No Turning Back

The past few weeks have been very overwhelming and very stressful. Not only for me but more so my family. My parents spend hours upon hours working on paperwork, plans, and little details to make this move happen. We are still waiting for a letter from Colombia for my Visa. Insurance for while I am away is a struggle due to my existing diabetes. I am still in need of people to support and donate monthly while I am away. My departure date keeps getting pushed further and further back.  All of these things piled onto the fact that I just sold everything I own is very overwhelming, discouraging, and at times too much to handle. At times I have found myself asking, "God is this Your will? Am I supposed to be in Colombia? Why are things happening this way?"  He reassures me everything is okay and that the cost of following Him is very large. Its not easy, it includes things such as betrayal, persecution and even hatred. I got so caught up in leaving that I forgot what it would take to get there.  I knew it wasn't going to be easy and now that my departure gets closer and closer, the waves get bigger and bigger.  The tiny storm has now become a raging storm and when I ask myself, "What am I doing?" my Father replies, "Serving my Kingdom."  I know once the storm has cleared it will all be worth everything done, its just getting to that point that I need strength.  I know big things will be done in Colombia and that things are happening in His time, not my own.  I guess this is where I learn patience. :)

Although the storm has been brutal, my plans have not changed. As one problem occurs, God gives us another way around it.  My heart is still on fire and ready to serve the children of Colombia.  Pastor Lance preached a message last night titled "Restart My Heart".  As I listened, I realized I have already passed the point of turning back. I've gone to far and worked to hard. But all the chaos has interfered with God. The interference has caused many more frustrations and its time to just restart my heart. Its time to clear the distractions and complications and give them to God. Rather than trying to fix them, I need to lean further upon the love of my Savior.  After all I have given everything, He is all I really have.  Everything is in His control and when I step out of His way, when I "restart my heart" so the interference may be cleared, I am at peace. For those of you following I ask for prayer that things fall into place and the storm begins to calm, that I allow God to move things at His will and not my own.

I have given all I know and all I own to follow our Father. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. But as the  enemy throws another curve ball into the game, God gives me a way to knock it out of the park.  There is no turning back, no matter what is thrown at me. God has told me to serve His children in Bogota and He will find a way to get me there. God bless you all!

From His Front Lines,

Chris

The Road to Bogota

In June 2011, I was blessed with the opportunity to serve in Bogota, Colombia with Orphan Hope International. I had never served on a missions trip prior so I really wasn't sure what to expect. I knew I would come home changed and broken but I never knew it would be to this extent.

While in Bogota, God gave me a peek behind the veil. I saw Him. I felt His kiss, His embrace, I heard His voice say, "Te Quiero mucho, Chris." All of these revelations came came from a beautiful blue eyed orphan, Vanessa. Vanessa is 10 years old and a precious gem. She is one of the estimated ten thousand orphans in Bogota, Colombia. As I rolled through the grass and spent the entire day running and playing with Vanessa, I never thought I would get a revelation like this. I was completely broken. I sat on the bus and cried myself to sleep. I was trembling with fear as I had just witnessed the King and all I could say all day was, "No entiendo" or "I don't understand." As I thought about it, I began to question why I lived such a life of luxury and they had nothing. That is what I didn't understand and that is exactly what had to change.

For the rest of the week I spent hours seeking God and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to me my next move. A scripture came to me and as I read it all made sense. Matthew 19:21, says Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." God told me to sell all I own and follow him. My life of luxury; my tools, my home, my car, EVERYTHING. So I returned from Bogota and began selling off all I own. Some things I thought I would have trouble parting from but the Lord made it very easy to let go. My car was once my most prized possession and now I have no desire to even drive it. I continued seeking God and the storm began to calm. I mean not everyday do you decide to leave everything you know and move to a third world country to serve the Lord. My Father reassured me that all will be well; that as I give all I have to Him, He will have His hands in it all. His Word says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." Matthew 28:19. He has commanded me to go make disciples of all nations and His first destination for me is Bogota, Colombia.

As my days here in the states draw to an end, the beginning of a God seeking journey begins. My days are full of meetings and emails but I wouldn't have it any other way. God is no longer opening doors for me to make this move; He is kicking them in! I thank you all for your prayers and support; it makes this decision I have made so much easier!

From His Front Lines,

Chris