Reverence

We've been getting ready for our Bolivia trip, trying to organize everything- plane tickets, vaccinations, tasks to complete while in Santa Cruz, etc- that it feels like we've been on a non-stop whirlwind of preparation. And all of this stuff is important to the success of our mission, no doubt. Without the physical preparations, nothing could get done.

Still, there is something of much more importance in our lives and in our mission trip that we cannot fail to overlook. God has granted us the privilege of knowing him, of being close to him and sharing in the life that he has chosen to give us, and it is our honor and glory to openly share that gift with the world- from Bolivia to our local community. Something that has been impressed on me lately is the importance of a reverence for God in our day to day lives and in the specific times that are set apart as God's times. God loves us enough to allow us to approach his throne without fear, but that doesn't mean we should approach his throne haphazardly. It is a grand and glorious thing to kneel at the feet of our Lord, Savior, Redeemer, King and Sovereign. He has called us his children, but even the children of the King must recognize that he is king as they approach his throne.

So how does this apply to our Bolivia mission trip? I cannot speak for you. Whether you are going with us on this trip in person or supporting us through prayer, it is up to the individual to approach the Almighty's throne in the way they feel is most appropriate. As for me, I am choosing this day, and the next, and the next, throughout preparation for Bolivia, throughout my time in Bolivia, and after my time in Bolivia, to show the reverence and respect to my God that he is entitled to. We are not dealing with comforting platitudes that have no basis in reality; we are dealing with real life, a bigger life than we can even begin to imagine.

10 Weeks and Counting!!!

Wow!  I just got an email from Heidi (the on the field missionary that will be hosting our team) confirming hotel accomodations as well as a few other details about the trip.  Man, I get more and more excited with every email, team meeting, fundraiser or conversation about the upcoming mission trip.  However, Heidi closed her email by saying "10 weeks to go!"  In a split second, my excitement shifted (for just a moment) to panic!  For that brief moment, all the details flashed before me along with questions like: "Are we prepared?  Have I done a good job as a leader?  Is everything in place in Bolivia?  Will all the money come in?..."  That's fear and fear is a part of life.  Jesus warned us that "in this world you will have trouble."  Even so, I don't think fear is something to be afraid of.  I think if we fear fear, fear will take control.  It takes control when we focus on what we can do to protect ourselves.  That's the problem with fear - out of fear, we think we have to take control.  But, what if we look fear in the face and clearly admit that "I am not in control and I can't save myself"?  What if we throw up our hands, bow our heads and say: "Lord, I'm scared but I know that you are mighty.  I am weak but I know You are strong.  You are my rock and my redeemer.  "I am not but I know I AM" (Giglio). I trust in You and You alone Jesus.  Please take control."  That's exactly what I did - I faced fear head on (not with my strength or under my control, but totally relying on Jesus).  I know that God is in control.  I also know that Jesus did not leave us hanging with the statement "in this world you will have trouble."  He finished it strongly by declaring "take heart, I have conquered the world."  He conquered death for you and me!  When we rest in the hands of our risen Savior - Jesus Christ, what is there to fear?  Now with His peace and by His grace, my excitement is even greater than before. 10 weeks to go! Bolivia here we come!  Hu-ah!

Fundraising?

As the members of this mission team (23 individuals) step out of our normal routines - out of our comfort zones - we are opening our hearts for God to prepare us.  One step in this preparation process is humbling ourselves to ask for financial support.  Support raising always seems to start out as one of those dreaded "gotta do its."  Its easy to feel that way...right up to the time that God blesses you with that contribution that you didn't expect.  He really has a way of doing that.  It just blows you away.  Right then you realize that its not all about the money or the trip and its especially not about me - its about God's mission in this world.  I'm not talking about the mission trip to Bolivia, I'm talking about God's mission to draw all people of this world to Himself. So, instead of seeing fundraising as a pain, maybe we need to see it like it is - a way of uniting the body of Christ in His mission.  For example, this week over 200 people ate lunch and/or dinner at La Cocina to support the mission trip to Bolivia. Instantly, our team grew from 23 to more 223! Now that's uniting the body of Christ!  From this point forward instead of thinking "fundraising," I'm going to be thinking "body of Christ raising."  Praise God for all who join Him in mission to share, reveal and reflect the light and love of Jesus Christ as He draws all people to Himself.

Calling All Prayer Warriors!

Since you are reading this, I assume that you have heard about the 2010 mission trip to Bolivia. We stand in awe at how God has called and assembled a team of twenty-three people to share the love of Jesus Christ in Santa Cruz, Bolivia! This mission team consists of five families and four individuals. Wow! I hope you are wondering how you can be a part of God’s mission to Bolivia this summer because we have the perfect opportunity for you.  Praise be to God, the team departing for Bolivia is full; however, God has put it on our hearts to insure that each team member has many within the body of Christ who will commit to be a prayer warrior on a personal basis.
      Prayer warriors on the home front are such a vital part of God’s mission to Bolivia!! Will you be a part of
this team, God’s team, by giving the most important gift that you can give…prayer!! “As we join together in prayer, we draw on God’s enabling might in a way that multiplies our own efforts many times over.” (Shirley Dobson) We know that the prayers of the body of Christ are with us!
     Here are a few actions that we are suggesting for our prayer warriors:
1. Pray for the team members daily during their preparation time (which has already begun).
2. Pray for the team members while they are on the field (June 2-11).
3. Pray for the team members once they return home (especially the first 2 to 3 weeks).
4. Post comments on this blog site for the team members including encouraging scripture.
5. Also, be open to any other way that God may lead to encourage the team members.
     Each of our team members have felt God tugging at their hearts to share the gospel of Jesus Christ by serving in Bolivia this summer. As they prepare physically and spiritually for this journey of faith, we know how important it is to keep them covered in prayer.  I hope that you feel led to be a personal prayer warrior for this team. Thanks for considering partnering with us on this journey.
     Remember, “The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.” James 5:16 (Holman CSB)

Praising our Powerful God!!
Donnie, Holland and Jarrod

GOSPEL SING FOR BOLIVIA

SATURDAY, MARCH 27

EBENEZER UMC

6020 ROCK QUARRY RD, RALEIGH, NC

DOORS OPEN @ 6:30 PM

YOU’RE INVITED TO ENJOY AN EVENING OF

CHRISTIAN MUSIC, FUN & FELLOWSHIP

FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS:

CALVARY’S MARK

JARROD & JESSICA

COMPLIMENTARY COFFEE AND DESSERT WILL BE SERVED

**ADMISSION IS FREE; HOWEVER, AT THE CLOSE OF THE EVENING YOU WILL GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR JUNE 2ND-11TH MISSION TRIP TO SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA WITH YOUR PRAYERS, WITH A DONATION OR BOTH.**

Fundraiser at La Cocina

LUNCH AND DINNER FUNDRAISER AT LA COCINA

TUESDAY, MARCH 9

11:00AM TO 10:00PM

LA COCINA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

WHITE OAK SHOPPING CENTER

1219 -1221 EAST TIMBER DR., GARNER, NC

NEXT TO WHITE OAK CINEMAS

PLEASE STOP BY LA COCINA AT THE WHITE OAK SHOPPING CENTER IN GARNER FOR LUNCH AND/OR DINNER, TUESDAY, MARCH 9 TO SUPPORT EBENEZER’S 2010 BOLIVIA MISSION TRIP. LA COCINA WILL DONATE 10% OF THE TOTAL BILL FOR EVERYONE THAT TELLS THE CASHIER THEY ARE SUPPORTING THE “BOLIVIA MISSION TRIP.”

INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN YOU AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO MENTION THE “BOLIVIA MISSION TRIP” WHEN YOU CHECK OUT!