Mighty Warriors: Teachability

Caleb's story is filled with one surprise after another. When he came to us he was so shy and self depreciating that it was hard to believe that the Lord could do much with someone who lacked so much self-confidence. But as he passed through training he was the most improved of any of the missionaries who came to us. It seems the Lord likes to use men just like Caleb. He just soaked up new information like a sponge. Then he went to serve in Bolivia, when his support ran out he returned home and we didn’t hear from him for a couple of years, then he shows up again and we learn that he had been applying all that he had learned and training others outside of his home town. I like to say Caleb was most improved for 5 years in a row. Lord, help us all to continue to grow and learn, never getting stuck in a rut of doing things. Grow us in your likeness and send us more missionaries like Caleb, who are teachable and moldable.

update: Caleb is now married and has a child. They are planning on moving to Southern Peru to reach out to a unreached segment of the Aymara. Proud of you Caleb.

Mighty Warriors: Adaptability & Longevity

When Javier came to us, he was like 18 years old. He was young and inexperienced, but the hand of the Lord was clearly on his life. We were priveledged to watch the Lord teach him and turn him into a mighty man of God. He has now been with the xtreme team for the longest of any current member. Even though his support is always a question, he continues on and trusts God to provide for him. Javier has been given the gift of adaptability. He can learn to fit in almost any culture. (or as we jokingly say, he can be robbed in any language. he holds the record of being robbed 9 times in one year) Lord please send us more young men like Javier who are adaptable and willing to conform to any culture to reach more for you. Also, bring us missionaries who are in it for the long haul, who consider being a witness and making disciples their lifes work.

update: Javier continues to work with the team, he has moved from working in Bolivia to working in his home country of Peru. He will soon start working with yet another tribe and another language.

Inquiring men want to know

I thought I would try to satisfy some of the questions I know all the men have. So this post is for you guys! That means, less words...more pictures.

This is what j is driving

1996 Toyota Land Cruiser: 4x4, 5 speed, Manual, 6 cyl. 

Steering wheel on the right hand side

This is Robert's Truck: 2008 Toyota Hilux 4x4, 4 cyl. 5 speed Manual

filling up the truck

Here are some pics of Lake Victoria and the roads we travelled to get to Entebbe.

We leave Monday for Jinja, and then Friday to go see where we will be living in Kaabong. your prayers are appreciated.

Mighty Warriors: Perserverence

E came to us to finish the practical part of his seminary education. He was a bit surprised when we didn’t have any textbooks or classrooms. But after his required 3 month stint with the team, he returned and stayed with us for 4+ years. He would be the first one who woud tell you he was not cut out for this type of difficult work. But yet, he continued out of obeience to his Lord and excelled in many things but most of all he was an example of perserverence in the faith. There are many things he wanted in life, but he has sacrificed them to the Lord, knowing that the Lord himself will give him what he needs. and God will sustain him in good times and bad. God, send us more like E!

update: E continues to serve the Lord in Peru. Due to the nature of his work we can not use his full name or tell you much about what he is doing. Just take our word for it, he is doing well.

Mighty Warriors: Shepherds

Lord, thanks for sending us Bobby while we were on xtreme team. Double thanks for calling him to join us in this new endeavor in Africa. Please send us more who excel in  caring for others and shepherding his fellow sheep. Bobby was often the glue that held the team together during good times and bad. He made breakfast, encouraged, listened and just helped people to grow in the Lord. Many a funny story starts with, Remember when Bobby....  Lord, send us more men like this to the Harvest field.

update: Bobby is here, in Africa. He and his wife Maridith are our fellow leaders on this new team in East Africa.

Mighty Warriors: TEAMWORK

Lord, give us fellow workers in Africa like, Johnathan & Chris who excel in Teamwork. These guys were some of our first workers on xtreme team. They were both very gifted individuals in their own rite. But when they worked together as a team they accomplished much for the kingdom. They submitted to one another and encouraged one another. Lord send us men like these to the Harvest field.

update: 

Jonathan is married with 2 kids. He is a published author, and pastor of Wilcrest Baptist Church in Houston. 

Chris is married and has 4 kids. He has a growing recording career and works outside of Austin as a plumber.

Mighty Warriors

As many of you know, we have left our former team, xtreme team and begun a new team, Echelon in East Africa. We are still early on in this journey and no one really knows what will happen yet. However, as I was in my morning prayer time this morning I began to pray for those who will join our team. I was reminded of how faithful God was to send us workers while in South America. During our time there I feel like we had the best team in the Americas, hands down. But as I reflected on what God did through these His servants, it also became a prayer for our future team. Lord, send us men and women like this to Africa. Choose carefully your servants Lord and teach us to care for one another in love and encourage one another to grow closer to you and most importantly may we declare your name among the nations. Lord, I don't know where they are or where they will come from, but you have been faithful thus far and I trust you to build this team the way you want to and guide us in your ways. May your will be done and your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

The following entries will let you see what we are praying for...who knows? you may be the answer to this prayer.