If We Knew Then What We Know Now...

On November 4, 2011 we were appointed as GEM missionaries to France.  

We had a limited vision of the particular city we'd move to, the specific ministry we'd be a part of, or even where in Pennsylvania we would live just a few short weeks later.  

If we knew then what we know now, would we still choose this life?

If we knew then that we would not raise all of our support in just 7 months, but instead it would take us over 1 year, would we commit to moving to France?

If we knew then that we would not live in the same home for longer than one month, that we would live like nomads, would we willingly move to Pennsylvania?

If we knew then that all church planting efforts in Aix-les-Bains over the last 25 years have failed, would we still pick to minister in that city?

If we knew then what we know now, would we choose this life?

If we were not raising financial support, we would not have been able to share the Gospel with a friend and invite her into eternity with Jesus; we would not have met and prayed for a man who was healed.  If we raised all of our support in 7 months, we likely would have a smaller view of God.  But our God is big.

If we had stayed in Colorado, or even in just one location in Pennsylvania, we would never have seen so many of our friends and family or met new people who have a passion for spreading the Gospel in Europe.  Living like nomads is hard - really hard - but God has used this lifestyle to allow us to experience the Church as He intended.

What about Aix-les-Bains?  I don't think we can answer that one yet.  The fact that all church planting efforts have failed during my entire lifetime makes me wonder what exactly God has in mind.  We trust that He has called us to France and has opened the doors for us to partner with the new ministry in Aix-les-Bains, and for now, that is enough.

If we knew then what we know now, would we choose this life?  Yes.