Gearing Up For Summer and Beyond

It has been wonderful to get a move on things and really pour ourselves into our ministry and getting to the field. As we intend to go to Mexico this summer for training, and as we love the ministry of Spearhead (www.spearhead.org), I (Kevin) have been really intent on recruiting students for summer '09 in Mexico and have been developing networks that would be interested in partnering with us and Spearhead-Spain.

Networking and recruiting are some of my favorite things to do. I love to be able to put people in contact with things I believe in, such as Spearhead - Mexico and the ministry that God has called us to.

We obviously have a passion to see students grow in discipleship and Spearhead is the way to do it, so I've been looking for ways that Spearhead (both Mexico and Spain) can develop relationships with campus pastors, or leaders in student movement groups such as InterVarsity, Navigators or others. The best way we can serve our youth is by networking together. Student movements and Spearhead are a natural fit.

I've also been contacting friends who pastor churches or are on staff at churches seeking partnership with our ministry. We hope that these churches not only would support us in prayer or finances, but also that our relationship would provide their young adults with an opportunity to explore missions under Spearhead.

No ministry is an island, or at least no effective ministry is, especially on the mission field. Collaboration is key, both in-country and with contacts from the sending country. We've been so blessed to have a number of contacts and we look forward to how God is going to knit together hearts with our ministry.

At our current church, things have been going swimmingly. We have reconnected with a family friend who has such a passion for international students as well as missions. It is fun to have not only a friendly face, but somebody who shares our similar passions and advocates for our ministry. We look forward to helping partner with her in her own ministry to international students here in Northern California.

I (again, Kevin) have just had my membership from Foothill Community in Azusa transfered to Foothill Community in Oroville so that I can move forward in the ordination process. The ordination process for me, while tricky, has seen a lot of openness and flexibility from a number of Free Methodist pastors and missionaries. The normal process is pretty straight forward, doing Local Ministerial Candidate stuff in a particular church and then progressing to a Conference Ministerial Candidate and serving the conference. I on the other hand, began my process in a church in Southern California while in Mexico. I was their Local Ministerial Candidate in absentia. Then upon returning from Mexico, we chose to live by family, hours away from our supporting church, but the FM church in Oroville was quick to take me on with few reservations and will work with me desite a hectic travel schedule and our plans to move to Spain in early 2010. I knew I wanted to get ordained in the Free Methodist Church. They have been such a blessing and so encouraging. I like being a part of a church body that gives freedom to develop ministry, even if it means some chaos on their part.

Summer and Beyond is in our sights and we are heading at them both with our helmets down. It is fun times to be in ministry and to follow the call God has given us.

California Dreaming

Late Thursday night Kevin and I landed in the Sacramento airport. We were more than a little relieved to finally be able to stand up and stretch our legs, since it somehow took us a grand total of three different flights to get from Miami (where we had been for our LAM orientation) to California.

Here in Northern California we are enjoying unseasonably beautiful weather. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I am comfortable outside with jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. There is something about being on the farm where I grew up that always refreshes me, breathing the sweet air and seeing the millions of stars in the night sky.

But while it is quite pleasant here, both Kevin and I have our minds set on the journey ahead which will hopefully lead us to Mexico City for the summer, and Spain by the end of this year. There is something a little different this time, however, for me than the months when we were in California before we left on our two month Spain/Florida hiatus. Before I found myself overwhelmed by the amount of time I had on my hands with no friends, no job, and a new church where I hardly knew anyone. This time I come back with a "to do" list that goes on for a couple of pages and a renewed excitement and vision for the support raising process. On Sunday the missions board at our new church expressed an interest in seeing how they could come behind us and support us, something I certainly was not expecting. Then Sunday afternoon we got together with some friends we met in October to watch the Super Bowl.

I really wanted to share these things because, if you have been reading our blog, then you will know that really September through November was a difficult season for us, coming home from Mexico, feeling out our new vocation as long-term missionaries, and struggling to build a new community in a place that Kevin has never lived, and somewhere I have not lived since high school. I felt overwhelmed. But God is faithful. While I am sure the next few months will have challenges of its own (namely raising enough support to leave for Mexico by mid-April), I feel so grateful for the community that is beginning to grow around us, and the renewed energy and vision we have for this "transition time." Thank you God.

Orientation

Last night at one in the morning we arrived home from Miami. We attended a ten-day orientation with our mission, Latin America Mission. Many or our days were spent sitting down listening to various speakers on subjects from budgets to spiritual warfare. On the weekend, however, we had a chance to go camping, relax, and enjoy being in the outdoors.

Overall we came away from the experience feeling better equipped for the road ahead and excited to work towards our goals of serving this summer in Mexico, and then moving to
Spain long-term by the end of this year.

Hopefully I will be sending an e-mail update in the next week that will give you a little bit more of a taste of the past two months, our Spain trip, Christmas vacation, and Orientation.

We are now back in Northern California. As I sit here I am watching a spectacular sunset and enjoying relative peace and quiet (relative because there are four dogs who like to bark any time someone walks in the door!). Please pray for us as we settle back in here in California for a time.

Blessings! :) Leah

Christmas Break in Florida Pictures

All of the Book kids, spouses, one boyfriend and parents

All of us girls, plus baby Jack!

The day before Jack was born Katie joined the whole family in a pickleball tournament

Jack taking in the sun so he wouldn't get jaundice

Katie makes beanies, this is one she made for Jack

Florida is known for their manatees, we went to visit a sanctuary for hurt manatees

Another hat photo

I love him! Not sure what he thinks about me in this photo though! :)

Growing

The past month and a half has seemed to have passed by quickly. This weekend Kevin and I head down to Miami (we have been in central Florida visiting my - Leah's - family since Dec. 18th). Our visit to Spain was a great encouragement to us both, and a time of continued confirmation that God is indeed leading us on this journey.

One of the lessons God has been teaching me is that of surrendering every area of my life to him and allowing his spirit, rather than a spirit of fear to direct my steps. As our life has changed pace and context going to Spain and being here in Florida, God has revealed how often I make decisions that are influenced more by core fears rather than by him. He has brought me to a place where my life is incredibly simplified, and in the simplification process (no job, no home to care for, being in a new community, new church etc.) many of my basic struggles in my life and faith have really come to light. Kevin and I have had a lot of time to really focus on our marriage and the journey on which God is leading us.

2 Timothy 1:7-9 says "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity [fear], but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life -- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time...."

I am reminded that everything we are is in him, through him and by him. As a first child one of my core instincts is to be a people pleaser. But as we embark upon the path to which God has called us as a couple I am finding that our life choices don't always make sense to all people, even some who are fellow believers, and others who are not. This verse reminds me that the call God has given us is not based on me, but on him and that it is him alone I am to fear and to live to please.

Another big challenge is that of raising and living on support. I have always been an independent person and everything around me dictates that I need to provide for myself, not be a burden to others. But for at least this season in our lives God has brought us to depend completely on him and all of you. This can be a fearful thing all by itself. But once again I am brought back to the truth that I am living the life I am because of God's purpose and grace. I do not need to be afraid, God will provide. As God provides he has also given me a chance to give back. He has called all his people to live with open hands as he has opened his hands and made us heirs to his riches. God has been opening my eyes lately to see what are the resources he has given us, both monetarily and other ones, that I can give up and give back.

I am praying for you all that this year, with all of the challenges and joys it has in store, will be one where you live in the freedom of God's love and providence, and just as you freely receive his grace you are able to impart that grace to others.

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

P.S. One of the greatest parts of being with my family this past month was being here for the birth of my nephew, Jack Harper. My sister Katie and her husband Brian had their first child December 30th. He's a cutie!


My sister Katie and Jack

Some images from Spain...

Snow, El Bosco, and a cold little stroll

Well it went from rain to snow in Madrid for us, not that it stuck, but it was fun nonetheless. Leah and I hit Madrid today to walk around and look for areas in which we may want to live. Madrid is beautiful. There are many different barios in Madrid and all of them have a unique taste.

The first we visited the other day, Malasaña, has tight narrow streets and is full of life and youth. Apparently it is where the artists live.

For the washed up artists, or those trying to make it, we toured Lavapies, a bario with a HIGH concentration of foreign immigrants. We saw people of African, Asian and Arab descent while walking through the narrow streets. It was intriguing to say the least and quite fun to see the diversity. We strolled in the cold around the other areas as well, mostly with wider streets.

I (Kevin) think Madrid is beautiful (I think Leah agrees), and may rival my fascination with Portland. Today was a good day to compare the two as when the snow stopped the rain persisted into the evening.

After a little Spain style Mexican food (which was so-so), we headed of to Museo del Prado, one of the more famous art museums in Europe, second probably to the Louvre. We got to see some Rafael, Velazquez and many other famous artists and their beautiful work. I (Kevin) liked the Flamenco work. Leah did not.

After the museum, the rain had stopped, it had warmed up 3 degrees, and we strolled again in the breeze with many evening walkers to see the Christmas lights around el parque Retiro. It was very nice and beautiful.

Pictures to come. Tomorrow Church.