"His glory is my reward"
Updated: Jun 15, 2021
Our family finished out our training in Virginia at the end of May and are currently back in North Carolina until June 24th when we will be able to fly to Romania. This unique time of transition we are in is somewhat strange, but has been refreshing as well. We no longer have a place to call our own here, but it has been so encouraging to spend time with family and friends before we leave. Our church, Christ Community Church of Huntersville, commissioned us out a few Sundays ago, and we feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful church family where we know we will always find support no matter where we are or how long we are gone.
Most of our time spent back in North Carolina has been spent seeing friends and family, but there has also been time for us to reflect on the last seven weeks of the training we experienced. It was such a unique and special time of being in community with other missionaries who, like us, have been called to the nations. It was so refreshiing and encouraging to get to know so many other families walking a similar journey to ours, many who we know will be our lifelong friends. We learned so much, but more importantly we worshiped Jesus together every day in all we did. There were difficult moments and situations throughout our time there, but we will never forget how the Lord provided for us and became all we needed.
On one of the last days we were at training we learned about a woman named Karen Watson. Karen was a missionary with the International Missions Board who was killed while serving in Iraq in 2004. Before she left to serve out her term in Iraq, she left a letter with her pastor marked "Open in case of death". In one of our worship services we read the letter that Karen left behind for her family and the church. A creed was created based on the letter she left and it is something that has been on our hearts and minds constantly since leaving training. We hope to always remember this creed especially on the difficult days. We love each of you and are so thankful for you in going on this journey with us, so we want to leave this creed with you as we prepare to leave. If we haven't been able to formally say "goodbye" to you please know that we love you and we are praying for all of you as you carry on with the work of the Lord here at home. May His glory be your reward as well.
The Creed:
As a follower of Christ: I am called not to comfort or success but to obedience. Consequently, my life is to be defined not by what I do but by who I am.
Henceforth: I will proclaim His name without fear, follow Him without regret and serve Him without compromise.
Thus: To obey is my objective, to suffer is expected, His glory is my reward.
Therefore: To Christ alone be all power, all honor and all glory, that the world may know. Amen!
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for our families as we are saying our final goodbyes throughout the next few weeks.
Please pray for us as we prepare to travel to Romania on the 24th. Pray that our travel there would be uneventful and that our children would do well on the flights.
Please pray for us as we transition to life in Romania and that He would be everything we desire and need in the coming days and weeks.
Please pray for the Romanian people that they would be open to hearing the true gospel.