faith – Jeff & Angie

Cambodia, faith, Mission Trip, Missions, Trials, Weekend Reflections

The Climb

April 30, 2023 Angie Knight

I will never forget the sights, smells and sounds of this boat ride. Nor the heat. Seim Reap, Cambodia, and it was about 139 degrees (not really, it just felt like it). We were headed to the “floating village”. Little did I know that river trip would change me forever.

School children headed to their floating homes from the “floating school”.

I had NO clue what that BIG dream would lead to. What started out as one thing–ended up as something that would show me much more than I ever believed I would see or experience…that’s what happens when we leave the choices to God. My part in all of it was a willingness to follow wherever His path chose. I will not kid you and make you think it was easy. It was hard. Letting go of one thing only to sit on the sidelines and see what He would do. It was supposed to be Egypt after all. Not Cambodia.

I remember sitting in my little praying spot in the living room and crying–asking Him–what are YOU doing?

The first miracle came with how God brought $2,400 in for the trip in less than 48 hours. After the excitement of realizing I was actually going to get to go settled in–Syria became a hot place. Egypt became unavailable for the mission trip. “What would you like to do, Angie? Wait and see? Or, be refunded?”

I held on to hope that God would turn things around. Then the call came that the trip was changed to Cambodia–did I still want to go? I knew in my heart that God knew all of this before we even began… Yes, I will go.

Once we had rested (after 23 hours in the air), we had our church service with the students at the Dream Center, which is where we were going to work (another blog). We went to lunch and then to tour a portion of the Angkor Wat temple. Click here to read more about the area. Originally built for hindu gods, but later was dedicated to buddhism (because apparently, the hindu gods failed [no duh, there is only ONE GOD–and to put it in my NW Florida/SE Alabama vernacular, it ain’t buddha either].

Anywaywhooo, this is about the steps. I just read that this tour is not for people with heart problems, pregnant women, but for physically fit people…uhm…I was not physically fit. Not by a long shot. But I flew all this way–and by George, I was committed to experience all the things so that I could share it with the precious people who had so graciously contributed.

I don’t have a picture of the front of the first climb of mountain of steps. It was straight up like the middle photo, but without any handrails. Our guide and mission leader explained that anyone who wanted to climb was free to go–however if anyone felt they couldn’t do it, they could stay on the ground with those who had either been before and was not about to climb it again–or those whose physical condition prohibited the climb.

This next part of the story is the most significant and what I really wanted to share–but you needed some background–right? As I began the straight up climb it was not initially difficult, despite the extraordinary heat. But after about 10 steps, my legs began burning. Soon I was having to press down on my wobbly thighs and try as best I could not to hassle like an exhausted dog when I breathed. Up-up-up we continued to climb. I, along with all our mission-mates were sweating profusely.

A little over mid-way, completely spent and borderline passing out, I paused and looked down to the ant-size people on the ground and I remembered Candi’s words, “you can stay here on the ground with us and wait if you don’t feel like you can make it”…and I thought how easy it would be to turn around and go back to safety. I think I even said as much to Vanessa who was the one nearest me. She was out of breath as well.

Red faced, sweat pouring, I turned back and heard a voice from the top level as he said, “the view is worth the climb”. My eyes climbed the steps even though my feet had not yet, and I saw a tall, white haired, elderly man as he stood at the top near one of the columns–no evidence of sweat stains on his shirt and he certainly wasn’t out of breath.

I pressed further on my thighs to pull myself up, almost willing them to keep moving, don’t freeze up. When the man stepped back around the column he seemed to disappear in the stones. There were not many people at the top when we finally, out of breath completely, arrived. My eyes scanned the few people stopped to catch their breath and sip lukewarm water, and I realized he was not among them. Anywhere.

As Vanessa and I began our duet of touring with limited conversation –because of the inability to talk and walk and sweat at the same time–I kept my eyes peeled for another sight of him. I never saw him again–even in seeing many other people, he was not among them.

Believe whatever you want–but I personally believe he was stationed right there to give me that message: “the view is worth the climb.” It was as if the Lord wanted me to know, life in general is tough. But I would face times ahead that it would take all I had to keep going. It would take perseverance to not find a shade tree to stand under while others climbed. It would take a constant focus and determination to not be tempted to just “wait it out”, while others did the hard stuff.

Friends, He calls us to the hard stuff. We– all believers and non-believers have life to plow through–and there are rocks and tree stumps in it for all of us. What believers in Jesus have that non-believers don’t have–is Someone to journey with them–to guide them and be with them every single step of the way; the hard days and the easier days. I would never want to began a journey anywhere without Him.

There was a heavy feeling of darkness there that day (in my spirit), I had one other trip years later to another country and tourist location where I felt this feeling of darkness. I kept whispering prayers under my breath as I walked–stopped –took pictures and felt the immense sadness that seemed to have permeated the thick walls of stone.

I’m not sure why this trip suddenly has come to my mind–but for the last several days–I’ve thought about it. Last Sunday, just before the mission service I shared the climbing portion with our pastor because he had said something in his morning message that reminded me of the climb. I think in the days we are living–the days that seem darker than my generation has ever experienced–we are going to NEED to push down hard to keep climbing.

My heart has stayed broken over things I hear that children and teens are being exposed to and how they are treated. There are those who God has called to become foster parents–and I cannot applaud them enough. Yes the system stinks. It is slow as molasses on a January morning in Canada–but we continue to pray for the safety of these who cannot speak for themselves.

Every mission trip God has blessed me with has widened my eyes and pricked my heart to pray more–give more and do all I can with the days I have ahead of me. My prayer is that He continues to widen my eyes. Enlarge the borders of Focus Forward Ministries and the church. My deepest desire is to make a difference for God, in the lives of others.

So if your climb has given you wobbly legs…. don’t look down or back… press forward. There are others right beside you, others following your footsteps, and the One ahead of you will lead you Home if you keep your focus on Him.

faith, Focus Forward Ministries, Ministry, Mission Trip, Missions, prayer

Pray As Never Before

March 25, 2023March 25, 2023 Angie Knight

This morning when I opened the back door to Let Gracie out, I inhaled deeply.

The air had a slight fogginess to it. Not as much as earlier in the week–but there it sat, misting on the property boundary. Like it had already been up at the house and was excusing itself before the sun brightened the day. It was cloudy though, so not much chance of seeing sunshine today.

As I inhaled, a familiar smell teased my nose: outdoor cooking, old wood burning, possibly, a distant field from days ago finally filtered down to our area, and I smiled.

Bolivia. That was my first thought. I stuck my head back inside to where I could see Jeff as I said –“Hey, it smells like Bolivia this morning”.

I know we live and work here. We both love our jobs, who we work with, and what we do. But we also have a purpose and goals to see more –young and elderly alike, experience their first mission trip.

Focus Forward Ministries, Inc. has a heart that wants to encourage others to get out of their comfort zone and help their neighbor….the one who lives an eight hour plane ride away. Focus Forward is blessed to currently be working in three countries: Bolivia, Jamaica, and Uganda.

Still though, my heart sees pieces of Bolivia in my mind often throughout any given week. So the smell this morning really gave me a hunger for our friends and family there. (If our Bolivia family are reading this–please know you are all thought about so much every week!).

From the very first trip I took, it has always been about the children. Yes, we build churches. But for us, our goal has always been to help the next generation find and know Jesus–and it often takes place in the church buildings we help build. We do our best to get involved in the schools surrounding the new church construction. And we return to all our other schools every year. We have always sought God for the place and time to do what He has called us to do.

Lately, I’ve been seeing the most horrifying and heart rending scenes on social media regarding children.

The exploitation and mind altering to cause children to want to alter their bodies–the devil is at work. Society tells them they can be a boy if they want–or a girl if they’d rather. I told a grandson today as we were discussing some of the evils this generation is seeing–that these people who were manipulating children’s minds would burn. The physicians doing such would also–I’m only judging by what I’m seeing and hearing.

I remember the shock and sadness that overwhelmed me the first time I saw a beautiful little girl who looked to be about five years old, dressed up in ruffles of taffeta, similar to a type of costume worn generally in parades in Bolivia, dancing on the sidewalk. With her CD player, she was dancing and appeared to be completely alone. But her “owner” was within eyesight I am quite certain. She was there to collect money. She danced for whoever would give her coins to clink in the can that sat on the sidewalk. Even better if the money folded.

I looked around in anger. Honestly–at that point I had never in my life seen such a thing –had heard about it but never witnessed the exploitation of a child before. The missionary leading us that day (2011) described to us what was going on and urged us to walk on by and not pause. I remember there was sadness in the eyes of the little girl. She wasn’t holding a doll and playing in her yard–she was dancing a provocative dance to allure the attraction of whoever was willing to watch and pay. Sick.

We are right there. In America, we can no longer hold our head up and say, “not here, buddy”!

It is here! It has been for many years–it’s just more out in the open now without regard to others–shameless disregard for the innocence of the children.

In my kitchen window I have four little glass votives. I light them sometimes to highlight what is going on in the early morning at our house. They are almost burned down, but easily replaceable. Our prayers are just like these little candles. Giving a light in the darkness of this world and we have got to make sure the prayers continue. When we see the light running low–the call to action is to be ready with the next candle to light. We need to pray while we can. We need to go while we can. We need to speak and share and sow the seeds of the Gospel, while we can. The day is coming when we won’t have the privilege to do all the things with the freedoms we have so enjoyed in America.

Friend, I don’t know what kind of reminder you need in your life to pray–but we have eleven precious grandchildren from age 21 down to 3–and they are reminders enough for me that this world is shaking up in such a way it should keep us in our prayer closets. They are the generation that will experience this last day revival- Let us pray it down on them–let us be ready to experience it ourselves! Let us live by example the readiness of heart and spirit to go to the ends of the earth if God calls–to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.

Pray.

Christmas, Devotion, faith, Holidays, prayer, Reflection, Salvation

His Purpose in You

November 9, 2022November 12, 2022 Angie Knight

The topic of “purpose”–your purpose, my purpose, it’s purpose (as in circumstances) is often discussed in Christian circles. We all want to know ours. What we’re here for, and we want to know now.

I don’t believe finding your purpose is completely like declaring you are going to medical school so that you will become a doctor–or law school to become a lawyer. I believe deep in each one of us, our purpose was a planted seed as God created us…in our mother’s womb. For some, it IS to be a doctor–or lawyer–an educator, etc. The point is, we all have a purpose. The biggest one: To be light in a dark world.

Of course there’s more to it than that.

At the end of the first chapter of Luke, he describes John’s purpose:

“… to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit usto shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:77-79 HCSB

These words came directly from the Holy Spirit, through the voice of Zechariah when he was no longer silent. John’s daddy declared his purpose to the world on the day he was born. He shared what had been given to him by the angel, Gabriel–that well known passage when we learned ‘ole Zechariah had some doubt about what God could do. I mean, didn’t he remember Abraham and Sarah? For real! God did an all out miracle there. But instead, his focus was on his inabilities, not God’s abilities.

But the day of declaration came and I like to believe he was LOUD with it! I believe by the time he wrote “his name is John”, I believe he cleared the cobwebs from his unused vocal cords and his voice rang out like he had a lapel mic attached to his robe. The Bible says he instantly began praising God… and after that, you just can’t praise quietly.

The last sentence of this chapter caught my attention this morning–and in truth, it’s the very reason I started typing this morning:

The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Luke 1:80 HCSB

The main part that grabbed me were these: “and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance”. Another translation says “he lived in lonely places until….”

The bottom line is- that place where you and I have been–or maybe still are? That place that feels like a wilderness–that loneliness you feel even when surrounded by people? The only way out is to stay faithful to seeking His Presence and His Word. It might FEEL like a wilderness…but in fact, I believe it’s the preparation ground for what God is about to reveal–and do in and through your life. The things you are experiencing and learning through those dark days will undoubtedly be used by God to help another. I heard a minister once say that God never wastes suffering. I believe every smidgen of what we walk through, the good and the bad is able to be used by God.

So, your purpose? Declare love of Jesus Christ to those who don’t know… sometimes those who DO know–need reminders of His faithfulness. And hold on honey. If you don’t know yet—it’s coming (your purpose). Because HE is coming soon—and HE is going to use YOU!

And friend, I am ready for the revival that is on the horizon—and I want it to begin in US!

faith, Hope, Life, Missions

Hope Holds Your Hand

January 25, 2018January 25, 2018 Angie Knight

There was a time when I saw the visible signs of Hope change the atmosphere in a room. We had felt the fingers of fear and death- grip the door frame and try to come in, but HOPE walked in and slammed the fingers in the door.

The atmosphere was gripped with fear because the doctor who brought the fear into the room offered no hope when my sister, Wanda was on the brink of leaving this life and her baby girl was not even a year old….(And I didn’t care much for that doctor at all) This was many years ago.

With the hope we received that day from the prayers we prayed, the words of encouragement that came from the mouth of her pediatrician (the doctor with hope), they made a game plan. God brought renewed strength, and death was ushered unceremoniously out of the room. Even though the LORD called her home a few years later, I believe with all my heart that trusting in and seeking God’s timing is where I get my hope.

We have since come to look for HOPE in every circumstance and we try to keep fear locked out. In all situations of our lives. We have been “stationed” in a waiting zone–waiting for the Bolivian Consulate to process our documents so that we can be on our way. But today, that all changed.

There was a frenzy of activity in the kazillion days prior to this one. I’ve been getting “over” a cold and just being exhausted for a few days and the LORD had me resting. I told Jeff this morning it had been days since I had written in my prayer journal and this was something I didn’t like. At. All.

There are many things–unknown things going on in the country we are headed right now–but this ONE thing we KNOW: We have HOPE in Christ. It’s what started this journey all those years ago. I have wondered many times why God couldn’t have called us when we were younger and had more energy and stamina. Why wait until we are both gray haired and at the age most people our age are getting their retirement affairs in order. Ours are far from “in order”.

When I think of retirement, my mind actually has nowhere to go. Serving the LORD in whatever capacity He provides is where our hearts lie. It’s the niche where we are challenged, changed and actually comfortable–in the quandaries of it all. No, I don’t like unknowns. I like to know what is going to happen next–but in our case–and in YOUR case, unknowns are the threads that hold the tapestry together.

I think, if we had the answers, and had the energy and strength, we would begin to think “we could do it in our own power”. We can do nothing in our own power.

Today is a BIG day. We are ON OUR WAY…We’ve waited for it, wondered about it, and to be quite honest, there was a time or two the enemy just out and out told me it wouldn’t happen.

Of course he lies.

What things are you seeing in your near or even distant future that you have all but given up on coming to pass? Care to get them out?

If God spoke to you an assignment, get it back out, dust it off and get ready to follow Him. Don’t doubt (yes, it happens, but you don’t have to stay in doubt). Renew your promise and passion. Ask the LORD to reignite your heart and eyes to see and believe.

Ask Him to restore HOPE.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 hcsb

As you take the next steps forward, whatever they might be, remember:

#aknightsjourney

http://www.jeffandangieknight.com

Bolivia, faith, Hope, Life, Ministry, Missions, prayer, Trust

You Have to Believe it to See it

January 16, 2018 Angie Knight

You’ve heard people say,– I’ll believe it when I see it? Try believing before you see. Try seeing it in your spirit. And then watch Him unfold the journey.

When in Costa Rica, I almost forgot that a blue this color existed. But the skies are that blue at home. #nofilter. And at night, the stars shine bright. It’s especially beautiful on a cold night. Head thrown back, thanking my Father for such wonderful gifts like this!

Every night while home, when I took my Gracie Mae out, I would look up at the night sky and draw in a deep breath of cold air and proclaim aloud my gratitude for the heavenly display of night-lights. I love it. If you have never had a length of time when you couldn’t see the stars– or a cloudless blue sky this spectacular– like only Northwest Florida (at my moms house) can produce, then maybe you don’t quite understand my immense joy. Even though I couldn’t SEE the stars in Costa Rica, I knew. I believed. They were still hanging around up there. Waiting to be seen!

I love coming home. Although we didn’t stay at mother’s this visit– (the things we both had to do were concentrated in Marianna), I still enjoyed my few short visits back home. It’s was really odd- the LORD really helped me deal with the emotions of each place I called home. The people– that’s another thing. It hurt to leave them again.

Our daughters and their boys are the delight and light of our hearts– but we have an urgent compelling to follow what God has laid on our hearts. It’s a compelling that we just can’t turn off.

The other night I heard something- it was actually in the wee hours of the morning– I lay there very still and the Holy Spirit whispered again. I got up to go to the bathroom with intentions of writing it down (typing it on my notepad) when I got back to bed. But just that fast– that word was gone. Stolen from my mind with all the busy things that kept rolling through night after night while we’ve been home.

As I lay in the bed, very still and quite, I asked the LORD, “please give it to me one more time.”

He did.

“You cannot unhear a call from God.”

Just like you can’t unsee something you wished you hadn’t seen- or unsay something you said and instantly regretted, you cannot unhear once the voice of God has called your name.

Oh how I love Him. I am so thankful that when He looked for someone to “go”, we both said “yes”. How in the world did it all happen?? Only by God’s grace and HIS divine guidance. All the pieces of this journey will hopefully one day find its way to a book– that’s what my friend Betty and I had hoped to get to work on– but it didn’t happen– too many things going on. We’ve planned it and talked it for several years now though. And God has kept piling on the Words and the journey is sweeter with every passing day.

A lot of things look different than what I first supposed. But I have followed Him long enough and lived for Him long enough to know that He is very purposed about every detail of our lives and this journey.

After being in language school with over 30 other students– from other districts, we do know that our district is the best. (Grinning– because our district is family) The West Florida District Presbytery Board gathered around us this afternoon before we left and prayed for us– and we have such admiration for what they each do. They are amazing. And one of them is our oldest daughters Pastor. And I had the opportunity to thank him for all the prayers he has prayed over our girl and her boys. God has been faithful!!

If you’re dreaming a BIG GOD SIZED dream– keep believing. If it won’t turn off in your heart and mind no matter what- keep praying. If every sermon you hear, every song and every Word keeps you coming back to circle your dream again– trust that In HIS timing, it will all line up.

No, it may not look like you imagined. You may be older, gray haired, a little weaker in body, but stronger in spirit, … believe to SEE the impossible. Believe to LIVE the improbable. And believe to be used by the Master Himself when the time is right. That’s what we are here for. Bring HIM glory, through telling His story which is our story and HIS story in us. That may have sounded like a jumble of confusion there– but it’s late. Jeff’s driving and I’m blogging on my phone.

When you look up at the blue sky– think of us. Pray for me that I will keep my eyes open to what HE wants to show me next. And when you look up at the night sky and see stars, count yourself blessed. There were many nights I teared up wanting to see them. I’ve never been on a mission trip to Bolivia and saw the stars. I only saw about 5 stars (and only saw the moon about 5 times!) while in Costa Rica. It saddened my heart a great deal because I love looking at the sky.

Well. It’s late. For us anyway. We may stop and sleep soon and get an early start in the morning. We love y’all. Every single one. Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep giving Him Praise and Glory!

Believing…. and seeing. They go hand in hand.

Believing BIG-

Angie

#aknightsjourney

Costa Rica, faith, Missions, News Letter

The Impact You Make

August 1, 2017 Angie Knight

We have just returned (as of yesterday) from our second visa processing trip to David, Panama. I chuckled to myself when one of our grandson’s youth leaders asked him about us--“oh they are fine–they’re just in Panama” (he was thinking “Panama City, Florida”, of course he didn’t know different, but his mom let him know the exact location).

Panama was hot-but the airconditioned rooms were bliss. Complete and total bliss! It poured rain -insomuch that we walked through ankle deep water in a couple of spots to get some needed supplies for the next term. And did I tell you we got PEANUT BUTTER? Some may laugh. But for the regular jar of great value brand that I paid less than $3 at Walmart in the states, it’s $8 for the same size in Costa Rica. Anyway, I found some just over $3 and bought 3 jars. That will get us through for a while. 🙂

I wrote a personal blog about what today represents for us–one year ago–diagnosed with cancer–today healed and in language school. To read the story, go here.

We want to take this time to express our deepest gratitude for “believing in us”. For believing God finishes what He starts and for praying, and pushing through with us! You have prayed–supported us financially–and encouraged us SO MANY TIMES! Your words of encouragement are priceless. On days when it feels like I don’t know a “verbo” from a hole in the ground, we get a message on Facebook or WhatsApp or a sweet email reminding us we are being prayed for. God calculated every millisecond it would take for us to get the skills to minister to others and He is never wrong in His calculations. (As a side note, if you have tried to send us text messages, our phone numbers have changed. We use WhatsApp messenger, Viber, Facebook Messenger, and email to “jeffandangieknight @ gmail.com”)

Today, we were blessed with REAL snail mail! I was so excited! One of our churches sent a card and several members and friends signed it with an encouraging note. What a great blessing to our hearts. We ache for family and friends and the familiar back home–there where you are, but we also know--beyond a doubt that God has ordered these steps of ours. So it is with great excitement to carry on with the learning process. We realize we may not be as fluent as some when they leave in December with us, but we know we will be able to communicate–and we believe in MIRACLES! I am one!

We want to remind you that every step we take, every WORD we are able to say in Spanish is BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS!! Each and every life we can touch for Christ, it is also YOUR HANDS extended with OURS! You may not walk here with us, but friends, your obedience keeps us here, keeps us studying, and pursuing with GREAT PASSION (and admittedly sometimes tears) the call of God. His love amazes me and often I find myself in tears of amazement at all HE has done. He called YOU as well as us. Our tasks are just a little different in this mission.

Jeff and I love and appreciate each one of you. Not one day goes by that you aren’t remembered and prayed for. Our church families are precious to us. Our district–unsurpassed in the Mission-Mindedness and hearts of our leaders. We are grateful beyond words.

Thank you. For all the prayers. Please keep praying! We have a couple of weeks break, graduation is tomorrow for those students completing their training–and we are set to begin again mid-August.

The pictures below are of our two favorite profesoras! Nicole, in the second picture agreed to “pretend” to yell so that Jeff could hear–we are using a “funnel” for the hearing aid. While it is comical, the truth is that hearing words in Spanish requires training your ears to listen–and that can be muy difícil. I can’t stress enough how the next 4 1/2 months will require all hands on deck, all knees to the floor–praying. We CAN do this–with your continued prayers!

Muchas gracias mis amigos! Hasta luego!

www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie –click the link to sign up to pray!

Adversity, breast cancer, faith, Life Issues, Ministry, Missions, News Letter, Trust

Pardon the Dust

May 11, 2017August 1, 2017 Angie Knight

Have you ever seen the sign that says, “Pardon the Dust”?, in a store when it is under a remodeling, but they are still open for business? Well, that is pretty much like my life. I won’t speak for Jeff, but he would likely say the same thing. My area is really dusty these days. More so (in my mind) than the cancer days.

I told a new friend this week that [language school] seemed to be designed to do what the chemo did….kill off things that doesn’t belong. Then we learned what the name of the school meant; in Spanish, cincel means to chisel. Appropriate, don’t you think? I think many of the new students have felt the sharp edge of the chisel this week.

We are on day 4 of classes and I will do my best to share enough, but not too much that you get cold feet if God is speaking to your heart about missions. But in reality, if God is speaking to you….there is no amount of things I could say that would scare you away. You are in it for the long haul. Just like us. Be advised though, the enemy won’t like your decision–just as he didn’t like ours–BUT GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL. Through everything!

Our days begin early–Jeff slipping into an altogether new routine here, and myself as well. We get up early (Jeff, often around 4:00). He has always been an early riser-but I think this place calls for even earlier–simply because such deep God conversations need to take place. And listening. Escuchen….to listen. Above the voices in my head, I am learning to listen more to the Holy Spirit when He gives a direction. “This might hurt….but it’s for your good.”

There, He sets me on the block. Chisel and hammer. Dust is flying. I am noticing some things in me that needs correcting. I need to be more sensitive. Not quick to judge or assume based on what my eyes see…but to listen. He blows His holy air on the form sitting still on the block. That’s me. The tears I shed based on what I feel, the weaknesses in me, wash away more of the dust. He is working to see His image in our lives….

That was like chemo and radiation. “This might hurt, you will feel many changes, but it’s for your good”…. I think God prepared me in some ways on HOW to look at things so that I would not crumble (quite so much).

I have two friends who, one just this week lost her daughter to cancer, and our cancer journey began approximately the same time, and another dear woman is losing her husband, even as I type, to cancer. And here I sit. Healthy–preparing for a work God has set before me…and I cannot explain even the least amount of the whys of that. But God’s plans are perfect and I will not try and understand HIS understanding for the Word says, it’s way beyond me.

We are grateful for our monthly supporters and daily prayer partners. YOU have no idea! When I wake up in the morning–I know someone is praying! All during the week, I trust and believe someone is still believing with us that God has much in store! And their support continues so that we may journey on.

Each day in class (so far) I have felt so close to tears at times because there is NO English spoken by the teachers. It is brain numbing. There, that’s the chisel again. Learn a new way. Open your heart, mind, ears and listen. Admittedly, I come home and go to the bathroom to let the tears fall. It’s a release. Don’t feel sorry for me, pray with us. We need to learn this. The culture, the language, the people. Once the tears are dry, I feel better.

I learned just yesterday, the best thing to do after class is go for a long walk. So, Jeff and I walked yesterday, about 8 blocks, mostly uphill, to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Let’s look at that miracle for a minute. UP HILL. The backstory of this is I finished my last round of radiation treatments that took place every single day for 6 weeks the WEEK before we left for Costa Rica. I hardly had energy to pack. I had beloved friends, one at a time, come almost every day to lend a hand with our packing. I couldn’t even “think” clearly from the residual effects of the chemo yet, here I was packing with help, and then just a week later arriving here.

The walkway to our apartment is such a steep downhill trip, that first day I was so afraid I would fall face first–but I didn’t. Sure, my knees ached afterwards, but look again at the miracle. YESTERDAY, we walked over 8 blocks one way mostly uphill. Of course I was sweating like a horse when we got there, but my mind was clear. And we did our little shopping, enjoying the air conditioned grocery store…then we had to carry our packages back…all 8 blocks. Thankfully, my precious husband carried the two stuffed bags and I carried the umbrella. It rains every day.

New things. Every day something new. A new experience, a new feeling, a fresh mercy from God. We are learning now to live without the air conditioner. I have the blessing of two fans that Jeff bought after we arrived. THAT is huge to me here.

I look at many things differently. The dust that is gathering at the base of this Sculptors stone will soon be blown away again, and He will look to see what else needs adjusting. Hammer will continue to strike and I can count on sitting in this spot, under His chisel until He feels it’s time. I’m done. I’m ready. Then, I’ll go Home. Not to an earthly home, but to my heavenly home. All the while the chiseling and hammering is happening, work is being done, through me and on me. He will use me however HE sees fit….just as He will YOU when you say “yes, LORD, I’m willing”.

In the meantime friends, please pardon the dust. He’s still working on me.

[We are very grateful for a new supporter this week! If you are interested in becoming a prayer partner or a monthly supporter–or BOTH, please feel free to visit our agwm site, www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie]

Bolivia, breast cancer, faith, Ministry, Missions, New Year

Life Stuff and General UP-date

December 31, 2016 Angie Knight

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Well friends, Christmas 2016 is in the memory bank and the New Year is upon us. Right around the corner-so-to-speak. In a matter of hours. Has already happened for some of our friends living in other parts of the world…

Many unexpected things happened this year–many things I journaled–God words to my heart- for me alone-and some that I will share with you.

Several members of our family have gone through their own ordeals-as I am sure yours has as well. Seems the devil is ever on his job–but we KNOW that God is watchful and is equipping us all for the battles that lie ahead…and are currently ongoing. He is our strong deliverer–and HIGH TOWER.

We just KNEW we would be preparing to leave for Costa Rica (language school) this month-but God had other plans–and we humbly and gladly submit to what HE has planned because we are in this for HIS glory, not anything for our own selves.

I think that it’s specifically powerful that the verse of the day from BibleGateway.com is this:

I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:16, 18-19 NLT

Years ago, The LORD brought this passage to my attention when I was going through a particularly difficult battle, today, it’s needed just as much. A reminder that HE is in charge and NEW things are on the horizon.

Jeff and I are still working on our monthly commitments, meaning: we will need your help. We are getting closer, but we still have much to do to get there. We can’t do this without God lay it upon the hearts of others to help us for the next two years.

Beyond that, I don’t know what God has in store. We will gladly stay in Bolivia until He calls us home–or we will go wherever HE sends next, but this we know–we must do what He has laid on our hearts to do. That is, work with the children in the schools He has opened up to us in Santa Cruz, and continue to build churches for the villages where there is no Gospel Door open.

There have been extreme forces fighting against us- the biggest one it seems, cancer. But, we are over half way to completion of my treatments, only 6 more to go out of the 16. The next step is radiation for 6 weeks and I have a dear friend who is currently walking that road just ahead of me.

God had the right team lined up for this medical mission on this side, and I have no doubt He will continue. My biggest problem is on the days I feel good, I try and do as much as I possibly can to make up for the days I can’t. For a “doer”, this has been a rough go. However, I have done well I think, and from what my oncologist has said, a “prize pupil”, or patient. That’s all God’s doing, and all because of the mighty team of prayer warriors who have diligently sought God on my behalf. Thank YOU! You are a HUGE part of this mission team!

Jeff has delivered his heart in many churches over the past year, I participated in the delivery until “chemo-brain” sort of held me back, but they say this is all reversible and I look forward with great anticipation to the day when I can bring a “word” again. For now, I smile, hug necks, shake hands and am glad to be in the mix of things! If you are wondering why you see so little of me in blogland, this is why. I want to give God my BEST, but for these past few months of treatments, it seems I struggle with writing as well as talking.

It has felt so odd being a “by-stander” when I have always loved being in the middle of what God is doing, but I have “felt” His presence nonetheless. And it has been powerful. Believe me, I’m taking notes. I have been writing in my prayer journal to record for later, this road. Though muddy, messy and ankle twisting at times, it is one that I have seen God do miraculous things and I wouldn’t go back and change a thing…

We have just a few months to be ready to go. If you are interested in helping us monthly, go to this site: www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie (You can also give one time donations–we are eternally grateful for any and all help!) We plan to leave in May, 2017. We have already started packing…

Have you ever tried to do something that YOU KNEW God was leading you on and had the enemy fight so hard that you struggled in your heart to keep you focus clear? That’s where I am tonight. I KNOW God has called us– He woke me with ideas earlier this week for the children… and just as quick as I get excited about that–the enemy comes and tries to steal the joy from that.

We can’t see all that is ahead, but we know and trust the Hand that leads us. We will not stop until we feel we have done all that He has required of us. He is doing a NEW thing in this NEW YEAR and we are excited to be doing our part!

The road up ahead will have curves, hills and even rough terrain, but HE is with us…all the way. We are looking forward to seeing you in 2017!

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breast cancer, faith, Life, Missions

The Cup of the Called

September 23, 2016October 21, 2016 Angie Knight

In reading this morning words from Oswald Chambers, I was struck by the purpose of them, let me see if you hear what I heard:

“In the natural life our ambitions alter as we develop; in the Christian life the goal is given at the beginning, the beginning and the end are the same… our Lord Himself. We start with Christ and end with Him–“Until we all attain to the stature of the manhood of Christ Jesus”, not to our idea of what the Christian life should be. The aim of the missionary is to do God’s will, not to be useful, not to win heathen; he is useful and he does win the heathen, but that is not his aim. His aim is to do the will of his Lord.”

This past Sunday as we stood in a church and sang a song that caused my heart to spill over…

Here are some of the lyrics (by Kari Jobe):

The more I seek You…the more I find you…
The more I find You…the more I love You…. I wanna sit at Your feet drink from the cup in Your hand, lay back against You and breathe, feel Your heart beat. This love is so deep it’s more than I can stand, I melt in Your peace, it’s overwhelming…”

As I stood there singing about the cup, the song describes, reminded me of the cup that Jesus asked to be taken from Him…if it could pass … but if not, He was willing to do the will of The Father. Whatever it took from Him. That cup would signify His willingly given life. The cup didn’t take His life…He gave it.

The song, sung in many churches, by many youth and adults alike almost sounds like the cup is a nice cool drink of lemonade and the breeze is blowing through your hair as you lean back on the chest of your Savior. The song is beautiful. But that’s not how I hear the song anymore. I hear it and taste it differently.

The cup is offered. The calling of missionary life is held out as a sign board with the cup offered being the requisite to get there…. it’s bitter. There’s no sweetness of the sugary lemonade inside. Beyond the cup and the sign reading “drink me”, there are thousands of children, snotty noses, dirty faces, rotten teeth, bare feet, half clothed and hungry. Hungry for more than food. They hunger to know the One who they’ve never heard of before…the One who can set them free from the life of sin…a sin they may not be even aware they were born into–and behind them–their parents. Clinging to their lives of whatever suits them- whatever gets them by to the next day. Alcohol, drugs, abuse…whatever it may be. See, they have the same issues we do in our country…yet they have very few who can tell them that there is a Better Way. The Only Way. Jesus. The Way, The Truth and The Life.

We were beckoned. We were called–for me it was as early as 2010. I felt a stirring like none other experienced in life. It was more than the “altar call” stirring, it was a complete surrendering call. Seemed easy enough. Then we started up the mountain.

I won’t bore you with the details of all the hoops we jumped through in the application process. That was just a warm up for what was coming as God began to mold and shave off pieces of us that was unnecessary. We both wanted Him to have us ALL. Not just pieces–but we WANTED Jesus to come in and stir us and remake us into the usable vessels that would be of most use to Him–shining the light of Salvation into the darkness of the villages in Bolivia that had never heard the name of Christ.

We were well on our way, progress in our budget and monthly support was showing improvement. Language school was just around the corner in January….then the cup.

The cup offered was bitter. A surprise. Unwanted–until I stopped and remembered these words of Oswald I had read years before (2010): “The aim of the missionary is to do God’s will”…

We don’t draw straws. We can’t run into the “calling store” and choose the way it will go for us…because remember I said a month ago, this journey, it’s not all about us…

So, with every taste of the bitter cup, I envision the mountain Jeff and I climbed in October, 2015 with Pastor Joel Morales, in an area that is darkened by the sin and life of sacrifices on worldly altars to pagan gods. The darkness overwhelmed me so much that as I gulped for air to breathe while we climbed, my heart ached and wept for the lost souls there. It was truly an overwhelming day and it literally took me a few days to get over the feeling of sadness and dark depravity that shrouded the mountain like the fog that held it captive. But we climbed on.

The same with this. I’ve been warned of the harshness of what goes in my body to kill even the most microscopic cancer cell that may be lingering–the cup is indeed bitter… but there are lives at stake….I must finish this cup to get to the next part of our journey.

Some people already think we are nuts…at our age. But if your child, sister, brother, parent was about to hurl head long into the lake of fire and brimstone–wouldn’t you want someone, no matter their age, to come to help pull them out? Me too. We go so that others will know….and others will go.

Time is short. If you aren’t being called to go, you are being called to send. If you ignore either calling,….oh friend…

If you want to help us get there with a 100% budget, our link is: www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie
We appreciate every single prayer and dollar. EVERYTHING MATTERS.

Our most precious supporter is one young girl–a dear dear friend of mine from Sneads, Florida named Kaylee. Giving all she has. Her allowance each month. She and her mom and sister brought me homemade banana bread yesterday and mighty powerful prayers. With every bite of that bread I felt the prayers they surely prayed as they baked. God will use every single person to win the lost–if we are willing.

Are you going to climb the mountain with me? Are you taking the cup and joining the called? Be a goer-or a sender.

[Sidenote: we expect to be completed this treatment process by early next year and ready for language school by Spring sessions–pray with us that God performs more miracles than we can write about!]

breast cancer, faith, Family, Missions

Santa Claus, IV’s and Missions

September 20, 2016October 21, 2016 Angie Knight

Before you scratch your head about the title not matching what’s in the blog–hang on and keep reading. It fits. Trust me.

Everywhere I look in the Word…I find Him. I find peace.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3

Even when the day doesn’t go as we plan….we need to take a deep breath…it’s according to His plan. That is hard to do when we prize our plans so highly! I mean–we PLANNED…worked it all out in our minds and likely even decorated the plans! Right?

Lately, I have learned a valuable lesson– I use the phrase my Mamo used all her Christian life, “If the LORD wills, we will do this or do that”….every thing she planned on left room for God to make changes. She had peace and daily rested inside that nook of easy breathing…the crook of His arm.

We had “intentions” of being in language school in January, but after receiving a phone call from one of my oncologists, and a followup letter with further explanation, that it’s for “my good”, I realized this was God at work. So, there are next language classes that take place 2017 and we will catch the next ride… Even in this deal with breast cancer, we have met so many in the medical field that have been so encouraging and positive about our assignment–they must have put it in my chart that we were headed out on assignment for the KING, because every single doctor has said, “this won’t hold you up”.

I can’t remember if I shared this with you or not, but my surgeon, Dr. Randall Nichols in Dothan, AL was one of the surgeons on my 2nd mission trip to Honduras! I enjoyed meeting him then, his wife and daughter, as they spent themselves for others on the mission field (every year)- so knowing he was my surgeon for this event made my heart glad.

The second person I met that day was Santa Claus. Truly. He is the real-deal-Santa who gives and shares his life each year with children in hospitals, adults in nursing homes and more. He is the Hospital Santa for the employees children and he is the resident IV Santa, meaning he works for the anesthesia group. He showed me pictures of his grands and told me stories and kept my mind occupied instead of worrying. When I was wheeled back to the waiting runway for surgery, I was stretched out waiting-and the worries commenced. Santa must have known his next assignment was me–because he pulled up a chair and started talking. As he began to start my IV, he laughed and said I guess everyone can’t say that Santa Claus starts their IV. I laughed and said it would make quite a blog!

I shared our mission- and what God had been doing in our lives as we have gone to Bolivia year after year and maintained the connections with each church and villages that we’ve worked in. God did all that for us. That was HIS idea and plan. And it’s not over.

After Santa Claus got up and moved on to the next patient, the young nurse who was had been assigned to start mine came over. She asked me who did my IV and I told her Santa Claus. She smiled and looked over at him with the next patient–she knows him well. She looked so familiar.

I asked her name, told her she looked familiar–as sometimes we see people often in Walmart and then the face remains familiar. But she had a different familiar look. So I jumped out on a limb…. “Did you go to Honduras in 2013?” She said, “Yes I did!” with a bright smile! Then she told me her mission experience. My surgery was wrapped up in mission people. God had me in the right place at the right time. He even included Santa Claus.

They are worth it. God is sending us for these and many more like them.

Both my oncology doctors have expressed complete confidence in this journey and the outcome. And that we will be on the mission field leading lives to Jesus in no time at all. We are needing more monthly partners…are you interested?

Yes, the enemy has tried his best tactics–from inadequate monthly support to sickness-but let me remind him and you….God gave us the orders, the burden on our heart and the call in our lives…and until God says otherwise, we are moving forward with all His plans.

What’s so special about Bolivia? Our heart landed there in 2011 and never left. We’ve both been to other countries, but this one–this one got into our skin and heart and we feel a kinship with the friend we met there.

Santa Claus can’t get us there.

But God can and will through every supporter and contribution.

If you are interested in helping, click this link. If you can’t right now, surely you can pray? We need such prayer warriors fighting and storming on our behalf.

Today, after my first round of chemo, they attached the “turtle pack” as my doctor referred to it. It will do the next necessary step…I thought of my friend @BarbaraKeene and knew her turtle pack was loaded down with prayers…for many people. Friends and strangers.

My daughters have a special group of ladies who are praying and fasting each week–and I feel and have faith in the power of their prayers. I have been so amazed at the cards and notes of encouragement. Some cards have been filled with Scripture verses and I’ve looked up every single one. Wrote them out in my prayer journal and noted who sent it. There is Power in those words. Santa Claus didn’t write it…The Holy Spirit operating through man did.

This was not meant to be a big devotional blog–just more of an update for our family/friends who have been wondering. God is faithful. I don’t know what you are facing today–but God is more than able to be right with you and He will even put people in your path to let you KNOW that you’re on the right path. Did you read about the mission doctors and nurse? Yes. HE did that.

He will do for you…because HE loves YOU.