No Extra Tunic

I am sitting at Starbucks soaking up my first real warm sunshine, pondering what God wants me to share. I hear the birds chirping and the bells on the tower of the Opera House, the classical music in the park and see the familiar faces of people I know passing by my little table. It is these things I am also trying to soak in, the sounds and comforts of Woodstock, Il. My little gazebo in the park, my favorite shops, the sound of the cars on the cobblestone and the Farmers Market. It is a slice of MidWest heaven. I know we are leaving this all behind. The comforts and "some of my favorite things".

After getting rid of almost everything we own over the past few weeks, and moving out of our house, I was taken back to a verse that God had challenged me with years ago when we first considered possibly moving to Zambia full-time. It is in Matthew 10:9-"Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep." It is in the context of Jesus sending out the disciples to evangelize the jewish people. The question is would I be willing to do this if I was one of the disciples standing before Jesus? IF this is what God asked of me? Will you go with nothing? No back up? No safety net? No plan B? Are you willing to see that your work is worth your keep, so to speak? My husband and I had a lot to overcome in regards to becoming long-term missionaries. It was one thing to raise money for trips, projects, and other Zambia needs mostly for other people. It was clearly another to raise money for us to go and live in Zambia full-time. Even though I grew up in a church that was mission minded and heard many missionaries over the years, it was still very hard to make that jump to now we are the ones asking for money so we can live in a Majority World country and reach people who do not know about Jesus. But the answer to that question was, "Yes."

Though we are leaving behind more than just "some of my favorite things", much more than material possessions and creature comforts. I know I am leaving behind family and friends, worship pals, prayer partners and those who are my, "iron that sharpens iron" (you know who you all are!). But God is calling. I entrust not only them to Him but myself and my family. We will go with "no extra tunic." No turning back, no turning back.

Help us get to 100% funded by the end of summer! We need monthly partners now. Be a part of what God is doing in Zambia. Go to www.iteams.us/give

Thank you for all the prayer and support over the years as we have continued to move toward this goal of living alongside those we are ministering to, soaking in their everyday lives, and caring enough to be in relationship with them, in the dust and the dirt. Kinda like Jesus.