Really BIG News!!!

The really BIG news for the day (and I'm sorry that it is a few days late) is that we have received all the funds needed for our mission trip!!!  WOW!!!  Isn't that awesome news?  We are really happy about this and quite relieved that this task is complete.  We are so appreciative to all of our supporters ~ you all have been so important to us and we are blessed because of E-A-C-H one of Y-O-U!!! 

Just look at this stack!!

We have this Great *B*I*G* *G*O*D* Team now because of all the love, encouragement and support from so may of you so here's a SHOUT OUT to all of you who are making it possible for us to go on this mission trip!!

• 40 individual supporters/families
• 1 lovely little church in England
• HUNDREDS of Supporters via Fundraisers:

                Community Church of Elkhorn Rummage Sale
                Franks Piggly Wiggly Brat Hut
                Pizza Ranch (July and August)
                Notecard Sales
                Contributions via Church Attenders
                eBay Sales

In addition to that, some of you have written us notes on the contribution reply forms, ... and some have sent cards to us in the mail and still more have emailed replies or comments to blog posts we've sent.  We want you to know that this has truly encouraged us and spurred us along in our plans to serve the LORD in Honduras.  Everything you do has made an impact on us and has been so special to us. 


At Sunday's meeting, we were briefly visited by the Pastor of Missions for the main church that is sending us on this mission trip.  He just wanted to speak to us for a moment about ... FEAR.  I have to tell you all ... when this man spoke, it was as if he knew exactly what I've been thinking lately.  How'd he do that?  My eyes got really BIG and there was the nudge from Brian because he knew ... that I knew ... that this Pastor knew ... and was sending me a message straight from GOD!  I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from crying and to focus on what he was saying. 

I have to tell you, though, ... I'm not the only who's been thinking things birthed from fear.  There were others in the room who acknowledged and affirmed having the same thoughts and fears that the Pastor was speaking of.  Whew!  It's not just me!  There is actually beauty in that statement, sometimes ~ I'm sure you would agree.

This Pastor of Missions gave us a verse, not one I'd never known before, in fact, it is one I know of very well, but when he gave it, it was as if I had just heard it for the first time. 

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) - For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Of course!  It is not God who is making me afraid.  He does not want me to be fearful and when I am ... it is NOT from Him.  It is from the Enemy! 

I must confess ... now that it is a few days later ... some of those fears have crept upon me again.  I need to continue to remind myself that God has not given me a spirit of fear.  There are many members on our team who have fears or insecurities of some sort.  If you have some words of encouragement or a particular Bible verse or quote you'd like to share with us, we would gladly welcome them!!!  A woman from our church is gathering index cards from people in the congregation who have written a "note" or Bible verse for the team members to read as we journey to Honduras.  We can read them in the airport(s), on the plane, in the mission house, in our bunk as we prepare for bed each night.  If you send us some words, we'll write them down and add them to the others. 

**PRAYER REQUESTS:

 - that ALL team members are fully funded for the mission trip!
 - that we stay healthy and strong, physically, emotionally and spiritually so we can serve with our BEST!
 - that we will be aware of the leading of God and allow Him to direct us in thought, word and action ... now and when we are in Honduras!