Ten Years Isn't Too Long...

Ten years ago this month, we boarded a plane with our three small children and left the familiar and beloved for the unknown. I can remember looking across the aisle at my exhausted wife as she cuddled our two daughters (who, at the time, were covered in scabs from chicken pox!), as I searched my heart again for that certainty that I was leading us all according to God’s plan. And the call of God was so clear….so pressing….that there was no question in our hearts that we were doing the right thing.

But if I’m going to be honest, there have been moments since then when that call wasn’t so clear…when we questioned whether or not we’d heard aright…when the press wasn’t coming from a conviction in our hearts, rather it was coming from a battle that felt too fierce.

I can remember in my first year of youth ministry, during a discouraging season, a dear friend reminded us that God’s timetable is very different from ours.

In John 11 Jesus was interacting with Martha at the tomb of her brother Lazarus, He promised her that the reward of her faith would give her the privilege of being an eyewitness of His glory.

"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

Earlier she had professed faith in Him - she knew He was the Son of God, and that His Father would give Him anything He asked for. But when it came to believing He would act on her behalf, her faith faltered. She thought she had Him figured out…but Jesus’ agenda was about so much more than her brother’s living or dying. His timetable allowed for His glory to be revealed more fully.

This week we sat across the table from our beloved Martin. I was literally crushed when this young man, in whom I’d invested my life, walked away from Jesus and abandoned his faith. But he still calls us and God is gracious to still give us a relationship with him. So we will wait…and believe…that Jesus will yet bring our prodigal home…for His glory.

Last week we were at a wedding where five students, who trusted Christ seven years ago at one of our English camps, were in attendance. What joy to see all of them still following Jesus and serving Him in their local church, impacting the next generation as they reach out to the youth of their city. Years later, God is still bearing fruit in their lives for His own glory.

A couple of months ago a young woman came to us convinced the only answer to her life circumstances was to have an abortion. God was gracious and merciful as He showed her a way through her difficulty and today she is anticipating the birth of her first daughter. Even now, we are eyewitnesses of how He brings life from the tomb and glorifies Himself He Himself provides the way out.

And students from our first youth group are multiplying themselves in the lives of other young people throughout Czech. David and Lucka are serving full-time in the English camp ministry, Daniela is coordinating small group training across the country for the ministry accompanying our Exit 316 television program. Tamara and Ester are serving as part of our church plant in Karvina. And our local church is reaching out into the darkness of a neighboring community to multiply itself in a church plant.

Today, at this ten year mark, as Amy and I look back we can give testimony to the fact that ten years isn’t too long to keep serving here. We are more confident than ever that the fields are ripe unto harvest. And ten years isn’t too long to believe…that Jesus will roll back the stone in a heart… that the prodigal will come home…that a life will bear fruit. WE want to be eyewitnesses of His glory, and we don’t want to grow weary in our waiting or falter in our faith

We want you to be eyewitnesses of His glory too. We are so grateful to have you standing with us BELIEVING as we wait and pray together, in faith, for a movement among the young people of eastern Europe that will transform the nations.

One by one….

Comments

[Aubrey]

wow. loved the pictures..but also loved the words.
looking forward to seeing you all again...

[Sarah]

Wow, Mel and Amy... when I look at all the pictures and see how your children have grown up and are thriving not just surviving I see parents that love the gospel more than houses or family and yet see how our heavenly father loves your children more than you do. May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and continue to put our treasures heavenward so our hearts will follow. Love you, Bret and Sarah

[Michal and Romana]

Congratulations to your ten years in Czech!! It has been a blessing to know you. God used you so much in our lives. With love from both of us...

[Laurie Doden]

It has been an unbelievable joy and privilege to experience the glory of God with you over the years Jesus has allowed us to walk together! I love Him and I love you!! His Glory to the END!! Laurie