Upon our return we have faced many difficult decisions. “The decision isn’t that difficult, it’s actually pretty obvious,” everyone says. But it doesn’t seem that way to us at all. The past few weeks we made the decision to leave Overland Missions. It’s easy to tell that staying wasn’t God’s best for us, yet it’s so difficult to make the humbling step into a something unknown.  All we know is to pursue in a recklessly abandoned sort of way and don’t stop running the race for the Gospel…

Last week we were at an International Society of Frontier Missions conference, where we sat with people who have done missions nearly all their lives. Twenty, thirty, forty years: Listening to their stories, their experiences, studying other missionaries who went before us in the early centuries and all the missionaries being sent from countries other than the USA today. So many different people, from different walks of life, but there was one characteristic they all shared . . . Perseverance.

Nearly eight years ago, I made the decision to count the cost and then stop counting. Since then, I’ve been on a serious road of character building. Andrew made the decision in college and he’s been well on his way to this “character building” process too.  Of course, growing up (spiritually and physically) we both had this idea of what the road to “where others can’t or won’t go” would look like. As it seems to always happen, the road doesn’t look like the vision. Letting go of Overland Missions is like letting go of a childhood dream for me. It’s something that has caused me to re-evaluate everything, about myself and about our vision. God has really thrown all the other “junk” out of our life, except the people, the Gospel and the face of Jesus himself.

In this process, I’ve seen Andrew grow so much. Seeing him fight to provide for both of us, fight to keep a loving spirit, watching him seek God earnestly, asking the hard questions, like “Why did I,” or “Why didn’t I,”.  I know that God is walking with us and that He is also preparing the way for us in the DRC and the ends of the earth. I know that this is where he wants us to be and we will continue pressing on under the authority of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of our setbacks, God has been opening doors to partnerships with several other organizations and churches. We’ve been staying in constant contact with our team in the DRC and praise God, Philip one of our Congolese missionaries (as well as translator) was finally able to get a necessary surgery he has needed since 2004.

We have also shared in the sufferings of Pastor Euclide, who we partnered with in the DRC whose home has been burnt down in a massive fire recently. We ask that you pray for Pastor Euclide and his wife who are servants who face many difficulties . . .

In the midst of tough decisions, God is moving mightily in places we may not even see, but we walk by faith and not by sight. As we run toward the liberation of the Gospel in the DRC, we need you to keep us in your prayers during this of transition.

 
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Well, we've been home for about two weeks now and we miss the Congo every day. Often, Amethyst and I find ourselves re-living an experience or making a joke about something that happened. To say that the DRC captured our heart would be an understatement. 

We know there are needs all over the world and one geographical field isn't better than another. In fact there are probably other places that are more desperate and more in need. But, we're attracted to where God has called us. God has definitely affirmed that in our souls. 

There are so many stories to tell, testimonies to share and experiences to recap but here is our trip at a quick glance:
1. Over 150 people accepted Christ
2. Deathly ill, young IDP girl healed miraculously
3. Legitimate local contacts made
4. Personal financial breakthroughs for local contacts
5. Empowered an indigenous missionary to receive surgery
6. Women seminars have produced a sustained women's ministry 
in Goma
7. Over 50 orphans committed themselves to ministry
8. Over 80 pastors trained in a 3 day seminar on theology and 
community development
9. Prophecies came to pass in rural bush churches
10. Safety to and from the DRC

The Congo is the hardest place we've ever been in all of sub-Saharan Africa. As you have read in "The Congo is Different", the situation is difficult to understand and has many problems at every level but yet a great sense of hope is welling up. We know that God want's to bring healing back to the land this is evident in Scripture. (Ps 67, 2 Chron 7:14, Prov 14:34, etc.) Also, it is evident through what God has revealed to us.

In the midst of all the chaos and lack of stability, the Congolese know that it is only God who will bring a lasting change. They put their full hope and trust in God for their future and the future of Congo. It is a true testimony to their faith.

We believe that God is ready to move in the Congo. All it takes is a few passionate Congolese to rise up and win the prayer battle for the country and healing will come to the land. We could already see that a fire was being kindled but it just needs a catalyst of unity and then the Holy Spirit's fire will sweep over the land.

Please join is prayer for this to happen. Pray for revival to sweep across the land. Pray for healing.

We miss the Congo and God has affirmed and confirmed our call to be there. Even though we are home in the US, we can see that our home is where the heart is. It sounds cliche and it is, but it's true. We have a huge heart for the Congo and an apostolic passion is burning inside of us to return. It can't come soon enough.

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