Well, it happened. Suzanne and I worked hard (she worked harder), and with the greatly appreciated help of our two sons, Steve and David (it wouldn't have happened without their help), we finished moving out of our home for the last 26 years and left Colbert for Portland. We're now staying with Suzanne's parents in Tigard, a suburb of Portland. We're due to leave for Asia in less than a week.
There is still a myriad of things that need to be done. Everyday a new item appears, or on old one that had been forgotten comes to mind. We've been working on banking issues and rediscovered the old adage, "If it can go wrong, it will." We've been blessed to have a very helpful contact at the bank in Greenwood assist us through the process of getting things squared away. We've just received a form that needs to be filled out by our doctors. We have to get them back to Spokane to be returned to the main office. That won't happen before we're supposed to leave.
On to fun stuff! Sunday morning we attended church at Trinity Evangelical with Suzanne's parents. (Many years ago, during the summer break between my junior and senior year of college, Suzanne convinced her father to hire me as a "gofer" during the construction of the church.) What a suprise when we discovered the Werner and Debbie Seibert were there! The Seiberts are moving to Colbert next week to take the reins as pastor. Trinity's pastor did a good job of sensing that God had something in mind for the service. Attending that day were Trinity's former pastor, present pastor, Colbert's former pastor and new pastor. The way various components of the serivce fell into place, or related to other things that occurred, gave a clear impression that God was communicating to us and that this wasn't a chance encounter. For my own part, there were two passages of scripture that connected. The first was Isaiah 55 that Suzanne and I had looked at that morning. The second was from Matthew 19 and the "Rich Young Man." One point was that he had "great wealth." Other readings use "many possessions." That is something that we found as we were moving out of the parsonage. We had "many possessions," or one could say, a lot of stuff. The second point was that we are leaving the things that Jesus was talking about.
We've known for several months now that God has a plan for us, and we're discovering that he's continuing to confirm his direction to us. It is an amazing thing that the God of the universe would take notice of us. What an honor to be part of his plan.
We're waiting for the return of our passports. They were submitted to the embassy for visas for this trip. We'll need to receive them in order to board he plane for Asia. We were told that we're scheduled to receive them Friday. That's cutting it close, but we're confident that Father knows all about it and has it under control.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
A God Blessed Service
Blogging. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be! I spent close to an hour last night honing a new post to describe our last service at Colbert Chapel, read it to Suzanne for her approval and – poof! It was gone. Yes, gone gone! So, I’ll try again.
The day finally came. In spite of Suzanne’s and my clear leading about our transition to Central Asia, we’ve not looked forward to the final service at Colbert. It’s our home church. It’s where our friends are (most of them). It’s where the people are that we’ve walked hard roads with and won victories with. I calculated that I’ve preached about 1200 times on Sunday mornings. Our feelings for this group run deep and saying goodbye isn’t something that would come easy.
My concern for the last several months about the service was that it be about Jesus – not his servant. I told Suzanne that if I was preparing a farewell service I would go about it one way. What were prepared was a worship service and I wanted the whole thing to point to the One who is worthy. Suzanne and I worked to select scripture and music that fit that model. I planned the sermon to focus on the essence of the Gospel and a time to clearly state the core message of reconciliation with God. The congregational leadership had another or, should I say, additional plan.
The man who assists in leading the service hijacked it part way through and had Suzanne and I meet at the center of the platform and sit in a couple chairs. They had some gifts for us. The first was a gift for our ministry in Asia. The goal was $5000 and they surpassed it. PTL! The second was a digital picture frame which will be helpful in our presentations and in Asia. The third gift was an opportunity for the congregation to share thoughts and memories. I don’t know just how many people spoke, but it was very meaningful for Suzanne and me. It was also very humbling. They closed that time by having us gather in the center of the church for a time of prayer. As the people gathered round and prayed there were many tears and much sniffling among the group. There was also a sense of God’s blessing.
When we believe that there is a God who is sovereign over all, lovingly involved in the affairs of people and directing the paths of those willing to be led, why is it a surprise to us when he demonstrates his pleasure in our presence? Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God will “rejoice over us with singing.” (NIV) What a thought! Wow!
Well, we leave for Portland in five days to spend a week with Suzanne’s parents. Sorting and disposing, storing and packing all need to be completed. There are still some tasks that need to be done, some people we need to see, some projects completed in the next few days. There used to be lots of time to get things done. We’re now at “crunch time.”
I wrote on another blog that when we came to Colbert we landed on our feet. That didn’t have anything to do with us. It was the result of God’s choice and the good people of Colbert. We wouldn’t be at this point without either one of the two. We’re amazed at the goodness of God. He is good – all the time.
The day finally came. In spite of Suzanne’s and my clear leading about our transition to Central Asia, we’ve not looked forward to the final service at Colbert. It’s our home church. It’s where our friends are (most of them). It’s where the people are that we’ve walked hard roads with and won victories with. I calculated that I’ve preached about 1200 times on Sunday mornings. Our feelings for this group run deep and saying goodbye isn’t something that would come easy.
My concern for the last several months about the service was that it be about Jesus – not his servant. I told Suzanne that if I was preparing a farewell service I would go about it one way. What were prepared was a worship service and I wanted the whole thing to point to the One who is worthy. Suzanne and I worked to select scripture and music that fit that model. I planned the sermon to focus on the essence of the Gospel and a time to clearly state the core message of reconciliation with God. The congregational leadership had another or, should I say, additional plan.
The man who assists in leading the service hijacked it part way through and had Suzanne and I meet at the center of the platform and sit in a couple chairs. They had some gifts for us. The first was a gift for our ministry in Asia. The goal was $5000 and they surpassed it. PTL! The second was a digital picture frame which will be helpful in our presentations and in Asia. The third gift was an opportunity for the congregation to share thoughts and memories. I don’t know just how many people spoke, but it was very meaningful for Suzanne and me. It was also very humbling. They closed that time by having us gather in the center of the church for a time of prayer. As the people gathered round and prayed there were many tears and much sniffling among the group. There was also a sense of God’s blessing.
When we believe that there is a God who is sovereign over all, lovingly involved in the affairs of people and directing the paths of those willing to be led, why is it a surprise to us when he demonstrates his pleasure in our presence? Zephaniah 3:17 tells us that God will “rejoice over us with singing.” (NIV) What a thought! Wow!
Well, we leave for Portland in five days to spend a week with Suzanne’s parents. Sorting and disposing, storing and packing all need to be completed. There are still some tasks that need to be done, some people we need to see, some projects completed in the next few days. There used to be lots of time to get things done. We’re now at “crunch time.”
I wrote on another blog that when we came to Colbert we landed on our feet. That didn’t have anything to do with us. It was the result of God’s choice and the good people of Colbert. We wouldn’t be at this point without either one of the two. We’re amazed at the goodness of God. He is good – all the time.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
God's Generous People
Suzanne and I had the wonderful priviledge of visiting the Great Lakes area of Africa last year. It was a trip that, for many reasons, helped us know that God was leading in our international endeavors. I won't go into the many different pieces that came together before, during and after that trip. Let me briefly mention one.
While in Bujumbura, Burundi, the captial, our team had the opportunity to visit the American embassy. To make a long story short, we wound up meeting the Ambassador, Patricia N. Moller. To a small group of wandering and weary American travelers Ambassador Moller was very gracious. In a later email correspondence, she related to me how impressed she is with the willingness of so many Americans to give so much to travel so far to try to assist others in need. I've come to see some of that American generosity first hand as we continue to move along this road to Central Asia.
We've believed from the beginning that this call is from God. We have said for years that when God calls, he will provide. It's one thing to believe that and another to have to live by that. In our new venture we are having to depend upon God at a level, and in a way that we never have before. We haven't known where the funds would come from to support this commitment. We believed that it was important to honor our commitment to the Conference and the church by finishing out the year's assignment (our last Sunday is coming in four days - August 10th). Doing so meant that there would be no time for traditional deputation or funding. We didn't have any idea where the funds could come from, but we said we trusted God to provide. (That doesn't mean that we haven't wondered how it could possibly come together.)
PTL! He has proven faithful. We haven't yet seen all the funds come in, or even pledged, but God has demonstrated his generosity through our brothers and sisters. Literally thousands of dollars have come from unexpected sources. We are thankful, and humbled, by such trust.
We still have a ways to go in our funding. The prices for some things have lurched higher (think airline tickets). Other things escaped our plans and haven't been budgeted for (think furnishings at the house). We are truly confident that none of this has escaped God's attention - nor will it escape his provision.
Receiving funds from friends, family, acquaintances and even some unknowns is more than a blessing. It is part of the fulfillment of a lifelong commitment to do God's will and trust for his blessing. God is pouring out a blessing on us. Lord, find us faithful.
While in Bujumbura, Burundi, the captial, our team had the opportunity to visit the American embassy. To make a long story short, we wound up meeting the Ambassador, Patricia N. Moller. To a small group of wandering and weary American travelers Ambassador Moller was very gracious. In a later email correspondence, she related to me how impressed she is with the willingness of so many Americans to give so much to travel so far to try to assist others in need. I've come to see some of that American generosity first hand as we continue to move along this road to Central Asia.
We've believed from the beginning that this call is from God. We have said for years that when God calls, he will provide. It's one thing to believe that and another to have to live by that. In our new venture we are having to depend upon God at a level, and in a way that we never have before. We haven't known where the funds would come from to support this commitment. We believed that it was important to honor our commitment to the Conference and the church by finishing out the year's assignment (our last Sunday is coming in four days - August 10th). Doing so meant that there would be no time for traditional deputation or funding. We didn't have any idea where the funds could come from, but we said we trusted God to provide. (That doesn't mean that we haven't wondered how it could possibly come together.)
PTL! He has proven faithful. We haven't yet seen all the funds come in, or even pledged, but God has demonstrated his generosity through our brothers and sisters. Literally thousands of dollars have come from unexpected sources. We are thankful, and humbled, by such trust.
We still have a ways to go in our funding. The prices for some things have lurched higher (think airline tickets). Other things escaped our plans and haven't been budgeted for (think furnishings at the house). We are truly confident that none of this has escaped God's attention - nor will it escape his provision.
Receiving funds from friends, family, acquaintances and even some unknowns is more than a blessing. It is part of the fulfillment of a lifelong commitment to do God's will and trust for his blessing. God is pouring out a blessing on us. Lord, find us faithful.
Suzanne and I leave Colbert in just over one week. Three weeks from today, God willing, we will have arrived in our new city and be working to prepare the house. Is time going quickly? It's just a blur.
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