Update from Lewiston, Maine

             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 31^st 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!