Whirlwind Adventure

Well it seems crazy and unreal. We have been fundraising for about six months and we are getting so close.  We have been to Michigan, Pennsylvania and Colorado to talk to people and churches and are willing to travel to other places if you know anyone who would like to meet with us and potentially support us.  We love sharing what God is doing in and through us and the experience. I really never would have guessed that our support would come from so many places and people near and far.  Our time in Pennsylvania was such a blessing and we have seen such blessing from the people there! Colorado has been amazing and was such a spur of the moment trip. To see God orchestrate the trip from the flight to a place to stay to a car to use to people and churches to meet and old friends to catch up with. We had time to see my brother and sister who I might not get to see again for a while. It was great to laugh and have fun together.

Some days we feel like we know what we are doing and others we feel overwhelmed and unsure of all the things we have to get done before we can leave. We would love your prayers and words of encouragement. We definitely couldn't do this without all of you! We thank God daily for those He has put in our life.

Perseverance 26.2 Miles

Crossing the Finish Line
26.2 miles

  As many of you know for the past six months I have been training for the Grand Rapids Marathon.  In the beginning I thought I would only run a half marathon.  The full seemed like it would be too many miles and too much of my time would be taken up.  So I started training for the half.  After about a month I was talking to my friend Anna and she said she was going to run the full marathon.  After talking to Benj I knew it was now or never. I didn't have much responsibility at camp this past summer and I knew I would have help with the kids once we moved back to Michigan. So I changed my training plan and got to work.
  Some runs were easy, others were hard to get motivated to do. I had lots of support from family and friends.  It was great knowing that I was not doing it alone.  I knew Anna was training with me and that helped me stay focused but I don't think it would have been possible without God.  I know people would say that God has nothing to do with running but to me I think he had everything to do with it.  I loved spending my time running praising and thanking Him for giving me the strength and ability to do so.  Thanking Him for the time and energy to run. Praying for friends and family whom I knew needed prayer and some just because I felt that I should. I saw such beauty on the mornings I got up for an early run watching the sun rise.  And the animals that were "running" with me. The rabbits made it look so easy!
  The race was the past Sunday.  It was great to hear from family and friends the night before encouraging me and letting me know they would be praying for me during the race.  My friend Jen sent me this verse from Hebrews 12:1-3..."Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us 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 pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." I take this verse two ways.  One for the actual race and one for the path we are taking to Uganda.  I had to look to Jesus for strength to finish the marathon.  I was not sure I would be able to accomplish it but I persevered and finished with a time of 5 hours 9 minutes and 55 seconds. I gave it all I had and left nothing behind.  This is how I want to live every day.  Giving my all...leaving nothing behind.  Am I loving with all that I am?  Am I doing the work God has set before me with all that I have?  We desire to be in Uganda by December 27, doing the work God has set before us. But am I doing my part? Am I running this race with perseverance?
  Feel free to ask us about what God is doing in our lives and the lives of the people in Uganda. We love to share the mission that God has set before us! We would love if you would join us in this mission anyway you feel God leading you!

AHHH! The stuff in my head is coming out!

We have been in Michigan for two weeks now.  It's crazy.  It still feels like vacation instead of the permanent move that it is.  The two weeks were filled with lots of family time because my sister Meredith came in town to visit and go backpacking with us and Beckie (my sister) and Ruudy (my brother-in-law).  Maybe that is part of the reason it still feels like vacation.  We had a great time in the woods and the kids did great.  Izaac carried his own pack with Ellie's sleeping bag, his pillow pet, and some of the food for the three days, two nights we were there.  Ellie had the easiest hike because she got to ride in a pack, although she did complain of being tired as I (Christina) carried her up a dune. We played in the dunes and in Lake Michigan.  The kids had a blast and it was a great time to reflect on our transition. I really don't care much for going to the bathroom in the woods but was told I need to get use to it for when we go to the villages in Uganda.

But it is not vacation and I am reminded of that fact as school for Izaac starts in two days.  It can't possibly be.  How can I have a child who is going to be in Kindergarten?  Not only that but all day, every Monday through Friday. I become more emotional than I would like to be.  He seems so little and I am afraid of what affects these outside influences might have on him.  Yes I know it is just Kindergarten but we live in a fallen world and kids can be mean. What if my kid is the mean one?  Have we trained him up in a way that he will make good choices and be friends with those who others won't? He is only in school until we leave for Uganda in December/January and I do think it will be good for him but I have these fears I keep giving to the Lord (and taking back again and giving back and so on).

We are also trying to figure out where we should start with our fundraising again.  It is humbling and nerve-wracking asking people to come alongside us and support us with their prayers and finances.  I feel like we were doing a great job before summer but in the busyness of camp and moving we have been slacking.  If anyone would like to meet with us to hear more about what we will be doing please contact us through Facebook or email or phone call.  We love sharing about what God is doing in our lives and the hopes and dreams of the future.

On another note, we are hoping that Benj does not need to find a "real" job but that we would find enough people we know that would have projects they would be willing to hire him to do. He is glad to do light remodel/renovation work, general home or yard maintenance, basically any kind of handyman work inside or out.  If you have any such projects or know of anyone that does please let us know!

I know this is all over the place but welcome to my brain these days!! I know that God is in control and we just need to follow His leading.

Leaving and Arriving, Goodbye and Hello

This feels like the first big step toward Uganda. There have been a lot of steps leading up to this and in reality this is just another along the way. However, the nature of it makes it feel very different. 

Moving, leaving, changing causes me to reflect (there isn't much that doesn't, if I'm honest) and as I spent time thinking about the people who have had such an impact on my family and I over the past five years, the thing that I regret, the only thing, is the shortness of quality time we spent with the quality people we were blessed to live and serve and worship alongside. 

To our PA friends and adoptive family: we are better people because of the time we spent in your presence! The privilege to work side by side, to learn and grow together, to laugh and live in proximity has not left us unaffected or unaltered. The tears that we shed as we parted company were shed, certainly, out of sorrow for what was and will be no longer, but they were also shed out of joy and gratitude for the gifts that you have left in our lives and on our character. Praise God that, within the fellowship of Jesus-Followers, there is no permanence in goodbye. So, as we part company we say simply, but by no means irreverently, "see ya soon". At that great family reunion, at the banquet table of our our Faithful Father we will reminisce once again about the impact of our intersecting paths and the way those impacts altered the trajectory of our lives for the benefit of the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth! Be well. Be blessed. Be faithful and pray all the more diligently with us: "Lord Jesus, Come Soon" and we'll see you in a little while!     

It is tough as I reflect on the speed at which the sorrow of leaving transforms, through the excitement of movement, to the joy of arriving. I feel guilty about being glad upon arrival as I still consider those we have left behind. It's true that separation is harder for the left then the leaver, and I have been, as of late, the leaver far more often. That being said, with no less sorrow in our hearts for those left, we are glad to have arrived here. As I held my new niece, with most of my family around, in the house where I grew up, I really was glad. 

To our friends and family in MI: it is so good to be with you again! We are excited about catching up and reconnecting. We look forward to the conversations of where we each have been, and where we each are now; of how we, and things, are different now, and how they aren't. We are excited to see what will take place in us through the time we are together, short though it may be. We desire to savor this time with you and, like a good cup of coffee, as we sip on it together, we can be reminded that true community is eternal and intended to outlast just the time we'er together now.  

...More Then Food or Democracy

Interesting article about the need for Biblical Gospel Truth.  

"There are millions of Africans attending churches where the only message they hear is the prosperity gospel. The churches that preach this false gospel are everywhere, but sadly they seem to thrive even more in the poor communities of urban areas. Famous prosperity gospel preachers in the United States are very popular here in Africa. Their books are readily available, and their sermons are played on local television. Many are caught up either as preachers or followers without ever having heard the true gospel. A softer version of the same false teaching is affecting even mainstream churches."

Read it all here:
www.thegospelcoalition.org

WE ARE OFF AND RUNNING (AGAIN!)

God is moving (He's always moving) and He is beckoning us to tag along and see what He's gonna do in us, and with us! We are heading to Uganda to work with Kingdom Life Training Center and Welcome Home Ministries Africa. Check them out:  

Welcome Home & KLTC

We need people to partner with us. If God is moving on your heart to be involved in spreading the gospel by equipping people, young and old and in-between, to love and serve and share with those they live community with, please let us know, we'd love to share more with you! Comment here, email, text, or call.