At the beginning of the year we were feeling expectant that God was doing big things behind the scenes. We spent more than a month in concentrated prayer while digging ditches for the miracle we believed he was about to do. This season culminated on March 11th when we were given permission to register for pre-field training with the understanding that we would only be allowed to go if our monthly support increased dramatically before class began. With this caution in mind, we continued to dig ditches.

Permission to Take the Next Leap!

Coming into May we knew pre-field training started June 9th and that we’d have to buy our plane tickets to get to training before the airfare costs skyrocketed, so we started praying towards May 19th, hoping we’d have GEM’s permission to go in time.

The day before the first of the four fundraisers (see next story), Ken Rudeen from GEM called and at the end of the conversation mentioned that he was giving us his blessing for us to buy our airfare and go to pre-field training!

Are We Fully Funded?

You’re probably asking, “Do they have the financial backing they need?” The simple answer: Not yet. At this moment we’re at 60% of our financial needs. We have talked to several people that are waiting until we’re closer to going and others know they want to but just haven’t begun. In faith we believe that God will put us on people’s hearts to provide the remaining 40% in time for the kids to begin school at BFA in September. In part, this quote from A.W. Tozer drives us on:

“God is looking for people with whom He can do the impossible – what a pity we plan only the things we can do ourselves.” - A. W. Tozer

Are You Supposed to be an Armor Bearer?

Thank you for being willing to follow us as we take these leaps of faith. If you aren’t already one of our financial armor bearers, but you know the Lord has asked you to be, please go towww.EngageEurope.com/give to learn more about how to financially lift us up and be a part of the eminent revival we pray will set fire to Europe in the next decade!

Years ago in the South, maybe Georgia, there was a severe drought.  It hadn’t rained for months and the local farmers were really hurting. Indeed the whole town was on the verge of collapse.  It was the middle of summer, hot and humid, when the local pastor called for a community-wide week of prayer and fasting.

Every evening for seven days dozens of people gathered for prayer in the sweltering heat.  On the seventh day, as they were believing God for a breakthrough, a child ran into their midst saying, “Hurry, quick, come outside!  Something’s happening!”  The two or three dozen men and women rushed out of the small chapel to the shade of heavy dark clouds!

When the church finally emptied the first large drop fell from the sky.  Soon everyone was drenched, dancing in the pouring rain.  God had heard their prayers and brought the rain.  However, a sudden realization rippled through the celebration and sent the revelers sprinting for their cars.  This was a poor town and it had been so hot that they had all left their windows open at home. They had to race home to close them! Although they had the faith to pray for the rain, they were unprepared to receive it!

We’re believing God for some big things right now! But are we prepared to receive them? For example, renting out our house now saves us from having to scramble to rent it later.  But what other preparations can we make?

What are you praying for?  If it were to be answered right this second, where would you have to scramble?  Let’s all be as prepared as possible for the outpouring of God’s goodness and the answers to our prayers.

Also, know that the fact they didn’t have the faith to keep their windows closed didn’t prevent Him from sending the rain. When we are faithless, He remains faithful! (2 Timothy 2:15)

We have two events coming up in May. We’re getting close to going and we need to finish finding our Armor-Bearers!

Here’s the official flyer!

• Get the Gages to Germany: Benefit Auction and Raffle with Games and Grub and Good Times! Mountain Springs Church Summit Center, Saturday, May 11th, Noon to 2:00PM. Free Brats and Beer*!  Fact Sheet
• Get the Gages to Germany: Benefit Concert with classical pianist Doug Saxon playing pieces from master Germanic composers Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. German deserts will be served. Date and location TBD.

* Root Beer

Wrong.

Keep reading…

Perhaps the families at your church would like the opportunity to adopt a missionary family! Email us (fam.gage@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

Go here to learn more about the 50 @ 50 Campaign

PDF Version

Let’s assume that he was a political radical who expected to see Rome brought to its knees by the Messiah. Suppose he saw himself as one of Jesus’ generals in the army that would bring about Israel’s new golden age. When he saw Jesus take the position of a servant, wash their feet, and then tell them that they must do likewise (John 13), the illusion of grandeur shattered. Jesus wasn’t meeting his expectations and into the dark he went for his 30 pieces of silver.

What are your expectations of Jesus? God rarely chooses to act in the way we expect. I know I’ve prayed many prayers trying to make plans for God and how he could do what I want. I’m no better than Judas. Where I differ is in how I respond when God takes a different path to answering my prayers. The old saying comes to mind, “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken.” Let’s pray flexible prayers, according to His will, and watch the Lord do wonders beyond imagining!

We prayed and decided it is time to go “Public”, ie, Facebook, to help raise the other half of our support much quicker than 2 years!* So click here to see our idea. www.engageeurope.com/50at50. If you like it, please share, and please also pray about joining our team!

All For Him!

Carrie

* We’re still raising support face to face and would love to meet with you, too, especially if you’re in the Colorado Springs area!

eDOT made it with artwork from GemStone Media and you can download it now for the Android (iPhone coming soon).

I, Jeff, will be a part of improving this app and creating others like it when I get to Europe. Can’t wait!

Truly the internet represents today’s Mars Hill (Acts 17) and the market place for ideas and philosophy. It is time that Jesus was a part of this discussion!