A missionary mom

As a missionary, one is faced with many choices not just in ministry but especially in your personal life. But as a missionary mom a whole new dynamic is added to life’s decisions while on the mission field. Lately among my fellow missionary mom friends I have noticed that we are facing similar choices with varying circumstances. The same dilemma we face is this:  How as mothers do we reconcile raising our children in the healthiest and best environment and at the same time be totally committed to our calling?” We are called by the Lord to “go and make disciples” and sometimes that means exposing our children to environments that poses threats and risks to not only their health but also to their upbringing. For moms this is scary and daunting to make these kinds of life choices with your husband; choices that are made FOR your children not WITH your children.

I have heard of testimonies by other missionary families that have lost children to the mission field through various situations. This is a parent’s worst nightmare, especially for any mother who tends to be emotional and thinks the worst about life’s “what ifs”. Immediately the following floods our minds:

“How can I raise my children in such an environment” (an environment that might mean less comforts or a health risk).

“What if I actually were to lose my child, how could I live with that?”

“What will my family say about moving their grandchildren or nieces/nephews to such a different /risky environment?”

“Is this the best time to be moving my child? Should we wait until they are older or moved out of the house?

“What about school and the friends they have? Will they be able to find a spouse where we are moving to?”

“What if we wait? Not to say that we won’t go at all but maybe we should wait until the kids are_____?”

“I can’t possibly go on a mission trip with a baby who is breastfeeding and not potty trained!” or “We can’t move to the mission field with a newborn, there’s no support system, I will be all alone!”

I could go on and on but, well, you get the picture. Maybe to a seasoned missionary mother who “has been there done that” this may not be an issue for you but for other mothers, including myself, these questions and doubts are real and are confusing.

For myself, I have always said, “I never want to tell God ‘No, I won’t do____’ “. Yet I have before and it didn’t last very long. But there are other ways we tell God “no”; we can delay in our obedience or we can choose to take a different route, one that leads to the same result but just not the way God has indicated for us or maybe we squelch the Holy Spirits persistent drawing with our doubts and questions that we end up giving in to our emotions and in the end we say, “I want to___ BUT it’s just too____”.

Let me get more specific and more personal. David and I are facing a decision ourselves, one that is a year away but to me I think about it every day, contemplating and testing the waters of which avenue to take. As I am sure you all know, we are expecting our 2^nd child, Jacob. We also have planned our 4^th mission trip to Kenya, one in which I play a vital role. I lead 2 VBS programs and this year had planned on leading a woman’s discipleship course. These two events eclipse one another. Our mission trip is scheduled when Jacob will be 10 months old. He will be breastfeeding and not yet potty trained and Hannah will be 6. What do we do?!

Fact: The Lord has called me to “Go and make disciples”.

Fact: It is not an accident that our 2^nd child will be less than a year old at this time that we are supposed to be in a 3^rd world country.

Fact: We would come against opposition from many people who would disagree with taking our infant into this environment.

Fact: The Holy Spirit (always taking from the Father and giving to me) is ever constant and never changes in His leading and imparting wisdom.

Fact: God has never led us into something then left us and He has never failed us.

Ok, say we do take our infant and 6 year old to Kenya. I would be breastfeeding, changing diapers, taking care of Hannah, trying to keep to a minimum sanitary problems that come with staying in Kenya, doing all of our laundry by hand for all 4 of us, all the while leading a woman’s discipleship class and a VBS program. David will be able to help and bear some of the load but he has his own responsibilities while there, he is responsible for 2 pastor’s conferences, private counseling with leaders when necessary and preaching church services on the side.  Will I be able to do this with an infant and young child in toe?! How can I be of any benefit to those I have come to serve if I and David are so stretched thin with just family responsibilities? Is it even healthy to take a young baby to this environment?

So, again, what do David and I do? Whenever I am faced with this kind of question, whether in my own life or from listening to someone else’s dilemmas, this statement always pops into my head: “What does the Bible say about this situation?” Now unfortunately I can’t turn to, let’s say, Deuteronomy 3:6 and find the answer specifically for David’s and mine current choice (but it would be nice). That means our choice is subjective, meaning there is no “one size fits all” answer, meaning that we have to make a choice based on what God would want us to do, not what other people want us to do or what we would prefer to do.

Two things come to my mind, a passage of Scripture and a song. The song is “I surrender all” and the passage is Luke 14:25-33

“25 Once when large crowds of people were going along with Jesus, he turned and said to them, 26 "Those who come to me cannot be my disciples unless they love me more than they love father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and themselves as well. 27 Those who do not carry their own cross and come after me cannot be my disciples. 28 If one of you is planning to build a tower, you sit down first and figure out what it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job. 29 If you don't, you will not be able to finish the tower after laying the foundation; and all who see what happened will make fun of you. 30 "You began to build but can't finish the job!' they will say. 31 If a king goes out with ten thousand men to fight another king who comes against him with twenty thousand men, he will sit down first and decide if he is strong enough to face that other king. 32 If he isn't, he will send messengers to meet the other king to ask for terms of peace while he is still a long way off. 33 In the same way, concluded Jesus, "none of you can be my disciple unless you give up everything you have.”

Wow, both hit home for me.  Now applying this verse to our situation and the solution is one that intimidates me and leaves me stuttering, “But..but…but…”. This choice cannot be made hastily or recklessly or can even be made by taking a poll amongst our friends and family members to see what they think. In the end it is us following our Savors plan for us and our children, young as they may be. 

Thankfully, a choice does not need to be made right now at this very moment. But there will come a day when David and I will need to look at this choice square in the face and make a decision. Right now, I am praying. Praying for what, you might ask. Praying that until that time comes, I will not worry, I will be patient and I will not rush the leading of the Lord in our life. The fact that my future and this choice remains unresolved at the moment drives me insane because I like to have everything planned out and know what to expect and what to do ahead of time. Therefore, in this scenario I think the lesson just isn’t in making “the choice” but it is also in the “waiting” to make the choice. Sometimes God does say “wait” and for the time being that is what David and have heard from the Holy Spirit. Obviously God knows what we will do and how everything will unfold but for some reason He has chosen to conceal the answer from us at the moment and I am just gonna have to learn to be okay with that!

I ask everyone reading this to pray for us this coming year. Pray that we will follow Gods leading no matter what it may mean for us, even if it means an unpopular choice.

All I want as a missionary mom is to exhibit to my children through my life what it looks like to be a total, sold out disciple to Christ every single day and in every situation. Yeah it might mean doing things that seem “risky/unwise” to many, yeah it will probably mean discomfort not only for me but for my kids as well and yes it might even mean sacrificing our earthly lives for our heavenly one. In order to be completely sold out, David and I need to count the cost and be ready for whatever might come. Praise the Lord He has found us worthy to be trusted with the family and ministry He has given us to lead while here on earth.

Whatever may come I know that David and I can say, “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength”


Only by His Grace,
Heather

A Long Way To Go And A Short Time To Get There!

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1)

  We are just 3 days away from the time that we need to be boarding that plane for Kenya and preparations are well under way. The leaders are organizing the two conferences, the places we will stay are preparing for our arrival and the children are getting excited about our arrival. Heather has been preparing to lead two vacation Bible Schools and Andy and I have been preparing our lessons for the two leaders training conferences. Excitement is in the air as my phone has been ringing all day with leaders expressing their excitement for the conferences. As we are busily preparing for the trip we are still also praying for the Lord to provide. We have already received over half of what is needed. We are still lacking about $1,800 to meet all the upcoming expenses but we trust the Lord will provide!

If the Lord is leading you to help us as we continue to take the Gospel out to the people of Africa please visit our ministry support page at http://www.newdaycm.org/ministrysupport.html I know that you will be blessed and God will take what you give bless it, multiply it and use it to touch many lives.

I would like to share with you some words of encouragement I received from Sharon Fisher. Sharon has been participating in our 40 days of prayer challenge and is a member and Sunday school teacher at Miami Shores Baptist Church:

“Many months ago you reminded us to be faithful in the little stuff for the Lord. If enough of us are faithful in the little stuff, God will do awesome things as The Holy Spirit takes control to fulfill His purpose in this world and in our lives…. My great hope is that with two Sundays of offerings for NDCM we will be able to help you meet your expense for this Kenya missionary journey” ~ Sharon Fisher MSBC

 Click Here For Driving Directions Miami Shores Baptist Church

 I would like to invite all of my friends and family living close enough to travel to Miami Shores Baptist Church this coming Sunday for a very special day that they have planned.

This coming Sunday, Feb. 5th 2012/ Men’s Day
The Church will have many special activities. Among the activities will be a viewing of "Kenya through the eyes of Hannah". They will also be handing out our 40 Days of Prayer sheet to each person who is present. We are currently working out a way where we can able to communicate by video with those who attend this coming Sunday where you will have the chance to ask us any questions you may have before we head off once again to Kenya.

Miami Shores is the church I was raised up in, where I came to the Lord, and where I first surrendered to God’s call to ministry as a young man. I am touched beyond words that the church I grew up in has committed this time in their services this coming Sunday and I pray that if you can attend that you will begin making plans today to do so.

If you are not able to attend physically you can attend in spirit. Please pray for all that will gather and that through them and people like you the support that is still lacking will be provide soon so that we can purchase our tickets and continue forward unfettered in our missionary journey to Kenya.

Miami Shores Baptist Church is located at:

4000 Vance Rd. Moraine OH 45449

 The Service will begin at 10:45 am.

If you need driving directions or get turned around you can give me a call at 937-307-0694. I grew up there so I should be able to get you pointed in the right direction.

I know that most of the people who receive this email will not be close enough to attend this Church on Sunday but you can still pray that Lord will bless them and use them to be a great blessing.  If you feel lead to be a part of what this work through prayers and financial support please visit our ministry support page at http://www.newdaycm.org/ministrysupport.html Thank you for your prayers and support may God lead and guide you as you seek His will f or your life.

God Bless,

David Ingram

New Day Christian Ministry

Isa. 43: 18-21

http://www.newdaycm.org

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Have you faced any trials recently?

    Years ago, while still In college, my nephew and I took up memorizing the book of James. Time and time again those verse will be brought to my mind and heart as I face various trials and difficulties.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Jas 1:2-4)

Jesus said, I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (Joh 16:33)

Have you faced tribulations in your life yet?

     If you have not yet, you will. Jesus knows that we will have difficult situations that we will go through. He also told us how we can have peace even in the midst of the tribulations. Those of you who know me well know of the personal tribulations I have faced. Through those times God often would need to carry me through because I could not walk on my own. I can remember when reading God’s word, singing songs of praise, and being with other believers in church were the only glimpses of peace I had. Without Jesus and the Holy Spirit as my comforter I know I would not have lived through those times. I have been so blessed now with my wife and beautiful daughter. My wife Heather was an answer to many prayers and time spent walking and talking to God as I asked Him to give me a wife that was after His own heart. And our daughter Hannah was a blessing too great for me to put into words. Her smile fills both Heather and me with such great love. Her birth was a miracle and her love a gift from Heaven. God has been so gracious and merciful to me. I can never thank Him enough for the grace He has lavished on me. When I think of all that I have gone through, and all that I have received, my present troubles quickly faded away in the light of God’s abundant grace.

     We face troubles and tribulations for various reasons. The first is sin, both our own personal sin and the sin of others. We live in a world that is governed by sin and man’s desire to place himself above God. This has been our reality since Adam and Eve chose to follow Satan’s lie that man can be his own god and to what he wants to do rather than obey God. Their sin brought death not just to them but to the earth and those effects will be felt until God brings about the new Heaven and the new Earth. Man still chases after and believes the lie of Satan and that lie greatly affect us today. Unless you can find a way to exist apart and completely isolate yourself from every person on the planet and the effects of their actions you will always face the consequences of the sins of others while here on this earth.

    Our personal sin is something that we do have control over and it is sad that so often we choose not to. For all of us who have asked Jesus to be Lord of our life we have been given the victory through His death, burial and resurrection over sin and death. We are now no longer slaves to sin. Our new master is God and we need only to obey Him. For those who have not given their life to God they have no choice. They are a slave to their flesh and carried away by its lusts for sin. In one of our scripture passages of our 40 days of prayer we read:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:16-21)

    These actions are evidence that we have not yet given are lives over to God and his lordship in our lives. Christians who have the Spirit of God living inside them and choose not to obey are placing themselves in a place of suffering that they need not to be in. God teaches us that when we choose not to walk in the spirit but decide to walk in the flesh we will reap the consequences of that choice.

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." (Heb 12:6)

     God does not discipline us out of anger but out of love. He wants us to be growing and experiencing all that He has for us. When we are seeking the desires of the flesh we are at the same time saying no to God. Have you ever been around children that their parents have neglected to discipline? They are rude, disrespectful, and only concerned about their immediate wants and desires. They do not consider the people around them; all they care about is themselves. When they do not get what they want they go into tirades while their parents just look on and do nothing. Or they start bargaining with them to behave. These children grow up and behave the same way as they did as a child. When it does come time to discipline my daughter Hannah I will do so, not because I am angry but because I love her. The point of discipline is not for judgment but for correction. God desires to mold us into what we were meant to be and His discipline is for our benefit not our shame.

     A third area of suffering I want for us to look at is that of suffering for the cause of Christ. This suffering though it can be as painful if not more is a great privilege for us and one that will be rewarded in Heaven. Many times we will face trails that were not brought on by our sin but by our obedience for Christ. This can happen anywhere you or I sand firm and do not wavier in our faith and obedience to God.  Most of us know the story of Cain and Abel. Abel was the first to suffer for obedience to God and his unwillingness to waver in that obedience. Cain instead of choosing to obey God like his brother decided it better to kill him in attempt to lower the standard instead of dealing with his own sin and repenting. This same line of thinking permeates in the heart of everyone that has followed and chosen to persecute the one who is obedient instead of repent and turn to God themselves. Sadly I have seen this too often in places that claim to be churches. Instead of obeying God they simply eliminate any one that does and challenges others to do so as well. As these last days come how much more of this will we truly see?

     But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2Ti 3:1-5)

     These passages do not refer to the world but rather to those who claim to be godly. This is not to say we  will not be persecuted by the world. The world will persecute us for our obedience to Christ. Jesus said of this persecution, "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Mat 24:9-13)

     It is easy for us to think that we are suffering merely because of bad choices we, or others have made but that is a naive understanding. We must remember that we are not struggling against one another.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12)

     Our enemy is Satan, his forces of evil in this present darkness, and our own desire for sin and the desires of the Flesh. When we face are selves against one another and are unwilling to forgive those who have wronged us we are allowing Satan to have the victory in our lives. He is getting what he wants when families come apart, churches split, we hurt one another, and we are not willing to love one another. When we do not love sacrificially like God loves us we are not walking in the Spirit but in the flesh, only pain and suffering will follow us.

But do you want to hear the good news?

     It does not matter if you suffer whether because of the sin of others, the sins you have committed, or because you are suffering for the cause of Christ. God is greater than all of these.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28)

    Even when you are going through a trail that you feel is too great for you to bear, trust God, and He will carry you through. It does not matter why you are suffering and who caused it. Your help, comfort, and peace always comes from the Lord. He will never leave you and He will never forsake you even though you may feel that He has. He is always right there beside you. I am not saying this as some grand idea I have of what God will do or something I have read in the Bible and therefore am teaching it now, though that is where I learned it. I have personally lived and proved it in my own life time and time again. My God is my redeemer! Both now and forever my God will deliver me and He will deliver you regardless of what you have done or what present sufferings you find yourself in. The awesome fact about God is that He is always faithful, ALWAYS! We never need to worry if He will be faithful. That is why we can and should,

 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Jas 1:2-4)

    Each time God delivers us and shows us His mercy and grace it develops in us steadfastness. Each time we run into a challenge of faith and God delivers, our faith is strengthened and our faith and dependence on God deepens. If you want to be perfect and complete it only comes by learning to perfectly and completely trust God for all things at all times.

God Bless,

David Ingram

New Day Christian Ministry

Isa. 43:18-21

www.newdaycm.org

And when you fast?

     Announcement in the church bulletin for a National PRAYER & FASTING conference: "The cost for attending the Fasting and Prayer conference includes meals. Funny bulletin blooper but it points out an important truth when it comes to how we think about fasting in the church today.   

 There are many debates these days about doctrine and people will dedicate years and even lifetimes in the promotion and defense of their attempts to define God. They will go on for days about their Calvinist, Arminianist, Premilllenialist, Amillennialist, Reformist, Fundamentalist, and a whole multitude of other ists.

     Many views are created and promoted daily about God's Word and what He really meant to say. Books are written, radio shows are aired, and TV shows are produced to promote these new and fresh "insights". But have you ever heard of a Fastist? There is no group out there debating, defending, promoting a fresh and new insight on fasting.

I can understand that. When I first read "When you fast," I thought the translators must have not translated that correctly. Surely it should say, "If you fast." or "in case you fast" this is how you should act, what you should, or should not do. But Jesus says when you fast,! He is not saying if you fast or in case you fast. He is assuming that those who follow Him will fast. These words were hard for me at the age of 13. As I read them I wondered why do I not hear much about this by the other Christians around me? Why is fasting not a main topic in Sunday school or worship services? As an adult I can now answer my own question with the greatest of ease. Fasting is not a topic we like to talk about because it is a very difficult topic to teach, receive, or live by. Fasting means that we truly place God above our self, our own desires, wants, or needs. Fasting is a far bigger commitment than attending church Sunday morning, sitting through a sermon, singing a few songs, giving a tithe and coming back the next Sunday to do it all again. Fasting requires: total obedience, total trust, a willingness to be purged of even our secret sins, and a yielding of the flesh to the spirit. Simply put, if you are not truly serious about following God you will not fast.

    If you have gotten to this sentence and you are in strong disagreement with the direction this discussion has taken then reading further will most likely do you no good. You will be only more convinced that fasting is a waste of your time/energy, and will be of no benefit to you. However, there is also a danger for you who read this message and want to fast but that desire is born out of a feeling of obligation or for what you think God will do for you. I encourage you to read, think about, and consider this verse:

    "Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?" Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (Isa 58:3-7)

The purpose of a fast is to draw close to God, it is to be a time of purification, renewal, and dedication for the Lord's use. And he says when we fast in this manner:

    "Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isa 58:8-11)

Have I lost you yet? 

   I hope and pray that you will not be like the man who after telling Jesus he had followed the 10 commandments from His youth turned away after Jesus said, "one thing you lack, go and give all you have to the poor and then come and follow me." Are you willing to give up all to follow Jesus? Even the contentment of a full belly, and a earthly tent full of secret lust and hidden treasures? If so than I encourage you to get out your Bible, a note pad, and a willingness to be filled with God as He guides and satisfies you even in scorched places.

Are you ready to begin? 

Please go to:www.newdaycm.org/Whenyoufast.pdf

God Bless,

David Ingram

New Day Christian Ministry

Isa. 43:18-21

www.newdaycm.org

40 Days That Will Change Your Life!

   As many Bible readers know 40 days is mentioned several times in scripture during times of preparation. In studying the passages concerning 40 days there are two that normally stand out. They are the stories of Moses on top of the mountain as God gives him the Ten Commandments and Jesus being led into the wilderness for 40 days where he is tempted by Satan. There are several others however. For instance when God judged the world with the flood, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, Goliath challenged Israel and their god for 40 days, Jonah told the people of Nineveh that they had 40 days before God's judgment, Elijah ran to the mountain of God in 40 days, and Jesus showed himself and taught his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, to name a few.

   As I have been studying these passages I have seen that these 40 day experiences always produced the same results; there is a purification of sin, preparation for God's people, and a clear manifestation of God's presence and power.

    In Genesis chapters 6-10 we read about how God flooded the earth as a result of the great sin that was overtaking the world. Only one family, Noah, his wife, 3 sons  and their wives, had not turned from God. The 40 days and nights of rain was the way God chose to purify the sin that was taking over world and make a way to preserve a people that would serve him. After the 40th day Noah was able to open the window of the Ark showing that God had saved him and his family and set them apart to be a people that would follow God.

   Moses was up on the mountain not just once but twice for 40 days and nights without bread and water. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments for the purpose of preparing the people of Israel to be the chosen people of God. He demonstrated his presence and power as he talked with and provided Moses with the 10 Commandments. The second time, Moses was pleading for God to forgive Israel for sinning against God. God's presence and power was more apparent to those around him than any other man, apart of Jesus.

   I could continue to demonstrate the results of purification, preparation, and God’s presence and power manifested to his people in all of the examples I have given but there is much more to discuss than this blog would do justice so I will high-light a few more and provide you with passages to look up if you would like to study this more for yourself. 


   Goliath challenged the children of Israel and on the 40th day God used the faith of David to deliver Israel. 


   Jonah warned of God's judgment that would come in 40 days and the people repented. As a result the largest revival recorded in the Bible took place. 


  Elijah ran 40 days during which time he was ministered to by angels and at the end had an amazing encounter with God.

   Finally Jesus was led into the wilderness for 40 days where he was tempted by Satan and ministered to by angels. At the end of this time his earthly ministry began and showed us what we, who were created in the image of God, were meant to be like and how a life completely surrendered to the will of the Father and filled by his Spirit, could truly be. After his resurrection he spent 40 days preparing his followers for the Birth of his Church and the coming of his Spirit to all that would believe and follow him.

   In 2008 I asked many of you if you would join us in 40 Days of Prayer. Many of you accepted and God responded in many amazing ways! When we started the 40 days we were still lacking $2,000 in the funds that we needed to make the journey to Africa to establish our first NDCM branch and preach a revival in Uganda. The Lord worked through many wonderful people and the funds came in time. When we arrived in Kenya we were greeted by the members of our first church start, NDCM Mogoko. They had been waiting for us to arrive for hours but continued waiting until we arrived. We are all very happy and grateful the Lord had brought us together over so many miles. After spending several days establishing Mogoko we traveled to Uganda to preach the revival we had been praying and preparing for. In the 5 days of the revival 40 people came to Christ. The revival continued for the rest of that month and by the end of the revival 150 had come to Christ. God has continued to grow and expand the work. From '08 to '09 we had 14 NDCM branches established and from '09 'till now, another 11 branches have been established. During the 40 days several of you wrote and shared all that God was doing in your lives as you joined in on the 40 Days of Prayer. The first 40 days prepared the way for God to do more than we could have hoped or imagined, in not only our lives, but in the lives of all of those who participated and countless others, as God responded in more ways than can be shared or expressed. God is indeed moved when we pray and seek to encounter the presence and power of God, he truly does respond mightily on behalf of all who call out to him. 

   Just like in '08, we are in desperate need of God to work miracles in our lives. We have a little over 40 days until we leave for Kenya and we are still lacking $3,500 to even be able to buy tickets for Africa, let alone funds for the work while we are there. We are seeking God’s wisdom as we prepare the lessons and we are seeking God’s Holy Spirit to go before us and prepare the way. Heather and I have committed to set 40 days apart to pray for the Feb mission trip to Kenya and now I am asking  if you would be willing to spend 40 days praying for God to bring to you, Heather and I, and the members of NDCM across Africa, a time of purification, preparation, and encountering the presence and power of God. If you are willing to set apart time each day and join with us for the 40 Days of Prayer beginning on Dec. 26^th   , please let me know by commenting below and I will send you a lists of prayer requests that we will be praying for during the coming 40 days.

We will begin our 40 Days of Prayer on Dec. 26th but if you did not receive or read this in time that is ok, you can get started on the day you read this.

God Bless,
David Ingram
New Day Christian Ministry
Isa.43:18-21

P.S. These chapter's below would be a benefit to you if you're interested for further study.

Exodus 24 & 34 Deut 9 & 10 , Numbers 13 & 14, 1 Samuel 17, 1 Kings
19, Ezra 4, Jonah 3, Matthew 4 and finally Mark 1.