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It Doesn't End or Begin with Me


Less than a month from now I am scheduled to be in another country. Only a few months ago it seemed rather impossible. In a few weeks it will be a reality. There is still no day by day picture of what exactly we will be doing. However, God has been teaching me about this prospect so alarming to my natural faculties. I have often pictured partnering with God as receiving some sort of assignment and boldly going. There is full disclosure. The world, God, they are waiting for my agreement. It seems that rather God is already doing, working, and just offering me a spot in the fields to help bring in the harvest. The work doesn't begin or end with me. 

I have been reading stories of missionaries from the 1800s at bedtime. Each
story excites me, surprises me, and inspires me. And they further prove that the work of emissary I seek to embark on is nothing new. From getting the New Testament translated into Persian to getting the King of Uganda to refuse to participate in the slave trade, this work is not new. At church this past Sunday we prayed over a family moving to Iraq as missionaries. I was so honored to be present for their send off as it is also a hope of mine to move away indefinitely, no matter the danger,  to join God in his work somewhere else. God is an in progress God with whom I can join, but make no mistake it doesn't end or begin with me. 

The other day I was sitting on the beach observing something I have now come to know as kite surfing. I thought to myself, "oh the kite is like God and the wind the Holy Spirit and we are along for the ride".  As I studied the surfers I could see that they were harnessing the power of the wind. I thought to myself, "yes the more we take advantage of the Holy Spirit, the further we will go in the Lord". And then almost as if God interrupted this trail of thought, I realized we are the kites.  God is already moving in a particular direction and if we will allow him the controls, He will allow us to be a part of the ride. 

I am interested in seeing what it is that God wants me to see in Burundi. He paid for my trip in abundance. At this point my account is overpaid by $425 because that is how greatly he moved peoples' hearts to donate. I have experienced several scenarios while raising money for my missions trips, but never have I "over raised". Prayerfully the excess will be granted to some of my teammates who are still in need. If you wanted to give but never got a chance, just follow the directions in the previous blogs. For missionary name put whoever is in need. 







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