Here's your sign...

This morning I began my weekly ritual that takes place on Tuesday mornings as I prepare to head to Ft. Smith, AR where I do Biblical counseling from 10 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. each week.   When I leave the house many times I start praying for all the things that are on my heart.  When I went to bed last night (and I say that loosely because Little Guy has been sick for the last couple of days) I was thinking over our prayer time meeting we had earlier in the evening for our North East Asia trip which is only 4 weeks away and, yes, we are counting!  When we get this close to departure I know I make Patty, our financial person, a little weary because I frequently want to know how many missionary women are sponsored and how many we need funded.   Let me say this about me if you don't know me ..........I'm not concerned that God isn't going to provide because He always does provide what we need for each trip.  But, I start thinking about how He is going to show up in the final hours.  I could probably write a book on the way God has moved on behalf of our missionary women all over the world in regard to Pure Joy International.   This is just one ministry.  There are stories after stories of how He has moved on behalf of those He has sent overseas to the frontline through numerous ministries.  What I love about that is......I want our missionaries to ‘see’ He is always acting on their behalf.  He knows!

All that to say, as I thought about the number of women we have signed up so far, 42 as of this writing with 11 of those still needing sponsorship, I was entering the on-ramp to I-40 West.   Now you must know I have entered this ramp every Tuesday morning for years and actually more than that if you consider some random trips west for other things.   There directly across the interstate was this big billboard that I know did not just grow there overnight and in big large letters was the number $8,000.  I don't even know what else was on that billboard because it seems like all that was on it for my eyes was the number $8,000.  I could not shake the number.  Then as I drove down I-40, I'm saying to God, “OK, so what about that number?”  Without going through all the dialogue that went on between God and me (yes, I believe God talks to us by impressing on us through the person of His Holy Spirit’s direction and answers as we seek Him) I know God wanted me to share the need for $8,000 dollars to sponsor the remaining missionary women.  Lord I said, “That is enough for two more missionary women than we have signed up.”  He Knows!  That still would leave $200 dollars left for what?  He Knows!

Now before you write me off as some little 'nut case' just know that I am being obedient to God.  I learned a long time ago that being obedient to God can look a little 'nutty' in the physical and people like to poke a little fun at you but I'll just take my chances and be obedient and if I missed it....God knows my heart is pure.

Pray for the final details as time closes in on our departure.   Also, I am hearing from several of the ladies that we will be ministering to and they are sooooooo excited!  

Love you all,

His,

Vickie

P.S. Remember our little guy in your prayers...he is a sick kiddo this week.

P.S.S. A note from Deb Potter, public relations person for Pure Joy International…

I wanted to let you know that Vickie was nominated for an Epoch award. “Epoch honors the unsung heroes; the people who cross the boulevard or the world to serve where poverty, drought, HIV/AIDS, sex trafficking, homelessness, and fear reign. For these heroes, this is more than planting churches and discipling– this is life.”

For those of you who know Vickie personally either through a relationship stateside, by encountering her on the field in a Pure Joy International retreat, or via her weekly blog, I’m guessing that you would wholeheartedly agree that she is indeed an unsung hero of the faith.  She has allowed God to pour out His creativity through her in a unique ministry that reaches and encourages missionary women around the world through in-country retreats, ongoing Biblical counseling via Skype and other electronic media, and weekly blogs.  All of this is to fulfill the purpose of bringing God glory by encouraging missionary women of all walks of life – single, married, widowed, or divorced – to stay in the place where He called them to serve so they can minister to His people in their own unique ways. (You can read more about this on the About page at:  purejoyinternational.org If you would like to know more about Epoch awards click here:  http://epochawards.com/nominations/2013-nominations/ 

Pray with us that God will be honored through the Epoch awards and we praise Him for Vickie’s nomination.

Blessings,

Deb Potter
Pure Joy International, Public Relations