Chad Mustain -Adventures in Missions -

New Blog

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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:

http://chadandheather.myadventures.org/

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.

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!!

Chad and Heather

Garden of the Gods

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

For the Famous One,

Chad and Heather

Highlight Video

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

For the Famous One,

Chad and Heather

Counting Down

Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Living and Loving, Life and God,

Chad and Heather

Showers of Blessing

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Living and Loving, Life and God!!

Chad and Heather

Blessed Beyond Measure

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Chad

An Ever Flowing Spring

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Chad

Colorado

Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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

On the journey,
Chad

Dansville, NY

Sat, 31 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Be Blessed,
Chad and Heather

Busy, Busy

Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

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.

Living and Loving, Life and God!!

Chad

Georgia

Tue, 20 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Well, Heather and I arrived safely into Georgia Friday night. While in Roswell over the weekend Heather managed to purchase her wedding dress, we caught up a few friends, had a great visit to one of our supporting churches Dunwoody Baptist, registered at Target and Bed Bath and Beyond, and had a restful time staying with Kurt, Faith, and Shiver Giebel.

We are now in Gainesville, GA staying with our good friends Don and Connie Rock. Today we have our first marriage counseling session and are going apartment shopping as well.

We have been so blessed by the hospitality of our friends and supporters while back in the States. We ask for your continued prayers as our bodies are still adjusting and as we try to tackle the long list of things we need to do in preparation for marriage.

We would love to hear from you so please drop us an email (fugazzi02@yahoo.com) or give us a call (405.821.2363). We set up a family plan together so we'll both have new Georgia cell phone numbers in the next day or two.

Chad and Heather

Final Days, Last Good-Byes

Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Well, it's hard to believe that my two year adventure in England comes to an end tomorrow. It's been a wild ride with lot's of ups and downs and God has been present each step of the way. While away on our debrief in the Lakes District, I really experienced God's peace with the ending of this season of life. So, while I am very sad for this season to end, I am very excited for my new season of life with Heather to begin.

Here are an assortment of pictures from our leaving party last Saturday night. The last picture is my glorious (I wish!!) triumph at the top of Mt. Snowden.

FYM England 2007-2008

Me and Madeline

Me and Ian

Me and Henry

Me and Dean playing the air guitar

Me, Alan, and Hayley

At the top of Snowden (no comments please Ian)

I arrive back into the States with Heather early evening Friday eastern time. I'll have my cell phone (405.821.2363) with me and that number will be active for a few more weeks. Heather and I will be getting a plan together and new numbers here in the next week or so. Over the next month or so we are all over the country until finally setting in Colorado June 22nd for the rest of the summer. I'd love to hear from you so please shoot me an email (fugazzi02@yahoo.com) or give me a call.

Thank you for your prayers and support. I could not have had this amazing adventure in England without all of you.

Living and Loving, Life and God,

Chaddington

Learning Slowly

Fri, 9 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Over the past few days I have been learning slowly the lesson of forgiveness. I realize there are far worse things going on in the world than our stolen laptops. However, I believe God uses circumstances both big and small to refine us and mold us into who he desires us to be. I have been so blessed to have words of truth and love spoken to me from my wonderful fiancee' Heather, my family, and many of you. In an email this week my mom said to me:

Our family has really had the call of God on our life to forgive our enemies. The desire to see justice, people to know their wrong, and make it right, just don't happen on our time table. I am learning and seeing the word of truth that your Dad has given to me many times, "time and truth walk hand in hand." Bitterness doesn't help us to get better, it robs us of more than the thieves took, our joy, peace, forgiveness...and the list goes on and on.

I've also found peace and strength in Romans 12 this week. I have been reminded of rich truths as Paul writes:

9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good.
12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.
14 If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.
21 Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

I close with an adapted prayer based on Romans 12:1-2:

May I give my body to you. Let me a be a living sacrifice, the kind you will accept. When I think of what you've done for me, this really isn't much to ask. Help me not to copy the customs and behaviors of this world but may you transform me into a new person by changing the way that I think. Then I will know what you want me to do and I will know how good and pleasing and perfect your will really is.

Amen.

On the journey for God's best,
Chad

Discouraged

Wed, 7 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Yesterday between 2:00 and 3:00pm local time our house was broken into. Fortunately, no one was home so no one was harmed. Electronics were the primary things that were stolen, mainly laptop computers, including mine. Strangly enough, 3 lap tops were not stolen, including my roommate Drew's, which was just two feet away from mine in plain view.

The police were called, showing up a few hours later. As these things tend to go, we are hopeful, but don't expect to see our things again. One of our good friends in the community who has a "colorful" past has assured us that things will be "taken care of." So, there is a small amount of hope that remains.

My main concern is the personal information, electronic journals, etc. that many of us had on our computers. Please pray that nothing else will come of our loss and that identity theft etc. would not occur. Of course we welcome your prayers for our stuff to be returned and for justice to be served.

While this is a bit of a sour note to end our time in England on, I remain firm in the belief that our God is good. Stuff is replacable and people are not so it is a huge blessing that no one was harmed. Please be in prayer for us as we continue to try to finish our time here strong.

Be Blessed,

Chad

Last Opportunities

Mon, 5 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As our time winds down here in England, I find that the good-byes and "last times" getting harder and harder with each passing day. Yesterday was my last time to do a scripture reading at St. James and my last time to lead worship at the evening service at St. Andrews. My reading at St. James was very fitting as it was the passage I used in my blog "Committed to the Call" (http://chadmustain.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=committed-to-the-call) just last week. Reading from Acts 1:6-14 we were all reminded to ". . . . tell people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

God is very much alive and moving here in England. The issue at hand is not if missionaries will "bring" God to England but if Christ-followers (wherever they are at) will ask for eyes to see where God is moving and then take action and join in. Author Rob Bells writes:

Missions then is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there. It is almost as if being a good missionary means having really good eyesight. Or maybe it means teaching people to use their eyes to see things that have always been there; they just didn't realize it. You see God where others don't. And then you point him out. Perhaps we ought to replace the word missionary with tour guide, because we cannot show people something we haven't seen. (Rob Bell "Velvet Elvis" p 87-88)

As my time here in England ends, I am not looking for the next place I can "take" God but rather for eyes to see where God is already moving and if there is a way that I can join in. Please continue to pray for Heather and me as we pursue joining in with the work that God is doing in Gainesville, GA.

On Tuesday I am going on my last hike with Drew, Ian, and Graham (who I went to the Manchester United game with).

Snowden is the highest mountain in Wales and the highest British mountain south of the Scottish Highlands (thanks Wikipedia. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowdon for more info).

This week will also be my last weekly discipleship time with Dean. On Saturday we are going to go into town for a meal and a movie just to celebrate all of his growth and our friendship over these past two years. Saturday night is our big leaving-do that the different churches we partner with are putting on for us. While it will be a great time of laughter and remembering good times, it will be a very sad time for us as well.

Thank you so much to those of you who have already responded to supporting Heather and me in our next year of ministry. We would ask that you continue to pray about supporting us financially. If you feel God is leading you to support us, please email me at fuggazzi02@yahoo.com or click the following link to do so: https://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=staff&desc=Chad%20Mustain

Living and Loving, Life and God,

Chaddington

Actively Listening

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

My emotions are very mixed these past few days. I have just 15 days left of my two-year time here in England. With each passing day I have that feeling of "this is the last time . . . ." Yet, in the midst of this sadness, I look forward to my new season of life that lies just ahead.

This past Sunday I lead worship at my last all age service at St. James'. I was honoured to have Dean play along side me. Dean truly has a musical gift. He has learned and become quite proficient with both the acoustic guitar and bass guitar during my time working with him. On Sunday he played his bass guitar along side me and did some singing as well. Dean has grown so much and it has been such a blessing to invest in him. While we were leading the song "Be Bold" based on Joshua 1:9, I realized the words we were singing were not only God's words to you and me but my prayer for Dean.

". . . .be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

My prayer for Dean is that he will be strong and courageous in his school, with his family, in his spiritual journey, and as he grows into a leader at St. James'.

Monday was my last lunch club at Cheetwood Primary School where I have worked the past two years as well. As usual we song lots of songs containing God's truths, reviewed many of the bible lessons we've learned, and tried to leave them with the message of God's love found in John 3:16. I would love to share pictures with you but unfortunately because of child protection laws in England, we were unable to take pictures of this group of great kids.

This morning I read one of my favourite Old Testament bible stories; the story of Abraham and Isaac. Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin of The Potter's House in Jacksonville, Florida has some very interesting insight to this passage. In Genesis 22 we pick up the story with Abraham about to sacrifice his son Isaac, which God commanded in verse 2. Abraham was prepared to do what God had told him to do. In verse 10 Abraham raises the knife and is prepared to sacrifice his son (doing what God told him to do) but then in verses 11 and 12 an angel of the Lord tells Abraham to lay down the knife and Abraham does so, listening to what God is telling him to do.

McLaughlin offers these insights:

"You have to be willing to do what God is telling you to do because so many of us are stuck in what he told us to do. But if all you know is what he told you and you don't have ears to do what he is telling you, then you won't be able to progress and do some of the things God wants you to do."

I have spent the past 2 years in England doing what God has told me to do. Heather has done the same this past year in South Africa. Together we are praying for ears to hear what God is telling us to do presently. We ask you to pray with us, that we might have ears to do what God is telling us to do.

If you would like more information about joining with us in prayer and financial support of what we believe God is telling us to do, please click this link to a previous blog:

http://chadmustain.myadventures.org/index.asp?filename=committed-to-the-call

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support. We could not do this with out you. If you would like to support us or continue your support of us please contact me at fugazzi02@yahoo.com or click this link:

http://www.adventures.org/give/donate.asp?giveto=staff&desc=Chad%20Mustain

For the Famous One,
Chad Mustain

Committed To The Call

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Dear Family and Friends,

As my time draws near to a close here in England, and the completion of my two-year commitment with AIM, my life and ministry are at some important crossroads. Because you have been so faithful in your prayers and support of me, I wanted to share these changes with you and would appreciate your continued prayers.

England Update

In September 2006 Adventures in Missions embarked upon a two-year commitment with some of the poorest and most needy churches in the Manchester area. The work has been both rewarding and difficult. Through it all I am profoundly grateful for the lives of the children, teens, and adults that we have seen transformed and encouraged. I have poured my life into this community over the past two years and seen God at work.

It is for this reason that I have been heartbroken with the news that AIM will not continue to maintain the England base past this July, thus ending our work here. The primary cause is the great financial cost to maintain an England base in comparison to other parts of the world. The dollar is at a historically low point in comparison to the British pound. I have had to accept this news as God's ordering of my footsteps, however pray that I may be able to do ministry here again someday. Undoubtedly, God has borne lasting fruit and He is not done here!

Personal Update

Much to my surprise and as a real "God Thing", at missionary training camp this past August God brought into my life a wonderful and godly young lady, Heather Beard, who is also a AIM missionary serving in South Africa. And in the shorten version, God brought together our love for people and missions, and then brought together our hearts as a couple, and we were engaged this spring and are to be married in Colorado, Heather's home state this August 2nd.

So What's Next

This rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows has definitely deepened our prayer lives, focusing us on what God has for us as a missionary couple. With England out of the picture for now, we began to pray about whether God would open doors for us to lead and serve in South Africa. Initially we thought yes, but then through prayer and the wise counsel of family and veteran missionary couples, the advice seems to unanimously be to build and guard our marriage during our first year, and this would be difficult to do with the rigors of a demanding overseas leadership position.

Missions In The Next Season Of Life

AIM's home office is located in Gainesville, GA (north Atlanta suburb) and they have offered both Heather and I the opportunity to minister and serve through some key assignments that would allow us to live and work primarily in the Gainesville area this next year. This is still a developing job description but it would include some assignments such as:

Continued development and working with the Ambassador Program, a short-term one-month mission trip program for 16-18 year-olds
Provide leadership and instruction for various missionary training camps including the Ambassador, Real Life, and First Year Missionary Programs
Travel and lead some short term international AIM trips in the spring and summer of 2009
Speak, lead worship, and provide missions education for churches in the Atlanta area

Committed To The Call

God has brought much into our lives this past year. For that we say "YEA God". We haven't and don't understand all God is doing, but one thing we are sure of -- WE are committed to the call!

The great missionary mandate found in Acts 1:8 says,

"But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell the people about me everywhere -- in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We are prayerfully content that in being committed to the call that God is leading us to minister via Jerusalem for the next phase of our missions journey.

One thing remains constant for a faith based missionary, whether single or married. We do not draw a paycheck from a ministry organization and rely upon God bringing financial and ministry partners alongside us.

Heather and I have both been blessed individually with a wonderful team of prayer partners and financial supporters. We hope that you will prayerfully consider continuing your support of us during this next year of ministry and as we serve as a couple together.

As a married couple our financial needs and monthly support goal is $3,380 per month for the next year. This amount covers our organizational fees, taxes, social security, health insurance, and what we would live on each month.

It is through your generosity and monthly or one time gifts that we are able to take the love and message of Christ "everywhere . . . and to the ends of the earth."

We would love to hear from you if we can answer any questions related to our ministry or your support thereof.

Be Blessed,
Chad and Heather

fugazzi02@yahoo.com
hmichaele15@hotmail.com

Good times, Great friends

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For the better part of the last two years I have lived and worked with Christine, Drew, and Andrea. I feel so fortunate to have lived in the deepness and richness of community that we experience together. It is such a joy to be able to laugh together, serve together, encourage, and support each other. We have truly made some awesome memories.

Christe, Drew, and Andrea overlooking Budapest.

Our time together is quickly drawing to a close as I will be leaving on May 16th. They will be staying through the end of the summer. As a bit of a "last hurrah" together, we went to Budapest, Hungary from Wednesday to Friday this week. (If you are ever in Europe, RyanAir is one of the cheapest ways to get around!!)

Here are a few pictures from our time there:

I love statues!!

Fisherman's Bastion

Me and Drew along the River Danube

For more pictures, go to:
http://www.chadmustain.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b3438cf04590

This next week begins our two-week "good-bye" process at our various ministry sites. Tomorrow will be my last time to lead worship at St. James'. I'm excited to have Dean help me lead the songs tomorrow. The amount of growth he has gone through is amazing and I'm excited for him to continue to grow and mature into a leader at St. James' Church.

For those of you waiting for my major update, I'll posting that on Monday so stay tuned!!

Be Blessed,
Chad

A Work in Progress

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I think it is strange that we are able to pass something every day and take little notice of it. I've walked by St. John's church and graveyard countless times without really taking much notice of the more subtle details. Last week as I was walking by as I often do, I looked to my left and noticed that a tree had over grown an old gravestone.

Over the past few days I have found myself thinking again and again about this gravestone over run by a tree. I think sin sometimes works in the same way that this tree has. Over the course of years and years this tree has grown little by little. Because the tree was left unattended, it was allowed to grow its roots down deep and take over a space where it was never intended to be. Now, today, the tree has quite literally overtaken this old gravestone. To remove the tree would be a difficult process and one would have consider how much damage removing the tree would do to the grave stone that dates back to 1876.

Sin can work in a very similar fashion. If sin is able to grow little by little and year-by-year, it can quite literally over-take an individual much like the tree above. So how does one avoid this? The bible teaches self-examination (Leviticus 3:40) and accountability (Ecclesiastes 3:9-10) to avoid falling victim to deeply rooted sins. In preparation for marriage, Heather and I have been working through the junk and baggage of our pasts and even current struggles. While it has been difficult, we've been so blessed to have some great friends to help us with this process. While we still have a lifetime of learning, work, and growth ahead of us, I think we are on right path.

So, I am messy and a work in progress. I find hope in strength that I am God's masterpiece and that he has created me anew in Christ Jesus to do the good things he planned for me long ago (Ephesians 2:10).

As I continue on my journey, in the midst of God's work in my life and my messiness I find hope in Paul's words:

"Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope"(Ephesians 3:20).

A work in progress,

Chad

Bath, England

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday and Friday I had the opportunity to visit Bath, England. One of our good family friends that we know from Norman, OK called Robin is from Bath. He and his wife have lived in the States for the last few years. Robin was in Bath for a bit of a reunion of sorts so it was great to visit with him and meet several members of his family and several friends as well. Here are a few pictures from my visit:

Me and Robin outside the Bath Abby by a statue that a friend of his carved.

An awesome building call the Crescent.

Picture from the Roman Baths looking up to the Bath Abby.

Me at the Roman Baths .

For more photos of my time in Bath go to: http://www.chadmustain.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b343f1678491

Today we finish up our Holiday Club at St. James. We've had about 25 kids from St. James and the local schools attend which is great. Later today I'm going to a football match with the Lay Reader from St. James so that should be a lot of fun. I'll post some pictures of that later tonight or tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for us as we try to finish strong and also as we begin the good-bye process.

Living and Loving, Life and God!!

Chad

Holiday Club and a football match

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Today we finished up the holiday club with a "beach party" as this weeks theme was "Fun in the Sun." We had about 25 kids for all for days of the holiday club which is an awesome turn out. Please be in prayer that the seeds of the Gospel message that were planted and watered today would grow and that these kids would come to know the Lord soon or on down the road. I often think of Paul's message about planting seeds in 1 Corinthians 3:5b-9:

Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. My job was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God, not we, who made it grow. The ones who do the planting or the watering aren't important, but god is important because he is the one who makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. Yet they will be rewarded individually, according to their own hard work. We work together as partners who belong to God.

After holiday club today I had the chance to go and watch the Bury Football Club play a match against Macclesfield. Bury is in the Football League Two. They were quite good and popular in the early 1900's but tend to remain in the lower leagues and with a smaller fan base because of the rise of teams like Manchester United. Here are two pictures from the game.

Me and Arthur.

A bit of the action. Bury beat Macclesfield 1-0.

Tomorrow I have my regular morning of a guitar lesson with Dean and the service at St. James. Tomorrow night I'll be leading worship at Ian's church, St. Andrews. Please be in prayer for the service as several of the youth looking to deepen their faith will be attending.

As we worship tomorrow, may we remember the words of Bridget Willard:

Church isn't where you meet. - Church isn't a building. - Church is what you do. - Church is who you are. - Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. - Let's not go to Church, let's be the Church.

Let us be the church,
Chaddington

Have a Laugh

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

So, yesterday I was talking to my house mate Drew and I mentioned that I've never shaved my head before. He told me he thought it was something every man should do at least once. So, late last night, I decided to go for it. Don't worry, I did consult Heather before doing so.

So yeah, there you have it. That's me with a shaved head. Please, try not to laugh too hard.

On a different note . . . . yesterday I read Isaiah 12 and found it to be very encouraging and I thought I'd share that with you this morning.

In that day you will sing:
"Praise the Lord!
He was angry with me,
but now he comforts me.
See, God has come to save me.
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! In that wonderful day you will sing:

"Thank the Lord!
Praise his name!
Tell the world what he has done.
Oh, how mighty he is!
Sing to the Lord,
for he has done wonderful things.
Make known his praise around the world.
Let all the people of Jerusalem shout his praise with joy!
For great is the Holy One of Israel who lives among you."

Have a laugh at my expense and be blessed!!

Chad

Final Opportunities

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This week we have a good bit going. Today, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday we have a series of "fun days" that we are running like a mini VBS. Several of the schools are on their spring holiday this week, which enables us to do these. Please be in prayer for the fun days as we try to creatively communicate the love and Good News of God. The fun days are largely being led by the participants so please be in prayer for them as well as it is an awesome opportunity for them.

Tonight, in addition to my weekly discipleship time with Dean, our team is putting on a "youth cafe" for the local youth. We aren't exactly sure who will show up be we hope that those that do come will come with open hearts and won't be looking to cause problems. It is mainly an event to hang out but there are a few "God moments" throughout the evening as well so we hope that these moments with strike a chord in the youth that come to the cafe.

Thursday and Friday I have the opportunity to go to Bath, England. One of my supporters is from there and is currently visiting family and friends. I'm excited for the opportunity to catch up with him and also see a beautiful part of England.

We have about three and half weeks of regular ministry left and then about a week and a half to get ready to head home. It's crazy to think that my time is nearly done here in England. Please pray that we will make the most of these final opportunities we have to share the light and love of Christ.

Philippians 3:13-14 says:

No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

On the Journey,
Chad

Albert Park Youth Club

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Every Wednesday and Thursday night I work at the Albert Park Youth Club. The youth club is run by my good friend Dave Fraser. Dave is a licensed vicar in the Scottish Reformed Church but has chosen to leave "formal" church work and to live a missional life-style in Broughton. Over the last two years of knowing Dave, I have seen him do incredible things.

Several years ago Dave became the manager of the football pitch and changing rooms in Albert Park. The football pitch was badly out of keep and the changing rooms had been abandoned and thus vandalized and burned-out. Over the past several years Dave and his staff have restored and transformed the changing rooms into a multipurpose youth club. Many activities like pool, ping pong, Sony Playstation, board games etc. have either been donated or attained at a reasonable price to help transform the changing rooms into a great place for youth to hang out.

Over the past two years Dave has applied for and receive multiple grants and public funding to have a brand new astro-turf field put in, two full-sized goals, and four smaller goals. Most recently received Dave applied for and received 100,000 pounds (over $200,000) in regeneration money to give further renovations to the youth club. The additional renovations include putting in a computer lab with ten laptops and a printer, a music studio (in progress) for the youth to record their own music, a Nintendo Wii, as well as a new snooker table, ping pong table, air hockey table, and foosball.

Dave truly has the heart of a servant and is a modern day Jesus with skin on as he tries to bring about both social and spiritual salvation in Broughton. Please pray for Dave and the work he is doing here.

Enjoy the photos!!

Chad

Me and Dave Fraser

The Albert Park Youth Club and changing rooms .

The football astro-pitch.

The front room (main entrance).

The young people designed and made the art work.

A fully functional kitchen.

The computer lab for the after school program and for the youth club to use.

Brand new ping pong table, snooker (like pool) table, air hockey, and table football (foosball).

Snooker table

Monday Morning Thoughts

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This morning I reflect on God's goodness, his grace, and the prayers of this past week that he answered. The biggest news is that Laura did receive a new liver!! Laura came out of surgery in the early morning hours (eastern time) this morning. Don's wife Connie has been keeping their blog up to date with the latest news. Their current prayer requests are:

That Laura's body will accept the liver.
That Laura will come out of sedation after 3-4 days without brain damage.
The pneumoniaand overall stability in all functions.
The liver donor's family. (She was a 65-year-old woman from Northern MI)

If you would like more information on how to more specifically pray for Laura and the Rock's or would like to post comments for the Rock family, please see Don and Connie's blog:

http://www.donrock.myadventures.org/

I had a good weekend and I think that God is making some sense of the questions, confusion, and brokenness in my life. Please continue to pray for both me and Heather as we prepare for marriage, try to plan and prepare while living on separate continents, for guidance, for strength to endure the distance, and to finish strong.

This past week I spent a lot of time preparing a lesson for our reading this week out of the book Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias. The chapter I will be leading discussion on this week is called "Existential Challenges of Evil and Suffering." Something that God really convicted me of is my awareness of and prayer for the events and sufferings of the world.

It's so easy to get caught up in our own worries and concerns. I know I often forget to pray for world conflicts, world leaders, and the global church. Something I really admire about the Church of England is their persistence in prayer not only for personal and local concerns but concerns throughout the world. Additionally, God has really challenged me to vocalize my prayers. So often I only pray in my head and heart and in my prayer journal. This morning as I was reading in Psalms I came across this simple verse that says:

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 (NLT).

While God can no doubt hear our silent prayers and written prayers, I think there is something different when we vocalize them. Finding time to pray out loud on your own can be difficult in a house full of people and when you share a room. So, I've been challenged to get outside and verbalize my prayers as I walk around our community and in nature.

Speaking for prayer, I need to get out and do that now.

Be Blessed,
Chad

Continued Prayer

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Please continue to pray for Laura and the Rock family. Laura has managed to hold on but is still in a coma, in need of her liver to be miraculous healed or to receive a new liver, and she is retaining fluid so they have put a "screw" into her brain to help with this. Please also pray for wisdom for the doctors and good communication between the doctors because the information that the Rock's receive seems to change with each new shift and doctor. Please pray for strength, peace, and comfort for the Rock's as well. And above all else, continue to pray that God would be glorified in all of this.

It seems selfish to ask for your prayers in light of things like the Rock's are going through. I do ask for your prayers as well. I am just in a period of brokenness, confusion, uncertainty, and stress. My good friend Dave spoke truth into me last night as I was moaning and he reminded me that although what I am experiencing is difficult, there are far worse things going on in the world and the lives of others.

This morning I was reading in Job chapters 1 and 2 and a few verses struck a chord within me that I'd like to share with you:

Job 1:21 "He said . . . The Lord gave me everything I had and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!" (NLT)

Job 2:10 "But Job replied . . .. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" (NLT)

This morning I am reminded of my need of God. I am reminded of my weakness. I am reminded of messiness. I am reminded that in all of this, both good and bad, his grace is enough.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV).

Amen.

Urgent Prayer Needed

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Family and friends, I ask you to pray with me for my good friend and prayer partner Don Rock, specifically his sister. Don and I have been praying for Laura over the past 7 months because she has been on a long, hard road. Yesterday, Don got news that his sister was in a coma, experiencing kidney failure, and in desperate need of a kidney transplant.

The last news that I heard from Don is that it doesn't look like his sister will make it through the night and is in need of nothing short of a miracle. I ask you to pray with me for Don, his wife Connie, the Rock family, and specifically his sister Laura. Please pray for:

1. A miracle.
2. That Laura will make it through the night.
3. That they will find a liver donor.
4. That they will be able to transport her to a hospital that can perform the surgery.
5. For the Rock family.
6. That above all else, God would be glorified in all this.

Please join with me in prayer.

Chad

Great Week

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This past week my parents, Katelyn, and a family friend where able to come to England. It was great to have them meet the team, attend a communion service at St. James, meet my friends and ministry partners, and see our various ministry sites. Of course we did some tourist things as well and took in the sites of Chester and London. Here are photos of a few of the highlights.

The family under the clock in the city centre of Chester .

The stained glass windows at the Chester Cathedral are incredible.

Big Ben (and Parliament) is one of my favourite structures in the world.

Katelyn and Paige in front of Buckingham Palace.

This is my favourite statue in London outside of Parliament which is of Richard the Lionheart.

To see all of my photos from Chester and London, click on each link.
Chester: http://www.chadmustain.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b3420d2da4e9
London: http://www.chadmustain.shutterfly.com/action/pictures?a=67b0de21b3420d21a4e5

Please continue to pray for Heather and me as we seek what is best for us and where God is leading us. We are both so grateful for your prayers, comments, support, and financial support. We hope to have more information for you all in the coming weeks about how you can specifically join with us in prayer and in supporting us financially. It's been difficult being apart since getting engaged on February 29th and ask for your prayers that we would rely on God, find our strength in him, and stay focused on our ministry sites.

It's hard to believe but I only have 6 weeks of regular ministry and 7 full weeks left here in England before heading back to the States. Please be in prayer for us that we will finish well and finish strong.

Peace,
Chad

A White . . . . Easter?

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Yes, it is a white Easter. While it didn't snow much, it did snow early this morning. Here are a few pictures of the sunny Easter morning here in Salford.

Alleluia!! Christ is risen!!
He is risen indeed!! Alleluia!!

Chad

Our street. That's our house on the left.

St. John's, which sadly won't have an Easter celebration because it is closed.

It looks beautiful.

Awkward . . . . . ha!!

Holy Week

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

It has been a busy past few days around our house. We've been busy with multiple Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services in both Broughton and Blackley. The Church of England has a very unique and beautiful way of remember both significant events of Holy Week leading up to the Easter Celebration.

One of our participants, Katie Mumper (http://katherinemumper.myadventures.org/) summarized her Maundy Thursday experience in Blackley beautifully and I thought I would share that with you. Katie writes:

. . . . I was able to participate in my first Maundy Thursday service, including a Passover Seder. I can't really describe what it meant to sit and listen and participate and understand what that last meal would have looked like for Jesus and His disciples. To have in mind my spiritual deliverance from slavery to sin while remembering Israel's physical deliverance from slavery in Egypt. To eat the lamb while thinking of Jesus as the spotless lamb, sacrificed for our protection from death. To eat the unleavened bread, the symbol of Jesus' body... have you ever noticed that matzah is pierced with holes? And to drink the wine, not once, but four times. Three sips as part of the traditional Passover meal; the fourth, added by Jesus as a symbol of His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

I was part of a very similar experience in Broughton at St. James. Even thought it was my 2nd time to participate in this Maundy Thursday service, it was still rich with meaning, symbolism, and gratitude as we remember the last events of Christ's life.

Another aspect that I think is unique about the Church of England is they often have their Good Friday services at 2:00pm, ending at 3:00pm, the hour of Christ's death. Henry, the vicar I work most with, is incredibly gifted at visual aids and crafted a moving service that focused on Christ's hands of kindness. Images of hands were used throughout the service and were absolutely moving. As the service progressed it talked about the physical make-up of our hands, the types of functions our hands perform, and what Christ's hands might have looked like as a carpenter. We went on to reflect on the choice that each of us is faced with in using our hands for good or evil. It was the hands of the people and the soldiers, essentially us, that bound Christ to the cross to bear the sins our hands have committed.

The contemporary hymn "From Heaven You Came" was used as a sort of interlude between the various segments of the service. Several times we sang the words:

Come see His hands and His feet, the scars that speak of sacrifice,
hands that flung stars into space to cruel nails surrendered.
This is our God, the Servant King . . . .

The song "Hands of Kindness" by Delirious was also used several times in the service. My favourite verse from the song says:

Oh your hands of mercy, were scarred for me.
And your body was broken, so that I go free.

As we all left in quiet reflection, the question "For what will I use my hands?" reverberated in my heart, mind, and soul.

Friday night was a unique experience as well. The St. Andrews youth group called the "Chimp Chillers" meets on Friday night and as part of their Good Friday experience we had an enormous bonfire. As we stood round the bonfire we read the account of Jesus last hours and death. We sang songs like "There is a Redeemer" as we stood round the fire, reflecting on his sacrifice and love for each one of us. In the midst of fire and energetic youth, I know, not normally a good combination), there were a few beautiful moments of reflection and beauty.

I must say, my heart is ready for the celebration of Christ's resurrection on Sunday.

I am also very excited for my mom, dad, Katelyn, and Katelyn's good friend Paige to arrive on Monday for a weeklong visit. In addition to meeting my friends, seeing the various ministry sites, and wondering around Broughton and on down into Manchester City Centre, we are going to pop down to London for a couple of days. We should have a great time together.

In preparing your heart for Easter, I'd like to leave you with the challenge that struck a chord deep within me: For what will you use your hands?

Chaddington