Life – Jeff & Angie

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, Life, Missions, News Letter

Going Home…wait, where’s Home?

December 8, 2017December 8, 2017 Angie Knight

Yesterday, as one of the precious little missionary girls (almost 1 year old) was being carried by her daddy from the kindercare (below our apartment), I ran out to get a little hug from her and check on her baby sister. When I asked her dad if they were going “home” for Christmas, I immediately realized that has such a different meaning now. Where exactly is home? I asked him that same question–and he said the very words I was thinking: Home is wherever we are.

That has been a struggle for me, I confess. I think mainly because I AM A HOMEBODY.

I love being at home. I love being with my family more than chocolate cake–but I also know that THAT is something I had to lay on the altar to do what He wants us to do. It seems like several times since being here, I’ve gone back to that altar where I laid down what I loved about my life, and looked at it all again, reminisced and cried a little (or sometimes a lot), but left it all remaining at the altar, because the bottom line– and at the end of the day, I would do it all over again if He asked it of me. And I will obey His voice until I draw my last breath.

I would like to fill you in on every single thing we’ve done since October to December–but you might not have time to read all of that. Let me just tell you a few things: We hosted a “Souper Night” for all the missionaries here –with LOTS of yummy soups and desserts, combined it with a baby shower, hosted by the single missionary girls for the newest member of our missionary family (Little Isabella Henden)! That was fun. 🙂 Made me realize God gives us family wherever we go!

We had a great prayer retreat in October and a wonderful Kids Ministry Training retreat in November, both hosted by Jay and Nancy Dickerson, our area directors.

We’ve had TONS of studying, reading and testing. I celebrated my 56th birthday here, our daughter celebrated her 34th birthday there, we had a cousin accept Jesus in the last few days of his life, and a new baby was born into our family, a little early (8 weeks), but God has His mighty hand on her. ALL these activities have kept us PRAYING.

The Holy Spirit has spoken into my heart several times with His confirming Word that HE is here-and is handling all our situations and we need to be watchfully trusting. Those two words may not seem to go together, but look again. Nehemiah talks about the workers restoring the wall, but armed and ready. Nehemiah 4:17

Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon.

We are doing what’s necessary, but armed and ready to do the next thing He requires. Watchfully trusting. Believing that HE is in control as we surrender our steps, hearts and minds to HIS purpose and plan.

So, November flew by in a flash–we celebrated Thanksgiving Day with missionary friends in the home of another missionary, who opened their home to us all to use for our meal, while they were at a retreat! It felt like a real family celebration!

Yes, I still missed all our family celebrations, and yes, I did cry a little about missing them all, but I kept my eye on the time I would wrap my arms around them again and hold them close! They will be saying– “Mama! Enough already!” Maybe not.

December is on the fast track. I’ve got 7 suitcases packed and the house is a jumble of things to either be given, or packed. And I am giddy with excitement over seeing my family.

You know, when the LORD lays a burden on your heart–you are willing and ready to say yes and run off to do all that He requires. Then, it gets down into the crux of the matter. And the actual deal starts going down…and there you find yourself in a puddle of wonder and even possibly a little confusion–wait, did I hear correctly? And the enemy is all set and ready to help fuel that confusion. But then, the LORD steps over AS YOU PRAY and continually stay before HIM, and He renews and refreshes that confidence and your heart for the journey ahead. Oh, it never stops. The enemy KEEPS on at you, but you stay in front of the LORD, stay on your face before HIM and see what HE does…

Something the enemy has plagued me with during this has been to target my homesickness and remind me “you don’t have a home”.…and I will be the first to admit, yes, I listened a little bit to his whiny voice–but then through the obedience of one of my prayer partners, she sent me a message from the HOLY SPIRIT, “I AM YOUR HOME”.

And oh friends, HE IS! He’s my home! He’s my life! He’s my everything!

You know, I don’t know what you call home. It may be a very extravagant house with high ceilings and ornate moldings, or it may be a small, simple house where you gather daily with those you love–wherever it is, whatever it is, never hold to it so tightly that you couldn’t and wouldn’t freely give it up should the Master step to your heart and say, “Come, follow Me. I have a job for you to do. You will need to leave everything to do this, but I want you, yes even now as (old or as young) you are”.

What a journey you will have!

Thank you all for praying–and thanks for reading this LONG newsletter! (We haven’t printed any since we left the states, but would you be so kind as to print it for your church and share it with your pastor if he doesn’t have a facebook?) We will graduate Friday morning and then fly out Saturday morning to celebrate Christmas with our family and get our paperwork ready for Bolivia! We leave for Bolivia early January–so that is a LOT of things to keep in mind to pray for!

Travel safety
Visa processing paperwork completed “¡muy rapido!”
Continued good health
More supporters (we have, like a few others, lost a few–but we know God has this!)
Our family. This transition has not been easy on them at times, especially our grandsons, but God can strengthen and help them in this journey!

We wish so much that we would be able to see each of you and hug your necks, but it just won’t be possible. We know you understand- and we are continuing in prayer for you! We used to pray for you every time we saw a “Knight Transportation Truck” because we had asked you to pray for us when you saw them. We have had a few friends see them and post them to our Facebook page or send us a message. Thank y’all for that! What a blessing!

If you are interested in becoming a prayer partner, or have a desire to partner with us financially, either a one time donation or monthly support, you can go here: www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie

PRAYER is so critical! We have learned more than ever before, we CANNOT accomplish anything for the Kingdom of God without your faithful prayers! So thank you!

We love you all! Maybe we’ll run into you in Walmart!–of course not literally…. 😀

Photographs © Angie Knight Photography 2017 Costa Rica

Adversity, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Life, Missions, Trust

You’ve Got Mail!

October 1, 2017 Angie Knight

October Greetings!

I was reading in one of my devotional books, “Streams in the Desert”, last week and this jewel jumped off the page. Mainly because, not only was it a powerful devotion, but it was spot on for what we have been feeling and going through –here in language school.

A piece of wood once bitterly complained because it was being cut and filled with rifts and holes, but he who held the wood and whose knife was cutting into it so remorselessly did not listen to the sore complaining. He was making a flute out of the wood he held and was too wise to desist when entreated to do so. He said:

“Oh, thou foolish piece of wood, without these rifts and holes thou wouldst be only a mere stick forever–a bit of hard black ebony with no power to make music or to be of any use. These rifts that I am making, which seem to be destroying thee, will change thee into a flute, and thy sweet music then shall charm the souls of men. My cutting thee is the making of thee, for then thou shalt be precious and valuable, and a blessing in the world”.

I was stunned. My eyes filled and I wept with gratitude and a strong repentant heart for crying out while being that stick of wood, and complaining for all the “shaping” going on. This school is rightly named. Chisel.

Every time I have entered a sentence in my Spanish Dictionary and used the name of the school, Cincel, the word “chisel” comes up, since that is exactly what Cincel means in Spanish. Chisel. We have all felt the blows of the hammer as well as the knife on the stick of wood. But you know, in our hearts we all long to be useful for the Master. The One who called us surely has a plan and purpose for every splinter of whittling, and gouging out the places that have so desperately needed work.

On an encouraging note, we can carry on a conversation with others now with a little more confidence. I walk down to the beauty salon and talk with the young ladies there about once every couple of weeks. It’s where I got my FIRST haircut after chemo! I was so excited, and I have made two new “Tica” friends in the process. One of them even gave me her phone number so that I could practice my Spanish. And another one made me some flashcards this week to help with my “beauty salon lingo”.

We have prayed for you all during all these weather episodes and the various things that have been going on. Last week, as I was sitting here typing, we had a small earth tremor that shook the bed that I was sitting on. Everything in this world is subject to change. In the very next minute–your life or my life could change. We have no promise of tomorrow, we have today–and it’s up to us to use it for the Master, or squander it away.

This weekend, we were privileged to be able to go with dear friends, about an hour out of the city to the mountain area and just relax for the morning. We stood at a fence and just viewed the valley and surrounding mountains and we breathed. It felt good. I cannot quiet describe the feeling–but it was needed and necessary. And best of all….we spent time with friends of like mind and faith, who also left home, family, friends, and jobs they loved, to follow into the unknown, our Jesus.

While talking with the young lady at the little coffee shop–we asked her about the coffee harvest season. The process from the time of planting, to harvest, to roasting, grinding all the way to your favorite cup of coffee.

Something we learned by tasting: a good cup of coffee does not need sugar or cream. That had to be proven to me. It is something I will be excited to share with my family when we get home in December. A hot cup of the best Costa Rican coffee.

She was so passionate about her job–her love of coffee and all things Costa Rica came through with every word she shared. That’s what I want others to feel and hear in us as we share about Jesus in our new language. I want them to feel the passion in our hearts–hear it in our voices and see it on our faces. I want them to desire to know Him and share His love with their own families.

That’s one thing we need you to add to your prayer list for us: Our ability to speak fluently as possible and to be able to share without reservation or hesitation.

Can I share with you a list of daily prayer needs?

Sunday: Pray for our spiritual lives. Our spiritual growth, fellowship with local believers, integrity, reliability, and consistency. Jeff was blessed with a lunch a couple of weeks ago from an invitation from a “Tico” friend he met at church. What a joy! Pray for more connections and development of relationships that will last long after we leave.

Monday: Pray for our personal lives. For our marriage. You have no idea the attacks on marriages and families here. I won’t go into the details–suffice it to say, prayer is necessary to the mission. Pray for our families back home, their health, both physical and spiritual. Pray for their protection. What is it with mama’s and daddy’s that believe we need to be there to help? God is not limited by distance.

Tuesday: Communication. Adapting with generous flexibility to the culture, customs and people. The language study, clarity in speech, ability to hear and comprehend.

Wednesday: Relationships. Both in the churches and the community. As well as not losing our relationships back home. That’s a fear many have as they shift their lives to another field. We have discovered through conversations with others and reading several articles for missionaries, home relationships (back in the states) almost always suffer, insomuch as they are forgotten altogether. Or at the very least, once they return, they are treated differently than when they left. We hunger for our relationships with you to either remain strong–or become even stronger. Not become weaker or disappear altogether.

Thursday: Evangelism. Boldness, sensitivity, Holy Spirit led.

Friday: Discipleship. That we can be mentors. Training, equipping, and encouraging others even now before we get to our field of service. May we serve Him now with fervor.

Saturday: Pray for our country. Our first and home country, the United States of America, and secondly, our country of calling: Bolivia. Pray for more schools to open in Santa Cruz, relationships to develop and grow under the anointing and presence of the Holy Spirit. Help us pray now for a good, safe, and secure place to live.

Often many think that because they aren’t giving monetarily, they aren’t helping. NOTHING could be further from the truth. Your prayers make the difference. We cannot do this without your prayers. I cannot say that loud or long enough. Prayer is the KEY to the KINGDOM.

Thank you for taking the time to add us to your likely already long prayer list. It is undeniably what keeps us going strong. We love each of you. If you feel led to get further involved, an offering of any amount is always welcomed and needed. The cost of living here is “crazy” expensive. But I won’t talk about that any further. It hasn’t brought the prices down one bit! 🙂

We received our 3rd mail here this week! (It takes about 10-14 days to reach us if there are no holidays involved.) OH Mercy I was giddy with joy! My heart overflowed with the love from the words that came from the letter–but soon found myself weeping like a child. God is SO good! Thank you. Every word meant the world. I have all three cards we’ve received taped to the wall in our bedroom. It gives me joy every time I look at them.

We wish you were here. We miss you. BUT, if the LORD is willing [as my Mamo always said], or “Si Dios quiere”, we will see some of you in December! We wish we could visit every single one of you in your churches! You are greatly loved.

All for HIM,

Jeff and Angie

“Streams in the Desert, Morning and Evening Edition, page 649-650, September 20 (L. B. Cowman, Zondervan Publishing Company.)

Costa Rica, Life, Missions, News Letter, Prayer Requests, Reflection, Thank you

Sacrificing Normal

May 26, 2017August 1, 2017 Angie Knight

Exactly one month ago today, our lives changed. If you had told me I would have experienced some of the emotions I have felt, I might have stared at you in slight disbelief. No one prepared me for this feeling, the deluge of emotions that have encompassed my days.

I was talking with one of our girls last night and expressing some “slight mama worry”….and she said, “mama, give me back to Jesus and stop worrying”.

That’s the first thing you have to do when you step away from the altar of surrender, you must let go. Let go of the “thought” that you have any control whatsoever of anything that happens at home. Because you don’t. Of course, I never had control anyway, but it sure is a nice thought to tuck around myself at bedtime.

This has been an especially difficult week simply because of that old enemy, “discouragement” when I don’t get it right. On the upside, I was able to carry on a half decent short conversation with one of our uber drivers this week. Surprised myself.

We have the absolute BEST profesoras here at Cincel. They are patient and kind. Correcting with a heart that wants you to “get it”. I love that. That’s just like the Lord. He corrects us with a heart that wants us to “get it”….and release it to HIM. This gift of being able to learn the language that will enable us to minister when we get to Bolivia is just that, a gift. Not one to put up in a closet, but one to use daily…and I so bad want to get it and use it.

That’s our biggest prayer needs: Strength to overcome the discouragement, and the ability to comprehend, hear the sounds, form the words, and get it right. There have been several fighting various illnesses, from allergies, to viral issues, etc. We need to all stay well! Add that to the prayer list. 🙂

We’ve had a few friends contact us this week to encourage us and let us know they are praying–you have no idea how much that is appreciated! That makes us not feel so separated from you. YOU are so important to us. YOU are part of this team–this mission team headed to Bolivia. We thank you every time we go to the fresh market on Saturday’s. It’s because of your support that we can get the things we do, and because of your support, God will enable us to GET THIS language and share His love with those who have yet to hear about His great love.

Jeff and I thank you. Words cannot express it enough. I had a friend contact me this week and said that the Lord had prompted her to double their giving. Then her husband’s job situation changed somewhat. But she continued to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit…friends, that message came to me on a day when my body was tired, my mind was aching from the discouragement of not getting “it” again in class that day and I was simply full of “what is HE doing with us…two old[er] folks in this place surrounded by young people and young families…. But HE called….and we raised our hands and said “yes”.

We felt a compelling with every single missionary message we heard. We knew one day God was going to do something with us, but actually moving and serving ON the field never entered our minds. Our work first started by giving. We support several missionaries, and we are thankful to be a part of a mission work that we can’t actually “go see”, but we can help keep them on the field…reaching the lost. And that is exactly what YOU are doing with each donation.

So thank you. I cried the day we left and hugged our dear brother (from another mother), Floyd Aycock as he left us at the airport. I felt like the last thread of my normalcy was leaving on that red truck. But this is a new normal. And the “normal” seems to change as it become necessary.

I suppose I didn’t pick up on the fact there would be so many “different” sacrifices. I told a friend just tonight that one thing I missed (when she asked me what I missed) was the ability to hop in my car and go anywhere, anytime. Independence. I never heard a missionary talk about the sacrifice of their independence. I heard them talk about lack of water, electricity, I heard them talk about parasites, and sickness, but not independence. That one struck me. I loved to get in my car and GO.

This week I looked up the word, Sacrifice.

Sacrifice: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.

It hit me like a brick; the lost. We must surrender the desired independence to learn the language to reach the lost. Granted, I won’t have any more independence when we get to the field… but I will be able to converse with the people.

I want God to so fill us with the passion to learn this language that our thought processes are “on fire”, as one of my teachers said this week (when I got three in a row correct–blind miracle!).

Thank you all for praying–for keeping up with us, for sending us notes via email, instagram, linkedIn and facebook. It has helped me so much. I have read every one and read them to Jeff. We are encouraged by your love and care.

Tomorrow is market day (Farmer’s Market) and I hope you will join us via instagram or facebook when we get to post our pictures! We love you all!

sacrifice. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/sacrifice (accessed: May 27, 2017).

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, Life, Missions

Yard Sale Saturday!

September 20, 2016 Angie Knight

We are having a HUGE Yard Sale Saturday! We are doing our best to whittle away at the “things” in our lives and the new indebtedness as well (insurance is good–but deductibles are the pits).

After my first mission trip to Honduras in 2009 I came home and wanted to get rid of everything we owned–sell it all, move to a foreign country and help the people. Of course, after a little while of being back home, I settled back into the life routine of shopping, eating, and living in our little Florida town.

honduras-2010-tuesday-work-031 — My new friend and sister in Christ, Kelyn

But then another mission trip–this one further away and to a war torn country: Cambodia. The deal was sealed in my heart. I just didn’t know where God would send us–but it was in those early years of 2009-2010, I actually began praying and giving Him full access to every corner of my heart and house.

100_5074 — Floating Home in the Floating Village

What to keep, Lord? What to give? What to sell?

If you then were raised with Christ, desire those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth. Colossians 3:1-2 Modern English Version

The first instructions–get out of debt. (If you are reading this today–this is good advice for just living here!) I began to “not want” things, and long for the Holy Spirit to so infill and empower me that nothing else could hold a candle to what I desired from God. And I soaked. In the word. Through listening to the Bible being read while I drove, to worship songs, to teaching and just enjoying everything He offered daily.

Well, here we are (I left much out for a later conversation), getting ready to serve Him in Bolivia (Santa Cruz area), and we are on the healing side of my recent encounter with breast cancer. Going through the process of the healing can feel like I’m spinning my wheels- if I didn’t know without a doubt that HE was doing something far greater than our eyes could see or our minds comprehend. He’s working all things for our good…and we will arrive in Bolivia at HIS designated time, not ours. And with the prayers and financial support of those who God has already set aside to be PART of this soul-saving-life-changing journey! (www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie)

So, once these treatments are BEHIND us–we shall continue the packing UP!

For this week, we are SELLING EVERY-SINGLE-THING we don’t need to keep living here! So! if you are interested, be at our house Saturday morning at 7:00 am! 🙂

We are blessed with amazing family who are in charge of the event! PRAY for SUNSHINE! 🙂

We look forward to seeing you here!

breast cancer, faith, Life, Missions

Be on the LOOKOUT

August 15, 2016 Angie Knight

DSC_0009edited From the time the first words were spoken– I was on the lookout. I’ve been given bad news before–and truthfully, I think my mind was sort of in shock with this. Cancer. This was not what I was looking for–and not part of our plan. I totally was not expecting what my doctor just said…but I was on the lookout for what God was about to do.

Recently I pulled my prayer journal out one morning and let my fingers and eyes trace back all the places in Scripture God had been leading me and all the whispers in the night that He had revealed. There was a distinct line…it was written seemingly in a dot-to-dot,

“be on the lookout”….

God had been preparing me–even a year ago. No, I didn’t feel the lump a year ago, but I felt and heard from my heavenly Father. We had been praying and seeking God about the mission field….we were still waiting on an answer. Tears come quick to my eyes as I re-read the words that the Holy Spirit spoke to me over the course of about a week in the month of August, 2015 (that’s why I always encourage people, KEEP A PRAYER JOURNAL!).

I shake my head right now, in disbelief, NOT in what He’s doing–but in the incredibility of how He does things…it AMAZES me.

I don’t feel at liberty to share all the things He said in my private prayer time with you right now, except for this: “Expect the Amazing.”

Maybe one day He will release me to tell you the full story of what He was doing–for now, I continue to keep track of His steps, trace His fingerprint in our lives and praise Him all along this mission journey.

Let me update you quick in case you are wondering about my health and progress. Diagnosed with breast cancer on August 2, 2016. Cancer was removed August 5, 2016 by way of lumpectomy and partial mastectomy. Pathology report a week later revealed–the mass was self-contained, the margins CLEAN and lymph nodes CLEAR. I will have 5 days of radiation and then pack for Bolivia! (Kidding on the last part, I have been slowly getting ready for a MASSIVE yard sale in September THEN we will be looking at getting some trunks and packing.

We have been blessed with amazing family and friends who have encouraged us, fed us, and liberally prayed for us. Thank you. For every cookie crumb and slice of ham! We need to be on a diet today!

We are still planning to leave by January 1 since language school begins January 4th. BUT, all final decisions are God’s…and I completely trust and wait on His timing. There are new expenses to work through, but honestly, we both truly believe God will somehow –someway, get us through all of that–in order to get us there. Two words God has told me over and over–for over a year–through every single road block: “Trust Me.”

Can I ask you something? Do you trust Him? This is one of the passages I have continually been led to over and over while on this journey–not the cancer journey, the mission journey.

Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:20-22 NKJV

Jeff and I don’t have all the answers, but if you are believing God for something bigger than you can even put down on paper, or even whisper in the dark, can I lean towards you this afternoon and tell you, He’s trustworthy….

No matter what happens tomorrow, or next week, next month or even next year, my soul rejoices in God alone. He is my hope-my salvation comes from God and the gift of eternal life through His only Son, Jesus Christ.

And I, for one, am on the look-out for the next miraculous thing He has up His sleeve….

What about you?

breast cancer, faith, Life, Life Issues, love, Missions

More News

August 11, 2016October 21, 2016 Angie Knight

Dear friends,

First thank you for praying SO faithfully for my surgery. If you follow my blog, you know by now that I had a life changing diagnosis of breast cancer (ductal invasive carcinoma) on Tuesday, August 2, 2016.

God has been right beside me every step of the way. Surgery was the 5th to remove the mass and biopsy lymph nodes. They said at the time of surgery, it was self-contained. GREAT NEWS! They wound up doing a lumpectomy along with a partial mastectomy. Yeah–I cried too. If you see me out and about, I would love a gentle hug! I’ve had so many praying –I believe God has GREAT things ahead as we continue forward!

The good thing in all of this is that it was caught early–and as I am one to put things off to the LAST MINUTE, God gifted me with a lot of pain in the mass. This is not normal I am told. I was told by several in the medical field that growing cancers are usually not found due to pain. But mine hurt like crazy–almost continually. It was a gift. It kept me from putting it off any longer.

Pathology results aren’t in yet…but other details and news can be found on our other blog–

Please visit: jeffandangieknight.com

Bookmark the page so that you can keep up with what GOD is doing! And remember to pray for us as we continue to prepare for our mission field in Bolivia!

breast cancer, faith, Life, Missions

Getting Results

August 11, 2016August 15, 2016 Angie Knight

2012-02-26 mother daughter retreat feb 2012 008 Good morning! It is raining again in the sunshine state–but that’s okay. I know some areas have had their fill–but it’s been so dry here at the house, everything was getting crunchy.

First-let me share the awesomeness of our God! I got my drain tube out yesterday! HALLELUJAH! You probably heard me shout from Dothan – (naw- I didn’t do that) – but I was so relieved- I just KNEW I would go back to sleeping like normal! But that didn’t happen. Still propped up and only sleeping bits and pieces every night–but hey– it’s a good time to read the Bible on my phone, or talk to the AUTHOR….of course, if you are a pinterest follower, you will see that I do a bit of pintresting –you know, for when I am 100% and getting ready to move to Bolivia!

The ARNP that saw us was amazed at the progress– she would ask me questions– then look at Jeff as if to confirm I was telling the truth! HA! Imagine that. She unbandaged, complemented my nurse/daughter, April on the good job she did- and examined the incisions. The one for the tube was the most painful, but I guessed that was normal….but then I don’t think it was. She asked me about my meds, pain levels, and she did a double take when I told her I had stopped taking the pain meds a few days prior. WHAT? She didn’t say it LOUD like that implies, but she stopped writing and turned around and looked at me.

Every question she asked, I could tell she didn’t believe my answer…she kept saying, “are you telling me the truth?” HA! Of course I am! I repeatedly told her– “THIS WAS ALL GOD!” and that I had had LOTS of prayers going up! To break that down, I took only 2 days of pain meds. I am not bragging on me–I AM BRAGGING ON GOD!

When YOU prayed for me–didn’t YOU EXPECT RESULTS??

Well friends, YOU GOT RESULTS!!

The pathology report is not in yet, but honestly I expect to hear GOOD things. They said initially I would have 5 days of radiation–I don’t expect it to be any more than that. She even reiterated what the surgeon had said in the beginning, “you should have no trouble meeting your deadline to leave for the mission field”.

Before you think I’m all that and a bag of chips—stop right there. I voiced my concerns (worries) to Jeff that morning– I was afraid I would pass out when they took out the drain. I could feel it in me and I am not a nurse–nor do I like anything to do with medical stuff. he assured me I’d be fine–and I know that as he went about his day–he prayed. I didn’t pass out.

I deal with the same worries -(probably) anyone else does, I just follow a rule–I hand it over to Jesus. I learned that a LONG time ago. I don’t do a Scarlett O’Hara, you remember the statement, “I’ll worry about that tomorrow”….

I hand it off to the Team Leader to handle. HE CAN.

Elaine Olsen’s book has been such a powerful instrument in keeping my mind geared right. Letting God use this to do things in my life that I need. If He allowed it, He is going to USE IT. Can you keep that in mind the next catastrophe that strikes your heart/home/life/family? If He allowed it…He will work it for YOUR good…and for HIS GLORY… If you keep your faith and trust in HIM.

I will not kid you and tell you it will be easy. Likely, it won’t. It will be a hard lesson to learn, a high mountain to climb, or deep water to wade….BUT, He will take us through it!

Let me share with you what I read this morning–God has been taking me to different strengthening passages:

“This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes human flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. He will be like a juniper in the Arabah; he cannot see when good comes but dwells in the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land where no one lives.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is in the LORD. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit. Jeremiah 17:5-8 HSCB

God has opened my eyes and heart in a way that I might otherwise have missed. I could break that passage down and share with you what it does in my heart–but I won’t for blog lengths sake. God has brought us to this place–and I can guarantee you–HE will see us through it! We have ministry to do.

Another cool thing that happened yesterday in the doctor’s office, the ARNP wanted to know how SHE could get involved in our mission! Well, of course I DID NOT have a single prayer card on me–but next visit I will be PREPARED! (Side note: if we had every single contribution from every single person who said they “wanted to be in on what God’s doing”, we could be 100% at this point….but people tend to get excited then forget. My prayer today is, LORD, remind those who YOU have purposed to help us get there. The devil wants us to think it will be harder–medical expenses now added on to the normal stuff, but you know what? God is in charge. And it’s exciting to watch Him work His wonders.)

Friends….GOD IS FAITHFUL. If you don’t know Him, or don’t have the relationship you wish you had, it’s easy to change right now. Simply tell Him you want Him in your life. That you recognize your NEED for a Savior and that you believe that His only Son, Jesus Christ was sent to this world -as a ransom to pay for our sins. Jesus is ready right now to accept you as His beloved. He wants to come in and have a relationship with you– He wants to restore your joy! Talk to Him as if He were right there….HE IS.

Can I pray for you?

Father, right now I come to you on behalf of this reader. I have no clue who they are or where they are right now, but YOU do. You know every intimate detail of our lives and the longings we have inside for more of You. LORD, I ask that you would draw Dear Reader close to You, speak into their hearts/minds and let them know that You have a purpose and plan for their lives… Receive glory LORD for everything in our lives– help us live in such a way that YOU are seen, and not us. Bless them today and allow them to see something special–from Your heart to theirs….in Jesus’ most holy name I pray, Amen.

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Interested in missions? In helping? Go here: www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie, then simply scroll down to find the “commitment” or “give now”. Thank you in advance if God so leads you. No worries if you don’t feel so led or inclined. He has a plan. And He’s working it.