The Ministry of THE BIBLE Baptist Church of DeLand, Florida, and
Pastor James W. Knox

April 2006
Listening for "No"

Life has been a whirlwind since our return from Sierra Leone and I appreciate your patience in waiting for "the rest of the story"!

Our survey trip was wonderfully blessed of the Lord. However, before we launch into the in-country details I must tell you all how blessed we consider ourselves to have a pastor and church family who genuinely care for us and who prayed for our success and safety. Before leaving, our pastor, his wife, and a faithful brother took us out to dinner. The fellowship was good as it typically is, but our pastor had more on his mind than food. Our conversation covered such a broad range of issues concerning the ministry that it would not make for interesting reading. I will mention, however, one question our pastor and brother asked of us: what if you get to Sierra Leone and learn it is not right. He said, “I think it is great you have both sold out to go, but are you ready to hear ‘NO’?” My response was, “Pastor, I am 52 now, and by the time I finish school I will be 54 and just beginning the deputation phase of this ministry. I do not have a lot of time left, so if it is ‘no’ I am not going to waste any time trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. We will just come back and see what the Lord’s contingency plan is for us.” He was more of an encouragement than he knew that night. The wise counsel given us was to remember that there was no shame in returning from our survey trip only to announce to the church that we misread God’s leading, Sierra Leone was not God’s choice after all, and perhaps He simply wanted to check out the sincerity of our commitment to go.

So with our heads and hearts full of thoughts and anticipations, we boarded our plane in Orlando, Florida, headed to Brussels by way of Chicago and then on to Sierra Leone via Ivory Coast, a trip that would take us 30 hours to complete.

The many inconveniences and difficulties inherent at all levels of life in Third World countries became immediately apparent upon disembarking the plane at Lungi airport, which is across the bay from Freetown where we were to meet our friends. The efficiency and amenities taken for granted in the West vanished immediately. Retrieving our four checked bags and arranging for the Vietnam War-era helicopter flight to Freetown took several hours of standing in line to clear customs in a dirty, poorly lighted, stiflingly hot, chaotic pandemonium of people grabbing our baggage, offering to carry it to the next station in line (for a small fee, of course). It is here that we learned the meaning and value of African hospitality: for a nominal fee there are always shortcuts, and the more generous the “hospitality,” the faster the service. With prayer, a little help from an inside contact, and US dollars, we cleared customs and had our tickets for the helo. While waiting in what resembled a corral, we were the objects of everyone’s curiosity and the target of every beggar, hawker, and embezzler. We were somewhat prepared for this, only not to this degree. However, it did give me a great opportunity to witness to everyone who got close enough to hear.

We finally arrived at the mission house in Freetown about 0100 am and things began to settle out, with our daily routine quickly developing. The next day we met with Pastor Michael Mansaray and sorted through the mountain of gospel material we brought with us for distribution and evangelizing. That done, we laid out a schedule for meeting the branch churches in the outlying villages and evangelizing in those areas – a welcomed task we eagerly engaged in the following morning and continued throughout our stay.

Our experiences in this lovely country were many and varied. To do them justice, I would like to dedicate several future installments to specific events. Along with this, we will include photos so that you, too, can meet these warm and friendly people.

We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Four days before our departure, David Tanner, a missionary from Massachusetts whom we had met through a mutual contact, came to the mission house where we were staying in Freetown. Last summer, we met with him and his wife Jeanne at their home to discuss mission work in Sierra Leone in order to learn from his experience and knowledge gained on short-term trips to Sierra Leone. He, too, is just starting on deputation and plans to labor full-time in Sierra Leone as soon as the Lord directs. The crucial part David played in our experience there concerns a brief conversation I overheard him having with Max, the mission house director. His joy to be back in Sierra Leone was obvious. He mentioned to Max just how thrilled he was to be back in HIS country, among HIS people, and how much he LOVED the people and the country. Those words cut me to the quick. I had been in the country almost a month and I could not honestly say I had experienced David’s enthusiasm. His words plagued me all day. We had been praying and listening for God’s still, small voice, and I still believed this was where God wanted us to serve. So why could I not echo David’s sentiment; why could I not have the same feelings of love for this place and these people? I was devastated, even panic-stricken, about my feelings. Later that evening, while sitting on the second floor verandah and looking out over smoke-filled, noisy, filthy Freetown, I found myself wrestling with the Lord over my heart’s condition. Lord, why can’t I say I love these people? And before the words were off my lips I heard myself repeating, “Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” That quickly, the Lord showed me a great truth, one I had struggled with, yet overlooked, all day. I did not ask you to love them, I asked you to love ME, and I will teach you how to love them. “He saith unto him (me), Feed my lambs” (John 21:15). What a great and faithful God we serve. What a tireless, compassionate, Saviour we have. Just that quickly he flooded my heart with sweet confirmation. The doubt is gone, and we live in anticipation of satisfying our burden for Sierra Leone and its people and establishing a Bible school to train up Sierra Leoneans to reach their own.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Now back in the States, we are preparing to begin the deputation phase of our ministry. Our lease will soon expire and we will move out of our one-bedroom apartment and into the 18-foot travel trailer that will be home during deputation and the last year of school. This summer we will travel to meetings in the New England area and spend time with sorely-missed family. At times it feels like this ministry has a life all its own and we are simply “tagging along,” following the Lord’s leading; it is a great place to be. Our excitement and anticipation grow daily, God really does take very good care of us, and we do covet your prayers. Until we meet again, may God bless you in your service for Him.

September 2005

“…GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS THAT REMAIN THAT NOTHING BE LOST.”
JOHN 6:12

Greetings in the Name above all names – Jesus Christ. It is our pleasure to share our story and we sincerely pray the Lord will encourage you through this web site. It is always exciting to see how the Lord works in the lives of others.

WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED (ROMANS 10:13)

Thirty minutes into the new day of Friday, March 24, 1989, a fellow Coast Guardsman voluntarily embarked upon a most critical search and rescue mission. That night my Coasty friend sought me, threw out the lifeline, and led me to Jesus Christ. I was rescued from the lake of fire awaiting me, born again, eternally rescued, and secure. Immediately upon trusting Jesus Christ, I was consciously aware something had been missing. The burden 36 years of accumulated sin debt and its consequences had been lifted; in its place were peace and calm.

My first trial: How do I explain all that has just happened to me to my wife, Laura Jean, and our daughter, Danielle. I feared their reactions but knew I must tell them. I was panic stricken when I considered them rejecting Jesus Christ and going to hell. As best as I knew how, I immediately began to witness to them but more importantly, I PRAYED for them! We also began attending church with my friend who had led me to the Lord. The church, Victory Bible Baptist Church in Ledyard, Connecticut was a one-hour drive from our home in Coventry, Rhode Island. Through prayer and the preaching of the God’s Word, on May 1, 1989, Laura and Danielle bowed their heads in prayer as I led them to the Lord Jesus Christ and they were wonderfully saved in our living room!! At the time of our salvation, I was 36, Laura Jean was 27, and Danielle was 7. How often it has been observed that the only regret with salvation is that one did not come to the Lord earlier in life and not have to bring Him a lifetime of avoidable sin! Certainly, Laura and I keenly felt that remorse. But, praise His Holy Name that Danielle was spared that sorrow of heart.

FOR IT IS A GOOD THING THAT THE HEART BE ESTABLISHED WITH GRACE (HEBREWS 13:9)

While still on active duty in the Coast Guard, we also became very “active duty” members at VBBC. Almost immediately after being saved, it was my desire to go to Bible school. However, my pastor wisely advised, “Steve, bloom where you’re planted.” Heeding that advice, we, as a family, became involved in as many ministry opportunities as possible and were at church every time the doors were open. Desiring to be more useful to the Lord in the church where we believed He wanted us, we eventually moved to Connecticut.

In 1993, upon returning from almost two years of duty in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Laura and Danielle having remained in Connecticut) we began to pray for a family ministry. In answer to that prayer, the Lord opened a door at Fairview Nursing Home in Groton, Connecticut. Thus, in May 1993, the Saturday Hymn Sing-Along was born which we, along with other members of our church, faithfully brought to the Fairview residents for the next 12 years. In that time, we saw 44 souls marvelously SAVED, the youngest of which was 69, the oldest, 105! All Glory to God! Additionally, in 1994, we became foster parents and began providing care through our state Department of Children and Families. Over a period of nearly five years, we ministered to 12 children, four of whom were born again while in our care. As part of our family, these needy children participated in many of our church outreach opportunities. Community parades, tract distribution, door-to-door visitation, and especially the nursing home are some of the experiences our church and family provided for these children. This inter-generational ministering brought much growth to our family as well as to the church. These were rich and fruitful years.

But life is filled with change. In 1997, after years of declining health, my bride experienced a physical break down. Many tests and doctors later, it was determined that she required surgery to alleviate the symptoms caused by a birth defect at the base of her brain. The surgery itself was a success but the rehabilitation was prolonged by exacerbated neurological dysfunction. Years of incapacitating pain were a daily up-hill battle. Please see Laura’s devotional column on this web site entitled “Living with Chronic Illness.” Here you will find the full story and the many lessons we learned together through this trial. This “change in plans” necessitated that we discontinue foster care. Medical expenses required us to sell our house and purchase a small mobile home. The only thing which remained basically unaffected was the nursing home ministry.

Danielle and I continued in the nursing home outreach work. In 2000, Danielle graduated from home school and moved to Florida to attend Pensacola Christian College. Now our family ministry was down to a solo along with the assistance of some faithful brethren from church. Through God’s unfailing mercies, Laura has recovered much of her health though she still lives with debilitating pain and fatigue. But the Lord is faithful, and our dedication was still to family ministry.

THE FORMER THINGS ARE COME TO PASS, AND NEW THINGS DO I DECLARE (ISAIAH 42:9)

In the winter of 2003, both Laura and I – though individually at first – began to sense that the Lord was redirecting the focus of our walk. Our daughter was now married to a wonderful young man. They were established in their own walk with the Lord and serving faithfully. The mortgage on our church building had been retired – seven years to the day. We were just weeks away from signing our own mortgage intending to build a small retirement home on three and one half acres near the church where we had faithfully labored for 15 years. Outwardly, life seemed to be falling into lock step with the typical and even expected empty-nest, middle-class American picture. Why, then, did we both feel so unsettled?

Each of us praying and even fasting separately (yet unbeknownst to the other) we sought the Lord’s wisdom. Separately, we surrendered the property and house plans to the Lord. Individually, we yielded to whatever His will and desire was for us. Finally, the silence was broken on February 14, 2004. That night, after hours of walking with the dog in the woods, sitting in the snow, just talking with the Lord, I knew I had to talk to Laura Jean. It was not a complete surprise to us that we each had been thinking and praying in the same direction. As one flesh and best friends, this often happened. We did not yet realize though, the major changes that our life and service were about to undergo.

HE SHALL GIVE THEE THE DESIRES OF THINE HEART. (PSALM 37:4)
“Remember your desire for Bible school 15 years ago; why not go now?” were the encouraging words from my helpmeet. It was then that we both came to a startling realization: We can do anything we want! The Lord was giving us the choice. Did we want to build a house and continue serving in Connecticut or did we want to cash it all in, go for broke and see where the Lord would lead from there? Of the choices God had gave us, each was right and yet neither was wrong; it simply came down to what did we truly want. We both already knew what we wanted, neither had to answer.

So 15 years later, at age 51, I loaded up the truck and moved to … DeLand Florida with my bride to attend DeLand School of THE BIBLE.

And it is here that we will pick up the narrative next month as we continue to bring you our story of The Road to Sierra Leone. May the Lord bless you in your service for Him.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH
There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him. ~ F. B. Meyer

November/December 2005

BUT WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM (Hebrews 11:6)

To open this installment of our story, let us revisit the "quote of the month" from our previous article as it aptly describes our subject: Faith. “There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him,” F.B. Meyer. In I Corinthians chapter 10 Jesus Christ is described as the Rock that provided for all the needs of the children of Israel during their wilderness wanderings. I have every confidence in that same Rock to provide for His New Testament children if they are walking in His Light. It was this very confidence that brought strength to Laura and me as we decided to step out on the mists of faith assuredly knowing that there was a Rock on which to firmly plant our steps. As a testimony of God’s pleasure in providing for His children who walk by faith, I will chronicle the details of how the Lord ordered the steps of our move from Stonington, Connecticut to DeLand Florida. It is my hope that our story will be an encouragement as you, too, step out in faith.

In February 2004, all was in good order; I had a very good and secure job with promotion potential. We were only days away from securing a mortgage to build a home in preparation for our retirement years. Our son-in-law and daughter had given us our first grandbaby; we were in a good church; our aging parents were living nearby in Rhode Island; we thought surely Connecticut would be the place of our home-going.

It was in that same February when we made the commitment to leave our family, church, and beloved New England to attend Bible school in Florida (see our article of October 2005 under archives for details). We understood the Lord was already using our circumstances to grow our faith but I am a slow learner and needed remedial training.

We had formulated what we thought to be a prudent course and schedule. We had to sell the mobile home we were living in as well as the 3.5-acre woodlot we had purchased almost four years previously in anticipation of building our retirement home. We planned to leave for Florida in November of 2004 and to begin school in February 2005.

The trial of my faith began in earnest with my long-distance job search. I soon realized relocating to DeLand would not be career enhancing. The better jobs were to the south in Orlando, which put them out of commuting range and in conflict with the school schedule.

My skepticism seemed to be growing faster than my faith. The longer I mused upon my “yeah-buts,” the bigger and fiercer my Philistine appeared to be. There were so many details that needed to fall into place. I was sure we would be extending our departure date out to the following semester.

Oh, but God! On a dreary Friday evening in April, we put a “for sale” sign in the window of our mobile home and before it was dark a woman stopped by to look the place over. Although she was not the one who eventually bought it, within two weeks, it was under contract at our listed price. It was then we realized God might have a different timetable in mind than we anticipated. The purchasing couple graciously agreed to a late June closing date, so we had no need to rent temporary lodging until our move date.

In late May Laura Jean and I made a survey trip to DeLand to look for housing and to follow up on a few job leads. We found a delightful rental home in neighboring DeBary just 20-30 minutes from the church and school. However, the job prospects were a different lesson. After our whirlwind four-day trip, we arrived back home at 0130 Monday morning. I went to work for 0730 weary in body yet exhilarated in spirit; I confidently believed God was going to fit the rest of the pieces into place as He knew best.

While I was at work that first day back, Laura received a phone call at home from a young man who was interested in looking at our property. I returned his call that evening and we made plans to meet at the property after work the following evening. As we walked the property, I thought if God was going to bless this I do not want to miss an opportunity to talk to this young man about his soul. I then began to explain our reason for selling the property and presented the gospel to him. It turned out that he was a Christian but he was clearly caught aback by what he perceived as reckless abandonment in cashing it all in just to attend Bible school especially with no employment prospect. After we finished our tour of the property, he said, “I admire your commitment but I am skeptical about your going with no job lined up.” I must confess that not having a job waiting for me was weighing heavily upon me also.

The next day he gave me a down payment for the land, which also sold for our asking price. With the second impediment removed, we clearly saw that God was overriding our plans and schedule; we would be in Florida a lot sooner than anticipated!

God, true to His word, continued to bless the steps of faith we took. This greatly sustained us as our moving date of June 28th rapidly approached and there was still no promise of a job. We knew God was going to see us through regardless of what happened. Even when my faith was weak, together, we had confidence in Jesus Christ our Great Savior: Lord, increase my faith (Luke 17:5).

Laura Jean was a big encouragement to me during this time. She and our daughter, Danielle, did most of the packing and preparations. Laura made it clear to me that she was willing to follow wherever the Lord would lead me. There was no expression of discouragement about not having a job; she viewed these things as a challenge to our faith, facing it cheerfully and supportively. Come what may, we were in this together and for the long haul.

On Friday, July 1, 2004, after a tiring three-day caravan-style road trip, we arrived in Florida. I drove a loaded 19-foot U-Haul truck with our Saturn in tow, which, too, was loaded with stuff. Laura drove our Volvo – yes, fully loaded with yet more stuff! And we thought we had pared down for this move! Fatigued but excited to be finished with this leg of our new adventure, with help from some of our new church family, we began to unpack and settle in to our comfortable, little rental home. We also settled in at church and began exploring the many outreach ministries.

I lost track of the number of resumes that went out. Being retired from the Coast Guard, we did have my monthly pension. While searching for a house to rent, we tried to keep our projected expenses within that pension. Laura’s well-developed skills in household frugality kept those costs to a minimum and we were still very comfortable. Praise the Lord for a good helpmeet.

I began to actively seek employment through temporary agencies. This has turned out to be the best fit for our needs and schedule. I am able to work as much as my time allows. This has also afforded me the opportunity to participate in several of the church-organized mission trips, giving me some great exposure to different ministries. Because I am not working 40 hours a week, I have time to study, read, and pray as never before. Frequently, Laura and I can have extended morning prayer time together. Our faith is exercised even further as we see God’s ability to provide for our needs while we live on a very limited budget. We have never been happier and take delight in proving God (Malachi 3:10).

What better way to close than with the familiar passage of Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Christian brothers and sisters – prove God; He will not disappoint you. He is all He said He would be and so much more. Next time I will chronicle our calling to the mission field of Sierra Lone. May God bless you in your service for Him.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH
There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him. ~ F. B. Meyer

January 2006
The Call To Service in the Field of Sierra Leone

For me to say I am called to the mission field in Sierra Leone sounds all too mysterious. I have asked men in various ministries to explain the “calling” and each has a different response though all follow a similar pattern. The man being guided by God’s Holy Spirit into a particular work will be almost obsessed with those thoughts and everything else in life seems paled in importance. I think those men are right on target, for them. Personally, I am thrilled that God has thought to entrust us with the awesome responsibility of ambassadorship. And I intend to take that “calling” as far as I can until the Lord tells me to stop.

NOW THEN WE ARE AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:20)

All Christians are “called” as ambassadors; Christ told all of his disciples to preach the gospel. We each need to be doing all we can wherever we are to bring souls into the Kingdom of God. Having said that, there clearly are times when God selects or singles out a particular man for a specific job. The Old Testament prophets are examples of men with a specific call from God. Jesus Christ’s apostles and specifically his inner three answered a special calling from God. I must say, I have never heard God call me specifically as he did any of the above mentioned. However, I believe the advice I received from Pastor Jesse Smith in Connecticut was as sound and simple as it gets. He told me, “Steve just be available and patient, God sees a willing heart and when the time is right he will let you know what to do.” So for the next 15 years we served as a family in every area available to us at Victory Bible Baptist Church.

To help explain the way the Holy Spirit guided me, I will chronicle the events leading up to our submission to that guiding and surrender to labor in God’s chosen field for us – Sierra Leone, West Africa.

HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HIM OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD? (Romans 10:14)

In our December article (see archives) we detailed the means by which the Lord brought us to Florida for Bible school. After our arrival here, we soon settled into a routine at home while also beginning to familiarize ourselves with activities of our new church. For over 20 years Bible Baptist Church has mailed Bibles, books, and tapes to churches and missionaries the world over. They currently have shipments going to 110 countries! One day, I was amazed to see a large mailing which was being readied for shipment. Seeing this massive amount of material heading for needy countries (at no expense to the recipients) brought tears to my eyes. America we are blessed; “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48). I was captivated as I began reading the shipping labels. Where in the world where some of these countries? They read like the index of the world atlas: Burma, Ghana, and Sri Lanka to name but a few. However, as I continued reading, my eyes caught a familiar name, how could this be? This label needed more than a passing glance: Pastor Michael Mansaray of Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. I stood staring in disbelief, I read it and reread it just to make certain. Now, allow me to provide you with the background for my amazement.

In 1989, the year my family and I were saved, Ray Williamson and I were on active duty in the Coast Guard and stationed together at the Coast Guard Academy, in New London, Connecticut. Shortly after I was born-again, Ray was transferred to Gulfport Mississippi. Ray had been instrumental in bringing me to the Lord and so we stayed in touch after his relocation. While stationed in Mississippi, Ray attended Bible School at night and after graduating, he was transferred to a Coast Guard training facility in Petaluma California. Unable to locate a sound Bible teaching church for his family to attend, Ray used the opportunity to start one himself. He located a small building to rent not far from the base thus making it convenient for students from the training center to attend.

Simultaneously and half a world away, civil war was erupting in the little country of Sierra Leone, a war that will last over ten years before they are done. Meanwhile, Ray was working at his Coast Guard job as well as conducting church services and pastoring his newly formed church. Then, one day two soldiers from Sierra Leone reported for military training at Ray’s base. They also began attending Ray’s vibrant little church, and it was not long before these two soldiers from West Africa were enlisting in the army of the King of Kings as they called on the Lord Jesus Christ to save their eternal souls! Following their training, they returned to their country. They had come to California as Mormons but, hallelujah, they left as new creatures in Christ. Now fitted with the whole armor of God, they left armed with more than carnal military knowledge as Ray sent them off with a load of tapes, books, Bibles and other materials to aid their growth in Christ. Upon returning to Sierra Leone, they connected with Michael Mansaray, who later formed a church in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital city. As the pastor of this budding church, Brother Mansaray kept in contact with Ray who was able to regularly supply this poverty-stricken church with needed materials, clothing, and money. Ray also kept our church in Connecticut apprised of Brother Mansaray’s needs and we too regularly contributed to this effort (James 2:14-18). What rejoicing there was among our church members when a letter and photos would come in from Brother Mansaray and his church family!

Sadly, the war’s intensity became unbearable in Freetown and our dear brethren found it necessary to flee their country. As a church, they stayed together in a refugee camp located in Guinea, the country just to the north. Around 1999 we lost all contact with them but we kept them in our prayers, knowing that God’s eyes were upon them and would see them through their trial.

And now we fast-forward to August 2004 and I am looking at a box addressed to Pastor Michael Mansaray! Only God could have choreographed these events. Brother James noticed my astonishment and informed me that this was the very first time they had sent anything to Michael. I promptly contacted him via e-mail. I also called Ray who is now pastoring in Alabama, and told him that our dear brother had resurfaced and that not only was the church still together but also growing!

While I was talking with Ray and unknown to him, the Lord profoundly used him to plant a seed deeply into my heart. By this time, Laura and I had started our first semester classes at DeLand School of the Bible. The class having the most profound effect on us as a couple was New Testament Church History. The importance of Bible education kept surfacing as a theme speaking directly to both of us. In passing, Ray said, “You know, all that country needs is some solid Bible teaching to train pastors how to win and train their own people before they are overrun by Muslims.” Ray went on in the conversation but I couldn’t tell you what he said, my mind was fixed on that statement – train up their own and especially the children. It was the same theme that was so recurrent in our church history class as well as in the regular preaching services.

Here I would like to diverge a bit. It needs to be understood that when Laura Jean and I came to Florida, we had every intention of heading back to New England upon completion of Bible school. The further north in New England, the better! New England is our home and although that area is cold and rocky it is also lost and without the plethora of churches that the south has. Our desire was to employ our gift of helps in any of the small and struggling churches throughout that region.

However, reestablishing contact with Brother Michael began a gradual shift in direction for us. The more we communicated with Michael, the more we found our thoughts and conversations centered around the small West African country of Sierra Leone and the more unsettled I became in my determination to return to New England. I could not tell you why but I just believed there was more at work than I understood.

After that semester of school, Laura and I traveled back to Connecticut to spend the December break with our family. Upon returning to Florida, I continued my job search while working sporadically through a temporary service. Throughout that time we both realized the Lord was working on us but neither could entirely explain what was going on. It seemed as though we knew something was about to radically change but we simply did not know what.

For me, the early morning is my preferred time for prayer and meditations. On the morning of February 10, 2005, I was particularly restless and unable to sleep so around three o’clock I got up. I tried reading my Bible but I just could not concentrate. I found myself pacing from the living room to the porch and then outside and staring up into the stars. I felt a knot in my gut and knew I needed to spend some time talking to the Lord. I returned to the living room, lay down on the floor and began to seek help. I was afraid. I had surrendered my ambitions and left them in Connecticut. However, I had not given up my intentions. I was convinced God needed us on the home missions field in New England. That is until things changed February tenth.

It was that morning while on my face crying, seeking some answers from God regarding employment and direction that God answered a previous prayer for wisdom. Laura had said she would go wherever the Lord led me. I, in turn, had told the Lord I would go or stay and do whatever he showed me. But now I think it was mostly lip service; my heart was still in a snowy mountain village church in Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine. God kept bringing my promise of submission into my prayer time. I was gently reminded that He had recently given us similar choices when we decided to move to Florida. We had two good options, neither one was wrong, but as often is the case, one benefited me and the other benefited the cause of Jesus Christ, need I say, my natural tendency was to the former. However, before the sun was over the tree line, I knew what I needed to do and had it settled in my heart before Laura got up. Now I just had to trust the Lord to give me wisdom in breaking the news to her – we were heading to Africa!

Our bedroom was an east facing room and very comfortable for morning prayer. Laura often took her prayer time there while I would be in the living room. That morning she came out around nine o’clock. As I began to tell her what I thought the Lord was showing me, she sensed something had changed, as if some heavy burden had been released just as when we decided to attend Bible school. I told her I thought it was Africa and not New England. Praise the Lord she was not shocked. During the next few months we both questioned this new direction especially because of the heat and with no air conditioning in Sierra Leone, this would be a difficult transition for two snow-loving New Englanders.

We both started reading and learning about Sierra Leone. We made more regular contact with Brother Michael and started entertaining the idea of a fact-finding trip to meet him and evaluate our adaptability. We consulted with our pastor who gave us outstanding advice and encouragement. He highly recommended a survey trip.

THAT YE MAY STAND PERFECT AND COMPLETE IN ALL THE WILL OF GOD (Colossians 4:12)

At the writing of this installment, we are just two days away from our December 14th departure for a 29-day visit to Sierra Leone. We are asking the Lord to use this time for fine-tuning and clarification of our direction. Sitting on this side of the Atlantic, it is easy to have plenty of grandiose ideas and layout the plan of operation for the ministry. However, we need to analyze the feasibility of what we have in mind and for the direction of the ministry and above all we need time alone with God in country before we try anything. We are eager to see how the pieces of the “puzzle” continue to fall into place.

I am glad it is only a puzzle to us and it is confidence inspiring to know God has the finished picture in clear view. We only need to stay sensitive to His leading and submissive to His will. God gains nothing and the cause of Jesus Christ would suffer loss if God were to keep His will a mystery. If you are desirous to serve Him, He will faithfully lead you each step of the way (II Thes. 3:3). While it is true that He could more efficiently accomplish things without us, He has marvelously chosen men as the instruments he uses to accomplish the fulfillment of His purposes and therefore, He has every interest in making His will plainly known to His children.

In our next segment we bring a report of our trip along with photos of the field of our calling – the country of “ The Lion Mountains”, Sierra Leone!