Posted on 28 Apr 2010
Zoe, Silas, and Chase chillin' on the Chilton Couch
We have just returned from our road trip to the Midwest! What a great time! Here’s a recap:
Thursday: We were on the road to Toledo, Ohio for the ARC Conference! We were on the quest for Starbucks on Route 80 through PA…. sadly, we didn’t come across many. Somehow we managed. We arrived in Toledo in the early evening and went for a dip in the Hilton Hotel pool. Have you ever slept in a Hilton Hotel bed? It’s pure heaven.
Friday: A Panera’s breakfast with our one and only, “Aunt Mare” along with Kevin and Angela Houk. Thanks for breakfast, Aunt Mare! We love you, Houks! Then we were off to the conference. It was great seeing all of our ol’ ARC friends as well as make some new friends too. It was a wonderful time to reconnect and hear what is happening with the various churches… in Poland (Mission Conference Center), Brazil (AIR), Boston (The Church Meets in Beverly), Seattle and Denver (Scum of the Earth Church)…
Saturday: We were off to Detroit to see our dear friends and mentors, Chilly and Netta Chilton and their fabulous five (Mariah, Courtney, Zoe, Max, and Chase). We had an amazing time catching up. It was like eight years had never passed between us. It was good to be on their green leather couch again, drinking tea and talking ‘life’.
Sunday: On Sunday morning we attend the church that Chilly and Netta planted in Midtown Detroit: Real Church! It was awesome to worship with such a lively and genuine group of folks who really are seeking Jesus for Detroit! So cool! What a blessing it was to have Real Church pray for us! We ended our time with the Chilton’s with some Chinese food for lunch after church, which use to be our tradition eight years ago. After church, we use to head to the Chilton’s home for Chinese food almost every Sunday! It was really fun to see our kids play together (it was first time the Chilton’s met Silas and Olive). The picture above is of Zoe, Silas and Chase cuddled up the couch watching a kid’s show together. We didn’t want to leave! There were some (happy) tears shed as we said our good-byes but we know we will be seeing them in Belfast soon.
The Chilton Family!
*Chilly was the one who introduced us to Belfast. He took us on our first mission trip there in March 2001.
On Sunday evening, we drove to Elyria, OH to gather with a group of folks from Harvest Christian Church. Mark and Ginger Widener graciously opened their home so that we could share our heart for Belfast with our friends from Harvest. We were so blessed to see so many come out to hear our story! There was sweet time of prayer that closed the evening! Our hearts were encouraged! We felt privileged to be in the company of such caring believers. Silas and Olive had such a fun time playing in the big toy room. Silas had so much that he up-chucked most of his dinner onto their nice carpet five minutes before we left. A BIG thank-you goes out to Mark for cleaning that mess up for us…
Monday: On Sunday evening, we had a big sleepover at Nelson and Melissa Juarez’ house. They live in the middle of nowhere, Ohio but the house and property are so beautiful. They even let us sleep in their bed and they took the couches! So hospitable! Nelson and Melissa are close friends of ours who we have developed a friendship with over the past few years. Melissa accompanied Noelle to Belfast this past February. They are sweet couple with a deep heart for Jesus. We are excited to see what is in store for their future as the press on to seek His will!
Monday morning, we all went out for breakfast at Bob Evans where we were waited on by our friend, Stephen Wacker. He tried to be sneaky and take care of our bill but we beat him to the punch…
Lots of laughs and lots of fun with Melissa and Nelson as usual. A big thank you goes out to Melissa who made a delicious Salmon dinner for us and who didn’t throw us out when Troy broke a valuable gift that Nelson brought back from Brazil for Melissa- we love you guys!
Troy and Nelson
We headed for Columbus, Monday evening, to meet with a graduated student from our youth ministry : Josh Harris! It was wonderful to catch up with him and hear about his life at Denison University. We look forward to him coming home to Jersey it two weeks. We will miss you, Josh! Come visit us in Belfast!
Josh!
After some lovely Chipotle with Josh (Chipotle is awesome, by the way)… we headed to a nearby Holiday Inn to chill out with the family before our long drive home Tuesday. We were so blessed by all the prayers, encouragement , and friendships that we experienced during our road trip. It was a wonderful time! Thank YOU!
Because Jesus IS Love,
da’ Rhodes
Posted on 2 Apr 2010
Missions and miracles go hand and hand, we suppose. In more cases that not, you need a miracle to go to missions, continue in missions, be used in missions, pretty much all things ‘missions’ related…
We have heard the stories of the missionaries who were without food and God miraculously provided a fruit truck to tip into their backyard the very hour they prayed for His provision (true story)… or of the young missionary who felt God was calling him to Australia and the next day gets a phone call of a church inviting him to speak at their conference with all expenses paid… or of a child of missionary who fell ill and when the prognosis looked bleak, the Lord displayed His awesome power and restored full health to the dying child…
I mean, we have heard the stories and we like them. They offer us hope that maybe… just maybe… we do love a God who can actually do these cool things. Perhaps He really does do miracles.
The thing with miracles is that they are needed when there is a lack. I guess, that’s what makes a miracle a miracle.
As we prepare for our mission to Belfast, and time is ticking away, we are faced with a need of a financial miracle. We lack money. Straight and simple. Most people shake their heads at us and say, “Well, we hope this works out for you but…” And trust us, we are hoping it works out too and the ‘buts’ are obvious:
1)The economy stinks and everyone is cutting back – even in giving.
2) Living in the United Kingdom is more expensive than living in Jersey …if you can believe it. Today the exchange rate is 0.65 pound for every $1 USD. Stink.
3) We are totally new at fundraising and are stumbling along the way.
4) We are 69% short in funds needed to be raised and less than 2 1/2 months left to our departure date. Wow… that’s a big lack.
We know the ‘buts’ full and well. The question is at what point do we just give up and say, “Well, we gave it a good try but…”?
So, 5 loaves and 2 fish.
13When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18“Bring them here to me,” he said. 19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
The people were hungry…
1. But there were so many of them! There were 5000 men plus the women and children…
2. But it was getting late …
3. But they were in a remote place …
4. But all they had were 5 loaves and 2 fish…
Interesting that Jesus didn’t simply look at the evident lack and say, “Hmmm… you’re right, guys… send these folks away and direct them to the nearest place they can find some food.” Nope! Instead He said, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Instead of laughing at the meager supply of bread and fish He said, “Bring them here to me…”
There was a lack of food which created the opportunity for a miracle. Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and directed the people to sit down – as if by faith they were preparing themselves to be fed – to be provided for. To sit and wait for the Lord’s provision is much harder than it appears. There is a temptation to get up and leave in order to search for yourself what the thing in which you lack. The temptation to give up is always present.
After Jesus directs the people to sit down, He thanks His Father for the 5 loaves and 2 fish! He thanked Father God for the little that was in His possession. This is astounding, since often when there is lack in our lives, we can find it difficult to be thankful for what has been provided for. Here, Jesus models for us what we are to do when we are in need - give thanks to the Father for what we already have in our hands.
Well, we know the rest of the story. As Jesus broke that bread, the miracle broke out. They were able to feed all the people and all ate until SATISFIED. This miracle not only fully satisfied the need BUT there were 12 baskets of food leftover! Incredible! How many of us have heard this story a thousand times and have smiled at the fact that Jesus can cater to 5000+ people at drop of a dime BUT when we find our own selves in lack we are drenched in panic? We need a miracle. Can we sit and wait for His provision? Can we thank Him for what He has already placed in our hands no matter how little? Can we believe that He is the same today as He was that day He faced 5000 hungry men and their families and all that was available were a couple of loaves and two fish?
Pray for us. In this financial lack, we are in need of miracle. Pray that our hearts would be strengthened in faith. Pray that we would sit at His feet and wait in full belief He will provide. Pray that our hearts would be grateful, thanking Father God for all that He has already placed in our hands. Pray that we would not give up or give into discouragement. Pray that we would bring Him what we already have and not discount it but allow Him to work a miracle through what we give Him.
We will pray for YOU too – what are you in need of miracle for? Let us pray with you that He will meet all your needs!
