As we continued to "Go", the dream of one day creating homes and safe sanctuaries for children involved in trafficking, both human and sexual, remained at the forefront in our heart. To give a history of words spoken into my life; In 2007, while in Mozambique with Heidi Baker for 3 weeks, Heidi spoke into my life in a casual setting over lunch. After hearing my dream to rescue children, she simply looked at me and said," I see you in South East Asia." I must admit that I was less then overwhelmed and at the time had no intention of focusing on that region of the world. Little did I know, that at that very moment a seed was planted in my heart and life. One that would soon begin to grow and bear fruit.
In November 2010, I was invited by Bob Johnson to join him on a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. In past newsletters I wrote in detail about the experience, but to say it was life changing would be the understatement of the year. It was more like life altering in more ways than I even knew at the time.
In May 2011, I went back to Vietnam to look at a piece of property with the thought it may be something we could develop over time to house children rescued from horrible circumstances. As I continue, let me say there are many details I will purposely leave out of this publication, one for the sake of time, but also for the protection of those victims living in countries that do not enjoy the freedoms we do here in the Untied States of America.
So many times our dreams are about the end result and less about the journey to accomplish them. We dream about what it will one day be, but forget for every achieved dream, there was a process and a price paid. Since June of 2007, Jessica and I have been pursuing the dream of rescuing children. Albeit seemingly at a snails pace at times, we've continued to press forward and gain ground. During this season we have learned more and more what the true rest of God is and how we can accomplish so much more when we function in that rest. We have been pursuing the dream and celebrating the process for several years now and we are closer than ever. In fact, I would say we are living right in the center of the dream.
This brings me to the big announcement. The trip to Vietnam and Cambodia this past May was full of favor and riches beyond measure. I realized riches in the Kingdom have far more to do with people than with money. People are of much more value than pocket books if I may say it like that. Jessica and I are on a journey after Him. I realize that our dreams, provision, desires and wants are all added to us as we make Him our sole pursuit.
Are you ready? Jessica, Cole, Liam and I are moving to Vietnam!!! At this point and season in our pursuit and journey we are moving there to open homes for the rescuing of boys and girls out of terrible injustice. These are situations that you would have had to be living in a cave not to know are happening all around the world. When we first dreamed the dream, we didn't see this as part of the process, but now we are continuing to celebrate and rejoice at the opportunity to GO and to LOVE the rejected and the abused.
I know some of of you at hearing this news immediately question and ask, "Why?". I'm unable to answer that question in this forum, but I will say, if you saw and experienced the things I have over the past several months, you would say, "Why not?" and even, "Why Not Now?" I know there are atrocities happening all around the world including right here in the United States. I would encourage anyone with a burden to a certain country or region to not ignore it but to pursue whatever is in their heart to do. We know, with utmost certainty, that this is where we are to begin. Our desire is to rescue children of the nations and to create safe havens all around the world. We believe this move and building of homes will be the first of many more to come.
We have three and a half acres of beautiful land, full of the most lush fruit trees and even a pond for fish. The miracles and favor we experienced as we said, "Yes!", to the opportunity are mind boggling. Which brings me to a thought, the quicker we say "yes" the better. If we had waited to come to the conclusion we knew to be right, we would have missed many of the divine encounters Father had for us while on this past trip. I do want to emphasize that us moving to Vietnam isn't merely an act of obedience as in ,"We'll just take up our cross and follow Him." Our primary motivation is LOVE. First, that Father loves us and we love him as well as those we are privileged to reach.
Many more details will be upcoming. Our goal is to move July, 2012. There are many details and steps between now and then. We are raising the budget not only for us to go but for us to build the homes for the children. I will have these details lined out in future letters. However, it is not too early to begin to help if it is in your heart to do so. My next trip to the region there will be in November. We will be meeting with contractors and others at that time to work out terms and begin the building. We have a goal of $20,000 raised by then to secure the lease and begin the building process.
Picture with me a safe village of family homes. Each having a mother, father and eight to ten children. All playing together, loving each other and knowing they have a Father who loves them more than anything. A place that is safe to dream and succeed. A place where all things truly are possible! What a place that will be!!!
We are calling this arm of Why Not Now Ministries, Lotus House International. Here is a little definition of the Lotus flower and I think you will see why we decided on this name.
The lotus flower is one of the most ancient symbols on earth. It's a metaphor for the unfolding of our potential as we grow towards the light. The lotus begins as a small bud in the muck and mud at the bottom of a pond. Each day it seeks the light and moves up to the surface where it blossoms in the warmth of the sun. At night the lotus descends below the surface to find its nourishment in the dark, muddy waters, only to rise again at sunrise. Each day the lotus flower resurfaces to unfold its breathtaking beauty and respond triumphantly to the light. The lotus symbolizes the act of rising above our circumstances and finding strength in adversity to achieve our dreams.