The One Where I Don't Really Answer Your Question

People have begun to ask us a sort of dreaded question.

They mean well, or perhaps are just curious about the prefield process, but it is still hard to hear.

When are you going to give up?

So many thoughts come to mind.

First, (just being honest), justification: although we were appointed in 2010, we didn't start raising support until 2011. So this is year three and that's not unusual. The second 50% will come faster. We've had two babies on prefield. Let me tell you: babies and small children make prefield ministry hard. (They go to bed when people are free to meet. They don't like unfamiliar nurseries. They need to sleep or eat all the time.)

Second, overspiritualization: we'll never really give up. As long as we love the Lord and follow Him, we'll be on the right track. We listen to His voice and obey and right now that means raising support for the mission field. Who knows what it will mean in 10 years.

Finally, peace. God is doing something. We know it. I wrote yesterday about one part of what God is doing in our lives: pruning. John Piper says, "God is always doing 10,000 things in your life and you may be aware of three of them." I am grateful to be aware of such an important part of my sanctification!

This call to ministry has already been a long journey. It surprised us from the get-go. That first survey trip to Spain is perhaps the biggest leap of faith we've ever taken, and God's confirmation of His call on our life that month still echoes in our hearts daily. We long to see Spaniards come to know Jesus and we know God is planting that desire in the hearts of each one of our partnering churches or individuals.

So we work and we share the vision God has given us and we wait. We anticipate His provision.