Great Weekend

Duck Invasion, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Our time with the Creede Baptist Church went very well this past weekend. Although a small church by most modern standards, the people are full of passion for missions and they were excited to hear what God is doing through us with MAF. Also, this little church of under 100 people just got done packing and shipping over 400 gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child. As I found out about this, I added a few more notes to share when the time came for me to present in front of the congregation. I shared with them that while serving in Latin America, I had the privilege of delivering some of those Christmas Boxes. It was a neat link to share with this little church of how their generosity actually does reach children in very remote areas of the word. As the pastor said, "how else can we so effectively share the Gospel with over 400 people." I know from experience that those boxes will be received and treasured by numerous children all over God's green earth right down to the box they come in.

Presentation Time

We're Back!, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

After our first full week of sharing with people what we are doing with MAF and where we are going to serve, we already have the blessing of sharing this coming Sunday at a Church up in the mountains about an hour from my house. We have been very blessed to see how God is really opening doors for us, and the neat and very unique opportunities He is already providing for us as we acquire our ministry support team. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as we officially begin traveling and sharing our ministry with MAF. We are passionate about what we are doing and that makes it easy to share about. Pray with us that the "Urgency of the Gospel" would be communicated and our passion would be contagious. Hopefully, we will even see some of you soon in your own church.

Partakers of His Sufferings

Bison and Nez Peirce River, Yellowstone, N.P., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

1 Peter 4:13  "but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy"

"If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a multitude of experiences that are not meant for you at all, they are meant to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what transpires in other souls so that you will never be surprised at what you come across. ... In the history of the Christian Church the tendency has been to evade being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ; men have sought to procure the carrying out of God's order by a short cut of their own. ... Are we partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp our personal ambitions right out? Are we prepared for God to Destroy by transfiguration our individual determinations?" O. Chambers

Discernment of Faith

Full Moon Over Mount Blanca, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

"Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character has to be cleared in our own minds. ... Never confound the trail of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive." O. Chambers

You Are Not Your Own

Halloween Afternoon, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

1 Corinthians 6:19 "do you not know...you are not your own."

"There is no such thing as a private life -"a world within a world"- for a man or woman who is brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ's sufferings. God breaks up the private life of his saints, and makes it a thoroughfare for the world on the one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ." O. Chambers

Faith

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone N.P., originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Hebrews 6:6 "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

"Faith in antagonism to common sense is fanaticism, and common sense in antagonism to faith is rationalism. The life of faith brings the two into a right relation. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual; of impulse and inspiration. ... Faith must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. ... Faith is a tremendously active principle which always puts Jesus Christ first - Lord, you have said so and so (Matthew 6:33), it looks mad, but I am going to venture on your Word. To turn head faith into personal possession is a fight always, not sometimes. God brings us into circumstances in order to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make its object real. ... Faith is the whole man rightly related to God by the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." O. Chambers

A Peculiar Relationship

The Main Event 1, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.
Our dog, Duke, loves everyone.  He thinks everyone loves him too. Including our rooster, Gallo Pinto.  (for those of you who have seen the dog named Dug in the movie "UP," you know what I am talking about)   Duke, despite his size, is still a puppy at heart.  So, of course he thinks Gallo Pinto wants to "play."  Here they are discussing their play time together.
 

The Main Event 2, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

And here is what they decided to do...fight and wrestle, like any young (and not so young) males like to do. (enter a Tim "the Toolman" Taylor grunt here)  Duke is going in for the KO lick, and Gallo Pinto is going in with his large talons.  (I love Napoleon Dynamite.)

The Main Event 3, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.
BAM!  After many rounds about the yard, Gallo Pinto finally lands a mean right hook with his large talon!  Minutes later however, Duke's overbearing size took Gallo Pinto down and sent him running to his corner, otherwise known as the chicken coop, to recover with his brood of hens... what a chicken!

Sunrise Palette

Sunrise Palette, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Sunrise Fire Clouds, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

We count our blessings everyday when we wake up to sunrises like this out of our East window, taken yesterday.  To bad the temperature wasn't as warm as the colors...20 degrees just feels colder than it used to.  This morning the view out the window is snow showers and clouds.

MAF Indonesia Video

For those of you who want to get an idea of what it may look like for us when we get to Indonesia watch this quick trailer. 



If you want to see the full length 27 minute long version, click here.  MAF serves on three different islands in Indonesia; Sumatra, Borneo (Kalimantan), and Papua.  This video was filmed on the island of Borneo.  With time, we will know what island we are assigned to.  At the moment, it is just Indonesia.  

The Method of Missions

Fall Migration Southbound, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."

"Jesus did not say - Go and save souls (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God) but - "Go and make disciples" and you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. ... The great essential of the missionary is that he remains true to the call of God, and realizes that his one purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. ... The one great challenge is - Do I know my Risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God's sight, and foolish enough according to the world, to bank on what Jesus Christ has said, or am I abondoning the great supernatural position, which is the only call for a missionary, viz., boundless confidence in Christ Jesus.?" O. Chambers

John 20:21

"As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." -Jesus

"What is a missionary?  A missionary is one sent by God.  The great dominant note is not the needs of man, but the command of Jesus. ... We forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary enterprise is not first the elevation of the people, nor the education of the people, nor their needs; but first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ - "Go therefore and teach all nations."  ... We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the Divine guidance of God through childlike people who were foolish enough to trust God's wisdom and the supernatural equipment of God."  O. Chambers

Forest Fire

Forest Fire, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

(Remnants of the 1988 Fire in Yellowstone N.P.)

We had a great time in church this morning.  There was a sweet Presence during worship.  One thing we have been reminded of over and over and over during our past year back in the USA is the power of worship.  Not just the musical variety, but the total surrender type that you nurture all day long.  When you are in that sweet place of worship, the things God asks you to do seem easy, because He is so worthy!  To pack up your family once again and move to the other side of the world is worth it.  At the end of the day, there is a deposit left in eternity, not just something temporal which moth and rust can destroy.  Worship takes us to that place of appreciation for what God has done for us and what He continues to do for us.  Then, it is with our actions of obedience that we show our gratitude towards Him.  Faith without deeds is dead!

Best Friends

Best Friends, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Rather than watch big sister play soccer a few weeks ago, riding the dog was a lot more entertaining.

Brooklyn and Duke

Brooklyn and Duke, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

In between wrestling matches, these two take a little break.

Wipe Your Chin

Wipe Your Chin, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Madison took a liking (like all kids) to the idea of the ground being covered in food. We quickly taught her about the yellow kind though.

First Snow

Trouble, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

The results of this seasons first snow, followed by a healthy snowball snack.

We're at it Again

Yes, once again we are making some HUGE changes in life. Rebecca has always been better at putting things in type than me, so, read the explanation of what we are up by clicking here. After that, you will be able to follow along on another journey right here.

The New Blog!

First, thanks to those of you who have made it fun to record a little bit of our lives these past few years. Becca and I started this blog while still living in Costa Rica, and it quickly expanded from there, even justifying Rebecca making another blog to tell more of her side of the story. Being that things will be so different in Oaxaca, I decided to start another blog to chronicle what will occur there. It can be accessed by clicking here. I will no longer be posting on this blog, as our chapter in the jungles of Ecuador has now come to a close. Thanks for joining us, see you in Oaxaca!

The Time Has Come

We just made it through all the hoops that make up modern day travel at airports. We are now just waiting to board our airplane, which will be bound for Panama City, Panama. Luckily, here in the boarding area of the Quito airport, they have free internet, which is helping us to get caught up on some things. From Panama City we will fly to Mexico City; from Mexico City to Oaxaca. We should arrive in Oaxaca around 430pm if all things go well. Our girls are tired (so are we) since we had to wake up at 3am, but otherwise things are going well. Can't say what our internet accessibility will be when we get to Oaxaca, so be patient and we will get back online as quick as we can. Thanks for joining us in this journey and for your prayers as well!

We're getting closer

After a wonderful last few days in Shell, we left yesterday morning and are now in Quito. We have a few last minute appointments and meals here with friends before we board the airplane on Thursday morning to make our way north to Oaxaca. Please continue to pray as we gear up for the upcoming changes. We are excited to just get there and stop living out of suitcases. There is something healthy about living in one place and having a place to "hang your hat." By this time next week, I think we will have "moved" around 6 times in one and a half weeks. It's getting old!