Missions – Page 10 – Jeff & Angie

Focus Forward Ministries, Ministry, Mission Trip, Missions

Praying Beyond Ourselves

April 28, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

I see his face often. Not just because his sleeping form was captured on a trip in 2011….but because I believe I’m supposed to be praying for him.

There’s another dear lady praying too. Mrs. Pearline Snell.

She bought printed copy of my photograph when her church had a mission banquet and his picture was on her table.

And every morning she prayed for someone…
anyone …
to share with him about Jesus Christ. The One who came to seek and save all of us…who were lost.

Millions still are.

It’s up to us to do His seeking–He did commission us after all. Remember?

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

What are we actively doing about the lost? I hang my head with shame at the lost years–I did nothing.

World Missions was not on my brain. Neither was my closest neighbor.

It’s sad that here I am at almost 54–and now I urgently feel compelled to sell all I have and go.

It’s sad only because it took me so long to pray beyond my own self. But it’s good that I finally woke up.

When I first saw this man and took his picture–he was sleeping. My artist friend, +Betty Shoopman painted the most amazing gallery size portrait. It’s huge. The tag on it when I stood underneath it at Quayside Art Gallery, was $4000. I wasn’t taken aback–it was an absolutely AMAZING painting. It captured the attention of every single individual that came in the gallery. People would stand and stare…mesmerized by the image on canvas. “Who Do You Say That I Am?” was the title of her painting.

This man was a nameless, homeless soul…waiting to be found. That’s what captured me about his image leaning against the brick wall-sleeping in the sunshine.

Just like you and me. His status in society means nothing. The fact he has no home–nothing.

I had a prayer in 2014 when we returned to Bolivia. That I would be able to speak to this man–unknown to me….about One who gave His Life for him to be saved.
I wanted to tell him about his painting that hung in a gallery with a price tag of $4000, but that he was worth so much more.

So every day I looked. I searched the faces of people walking, selling, sitting and standing. I looked into the eyes of everyone I passed hoping to catch a glimpse of this man.

My day and opportunity came. I was more nervous than I have ever been before getting up to speak in a church! My butterflies had had babies and they were fluttering to get out. I think I even woke that morning feeling that “today” might be the day. I had no idea…

As my translator, her fiance and I returned to the village around lunch, they treated me to a filling meal at a local sandwich place–we have the same ones here in USA, but the meat there was a tad bit different 🙂

We ate and I had previously shared my story. I took my matted print copy of Betty’s original painting from my bag–I had carried it everyday in hopes of seeing him, and showed it to them. They were amazed, but couldn’t recall seeing him before.

After our meal, Daniel had half of his foot long sandwich left, an unopened bag of chips and a bottle of water. As we were driving back to the hotel I spotted him. I felt the excitement stir as never before. I mean this was seeing a prayer come to pass before it actually arrives at your doorstep…. All the “are you crazy”? thoughts came tumbling to my head–I pushed them aside with the thought–what if today is meant to be HIS DAY? What if God brought me all the way from Florida to Bolivia with this one job…to bring Christ to this man…

I felt like my feet weren’t even touching the ground. As we approached him, I smelled him. I knew I was about to have nostrils full of a very recognizable stench. The cardboard sign holding men on the corners at the intersections and at the Walmart parking lot don’t have this smell. I think the majority of them are out for what they can get from you. But this man….he was holding no sign. If anything, his expression was a sign. Do not enter.

I ignored it.

I squatted down with Daniel and started speaking and Daniel translated. I told him when I first saw him–how God had used him in my life and others. I told him that God had answered my prayer in letting me find him today–and that I had been praying for him to know the Jesus that died on the cross. I told him about the picture, the painting, my friend who prayed–and this was before I knew that that very morning, as with every single morning for more than a year, Mrs. Pearline Snell had prayed that prayer–for God to send someone to share Christ with him. Today was his day.

I felt from the fact that he wouldn’t look in my direction that I needed to let Daniel do all the talking. I just began talking to Daniel. Soon I stood up and asked Fabyata, “what what Daniel saying”?

She said he’s telling him about Jesus–the plan of salvation. I quickly asked Fabyata, does he even know who Jesus is?

The man uttered something to Daniel and I asked Fabyata what he said. “I know who Jesus is” was his reply. Without emotion.

Then I remembered, every single time I had seen him he had been around this church. How could he not know? Perhaps he heard? Perhaps the singing reached his ears… then I realized– I wasn’t sure what kind of songs they sang at the particular church that he was leaning against. Maybe none.

I felt pretty confident–they didn’t sing Jesus Loves Me…for this religion was more about Mary–than God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. My heart broke that I couldn’t communicate with him personally and tell him in “Angie words”…. but perhaps…this was best.

Daniel offered him his food. It took some doing–this man without a home–and without a cardboard sign–he was no beggar. He finally and reluctantly took the food offered but would not accept the 5 x 7 picture I offered with extended hand. He told Daniel something to tell me– “keep it to remember me by”.

As if.

As if I would ever forget my first encounter–the prayers prayed–or this day. No, friend. I would not forget you. I will talk about this day–and about you –to anyone who will listen.

And Betty gave me on loan, the painting to share this story when we are invited to go speak as we begin our own missionary journey.

On our way to church–after meeting Denny and Betty to accept the painting– we thought that the church we were attending that night for their special mission service might like to have it displayed–just to represent a place that several of their men had gone with us…the deacon I called was very glad to display it. After being seated, the pastor came and asked would I share a bit about the painting…wow. First opportunity–and I couldn’t possibly share it all. But I said yes… actually, Jeff said “yes she will” for me.

As I shared brief points of the story, I saw a woman out of the corner of my eye, wiping her eyes. After the service I was able to speak with her and her story you now know– it was an every-single-morning prayer she prayed. In faith. Believing that one day–God would send someone to him. And–God did. Me.

God answered Pearline’s prayer–and He answered mine…and used me.

I didn’t get the “response” I had hoped for–my hope was to lead him in the sinners prayer…but as I left, still feeling the flutter of the butterflies, I confessed my feelings to Fabyata. Her response to me was, “You did your job. You did what you were supposed to do”.

She was right. God has a plan already set in motion. Perhaps I will still play a part–but if not, I am okay with that. I know there are others who are now praying for his salvation. He has been brought to the attention of the artist when she painted him–and The Artist who created him, never lets him out of His sight.

Now, when I see him in my mind–I know what to do. Pray. He’s not forgotten–by God, nor us. He has become known to us as “Angie’s Bolivian Man”. When Jeff traveled to Bolivia in December of 2013 without me– he spied him on the side of the church one night coming back into the city. He called me–with excitement said, “I just saw your Bolivian Man”. My heart leapt –praying, hoping for the day I actually experienced in 2014.

From 2011 to 2015–God has been stirring our hearts for Bolivia, and not just because of this man. But because of the millions who don’t know. Not just Bolivia–but to the uttermost –furtherest place where people dwell. They are lost….they need to know.

Pray. Beyond yourself.

(The original painting is not pictured here–but is available to travel for weekend services)

© 2015 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved. Photography copyright protected. All rights reserved.

Friends, Journals, Mission Trip, Missions

What Ruined My Life

April 27, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

This is a letter to all the girls like Lacy Ridley and +Tiffany Stuart out there.

Dear Lacy and Tiffany,

Both of you are about to be ruined.

For life.

Lacy, in just 33 days and some odd number of hours, your feet will land on foreign soil Tiffany, while yours is just a few weeks beyond our own departure, I want to prepare you both.

Eyes.

Every face will hold an expression–some filled with joy…some harder to determine. Mistrust for sure because of the pain suffered at the hard task master called “life”.

Tiffany, with each click of your camera–you will capture a glimpse into a heart. Then, you will later gaze back into those eyes and wonder what they were thinking about you. You, with your bright and ready smile, tender heart and head full of blonde hair–they will look at your eyes and wonder why yours are filled with water…and why that water spills over.

My first trip ruined me for anything and everything else.

For months I couldn’t shop–and wondered why in the world other people were shopping…what could they possibly need. I cleaned out my closet almost weekly and found, every-single-time, more to give away.

And I cried for lives that I knew lived in hardships that were none of their choosing. They didn’t choose to walk off of a job and stand in a welfare line. Jobs are scarce and there is no welfare.

My mind is continually filled with “what more can I do”. I want to do more. I lay awake at night and ask God to fill my dreams and my sleep with His plans and show me something that I can learn to do–or something that I can say that will help–in some way. Somehow.

It’s hard to take enough things to give away–and dangerous too. Your heart will break the second you hand your last piece of candy to the dirty outstretched fingers–and you will look beyond those eyes and see dozens more coming….wanting….waiting…

But do take candy. It’s a sweet gift and don’t often get something wrapped up tight in colorful paper.

Expect to be affected. By the sounds-sights-and smells. Some sights will delight….and some sights will bring tears.

There were time it seems when I walked, I felt myself praying with every single step. And sometimes I could hardly think clearly.

Your first mission trip will likely be the most emotionally draining experience you will ever encounter. But it will be the emotionally and spiritually best feeling ever as well.

Expect to go to bed each night exhausted–and try and make your mind shut down and sleep.

Journal everything. I mean take your journal and write down everything you can while you are traveling–because you will forget some things, even though you tell yourself you won’t.

When you come home and tell your heart wrenching stories, some will weep with you–and others will look at your with kind wonder–but they won’t understand your passion. And I learned that’s okay. It’s my passion. Not theirs.

Everyone is not expected to go on the foreign mission field…but everyone is expected to be involved in missions…in other ways.

Tell your stories. To anyone who will listen-you never know how your story will inspire someone else to dream big, take a leap of faith, believe God for big things in their own lives.

This was written for my new friend Lacy Ridley, but also for my dear precious friend, Tiffany Stuart who is about to realize her dream…and it will be amazing!

This is also written for all the others out there who, as yet have been afraid to dream. You don’t need to be afraid…you need to believe.

You can make a difference. This trip will make a difference…

But be warned….it will ruin you.

It ruined me.

Missions

Leave it all behind…

April 21, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

That’s sometimes a hard thing to do.

Some changes are taking place in our lives– the details are here if you have time to pray. Read and pray. I know many have friends and family who are undertaking heavy-duty changes in their own lives, from parents aging and declining, to kids graduating and moving on–to daughters marrying– and new families beginning… it’s tough. I remember all of our milestones. Especially recently as we’ve had to walk back through a lot of our history.

I know if you are like me–reading another email is the last thing you want to do–so it’s totally okay. If you can’t read, just scroll on by and say a prayer for Jeff and Angie. For the journey ahead.

The song by Casting Crowns struck me one day when +April Pettis sang it at church as such a part of our lives. We try to hang on to things God wants to relieve us of… why?

We will walk much better without the burden. We can climb without the load we are trying to keep tied to our back.

I have often had to stop and evaluate what or who had attached itself or themselves to my life. And I had to make a decision. Sink or swim. Climb or slide back down the mountain.

As tough as the climb is many days–I choose to climb. As +Sherri Evans preached during her retreat in Panama City this year, it’s on the mountain that God will reveal Himself to us–we must choose to ascend to the mountain of God. It’s a choice we have to make. On our own. Because it’s our own breath we will suck in with each step–it’s our own feet that will navigate through the crevices and rough terrain ahead. But it is God who guides each step…and we will not stumble if we keep our focus on Him.

© 2014 Angie Knight- The Knightly News. All rights reserved.
Photography copyright protected 2015. Angie Knight Photography.

Missions

The Waiting Game

April 10, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

The title is actually an oxymoron. Or seems to me. Waiting is no game.

Games are meant to be fun…waiting is usually tied and constricted to enduring. Or in my book that’s been the experience. Patience. Or the lack there of shows up in in the waiting game.

When you’re waiting, you like to stay busy–did I say “you”? I meant me. Totally pinning this on myself. I LIKE TO STAY BUSY.

It makes the wait shorter–or seems to. Time flies then.

The day I took this picture I was outside waiting, just like these two. But my wait was short compared to theirs. Their wait was a life time. All for a concrete floor.

The team of men and us two girls who tagged along (yes, I did just call Rene and myself girls), were preparing and creating a concrete floor for some homeowners in Honduras. Their first one. It would be in the living area–which is also the sleeping area. The only other area in the house was the kitchen. The men in the group were creating concrete mixture of substance that they then carried in buckets and dumped it in the middle of the floor and two men started spreading. Everyone wanted to help. We had men shoveling sand (Rene and I helped in this) and men mixing, men carrying water, and men smoothing the mixture. On hands and knees these two worked–smoothing out, spreading more–smoothing out– making sure this floor was as substantial as possible working with what they had.

The living area was small and dark. The pock holes in the metal roof looked like stars were shining in the daylight. However, those same pock holes meant that rain water created rivers inside the house. Water had the potential to carve out gullies where they slept. And more often than not, it did.

This was June of 2013. I remember the feel of the air–the sounds and the smells. It, like every other mission trip, put a mark on my heart. This was one of three trips I took without Jeff. I prefer the ones with him…but God used these to work on “me”. To help me see what was in my life that I could do without…

As we prepare for Bolivia and the children’s crusade, He’s doing that again. God is showing me what I can do without…and there are still many things. As much as I have sliced away at my belongings, there’s still more. But now, He’s slicing away at other things. Harbored hurts. And it has brought me to my knees. And this morning as I said aloud, “Jesus…loves….me”– I realize fresh there are millions and millions who have no idea that Jesus loves them enough that He came and died for them.

Our hearts desire is to do more and more for Jesus–and for those He puts into our lives. Even though, at times, like NOW, the wait seems long. We really only have 50 days to take off!

50 DAYS!

Can I tell you something? We have a few team members who are having some difficulty with raising the remainder of their funds. Can you help us pray for them? Everyone (including Jeff and myself) are responsible for their trip funds. And we’ve been doing everything from cleaning a house or two, sewing dresses, selling “Thirty-One”– to construction work.

If God lays it on your heart to give–please consider donating to the “team member in need”. They have a work to do–God has already assigned them. I know–from my past experience in this that God grows our faith in these times. And it is the efforts of many that much work is done.

Perhaps you can’t go, maybe have no desire to go–that’s okay! God loves using people like you to help send! Yay! Your heart and talents may be IN giving!

It is with grateful hearts that we will go and share the gospel of Jesus–and YOU, my dear precious reader, can have a part in that. Those who give has just as much a part as those who go!

Thank you …. for helping. Thank you for praying and sending and donating. Your faith is an action.

And our waiting… feels more like a game. Because we are seeing God do so much-sowing and reaping, through faithful hearts and lives.

faith, Missions

I Just Did It!

February 20, 2015April 17, 2023 A. Knight

“Just do it!” A phrase coined by the Nike Corporation to inspire us to get up off the couch and go to it! Get those new Nike brand shoes, because surely, that’s where the answer to life lies…in the sole of a shoe.

Their take on it was simple–if you have a body, you are an athlete.

When I first began blogging– I really didn’t know where this vehicle would take me…but looking back, I see that I’ve gone (via cyber-space) to the far reaches of the world. And I took the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I “just did it”.

I have a friend who loves Jesus with all her heart. She wanted to be a missionary when she was young, but because of decisions and circumstances in her life-before she came to know Jesus– the answer was no. Not no from God, but “no” from the office where she inquired.

Thankfully, God didn’t accept the “no”. He didn’t depend on the “no”. He gave her a tool to use, birthed that same desire in her child, and low and behold, her typing fingers, blogging heart, and desire to share what God has done for her and will do for others, she is a missionary. To the farthest reaches of the world. She just “did it”. All for His glory and honor…

There have been so many times that things looked impossible. The road, impassable. The idea, improbable. But God.

But GOD –Giver of life--planted an idea. Sowed into you and me a desire to “do it”… the job of telling others about Jesus Christ–my Savior-when I was at my very lowest, most displeasing state of being… He. Loved. Me.

He didn’t don His Holy Nike shoes, He went barefoot–to the cross.

No, I don’t know if perhaps part of the way He had His sandals. It’s not written in Holy Scripture. What I can imagine, His torturers were so intent on making things as miserable for Him as possible–beating Him almost to death–scourging Him, lashing Him, piercing His brow, I don’t imagine they left His shoes on to protect His feet on the road to Golgotha –the place of the skull.

I don’t know if He ever said those words, “just do it”....but that was the mindset He had when He arose from kneeling- in the garden- spying His followers, asleep on the job. He saw their weakness beyond their pledged allegiance. And yet, even then, eyes on their sleeping selves, He loved them so tenderly and dearly, He went to the cross to “just do it”. Intent. Purposed. Knowing -tears come in the night–but JOY cometh…. in the morning.

My heart is so burdened for the lost. Even right now, tears form and spill because I see me in their eyes. I see where I was before Christ. I see the desperation to find something to fill that empty life–that hole in my heart that only God can truly fill…

What has God assigned to you, friend?

Have you followed through?

Or, are you in the “waiting room”? Oh, that’s a tough place to be (I’m there).

You know your assignment, but the door hasn’t appeared–YET.

Keep a strong heart.

Believe what He told you.

Go back to the day He said it–and remind the enemy that you have a purpose and you won’t stop until you fulfilled His calling on your life…no matter who says “no”…

Just…do…it…

Our time to impact the world is drawing to a close–the signs are in every news story. The world is hurting–raging–and chaotic. Peace is only found in the heart of a Believer in Christ–not in the next new pair of name brand shoes… Nike has nothing on the Peace Speaker.

Just do it. Realize you can’t do this life without Him…and seek Him today.

I’m a missionary. Full – time. Whether I’m typing on this keyboard and the reader is in Honduras, Hawaii, or the Himalayas … The message of the love of Jesus Christ is getting out there. And then there are those incredible times–where I actually put the sole of my shoes on foreign soil…and I rejoice in sharing the pictures and stories with you…

My message is simple. Seek Him. Today.

Allow Him to have full control of your heart and life–give Him full access- and see what happens…

Just do it.

Life, Missions

Orphaned

January 15, 2015January 15, 2015 A. Knight

On January 12, 2010, while many of us were planning what to eat for supper, some driving home listening to music or talking on the phone–just living an oblivious life to anything or anyone else (myself included), a catastrophic earthquake shook all thoughts of anything else from the minds of millions.

Registering 7.0, this quake ripped lives apart and forever marked a small country with its devastating whiplash. Because even years beyond the “after shocks”, it’s still reeling.

Jeff went to Haiti with a group of pastors in 2013-and as his heart has always been for little ones, as they crawled up in his lap- they crawled up into his heart. No suitcase was big enough to bring them home- and what to do about the others…

Superintendent Thomas Moore has been instrumental in helping pastors from our area get a clearer picture and better understanding of what missions is all about–by showing them live and in person the reality of this devastation.

The West Florida District is currently raising funds to send a construction team over to repair a damaged roof on an orphanage (one of the three they visited when Jeff went) and other major repairs. The most major of all that cannot be repaired without God: these little ones. Lives changed in a split second as the earth shook. No mom or dad to love and care for them, but God had a plan already written for someone to come in and take these and make them her own. (You will have to get Supt. Moore to tell that story.)

The roof leak? Oh, I forgot to mention, it’s over the bedrooms. Rain? Drenched sleeping quarters. Can I tell you how miserable that is?

I went on a camping trip about a year ago–and the roof leaked. Just one place. But it kept me awake all night. Even though I moved to the couch and put a boiler on the bed to catch the dripping water, the “ting-ting-ting” of the water dripping kept me awake all night wondering if it would soon leak elsewhere.

These kids–it leaks all over the place and there’s no way they have enough boilers to fill all the places for the rain invading their sleep.

So. I’m asking something of you. First–pray. Don’t just pray for the kids and the teams that go to help–or Convoy of Hope who continually see to the many needs in that country–but pray and ask God “what can I do?” You can do a lot! Any amount you are able to send in for the construction costs and materials will be beneficial! The job cannot get done without you. Every donation helps.

Next, contact the district office and send an offering. Find out how many construction workers are going and help one of them with airfare. Yes they are willing- and are able–but many will need some assistance covering expenses.

The address to send your (tax deductible gift) is:

West Florida District Assemblies of God, 4792 Highway 90, Marianna, Florida 32446. Mark it “Haiti Project”.

Supt. Moore didn’t ask me to do this–doesn’t even know that I am–but God gave me fingers to type, a mind to think and understand the needs that need to be met–and a voice to shout! I have so much to be thankful for!

It’s raining today while I’m typing this–and I asked the Lord this morning to tune me into the needs of our world–this project has stayed on my mind since we sat down last year with a representative from Convoy who shared his heart and the needs there. Even though I had not been, I saw through the description and the pictures that had been taken by other team members (pastors) when they went.

When I can’t “go”, I can still make a difference. So can you. Make that call today. Do something with what you’ve been blessed with.

Thank you in advance for the lives your donation will change!

Missions

Random Tuesday

January 14, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Have you settled back in from all the rush-run-hurry-scurry of the holidays?

Is your house back in order? Or, are you like me; laundry waiting to be folded…books waiting to be read…a dog snoozing beside you–while you work on yet another project you have going??

During the Christmas holiday break we had some alteration to our normal routine:

Jeff’s stepbrother passed from his morning routine to the glories of heaven. What a Christmas he had this year! It happened Christmas Eve (Eve). It surprised us, but not God. His days had already been planned out. (Psalm 139:16)
Our mission team (focus forward ministries) had our first assignment as a full fledged ministry. We cooked and prepared a Christmas Day meal for the staff of one of the nursing homes in a nearby town. Lunch and Dinner. AND we ran upon the white bearded man himself–all decked out in his royal reds. It was quite a sight! That was so much fun–even though we were on the road a lot that day–I couldn’t help but be reminded of all that we had been blessed with!

Our daughter April, the nurse, helping a resident with her gifts

A few of our ministry team at the nursing home, along with the man in red 🙂

I don’t know if I told YOU or not, but I am now an independent Thirty-One Gifts Consultant! It is exciting getting to meet all the new ladies that God has brought across my path–I have inserted the link to my page if you are interested in shopping with me! The full commission from the first party of each month goes to missions. God is faithful. Meeting our needs as we continue to step out in faith.

I took this leap of faith in September of 2014–and completely rely on God to open doors and windows where He will use the voice He gave me!

So…message me, comment here, or Facebook me and tell me what you’ve been up to since Christmas!

OH! Almost forgot…a reminder of our ministry info:

Our Page and Ministry Page, click the links 🙂

Missions

Don’t Forget To Write!

November 19, 2014October 21, 2016 A. Knight

I started it in 1988. The pages are yellowed with age, but the words are strong: Proverbs 10:29(a) KJV “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright:”. . .

Then I went on to Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV—one we all know by heart. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.” Thus was the beginning of my prayer journaling. It should have been called my Skippy journal. Or “Sporadic Journal”. That’s what it seems to have been. But I know I kept on praying…I just didn’t take the time to journal. I had two small children and they kept me hopping from the time my feet hit the floor until I collapsed on the bed at night.

What caused me to unearth this book from it’s resting place in the bottom of a drawer was Wanda’s prayer journal. I have hers. One day someone will have mine. I now realize the value of the written word. Touched by her hands, words scratched out with pen or pencil from a sincere heart beating with the love of Jesus Christ. It has great value to me–for inside are her thoughts on the WORD of God. Her prayers and her struggles, along with pages of praise!

I just noticed. Mine is much the same. Favorite scripture quotes, insights and prayer needs. In essence, a journal does a lot for the writer, but for the reader down the road, it offers great encouragement!

When troubled about a situation I would write it out. Then, when God gave me the peace through His word or through prayer, I would write out the answer or the change of attitude. Wanda did the same. It has encouraged me to see and know that I am not alone in the struggles that I face daily. You aren’t either.

In a conversation with a dear friend recently, I commented that cards or notes of encouragement is something that I try and send often. The best time—is when I have needed encouragement myself! I usually put scriptures or a prayer for the individual and pray for them as I write. You have no idea how much this act of love can help the “sender”. And then the extra blessing when the “receiver” gets the card of encouragement in the mail and they are lifted up and know that someone is there along side them in their pain. Praying.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 NIV

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 NIV (emphasis mine)

Dear friends, I see and feel the day approaching. Let us get about the business of encouraging one another daily. If you have an address for the individual, use the mail man. If you have the e-mail address only, use it! Always share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ~for in His Word is power—and I tell you today—with all the urgency in my heart—we will need all the power He can and WILL— pour on us as we go about the business of sharing our love and faith in Him to others!

I’ve been here before. As a matter of fact, I believe as the past 300+ have passed, many changes have taken place in my life. Some were unexpected. Some changes I began to see hints of in 2013. I re-read some journal pages from last year just this morning–and saw where some of it began.

I will leave you with words from Paul to the Thessalonians—they are good for sharing to our hearts and lives today! “But I don’t need to write to you about the Christian love that should be shown among God’s people. For God himself has taught you to love one another. Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christians in all of Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we beg you to love them more and more.” I Thessalonians 4:9-10 NLT

Trusting Him,

Angie

faith, Life, Missions

New Steps of Faith!– Oh! The Places We’ve Been!

November 2, 2014October 21, 2016 A. Knight

We’ve not yet been everywhere He intends to take us…but the affects of Cambodia, Honduras, Bolivia will forever be embedded in my heart and life.

Jeff has ministered and built for the kingdom of God in Alaska, Jamaica, Peru and Bolivia…but we’re not done…there’s more fields to harvest–more work to be done, and we need many hands to do the job!

Every missionary that came through our church doors has pulled at my heart. I would sit and listen and then my eyes would reveal the condition of my heart. My heart yearned to walk with them. Talk one-on-one with them, in their location. On the very soil where their hearts were changed. And it happened again and again–and we admitted we were no longer satisfied with “just” doing the every-day-normal routines. We had to do more.

To find out the “more”…. I’m going to send you on a quick journey. I’m going to encourage you to pray for us as never before. I going to squeeze back tears as I reveal what God has so graciously been doing in our lives in the past several months.

It’s not been a “sudden” decision–it’s been a long waited out–long thought and prayed out decision–only made after several joined with us in prayer and we sought godly counsel over the changes in our lives that would ensue.

I (Angie) left my job in 2010 at the law office to embark on —who knew what–because I felt such a strong call–beckoning–from God I could simply not ignore. He proved Himself over and over throughout that whole process.

Then, in 2011, God nudged again–to both of us. It was time to make further changes. We became part of a wonderful mission minded church and was honored to served as their mission pastors. Jeff led 4 mission teams to Bolivia, and 2 disaster relief teams to North Alabama after tornadoes ripped through neighborhoods leaving families without homes–or the ability to clean up in the aftermath. We had great teams. Hard working teams–who, sought God for direction and financing to be able to join us. Oh, how grateful we have been for the hands and hearts who have worked along side us–not flinching at the sweat- or the unusual food. But loving the sight of the change in the lives we sought to help. And every member of each team is affected.

Fast forward: 2014. Again we feel God moving and working in our lives–more changes on the horizon. We enlist some of the same godly counsel to help us pray and seek God’s direction and perfect will for our lives. Messages from the pulpit, passages of Scripture and words from others align with what is in our hearts. Change is once again upon us. This time a bit different.

We have launched a new web/blog site and I would like to encourage you to please sign up for the emails to be slipped right into your inbox. That will be the best way to stay up with what’s going on in our lives–and the lives of our “team members!”

To see what comes next…go here: jeffandangieknight.wordpress.com/

To journey with Christ is the most life changing experience…what you “think” is going to happen, often doesn’t.

Our focus is set on Him. We don’t look back at what “was”, but at what He has ahead. Although we can’t see the future, we know He has a watchful eye on our lives. Please pray with us, journey with us and listen as He might even be calling you to step out of YOUR comfort zone…and follow Him.

Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and 14 I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 GWT

Missions

New Steps of Faith Has Brought Us HERE.

October 27, 2014October 27, 2014 A. Knight

The discussion in our head began long before it commenced outside. For both of us.

With every – single – mission trip, we felt the powerful pull of “more”.

Many months ago though, the discussion ensued in real life. Out loud. And the prayers became more detailed–and more “submitting”.

Every missionary that came through our church doors pulled at my heart. I would sit and listen and then my eyes would reveal the condition of my heart. It yearned to walk with them. Talk one-on-one with them, in their location. On the very soil where their hearts were changed. And it happened again and again–and we admitted we were no longer satisfied with “just” doing the every-day-normal routines. We had to do more.

Jeff and I have prayed and we have a deep desire-to unflinchingly –without wavering go beyond our comfort zone. We hope that you will join with us in prayer–and if God nudges you to give, we want to make that opportunity available to you as well–completely tax-deductible. A button will appear soon on the side and you can safely send a few dollars to help us build–an orphanage (orphanages)…a church(churches)…supply water…meet medical needs…school needs…the list goes on and on. The thing is–we will be doing many things–getting there is just the beginning.

Our goal is to lead teams– your church group, or several from several churches. We want to help you experience something amazing “outside” your comfort zone. It will forever change your life…your perspective–and your love for God and the people who inhabit this world.

We have a team of advisers who will help us walk in this new path–several will be joining “on the journey”–and we are extremely grateful to God for placing our paths together!

So! Thank you in advance for your prayers and encouragement–as we have discovered already–We need it! If you so choose to donate before we get the button up and running, please contact us via email (click on the “Become a Part- or About Us” button).

Philippians 3:13-14 (GWT) Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.