It's me... Neil

Hey Everybody! This is Neil. Kaytee and I have decided since we’re in this together, we both should probably write down some things. That, by no means, means what she has written so far were not my sentiments. We definitely agreed on what and how to say those things, but I thought I’d give this a shot. When you read along you’ll know who is writing, but please also know we both agree whole-heartedly in these words and how they are written.

Now that the housekeeping is out of the way, we can get on to business.

We are confident that God has called us to serve Him in Canada. We are trusting Him thoroughly. We know this isn’t going to be an easy move. However, we do know it’s the right move and that God is leading us into it.

One of the major challenges to our relocation and new calling is financial. We have been aware of that. You have most likely been aware of that. Our pets were aware of that. Nevertheless, before we get to that, we have another request. One we think is more important.

We sincerely ask you to pray. Pray for us. Pray for our families. More importantly, pray for you and yours. Before we hit the “guilt you into helping us” pitch we know you are expecting, we ask you to pray. We request you to specifically pray God show you where and how to ENGAGE in the mission field. As Jesus said in Matthew 9:37-38, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

This doesn’t necessarily mean you ask God to show you where to move, but it does put you in THE story. Pray that God reveal to you where you can ENGAGE. Whether it be with World Relief (as David Tarkington mentions here), with the International Learning Center in Jacksonville, with your neighbor next door, with your family across town or with a missionary family (like ours or others, such as Josh and Darlene Dryer). Earnestly pray and seek where He wants you to ENGAGE. That is more important that giving us your money.

As we step out in obedience to where God has called us to serve, we seek your partnership in this journey. Each planter in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) seeks partners who can provided the “Three ‘P’s” of Prayer, People and Provision.

PRAYER
Therefore, we are asking you to consider being Prayer Partners with our family. Will you become part of our team by praying for God to use us for His glory in Toronto? We are going into this service with our eyes wide open, but fully realize that prayer is essential.

PEOPLE
At this point, we are not set up to have groups come and serve (primarily because we still live in Orange Park) but once we settle in our new home later this year, and begin to serve with our planters, the need for people to come on the weekend or at other times to serve along side us will be needed. Please consider a “three day weekend mission trip” or another time to come serve with us and others in our network.

PROVISION
With that being said (yep, here it comes), the GTA is not an inexpensive place to live. How else do you expect “free” health care, moose rides for all and each newborn be given a hockey-puck pacifier and mini-hockey stick? (Jokes people, not all of these are actually given.)

It has been shared our monthly goal is to have $7,500 as incoming funds. We are currently classified with the North America Mission Board (NAMB) as Church Planting Interns. That guarantees us $1,000 per month for one year. As you can see, that leads us to seek God’s lead in raising the remaining needed funds. Fortunately, First Baptist Church of Orange Park (our sending church) will be able to provide us with $10,000 for the first year ($834 a month). This still leaves us way under budget.

We ask for your help in raising the remaining funds and supporting God’s mission. We ask you to consider stepping along side us as we walk through this journey. We are looking for monthly sponsors who can give above and beyond their tithe to their local church and help support us. Without sounding desperate, we’ll take anything. If you are saying, “Well, we can’t give anything on a monthly basis,” we will happily receive one time gifts as well.

We are mostly looking for those who can give something, anything on a monthly basis. As you can expect, we have huge upfront costs (first and last month’s rent, deposits for utilities, moving expenses to get our stuff up there, the list goes on and on).

Right now we expect to go up in early June to finalize a place to live for our August move. We are also working with First Baptist to create a way for YOU to give to US. In the meantime, please be in constant prayer for us and for yourselves to determine if this is where God is leading you to give. We would love to have you along this journey with us, but more importantly, we want you to ENGAGE the world somewhere outside your home for Jesus. We are praying for you to find this place.

We’ll post or send more information when we have it. This blog is about to get busy… Here We Go!!!