Where are the Stevensons today?

Well... this isn't from today but we thought we'd share a few pictures with you. We were in DC last week, this week we are in Atlanta visiting Lydia's brother and sister-in-law and thier kids!

Story time...

Thought I would share a great story with everyone:

Mark 7:31-37 (New American Standard Bible)
31Again He went out from the region of Tyre, and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, within the region of Decapolis.
32They brought to Him one who was deaf and spoke with difficulty, and they implored Him to lay His hand on him.
33Jesus took him aside from the crowd, by himself, and put His fingers into his ears, and after spitting, He touched his tongue with the saliva;
34and looking up to heaven with a deep sigh, He said to him, "Ephphatha!" that is, "Be opened!"
35And his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was removed, and he began speaking plainly.
36And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.
37They were utterly astonished, saying, "He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Please pray that God would open the hearts of the people of Poland.

Missing Our Fearless Leader!

And claiming no hit backs, retaliations, or other vengeful reactions :)

A sight most don't see

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea." Revelations 1:9-11

* outside of the cave where Paul wrote revelations

While in Greece I had the chance to visit the spot where John wrote the book of Revelations. It was a neat experience getting to see the place where John would have walked. However, at the same time it was disheartening to hear others around me tell their children and friends the account of Paul as just another story or even fairytale. Praise God for giving us the Bible and the ONLY source of truth!

*artwork at the top of the door before you enter the cave

I was not allowed to take pictures inside the cave where Paul was sentenced and the spot where Revelations was written but I was able to get picture of outside the cave and around the island.

*view of Patmos island

The Pendulum

We look back over the last 6 months and there just may not be enough words to describe all that we went through. How we were challenged, changed, encouraged, and blessed! I keep saying this week that I know my tolerance level has increased. From the immense amount of stress of having our team car stolen and burned, to Jay being in an ER in Greece, to facing language challenges that take you from highs to lows. From feeling totally normal in my new country, to feeling totally foreign at times. From thinking I have things figured out, to realizing I know nothing. From thinking there just may be some consistency, to realizing it's all about to change again! So goes the pendulum of life on the field. I wonder if the full swing will ease a bit, and maybe we'll just slowly rock and sway.

With all this grinding of our lives, I know the Lord is refining us. I also know that through it all there are treasures that Poland has taught me. I have learned to enjoy each new day and the beauty that it brings. Whether it's Cherry blossoms, or lilacs, or new flowers in bloom. Whether it's snow falling, or old men meticulously digging their gardens, or young men walking with friends licking ice cream cones. There is a simplicity here, that has been lost or that I never experienced in the States. Time is taken to sit outside and have tea, relationships are deep and non superficial. That the hearts of man can communicate to each other, although the language is not understood, is evidence of how powerful love is. I know that through it all, if I were not here I would miss it terribly. So whether the pendulum swings and my emotions go for another ride, or it keeps time setting the pace of our lives, I praise God for the trials, the laughter, the fears, hopes, joys, and tears because I see Him through it all. And to know Him more, to share Him more, and to honor Him more, is all the more reason to endure the swing of the pendulum.

DS

I Triple Dog Dare You!!

We just returned from our Annual General Meeting. This is an important time of refreshing for us. We are able to learn, rest, heal, recharge, fellowship, and worship... all in English. That last phrase is something you don't realize the importance of until it's gone. While there, I was reminded of something. JD Greear, the speaker for our worship times together, took us to John 6 one morning. In verses 5 & 6 there is a test. His question was, what is the test?

In answering, JD said that God puts His people in certain times at certain places to show that He is the only God, the only Savior. The test? To trust that Jesus is that very person when faced with an impossibility. This brings up a second question... How do you pass the test?

He said, take a dare on God.

This is what I was reminded of. Perhaps it sounds a bit irreligious, but God always covers His bets. When faced with an impossibility, put His name on the line; bet everything you have on Him. How many times have we read Moses plead before God, that, for the sake of His own name, to rescue His people? As JD pointed out, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did this very thing, and they bet big! It was in front of every who's who in Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, in the face of death. All in, they put everything on God.

What I was convicted about was not the betting imagery I just used :-), nor that we are to recklessly abandon to God--of this I was reminded. I was convicted by how I have shifted the reason that God answers such daring and audacity away from Him over to my own worthiness. I caught myself thinking that I can ask for such things because I am a worthy and dedicated servant. How ridiculous! As it always has been, it is because of His mercy (to which He is faithful) that He does such things. His desire to move the mountain (Matt 17.12) is because He wants to. There is no power in asking from my worthiness, but only from His own faithfulness and mercy with an expectation that He will move it--even if my faith is no bigger than a mustard seed.

So, yesterday evening I took a dare.

We were talking with our neighbors and she shared with us that she is facing an impossible situation. I saw the opportunity and took it. I boasted that our God honors the truth and told her we would be asking Him to do just that. She is indeed faced with a serious problem with powerful people, but He has mercy and is far bigger than them. We also told her that though she has NO idea what to do we will ask God to make it clear what to do. We are asking that this answer will point only to His personal intervention. She needs to know Him. This is one of those impossible opportunities.

Join with us in this prayer. Then when He answers this dare, we can boast in Him again and hopefully a new child of God will boast as well...