Faithful Obedience

The countdown is on. We are headed to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (in the northern end of the nation, see photo at right) in March to prayerfully consider a few mission opportunities there. We aren't sure what will come of this trip but we are leaving the door wide open at this point. And as we do leave the door open, we are continually meditating on (and sometime struggling with) this whole concept of FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE. What started as a simple conversation between Jenni and I about the ways to keep our kids connected to their birth country (Haiti) went from possible short term family trips to the D.R. and/or Haiti to now potential full-time living service in the D.R.

Full time missions. Are you kidding? How in the world did we get here, to be even considering full time missions? To be honest, there was definitely a time in my life when "missionary" equated to those odd, self righteous people who wore clothing that always seemed 10 years behind modern culture...you know... the people who usually homeschool their children. But within a 5 year period of intense spiritual growth (and a continual journey in seeking spiritual maturity) I have come to really appreciate the faithful and servant mentality it takes to be a missionary. And look...here we are, talking about homeschooling our own children (we can't wait for this), and now actually seriously considering living in another country away from all the things we know (culturally speaking) and love (our families especially).

In so many ways, I am scared out of my mind. It's just something that I never would have seen myself doing. Ever. I'm trying to picture myself in the D.R. I don't speak Spanish or Creole - I can barely grasp my own English vocabulary. I'm not greatly fond of tarantulas. I am a soccer and hockey fan, not baseball. I have never raised money for missionary purposes before (although I did a little fundraising for the Y) so thinking of how I'm going to make a living, feed my family and pay for a place for us to sleep is just bewildering at the moment. And then the whole aspect of simply not knowing - not knowing the culture of the D.R., not knowing how our children will be treated (being Haitian and now American, looking different from us etc.), and not knowing if anyone will even be warm to the idea of having this foreign American family come in and "do life with" them.

But the Lord has an interesting way of tugging and poking you. He has continually kept on us about just trusting Him and about doing what is right for Him. It all comes back to that FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE idea. There are times I feel the desire to tattoo that on my arm as a constant reminder of what I need to do every day...heck, every MINUTE I live. To be faithfully obedient - to simply follow the Lord. Doesn't Jesus continually just simply ask his believers to do that?

I've been really encouraged lately by 1 Peter 2. Here, take a look from the version in The Message:

"4-8Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor.

Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life,

in which you'll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God.

The Scriptures provide precedent:

Look! I'm setting a stone in Zion,

a cornerstone in the place of honor.

Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it.

To you who trust him, he's a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him,

The stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone.

For the untrusting it's .. . a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way.

They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.

9-10But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people,

God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—

from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

11-12Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it.

Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices.

Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives."

How refreshing is that? This message just permeates my soul and digs deep into my personal mission to live a life for Jesus. And to do so by way of TRUSTING HIM. There was a time when I totally didn't rely on Jesus as my "chief cornerstone," and those were some pretty rocky times. Times of ego and a time of a skewed definition and drive for success - worldly success. But I now fully rely on Him to be my cornerstone, my lifeline. And what a difference it has made. I find so much more peace in life knowing I have THE God to serve as my support.

Friends, this right here is why were ARE considering this strange and crazy idea about moving to a foreign country. That's it. We want to be faithfully obedient to be His "instruments" in the place where He would have us.

And so, we move forward, doing what we feel God is at least wanting us to consider doing for Him. We may find that upon arriving and checking things out in the D.R. that it isn't the path for us. But until we hit that closed door, we push on in faithful obedience. And I know, that in doing so we bring Him glory. And that's worth every second.

What you can do? PRAY.

• Pray that we hear God's voice as we consider this opportunity
  
• Pray for our relationship with our families and friends - that it remains strong despite the possibility of us moving away for a season of life
  
• Pray for the people in the Puerto Plata area with whom we may end up doing life - pray that God begins to open up their hearts to accept a humble, blended American family


• Pray that this continues to remain a God directed mission, and not some sort of selfish plot to prove anything


• Pray that the details are revealed to us about potential mission opportunities


• Pray for guidance through His Word and the Holy Spirit

Gratiously and gratefully yours!