Training & Transitioning

The Transition Bridge: an illustration of the transition onto the mission field, beginning with the settled and unsettled phases and moving into complete chaos before one can feel somewhat resettled and then finally 60% settled once again.

One randomly selected "family" and two single individuals journeyed across the bridge made of chairs [settled stage], rocking chairs [unsettled stage], exercise bouncy balls [chaos stage], rocking chairs [resettling], and secure chairs [new settled stage]. The family, made up of a mom and dad and two children, was linked together quite closely with hiking gear and clips because a family is a close unit and communicates in a way unique from that of the singles. Mom travels backwards because she wants to make sure her children make it safely across, and Dad wants to help out more but he cannot because of his position on the bridge. He is bringing up the rear and helping his kids across while facing his wife to communicate more easily. Sometimes the kids bounce a little, in the midst of the chaos, because it can be exciting and sometimes even fun, which puts the family off balance even more and makes Mom and Dad wonder if anything else could possibly be added to the chaos. When one family member struggles and loses balance, the whole family struggles and comes together even more than before. And if one family member falls, the whole family "falls" and must return from the field.

The two single teammates are attached by a stretchy phone cord on each end of the family and must learn that, because the family is close and concerned with the safety of one another, it can be easy for the singles to feel somewhat left out. The singles also might have to work at a slower pace if the family is working at a slower pace to avoid the discomfort of the cord's tension.

And sometimes, in the middle of the chaos, Mom will get a message from someone: "Hey, we haven't gotten a newsletter in a while." "Hey, what are you doing with the money we are sending you? Could we get an update soon?" And Mom is thinking, Um, we are in the midst of serious chaos and we are just trying to make it, but she says, "We are really busy but we are doing okay."

The supporters on the outside help the family during the transition and lift them up in prayer from "home-base," supporting them and encouraging them from off the field. While the supporters are not attached to the traveling team by a cord, they are very much essential to the team's wellbeing. The family cannot make it across the chaos phase without support.

While all of the supporters and prayer warriors and encouragers are essential to our journey, the team must realize that it is God who holds the bridge in His unmoving hands and it is God who is our true hope and strength.

Little Reminders

As we’ve just come home from Hope Fellowship’s Christmas service and feast, evident reminders of God’s calling continue to encourage me. Little giggles and hands gripping my fingers make me stop and give thanks for this opportunity. God answering my prayers and bringing kids to church that I haven’t seen since the summer. The living nativity skit during church bringing smiles and laughter. Kids stuffing their faces with potatoes and cookies. Little voices singing songs about the birth of our Savior. Laughing my head off with fifth graders. Candy canes and beads flying everywhere. You can’t love too much or be too loved on with these kids. I can’t express how grateful I am to love on these kids and spend the next part of my life on the Yakama Rez.

Here’s a glimpse of Christmas at Sacred Road.

Me and Jill

Craft time

Alma and Tatiana

Skye

Me and Daylene

Emily and Alma

A Call to Missions

Our family will head to Colorado for a month of missionary/cross-cultural training in February 2015.  This is done through Mission Training International (MTI) -- a missionary training organization that has been around for 60 years.  We will attend classes and learn practical skills to help us through the challenges and adjustments of another culture.  We are all pretty excited to see what we will learn.  I've been amazed too, at the small world of how many people we know who have either been to MTI or know someone who attended it -- all with rave reviews. 

Interestingly, the last time I was in Colorado was when I was in high school.  I attended a nationwide Christian and Missionary Alliance youth conference, called "LIFE", at Colorado State University.  Hundreds of youth from the CMA denomination attended.  There were wonderful speakers and times of worship each day.

One evening someone spoke -- possibly Morris Dirks, I don't quite remember -- and it was about the call to missions.  The message touched my heart and I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me about missions.  I went forward, prayed and told the Lord that if He ever called me into missions, I would obey and go.  I was pretty convinced that missions was going to be in my future.

Fast forward a few years later.  Darren and I were dating and I told him I thought I was supposed to be a missionary. He told me he did not picture himself ever doing that.  But he encouraged me and said, "We will serve the Lord in the church here in the U.S."  I agreed that would be good as well, but I did wonder why I had felt that strong call to missions that one night in Colorado.

When this whole idea of leaving our current life and moving to Sacred Road came up last year, one of my first thoughts went back to this night at the LIFE conference, of course.

I wrestled with it.  "Lord, you aren't asking me to go now, are you?  Things are different now.  My life feels settled and good.  We can't just pick up and go."  Hadn't that door to missions closed years ago?

Thankfully the Lord gently showed me that He was calling me now.  He reminded me that His timing and ways are different than mine.  He reminded me that He had put that seed in my heart long ago and now it was time to obey.  

I love how the Lord weaves our lives and how He knew He would be sending me back to Colorado someday -- for missionary training!  I never cease to be amazed at His goodness and perfect plan!

Floating

I've been thinking a lot about what is happening to us right now. In all areas of our life we seem to be cutting ties. I don't mean this to be a pity party. In fact, the opposite. We are in the place God wants us to be and excited to see what He does over the coming months.

At work, I've spent the last couple months calling clients, meeting with clients, and calling referral sources to tell them what we are doing and that I'm leaving VWC. Relationships I've had for years and years are ending (or significantly changing). I've spent a significant part of my life working alongside my co-workers that I won't be working with anymore. During some parts of the year I've spent more time with them than I have with my own family.

At church we feel like we are saying goodbye to everyone each week. Our brothers and sisters in Christ that we have been worshiping, praying and fellowshipping with have truly become our family.

Emily and Rachel are saying goodbye to their friends from school, co-op and church.

Susie has many friends that she scrapbooks with, met at co-ops and other homeschooling events, or as Susie is known to do, just become friends with.

Our family all lives here in the Puget Sound area. We frequently get together with them for holidays, birthday parties and just because. We've always lived close to both sides of the family. And while we will only be living 3 hours away, it's not 15 minutes.

While we've cut ties on this side of the mountains, we haven't fully established ties on the east side. We don't even know where we will be living yet.

In a sense, we are cutting ties from the world.

Floating.

Not floating in the sense of the old Modest Mouse song. Not in the sense that we don't care about life and regardless of what happens we will just keep floating on.

But floating on the power of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of God's people.

An Eternal Perspective

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I recently finished the book, The Christian Mind, by Harry Blamires. One area I would like to probe a bit more is this idea that Mr. Blamires brings up the supernatural orientation that Christians should have in their thinking.

He writes, "a prime mark of the Christian mind is that it cultivates the eternal perspective. That is to say, it looks beyond this life to another one. It is supernaturally orientated, and brings to bear upon earthly considerations the fact of Heaven and the fact of Hell. . . . The Christian mind sees human life and human history held in the hands of God. It sees the whole universe sustained by his power and his love. It sees the natural order as dependent upon the supernatural order, time as contained within eternity. It sees this life as an inconclusive experience, preparing us for another; this world as a temporary place of refuge, not our true and final home."  Pg. 67

Too often we think and act like eternity is not real. We think like all we have is the here and now.

If we think like the non-believer, the concerns over our retirement account, type of car we have or where we live take on an importance well beyond what they should. The pleasures of this life and today's circumstances take precedence over the love of God and our neighbor.

Our life right now is full of all kinds of things that take our minds off what is important eternally. Selling our house, packing and getting organized, transitioning out of my firm, trying to find a home on the Reservation. It is easy to get caught up in the uncertainty; to be anxious and try to take things in our hands. Even to begin to doubt when things don't go as smooth as we would hope.

It is also easy to get caught in all the things that we have to do and not focus life here and now. Emily going to Homecoming, our Pastor's wife that had a miscarriage and showing them love and care, taking advantage of opportunities to share the Gospel as we tell people what we are doing, speaking the truth to friends that are having marriage troubles. Life is going on around us and it is so easy to lose sight of what is important and what the Lord has before us - specifically - to do for His glory.

But then we go to church on a day like today and hear the following passages of Scripture read. A true dose of reality that helps focus perspective on life.

Preparation of Confession:  For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in mercy to all who call upon you.  Psalm 86:5

Assurance of Pardon:  We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

The Law of Christ:  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  II Peter 2:9-10

The Risk of Serving Christ

What is a risk? 

risk 
a noun: exposure to the chance of injury or loss; a hazard or dangerous choice.

Though some might say that my family is taking a great risk, I don't agree. John Piper sums up my thoughts exactly in his book, Don't Waste Your Life. 

“The tragic hypocrisy is that the enchantment of security lets us take risks every day for ourselves but paralyzes us from taking risks for others on the Calvary road of love. We are deluded and think that it may jeopardize a security that in fact does not even exist." (81)

In other words: risk is not real. Your heart could stop beating before the end of this sentence, yet you didn't think anything of opening up the link to this post. But if you were asked to travel to Africa with the "risk" of getting ebola, would you think twice? 

In my PNW History this week, I'm studying the gospel brought to the Northwest. The Spalding and Whitman's stories have been very impacting. On the day that Eliza Spalding and her husband moved onto the mission field with the Nez Perce Native Americans, she wrote, "I trust it is the love of Christ which has made me, not only willing, but anxious to promote my Master's cause among the benighted Indians. O blessed privilege to labor in the vineyard of my Savior; and point the lost and perishing to Him, for He is the way, the truth, and the life."

I don't believe that my family is taking a risk. I'm not saying I don't get scared, but I try to keep my mind on the fact that whatever happens will be God's will. The Lord has given me so much comfort as we keep moving on this journey. Even though I'm going to miss my friends here, I feel so privileged to go and serve in a place that needs Jesus.

Financial Update

After seven-plus months of fundraising it seemed appropriate to provide an update as to where we are at in this process and where we still have to go.

As it stands today, the Lord has provided pledges from many people that total 78% of our annual budget needed. Many have already started giving to the account that is set up at Sacred Road. When we add the amount of cash that is building up in this account plus the pledges, the total is almost 59% of the two year budget amount that the SRM Board requires for us to move out to the Reservation.

We think this is incredible and awesome!  We have been so encouraged by everyone that has heard our story and responded by committing to pray for us and support us financially.

I'm currently moving full speed ahead and transitioning clients at work. Engaging in many interesting and some strange conversations with clients and other professionals as I tell them what I am going to be doing. All for the glory of God, I pray.

What does this mean?  We need another 22% of our budget before we can start the process of selling our home and moving to the Reservation. It would be great to have these funds raised by the end of October so we can move to the Reservation in January 2015, go to cross-cultural training in February and come back to begin ministry in March.

If you are already supporting us financially, thank you so much.  We are very grateful.  We are really looking forward to seeing how the Lord uses this partnership in our lives, your lives and in the lives of people on the Reservation.

If you have thought about supporting us financially, we would humbly ask that you start now.  The Lord will guide you in this, we just ask that you pray about it and consider how you can be involved with us in this ministry.

If you know of someone that might be interested in this ministry, we would love to share our story with them.

We are looking for churches who would consider partnering with us as well.  If you think your church missions committee could be interested in Sacred Road Ministries we would love to be able to talk with them.

Darren, Susie, Emily and Rachel Maxfield
425-652-1910
dhmaxfield@gmail.com
maxfieldsintheshadow.blogspot.com
sacredroadministries.com

Beauty in the Brokenness

 

 After being out here on the Rez during the last team week and now this week, the Lord has done nothing but encourage and confirm his plan for us to be here. All of my doubts and worries have washed away, and it's as if they were never even there. I'm so thankful to be here and to be able to move out here and serve Christ in this way. 

He's truly helped me see all of the beauty in this broken land. I love to get down in the dirt and make crafts with these kids, to run through the sprinklers with squealing children on my back, to buy seventy loaves of bread at bakery outlets for team breakfasts, and to see these smiles every day.

Me and Hunnie



 Rida

Me, Rida, Emily, and Azie

The Future . . . Now

Susie and I have had fun the last few days.  Both girls are gone to different places so it has just been us.  Now this weekend we are over in White Swan for the dedication service of the new church building for Hope Fellowship.

While I'm not looking forward to the girls being out of the house for good, the last few days and our time tomorrow are giving us a glimpse of what life will be like in a few short years.

But before they go off to college, we'll be spending a lot of time together in White Swan.

Looking forward to the new year.

The Things of Earth are Dimming

I think some people might wonder if our family is always excited for this new adventure in life. My dad, mom, Emily and I go through a lot of worry and doubt. Here’s a bit of an example of my worry. Most of the time I try to be really positive and excited about moving, but I’ve had a hard time with it this month. I’ve just finished middle school and I’ve made some amazing friendships along the way. Sometimes I cannot even imagine leaving all of my friends and my life here. To be completely honest, my feelings constantly change about the Rez. I get really, really excited about it, but sometimes I have a really hard time with the whole idea of it. Sometimes I really feel the enemy’s arrows of doubt.

But while these arrows do not cease, I also feel the Lord strengthening me to stand secure with the shield of faith. When I have days of doubt, when I cry from worry, when I freak out from anxiety, the Lord always brings up some passage of his Word, or plants a song in my ears, or gives me some brilliant sign that comforts me.

Just tonight I was sharing with my family that recently I’ve been feeling really anxious. I was sitting in my room on the floor crying, and I just felt the urge to listen to music. I opened up my iTunes to the top charts of Christian and Gospel music, and the first song I saw was a new single from my favorite Christian artist, For King & Country. The song was called “Fix my Eyes.” I bought the song that instant, even though I hadn’t heard it yet. And just tonight, I found myself sobbing in my bedroom, brought to tears by the overwhelming encouragement and guidance from this song. These are the lyrics that really got my attention:

The things of Earth are dimming

In the light of Your glory and grace

I'll set my sights upon Heaven

I'm fixing my eyes on you

 

I’d love like I’m not scared

Give when it’s not fair

Live life for another

Take time for my brother

 Fight for the weak ones

Speak out for freedom

Find faith in the battle

Stand tall and above it all

I'd fix my eyes on you

I’ve been worrying about the things of this earth, fixing my eyes on all of the things below, and forgetting what God has planned for me. The things of earth are dimming. I have to fix my eyes on the things of God.

Pilgrim's Progress

I just finished reading a wonderful condensed version of Pilgrim's Progress by Gary D. Schmidt.   Rachel had recently read it as part of her assigned reading at her school.  When she was done reading it, she said, "Mom, you would love this book.  You really should read it."  She was right.  I could hardly put it down. 

I really think it's something every Christian should read every few years.  A great reality check of which city we might be stuck in or who we are currently taking advice from along this path of life. 

The thing I loved while I read it were the notes Rachel had written in the margins as she read through it.  Here were a few examples:

As Christian is leaving the City of Destruction, two people (Obstinate and Pliable) urge Christian to return to the City of Destruction.  Christian encourages them to come away with him to the Celestial City.  Obstinate jeers, "And leave our comforts?"  Pliable scoffs, "And our friends?"   Rachel writes in the margin, "missionary calling".  I had tears as I read this.  The Lord is calling my children too and it is by God's grace that they are hearing His voice and following. 

The various characters that Christian meets along the way to the Celestial City are so interesting to me.  One is Mr. Worldly-Wise --  at which point Rachel wrote this in the margin, "He's making Christian think that he could be happy in the world, but there is eternity to think about."

As Christian enters the Valley of the Shadow of Death he says, "But if this is the only way to the Celestial City, what choice do we have but to go through it?"  Rachel writes, "But if God has called us to do it for his glory, what choice do we have but to fulfill his will?" 

And then there are the wonderful characters Christian meets along the way....a man named Help who takes Christian's hand and helps him when fear has overwhelmed Christian in the mud and bog water.  Rachel writes, "there will be trials that will test our faith."   And then the wonderful friend, Faithful, who travels with Christian into the town of Vanity Fair.  I sometimes still find the town of Vanity Fair enamoring me here on the eastside. 

As I read, I couldn't help but think of our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who are walking alongside of us and cheering us on as we journey to Sacred Road.  Sometimes my feet stumble.  Sometimes I question if we can really do this.  Sometimes my eyes get shifted off of the Celestial City.  Just when that happens, someone grabs my hand, whispers a word of encouragement, and helps me secure my footing back to the Celestial City.  It is truly a blessing. 

I'm not sure I've ever read the full version of Pilgrim's Progress, but this version was perfect and once again, a lovely, timely example as the Lord spoke to me through it.

Thank you to everyone who has come alongside of our family.  You represent the characters Faithful, Helpful, Hopeful.  Your love for the Lord shines brightly.  Thank you for your continued prayers, words of encouragement and financial partnership.

Psalm 118:23 "This is the Lord's doing.  It is marvelous in our eyes." 



 

The Sacrifice

As I've been reflecting on the sufferings that Jesus went through for us, I have received more and more peace about my journey. As it says in Romans 8:32, "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

Why should I complain? I haven't given up anything in this life. I mean, sure, the little things. Yet God gave his one and only Son that we might have life.

"For from him and through him and to him are all things." Romans 11:36

Why should we not live our lives for Him?

"My ways are not your ways," says the Lord.

I've been thinking about our church's mission trip to White Swan this summer.  Thinking about it with a sense of irony.

I've scheduled about 8 pre-trip meetings for the team.  I'm sure I'm looking forward to them more than the rest of the team.

I'm looking forward to spending time on the Reservation.  Seeing kids like Jay, Michael, Lucas, Marcus, Skyler, Keanu.  These children made in the image of God that the world has forgotten.  Looking forward to working on a service project to show a bit of the love of Christ to a family that is beyond forgotten.  I'm actually sad that our trip goes over the 4th of July and we will only have four days of Kid's Club instead of five.

I'm looking forward to seeing the staff too.  I think of myself as one of them even though I'm not yet.  I want to share with them the good things and the bad.  I want to see how the Lord is working and using them in the lives of the Yakamas.  And to see how the Lord is working in the lives of the staff.  I pray the Lord is doing as much in their hearts as He has done in my heart the last few months.

What is so ironic is that I didn't even want to go on the last trip.  I thought I was going to spend all my time on the work team and others were going to work with the kids.  I thought I had more important things to do than that trip.

Good thing the Lord is smarter than I am.  Good thing He is faithful to those that sometimes are not faithful to Him.  Praise God.