This is always a great opportunity to share a portion of our testimony. Back in October before we left Cape Town we had several meetings with John Thomas at Living Hope Community Centre. He listened to our passions and desires of our heart, but never tried to sway us in any decisions to come to South Africa. He did however, give us great pastoral counsel and advised us to be sure we had “4 lights” lined up like an airplane coming in for the perfect landing before we committed to any sort of service for the Kingdom.
Those 4 lights were Scripture, Circumstances, Counsel of the Brethren (wise counsel), and Peace.
Scripture is for WHEN things don’t go right and we face those trials and struggles. We will be able to go to those scriptures and remember how God revealed those to us before leaving. A few of those scriptures are Isaiah 58:10-11, Acts 1:8, Psalm 139: 9-10, Psalm 2:8.
Circumstances had already revealed to us that the light was on green.
Counsel of the Brethren was also set in place because we have a wonderful team that loves us and surrounds us with support and guidance. They advised us to make a decision about Cape Town before we left which forced us to really seek God’s will for us while we were there.
Peace was a flashing yellow light. We did not have peace in our hearts so we could not accept the opportunity. We had to come home without the decision made, but realized that was the best decision because it was easier to come home to family and friends without having to tell them we would be leaving again soon. It also forced us to be patient and wait on the Lord.
We had committed to apply for the IMB (International Mission Board) as another option before making a decision. As we began the application process, we realized we were a few days late for the deadline to apply for the January 2008 conference. Our missions minister said go ahead and I’ll call and try to use my contacts to get you in. Long story short that door was closed. We felt God wanted us to wait on Him and His timing so we did. Psalm 37:7
We knew John was coming to Brentwood on the 25th and 26th of November and wanted to meet with us again. We still didn’t have clarity but perhaps he would display some “flashing neon sign”. The night before we met I had a dream that involved John and I shared it with Mike the next morning. As we shared the scriptures God had revealed to us, John shared some issues about Cape Town that had been resolved. We began to have the peace that we needed. To further help us with the “peace” issue, John reminded us that God talks to different people in different ways, and he told us to read Job 33:14. It says, “God sometimes speaks to us through dreams.” I looked at Mike and said to John, “I had a dream last night and you were in it but I couldn’t understand what you were saying.” He said, “I have never used this verse before in my 27 years of counseling how much clearer can it get?” We were still not satisfied and still looking for that neon sign, so we attended a couple of more functions with him. John announced at the CEO fellowship meeting that they, as in Living Hope/ Living Way, had been praying that someone like Mike and Pam would come along side and work with them in South Africa. We knew then the call was clear.
One of the most difficult decisions we had to make was leaving our family with all of the different situations going on in their lives. Our parents are aging and not in the best health, and the children and grandchildren just don’t want us to go. Jesus reminded us in Matthew 19:29, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Mark 10:29, Luke 18:29, Matthew 10:37 have similar messages and we understood all this to say “you must go, I will take care of your family.” We love each one of them, but must obey the call.
This last year has been an incredible journey of faith and we have been so blessed to have you all to take part in it with us. We pray you will continue to join us for the next season of our life.
