The Thiessen Talk'O

Hola! We are blessed to be able to bring this report to you, our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

We have shared the vision of church planting, with TEAM in Mexico, at many churches, both in the La Crete area and in Calgary. We have received encouragement and continue to feel God’s hand upon us as we obey His calling. We have 3 other local churches that have invited us to share in the next month. Please keep us in prayer as we share this coming month.

Language learning is going to be our first priority when we are in Mexico, and we are also taking steps to learn now. Karlene has registered in a 3 week course that assists in learning a second language. Anthony is up to Level 2 in Rosetta Stone, of 5 levels, and continuing to progress by practicing at least every other day. When “skyping” with a native speaker, he realized that speaking without a script is much harder than learning from Rosetta Stone. We ask for prayer as we learn a new language.

We are planning to attend Phase 4, our last training with TEAM, on July 20-28^th. If you are planning to support us, please don’t wait until our departure date, but start before June 1^st if you are able. A note to us indicating you’re partnering with us is very appreciated so that we know where we are at in this process. See our pamphlet for instructions on how to give. Pray that the support will come in according to God’s schedule.

We are humbled to receive support from others. We don’t take this lightly. There have been questions raised as to the amount of support needed. We don’t know what our needs will be when we are on the field, other than to take the advice of those who have gone before us. The budget we shared in our pamphlet is developed by TEAM using the experiences of those serving already. The total amount per month was over $6700. This amount was broken into categories that allocate about $3300 for our family living expenses, plus a housing allowance of $700. Guadalajara is a city of business and the fastest growing economy in North America according to what I read on a website recently. The cost of living is not less, but more than here. This surprised us too. The other money needed, $2700, is for health insurance, TEAM home office operations, retirement and education savings, travel for home leave, and ministry in Mexico. So the actual amount that goes to us for living expenses is $4000. Of this, we are expected to pay for the schooling of our children, save for vehicle replacement, maintenance, emergencies, computer replacement, etc. We are not allowed to ask for special project money from our supporters for items that are regularly replaced, even if they are large items. So the $4000 is the total amount to support us personally. I hope that this helps to answer any questions you may have. We are trying to live out 2 Cor. 8:20 in this process. “We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.”

In Luke 8:1-3, we read of Jesus going from town to town, proclaiming the good news. Others traveled with Him, and some of these were supporting the team. We are humbly asking you to be a part of our team to proclaim the good news in Mexico. As Jesus was supported by others, we realize we are undeserving, yet by His grace, we go in His name. Please pray about how God might have you partner with us. 

We trust the following is true for us all. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Phil. 4:19-20 

In Christ, 

Anthony, Karlene, Josiah and Keyana Thiessen

Missionaries in Mexico with

Stumble

It’s 5:14am. I haven’t been able to sleep since 3:50am and there’s no other way to describe what I’m feeling but to say, PANIC! SHEER PANIC! After tossing and turning for over an hour, I’m at the computer trying to put words to what I’m feeling in hopes that unloading will help relieve some of the tension building within me. 

Surrounded by a mess of piles and boxes, an ever decreasing timeline, the demands of every day life and a lengthy to-do list...suffice it to say that I’m more than overwhelmed! I’m feeling like I’m drowning and all the unknowns aren’t helping.

What has happened to the confidence and security I felt just weeks ago, that we are on the right track, going where God has called us to go, walking a path of faith? The winds of worry and fear have blown in and they are gone, vanished into thin air leaving me sitting here feeling jittery, tense and like I’m going to throw up. I’ll be brutally honest and tell you that right now, I’m not feeling the peace that passes all understanding.

Why is doing the will of God so hard? Or better put, why is finding the will of God so hard? I recently heard that just because the way is hard does not mean it is not God’s will and just because the way is easy, doesn’t mean it is God’s will. But the opposite could be true as well. If the way is hard, maybe it isn’t God’s will and if the way is easy maybe it is God’s will. So can anyone tell me what it is? 

My tossing and turning woke up my hubby who opened the pages of Scripture and read from Psalm 37. It’s chalk full of “trust in the Lord”, “do good”,  “delight in the Lord”, “be still in the presence of the Lord”, “wait patiently for Him to act”, “don’t worry”…it all sounds good on paper but how do you do that in real life? How do you live like this in a fallen world, as a sinful human who gets tripped up by the cares and worries of the world, the pressures of demands, deadlines and decisions? 

How do you trust when you don’t know what tomorrow holds? How do you do good when you don’t know what you’re suppose to do? How do you delight in the Lord when your heart feels heavy and burdened? How do you be still in the presence of the Lord when your mind is racing with all that you have to get done in a short period of time? How do you wait patiently for Him to act when deadlines demand that decisions have to be made? How do you not worry when you see the up-rooting of your family, reeking havoc on those you love?

I’m putting myself out there by being so honest with where I’m at. But I’m being real. I don’t have this all figured out. I’m not some super Christian who has it all together. I’m not ‘missionary’ quality. I’m just a girl who longs for safety and security and who wishes I could put down roots in my nice community and live out my days in my nice house, surrounded by my nice family and my nice friends. I never asked to be called. I just asked to be used...maybe that’s the problem.

I wish I could end on a good note. An amazing inspiration of encouragement that I’ve gleaned as I’ve rambled. But it’s just not in me. Instead, I ask for your prayers. I desperately need them.

The phrase, “Travel steadily along His path” stood out to me as Anthony read from Psalm 37. So I guess that’s what I’ll do. I’ll keep trudging along the path He’s laid out before us. I just wish I knew it was the right one.

Disclaimer: As I reflect on what I've just written, I'll be honest and say I'm afraid of posting this and yet I'm hoping that if I struggle with things like this....well maybe others do too and hopefully this could serve as an encouragement to them. I don't understand how I can go from being so confident that God called us to Mexico to where I'm at this morning - so unsure. All it takes is for someone you love, immensely and deeply, to experience difficulties and to struggle with your decision to go on missions, for you to second guess everything you were so sure of at one time. If I use human wisdom, I would say we are doing the wrong thing by going to Mexico. If I use Biblical wisdom then "with God all things are possible.” So are human wisdom and Biblical wisdom made to coincide? Are you suppose to take all of one but not the other? 

I feel immense pressure to make the right decision for the sake of those God has entrusted to my care, so much so that I’m questioning again, if we are doing the right thing in going to Mexico. I fear that people are going to wonder “what is wrong with those Thiessens? Can’t they make up their minds about what they want to do? One time it’s “go” the next time it’s “stay. Seriously, what’s their problem?” I guess I fear this because I’m thinking the same things. What is my problem? Why is this trust thing and knowing God’s will so hard? Why is confidence there one day and gone the next? Is it normal to experience such ups and downs like this? Are the difficulties we’re presently experiencing part of the process of stretching us and building character and trust or are they God’s way of saying that He wants us to change course?

“The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will not fail, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

My hearts desire is to obey and follow. I think what I’m feeling right now is a stumble. I’m glad to know He’s still holding my hand.

All Is Well

It happened again today…

In recent weeks, on the mornings when I sit down at the piano and play and sing, I have been drawn to the song “All Is Well” by Robin Mark. It strikes me as strange since all is not well with my soul. Our life is in, what seems to be, a constant, long and drawn out season of change and transition. I deeply desire this season to be over and yet the end seems no where in sight. And every time I play this song, I end up in tears as I try to squeak out the words…

All is well with my soul

He is God in control

I know not all His plans

But I know I’m in His hands.

It happened again today. The tears came as I personalized the words and sang,

All is well with my soul

You are God in control

I know not all Your plans

But I know I’m in Your hands.

Is it okay to sing these words even when all is not well with my soul? I feel like I’m lying and yet my tears tell me that this is my longing, my hearts desire, to get to a place, where no matter what is going on around me, I can say that all is well with my soul.

Can such peace be found in the middle of change and transition, when the future is shrouded with unknowns? Can all be well with one’s soul when the sorting and packing needs to be done, the deadline dates zoom close and the worry about raising enough support looms over head? Is it possible to find rest in His hands when the demands of life press in and you feel pulled in a dozen different directions at once? Is it possible to trust when boxing up baby stuff to give away, still wishing and hoping and praying that God’s going to bring another child into the family? Can all be well when personal needs seem overwhelming and yet the needs of others are even greater?

He lowers us to raise us

So we can sing His praises

Whatever is His way all is well.

He makes us rich and poor

That we might trust Him more

Whatever is His way all is well.

He lowers us to raise us…

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” - Col 3:1-3

“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Gal 2:20

So we can sing His praises…

“Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.” - Ps 105:2

He makes us rich and poor...

“The LORD makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up.” - 1 Samuel 2:7

“The rich and poor have this in common: The LORD made them both.” - Prov 22:2

“Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.” - 2 Cor 6:10

That we might trust Him more...

“But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands.” - Ps 31:14-15a

“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.” - Ps 28:7

“And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.” - Eph 3:17

He clothes us now then strips us

Yet with His word equips us

Whatever is His way all is well

And though our seasons change

We still exalt His name

Whatever is His way all is well.

He clothes us now then strips us…

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Yet with His word equips us...

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” - 2 Tim 3:16-17

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” - 2 Peter 1:2-4

And though our seasons change…

“All of my life

In every season

You are still God

I have a reason to sing

I have a reason to worship.” - “The Desert Song” by Hillsong

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons...He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” - Daniel 2:20-22

We still exalt His name...

“I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” - Ps 34:2-4

Whatever is His way all is well…

“ ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!’ ” - Jer 7:23

Whatever is His way all is well...

That’s a heavy statement, one that can’t be sung lightly. Have I truly counted the cost and am I willing to obey? Can I really say “whatever is His way” - through pain, trial, sickness, death, persecution, danger, fear, stress, unknowns...- that all is well? Humanly speaking, this is impossible. But through the Holy Spirit’s power….”I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” - Phil 4:13

All my changes come from Him 

He who never changes

I’m held firm in the grasp of the Rock of all the ages...

Nothing touches me that has not already gone through Him, all of my changes are ordained by the One who does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Heb 13:8

He is…

“...my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” - Ps 18:2

“For who is God except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?” - Ps 18:31

As I reflect on the words to this song and the precious words of Scripture, I find the answer to the questions I posed earlier. Yes, peace can be found in the middle of change and transition, when the future is shrouded with unknowns. It can be well with one’s soul even when all is not well with one’s circumstances. It is possible to find rest in His hands when the demands of life are pressing in. Trust is possible when you know the One in whom you are trusting. 

Here’s the secret...

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus...And the God of peace will be with you...I have learned the secret of living in every situation...I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.” - Philippians 4:4-7, 9b, 12b-13

So I commit….

to being full of joy in the Lord

to rejoicing

to being considerate in all I do

to remember that He is coming soon & to make the most of the time He’s given me

to not worry about anything

to pray about everything

to tell God what I need

and to thank God for all He has done

And as I live, trying to “do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need,” instead of relying on my own…

I hope I will be able to say, no matter what comes my way, that it happened again today. 

That even through the tears, the unknowns, the stress, the demands, the needs, the responsibilities, the shifting emotions, the worries and the fears, I will be able to say...

“...The LORD my God has given me peace on every side...and all is well.” - 1Kings 5:4