They have been told

The big question that I have had over the last couple of months was how to let people know that I would be leaving. Slowly I have been telling different groups of people and asking for prayer.

My family was quite easy, because they are very mission minded. Then I shared it with my community group which was exciting, but difficult not knowing if I would ever return to Lebanon. I told the staff at East Linn so that they could begin looking for a replacement. The track kids were next. Then it came down to my students.

This was the hardest, how would I get across to them my reasons for leaving. After these many months I knew that I needed to share before it got to them by other people. So today before spring break I finally broke the news to them. God is so good! This is opening up doors to be an example of what it means to follow God no matter what.

Thanks for all the prayers.

What is "All in for the Mission of God"?

I am off to Indonesia! Some of you are probably saying "what?" Here is the story of why...

Many years ago a good friend, who shared my birthday, decided that they were going to go teach overseas. At a missionary kid school in the Philippines. I thought to myself once I get through college that is what I need to do. Go teach overseas and be a light for the Gospel of Christ. This all took place at the ripe years of middle school. Many things happened between then and now.

Let's skip ahead to college. I had the great opportunity to attend Corban Universtiy (aka Western Baptist College/Corban College). When I reached Corban I had resolved by that point to teach in a public school. I was fairly certain I knew exactly where I would end up and I made my plans. Little did I know, my plans were not God's final plans. I had the chance to spend an extra year at Corban. Throughout that year my plans fell apart and I had to rely upon God for his plans. When that year finished a friend told me of an opening at a Christian school in Lebanon. At this point I was unsure of what to do, so I applied and got the job.

While teaching at this school I had grown to love the valley. Grown to love the families; grown to love the schools; best of all, grown to love the church body that I am a part of. I thought I would be here for many years. But God has a different mission. Last year, I had begun to look into teaching overseas again. At that time it felt too soon so I pushed it to the back burner. This school year before Christmas break I was listening to Pastor JD Greear from the Summit Church, North Carolina. During his All-In series, he asked this question:

"Are you all-in in the mission of God with your life? Not just are you committed to the church on the weekend, but with the biggest parts of your life."

What is the biggest part of my life? Teaching.

God’s calling of me to teaching was first a call to the mission field. He's never relinquished that call on my life.  

After hearing this sermon it got me thinking, am I going all in for the mission of God in teaching? 

No I wasn't. So I asked a few people to begin praying that I would be willing and attentive to God's leading.

I applied at a school, in Indonesia a few of my friends teach at, and placed it all before God.

Fast forward to today March 19. I am going all -in for the mission of God in Indonesia.

Jesus’ summarized this mission in Matthew 28:18 ‘Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded of you.'

As of now I will be teaching at SPH(Sekolah Pelita Harpan) International Kemang Village.

I will be teaching elementary students. The plane tickets are purchased for July 21st.

For now this is just a two year commitment. My job is not to look at this as just 2 years, but at how I can be obedient to the call of furthering Jesus' Gospel.

Please pray as I prepare:

That I would finish this year well

Be brave when getting my shots :) (Really I hate them)

That I would understand all I need to pack

Most of all that I continually seek God and serve Him

Thanks to those at Wellspring, Valley Life, and East Linn for already praying.