In The Begining...

"For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:8

Merry Christmas 2010!!
Can we ask you a question? Have you ever heard the call of God? Some people are offended by a question like that. “The arrogance…” maybe, or “How can one know…”, admittedly this can be a tough one. Fortunately, the scriptures give a clear answer on how to determine the will of God (Rom 12:2).

The story of our family’s calling began October 28, 1994. That is the date Melissa and I officially met and discovered our common interests. One of our common interests we discovered during the dinner that I introduced Melissa to my parents. My Mom asked Melissa, “Why did you want to be a Chiropractor?” Melissa answered by explaining that she had an interest in missions work even at a young age, and as a Chiropractor all she would need to bring was her hands. Both my parents laughed, and Melissa felt left out because she didn’t get the “joke”. She didn’t know that when I was in Junior high, one rainy Saturday in a car with my Mom, I announced to her that one day I was going to be a “missionary”. Since we’ve married, almost every decision Melissa and I have made as a couple, (ie. jobs, housing, purchases etc) have been with the goal of someday volunteering full time, working with people of a different culture.

That brings us up to today. Melissa and I have had two launch dates redirected in the last 8 years. God closed the door. We’ve prayed a lot since. What would you think, if I told you that God has opened a door for us to fulfill this goal?

Melissa and I have been invited to serve alongside some good friends, George and Stacey Palau, at “Grace Children’s Home” in Baja California (Mexico). This is a very kid friendly environment which was confirmed when we took the whole family down last December and then again in April. When our friends George and Stacy Palau leaned across the table at dinner one night, and described a serious need they had for another couple to help them with the children, building projects and general management; my heart leapt. I got nervous. “Could this be it?”, I thought.
On our drive home from Mexico, the more we thought about it, the more God confirmed it in our hearts. This was a step of faith He was calling us to. There was no writing on the wall, no audible voice from heaven; but a challenge, a “quiet” calling so to speak. Would we respond to the call of God, or brush it off as a weird coincidence during a dinner conversation and stick to business as usual? We don’t want to be the kind of people that God has to ask twice. So, after much prayer, and discussion with the kids, we’ve decided to walk through the door that has opened up for us.

We would have the titles of, “Assistant Directors”, at Grace Children’s Home; and aid in the development of 30+ boys and girls the home has been blessed with, as well as to help manage upcoming construction projects, assist teams and individuals visiting/serving at the home and the general maintenance of the facilities that are already up and running.

This will be a drastic change for us, and we desperately need your prayers. We have some challenges ahead. Specifically, we need to:
1. Sell or rent our home
2. Adjust to a new language/culture (no Chiropractic joke intended)
3. Raise the necessary monetary support

This is a volunteer position, so we are responsible to raise our own financial support while there. We have agreed to a two year commitment at the Children’s Home. As a minimum, we need to raise approximately $2000/month for living expenses, medical insurance, food and housing.

We firmly believe that sharing our experiences with as many people as possible, may encourage them to take “radical” steps of faith in their own lives; whatever that may be. If the idea of Mexico and our story has intrigued you, would you consider partnering with us? We would love to share the stories, lessons and victories with all of you. We need to hear back from you in order to do that. We also need enough supporters to commit to giving on a monthly basis, so that our support level is at or above the $2000 per month mark. In this economy, I think we would all agree that this alone would be our first great miracle. We would love to continue to share with you our journey as it unfolds over the next number of months up to our departure the first week of July 2011.

What do you think God could be calling YOU to do?? Tell us about it! We’d love to pray with you and for you as He leads you on your journey as well.

If you are ever near Mexico, consider spending some time with us there!


Blessings,

Michael, Melissa, Caleb, Sarah and Nathan Hanson

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27