The Experiment is Working (So Far)

Back in my original post about our trip to Peru, I mentioned that this whole idea was very much experimental. We were not completely convinced that we could pull off a trip like this and not go seriously into the red, something that was troubling given some recent financial difficulties. Without a church with a missions budget, denomination, or missions organization supporting us, we brainstormed alternative sources of income in order to live "normally" while we were in another country. One of our hopes was to be able to keep our living expenses at about the same level (if not cheaper) and offset the costs in various ways. Well, I'm happy to report that as of yesterday, the trip is already in the black!

A generous gift from friends back in August kicked the whole trip off by paying for our plane tickets to Lima. Then, we were able to raise a small amount from some other friends who in leadership at churches and business owners. But we knew that support raising would only bring us so far, and as people who have no formal connection to an organization that would support a trip like this, we were basically left with trying to raise money through our network of friends. Most of our friends, of course, are as poor as us, so we didn't feel like that was the answer. It came down to pursing something a little risky and creative in order to make up the difference.

On Thursday, I posted an our house on craigslist and vacationrentals.com as a vacation rental. As of yesterday, we had three weeks reserved, which basically covered the rest of our expenses. We are going to try and get the final two weeks reserved to cover any unforseen costs. I was telling Amber yesterday that I have been having fun the last few days negotiating with people and setting up the contracts etc. For me, that is highly unusual. I typically dread having to talk to strange people and work out nitty details. But, something about this experience has flipped on a switch in me, something that I think is an aspect of how God's kingdom works when you decide to step out in unfamilar territory.

There are, of course, no guarantees that things will come together like this every time. That is not the point. I think it has more to do with the convergence of timing, calling, gifts, risk, and the Holy Spirit's anointing - elements that are terribly unpredictable for our minds to grasp, yet often get lost during the typical grind. It is important to say that this is not to disdain the "typical", because if you really dive into what God's mission looks like and where it is found, the typical is woven through it from start to finish. For example, I am going to keep working in Peru, remotely part-time. Yesterday I set up the office laptop with autocad and my other engineering software and tested out our vpn connection. Everything seems to work pretty well. Amber will continue her same homeschool program, as if we were still here in Jupiter. All very typical, very ordinary. This is the whole idea of everyday mission, by pursuing God's kingdom whether it is travelling to minister to people from other cultures or bringing the good news to the poor in your own neighborhood, all while living out your "normal" life.

Speaking of which...I've been at work today trying to finish up a project. It's time to see the kiddos and then go on a date with my lovely wife:) Until next time...