We are a family in constant transition. We’re always jet-setting or driving off for another adventure. We’ve always managed to maintain stability, with a home base on each of the 3 continents that we frequent. There’s always a family member or friend waiting to greet us and take us ‘home’.
Right now we are the middle of the biggest Transition that we have undertaken since we moved to Thailand. We’ve decided it’s time to pack up our home and life in Chiang Mai and move to a new Frontier. All was moving forward without problems – our new ministry partner was excited; the Leadership was excited; we were excited.
About two months ago, something happened that changed our trajectory. A large portion of our monthly support was cut. It wasn’t really a surprise – perhaps it just happened sooner than expected.
We have never let finances be a deciding issue in our ministry. Even if the bank account tells you there’s not enough, you just pray and ask God to provide. He always comes through.
But what do you do when suddenly there’s barely enough for your rent and utilities? You can only tighten the belt so far, before it starts to squeeze the life out of you.
So, we had to stop and pray. We had a lot of tough questions to ask. It was not so much a question of leaving Thailand for good, but more, “How long will it take to raise enough money so we can come back?” We also had to ask, “How much do we hold onto (ie. our possessions) in the expectation of coming back?” We pretty much decided to either sell or give everything away.
Then, Sean asked, “Should we sell the truck?”
I totally baulked at this. I’m totally fine with getting rid of ALL the junk we have accumulated over the last 11 years.
But Not the Truck!!! That’s my stake in Thailand. That’s the thing that tells me I’m coming back!
I spent about 2 weeks grappling with the idea of selling the Truck. At our YWAM National Staff Conference, God challenged to lay down my rights and my dreams again at the feet of Jesus. The whole 3 days, as the National Leaders talked about the vision for the future I was so excited. My heart kept on saying, “Yes! Count me in! I’m gonna be a part of that!” And then I would fall back on my knees and cry out, “Oh God, let me be a part of this. Let me stay in Thailand. Don’t make me leave! Yet, not my will, but Your Will be done.”
And I gave Him the truck, too. It really wasn’t about the truck, anyway.
It was about security. It was about guarantees. It was about trusting God with my dreams for my family and my vision for ministry.
I have the feeling He’s stripping everything back, again, to help me find my only True Security – Jesus, My Saviour and My Rock.
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