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Experiencing winter camp as "staff" - a socially distanced outdoor teaching allows camp to continue impacting lives!
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Doing Ministry or Being Ministered To?
Dear Friends,
Have you enjoyed breakfast next to a space heater recently? We have!
Last Saturday I woke up and headed downstairs to do my quiet time like I do most days. As I ascended down the stairs it felt unusually cold. Our home is 95 years old, it always feels chilly downstairs, but it felt really cold. I stopped for a second and the floor felt like ice.
The furnace was out.
I walked right back upstairs to inform Billy. He was waking up for his Leader's Call for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Although Billy had the urge to skip out to begin working on the furnace, he stayed faithful to his commitment and trusted we could survive without heat for a few more hours.
That's when I remembered that earlier in the week I had caught up with an old friend who had received our letter. She had mentioned one of her sons working in the heating and cooling industry.
I sent her a text at 7am. By 8am her husband and son were at our home. They repaired it temporarily, but informed us a major part would need to be replaced, or perhaps the entire unit. They had to leave to go to another job but would be back.
The kids enjoyed breakfast by a space heater with a side of hot cocoa.
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8AM + Hot Cocoa + marshmallows = 3 happy kids!
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We were smiling, enjoying the time together. It was peaceful. I told the kids that even if we needed a new furnace that costs thousands of dollars two months before we move... it's ok! God is our provider and it will be ok!
And that's when it hit me. This VERY SAME scenario had played itself out 2 years prior. Furnace was out on a Saturday morning when Billy had a leaders call. Covid didn't exist then so we went to a neighbors who made us pancakes and cared for us. Despite the fabulous pancakes, my mind was not peaceful. I remember being worried all day. I was fearful of how much it would cost. I was annoyed and angry. I was miserable.
Our financial situation hasn't changed much in two years - if anything, by the worlds standards it is "worse" now that we are becoming missionaries. Yet I was at peace.
You see, God has used our support raising process to teach me to trust him. To see how He provides our every need. And that assurance brings peace.
This month I've realized that God is putting us in a place where we will have the honor and responsibility to minister to many, but that God will simultaneously use this time to form and shape us.
(By the way, when the repair guys returned later they just-so-happened to find the exact part we needed, used, which they installed in 20 minutes, free of charge!)
Reminds me of God's promise to provide from Philippians 4:19: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
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Support Update.
Support raising has been going well - we have hit the 50% mark this week with faithful monthly supporters! WOW!!! We've also received many one-time gifts to help us our first year.
Fort recommends that we raise 80 - 85% of our support with monthly supporters and allow the one-time gifts to cover the other 15-20%. In their experience this is a sustainable model long-term.
Our goal is to reach the 85% monthly support by May 31st when we officially join Missionary Staff!
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Join our Team.
Ready to join our financial support team? Click here for details.
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A taste of the housing market in the Northwoods!
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Prayer...
Would you pray for us to find a home up north soon? It's becoming difficult to work, homeschool, and live all in one space. For the kids sake we need to have some separation between home and work life. Please pray for a home that will allow us to fully engage in the areas that God has called us - Fort Wilderness, BSF, and raising up our children!
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PS
If you're looking to chat with us, join a zoom, send a text, or even meet up (safely), please reach out!
Billy: 920.918.2512
billyborkenhagen@fortwilderness.com
Laura: 920.918.0188
lauraborkenhagen@fortwilderness.com
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