The last two weeks have been a blitz of doing "To Do" stuff before my move to Carrabelle, FL. My boat, Annie, has to be readied in more ways than one: her diesel engine needed checked out, her mainsail needed repair, a deck fill needed to be installed for her port diesel tank, the means to carry extra diesel fuel had to be implemented, her bottom had to be cleaned, two split short back-stays had to be installed, and the list goes on. Most of these items were accomplished in the last two weeks: a couple are still waiting on parts to arrive. That's just the boat stuff. (To follow Annie's ongoing refit in detail, click here).
As a minister, I have a small library of books that need to make the trip to Carrabelle as well as Saint Lucia. The problem is Annie is only a 32 foot sailboat so storage space is limited. Solution... select the most cherished books and pack up the rest and have them shipped to Saint Lucia once I've arrived and settled in.
Then, there's logistics. How do I sail Annie to Carrabelle and deliver both my dog, car, and trailer full of boat parts to the panhandle of Florida? This has been a constant debate since I made the decision to move forward in this noble mission. Thankfully, I have a mom, sister, and brother-in-law who are willing to help in the logistical aspects of the move and though the logistics are still being discussed, it's good to have family willing to help. Thanks guys, love y'all!
Last, but certainly not least, they are the spiritual aspects of this effort. In 381 days, Lord willing, I will set sail for the mission field of Saint Lucia. I will leave my family behind to go to another country where I will know no one. I will do this in order to preach and teach the Gospel of Christ and train men and women to teach and preach that Gospel. Needless to say, my prayer life has increased a great deal in the last few weeks.
At this point I have raised only a fraction of the support I will need to accomplish this mission, (thank you to those who have pledged and already given support), but I am convinced God will see to that matter. Once believers realize the need for missions such as this, they will become a part of this preaching and teaching mission.
Someone asked me the other day, "Is this worth it?" My immediate response was, "YES! 'How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!'" Romans 10:14,15.
This mission will touch the lives of hundreds of people, possibly thousands down through the years. The undenominational non-sectarian Gospel will be taught and preached to men and women who shall teach others... who shall teach others... who shall teach others. The eternal destinies of eternal souls will be altered! Is it worth it? YES!
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:24-26
Please pray for this mission and consider supporting it... "Here am I; send me."
Isaiah 6:8
God bless you.
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