God Is Working

We have some very exciting news to share.  For several months now, our family has been in the process of switching missions agencies.  We got the awesome news on Saturday, August 8th, that we were accepted as missionary candidates with Baptist Medical and Dental Missions International. 

This began in our hearts last September when Rick, Melanie and baby Elliot, took a vision trip to Managua, Nicaragua.  We stayed in the home of Josh and Laurie Moudy, whom we had never formally met, and spent that week praying and seeking where God would have us serve in that country.  We spent a few days speaking to pastors in the area and just visiting with local people.  Rick began to feel that God was doing a great work there already and He was in fact, not calling us to work here.  Melanie had a Bible study on Wednesday, and from that, God gave us a word.  The scripture came from Acts 16:7.  "When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the spirit of Jesus would not allow them to."  We began to pray where the Holy Spirit would have us work, and at the same time enjoyed our visit with the Moudy family, hearing about the vision which God had given them to do a work on the Eastern Coast of Nicaragua to work with the indigenous people of that area.  They shared how they would be moving there and would build a hospital.  They also shared that they were praying for help in doing this. 

We traveled back home to Mississippi at the end of the week feeling confident that just as God had shut the door for work in Diriamba and Masatepe, that he would also open the door he had for us.  We sought the Lord, and felt assurance that he would have us team up with this couple that we just "happened" to meet.  Of course, there are no chance meetings, and we were eager to be obedient to this call. 

While we loved Reaching & Teaching and the leadership which we believe God had placed us under, after counsel, we realized that two agencies working together to undertake this endeavor might be harder than we thought.  So, we started praying about switching to BMDMI.  God has been faithful every step of the way to show us where to take the next step.  We did not want to just move because it "felt" like the right thing to do, but wanted to make sure of the leading of the Holy Spirit.  He has been more than faithful in showing us this was His desire for us.  Rick and Melanie met with the personnel committee in June and got the first approval as candidates pending approval by the board.  We were eagerly awaiting the news and were so excited when we got the call that they had approved us.

Rick had the opportunity to go to Nepal after the earthquakes in May to work with others in building shelters for the people there.  He got to work hands on with others from BMDMI and was able to see the hearts of the leadership.  We are thankful God has allowed this to take place as we desire to trust and obey Him completely. 

Our family would like to thank those who have faithfully supported us financially and with prayer during this time.  We are grateful that God has called some to partner with us so that we may take the gospel to the physically and spiritually sick and hurting in Nicaragua.  We are currently at 20% of our monthly budget and almost have enough to pay for language school upon arrival on the field. We will also need about $5600 for tickets to travel to Nicaragua.  We ask that you lift this up to the Lord with us, and in His time, we will be serving in Nicaragua. 

This was a poem that I read on the day God shut the door for us in working in the Masatepe area:

When I cannot understand my Father's leading,
And it seems to be but hard and cruel fate,
Still I hear that gentle whisper ever pleading,
God is working, God is faithful, ONLY WAIT.
                                    -Streams in the Desert...Sept 24th


Unitl the whole world hears,

Rick and Melanie Dardar
Gabe, Austin, Juliana, Addey, Eamon, Mary-Klaire and Elliot

A fresh vision

God has really gotten my attention over the past week.  I am so grateful that he cares enough for me to grab my chin and turn my face towards Him and tell me a thing or two.  The everyday of life distracts me. I don't ever intend on that happening, but somehow, if I'm honest, I just flat out get distracted.  Between trying to keep the house semi-clean and cooking, and homeschooling, and making sure the baby isn't eating Legos, I get distracted.  At the beginning of last year, I was so excited about what God was doing and was plunging head first into the exciting world of missions.  We were speaking at churches and different groups, partnering with prayer warriors, and financial supporters and just being excited about the work we set out to do.  Then, life happened.  My school year started with no school funds.  There was never enough gas to get anywhere we needed to be, and absolutely nothing there to run a household.  I got distracted.  Panic set in my heart.  We paused our efforts for missions and began to look for ways to take care of our household.  God provided work and has blessed Rick while he has been there.

About three months have passed since we've spoken at a church.  Rick and I were talking about how we needed to get back to support raising so that we could get on the field.  But God, had bigger plans than that.  He has been prompting me to search my motives as to why I feel called to be a missionary.  Why is it that I want to go to a foreign land to tell people that I have never met about Jesus. Is it for a career or His glory?  Is it for me or for Him?  It would be so easy to fall into the comfortable pattern of living the American dream.  Way too easy.  That house with the white picket fence has been calling my name.  Distractions.  

This morning, during my quiet time, God took me back to the call.  I was remembering what it was that I told God the day I put my "yes" on the table.  I was surrendered and eager to do His will.  Nothing else mattered in that moment, except being obedient to my Savior.  I wasn't thinking about a specific job or location, but that He was calling.  He has had to take us both to a place of quietness and waiting. To test our motives?  To test our endurance?  Maybe so.  All I know is that all I want is to keep my "yes on the table" and seek him daily so that I don't get bogged down.  

There is no new news to tell.  God has not given us anything that we didn't know already.  He confirmed in our hearts that we need to get back to the basics; making ministry partners and focusing on getting to Costa Rica.  He will work out the details as they need to be worked out.  Wow, that takes a load off of our shoulders! Just being obedient and leaving the details to Him.   Isn't He good!  This vision isn't a new one, but it is fresh.  It is fresh because in the midst of my distractions and period of quietness, the call never changed.  It is fresh because the mercies of God are fresh every day and so the vision He gives is fresh to my soul like a soaking rain to a place that had become so dry.   I don't have to worry about who will partner with us or how we will get there.  He will take care of everything.  I don't have to worry about the job I am to do once I'm there.  Nope.  He hasn't told me that yet.  But he has told me to walk everyday in steps of obedience whether they be tiny steps or big steps.  Just take the step in faith.

We are so thankful for the ones who have been faithful in partnering with us.  You are a blessing to this ministry.  If God is leading you to partner with us now in giving monthly, then you can do so  by clicking the link at the top.  It is needful that we begin our missionary journey in language school.  We are seeking partners to help us meet our budget so that we can get to Costa Rica and begin the study of the Spanish language.  Would you prayerfully consider partnering with us?

Blessings,

Rick and Melanie Dardar