Our family is prayerfully considering moving our ministry. We have been asked to bring our passion to help families discover why God made them a family – why God put each of their unique passions and gifts together in a family unit – to the University of the Nations in Kona. The U of N is the largest YWAM base in the world, where over 1000 people each year receive training to become missionaries and to carry the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ all over the world. We were blessed to visit and volunteer here in 2006, working with leadership here with some legal and business matters and now God may be leading us back. We are asking God to reveal to us if it is His plan that we help families join up with God’s Great Commission together as a family by joining with the strategic ministries of the University of the Nations.
Let me tell you a bit about the University of the Nations. On Thursday nights they have a community meeting. It is filled with 100s of people from dozens of nations worshiping God. After rousing times of singing and praises to the King of kings there are always fantastic speakers and testimonies. Last night was no exception. We heard from a 23 year old man last night who is helping to lead what’s called a DTS Extreme Places. He has been in Iraq, working with the Kurdish people, over the past year, also spending time in Jordan and other parts of the Middle East. That was just the warmup.
After his testimony, led by questions from Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM, a man who has been working in missions for over 50 years, taking the gospel to EVERY nation on earth, we were introduced to an amazing missionary from China. Tara and I heard her share her testimony at New Heights, our church in Fayetteville, Arkansas. She has spent her life sharing Jesus in China. God has saved her from many life and death trials and she continues to spread His Kingdom of love around the world.
As if all of those presentations weren’t enough, we then were introduced to the main speaker, Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi, and his wife, Ruth. Dr. Mangalwadi is an Indian pastor and thinker who has been a part of L’Abri in Switzerland (Francis Schaffer’s institute) and who began his ministry simply caring for the poor in the middle of small Indian villages. He was “discovered” by the West and has since continued his ministry to the poor, but also shares his testimony and teaching all over the world. Last night he shared this video in addition to speaking. I share it with you because he is a deep thinking man of God who understands what it is to love the Lord our God with all of his mind.
We are humbled to be considered to join the amazing ministry here in Kona. We know God has lain something on our hearts that can impact a great number of people. We anticipate continued travels all over the world, but it could be that God will give us a home base here at the strategic University of the Nations, a tremendous sending place for the entire world. Next week top leaders from the 17 largest missions agencies will all come here to meet and strategize together. I am amazed that God may bless me and my family to be a part of something like that. Leaders from the IMB, Trans World Radio, Wycliffe, Campus Crusade and others will all be meeting with Loren and other leaders here.
Pray that God gives these great mission leaders wisdom and unity as they ask Him to reveal His plans for continuing to build His Kingdom and spreading His good news to every nation on the earth! Pray also for us as we consider joining the ministry here. We frankly struggle with fear and worry as we consider it and we need your prayers, encouragement, and support.
Lastly, I just had to share this nugget with you on this 30th of January 2009. Psalm 30:4-5 say this: “Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name. [Why?!] For His anger is but for a moment and HIS FAVOR IS FOR A LIFETIME. Weeping may tarry for the night, but JOY COMES WITH THE MORNING.” That truth can carry you through each and every day, no matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been or how fearful the day may appear to be. We love you!