This past month we have been making a lot of calls and reaching out to as many people as we know to try to get the word out about what God is doing in our lives and how others can partner with us to take the Gospel to Nicaragua. We are so thankful for the opportunities He has opened and where we are potentially speaking in the coming months. We have shared in our Sunday school class, and Melanie got to share at a women's missions meeting. We also shared with Austin's sixth grade Sunday school class. It was a great hour. The kids really had some awesome questions and it was refreshing to hear them ask heartfelt questions about the people in Nicaragua and be genuinely interested in what God is doing there.
This month, we are looking forward to sharing in a Sunday school class at Kirby Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. There are other dates available to be filled. Please pray that God would open up hearts to have us come and share.
We are eagerly awaiting the day when we get to Nicaragua to minister to the people and share God's love. Until that day, though, God has been teaching me some valuable lessons. One of those lessons is learning to be content in my present situation and not worrying about how to change it. It is hard to be content in a day when the world is telling you to go out and fight for the newest and best. I have found that when I have that mindset, that I start to forget about my first priorities and get sidetracked. I lose sight of the blessings and take on the burdens. I cannot tell you how many times I have read the Scripture where God says to not worry because He is going to take care of me, but I still find that when the electricity is due or the tire blows out, I get very anxious and wonder how the needs will be met. Our God IS Faithful. Those valleys are so hard and sometimes they seem SO deep, but the lessons are very much needed and useful for training. Oh, how much sweeter it is when I put my trust in Him. Because even in the valley, I know there is a mountain coming when I can rest and be refueled for the next leg of the journey. I love that He knows exactly who I am and He knows what I need to be conformed to His image and be useable for His Glory. Oh, how I am learning to be thankful for those valleys. It is a sweet time of fellowship with my Savior where I am learning to lean on Him and trust Him with my life.
We cannot get to Nicaragua without God's people partnering with us. Please pray for our family that we would take every single step in obedience and not move at all unless we hear His voice. If He has it on your heart to give or come and share with your family, business, Sunday school class, or church congregation, please contact us. God bless you as you seek to draw closer to Him.
Until the whole world hears,
Rick and Melanie Dardar
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
New vision
It is an amazing thing. Prayer is a special privilege we have to talk with our Father. He loves to hear from us, to share with us our joys and sorrows and our longings of the heart. We started off to Nicaragua last Monday with hopeful expectation that God would give us a vision for our ministry to the people there. We left at home friends and family who were praying on our behalf that we would get a word from The Lord. We petitioned The Lord for an answer. We sought Him and asked what His will was. We went with a desire only to be where He would have us be.
Months ago, while sitting in Sunday School, I was looking at the wall map and noticed a prayer card for a missionary family, Josh and Laurie Moudy. I examined it closer and was shocked and intrigued to see that this family was from Hattiesburg and were serving in Nicaragua. When I left church that day, I looked them up on Facebook and started being friends. Melanie and I have been reading their story and following where God was taking them in their ministry. A while back they shared how God was leading them to start up a hospital on the eastern coast to serve the Meskito people. We thought it was great but really did not pay much attention to it at the time.
When we were preparing to go on this trip, we were figuring up expenses and trying to find a place to stay. I messaged Josh about where the best place to stay might be and some costs of things while there and they offered for us to stay with them while we were visiting. What a blessing! We raised our funds and planned out our course for the week and tried to imagine what God had in store. Were we ever in for a wonderful surprise.
We touched down in Nicaragua, made our way through customs and found Nolan and Robbie waiting for us just outside the airport. Nolan teaches the Moudy's Spanish and graciously agreed to pick us up from the airport and take us around while we were in His country. He asked about how we met the Moudy's and was a little surprised that we had never met them personally but were staying at their home for a week. Josh and Laurie were not even home. They were visiting the area where God was moving them to start the hospital. They left the key with the next door neighbor and we let ourselves in, greeted by Bailey and Buster, the Moudy's 4-legged family :). Early the next morning we set out to meet pastors in the area and planned out a preaching schedule. I desired to work in the Masetepe area, so I figured this was a good place to start.
As the days went by, talking with the pastors of the area, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me that He was not sending us to work here. Inside I was a little discouraged because I was hoping for this to be it. But God, who does all things well, knows better and has a perfect plan. On Wednesday, Melanie was doing her Bible study and in her devotion, it talked about the Spirit forbidding Paul to go to the area he longed to go to, but was sending them another way. She did not tell me about it, but just continued to pray. As we talked with Josh and Laurie, they shared their vision and let us know they were looking for another family to partner with them. We began to share our hearts with them and by the end of the week we were sad to leave them. Josh and I talked about boats that could maneuver the Rio Coco, hospital layouts and lots if other facts about the people of the area. By the time we left, we told them we would pray about what we should do.
As we sought The Lord, He showed us that we should partner with them. We are so excited that God is choosing to use our family to serve Him in this way. Words cannot even express what we feel about what is going to happen through this ministry opportunity. As I was reading this morning, "when the vision is big, the sacrifice seems small." (Shirley Bott)
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. Please continue to pray for our family. Pray in your own life where God is leading you to serve Him. The Harvest is ready. Who will go out and work? He'll give you a task if you will just let Him know you are available.
Blessings!!
Months ago, while sitting in Sunday School, I was looking at the wall map and noticed a prayer card for a missionary family, Josh and Laurie Moudy. I examined it closer and was shocked and intrigued to see that this family was from Hattiesburg and were serving in Nicaragua. When I left church that day, I looked them up on Facebook and started being friends. Melanie and I have been reading their story and following where God was taking them in their ministry. A while back they shared how God was leading them to start up a hospital on the eastern coast to serve the Meskito people. We thought it was great but really did not pay much attention to it at the time.
When we were preparing to go on this trip, we were figuring up expenses and trying to find a place to stay. I messaged Josh about where the best place to stay might be and some costs of things while there and they offered for us to stay with them while we were visiting. What a blessing! We raised our funds and planned out our course for the week and tried to imagine what God had in store. Were we ever in for a wonderful surprise.
We touched down in Nicaragua, made our way through customs and found Nolan and Robbie waiting for us just outside the airport. Nolan teaches the Moudy's Spanish and graciously agreed to pick us up from the airport and take us around while we were in His country. He asked about how we met the Moudy's and was a little surprised that we had never met them personally but were staying at their home for a week. Josh and Laurie were not even home. They were visiting the area where God was moving them to start the hospital. They left the key with the next door neighbor and we let ourselves in, greeted by Bailey and Buster, the Moudy's 4-legged family :). Early the next morning we set out to meet pastors in the area and planned out a preaching schedule. I desired to work in the Masetepe area, so I figured this was a good place to start.
As the days went by, talking with the pastors of the area, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me that He was not sending us to work here. Inside I was a little discouraged because I was hoping for this to be it. But God, who does all things well, knows better and has a perfect plan. On Wednesday, Melanie was doing her Bible study and in her devotion, it talked about the Spirit forbidding Paul to go to the area he longed to go to, but was sending them another way. She did not tell me about it, but just continued to pray. As we talked with Josh and Laurie, they shared their vision and let us know they were looking for another family to partner with them. We began to share our hearts with them and by the end of the week we were sad to leave them. Josh and I talked about boats that could maneuver the Rio Coco, hospital layouts and lots if other facts about the people of the area. By the time we left, we told them we would pray about what we should do.
As we sought The Lord, He showed us that we should partner with them. We are so excited that God is choosing to use our family to serve Him in this way. Words cannot even express what we feel about what is going to happen through this ministry opportunity. As I was reading this morning, "when the vision is big, the sacrifice seems small." (Shirley Bott)
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us. Please continue to pray for our family. Pray in your own life where God is leading you to serve Him. The Harvest is ready. Who will go out and work? He'll give you a task if you will just let Him know you are available.
Blessings!!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Our Newest Addition is Finally Here!
We are so excited that God has chosen to bless us with our 7th child, Elliot Jude. He was born Monday, May 12, 2014. He has the sweetest personality and I already wonder how I ever lived without him. His name means "The Lord is my God; The One who is praised." We named him after the missionary, Jim Elliott, and pray that God would choose to use him mightily for His kingdom. At his birth, the midwife showed us his umbilical cord and said it was truly a miracle that he was alive. His cord was tied in a knot which, in many cases, causes stillbirth and his cord was wrapped around his neck twice. We praise The Lord, who knits us together so perfectly and then sustains the life that only He can create. I feel so completely blessed that we have the privilege of being parents to seven, healthy, awesome children. I pray that we bring them up in a way that will please God and bring Him glory.
Many people have continued to ask when we will be on the field. To that, we can just say, in God's perfect timing. We are praying and seeking opportunities to speak about the work which God has called us to and are eager to be on the field serving. But, in all things, we are praying and waiting. He alone knows the exact minute we are to leave. We will go through training in July with Reaching & Teaching so that we will be better prepared to work as missionaries. We are so excited to get to work with such great people who truly love The Lord.
We are needing partners to help us to be able to take the Gospel to the people of Nicaragua. We are not able to do this without your help. We need people who will pray fervently and give to further God's work. You may not be able to go on a trip, but with your gift, you can be a part of what God is doing in Nicaragua.
Many people have continued to ask when we will be on the field. To that, we can just say, in God's perfect timing. We are praying and seeking opportunities to speak about the work which God has called us to and are eager to be on the field serving. But, in all things, we are praying and waiting. He alone knows the exact minute we are to leave. We will go through training in July with Reaching & Teaching so that we will be better prepared to work as missionaries. We are so excited to get to work with such great people who truly love The Lord.
We are needing partners to help us to be able to take the Gospel to the people of Nicaragua. We are not able to do this without your help. We need people who will pray fervently and give to further God's work. You may not be able to go on a trip, but with your gift, you can be a part of what God is doing in Nicaragua.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Taking the Good News
As a homeschooling family, we get the opportunity to incorporate the biographies of missionaries into our curriculum. This has been the biggest blessing, not only to our children who love to hear the stories, but also to me. This week, as we were hurrying to finish up the school day and move on to our next venture in the day, we read a story in our book the has really challenged us. This isn't a new theme, as God seems to be relaying this message to us through Bible study and through our pastor's messages. God has been telling us to make our time count. Don't waste any precious minutes because they may be our last opportunity to share Jesus with a soul who doesn't know Him. Or, Jesus may return and we would be out of time. He said to work while there is day because night comes when no man can work. Also, He tells us that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, so pray for God to send out more laborers into the harvest.
My eyes and heart were opened as we read this past week about the missionary, Hudson Taylor. We have all heard the importance of missions our whole lives and some even answer the missionary call, but this story really took hold of my heart and a new fire to share the gospel was ignited. I had to share with Rick, who was equally as touched by the story.
Hudson Taylor was a missionary to Ningpo, China. He had a heart for the people there, but he had a heart for Jesus. He believed that God would supply everything he needed, he just had to ask. God always supplied everything right on time, just as he has promised us in His Word. If you never have read his biography, it is so great. I highly recommend it. The part I wanted to share was one particular instance in Taylor's ministry. He had been preaching in Ningpo for a year with no one taking the gospel seriously. He was severely disheartened and wanted to give up, when a highly respected Chineseman shared his testimony about how he and his father and his grandfathers had searched for truth their whole lives, looking into Confucianism, Taosim, and Buddhism. He said they had never found peace in any of those, but that night, this man gave his heart to The Lord. A few nights later, he asked Taylor how long the people where he was from had known about Jesus. Taylor told him they had known for hundreds of years. The man was so hurt and said that his father and grandfather had died searching for this truth and never found it. He wanted to know why he had waited so long to share it. This former Buddhist lived out the Great Commission from that point on telling everyone he met about Jesus because he knew first hand the importance of sharing this truth.
I know that a lot of times we get caught up in our day to day activities that lost people going to Hell just don't cross our mind. But, God is touching someone's heart and causing them to search for Him. It is our job to be so in tune with Him, that everything else pales in light of what we are to be doing for the Kingdom. I pray that we would have a passion to see others around us come to Jesus and that we would start in Jersualem, go out into Judea and then out into the ends of the earth. After all, "The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time." Carl F. H. Henry
Where would God have you work for Him? Ask Him what you should be doing for Him and He just might surprise you at who you are to be sharing with.
My eyes and heart were opened as we read this past week about the missionary, Hudson Taylor. We have all heard the importance of missions our whole lives and some even answer the missionary call, but this story really took hold of my heart and a new fire to share the gospel was ignited. I had to share with Rick, who was equally as touched by the story.
Hudson Taylor was a missionary to Ningpo, China. He had a heart for the people there, but he had a heart for Jesus. He believed that God would supply everything he needed, he just had to ask. God always supplied everything right on time, just as he has promised us in His Word. If you never have read his biography, it is so great. I highly recommend it. The part I wanted to share was one particular instance in Taylor's ministry. He had been preaching in Ningpo for a year with no one taking the gospel seriously. He was severely disheartened and wanted to give up, when a highly respected Chineseman shared his testimony about how he and his father and his grandfathers had searched for truth their whole lives, looking into Confucianism, Taosim, and Buddhism. He said they had never found peace in any of those, but that night, this man gave his heart to The Lord. A few nights later, he asked Taylor how long the people where he was from had known about Jesus. Taylor told him they had known for hundreds of years. The man was so hurt and said that his father and grandfather had died searching for this truth and never found it. He wanted to know why he had waited so long to share it. This former Buddhist lived out the Great Commission from that point on telling everyone he met about Jesus because he knew first hand the importance of sharing this truth.
I know that a lot of times we get caught up in our day to day activities that lost people going to Hell just don't cross our mind. But, God is touching someone's heart and causing them to search for Him. It is our job to be so in tune with Him, that everything else pales in light of what we are to be doing for the Kingdom. I pray that we would have a passion to see others around us come to Jesus and that we would start in Jersualem, go out into Judea and then out into the ends of the earth. After all, "The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time." Carl F. H. Henry
Where would God have you work for Him? Ask Him what you should be doing for Him and He just might surprise you at who you are to be sharing with.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Vision
God has given us a vision and we want to make sure God is going before us. As I read in "My Utmost for His Highest" it was a good reminder.
"The only way God sows His saints is by His whirlwind. Are you going to prove an empty pod? It will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of what you have seen. Let God fling you out, and do not go until He does. If you select your own spot, you will prove an empty pod. If God sows you, you will bring forth fruit.
It is essential to practise the walk of the feet in the light of the vision."
As you notice in the picture, the people of Nicaragua are hungry for the Word. It is our desire as in Romans 10:14-15 to go and help in bringing the gospel to them. But also remembering a quote from Elizabeth Elliot, "Wherever you are, be all there". My prayer lately has been that we would not waste a breath and that anything we do that would bring glory to His name. We want to "be all there" in the today, in the very breath of where God has our family right now. It is hard to wait on God's timing when a passion burns in your heart to be where you believe He has called. But, ultimately, His hand has us here, and there is work to be done in our lives and in the lives of those around us. It is equally as exciting when you look at it in that light. What does He have in store for these next months? We don't know, but we know the One who does.
When people ask us what our timeline is for being on the field, to that we answer, we don't know. Whenever God gets us there. We are praying that He would bring things into focus for us, but we know His timing is perfect.
We are so excited to see what God is doing. Churches and individuals are partnering with us. We are thankful for the partnerships, but our hope and prayer is that we will get to work with you on mission trips on the field to see it first hand. God is opening up doors for us to speak at churches. We pray that you would consider teaming up with us finiancally and through prayer.
You can do so by going to this link https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift/gift.php?giftid=8D425B347BCC4D4
"The only way God sows His saints is by His whirlwind. Are you going to prove an empty pod? It will depend on whether or not you are actually living in the light of what you have seen. Let God fling you out, and do not go until He does. If you select your own spot, you will prove an empty pod. If God sows you, you will bring forth fruit.
It is essential to practise the walk of the feet in the light of the vision."
As you notice in the picture, the people of Nicaragua are hungry for the Word. It is our desire as in Romans 10:14-15 to go and help in bringing the gospel to them. But also remembering a quote from Elizabeth Elliot, "Wherever you are, be all there". My prayer lately has been that we would not waste a breath and that anything we do that would bring glory to His name. We want to "be all there" in the today, in the very breath of where God has our family right now. It is hard to wait on God's timing when a passion burns in your heart to be where you believe He has called. But, ultimately, His hand has us here, and there is work to be done in our lives and in the lives of those around us. It is equally as exciting when you look at it in that light. What does He have in store for these next months? We don't know, but we know the One who does.
When people ask us what our timeline is for being on the field, to that we answer, we don't know. Whenever God gets us there. We are praying that He would bring things into focus for us, but we know His timing is perfect.
We are so excited to see what God is doing. Churches and individuals are partnering with us. We are thankful for the partnerships, but our hope and prayer is that we will get to work with you on mission trips on the field to see it first hand. God is opening up doors for us to speak at churches. We pray that you would consider teaming up with us finiancally and through prayer.
You can do so by going to this link https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift/gift.php?giftid=8D425B347BCC4D4
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Moving Forward
It has been a busy month for the Dardar's. We were blessed with a FREE mobile home for our family earlier this month and are in the process of getting it all set up. This is such a huge blessing because our children feel like they have a place to call home and we don't have to worry about where to go when we come home on stateside from Nicaragua. This may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it is what I have prayed for. It has really been a test of patience for us because of all the regulations now set up and the red tape to go through. By God's grace, we will soon be in it though.
We are now in the full swing of Friend Raising. Before our family can leave for the field, we have to have 100% of our monthly budget met. It is a true test of faith as we seek to go in God's timing and trust that He alone knows all of the details. My mind and heart are greatly encouraged because we have prayed about prayer partners and God has allowed us to partner up with some truly awesome prayer warriors. They have graciously come alongside us and seek God on our behalf. This was another answer to our prayers. There have been several individuals and a few churches so far who have felt the Lord call them to partner with us financially. There is still a good way to go to be fully funded, but we know that what we are called to, we will be equipped for. If you feel led to give financially you can go to reachingandteaching.org/missionaries and click on "Donate to the Dardars"
Rick and I are reading through a book "Through the Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot. She was the wife of martyred missionary to Ecaudor, Jim Elliot. We had the opportunity to go there on a mission trip this past July and while reading this book, the words came alive in our imaginations because we have seen the countryside and people first hand. The love this couple had for the people of Ecuador shows through so vividly. The call on their lives radiated through, and even though he has been gone for about 50 years, his legacy lives on through sparking the desire for more missionaries to live out the call of missions in Ecuador. He said that once he heard the call to missions, his whole life was consumed with living out the call. He also said that if God is calling you, then you cannot ignore it. What a great privilege to be used in the Kingdom work of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no greater calling in this life. We may never have great wealth or great comforts, but to know that our lives were poured out for the gospel's sake is the greatest accomplishment that I can dream of.
While I struggle more with leaving behind family than anything else, it is still nothing compared to what was given up for me on the cross. Jesus left his home in Heaven and was separated from His Father so that man could be reconciled back to Himself. It was a GREAT sacrifice that He was willing to make so that His creation could be restored. What do I have to complain about? This life is a vapor, a flower that fades in the field. I pray that we all ask what our part is in this life. It could be that God is calling you and you are refusing to listen. Before you say that God would never call me to the mission field, ask yourself, have I even asked God what he would have me do? It is easy to get so wrapped up in what we have going on that we can't hear His voice.
Thank you so much for your prayers. It is truly a blessing to know that others are praying for us. We are excited for the future and for who He will choose to partner with us in the coming months. Here Am I Lord, Send Me!
Until the whole world hears,
Rick and Melanie Dardar
Romans 10:14
dardarfamily@reachingandteaching.org
We are now in the full swing of Friend Raising. Before our family can leave for the field, we have to have 100% of our monthly budget met. It is a true test of faith as we seek to go in God's timing and trust that He alone knows all of the details. My mind and heart are greatly encouraged because we have prayed about prayer partners and God has allowed us to partner up with some truly awesome prayer warriors. They have graciously come alongside us and seek God on our behalf. This was another answer to our prayers. There have been several individuals and a few churches so far who have felt the Lord call them to partner with us financially. There is still a good way to go to be fully funded, but we know that what we are called to, we will be equipped for. If you feel led to give financially you can go to reachingandteaching.org/missionaries and click on "Donate to the Dardars"
Rick and I are reading through a book "Through the Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot. She was the wife of martyred missionary to Ecaudor, Jim Elliot. We had the opportunity to go there on a mission trip this past July and while reading this book, the words came alive in our imaginations because we have seen the countryside and people first hand. The love this couple had for the people of Ecuador shows through so vividly. The call on their lives radiated through, and even though he has been gone for about 50 years, his legacy lives on through sparking the desire for more missionaries to live out the call of missions in Ecuador. He said that once he heard the call to missions, his whole life was consumed with living out the call. He also said that if God is calling you, then you cannot ignore it. What a great privilege to be used in the Kingdom work of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no greater calling in this life. We may never have great wealth or great comforts, but to know that our lives were poured out for the gospel's sake is the greatest accomplishment that I can dream of.
While I struggle more with leaving behind family than anything else, it is still nothing compared to what was given up for me on the cross. Jesus left his home in Heaven and was separated from His Father so that man could be reconciled back to Himself. It was a GREAT sacrifice that He was willing to make so that His creation could be restored. What do I have to complain about? This life is a vapor, a flower that fades in the field. I pray that we all ask what our part is in this life. It could be that God is calling you and you are refusing to listen. Before you say that God would never call me to the mission field, ask yourself, have I even asked God what he would have me do? It is easy to get so wrapped up in what we have going on that we can't hear His voice.
Thank you so much for your prayers. It is truly a blessing to know that others are praying for us. We are excited for the future and for who He will choose to partner with us in the coming months. Here Am I Lord, Send Me!
Until the whole world hears,
Rick and Melanie Dardar
Romans 10:14
dardarfamily@reachingandteaching.org
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Friend Raising
God has blessed us with a new year, a new day to praise Him. We are so thankful for His blessings on our family and excited for what He is allowing us to be a part of. We are currently in the friend raising process and are praying through who God would have partner with us as we seek to serve Him on the mission field. The calling isn't only for us who are called to physically go to a new place and serve, but the call is also to those who are called to stay at home but serve God through praying for the work being done and by giving so that the work can continue. One is not more important than the other. It is also vital to ministry that God's people spend time in prayer pleading with Him to make His work prosperous. It is so humbling that He would choose to use His people to do His work. When we are tempted to think that we can do nothing for God because we feel so insignificant, we should remember that the Bible says in James 5:16, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." What an encouragement to believers that we are His and He desires to use us to do great things for His glory.
Please pray about partnering with our family in this ministry. If God is leading you to partner financially, there is a link http://www.reachingandteaching.org/support.html on this page to give electronically as either a one-time gift or monthly. You can give $5, $10, $20, or what ever The Lord leads you to give. You can also send a check to Reaching & Teaching PO Box 122, Wheaton, IL 60187.
Needs now:
1. We will need emergency tickets for when we are there in case we need to come back for an emergency. We need this before we can leave. Please pray about giving to this. Thanks
2. Start up cost (furniture, appliance, etc.).
You can email us at dardarfamily@reachingandteaching.org
Until the whole world hears,
Romans 10:14
Please pray about partnering with our family in this ministry. If God is leading you to partner financially, there is a link http://www.reachingandteaching.org/support.html on this page to give electronically as either a one-time gift or monthly. You can give $5, $10, $20, or what ever The Lord leads you to give. You can also send a check to Reaching & Teaching PO Box 122, Wheaton, IL 60187.
Needs now:
1. We will need emergency tickets for when we are there in case we need to come back for an emergency. We need this before we can leave. Please pray about giving to this. Thanks
2. Start up cost (furniture, appliance, etc.).
You can email us at dardarfamily@reachingandteaching.org
Until the whole world hears,
Romans 10:14
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