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Saturday, April 27, 2013

A new concept

So, there is this concept.

I'm not saying he came up with it, but he introduced me to it.

Sweet friends from Zimbabwe- Rob and Lisa Chifokoyo with Dare2Serve
We shared our blessings and struggles with our Zimbabwean friends last night, fellow workers in Christ. Fellow support raisers. I have been chewing on this idea that Craig (my husband) brought up-

What if we as a community of Believers stepped out in faith and gathered as groups of 10 people/ families to {FULLY} support ONE WHOLE missionary family? 

It is do-able.

We believe in tithing, the giving 10% of our income back to our home church. For some, this is a great sacrifice, but for others it doesn't even make a dent. And for many, if we are being really honest and our hearts are right there in tune with the Lord's, we could afford (a rather relative word) to give an extra 10%.

It may not come easy, or natural. Sacrifices may need to be made. Cutting budgets on shopping and eating out, meal planning, driving used cars, opting out of your cable bill, going without the latest and greatest, simplifying your vacation plans, downsizing. Great effort is often made in order to achieve a big goal.

Let's be honest, we sure make sacrifices when it comes to something we want or something that benefits us.

I'm not going to lie, when friends we would consider close, flat out say they can't afford to support our ministry, yet facebook keeps us up to date on their travels, vacations, every event and restaurant they "check in" to, it does hurt. Can we- support raising missionaries- be honest like that without publicly naming someone? We aren't the only ones who face these kinds of hurts from friends.

We are called a Body of Believer's, 
and we are called to BE a Body of Believer's. 
Working as one unit. 

When a friend (in ministry) tells me how Dave Ramsey she is and has cut her clothes budget down to $100 a month, yet months later when approached won't even meet with us because they can't "afford" to right now. That is not the Body.

We met with a Christ-follower and ask him to pray about how he might partner with us in ministry, he followed up later saying that he looked over his finances, prayed and determined that right now, they are supporting so many missionaries and ministries that they are unable to fund us because he feels it won't honor God as he needs to provide for his own family. That IS the Body. He went on to say that he will faithfully partner with us in ministry through praying every Saturday morning.

I want to shout it out- THAT IS THE BODY! 
He is wisely using his time to carve out moments to pray for us. That is support and community.

The topic of finances and how others spend their money is very private and rude to discuss. I'm sure some stopped reading this post by now. 

Our finances run through our heart, that's why I'm talking about it. 

Aside from our family support raising right now, it has always been a concern of mine. Money issues are heart issues. Trusting God, being wise stewards, but ultimately it comes down to this- The Lord can take it all away or pour it out before us because it is HIS anyhow. All of it. Our Father own's cattle on a thousand hills, and He is faithful to care for His children. My hope is in Him alone, not man. Let's not stand in His way of blessing out.

Friday, April 19, 2013

There is hope.

In the midst of the Boston Marathon bombings this week, so close to home, we feel it.
The urgency.
Our plea of  "Lord, when will you return" is quickly engulfed knowing full well that not all have heard. Christ cannot return until everyone has heard His soul-saving Gospel.

New England needs Jesus. 
Many right here have never met Him.

Just today I was singing along with some praise music when our 3 year old gasped, "Jesus cries!?" What she was actually hearing was "Jesus Christ" The truth is, precious one, yes Jesus does cry.

He cries for our brokenness. When we weep and our hearts are troubled, He hears and sees it all. In Him alone can we find our strength. It is during those broken seasons that if we put our trust in Christ, He will carry us through.

Not all have this hope that is only found in Jesus.

We are a dying nation. Literally, I am living in a region that is less than 2% evangelical (translated to regular church going/ Bible reading) which is what overseas missions considers an "Unreached People Group"

An Unreached People Group "a nation without enough Christians to evangelize the rest of the nation." New England is just that. Churches are being converted into condominiums and a ten year old boy once asked me what "Church" was. 

What are you sacrificing in your life so that the 
Gospel might be shared?

Growing up my Dad shared his believe that if you weren't actively serving as a missionary, you best be funding one. My heart has been under some major conviction over the past year as to what being a "missionary" means and what that looks like when God has called you to serve in your home state. (The last place on earth you would have expected) 

How does my day-to-day interactions with neighbors, people at the store and raising my family/ hosting in my home look different than anyone else? Is there a difference from my lifestyle than someone who isn't follow Christ?

I have expectations of missionaries and those in ministry and I strive for those same standards myself.

Without Jesus we have no hope in this life or after we die. 



Craig and I, we are crazy passionate about the people of New England coming to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. For our fellow man to know the comfort of His love, the power of His Spirit and hope in this life and after death.

We have felt called to serve in this region and are raising our support to transition into full-time ministry. With Craig working a full-time job and being a loving and supportive husband and father, we are stepping out in faith to go where God has called us- to live and serve among the people group we know best- our native New England region. God calls us all to share the Gospel, but not all will go into full time vocational ministry.

What are you sacrificing now for the sake of the Gospel? 

How are you supporting local missionaries like Craig and myself so that we might be vessels to advance the Gospel, sharing the hope found in Christ here in New England?

The harsh reality is this- while many will nod and agree with all that is said, a very slim few and perhaps least expected will actually move and act to make a difference, to sacrifice their time, money and resources to see missionaries answer the call and serve as missionaries right here in the US.

To learn how you can partner with us in ministry please visit www.cwtrials.com or our Support Raising site.
Please precede with prayer.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Just faded into brick

I waited too long for my order at a coffee shop downtown. Trying to be patient and supportive of the new place, I sent Abigail and Craig on to another shop one block over to grab lunch.

Leaving the store with only my cell phone in hand, latte in the other and baby Jakob being worn, snug tight on my front. There, I noticed two people against the wall with their shopping cart, filled with all they own, asking for $.25 to buy a coffee. 

The one man asked if that was a baby under the blanket, and immediately apologized for "bothering" me. 
"No, what is your need?" I asked. 
He just wanted coffee. I suggested the inner-city church just around the corner for a free coffee. 
It wasn't open right now. 
He checked. 

I had nothing on me to offer, no debt card nor cash. Just then, Craig and Abigail came around the corner towards me and Craig puffed up looking defensive. Protective. I asked for Craig's wallet so I could buy them coffees. Cream and sugar. Extra sugar for the frail maybe four and a half foot slumped woman in the corner against the wall.

People walked by, and Craig observed, "it's like they don't even see them. Like the homeless people on the street have just faded into the brick."

Offering coffees to a pair of old worn hands, he responds "thank you. I would much rather be working to earn this."

Craig and Abigail order food next door and we tag team. He goes to pray with the man, listens to his story. Eyes swell and needs are expressed.

I can't remember my meal between holding a squirming baby who has learned to reach and re-seating a 3 year old to eat her food. My second to last bite I realize my "fish burrito" was in fact a "tofu burrito". Several times I peek outside to make sure my husband is still there (honestly, hoping and praying he stays safe). Followed by feeling of guilt for doing so.

Her pants are loose. Hanging below the waste like a teenage boy. The "fashionable" tears in them let in a cold breeze on her not even 90 pound wasting away body. At lease she has a coat. Craig joins us to eat his lunch and shares his conversation with me. "She needs pants." That is a need. Clothing. Food. Shelter. They have none of these, really. I have 6 phone numbers memorized. (I am not one with numbers anyhow) One of which just might have a solution to this problem. I call and they answer. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

It's a clothing ministry just down the road. I find two pairs of jeans that will fit, one cami (Lord, may she feel a bit feminine and beautiful, underneath it all?) a turtle neck, because frankly this is New Hampshire and it gets cold, especially at night. I look for something to hide her wild cropped hair and keep her warm, and something to keep loose pants up, even if it is a tie. I find the only winter cap and the only one-size small ladies belt, meant for her. I pray for a small token to be found in our car perhaps, to leave a remnant of Jesus. Walking out the door, I find a track "Finding Hope in Hard Times" and a devotional by Amy Carmichael.


I hand the book, tract inside with our church address and phone number in it, along with our names. She snatches it from me, clinging to it says, "This is my treasure!" I hand her a bundle of clothes, tied with the belt. This harsh and life-beaten woman holds me so tightly. Her thin arms wrap around me and she is like a small child just weeping, asking why I would do this for her. I explain Christs love, how God owns cattle on a thousand hills and He desperately wants us to know Him, to call out to Him. Knowing Him doesn't guarantee easy or that we get what we want, but it gives us peace that He DOES hear. Sometimes He answers through people-"So consider this a gift from God. He sees your need and He has asked me to be an extension of Himself to share His love."

She weeps. "I think God is mad at me for all of the things I have done. That is why my life is so rotten and why I am dying this painful death of cancer."

And if there wasn't an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ before, there certainly is now.
 I pour into this abused, prostituted, homeless, helpless, frail, alcoholic, sick and dying of cancer woman the truth of the Gospel. That there is nothing she could ever do, or has done, that would make Him love her any less. That His love for her is good, it's pure and it wouldn't harm her (unlike the "love" from other men she has experienced).

The words are fading now, just like the sun and the warmth it brought today. The reality is this-
Tonight, there is a very real couple out there living on the streets nearby. One of whom is dying of cancer and suffering the pain that goes with it. Self medicating with alcohol and getting by "working the streets". Has been beaten, abused and used by men. She has proclaimed that she doesn't know Jesus. Pray with me now, please? 

For this woman who is dying and doesn't know Jesus.

Sweet Jesus, You know our hearts desires, our needs and our struggles. Please bring some pain relief to this dear woman that you created and you love. Reveal yourself to her and her boyfriend. Lord, you desire to be in relationship with them and I pray that through hearing about you today, receiving a devotional tool and Gospel literature, that they would come to know you today, in Jesus name. Amen.

This encounter, this is evidence of answered prayer. I was recently convicted of not sharing Christ enough and asked the Lord to bring more opportunities to me, that I might have open eyes and a boldness to be His hands and feet. Not too long ago, I wouldn't have done this. I treasure the joy of having a husband who shares these same convictions and is gifted with words. Thank you Jesus.




Friday, April 5, 2013

The truth about missionaries

Over the past year, my family has been in a season that I have been careful not to post/ blog about. 
In fact, it is a rather big part of our lives and future. It is a process that (most) missionaries go through and yet I don't feel that we talk enough about it.

Because I enjoy reading blogs with pictures...
I felt the call on my life to serve in missions since I was a young girl. I always imagined my future being overseas, running an orphanage and living in a hut. Now here I am, married for 4 years with two small children and living in New England where we serve as missionaries.

We have experienced many major life events in the past 12 months- finding out our daughter had partial kidney failure which required surgery, moving to my parents for two months while we waited to close on a house, caring for my own Mother after her major back surgery, finally buying our house after a long 6 month process, two of our siblings got married, our son was BORN. 

In the midst of this, we have been support raising... 
while my husband works his regular full-time job {and I potty train a strong-willed child at home}.

The truth about missionaries is this- 
I have never met a missionary who hasn't struggled in some way with support raising. In fact, I have never met one who didn't find this season of life a bit intimidating, or overwhelming, or difficult.

I want to let you in on this pretty big and pivotal part of our lives. I don't know who all has the opportunity to read this, but this may speak to your heart. My hope is that it will open your eyes and shed light onto what it's like (the real, awkward, difficult, sometimes painful times) to be obedient to God's call on your life when He prompts you to leave your job and go into full-time vocational ministry.

So, this is our journey. 
This is our story. 
Not just as missionaries raising support, but as fellow Believers who are also giving, 
supporting and encouraging other missionaries.



One of the first times I vulnerable wrote about my struggles with not being "good enough" to be a missionary and raise support- You can read that post here,


You can read about our journey through Abigail's surgery- double-birthversary, pre-op, post-op, forgiving an institution