Off We Go…
Years ago, as a cadet at the US Air Force Academy, I learned the words of the Air Force Hymn. The opening line describes our next steps in our journey very well. “Off we go into the wild blue yonder.” In the next couple of weeks, Michelle and I will begin a three month journey to begin our work in the Arctic Circle.
Our days of uncertainty have been replaced with assurance. Our moments of doubt have been replaced by faith. What event led to such confidence? God has used many events over the last couple of weeks to show us how He is providing the resources necessary to take the Good News to the isolated communities of the extreme northwest corner of Canada.
As an example of God’s amazing provision, last week we received confirmation of our use of a Cessna 310 for the entire summer. Since our strategy hinges on flying into isolated communities, an airplane is pivotal. God has been gracious to us through the generosity of one of His servants.
Another amazing example occurred yesterday. I was reviewing some memory verses I had been working on in the past. I came across 2 Corinthians 9:7 which says, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” Though I was reviewing other verses, God impressed me to meditate on this verse. This is what I wrote in my journal. “Lord I claim this promise. You will make your grace abound and we will have all sufficiency in everything. Lord by faith I trust you that we will have an abundance of diligence. I trust that we will have an abundance of joy and peace. I trust that we will have an abundance of love. I trust that we will have an abundance of trials. I trust that I will have an abundance of resources. I trust that Michelle and I will have an abundance for every good deed.”
As soon as I finished writing these words, the phone rang. A friend was returning a call. He wanted to get an update on our plans. As I shared with him our plans to spend 90 days this summer laying a foundation for a regional church among the isolated communities, he asked about budget. I shared our planned budget for the three months of the summer. He immediately promised to get 20% of our budget to us by the end of the week. He also indicated he would challenge some of his friends to match his contribution. I am overwhelmed and grateful to God. Only God could orchestrate such a great encouragement with such incredible timing.
Though we have not raised our total budget for the summer, I have confidence God will provide abundantly as he demonstrated so clearly yesterday.
As mentioned in our last blog, we will postpone our relocation to Ft McPherson until the Spring of 2009. However, we have a very full summer of ministry planned in and near the Arctic Circle of Canada. We will begin our journey by flying the Cessna 310 from Orlando to arrive in Cochrane, Alberta by June 1st. In Cochrane, we will get a little training and meet some of the ministry partners we will work with during the summer.
Following our short stay in Cochrane, we will join our ministry partners, the Hanthornes in Ft McPherson by June 7th. Once in Ft McPherson we will map out the details of our flying to reach our focus communities to prayer walk and begin building relationships. Our goal is to visit our target communities at least three to four times during the summer to build the relationships God provides us.
Many of you have been praying for us. We are extremely thankful to God for your prayers and for your support. In answer to your prayers, we are confident God has prepared the hearts of some in these communities and will direct us to them. We look forward to sharing how God is answering those prayers in the days ahead. We are certain it will be a challenging and rewarding adventure. We will benefit greatly from all of your prayers. We are humbled and grateful.
May 5th, 2008 at 09:47
Jim,
It was good to see you at Go Church yesterday. I am praying that all goes well this summer and that your needs will be met.