Missionary Monday- Thailand

X* persecution on October, 2, 2017

X* is 37 years old. He has 5 children. One child is crippled. 

In 2012, he took his family to live in a different village, where he accepted Christ. In 2016, he went back to his village. In the District, the authorities are very strict with anyone accepting Jesus. Whoever is a Christian in this area is not able to stay, since they are heavily persecuted by the authorities. Despite X* knowing about this problem, he kept a low-profile, and kept listening to Khmu FEB program alone. 

Until one day, a woman in the village was very ill. X* went to secretly pray for her. She had been killing many pigs, which the witch doctor told her to do because the spirits demand it for her healing. Yet, it was hopeless and she was not cured. Then all of the sudden she was miraculously healed. The people in the village were puzzled. They asked her how she was healed. She replied, “X* told me about Jesus. Then he also prayed for me, and I got healed.”

Then many people came to X*, and asked him about Jesus. He told them about Jesus, and then later asked if they want to accept Jesus Christ. X* then took some of the families to meet the leaders in the church in the city to accept Jesus. (The church is the main church in the city that has much influence to the surrounding churches in the province). All 8 families accepted, 38 people in total. When the village head man and authorities heard of this, they started persecuting them. 

The Christians in this village often call me to tell me of the messages on the radio program. They tell me how the messages touch their hearts, and encourage them daily. 

·         On July 12th, the KCC team went to and talked to the village authorities. The village authorities allowed them to continue to be Christians but the district governor did not care, and pressured them to renounce their faith

·         On September 15th, the village and district police took the Christian families, put in them in a truck, and took them to the authorities’ office in the district to force them to renounce their faith.

·         On September 29th, the police called X* personally. The police believe that if they can convince X* to renounce his faith, the rest of the Christians will follow his lead. The police and officials gave X* one condition that if he renounces his faith, they will give him a plot of land, because he has no land. Secondly, they will give him cows to raise.  X* refused those 2 things that they offered him! He told them that he will continue to follow Jesus no matter what.

·         On October 1st, X* went to church to attend the Sunday service. He told the leadership that the next day (Oct. 2nd), "I will have to go meet the police again, and I know they will put me in prison." The leadership encouraged him "to be strong, and do not renounce your faith. God will help you, and we will pray for you. We will not leave you alone. God will be with you!"

·         On October 2nd, X* went to the police office. They arrested him, and put him in prison.

·         On October 4th, X* wife went to visit her husband in prison. He told his wife that she must be strong in the Lord in taking care of their children. He also told his wife to tell all the Christians in the village to not renounce their faith but continue to be faithful to God. He will also will be strong and faithful. 

Please pray for X*, his family, their needs, and all those Christians in the village to be strong, and faithful to God despite this crucial situation.

*Name and location have been changed for their protection.

What If?

Isaiah 42:6-7

“I, the Lord, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand.  I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light for people, and a light to the nations, to open blind eyes, to release prisoners from dungeons, those who live in darkness from prisons.”  

What would Church look like if church people read this scripture and confessed, “I receive this commissioning and I will live my life in this way.”  Whoa!  I bet church would look a whole lot different!  

Let’s now take a step back from the big group of church people and think about this passage on a personal level.  When I read this passage I simply said “Amen” afterwards.  “So be it” = “Amen”.  

How might I live my life in such a way that the Lord is comfortable in commissioning me?  

How might I live my life when I trust Jesus is holding my hand and protecting me?

How might I approach the day when I understand that I get to be a “light” to a dark world?

How might my ears listen and my mouth speak when I understand that the Lord has commissioned me to set people free by the power of the Gospel of Jesus?  

You tell me this, how would your life look different if you lived like this?  This is the power of the people of God.  This is the power of the Church.  When we understand who we are, who we belong to, and what we are called to do.  This is how you change your world.

Mic drop,

Pastor Matt

Lamech Knew Adam

Genesis 4:26

“And a son was also born to Seth, whom he named Enosh.  At that time people began to worship the Lord.”  

First, I want to share today is NOT my attempt at a historical timeline.  However, as I was reading Genesis this weekend I became curious after reading Genesis 4:26.  In this scripture we learn it was at this time that people began to formally “worship the Lord.”  

When I read this I became curious to how Enosh would have know “how” to worship the Lord.  Then I read on to Genesis chapter 5 and read Adam’s family tree.  Enosh was one of Adam’s grandsons.  So, I quickly assumed that Adam would have told Enosh all that he and grandma Eve had experienced.  

This led me to forming a very loose historical timeline, but a timeline that would reflect just how many men would have known Adam and heard him tell the stories of creation.  

Again, this is NOT a historical timeline.  This is my attempt to discover who would have know Adam.  To do this I made the timeline start at year 0 = Adam’s Birthday.  From there I inserted the names and dates included in Genesis chapter 5.  This is what I discovered:

Adam 0 - 930

Seth 130 - 1042

Enosh 235 - 1140

Kenan 325 -1235

Mahalalel 395 - 1290

Jared 460 - 1422

Enoch 622 - 987 (Enoch didn’t die, God took him away. Gen 5:24) 

Methuselah 687 - 1656

Lamech 874 - 1651

Noah 1056 - 

These of course are not all that lived.  These are the men mentioned in Genesis chapter 5.  Lamech, the father of Noah would have known the very first man, Adam!  I find this so interesting.  All these men, their wives, their brother and sisters, and their children would have know Adam.  

And, as the story goes, we can learn that they followed Adam.   Genesis chapter 6 tells the sad story of how God was disappointed with his creation.  “But Noah found favor in the sight of the Lord…Noah was a godly man; he was blameless among his contemporaries.  He walked with God.”  

Noah’s amazing story can be found in Genesis chapters 6-8.  I would encourage you to read it.

Stay dry,

Pastor Matt

One Hides the Other Knocks

Genesis 4:7

“Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.”

This scripture provides such a strong image, “sin is crouching at the door.  It desires to dominate you.”  I wanted to make sure I had a good understanding of this image so I looked up the word “crouch”.  

Crouch - to avoid detection

Let me insert the definition into this scripture.

“Is it not true that if you do what is right, you will be fine? But if you do not do what is right, sin is avoiding detection. It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it.”

Sin avoids detection in one key way, you don’t think it’s sin.  You think you have the right to feel / respond / act in a certain way.  Because you are so upset…Because you are so passionate…Because you are so angry…You are about to respond.  

Sin has the same mission for each of us.  Sin desires to dominate you.  Sin wants to consume your life.  Sin wants to have control of everything you do.  Sin is crouching, it's hiding, it’s staying undetected, it’s not reveling it’s true identity.  

Sin is there, staying undetected.  But notice how God tells us to respond, “but you must subdue it.”  

How might you subdue this sin that is crouching at the door?  I would like to offer two ways you might subdue.

1. When I read this scripture I’m reminded of another door in the Bible.  This door is found at the end of your Bible, in Revelation 3:20.

Revelation 3:20

“Listen!  I am standing at the door and knocking!  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home and share a meal with him, and he with me.”  - Jesus

Notice the contrast between Genesis 4:7 and Revelation 3:20.  

Sin hides.  Jesus stands.  

Sin doesn’t wants to avoid detection.  Jesus knocks, He wants you to know He's there.

Sins wants to dominate you.  Jesus wants to share a meal.

So…It seems that both Sin and Jesus are outside your door.  Whom do you want to invite it?  

2. Before you act on what you feel you need to do, please share your plan with a trusted, Jesus following friend.  Please don’t tell this trusted friend what YOU DID.  Tell this trusted friend what YOU ARE GOING TO DO.  There is a big difference.  A good trusted Jesus following friend will help you subdue any sin in your life and help you open the door to our great Jesus.  

I hope this short devotional helps you along your spiritual journey.  

Stay blessed,

Pastor Matt

Missionary Monday- Sarah Todd (Africa)

Hello Prayer Fam, 

Life has gone from 0 to 60 as the new school term has begun…Okay maybe 30 to 60; we were already moving during the holiday month. The rest of our “down time” was mostly spent with our friends outside of OM (our Muslim friends as well as a missionary family that lives on a farm in the middle of nowhere about an hour away by bush road), and an outreach that came to visit the lake. It was uplifting to spend time with all these friends and their families, as well as have a little time to relax before the busyness began. 

During the holiday month I also completed my first reports as the new clinic administrator for the medical clinic on our base. This job includes keeping track of all the patient records and medicine stock, and completing the monthly reports that are sent to the government clinic. The missionary who was doing this job previously has finished her commitment and has since gone home to London. Our nurse is also away in England as she studies for the nursing exam, so the work for this has been quite minimal. 

Clinic administration isn’t the only new job I’ve taken on recently. I will now be attempting to teach English to the ladies who cook in the school kitchen. I’ve never taught English as a second language before (especially to adults), but didn’t want to miss an opportunity like this. I’ll also be leading a professional development session for the teachers of the school, and am helping a fellow missionary understand more about how to teach her children who are struggling to read. At some point in the coming month I’m also hoping to visit Chipwa village to provide more assistance and guidance to the preschool teacher I trained before. 

Like I said…busy!! It’s been a great kind of busy though. I’m really enjoying being with the students again; I was getting quite antsy without them around. Along with that, the new school term is off to a good start here. I feel like I was able to jump right into the classroom after holiday without skipping a beat. Little did I know, that I was going to be the only teacher who actually taught anything the first day (or week for that matter). Apparently in Zambia it’s customary to have the students clean the classroom the first day of school and then do fill-in-the-blank review work for the rest of the week. I had the students play games to review the parts of speech they learned the term before, and compose a story about what they did over their holiday month. 

The team got news on Friday that there will be some changes coming to education in Zambia and to our school. There was a Teacher Training College at the base in Kabwe that will no longer offer a teaching certificate or be registered with the government. This means that all the teachers who received their certificate from this training will need to go back to a registered college and get an actual diploma. At our school here at the lake this includes at least 6 teachers. Zambia is also changing the requirements in general, saying that teachers must have passed their grade 12 exams and earned a diploma (seems obvious, but many teachers here have not passed grade 12 and do not have diplomas) in order to teach. While this change is very good, it may complicate some things for us. However, these changes won’t happen right away, rather over time since we’re way up North at the lake. Things like this tend to initiate in bigger cities and then ripple out to everyone else. 

This has me, and the rest of the team, dreaming about what our various roles could be in the near future when all of these things come to fruition. From what I’ve discussed with others and prayed about myself, my role would most likely include providing more professional development for the teachers here and working more in the villages to initiate real community transformation (and as long as I’m still hanging out with kids, I’m happy!). As a team, our desire is to do the work that has the most impact for the people of the lake and to do it well. This means more discipleship and more work in the villages. The leadership team has taken time to look at the current ministries and determine whether or not we actually have the capacity to do them, and whether or not they will fulfill the vision of our team. 

The vision of Lake T is to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers around the lake, worshiping the Lord in spirit and in truth. This comes from John 4:23-24, which I just happened to read this week. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 6:29 also says, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” This verse makes it clear what we ought to do, and it’s simple. We want our efforts here at the lake to reflect the truth in these verses. Our task is to believe in Him, and to share that faith with the people of Lake T in the most genuine and effective ways possible. 

Please pray:

-that God would guide us as a team as we navigate through the vision He’s given us, and that He would give wisdom to work and live in a way that fulfills His plan (that’s a hefty one!).

-for the leadership changes that are currently being worked through and will take place soon. 

-for team members who have visited the hospital. There are 3 women on the team who are pregnant and due soon…pray that they would receive the best care. Also, pray for a team member who has been seriously sick for more than a week with something undiagnosed. 

-that God would provide more workers. We are in need of faithful people to come and serve. Whether they be an accountant, teacher, sports coach, nurse, building/project manager, or anyone else. 

-for immigration issues. We have new team member who was able to get a temporary permit for $300. If immigration doesn’t approve her for a 2-year work permit she will have to leave the country. Also pray for mine, it was apparently not approved, but lost this whole time (classic).

-for the orphan school ministry. That we would be able to shift into becoming a place where students are receiving a truly high quality education and being fully discipled. 

-that God would constantly be drawing us closer to Himself.

Thank you so much for praying through these requests with us. God hears us and He answers. Know that you are greatly treasured and loved!!

In Christ,

Sarah
 

Missionary Monday- Thailand

On August 25th-30th was an excellent youth camp in the north in Thailand. We expected about 100 young people to attend, but 150 people came! Yes, it was so good to have more people come, but there was a problem because the building fits only 100 people. There are only 3 washrooms! All the men slept in the church building but that also was not enough space. Some slept in the kitchen next to the church building, and some slept in our truck! There is only one building next to the church, which has 3 rooms. It was just enough space for the girls sleep. This was the first time that we had up to 150 youth come to attend at our youth camp in the north. There was not enough blankets, mattresses and mosquito nets. Yet, these things were not an obstacle to our people at all. Instead they were so thankful to God that they were able to come, and attend the wonderful youth camp. The reason more young people came is because recently more of the youth have accepted Jesus in the area. Many new house churches have been established. For instance, at our Medical Missions outreach this year, in the same area, 1,374 patients came from Laos to get treatment at our clinic. This was the most that we ever had in the past 20 years of our Medical mission outreach. Now we need to expand the church building, kitchen, washrooms, and add another place to stay for the people. 

I often say that the hope, dream, and future for Christians depends on the youth today. To lead the church forward, to be better spiritually, educationally, and economically starts today with the youth of this generation. They are totally different from today’s leaders educationally, thought process, and world view. It is obviously seen at the teaching sessions. When the teachers and I talk to them, they are quick to understand and grasp the important points of the teaching. They are brave to ask, and answer the questions that were presented. At this youth camp I planned to do less teaching, but when I saw those young people who need spiritual food to feed their spiritual thirst and hungry for God’s word, I could not be silent. I need to use this opportunity that God has given me to challenge the youth. 80 percent of the teaching sessions were by me. I challenged them based on these topics: 

· Build-up their spiritual life on the words of God

· Abide in His word because God’s word is powerful and is Life. 

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) 

“Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” 

I use the story of Martha and Mary. I told them that if any one wants to be successful in life they need to do like Mary, who sat down at the feet of Jesus Christ. She listened to His teaching and did not worry about what to eat, drink, and like others who worry of those things. As Jesus said to Martha “You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not take away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) I applied the teaching to the youth that if we want to sit down at Jesus feet and listen to His teaching every day, we have to wake up early in the morning, read God’s words, and meditate on it at least one or two hours. 

I challenged them on Joseph’s story, Daniel and his 3 friends. I told them to see that having an education is very important, and a path way to success in the future. I helped them to look back at the K history 100-200 years ago, and see their parents today as well. Their parents who are still doing the slash and burn method in farming throughout their life do not have enough rice to feed themselves. “Do you still not want to change? Or you do not know what to do because you are stuck and hooked in the old ways? Now you are the new generation! Young men and women having much opportunities for a better future than your parents! Take this opportunity to pursue your dream and goals to be successful! We must have passion in life. Do not even think to go back to do the old ways of the life again!” This is what I shared to them. I also taught them on Philippians 3:10-14; Ephesians 5:1-20. 

For the people in the northern part of Laos, they are quite poor economically, educationally, and socially. Out of those 150 young people, only 10 of them have been able to graduate from grade 12. I asked if there is any one of them who will not be able to go to school in September (Lao school term opens) because of financial problems. 17 people raised their hands. Most of them are in Grade 10. They cannot afford to pay the school fee, note books, pens, clothes, and dormitory charge. It costs about $60 USD person per year. Thank you God that He is enable us to help all of them go back to their schools this year. God is so good and faithful to those who love Him. All of them rejoiced in the Lord! 

The theme and program is the same at our last youth camp on July 28-30, 2017. Our young people in the north seemed to be on fire when the time came for worship service. They were so enthusiastic, raising their voices and hands in praising God. They danced and were so excited throughout the one hour with songs and musical instrument. Then the youth sat down, some knelt, and cried. Their eyes were filled with tears of joy in the Lord. We all sensed the Holy Spirit of God was definitely moving among those young people’s hearts. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and I am so thrilled to see them so excited. There is no other joy in my life more than to see these young people who love God, who come from various provinces joined together to study God’s word, worship God together, love one another, and united together in one heart and love to the people. None of the youth fell asleep at the class room, and all of them were hungry for God’s words. Their intention is to learn and know Gods Word more than anything else. 

I asked all of the people in the room if there is any one of them that did not hear me speaking on the air. Only one girl raise her hand. All the rest have heard my voice on the air, and some of them listen to the program every day. I did not have the time to ask the girl the reason she never heard of the radio program. Before they left, many took radios, Bibles, and Bible lessons back. Thank the Lord they crossed back to Laos safely. There are more than 40 new people who never came before. Most of the young people in the south listen to the program with their cell phones but in the north, barely no one. 

We want to thank you God that everything went well without any problems. Thank you for the faithful prayers, and those who support us financially to enable us to bring those youth people to gather together for fellowship and study God’s word. The word of God will last forever in their hearts. We know that more than 150 youth will come if we had the funds, and the space, but we are limited. We do the best we can with the resources that have been blessed to us.

Your friends from Thailand!

Missionary Monday - Sarah Todd (Africa)

Greetings prayer family,

Climbing over luggage in the aisle, weird kung fu movies and Tanzanian soap operas, a zillion stops, loud Zambian music, lack of personal space, and constantly feeling like you’re in the way; this is the public bus experience here. It’s really not that bad (I’m being dramatic), but so different than anything you’d experience in the States. 

The Lake T team took public transport to get to and from the Love Africa Conference that was held at the base in Kabwe where I did my discipleship training. This conference was such a blessing. Not necessarily the conference itself, but being able to see my friends from discipleship again was so refreshing. The reunions were very sweet and didn’t last long enough. We all experienced a lot of tough moments and life-giving moments together in training, so it was great to be able to share with each other how we’re all fairing in our various fields since graduating and parting ways. 

After the conference the team hopped on another bus to head back to the lake. However, I stayed behind for another full week for an immigration inspection of OM. This was apparently a routine inspection, but because my work permit hasn’t been approved yet I was caught in the middle and had to stay in case they wanted to ask me questions about what I’m doing in Zambia. As far as I know the inspection went well, because I was never actually called into the meeting. The police and immigration officers don’t like to be predictable or give anything away, so they didn’t say anything when they left. Now all that’s left to do is wait and pray that my permit is officially approved and issued soon. 

During this week of waiting for the inspection to happen, I was sad to miss the last days of school that were happening at the lake, and was so ready to get back. Many people said, “really?! You want to go back to Mpulungu?!” What can I say, God has given me a love for this place. 

So, after my extra week in Kabwe it was my turn to hop on a bus and endure the 13 hour journey back to Mpulungu alone. The ride was definitely interesting, but uneventful which I’m thankful for. 

The day after I returned I found that I had new neighbors. I think you all know, I don’t live on base, but on the property with the Hope House. What you may not know, is that the Hope House ministry has been put on hold. The girls have been placed with Zambian missionary families while we wait for someone who is willing to go through the training to be the house mom for the Hope House. In the meantime, the headmaster of the orphan school has moved into the house with his family. This is great for a couple reasons. One being, it means that I’m not alone on the property, and another is that I have fun neighbor kids to hang out with. Two of the kids are actually my students so it’s been fun to see them while school is on holiday. 

Holiday. What does a teacher do on holiday (other than enjoy the movies and sermons that her brother sent to her…Thanks bro!)? Just this week I had the opportunity to train the preschool teacher who works in Chipwa Village. He has had no prior training, but he’s willing-and sometimes that’s the most important thing. I was able to help him understand some of the basics of teaching like incorporating different learning styles into lessons, asking higher level questions, and the importance of creating experiences that help students learn more authentically. A big agenda item was how to write a lesson plan. I don’t think he’d ever written one before, so it was like pulling teeth, but so beneficial-I could tell the wheels in his head were turning! After we had gone through everything I had planned, he said that we shouldn’t be meeting for 2 days, but for 2 weeks. Needless to say, he was grateful, and I will definitely be working with him again. I’m already planning to go to Chipwa to observe him in action and give helpful feedback in September. 

This type of training is something that I’d love to do more of. I’m no expert in teaching, but God didn’t have me working at a school before this where I received LOADS of professional development and experience for nothing, right?! 

A passage that I’ve found particularly encouraging lately, as I continue to learn how to live in Zambia, is Jeremiah 17:7-8, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” No matter the circumstance or situation, I can bear fruit and be a light because I trust in Him who is light. 

Please pray… 

-that my work permit would be approved and issued.

-my foot would heal completely (still swollen and tender). 

-God would open up more doors for me to train the teachers here, and that He would use the abilities and knowledge He’s given to me for His glory. 

-God would continue to strengthen the friendships I have with the other team members here. 

-that as a team we would be effective in the ministry that God has placed each of us in. 

Thank you all again for being my prayer warriors. I can’t express how much your support and friendship mean to me.

Blessings, 

Sarah

Missionary Monday - Missionaries in Central Europe

Hello friends!

I wanted to give an update of the key points over the last couple of months:

1. Language study continues to be great, hard, interesting, overwhelming, frustrating, exciting, overwhelming (did I say that twice?). Each day it is any of those adjectives in any combination. Sometimes Hungarian is like the Greek hydra from the epics- you conquer one grammatical "head" and 3 more spring up from the stump. Other times it is shockingly easy/simple compared to English. But, all of that aside, our language teacher assures us we are progressing at an excellent pace. Especially Helen, who has lately been receiving high praise. Pray for us as we continue and please pray we would find someone to help us in several ways: we are looking for someone to watch the kids while we get focused study time in (maybe 1-2 times a week for a few hours), and also seeking more friends who are patient in practicing. There is at least one girl who will practice with us, and we are looking forward to spending more time with her.
     
2. I have had opportunity to visit villages with many more opportunities on the immediate horizon. We’ve been instructed to step slowly into village work, as it’s easy to get involved in all of the different programs that RBU or local churches are doing. We are intent on making those connections, but also wanting to make sure we can speak in the villages without constant need for a translator, so most of our time up till now has been spent in intense language study. I think it’ll be a few months yet until we are making solo ventures to the villages, but there are so many Roma that travel in and out of the city each day we have much to do just here locally! 
     
3. This leads me to the next point- While we are primarily language learning, I have been hard at work over the last few weeks planning, sketching, and producing the next major Bible Coloring Book for the UNA Clubs. This is my biggest project to date, being a 28 page coloring book. Several of you have heard about this, and it was a mountain of work but I so love doing it! I have made friends with a man here that runs a printing shop and he works with RBU to produce our materials. So my first print project I have done since we’ve been back is this 28 page book working with 2 translators to create 4 seperate books. The book is a mixture of lessons, scriptures, coloring pages, games and a small amount of literacy pages to help the children start writing. These books are now headed down to Serbia to be used in a village in our furthest reaching ministry: the village at Bor. Please pray as many of our team are down there as of tomorrow, putting on childrens’ clubs, sharing the gospel, and distributing our new Family Bible and the new UNA Coloring book. Pray these books would touch the lives of the families there, pray our team would be empowered and open as they preach, teach and share. It has been miracle provision after miracle provision that the Lord has used to bring this program together. And now, after a month of work from over 20 people, we are ready to send the traveling team on this 10 day long trip. (I didn’t end up going to this one, as it’s quite a ways away and I cannot speak Serbian. So instead, I was heavily involved in the preparation. Next year’s big 10 day trip will be in Hungary though, so Lord willing I will be speaking well enough by then to hold my own!)
     
4. Finally, I want to let you all know we are putting on another 24-hour prayer day for RBU. We had a wonderful time praying last time and I know several of you joined in through Facebook and I thank you for that! On September 15th, we will be sending out a list of prayer topics and you can sign up in advance to pray over the course of 30minutes-1 hour. The idea is to have constant prayer over many RBU-related topics over the course of that day for 24 hours, from all over the world. If you cannot commit to praying for one specific hour, but still want to pray, let me know anyway! We password protect the requests and they are not put up until the day of. This is to protect some of the more sensitive information. If you are interested please sign up here. The sign up page will be put up in a few days. I'll send out another email about it soon! 
     
   As always thanks so much for reading and so much for praying with us through this journey! God is moving in incredible ways here and we look forward to what this next season will bring!

The Lord bless and keep you,
-Taylor

Trip, Tip, Crash, and Lose

"Am I trustworthy to make financial decisions entirely on my own, or am I potentially biased by greed, comfort, or culture in such a way that it would benefit me to share my financial and giving goals with some other mature Christians in my community?  Who might some of those people be?" - Journey of Generosity

"As you excel in everything...also excel in this generous act of giving."  2 Corinthians 8:7

Tying your shoes.

Riding a bike.

Driving a car.

The job you have.

It is a fair assumption that someone helped you learn each of these skills.  So, what makes you think that you could learn to manage money on your own.  If you've never been taught how to handle money...This could be why you might be tripping over, tipping over, crashing head on, and losing.  Will you choose to learn up?  If you want help in this area, I will make the effort to connect you with someone from our church who will be your money coach.  Just email me matt@newcitychurch.com

Debt and Saving

"Then he sat down opposite the offering box, and watched the crowd putting coins into it. Many rich people were throwing in large amounts. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny. He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others.  For they all offered their gifts out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on."  Mark 12:41-43/Luke 21:4

 "What does it mean to give responsibly and wisely?  How can I honor getting out of debt while giving generously?  How can I honor saving for the future or estate planning while giving generously?  Since Jesus praised the poor widow for giving away everything, is it possible that He is asking me to worry less about saving for the future and to give more now?" - Journey of Generosity

This reflection question speaks to two issues common within our culture - Debt and Savings.  It is probably not wise to ignore your debts.  However, debt is a problem you don't have to keep solving.  At what point do you say "Enough!".  Yes, a plan is needed to get out of debt...AND, I will not return to this place of debt again.  Savings might be a greater way for us to trust God...But that can't come from me.  What is God saying to you concerning debt and savings?  How is He asking you to approach each of these? 

More+New = Never Enough

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content in any circumstance. I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me." - Paul, Phillipians ‪4:11-13

I find it hard to be content and pursue the American Dream.  I find it difficult to remain content and keep up with my neighbors.  More...That can't always be the answer.  New...That can't always be better.  Take a look at this reflection question.  What will be "enough" for you?  What is God saying to you?  How will you respond?

"How much money do I need?  Will my answer always be, 'More'?  Or can I set a finish line for myself, and give away everything beyond that?" - Journey of Generosity

Point to Your Heart

"Does the thought of sacrificial generosity make me anxious because I might have to carefully look at my spending and give some things up?  Are there things I've decided are non-negotiable?  The place I live?  The car I drive?  Do I live believing that my ultimate treasure is in heaven and not in the comforts I desire on earth?" - Journey of Generosity

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew ‪6:21  

This is a big question.  Reflect and be courageous in allowing the Holy Spirit to point out potential opportunities for you to grow within your whole-life generosity.   

Eyes on My Treasure

"Is Christ's undying love my true treasure, or do I actually treasure other things more?  Is my money an indicator of my true treasure?  Is it my reputation, comfort for my family, recognition?  Or do I live my life knowing that His love and grace is all I need?" - Journey of Generosity

I think we need a constant reminder on this issue.  Reputation, security, recognition, along with a million other things, have a sly way of grabbing our attention.  What has our attention has our focus.  What has our focus has our worship.  That's why a gentle reminder is often needed.  

Are You More Important?

"Does the thought of sacrificial generosity make me anxious because I feel I don't have enough to make ends meet?  do I live trusting God to provide all that I need in the same way He provided His son for me to be redeemed?  Or have I compartmentalized my trust for my salvation, putting my daily needs in a different category?” - Journey of Generosity

Reflect on the words of Jesus, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are?"  Matthew 6:25-26.

Answer Jesus' question, "Aren't you more valuable than they are?"  Go ahead, talk to God about this.  

A Higher Standard?

"At what points in my journey with God have I realized His generous mercy on my brokenness and sin?  Do I hold others to a higher standard than God holds me?  Can I give radically to others even though they have brokenness and sin in their life?”  -Journey of Generosity

Luke 6:37-38 says, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive."

Don't think about the stranger.  Think of the family member.  Think of the friend.  Think of the co-worker you see everyday.  Is your attitude towards them keeping you from showing them generosity?  Based on the above reflection question and the words of Jesus, what is God saying to you?  What will you do about it?

Jesus Gave ALL

Do you agree with this statement, "I'm grateful that Jesus gave all, 100% was his goal, and He achieved it."  If you do agree, you should also be grateful that Jesus didn't see the "tithe" as the finish line.  Betrayal, rejection, suffering, and the cross.  Jesus gave everything so that you could gain everthing.  What a great love Jesus has for us.  How might you respond?  

Take a look at this question.  As you read, also reflect.  What is God saying to you?  What will you do about it?

"As I continue to realize that Jesus gave everything by His death on the cross to purchase me, is there a new level of sacrifice I want to give and surrender to Him?" - Journey of Generosity

Mission Update - Laos

New City currently supports 12 church plant leaders in the country of Laos who are working to reach the Khmu people group.  Here is the latest report that we have received from our missionary friends.  

Seminar Report from March to April, 2017

            March 30th-31st, was a KCC meeting at a house church where 27 leaders came from 4 provinces. They paid for themselves, and one leader donated one pig that belong to him. The pig was able to cover 4-5 meals during the meeting. It helped a lot. This meeting was a new idea that never had in the past. They all see the need to be self-sustainable economically which is based on agriculture. Therefore they started collecting each person 20,000 kip per month (2.50 USD), appointed 2 men to be responsible for the funds. The money will be used for 3 things:

1.     For evangelism and visitation

2.     For the team members to borrow to do agriculture, especially to purchase pigs, goat, and other livestock

3.     For sickness and urgent needs

They started fight on that day, and collected 470,000 kip (57 USD). It is a good project to start, and we plan to try to start this in other provinces where we have our other leaders staying.

One of leaders also setup 2 strong cell groups. One group has 13 of our key KCC leaders. This leader has already took a team to visit three villages, and was able to lead 70 people to Christ! This leaders name is Sai. Sai got married in November, 2016. His wife and he both graduated from Bible school in Chiang Mai. He borrowed about 300 USD 6-7 years ago to purchase 2 cows. Now they have multiplied up to 11. He sold one cow and tithed all the money to the church. In February, KCC was able to let him and his cell group of 4 people to borrow 67,000 baht (1,950 USD). All of the people in Sai’s cell group are strong leaders, faithful to the Lord, and responsible financially. They also do a lot of evangelism and have started many house churches. They divided the loan evenly, and promised to pay back KCC in 3 years without interest. If any of their livestock dies, they will pay for it also, and promise to tithe back to the church. Please pray for this wonderful project!  

Sai was able to lead 10 house churches/churches to join together, 16 leaders. After the meeting was over, the team and Sai went to evangelize to other various villages, and was able to lead 40 people to Christ. Once again, Sai’s team was able to collect 20,000 kip per month to use the money for travel cost to do evangelism, and visitation in various villages.

On April 5-11, 2017, 9 of our KCC team went to setup 2 inside seminars at 2 house churches. In total, 200 people attended, and 28 people baptized. On April 7-10, was another seminar, where 100 people attended, and 20 people were baptized.

A Godly Gadget

When I was 19 I was promoted to manager at a fast food restaurant that I worked in.  With my promotion came a generous raise.  So of course I began to save the extra money I was being paid so that I could pay for my college.  NOT, I went and bought a brand new GMC pickup truck.  I really did, that raise went to a new truck payment.  I enjoyed that truck.  One safety feature it had was a gadget that would shut the engine off when it hit a specific speed.  The speed on my truck was 99mph.  I know, because I shut it down many times.  Like I said, I really enjoyed that truck.  Looking back on my early 20's, I'm confident that gadget kept me out of danger...I'm confident that if not for that safety feature I would have pushed my truck to the limit.  

This is often true in our finances.  Even for those of us who are faithful to the tithe.  It's easy to assume that God wants my 10%, but the rest is mine to do with as I please.  But, was this is a bad assumption?  What if God had the ability to install a "gadget" that would shut down my spending...Something that would keep me out of financial danger, something that would not allow me to push my spending to the limit?  

Take a look at this question from our Journey of Generosity.  How might God want to grow you within your whole-life generosity?  As you read, also reflect.  What is God saying?  What will you do about it?

"Am I striving to use my income, influence, and privileges as God directs?  Or am I assuming I know what He's asking me for (10% giving) and I can use the rest as I choose?" - Journey of Generosity

Missionary Update - Zambia - Sarah Todd

I just got back from Livingstone after a trip to see Victoria Falls, which also included a safari, rhino walk, elephant riding, and great food!! We were amazingly blessed by a smooth and refreshing retreat away from the base. 

So, as you probably guessed, discipleship training is officially over. My fellow classmates and I all graduated on the 8th of April with a ceremony that celebrated our time together...this of course means that there was singing and dancing. It was a great way to end our time together, and I will miss all those dear friends very much. 

It's kind of funny...I went into discipleship training thinking that it was just something I had to do in order to get to the lake, and it ended up being so much more than that. God has really had His hand on me during my time here in Kabwe and has blessed me immensely through this experience. I can't thank you enough for supporting me to be here!!

Psalm 112:7 has really stuck with me as I prepare to transition to the lake. It says "He is not afraid of bad news, his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." No matter what comes in this next season for me, I can trust in the Lord; I don't have to be afraid of what might come with this step into missions, because God has a plan for it all so my heart will stand firm. 

Praises:
-Discipleship ended well. There was definitely tension around planning graduation, but we all departed as friends
-The trip to Victoria Falls was a huge blessing, and much needed after being stuck on base for 3 months
-God has been gracious and taught me a lot during my time here, and my faith has been strengthened 'like no man's business' (as one of my friends here always says). 
-The friends that I've made here are another HUGE blessing...it will be so hard to leave them!! 

Prayer Requests:
-Pray for the transition to Mpulungu. I leave the 20th for Lake Tanganyika, so pray for safe travels and that I will follow the Holy Spirit's leading concerning how to fit into the team and what my role should be exactly. Pray that I will be brave and step up to take initiative where God wants me to. 
-Pray for my friends from discipleship that are transitioning back home or to the next level of training.
-Pray for the school at the lake. I've spoken with a friend who was just visiting, and there are some concerns with how things are done. So also pray for discernment as I figure out how to serve. 
-pray that learning Bemba will come quickly. A lot of the students that come from the villages that I'll be working with at the school only speak Bemba, and I would love to be able to communicate with them in their language. 

Natotela (thank you) for how you are supporting me to be here. I've loved being able to share how God has used this time in training to transform and prepare me, and can't wait to tell you how He works through my time at the lake!! 

Lesa apa le (God bless),
Sarah

Generosity Prompt #28 - UNCOMFORTABLE?

Today’s Thought - “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusement, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say it is too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our commitment to giving excludes them.” C.S. Lewis

Generosity Prompt - Think of one thing God might be calling you to sacrifice for His Kingdom purposes.  Pray about it and talk with your spouse, advisor or a trusted friend to take action on this possibility.