Fridays for France!

        Hi.  This is Brandon checking in again.  We've had a challenging week or so.  We knew this faith journey to France and support raising would be tough at times, and really that's part of the reason that we were drawn to World Team.  We look forward to the ways that God will shape us and prepare us during this time and really, at this point, we would be a little sad if God decided to lead us to France by other means.  I think I would be left wondering what we may have missed out on, on see how God would bring us through.
        That being said, as time goes on, it's a struggle not to grow weary.   It's frustrating for me to spend 40 hours a week in a warehouse while our hearts long for France and feeling like there's only so much we can do right now.  Additionally, World Team informed us, gently and graciously, that our 10% level of support raised after a one-year period was pretty far behind the curve.  We assumed this to be the case, but it was still a little tough to hear from someone else.  In general, they like to see about 25% of your support raised after one year.   This provided further affirmation to what we were already feeling: we've got to do more.  We need to be more intentional.  We need to reevaluate our approach.  We need to be more creative and find ways to maximize the time we have (i.e. schedule out everything, lol) and look for ways to open up more windows to pursue God's calling on our lives.  And yet, in the midst of all our planning and "strategizing" God whispers to me over and over again two words:  "Be still..." 

"Cease striving, relax, let go" "and know that I AM GOD;

 I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  

        What does this say for all our planning?  I think it's fine, and probably still necessary, but it's not the most important part of the equation.  It's good to be able to tell our hearts to "be still, cease striving" and to be reminded once again that we're not the main characters in this story.  In fact, God has already written the story and we're just privileged to play a part.  We can rest in the fact that the Lord of hosts, the God of Jacob is with us, and His plans will be accomplished.  He WILL be exalted. 


        So yes, we need your help.  Obviously we're in great need of more financial support (both present giving and pledges for future monthly support).  We've set the short-term goal of trying to reach that 25% mark by May 1st.  Additionally, we would certainly welcome anyone that can assist us in the planning and logistics and implementation of these plans to raise the amount of money that we need.  But I think to stop there would be foolish.  What good is it to increase our planning and efforts and not apply the same level of urgency to our need to call on God?  We know that ultimately our success depends on Him and all glory will be due Him.  I'd like to ask each of you to join us in making "Fridays for France".   If you are so led, we'd be honored if you would set aside some time each Friday to pray and/or fast for God's will to be accomplished in our lives and in France.  We're also going to make it our goal to give specific ways that you can pray for us each week by that Friday morning.  Please let us know how we can be in prayer for you as well and we thank you in advance for partnering with us.  May our God remind us all again that He is the Lord, and a very present help in trouble.