The Ascent

Have you ever paid too much money to go to an amusement park and then waited way too long to get on that giant roller coaster? Finally you make it to the front of the line and queue in for the next ride. You are excited and relieved that your time has finally come to climb aboard, but you are also feeling a bit anxious and wonder where the contents of your stomach may end up in the next five minutes. As your predecessors step out of the car, you step in and fasten your seat belt securely. An attendant comes by to see that you are ready to go and then pulls down a harness a bit too tightly across your chest. The ride makes a jerking start, and you are ready for the big climb.

As the roller coaster leaves the boarding platform, you feel your body tip back sharply and your eyes now look almost straight up to the sky. The movement is slow, and you hear that chain creaking and clanging beneath as it struggles to pull your train to the top of the first hill. At this point, no matter how much you scream and cry and beg to get off, it's not going to happen. You have begun that steep ascent, and there is no turning back. If you're afraid, looking down and around is probably not the best thing to do. Keep your eyes looking up! Trust that this is going to be great in the end.

If you know what I'm talking about, you have some sense of where Beth and I are right now in our journey to Lesotho. We have been waiting a long time to go on this ride. We are excited. But that ascent that must take place before the ride actually goes into full speed is a little daunting. A few weeks ago I stood in our kitchen and felt like I couldn't move because there were so many things to do that I didn't have a clue where to start. We have about a month to move out and move on. There is a lot of stuff to unload and so many details to take care of. Squeeze this pressure into a small space of time, and you may sense an oncoming explosion! To be very honest, though, we have an unusual calmness, which makes me think a lot of people are out there are blanketing us in prayer. (God bless you!)

One of my dear students, Terra, gave me a devotional book she had read from throughout the year. It is the kid's version of Jesus Calling written by Sarah Young. The June 10 selection reads as follows:

Ask Me to take charge of the details of your life. Remember that you are on a journey with Me. When you try to look into the future and plan for everything that might happen, you ignore your Friend who is with you all the time. While you're worrying about what's up ahead, you don't even feel the strong grip of My hand holding yours. How foolish that is, My child!

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. --Psalm 62:5

 Thank you Lord for going before us and being with us at all times. Help us to step out courageously knowing that You hold our hands. We love you!

Crossing the Line

6/15/14

OK...I'm an Andy Stanley fan. I have watched several of his Your Move podcasts over the past year, but his Easter message challenged me to the core. Stanley challenged believers to cross the line from "believing that" about Jesus, to "trusting in" Jesus. Yes, I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He loves me, and that He is able to provide for all my needs. But, am I willing to really trust Him to do that? That's crossing the line. That's how our journey begins.

A few years ago we sat in church on a Sunday morning and first heard about Beautiful Gate Lesotho, a Christian orphanage rescuing babies and young children that have been orphaned or abandoned.  Lesotho is a small country landlocked by South Africa, and it has been referred to as a 4^th world country (without hope) due to extreme poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  As we listened to the stories of abandoned babies being rescued and given a chance for life, we were drawn to this ministry.

A few months ago, my sister Beth and I received an e-mail informing us that Beautiful Gate was looking for two teachers, preferably women who could live together, to come to Lesotho and pilot a school for missionary children. We have taught for a number of years, many of those overseas working at an international school for missionary kids. When we read the request, we believed the Lord was calling us.

We are now in the process of preparing to cross a few lines. First, we want to cross the line Andy Stanley challenged us to cross and live a life of trust in God. We will be living on a "faith based" income in Lesotho, which we have never done before. It is difficult to give up financial independence, even though in truth we know that everything we have is a gift from God. Second, we will be crossing the equator! This will bring seasonal changes such as a warm Christmas and a chilly July.

So, let's see what God will do with two single moms, a three year old, and a college student, willing to cross the line. Hope you'll join us on this journey!