Pickle Sickle

Think Flav-o-ice, but pickle flavored. Basically, it's frozen pickle juice. Here's how the conversation preceding my purchase of the Pickle Sickle went:

Me: What is a Pickle Sickle?

Drive-thru kid: It's like a frozen pickle. It's really good.

Me: Really?

Drive-thru kid: Yeah, do you want one?

Me: Sure, why not?

It was only 95 cents.

Actually, as I re-read that conversation, I realize how easy it was to sell me on something that in no way would ever be good. I am a sucker.

Thank You, Partners

I just wanted to say a quick "Thanks" to all who have partnered with us! If you are reading this at www.hebrews1312.blogspot.com, check out the huge list to the right. Unbelievable!

These are all people and churches who have committed to praying for us and/or have given us financial support. Without all of you, we would not be able to do this year-long volunteer program at The Voice Of The Martyrs. While parts of this journey so far have been very difficult and very challenging for us, both Christy and I know that this is exactly where God wants us to be.

In the short amount of time that we have been here, we have already been blown away by VOM and how they operate. We are so excited for the rest of our year here...and whatever is beyond. I hope all of you who are partnering with us realize that you share with us in our excitement! We cannot wait to share with you the different things that we get to be involved in throughout the year.

Once again, thank-you. And, if your name should be on the list, but isn't, please let me know! Or, if you would like us to add your name...just contact me!

B-ville

The past week has been quite a blur, filled with packing and traveling. Here are a few of the highlights.

After finally getting everything stored, sold, or packed, we headed out for our first destination – Clinton, IL – last Thursday evening. We arrived much later than we wanted to, but that was fine. At least my little truck made it that far pulling such a heavy U-haul. I was glad to unload it and get rid of it before going the rest of the way to Oklahoma. We had a great time in Clinton with my mom, brother, sister-in-law, and niece. It was also great to be able to attend First Christian Church on Sunday. I was given the opportunity to do the offering meditation for both of the services on Sunday morning. It was a chance for me to thank everyone for their generosity.

On Monday, Christy and I continued our journey west. I thought for sure we would be driving into some heavy rain. This would have been bad due to the fact that many of our belongings were in the back of my truck, covered by a tarp that I am sure would not have kept everything completely dry. But, somehow, no rain fell on us at all, despite the fact that we drove directly into tornado warnings in Missouri and Oklahoma. Which, by the way, is a great way to be welcomed into your new state! I love storms, and although I am a bit embarrassed to admit it, I love the movie Twister (which is not only about storms, but also takes place in OK). So, driving my truck into a tornado warning in Oklahoma was pretty exciting for me. I imagined myself driving directly towards the F5 as I prepared to launch Dorothy.

We arrived at our apartment dry and unharmed. Our apartment is very cool. The Voice Of The Martyrs has done an amazing job with the housing that they offer to their volunteers. And, if I could digress for one more second, there is a storm shelter near our apartment that is built to withstand an F4 – just in case you were concerned. Anyway, as I was saying, the apartment is wonderful. It's fully furnished, which is great – except for the fact that we are pack rats and are now wondering where to put all of our stuff. But, the furnishings are great. I can't say enough good stuff about the housing here! And, when you look out the window of our living room, you can see the future site of all of VOM's operations. It'll be amazing when it's finished.

Every Tuesday morning, VOM holds a chapel service. Christy and I made a point to attend. I didn't know that this weekly chapel took place and I am really looking forward to it. It is complete with a time of worship, a time of prayer, and a time of hearing a message from a selected guest speaker. After the chapel service, Christy and I met with a couple VOM employees who will be overseeing us as we serve here. We were then given a tour of the office complex.

The rest of the day Tuesday was spent "getting settled" here in Bartlesville. I did want to make all of you aware of one important detail. We opened a PO Box. You can send mail to this new address effective immediately – Jake and Christy Follis, PO Box 4026, Bartlesville, OK 74006.

We officially begin serving with VOM on Friday, March 13, 2009. They have graciously given us a couple of days here to just settle in and transition. I'll be sure to keep you all posted on our specific duties once we figure all of that out!

Please continue to pray for us! While we have always been very excited about this move and about this opportunity, it has proven to be much more difficult than I thought it would be. There has been a lot of stress associated with this move for various reasons. Please pray about that – and specifically pray about the selling of our home. We appreciate your prayers so much. We do not have the strength to do this ministry on our own. It is only through your prayers and God's power that we are sustained day by day!

One final note – soon I will be adding even more people to our partners list! I know there are some of you who have stated that you are in prayer for us and/or have given to use financially. We are having some wireless internet issues right at this moment, so I haven't had a chance to update the list. I apologize. Your names will be there shortly. Also, if you don't see your name on the list, but you have been praying for us and/or have given to us financially, please let me know. It is very possible that I have lost track inadvertently.

Thanks to all of you!

I can't explain it

I feel like I am pretty good at explaining things. I know some people who are very knowledgeable about certain topics, but if you were to ask them to explain something about one of their areas of expertise, you wouldn't understand a word of their explanation. It doesn't mean they're not intelligent, it just means they can't explain it in terms that those of us who are less informed about the topic can understand.

An example of this would be the stereotypical computer tech guy. Many of us have asked a computer expert a question, only to be given a reply that is so filled with tech language that it does little to clear up the problem. That's when we hear the tech guy say, "MOVE," as he slides in front of our computer to fix the problem himself.

But, like I said, most of the time, I feel pretty good about my ability to explain things. For example, one time I was playing a game that really highlighted the importance of clear explanation and communication.

Here's how the game worked:

Each team consisted of 3 people. One person was given a small "model" made out of Lego's. Another person on the other side of the room was given those exact same Lego's, but they were not connected. These Lego's were loose in a Ziploc bag. But, other than not being put together, they were exactly the same as the model - the same shapes, the same colors, etc.

The goal of the game was to try and assemble the Lego's in the bag exactly like the put together model on the other side of the room. But, obviously there was a catch. The person with the model was the only one on the team allowed to see the model. He had to explain how the model was put together to the third person on the team. That person had to run to the other side of the room and tell the person with the pieces what to do, according to what they were just told.

The role I played was that of the person with the original model. So, I decided to give small bits of information to the "runner". Back and forth the runner went. Delivering my step by step instructions to the builder.

When the game was finished, our model was nearly perfect! The only error was a reversal of colors between two of the blocks. But, other than that, the team I was on had done an excellent job of communicating and explaining. It made me feel really good. I put a lot of pressure on myself to explain things well. So, to play the game so well made me feel like I had really accomplished something. I'm so awesome...in your FACE, other teams.

Of course, whenever I start to feel that I'm so unbelievable, I'm always brought back to reality.

Lately, there has been something that I've had a hard time explaining. I think many people are not fully understanding why my wife and I would make the decision to sell a bunch of our stuff, try to sell our house at the worst possible time, quit our jobs, leave our families, and move to Oklahoma to work without getting paid for a non-profit organization called The Voice Of The Martyrs.

Does it really make sense to do this? Isn't it crazy to dump a nice, new 3 bedroom home for a 2 bedroom apartment? I'm moving in the wrong direction, right? It's not just a decrease in pay that I'm facing. I'm facing no pay at all. Can I really live off of the support of family and friends? What am I going to do when the year commitment is up? Do I really want to get rid of stuff that I've worked hard to accumulate? Is this a wise career decision? How does this affect my future financial security?

The questions could go on and on. These are questions that run through my mind and they are questions that others have asked me. And, for once in my life, I can't explain it - but I have to do this.

Of course, I realize that this looks crazy in many ways. But Christy and I have come to a place in our lives where God has been very clear about how He wants us to react to His call. How He wants us to react is simply, GO. This is merely step one for us.

In 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul writes, "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God."

Many of my friends who are in the ministry are good examples of people who "do not peddle the word of God for profit." These friends could be making a lot more money and be living much more extravagant lives if they chose other professions. But, they have responded to God's call on their lives to sacrifice their own comfort so that others may come into a relationship with Jesus Christ. These friends are the most joyful and fulfilled people I know.

I also have many friends and family members who may not be in "full-time" ministry careers, but who are still making daily sacrifices of their time, finances, and resources so that the Kingdom Of God is advanced. Just look at my list of partners to see examples of some of these people!

This world is temporary. I don't have much time here. The last thing I want to do is waste my time accumulating "things" and worrying about money. The result of me gaining things of this world is the loss of my soul. I also want to do whatever God tells me to do, without hesitation. He's in control, not me. Even if I don't fully understand His plan, I know He has a plan. I'm just glad to be a part of it. And, I am already experiencing an amazing fulfillment as I align myself with God's will for my life.

I don't have all the answers. I don't know how to convey to all of you what I know in my heart to be directly from God. All I know is that I am being sent from God, and I say that with the utmost sincerity.

I can't explain it.

Updates

In just one month, we will load up our vehicles and make the move to Oklahoma to begin our year of volunteer work with The Voice Of The Martyrs. We are very excited as our moving date draws near. But, at the same time, there are some important things to take care of before the move takes place.

First and foremost, we really need to sell our home. As we all know, economic times are tough. It's not easy to sell a home these days. But, no matter how impossible things may look to me, I know that nothing is impossible for God. Therefore, I would like to ask you to pray for this situation. I don't know God's plan for how or when I will sell my house, but like I've said before, I know he has a plan. Join with me as I pray everyday that God will bring a buyer through my door so that we can serve in Oklahoma without the burden of owning a home in Ohio.

I know that many people are partnering with us through prayer...but, I haven't had too many of those people ask to be added to our "Partners" list. Please, if you are willing to commit to praying for us regularly, let me know. If you know me, you know that I have a terrible memory! This list will help me to remember who to keep in contact with about prayer needs and answered prayers. It will help me to remember to pray for you and your family. It will also serve as a source of encouragement for Christy and I as we are far from our friends and family. So, please contact me if you are willing to simply pray for us.

There is good news when it comes to our support raising efforts! Financially, we are nearly half-way to our goal and we are still expecting some additional commitments from a few more partners. The generosity of everyone has been overwhelming. I thank God everyday for those who have given to us!

There are things to pack, things to sell, and lots of arrangements to make! And through it all is the excitement of what is ahead of us.

Partner Through Prayer

In both our newsletter and this blog, I've mentioned how you can partner with Christy and I as we begin a new ministry with The Voice Of The Martyrs in Bartlesville, OK. I'd like to take a moment to highlight one specific area or partnership right now.

Obviously, we are in need of financial support. I'd be lying if I said that raising financial support isn't one of my goals of communicating with all of you through this blog and the newsletter.

But, I also want to make it clear that it isn't my only goal. I hate the thought that some may be turned off by the fact that I ask for money. This is the first time in my life that I've ever had to "raise my own support," and to be honest, it's a bit uncomfortable. It doesn't come natural to me and it's one of the aspects of missions that scares me the most.

I've been humbled by the fact that some have stepped forward and offered financial assistance. It makes me realize that God's love has a way of motivating human beings to do the amazing - to take risks and step out in faith. God's love has a way of inspiring people to help and stand behind those who are following His call on their lives.

With that being said, let me mention another goal of the newsletter and this blog - PRAYER. Christy and I are encouraged to know that others are praying for us.

Please, if you are willing to regularly pray for us over the next year, let us know. The names of the partners to the right are not just those who have committed finances to us. The list is also for those who have committed to pray for us. You may not realize just how important it is for Christy and I to know that you care enough to pray for us as we take on a whole new way of life.

Contact me if you are willing to simply pray!

Read All About It

Our newsletter is finished. We've sent them out through both regular mail and email. If you want to make sure you get one, please contact me! Throughout our year in Bartlesville, we will be communicating to all of you through our newsletter and this blog - so make sure you don't get left out.

In other news...we are having an open house this Sunday from 1-3. Trying to sell a house in this economy is brutal. I hope the open house generates some interest. Please be in prayer for this. It's by far our biggest need!

I hope you are all having a great start to 2009!