Manthey's to the Rescue!

The evening of the last post that I had written, we had a scheduled time to have our friends Chris and Julie Manthey over. They are newlywed's who are both individually blessed with a heart for people and healing ministries. Since the waiting list is so long we planned on having them sign onto our cheap apartment lease so they could take over when we were gone in Mexico. Also they were kind enough to agree to letting us use our one car garage to store furniture and extras in case we decided to move down there after the year of DTS and YWAM volunteering. Well, Levi got a call from the secondary manager of the complex and said that there's a chance they might not let them sign since they are not relatives. He said we would have to wait until Friday to talk to the head lady. Today they said they could move in but in January it is going to go up $200 dollars in rent. It use to be the cheapest apartment in Apple Valley, but I guess they got smart.

Regardless of the bad news we had a impactful meeting with the Manthey's. They spoke some awesome truth into our lives that we desperately needed. They have been praying for us every single night. Chris told us that he feels like our priorities are not in alignment. He said #1 should be our relationship with God,#2 our marriage #3 our mission and ministry. It made so much sense, our lives were disconnected and unbalanced because we were not being obedient to God's commands. We were only thinking MISSION MISSION MISSION and not thinking GOD GOD GOD. They encouraged us to have a set date night one night of the week which means cell phones off and spending quality time together not talking about Mexico. So we picked Wednesday's. We are rejuvenated and refreshed now! We feel like we can take on the world, and are completely relying on God to get down to Mexico, we are not worried about our finances, or the small details of getting to Mexico. We know he has given us lots of confirmation and whatever his will is we will endure.

Thank you God for placing the Manthey's in our path to speak truth. May you bless them for their caring hearts.

The Dream Giver

This is a book that I (Kelly) have been reading this past week. It is written by Bruce Wilkinson with David and Heather Kopp. It is one of those books you cannot put down. It was given to me months ago by Chris Cortte, an awesome man of faith from our church, River Valley. I thought sure, another book to pile on my "To-Do" list. I cleaned off my bookshelf the other week and through all the books I wanted to keep in a box to bring to Mexico and the others I would sell in the garage sale. Randomly Levi went through it to get a book for himself, and grabbed "The Dream Giver" for me and placed it on my night stand.

The more I read the more I relate to the character named Ordinary. He's a Nobody who leaves the Land of Familiar, to pursue his Big Dream to become a Somebody. Once the Dream Giver convinces him to escape his Comfort Zone, Ordinary begins the journey of his life-overcoming Border Bullies, navigating the Wastelands, and battling the fierce Giants in the land.

The rest of the book is about how to identify your dreams, breaking through comfort zones, and how to overcome and talk to people that want to bring you down. This book was much needed at this point of support raising and preparing our way to Mexico. Right now I feel like I am wondering in the wilderness. Everything looks the same and there are hundreds of paths to choose but not sure what route best fits the direction I am going. Also we are running into some of our own Border Bullies that are questioning our plans, and are weary of our decisions. People that we never would expect have comments traced with racism and politics and we are not sure how to reply.

God give us your mighty wisdom and discernment in this time of need.

catch up on life

First I apologize for not keeping updated on our blog. Of course we are busy getting ready for Mexico in so many ways, but I have not kept it a priority. I will start to do so.

Since our last blog we have meet with a few great families from our church that are excited to join our support team. One of the families said " What an adventure you will be on, entering the missions field!" My response flowed right from my heart, "You will be too, you will be with us the whole way through." It was a huge moment for both of us I think because it isn't all about us going to Mexico to reach the lost. It's about a team of people who are saying I believe in you and what you are doing and since I can't go I will give you what I have to get you there to do the work for me. From the books I've been reading I knew that, but it really penetrated through my head in that moment. Since then the stress and crazy emotions of support raising have been much easier and more laid back.

We are currently working with the Graf's (another couple from our church going to Monterrey, Mexico's DTS this fall) to start fund raisers for Mexico Missions. Possibly a lemonade stand after services or even a "dunk a pastor" event at the church picnic. They are a great couple and have great hearts for God. It has been nice being a rock for each other in hard times.

Pass the salt please

(Matthew 5:13-14) 13“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

It is funny because just last week at our young adults service we had this moment of panic. The thought hit us right between the eyes, "We are actually going to Mexico!" And of course we knew this fact since March but it really hit us during worship, looking around at all our friends, and faces of new people we knew we soon would meet. I thought, "why should we even meet new people if we are leaving in three months. What's the use?" It was a feeling of deep questioning.

Then we went to Saturday service and Pastor Rob was talking about John the Baptist, and explained about his courageous life in the book of Matthew. Did you know that when he was at the age of 30 he began to start his ministry, and it only lasted 6 months, and then he died. But within that 6 months, changed lives. Not a few lives, lots and lots of lives that began to ripple through the towns and nearby cities. He told it like it was, and never held back on anything when he was preaching the gospel.

This convicted me. I realized, every day I want to live passionately for Jesus. To be open and willing to do what the Lord asks of me. Even if it is only for 5 minutes, 5 weeks, or 5 years. At least I was used by God , and made an imprint. Most of all I never want to hold back, even if it is uncomfortable. I believe real magic starts to happen outside of our confort zone because that's where the enemny can keep us bound. It is when we push through the uncomfortable barrier that God shows up and the holy spirit flows through your heart to connect with anothers.