Who Will Go?

November 2000
Hillsboro, Or.

Looking back a little over seven years ago, I see the excitement and anticipation of family and friends when our family accepted an offer to pastor a church in Venezuela. The dreams we had seven years ago suddenly changed when God came calling. Here was an opportunity to give to the work of God in a nation of great spiritual need.

After selling our home and many personal belongings, leaving the family dog in the care of his aunt, with suitcase in hand our small family set out on a passage into the unknown; sad to leave our beautiful life behind, but excited for what lay ahead, as God was leading us down a new path.

Our travels have taken us over mountains, through hills and valleys; building endurance and strength within us. It has brought us greater faith and love for our precious Saviour. There were dark peroids during these years where it felt like God had disappeared and we were all alone. The times of testing - then seeking and trusting - believing that God was there somewhere in that fog of darkness waiting for us to reach our hand up to Him, there, where He had been all along.

Fast Forward - Janurary 2008

Maracaibo, Venezuela

God is constructing a wonderful church in this city and I can´t tell you just how awesome it is to have been a part of that building. To see lives that have been changed, men and women who now have purpose and vision. I frequently pause in wonder of life and the greatness of it. All that has transpired through these years and the ability God has given us to respond when He called. Though we have so little to offer, but these old vessels, God has choosen to use them for His own plans and I am ever so thankful that He has given us the might to say "Yes, Lord, send me, I will go." Because, in our carnality I feel certain that we would not have - and then how would "They" know?

"The call of ourtrageous love is to abandon all personal agendas and follow Christ with glad hearts." Sheila Walsh