Nearly Ready!

Just a few days left!

It's Sunday now, and the boys have been anxiously counting down the days until we leave. Elliot regularly asks, "What day is today?" or "Do we leave tomorrow?"  We decided to make these tear-off days so that he would know how many days are left.  Not too long now!

In the midst of our planning and preparation, we found out that Michelle's dad, Jim Cummings, had to have emergency open heart surgery a few days ago.  On Thursday, he felt chest pain and decided he needed to head to the hospital.  Testing revealed that he had a torn aorta as well as two blockages in his arteries.  It was a miracle that he decided to go; a friend of mine who is a firefighter indicated that most cases where he's called in that involve a torn aorta are almost always fatal.  Praise the Lord that they found the issue quickly when he arrived.  He went into emergency surgery, and 6+ hours later he came through it.  He spent the next day under sedation, and then slowly began to respond and come to. A routine CT scan that happened yesterday revealed that he had 6 or 7 strokes in the brain, though, perhaps during the lengthy surgery.  There's no way to tell how this will affect him, and right now all we can do is wait and see.  He is responding to voices and commands, though.  He is likely to be in ICU for another week, and then the road to recovery.  Michelle left today (Sunday), but before she did the family got a chance to worship and pray around his bed.  What a sweet time.  Thank you all for your prayers for him, for Michelle's mom Cathy, and for the rest of the family.  There are many details that are up in the air, but the Lord takes tender care of each of us, and we trust His merciful hands.

Jim is an incredible godly man with a wonderful heart for Jesus and others.  Jim and Cathy have raised seven children who all have strong hearts for the Lord because of the godly and humble example that their parents set.  Before Michelle and Rob were married, Rob enjoyed spending one-on-one time with Jim learning about what it means to follow Jesus.  "Grandpa Jim" enjoys fishing and hunting, and spending time with his energetic grandkids!  (There is one more missing from the photo at left... their most recent grandson, JP, was born We are so blessed to have such a man in our lives.  

We also had the opportunity to have our church, Grace Church in Granger, IN, pray for us this morning.  We are so blessed by this body of believers, and so thankful for their love and support.  They are doing so much in our local and global communities, and we're thankful to be able to play a part.  Thank you to our friends and family who have offered prayers, cards, and encouragement over the last few weeks and months.  Your words are so precious to us.

We have a few more odds and ends to take care of.  We've reached the point where we'll work to get done what we absolutely need to, and everything else is just bonus.  Ready or not, here we come!

Flame of God

A poem by one of my favorite poets, Amy Carmichael.  (For those who are unfamiliar with Amy, she was a missionary to Japan and India in the early 1900's.  For a great exposition of her life, see Elizabeth Elliot's book, "A Chance to Die.")

Flame of God
Amy Carmichael

From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified)
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire;
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

The Great Cloud of Witnesses

Only one week before we leave!  It's hard to believe.  As we begin to tie up loose ends here prior to going, the number of little things that need to get done seems to grow and grow.  At the same time, we feel like the big things are almost all taken care of, so we can't sweat the small stuff too much.

As I reflect on the trip that's coming, I'm continually struck by the work of so many saints who are laboring in the body of Christ around us.  There are so many ways that God is using people to advance his kingdom; we are just a small part of that.  I'm so thankful that it all doesn't rest on our shoulders alone.  Seeing others be faithful encourages me to also walk all that much harder after my Savior.

"Therefore, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such hostility by sinners against himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Heb. 12:1-3)

In particular, we're looking forward to meeting some of the families who are involved with DOOR International.  DOOR has some incredible men and women who are laboring to help bring the gospel to the Deaf around the world.  It's a privilege to hear their heart and passion to share God's word.

Additionally, we will also get to visit some families who are serving in Nairobi.  George and Joyce Irungu teach at a seminary just outside Nairobi through the organization Commission to Every Nation.  Jason and Lisa Hovingh serve through the organization Heart of the Bride for Orphans; they will be stateside while we're there, so we're sorry we'll miss them!  Both of these families are supported through our local church, Grace Church.  We also will be visiting the Masunga family; we met their daughters Abby and Gakii through the 2011 Passion Conference.  Their family helps lead a church in the slum areas of Nairobi.  Finally, a good acquaintance from Bethel, Adam Cramer, is currently studying at a seminary in Nairobi.

For anyone who is interested, we'll be bringing care packages over to the various families we'll be visiting.  If you have something you'd like us to bring, or if you'd like to help contribute to getting some supplies for them, please feel free to let us know!

Take heart yourself!  You have a unique gift to contribute to God's kingdom, even today.