Open Hands

Wow!  We just realized it has been a little while since our last post so we have a few updates.  First, thanks to all of you who have been just as excited as we are about the trip.  You have asked us questions, agreed to pray, and have been an encouragement.  By now, you may have received our support letter and have taken a look at the blog for the first time.  This is our central communication to you about what we are doing, how we are preparing, and anything else we want to talk about.  Here's something interesting that happened just yesterday.  Luke and I were talking about Prov 3:9-10 and read a blog entry about it from a guy by the name of Dale McIntire.  Towards the end of the entry he said "I learned that to honor the Lord with wealth means more than simply tithing or spending wisely, though those are both included. Honoring the Lord with our wealth means living with open hands (and by extension, open wallets and checkbooks and bank accounts and stock portfolios and home equities and everything else), so that the One to whom it all belongs may place in our hands or take from them as he pleases, for his glory."  It was a beautiful perspective.  We prayed last night along these lines and about preparing the hearts of the Japanese people as we seek to serve.  This was interesting timing to think and pray about these things.  Interesting because when I came home today, my neighbor called me and said she received our letter. She went on to say that they found it very interesting and are looking to have their church support us.  God truly does even more than we can ask or imagine.  I love that about Him.  Keep praying as there is more to come.