Friday, September 1, 2017

A New Chapter Begins

OUR SUMMER

What a whirlwind season this summer has been since we finished raising our support at the end of May.

It started with a simple handoff of my department to a very qualified new leader and suddenly doors flew open for new opportunities for both of us, including a move to Colorado Springs. After a few false starts, we are about to move in a few days.

In July we attended our bi-annual staff conference. It's a 10-day event in Colorado where 6,000+ Cru missionaries come together to rest and relax. We worship together, celebrate what God has done and hear from the Lord so we can return to ministry refreshed and empowered.

Tez taught about 200 missionary authors about the book industry and was later offered a role to be Director of Publishing for Cru Intl. Although he was honored to be asked, he has turned it down for now, so he can continue on with Jesus Film Project.

We rented a humble little mobile home up in the mountains overlooking the city. Two days before it ended, a forest fire approached the mountain where we were staying so we had to evacuate to a hotel. For lack of space, I'm minimizing that event. Let's just say it was a much bigger deal than I've just described.

We got to tour Focus on the Family headquarters and one of Tez's literary friends who works there took us on a back stage tour and let the girls sit in the radio studio. 

When we arrived home (being gone 20 days) it was time to pack our house and continue trying to sell it. Meanwhile, we've enrolled the girls in school here knowing they will probably have to leave in a few weeks...Lord willing.

God has given us strength and patience through it all. We look forward to autumn in Colorado where they say the colors are amazing. 



A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS
The International School Project (ISP) is another ministry of Cru. It was started as a spin-off from Jesus Film Project. I'm very excited about ISP and the partnership they have with us here at Jesus Film Project. Now Christine is serving with them to help build spiritual movements among educators worldwide.

Christine will go into schools overseas and teach educators how to use curriculum that teaches students the moral value of abstinence, avoiding drugs and alcohol. One evening during this week of seminars she will show the JESUS film and give each teacher a DVD copy.

Because the program requires Christine to take multiple trips, new friendships will be forged between her and these teachers. Many of them are new believers so Christine is very excited about the opportunity to disciple these international women.

One Minister of Education said the entire nation is being transformed. HIV is down, teen pregnancy is down and crime is down since ISP began visiting his country.

As a couple, Christine and I look for ways to use our skills and creativity to glorify God and point others to Christ. With Christine's degree in Education, her experience teaching, and her love for discipling women, this is a great fit for her.

We are expanding our influence as a couple, using both evangelism and humanitarian work to assist us in presenting the gospel message. 
Since I have recently handed over my leadership role at Jesus film Project to another team member, this frees me up to work from my home office. So we will be moving to Colorado Springs to be closer to Christine's new team.

We've always longed to live in Colorado so this opportunity is an amazing blessing for us. We've sold our home in FL and arrive in Coloroad around the 19th. Working for the Lord is always an adventure and we're so glad you're in it with us. 

1 comment:

  1. Tez, I am so happy to know such an amazing couple! May you be a blessing to people all over the world. My husband and I have just moved back home to Arkansas from central Florida. Can't wait for the 4 seasons again! Love to you and your family!

    Love and Light
    Cherie

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