So What's Next?

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With my Husband's bible training complete, the follow up question we have been getting the most is: so what's next, followed up with, will you guys be sent to the mission field now? The short answer is we do not know what is next, only God does (James 4:13-16). 

I will never forget when we visited Cornerstone and spoke with the missions pastor for the first time. He said 'the church will disciple you, but there is no guarantee we will send you. Missionaries do not send themselves - churches do. Root yourselves here, and let us get to know you. We want to see how you respond when the sheep bite and if He will confirm this desire.' That was sobering, but we were confident in the Lord's leading us. 

If you had asked me then, are we ready to be sent? I would have confidently exclaimed, YES!!! But four and a half years later, I am so thankful He did not allow us to go, when we had the opportunity. We were not ready. Are we ready now? That would be a question for our elders. But one thing I can say with confidence is: He moved us to grow us...and especially me. We are beyond thankful to God for the relationships we have made and the many ways we have been equipped with the gospel in this season. 

All of that to say, would you please continue praying for wisdom and discernment for our elders, missions pastor and others in the church who are close to us to help us in answering the question: so what's next? Our lives are surrendered, and we are willing to stay or go wherever and whenever He will send us, through our local church. As we look to the cross, we can rest knowing staying or going does not earn or take anything from us, for all that is ahead is secure in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) - we hope you are secure in this reality, too! With Paul, our prayer is that we would not, '...consider our lives of any account as dear to ourselves, so that we may finish our course and the ministry we have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel, of the grace of God' (Acts 20:24). May He keep our hearts pliable and hands open, to all He has today (James 4:13-16), to faithfully seek Him and His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) at home, our workplaces, community and local church.

Praise Reports:

  1. Husband graduated from the Training Center on May 5 (pictured above), and we were able to give a report via zoom to our elders; 
  2. We had the blessing of spending an evening with our missions support group, a family from church and one of our church's missionaries and his family visiting from Utah;
  3. Husband and I were able to attend one of my niece's choir concerts (pictured below; she's in the front row, second from the far right); 
  4. My husband and I were able to take my mother-in-law to visit a sound Spanish-speaking church;
  5. Jacob was able to resume his part-time job with IT at CBU; and
  6. Zachary is continuing to work, go to school and spend time with us.

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

  1. Enjoyment and a heart of thanks during our 9th wedding anniversary trip to Mexico May 18-25;
  2. A home to live in/near Riverside;
  3. Peace while we await the Lord's leading with the application process for a permanent position for me at UCR - it is for the contract job I have been working part-time since January; 
  4. Wisdom, endurance & to walk in the Spirit;
  5. Witnessing and discipleship opportunities; and
  6. Jacob & Zachary to bear consistent/genuine fruit of salvation.

 

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