We are not spiritual giants.  We are not immune to seasons of doubt, temptation, and sin.  We are not unaffected by apathy. We struggle with the same things you all struggle with. 

We are international missionaries, not heroes.

Sometimes we need people not to look at what we’ve “sacrificed” by leaving the States . . . trust me.  We know what we’ve left behind. 

Sometimes we need people not to focus on the fact that we are raising our kids in a foreign country or even that we have chosen to take on the responsibility of guiding 23 little hearts as well as the hearts of the collaborators at Casa Monte Plata.

Sometimes, we need a kick in the pants.

We need people to ask us how we are growing spiritually.  If we are being faithful in pursuing the Lord.  We need people to spur us on to love and good deeds.  Instead of encouraging us to take a break or make sure we are getting enough family time, we need people to remind us of God’s ability to sustain, of His grace, His goodness, His worthiness. 

We need people not to assume that we are ok, but to stand beside us and confront us for the sake of God’s glory.

I am thankful for a beloved Sister in the Lord (who also happens to be my biological sister) who took the opportunity the other day not to lament with me, but to spur me on  to pursue God, to remember that we are in a battle and that means we have to be willing to FIGHT.

She challenged me to fight to choose to read the Bible when I just don’t feel like it.  She challenged me to find reasons to praise God and to delight in where He has me, especially when I am just exhausted spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  She challenged me to continue speaking truth even when I feel unqualified.

She didn’t give me a free pass to continue being weak.  She didn’t commiserate with my sorrows.  She reminded me that following Christ is hard.  That there is a battle at hand and that I can’t afford to get lazy.  She didn’t assume that spiritually I am doing ok.  She didn’t assume that just because we are missionaries we are being faithful to pursue Spiritual disciplines.  She simply exhorted me to CHOOSE to do what I know God has required of those He has called, even if I am weak and out of practice.  She reminded my that I am where God wants me TODAY.  How will I choose to honor Him where I am TODAY?

So today I am choosing to read God’s word.  I am choosing to rejoice in His goodness.  I am choosing to not let bitterness or discontent take root in my heart.  I am choosing to fill my ears and mind with songs that glorify him.

And I am choosing today to be vulnerable and honest with all of you.  

Many of you have asked how you can best support us and the ministry here in Monte Plata.  Well, here is the best way I can think: please don’t assume we are being faithful to grow Spiritually and to pursue the glory of God in our own lives.  Exhort us to pursue faithfulness, to know the One who called us, to fight to glorify Him in our daily lives, even when we are spiritually out of shape and weak.  Remind us of who God is and why He is worthy of pursuing.  And pray for that we would have the strength to enter the battle and not just let it rage around us, in essence giving ourselves over to defeat.  Pray that He would renew our hearts and restore to us joy in our salvation, not in our circumstances.  Pray that Satan would not be victorious in allowing discord to divide our ministry team or self-pity to render us ineffective.  Pray that we would turn our eyes from ourselves and set them instead on the one who lived and died to allow us to be called sons and daughters of the King of Kings. 

And just as I was exhorted to choose today who I will serve, I in turn exhort you to choose today to serve the Lord, regardless of how you feel.