God’s Leading
Steve and I (Margaret) have been married for 15 years and now have four wonderful boys. We married at 31, and I remember praying throughout my single years that I only needed one man to marry. Now I live in a house with 5 males! When we first decided to start dating, I had been praying Psalms 86:11-12 for my heart. “Teach me your way o Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you Lord my God will all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.” My desire was to keep God the most important thing in my heart, not a husband. Well, this same verse was the memory verse that Steve sent to me the first week of our “ official” dating. God was bringing our hearts together and undivided toward Him.
This past summer we began praying about this opportunity to serve God in Ethiopia. We have always talked of one day being overseas together. Steve has been traveling and teaching for most of our marriage with Downline Ministries and Harvest Church. During my prayers to God, I went back to that verse in Psalms. I read the verses just before “our verse”.
All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.
Psalm 86:9-10
God was preparing us to serve in a church where people from over 60 nations worship!! I have read this verse so many times and have it marked in my Bible, it is in my wedding band, but I have never seen this part about the nations before now. God’s heart is for the nations: it is clear from the Great Commission.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with youalways, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
This is Jesus' command for us to obey- His marching orders for us as believers. How can I refuse to go where the nations gather in the Horn of Africa to worship Him? This call is humbling; it brings me to my knees in need of Jesus. There is nothing in myself alone that can do this. Motherhood has taught me that I cannot be kind enough or patient enough or consistent enough or wise enough on my own to teach and train these precious gifts God has given to me. God has to equip me and work through me. ( II Corinthians 12:9-10). What better place to be than total dependence on the Lord and His strength. I am confident He is working in us now and will continue as we move.
Here is one way to join us on the journey. Please be praying for our Family.
Faith- Our faith to grow. Ephesians 1:17-19 and Ephesians 3:14-20, Colossians 1:9-10
Friends - Our boys to find friends and be good friends in Ethiopia and maintain valuable ones here in Memphis II Timothy 2:22, Colossians 3:12
Food- We will need to eat!!! I will need to learn new ways to cook and feed all my growing boys
Fun- We want to have fun together as a family and for our boys to experience that serving God is the greatest joy and adventure.
Family- We are leaving my parents and sister and her family behind in Memphis. Steve’s family is a few hours away from Memphis. Leaving family will be hard for all of us.
Fruitfulness- We are praying that by God’s grace the gospel message will bear much fruit in the ministry that He has set before us.
Financial- We have had the joy of witnessing God lead us and are confident that He meet our financial needs.