You Are Blessed to be a Blessing

²⁷As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” ²⁸When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”  ”Yes, Lord,” they replied. ²⁹Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”; ³⁰and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” ³¹But they went out and spread the news about Him all over that region. ³²While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. ³³And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” ³⁴But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that He drives out demons.” Matthew 9:27-34.

“According to your faith will it be done to you.” Although Jesus had the power to give sight to the two blind men, Jesus limited His healing to a condition of faith. It is one thing to believe Jesus can do something. It is a whole lot different to believe He will do it for you. These two men not only believed Jesus could give sight to the blind but they also believed Jesus could give them their sight. How often do I acknowledge that God can do all things yet doubt that He would do something for me? Yes I believe that God can provide the money we need for He owns a cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). Yet if this is according to my faith, will my faith limit Him to only a quarter or half of what we need? It is easy to make general statements of belief but it is alot harder when we have to personalize it and live it out. Yet it is the only way we get to see the living God’s personal involvement in our life. Mike

 Joann’s uncle asked about my guns. I showed him them and he told me that he would buy them all. Later on that day I was ambushed with thoughts of sadness as a chapter of my life was drawing to a close. I went to Penn State after graduating from high school and received an associate’s degree in Wildlife Technology.  Hunting, fishing, backpacking and camping were the ways I enjoyed the outdoors. I spent five years working for an environmental consulting firm that focused on fisheries and water biology. I thought of trips to native trout streams in Pennsylvania and fishing trips to Canada. I remembered hunting trips to northern PA and time spent hunting on game lands in southern PA. Much of this time included staying in log cabins where time was spent cultivating friendships and memories over a cup of tea.  It was a good part of life that God often used to remind me of His glories revealed in His creation.

As I continued to reflect I was amazed how God has been preparing me over the years to be able to close this chapter in my life. It’s not that I will never enjoy the outdoors again but the focus will not be through hunting.  This is OK for I have a peace in that choice. God has blessed me with His grace to respond to a calling with a different focus. Actually He has blessed me with an opportunity to live out the passion He has instilled in me for many years.  I realize that many people say “I could never give up the life style here in the US.”  And “I could never give up all the things I am used to having.” I am not saying that some things will not be hard, but God’s grace has given us a willingness to set them aside. Mike 

I went to bed last night and woke up this morning feeling a sense of defeat and wondering if this mountain of support we need can ever come about. The consensus of most people we talk to suggest times are tough, finances are stretched and no money is in the budget. I was praying this morning and had a sense to go to the computer and start typing, so that is what I am doing. I am convinced that as long as we continue to think with this focus we all remain defeated and experience a faith that we control.

We are on a journey of faith that is beyond our control and yet every time I try to manage it feelings of defeat comes over me. We do not have the resources within ourselves to live life as we should. For God will always call us to do what we think is impossible and beyond our abilities and resources. Christians are to be people of faith; and yet, I too often live more by fear, doubt and control rather than trust and faith.

We have taken a bold step of faith without the ability to see how this can possibly take place. It is beyond us. We have been praying that God would rise up partners that would join us on this journey of faith. So we are in a quest to seek partners who are bold in faith that will say “despite the lack of certainty we dare to be involved that we may also see the living God work in our life as we join in this partnership.”

I am realizing that God is not only challenging our faith but He is using us to encourage others to take steps of faith. We are not seeking to make people feel guilty if they do not give. In fact if the motivation is guilt then I am sure that giving should not be your response. We are seeking to encourage those who long to have opportunity to express faith and want to have an active involvement in this ministry. Mike

Most of our family and friends have excepted the fact that we are going to Africa. Sometimes their expression of confidence is just the word of encouragement we need.

One of the most surprising things that is happening to us is this: People are asking if they can have our things. We have gotten requests from family and friends alike including children. Items range from furniture to pictures to knickknacks. One of our young nieces recently asked for one ( not all four) of our dining room set chairs. They are on rollers. We jokingly asked how much she was willing to pay us and she said 25 cents! Even she is willing to help fund our efforts!

So I am taking inventory. I have to decide what I must take to Africa. These are all small items. But they will be important reminders of life back home in America. What will I store? What will I sell? What will I give away? Going on the mission field helps you to realize what is truly valuable-in more ways than one! Joann