Motivated By My Love For Him

Last night we had the privilege of hearing Dan Baumann speak in the training school. Dan is the author of "Imprisoned in Iran" and "A Beautiful Way." I plan on ready both! In his southern California way, he passionately told of his love for Jesus and where his journey has taken him. He shared ways in which he was pressed beyond measure in prison and some of his darkest times yet meeting God in those moments.

His overall message was simple but so necessary. Jesus loves us and even likes us! He spoke from a place of personal revelation of God's love for him but assured us all that it is the same for each one of us. He longs to walk with us though our daily lives and help us make decisions. I love that about Jesus! He wants to be involved. He's not some distant God looking down and watching us flail around like fish out of water hoping that we'll stumble on Him. He wants to make Himself known to us. He is with us and in us and will never leave us! What a revelation!

One thing Dan emphasized was that you can't be motivated by obligation you have to be motivated out of a love for Him. It's all about Him. As a christian this may seem to be an obvious thought but how many times have I personally struggled with this. Asking myself the question ,"what is my true motivation?" I know what I want my answer to be but I'm still in process. I know these thoughts are raw and unprocessed but this is the beauty of a blog. Expressing one's opinions, thoughts and values. Sometimes unprocessed thoughts are the beginning of entering into the process:)

Back to BELGIUM & PERU

BACK TO BELGIUM & PERU
Join us as we explore full-time ministry opportunities in Belgium
AND lead Elevate students back to Peru.

Brussels, Belgium - March 2012
You might be thinking, didn’t I get a letter like this last year from the Bissons? Yes, yes you did. Because of our opportunities last year, we have been invited to consider full-time ministry opportunities in Brussels. There is a team forming that would be pioneering ministry in Brussels for Antioch, our church. That being said, we are headed back to Brussels exploring the opportunities that seem to be endless; everything from human trafficking & refugee ministry to breaking through in the political realm with people of influence within the European Union. Please pray with us that the Lord will make it abundantly clear while we are in Brussels if we are to join this team long-term.

Peru - June 2012
Back to Peru…only this time we will be leading the trip! This year we have been serving as support staff for the same school, Elevate, we completed last year. We were chosen to lead 13 adults and 12 children (not counting our own) back to Peru. On this two-week trip we will be sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, praying for people, serving the local church and assisting in training their leaders. This will be done through schools, soccer tournaments, walking the streets, etc like last year. This will be our first time leading a trip so we would really appreciate your prayers and support.

Your Support: Prayers & Finances
We certainly need your prayers. There are many important decisions to make and your financial support allows us to pursue these opportunities. The cost for both trips combined is $14,000. If you would like to support us financially, you may make your tax-deductible contributions to Antioch and send them to us in the self-addressed stamped envelope provided.
Because we are exploring full-time ministry opportunities in Brussels we may be joining the church planting school in August which will require us to go to South Africa for training in November. If this is the case, Andrew will still go to Peru but Susan and the kids will not. Any support raised for Peru would then be used for the South Africa trip. Please bear with us as we seek out what direction God has for us in the future.

Thank you Megan!

Thank you to my sister-in-law Megan for taking our updated family pictures! I realized that our other blog picture didn't include Isaac. If you are ever in the Des Moines, Iowa area and need a great photographer check out her FB page here Megan Schaap Photography.

My family-Part 2

We were able to have Uncle Kevin snap some pictures during our time home at Christmas. I'd like to introduce you all to the Bisson family:) In the family picture you see (top left) Michael, Jessica Bisson holding Kierstyn and their other daughter Kaitlyn is sitting on grandma's lap. Then Nick and Laura Wilkison who is holding their newest Jase and their other 3 boys are in the front row, Brayden, Drake and Cohen, then Matthew and us. Then sitting is Tom and Beth (Andrew's parents) and Grandma Bisson (92)!

In the other pics are Laura, Jessica and Me all holding our babies who were born within 36 hours AND all 9 grandkids with grandpa and grandma!!