Practice what you preach

Psalm 119:11-16 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. 

I think that's the problem with most of us.   We are often very quick to forget His Word.  This time, God wasn't about to let that happen.  When I was preaching my heart out in Portuguese on John 11 on Sunday night in Brazil, I would have never dreamed what He had in mind to burn  those truths into my heart on Monday night back in Humble, TX.

Before leaving the US, I had in mind a message to preach to Congregacao Batista da Ressurecao when given the opportunity, but during my morning time alone with God on Wednesday, the Spirit made it very clear that He wanted me to share from John 11, the story of Lazarus's resurrection from the dead.  As He opened the eyes of my heart to the profound truths in this well known Bible story, I savored each morsel He laid out for me on His banquet table and looked forward to encouraging His people.  

When the time came to preach in Portuguese again, as always, I wondered if the words would come.  Carried on the prayers of His people, they did come and I humbly realized that the Holy Spirit was declaring His Word through His privileged servant.  Considering the distress Mary and Martha were going through with the grave sickness of their beloved brother, Lazarus, God wanted us to remember that, no matter what we are going through, He loves us.  All the time. He loves us so much that He weeps with us when we weep.  He also made very clear that His timing is perfect and that the reason He often waits to answer our prayers is because He loves us and wants to work out the bigger plan.  

John 11:3-4 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 

When the final words were spoken, I thought the sermon was over, but it had only just begun. 

A few hours later, we started our journey back across the ocean which was pretty uneventful save for the fact that we departed at 3:15 am and had a 3 hour layover in Panama.  Back in the US, it was time for a late lunch and my Chickfila salad was delicious but didn't really sit well. I thought that my stomach was just readjusting but the pain got worse through the afternoon.  

As the pain intensified, so did my prayers.  "Why Lord?  Can't this just pass so I can get some sleep?  Oh God, help me."   When my prayers for relief were met with the awkward silence that means "just hold on and trust Me" we knew I needed to see a Dr, so a friend came over to stay with the kids and we headed to the ER around 1 AM.  In extreme pain, Danyel drove me through the silent night and at the hospital, pain medicine came quickly so I was feeling sane again. It was quickly determined that I had appendicitis and needed to have my appendix removed.  My care has been guided by His loving hands and we have taken many opportunities to listen to the stories of our caregivers and to testify to God's grace in our own lives.  The Body of Christ has been at my bedside laying on hands in prayer and laughing with us at the crazy experiences that come with pain meds and anesthesia.

Over and over again I have thanked God that none of this happened in Brazil or especially on the plane, allowing us to be in more comfortable surroundings with the people we love to help care for us.  This all could have gone very differently, and appendixes are removed everyday in Brazil, too, but I am so grateful that He chose to let all of this unfold as it did.  

"This sickness is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

Thanks so much for joining us along the journey in prayer.

This is My Father's World

It's just another day in paradise and it's one of our favorite parts of the trip.  We swam with pink dolphins in the Amazon River, fed monkeys, held a sloth, anaconda and a baby alligator, fished for enormous strong Amazon fish called Pirarucu, saw lily pads that could hold up a small child, ate delicious Brazilian food at a floating restaurant, and had a wonderful day enjoying creation.

I could hardly stop singing one of my favorite hymns:

This is my Father’s world, And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white, Declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong Seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world: The battle is not done:

Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heav’n be one.  

Here's my favorite version: Jadon Lavik This is My Father's World

Please pray for us as we head home tonight and I'll send a final update of our last day of service when I get home.

 

How crazy do you have to be to take your kids on an internationalmission trip?

It's day 7 and we've reached a point in the trip that sometimes takes me by surprise........again.  I've had it many times before but it feels so selfish and unspiritual especially with a title like Family Life Pastor and all.  It's that point where you ask yourself, "Why did we bring the kids?"  Yes.  I said it. It's a question that goes through your head when the heat and the exhaustion and the stomach aches and the mosquito bites take your mind where you really "feel" like going.

The thought is fed by the fact that the sibling rivalry, laziness, respect challenges and general messiness that come with taking kids anywhere actually follows you on a mission trip, too.  Don't ever let the pictures deceive you into thinking that our kids have been unstoppable warriors for the gospel all week, never complaining or making faces when the food on their plates was unrecognizable or when other parents let their kids do it so "why don't you let us?"  

This week our kids have been kids.  Nothing magical happened when they stepped on the airplane for a mission trip.  They came just as they were, and just as we all are...works in progress.

But amazing progress we have truly seen.  They have prayed for the sick, boldly shared the gospel and loved the least of these and they will never be the same.  Perhaps the best part is that we have shared these kingdom experiences together. That means that the "God stories" that the rest of our friends and family just won't ever fully understand no matter how hard we try to explain them have become part of our family's shared history.  If taking kids on an international mission trip makes you crazy, then crazy we are. 

His hands and feet

I never cease to be amazed at how God is always ready to use those who are willing to step out of their comfort zones. Whenever I've done that, I've always found that there is a special grace that has flowed to and through me to those around me.  Having led countless mission teams through the years of all ages, I've watched God use His people and bless and change them in the process, but I'm not sure when it's ever meant more than now, when my team members will go home with me because they are my family.

Without any doubt, the family dynamic also brings plenty of its own challenges like sibling disputes and very close quarters for a week, but it's all completely worth it to have front row seats as we watch Jesus change the lives of our children as He stretches them physically, mentally and spiritually.  

These pictures tell some of the story of how God's hands and feet are being extended through us to orphans and children in extreme poverty.  Through us, Jesus has given piggy back rides, fave painting, hugs, high fives, smiles, soccer games, craft help, songs, prayers and the precious gospel to some of the amazing kids He has created for His glory and none of us will ever be the same.  

Thanks for joining us on the journey in prayer!

Loving the least of these

Yesterday was an amazing day at The Father's Heart orphanage in Manaus.  We love the way this ministry takes care of some of the most vulnerable children in this society and there are so many. Barry and Vania Hall are heroes of the faith as they work tirelessly to rescue children from horrendous circumstances that the local authorities find the kids in.  When they arrive at the Father's Heart, they are home.  Even non-believers who visit have said how strongly they feel God's love here.  

We had the privilege of joining in their work by playing with happy kids, calming the upset, rocking babies to sleep, helping with homework, making crafts and sharing the story from God's Word of how incredibly special each one of them is in God's sight.  

Our kids have been amazing and it's awesome to see how quickly they are able to connect with kids and how effectively God can use them on the mission field.  

We are headed back today for more fun and we will be sharing the gospel through special gospel soccer balls and hoping to work on some soccer skills as well in a local park.  

Please continue to pray for these precious ones to believe the truth about how much God loves them and how much they need a Savior.

Thanks for joining us on the journey!

Everything you have for us.......

" I receive everything you have for us today, Lord."

This is the prayer the Holy Spirit has placed in my heart this morning and I'm honestly not sure I want to pray it.  One of my favorite references to Jesus in literature is when he is represented by Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia. In that ageless story of the adventures of some chosen children they realize that he isn't safe, but He's good.  

That's what my prayer feels like:  not safe, but good.  Late last night, this team of ten made it to our home for the week in beautiful Manaus safely, but I don't think that's the ultimate goal for us.  As we continue to follow the Master, He may lead us wherever He wishes.  As we step out in His name into unknown territory, we give Him the right to stretch us, to change us and to create more out of us than we knew was possible.

Thanks for joining us on the journey and we continue to covet your prayers.

Here we go!

The Pennings and the Humphreys are ready to serve as we depart for Panama and then on to Manaus.  

Back to Brazil!

24 hours from now, we'll be waiting at the airport to board a plane headed back to our beloved Brazil for yet another mission opportunity with our kiddos.  At 10, 11 and 13, we are amazed at the doors God has opened for our kids to serve alongside us in the land of their birth.

We can hardly wait to serve and share the gospel with our brothers and sisters in Manaus as we love orphans and impoverished kids through Backyard Bible Clubs and Soccer Clinics.

I'll do my best to keep the updates coming so you can keep us covered in prayer.

Thanks for praying for us and joining us on the journey!

5 years ago today

5 years ago today, it finally happened.  We finally met 3 little Brazilian orphans, two sisters and a brother who, until that time, we knew as merely pictures and a grainy 10 second video. Our hearts had ached and prayed and hoped and dreamed of them, but on that day, there they were.

Years of waiting for a referral ended on the day we got the call, that was followed by the email in which 3 precious children's faces slowly downloaded onto our screens and took our breath away.  Then came what seemed like endless months of more and more permissions, paperwork, inspections, trips to the Brazilian consulate, trips to Target, all interspersed with tears and prayers as we waited and waited and waited.

But 5 years ago today, the waiting was finally over. Two excited, hopeful, scared Americans were about to meet them.  Was this really happening?  As we awoke that morning, we didn't know what was happening on the other side of the orphanage wall.  Orphanage workers awoke three little sleepy heads and told them that today was the day they would meet their new parents.  Hair had to be brushed, and they'd finally get to wear the little red, white and blue outfits that they'd received in the care package from this mysterious couple who had promised to love and take care of them.

I can only imagine what must have been running through their little 4, 5 and 7 year old minds.  What would they really be like?  Will they be fun?  Will they be rich?  Will we really play in the snow like in all of the movies about America?

That day, 5 years ago today, theirs weren't the only minds filled with questions and wonder.  What would it be like to suddenly be the parents of 3 after 15 years of marriage and freedom?  Would they like us? Would they be scared to death?  Would they be picky eaters?  Would they believe us when we told them we'd take good care of them?  Would they be strong-willed?  Would they like it in America or would they wish they could be back in Brazil?  Would the dogs scare them?  Would they grow to love Jesus one day?

Then it all happened so fast.  We pulled up to the orphanage, rang the doorbell, and all of a sudden, there they were!  As Steven Curtis Chapman put it, "In a moment what had been was lost in what will be."

With joy-filled hearts, tear-filled eyes, and huge hugs, two Americans and three Brazilians who'd never met suddenly became a family of five.

It's still almost too much to comprehend, this miracle of adoption.  How God can infuse you with a love that is both instantaneous and ever-growing for someone you've never met.

5 years later, all of this seems like such ancient history, hidden behind the priceless memories we've already made together over these years together.  Before, we could have never imagined the life God had in store for us.  A life of deep joy and sometimes overwhelming sorrow as we love the little ones whom life has dealt such difficult blows.  Now, it's impossible to imagine life without two girls and a boy who have been grafted into this family tree and into our hearts.

And today, like every other July 8, is our Family Day!  It's the day we'll spend the day together having fun, enjoying each other and giving thanks to the Father of the Fatherless for fulfilling the longings of all five of our hearts.

"This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes."  Psalm 118:23

  

A Strong, Gentle Force of Hand

All is well and all are feeling pretty happy at this point!  Thanks to your prayers, we have new plane tickets at a mere fraction of the original $11,000 price tag quoted to us last night. (Yes, you read that right!!!)  Now we will be departing Sunday night at midnight (yes, we're positive :) )  and arriving Monday around lunch time.  Did I mention how many times the agent went over the new itinerary with me before she'd let me walk away. Pretty hilarious indeed!

It's immediately apparent that at least three things were known to God, that were not known to us:

1.  All of the kids had hatched a secret plot to pray that they could have (at least ) one more day together.  It worked!

2. On our way home from the airport, we met some great folks involved in a ministry with children from our friends' church that our August team will almost certainly serve with. Who knew?

3.  God knew how much all of us needed just a little more time together to relax , to encourage and to be encouraged by some of our favorite people on the planet before these kingdom servants depart for a new work in a few months!

Of course He knows infinitely more than we do at all times and as the text from my pastor said this morning "Our Sovereign Father reigns in all our affairs."

What joy to rest in His presence and know that He always knows best!

Like a good Father, sometimes it's time for a strong, gentle force of hand.

Stuck and Humbled in Brazil

This is the blog post I don't want to enter. It's the lesson I don't want to learn, not today, not now.  I've been fighting against it all morning because I don't really want to admit what went wrong last night, but here goes.

After tearful goodbyes and many prayers, we headed out for the airport with plenty of time to spare, mostly ready to get on our 12:01 am flight and head for home. As we placed our first bag on the scales, the kind attendant began to look up our reservation when a troubled look came over his face. He looked again at the computer and then asked another airline worker to confirm, that's when he broke the news to us:

Our 12:01 am flight on Friday, March 13 left when it was supposed to, at 12:01 am.  The problem was that neither Danyel, nor I, nor our missionary friend had caught it. We showed up at the airport on Friday, March 13 expecting to board a plane at 12:01, but WE WERE ONE DAY LATE!!!!!

There, I said it.  I don't want to admit it because I've traveled the world far too many times for this to be true, but we simply missed our flight by 24 hours.  Although they tried to get us on the flight last night, because there was space available, somehow in the craziness of trying to get this all figured out at 11:00 at night, it didn't happen, so our missionary friends came to pick us back up and we came back to their place in shock.

Now the systems are down for TAM airlines and we are awaiting a phone call from them to tell us what our options are. We hope to get on a flight this afternoon or tonight, but we need your prayers.

Please pray:

                    - that we will be shown grace and favor with the airlines
                    - that we can get a reservation soon and as for as minimal of a cost as possible

Here's one final piece of advice:  If you ever find yourself with a 12:01flight, make sure you know which day it will be on.  But, if you forget to look and find yourself in a jam, don't let your pride keep you from asking for the prayers of God's people.

"Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor." Proverbs 18:12

Thanks for joining us on the journey!

Wrapping things up

Today we spent the morning getting to know downtown Manaus, especially the open air markets.  The first one we saw was called the banana market and you can see the reason why below.  It was a bustling place full of more bananas than you can imagine as well as countless other exotic and more well known fruits.  We got to have fresh coconut water, one of our Brazilian favorites and then to try several fruits, but my new favorite has to be rambutan, the coolest little deep pink hairy fruit I've ever seen.  It was so delicious that I had to buy a few for the road.

Then it was on to the fish and meat market, where the smell was strong and the people were excited to share their catch of peacock bass and countless others.

After lunch, Danyel led a Bible study for some of the missionary wives while the kids played and my friend and I scouted out accommodations for the August trip.

The hardest thing about tomorrow being our last day will be saying goodbye to our dear friends, but we look forward to our return in August, God-willing.

Please pray for us Friday night as we board a plane at midnight to begin the journey home. 

Your prayers have sustained us and God has granted healing and special grace to our kids who have a new appreciation for all that they have and for their native land.

Thanks for joining us on the journey!

Amazon memories

Today my family boarded a boat and headed up the Rio Negro, an enormous tributary of the Amazon River to visit a training camp for young Brazilian missionaries called Amazon Radicals.  We made so many memories swimming in the river, eating exotic native fruits, watching our friend climb an acai tree, hiking in the Amazon jungle, and swinging on vines, but there's one thing I want to remember  more than all of these things.  I am asking God to never let me forget the young Brazilian missionaries my family and I met today. Each one of them has committed themselves for two years to go through rigorous training in everything from jungle survival to church planting.  They began their three months of training this week at the camp, after which time they'll go out two by two up the river to communities that haven't yet heard the good news of Jesus.

One of the missionaries had a story that touched me deeply that came forth as he shared his testimony with the other racers.  He and his family first heard the gospel when Amazon Radical missionaries who'd been through this same training brought the gospel to his village 5 years ago. As he shared his story, he lamented the fact that no one had brought the gospel sooner so that past generations could have also been saved from a life of hopelessness without Christ.  Now that the gospel has taken root in his life, his passion has grown to make the name of Christ known among those who haven't yet been reached.

Another of them had already come through the training once but had not been able to finish the two year term after contracting malaria followed by an accident where he fell into a log in the river and broke his nose. This young man had to leave the program and was undoubtedly discouraged, but his passion for the lost wouldn't let him stay away.  This time, he's going back through the training, unwilling to stop until the lost have heard. He has put his hand to the plow and he isn't turning back.

That's what I most want to remember about today.  I want most to remember to pray for these young radical missionaries as they train and as they go, that their passion might catch fire in my own heart and the hearts of all others whom they touch.

As you see their picture and their names below, please join with me and intercede for them.

Thanks for joining us on the journey!