I Have No Business Trying to Minister to Others!

Have you ever felt totally equipped and capable of ministering to others? I have.

Have you ever felt like you have no business trying to minister to others? I have.

I think both extremes are dangerous places to be. In the first, there is a temptation to believe that I have something to offer apart from Christ, like, "I’m doing this better than you, and you could learn a thing or two from this awesome chic! Pride. Self-righteousness.

The second is equally dangerous, because there is a temptation to become preoccupied with myself and miss out on opportunities to be a minister of God’s love and truth to the people around me. Self-preoccupation. Self-pity.

I have been feeling more on the inadequate side lately. I feel as though I have been failing in some areas of my life. I feel overwhelmed. I get down, even depressed at times. And that’s when I hear Satan whispering to me, “Who do you think you are trying to minister to others? You need someone to minister to you! Get yourself together, then maybe you’ll have something to offer.” And it actually makes sense to my already doubting mind.

So that’s where my story starts. I am a little depressed. I am doubting that I should be trying to minister to anybody on this campus. I’m scheduled to meet with a teenage girl to mentor her after lunch. I’m supposed to be leading this group of spiritual leaders on campus this evening. What should I do? Cancel? Find someone to take my place?

I just show up. My broken, doubting self. The student begins to share about some of her struggles. I can relate! I share some of my similar struggles. She appreciates that I understand her and feels free to share more. As she speaks about her doubts, God’s truth rises up within me to combat the lies Satan is trying to get her to believe. As I confidently and passionately speak truth into her life, I hear a still small voice in my heart questioning, “And does any of this truth apply to your life right now?”

Ministry is happening. God is ministering to my broken, doubting soul even as He uses me to minister to this precious student’s broken, doubting soul.

Ministry IS NOT having it all together. Having all the answers. Being perfect.

Ministry IS sharing our lives with each other. Being real. Being vulnerable. Sharing struggles. Listening. Exposing lies. Speaking truth. Lifting each other before the throne of God in prayer. Walking through the struggles of life together.

And you can guess how my evening meeting went with the spiritual leaders on campus. I showed up. Frazzled. Uncertain. We used our time to look at God’s Word together, to look and listen for ways He wants us to serve the student body this year. We shared with each other practical ways we try to worship God in every aspect of our lives. We listened. We shared. We prayed. I was ministered to. They were ministered to.

Ministry IS NOT having it all together. Having all the answers. Being perfect.

Ministry IS sharing our lives with each other. Being real. Being vulnerable. Sharing struggles. Listening. Exposing lies. Speaking truth. Lifting each other before the throne of God in prayer. Walking through the struggles of life together.

God uses broken, struggling, imperfect people to spread His love. Phew. That’s a relief. I guess I don’t have to leave the mission field after all! J

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”       -1 Thessalonians 2:8

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”                                  -1 Thessalonians 5:11

We're Leavin' On a Jet Plane...

... in less than 48 hours!! So this is the life of a missionary... Say good-bye to loved ones. Major transition and stress. Settle into a new life. Say good-bye to loved ones. Major transition and stress. Settle into a new life. (Repeat cycle for the rest of your life.) HOWEVER, we trust our God to equip us and for His grace to cover us as we walk this exciting journey with Him. We hope to bring Him glory in the process. He has blessed us more than we ever hoped for during our first term of service at Rift Valley Academy. Thank you for giving us this opportunity through your partnership with our ministry!

We'd Love To See You!

One of the main reasons we are going on "Home Assignment" is to have a chance to connect with YOU, our friends, family, supporters, and prayer warriors. That's why we have this intense schedule: March 31 - Board our plane to the US Stonington, CT: April 1 - 19, June 23 - July 2, July 10 - 15, Aug. 10 - 20 April 6 - party with local supporters April 13 - sharing with Groton Bible Chapel congregation June 27-28 - huge yard sale at Wills' to raise $ for vehicle fund Chicopee, MA: April 19 - May 7, July 16 - 27 May 3 - party with local supporters July 20 - sharing with Harvest Bible Chapel congregation July 27 -sharing with First Central Baptist congregation Raleigh, NC: May 10 - June 1 May 24 - party with local supporters May 25 - sharing with Horner's class at Providence Baptist June 1 - sharing with Brubaker's class at Providence Baptist Franklin, TN: June 5 - 17 June 7 or 14th - party with local supporters Speculator, NY (The Cabin) : June 20 - 22, July 3 - 9, August 2 - 9 Lakeside Family Camp: July 27 - August 2 August 20 - Board our plane back to Kenya Phew! I feel a little overwhelmed just typing our travel plans out, but I did it so you will know when we are planning to be in your area. Please let us know if you'd like to make more specific plans to get together with us so we can make sure it happens!

Enjoying God's beauty during our family campout.

Prayer Requests

We've been told by veteran missionaries that "your first time going back is the hardest." We are dependent on prayer support and God's grace to carry us through this whole experience. Prayer Requests: 1. God's grace as we finish packing up our house so another family can live here while we're gone. 2. Opportunities and time for intentional good-byes on this end. 3. Grace in our marriage and parenting during these high-stress circumstances. 4. Christ as our only security in this life. 5. Discernment to share what God's doing in our lives and ministry in relevant ways in the States. 6. To show Christ's love to everyone we encounter. 7. Depend on God, not people, to meet our every need. Praises: 1. God's abundant provision of a car to use; gracious hosts along our journey. 2. God's demonstrations of love to our family through very personal gifts to enjoy while we're home...generous scholarships to camps, extravagant provisions for little getaways here and there, etc...

Michael just got back from a week-long trip for students to learn about Maasai culture.

35-35 Campaign

To cover our expenses on the field as determined by Africa Inland Mission, we are praying for: 35 NEW SUPPORTERS to partner with us at $35/MONTH. Click here for more info. about becoming a financial supporter. I also turn 35 while we're home so that works with the whole campaign thing, right? :)

Thank you so much for your prayers during our "re-entry." We can't wait to see you face to face, LORD-willing! With love and anticipation, Michael and Jill (Noah, Maddie, and Tyler) :)

Big news!

We will be coming home for furlough this April- August 2014!

We are so excited to see as many friends and family as possible!  Please pray for us as we sort out all of the many details during these next couple months.

More info. to come...