Here's the truth: a lot of people that know us - in fact a good many of the people that love us - have no idea why we are doing what we are doing.
We explained to people why and how and where... and many of them came to hear us speak once or multiple times. Many of them have been to church their whole lives... and they still don't really understand why we did it... or how they could ever consider doing or be challenged to do what we did.
I mean, we packed up our house and our kids (photo below from this week... ha ha... unrehearsed... but honestly, sometimes we feel like we live out of suitcases) for a 'trip'. (when in actuality we have packed up our LIVES to LIVE in another country.
The question remains, WHY?
My Bible reading this week shed some light even on my own heart and feelings... Paul writes in Romans 15:20 "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundations." And just so you get a glimpse into our hearts, when I read this verse, I thought... "YES!"
This is my heart from years ago working with church plants... and it remains to this day. I want to work on reaching the least reached, the ones not being catered to, the ones that are not only missing the boat, but to whom a boat hasn't yet been sent.
We were denied entry to our first choice, years ago. The maps and stories we shared with our friends when we left the states still break our hearts (South Asia is the greatest concentration of lostness on the planet), but like the Apostle Paul being stopped from entering Asia, we were not allowed to enter what we felt was our heart's desire and calling. But God had other plans, and instead now we live in the largest cousin country on earth... the need is still massive, and not a bad second choice for people wanting to go 'where Christ was not known".
And our goal? When is the work done? How about taking Romans 15:23 on for size? "But now that there is no more place for me to work in the regions..." Whatever God plans, the work is not done until people know HIM... Will you join us in praying for workers to be sent out to the harvest - and for protection and boldness for us?