Ervins in Africa: Enjoying Jesus

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Enjoying Jesus

I love Saturday mornings here in Uganda! Waking up to sunshine, cool morning breeze, omlets with guacamole, and Starbucks coffee. This Saturday morning I was determined to do something I have been wanting to do the whole time we have been here! You see, there is this little clearing behind our hut with some trees, grass, and a tree that once stood tall but has now fallen. I've been wanting to take a little morning visit to that old fallen tree with my coffee, journal, and Bible. This morning that is preicsely what I did.

After a simply delicious breakfast I gathered up my things (which consisted of my coffee cup, a towel to sit on, journal, pen, Bible, and Crazy Love) and took the short trek to the tree. I spread out my towel and sat down to just enjoy Jesus in His beautiful creation.

As I read, wrote, and prayed God spoke so plainly to my heart of the freedom he is bringing to me. I have lived in bondage to controlling my life (in ALL areas) for so long that I have not been able to even enjoy life! Surrendering my control came in one very specific area but has in turn affected many areas of my life! For the first time in a long time this morning I thoroughly ENJOYED myself and Jesus... with no worry about a to-do list, time, or any other distractions. I am recognizing how much bondage I have really been enslaved to and I want nothing to do with it anymore! I want to be FREE TO ENJOY! Enjoy Jesus, enjoy life, enjoy simplicity, enjoy quiet, enjoy just being still, enjoy meals, enjoy people, enjoy coffee...just simply enjoy.

Sure...its easy to live like this here where time is rarely an issue and where we don't have all the responsibilities that we have at home, but through Holy Spirit's power I am going to live this way at home too. It will take much more deliberate-ness, but it needs to be done!

So I challenge you today-stop being so busy...your life is a vapor...are you going to live it striving to control or are you going to live it the way God intended...simply enjoying Him and letting Him unfold everything else!

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Partnering with us!

We would like to thank you for considering partnering with us in our upcoming missions ministry to Uganda. We would love the opportunity to share with you and your church our passion, vision, and goals. We will be going as short-term missionaries to Uganda, Africa in late December and we will arrive back in the States at the end of May. We will be working with New Hope Uganda and attending the New Hope Institute of Childcare and Family. This will include many things, but particularly ministering to orphans on the compound. We will be assigned to a family of 8-10 orphans in order to provide accountability in their school work, share the gospel, disciple younger believers and give assistance in completing household chores. New Hope is in the process of developing a pastoral training program in order to provide theological and practical training to village pastors; we will also provide help in getting that started. If you feel that the Lord is leading you to partner with us, whether through finances or prayer, please contact us. We would love to keep you updated on what is going on as we follow the path God has laid out for us.

We are praying that:

· God will prepare our hearts for this ministry

· God will give us vision for future ministry

· The Lord allow us to lead orphans to Christ

· Our vision for a biblical family will mature

· God will provide people who will covenant to partner with us in this ministry

· God will provide for our financial needs (total cost of our trip will be around $10,000)

· God will grant us grace in adjusting to a foreign culture and very different living conditions

Recommendation from Pastor Scott Bandy of Twin City Bible Church:

‘It is my privilege to recommend to you, Michael and Rachel Ervin as short term missionaries to Uganda. I have known the Ervins for many years and have seen them grow in their faith and knowledge of Christ. They have shown a tremendous love for Christ and for others. They have been very active in our church (Twin City Bible Church) in various aspects of the ministry, such as Michael preaching and teaching and Rachel in music. I have taken both on foreign mission trips and watched them interact with those from other countries and have seen fruit from their labors. This endeavor to work in Uganda for six months is an incredible opportunity for Michael and Rachel to share the gospel with others, encourage others who are serving full time on the mission field and prepare them for their next step as they seek God's will for their lives. Please consider supporting these two in prayer and if possible, financially. I truly believe they are worthy of both. May God bless and keep you in the center of His will’.

For the sake of the Gospel,

Michael and Rachel Ervin

Ervins in Africa

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Enjoying Jesus

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