The Countdown!!!

The Countdown!

Well, we haven't even left yet and God has already started performing miracles. Big miracles? Where to begin? Just a little over two months ago, the Lord asked Rebekah and I to go to Panama to spread the good news. We had been saving some money for a 10 year wedding anniversary trip to Ireland, but God had other plans.

I want to be honest with you. The last nine months since moving back to Indiana to get into evangelism have been difficult. Few doors have opened and I have asked God many times, "Where do you want us to serve at? What is your will for Rebekah and I in ministry?" Hundreds of times Ive asked that question in the last nine months, but God has been silent. Until He asked us to go to Panama for two weeks worth of revival!

I picked up a book a few weeks ago called For Love's Sake by Jessica Davis. Rebekah has tired already of me reading passages out of the book to her, but I want to tell you those questions I've been asking God are the wrong ones. In her book, Davis says, "What would life turn into if we began living out what God has done for us instead of what we can do for Him? As we give up all that we are, He pours himself in fullness into our empty lives." I don't know about you but Im always so concerned about what God's will is for my life, that I totally miss God Himself. I want you to know that, yes I am excited abut going and ministering to people in Panama, but honestly I'm going with the expectation of finding Jesus. Every time I go to Panama I meet Jesus. I see Him in the poor and the needy and anyone who says "yes" to all of who He is.

"We have all been handpicked to bridge Heaven on Earth. There is a new movement of God breathing across the earth today. We will not get there by riding on the coattails of those we elevate as "super saints." There is no magic formula we can buy, no secret side door to sneak through. We cannot get there through piggybacking off the experiences, the concepts, and the ideologies of others. The only way in is through His heart. No shortcuts can pass through unseen. The journey will be messy. A lifestyle of following after God's heartbeat in the earth was never described as neat and orderly...or balanced for that matter! There are always unexpected twists and turns. But one things for sure. We are never alone."

Oh yeah, I mentioned miracles! I got sidetracked. Well financially speaking God has provided abundantly! We will be able to take 150 Spanish new testaments, 2 proclaimer Bibles (powered by solar panels if no electric is available), 12 puppets to start a puppet ministry and also use in local schools, a projector to be used in evangelism in the community of Changuinola, clothes for a friend we met last year, baby clothes for a 12 year old girl who is pregnant, 700 crosses (stitched by my Grandma, Rebekahs Grandma and Bonnie Stouder)' 10 Bibles on mp3 players in Kuna and Guaymie and lastly the Jesus film in those languages! WOW GOD! We know for sure we will be preaching in 6 different churches and are expecting a movement of the Spirit.

God has also provided us with an opportunity to purchase 50 Kuna Bibles and the kids at the South Side VBS are raising funds this week to purchase many more!

We are praying for people to be healed and for salvations! We are praying for an outpouring of the Spirit in the lives of people in Panama as well as our own. We are praying we see Jesus in the "least of these." I realize every year that I am not "the least of these." I have so much, but yet have so little. My brothers and sisters in Panama have nothing, but yet they have everything.

Lord, forgive me for looking everywhere in this world for you except in "the least of these."

Please pray for us as we begin this adventure of a lifetime, searching for Jesus and attempting to be obedient in "going." I am praying for changed lives, including my own.