21.
What a crazy nine months. It has been a month or two since I emailed everybody however and like you, I have been busy.
Since February, TIME ministries had its whole world turned upside down. What crazy ride this has been. I am sure you can relate. The things that you have gone through, the things that we have seen, we will talk about 2020 and Covid for ages. We hope we can look back and say we did not allow the year 2020 to win.
All in all, though, 2020 has been quite good. Here at TIME, we've had the blessing of expanding the ministry through the “Time To Eat” program. I am sure you have seen it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or maybe you have even donated to the project. We are approaching handing out 20,000 meals to the people of Dominican Republic and Mexico. This was grass roots project which started as an idea in the field. The missionaries had an idea, prayed about it, BOOM there it is. When God is in charge things get done. Thank you everyone.
During The past nine months here at TIME, we have seen old ideas dusted off and brought back to life, new ideas brought to the table and developed. We have seen TIME team members getting married, interns becoming missionaries, missionaries getting engaged, missionaries becoming home schoolers and we even got a dog for the TIME Center in the Dominican Republic. I always thought the TC needed a dog. I am sure it is quite temporary (as Noe probably no likie) but it is good to see that dog.
So, what is the TIME team up to now, you ask. We are focusing on the year 2021. We have groups coming down the fall and winter of this year. A group from Des Moines IA, Westchester E FREE, that was originally scheduled in the spring decided to hold off till winter to take their tour, we are excited about them coming. But we are working hard to get groups back in 2020. What a contrast 2019 and 2020, right!
Now, I know happy is not a good goal, however it does not hurt, right now. The TIME Team is happy, were doing alright. The attitudes of the TIME Team reminds me of the lyrics from the song “Gotta Wear Shades” from 1986, by TIMBUK 3.
Things are going great, and they're only getting better
I'm doing all right, getting good grades
The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades
I gotta wear shades
Covid and 80’s music, two peas in a pod. What do you think? The only thing good about the 80’s…. That is when I met my wife, Charlotte. Another comparison about the Covid and 80’s music. You need a good sense of humor about both, just to get through them.
Seriously though, God is doing wonderful things this year. We decided to go with the flow (like we had a choice) We adjusted the budget, made some cuts, did some fund raising and God supplied greatly. I am so glad God can be trusted with all things and, that he is so good with the details. I have seen many of my old prayer requests answered in 2020, I mean old. Some request over 30 years old. Wow, that is as old as most of my friends at church. I would not have known a friend of mine from way back got saved without the Covid.
Speaking of prayers. Would you join me in praying for 2021. We need at least 350 people to take a short-term trip with TIME in 2021. We have a backlog of work to do for local churches.
• Chapels to build
• Meals to serve
• Local churches that need help sharing gospel.
• Kingdom stories to be written with you involved.
Would you pray with me about this important need for TIME. Would you consider coming back to TIME: Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. You know every year since 1968 TIME has been in the Kingdom building business
We have not forgotten about Haiti! Right before the Covid hit, team DR, Ken Heath and I took a trip to Haiti and scouted out a place for a double chapel. That is still on! Let’s pray for 2021 and that the double chapel gets built.
It is going to take Courageous Love for short-term missions to come back in 2021. The kind of courageous love for others you have been given and the love that only God gives to those who know him. The kind of the courageous love we declare and defend. In 2021, Jesus needs your Courageous Love to be demonstrated. We as a community of believers, have got to get right back on the horse and ride. Titus 1:6 Says “They profess that they know God, but in works they deny me” I pray that prayer for me and you! I know that I just got heavy, but that is what it is going to take. To be all in for Jesus and get back to his Kingdom work abroad.
TIME can help you get back into the rhythms of Jesus. Three things to do.
• Resist the scary winds of world culture, “no more distance”. God will protect us and others!
• Get in God’s bubble and trust him.
• Pray and listen for God. He always there and always shows up, right on time.
Here is the ask. Come see us. Get signed up for 2021. You need this!
Show Courageous Love.
Oh yes, I almost forgot. The title of this email is an answer to a joke.
The years twenty 19 and 20 got into a fight. 21.
Proverbs 19:20-21
20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.
21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
