Just show us...

Yesterday there was a special ministry presentation at Sicklerville UMC by Mike and Pam Rozell of The Potter's Field Ministries. He is a skillful potter, and she a talented vocalist. Together they share their testimony and talents in a way that challenges each member of the congregation. Using the analogy of the Potter and the clay, they vividly illustrate our relationship with God. What struck me most was this quote:

We say, "God, just show me and I'll do it."
God says, "Just do it and I'll show you."

As we seek to do God's will, ultimately it comes down to surrender and willingness to go and do whatever He says. The clay must be pliable in the potter's hand... or He will make it pliable. He is ever gentle, yet firm- constantly applying just the right amount of pressure. Until we take the shape He chooses, and He can put us to use how He has planned. The clay doesn't have any rights. Nor does it get to question the potter's judgement.

In surrender is its beauty.

Are you waiting for God to reveal a piece of the puzzle before you obey? Is He calling you to do something that you're not comfortable with? Trust the work He is doing in you. Trust His strong, and loving hands to form His likeness in you. Surrender. You can trust Him.

Joining Ann, and listing praise and gratitude... over a thousand gifts... and still counting:

#1764. Your tender hands
#1765. Your vision of what I can become
#1766. that You aren't afraid to get messy
#1767. all the things I don't really need and how You gently discard them
#1768. being centered on the solid Rock
#1769. kindred hearts for Uganda
#1770. an indescribable sense of something great in the works through Uganda
#1771. holy spirit goosebumps
#1772. crossing paths with His servants
#1773. freedom of surrender
#1774. not having to know it all
#1775. being able to trust You.
#1776. grace.

Numbers. Answers. Homework.

Sounds like we're back in school, huh? Well we have a few happy things to share with you today!

We got an e-mail from HQ yesterday with our most current financial needs. Here are the numbers:

Monthly pledges still to be raised $3764 (out of $6711)
One time cash still to be raised $9574 (out of $37, 264)

We want to thank you for praying; He is answering! A few answers to prayer:

• Frank and Sharon Martin (Missionary Pastors from WGM) came to visit yesterday- their words of encouragement, their prayers and the time they spent loving on our boys- were such a blessing. Just the stuff we need to keep pressing on!
• The boys are on their way to healthy- Seth is still wheezing and coughing a little- but everyone slept through the night last night!
• We were very nervous about our Perspectives Course, and it is Week 3 and we're still alive! It is time consuming, but we're learning so much. And it has been very encouraging!

Our homework is drawing us closer to Him! Perspectives is a great course that lays out God's heart for missions- and wouldn't you know- just as we were slowing down and becoming discouraged He is revealing His heart for missions and fanning the flames of our own passion for the world! His timing is perfect. The course is restoring our vision of His grandeur and glory (helping us to trust Him more), it is filling us with the urgency of taking the gospel to all nations, and it is giving us fresh "perspective" as we share our story with the people we meet!

Thank you for praying! We can't do this without you.

Perspectives! Pray!

Josh and I have just begun a 4 month course called "Perspectives on the World Christian Movement" It is an intense overview of missions from Genesis to now- historical, biblical, cultural, and strategic! Whew- I get tired just thinking about it! As we enter this new season, we are excited and nervous about how God will accomplish His purposes through us. We know that we are called to Uganda, and want to get there as soon as we can- and yet this course will obviously equip us for our task! Those things seem to be at odds ( I am not quite sure how God is going to get us funded since we are spending all our time on our homework) but I trust His goodness and His perfect timing. Perhaps He just needs us to get out of His way! :)

So if you don't hear from us, assume we are studying hard! Please be in prayer that we would find the right balance of missions and homework and family (and housework?). Would you cover us as we step out of our comfort zones and spend more time on this course and less time on "missions"? Would you pray that we would let go and trust God to get us to Uganda when He needs us there? Thanks! Also would you pray for our boys- Caleb is really struggling with allergies and we are praying Seth stays well. Satan loves to attack us through illness- and we just knew they would get sick as we started this course! We really covet your prayers during this new season.

If you're interested in rocking your own world check out this video, perhaps God is calling you to take the Perspectives Course too!

Warning: craigslist.com

*** Please be aware that this blog post is highly sensitive, and may not be suitable for young readers.***

I've been reading Tom Davis' blog this week and am floored by the reality that sex trafficking is going on in America, utilizing a commonly used website: craigslist.com

Tom Davis has written three posts this week about this scandal and outrage- and I believe as missional people, loved and sent by a missional God- we cannot be passive in this fight against injustice. I will be fasting lunch today- and would encourage you to fast and pray sometime this week- over this depravity, and injustice happening on US soil (and around the world). Here are Tom's posts:

Shutting Down America's Online Sex Cafe

Craigslist Supports Sex Trafficking by Looking the Other Way...Will You?

Praying for the Victims of Sex Trafficking

Will you join us in fasting and praying for the least of these who are so precious in His sight??

Also check out iFast58 for an additional prayer/fasting resource.

May Prayer Requests

***Just got this e-mail from our field director in Uganda. Join us in praying!***

After many meetings, discussions, and letters, the tax situation at the school is still not resolved. We have submitted an official appeal, but we have not received their response. We continue to appreciate your prayers concerning the issue. We are trusting the Lord with the whole matter.

Speaking of the school, we desperately need teachers and a principal for next year. At present, we definitely need an English, Math and Science teacher in our Secondary School as well as a 5th grade teacher, 6th grade teacher, and a Principal. If you know of anyone that might be interested please have them email us.

May 3 is the first Monday of the month, and we would love to have you join us in prayer and fasting on that day. Words alone can never express our gratitude to you for standing with us.