What's Going On?!

I know some are feeling a bit discouraged right now about raising the money to go with the team this year. The economy continues to tighten everyone's belts and many of us are wondering where the funds are going to come from (Megan and I included). I want to encourage each of you to continue seeking God in prayer about this year.

I don't know what this year's team is going to look like and I don't know where the money is going to come from, but I do know that God is in control. He has a plan for what He wants to do this year and He has the resources to accomplish His will. The only remaining ingredients are obedience on our part and our peaceful surrender to His purpose.

For some, God may be calling you to extend yourself a bit this year. Your commitment to Bulgaria may be tested by the financial need, requiring creative fundraising, more letters to family and friends, an extra job. For others, maybe God is seeking to wean you from dependence on self and truly trust in His ability to provide. An even more difficult possibility to face is that the Lord is choosing to use you in other ways this year that do not involve going halfway around the world to serve. I have been amazed at the opportunities I have had to minister to some of my young Bulgarian friends this past year over the Internet!

None of these pathways is easy and determining which one God is calling you to walk will require you to seek Him like never before. As many of you know, our time in Bulgaria is marked by an absolute dependence on the Lord's leading each day we are there in a number of situations. We are being called to walk that way here as well, laying aside our own desires and plans in order to discover what God has for us. Being Spirit-led does not come naturally to us and we are going to have to consciously choose to spend the time in prayer that we need to hear from the Lord. I challenge each of you (myself included) to hit your knees this week. Lay aside enough time to converse, question, even wrestle with God until you hear clearly from Him. Then, rise up and walk in obedience to what He speaks into your life!

God is good and He is in control. Let us quiet our hearts and seek Him together to learn what He has in store for us this year!