Being sent as opposed to just leaving

Over the past almost 6 years we have been attending a beautiful church in Lethbridge called River of Life.  Actually we moved to Lethbridge with the express purpose of attending ROL.  Neither Shayne nor I had ever been to Lethbridge, we didn't know anyone who lived here, and when we came I didn't have a job and knew I'd have to find one once I got here.  Nonetheless we packed up and moved because we felt clearly that God wanted us to be at ROL.  During that time the Lord was speaking to us clearly that He would establish us here in Lethbridge and that our roots would go deep.  That we would be like a "tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers"(psalm 1:3)  Well praise God.  He has been so good to us here, and now we are entering a new season in our lives.  In acts  we read that Saul and Barnabas were a part of the church at antioch.  Their church knew them, their church leadership knew them, they served in their church and must have attended faithfully because "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting" that is the church at antioch and specifically the leadership "the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'  So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off".  Tomorrow our church will be sending us off on our Journey of Faith.  It is such a blessing that were not just leaving, but that were being sent out by our church who know us and believe in us.  Being part of a local church is so important.  God has no Lone Rangers.  In our local church we have learned to serve, to teach, to Love and to be loved.  We have found healing, and correction, and friends that have become like family.  


We hope you enjoy todays vid of us splashing around in the pool on Judahs birthday
The Schafer Family 

A thief robbed our camp-site last night, but all he took was ...

As you can imagine, we haven't had much trouble these last few weeks at bridgeview campground, except for the rain and the mosquitos.  Until last night.  The dogs heard it first from their kennels and set to barking so fervently that we knew something wasn't right.  We leapt out of bed, where we had been just snuggling in to our pillows after praying, and ran out the door to see what mischief was afoot.  All we heard was the pitter patter of feet splashing across the gravel and away from the scene.  We found everything very much in order except for one thing.  I'm sure you've guessed now that the culprit I'm talking about wasn't a Him or a Her, but an It.  Although at that point we weren't 100% sure what had toppled our garbage can and had been stealthily snacking on our trash, but we knew it had been an It.  We righted our displaced garbage can, and went back inside to embrace our beds.  No sooner had we tucked ourselves in but we heard the barking again and the crash crash of trouble.  This time we were determined to see for sure what had been causing such a ruckus in our site, and we caught just a glimpse of a large racoon as we piled out of the house.  We searched with flashlights, but the racoon was gone.  Our poor rubbish had been scattered in a matter of mere seconds, and we were left to pick up the smelly rotting pieces.  I was more than tempted to let the dogs out and let them have their way with the miserable animal that had been keeping me from my beauty sleep, but thought better knowing the ruckus they would make and that my elderly neighbours probably wouldn't appreciate my puppies disturbing their slumber.  Needless to say 'It' didn't come back and the rest of our night proved mostly uneventful in our pleasant little campsite.

The Schafer Family

The Long Wait ...

It has been a long wait, and weary have been the long weeks that we have waited.  We knew it was coming, though we knew not when.  We hoped beyond hope that it would be soon and yet we dared not believe that it would ever come at all lest it never come and all our hope turn to bitter disappointment.  Then, when we had sunk deep into despair, hope again was kindled within our hearts and our strength was renewed.  We saw the hose.  Long and green the hose lay, pouring forth unspeakable joy.  It had begun.  Oh what wonders lay in store for us during the days ahead.  Even the children in the streets were heard whispering of untold joy that was soon to be theirs.  And still we waited, and waited and waited.  Until, one fine day in June we received word that the day was gathering near.  The time was nigh come,  to 'Open the Pool'.  Oh what sweet bliss is almost ours, it is so near we can almost reach out and grasp it.  Tomorrow, Oh tomorrow, will you ever come.  Tomorrow at noon, they will open the pearly gates.  By that time I feel as if I will have grown old, and all desire to frolic in the sun will be long forgotten.  My aged decrepit body withered and bent now too old to brave the depths, my heart long past its will to beat any faster than needed to move my bowels.  And yet, I behold the setting sun, and the shadows lengthen.  Before my eyes the moon begins to chase the sun from the sky.  Ah yes, maybe tomorrow will come after all.  Maybe we will live to see the day when their is splashing and merrymaking once more.  Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomo..... (snoring)

...
How can you tell I've been reading The Hobbit to the Kids. hehe
The pool at the campground opens tomorrow at about noon, or so we've been told.  Only time will tell.

The Schafer Family

Size doesn't matter ...

Everyone has heard the old saying that "size matters".  Well, tell that to the shepherd boy who, young and un-experienced as he was, slayed the mighty Goliath.  Not to mention the ultra nervous, stuttering, mumbling Moses who despite his inferiority complex faced Pharaoh and led millions of Jews out of Egypt into Freedom.  How about a baby, conceived out of wed-lock and born in a barn who would later rise up from his humble beginnings and save the world from the punishment of Sin.  Jesus took 2 fish and 5 loaves and fed more than 5000.  Elijah told the widow to keep on pouring the oil until the last jar had been filled.  God told Gideon to send home the majority of his men before a major battle.  Many times in scripture and in the history of the church we see that God can use anyone, at any time, to accomplish anything that He desires.  No man can raise his hand against such a God, and no man can fail when that same God is standing for him and with him.  Still think that size matters?  Here's a question for you.  Would it be harder for God to provide 10$, or 100$...  When Moses led millions of Israelites around in the desert for 40 years, who fed them?  Now Millions is alot of people to have to feed, clothe and care for but every day The Lord provided more than enough for them to eat and he supernaturally sustained them so that not even their clothes and shoes wore out.  Size doesn't matter to God, unless of course your talking about the size of your Faith.  We are a family of 7.  In todays estimation thats a pretty large family, but it's not too big that the Lord cant and wont meet all of our needs as we trust him and walk in obedience to the things he's asking us to do.  Our God is a faithful provider.  If I can believe God for ten dollars I can believe him for a hundred dollars.  And with the same mustard seed of Faith I can believe him for hundreds of thousands of dollars if necessary to accomplish His work on Earth.  Has God given you big dreams, has he given you hopes for the future that seem way out of reach.  Whatever He has called you to do, whatever the magnificent plan is that He has for your life, you can and will accomplish everything that He has set out for you to do.  He will lift you up.  He will sustain you.  He will make a way even when it seems hopeless.  Gods ways are not our ways, we dont always understand the way God does things, and we dont need to.  Trust and obey, that's what counts.  Today a lovely older women in our congregation wrote us an encouraging note that really touched our hearts.  In it she prayed that as we travel we "will see many souls brought to the Lord", and she reminded us that "your greatest reward will come from your faithfulness.  Already in our fellowship you are leaving a strong testimony of faithfulness".  Her prayers and wise words of encouragement stir us deeply, and we are blessed and encouraged to know that the Lord is touching hearts to pray for us and support us.  Thank You Lord.  I pray that through our act of obedience in taking this journey others would be inspired to rise up in Faith, and take hold of the dreams that the Lord has birthed in them.  For His glory, and for Him alone.

The Schafer Family

You give up a few things, chasing a dream

The slogan of the Campground where were staying this month is "Living the dream".  And many of the retired people we see come and go here with their 800 ft motor-homes, boats, and SUV's are living their dream.  But, I assure you this is not our dream.  Some of you may have romantic thoughts about downsizing all your worldly possessions, and traipsing around North America in an RV with no agenda and no cares in the world.  But for us, this Journey is not the realization of a romantic dream.  It is a step of obedience.  We have given up a stable comfortable home, for a small older motor-home with no hot water.  We have downsized our wardrobe's from one dresser per person and closets of clothes and shoes to a couple pairs of pants and a hand full of shirts per person.  We have given up a regular income, for a un-stable financial future.  We have given up the 'Normal' North American life.  Yes it is our choice to give up all of these things, and we do it with joy, knowing that we are doing our best to be obedient to what we feel the Lord leading us to do.  In preparing to move into the MH we had to sell or give away alot of things.   Some of those things were very special to us, and had been prized possessions.  We knew we wouldn't have a ton of money for this trip so we've been saving and preparing for it for almost the last year.  We have been able to pre-pay for a small storage container for the next year so that we could store a few of our belongings for when we come back.  We have also been able to purchase travel insurance for the next 6 months(which isn't cheap for a family our size), as well as AMA.  We were able to pay cash for the motor-home, and purchase a dolly so we can bring our mini-van with us.  We are still hoping to pre-pay for our Van insurance for the next year, but haven't been able to yet because we had to put new tires on the van last week because the mechanics shop didn't want to let us take it the tires were so bald.  Even though we have had some minor setbacks, God has been faithful through it all.  But, even though we trust God to provide that doesn't let us off the hook from doing our part.  We sold our car, we sold our laptop, we were able to sell a litter of puppies, a bunch of Shayne's tupperware, book shelves, handmade toques, and anything else we could part with that would fetch a price.  The Lord even provided me with some part time work over the past few months that fit into my internship schedule.  We believe that we have done everything in our power to prepare for this trip, and even though we don't know how we are going to be able to pay for this trip yet, we can confidently stand in Faith for God to provide the resources we need.  Yes we are having fun and enjoying ourselves so far, but the Journey has only just begun and we haven't even left lethbridge yet.  One can only guess at the challenges and trials we may encounter during the next year.  But we know that our God is faithful, that he is trustworthy, and that he will meet all of our needs as we walk in obedience to Him.  And we are willing to put everything on the line to prove it to the world.  Please pray for us that God would continue to meet all of our needs, and that he would give us favour and good fortune as we travel.  Thanks for following us and supporting us.  We have already seen some miracles, and are believing for more.  We know that the Lord will speak to the hearts of the people He's chosen to support us financially during the next year, and on into the future as we pursue our dream of doing Missions work in Africa and beyond.

The Schafer Family










  

In way over my head

I knew I was in for it.  I had done the math, and I was dreadfully out-numbered.  As they rushed towards me weapons drawn, I could see it in their eyes that they had only one goal in mind.  Total annihilation.  I knew they would not accept surrender.  I knew my only choice was to stand and fight.  I couldn't of run if I had wanted to, besides men don't run.  The time had come, I knew this was it.  I was in way over my head.  As the 7 screaming children closed in on me, plastic swords swinging, dart guns blazing, I did all I could to protect my most tender regions but it was to no avail.  One well placed punch down south sent me to my knees and as the sting of the plastic swords pummelled my body I screamed like a little girl.  This of course only seemed to send the blood thirsty savages into a wilder frenzy as they tied my legs with rope, the yellow nylon fibres cutting into my delicate leg fat.  5 boys and 2 girls.  Who knew such carnage could come from such innocent young faces.  I did, and I felt their wrath.  Amidst the clamour of the battle, I could hear laughing.  Deep, dark, evil laughing.  I craned my head to find the source of the laughter, and there to my utter dismay I saw them.  My wife and our friend Cheri howling at my misfortune and egging the children on.  Yes my friends, I may have lost today, I may have tasted bitter defeat, but I will have my revenge.  Oh yes, sweet revenge.
  (evil laugh) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I hope you enjoy todays video, exploring the difference between Big... and small.

Thanks for Journeying with us.
The Schafer Family

The Lord knows the way

I sat down with my Bible and my blue highlighter.  My mission.. to search out all the verses pertaining to Gods faithfulness.  3 hours, and 20 Psalms later, my Bible is dripping blue and I am dripping in thankfulness and awe at the faithfulness of our God.  We read in the word of God that Jesus spoke to Saul, knocked him off his horse, and called him to be the apostle Paul.  We see a distinct period between when that happened and when he was actually sent out to fulfill that call.  I wonder if during that time Paul ever doubted his call or wondered how in the wide world he would ever accomplish all that he knew he was called to do.  I wonder if David the shepherd, after being anointed to be the next king, ever wondered if it could possibly be true and if it would really come to pass.  Whether or not these great Men of God ever questioned their call, or questioned Gods ability to fulfill his word in their lives, we will never know.  What we do know is that God was faithful to them, and that He accomplished everything that He purposed to do through them.  That is my God.  Strong, Faithful, and True.  Though sometimes I wonder how everything will fall into place, and how God will pull us through this, I never doubt that He will.  Madame Guyon wrote in her book 'Experiencing God through Prayer' that "God is greatly grieved at the lack of trust among His children.  Yet He delights when we come to Him in simple, childlike confidence."  Abba, Father, we trust in the truth of your word.  We trust in your faithfulness.  Friends, family, be strengthened in your faith and rise up in the face of your adversary.  Our God can not be defeated and His word will always come to pass.  Psalms 1:6 "The Lord knows the way", and I don't.  (and thats OK)

Thanks for journeying with us.

The Schafer Family

Everyday Sunday ...

I don't know if your like me.  You probably aren't, most people aren't me, Well, except me.  But, sometimes I wish everyday was Sunday.  We are told in Acts that the early church devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  And they were meeting "day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes".  This is a beautiful picture.  Of course I don't think we should try to replicate this today(besides I don't even know where the temple is in Lethbridge), but it is a great picture of what a healthy gathering of believers should look like.  Sundays remind me of the one reason that I am not looking forward to making this Journey, leaving Lethbridge means leaving our church.  River of Life church in Lethbridge is alot more than just a church to us, it is our Home.  It is where we gather as a family to love and be loved.  It is where we have grown to know the love of our Heavenly Father, where we have grown to understand who we are and the reason why He has called us.  We plan to visit many churches on our Journey.  We know that each one will be wonderfully unique, they will all have strengths and weaknesses, they may have different ways of worship, different styles of prayer, different methods for teaching, evangelism, and discipling.  They will all be special and they will all be filled with people who Love Christ and are passionately pursuing him.  But they will not be home.  Home is a special place.  Even though we are leaving on this Journey, and after that hope to leave for mission work in Africa, we are committed to ROL.  Why?  We have made a Covenant before God to be committed to this church body, and we plan to honor that covenant.  Thats what being part of a family is all about.  We are committed to our church and they are committed to us.  We are the bride of Christ, walking in the Spirit of Christ, proclaiming the work of Christ, for the glory of Jesus the Christ.  If you aren't committed to a home church and aren't attending regularily, I deeply urge you to.  Is ROL perfect?  Of course not.  Neither are we.  But will we stand together, in unity, with one heart and one mind despite our differences, our hurting, our pain, and our preferences?  We will, and I hope you will too.  Look to Christ, He is enough.
Check out todays video.  Another installment in our series of "how we do life" in the motorhome.


The Schafer Family

Pancakes anyone ???

Everyone loves pancake breakfasts, especially when your camping.  So we knew it wouldn't be long before we were whipping up some batter and throwing down some flap jacks.  Of course everything takes a little longer, and seems to require slightly more patience than it used to in our old place without wheels, but Pancakes was one luxury we weren't willing to leave behind.  This morning as we were preparing for our day I was meditating on the fact that there aren't only 7 of us going on this trip, there is another.  Ever present, always strengthening and encouraging, Jesus is with us(dont ask me where he's going to sleep though).  It is comforting to know that no matter where we go, or what we do, nothing can seperate us from the love of God.  In 1Timothy 2:5 Paul writes "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people".  On this one truth, we find peace and joy amidst the storms of this life.  As the days go by living in the MH we realise our need more and more for Jesus and of course we all need Him every moment.  I pray that you would be blessed today and that Gods grace would be more real to you today than ever before.  Wrap it around yourself like a warm blanket, drink it in, and then take that grace and extend it to someone else today.  Thanks for following us, and check out todays video of us enjoying our pancakes.

The Schafer Family

Another Rainy Day

Rain, Rain... Would you just stop already!!!! Imagine, its been raining for days and days, the only place you can go to escape the rain is your couch.  Every so often when you feel as if you need to move, when you can feel your bum slipping from numb to numb-er, you stand up take 3 or 4 paces one way, turn around, and pace back.  You sigh, stretch your arms, sigh again massage those cheeks to keep the blood flowing and then sit down again.  You and the other 6 people your sharing your couch with, repeat this process day after day after day after blessed day.  The pitter patter of the rain tick tocking your already mushy mind farther and farther over the edge of drowsiness into that strange place we've all found ourselves after that turkey dinner at grandma's or listening to your parents tell stories of the 'good old days'.
Rain, Rain, go away... AND NEVER COME BACK!!!

PS I'm wondering if this is what Noah's ark must of felt like???

Some Background and a Motor-Home Sneak Peek ...

Well, how do you dig up the deepest parts of your heart and apply them on paper for others to examine and scrutinize.  This is something I am learning to do, and although its hard we want to be able to share with all of you this great experience we are on the edge of.  It all started a few years back with a series of dreams, visions, and words of encouragement that began to lead us down a path of dreaming... Could a family like ours engage in missions work overseas, and what would that look like?  Since then we have traveled to Kenya with our church, and were able to experience a little of what a missionaries life looks like in Africa, and some of the joys and challenges of doing so.  We feel distinctly called to engage in the work of Evangelism, to seek and save the lost.  We also feel distinctly called to love and disciple children and youth, strengthening families and helping teen moms and single moms.  And we feel called to Africa.  What that will look like for us exactly, we are still not sure.  What we do know is that everywhere you look, everywhere you go, the lost are perishing.  Jesus has died to set them free from the bonds of sin and death, and somebody needs to tell them.  We need to heed that call.  That is a large part of what this trip is about for us, meeting people, making friends, building relationships, sharing the gospel, and praying for people everywhere we go.  We will learn how to function as a healthy family away from all our supports, how to live in tight quarters, and learn to live without some of the amenities we are used to.  We will have to be constantly putting ourselves out there, extending our hands and hearts to others.  We believe that this Journey is part of Gods plan for preparing us and training us for a future of missions work.  What mission organization would send someone to minister and evangelize somewhere, if they aren't already doing it at home?
Today I am sharing a quick video of our Home for you.  I hope you enjoy it.


The Schafer's

A new way of life emerges

Well, 2 weeks in the Motor-home.  Yup.  It feels like quite an accomplishment for a family our size with 2 dogs to have actually been able to survive this long in a 24 foot class C Motor-home.  Yet strangely enough our cozy 150 sq. ft home feels like, well, like home.  Of course we are beginning to realize some of the challenges we will face over the next year, the largest being learning to live without having hot water at the turn of the tap and learning how to give each other personal space, but so far any of the challenges we've had to face have been eclipsed by the great favor and fortune we have enjoyed in our new home.  We have been loving the wonderful hospitality of our friends who have graciously opened their showers and laundry rooms to us over the past 2 weeks, and pray that our last month in Lethbridge would be filled with many opportunities to enjoy the fellowship of the friends we have made here over the past almost 6 years.  As I sit here writing this, I cant help but wonder at the many wonderful places we will go over the next year and all the special people we will meet as we follow the Lord wherever he would lead us.  I also cant help but wonder what challenges await us, what trials we may have to endure, and what hardships we may encounter along the way.  This journey isn't something we just dreamed up, it is not a blind leap of faith.  It may be crazy, it may not be conventional, but we do believe that it is what the Lord desires for us at this time, and we are willing to step out and believe in faith that our loving heavenly Father will look after us.  In my next post I will share a little more of our heart to move to Africa and minister to the poor and needy children, youth and families there.  I will also explain a little more about how we feel this Journey fits in to our training and preparation for that call.  Now that we are into our new digs and are gearing up to hit the open road I will be updating more often, so check back soon and come along with us as we learn to live by faith.