"God always calls. To hear his call and allow that call to guide our action requires discipline in order to prevent ourselves from remaining or becoming spiritually deaf"
Henri Nouwen
Dear Family and Friends,
In the book of 'Luke' we are reminded of the costs of being a follower of Jesus, the costs of being a Disciple and letting go of our riches. Henri Nouwen writes "The call to community as we hear it from our Lord is the call to move away from the ordinary and proper places. Leave our father and mother. Let the dead bury the dead. Keep your hand on the plow and do not look back. Sell what you own, give the money to the poor and come follow me."
For us following this call has been a long road; we have left our church that had become like family in California to begin the process of leaving. We have spent 3 wonderful years with our family in Massachusetts, made new family in our church here. We have met new friends through our jobs and school. We now have the blessing of our daughter Elijah and have had the joy of seeing our family shower her with love. However, we are now ready. We have been equipped with supporters, education, and time to mature. God has used this time to bring Amy and I closer, to share one vision. And so we begin to follow the call finally to Thailand: we let go of our community here, we have followed the call giving away what we own and are ready to follow Jesus. I ask that you would continue to pray. If you feel lead by God to partner with us, then please listen for His guidance.
At times I look at Ella and picture her life in Thailand. What an impact she will have with the families in Klong Toey! We know that God will use our family in ways that are unclear to us at times, but we leave with anticipation and excitement. So we leave with reminding you that the darkness that lingers over Thailand will one day be gone and left with everlasting beauty. The Children who are forced in having sex with men, the ones that are beaten and lay in bondage who have no hope, will one day find hope. The starving parents, who take drugs to hide their pain, sell their children for money because they feel there is no hope, will ALL one day find HOPE and TRUTH. Romans 12:12-13 Rejoice in Hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Thanks and many Blessings,
Tim Hupe