It seems like a terribly long time in coming, but at last plans are in the making for Rebecca and I to make a three-week "expedition" to Tanzania during the first weeks of July! Originally we wanted the boys to come along, to help them get better "sold" on the idea of living in Africa, but we were advised through various sources that once Rebecca and I get over there and see what it's like, we'll be a lot better "sold" ourselves, and can pass along our own points-of-view to the boys... and to others, as we seek to raise support to go long-term. We will also be able to help the boys through the transition when we do go with them along.
For whatever reason, asking for support has been a rough thing for us. We have no idea how others go about it, and where all that money comes from! Virtually all of the churches we have approached have told us that they already support "their own" missionaries, either through their own church or through their denominational missions agency. Makes sense, right? But what about us "free-lancers"? Where do others of us get necessary funding??? For quite a while, I felt the Lord leading me to touch base with an old high school friend, who is now in charge of a very large business in this area, and he too gave me that denominational line. It was terribly disheartening! I had dreamed numerous times that he might be one of our big, long-term supporters, only to have my vision dashed by "reality". (Did I miss-hear the Lord, or did he?) So where else do we turn?.... We
don't want to do this in a worldly, fleshy way; we need the Lord to confirm His call upon us through His provision. We have seen Him work in our lives in that way in the past, and that is the only way we feel it should go in the future.
Well, one way or another, we will be using funds from our present Elim Fellowship account to take us on this short-term, "active" (not just sightseeing) mission to Tanzania. We sincerely pray the Master will give us burning hearts for the people there, and a Very much clearer view of How we are to raise support. For all of you who have been giving to us through your faithful monthly gifts, we thank you MOST GRATEFULLY!!! For others of you who may feel led of the Spirit to give, please send your gifts to the Elim Fellowship address that is here on our blogsite. We will be using what is needed for this short term mission and the rest will go toward the 2 year stint that is planned to occur in the Lord's timing.
We are SO excited to actually have the wheels in motion to get us on the way, even if only for a very short trip!!!! We will have "been there", "taken the pictures", "gotten a sample of the African lifestyle" to bring back with us and hope to be better prepared to share the vision the Lord has for us as we minister with Pamoja Ministries
(see the web). We look forward to getting a first-hand view of How we can minister with and among them in that wonderful land. Our "International Fellowship" (primarily made up of Congolese Believers) over in Ft Wayne, IN has given us a good sample of worship among the African people - we love them all dearly, and pray we can be a blessing to those who don't yet know the Lord!
Peace to you ALL,
DL Miller
