We made it to India! It’s finally starting to set in that this is our new normal for the next 11 months. As we have been here for briefing we have had some great time to reflect on the past few weeks leading up to launch.
Thoughts on Support Raising
The season of support raising at first seemed like such an intimidating and daunting task. Being married and in our late 20s and 30 usually means you’re financially stable and don’t ask people for money. The idea of asking people for support finically seemed counter-cultural. At first this was mine and Cristin’s mindset going into support raising. That we were going to move in with her family and be able to do it all ourselves. The Lord had a completely different plan for us. When we realized raising thirty-five thousand dollars was going to be impossible for us to do ourselves, it gave us a beautiful opportunity to be open with others and invite them into this journey, as well as let us lean completely on the Lord and trusting that He would provide. He gently revealed to us that when we allow others to partner in our journey they get to experience the kingdoms richness right along aside us. It is truly a partnership.
We were so humbly reminded when we were being commissioned by our local church two weeks ago. There was such a sweet presence of the Lord throughout the service. We felt so humbled and blessed to be surrounded by our family and church family. At the end of the service our Pastor took up a love offering for us, we were still about ten thousand dollars away from being fully funded. We found out the next day that in that ONE love offering we only lacked 500 more dollars. God is so good and faithful! Looking back to when we first started support raising and trying raise it by ourselves, it’s such a humble reminder that the Lord provides when he calls you into a season of life he will provide for the needs in that season. We’re supposed to live in community and invite others to walk along side us know matter which season of life we may be in. So we would like to say THANK YOU. We have seen the Lord work in amazing ways as we have raised support for the race. We are so excited to partner with you and we are so thankful for your generous giving!
What I Learned at Launch
Launch was filled with so many emotions. Knowing that it was going to be the final goodbye to our families for the next year and at the same time feeling extremely excited about what the Lord has in store for our entire squad this next year. In the back of my mind I was often filled with fear about leaving my mom and two sisters because I enjoy being able to pour into them and being only a phone call away. During launch we had a night of worship with our families. After that and, talking with our amazing team/leadership, and spending time with the Lord I have so much peace. Peace knowing my mom and sisters can press into the Lord and He can provide way more than I could possibly do by staying. I’m so excited to see their transformation over this next year along with mine and Cristin’s.
Our First Week in India
Wow. Tons of unreached people, curry, squatty potties, and chai. We can’t disclose a lot of our ministry details due to the heavy persecution of Christians in the area. Please pray for us as we go into villages to plant church and come alongside the established Christian communities there. We are so excited to see the Lord move in these villages and to love on and encourage our host family along with other local pastors.
