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