A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

I am thankful for being in pain. 
It reminds me we are not long for this world and that what I am doing/going through will not be forgotten.
Revelation 22:12, Hebrew 6:10

I am thankful for the end of my own strength.
When I come to the end, I am forced to rely on Him. I often think I am, but it's only in these spots I see it most purely. He will always - through Him - make a way.
2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 10:13

I am thankful for need. 
I wouldn't have realized how precious His provision is if I hadn't needed it so bad. Did you know a random $18 check in the mail is God's way of letting us provide for our children's wants? Lauren finally say Mockingjay yesterday! The $100 someone gave us unexpectedly allowed me to get something I can eat for Thanksgiving and get hot chocolate at Six Flags - where we got in for free! We even had a free turkey show up at our house! Elijah needed a coat for the cold. 2 were dropped off! Were these crazy, random happenstances?? No. They were our Father providing.
Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:25-33

I am thankful for those who think we are crazy for following God this way. 
It's funny. We actually get more flack from Christians than from non-Christians for following what God has told us to do - and it's all concerning issues we would expect from those who don't follow Christ! Yes, it's illogical. No, we are not saving away for college, retirement, vacations.... Yes, it's crazy. No, I can't explain. Yes, I often feel you are right.... These all remind me we are following Him, and not the world.
Isaiah 55:8, Romans 14:4

I am thankful for despair.
Without despair, I would never recognize the beauty, peace, and joy of hope. Hope comes alive even brighter when I have recognized the dark. And hope births love. Love for God and love for our fellow man.
Romans 5:1-11, Psalm 71:13-15

I am thankful for waiting.
Yep. That hurts to even type. Waiting has many layers. Like an onion- a stinky onion. You think you've peeled away a layer or two of waiting..... Until you've waited some more. But waiting reminds us we don't know all, can't see all, and know nothing at all! God's timing is perfect. To our eyes, perfectly stinky! But it is the essence and sent of perfection. :-)
Psalm 27:14, Isaiah 40:31

I am thankful for partners.
Yes, that is a good thing of the Lord, but a painful thing to our humanity! It reminds us that we can not do this on our own. That hurts our own pride. But, it also reminds us that with God, all things are possible! Even reaching the most expensive, influential city in the world, with the light of Christ. Even discipling, mentoring, and training young Christian leaders for 2-12 months. What an amazing opportunity, that we can only do through our partners! We are so blessed and thankful by those of you who make our call to God able to happen. Thank you!
Philippians 4:10-20, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 

Active Waiting

It's so much easier to say, "Not my will, but Yours be done, Lord!" than to live it.

The last few months have been amazing!
Amazingly busy...
   Amazingly frustrating....
      Amazingly blessed.... humbling..... exciting.... sifting......
You name it - we've probably experienced it!

There has been so much excitement as we learn more and more about serving in the London Centre at Nasmith Court. Our family is working hard to gain partners who will come along side us financially in order to start serving there when the Centre opens next summer. At times it feels like it's going too fast and at other times way too slow.

I admit, I find myself getting anxious when seeing a fixed date for us to need be there, but we know God is in charge and sovereign in our lives. Over and over He has said, "Be still and know that I am God. Be faithful in acting, but stop trying to fight MY battles."

After 4 years of actively pursing God's call in our lives to serve in Europe we can get bogged down, but God showed me something special today: When reading about Christ's sacrifice for us - particularly concerning His anguish at Gethsemane - Oswald Chambers made the statement, "A thing is worth just what it costs."

Serving in Europe is costing us so much more than we realized it would, But oh, it will be worth it!! How humbled and blessed we are to know that what He has called our family to will impact the lives of so many people for Christ! We will be mentoring and helping train up young Christian leaders! We will be in the absolute best spot ever for influencing the world as we reach out to the community in downtown London!

Join us!!

Ruel, Roy (LCM), Tiffany & Bryan 

The London Centre at Nasmith Court!

Unsettled

Do you remember these? 

There was a certain terror and exhilaration when receiving a folded piece of paper and knowing you must answer. That special someone wanted to know!

That's often how we feel when calling people about partnership. "We really don't want to bug you too often, so....could you check one please?" 

We know that people get busy - so we want to help remind you! Also, some people don't want to say "No". If you feel you need to, that's fine. Just let us know.

Why do we need to know?

We really feel under an ever-growing compulsion. 

That's the best way to describe it. We love the people we are around! Our friends, GEM family, church family, the kids' school...but we just can't settle. We are almost sick with the compulsion in our souls to start serving in London. And we do truly believe it's God given. He knows us. We could easily settle in here, do great things for the Kingdom of God, have a wonderful church family, and let the kids go through an amazing school system - but we aren't suppose to get settled. We are passing through while knowing we will be back to visit often!

Yet in order to do that, we need people who want to see the body of Christ grow. Yes, it is getting harder, and harder to serve the millions who are in and going through London. That is why we feel so compelled to get there soon. There is a great need. We need people who can be the means by which we can minister there.

Will you join our team? 

There are several trips coming up where we would love for you to see London and all that God is doing there in small pockets of Light. Come with us to catch the vision! 

Would you also prayerfully consider being a part of our financial partnership? 

Just as important is that we want to share in this with you! Please contact us any time with questions, or just a, "Hey! I want to hear more..." 

We truly know this is a body of Christ and we can't work well without you!

Backtracking

Remember the golf tee puzzle at Cracker Barrel?

The goal is to leave only one tee after a series of rule-following jumps. I never could quite do it. Oh, I often left 3 or even 2, but it was really hard to get just one.

I remember one time on a road trip my dad was intensely moving, removing, and replacing tees while we waited for our meal. After 10 minutes or so he stopped and said, "Watch this..."

He played the game perfectly.

My brother and I quickly replaced the pegs and told him we bet he couldn't do it again. He did. A third, fourth, and even fifth time! I began noticed that each time he started with the same set up and followed the same pattern. When I asked him how he knew that he replied, "I started with only one peg and memorized the steps backwards. I just had to reverse them to win the game."

Of course my brother and I cried a foul and said he was cheating, but really he was a "Genius" as the game proclaimed. He just came at it from a different perspective.

Often in life we see a goal and forge our way to it in hopes of achieving it. That's commendable, but is that really the best way? What if we could find out the step right before the final goal? Then the step before that? Would it make sense to take advantage of that?
Why not backtrack from the goal? Christ.

I read an interesting Scripture passage this morning and can't wait to dive into it for a few days!
Ephesians 3:8-12

I got as far as the first half of the first verse today. :-)

"This grace was given to me - the least of all saints! - to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah..."

Proclaiming the Gospel, sharing Jesus with the lost, and all the other "Life giving" phrases Christians use are understandable, but scary. Yes, scary. Most Christians think  - or are taught to think - that you have to have several years of theology, seminary, or at least 10 Beth Moore Bible studies under your belt ;-) before you can "lead someone to Christ".  Why? We have begun to use those as paths to righteousness instead of the Bible. Oh, they are all used to study the Bible, but really what's so deep and hard to understand about "Love", "Seek", Go."?

We have made them too hard. And sometimes, if we are truthful, we have done that in order not to have to obey right now.

Today I read in God's Word that my goal is to "proclaim to the Gentiles (those who do not know Christ) the incalculable riches of the Messiah". Let's put that into other words:
Incalculable Riches - The rich gifts and blessings imparted by God or Christ which are unsearchable and impossible to be traced out. (Based on the Complete Word Study)

Or in more simple terms, "Tell everyone about the amazing, unexplainable things Christ has done in your life and in those around you." If you don't know of anything He has done, then ask Him to show you some and listen. Don't let the big words, vague phrases, and weight of eternity weigh on you so much you never tell anyone about the Messiah.

As we like to say in the South, K.I.S.S.
Keep
It
Simple
Sweetheart!

London Bound!

We have listened, prayed and accepted. We are moving our appointee status from Ireland to the UK: We are headed for London!

After much prayer, we have firmly heard the call for our family to serve through GEM in the UK. Though we still believe Ireland is in our future at some point far down the road, we are now fully committed to living in the great 8 million+ city of London! Our family will be a part of the new, and long prayed for, London Centre where we will serve not only the community around us, but also those who are coming to serve. See a quick synopsis below of what this Centre will be:

"An incredible addition to this unfolding story is a new project that was simply a dream until a few weeks ago....
We are presently requiring approx.. $2600 per month per Intern (Transport, Training, Food and Lodging) – primarily due to the high cost of even basic accommodation in urban centers of London.
This figure makes us expensive on the internship spectrum with most programs engaging third world projects around the $1500 per month mark. We’d love to somehow bring this costing down and make Europe affordable for our huge potential intake.

The dream: Having chased many rabbits, monasteries, church housing, campsites etc we’ve concluded that the ideal scenario would be to secure a rental property in a nearby borough of London (thus reducing transit costs and keep the team proximate to their mission partner)
It would also allow for accountable community to thrive, - to pool resources for food, encourage a learning community, offer reasonable safety to the predominant female intake etc. It’s great stewardship with numerous benefits all round.
Thus, GEM LONDON CENTRE - a Mission Training Residence, a hub for apprentice missionaries if you will."

An added goal will be to host short term teams, provide temporary housing for incoming Mid/Long Term Missionaries, and offer an affordable
weekend away/ministering for other serving missionaries in London. The Centre will also become a place for the community around it to gather, be discipled, and experience love through Christ.

We would love to talk with you more!! Please call or message us if you have ANY questions. We will be contacting as many of you as possible over the next few months to share all God is doing.

All our love- Ruel and Tiffany

Mid Month Update

Whew… Quite the life changing few weeks!

I just realized this morning that a little over two weeks ago, our family packed everything up and headed to a state and city we've never been, to work with people we didn't know, find a place *hopefully* to live,  find some part time jobs to pay for the unknown living quarters & food, and find a way to furnish it. Oh yeah, and impact the world for Christ even faster by diving head on into Mobilization!

No wonder we're still a little dazed ;-)

But what an amazing two weeks they have been!!

We have so many God stories we would never had the privilege to share if we hadn't taken this leap of faith we were called to.

We are really fitting in to McKinney. Thank you all for the prayers for the children and ourselves - They have made all the difference! I've already met a young lady who is on my heart to get to know locally, and we are known well enough by a local coffee shop - SNUG on the Square - that the owners wife recognized us and said Hello when we were at the Dallas Zoo the other day!

Here's a list of things we have experienced, learned, our needs, and some things you can pray:

Experienced

• OK, we admit it. Texas is great! We are quite aware that it is not summer heat yet, but so far it's really growing on us.
• This area is alive. I'm constantly amazed at the number of homes, apartments, shops and businesses there are here that are thriving. People are shopping, dining, and…. well, thriving! There is such an amazing opportunity to meet and work with people here.
• Job hunting. It's been a while since I've been paid to work (Not since 2004!) and it's been interesting. I have a second interview scheduled for tomorrow and a few next week. Ruel was already offered a few and took one at Albertson's. He'll start either Wednesday or next Saturday.

Learned

• We have jumped in head first to the Mobilization team here in McKinney. We were both in the office some the last two weeks hearing about all they are doing and working on. 
• Ruel and I will both help with First Step: Talking to people who fill out the initial interest form with GEM for trips through long term missionaries. 
• I have spent the last few days learning all that is involved with short term trips. (Let me tell you, the answer is ALOT!) We've decided I'm going to help and observe with the current trips already in progress and then take the lead on one that will be coming up late summer.
• We have also been preparing for the trip to London the first week of April. We'll be in London most of the time, but will go to Manchester one day to meet with some local partners. 
• It's going to be even busier around here! This year Mobilization is working with approximately 300 people for short term trips. Because of some things in the works, next year is projected to jump to over 1,000. We got here just in time!
• It is expensive to live here! We have decided it is getting us prepared to live in Dublin. ;-) Because McKinney is growing so fast, there are very few 3 bedroom apartments available for rent, and those that are left are expensive! We were blessed to find a cheaper one in a great location that would come open March 24th and signed quickly. Yes, $1350 a month is good, believe it or not…

Needs

• Furniture. I know most of you won't be able to bring a truck with some of your old furniture, but if you know anyone in this area who might be able to help provide, we could really use it. Message me for the list of things. (But pretty much…… everything from dressers to a vacuum cleaner to shower curtains.)
• Provision. Yes, we will both be working jobs, but like we stated before, it's expensive here. 

Prayer

• Provision goes here too. Pray for the Lord to provide for those who trust in Him.
• The kids. With Ruel and I starting new jobs, working in the Mobilization office, and me going to London soon for a week, we are having to leave the kids a lot. I'm sure they will be fine and the apartment we got is really nice and has gates, but a momma will worry. Pray for their safety.
• Partners. That is one of the major reasons we are here after all! Pray we find the people soon God has to partner with us in the ministry. 

If you have any questions about what we are doing, what we need, or would like our contact information and new apartment address, please email me!!

30 Days of Ireland

Please join us the month of March in prayer for Ireland.

30 Days of Prayer: Ireland

Ready...Set...GO! Will you help?

We announced in our recent newsletter God's call in our ministry to work with GEM's Mobilization HQ office in McKinney, TX. February is dedicated to packing up and saying our good-byes in TN as we plan to move to McKinney around March 1st. We have been amazed at God's perfect timing in our joining the team in TX: This year they are leading 2 PROJECTS (80+ in each) to Brazil World Cup & Scotland Commonwealth Games, over 12 separate Short-Term Trips (STT) across the UK alone, plus various other trips across Europe and the USA. This doesn't even account for all the interns! Needless to say, we will be busy.

In fact, we need your support and prayers for an upcoming trip already. In order to learn all that is involved with leading teams and to capture a little more of that passion to serve in Europe, I (Tiffany) have already been scheduled to go with a women's vision trip the first week in April. We will be taking 8 women to experience the breadth & depth of ministries that are doing 'outside-of-the-box' things for God in the UK (i.e. Cafe churches, Pub churches, Safe Houses for trafficked women, etc.) This is an amazing opportunity to jump right in and start serving both those in Europe and fostering a passion for ministry and need to those in America.

Because of how close this trip is, budgets have already been set, and we need to provide all the funding ourselves. The initial deposit is due Feb. 3rd, but we know God will provide!
Would you consider partnering with a special gift for this trip? You can send the money directly to our GEM account (though please send us a quick email to make sure we set it aside for this trip!), or email us to find several other personal options such as PayPal or mailing it to the London Vision Tour Fund.

Please pray for us over the next month:

• Saying good-byes in TN
• Finding a place to live in McKinney, TX (including either furnishings or some cheap/free stuff!)
• Funds for the Vision Tour the first week of April
• A part time job for Ruel as soon as we get to TX (this will allow us eating money until we are able to move permanently to Ireland)
• Patience :-)

I'm 40!!!

Guess what??
I (Tiffany) turn 40 today - And I'm really excited!

I have finished yet another decade and look forward to the next one. Really. I love the thought of these 10 year increments.

Childhood is what it is. And I distinctly remember turning the big "two digit", 10. My brother gave me a Tenderheart Bear candle between throwing up with one of the worst stomach bugs of his childhood.

Turning 20??? Well, it was basically a moment to thank God that I never had to be a teenager again...

Hitting 30 brought me to who I am now. The 20's were the worst decade I have ever face, but in a humbling way, the best too: They broke me till I had to rely on my Father. It was in my 20's that I truly died to self and decided to live fully for Christ - no matter the cost.

So here I am at 40!

The last few weeks I've thought about all God has taught me in my 30's:

• 10 years ago I was just starting to really love His Word. I spent hours pouring over Scripture and totally geeked out when I was supplied with The Complete Word Study & Dictionary OT & NT. 
• He taught me how to listen to His voice and obey, even when it seemed crazy. 
• My Father proved how He is my provider.
• He asked me to give up my dreams, and I eventually did. Then He blew me away with even better ones!
• I grew to love. That's says a lot for a girl who use to live behind her safe brick wall.
• He showed me I love to teach and encourage through His Word! ...something I never would have thought possible.

And in the last several months I have learned something else: God made me who I am - with the passions, talents, failures, dreams, and fraility - for a purpose. It's one more grand than I ever dreamed as a child, and filled with more purpose than any scholar ever hoped for me....

And that's why I'm so excited to turn 40.

Just think of what the next 10 years will bring in lessons, experiences, and refining for me, and glory, honour, and a harvest for my Saviour....

He told them: “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest... 

Luke 10:2

Please join me in making the next 10 years...... abundant!

Christmas: The Great "Wait"

Christmas has unveiled a new meaning to me this year.

Child in the manger-
A Saviour born-
God became flesh and dwells among us-
The Light of the world has come-
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace....

These are wonderful truths we as Christians have come to cherish and dwell upon in the Christmas season. We rejoice with the angels, seek Him as the wise men, and treasure all these things in our hearts as Mary did. Yet I think we often overlook something very important...

The wait.

In one sense, the wait was over! Generations had looked to the coming Messiah to be born. They looked forward in faith for their salvation - The one who would be the perfect sacrifice and Israel's consolation. Simeon and Anna rejoiced that they had lived to see the LORD's Messiah. (Luke 2:25-38)

Yet there is a "wait" we forget. Something I have come to see as the greatest "wait" of all:

God - in flesh - had just begun His most difficult wait. 

I can't even begin to imagine the difficulty of choosing to lay aside "God-ness" to put on the flesh of humanity. Of living 30+ years with us in all our trials, frailty, pride, deceit, and selfishness. Jesus didn't just choose to be born and die for us - He chose to live with us. Knowing who He was. Forgoing the power and glory and majesty He deserved, He waited 30 years to even begin His ministry.

30 years.

Who am I to complain we are going on 3???

And now - after enduring this wait, dying a horrible death, defeating death, and being raised as the firstborn from the dead -He still waits.

He waits for us to come to Him.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

This year, I am meditating on my Saviour this Christmas season, with such very deep respect for the wait that small child was just beginning.
I bow in awe....

My Heart Song

Earlier this year I learned what my heart song is.

Back in April I was told of a book by Nik Ripken entitled "The Insanity of God: The True Story of Faith Resurrected". I challenge each and every one of you to read it. The book isn't long and is quite engrossing, but you can't read it quickly. It's just too powerful.

Towards the end, I learned of a man in prison for Christ in this last century who stood every morning in his cell and sang a worship song - no matter what. Through pelted with both insults and other unimaginable materials, he sang this Gospel song with no sign that any good would come from it. After much time (years, I believe) he was taken from his cell to be executed. That's when the entire prison stood to their feet and sang the song in it's entirety. It freaked the prison officials out so much with the power of the song that he was instead released. 

He called it his Heart Song.

That's when I started thinking about it. What one song should I memorize that would be my witness, hope, and strength to sing if I were ever placed in that situation? Have you ever thought about it? You might want to. Not that I believe we will all be going to prison for our faith any time soon (though the possibility seems more realistic than it did even 10 years ago), but because we need to understand just how important our faith is. We need to remind ourselves what we would endure for the sake of Christ. In a sense, Just how much do I really love Him? I wanted to find a song that summed up my life in Christ. And I didn't have to search long for it.

God has called my life and heart to Ireland. And that's where my song was penned. 

Soak the words in. Do you really believe them? No. They are not Scripture, but an amazing summation.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Ask God to search your heart today. Is He really your all in all. Your one hope and joy?

Now, go find your heart song. Memorize it. Worship Him. Rejoice! Weep. And love Him ALONE.

Please share your heart song in the comments below!

An Introduction to the Rest of Our Lives

Sorry for how grainy this is. To see a HD version CLICK HERE.

It's Time

For the last 2+ years we've talked and planned for the ministry to which God has called us.

Two years.

We've studied, prepared, sold, and grown. But in the background, there was always the comfort of knowing Ruel had a job that provided a paycheck and insurance. We knew money would come in for food by conventional means. It was our security blanket. It made sense and was very reasonable and acceptable. 

I heard a little toddler ask his mom for his binky (pacifier) last week. She reminded him that together they had thrown it away last week because he was a big boy now. Well, today is the day we throw our "binky" away: Today is Ruel's last day at the bakery. 

We know it is the right time, but that doesn't make it easy. We'll have no income until we reach 50% of our monthly needs. Not pledges for it - It has to be coming in. Our family is trusting in God to literally provide everything for us now. It's so terrifying and thrilling at the same time!

I discovered something interesting today about this. As the kids and did some grocery shopping, all I could think of was "Should I buy this? Will we be able to afford that?", but after just a little while I had a peace about it. God will take care of it. As long as we honor Him with our spending, He will provide. Grocery shopping then became something more: I was so in love with Him over each item we chose! It was as if He were personally handing me each thing. Grocery shopping has never been more beautiful.

Things have been changing so drastically in the last two weeks we are having to revise our budget. It was something I was dreading on Sunday, but now I can't wait. Seriously. Before I was looking at it with a bit of fear. Now I know it will be a time of worship.

Please pray for us this week. 

There will be so many things going on and we are still recovering from sickness and surgery. If you would like more frequent updates things about Ireland, please join our Facebook group 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Can't wait to share what God does next!

God Moments

I can not tell you how terrified, encouraged, excited, doubtful, hopeful, adrenaline rushed, and any other extreme high/low emotion you can think of we have been in the last few weeks.

It's a RIDE!

Something I read - or someone said - recently has really stuck with me: It's the moments we are the lowest that Hope shines the brightest. How true this is! I believe in the power of Christ and His resurrection,   His ability to heal, comfort, provide, encourage, and just love. I truly do. But it never ceases to amaze me when those pinpointed moments come. It's just so beautiful.

This week has had several of those moments already. We've had cards mailed, calls made, connections given, Scripture supplied, prayers lifted, and those special #'s or verses brought up at just the perfect time. We are humbled and blessed.

I know I say this over and over, but this is truly our ministry: Yours and ours. We can't do it without you. That is the way God has told us to go. We are to rely on the provision of our brothers and sisters - our fellow workers for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

• You support us financially already? Then, what connections do you have for us?
• You're not sure about financial support and are a bit leery to ask? Please don't be. We'd love to answer your questions! Without pressure ;-)
• Know a place we might live for a short time?? CLICK HERE ;-)
• Want to know our latest news & needs? Read our Newsletter & Sign up to receive it monthly.

OK, I know that was a lot of clicking options. But I hope you picked one!

Thank you dear ones.

National Day of Prayer: What I am NOT Praying For

1. America.
Though we gather in prayer, as Americans, we are not to pray only for America. I will be praying for "...a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." Revelation 7:9
Christians are also not the only ones praying. Don't mistake this as a "Christian Day of Prayer". (1) (2)

2. That our government starts acting like Christians.
I'm praying that we will.
God never promised us a "Christian" nation. At least until Jesus reigns as king! We need to stop expecting non-Christians to act like they are. Even if they do, it gives nothing but false hope in their "goodness". We need to be the ones acting like Christians. That doesn't mean fussing and fighting about political stance - though we should stand up for our values. You want them to start passing laws you believe in? Then share the Gospel and disciple them.
With whom have you shared the love of Christ without condemnation and judgement?
Whom are you discipling right now?

3. That people start coming to church.
Sorry, pastors, but too many people in our society think it's enough to sit in church. Too many Christians refuse to share Christ because they can just "invite them" and let the pastors do it since it's "their job". Too many never mature beyond a Sunday service where they were "fed by the pastor".

I'm praying they come to Jesus.

Church is the natural step after true salvation. We want to be together in love and encouragement. I'm not saying it's not a good idea to invite people to church or that salvation can't occur there. We just need to stop acting like that's the only place it can occur in order to wimp out of our own obligation to Christ.


There is great power in prayer. Have faith, and know God will do great things for His Name. He desires all to come to Him, so just ask.... in prayer.

Moving Forward

I have to admit that most of the updates I could give you right now would be:


"We need partners!" 

"Hey! Did you know that partnership is needed?" 

"Have you considered your call in partnership?"

"Partner with us pleeeeeeeeeease!"

I feel like that's all we can say to you, because it's the truth!

Please check out the newsletter, or better still - sign up! Below is the essence of this latest one:


Because we are truly partners in bringing the Gospel to Ireland, we wanted you to be one of the first to hear the direction God has recently call us to in this goal:
At the end of July we will be out of the mission house, and at that time Ruel will quit his job for our family to focus full time on raising partnerships for Ireland.
THE SCARY PART?? If we are not at 50% of our monthly needs by the end of June, we will be living on faith alone!
THE AWESOME PART?? We have a God who provides!
No matter how He times it, the Spirit has confirmed to us over and over that this is His will – so we can’t go wrong.

Prayer Requests:

•  Temporary places to live around the US as we raise support.

•  For the people God has called to help send to respond quickly!

• Connections. The people you know will listen to you. Who can to call/talk to on our behalf? Then pass them along to us – We’d love to share with them!

We can’t do this alone and neither can you. But we can reach Ireland together through the power of the God. We know He provides and we know He wants the Good News spread.
All we need to do is ask it in His Name.
In the Name of our precious Saviour Jesus, Ruel and Tiffany

Fair Questions

Someone I dearly love asked me some fair questions today, "How do you know for sure God has called you to Ireland?" and, "Why so you need so much money? Isn't that too much to raise?"

I'll admit that for a second my mind screamed, "Yes! That is too much money- we'll never be able to raise that! Perhaps we are suppose to just stay here..."

But only for a second.

I then explained all the times God has proven to us again and again (because we needed the comforting reminder) that we are to go to Dublin. How for years, He has been grooming us to trust our finances and needs to Him. He has proven over and over that this is His economy, He knows our needs, He is our provider, and we are to follow His leading.

Then I got off the phone and ran straight to my Bible.

I've been reading through John lately, so decided to just pick up where I left off. It was John 6:4-14: The feeding of the 5000. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses His Word to speak to us and how the Spirit highlights so vibrantly our lessons, comfort and confirmation.

"...He asked Philip, 'Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?' He asked this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do." vs. 5b-6

I firmly believe God had this person ask me these difficult questions to remind us we know what we know. God knows what He has called us to do and how He will provide. But He hasn't fully yet. Those disciples had a few loaves and fish, but "what are they for so many?" v. 9. We have 18%, but what is that when you need 100%?

"Then Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.'"

The stepping out in faith comes in right there - Telling 5000 men, plus women and children, to sit down so they could be fed. With what? They didn't know till they started passing it out.
And they had a lot of leftovers.

I promise we will be faithful to God with our leftovers.

Why is all this so important? Verse 14
"When the people saw the sign He has done, they said, "This really is the Prophet who has come into the world!'"

So we can give all the glory to Him and peoples will recognize He is the One who has come into the world for them!

So go ahead. Ask the hard questions. We will be honored to step out on faith, explain what we can, and show you.

Why is Dublin Strategic?

Timothy Keller makes a fantastic case for the urgency and importance of reaching global cities for Christ.

 Ask us about the amazing diversity, opportunities, and challenges we will have in Dublin!
 


What is God’s Global Urban Mission? from Redeemer City to City on Vimeo.

GO

Have you ever really thought about what Abram must of felt when he heard the Lord say, "Go"? (Genesis 12:1-3) God promised to take care of him, and listed the blessings he would receive  but never told him how to go. Or where to go. He just said, Go.

That's kind of how we feel right now. We are blessed to know where we are going, but the how seems to be evading us. Even though it becomes difficult to see how God will work all this out, we know He has called people to "send" just as He called us to "go". We're just in the process of finding each other right now. ;-) It's times like these that I cling to and love the worship song, "All I have is Christ".

The last few months have had many ups and downs. Ruel and I have great confidence that God has called us to go, and thus will provide. We also have had many opportunities to share with people and have schedule times in the next few months to meet with potential partners. Please continue to pray for this.

The Irish are ever near and dear to our hearts. We pray for them, read about them, look at pictures, read the Irish Times, and in general, look for all things Irish. Our hearts are moving.
We're just waiting for the rest of us to follow.

Kickstart-ing

Have you ever heard of Kickstarter? It's a brilliant concept that allows people who have creative ideas - games, albums, inventions, projects and such -to let the world know what they are doing and be a part of the upstart.

Say you have a game you think the world would love: Propose the idea on Kickstart. You include all the information people would want in order to fund your idea. Let's say you need $10,000 by December 31st in order to even begin making this game. People are able to pledge whatever amount they want in support of what you are doing. Now most times if you pledge "X" amount, you get a copy of the game, album, or a certificate saying you were a supporter. The brilliance in this is that if the goal is met by your deadline, they are charged the amount pledged. If you don't make the amount needed, you know there is not enough interest, they are not charged, and you don't have to deliver on your idea. It's a safe way of finding out just how popular your idea really is without the up-start investment.

Stay with me now....

As we invested in a game recently which Ruel and Elijah can't wait to play (*Merry Christmas* to you, honey!), I began to wish people knew how close what we are doing in moving to Ireland this is. Yes, we are going: This is what God has called us to. However, we can't go until we hit 100% of our funding.

Thankfully, we don't have a set in stone deadline that keeps us from going if we haven't reached our goal by that time. But we do have a date we have to be out of the house we are living in now. Being that we have already sold all our furniture and household items, this makes it a little more "serious" if our support is not reached by then.

No, we won't be sending you a game to play, music to listen to, or other tangible item. What we can give you is the promise that you are investing in the Gospel. I'm not saying that to be overly dramatic  It's the truth. God has called us to minister to those in Ireland: To show them how to have a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the Gospel. And that is what we will be doing in a place that desperately needs it 24:7.

This is how I see it right now. I feel like we are a living, breathing Kickstart project. Our one consolation is that I know because of the promises we have received, we will never see that "Funding Unsuccessful" icon on the corner of our lives page.

But won't it be amazing when we see the bold print: FUNDED!
:-)