WE MADE IT!

Looking at the counter, a few of you have been checking for updates this week (or else Suzanne was just checking every 5 minutes). We made it on Monday afternoon about 4:00. Everything's off the truck and in either our garage or storage unit.

So far everything is going great. We've met several of our neighbors - they are extremely friendly. It's like being in a sitcom or the twilight zone - haven't decided which yet. The boys are slowly adjusting by tearing each other's heads off - when we don't beat them to it. Three days in a car was a LONG time and it's taking a while for them to work off the excess energy.

Yesterday was really cool. We decided to take them to the zoo. We actually bought a year pass and only saw maybe 1/2 of it. i found out today that it is consistently rated in the top three in the nation or world (there was some confusion as to which). i believe it, it was the best i've ever been too. I'll try to post some pics later.

Had a good meeting today with the sponsoring pastor. He is really supportive and we are meeting to go "prayer driving" next tuesday. They are doing 40 Days of Community starting Sept. 17 and I'll be leading a small group for them that meets in our target area. I also met another pastor in the area who's family lives in the area and he's going to introduce us. The consensus is that the biggest obstacle will not be the people but where they will meet. The locations are in short supply, are very expensive, as is land. That will be a big thing to pray for - like maybe several churches, investors, etc. will see the need to come together to make it happen.

Sorry, I'm not posting updates as promised, but i don't have an internet connection yet - i'm about to die!!!

Anyway, pray for us to meet the right people, build small groups, and find a place to meet.

More next monday if not before!

LOAD 'EM UP, MOVE 'EM OUT

Sorry the post is late this week. J'line just let me out of the back room where I've been packing the last several days:) Actually, we've had a few breaks to socialize, etc. I'm taking a short break while it rains. We got a break today when the U-Haul place asked us to pick up the truck early so people would quit bugging them to let them rent it. I'm not sure how we're going to get all of our stuff in the truck anyway, so it helps to have more time so we can pack carefully.

The last several days have been very emotional - a lot of ups and downs. Church went well on Sunday. Andrew was baptized to begin the service. At the close, the pastor had us gather up front and everyone prayed for us to commission us. It was encouraging, humbling, and really worked up the ole tear ducts.

Sunday night, we had fellowship at the church that was fun and encouraging. They "equipped me" to go to Nebraska as a "faux Husker" and sent us off with some encouraging comments and CASH!!! Thanks to everyone who was a part. We really appreciate it.

For those of you on the prayer team, we will be sending out a letter this week with more info (for those who aren't and want to be, let me know), but for now, here's some requests:

At the present, our most urgent requests are for help in moving and a safe trip to Omaha (pray that God will hold the van together for the trip!). Once we arrive, I am praying that the boys and Jacqueline will make friends quickly. Please pray for them as they begin home schooling too! For me, the first several months will be ones of learning the community, finding doors of opportunity where God is at work, meeting people, and planning for the new work. Pray that I will learn how God is moving in this culture and join Him there. Pray also that we will meet persons of peace (Luke 10:1-24) who God is preparing to be involved in the work. Pray for leaders to join us in the work of the harvest. Pray that I will be alert and aware of opportunities to share the gospel. Pray that I will share it boldly, clearly, and that it will bear fruit quickly. Pray for the Papillion/La Vista/ 370 Corridor outside of Omaha to be receptive to the gospel. Pray also for wisdom as we make the countless decisions that are going to be needed in the coming weeks.

Thanks for your help!

PICKING UP STEAM

Things are really beginning to move now! 2 weeks until we hope to move. I never realized how much stuff we have. My parents were down and really helped us pack up a lot of it.

Yesterday was a bittersweet day for me. We had a fantastic service Sunday morning. God seemed to really be at work. A young lady I've been praying for since we came to Port St. Joe 6 years ago came forward and committed her life to following Jesus! All in all, it was really great. The bitter part came last night. We had our last small group meeting with several people who have become family to us during our time here. The adventure of moving and starting a new church is exciting, but it sure is hard to leave people like them behind.

This week will be more of the same - pack, pack, pack. We have a big Sunday coming up - Andrew (my middle son) is being baptized, i'll preach my last sermon here, and the church is having a farewell dinner for us.

PRAYER - Please pray for us to get everything ready for the move.

Pray that I will hear God's plan for what he wants done in Omaha.

Pray for me to present the gospel clearly and courageously at every opportunity. Col. 4:3-6

HERE WE GO. . .

I found out that we will be approved as church planters by the North American Mission Board either today or tomorrow (8/8 or 8/9). That is the last "hurdle" until we can move. I reserved a truck for 8/25, so we will be packing up and leaving a day or two after that. I'm guessing we should arrive in Omaha on 8/28 or 8/29. Then the real fun begins . . .

You know, things seem a little more real now.

JESUS IS EVERYTHING

“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. . .” 2 Cor. 3:5

One of the great tenets of Scripture is the claim that Jesus Christ is completely sufficient for all matters of life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3,4)! He is sufficient for creation (Col. 1:16-17), salvation (Heb. 10:10-12), sanctification (Eph. 5:26-27), and glorification (Rom. 8:30). So pure is He that there is no blemish, stain, spot of sin, defilement, lying, deception, corruption, error, or imperfection (1 Pet. 1:18-20).

So complete is He that there is no other God besides Him (Is. 45:5); He is the only begotten Son (John 1:14,18); all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Him (Col. 2:3); the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him (Col. 2:9); He is heir of all things (Heb. 1:2); He created all things and all things were made by Him, through Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16); He upholds all things by the word of His power (Col. 1:17, Heb. 1:3); He is the firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15); He is the exact representation of God (Heb. 1:3).

He is the only Mediator between God and man; He is the Sun that enlightens; the Physician that heals, the Wall of Fire that defends; The Friend that comforts, the Pearl that enriches; the Ark that supports; and the Rock to sustain under the heaviest of pressures; He is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3, 8:1); He is better than the angels (Heb. 1:4-14); better than Moses; better than Aaron; better than Joshua; better than Melchizedek; better than all the prophets; greater than Satan (Lk 4:1-12); and stronger than death (1 Cor. 15:55).

He has no beginning and no end (Rev. 1:17-18); He is the spotless Lamb of God; He is our Peace (Eph 2:14); He is our Hope (1 Tim. 1:1); He is our Life (Col. 3:4); He is the living and true Way (John 14:6); He is the Strength of Israel (1 Sam. 15:29); he is the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16); He is Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11); He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:1-2); He is the Captain of our Salvation (Heb. 2:10); He is the Champion; He is the Elect One (Is 42:1); He is the Apostle and High-Priest of our confession (Heb. 3:1); He is the Righteous Servant (Is. 53:11).

He is the Lord of Hosts, the Redeemer – the Holy One of Israel, the God of the whole earth (Is. 54:5); He is the Man of Sorrows (Is. 53:3); He is the Light; He is the Son of Man (Matt. 20:28); He is the Vine; He is the Bread of Life; He is the Door; He is Lord (Phil. 2:10-13); He is Prophet, Priest and king (Heb. 1:1-3); He is our Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:9); He is our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6); He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4); He is Lord God of hosts; He is Lord of the nations; He is the Lion of Judah; the Living Word; the Rock of Salvation; The Eternal Spirit; He is the Ancient of Days; Creator and Comforter; Messiah; and He is the great I AM (John 8:58)!

Taken from the MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1831

Well, it's been a while since the last post . . . mainly because there's not a lot to tell. The one thing we are waiting to hear is that we have been approved by the North American Mission Board (NAMB). This should be a formality, but it takes time and we can't get any money until it takes place. Since they are providing a large portion of our support, it's very important:) We should be receiving notice at some point this month.

Other than that, I have been spending a large portion of my time preparing for the work in Omaha. I've found a website for a network of church planters (Acts 29) that has been really helpful. They have posted their Boot Camp (training for church planters) online, so i've been able to listen to a lot of it. They are a group committed to communicating the gospel to the culture today. At the same time, they highly emphasize Bible teaching and theology, so it's right up my alley!

I've also been making contact with some of the pastors in Omaha. They are a very helpful group that seems to work well together. They are all excited about the work taking place there and having us join them.

Here are a few things you can pray for:

1. Col. 4:2-6 - That God will open a door for the gospel in Omaha. That I will proclaim the gospel clearly and seize every opportunity.

2. That everything will go well with lining up the move - that we can find a truck at the right time, get everything packed, etc.

3. Adjustment for our family. New friends for us and the boys.

4. Pray especially for Jacqueline as she will be preparing to homeschool Jackson and Andrew for the first time.

5. Leaders to go into the harvest field.