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I find it so amazing that we are called to missions. Up until recently, we had never even been on a short-term mission trip! And yet here we are, convinced and ready to go! This all began with my very closest friend (and work partner) sharing his calling with me nearly three years ago. I was saddened with the ending of what was a nearly perfect partnership and the loss of his presence. I walked through the entire process with him and got to experience much of what the early stages were like. Bob and I often spoke of a future together in ministry and I would joke that someone had to stay back and fund this! (I think out of fear that I might actually end up in Guatemala!) I talked with Bob several days per week and he would share their needs and what a challenge he was having. He would continue to say things like, "If you were here, ha ha, it would really be helpful!) Ha Ha nothing… he was making me nervous! It was just a few months after Bob had left that I heard our pastor mention Demas (2 Tim 4:9-10). All I heard was Paul saying "do your best to come to me quickly" and that Demas deserted him because he "loved this present world"… this was my first tugging. It frightened me. Did I love the world too much? Am I a sort of Demas? I worked for months to dismiss this and God just kept sending messages along. The rich young ruler has come up so many times this past year that it has become amusing to my wife and I. I had many opportunities to go to Guatemala and visit Bob. Each time something came up. Finally in October of 2005 all six of us headed down for a week. We had a wonderful time with the Hastings and unbeknownst to them I was going through what was probably one of the most emotional times in my life. I was overwhelmed by the need. So much work to do. So many lives to save. I looked out across the slums of Guatemala city and just cried. I remember thinking that if this was the way Satan operated as "Prince of this World" why am I in love with anything of this world?? I knew I was changing. |
The night we got home I went out by myself to our hot-tub. I was sitting out there looking at the stars and relishing my beautiful house and yard… and then it was like God whacked me right over the head. I thought "what am I doing?... I can't keep any of this! I can't take any of these treasures with me! Why am I living like this?! It was literally at that moment that I knew I was done. The house, the cars, the big income… done. I knew where I was needed. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I actually could see myself serving God on the mission field. Do you want to know of another great blessing? My wife is in complete harmony with me on this. After we made our decision, it was amazing what God began sharing with us. My wife's bible study was all about faith. She was coming to me constantly sharing reinforcing scriptures and teachings. This has been such a wonderful time of growth for us. Since that time we have sought counsel from friends, family and our church. We have a lot of encouragers from our church, First Baptist of Portland and our summertime family at Alton Bay Christian Conference Center, near Lake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire. |
Jordan, Mary, Aaron, Abbie, Robin & Bethany |