Monthly Archives: October 2013

We thought it would be fun to keep track of certain things like; states visited, beds slept in, and miles traveled. So from the end of May till today we have (the past five months):

Beds stayed in: 29 different beds

States visited: 10 states visited

Miles traveled: over 16,800 miles traveled

And counting… 🙂

Our traveling reminds us of when our Lord Jesus sent out His disciples, and how they were not to care about where they stayed, and were simply command to go. This is just a foreshadow as His servants for when we are to go overseas for full-time service for our Lord.

“And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide…” Luke 9:4

“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, WE are unprofitable servant: WE have done that which was OUR duty to do. ” Luke 17:10

Current Support Tracking

Moving? No Packing 🙂

This thought has run through our heads several times, how do I pack for this next year of deputation, while packing to send things overseas that we will use for the rest of our lives? It is a hard balance of what to keep and what not to keep. Especially when you do not have that much to begin with! Whether it is packing for clothes, kitchen necessities, decorations, tools, and pretty much all facets of life, we look at everything and keep saying, “do I really need that?” Ladies you especially should be able to relate during this time, trying to keep “cute and trendy” clothes while you are in the states only to transition to a place where you will wear all new stuff that will be culturally relevant, which will pretty much be a routine wardrobe. Keeping all that in mind while also being reminded that you will need some stuff for when you come home to the states to visit. So many options and things to consider and yet so little space, so many decisions over little trinkets and something as simple as a scarf! Also, to add into the mix is the anticipation; at any moment when we raise our support we have to be ready to go! Imminence co-mingled with patience and waiting

We don’t want to be that couple…

on the Lord while we await to hear back from churches, is such an interesting feeling we cannot explain. Various missionaries have told us that this process of waiting to be on the field is one that is entirely unique; friends, pastors, and other people will try to understand but will never be able to relate. We are slowly understanding more of what other missionaries have said as we head to the field. This is truly a unique process God is using to forever change us into His image. We look at all of our possessions and thank God for giving them to us, but we know that if our container (how we will ship most of out things) were to be lost on the way to PNG we would thank Him still for it because they are His possessions to begin with.

Trying to Enjoy Packing

Pray we keep an eternal perspective on all our possessions and that we continue to surrender every part of ourselves to the Lord. Please pray we abide in Christ so that even our very emotions during deputation stay God-honoring. We love you all and thank you for following us and supporting us by reading our updates!

Seth Sharing our Ministry

This past week was a time of encouragement, intimidation (to stand before our home church), fulfillment (it has been 8 years since Seth has committed before the church to go into full-time missions), and a time where one of us almost passed out! Our home church’ mission’s conference came to a close last week. As the first presenter, Seth started the mission’s conference by sharing the burden God has given us for our ministry. He also finished the week off with a missions charge to the academy students during their chapel. Seth was sitting in the front row waiting to be announced before the church by Pastor Skelly as he started to feel loose, turned white and even the pastor saw the physical predicament as he was announcing him to come to the podium. Seth got up and presented our ministry, everyone at church saw his excitement and they were unaware of what almost happened (with him about to pass out). There was some technical difficulties, miscommunications

Seth & Pastor Skelly

with audio, and lights that dimmed and brightened, but God still spoke through Seth and many individuals and some of the other missionaries said that he “set the stage” for the conference with his excitement. Seth shared the information of how many “unreached” people groups there are in the world and shared about what our ministry will look like on the field. When he unrolled the scroll of 2600 unreached people groups that spread across the floor for over 50 feet, the tribes typed-up in 12pt. font with no spacing the audience stared in silence while Seth shared that McDonalds, Coca-Cola, and Heinz have been to more countries than God’s Holy Word. He told the church “this is to our shame!” challenged the church to “keep pressing on, there is still much work to do” and walked away from the stage.

Mission’s Conference

We were blessed by the food, the company, encouragement, friends, and by the church in so many ways, it was truly an unforgettable time. Seth even got to preach a brief message in the chapel for the kids, and told them he/we have been praying for them for years and said; “I have been praying that this church would not only be a mission-minded church, but a sending agency, sending people all over the world”. He used three simple verses and gave three simple points and ran out of the room challenging them to follow him as he follows Christ.

A life that is short: James 4:13-17, -Shared that many people from his high school passed away already.

A legacy that is shameless: Phil. 1:20-2, -Gave the example of Jim Elliot and the way he lived, that in his death Jesus was magnified.

A Lord that is shouting: Matt. 28:18-20, -Jesus gave the great commission to his generation… which generation will be obedient?

Nicole dressed up in her PNG garb and shared stories with the younger kids for youth chapel, as always kids cannot help but stare when we dress up. Seth gave a simple message about serving God or rebelling against him. The kids wanted to take pictures with Nicole and touch our authentic nick-knacks from Papua. We are so thankful to see young men and women growing up in a Christian environment. This generation has the potential to shake the world for Christ.

Nicole in PNG Garb