Portugal or China that is/was the question

If you have known me for 5 or less years, hopefully you know that Chris and I have traveled to Brazil on a missions trip in 2008. We went with a group from our church as well as a church in downtown Clarksville. It was one of the best experiences in my life. I grew as a christian, was able to share my faith for the first time in another language, and was able to witness many souls be saved for Christ. What could be greater than that? Nothing in my opinion. I have always had a peeked interest when anyone would come to our church and talk about their experiences of being a missionary. I thought, when I get older I would love to go and do that, or after I retire from veterinary medicine. Well, God had different plans for Chris and I. We were given that opportunity in April of 2008. Chris came home from work several months before and said Steve Freeman had contacted him about going on a veterinary mission trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. He asked me what I thought. At first I was a little miffed, at my own husband no doubt. Chris has never shared with me that he would want to go anywhere other than Stewart County : )

Well, he went and filled out some papers at First Baptist the very next day. He came home all excited and said, do you want to go? There is a team from North Carolina that can't go and they are in desperate need of volunteers to go, and we need vets. Well, here it was right in my lap and my first thought was no! I can't go. Who is going to care for my sweet baby girl Addie who hadn't even turned two yet!!! So I did voice those concerns and said the christian answer, "let me pray about it".

The following Sunday morning during the invitation I stood in the pew and prayed Lord show me, tell me, move me. What am I to do?? I had chills over my entire body. I grabbed Chris's hand and said, "let's go pray at the altar about Brazil". That moment we prayed together for the first time as a couple about our decision for us both to go and knew then and there that God had called us to take this leap of faith, outside of our comfort zones to go to Brazil.

So I became pumped!!! Jesus, children, and animals in another country: let me have it!! Well, many family members of ours weren't that excited about it. Some were, but most weren't. I heard comments like, are you crazy? What if something happens to both of you? What about Addie? What about the $$$$? My answers at first were as confusing and doubtful as the questions. BUT, I continued to pray and the Lord lead me to say when asked again, if I am to die doing God's will then so be it. He will see to it that my sweet baby girl was taken care of.

The money for my trip was provided by my work and..........I sold my treadmill!!! Ha, wish I hadn't now, but it helped get me to Brazil.

We had a wonderful life changing experience because the Lord truly blessed us on that trip. That is NOT what we went for. We went to serve, but He blessed us along the way. I saw children that I squeezed on and loved on the entire time, got to perform vet exams and give medicine to hundreds of animals all while sharing the gospel!!!

Chris and I were transformed that trip. We love missions and continue to pray for God's will in our lives. For Him to clearly show us what we are to do. This year our church will be going on several missions trips. One to New York City for City Uprising this summer lead by our pastor, one to Portugal in September, and one to China in September. After much prayer I am going to Portugal and Chris is going to China. This has been hard for me because I wanted us to go as a couple, however after much prayer I don't feel that is what we are to do. I feel that the Lord has really pulled on Chris's heart to go to China and that is where he needs to be.

Please be in prayer for us. Our trips are two days apart. I will be home from Portugal less than 48 hours before Chris leaves for 11 days for China. Please pray for our girls as this will be a transition for them as well. If anyone of my sweet friends or family reading this just can't "get us" please pray and then read Radical. It is a great read!

I love you all