory of God to all the nations especially to unreached and least reached peoples of the world. Although primarily an evangelistic ministry, ANM is often in places of the world that need the hope and healing that fullness of the Gospel brings.  Therefore, ANM often has a holistic approach that includes short-term medical teams, food relief, clean water systems, livestock and agricultural development, and leadership training.  

This is just a sort of vision trip for Jason to see what this ministry does on the ground. ( I'm still working with CCC for anyone wondering:) Please be praying for him and for me;)! The day before last he got a second degree burn on his hand. I'm just a little worried about the risk of infection in another country. Although he would probably tell me I'm worrying too much:)

Beauty and Craziness!

I got to figure out picasa because I'm having major problems getting my pictures on here! But below are some pictures from my morning walking here around the YMCA in Estes Park. It's gorgeous!

Yesterday was crazy! As we (trainers) met to begin the conference we discovered that none of the boxes of supplies, pretty much everything we need, had arrived here. And I was in charge of registration, with nothing that I needed. It was like the Apprentice times 10. Then I had 8 video taping appts (we video tape the new staff sharing their vision and calling). Then I had the first talk last night! Chalking yesterday up as one of the craziest in my almost 30 years. 

What a great invention!

Seriously, I am so thankful for the guy who invented the GPS. I rented one for the first time last night to get up here to Estes Park. When you're in the mountains, on unfamiliar roads, at 10 pm.... The GPS becomes your best friend. 

Jason and I could have used one in Portland trying to get the airport earlier in the day. We left with plenty of time and then hit this huge traffic jam due to a stalled vehicle on 205. We tried to get around and ended up almost in downtown Portland. I've never come so close to missing my plane! Just barely made it, the last of the plane was boarding when I got there. Whew!

Haven't seen much of the area around here yet and I actually have a little time before meetings start this morning, which is a rarity on these trips. So I think I'll grab the GPS and find some coffee!

Leaving on a jet plane

  Getting ready to leave tomorrow for a conference in Colorado. Of course the weather would get good now! That happened in January here, when I was in Florida. Maybe it's me? Looking forward to this trip and seeing lots of people that I work with long distance. These missionaries came on staff during that Florida trip 3 months ago. This conference is a follow-up on how they are doing and more training. It's always one of the busiest conferences that I do. But one of the most enjoyable, getting to work a lot one-on-one with people. It's super fun to hear all of the stories of how God provides for each person. Please pray for me to be filled with truth and understanding. It's an emotionally taxing time for me as I enter in even deeper into people's lives. Most of them are going through a hard refining time, filled with lots of pain, doubts, lies... 

Some updates

This year has just been too crazy for me to keep up with everything! So I cut out a few things including this blog:) But I'm feeling like so much has been going on that I need to get back to using this a way to communicate with all ya'll family and friends. 

So where to start. I've remained super busy working Campus Crusade. Been to Florida, California, and soon Colorado all this spring. Yes, they are amazing places, but unfortunately I don't usually get to see much of them:) I've been overseeing about 20 missionaries at a time this year, and soon we have possibly 15 new ones coming on this summer. Not sure what I'll do with that. 

Laura, my middle sister got married in February, soon after Emilie, my youngest sister got engaged. And she's getting married next month. The folks are empty-nesters after 30 years. Seems like the family keeps getting more and more spread out, but I guess that's life! 

We continue to pray over what the Lord has for us and specifically for Jason. He was working a landscape construction job until January when the company began laying people off. It wasn't a surprise, but still not fun. So he's been around here with me. Finding and creating all kinds of projects to do around the house. Not little projects either... I didn't do a very good job documenting his most recent work, but let's just say everything ends up being a lot more work and a lot more money than you plan on!

The most recent news with J is that we've been praying about a ministry opportunity. A local international ministry has been pursuing him for quite some time. I'll explain more about the actual organization later. But we both feel like he needs to see what they do, work with them a little bit and see if it's a fit. Either see if it's where the Lord is moving or if He'll shut the door. 

All of this has lead up to him taking a vision trip to Africa in just over three weeks from now! More later.... Please be praying for him! 

Waiting

ALLLRighty, I am back. Sorry friends, I needed a bit of break from blogging for a bit. Lots going on, but I'll write more about that later. First, I wanted to share this poem that I recently read in a book my good pal Karyn gave me to read. It's an anonymous poem, a bit long, but totally worth the read if you've ever wondered what on earth the Lord is up to in your life:). 

WAITING

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate.

And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait!"

"Wait? You say, wait!" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By FAITH I have asked, and am claiming your Word.

"My future and all to which I can relate

Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to WAIT?

I'm needing a yes, a go-ahead sign.

Or even a no to which I can resign.

"And Lord, you promised that if we believe

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

And Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

As my Master replied once again, "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut

And grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting... for what?"

He seemed then to kneel and His eyes wept with mine.

And tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

"All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want-- but you wouldn't know ME.

You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint:

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint:

"You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair:

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there:

You'd not know the joy of resting in me

When darkness and silence were all you could see.

"You'd never experience the fullness of love

As the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove:

You'd know that I give and I save... (for a start).

But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart.

"The glow of my comfort late into the night.

The faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth thats beyond getting just what you asked

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee.

What it means that 'My grace is sufficient for thee.'

Yes, your dreams for your loved ones overnight would come true.

But, oh, the loss! if I lose what I'm doing in you!

"So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

THAT THE GREATEST OF GIFTS IS TO GET TO KNOW ME.

And though oft may my answers seem terribly late.

My wisest of answers is still but to WAIT."