First things first… Yes. I am still going to Thailand.
More than likely, you’ve heard a few things on the news about what’s going on with the political situation in the Land of Thais (or, if you’re like me, you learned about it from someone else who keeps up with the news). The most frequently asked questions I’ve gotten over the last month besides, ‘When are you leaving again?’ [January 2015] are, ‘Have you heard about what’s going on over there?’ and, ‘How does that affect you and your team?’
Those are fair questions, and I’d like to answer them more thoroughly by directing you to the most recent newsletter of a couple on my team, Heather & Matt. They covered the ins and outs of it all pretty well, so I encourage you to check out what they have to say.
Second things second… I’m going to be doing a fair amount of traveling and time away from home over the next several months. If you’re in any of these places, let’s hang out! |
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Coming to a City Near You!
JUN 21-25 Anderson, IN
JUN 26-27 Chicago, IL
JUN 28-29 Willmar, MN
JUL 7-AUG 27 Kansas City, MO
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It’s hard to believe June is already upon us. It’s been nearly six months since I attended Candidate Orientation Program (COP) at Avant and was officially appointed as one of their missionaries, and it is now nearly the same amount of time until I hop on a plane and head to the world. I don’t know about you, but I’m one who doesn’t really know how to process a major life transition until it’s just about to happen or is happening or has already happened, so I’m trying not to make my head spin too much by forcing myself to think about what it will be like to… you know… live really far away for a really long time. I’m still pumped, don’t get me wrong. But it’s a bittersweet sort of thing, as these sorts of things usually are.
Do you ever look back on your life, and then where you are now, and think, Wow, I never would have thought I’d be here? I do. Six or seven years ago, my dream was the typical, middle class American one: a well-enough paying job. A husband. A kid or two. Adult-like lifestyle changes, such as knowing how to cook and not cracking my knuckles anymore. But somewhere around 2009, God started chipping away at that dream. I never thought I’d be here. But I’m glad I am.
Sometimes I look around at my friends and acquaintances who got the dream I cherished, the dream for which I longed and prayed for years, and my heart does that thing hearts too often do, getting wrapped up that icky mess called envy, coveting, bitterness.
God’s been convicting me of that lately. Reagan, just because it’s your desire doesn’t mean it’s My best for you. He’s been saying that to me over and over. My best for someone else may be different than My best for you.
If the God of the universe, the One who defeats evil and rescues the helpless and works in timing that is pretty much never at our convenience but always works out… well, better… if His best for me, for now is giving up the American dream, moving to the other side of the world, and telling other people about Him… then that’s what I want. Walking away, choosing something else, telling God, Nah, I've got this… It might work out okay. But it wouldn't be His best.
His best for you, for now may be working with those defiant foster kids in a group home, or mommying your two under five, or loving your wife as Christ loves the Church, or serving your ill-tempered parents, or trusting Him through the transition. Or maybe it's looking around you, realizing this isn't His best, and making some changes. It may not be easy, it may not be fun, but if it’s the work He has prepared for you,then it’s His best for you. And it probably won’t last forever, because soon enough, He’ll show you the next best thing.
Where does God have you right now? How can you learn to embrace it as His best for you? I'd love to hear about it.
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THE STUFF OF NEWS & PRAYER:
- Please pray for the ongoing political situation in Thailand. Pray that God will work out His best for the people there.
- Pray for me as I travel this summer.
- I have received financial pledges of about 68% of my required monthly support! Thank you to those of you who have chosen to partner with me in this Kingdom work. Please pray for my team as we continue to seek ministry partners to serve with us through prayer and finances. If you believe the Lord is leading you to help send me to Thailand, please click the button below.
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