A Much Overdue Update

We've had such a busy month that I realized that I'm long overdue for an update on our plans to move to Johannesburg, South Africa. We continue to see God's hand in so many ways. We see him leading us, directing us and guiding us. His clarion call is so clear in our lives.

• My left shoulder continues to rehabilitate well. I'm looking at possibly switching over to a more holistic Physical Therapy facility here in Champaign. I have an hour and a half evaluation meeting with them next Saturday
• My lower back continues to give me issues periodically. I started going to the chiropractor, but that seemed to make it worse. I started PT on my lower back to strengthen the core. It doesn't hurt constantly, but the discomfort does come and go

I cannot wait: I leave for Johannesburg, South Africa in a week and a half! (Feb 14-26) It's come up on me so fast that I hardly feel prepared. This will be quite an upcoming week preparing for the 2 day children's conference that we will be holding. I'll be sharing on the theme "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit." I'm looking forward to getting a clearer picture of the ministry there and all that we will be doing with Blessman Ministries Inc. (www.blessmanministries.org) We continue to believe the Lord is leading us to move there as long-term missionaries in 2013. We met with our realtor this past week. Looks like we'll be putting our home on the market as soon as I get back. My mom has graciously invited us to live with her if our house sells before we are set to leave. She just put a big addition on her house, so there should be plenty of room. We are already starting to thin out our belongings and get our home ready for the market. It's been been quite a project so far. Found a great way to sell stuff though: a garage sale page on Facebook. Stuff sells really fast and at reasonable prices. It's like craigslist, but on speed. I sell stuff on the website in literally 5 minutes. It's as if there are people just waiting for you to post your stuff. 

Cleaning out my office

It's been difficult letting go. Letting go of my books was probably the hardest part so far. I just donated several hundred this morning to a local agency that sells them to provide grants for adoptions. I've been realizing that I really value all of my books (I've been a collector for almost 20 years). It's the one thing that I've been hanging on to. Everything else I don't care about, but this is the one thing that's been tough. I wonder what you would hold on to if you were in my shoes?

I still can't fathom moving 1/2 around the globe to serve in ministry. It's overwhelming at times, and quite natural in another sense. Jenn and I sense that we are going to be involved in something that the Lord has been preparing us to do for years. We'll be helping to feed 5000 orphans a solid meal each day. We'll be helping to lead (with Dr Jim and Beth Blessman) the 8-10 missions teams that come from the US each year. We'll be helping to serve in the church and community as the Lord opens up doors. 

So many pieces are fitting into place:

1. I'll be serving in some ministry capacity, using 17 years worth of experience to serve those that the Lord has called us to minister to. I'm so glad I finished my ministerial credentialing (through Global University) in early 2012 and started on a master's degree in Intercultural Studies from Moody Theological Seminary.

2. I'll be using my 7 years worth of medical sales experience to help network with companies in South Africa to raise funds for the ministry

3. Through a partnership with Focus on the Family, Jenn will be teaching women how to do hand-stamped jewelry to sell. She started her own business last year doing this exact thing. 

4. Jenn will continue to homeschool the kids when we are in Africa. Mady started Kindergarten last fall

5. We've had quite a few friends and family already make a verbal commitment to support us financially. This is so overwhelming and humbling. We look forward to partnering with many prayer warriors and supporters alike. We covet prayer as much as anything. We need the prayer support. We do have a rather hefty monthly budget to raise before we go, but we are confident that the God who has called us, will provide.

Please pray for my trip, that there will be an absolute confirmation on our calling. We are ready and willing to go and our lives are in His hands. We're walking by faith. Trusting him and believing him every step of the way.