We are at War

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. -James 1:2-5

This passage of scripture would summarize our experience over the last couple months at Grace Children’s Home.  Aren’t you glad that promise is not conditional on our performance or intelligence?  It’s only dependent on our posture and our call out to God for help.  Over the last several months we Hanson’s have experienced some of our greatest staffing and health challenges ever since coming to Mexico.  At the same time, God comes through with just enough grace, healing and encouragement to keep us going.  This season has been difficult for our whole family to say the least.  An old pastor friend (Frank Gobel) called us this last weekend to encourage us and pray for us.  He said that he was sure our struggle was a spiritual battle.

What do you think you would see if God parted the veil and instantly revealed a view into the unseen spiritual world?  Would you see a bunch of fat babies with smiles and wings sitting on puffy clouds six feet off the ground playing harps?  If you don’t know, I’ll tell you now; that is NOT what you would see. 

I’ve often wished I was a better artist.  I have had a picture in my mind for a long time of what my best angel friend would look like.  He would be about seven and a half feet tall and as wide as a truck.  He would have a 150 pound double edged sword drawn, with his hands ready on the hilt and the point in the earth.  His helmet would be dented and slightly deformed from the many blows he’s resisted.  He would be bowed on one knee before Jesus with a broken nose and a grave scared face staring intently at Jesus waiting for his next mission.  He would be bruised, battered and bleeding.  He would be a warrior who fights every day.

I think any view into that world that we cannot see, yet experience every day would reveal many things to us.  We would then have an accurate understanding of the spiritual battle that is currently taking place for the souls of mankind and the war against God’s plan and his saints.  This glimpse would be life altering.  Motivating.  If you have ever stretched out in faith in your mission to fulfill God’s plan, then you know what I’m saying is real.

I love the fact that the war is already won with Jesus sacrifice and resurrection, and all we are doing now is battling it out for God’s chosen survivors.  However, make no mistake, our enemy and his minions are fierce, fighting to their deaths, because they know that they have nothing more to lose.  For them, all is already lost.  All they are doing now, is trying to gain more souls to share their misery for eternity.  That is the dismal reality.

We are so grateful to those who remember to pray with us as we fight together against evil strongholds in the lives of our children and families.  Thank you for praying against complacency and apathy for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Continue to pray for those you know, who are in the midst of “trials of many kinds”.  Prayer is our most powerful offensive weapon, because it is not only us doing the work.  When we pray, God moves.  We don’t always know how or why He chooses to do what He does; but He only moves and always moves in ways to advance His kingdom by saving the souls of men.

Thank you for your prayers, and may God richly bless you.

The Hanson Family

Daddy Trap

Hello All, it’s been a while.

My wife and I have started the habit of doing our daily devotions together in the morning. I found an app for my Ipod called “Bible.is”. It’s a bible program that also has an audio version available when I’m within WiFi reach. Pretty cool. There is also a website available (www.bible.is) that enables you to read or listen to various translations. So each morning, before the kids get up we listen to the Bible together using the reading schedule from www.lifejournal.cc.

Recently we were listening to the book of Exodus and ran across the account of Moses sons. As we thought about it, my wife and I both had the same question in our heads. “What happened to Moses sons?”

Well, we started doing a bit of internet research since we were already at the computer. A few interesting things came up and we ran across an article written by a Rabbi with the following title, “Moses: A neglectful parent?”. As we read through the article, sadness crept over me as I saw a pitfall I could end up in. In summary, Moses was so focused on his God given mission, Joshua and the sons of Aaron (the priest) that his own children just dropped off the radar into the pages of mediocrity. What a bummer! Joshua and the priests are great, but his own kids don’t even do anything worthy enough to get mentioned again. Moses’ children experienced a different kind of “Passover”. This seemed like an all too real scenario most of our families experience today. Dad puts out 110% at work, only to find out he hasn’t invested in his own children who now completely rejected his lifestyle and feel unable to measure up to his “success”. Again, not only do they not even try, the completely reject Dad’s lifestyle or ministry. Ouch. Success?

So, my challenge to you Dad’s is, would you be willing to sacrifice your career for the sake of your children? Would you be willing to invest the lion’s share of your savvy and skill into your relationship with your wife and kids to propel them forward? Do you think God would be pleased with this decision? I would venture to say that if we put this kind of effort into our marriage and children, not only would He be pleased, but He would bless you for it. You may not have the biggest house on the block, but you be the storing up treasure in heaven (that lasts forever).

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

"..Do not Fear.." a Simple but Difficult Command

As we focus on the birth of Christ at the close of 2011, I'd like to share with you a scripture I read one morning.  The passage is speaking of Joseph, Jesus Step Dad.

                    “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, Son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in here is from the Holy Spirit.” Mat. 1:20

          Sometimes God will birth a vision inside of us directing us to something new, challenging or dangerous.  But a heavenly messenger greets us with the same line almost every time, “Do not fear”.  I think fear is a very normal response to the call of God.  Keep in mind that Joseph was in right relationship with God, he could hear God's voice.  As he (and we) move forward with these God sized challenges and visions you can count on some bumps along the road.  Doubt, reason and anxiety all call us back to a safe place.  As we sit in our fear considering whether to obey God's call or not, remember who called you.  God did not call us to failure.  God has an end result that He will accomplish, He gives you and I opportunity to work together with Him to accomplish His purpose.

          God has encouraged us during our journey; through the Scriptures, through people and through life's circumstances.  May God bless you with dreams, visions and calling this Christmas season.

Here are some updates and prayer requests:

• A new recreation center is under construction at Grace Children's Home!
•  Michael has started meeting with our interns once a week for study and instruction (We're reading “Radical”).
• God has brought us another homeschool co-op that is awesome!
• Please pray for wisdom and provision in the new projects under way.
• Pray that we'll demonstrate Christ's love in all we say and do.
• Pray for continued provision and protection.

“For our God will do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us”. (Eph. 3:20)

¡Feliz Navidad! (C'mon, sing the song....you know you want to.)

The Hanson's

Ps.  As we near the end of the tax year, we'd love to be an outlet for that last minute charitable donation tax write off you are looking for.  We have special projects at GCH and a need for monthly supporters.  Thank you for your consideration.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, you made it through Thanksgiving, Black Friday and now Cyber Monday. It seems like our retailers these days have a name for any day in which lots of our money flows through their stores.

We had a great weekend down here. My folks came down (Dennis and Ida) and we had some friends in from the Scotts Valley area; Dave and Ruth Diepersloot with their two kids. Ruth and my Mom each cooked a turkey. We invited our landlords over, and all of us ate together in our rented home. It was awesome. We all ate like it was going to be our last meal and had a wonderful evening.

On Friday night a team from Westgate Church prepared a Turkey dinner for the kids in the home to enjoy and we were invited too. After the meal we had an opportunity to say what we were thankful for. It was awesome hearing what the kids had to say. When it came to my turn to share, I was literally speechless. I had no idea what to share. The Lord and you all have been so good to us. As corny as it sounds it was hard to be specific because there are so many things.

I wanted to acknowledge your sacrifice and share our gratitude to you, our supporters.

We have been so blessed down here and have had so many wonderful surprises. Like the church we attend, our fellow missionary neighbor Barb Jackson, the Fruin family, my surf buddy Jeff Johnson, Scott Wester a friend I graduated high school with is now the new director of field operations within Yugo, and all the GCH staff and ministry partners. What a crew. The Lord is at work in Mexico as evidenced by his hand of blessing on the ministries represented by all these people. People are coming to Christ down here nearly every weekend in our church. It is fantastic what God is doing.

Hearing the kids speak at the home that evening was a good reminder of the many things I have to be thankful for. Almost every one of the children at GCH mentioned they were thankful for their “family”. Some said they had never had a family before.

Thanksgiving stirs many things in all of us. But I think the point is to show gratitude. Gratitude to our Maker, as well as those who are around us.

Thank you for the opportunity to be here. Christmas is coming!

Blessings,

The Hanson's

Surprise!

I think we’ve discovered one of the biggest shocks all rooky missionary families realize when they settle into their mission.  I think we all discover that life “out on the field” is the exact same as it is at home!  I’ve been told this by missionary’s for 15 years; but never believed them.  Now that we’ve here I see they were right.  I assumed everything would seem more spiritual, more full of joy, more “intentional”.  And you know what?  It can.  However, it’s no different than at home.  As I was reading Luke 6 this morning, as these thoughts came to me.

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This scripture has inspired a renewed desire to bless those who are around me by giving freely.  What do I have that the Lord has not provided?  Has God provided these things for my benefit alone?  As my brother (Christian Brother) Russ has always told me; “You don’t need to move anywhere to serve the Lord”.  So, there you have it; it’s the same.  I think that’s great news.  Any and all the blessings from the Lord that I have access to down here in Mexico, you have access to back home.

Isn’t it exciting to think that God is pleased to pour out abundant blessing and life on us in order that we can bless those that are around us?!!  Who loses on that deal??  The answer is, there is only one group that loses.  The ones who reject the Lords blessing by rejecting him are the only people that lose.  These perks of blessings are only available to seekers/followers.  The only scary part is kick starting the process.  God doesn’t need any encouragement, he needs to see obedience and sacrifice before he’ll start the process.  The fact is, he has already started the process of blessing.  We (typically or at least speaking from myself) just haven’t given enough away yet.  We need to empty our pockets of what we possess.   Then God will refill them with true riches and blessing.

We just recently hosted a team from Santa Cruz Bible Church (our home church).  What a blessing to be with friends and loved ones again.  We spent every waking moment we could with them just enjoying being around them.  They gave sacrificially and will be blessed for it.  It was strange seeing them off a few days later watching them leave as we stayed.  So many times we’ve gone home with them.  They are like family.  We miss them already.

I have yet to find a passage in the Bible were one of his saints comes up short when fulfilling his will.  God has always provided.  Be encouraged; the Lord is watching and waiting.

Blessings,

The Hanson’s

Now that we are here.....

Disappointment-

You are probably afraid that I’m referring to the Lord’s provision.  Rest assured; I’m not.  I’m referring to myself and how I am responding at times with my attitude.  You know, I think most of us assume that when we reach our goal (whatever that may be) that we’ll be automatically happier and more resilient under stress and pressure.  You’d think there’d be some benefit to finally reaching the “end of your rainbow”.

Melissa and I have had this goal (serving cross culturally) for a long time; over ten years.  I just assumed I’d be happier, less grumpy and overall a “jolly well big fellow”.  Turns out I’m just as grumpy as I was back home.  Furthermore, all the bad little things within my character that I hadn’t dealt with back home, got bigger down here.  It turns out that I’m the same as everyone else, and respond the same way as most people do to a big move in ministry.  So much for being Super Spiritual.  So, one of the lessons are, deal with your “junk” when you realize it.  Don’t put it off for a rainy day.

Melissa and I have been reading a great book and it’s been helping us clarify a number of things as well as our goals down here in Mexico.  It turns out in my own mind I had devalued our administrative role down here which lead to other negative attitudes.  Our admin role will offload our visionary bosses and grow the ministry.  Melissa and I are growing the ministry indirectly; which is an important role.  I guess I forgot that for a couple minutes J.  I’ll be responsible for the management of the vehicle fleet; and Melissa and I together will facilitate the work the short term teams will be engaged in while here.  Melissa is also going to be doing some health screenings and fitness classes as well as helping the kids with homework at night.  She’s busy!  But she loves it.

Secondly, we are going to start a discipleship program with the children from Grace Children’s Home (GCH).  We are going to call it “Camp Out”.  It will be on Friday nights, sometimes at our home; other times somewhere else.  Our hope is to do some fun stuff like camping etc but also have a time where these young people can connect with us or other mentors individually in a small group setting so we can get some issues young people face out on the table.  Yep, small groups; that’s what we are going to try to facilitate here.

Please continue to pray for us as we get into the swing of things down here and move past “transition mode”.  Home schooling is going great but can be a challenge at times.  Pray for Melissa and the kids as they work on their education together.  Pray for the spiritual development of our family.  We’ve switched churches and cultures and that stuff just doesn’t happen automatically.

Today was Sarah’s birthday.  We crossed over the border last night and stayed with our cousins in San Diego (The Linde's).  We went to the Zoo today and had a blast just relaxing and staring in amazement at God’s creativity in our animal kingdom.  What a blessing.

Thank you for praying for us and/or supporting us financially.  It is such a blessing to be here and the ministry can be so full of joy and encouragement as we try to bless others.  Thank you so much for partnering with us!

Blessings,

The Hanson’s