Missions – Page 8 – Jeff & Angie

A Missionary Offering

March 10, 2016 A. Knight

I had wanted to keep you posted every-single-day while we have been on this journey of “mission orientation”….but again, I failed.

However, if you are our friend on Facebook, perhaps you did get in on some “frozen custard” and the walk through the museum at the Assemblies of God National Headquarters ….that, my friend, was amazing.

If you don’t mind- I am going to “cheat” just a bit–this is what I posted on Facebook this morning-

“Yesterday, while in one of the AmaZing session of training (brain overload), a vivid picture came back to me with such suddenness that my eyes leaked (they really leaked all day– a couple of us girls began to wonder why we even bothered with makeup)…

When I was a very young teenager–before so much rebellion set in like a stone, I remember getting so sick I could hardly stand up. Mother was at work, and it was summer time. Meaning, I was in charge of my two sisters and baby brother. But with me sick, Wanda was now the “in charge” daughter.

I asked her to call our Mamo to pray. Now, Mamo, in our opinion — was CLOSE to God. Probably closer than anyone we knew. I mean “right up there” with Him daily.

And truly it was “daily”….she and our Paw-Paw spent the beginning of every morning and the closing of every day on their knees (yes, knees) in prayer.

I remember vividly, even as I type, I can still hear their voices calling on God for their neighbors, their church, their family. Always their family.

As Wanda dialed Mamo and Paw-Paw, I had confidence that she would pray. I lay in the bed with tears–in pain. I was rarely sick–so for me to even cry about it, I am sure frightened my sister, Wanda.

It seemed short minutes and I heard voices. Mamo’s voice talking to Wanda as they came down the hall. I didn’t mean for her to come to me–I knew that if she prayed right where she was–God would hear. I guess that was a sign of my faith even back then…my faith in Mamo being able to get a prayer through to God.

Well–I suppose God told her to “go”. She turned off her stove (middle of cooking their lunch) –pulled off her apron and out the door they went. I am absolutely positive that she prayed on the short 2 mile journey to our house.

When Mamo–walked in my room and laid her hand on my stomach–a warmth filled my body and I FELT the pain and nausea leave. I soon slept.

You should know this was more than a healing. This was obedience…on her part. To leave “what she was doing”….and GO.

To leave “HER PLANS” for the day…and GO.

Well Friends,…. this is us. Jeff and myself—leaving our plans to see our grand-kids grow and develop into godly men and young lady, and GO. Because HE, God, asked us to turn off our stove….lay aside our apron of busy lives–and don HIS.

His apron of another type of service. His servants to Bolivia.

And after last night’s amazing prayer service—I was so thankful –and grateful to be among well over 100 other individuals who heard the same Voice call, “turn off the stove”…and GO light a fire and turn on the stove somewhere else.

Friends, God is so good. I look in the mirror and wonder why in the world He would ask us…Why? At this point and at our age…. I don’t argue–I know He has His reason… and you know what? I’m good with that. I am thankful He asked…and proud to say “YES”.

Because I am hoping…and praying…and believing that by us going–perhaps one of our grandchildren–will one day want to say, “hey, if God can call my grandparents….maybe He will call me too”. 2012-02-25 mother daughter retreat feb 2012 041

Something was said yesterday that I want to leave you with… I thought of my dear sweet mother. We have, all our lives given to missions. Mother too….but she will soon give her biggest offering yet. Her oldest daughter. Me.

And she gives it willingly–and readily. Withholding nothing ….because she taught us obedience…by example. And she still practices what she preaches.

I am glad to be my mother’s missionary offering.

faith, Life, love, Missions

Abraham’s Famous Faith

February 20, 2016 A. Knight

“You’re going where?” Abram’s friend leaned in to make sure he heard right.

“I said, I don’t know. We are just going, my friend.” Abram firmly, but quietly stated. He had been getting this a lot. As they had been packing up their tent and all their belongings, loading camels and the many pack animals, friends had been stopping by, each one with the same question and the same incredulous look on their faces.

Abram swatted a fly from his face with his hand. “The LORD GOD will show us.” Again, that firm quiet to his voice spoke more than the words he said. Abram’s friend muttered under his breath, patted him on the back and turned and left.

The heat that usually bore down on Abram, felt today, like a calming Presence. Almost like a hand on his shoulder giving him comfort as one by one, each friend—who didn’t seem to understand his actions, turned away.

While the above is completely a made up conversation in my mind— it’s how we felt when we began making life changes –preparing for the mission God has ahead. Abraham, formerly known as Abram, has been a story that I have related to time and time again. His faith in God–trusting Him–made him famous. He didn’t seek fame–He sought God.

I felt the excitement he must have felt the night he threw his head back and gazed at the endless curtain of blinking stars. We have both experienced that look—or expression of incredulity from friends, and maybe even a family member or two—as we shared what we believe (not just feel), that God has called us to do.

This experience of our faith walk has been targeted at different parts of our lives—at various times in this season of life. One by one, God has pointed His finger at things in our lives and said either “keep-or-give”. Or, at least to me, that’s how it has felt.

Missionaries at the ages of 54 and 60 wasn’t what we had on our agenda 10 years ago. Actually, it wasn’t even in my planner 3 years ago. Mission work? Yes. Spending a month at a time on a specific project there? Yes. But packing up everything that doesn’t get sold to live in a country where I can’t speak the language (yet)… Not quite. BUT GOD has a way of changing our hearts to YEARN for His will and His direction. He has a way of changing our hearts desires the closer we get to Him.

How did all this happen? That will come later as I unfold this in the blog—but first I want to share something one of the missionaries has said this week as we have toured with our District Women’s Ministry Director, Rese Moore. I believe it was Whittney (I leave off her last name for her future safety), who said it best, “God has called us ALL to go. But some—He has given you the assignment to stay”.

Your assignment has come with a job He has called and directed you to. And in that job, He expects you to be an onsite missionary. One who lives by example—and builds relationships (just like we will do) with those He puts in your path. One who leads by conversation…. (Really makes you re-think the joke you told last week, huh…).

Your assignment comes with benefits of a dependable weekly salary—as long as you keep up your end of the bargain, your boss will keep up his. Our assignment comes with a question to our friends and family: “Do you want to join our team?” Meaning, “Do you want to help win the lost in these last days? Do you want to help us show them JESUS?

It comes down to two things really. Either we want to do all we can to share Jesus where they don’t know Him—in the unreached villages of this world—or we are completely satisfied with them not knowing and stand idly by as they leap off into eternity lost.

Our assignment right now is two years. Do you think—for two years you could give up ONE Starbucks coffee a month? Just one.

What about 2? If 35 of our friends and family gave up Starbucks just ONE time each month—to take part in a soul reaching team—that would put us over half way to our budget goal.

What if—ONE time each month—you give up ONE dinner out of, say a Zaxby’s drive through meal. Just for two people. That’s close to $25 with large drinks and tax included—and maybe one milkshake to share as dessert. JUST ONE TIME in a whole month—for two years. Give it up and maybe just cook a simple meal of rice and chicken and fry some cornbread. That’s more of a meal than most anyone in a third world country will ever have in a day. They may have the rice—but they likely won’t have any meat.

I don’t know if you have read down this far or got tired and turned it off—Maybe you are saying, well, Angie, exactly what are you and Jeff giving up?

Everything.

And every time I think of all the times I won’t get to drive to my mom’s house for a meal or a visit with them, or sit on a comfy couch in an air-conditioned living room and a drink coffee with my baby sister, and join her hand and pray for her family and my family, I will be honest. I cry.

And every time I think of my two amazing daughters–and how MUCH I love spending time with them–and that will not happen for two years….I cry.

And every time I think of our 6 grandsons and how sweet their sugar is, or our precious granddaughter who I won’t get to see turn into a godly young woman and graduate high school, I cry.

BUT THEN– I think of all those children I have met—and those I’ve not yet met—who are waiting for someone to show them Jesus. Waiting for someone to BE Jesus in their lives and love them no matter how poor they are. No matter that they have nothing to offer us–we have MUCH to offer them. Jesus. And there they are, just waiting for someone to join our team—so that we can get there and introduce them to Jesus Christ. God’s Only Son—who loved them so much that HE came and died so that they might have life.

We’re only asking for one thing—each month—for two years. There are some who can afford to give more than ONE Starbucks “sacrifice” a month…..Only you and God know what He’s asking of you.

After two years, if God continues our assignment—we will see what He asks you to do. Or, God may have another assignment for us…OR, He may have another assignment for you.

This is the link to join our team—OR you can download a copy of the commitment form and send it in, our account number is 2853562, our Region is Latin American, and of course—you know our names, Jeff and Angie Knight.

We have discovered–some are waiting to be asked. But there are those who just get so excited–they jump ahead and join, saying, “we want to be part of your team”. You have no idea how that makes us feel!

You know, I think God likes it best when we, as His children, come up to Him and say, “What would you have me to do Father?” Go? or Stay. Stayers get to be senders. What a GREAT opportunity. To be a part of missions, both HERE and There.

faith, Family, Life, Missions

Abraham’s Famous Faith

February 20, 2016 A. Knight

“You’re going where?” Abram’s friend leaned in to make sure he heard right.

“I said, I don’t know. We are just going, my friend.” Abram firmly, but quietly stated. He had been getting this a lot.

As they had been packing up their tent and all their belongings, loading camels and the many pack animals, friends had been stopping by, each one with the same question and the same incredulous look on their faces.

While the above is completely a made up conversation in my mind— it’s how we felt when we began making life changes –preparing for the mission God has ahead.

Abraham, formerly known as Abram, has been a story that I have related to time and time again. His faith in God–trusting Him–made him famous. He didn’t seek fame–He sought God.

Missionaries at the ages of 54 and 60 wasn’t what we had on our agenda 10 years ago. Actually, it wasn’t even in my planner 3 years ago.

Mission work? Yes. Spending a month at a time on a specific project there? Yes. But packing up everything that doesn’t get sold to live in a country where I can’t speak the language (yet)… Not quite.

BUT GOD has a way of changing our hearts to YEARN for His will and His direction. He has a way of changing our hearts desires the closer we get to Him. How did all this happen? That will come later as I unfold this in the blog—but first I want to share something one of the missionaries has said this week as we have toured with our District Women’s Ministry Director, Rese Moore.

I believe it was missionary, Whittney (I leave off her last name for her future safety), who said it best,

“God has called us ALL to go. But some—He has given you the assignment to stay”.

Your assignment has come with a job He has called and directed you to. And in that job, He expects you to be an onsite missionary.

One who lives by example—and builds relationships (just like we will do) with those He puts in your path. One who leads by conversation…. (Really makes you re-think the joke you told last week, huh…).

Your assignment comes with benefits of a dependable weekly salary—as long as you keep up your end of the bargain, your boss will keep up his.

Our assignment comes with a question to our friends and family: “Do you want to join our team?” Meaning, “Do you want to help win the lost in these last days? Do you want to help us show them JESUS?”

It comes down to two things really: Either we want to do all we can to share Jesus where they don’t know Him—in the unreached villages of this world—or we are completely satisfied with them not knowing and stand idly by as they leap off into eternity lost.

Our assignment right now is two years. Do you think—for two years you could give up ONE Starbucks coffee a month? Just one. What about 2?

If 35 of our friends and family gave up Starbucks just ONE time each month—to take part in a soul reaching team—that would put us over half way to our budget goal.

Give it up and maybe just cook a simple meal of rice and chicken and fry some cornbread. That’s more of a meal than most anyone in a third world country will ever have in a day. They may have the rice—but they likely won’t have any meat.

I don’t know if you have read down this far or got tired and turned it off—Maybe you are saying, well, Angie, exactly what are you and Jeff giving up?

Everything.

And every time I think of my two amazing daughters–and how MUCH I love spending time with them–and that will not happen for two years….I cry.

And every time I think of our 6 grandsons and how sweet their sugar is, or our precious granddaughter who I won’t get to see turn into a godly young woman and graduate high school, I cry.

We’re only asking for one thing—each month—for two years.

There are some who can afford to give more than ONE Starbucks “sacrifice” a month…..Only you and God know what He’s asking of you.

After two years, if God continues our assignment—we will see what He asks you to do. Or, God may have another assignment for us…OR, He may have another assignment for you.

Brittney Hall Photography credited with “birthday photos”. Thank you Brittney!!!

faith, love, Missions

God Asked me this:

February 15, 2016February 15, 2016 A. Knight

How BAD do you want to help?

Really. How Bad do you want to help?

That was God’s question to me the first time I felt the Holy Spirit nudge my heart about missionary support. I had just heard a missionary speak—sharing his heart about the country he and his family felt called to—and I felt that nudge—that desire to do something.

But then—quickly, rational thinking intervened and reminded me of all the monthly obligations I had, Whew! Close call.

“Not so fast, Angie”, The Holy Spirit whispered gently.

Remembering the Great Commission, I know all too well that the call was to all. All of us—every single living human being with a mind and heart to hear and feel the Lord speak…

There were no “if you have any extra at the end of the month”….

John Piper believes if we aren’t actively going—or sending—we are actively disobeying.

Okay—so maybe you have prayed and you sincerely feel that you aren’t called to change your physical address. Did you know—that with a monthly offering—you can send?

You and I can help another missionary work in their calling—and help KEEP them there? You and I can sow seeds in a country we will likely never step foot in—just giving something up.

OR, by doing something MORE.

What do I mean by that?

Well, let’s take something so MANY of us love… Coffee. Oh, I know—I just hit a nerve.

Maybe you have a ritual cup of SPECIAL Coffee with a friend every single week. I am sure during that time you are ministering to them and encouraging them—and even witnessing to them. I’m not asking you to give up a witnessing window… I just want us all to look at how we “spend” our resources–

How bad do we really want to help?

Let’s look at the “drive-through” Starbucks and Krispey Kreme, ‘get-‘em while they’re hot’ ventures. Can we sacrifice our cravings for missions? I am the first one to admit to having cravings for ice cream, specialty coffees, and yes, even hot-now donuts. And every time I fulfill one of my cravings and neglect writing that check and sending it off—I am in essence, showing God—just who is really more important. Ouch.

What about doing something more?

By that, I mean there are other ways to give—One of the first things that I thought of was the “excess” we live with.

Every year—about twice a year, I have a “purging”. Usually I give things away—like to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or another similar type store. But then I realized I could –with some effort on my part—have a yard sale. Sure—it’s easy easy to just load it up and haul it off. But then—how does God get the glory? And how would a missionary get the benefit?

So—I partner with a friend and we go through our homes for about a month and gather our “stuff”—meet at my house and price it all and plan the “day”. We yard sale for missions. I have used this as a way to “pay” my way on trips—or to help someone else. And we have a good time in the fellowship of it all. And my house and life is less cluttered.

Another way—I cleaned a few toilets to do what I needed to do for missions. Quite a few. I did whatever little job or back breaking job I could do—for missions.

God continually asks me, “how bad do you want to help?”

What for?

Last year God showed us the open door to who He’s called us to. Children. Specifically, those who are falling through the cracks. Those who are 5 years old and living in a prison cell. Seems absurd doesn’t it. The child did no crime, yet because of the laws in Bolivia, if a parent goes to prison and there is no one to look after the children…they go too. Babies are even born in prison.

The country’s most notorious prison is just a few blocks from one of our LAC Schools. Our first assignment was helping a young girl get back in school. Her name is Claudia. A victim in her own home—a step-brother about 10 years older than she is began abusing her when she was about 10 years old—by 12 she became pregnant. Fear kept her from telling.

The man is now in prison, and Claudia has just recently turned 13—and her baby was about 8 months old when I held her in October. The most incredible thing in all of this is the bravery of Claudia. She actually “wanted” to get back in school. Statistically, young girls who are victims of rape and molestation do not want to go back to school or return to the life they knew before the tragedy. They are scarred in such a way—shame causes retreat. And there are times, this type of damaging shame leads to promiscuity.

We have been able to financially supply for Claudia’s education, counseling, and meet the physical needs of her baby girl. Her baby’s name is Genesis. For certain, Claudia’s testimony opened our eyes to many of the real needs in Bolivia.

Jeff and I knew we were already “called” to Bolivia—but now we know a bit more of the “why” and to “whom”.

As a friend was introducing us recently at a church service he stated, “Jeff and Angie are the result of one too many mission trips”. Of course he was teasing—for he knew all too well the passion that burns in our heart for not only missions, but very specifically, the country and people of Bolivia.

We would be thrilled to have you join our team and partner with us through prayer and monthly support. Please don’t let the word “support” scare you. I’m not asking for $100 a month. I’m just asking you to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He directs your heart.

Jeff and I are working hard to get there– we’ve sent emails– and mailed letters to those pastors whose emails we sent “bounced back”. We’ve been invited to share in a few churches and are excited to get the opportunity to share with more…. but we need more doors open. A 5 minute- or 10 minute window would be great– we’re not asking for your whole service, just a small opportunity to share our heart.

Thank you so much for listening to these ramblings words—from the heart of a sold-out-missionary.

Missions

Together…we can all go

February 2, 2016February 2, 2016 A. Knight

God intends for us to go together.

You may not have to get your passport…but with your partnership, we go together.

Every step Jeff and I take, you take with us. Every seed you sow into our mission, we in turn, sow into lives you may not see outside of a picture that we share online—but we will join around that eternal throne in heaven that our King sits on.

It’s been a fearsome thing to send out over 100 emails—and wait for a response. To dial a number and wait for an answer—to get a machine, leave a message and wait for a response.

It’s a fearsome thing—if we thought for one second it depended on us….but it doesn’t. God called US, so we are certain He will call you to step out in faith and help.

Sometimes—you might think, oh well, I don’t have $25 or $50 a month to spare… Did you know $5 and $10 helps? A faithful, continual offering of $5 a month is $60 a year. It might not look like much alone, but together—with God multiplying? –There’s no way I can add up what that might be!

At this point, we need monthly partners to give whatever God lays on your heart—we need this to begin before we can leave. We need just over $3,000 in monthly supporters—I know. It looks daunting on this side. The cost of living is higher in some countries—it amazes me how the people there make it—but we are going to “reach them”….and reaching them in the mountains, villages and areas that are hidden away from the main population will cost us to get there.

We have watched God do some amazing things in our ministry in the past few years—but we believe we’ve not seen the best yet. When we took our mission team to build a church and host crusades in 2013—the enemy was not happy. He did his best to tear down anything and everything—BUT GOD HAD A PLAN.

On the last day of the building—crusades were over and we gathered in a tiny room to pray for the pastor and his family and board members—The Holy Ghost fell in such power—the 3 hours we prayed seemed but minutes when all 30 something of us walked out drenched in sweat and headed to the church to dedicate the house of God. That was all God.

We are praying for you—as we pray for ourselves—for God to continue to lead and direct us—we are praying that God will show up in your life in such a mighty way. We are believing that you will see things as you step out in faith, that you never dreamed possible! Because God is God—God can do anything.

Thank you friend. For reading this all the way through! For praying for us—partnering with us as God leads you, and being faithful to what He has already called you to do for the furthering of His Kingdom. 01BACK cover2014-09-04 01-AKBolivia 2014-VC 215

If you would like to partner with us, click on the link provided, scroll to the bottom of the page and select “make a recurring commitment” (beside the Give Now button). That’s it. Believing with YOU for big things in your life!

Together, we can all go.

All for His glory,

Jeff and Angie Knight

Ministry, Missions

How To Get From Here to There

January 6, 2016October 21, 2016 A. Knight

How to get from here to there-

flying would be the way I’d go

but how exhausting, just so you know.

How to get from here to there-

friends can help lead the way

and just how, they ask, will we stay?

How to get from here to there-

help is needed, I’m sure you’ll agree

God will direct hearts, we shall soon see.

The task ahead has loomed –mostly after the initial day of “excitement” that came with the news of our approval as missionaries to Bolivia!

Can I just share my heart a minute? I haven’t done that in a while–and pardon the tears–for they just seem to happen when I mentally see those little faces-it’s hard to explain.

If you could experience the anguish of the wait–the internal examination of your life since you first became aware that you were “you”…like we have the past 11 months or so, since we first said “yes” to a God who sees all and knows every detail….

See, before the national office ever began asking their questions, the old enemy started his:

“who do you think you are? Are you kidding? At your age? What ability do you think you have? Seriously?” Over and over and over.

Of course, then came the paperwork. We won’t even go there–because there is possibly a “soon-to-be” called missionary reading this and I certainly don’t want to scare you away–trust me–if God has called you–there is NO other life choice for you. Paperwork-schmaperwork. Just do it.

If you could know the feelings that I get preparing for each trip- when the donations begin coming in for school supplies for those kids who will never have a chance at a brand new box of crayons without your help. Or those little girls who we took dresses to this year–they would have never had the opportunity to have their very own “first time” brand new dress–without your help (East Side Baptist Church-Vernon, FL)–and it honestly leaves me speechless. And to see the look in the mama’s eyes putting it on her little girl…oh friend, if you could know. You were here…but those dresses worked “there”.

If you could know what it feels like to hug the body of a little girl who has never ran or played like other girls, who gets made fun of because she had an old walker that had been sawed-off to suit her short build, but was still too wide. If you could see the tears fall hot and fast from her older sisters eyes when we walk in their yard with a brand new child-sized walker with wheels and a seat, and they realized someone saw a need and had compassion. They may not know the word–but they know the feeling. And some friends from “here” went “there” by helping buy that walker.

If you could walk into the tiniest one-room-home of a little 13 year old girl and see her little baby–and her own baby doll still in the same one room dwelling and know that her life will never return to playing with dolls because now she has one of her own…and she has to be responsible….

If you could board that airplane coming back home and feel that tug in your heart that you are not finished with what you are supposed to do….if you could dream the dreams that I have had for the past 3 years and see the haunting and desperate faces of those who have not been introduced to Christ yet, and wake with a sweat and urgency that the job must be done quickly–for we are running out of time–and you would feel that to stand before a congregation is a fearsome thing to do because your greatest fear is that just may not “get-it” like it has grabbed your soul for the past 4 years of your life.

But…if by chance…it did grab you, and you actually did experience all that I have for the past year to get prepared for what the “next phase” of your life is, you would be like me– taking apart every piece of your life to accommodate the journey ahead. Just when I think I’ve pared down enough, I feel a nudge from my heavenly Father…“more, Angie. Remove more.”

If you click on this link, it will take you to our page with AGWM. From there you can choose to journey and partner with us. You will not be required to leave your home, but you can invest in our journey and join us for the ride of a lifetime. I have created this little guide below, but really, you can choose whatever dollar amount will fit your budget. Once we get to the field, we will be there for two years. We hope that everyone who starts out this journey, will finish it well with us! You can even just give a one time donation–which it is all tax deductible and you will be mailed a receipt each time you contribute.

I remember the first 4 missionaries we began supporting. One of them I had never met. But I strongly felt God lead me to begin supporting them. We added more to our list over the course of the next couple of years and still support them all today. We can’t go to the countries they are in, some are in very sensitive countries, but by giving each month–we are joining them by helping them stay on the field.

Jeff and I have quite a way to go to get there–and we are hoping to get there soon. Would you like to join us? There is also a place to sign up to become prayer partners on our page and we hope that everyone will do that. We really need prayer support. I learned that in such a major way while we were there in October. And please pray as we are calling and emailing pastors–we need open doors, ten minute windows, 5 minute windows–whatever is available we will gratefully accept. God will do the rest.

We humbly thank you–with all that is within us–for the help you are able to give. If you have any fundraising ideas–please contact either one of us on Facebook or by email–we will be grateful for anything! 🙂

May God bless you for your sacrifice and love toward us and what He is doing in our lives.

http://www.tinyurl.com/sendjeffandangie/

Missions

Our Christmas Wish

December 17, 2015 A. Knight

Seems like we have been working on this goal forever… but not quite.

We are giddy with excitement about what the coming months will bring…us closer to Bolivia. Who would have thought that just a few years ago– in 2011 when we first landed our married feet on the foreign soil –that we would be back to sow seeds together for Christ.

Jeff and I had worked together teaching Sunday School, leading a young adult class, working in the church for years–teaching our children how to “clean the church”… and praying for God to keep our family and our hearts–clean too.

But now we are preparing for the next two years–and you can join us. You can become a part of our journey by praying and giving. We need monthly supporters–but also “one-time” donations are gratefully accepted.

All donations are tax deductions–and if you are looking for a place to sow some future seeds of ministry–we would love to be the hands and feet of Christ-going where you aren’t able to right now–BUT, we do hope that one day you might be led to join us for a short term, week long mission trip!

We have hit the ground running–working as hard as we can to be ready to go as soon as the budget and support is fully raised, and I will do my best to keep you posted along the way– please stay with us and keep praying! Even if you think you have nothing to give–you can pray! We need prayer partners!!

January will begin our busy time as we itinerate to churches all over our district (to any and all who will have us!) and we are excited to get to fellowship and get better acquainted with our pastors and mission directors!

So…be on the look out for us! And if you see this truck out on the highway: Pray for The Knights. (this is not us, nor our business, but we love the concept of transporting the Gospel!)

knight-transportation-truck-back-tablet

Missions

Our Christmas WISH

December 16, 2015 A. Knight

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Pick a star…any star…or make up your own. Whatever fits into your budget–we need your prayer and support. No amount is too small–ever. God knows what we can all do–and when we can’t “go”…we can send. We are excited to begin this journey for the next 2 years. Then–we’ll be home and hopefully will get the opportunity to share IN PERSON with many of you what we saw–and what GOD did. All the glory for our journey– all the good we are able to do–ALL goes to HIM!

Click here to go straight to our mission giving page with AGWM.

OOPS! The piktochart isn’t working right for me- I’m still learning. The map of Bolivia is missing 🙂 But–that’s where we are headed.

Missions

Protected-Guided-Surrounded

November 8, 2015October 21, 2016 A. Knight

Sounds better than the good hands of Allstate doesn’t it….

When I least deserved protecting….He protected. There ~~may have~~ have been days- when I didn’t “feel” protected. The days I felt I was taking such a severe onslaught of the enemy’s attacks…. but then I remember Job.

And I was surrounded…and I knew He was also surrounding those I was praying for.

Are you in need of “surrounding” today? He’s there–just as His Word promises.

Missions

Wake UP and Pray.

October 18, 2015 A. Knight

I think sometimes we forget what our missionary friends actually go through–to get to where they are….I’ve been guilty myself. Until this past week. Whammie reminders.

We had a great planning trip for next years trip to minister and build in Bolivia! And I feel like this just might be the best trip yet! (I know you just said, “she said that last year”)….it’s true…this could really be IT!

We met at the school in the village where we will be building a church–less than a mile away! So many opportunities to sow seeds for Christ! But let me back up before we get to that day…and tell you about some of the “tough stuff” of ministry on the mission field.

If you have kept up with us, you may be aware that we are in the “processing stage” for full time missions in Bolivia– we met with the missionaries who will be supervising us–and they are a great couple! Fluent in Spanish…and the culture…. and I’m reminded again of all the things we “don’t know” yet. It’s all a learning process, and every single missionary goes through this.

I had a thought before we left for this one though, wondering kind of to myself if we would get a “real feel” for what it would be like….and yes, I think in some ways we did. I mentioned “information overload” in a facebook post the other day–and I was trying to take in all my surroundings the words spoken (in English) and wishing for a notebook to write things down in! I had even left my list of questions at home…

Church service was great, the people so kind to us–every single time we go! We visited an area where we will be doing a lot of work, and on another day we also visited a tourist attraction, something we have never done before. This was the day it all seemed to collide in my head and heart. The place we visited was some of the Inca Ruins on a mountain in the town of Samaipata. I will be honest–the history of the place and the feeling there– was incredibly heavy to my spirit and I felt “creeped” out by details of what happened there–and by what I felt in my spirit. It was almost too much. As a matter of fact, as I climbed the mountain –leaning forward with a heavy load on my back, my heart became just as heavy. I was at several points breathing heavy due to the load I carried and my mind was working, not just overtime–but “triple-time”. I wasn’t even sure I would ever tell the details about the day.

Our friend and guide shared the history, as well as “current” happenings in the area–which also creeped me out and I began to pray in my spirit–and I tried to sing….I was trying to do anything to get my mind off of where I was, what ground I was walking on, and what forces were at work in the atmosphere.

As we left that day, and lunched down in the town, the thoughts kept coming of the people in the town–the people in the surrounding mountains and wondered what it must be like for them on a daily basis. I scanned for a familiar church sign. Few. So few I think I only counted one. Maybe two–but that might be a stretch.

Let’s fast forward to the night time. For two nights I slept very little. The first couple of nights it was just jet-lag and information overload. The night we returned from the mountain excursion, it was so much heaviness in my spirit.

Something our missionary supervisors said to us on Sunday: “Whatever weakness you have is intensified on the field.” I began to wonder at my weaknesses. I think the biggest thing that plagued me was the fact I wasn’t sure I would sufficiently learn the language. I pray and pray and hope with all my heart that I can carry on conversations and build relationships with the ladies and children and learn from them as I desire to teach them things that I know as well–but I kept getting slammed with all the facts of how I have to study study study to learn–it doesn’t come easy for me–it’s big time work. So my insecurity came floating to the top. “You’re not “this”–or “that”….”Perhaps you are too old”…. I am not kidding when I say that I tried for hours it seems to go to sleep. My mind was being attacked with such force–and I was trying in all of it to pray. I wanted to shout at Jeff, wake UP and pray for me…I can’t go to sleep! But of course, I’ve never ever shouted at him–and I wouldn’t wake him up unless I was sick…. and I wasn’t sick.

There have been times when at home I would wake in the middle of the night and have someone on my mind–and I would know almost instinctively, they need prayer. So I would pray. There have been other times when no name came, but I prayed anyway–and it was for me or us that I needed the extra prayer in the next few days.

The day we went to the mountains and everything got so rough for me–I have a dear friend in Florida who messaged me that evening, asking if we were okay. She said that all throughout the day we had kept coming to her mind….OH MY GOODNESS! I told her briefly of some of the things, and GOD was so spot on with sending me a timely prayer warrior! Did YOU know He did that? I did. And it was so good to know we were not forgotten, nor were we alone!

I believe I saw in those few days the joys as well as the times of trial and stress that happens for missionaries, not that I’ve seen it all–because I know I haven’t. But I peeked in the window. And I have to confess….there were days that my little house and my little life dangled like a carrot in front of my vision when I was trying to pray….THEN there would flash that little one with the big needs in her life. Or the little boy at the school that just wanted me to take his picture–because he had very little attention…. or those who have never been to a church, and never heard the Gospel, and didn’t know about Jesus and how He came and died so that she/he might live…

I couldn’t hang back and decline the call of God on our lives for anything. I feel with even MORE urgency that God has assigned us this country–and a particular area–and the 8 schools and “counting” who have opened their doors to us to come in whenever we can and minister and share what and Who we have. We share JESUS. THEY need JESUS. I don’t want to Americanize them…. They don’t need what we have. It’s not “things” that will save them….It’s only Him.

I encourage you to go on a mission trip if you’ve never been. I encourage you to get out of your box and see how others live–see what they see on a daily basis–just for a week. See if that doesn’t change your perspective on things a bit…. don’t be afraid….and even if you are afraid…do it afraid. God may not ask you to rearrange your whole life—to move to another country– BUT He may speak more strongly than you’ve ever heard about what you are to be doing right where you are….

And friend? When you wake up in the middle of the night….can I ask you to pray? Pray for us. Pray for all those who leave family, home and friends to live in a strange land among a people they love without even knowing quite how it happened…it just happened…

We all need to wake UP and pray. More.

That’s it for tonight. If we were sitting together, drinking a coffee or something, I might be tempted to keep talking…but we aren’t…and I haven’t caught up on rest–or housework–or anything else yet. 🙂

I’ll share more pictures and a few more thoughts as they return to my busy mind. Until then, “pray”. And keep on praying. Without ceasing. That’s what will get us through to the next steps that God has for each of us.