In preparation for beginning our lives together and our move to Georgia to continue working with Adventures in Missions, Heather and I now have a joint blog. Instead of blogging individually to keep you all posted on the work that we are a part of and the difference your support is making in our world, we'll be posting together. Our new blog is:
If you subscribe to my blog or to Heather's, I've added you as a subscriber to our new blog. Our blogging might be a bit sporadic over the next few weeks with our wedding, honeymoon, and move to Georgia but we'll be in a regular blogging routine soon.
Over the past month Heather has been working at Cornerstone Orthopedics and her last day is tomorrow. Heather worked at Cornerstone for several years before going to South Africa last year. I've been doing some landscaping and odd jobs for the Hsin family (who are hosting the wedding) since moving in with them at the end of June. The extra money from both jobs has been so nice and a huge blessing.
Support raising is going well. We are so blessed with a great team of supporters and are excited for the new supporters that have joined our team. We have about 75% of what we need for this next year of ministry and we trust that God will provide the rest before our move to Georgia. If you would like to support us or know someone who might be interested, please contact me at chadmustain02@yahoo.com for more information.
Please continue to pray for me and Heather as we move towards the wedding. We learn more and more about each other each day and over the past few weeks have experienced the joys and frustrations of merging two lives into one.
A few weeks back Heather put together a great video that highlights this past year in both our ministries in England and South Africa but our personal lives as well. For those of you that we haven't been able to meet with personally, we hope this gives you a visual of what we've done and the lives that YOU have helped change through your prayers and support.
Yesterday Heather and I took some "time off" and went down to Colorado Springs to the Garden of the Gods. We met up with two of Heather's co-leaders from Jeffrey's Bay, South Africa, Chris and Christina Via. It was just a nice day of catching up with good friends and enjoying God's beautiful creation. Here are a few photos from our day out.
At the info center of the Garden of the Gods
Chris and Christina Via
It's pretty incredible!!
Heather and I "lifting" Balanced Rock.
Chaco's eat up the rock. Heather wishes she had some . . . . .
Yesterday Heather and I did a big mail out to her supporters. Please be in prayer that they will choose into the work that we are a part of with AIM and that we will get the remaining portion of what we need each month. Yesterday in our time with the Via's, they spoke truth into us a told us they believe without a doubt that Gainesville is where God desires us this next year. We fully believe that as well and believe that he will provide all of what we need for this next year.
Thank you to all of you who are supporting us or have recently joined our support team. It is because of you, your prayers, and your support that we are able to follow God's call on our lives to show his love to those both near and far.
It's hard to believe that Heather and I are less than a month away from our wedding. The planning and preparation continues to go well as all of the big details are taken care of. I guess it's sort of like the calm before the storm of all the things that will need to happen the week of the wedding.
Last week we were also blessed with a great week of support raising. Several of you really stepped up and made the commitment to support us this next year. For that we say a huge THANK YOU!! We have a good bit of monthly support to raise but we are confident that God will provide because we believe that Gainesville is where he has called us to this next year.
As most of you know, baseball is one of my favorite things in life. I got to go to another game yesterday at Coors Field with Heather. Here is a picture from the game yesterday:
At the Rockies game in Denver, CO
Yesterday when we were at the Rockies game I made the comment that Heather's probably been to more baseball games this summer (3) than she has in her whole life. She said I'm probably right.
At the Rangers game in Arlington, TX
Please keep my sister Katelyn (picture below on the left) in your prayers. She is in Kenya on a missions trip with the student ministry "Refuge" of Valley Ranch Baptist Church. She has been there about a week and has about 10 days to go. Please pray for the health and protection for her team and that God would give them amazing opportunities to share his life and love with the people they encounter.
Me, Heather, and Katelyn at the Rangers game back in June.
I am currently trying to transition to a more "grown up" email address. My old email address has served me well since my middle school days but I figure it's time for a change. If could please update my email address in your address books to chadmustain02@yahoo.com that would be great!! (And yes, I did keep the 02 in the email address. After all, 2 is my favorite number.)
Well, I guess that's all I have for now. As always, thank you so much for your prayers and support. Heather and I could not do what we do without your love and support.
Ezekiel 34:26b says: "And I will send showers, showers of blessing, which will come just when they are needed."
This verse has been so true in Heather's and my life. We continued to be so blessed by friends and family wherever we go. We had a wonderful weekend in Norman catching up with friends and family. We had a shower Friday night where we received more gifts to help us begin our life together. It was great to spend time with people that I hadn't seen in a while and for Heather to meet friends and family as well.
On Sunday we were able to share at Generations all that God has done in our lives and the ministries we were a part of. I had such a great time leading worship with the group I've worshipped with countless times. It's always such a blessing to share that time and to lead others into God's presence together. Generations is always so faithful in supporting us and gave us a love offering in addition to our monthly support.
Sunday night we caught a flight back to Colorado and since arriving back we have been getting things done left and right. I'm now living with the Hsin family (yes, that is the correct spelling of their last name) and they have been so good to me as well. In addition to a sweet living situation, they are letting me drive an old 1983 Jeep which is like every guys dream. The Hsins are allowing us to use their home for the wedding on August 2nd. I must say I am even more excited for the wedding because every day I get to envision our special celebration with friends and family.
Heather and I have both been blessed with part time jobs for the next 5 weeks as well. Heather is working at the doctor's office that she previously worked for and I am doing some work for the Hsins and a guy who flips houses. The extra money was an unexpected but welcomed blessing.
Please continue to pray for us as we prepare for marriage and continue to raise support. Over the next 5 weeks we'll be meeting with lots of Heather's supports and a few churches in the Denver area. We are currently at about 50% of the $3,380 that we need on a monthly basis. We see God's blessing and faithfulness in so many areas of our lives and we trust that he will provide what we need each month for our next year of ministry.
If you are interested in supporting us or know of someone you could refer us to that might be interested in supporting us, please contact me at chadmustain02@yahoo.com or on my cell 678.936.5235.
Over the past week in Dallas, Heather and I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our friends and family. From the moment we arrived at my parents house last Saturday we began receiving wedding gifts and it literally hasn't stopped. A group of ladies put on a beautiful wedding shower on Saturday and everyday since then we have received gifts in the mail, someone dropping one by the house, or giving one to my dad at the church. Heather and I are so thankful to be surrounded by friends and family all over the country who care for us and want to help us begin our lives together.
Father's Day on Sunday was one that I will always remember. Through the years I've collected old replica NBA basketball jerseys from Goodwill. On Sunday somehow I managed to get everyone to wear a jersey to our big Father's Day lunch. It was a fun and memorable way to celebrate Dad and the man of belief and practice that he is. Here's a picture or two from Father's Day.
My NBA jersey collection from Goodwill (minus Caleb's J. Kidd jersey). Not pictured Tim Duncan and Muggsy Bogues.
As many of you all know, back in May our house in England was broken into and I lost my MacBook Pro and my iPod. There is an amazing group of men that my dad works with at Valley Ranch (who I had never even met before) that decided they wanted to help me replace the things I had lost. So on Tuesday I was given a check and on Wednesday I was able to buy a brand new MacBook and iPod. As if that wasn't enough, I even got a free printer as part of the purchase.
Again, Heather and I are just overwhelm at how this community has reached out to us and provided for us. It has been an amazing "Acts 2" church experience and we are so, so grateful.
On Wednesday and Thursday Heather and I were able to share what God has done in our lives and in the ministries we've been a part of at the VRBC's mission team meeting and at vacation bible school. The process of putting pictures and words together to try and encompass all that God has done is quite a daunting experience. After having about a month to reflect on all that God has done, we just feel honored to have been a part in all that God did and continues to do in both England and South Africa.
Last night I had the opportunity to share my story and experiences with a group of men who call themselves the "Thursday Knights." It was this group, along with the help of others at VRBC, that spear-headed the efforts to replace my computer. These guys are a humble group of men who really live out the Donald Miller statement: "What I believe is not what I say I believe; what I believe is what I do." I was honored to share with this group and have them gather around me (literally) in prayer for my upcoming marriage and ministry.
Today my family is headed up to Oklahoma for a wedding shower with friends and family up that way. Heather and I will also be at Generations Church on Sunday and are really looking forward to sharing all that God has done.
All week I've pondering a verse I stumbled upon in 1 Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 4 Paul is writing to a group of Christians who have become arrogant, argumentative, and static. At the end of the chapter in verse 20 Paul offers this simple statement and challenge:
"For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God's power. Which do you choose?"
I choose this day to live by the power of God. For on my own I am a mess and weak but in him I have hope and am strong.
Heather and I continue to be pretty busy In Colorado spending time with family, visiting friends, and doing things for the wedding. Today we are meeting with a florist and then we are taking the rest of the day "off" to spend together having fun in Boulder. We leave early Saturday morning to fly to Dallas to spend the week with my family and then drive up to Oklahoma the following weekend to visit with friends and to be at Generations Church.
Yesterday I had a great conversation with Heather's grandfather about the core beliefs of our faith. I'm happy to say that I passed the test and he approves of me. As we shared our beliefs, the things we are learning, the things that we are struggling with, and how we are growing, it was just a great reminder that we need to active in our faith.
Yesterday I was reading Isaiah in chapters 58-61. Chapter 58 is titled "True and False Worship" and the Lord is speaking to the Israelites through the prophet Isaiah. The Israelites are trying to justify their faith through all of their selfish action and the Lord responds that "you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting (vs 3)." The Lord then continues his response saying:
6 No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanders into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply. Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making flase accusations and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever flowing spring.
13 Honor the Lord in everything you do, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly. If you do this, the Lord will be your delight.
I love the imagary that God uses in verse 10. The Lord calls us to give and share and do for our light to shine. And even when we feel dry and empty and that we have nothing left to give, God will water our lives and we will be like an ever flowing spring, able to give more and more.
I guess the question is, are we living like ever flowing springs?
Challenging stuff.
I desire to live in such a way that the Lord will be my delight.
My trek across the country with Heather continues to go well. We arrived into Denver, Colorado Tuesday night and have had a great time with her family. Each day we check a few more things off our to-do list (Heather bought my wedding band on Wednesday!!) for the wedding and merging our lives together.
A random fact about me is that one of my lesser life goals is to go to as many Major League Baseball stadiums as I can during my life. On Saturday I'll get to check another one off my list (and my first with Heather) as Heather and I will be going to see the Colorado Rockies play at Coors Field in downtown Denver. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited. In case you are wondering, that will bring me to six stadiums (the Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Arizona D-Backs, Kansas City Royals, and Colorado Rockies).
Recently I just finished reading the book "The Shack" by William P. Young. While it is a work of fiction, originally written by Young as a story for his 6 children, I believe there are some rich truths found in his writing. Sadly, the Christian community is torn on the value of and truth found in this book. I encourage you to check it out and figure out for yourself the truth found in its pages. One of my favorite statements from the books is found in the forward on page 11 where Young writes "I suppose that since most of our hurts come through relationships so will our healing . . ." If you are struggling with the question of where God is in the midst of our pain, or trust, or forgiveness, then maybe this book will help you on your journey as it has helped me.
"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink . . ." Isaiah 55:1
Heather and I are having a great time in Dansville. Her family is wonderful and I've had a great time getting to know them. The thing I've enjoyed the most is the slower pace of life on the dairy farm in a small town. It's been great to rest, read, and process all that's gone on in the past weeks and months.
Yesterday, Heather and I went to Letchworth State Park. It is know as the "Grand Canyon of the East." It was beautiful and we had a nice time enjoying God's beautiful creation and each other's company. Here are a few pictures: The middle falls Heather and me at the middle falls The lower falls
We leave New York on Tuesday and will be in Colorado from June 3-13. On June 14 we head to Dallas and we'll be up in Norman the weekend June 20-22.
Our support raising is going well thus far. While we still have a ways to go to meet our monthly support goal of $3,380, we see God's blessing in our lives each day. Thank you for the financial support, the furniture donations, and engagement/wedding gifts. We feel so fortunate to be surround by such an awesome community of family and friends, both near and far.
Over the past week or so in Gainesville, GA life has been great but very busy. Heather and I have signed a lease on an apartment for the fall, have a cell phone family plan, registered at Target and Bed, Bath, Beyond, and have done many other things in preparation for marriage and our move to Georgia.
Our pre-marital counseling has gone really well this week. Jeff and Kelly have been such a blessing to us and so helpful. We ask for your continued prayers as we prepare for marriage and learn to mold our lives into one.
Yesterday Heather and I visited the church that Jeff co-pastors called the Phoenix Community of Atlanta. They meet in a pizza place so it gives a very unique and laid back feel to church. I've been offered the opportunity to help out with their worship team so I will probably do that once a month or so in the fall.
AIM has an awesome community as well. Last night a group of 12 or so people came over to Don and Connie's and made a meal together. After the meal we shared thoughts and things God is teaching us about Romans 12, someone shared their story, and we prayed together. It's not anything official, it's a just a community group that people choose into and Heather and I are looking forward to being part of that as well.
On Wednesday we leave Georgia to go to New York for about a week. Heather grew up in upstate New York about an hour south of Rochester. I'm excited to meet Heather's mom, stepdad, brother and other family as well as getting to see a different part of the country.
Please be in prayer for us as we have a lot of travel ahead of us. We also ask for your continued prayers as we are raising our support for this next year. Thank you so much to those of you who have recommitted to financially supporting Heather and me in this first year of our life together. It's such a blessing to see how God uses his entire church body to take the message of love all over the world.
