Fundraising Update--43 days to go!

The clock is ticking!! We are now only 43 days away from departing for South Africa. We leave January 12.

We still KNOW that we are in the middle of a miracle. When we updated you 15 days ago, we were at 50%.

Today, we are at 63%!

There are still several churches and many individuals that we are in conversations with that we feel will be supporting us financially. It is just a waiting game.

Here's the deal...to be at 63% this fast is a miracle! To GOD be the glory! Now, we are waiting on the completion of what the Lord is doing. We are trusting the Lord for 100% by departure.

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Now, what about YOU?? Can YOU help us?

1. We need prayer! Will you pray for us?
2. We are looking for financial supporters! Can you support us with a monthly pledge (or a one time gift)? Monthly pledges that spread over two years really help the percentage increase rapidly. (A $500 one time gift may seem huge, and it is! But a $50 a month commitment over two years is $1,200 toward our budget!)
3. Do you know people, businesses or organizations that may want to sow a one time year end gift?

If you are willing to do any of the three things above, would you please email me at noah.ccf@gmail.com as soon as possible (or message me on FB, leave a comment, text me, call me, whatever)? We would really be encouraged to hear from you.

Please help us see our calling become a reality!

Noah, Tricia and Davis

________________

PS- Below is info for giving online:

If you or anyone you know is interested in investing in our family's call into missions, you can do so ONLINE in the following way:

1. CLICK HERE.
2. Then, simply type in the amount, designate it for "Noah and Tricia Kaye's Support" and follow the secure process.
3. That's it!

If you wish to set up monthly or quarterly contributions, just CLICK HERE, fill out the form and follow the instructions.

Walking with God

A friend in our Congregation gave us a card when we left CCF that had these words written in it. It blessed me deeply the moment I read it. And it keeps blessing me. I wanted to share it with you!

"Walking With God" by Thomas Merton

“My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that my desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.”

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This prayer, from Thomas Merton, is a source of strength to me while wrestling with my ever-present questions about God’s will. May it encourage you today, and may it become the prayer of a Church in endless formation.

Jesus, thank you that...(a Thanksgiving Post)

Jesus, thank you that....

When we cry, you comfort us.

When we knock, you answer.

When we seek, you respond.

When we feel pain, you heal us.

Lord, when we are lost, you guide us.

Father, when we are alone, you join us.

Jesus, thank you that...

When we forget, you remind us.

When we fail, you restore us.

When we sin, you convict us.

Then, when we repent, you forgive us.

Bread of life, when we hunger, you feed us.

Living Water, when we thirst, you quench us.

When we are confused, you bring clarity.

When we risk, you grant safety.

When we struggle, you intervene.

When we call, you answer.

When we dream, you interpret.

Daddy, when we return, you welcome us.

When we praise you, you "inhabit" those praises.

So, today, we praise you!

And we say THANK YOU on this season of Thanksgiving!

We love you, Lord!

A few thoughts about Facebook...

Wanted to share a few random thoughts about Facebook.

I just have to say this....I have an increasing sense of respect for those that are among older generations that are adjusting so well to the social media developments. I continue to marvel at the flexibility and willingness of our elders and how they are learning totally new things every day in order to stay relevant and connected. I long to be like that one day. Thank you! Thank you for caring about people enough to meet them where they are and build bridges into their lives...into my life! I honor you!

While on the topic...

• Some of you have asked if we will be blogging and facebooking in South Africa. The answer is YES! Less. But, yes. The connection is not as good and the cost is not as low. But, we will do what we can.
• Speaking of which, if we are not "friends" on Facebook yet, please add me. I am looking to keep growing my connections especially before we leave the USA. Find me by clicking HERE!
• Also, if you have not "liked" our missions fan page, please click here and be a part. Share it with and suggest it to others too, if you don't mind.

I've tried that already!

I can recall countless times where I tried to encourage people to take a faith-filled step for God, to only hear excuses. People WANT results, but they won't keep trying to do what it takes to get those results. They give up too early and too easy.

Something really impacted me in Luke 5:5 this weekend. After fishing all night, the Disciples had caught nothing. They sailed in and started cleaning their nets. They were discouraged, I'm sure. Then, Jesus shows up and gets in their boat and orders them to put out into the water (first into shallow water where he kept teaching the crowd). THEN, he tells Simon to put out into deep water and let down his net. Simon's response was profound! He said...

"Master, we've worked hard all night and have not caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets!" Luke 5:5

I've tried to call them already. I've reached out to her before. I've done that 20 times. I tried that. I did that. It never worked. I am not doing that again. I know more about this than you do. These sound like the more popular responses I hear. Simon knew something powerful. He knew that when GOD SAYS IT, it is a whole new ball game. What you've already tried is out the window, God is on the scene. And HE makes all things new.

Remember, Acts 1:7 tells us that timing is not our business, it's God's. So, he may know just the right moment to make the move.

So, I challenge you to listen to the Lord. If you are not hearing his voice in prayer, through the spirit or through others, then pick up the Bible. He has 66 books worth of stuff to say to you.

This may not make sense, but, because YOU said so....I'll do it!

Random Updates About Anything

Here are a few things on my mind...a few things that I want to share with you this morning:

• This last trip we just returned from was blessed of God in many ways! Click HERE to read about where we went and why.
• I have been missing my blog! It has just been nearly impossible to blog often with being on the road this much. There are many things that I can do from my iPhone, but blogging is not something I do on the run. Will be back at it soon, I hope. I have a LIST of things I wish to share.
• Another reason for the decrease in blogs is that I am doing more offline writing these days.
• In about an hour, I head to Lancaster for a morning meeting with other leaders that have a heart for creative church planting approaches. I want to spend 5 hours in the car today like I want a hole in my head...but I believe the sacrifice is worth the return.
• We are working as hard as we know how at raising our budget for missions. At the same time, we are realizing more everyday that we are not really doing it....GOD IS!! Every percentage we increase, we feel his hand on our shoulder more, reminding us that He is with us.
• We are living at Ruth Yoder's until early this coming week when we move back to the O'Grady's...where we will live from now until we leave! It looks like this is our last "move" until we leave for Africa.
• Do we have a departure date? Yes. January 12th!
• I really miss my friends at CCF! Some days I just want to pick up the phone and call people like I'm still their Pastor....but I know I need to let go for now. It is hard. If you are reading this, know that I think of you often and love you!
• I'm excited to preach and share our vision at New Life Mennonite Church in Ellicott City tomorrow morning. We are preaching somewhere different almost every Sunday between now and when we leave. I will post our schedule soon.

That's enough for now.

Be back soon.

Full of Thanksgiving,

Noah

Fundraising Update; It's Climbing!!

The countdown to Cape Town is on. We are now only about 60 days away from departing. The clock is ticking, but the Lord is moving.

I will be honest, I feel like we are in the middle of a miracle. I really do. IF we raise this budget by the end of the year, the LORD will have done it in just about 4 months!!

When I last updated you 3 weeks ago, we were at 30%. Today, we are at 50% and climbing!!

This 50% does not include about 6 churches that we will be relating closely to and speaking at over the next month or other individuals that have verbally committed, but not sent their pledge forms in! So...we are full of hope that this next 20%-30% is just around the corner.

_________________

Now, what about YOU?? Can YOU help us? Can you partner with us in any of the 3 ways below?

1. We need prayer! Will you pray for us?
2. We are looking for financial supporters! Can you support us with a monthly pledge (or a one time gift)? Monthly pledges that spread over two years really help the percentage increase rapidly. (A $500 one time gift may seem huge, and it is! But a $50 a month commitment over two years is $1,200 toward our budget!)
3. Do you know people, churches or organizations that we might be able to connect with as supporters?

If you are willing to do any of the three things above, would you please email me at noah.ccf@gmail.com as soon as possible (or message me on FB, leave a comment, text me, call me, whatever)? We would really be encouraged to hear from you.

Please join us and be a part of seeing a miracle. We really feel that the Lord is moving in a miraculous way!

Noah, Tricia and Davis

________________

PS- Below is info for giving online:

If you or anyone you know is interested in investing in our family's call into missions, you can do so ONLINE in the following way:

1. CLICK HERE.
2. Then, simply type in the amount, designate it for "Noah and Tricia Kaye's Support" and follow the secure process.
3. That's it!

If you wish to set up monthly or quarterly contributions, just CLICK HERE, fill out the form and follow the instructions.

Is deliverance really that easy?

Here is something that I am struggling with today. I'm gonna be pretty raw here. Last night, we attended a church in the Orlando area. I posted that I was there on FB, but let me leave the name out of it for the sake of this post. This is not really about this church per se. What I am writing about is happening all over the place.

During the service last evening, after some incredible worship time, the Lead Pastor called for everyone with an addiction to come forward...any form of addiction. Then, for the next 30 minutes or so, he walked from one side of the altar to the other "healing" people from addiction. When he would lay his hands on them, most people would visibly respond. Most would cry, many shook, many fell slain in the spirit (but would be back up within 5-10 seconds) and others just stood there. Then, toward the end of the night, the Pastor announced that "62 people had been delivered or healed from addiction" during the service.

So, since last night I have been wrestling with a few questions:

• Is deliverance really that easy?
• Is that all there is to it?
• Why would God only give so few people this incredible ability...to heal people of a life of addiction just by simply making contact with their forehead for 3 seconds?
• Or is there more?
• Is this really deliverance? Is this really healing?
• How come as a Pastor, I have had to spend YEARS walking with people toward wholeness and healing, but guys like this can heal people in seconds?
• And how many of the 62 people who were "healed" last night are living that healing today? Are any of them hurt or disillusioned because they had already "messed up their healing" by morning?

Let me end with this:

1. I believe with ALL MY HEART that the Lord can heal and deliver anyone with the touch of his finger and in an INSTANT!!! Our God is an all-powerful healing God!
2. I simultaneously believe that it is the RARE way, not the common way. MOST of the time, I believe that the Lord invites our healing through a journey called Discipleship. A journey where with walk with the spirit of God, the people of God and the Word of God to a place of healing. And it takes time.

What are your thoughts? I am sure this post will get somebody going! What you got?

Preaching in Orlando

We are getting very excited to preach in Orlando this coming week. We will be preaching and sharing our vision for South Africa at Celebration of Praise in Clermont, FL (near Orlando) this coming Wednesday evening at 7pm.

The church is located at 3700 S. Hwy 27, Clermont, FL.

Click HERE to visit the church's website.

This is the home church of Tricia's Uncle Jimmy and Cousin, Diane Pagan. We are so honored for this opportunity to speak and for the prospect of Celebration of Praise becoming a supporting church. We are thankful for Pastor Chris Dutruch opening the doors to us. We welcome your prayers and if you live in the area, we would LOVE to see you this Wednesday evening.

(We are preaching many other times between now and when we depart. We will publicize info as the dates approach.)

Permission to Speak Freely

Just finished a powerful book by Anne Jackson entitled "Permission to Speak Freely; Essays and Art on Fear, Confession and Grace". In it, Jackson faces issues head on. She works on the issue of why it is so difficult to be honest in the church. Deep stuff.

She shares about the sexual experience that she had with a Youth Pastor when she was 16 and how that has impacted her life. And she shares openly about her own struggle (to this day) with pornography. She approaches topics openly and candidly. The book is powerful. It is especially powerful for those struggling with secrets, shame, confession and really feeling unsure of what to do with it all.

Jackson sums it up best at the end of the book when she affirms readers while describing this book: "You've challenged yourself to think outside chapters that seamlessly flow in and out of each other and instead jumped into a messy combination of art and story and Scripture."

Success is not the Goal!

Some of you will find this line of thinking weird, but I'm sure it won't be the first time you heard me share something weird.

I know we all long to be successful and need to feel significant. However, the idea of "looking for or aiming for success" seems to bother me a bit. I am not seeing a Biblical call for that to be our goal. And I'm just questioning whether it is a God-honoring goal.

As a follower of Jesus, I think that my goal needs to be obedience. And faithfulness. Not success. Instead of aiming for success, I think we need to be aiming for faithfulness and obedience. Leave the success part to God. How would you define success anyway? According to your parents desires for you? According to your boss? According to the world? Everyone has a different idea of what success is. And as soon as you start trying to define it and aim for it, it changes.

Luke 6:26 in the MSG says "There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular."

So, here is what I am thinking: Aim for faithfulness. Aim for obedience to the Lord and His Word. Leave the success part to God.

The ultimate goal of a Christ follower should be to hear "well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:23), not "you were successful"!

A true call to discipleship takes us out of the light and brings Jesus into it.

Donating to our Mission Online

As many of you know, we are in the process of trying to raise our budget to go to South Africa into missions for the next two years. We still have a ways to go! You can read more about our progress by CLICKING HERE!

Our treasurer is out of the country, so we will not have an updated percentage for a few more weeks, but we are encouraged with the commitments and gifts coming in each day.

If you or anyone you know is interested in investing in our family's call into missions, you can do so ONLINE in the following way:

1. CLICK HERE.
2. Then, simply type in the amount, designate it for "Noah and Tricia Kaye's Support" and follow the secure process.
3. That's it!

If you wish to set up monthly or quarterly contributions, just CLICK HERE, fill out the form and follow the instructions.

Let us know if you have any questions! We so appreciate you so very much!

Everyday Absurdities

I love to read. But, I read a lot of serious books about faith, life and ministry. Every 10th book or so, I try to throw in a funny one. One that makes me laugh at life some.

I just finished this book entitled "Everyday Absurdities; Insights from the World's Most Trivial Man" by Tyler Stanton. Hi-larious!

If you want a good laugh about random things that we all experience, grab this little book and enjoy. It points out the obvious about everything from reality TV to annoying servers to texting rudeness to public pools to public restrooms to awkward silence. Topics include communication, eating, travel, men, shopping, entertainment and "DBTG" (don't be that guy)!

Here are a few examples of what it's like:

• Shopping Cart Selection: My chances of getting a functional shopping cart are even less than the chances of me being a professional baseball player. Does the perfect cart even exist, or do they manufacture them with squeaks and hard pulls to the right?
• Ply: Hey Charmin, we're fine with two ply. I'm not sure who told you we needed more, but that person cannot be trusted. Instead of progressively adding more and more ply (to the point that we will be wiping with a beach towel), why don't you concentrate your efforts on something more practical, like, I don't know, massaging toilet paper of toilet paper with apps?
• I'm Just Sayin': This is a distant cousin of "bless her heart". I believe the thought process is this: As long as I slap this phrase on at the end, I can say whatever brutally honest and cutting statement I want without any repercussions. Well let me set the record straight. YOU just said it, and I'M still bothered. I'm just sayin'!

Saying Goodbye to our "Grandparents"

Sometimes it feels like my family tree is a Bonsai. It's just small. Barely a tree!

Here are a few interesting facts:

• First of all, the extent of family I have on my Dad's side is my Dad! That's it. No more (that we know of or connect to in any way).
• My parents are both only children. Hence, I have no Aunts, no Uncles and no Cousins.
• All four of my Grandparents have passed away. Tricia's too.
• So, the only extended family I have are Great Aunts, Great Uncles, Second Cousins, etc.
• Of that extended family (on Mom's side only, of course), we see most of them rarely if ever and barely have any relationship at all (with very few exceptions).

All that to say, we have a very small "family" making us all the more thankful for who we do have.

We spent this weekend in Ellerslie/Columbus, GA visiting with my Great Aunt & Great Uncle (Gordon and Elsie) and Second Cousins (Monty and Bruce) and their families. The time with them was precious.

But, last night we had an emotional goodbye...

You see, for the last 15 years, I have held Gordon and Elsie as my Grandparents on this earth (Gordon was my Popa's brother). And over the last 10 years, Tricia has begun to do the same. They mean so much to us. I think this is our 8th trip here in 10 years. We have just prioritized knowing what little family I have. It's one of our last connections to my heritage.

Speaking of heritage-- we named Davis (our son) after this side of the family...after these folks here in GA that we love. Davis is my Mom's maiden name.

Gordon and Elsie are both just shy of 80 years old and both are failing in health. There were days that we wondered if we'd make it down to see them before they met Jesus. We did! And we are thankful for it.

When we said goodbye last night, it was hard! We were saying goodbye to our "Grandparents"! We know that their is a strong possibility that we will not be back to see them until 2013 or later. And by then, one or both may be with the Lord. They know that. We know that. We talked about it. We cried. But, I told them everything I felt, how much I love them, what they have meant to me! We WILL see them again one day...for sure!! It just may not be on this earth.

This is all a part of finishing well to head overseas in response to God's call. Not easy, but the Lord gives extra grace for this and we are thankful.

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Here is Gordon & Elsie this weekend. And one of Elsie & Davis. Priceless Moments.

Honor; A Great Clip

Here is a follow up to my last post about HONOR. Below is a short clip of Craig Groeschel's talk at Catalyst. I think this is some really great stuff. I really appreciate the way that he sees generations working together. Take a moment to watch this.