For the past couple of weeks I've been busy in the steep learning curve of trying to establish a new 501C3 non-profit organization that I've chosen to call "Storm Guide International". I chose this name because it reflects my passion to help prepare churches and mission agencies for the inevitable crises they will face as they send short term missionaries overseas. I hope to have a website up and functional in the next week or so. This doesn't mean that I won't be working in partnership with Crisis Consulting International in some fashion, but my desire has always been to launch out on my own. Actually, that's a misnomer. I don't want to launch on my own, but rather launch out into the risky realm of trusting the Lord to direct our path. And He is. And it's still scary. I am excited about one thing: I've signed up for a training course next month in Hostage Negotiation. The realm of hostage negotiation has intrigued me for a long time, and I thought there's no better way to determine if I'm cut out to be a negotiator than to jump in with both feet. It should be interesting!
Good news on the house: we've been approved for a loan by a local bank, and we will close the deal and take possession on March 10th. The same house we thought we'd given up as lost only 10 days ago, the Lord has given back to us. Whoever thinks the Lord doesn't have a sense of humor hasn't spent much time trying to follow Him. He does this kind of thing to us all the time! He just wanted to see if we were willing to let it go, so He could give it back to us in the end. We can't wait to move in - and our first guest will be my nephew William who is coming to help me work on some of the renovations we want to do. Our second guest will be our dear friend Eliane Bordreuil, who worked with me as office manager for the past 10 years - and she arrives on March 24th. I hope we'll have the guestroom ready by then! Daphne and I both want to build an entryway over our driveway using log poles, and hang a sign from them that will say: "The Juniper Tree: Come ye aside and rest awhile." Our prayer is that this home will be a place of rest, warmth and safety for all who enter - and that each one will leave more encouraged than when they arrived.
Daphne is applying for part-time jobs to help supplement our income. We've asked our financial supporters to give us two years to become financially self-supporting, and many have responded. We have lost quite a bit of support however, and Daphne working part-time will really help. She's gone through a real range of emotions this past week: from thinking that she has nothing to offer in the business world after 30 years in ministry - to being elated when she got two requests for interviews in the last two days! We don't know if either position will work out, but it's exciting nonetheless for her to know that she has qualities and skills that are desirable to potential employers.
We are really enjoying the church the Lord has led us to here. It's a new church - about a 2 years old - and the staff are all young, but we love being a part of a movement of the Holy Spirit that is growing and reaching people. I love Michael's (the Pastor) heart - he's a courageous leader who is willing to take bold, risky steps of faith (a man after my heart!). He's also willing to stand up against sinful attitudes and behavior in the body, which is a quality I've rarely encountered in our years in the church. The church just acquired a building to use for everything but Sunday worship - and again, it was a big, risky step to take. We got the building for an incredible monthly rate - far below it's market value; but there is still the risk that we won't be able to cover the rent long-term. I'm with Michael though: nothing ventured, nothing gained... and a whole lot lost in the meantime. When it seems as though the Spirit of the Lord is leading, then jump on board and hold on for the ride!
I can't wait to see what God has up His sleeve next!!
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