Ministry From The Far Side

Freedom Home Odessa

As a quick update to what's going on....another location for ministry to survivors of trafficking! 

Over the last year, Olga has been serving in the home in Moldova.  Her church in Russia sent her to serve the year with us, learning first hand about ministering to survivors of trafficking.  One of the things we quickly realized is that there are VERY FEW people actually doing ministry to survivors of trafficking.

There are loads of organizations that TALK about it, raise AWARENESS (whatever that means), and do sessions and conferences.  Very few have spent years walking through to healing.  Project Rescue is definitely the leader in that arena, though there are a handful of others.

Olga is going to eventually move to Odessa to start a similar ministry under the umbrella of her church.  Pastor Vitale is a fantastic church leader, with a great heart and vision.  He has located an excellent property just outside Odessa.  His church in Russia has already given over $50,000 to buy the property and we've committed to help with another $20,000.

The property has a shell of a house, so there will be future opportunities for funds and construction help.  We are excited for a church and leaders with vision to do the IMPOSSIBLE.  And we are blessed to be a small part of it.

 

Lift Up Your Hands....

I've been thinking about Moses lately, particularly the time when he needed assistance to win the battle.  Really, it wasn't Moses that was winning the battle, but the Lord, but for some strange reason, the victory depended on Moses's hands being raised.

If his hands dropped, the Israelites began to lose.
If he hands were up, the Israelites were winning.

What a strange dependence on human strength.  God must have done that for one reason--a lesson.  Was the lesson for Moses or for his leaders?  Why would God arrange victory based on Moses's energy?

Moses obviously became too tired to hold his arms up constantly.  I imagine he was shaking, aching, and ready to collapse.  But a couple of men came and held up his arms.  They stood next to him and held his arms up so the battle could be won.

That must have been humbling for Moses.  I wonder if he kept saying, "Hey guys, I can do this myself.  You don't have to grab my arms!"  If he was any kind of man, it must have bothered him!  No one wants to admit that he doesn't have the energy or power to do it himself. 

I think I need to admit now that I need some help holding my arms up.

Over the last couple of years, I've fought days of discouragement and depression.  I've had days where I felt judged and rejected.  I've felt the sting of criticism and backstabbing, the pressure from overwhelming needs and hurts, and the weariness from doing it so long...so long. 

I've tried to pray harder, read my Bible more, sleep more, exercise more, eat healthier, et al.  But my arms are still tired.  And it's hard to hold them up.

And it dawned on me that if I feel this way, there must be hundreds and thousands of pastors and church leaders that feel the same way. 

Weary.
Exhausted.
Unsure if they can hold their hands up any longer.

Perhaps I'm being too open here.  But I'd love to admit that I need some people who can pray for me and Nancy the same way we ask you to pray for Moldova and for Freedom Home.  It isn't a prayer for finances, or provision, or for blessing.  It is just a prayer for spiritual energy, a respite from God, for renewedness from Christ. 

Just thinking....

Prayer for Freedom Home

I have felt led for a number of weeks to challenge the women and staff to make this year a time of specific prayer.  God has already done such great things in the lives of each woman and child.  We need to pray that God will continue to do even greater things.

This is the first section of prayer requests.  The staff AND the women at the home are making these their prayer requests as well!

• Pray for the women that are not yet in Freedom Home.
• That we may make connections to at least 20 women this year that have yet to find healing.
• That God will give each of us divine meetings with women who need the home.
• That God will give us wisdom for opportunities to meet hurting women, whether at the hospital, women’s shelter, psychological hospital, street.
• Pray that we may find other women in Moldova who have faced trafficking, somehow coming alongside them so they may find freedom.

 

Freedom Summit

Three weeks ago, we led a summit in Istanbul entitled Freedom Summit.  This summit was a long time in the planning, a result of scores of questions, emails, and conversations.  It was for one purpose--to move people to action in developing front-line ministries to survivors of trafficking.

The summit was a smashing success.  We have about 45 people in attendance, with 10-12 nations represented.  We did not want to do a large conference, thus the size.  It was a ground-floor meeting with people who want to do something directly in ministry with survivors of trafficking.

This has been a passion of mine for the last year.  We need people to jump in and DO something.  Yes, there is a role for advocacy and awareness.  But we have a disproportionate amount of people serving in those areas, and only a handful of people who are dealing directly with the women.

Too many people want to fight the ISSUE, and not care for the PEOPLE.

The summit was about how we can work with the people who are still trapped or shattered because of the result.  It was a meeting and discussion for action.

And it was encouraging!  So many people want to get involved, not just talk about the problem. 

For two days, we went from testimonies, to practical sessions; sharing about what we learned and sessions about the Beattitude model of counseling.  Kyle Miller brought so much to the table with his counseling sessions, leading the discussion on personal healing as well.

Be praying for the aftermath of this summit.  (Yes, I chose the word "aftermath" because I think that Satan's world WILL face an aftermath of destruction to his kingdom due to the Church getting involved).  Pray for the work to be established Kosovo, with the team there meeting right now.  Pray for Vienna, and for the women dreaming about launching.  Pray for the work in Istanbul, and the daily work they are facing.  Pray for Tajikistan, and Greece, and the UK.  Pray for Odessa, Ukraine, and for Russia. 

And pray for a united front by all involved, that the Church will begin to build homes and ministries like Freedom Home across Eurasia, building a bullwark right on the gates of hell. 

Good Day

As we spend this year in the US, my life is one of constant motion.  My responsibilities are predominantly speaking, traveling from church to church, group to group, lunch to lunch.  I'm here to

REPORT on what God has been doing, sharing about the past 9 years. 
I am here to RAISE funds for the future, both the $4500 we need each month to support Freedom Home plus the variety of church projects we are working on. 
And I am also trying to RECONNECT with all my friends and family.  We feel the relational stretch from being gone from so many activities: weddings, birthdays, reunions. 

So services are wonderful.  Some are just OK.

But yesterday was a special day.  Not because of the location, though I thoroughly enjoyed the church in Austin.  Dave Simerson and the crew there have a wonderful church, and I enjoyed both services as well as lunch with friends. 

But it was special because Natalie came with me!  Every once in awhile, one of the girls sacrifices their chance for youth group and "their" church to come with me, listening to my stories for the 1000 time.  We had a great time...talking about salaries, vets, working at Coldstone (after we stopped for our afternoon treat), friends, Moldova, and music. 

I am not a missionary with a family.  We are five missionaries, each knowing that Moldova is where God has us for this moment of time.  We love the work, love the churches, and especially love the girls at Freedom Home. 

Thanks, Natalie, for being such a great daughter.

 

Pursuit

"Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

I read this verse this morning while traveling. That verb "pursue" seemed to leap off the page at me.  It is an intense word, full of a myriad of connections.

Years ago, I “pursued” my wife, interested in getting to know her more.  For years, my Novembers were filled with hours of pursuit for antlers and furs.  I've pursued a good sale, a good investment, and an old book.

But Paul admonished us to pursue a godly character.  I think he knew what was truly important.

If I gain all the money, all the fame, or all the knowledge, but not know Christ, I have pursued the wrong thing.

My prayer this morning has been simply for strength to make sure my greatest pursuit with be God, knowing the Father, Son, and Spirit more today than yesterday. 

Today, I will chase after Him.

Faith Based Mission

In AG World Missions, we do not operate with a predetermined salary, given budget, or central organization.  We are a faith-based missions organization, dependent on individuals and churches.  We raise our support and pledges, and out of that, the organization gives us a salary, with the rest going to the work.

Before we leave, we ask people if they would be willing to make a faith pledge to support the work in Moldova for the next term (or longer).  There is never a bill sent, thus the element of trust and faith.  No one is under no obligation to fulfill their pledge, and no debt collector will show up at one's door! 

This is the concept behind itineration, our travel schedule during our year in the U.S.  We travel back to supporters and churches, reporting about the work and raising for the years ahead.  We preach, speak, meet, drink coffee, have dinner, and in a myriad of other ways, toss out our vision for ministry and missions in Moldova.

We are totally dependent on churches and individuals to support Freedom Home each month.
We are dependent on them to finish a church building or purchase a new church.
We are dependent on them for the gas money to run our vehicle for outreaches.

The list could go on.  Outreaches, translation projects, education for Freedom Home kids and women, even the Summit we are organizing next month to start other ministries to survivors of trafficking.  All dependent each month.

Yes, we are a faith-mission, but we don't just leave the U.S. without a backing.  We budget and plan on the pledges that are sent in.  We work to find enough pledges to estimate the support.  If I raised a million dollars worth of support, I don't benefit personally.  It just gives us more work money to put into ministry and churches.

So that is the reason and method of our life.  And for that reason, we want to say thanks...to all those that have supported and pledged to build God's Church in Moldova.  Without you, none of this would be possible.  Thanks for your support.

 

 

 

STL

Last Sunday I had the privilege of sharing at Abundant Life Community Church in Alton, IL.  They did something this year that will turn out to be a huge blessing to Freedom Home in Moldova.

Their youth group bought a car.

Actually, they made a committment to raise money for Speed-the-Light, an A/G program that helps buy vehicles, sound systems, and other tools for missionaries.  And it is the youth that do the work.  It's their vision, their responsibility, and their way to GIVE.

This youth group raised over $25,000 to help buy a vehicle for Freedom Home, the aftercare home for Moldovan survivors of trafficking.  Incredible!

This is FAR beyond anything they had ever done, but with the vision of their youth pastor, Eric Hoffman, and a bunch of high level youth leaders, they somehow pulled it off.  They broke the old paradigm.  

It is interesting how often we have mental limits.  We think that we can only give $20 to a need.  Or that we are only capable of this one task or ministry.  Or that we can never read the Bible through in a year, or memorize a verse a week.  We think that believers can never tithe, never give to missions, never go on trips.  

We have these mental limits.  But faith is sometimes simply believing that those limits can be shattered.  And when we do, our entire perspective is changed.

What is the advantage of this youth group giving $25,000?  Well, it showed them that ridiculous dreams are possible.  That God blesses generosity.  That they can do incredible things.  That they can actually play a part in a Moldovan girl's healing.    That they have a purpose.

So I celebrate with these youth today.  And I wonder what paradigm's I need shattered?  What limits are you living with, barriers that need to be stretched and broken.  What are the big dreams out there for your church and your life?

Who Am I?

Yesterday I heard a comment that I've heard a thousand times.  Someone was introducing us to a group, and he said, "Andy and Nancy are missionaries to Moldova."

Something stopped within me. 

Is that who I am?

I think I am a person, who serves in the role of missionary.  I am a man, a follower of Christ.  But a missionary?  No...that is something I simply do.

Perhaps I'm splitting hairs, but there is something dangerous when we start to think what we DO is who we ARE.  It is especially dangerous if that DOING can set you apart from you you are.

This situation where this comment was made was a small group, a place where people come for safety, counseling, and encouragement.  I had visited with a couple of guys earlier that I am not sure if they knew much about church or God.  The last think I want to do is for people to label me "missionary," mostly because in Christiandom now that means "super-Christian."

I am far from super.  I am far from sainthood.  I am far from perfect.

I do happen to serve in a unique situation, doing some unique work.  I think God has called us there, His strength and my stubbornness help me stay there.  We are trying to do work that I am unsure of, struggle with, and at times, pray that survives.  I get frustrated with traffic, imperfect churches, and the stress of going to grocery stores.

And I'm a missionary?

No, I'm just an ordinary guy, doing what he can do to show God's grace and mercy.  I want to glorify God in all I do.  Some days that desire is greater than other days.  Some days I'd rather quit and go milk cows, or sell shoes, or mow lawns. 

So next time introduce me a Andy...an ordinary guy trying to serve God, be a good husband and father, serve in ministry...and who happens to serve as a missionary for some strange reason.  Just ordinary...Andy.

Stumbling

I have a few minutes before I head over to Church on the Move in Plains, MT, for the service this morning.  I am going to do something I haven't done much of for the last few weeks.

Write.

I am not sure why I haven't been writing.  I'm behind on newsletters, blogging, even emails.  We arrived back in the US the end of July, and something happened.  I just lost the words. 

Nothing there.  Nada.  Zip. 

I wanted to write, but it was if my system had gone into shock mode...from the culture, from the exhaustion, from the overload.  My one creative outlet felt draining, not refreshing.

Am I the only one who's ever been in that type of condition or mood? 

You would think I would have loads of energy.  I'm back where life is easy (grocery stores, convenience, smooth roads).  I'm back where I can speak English, with friends and family. 

But life has seemed to become one ENORMOUS to-do list.  I have hundreds of support letters to get out.  I still haven't finished painted and setting up our house.  I have services to schedule, calls to make, pastors to see, newsletters to write...plus I'd kind of like to take care of myself.

Sorry...this isn't meant to be a woe-is-me kind of note.  Not intending that.  I know every one has there own enormous load of life, some much more strenuous than mine.  It is meant to be MY exploration of why I let that load stop me from writing.

I am trying to stumble my way back to stability.  I want to emerge from this  shocked-state of life, and get back to running.  And I want to do it with passion and joy.

Through Thick and Thin

We have now been back in the US over three weeks.  Of course, within those three weeks we have already been to six states, covering thousands of miles.  We have said hello to only a fraction of the people we want to see. 

But even in three weeks, I am starting to feel that "stretching" feeling.  We have been away from our friends now for over 9 years, and life has just gone by.  When you only see someone once every 5 years, the friendship can never grow, and time has a way of stretching out those connections thinner and thinner each passing year.  I have a million friendships, but the vast majority are only an inch deep.

I am looking forward to rebuilding some of those connections this year, but I am also realistic that I can never build them with everyone.  To some, I am just a "missionary" friend that comes by once ever few years.  We just don't live here anymore. We will always be old friends from the past.

I am now understanding why missionaries of 40+ years overseas have a hard time coming back to the US.  Everyone they know well doesn't live here!

I'm praying for some time with FRIENDS this year (as well as family).  Looking forward to time with some people where we can just relax and be ourselves, rather than just their "missionary."  And I'm challenging myself to not let the thousands of inch-deep relationships tire me out from the time with those friends with whom I can go deeper.

 

Roots

I am up in the middle of the night.  I already gave up the fight for sleep and decided that 3 am would be a nice time to get a few things accomplished!

We have now been in the US 30 hours.  We find ourselves in the state of trying to establish life here: hunting for a vehicle to buy, shopping for furniture to use this year, and getting things set for our one year of itineration.  We are trying to get some roots down--FAST.

Roots.  It is probably the key issue for us right now, the reason we have mixed feelings about returning to the US this year.  We love Moldova, and we have deep roots there.  Our relationships with the pastors is deep.  Our love and connections to the girls at Freedom Home is heavily invested. 

We have deep roots there.

But we also have strong relationships here in the US.  The girls are thrilled to see their cousins and friends again.  Nancy and I are looking forward to reconnecting with our family and friends as well.  We are going to enjoy a year of smooth roads and the ease of life in the US.  We look forward to rebuilding some roots here.

But we want to be there. 
And we want to be there.

This year of itineration will be different.  We've left deeper roots in Moldova, and a larger portion of our heart has never left.  But we are starved for time with you...our friends that we've missed. 

So if we sound rather multiple-personality about this whole year in the states, please understand.  No matter where we live now, Moldova or America, part of us still resides in the other. 

Perhaps that is the life of a follower of Christ anyway?  Always anticipating the "other side?"