Prayer & Praise

Prayer & Praise

1. Praise God for an amazing 2010 filled with blessings, times of powerful ministry and new experiences. God is good! As we begin into 2011 would you join us in prayer as we focus our vision for the ministry God has called us to and fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. It is our goal that we continue to serve Him whole-heartedly with abandoned hearts and we know this is His work.

2. As we solidify our vision for this next season please also be praying for us as we sort through a healthy travel schedule for this next year and seek clarity about specific ministry involvement in 2011.

3. Praise God we just received the last of the monies needed for our Nepal trip last October. Please be praying for the finances for our upcoming trip to Northern India in February.

4. Please continue to be praying for Britany as she works locally with young moms. God has opened up many great opportunities for her in our community. Last month Britany taught for Hearts at Home (a ministry that connects young mom's to mentors). She did an amazing job and God used it significantly in the lives of many women.

5. Finally, please be praying for Tim as he starts back up at Seminary this January. It is our goal to make a significant push forward this year with his education. God has, thus far, provided all the resources towards this ends and we are looking to Him for His continued provision in this area.

2010 Year in review!

First, let me just wish you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year! As we celebrate a season of precious gifts and new beginnings let us focus on the MOST precious gift (our Lord Jesus) and THE new beginning He has created for us... praise God for His work, His life and His mission that we get to be a part of.

2010 was quite a year!

It is hard to believe that we spent 96 days on the road this last year between ministry and school... it might explain how tired we feel. But, God gave us so many incredible experiences and introduced us to so many amazing people - we truly have much to be thankful for.

After getting back into a good rhythm last January (including starting back into Seminary) we began our preparation for our Feb trip back to Northern India with Berean Way. Our Trip to the North was one of the most difficult trips we have done... the spiritual warfare was very intense and we were working in a part of India that even Indian Christians do not like to go to. As one of the local Indian pastors explained, "when I was in South India I saw myself as standing at the gates of hell, breaking down the doors, running in and rescuing the lost and hurting... now that I live in North India I see myself as having moved into hell, grabbing as many as I can and pushing them out the gates." But, God is moving mightily through the hands of His courageous followers there... it is truly inspiring walking with these men and women. Thank you Lord for these servants... keep them Lord I pray.

While in India I received a troubling call from my wife telling me that our house was on fire! Needless to say it made for a dramatic end to our trip. I made it back home and found that a shorted wire had burned out our front room BUT Brit and the kids were fine and that was all that mattered. Through the process God blessed us with a completely renovated wonderful home (through the hands of Jeff and Brian atCornerstone Construction - thanks guys). God continues to direct our steps leading us toward His purposes and not allowing anything more than we can handle ALL the while turning darkness into light... He is good at that. Praise You Lord for all that You are to us.

Through March and April we bounced from place to place as our home was being rebuilt while managing a trip up to Canada and our first annual Berean Way auction to raise funds for barefoot pastors (which went amazingly). In May I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of a three week intensive seminary class in Israel. With the help of a very special donor, a scholarship and approval from my family and boss I was able to go and spend three weeks walking where Jesus walked... lifting the stories of the scriptures off the pages. Thank you Lord for being more than just a theological idea but for being an actual person who was born and walked just like us... only perfectly.

After returning from Israel it was only one brief month later (which included teaching at a great Jr. High retreat for RHCC) that we were in Langkawi, Malaysia. Every four years CRM holds a staff wide mandatory World Wide Conference for all of us to get equipped, back on the same page and be an encouragement to one another. This year Britany and I were able to go together with a lot of help from the grand parents! As well as having an amazing experience with friends (especially those from Scotland) we were able to have a time of deep growth as a couple. On our way back from Malaysia we were able to stop in Taiwan to spend time with some dear friends of ours who are living there now working for Nike. It was great to spend some time in a new culture while having a bit of an adventure. Lord we are thankful for your provisions of family and friends!

After sliding in a bit of camping and family time it was time to prepare for the Fall and my trips to Canada, Nepal and Scotland. Canada was a fantastic whirlwind... a great chance for me to teach at a college retreat for Lethbridge E-Free and hang out with the next generation of world changers. It always feels good to be home! Now off to Nepal...

As I mentioned in previous updates, Nepal is a very different experience than India and yet shares so many similarities. Undoubtedly, Nepal is staggeringly beautiful... mountains, rivers and an amazingly diverse set of cultures make it a remarkable little country. Yet, it struggles with immense poverty and social/political ills that make it a desperate place of daily survival for most of its non-tourist inhabitants. Here, hidden amidst the great mountains and miseries, lies a tiny (less than 2%), young (both historically and demographically), fully alive faith filled Church. It does not take long in Nepal to see that God is moving amidst the Himalayas! We held 2 conferences over the course of a week with around 400 attendees total. We also spent time interacting with and praying for different churches and ministries in and around the Kathmandu area... it was an amazing time! Now off to Scotland...

My Trip to Scotland was amazing (it snowed almost every day!) and in many ways it was the perfect end to an incredible year. I returned to Glasgow to work with the team there doing team building and leadership training. While there I met with them as a group several times and one on one with most. The tool I was using with the staff helped ask important questions about who they are and who they are becoming... which is something pretty special. I am so proud of this team. They have worked hard to become what God wants them to be and this has taken grit, determination and a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. When others have quit they steadied themselves. When some have questioned their vision they looked to God, His Word and kept on. Their commitment to Glasgow is a challenge and encouragement to me and I pray it will move us - you and me - to reexamining what God has called us to DO... really, WHO God has called us to BE, WHERE He has placed us. Lead us Father on that we might be able to faithfully say with all of Your saints, "any time, any place at any cost."

As we launch into another new year would you join me in making this your daily prayer...

Lord lead us and make us,
mold us and break us
that through each day Your Spirit might take us

and create in us hearts and lives that all know
any time,
any place,
at any cost
we will go

and then in Your hour
when You come Lord in power

You will see just Your Son
and all He has done

and we will find there our place
as we look on His face.

Thank you for your faithfulness to this call financially, prayerfully and passionately... this does not happen without your faith-filled support.

grace and peace friends,
the McDonald clan

Prayer & Praise

Prayer & Praise

1. Praise God for all of His travel mercies as we traveled to Canada, Seattle and Nepal this October. We were able to get all of our curriculum, trip prep and visa issues sorted. Also, this is officially the first trip with The Berean Way that Tim never got sick... Thank you Jesus!!

2. Praise God for all the pastors that will be came to the conferences... it was a very powerful time. Please continue to be pray for their ministries and the ongoing fruit of our time there... there is still much work to be done.

3. Please continue to be praying for Tim's trip finances. Though we came under budget for the trip as a whole (praise God), overall it was still a more expensive trip than others. We are still needing to raise the remaining money for his plane ticket.

4. Please be praying for Britany as she dives into local ministry with young moms. God has opened up many great opportunities in our community. Specifically, Britany has begun working with a ministry that connects young mom's to mentors. She will be teaching in this ministry next month and would appreciate all the prayer you can give!

5. Finally, please be praying for Tim this month as he travels to Glasgow, Scotland to work with the RE:hope team there. He will be doing some leadership and team training.

October 2010 Update

November already?!?

I cannot believe that all of our October trips (to Canada, Seattle and Nepal) are behind us. In addition to working with many missionaries, pastors and local leaders we have had an amazing month that included some incredible ministry opportunities... most notably my time with The Berean Way in Nepal.

What can be said about the country of Nepal? It is such a different experience than India and yet shares so many similarities. Undoubtedly, Nepal is staggeringly beautiful... mountains, rivers and an amazingly diverse set of cultures make it a remarkable little country. Yet, it struggles with immense poverty and social and political ills that make it a desperate place of daily survival for most of its non-tourist inhabitants. Here, hidden amidst the great mountains and miseries, lies a tiny (less than 2%), young (both historically and demographically), fully alive faith filled Church. It does not take long in Nepal to see that God is moving amidst the Himalayas!

As I mentioned last month, the latest stats place Nepal as 74.82% Hindu, 16% Buddhist and only 1.89% Christian. It is a country that is on the verge... the verge of either great revival, great persecution or (most probably) both. I would encourage you if you have the time to listen to this update from Voice of the Martyrs.

Our ministry in Nepal was very similar to our work in India. We held 2 conferences over the course of a week with around 400 attendees total. Each of these groups of people traveled from their churches by foot up and down the Nepalese mountains to attend the conference (many their first formal training). Most walked for multiple days just so they could be better equipped to lead their small fellowships. We also spent time interacting with and praying for different churches and ministries in and around the Kathmandu area... it was amazing!

Todd Melrose is a longtime friend and supporter of The Berean Way (and our family) and he came with us to Nepal this past October. I thought it might be great to include some of his thoughts here:

"As i sat in Nepal, i often wondered why God would bring myself... halfway across the world to Nepal to do ministry with local villagers in the Himalayas... But as i was there, it was so clear that this was where God wanted us- you see no one goes out to the villages... these people never get to do a big 3 day conference meeting like this to learn how to study the Bible, or learn how to disciple others... no one ever comes out to them.

This is a big lesson i learned. God needs us to go TO the people, not wait for them to come to us. So I realized why not us? Why not me? Why can't i be used here? God loves the Nepalese just the same as me. These trips are far from comfortable... no electricity, can't talk to my wife for 3 days sometimes, cold showers, "interesting" food that can be hard to eat, miserable bathrooms, humidity, rock hard beds, and difficult travel conditions.... but they are SO important. The great commission in Matthew 28: 18-20 is for all of us. We are to go where there is need."

That says it all pretty well.

(Thank you Jeff for the photo's!)

Thank you for all that you do!

It is such an amazing blessing for our family to be able to serve our Lord as we do... to GO where He calls! Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers, encouragements and financial support. All of these things keep this ministry happening. If there are others that you know who may be interested in receiving these updates please forward them on. Thank you again for everything.

grace and peace,
the McDonald clan

Heaven is touching earth...

Photo by Todd Melrose

In my younger years I often thought of prayer as an open handed reaching for God as God reached down to us.

This image worked for me because I imagine the gentle finger of God (not unlike the Sistine Chapel) reaching down from heaven to heal, comfort and move His people toward His eternal purposes. In my mind it was a beautiful and simple picture. That being said, over the past few years I have been learning that the reality is less simple... but far more beautiful.

Our time in Nepal was powerful for so many reasons... the warmth of the people, their receptivity to our teaching, the youthfulness of the Nepalese church, the majesty of God's creation, etc. But I would say the one piece that stood out to me from the trip the most was the power of God in the prayers of His people.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Thessalonians 5:16-18

So often it feels like we relegate prayer to an activity that complements other activities... we pray in church, before our devotions, after something has gone wrong, before we eat, etc. It is like a spice we add to the food of our life and rarely the main course itself. Even when we gather for a "prayer meeting" we often find more meeting than prayer or at the best a single prayer lifted up one at a time as each individual waits their turn. I found myself reminded in Nepal of how essential a life of prayer is to the Christian. Though we may not understand it, prayer moves the heart of God and shows faith (and utter dependance) in His unseen hand. In Nepal, like most parts of the world where God is truly ALL people have, prayer is a lifeline to God. People pray continuously and passionately because they believe God is listening and cares about their pain. When it is time to pray EVERYONE prays at the same time and expects to be heard. Their prayers come with force, expectation, devotion, tears, joy, shouting, crying, standing, kneeling, pleading, thanking and with great love.

The Nepalese christians believe in prayer with a reality that goes so far beyond our western understandings - especially when it comes to prayers for healing. We heard the same story over and over; a person (or spouse, family, friend of person) gets deathly sick. In desperation the person seeks help from Doctors, witch doctors, hindu priests, buddhist monks, etc. and nothing works. They hear about "the christians" and talk with a local pastor who prays for them and they are healed. Healed. The person receives Christ and decides to live their lives for Jesus wholeheartedly... sounds just like the New Testament doesn't it?! In Nepal, God's "gentle finger" is more like a mighty force of restoration and healing. It is unpredictable, powerful, mystical, dangerous, mighty, frightening, magnificent... it is as if Heaven is touching earth.

One of the best stories I heard was from Obed (our Nepalese Coordinator) who was told by his Doctor that he was going to die. Obed was fairly certain that God had other plans and prayed. When he returned to the Doctor Obed was told that the sickness was completely gone (even after multiple tests). The Doctor was amazed. Obed simply turned to the man and said, "my Doctor made your Doctors". After that the Doctor regularly called Obed to have him pray for his patients because God is a God who hears and heals according to His will.

I believe Lord... help me in my unbelief. Father, grow me into a follower that moves to prayer first because that is what You've commanded... makes expectant prayer the "main course" because that's where Your power is... and gives thanks no matter what the answer because Your faithfulness is always perfect. Amen

September 2010 Update

So far this fall has seemed like a whirlwind. Between getting kids back in school, getting engaged in our neighborhood and getting prepared for the upcoming October trips to Canada, Seattle and Nepal... September has all but vanished! It has been a fruitful time though as I have had the opportunity to coach several local and international leaders through various transitions and core leadership assessments. It gives me great joy to be able to help other missionaries, pastors and leaders navigate the calling God has placed on each of them.

Of course the big focus of this Fall is on the upcoming October 11th-25th trip to Nepal. Not only am I blessed to be able to go and teach the Nepalese pastors, I also get the privilege of working with a small team of local young men who want to make a difference in this world... it is a fantastic experience. On this trip, like others, we will be doing two conferences as well as visiting various villages and churches. We will be working with pastors in some of the hardest to reach places equipping them with basic bible study and discipleship skills that they can use in their own contexts. Nepal is a difficult place to do ministry and I would covet your prayers as we go! As usual, we will be maintaining a daily blog while we are in Nepal BUT this time we have begun the blogging early with a desire to have as many people involved in the process as possible. Check it out... I am SURE it will be a blessing to you and give you a window into what God is doing with The Berean Way.

According to the latest stats, Nepal is 74.82% Hindu, 16% Buddhist and only 1.89% Christian. It is a country that is on the verge... the verge of either great revival, great persecution or (most probably) both. As you pray for us and our trip I would encourage you to check out some of the "newest news" here!

Thank you Jeff for the great photo's!

Thank you!

It is such an amazing blessing for our family to be able to serve our Lord as we do and we are keenly aware of the important role you all play in that. Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers, encouragements and financial support. All of these things keep this ministry happening. If there are others that you know who may be interested in receiving these updates please forward them on. Thank you again for everything.

grace and peace,
the McDonald clan

September 2010 Update (part 2)

Prayer Requests

1. Please be praying for our family this fall as we navigate a very busy schedule that includes Tim being gone over 20 days in October.
2. Please be praying for the details leading up to Tim's trip to Nepal... for visas, teaching prep and finances. This trip is more expensive than others and he is still needing to raise the money for his plane ticket.
3. Please also be praying for the pastors that will be coming to this experience. Pray for prepared hearts and safety on their journeys.
4. Please be praying for Britany as she dives into local ministry with young moms. God has opened up many great opportunities in our community.
5. Finally, please be praying for Tim this weekend as he travels up to Medicine Hat, Alberta to teach at a college retreat for Lethbridge E-Free.

---

Finances

If you are interested in giving toward this upcoming trip and are living in the USA please click here.

If you are interested in giving toward this upcoming trip and are living in Canada please click here.

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support!

June/July Update

Ministry Update:

Well, as unbelievable as it sounds, it is that time again when all of CRM gathers to do our once every 4 year World Wide Conference - It is hard to fathom that it has been 4 years since our last conference in Santa Barbra, CA... so much has changed since then! Though I now spend more of my time working with The Berean Way, we are still employed by CRM and work with them as opportunity allows. The conference this year will be taking place in Langkawi, Malaysia and will be a time of reconnect with our old team-mates and friends as well as networking, training and equipping. In addition, we will be traveling back through Taiwan to see and visit with some dear friends, supporters and team-mates in the Berean way.

Since returning from Israel (and prior to our departure to Langkawi) I have been doing some consulting and teaching in the areas of discipleship and mission. I would appreciate your prayers as God opens up these opportunities; that I would speak with wisdom, that I would choose those opportunities that are inline with our mission and that more opportunities would come. Also, I have been continuing to solidify and work on our upcoming trips this fall to Uganda, Canada and Nepal. I would appreciate your prayers as I recruit for these trips AND as I sort out balancing family, trips and school this Sept - Nov.

grace and peace,
Tim


Family update:

Hi everyone, just wanted to give you all a brief update on how the family is doing.

We will start with the youngest, Hallie. She has just turned 5 this June and will start half time kindergarten in the fall (not sure I'm ready for full day yet!!!) For one year I will have all four in one school, I'm super excited for that. Hallie is still our independent child that could take on the world herself and come out with a smile! She has a real love for life and she brings so much fun and joy to our clan. She had her tonsils and adenoids removed and tubes put in this last April and never shed a tear (tough chick). God continues to remind me how blessed I am to raise these children of mine and truly how fast this season will go.

McKenzie our third child is still our total sweetheart! She just finished 2nd grade and did super well. She is our painter, drawer and loves to write books. McKenzie's favorite thing to do is have tea!! She truly is our Scottish girl at heart!!! McKenzie is 7 and 1/2 but feels like she is wanting to turn 13. I continue to remind her that make up and fancy hair can wait a few years!!!

Celtin has had a fabulous year in his new school. He is our one that likes stability and routine, so now that life has settle a little he is doing really well. Celtin will enter 4th grade this coming fall and can't wait to hear who his teacher will be. He loves to hang with his dad and brother. He hikes, fishes and enjoys playing with their new friends across the street.

Duncan is the oldest and just turned 10 ~ WOW where did the years go!!! He is a wonderful big brother and has the softest heart around. He has made leaps and bounds in school this year, we are so proud of him. We think with all the moving that he has finally caught up to where he should be for schooling in the US. Praise the Lord!

This has been a big year for me as well with defining my role as a mother and my fit in ministry. I've really limited the ministries I'm involved in to be full time mum. I'm still mentoring young ladies, volunteering in our school, ministering along Tim as needed, but the big ministry I'm doing is called Hearts at Home. I have such a heart for young mom's and this is once a month time of refreshment, encouragement from seasoned moms and wonderful fellowship. All to say I'm so glad that the Lord has been refining me to where my gifts are and where he wants me to serve.

Just to update on my health: I've done wonderful here in Oregon. OK, I've had a tiny bit of symptoms but over all I'm feeling amazing! We also had an extra mold check done on the house which turned up negative (which is good) and then with the fire they recovered every square corner of the house. So the house could not be any better then as if it was new. God continues to provide every step of the way.

Thank you for all your continued prayers,
Britany and the clan

Israel Update

It is amazing how life just seems to move along. One moment I am thinking about how incredible the experience of going and studying for three weeks in Israel will be and the next I am trying to recall all the incredible things that happened almost a month ago! With so much going on this summer I decided it was time, finally, to sit down and write my update on Israel to let all of you (our friends, family and supporters) see a little picture of my time there.

As most of you know, I have as a part of this next season begun to slowly work away at a Masters degree. In light of all the teaching opportunities God has and is providing I have felt a strong conviction to become better equipped in bible, theology and practice. This fall an amazing opportunity presented itself in the form of a three week intensive class in Israel. With the help of a very special donor, a scholarship and approval from my family and boss I was able to make this amazing opportunity a reality. One of the goals of the geo-historical bible class was to help lift the stories from the scriptures "off the page"... and that is exactly what it did!

Standing where Jesus would have taught in the synagogue at Capernaum

In the field with my Bible, textbook and map... three key tools for the class

Dr. Wright in the "other" classroom!

Dorm life... living with nine other guys

To say the experience was incredible does not do it justice. It was profound, overwhelming, beautiful, challenging, tiring, motivating, formative, interesting, encouraging and expanding... just to mention a few descriptors. Part of the reason it was all these things is because it was SO busy. Imagine doing a three week country wide tour while taking a credited course (with exams and papers) all the while jet lagging and dealing with culture shock... and that is what we did!

Standing on Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal

Our boat ride on the sea of Galilee was amazing!

We were able to spend time on the ancient Tel of Jericho... couldn't find the walls though

Siege "machine" used by the Romans on the fortress of Masada (in the background)

Ancient desert fathers retreat... now the home to goats!

Probably my single biggest take away was seeing the reality of God's story in a particular place and time. So much of what we read (especially in the Old Testament) can become a distant story... almost myth like. Yeah, we know that it all really happened but we don't have a sense of its reality in our own world - it reads more like a fairy tale. That is until you walk on the mountain side that fire fell from heaven upon... you float across the lake that Jesus walked on... you see the Praetorium that Paul was held in before he gave his defense to Felix, Festus and Agrippa... you climb the path to the springs of En Gedi where David hid in the wilderness... and stand in the Jordan, in Nazareth, on the temple steps, in the Dead Sea, etc, etc. And then, one day a few weeks after the trip, somebody reads a passage from the Scriptures talking about a specific place and all of a sudden its not just an empty name. All of a sudden you have a picture of that place in your mind... the feeling of the heat on the back of your neck, the dirt under your feet... and the taste of the dust in your mouth... and it all feels so real!

THAT was the gift of this class.

Standing in the Jordan river!

The wilderness of Zin... where the children of Israel wandered for 40 years!

An example of a stone carved tomb

Roman ruins... which we saw A LOT of... :)

Celebrating the Torah for Pentecost!

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for this experience - it was not only empowering educationally, it was rewarding spiritually. I have experienced a renewing of my love for God's Scriptures (both in daily reading and in meditation) and for it's teaching (both formally and informally). I am excited to see how God is going to use this for His work.

Thank you so much for your prayers for me and my family while I was gone... they were definitely felt (we didn't even have a house fire this time)!

April/May Update + India!

Hey everyone!

To say that the past couple months have been crazy would be a complete understatement! Between traveling to India, having a house fire, living out of suitcases (while moving from house to hotel to apartment to house again), traveling to Canada, "re" moving back into our house (we are still in boxes), writing finals, Hallie's tonsillectomy and preparing to leave to Israel in 2 weeks, there has hardly been time to think... thank you for your patience (and prayers) as we get our feet under ourselves again!

This past weekend The Berean Way held it's first annual silent auction to raise money to reach and train barefoot pastors in the most unreached areas of Northern India. It was an amazing event that exceeded expectations. The evening was filled with bidding, laughter and fellowship while Jeff was able to communicate the need and vision for India. Britany was even able to dress up in a sari as she acted as one of the hostesses for the evening... it was a lot of fun AND its impact will be felt in India in the days ahead.


Just a couple of weeks ago we were able to move back into our house... it has been SO good to be back home. For those who may have missed the story or the specific updates on our house fire they are posted on our blog HERE. Our house looks amazing... we are so thankful to the Jeff and Brian Bohrer at Cornerstone Construction for going way beyond the call of duty and doing it so quickly. It feels good to be back in our neighborhood and we are looking forward to how God is going to use this experience and this house for His glory!


Just over a month ago Brit the kids and I packed up our van and headed up to Canada for a solid week of connecting with the Lethbridge Evangelical Free Church (the supporting church we grew up in), supporters, friends and family... it was 1600mile whirlwind! We had a very good time reconnecting with our supporters and telling them about our vision and direction. We left very excited about future partnerships and old friendships. It is always a joy to be home.


It feels like our trip to India was ages ago. Though I know most of you kept up with our trip on the Berean Way BLOG (if you didn't I would encourage you to look) I wanted to let you know what an impact full time it was. The conference times were fantastic but the spiritual warfare was intense. God had us in the enemies domain yet we experienced His power, strength and support every step of the way. As one of the local Indian missionary/pastors explained, "when I was in South India I saw myself as standing at the gates of hell, breaking down the doors, running in and rescuing the lost and hurting... now that I live in North India I see my self as having moved into hell, grabbing as many as I can and pushing them out the gates." Another pastor told us that we were the first to do any sort of training in the area and that they couldn't even get other Indians to come to their area... it is a very dark place.


BUT!!!


God is doing amazing things! Men, women, children turning to Himself, the fountain of living water for LIFE. God has amazing things for India in a time when the doors have never been so open. Truly the harvest is ready and the work is great... THANK YOU for you part in making this ministry happen. Your prayers, financial support and encouragement have been so appreciated. May God bless you as you have been a blessing to us!

grace and peace friends,
Tim

Feb/Mar Update... House FIRE

Well, Tim is back from India and will soon be sending a bit of an update of his own BUT this has been quite a week for us and I really want to share it with you... and ask for your prayers

Last monday night, around 7:45pm, I was talking with Tim on the phone and noticed a funny smell. For about 5 minutes, while I was talking with him, I hunted for the source of the smell. After a couple minutes Tim said "Britany, you need to hang up and call Jeff Borher (a friend and neighbor)". By the time Jeff made it over (3 minutes later) there was a light haze in the air and getting worse by the minute. We both looked for a minute for the source and could not find it. We went to the crawl and as soon as Jeff opened it black smoke came out and he heard crackling. I ran upstairs and got the kids while Jeff called 911. Within 1-2 minutes 8 fire trucks had responded with about 20 - 30 firemen. As soon as the fireman came the air made it into the crawl space and flames came shooting out the front of the house. From the first time I smelled the smoke to the fire department coming was about 10 -12 minutes.

I'm writing this email because I truly want to give you all a glimpse of how the Lords finger prints have been all over this last week!!!

First and most amazing miracle was that I truly watched while the whole thing happen. I was going to be upstairs watching a movie with the kids but Tim called (we had not talked in about 3 days) so I came downstairs. Secondly, it was my hubby on the phone and he could really walk me through what I should look for. Another amazing miracle was how quickly our friend Jeff felt he should go and how he stepped into help where Tim was absent. Fourth the kids had a fire drill at school that day so we had talked about what the safe thing was to do in a fire. Fifth, about 5 mins after the fire department arrived Kelly (Jeff's wife) saw the trucks pass her house and knew they were for us so she came and helped me try to calm the kids and then a few minutes later took them away to their house.

What happened? Apparently there was a open wire under the living room floor that was supposed to be a dead wire caught on fire. Because the underpart of the house was so sealed no air had been allowed to get in which is why there is less damage than it should have been. The firemen told me that if Jeff had not put the hatch lid down again it would have been much worse. As soon as the firetrucks made it to the scene that is when air had been released into the house. The positive about the way it happened was that because it was so contained not as much was damaged, the scary part was because it had some time to stew once it took off the fire cheif said it would have taken off fast. So the fact it took off right as the fire trucks arrived was a true miracle. Had I not been home or a few hours later when all 5 of us were a sleep life could have changed dramatically.

Another miracle about me being downstairs was because the fire alarm never went off till the fire department arrived. I had to ask the firecheif why that happened and he told me that it was the type of smoke. It was white-clear and very hard to detect, it was not coming of any source but it seemed like the walls were smoking. The cheif fireman told me that once the fire alarm goes off you have about 3 minutes to get out of your house!!! WOW that surprized me! Erin and I were telling each other yesterday how much we have learned this week. These are only a few of the finger prints of the Lord, I'm sure I could write a small book about this week.

I can't tell you how much care we have recieved from people watching the kids to meals brought to us. Thanks you to all of you who have come around us so fast and with such love. I have to mention 2 people that with out them I would not have made it this week. My sister Erin took us all into her home and truly stopped her life this week to help me handle all the phone calls, meetings and decisions that needed to be made. Erin you truly were and are amazing, Thank you! Secondly Jeff Borher for stepping in and filling in for Tim. He was the one who called 911, helped me during the whole fire and then spent the next day helping me with the Investigators, fire shiefs, insurance guys and the many cleaning services that came alongside a fire. Jeff I could not have done it without you there, many thanks! And Kelly thank you for letting us have him so much this week and for loving on my kids during a tough time! I also wanted to thanks Brian Borher, Dave Hopkins, Troy Noland, Rita Valdes, Teresa Rickard, Kendra Kazabee, Mark and Rhonda Began, Nancy Melrose, Wendy Luikart and RHCC for the many things they have done to make the week go smoother! What a amazing community around me and my family!

Again thank you for all the prayers that were sent out for Tim's trip and for us here at home. We truly could not live without them! I told someone the other day that when our men are away we are under a greater attack from the enemy but at the same time we experience a mightier heavenly presence surrounding us!!! Our God is so much greater than we can understand but I sure can say that my mind and heart have been open to a greater understanding of this mightiness this last week!!!

Just to let you know that my computer has been taken away for repairs (smoke damage) so emails will be slow in coming. Also, we are in a hotel right now but will be moving to our short-term housing tomorrow for a couple of months as the rebuilding and smoke damage is repaired.

With love to you all,

Tim, Britany and Clan

looking backward & forward

Isaiah 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Can you believe that it is 2010?

I remember thinking as a kid about how weird it would be to live in the year 2000 and now here we are... 10 years in! So much has happened this last year that it would be impossible (and exhausting) to recount it here - BUT there are noteworthy blessed moments that must be remembered with much thanksgiving.

- After 8 years, this spring we transitioned from our nieucommunities family to begin working with The Berean Way. We praise God for the friends and experiences that we were gifted by nieucommunities and are thankful for their great work.

- After 8 years, this fall we moved back to Portland Oregon. It has been great reconnecting with friends and family as well as seeking out new relationships and ministry.

- The kids started into their third school in three years... one they will (God willing) be settled in for the next season. They love their new school and have begun to really flourish.

- After 10 years, I started back (very part-time) at Western Seminary. I have felt God leading me for many years that it was time to continue my education. As I have found myself doing more discipleship and teaching as of late it has been exciting for me to be in an academic sphere.

- This Fall we were extremely blessed to have Sam Apollos and his family come to Portland for several weeks. It was an amazing blessing to have him here, to talk about the future in India and spend time getting to know them all better.

- After being gone from Glasgow for almost a year and a half Britany and I were able to return for some training and reconnecting... it was fantastic to be able to see our friends and RE:hope.

So what of 2010?

What an amazing year we have ahead of us... starting this February with my first trip back to India in a while. We have been planning, writing/translating material and fundraising for our next trip to the northern boarder of India. We will be doing three different training events for the barefoot pastors there (one of which will actually be in Nepal)... please be praying for money for the events and my visa!!

Beyond that we have plans for travel to Canada in March, Israel in May, Malaysia in July, Uganda in September and back to India in October... we would appreciate your prayers as we navigate all these trips!

Pray also for all the AMAZING opportunities God is opening up here in Portland. We have been so humbled and thankful for the doors that are opening up here. Pray specifically for two different equipping tracks that I am developing/teaching here for our teams and a handful of churches in the area. One is for those going on short-term mission experiences and the other is for those wanting to grow in their discipleship and disciple making. These are things that I have almost stumbled into but am excited to be a part of... God is using SO much of these last years for His work here and around the world.

Finally, would you join us in this prayer... this commissioning - that our minds would stay on our Lord, that we would not be distracted by issues of money, fear or doubt and that all of us would find our perfect peace in trusting in our everlasting ROCK.

Amen Lord. Amen.