As a missionary, I've been in nearly a constant state of fundraising since 2009. Most missionaries will tell you that asking for money is the least favorite part of their job, it's not though, getting REJECTED or worse yet, IGNORED when you ask for money is! Hee! Hee! Not really, it's tough, but it's definitely not the toughest thing we missionaries attempt! Plus, there's a fundraising UPSIDE. Yes, when people give it's WONDERFUL, but for ME the upside is WHO gives!
I am constantly encouraged, humbled, strengthened, brought to tears, grins, and to my knees in thanks over the beautiful names that appear on my monthly supporter statement! Some date back to childhood, many are other missionaries, best friends, pastors I've known my whole life or never even met, people I've met along the way on the field, family, former co-workers, friend's parents, kids from my youth ministry days, churches in California, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, seriously, it's SO COOL!!!!
I've wanted to do this for awhile and I can't promise I'll get to it every Saturday, but consider this my start to letting you know my supporters and how much I appreciate them! Join me in prayer for them!
I met Scott O in 1997 at Central Bible College. He went on to James River Assembly of God to pioneer a Master's Commission Program and I went on to Independence, Missouri to youth pastor. Scott brought his Master's Commission team up to KC to minister to my students every year. One of HIS students is now my pastor at North Point Church, Troy Hartman and one of MY students, Shaun, went through his master's commission program, joined my youth staff, and married one of my other youth staff, Kylee and they now attends his church plant! Talk about full circle! Love this and love each of them!
Have I mentioned I love church planters!? Church planters understand missions, church planters are outward focused, willing to give until it hurts, willing to invest at a deeper level! Most of my top givers are churches planted in the last 3 years! Summit Park has proven all this and more about church planters. They're still unloading and loading up all the equipment ever Sunday as they meet in a community center, they're still VOLUNTEERING a lot of their own time, money, and resources! They have a lot of needs and visions they still want to see met! But I called in need and they answered, actually I emailed and they answered with a check!
I had itemized three budget items that were going to increase as I returned to Thailand:
Housing $200 more a month
Language School $150 a month
Motorcycle $1200 or $100 a month
I asked about 30 pastors around the US if they could cover just one month of one need.
Summit Park responded with, "We'll take care of the motorcycle." And they did!
And God has multiplied their efforts as not only was I able to use the motorcycle of another missionary for the cost of use and expenses, ALL my in country travel expenses, cars, buses, planes, fuel, song taos, tuk tuks, and maybe even elephants are COVERED because Summit Park was willing to give, willing to bless. I told Scott yesterday that I'm going to name the motorcycle Summit because that's exactly what I want to see happen here in Thailand, I want Christ to be raised to the highest summit, the apex, in the hearts and lives of the beautiful people of Thailand. And I told him by default, it's last name will be PARK-ed because I'll constantly be saying, "where is Summit parked!?"
And God has multiplied their efforts as not only was I able to use the motorcycle of another missionary for the cost of use and expenses, ALL my in country travel expenses, cars, buses, planes, fuel, song taos, tuk tuks, and maybe even elephants are COVERED because Summit Park was willing to give, willing to bless. I told Scott yesterday that I'm going to name the motorcycle Summit because that's exactly what I want to see happen here in Thailand, I want Christ to be raised to the highest summit, the apex, in the hearts and lives of the beautiful people of Thailand. And I told him by default, it's last name will be PARK-ed because I'll constantly be saying, "where is Summit parked!?"
I have a huge heart still for Kansas City and the hundreds of students that came through our doors at Englewood Ministries and I am so glad that Pastor Scott O and his family and Summit Park church are there! Praying God will bless them and use them in ways we can't even imagine! If you're in KC and don't have a church home! Go check them out and tell them thanks from their missionary friend in Thailand!
Going for a motorcycle ride!
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