Sunday, March 14, 2010

Paradox

Last week was a wonderful missions conference at Lakeside EC Church. During the Wednesday brunch, Hannah and Samuel shared some of the things they learned at cross-cultural training. The one thing of great impact to them was gaining a new understanding of the word "paradox". As they put it, "Without any good-byes, you can't have any new hellos." As we approach those sad times of good-bye in Pennsylvania, as well as the happy hellos in Costa Rica, would you please pray for us? I (Lisa) recently read this excerpt from "The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions":
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up
that to be low is to be high
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Please pray for us that we learn all He has for us as we learn by paradox. Thank you for your continued prayers on behalf of our family.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Happy news!

This has been a good day for us! We have confirmed that we are about 95% funded and we have a target date of August 1, 2010. Our home church, Lakeside EC Church, will be having their missions conference beginning March 7 and on that day we will be commissioned as missionaries by the Global Ministries director of the EC Church. We are looking forward to that long-awaited day!
Here are our prayer requests for this week:
1. Praise the Lord for His provision!
2. Pray that our remaining funding will come in quickly so we can begin making all the necessary arrangements for our August 1 departure.
3. Pray that our commissioning will be a great encouragement to the church, and that the Lord will bless us all with greater and greater opportunities for outreach.
4. Pray for our health...the cold season has finally caught up with our family.

Thank you for continually lifting us up before the Lord. You are always an encouragement!