from Katherine
Elliott has been asking me for weeks to write something for the blog. All I could say was, "I am empty."
Last Sunday while speaking with a friend he suggested, "Just pick a date and go. God will take care of everything else!" Everything else in our case is selling our house and raising the rest of our financial support.
Well we did it. We will board a plane for South Africa on January 12th!
I cannot begin to express the absolute JOY I feel! What an incredible feeling...God is so good! And then came more confirmation that we were heading in the right direction - encouragement from friends, additional support and promising showings on the house.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Good Morning, Cascade
from Katherine and Elliott
“Good Morning Cascade,” came the call. Again and again, the call. As the response rose louder and more enthusiastic you might have thought the call was “Good morning, Jesus” What an exhilarating way to begin the Lord’s Day!
We were invited to share God’s story for our lives in South Africa. At first we wondered, we don’t know anyone at that church so how did we get the invitation? Well, as we hear the faithful, especially missionaries say, it was a God thing. It was one of those friend of a friend of a friend conversations that started with “Do you know any missionaries who could speak at a Mission Celebration?” We are truly blessed by the people that God has placed in our path and appreciative of their obedience to God’s plan!
It was a blessing to be able to share God’s working in our lives. We were humbled by the enthusiastic response to the presentation and the conversations following. It was amazing the number of people we met that had personal stories to tell of their connections to Africa from business to friendships to poignant moments recalling their personal heritage to ‘the motherland,’ as some referred to Africa.
As we prepare to depart for South Africa soon it is very encouraging to have so many express interest in and enthusiasm for our calling.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
You Can Go Home Again
from Elliott and Katherine
We were recently invited to speak at Peachtree City UMC, our former church. But it was not a ‘Missionary Talk’ like some other presentations. Instead, it was the kick off of their stewardship emphasis month. We were pleased with the invitation but we did not realize that it would provide us a chance to ponder deeply the question at hand as we prepared our remarks. We were asked to focus on the overarching importance of obedience rather than the specific act of pledging your time, talent and treasure.
As we prepared it became much clearer to us that if we fully give God our hearts all else falls into place and that doing so is truly an act of love and an act of worship. What else does God desire from us? When we give God our hearts His will and our plans become one.
The day of the presentation was exciting. After all, we had been members there for 12 years. As we looked around the Sanctuary we saw ‘family.’ Indeed, with the many people and experiences that God had placed in our path during our time at PTCUMC it would be easy to say that is where our journey began!
It is amazing the detail in, and duration of, God’s plan. Nothing is wasted; everything that happens in our lives gives our story its voice. It is a joyous experience simply to acknowledge His presence, provision and plan!
We were recently invited to speak at Peachtree City UMC, our former church. But it was not a ‘Missionary Talk’ like some other presentations. Instead, it was the kick off of their stewardship emphasis month. We were pleased with the invitation but we did not realize that it would provide us a chance to ponder deeply the question at hand as we prepared our remarks. We were asked to focus on the overarching importance of obedience rather than the specific act of pledging your time, talent and treasure.
As we prepared it became much clearer to us that if we fully give God our hearts all else falls into place and that doing so is truly an act of love and an act of worship. What else does God desire from us? When we give God our hearts His will and our plans become one.
The day of the presentation was exciting. After all, we had been members there for 12 years. As we looked around the Sanctuary we saw ‘family.’ Indeed, with the many people and experiences that God had placed in our path during our time at PTCUMC it would be easy to say that is where our journey began!
It is amazing the detail in, and duration of, God’s plan. Nothing is wasted; everything that happens in our lives gives our story its voice. It is a joyous experience simply to acknowledge His presence, provision and plan!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Bound For the Promised Land
from Elliott
The last month or so has been difficult. Children headed off to college in Florida and South Africa, home school starting again, and then, my elderly father was hospitalized with a significant head injury. It has made me wonder how many more challenges I can handle.
As I pondered the challenges, I was reminded of the passage in Joshua where the Israelites were tasked with the dangerous crossing of the river Jordan. With the river at flood stage I can imagine that they were filled with fear and uncertainty. What must they have thought when the voice of God told them they were to cross the mighty river Jordan?
God stopped the flow of water and they were granted safe passage. As they passed, they were commanded to pick up a stone from the river bottom. The stones would be used to create an altar as a reminder of God’s presence and provision in difficult times.
God made the way for the Israelites and he does for each of us also; He was and is faithful through all perils. But it isn’t just to get us through the ‘difficult times’ and challenges because he is all about getting us to a new place – our Promised Land.
I wonder, what does that land that He has promised my family look like? We know that He has called us to ministry in South Africa but what does He have planned for us there. What altar might we erect to remind us of His presence and provision? We still have many questions but we know one thing that the God of the Israelites will be with us each step of the way.
The last month or so has been difficult. Children headed off to college in Florida and South Africa, home school starting again, and then, my elderly father was hospitalized with a significant head injury. It has made me wonder how many more challenges I can handle.
As I pondered the challenges, I was reminded of the passage in Joshua where the Israelites were tasked with the dangerous crossing of the river Jordan. With the river at flood stage I can imagine that they were filled with fear and uncertainty. What must they have thought when the voice of God told them they were to cross the mighty river Jordan?
God stopped the flow of water and they were granted safe passage. As they passed, they were commanded to pick up a stone from the river bottom. The stones would be used to create an altar as a reminder of God’s presence and provision in difficult times.
God made the way for the Israelites and he does for each of us also; He was and is faithful through all perils. But it isn’t just to get us through the ‘difficult times’ and challenges because he is all about getting us to a new place – our Promised Land.
I wonder, what does that land that He has promised my family look like? We know that He has called us to ministry in South Africa but what does He have planned for us there. What altar might we erect to remind us of His presence and provision? We still have many questions but we know one thing that the God of the Israelites will be with us each step of the way.
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Power of God's Plan
from Elliott
We finished our training at MTI on a Friday. We were especially awaiting that day because Emily and Ryan were flying to Colorado to meet up with the three of us and begin a week touring the beautiful mountains. The five of us had not been together in the US since the first of the year - a long time!
We left Colorado Springs and headed south and then west. The gently rolling foothills quickly became jagged mountain peaks with a wide range of vegetation as we climbed in altitude. Valleys were filled with cold mountain streams and scurrying chipmunks and deer. In one spot there was a curious sight-the tallest sand dunes in North America.
Everywhere we turned there was something of beauty to gaze upon in wonder and in awe. God's fingerprint was everywhere!
While it all left an imprint on my mind, I wonder if any of it was as powerful as seeing God at work through the interaction of our three children; back together again after seven months apart. Their laughter, play and and love for one another are clearly evidence of God's plan for our lives together.
As I pondered that thought, I quickly realized how blessed I am to have been called by their heavenly father to be their earthly father.
We finished our training at MTI on a Friday. We were especially awaiting that day because Emily and Ryan were flying to Colorado to meet up with the three of us and begin a week touring the beautiful mountains. The five of us had not been together in the US since the first of the year - a long time!
We left Colorado Springs and headed south and then west. The gently rolling foothills quickly became jagged mountain peaks with a wide range of vegetation as we climbed in altitude. Valleys were filled with cold mountain streams and scurrying chipmunks and deer. In one spot there was a curious sight-the tallest sand dunes in North America.
Everywhere we turned there was something of beauty to gaze upon in wonder and in awe. God's fingerprint was everywhere!
While it all left an imprint on my mind, I wonder if any of it was as powerful as seeing God at work through the interaction of our three children; back together again after seven months apart. Their laughter, play and and love for one another are clearly evidence of God's plan for our lives together.
As I pondered that thought, I quickly realized how blessed I am to have been called by their heavenly father to be their earthly father.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hear My Cry, O Lord
from Elliott
Today we focused on grief and losses. We noted that as God severs our roots and brings our story in our home country to a close, that we will feel an unfolding loss and enter into a period of grieving. We will feel a loss of identity, stable home or nest, friendships, family relationships and others. In order to better understand the feeling of loss that we have and to learn productive ways to deal with that loss we were encouraged to ‘cry out to God ‘by writing a lament on one of a number of sheets identified by a particular type of loss.
As we prepare to move, I find myself without a job to explain my value to society, soon(very soon I hope!) to be without a home and venturing into unknown territory. Yes, I am finding myself without an identity or at least certainly not anywhere near the one I have enjoyed previously. So my crying out to God involved my growing loss of identity. I wrote…
“Who am I? I know that I am yours but what does that mean? How does that express itself in your plan for our life in South Africa? Allow me to be a blank sheet that you will write upon. Use bold strokes and vibrant colors. May I reflect fully your creation in me.”
Today we focused on grief and losses. We noted that as God severs our roots and brings our story in our home country to a close, that we will feel an unfolding loss and enter into a period of grieving. We will feel a loss of identity, stable home or nest, friendships, family relationships and others. In order to better understand the feeling of loss that we have and to learn productive ways to deal with that loss we were encouraged to ‘cry out to God ‘by writing a lament on one of a number of sheets identified by a particular type of loss.
As we prepare to move, I find myself without a job to explain my value to society, soon(very soon I hope!) to be without a home and venturing into unknown territory. Yes, I am finding myself without an identity or at least certainly not anywhere near the one I have enjoyed previously. So my crying out to God involved my growing loss of identity. I wrote…
“Who am I? I know that I am yours but what does that mean? How does that express itself in your plan for our life in South Africa? Allow me to be a blank sheet that you will write upon. Use bold strokes and vibrant colors. May I reflect fully your creation in me.”
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Hitting the Road with Jesus
from Elliott
We spent the day studying and discussing Sabbath rest. I have been a part of previous discussions about the concept but have always had difficulty in this culture and with my personality practicing it fully. We mediated today on the familiar Matthew 11:28-30 Scripture. This time though we used the Message version which spoke to me in a very different way.
It reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I immediately focused in on ‘Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life.’ What an invitation! When I read it though ‘Get away with me’ became ‘Make a Getaway with me’ and what a vision that was. Jumping in the car with Jesus and hitting the open road, maybe even in a red convertible on a sunny day!
It sounds like an adventure or a journey of discovery. Perhaps it would be like exploring unknown destinations with an expert guide – Jesus no less. What would He show and teach me? I can feel the pressures of the day quickly lift away; those things that have sucked the life out of me or those distractions that have kept me from a divine appointment with God and alignment with His plan. The destination… 'recover your life'. Not just any life but the one that a gracious God has planned for you – nothing less!
Wow! Is it possible to turn down that invitation? Katherine and I now know the crucial nature of this blessing, especially to the missionary in a new land.
We spent the day studying and discussing Sabbath rest. I have been a part of previous discussions about the concept but have always had difficulty in this culture and with my personality practicing it fully. We mediated today on the familiar Matthew 11:28-30 Scripture. This time though we used the Message version which spoke to me in a very different way.
It reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I immediately focused in on ‘Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life.’ What an invitation! When I read it though ‘Get away with me’ became ‘Make a Getaway with me’ and what a vision that was. Jumping in the car with Jesus and hitting the open road, maybe even in a red convertible on a sunny day!
It sounds like an adventure or a journey of discovery. Perhaps it would be like exploring unknown destinations with an expert guide – Jesus no less. What would He show and teach me? I can feel the pressures of the day quickly lift away; those things that have sucked the life out of me or those distractions that have kept me from a divine appointment with God and alignment with His plan. The destination… 'recover your life'. Not just any life but the one that a gracious God has planned for you – nothing less!
Wow! Is it possible to turn down that invitation? Katherine and I now know the crucial nature of this blessing, especially to the missionary in a new land.
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