It’s been a really long time since I last updated, so before
a whole year passes I decided I better
update our friends and family on what we’re up to as a family. As I write this
I’m balancing a laptop on my knee with a 3 year old falling asleep on my chest…another
failed attempt at toddler bed training! I’m too much of a sucker to father a
gorgeous little girl, she’s gonna play me like a fiddle and get whatever she wants
when she’s older. J
We left
Kona back on Christmas Eve 2012, heading for the unknown in Maine. I had a
hunch that I’d study at New England Bible College, but wasn't sure about the
details of where we’d live, where I’d work, where to call ‘church’. Church was
the hardest decision, since the church that had commissioned me 7 years ago had
now given birth to two really healthy church plants, each plant including more
and more of my friends and family, the body that makes up the church. With the exception of filling in on drums
every so often at East Auburn Baptist, we've naturally gravitated towards
Redemption Hill since it was founded by some of our best friends. We still make
visits to several churches where we have friends and relationship, you tend to
make a lot of connections when you spend 7 years campaigning for missions. I still consider myself a member of EABC, and
our fiery friends at Kingdom Life in Oakland/Waterville, but Redemption Hill is
where we’re called to serve and plug in regularly. I’m such a church floozy ha
ha.
We came
home right when a local factory closed, releasing 90 jobless people into the
local job market, and actively applied for nearly 4 months until I was offered
a part time supervisor job at the local Staples office supply store. I know I’m
so blessed to have any work at all, and I’m even more grateful to have a n
employer that works around my school schedule and (at the time) wife’s
pregnancy. Oh yeah, we had a kid, did I
forget to mention that?
Jinha was
born….sometime in August….I don’t know.
The 31st maybe? Were there only 30 days in August this year?
Anyway he was born and he smiles more than any baby I’ve ever seen! He must
think his name is Jubilee by the way he smiles all the time! He’s also chubby,
which is something I prayed for. I really wanted a baby with chubby cheeks and
God was faithful. His name means ‘Truth
of God’, and we know that his life will be a testament of the Gospel of Jesus,
the truth of salvation for mankind. He’s
so handsome, he’s a tiny Asian Noah. He’s way bigger than Jubilee was at his
age, which is good. He’ll need to help me restrain Jubilee’s boyfriends into
the chair as I prep the guy for my lie detector test.
Jubilee
is three as of a few days ago. She is growing more and more beautiful, which is
something that scientists assured us wasn't’ possible anymore. She is outgoing,
loves her cousins and friends at RH, and loves to sing and dance. She also
knows how to unlock my smartphone and load a cartoon on Netflix, which is a little
scary. She is especially clingy after Jinha arrived, but she already says “I
love you” to Jinha and a couple weeks ago finally gave him a kiss
Jubilee Pic
I’m now
a part time student at New England Bible College. It is so faith building and
life giving for me. I had a spell of about 8 months of some of the driest and
hardest personal devotions up until I
started. I think it was part re-entry, part spiritual warfare, part poor bible
study habits. The courses I’m enrolled in are teaching me how to better understand
the Word of God and are equipping me with tools that will be invaluable for my
future, be it in full time ministry or just in my personal journey to know God
more and make Him known. I’ve received
fresh eyes and enthusiasm for the scriptures and I’m able to sit at the feet of
some outstanding men and women of God that serve as professors and staff at
NEBC, Finding out I’d need to pay out of
pocket for my tuition, I’ve placed that charge into the Lord’s hands and He’s
now provided for my first semester %100 from amazing and even some anonymous
gifts . God is always good, and he can always be trusted.
Our
plan currently is simple. Learn to be satisfied and full of thanksgiving with what we have,
learn to grow as a family in the Lord, and
keep preparing by being faithful with what He’s told us to do, which is “College”.
I feel a draw to help the University of the Nations continue to develop it’s
Worship program. I want to see the flame that is growing in Asia keep growing
and spreading, and to see communities built around worship and prayer developed
and encouraged. I want that same thing for my home state of Maine! Thank you
God for your grace and your Spirit! You are doing amazing things in some of the
darkest places on the earth! Maine needs faith imported, needs visiting teams
and long term families with a vision to see New England revived. Maine needs
your prayers. Feel free to hit us up if
you want to come and visit, we’ll find a place for you!
