Missions Conference

"Let the Nations Be Glad!" This was the theme this year for Calvary Chapel Missions Conference, which we attended 2 weeks ago. There were missionaries from far and wide, pastors and senders from missions-minded churches, and people like us who are missionaries preparing to go out on the field.

It was a blessing to meet and fellowship with everyone the Lord put in our paths. We were able to connect with peers who are serving in different countries, our friends who are serving in B.C. Canada, friends from Bible College days and new faces. We also spent a bit of time with the sister who Dejan works with for translation of Pastor Chuck Smith's sermons. We had an especially encouraging time of fellowship and prayer with one couple Julie has known for several years and who have been missionaries for as long as we've both been saved. We were truly blessed by the LORD and we hope we also were able to be a blessing to others.

There were specific encouragements from missionaries who are church-planting in places like Kyrgysztan and Nepal, to boldly share the gospel and preach and teach the Word of God, no matter the cultural bias. There were also general teachings and testimony on the Muslim world and Islam, a topic that keeps coming to us as we prepare for Edmonton, with its own significant Muslim population.

The calling of God is a clear thing for us, but it is still nice to be affirmed by others in that calling. For example, one couple from Arizona who are preparing to go to Africa said that the Canadians who winter in their area evidence a clear need for the LORD by their speech and actions. Another woman was glad to hear that there are now about 19 Calvary Chapel churches in Canada, since she has prayed for Canada for years, along with missions worldwide.

We're thankful that the LORD opened up the way for us to attend, even with fierce spiritual warfare in travel and health. Overall, it was refreshing to be with other missionaries and missions-focused brothers and sisters.

Lessons from a Baby

The last time we posted, Julie was 39 weeks pregnant with our second child. Saturday, we celebrated ONE MONTH with our precious new baby daughter! Eva Joy is a delightful presence in our home and our lives...and she sparks much thought about life, eternity and our mission to Canada.

First, since the Christmas season is upon us, we marvel anew at the thought that God took upon Himself our human likeness and came, not as a man, like the first Adam, but as a newborn baby: helpless, vulnerable and dependent. When we look at our sweet baby, we wonder how the shepherds, Simeon, Anna and others must have thought as they gazed upon the infant Jesus, and how Mary and Joseph felt as they cared for Him day and night in those early months.

Second, as we prepared for her arrival, and now care for our tiny daughter, the LORD has brought to mind how much is involved in the new birth of lives into His Son. As much work and joy as we found during labor and at her birth, and what we now invest in caring for Eva, we anticipate the time the LORD will allow us to witness new births of others spiritually and pouring the Word of God into their hearts in Edmonton.

Third, our daughter's name means "bringer of glad tidings [of] joy". That is our desire for her life as she grows, but it is of course our desire as well. We want to live lives that bring the Gospel to others, sharing the truths of God's Word that have set us free and brought us to this place in our lives where we are now, as He is sending us to Canada. "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15).

It's amazing how much the LORD can use even a newborn baby to raise our thoughts to Him and things above. Whatever is going on in our lives, He is so faithful to speak into our lives and encourage us and excite us about the things of His kingdom!

Christopher Columbus, Canada, and us

A few weeks ago, maybe you got a day off work or your children were home from school in observance of Columbus Day. Or maybe you knew it was Columbus Day because of store ads offering special deals for the holiday. If you're like me, and like many other people, you probably didn't notice anything different. I even forgot it was Columbus Day, because I was thinking about another holiday that falls on the exact same day.

What is it, you ask? Thanksgiving Day! Canada's Thanksgiving is always in October, the second Monday, just like the American Columbus Day. Upon further thought (late at night when sleep was elusive), it struck me that Columbus and Canada and Thanksgiving really are all tied together--at least in my mind.

History review

Christopher Columbus was a man with an adventurous spirit.

Being from Europe, he was interested in seeking a way to the East Indies by

travelling west across the Atlantic, rather than south around the tip of Africa. A bold notion in their day, when many believed the world was flat and that he would sail right off the end of the earth! He had the vision, but he didn't have the means to fulfill it on his own. So, being resourceful, the Italian presented his "mission" to the King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Lo, and behold, they agreed to finance it, Columbus set sail with his famous three ships, hit land and is credited for discovering the American continent. And here we are today because Columbus followed up on his "crazy" idea. People walking on this American soil as descendants of the Europeans that followed after. A good reason to be personally thankful, right?

History preview?

We also have a couple of adventurous spirits. We're not trying to discover a new route somewhere (Jesus is the only Way there is to the Father), but we know there are many who don't know that, all around the world, and many, many of them are right here in North America, Canada especially and Edmonton in particular (more than 100,000 at the very least). We have been petitioning the King of kings with this mission, which He first put in our hearts, and we are seeking Him to raise up those who will join as senders to help us on our way. By His grace, a group of believers in Edmonton, Canada will be able to say, "And here we are today, walking with Jesus, because those of those two who dared to come here, where many people think it's irrelevant or unnecessary to do mission work". People walking in truth and the assurance of His salvation. A very good reason to be thankful, indeed.

So often, Paul the apostle wrote to the churches he either planted or had connection to, and some of the first words off the tip of his pen were "We give thanks to God always for you all" or something very similar, and his resulting joy at their faith in the Lord and belief in the Gospel when it came to them. (see Col. 1:3-8, 1 Thess. 1:3-10, 1 Cor. 1:4 and others).

More than discovering a new land or the "new world" of the 1400-1500's, people coming into God's kingdom every day, from any land, and every land on earth, is a major reason to have a Day of Thanksgiving. Not just for how God has blessed us, but how He desires to bless the world with His love and make us a blessing to them until the whole world hears of His offer of salvation. We're trusting Him to send us where He's called us, to Canada. Any other adventurous spirits out there?