The doctor's office called Cindy today a few minutes before 5:00 pm. She recognized the number on her caller id. Her initial thought was this can't be good. They are calling this late on a Friday before the extended holiday weekend. Her initial thought was incorrect. The echocardiogram showed her heart to be in great shape.
Now the next hurdles are: (1) getting the documents we need for our visas to the Secretary of State of Indiana to authenticate the nortary on the documents and get the docs back by December 31st. We have an appointment with the Honduras Consulate in Chicago on January 2nd to start the visa application process. Might as well have everything back up until the last minute. We couldn't send the docs earlier because we had to get the results of our physicals first.
Hurdle (2) get everything moved out of our apartment sometime over the weekend of December 28-30. Perhaps we should get started packing soon?
Monday, December 24, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
December 19, 2007
Well, here's a wrinkle. We went for the second day of our physical today - the first day was just getting tests so they could tell us today what the results were. Brad was fine except for a somewhat elevated cholestoral level. Cindy however stole the show when the doctor said her EKG was abnormal and indicated she had a heart attack in the past. That was a little surprising since she does mini-marathons and works out at least twice a week with no problems.
So, tomorrow she is scheduled for an echocardiogram. He was going to do a stress test but when he found out about her running he said the stress test would be useless because she would out last the test.
Not sure when we will here the final results of the echocardiogram.
P.S. Cindy did decide it would probably be best if she didn't work out today.
Brad didn't realize it was so stressful living with him that it caused his wife to have a heart attack.
So, tomorrow she is scheduled for an echocardiogram. He was going to do a stress test but when he found out about her running he said the stress test would be useless because she would out last the test.
Not sure when we will here the final results of the echocardiogram.
P.S. Cindy did decide it would probably be best if she didn't work out today.
Brad didn't realize it was so stressful living with him that it caused his wife to have a heart attack.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Thoughts
(Brad) In getting rid of our “stuff” we have been trying to decide what to do with it – sell it, give it to Goodwill or some other nonprofit organization, or simply give it away. At first my thinking was we could sell it but that would be very difficult and time consuming. My next thought was we could donate it to a nonprofit organization for which we could get a tax deduction. This would provide us with some money to put in savings to help pay for our son’s last year of college or be there for other needs that may arise. This seems reasonable, logical, and the smart thing to do. We would have some extra money for the unknown that may occur in the future. The giving away option didn’t seem a “good idea” because we would get no money for our emergency fund.
Also, we could sell our cars. Put the money into an account to buy a car for our kids in case one of their cars dies. Another reasonable, logical, smart thing to do. Don’t you think. Yea, me too.
Talking with Cindy we were discussing some people we know with needs and she starts listing all the stuff we can give these people including our cars. What??? What is she thinking??? Let’s be reasonable. Let’s be balanced about this. Think this through.
In Luke 12:22-34 Jesus goes through this long discussion with those following Him explaining we shouldn’t worry about what we will eat, where we will live, or what we will wear. Our priority should be to put God’s Kingdom first and God will take care of meeting our needs. Jesus then ends this discussion by saying “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I don’t know about you but I think Jesus probably meant what He said. So I guess we will be giving most of our stuff away and trust God to provide for us when we have an unexpected need. Gotta stop reading that “Bible”. It’s really messing up my “balanced, logical, reasonable life.”
Besides I learned today that I’m rich and you probably are too. Did you know that if you make $37,000 or more a year you are in the top 4% of all wage earners in the world? If you make at least $45,000 a year you are in the top 1% of all wage earners in the world. Should we feel guilty about this? I don’t think so. We should feel grateful that God is allowing us to manage so much of His resources.
Also, we could sell our cars. Put the money into an account to buy a car for our kids in case one of their cars dies. Another reasonable, logical, smart thing to do. Don’t you think. Yea, me too.
Talking with Cindy we were discussing some people we know with needs and she starts listing all the stuff we can give these people including our cars. What??? What is she thinking??? Let’s be reasonable. Let’s be balanced about this. Think this through.
In Luke 12:22-34 Jesus goes through this long discussion with those following Him explaining we shouldn’t worry about what we will eat, where we will live, or what we will wear. Our priority should be to put God’s Kingdom first and God will take care of meeting our needs. Jesus then ends this discussion by saying “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
I don’t know about you but I think Jesus probably meant what He said. So I guess we will be giving most of our stuff away and trust God to provide for us when we have an unexpected need. Gotta stop reading that “Bible”. It’s really messing up my “balanced, logical, reasonable life.”
Besides I learned today that I’m rich and you probably are too. Did you know that if you make $37,000 or more a year you are in the top 4% of all wage earners in the world? If you make at least $45,000 a year you are in the top 1% of all wage earners in the world. Should we feel guilty about this? I don’t think so. We should feel grateful that God is allowing us to manage so much of His resources.
December 12, 2007
Cindy has closed down the mall the past three nights. She hasn’t bought anything but she stays until they close at 10:00 pm. She said the security guards are starting to follower her because she stays until the mall closes but never buys anything. Cindy says the reason she’s doing it to keep her mind occupied and not think about Camille (our granddaughter).
Thoughts - December 10, 2007
Is God worth giving up everything for Him? Is He worth taking up your cross and following Him everyday?(Mt 6:24 & 10:38) Is He worth losing your life for so you can gain your life?(Mt 6:25-26 & Mt 10:39) Is He worth letting your dead bury the dead while you go off and follow Him?(Lk 9:59-60) Is He worth selling all that you have and giving the proceeds to follow Him?(Mt 13:44-46) Is He worth following even when He makes no promise of giving you a nice place to sleep?(Lk 9:57-58) Is He worth following when it prevents you from telling your family goodbye?(Lk 9:61-62) Is He worth following when He demands we make Him more important than our closest family members?(Mt 10:37)
Until we get a real picture and understanding of who this God is that is asking us for this type of commitment it is very difficult, if not impossible, to honestly answer “yes” to these questions.
Until we get a real picture and understanding of who this God is that is asking us for this type of commitment it is very difficult, if not impossible, to honestly answer “yes” to these questions.
December 9, 2007
For the AM service pastor Jeff Smith gave us the opportunity to share at the Vineyard Community Church in Evansville, IN. Wow! What a morning. From the moment we walked in the door we felt we belonged. By the time it got around to our time to share God’s presence had already been so powerful that we could have ended the service right then and it would have been a great day. It was just what we needed. Then to top it off, after the service they spent some time laying hands on us, praying for us, sharing visions God had given them that pertained to us, and encouraging us.
For the PM service pastor John Stepp allowed us to share at Princeton General Baptist Church. They were a lively, enthusiastic group. When the service ended pastor Stepp announced they were having some snacks (read large quantities of food) after the service and invited everyone to stay. Before he closed the service he asked those who wanted to come forward and pray for us and the rest were free to leave and go eat. I think every person there came up, prayed for us, and then stayed to talk with us individually.
Does God know what you need or what? It was a day of God ministering and encouraging us through His body – the Church. Thanks church for being willing to be use by Him. Another reminder this is a TEAM effort. We are simply the ones on the ground in Central America.
For the PM service pastor John Stepp allowed us to share at Princeton General Baptist Church. They were a lively, enthusiastic group. When the service ended pastor Stepp announced they were having some snacks (read large quantities of food) after the service and invited everyone to stay. Before he closed the service he asked those who wanted to come forward and pray for us and the rest were free to leave and go eat. I think every person there came up, prayed for us, and then stayed to talk with us individually.
Does God know what you need or what? It was a day of God ministering and encouraging us through His body – the Church. Thanks church for being willing to be use by Him. Another reminder this is a TEAM effort. We are simply the ones on the ground in Central America.
Thoughts - December 8, 2007
We are starting to do last things – this is the last time we will do this or that before we leave. It makes it more real when you think this way. We’re also wondering why does moving seem so BIG? When Brad was in the Navy we moved very frequently. By the time our daughter Whitney was nine she had lived in eight different states and nine different cities. We always looked forward to moving.
Now it feels different. It’s not a lack of excitement for where we are going and what we are doing. But there seems to be a sadness this time that we have never experienced with our past moves. Could it be this time we are not taking our kids with us. With all the other moves our kids always went with us. Could it also be this time the move is about taking the gospel to those who have never heard which brings into play spiritual warfare?
Of course we do have the additional attachment here of our granddaughter. But then we think, we’re not the first people to live a great distance from their grandchildren. Sometimes when we share with people our struggle with leaving our granddaughter we feel guilty. As if we’re acting like we are the only people who have ever been in this situation. We are just trying to be honest about where we are at this time.
We were told early on that every person who goes to the mission field has a major obstacle to overcome. The obstacle is not the same for each person, but each person will have one they must overcome to get to the field and be successful. Perhaps this is ours.
Now it feels different. It’s not a lack of excitement for where we are going and what we are doing. But there seems to be a sadness this time that we have never experienced with our past moves. Could it be this time we are not taking our kids with us. With all the other moves our kids always went with us. Could it also be this time the move is about taking the gospel to those who have never heard which brings into play spiritual warfare?
Of course we do have the additional attachment here of our granddaughter. But then we think, we’re not the first people to live a great distance from their grandchildren. Sometimes when we share with people our struggle with leaving our granddaughter we feel guilty. As if we’re acting like we are the only people who have ever been in this situation. We are just trying to be honest about where we are at this time.
We were told early on that every person who goes to the mission field has a major obstacle to overcome. The obstacle is not the same for each person, but each person will have one they must overcome to get to the field and be successful. Perhaps this is ours.
December 7, 2007 (Pearl Harbor Day)
We went to dinner with our Sunday School class from Main Street General Baptist. With all the traveling and speaking we haven’t been able to spend much time with them so it was great to spend the evening with them.
November 30 - December 2, 2007
Brad spent Thursday through Sunday in Branchville Correctional Facility (an Indiana state prison) with a group of 46 (I think) other guys on a Kairos team. This is modeled similar to Tres Dias, Walk to Emmaus, etc. but it’s geared toward the gang members and negative leaders in the prison. This is the third one we’ve done at Branchville. It’s amazing to watch these 42 inmates come in on Thursday evening not too sure what to think about us or the program. Then leave Sunday evening hugging us and not wanting it to end. (the Kairos team is not too excited about it ending either) God can really do some amazing things when we get out of the way and just let Him use us to show people His love for them.
Cindy spent Sunday morning at our church in Boonville, Main Street General Baptist Church, playing with the orchestra from our other church, Christian Fellowship Church. Everybody had a great time. Cindy said the next time the orchestra’s self-esteem gets low they will go play at Main Street – the people were incredible.
(Brad) On Sunday someone mentioned to me that it was December 1st and then asked when we are leaving. It hit me, from now on when people ask that question I won’t be saying January, I’ll be saying next month. It’s getting closer.
When we started the process of putting together a support team we talked about how we should do it. We knew it would require quite a bit of traveling to speak at churches and we wanted to share our hearts with as many people as possible. Initially we thought the best approach would be to remove ourselves from all the other stuff we were involved with (Brad with prison ministry and Kairos and Cindy with the orchestra). As we thought about it we begin to understand it was our involvement with thses that had played a significant role in getting us where we are in our relationship with God leading to our move to Central America. With this in mind it seemed crazy to remove ourselves from what was playing a significant role in growing our relationship with God. So, we made the decision that Brad would stay involved with prison ministry and Cindy with the orchestra as much as possible. In fact, we marked on our calendar the major events for these activities and chose not to schedule speaking engagements for those weekends. Yes, it did mean reducing the number of opportunities we could share. However, we believe God is more interested in our relationship with Him than cramming in as many speaking engagements as possible.
Besides, who is better at putting together a support team – us or God? (Won’t bother to answer that one) What’s that principle Jesus laid out about putting God first and trusting Him to take care of the rest? Of yea, it’s found in Matt 6 and Luke 12.
Cindy spent Sunday morning at our church in Boonville, Main Street General Baptist Church, playing with the orchestra from our other church, Christian Fellowship Church. Everybody had a great time. Cindy said the next time the orchestra’s self-esteem gets low they will go play at Main Street – the people were incredible.
(Brad) On Sunday someone mentioned to me that it was December 1st and then asked when we are leaving. It hit me, from now on when people ask that question I won’t be saying January, I’ll be saying next month. It’s getting closer.
When we started the process of putting together a support team we talked about how we should do it. We knew it would require quite a bit of traveling to speak at churches and we wanted to share our hearts with as many people as possible. Initially we thought the best approach would be to remove ourselves from all the other stuff we were involved with (Brad with prison ministry and Kairos and Cindy with the orchestra). As we thought about it we begin to understand it was our involvement with thses that had played a significant role in getting us where we are in our relationship with God leading to our move to Central America. With this in mind it seemed crazy to remove ourselves from what was playing a significant role in growing our relationship with God. So, we made the decision that Brad would stay involved with prison ministry and Cindy with the orchestra as much as possible. In fact, we marked on our calendar the major events for these activities and chose not to schedule speaking engagements for those weekends. Yes, it did mean reducing the number of opportunities we could share. However, we believe God is more interested in our relationship with Him than cramming in as many speaking engagements as possible.
Besides, who is better at putting together a support team – us or God? (Won’t bother to answer that one) What’s that principle Jesus laid out about putting God first and trusting Him to take care of the rest? Of yea, it’s found in Matt 6 and Luke 12.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Thoughts
(Brad) I was reading a blog by another missionary who is in Ecuador. He was talking about do we really believe God for big things. Not just say we believe but really believe. Do we ask God for new believers? He said his team is praying for and asking God for 500,000 new believers in the next five years. I thought “Wow!” Then it made me think what should, if any, we be praying for in Central America?
Well, team, what do you think? Let’s go to God and ask Him what He thinks. Ask Him to give us a number of new believers He wants us to be praying for in Central America for the 2008. Will He give us a number? Will He say no number is needed now? What will He say? This is a team effort so I’m asking if you will join with us and go to God and see what He tells you. When you get an answer will you share it with us? This entire adventure is about trusting God and just opening ourselves up to be used completely by Him. We don’t have to wait until this team has a representative on the ground in Honduras to start the adventure.
Well, team, what do you think? Let’s go to God and ask Him what He thinks. Ask Him to give us a number of new believers He wants us to be praying for in Central America for the 2008. Will He give us a number? Will He say no number is needed now? What will He say? This is a team effort so I’m asking if you will join with us and go to God and see what He tells you. When you get an answer will you share it with us? This entire adventure is about trusting God and just opening ourselves up to be used completely by Him. We don’t have to wait until this team has a representative on the ground in Honduras to start the adventure.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
November 25, 2007
We had the opportunity to share at Wadesville General Baptist Church in, you guessed it, Wadesville, IN. Pastor Joe and Jacquelyn Dumond allowed us the opportunity to share with the church. Afterward Joe and Jacquelyn had us over to their house for lunch. It was fun just sitting around the table, talking, and getting to know them. We also found out some stuff about other General Baptist missionaries who had gone to school with Joe and Jacquelyn. This new information certainly burst our bubble and changes our perception of the image we had of them. If these people treat us nicely the information will not be revealed. However, if not, no promises.
November 24, 2007
We spent the evening at Kevin and Andi Miller’s with several close friends just hanging out, talking, laughing, and eating. It was a wonderful and relaxing evening. Thanks.
November 16 - 18, 2007
Friday morning we left to spend the weekend in Arkansas. On our way we stopped in Poplar Bluff - General Baptist Medina (General Baptist Mecca is Evansville – if you’re not familiar with islam and the General Baptists this will make no sense to you – don’t worry about it). Once again, back to the topic. We stopped at the General Baptist headquarters in Poplar Bluff to take care of some paperwork stuff. Yes, even when you move out of the country to serve God you still have to fill out all the government paperwork just like you do here when change employers. What does Bible say about being obedient to those in charge of the government because He put them there?
So after completing the paperwork, eating lunch, Cindy going through some medications that had been donated to see what we could use, and missing a turn on the way out of town (ok, it should read Brad missing a turn on the way out of town) we headed for Heber Springs Arkansas. We spent the weekend with David and Jillbaby Eades. We had a blast.
Saturday Cindy and Jillbaby went to Little Rock to shop. She had a great time just spending time with Jill, hanging out, laughing, and seeing Arkansas. She had been looking forward to this trip since it was arranged in September and it was definitely worth it.
On Saturday David and the boys Mason (aka “Buddy”) and Harrison (aka “Buddy Lee”) took Brad to their farm for a guy day complete with being outdoors and shooting guns. At one point David asked Brad to get on the back of the four-wheeler and go with him to replenish the automatic deer feeders. After Brad got on he then handed Brad a rifle and said that’s in case we come across a bear - he wasn’t joking. I wish I could tell a story about how I had to shoot a bear that was charging us but the truth is all we saw were some wild turkeys that ran as we approached.
On Sunday we went to Jerry and Evelyn Eades' church and had the opportunity to share. Afterwards they were having there church Thanksgiving dinner so we were “forced” to stay and eat the home-cooked food. It was difficult but we forced it down until we were completely stuffed. Jerry and Evelyn are amazing people. Jerry is 83 and in February is going to make his (I believe) fourth trip to Honduras in two years. Evelyn is making her fifth trip in 2 ½ years. What an encouragement.
After lunch we headed back to the David and Jillbaby’s, changed clothes, and drove the eight hours back to Newburgh. It was a good weekend.
So after completing the paperwork, eating lunch, Cindy going through some medications that had been donated to see what we could use, and missing a turn on the way out of town (ok, it should read Brad missing a turn on the way out of town) we headed for Heber Springs Arkansas. We spent the weekend with David and Jillbaby Eades. We had a blast.
Saturday Cindy and Jillbaby went to Little Rock to shop. She had a great time just spending time with Jill, hanging out, laughing, and seeing Arkansas. She had been looking forward to this trip since it was arranged in September and it was definitely worth it.
On Saturday David and the boys Mason (aka “Buddy”) and Harrison (aka “Buddy Lee”) took Brad to their farm for a guy day complete with being outdoors and shooting guns. At one point David asked Brad to get on the back of the four-wheeler and go with him to replenish the automatic deer feeders. After Brad got on he then handed Brad a rifle and said that’s in case we come across a bear - he wasn’t joking. I wish I could tell a story about how I had to shoot a bear that was charging us but the truth is all we saw were some wild turkeys that ran as we approached.
On Sunday we went to Jerry and Evelyn Eades' church and had the opportunity to share. Afterwards they were having there church Thanksgiving dinner so we were “forced” to stay and eat the home-cooked food. It was difficult but we forced it down until we were completely stuffed. Jerry and Evelyn are amazing people. Jerry is 83 and in February is going to make his (I believe) fourth trip to Honduras in two years. Evelyn is making her fifth trip in 2 ½ years. What an encouragement.
After lunch we headed back to the David and Jillbaby’s, changed clothes, and drove the eight hours back to Newburgh. It was a good weekend.
November 15, 2007
Jack Eberhardt and Sam Ramdial from General Baptist International Missions headquarters spent the morning with us. It was good because it covered more specifics about how to go from where we are in Honduras to where we want to be. We know where we are and we know where we want to be. The road to get from where we are to where we want to be is, shall we say, VERY FUZZY. (this could be because we’re ultimately not the ones in charge and if He showed us the entire plan at one time we might be overwhelmed and say “never-mind, that looks a little too frightening. We’ll just stay in the Evansville area”)
Part of the time was discussing the game plan and part discussing basic logistics. Overall it was left us knowing we are all on the same page.
Part of the time was discussing the game plan and part discussing basic logistics. Overall it was left us knowing we are all on the same page.
November 14, 2007
We had dinner with Dan & Ginna Grimm. They have a missions organization, GATHER, and we consider them two of our missions mentors. It was through their work in Bolivia that Cindy was introduced to the Latin American people and Scott Strouse which led to her going to Honduras on her first trip a few years ago which led to Brad going to Honduras earlier this year and, as they say, the rest is history. (yes, for you English majors this maybe a run on sentence. Cut us some slack. Now that we are trying to learning another language we're still trying remember what all those English terms mean such as: conjugate a verb, definite and indefinite article, participles, etc.) Back to the topic. We spent the evening talking about what we would be doing, what they thought about what we plan on doing, asking for any suggestions, insight, and/or wisdom. Finally discussing how GATHER can be a part of what we are doing. Having experienced people to draw on is great.
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