Saturday, July 23, 2011

Feelings for France

The term "missions" brings a lot of places to mind, but for most people, France is not one of them.  Many people do not realize their need for the Gospel.  After living there, Brandon and I were affirmed in the fact that we were called to share Christ with the French people.  We have been back in the states for 6 years, only visiting once, and at times it is easy to put our feelings for France on hold and to lose momentum in our pursuit to return.  Its easy to get comlacent and comfortable in our lives here and that's when God gives me these little reminders of my feelings.  Last week there were several of these reminders.  The first reminder was when I was looking at the facebook page of one of the missionaries that just moved to France in December.  She had a baby boy about a month ago and since I love to look at baby pictures, I wanted to check them out.  As I was looking at the pictures of this infant in front of the Eiffel Tower, having a meal with our missionary friends, David and Kathryn, and even at the hospital with the French doctors and nurses, I was admittedly a little jealous that they were there.  I look forward to taking my kids to the Eiffel Tower and showing them all the things and people that we love about France.  Karis has been to France once, but she was too young to remember it.  There are many things that we will miss when we move, but also so many things that we will enjoy about being there.  Don't misunderstand me, we don't feel called to France because we think it will be a great place to live.  As beautiful as it is, I struggle every day with the idea of being so far away from friends and family here and I think that is why God uses these reminders to show me that I do have feelings that He has given me to reach the unsaved and unchurched people of France.  The second and probably more important reminder was reconnecting with my friend, Angelique.  She attends the church that we went to while we were living in France and we became very close.  She even visited us once here in the US about a year after we came back to the states.  I was able to chat online with her a couple of times last week.  It was not something that I planned, but it, again, made me realize my love for the "young people" that Brandon and I had the opportunity to work with while we were living there.  I was worried that I had lost a lot of my French since I don't use it very often, but I was able to communicate fairly well all things considered.  The third reminder was a little different.  I was reading the blog of another World Team missionary who is currently raising support to go to Africa and do Bible translation.  Their most recent post was titled "I'd rather be in Africa".  It just made me think about how there are many times that I, too, think "I'd rather be in France".  I won't say I always feel that way, but I think that's why God gives me these little reminders so that I don't forget about France.  Let me finally say that missions and ministry is not fueled by feelings or emtotions and even when I don't "feel" that passion, Brandon and I are without doubt that God has called us to reach the French people.  However, I think God in His mercy allows me to "feel" that passion so that I will be excited and push forward with an urgency that these people need to hear about Him and see His love through me.  
baby Luca in front of the Eiffel Tower

Angelique holding Karis during our visit to France

Sunday, July 10, 2011

The Biblical Side of Support Raising

One of the biggest differences between joining with the International Mission Board (IMB) and choosing World Team as our sending agency is that we are responsible for raising our own support for our time on the mission field.  I have to admit that I have had a very hard time with this so far.  Whether it is the culture that we live in that tells us we should be able to accomplish anything on our own if we just try hard enough, or the many organizations that solicit our money, I have wrestled with whether it is Biblical for us to be asking others to support us financially while we are serving in France.  World Team supplied us with this great Bible Study that points out many scriptures that speak on this exact topic.  I won't share them all with you, but I will share this one passage...

 

Philippians 4:10-20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

God’s Provisions
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak [a]from want, for I have learned to be [b]content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things [c]through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the [d]first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the [e]profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am [f]amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus [g]what you have sent, [h]a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply [i]all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory [j]forever and ever. Amen.

God is continually showing me that this is bigger than me and my family.  We are a part of what God is doing in France (or will be on His timing).  He will provide our needs through whatever means He chooses and it is through His strength and not mine that His will is accomplished.  Here are some practical things that I do like about people being able to support us specifically:
*Whether you support us financially or in prayer (which we need just as much) we can update you on prayer needs, praises, and what God is doing in France.  You will know how to pray specifically for people and situations by name.
*You will be able to know what your money is being used for.  We will be able to share the ministries and events that will be planned because of your support.
*You will be able to visit us in France if you want and see firsthand how God is working.  You can, of course, visit any time, but there is an annual prayer conference that World Team hosts in France every year.  If you have never been on a mission trip, this is a great first trip.  You can see the needs up close and prayer walk in the cities where World Team missionaries are serving.  Also, when we come back to the states on home assignment, we will be meeting with our supporters in person as much as possible to share as well.
I am so excited to be a part of support raising (even if it is extremely difficult and humbling at times) because I get to see God do something that is bigger than me, something that I could never do on my own!
                   Asher is excited about support raising too! ;)