We are eager to bring you up to speed with some big changes in our lives. We feel blessed to have so many people who believe that God will use us to help his Kingdom grow. Thank you. We think about you all often and pray for the Holy Spirit to empower you as you live for his glory.
We completed all of our training and reached 100% of our support in February. The Lord made our path straight and everything came together until we reached the final point of buying our tickets to the Philippines. But suddenly the Lord has clearly shut the door to the Philippines. The missionaries who were going to mentor us in cross cultural living and ministry are moving to other countries. As a result, Mission to the World is working with us to find a new field of service.
As you can imagine this took us by surprise and we have had a hard time letting go of a growing love and vision for the Filipinos. As we seek God’s leading we are getting counsel from MTW, some key mentors, and our home church. These people have reminded us of the truth that God is in charge and his plans cannot be thwarted. Even though the situation seems very confusing to us, this is all part of his perfect plan. We are looking to him as we seek direction for our future. We have come to a place of peace, thanking God for his providence.
This prayer from the Valley of Vision has been the cry of our hearts through this process.
O God, whose will conquers all, there is no comfort in anything apart from enjoying thee and being engaged in thy service. Thou art All in all, and all enjoyments are what to me thou makest them, and no more. I am well pleased with thy will, whatever it is, or should be in all respects, and if thou bidst me decide for myself in any affair, I would choose to refer all to thee, for thou art infinitely wise and cannot do amiss, as I am in danger of doing. I rejoice to think that all things are at thy disposal, and it delights me to leave them there. Then prayer turns wholly into praise, and all I can do is to adore and bless thee. What shall I give thee for all thy benefits? I am in a strait betwixt [between] two, knowing not what to do; I long to make some return, but have nothing to offer, and can only rejoice that thou doest all, that none in heaven or on earth shares thy honor. I can of myself do nothing to glorify thy blessed name, but I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body to thee.
We are looking into several options at this point. We ask for your prayers and patience as we are eager to move forward. We hope to let you know very soon of our future plans. Thank you for standing with us as we seek to serve our Savior.
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Dear Jeff & Heather,
Peace and Grace be with you in the name of our Lord. I have been a visited Redeemer PCA on several occasions and just returned from the Philippines on April 1, 2007. When I read the news you were to do missionary work in the Philippines my heart was delighted. My wife Dorothy is still visiting her family in the Philippines in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, which is on the island of Mindanao. I do not know if MTW directly coordinates with the Presbyterian Church of the Philippines or not if so this is their web link at http://www22.brinkster.com/gapcp/ perhaps they could assist you in coordinating your efforts. However, as you know if its God’s will that you reach others in another place and time then may His will be done!
Cordially,
Rick Calohan
Salvation is by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in the Scripture alone to the Glory of God alone! Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Sola Scriptura, Soli Deo Gloria!
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