A Change in Perspective

It was this time last year that we first made a trip together to visit Hungary. December is a special time to visit any foreign country and to experience their holiday and traditions. Budapest was definitely getting ready for Christmas with their lighted trees and decorated shopping centers. We enjoyed visiting the Christmas vendors at a local street fair and tasting the unique flavors of the season. The shopping mall we visited reminded us so much of the Circle Center Mall in Indianapolis with its multi-level decorations. Little did we know that only a year later so much in our life would be changing...that God would be moving us so distinctively toward missions and that we would be excited and ready to follow!

It truly saddens us to think that Christmas has become so much about the gifts and so little about the Gift. We would have to admit that in years past our wish list was not for want...but suprisingly this year we could find very little to write upon it. Through the process of God's calling on our lives and our preparation to go overseas, we have come to the realization that stuff only amounts to more stuff, and what truly matters to us at Christmas is that someone has not yet heard the news that Christ came to this earth to be our Savior. That He is the greatest one true Gift from God and that God wants to bestow that Gift upon all of us.

This year the gift we are thankful for is a change in perspective. Would you like to have this kind of gift? Things will never look the same!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:8-11

Living in the Meanwhile

This week we had an opportunity to take Carter to a local farm where they grow pumpkins. We rode in a hay wagon for a short distance and were delivered to this "pumpkin patch". To our surprise, the pumpkins were growing in among their Christmas trees. At first, I thought it was little strange to see them all together in the same field, but in retrospect they seem to be putting their field to good use. The slow growing evergreens take many years to mature to Christmas tree height, so in the meantime they use the field each year to grow pumpkins for the fall season. Obviously the growers know that it is not just about the end result but how the field can be used in the meanwhile...

It seems to be the perfect word picture for what God has been teaching us this past week. It is about "living in the meanwhile". What does that mean exactly? Often our lives as Christians revolve around the destination instead of on the journey. However, we don't just wake up one day and find ourselves being used by God; rather God uses us and molds us through the process. Unfortunately we don't always take time to recognize the opportunities along the path or the blessing amidst our trials...we should be reminded of the verse in Romans "..we know that in all things God works for good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (v 8:28) It doesn't say that "in the end" all things work for good. We're talking about in the "now". We often find that it is in the "meanwhile" we prove our faith and refine our spiritual life through God's active work in our lives.

When we were children people would often ask "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Are you waiting to "grow up" and be what God has called you to be? Remember, God is not just interested in our future. He is interested in how we are "living in the meanwhile."

Are You Lost?

A few weeks ago, we took a friend of ours to a local craft fair and were greatly amused by a sign near the parking lot. Husbands If Lost Wait Here. It made us all chuckle, especially when Jonathan agreed to pose for this picture. I wonder how many husbands patiently waited by the sign while their wives were exploring the crafts with the checkbook! How many people actually get lost at a craft fair? There was a large crowd that day, but would you actually stand around waiting to be found?

What about those people in our lives who are lost spiritually? Are they waiting to be found? In Luke 15 Jesus shares his view:

Luke 15:4-6 Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'

He didn't say he went out to find a group of lost sheep, or a couple of lost sheep...he searched for the one lost. Do you notice the one friend who is missing from the kingdom? The one family member? The one co-worker? Jonathan and I feel called to minister to the lost people of Hungary, but would be go for one lost Hungarian? Would you go for one?

Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I think the reality is that Jesus came to this earth to die for us...and he would have come and died for one of us.

Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty

Having a toddler really opens your eyes to a new world. Simple things become challenges, mundane things become new and fascinating...it's all in the eyes of the beholder.

This summer we took a family vacation to the beach. It was the first time for Carter to ever see the ocean. What a special moment it was to step into the sand with him and experience it anew. Each seashell was a treasure to collect; every wave caused a twinge of panic. Oh to see things as a child sees. Unlike most boys, however, Carter does not like to get his hands dirty. Sand or dirt on his hands or shoes is inspected with concern and a desire to brush it away. Much to our dismay, after a few visits down to the shoreline we were carrying him everytime we inched near the sand. There was no sandcastle building or burying of toes, just tears and clinging arms around our necks. We find humor in the experience now, but it was a cause of frustration when we were there.

I was thinking today about how many times we miss out on an experience or an opportunity because we are not willing to get our hands dirty. Sometimes, I will admit, it just seems like a lot of hard work serving God. It seems easier to just not get involved. But the reality is "world-changers wear work gloves." A pastor reminded us of this a few weeks ago. "Spectators never know the fulfillment of participants." Am I willing to be an active participant? Am I willing to get my hands dirty? Bill Hybels wrote "Nothing can be compared to the thrill of serving God, of truly being used by Him to make an eternal difference in the lives of people and advancing His purposes in the world."

We didn't want Carter to miss out on the beach and I don't want to miss out on what God has for me. I'm sure in time that Carter will overcome his aversion to dirt and he will have a beach experience that will go down in the memory books...until then, we'll have to be the ones getting our hands dirty.

What are you fishing for?

Sometimes it seems like things just aren't going the way you would like them to. It's been a tough week at work, the terrible twos are creeping upon us, communication breakdown slows our progress...It can be discouraging when it all falls on us at once. It definitely has a way of dampening that "cheerful spirit" we're called to have. Some days we just feel dragged down by the ankles! I have to ask myself "How do we keep focused on our goals amidst the discouragements?"

I am reminded of a story in Luke. Jesus comes upon Simon Peter, James and John who have just returned from a long night of very unsuccessful fishing. They're tired, they're probably cranky, and they're probably not in the mood to head out to sea again. But Jesus asks them to put out a little way from the shore while he speaks to the crowd from their boat. After awhile, Jesus asks Peter to put out into the deep water and let down their nets for a catch (Luke 5:2-10). Peter sums up all his frustrations into one response, "We worked hard all night and caught nothing" but Peter decides to do what Jesus asks. The result - their nets became so full that the fish filled both boats so that they began to sink. Simon Peter realizes his inadequacy. But then Jesus tells Peter that he is going to be catching men!

Sometimes life brings up empty nets and weary hearts. Have you been working all night and come up with nothing? In Luke we find a Savior who spots us in our weariness and leaves the crowd to solve our frustrations. Jesus encourages us, "Let's try again - this time with me on board... We're going to be catching men."

It's a long road

It's not just about commitment and willingness - it's also about action.

We got to thinking about this a few weeks ago after a service we attended at church. Sometimes it seems we, as Christians, fall into the trap of believing "if I am willing, that is sufficient". God has called us to something and we have responded. We have recognized his voice and want to do his will. But unfortunately, it is easy to leave it at that. If I sing a chorus that says that I am "willing to be opened up and broken", do I really mean it? Am I surprised when God acts or asks me to act?

There have been times in the past that we have recognized God's call to missions in our lives, but we have failed to act. Now that we have moved forward in action, it is tempting to look at the long road before us and want to give up. Satan works in our daily lives and in our minds to plant discouragements and doubts. If we let it, it can slow our steps and weaken our resolve. Our prayer is that God would call us to action - daily. Even if that means taking one baby step on this momentous journey, even if it means we can only crawl.

The chorus we sang at church that night has continued to reminded us that we must go. "God of Justice" by Tim Hughes is a powerful reminder that we all are called to action. Watch and listen...

I once was lost, but now I am found...

Have you ever been to a foreign country, one where they don't speak English? Few Hungarians we met were fluent in English. It is easy at first to overlook this fact because of all the Western influence that permeates its capital. McDonald's, Subway, Kentucky Fried Chicken...even TGI Friday's can be found on the streets of Budapest. One Hungarian restaurant even touted a "Kentucky" burger lathered in BBQ sauce. We were not ignorant to the fact that English isn't their first language, however it became very evident one evening on our trip. We decided to venture out, just the two of us, without Jonathan's parents (our "tour guides" for the trip). We had our Budapest street map, our Hungarian phrase book, and forints (money) in our pockets. We were going souveneir shopping.

Or at least, that was the plan. Several metro rides and a bus trip later, we realized we were not where we were supposed to be. We tried to take it all in stride, tried not to feel that panic deep down inside. We reviewed the street map, studied the bus schedule. But alas, we were lost. After several attempts to decode the clues to our whereabouts, we decided to find some assistance. We tried on several attempts to communicate with the Hungarian people...hand gestures, botched Hungarian phrases, confused looks...but we couldn't find anyone who spoke English. Finally, we ran into a young couple from Sweden who spoke English. They were kind enough to point us in the right direction. Ironically, we had been close to our final destination when we started our wild goose chase.

It's funny how what we were looking for was close by all along. We just couldn't understand the signs, or the messages of the people around us. Sometimes we make something very simple more complicated than it has to be. Christianity can be that way if we let it. We think we have to translate this crazy thing called religion into something we can understand. The thing is, God is standing right close by, waiting on us. Or rather, looking for us. He speaks our language. He knows the best way to communicate with each and every person. If we stop looking up at the street signs, the bus routes, the metro stops....tune out the noise of the world around us and just listen - we will hear a familiar voice. One that is out to find us, and save us from being lost.

Patience is a Virtue (or so they say)

If you have ever been around a toddler, you will agree that they have very little patience. They have no comprehension of the word "wait", especially when there is something in sight that they want now! It can be a challenge as a parent to explain the reason and/or benefits of waiting for something. I suppose God must feel this way sometimes about us. We, in our human nature, want to charge forth with action. Unfortunately, that is not always the reaction that is necessary. God's timing sometimes requires great patience.

As we have travelled on this path to missions, Jonathan and I have learned the great lesson of patience. So, what is so great about having to wait? - God has great lessons for us in the process. We continue to be refined and sharpened. In retrospect we can see the changes he has made in our lives and how that better prepares us to serve him now and in the future. Of course, we still yearn to serve now, but we know that God's timing is perfect and therefore, we won't rush things.

Visiting Hungary

In December of 2006, Jonathan and I had the opportunity to visit Hungary - my first visit and Jonathan's first time visiting since he lived there in high school. It was a special experience for us both. We were able to finally step foot in the place we were being called to. Since our visit, God has been working on our hearts and preparing us to walk down the path he has for us. We are in the process of completing our application with OMS International to become full-time missionaries. It is not a quick process, or an easy one, but we are taking each step as it comes with faithfulness to God's call.

A Country Called Hungary

The Beginning...
So you're probably wondering, how did you get the call to be missionaries to Hungary? For us, being able to describe how we feel is like trying to explain the detailed intricacies of the human body. It has become so intertwined in our hearts and our minds. Don't get me wrong, at first it didn't come to us so easily - or naturally for that matter. Rather, it has been a life-long working of God's will for our lives. Slowly, with pursuance, God has directed us toward His path.

Most definitely influencing in Jonathan's life was his experience living in Budapest, Hungary as a teenager. After returning home to the States, Jonathan felt a tugging in his heart for the people of Hungary. It wasn't until after we were married that Jonathan first mentioned this to his father. His father encouraged him to pray about it and seek God's clarity in the matter. This feeling for Hungary was not always in the forefront of his life, but was consistently in his heart. Corinne, on the other hand, did not have the unique opportunity to know Hungary first hand. However, God allowed her to know Hungary in her heart and to know their need for him.

As we began to recognize our desire to serve God through ministry, it became clear to us that full-time missions was the path for us. God confirmed this to both of us in unique and powerful ways. God's timing is perfect, though not always swift, and so it has continued to be a process teaching us to learn patience and dependence on God.