It has begun. The time to put my hand to the plow, eyes on the Cross, no turning back. I returned from my short trip to Brazil more than two months ago. I’ve spent a lot of the last two months contemplating, soul-searching, and seeking the Lord. The conclusion? The Lord is calling me to serve Him in Rio de Janeiro for an indefinite amount of time and I am honored to have this opportunity to be a part of what He is doing in Brazil (who am I that He should know my name?).
But. I can’t do this alone. And so, the search ensues. I am on the lookout for folks who want to partner up with me and be a part of this exciting ministry in Brazil. I’ve heard it called support raising, resource development, friend raising, etc. But I am quickly learning that it is much more than simply asking people for money. It’s informing people what the Lord is doing in Brazil and ultimately what His plan is for the world at large (that none should perish, but all should come to the saving grace of Jesus). It’s giving them an opportunity to be a part of it – to give, to pray, to encourage. It’s stretching and growing me – teaching me to rely more than ever on the Lord (Jehovah Jirah, my Provider).
So far it has been an exciting journey. I am having the chance to reconnect with people that I haven’t talked to in a long time. Today I went to my old college campus and chatted with some of my former professors. Yesterday I went to the Christian camp that my family lived at when I was eleven. Tomorrow I’m having coffee with an old friend from Young Life. This is my ministry for the time. I long to be in Brazil, but for now I am here (Wherever you are, be all there. ~ Jim Elliot). For now the Lord has me doing this new thing, meeting with people from different walks of life. My prayer is not only that I will get all the funding I need to move to and serve in Brazil, but that I will be able to minister to and encourage those I’m meeting with.
Please pray for me as I do this. Pray that the Lord will direct me to the people He wants me to talk to. Pray that He will speak through me and use me to encourage and inspire others. Pray that all of the funding will come in, in His perfect timing, and in a way that He receives all the glory.
But. I can’t do this alone. And so, the search ensues. I am on the lookout for folks who want to partner up with me and be a part of this exciting ministry in Brazil. I’ve heard it called support raising, resource development, friend raising, etc. But I am quickly learning that it is much more than simply asking people for money. It’s informing people what the Lord is doing in Brazil and ultimately what His plan is for the world at large (that none should perish, but all should come to the saving grace of Jesus). It’s giving them an opportunity to be a part of it – to give, to pray, to encourage. It’s stretching and growing me – teaching me to rely more than ever on the Lord (Jehovah Jirah, my Provider).
So far it has been an exciting journey. I am having the chance to reconnect with people that I haven’t talked to in a long time. Today I went to my old college campus and chatted with some of my former professors. Yesterday I went to the Christian camp that my family lived at when I was eleven. Tomorrow I’m having coffee with an old friend from Young Life. This is my ministry for the time. I long to be in Brazil, but for now I am here (Wherever you are, be all there. ~ Jim Elliot). For now the Lord has me doing this new thing, meeting with people from different walks of life. My prayer is not only that I will get all the funding I need to move to and serve in Brazil, but that I will be able to minister to and encourage those I’m meeting with.
Please pray for me as I do this. Pray that the Lord will direct me to the people He wants me to talk to. Pray that He will speak through me and use me to encourage and inspire others. Pray that all of the funding will come in, in His perfect timing, and in a way that He receives all the glory.
