Perseverance Cultural Intelligence Lasting Beyond the Short-term High One of our partners, Food for the Hungry, has the goal of loving others, through development, in order to alleviate chronic malnutrition. They have worked in one Mayan village for over two years; learning the culture, understanding the people, and building a mutual love and respect...before even bringing a team to do VBS. It takes perseverance to develop strong, culturally relevant, relationships. Missionaries, who last beyond the short-term high, have an understanding of endurance in long-term investment, and will not be derailed by trials or by expecting short-term results.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,

for we know that they help us develop endurance.

And endurance develops strength of character, and character

strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this

hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how

dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit

to fill our hearts with his love.                         Romans 5:3-5

Partners in Ministry

The Soul Care Project has been a tent-making ministry. Both Michael and Shawnea have worked full-time in support of doing Soul Care.  The ministry has continued to grow, and Shawnea's job has become a limiting factor. Praise God, He has called her to full-time ministry! Please, prayerful consider joining us in prayer for the "100@25 Initiative," that 100 people will feel the Lord's purpose to partner with The Soul Care Project ministry by giving $25/month.

Relationships

In today's devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chamber's writes, "The challenge to missionaries does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the missionary's own personal relationship with Jesus Christ." One of the common themes in soul care is dealing with attack on relationships. Getting caught-up in the work, and losing site of the relationship, starts with our personal relationship with Jesus, and transmits throughout the other relationships in our lives. Solutions to problems within the missionary team, family, or even ourselves...begins with knowing Jesus and believing in the the power that He brings in the relationships of our lives.

Standing Firm in Jesus

 Standing Firm in Jesus

There is a bridge in Costa Rica overlooking murky, crocodile infested, waters. Really, really large crocodiles. I would venture a guess that they are fed by local businesses that offer everything from souvenirs to raft trips. (Are they crazy?) These beasts were twenty feet long! Viewing them from the safety of the bridge was good enough for me...and the bridge did seem fairly well maintained. This reminds me of the significance of maintaining our relationship with Jesus. As long as we stand on Him, we are protected from peril. While we may not be so stupid as to leap from Him...If we don't take the time to "inspect and improve the bridge" we may not realize that we are not firmly rooted in His protective love. Without Jesus...we are surely croc bait.

The Soul Felt Its Worth

We returned from South America in time to spend Christmas at home with our family. In a rush to get food and gifts ready in just two days time...I did a quick internet search for a Christmas devotional and was once again reminded of the strategic presence of God in our lives. The devotional, by John Eldredge,reflected on my favorite Christmas carol, "O Holy Night." We were rescued by Jesus! Our soul feels the value that He placed on us. We, at The Soul Care Project, wish you a blessed New Year...and may your soul feel its worth.

The Power of Vision

The rainforest of Costa Rica is rich with animals. Without a guide, many tourists trek for hours without seeing anything...and so it is with vision. In order to fully understand where we should look, what we should see, where we should go, what we should do, etc., we must take the time to view the world with God's guidance. Just before leaving for our vision walk to CR we attended the Mental Health and Missions Conference where we met Pastor Orlando. He and his wife are from San Jose, CR, and are in charge of Member Care for hispanic church missionaries. Imagine that! All in God's perfect timing. Once we arrived in country we discovered that our hotel was on the same road as the Centro Metodista. Eighteen years, much change, no address, no phone number...and there it was! Thank you Jesus for giving us clearer vision of your will for our lives.

Prayer and Vision

God answers prayers. Recently we prayed that God would direct us in The Soul Care Project ministry. We have felt a burdened to help develop a member care presence in Central and South America, and decided that we should probably go on a vision walk to Costa Rica. Before the end of that day, He blessed us with flight vouchers to not only go to our Mental Health and Missions Conference, but also enough to go to Costa Rica! Prayer is the first step in seeking his vision for our lives...we have to be willing to listen and to go.

ONE Mission Society Cross-Training

ONE Mission Society Cross-Training prepares missionaries to enter the field. One of the most significant aspects of success is their ability to develop and maintain strong relationships. Jesus modeled these skills, teaching us to stress less and love more. It was an honor to walk along side the newest OMS missionaries and wish them God's blessings as they go out to shine the light.

Out of Context

While I love shopping at bazaars, I've never hosted a booth at one. Often God's purpose for our lives calls us to work "out of context." Many satisfying moments have come about "out of context" from my normal life.  "Out of context," I agreed to work with the Christian club at the high school, that led to becoming a youth counselor, that led to short term missions, that led to The Soul Care Project... I wonder what the World Bazaar Booth will lead to?

World Bazaar Fundraiser

This Saturday Niceville UMC will hold a World Bazaar to benefit Missions. The Soul Care Project will have a booth featuring symbolic lanterns, Guatemalan bracelets, and woodwork by Bob Appel. Please come by our booth and send your friends. Help to Shine the Light...

Peace That Passes Understanding

Michael and Jonathan left this morning to go to Guatemala for a Board Meeting of the Casa Bernabe Orphanage. Before they boarded the plane they evacuated to the lower level to shelter from a tornado. The airport was running on emergency power, as Tropical Storm Lee sent feeder bands of storms and tornadic cells through our area. Nonetheless, they were able to fly out and have safely arrived in Guatemala City. Last year, while they were there, they were awakened in their sleep from an earthquake and witnessed a small volcanic eruption. I was just finishing-up a painting of Volcano Agua, which is near there, and was thinking about the turmoil of this world. Yet, the Holy Spirit fills me with a peace that passes understanding. He gets us through the storms.

Upcoming Needs

This month we will host a missionary family while they receive some soul care. They will be in the area for two weeks; one week they stay at a local beach house (graciously donated by a board member) to get some much needed rest and relaxation. As we prepare to bless this family with some needed respite care, we need your help. First of all, we would appreciate your prayers for this family and those that interact with them during their time here.

As this family will be flying in from a foreign country, they do not have access to their own transportation. If anyone is able to donate a car during the second half of September, please contact Cozy Drake at cozydrake@cox.net. We also provide groceries and welcome baskets to the missionaries when they arrive, so if you would like to make a donation for groceries or the welcome basket, please contact Cozy.

We appreciate your support and prayers this month!

Soul Care in the News

Mike and Shawnea have been busy preparing for a seminar at First Baptist Church of Niceville. The class, called "Soul Care: Equipped for Relationships," kicked off tonight and will continue through October. The Bay Beacon printed a great article on this seminar series and The Soul Care Project. Here's the article.

Enjoy, and please keep them in your prayers as they help others apply God's word to their relationships.

Taking a "Beach Break"

Recently several missionaries have traveled to the Emerald Coast for rest, transition, and/or a Soul Care debrief. One of our Board members has a beach house that she has made available for our visitors. On one occasion, the house was already booked. One of our church members did have a vacancy and graciously waived her fee. During high-season and on short notice, vacancies are not a sure thing...It is a sure thing that God provides for our every need. We praise Him for his provision and for the opportunity to serve his missionaries.

Bargain Box

Our life is starting to "normalize." We are mostly moved-in to our house and hope to be able to fit the car in the garage by this weekend. We have weeded out much of the things that we thought that we could live without and even many things that we thought that we couldn't live without. The Bargain Box has been the  recipient of enough items for someone to fully set-up housekeeping! This ministry of Niceville UMC resales goods for the purpose of supporting missions and The Soul Care Project is one of them.

NicevilleUMC Missions Conference

Bonnie and Michael "man the booth" at the Niceville UMC Missions Conference.

One of today's common mis-conceptions is that what we do doesn't really make a difference. The missionaries who spoke cited many examples of the difference that one person has made in their ministries.  We must all be encouraged to not underestimate what God is able to do...if we are willing to allow him to work in our lives. It was a great day of celebrating how God can use each of us to make a difference in this world.

Heart, Mind, and Strength...with the Soul

God's greatest command tells us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. The past couple of months have given us a glimpse into the reward of His authority. While in Ecuador we were privileged to watch and feel the Holy Spirit touch the hearts of those He loves. We were able to fly back on Christmas night, without any major delays, despite the 4000 flights that were canceled out of Atlanta. We were able to get all of our things moved from our house and meet the closing deadline...once again..perfect timing. During that time, we had three missionaries visit us here. What a blessing to see old friends and to meet new ones. We are currently living with Michael's parents while repairs are made to our new home. It is a perfect time to rest before moving in and a perfect time to continue to learn about loving God with more than just our souls.

Ecuador Update

Mike and Shawnea arrived safely at their location in Ecuador.  They had weather delays getting in and had little sleep their first night; however, Shawnea recovered from her illness before they left. 


In their first days a lot has been accomplished, and they can feel God's presence. Please continue to pray for God's blessing on those they serve and on Mike and Shawnea as they minister to others needs. 

You're Invited...

God's Timing

On our way to the Mental Health and Missions Conference we received a call from One Mission Society (OMS) requesting a field visit ASAP. We are in the middle of moving to a smaller home, so I have a lot of strategic packing and sorting to do. Going to the conference was already stressing my valuable time budget. At first I panicked, then I remembered my own words that I had repeated so many times; "No this is not a good time to sell a house, but God's timing is perfect." Needless to say those words have proven to be true time and again...why would I questing His timing now? We will travel to South America (in the middle of our move) with the same faith that has brought us this far, "His timing is perfect."