History-Part 1

My sweet wife says I actually should start from the beginning rather than start from the present. With that in mind, I will try to lay a little background as to how this journey began.
I grew up in church. I remember missionaries coming on occasional Sunday nights to give "reports from the field". I was never interested in them-not even the slideshows. I was too self-absorbed to care. Although I was saved at the age of 11, I didn't begin to have a true relationship with Father until a few years ago. Wow! Over 20 years as a Christian before I really began to know the person in whom I professed my faith.
My wife grew up in the mission field. She has some incredible memories of the Philippines. A few months ago, the Lord began showing me snapshots of me being a missionary. It was a shock and I didn't understand it. I didn't even know if I wanted what I thought he was showing me. I told my wife that the Lord had showed me something (but not what) and I wanted her to ask Him to show her too. Well, He did! She came to me a few days later and said that He told her we were going into the mission field. It was confirmation of the most solid kind.
And so, the ongoing discussion began: "Will we? Can we? When? Where? How? REALLY?" We had no information-just a dream. And we didn't tell anyone except each other. A few weeks ago, a man named Norman Barnes from the UK came to our church. Norman has lived an amazing life in missions and preaching the gospel. I had never met Norman personally until he asked Heather and me to stand before the church as he often does. He gave us this word (paraphrased): "The Lord says,'Yes, but not yet. You have much to learn and you need all the training and covering you can get from your church family. Then, when it is right with the leaders and you, this group will send you'."
Seriously? This guy just opened up our mailbox and read our mail! What a sweet and definite confirmation from the Father! As if that weren't enough, He woke me up at 6:08 yesterday morning. I often find that He will wake me up at a certain time and that time relates to a passage of scripture-usually in Isaiah. Isaiah 6:8: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" Crazy? You just can't make this stuff up!!
So, there's some history. Wait until you hear how he showed us where we are going.
But, that will have to wait. I am tired and must get some sleep.
Thank you, Father, for speaking to us even when we don't think we hear you. Thank you for pursuing us with your desire to heal us and prosper us. To you all glory flows and from you all love and peace flows. You are GOOD!! Remind your people of your mighty ways and remind your beloved of their value and worth in your kingdom!