Jeff & Angie

I don’t know if this video will play properly or not, but we will give it a shot!  I was so excited to see those two buses roll in–the first time we’ve not traveled together on a joint trip–and I missed my man! 😉

The cook team had gone down 2 days early to purchase the food and supplies for the week and generally get set up.  We had MIRACLE number ONE at the airport in Bolivia when we landed.  Always there is several of us who have to have our bags searched and questioned.  SOMEONE was praying us through–God gave us ALL green lights!  Meaning–no one had to be searched!  Wow! That is a first!

Floyd Aycock, VP of Focus Forward Ministries, headed up the first team and we had a great couple of days.  Figuring out the grocery store was quite an experience.  Imagine if you will, looking for the things you normally buy…and you can’t read Spanish…and there are not pictures on most of it to hint at the contents….well, that was US!  But it was a lot of fun trying.

We had to go back the second day–and I thought we were at the same grocery store–so when I asked for bacon from the meat counter and the lady told me they didn’t have any–and I said to my friend and translator, Fabyana, “I got it right here yesterday”, the lady gave some sort of hand signal to say I might be a bit loco.  We laughed.  It’s probably a good thing I couldn’t understand her that day or I might have had my feelings hurt….naw.  I wouldn’t have.  It’s all a learning process and I will be GLAD when we are fully funded so that language school can begin!  I saw how incredibly necessary it is to know the language and more of the culture to be able to share the Gospel….not to mention buy bacon.

We were blessed to have the absolutely best team. As I’ve gone back over the pictures–all the work going on–and all the smiles and laughter!  It was truly beautiful.  And to watch as Bro. Harold Thurmond shared with the children, as well as adults–I got the feeling that they were as interested in what he had to say as I was.  The two translators that were helping the evangelism team, I believe got as big a kick out of him as anyone.  83 years old…and still going strong on a mission trip.  They were hard to keep up with!  Truly a beautiful couple–we were honored to have them (even though I was a bit worried in the beginning–I soon saw he had more energy than I did!).  I learned some valuable things–watching him share the love of Christ with the people in the village.

Kay King was another one that just blessed my heart as she shared the salvation cards and bracelets with those they passed on the slippery dirt roads, or in their yards.  If they came to their home and no one came out, they simply came back later–or the next day!  They didn’t give up.  I loved being with them!  I hope to share another trip with them one day–they are truly amazing people.

I won’t talk about everyone tonight–but I have to say this, my biggest surprise was found in a new friend, Carolyn McAllister. She had me laughing while we were filling in the bricks with cement by hand and slapping on the mud for the next layer of bricks…so much laughter in fact that Jeff thought we were playing and not working.   Of course we were working!  Laughter and a wonderful spirit of unity is exactly what kept things rolling along at such a good pace.  Even when things were hindered because the supplies and materials were not there as normal-there was a lighthearted–“get-er-done” kind of attitude that just made the work lighter.

I’ve been sick since we returned–my first cold in 2 years and I have felt bad, fevered, achy, and generally in a fog.  I am praying it passes soon–for it was even hard to pray this morning during devotion.  You probably never get like that–but I do.  So since the creative juices aren’t flowing as they do sometimes, I will keep this blog short.  I want to encourage you–if you want to go on a mission trip for one week–and have your eyes and heart opened, your life changed and challenged to get closer to God–contact us via facebook or email.  The FFM website is here.

There were several key things that happened this past week, I hope to unfold for you soon, but the second miracle is needing to be shared.  Floyd’s team was working on the set up and Pablo Morales, Architect for the church project, came driving up pretty fast–(not entirely uncommon), he quickly came and got Floyd to go with him.  We automatically began to pray in our hearts–not knowing exactly what was going on but knowing it was medical (or at least strongly believing it was) and that it was serious.  Soon they came back and Pablo called for me to come to the truck.  He said, “Angie, would you pray?”  Immediately I gathered the team and called for April.  I cannot explain this now, but I had a reason for calling her.  Not just because she’s a nurse–but because I felt led that she needed to be the one to lead us in prayer over the man named, “Renay”.

Renay had saw one area that needed attention on the roof of the church and proceeded to tend it–then somehow lost his balance and fell from the roof to the ground onto one foot and his knee hit his head.  That’s kind of hard to picture I am sure, but as he was rubbing his jaw and head, I figured he somehow jarred every bone.  Okay–the ankle was swollen already when we saw him–but the thing that I remembered was a flashback from one of my cousin’s uncle’s who fell from a roof onto his feet and crushed both his heels and ankles.  This was what I felt may have happened in my “non-medically-trained” opinion.  We don’t know.  THIS we do know, prayer was heard.  There was NOT a broken bone, but a bad sprain when they got the test results at the hospital later.  Our team prayed for him off and on all night.  The man was the son of a pastor in another city.  I don’t know if he was living for God or if he was a prodigal.  I do know this–God knew everything about the situation.  So, when you pray, pray for a man named Renay.  God knows who he is and where he is…and he saw the tears falling from his eyes while we prayed.

Friend, I don’t know where you are in Christ tonight–but know this:  this world is much bigger than you think.  And God wants us to all do our part to reach it in all the ways that we possibly can.  A week long mission trip is one way–praying, sending and going are other ways.  Pray and ask God to open your eyes and heart to the world around you.  You mission field is in your own back yard.  Down the road from your home… perhaps your first mission trip is to go to your neighbors house and ask them,  as Bro. Harold did each person he met, “Is there anything we can pray with you about”?

Where you have arrived–is wherever you are right now.  Make a difference.

What a mission!  This group of 38~ ranges in age from 14 to 83.  You just won’t guess who’s the oldest or youngest.  You certainly couldn’t tell by  their actions.

Jeff and I are privileged to lead and work with an amazing group of people–more than just friends–we are family.  Each one thinking of the other.  That is exactly how the Focus Forward Team viewed this group of people this year.  Truly amazing!  Jeremiah Campbell, our missionary supervisor, said it best,  we “worked like a well oiled machine”.  And that so true–it is a decision that is made beforehand and it comes with much love, grace and mercy.   Often–we work out the kinks the first go-round, then the next one is better–then the next one is better–then the next one is…. You get the picture?

Each year God has blessed us above and beyond with a great team.  Our FFM team commented among ourselves several times at how blessed we are that we have such unity in such diversity.  We were covered by prayer and it began early on.  Thank You JESUS!

The FFM team have worked together since 2011–before we actually became FFM—God had it all planned in advance what the dedication and love of the FFM could do if we chose to fully-wholly and unreservedly follow HIM.  Focused forward.

This year the FFM Team were joined by individuals from 8 different churches:

Carmel AG, Grace AG, Live Oak AG, Medart AG, New Life Fellowship; Open Arms AG, Sneads AG (our sponsor for the church building), and St. Andrews AG, along with the ministry team from Centro Familiar de Adoracion (Family Worship Center).

As we worshipped together with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the two churches we visited–we were overwhelmed with the thought that “this might be a glimpse of heaven”.  Different languages, yet when expressing worship to our Father in heaven, we are in one accord.  It was beautiful!  Faith building.  

It was also said this past week- that possibly-in heaven- we would all still speak our same language, yet be fully understood.  No barriers.  We will know for sure one day! 🙂

I will share more in the coming days–possibly even more tonight–but for now, know that your prayers–thoughts–and donations were critical to this mission being a success.  As you prayed for the team–all stayed focused on what God had for them (us).  As you donated, we were all able to share and give and go.  You made a difference in Bolivia this week!  No gift is ever too small!

When the planning of this trip was in its infant stages, Pastor Juno Douglas along with the church board of Sneads AG was so moved by God to further the Gospel–he shared our sentiments– “It doesn’t matter if our name is ever mentioned–we just want to do what is needed”.   What is needed is for the message of Jesus Christ to be perpetuated throughout the nations.  The love of Jesus Christ is not just for North, South or Central America.  It is for the WORLD.

We liked Pastor Juno’s thoughts- and even though much will be shared in the coming days and weeks about the trip (hopefully it will impact far beyond that)–I know that when someone took a “selfie” with a group of children, or a stack of bricks–it wasn’t so that the world would see what they were doing.  It was to preserve a memory for themselves–so that when they returned home and the complaints of life snuck back up on them–they could look back and see themselves in the mirror of a “selfie” and see more clearly what life is truly all about.  Not to say, “look what I did”, but look BEYOND yourself and see what God wants to do in the world around us.

Pastor Vince Spencer shared a good word one evening in devotion–I wish I had recorded it–but to sum it up; facebook (and life in general) is inundated with a selfie-addicted society.  That’s for your glory not His.  Our lives are not to shout “Me-Me-Me”, but rather we should be a servant-partner in what God has going on –and work for Him, not for the applause of men here, but for the crown that awaits us in glory.

Pastor Danny Carnely was a joy to be around every day–it was not his first mission trip-but there were so many new aspects of this trip for him, it was like brand new.  We learned he and Pastor Vince have great stage abilities!  They worked tirelessly on their day with the children’s crusade team while Chase Curti and his wife, Shelly played the part of “Samson and Delilah”.  OH I WISH YOU COULD HAVE BEEN THERE!

I have laughed so hard this week at antics of our team and individuals–one favorite that I never realized was so funny–Sis. Carolyn McAllister.  I wish I could tell you all the comical things she did–but know this–JOY, FUN and laughter is PART of the Christian life.

I-along with everyone else on this team have cried this week.  That’s part of the mission.  We WANT each person to be so moved that God breaks the crust away from our lives–and opens our hearts and eyes to the world around us…and there were plenty of opportunities for tears as well as laughter.

I must stop now.  I have so much more to share–so stay tuned.  And if you want to be sure you don’t miss one, sign up to follow via email.

It’s here.  Not the BiGgEsT day mind you, but it’s a doozie.  (The biggest day for us would be “leaving day”.)

If you want me to be “real”, I really wondered if this day would come, OR, if God had another plan…a plan for us to serve the people He burdened our hearts for in another way…. For we know without doubt–that He has called us to these precious people to share Christ–and serve Him.

But here we are on the brink of it now–finally!  Commissioning Service at Central AG in Springfield, MO.  Tomorrow.

We all know what “commission” means, but for this blog–I wanted to share something specific, so here is dictionary.com’s rendition of commission:

1.  the act of committing or entrusting a person, group, etc., with supervisory power or authority.

2.  an authoritative order, charge, or direction.

3.  authority granted for a particular action or function.

Jeff and I have put ink to paper.  Solidifying our commitment to what God has called us to.  I took a picture of him signing–my friend asked me if I wanted her to take a picture of me signing–I shook my head, no.  It’s permanently sealed on my heart.  

Sealed even before we arrived at this day.  It happened in the preparation for this day.

I wish I knew the exact moment the first domino fell for this calling–for surely there have been moments that I felt things move in such a pivotal way that whatever I was doing at the time, or felt in a moment of time–was in preparation for this and possibly caused the course of my life to get into His alignment.

Time after time, dominoes have fallen–in line with this course…with this commissioning.

You have been commissioned for your calling.  Did you know that?

If you’re mom, it happened when that little line turned blue–or pink.  It’s been so long I have no idea what color they turn any more.

For whatever your job is, the commissioning took place when you said “yes, I’ll take the job”, and clocked in.  It’s serious business.

You have just said, “Yes sir, or yes mam, I intend to be at my duty for the hours you have chosen for me to work, and I will perform all my duties to the very best of my ability, shirking nothing given, and I will uphold company policy and even be an encourager along the way”.

I added that encouraging part…because I think every job is easier if you have some encouragers hired.

I have no idea what the commissioning message will be about tomorrow evening–but this I know…tears will flow.

Emotions will run rivers down the cheeks of every single missionary that takes that stage.

It has taken a lot of faith to push through at each road block.

Jeff and I both have been to our prayer closets on countless occasions –to make sure we were still headed in the right direction.  Once He gave His holy nudge or nod that, indeed we were, we plowed on ahead.

Rough terrain and often rocks caused me, more than once to pause and breathe and even cry out in the anguish of it all….but we pressed on.

I remember one particular painful day–forms had been filled out until I had nothing left.  Our personal history had been written and revisited and re-written because I had left something off–and I was a complete mess.  If you had paid us a visit and looked at me–you would have wondered, “who died?”  It was intense.

This day– I remember typing the words in an email to one of the precious admin assistants–who all have been amazing through the whole process–but on this day– I had reached that limit.

My words to her were, “if they need anything else, tell them to call “so & so…they know my whole life story, but I just can’t write any more….I’m done”.  I wanted to say, “stick a fork in me–I’m done”, but I held that one in.

I know they need every jot and tittle of our lives because they need to know, for the sake of the mission and ministry, exactly WHO they are sending–and WHO will be representing them–and God.  It’s critical.  It’s vital.  But for me–that day–it was too much.  I was spent.

I turned off the computer, turned off the lamp, scooted the chair back to the dining table to show myself that I was done and went to the bathroom…to pray.

My tears were hot and fast and unstoppable as I knelt down at the tub and in gulps and gut wrenching cries began to sob– “I can’t do more, God.  This is too hard.”

Just as I was telling Him how hard this was, He brushed my shoulder with His presence and asked me in my spirit, “Are they worth it?”

He immediately reminded me of His own sacrifice.  His own blood….His own hardship….and I felt such shame.  Of course they are worth it.  “Yes, Lord, they are worth it”.

I knew then, in that moment I would indeed fill out a million more forms or answer a million more emails with questions–because I knew He would be right beside me–giving me strength….

We have sat through sessions this last week to instruct us on travel safety.  This week, sessions have involved every thing imaginable to help you get to the field, how to keep your heart pure, how to keep your mind focused, and how to fill out all the forms (*grin*).

Tomorrow is a BiG day.  And we are ExCiTeD!

We’ve heard testimonies this week that I hope I never forget…and God has reminded me–as He was with them–as He was with Abraham–Moses–Joshua…so He will be with us.  Every step of the way.

So–as you go about your day tomorrow–it would be awesome if you would whisper a prayer for us…we have support to raise and a budget to raise before we can get to where we are going for the next 2 years.  And after that?  Who knows what God will do?

 Whatever He does–we are on board.  His missionaries to do our part in the Great Commission–Going wherever He is sending.