A Missionary, a Deadline, & Advent
It was the weekend before flying to the Middle East and in the midst of wardrobe planning for a closed country, I drove to Houston and spent a couple of hours with Doug asking about his ministry in Ukraine and how he knew God had called him to missions. The goal was multiple videos to be planned, filmed in Ukraine, edited and produced by November for the PCA Global Missions Conference. This ambitious goal put a new meaning to "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." This was in a time of personal weariness, and as often happens in interviews, Doug said something that was helpful to me that particular day:
"the worst thing that can happen in this process is God teaches you he wants you in a different place."
It was a particular statement about fear and calling to ministry that I had not heard said in that way. Doug was saying that God uses even the seemingly "wrong turns" to guide us. As I reflect on advent and finish up another year, I’m reminded that God takes our decisions, our weaknesses, our doubts, our frustrations, our fears and in the midst of them, He guides. I’m reminded that on the hardest of days God will use it to show us where we’re going. And where are we going? The season of advent reminds us as we wait expectantly for the coming of our Lord.
You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout,lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!"
See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40
Thank you for making it possible to tell the stories of those who “bring good news to Zion" and say to the nations "here is your God!” May we celebrate this advent season, the one who carries us close to His heart and gently leads us.
To hear more from Doug and see his video on calling (that I did, by God’s grace, finish on time!) that was shown at the PCA Global Missions Conference, click the image above.
The MTW Ukraine team in L'viv have a meeting about an annual English camp that has been the catalyst for many conversions in Ukraine including that of a couple of women who now serve on their team.
Please Pray For:
1. Trips next year: Pray as we are in communication with folks "in the field" to determine where and when I'll be documenting different teams next year. Pray for our communication with teams and for plans, schedules, and logistics to work out to go where God is leading for 2018
2. Church visits: opportunities to share at more churches, connections to new congregations and outlets to speak about missions in order to encourage the American church, advocate on behalf of our missionaries, and raise support for this ministry.
3. Support Raising: support raising for yearly support needed and for the account to stay healthy for future years as we plan trips and stories for next year and beyond.
Please consider this ministry for your year end giving and please join me in praying for opportunities to tell these stories wherever God would have us go in the years to come! If you're interested in partnering with me, you can give online by clicking the button below or you can mail a check to the following address:
Mission to the World
PO BOX 744165
Atlanta, GA 30374-4165
#96229 Claire Hutchinson
Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to email me for any questions: hello@claireelysephotography.com