T-minus four months and six days, not that we're counting.
Ever see one of those artist's renderings of a new building? You know the ones, the beautiful representation of something that doesn't exist....quite yet. These images can be a painting or perhaps a scale model of someone's dream. No one lives or works in these buildings, yet. The trees in the picture don't exist, nor do the people so casually strolling past, yet. But someday, somewhere, with the right permits, planning, money and all the other pieces that need to come together, this vision can become a reality.
Can you image the designer walking into the office of a building contractor, handing him the painting of his dream design, and saying...”OK...Build this.”? Even with my limited knowledge of architecture and construction, I realise there is a little more to it than this. Someone needs to provide details about foundations, plumbing, wiring, flooring, windows, stairs, elevators, ceilings, paint, bathrooms, phone lines, concrete, steel....and all that needs to be translated into a number of blueprint drawings explaining where it all goes. And of course, someone has to buy into this dream, someone will want to see it happen.
That is where we find ourselves....we've been drawing the picture, painting in the colours, bringing the dream to life through these updates, letters, and conversations. The blueprints have been drawn, the time line established. Is this dream worthy of someone's investment?
Is this enough to get you involved? We've agreed to volunteer with Next Level International for the next three years. Mary will be helping in the finance office, and more importantly, actively involved as NLI develops its first children's ministry program. Paul will be the short-term missions team coordinator, facilitating the logistics of pairing teams from all over the world with churches in Europe. Interesting, but job descriptions rarely inspiring, are they?
How about this? After decades of socialism, communism, fascism, and Nazism, millions of Europeans have grown up with no knowledge of the importance of a relationship with God. Even with the fall of communism, the void created has been filled with suicide, drug abuse, crime and despair. Estimates are it will take 300,000 churches to help bring Europe back to Christ. In nations, home to some of the most significant moves of God in modern history, the current generation is lost and unaware of His importance.
The vision...is to reach those lost, one at a time. NLI has set a goal to be actively involved in all 47 nations of Europe by the year 2020. Like the artist's rendering...we see the vision... we see the goal....but we're not there, yet. In the next four months we need to establish a support team, financial partners willing to help make the dream a reality, prayer partners to protect us as we step into the fray. We're going, physically, mentally, spiritually, and you can be part of this through your support. Our steps will be your steps, our triumphs will also be your triumphs...and most importantly, we will all share in the blessings.
Next steps: Have you heard enough to say...”yes” this is something we want to be part of? Or do you need more information? Do you think we're nuts....or crazy enough for all the right reasons? We're already stepping out in faith....we need to know who is going with us. Would you please take a moment to send an email with your thoughts, comments, questions, prayers?
Thank you. Paul and Mary
We are running on faith, but we are not running alone.
