S {Sacrifice}

I have sat and looked at the blinking cursor for a long time thinking about what to say. I have very mixed emotions about this subject. I know, I could have chosen something else, but it's a topic I've skirted my way around, and now it's staring me in the face.

As amazing as this God-sized journey has and will continue to be...as fun it is to think about the things we will see and do, the people we will meet...there are people here, many people, making sacrifices.

Yes, we're leaving the comforts of "home"...a supportive, loving church family, my ultra super comfy bed, pretty reliable electricity and internet connection...Dr. Pepper and Starbucks.  My kids are giving up chicken nuggets, seeing the occasional snow fall, ice cream and they'll be one of the last to know about the latest trends as teens. And I know it all sounds crazy when you start listing it, but it's okay. If it wasn't God calling us to do this, I assure you, we wouldn't be okay. There wouldn't be a peace that passes all understanding.

Our financial partners are making sacrifices every month to help us do this work. Some have given up eating out as much or waiting to buy that "big ticket" item they've been eyeing so they can support our role in Bible Translation. They're committed to making a monthly sacrifice and there are not enough words to express how grateful we are. Our prayer is that we can one day soon show you the difference you are making in the lives of the Bibleless people in Papua New Guinea.

Our prayer partners who are on their knees praying over us for protection, good health, unity in our marriage, my children, the people we will come in contact with...how do I say thank you? I can't, but I hope you will be encouraged by the things you read here knowing that your prayers have been answered.

Our friends...some understand, some don't. I realize not everyone gets what we're doing. I just want people to understand that this is bigger than us. This is God. This is eternity. This time on earth is brief, but eternity...can we grasp that concept? Even though our times of late night laughs and hour long phone calls will be limited, what is forever? **cue Smitty's 'Friends are Friends Forever'** Seriously though...I've cried countless tears over saying "so long for now" to some of the best cheerleaders Team Brewer has...my dearest sisters in Christ.

And when I haven't cried over my friends, I've shed even more tears about leaving our families. We are inconceivably blessed with parents, grandparents, brothers and their awesome wives that love the Lord. Because of that, they have supported us through this entire process (after the initial shock that this was really happening!) I recently read something that said the true heroes of mission work are the families left behind. They're the ones that have to sacrifice not seeing their grandchildren grow up. They're the ones praying earnestly for safety, sending care packages and counting down the days til furlough. There will be birthdays missed of sweet nephews and nieces...holidays with empty seats...

How do I justify any of this? The giving up my things, trading in my wants...saying goodbye...the tears...the sacrifice?

There are over 340 million people that have never heard of about the saving grace of Jesus Christ in their own heart language. Jesus...the One that died for me...the One who was beaten, bloodied and then sacrificed His life on the cross...so I could live with Him for eternity.

Our role in all of this is incredibly small compared to the cost that was paid on the cross.

We've got nothing to give back to Him except ourselves.