We Are Stepping Off A Cliff- Again
by Michael Bagby
Our school year in Nicaragua is already half over. Major strides have been made with your teachers who have spent many days in teaching sessions with Tom & Nutie, and Truman, Augusto, Onofre, and Danilo (our Miskito leadership team).
All of us are being nudged in a more spiritually focused direction, and we see some shifting of attitudes toward the works of the Lord.
All this while running our as well as our primary and secondary schools in nine communities. Your 1226 students are being educated and given spiritual direction.
After 25 years, it is refreshing to feel this “new wind” that is blowing through all the leaders, teachers, and students. And us as well!
We launch the Utila Honduras Ministry this next month of July.
We have four recent graduates of the Great Commission Bible Institute who will be coming to assist, as well as two well qualified friends from Maui.
In the photo are Whitney Johnson, who told me in 2009 that she wanted to become a "Bible Scholar". Now she is! Dustin Insley is a long time friend - we have known him since he was 5 and the son of Kim and Dave Morrel, our coffee expert who spent time at the Vida Joven farm last year. And the blond is Kate Greenway, daughter of Marilyn and Jeff Greenway, who are the missionaries who manage the Young Life minsitry in Nicaragua - and who grow our Rio Coco Bean coffee. These three are fresh off their trip to Israel with their teacher, our friend Dr Randy Smith, and are very well equipped to begin the ministry on Utila.
Together with all the members of the Bagby Family, we will have the ability to make quite the splash in these next two months.
But we are stepping off a cliff. However, this is not the first time for such a plunge. When this photo of Truman and Michael on the Kruta River in November of 1984, we did not know that we were to begin an education outreach to these refugee villages– neither of us had any experience in such things. Yet in a matter of months, we began Project Ezra which has educated ten of thousands of children and adults during the past 26 years. We still are! When Laura arrived in 1988 (photo below), little did we know that she would be learning the Miskito language and starting a child sponsorship project, and raising our four children in a remote corner of the world. We had never done any of these things before!
We were naïve and hopeful. Actually that is a good place to be when the Lord is in it. When I am faced with a new challenge, of doing something I have never done before, I am often reminded of David’s words to King Saul concerning the giant Goliath.
“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”
34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17:32-37
Not having done it is not a reason to not attempt it.
So says the experience of many men and women of God over these past thousands of years who have stepped forward in faith to God’s leading, and have accomplished things much greater than they could have themselves.
It’s because the Lord is looking for those with daring hearts who believe His Words, and have the courage to step forward into His Battle for the hearts and souls of this world.
I have had the thought at this phase of my life of the sanity of beginning another outreach project in Honduras, a long way from the Rio Coco. We have a very active project going on in Nicaragua. Remember the line between brilliance and insanity is very thin. It would be easy to sit back and make my trips to Nicaragua, and not extend myself in new, uncharted territory. That would be the “smart” thing to do. However, it is very clear that God is leading us in this direction of starting this outreach on Utila. He placed this thought in our hearts in 1995. It didn’t work the way we planned. Instead, the next thing we knew, we were working on a project in Israel, which has had a major influence on everything we do!
Now we are back to the original vision, although this time we have a great tool to reach out to the crowds of European, Israeli, American, and Australian youth who come to Utila for Scuba Diving and Fun-
A ministry of serving a good cup of coffee and using this tool for evangelism is something that we have been doing ever since we began the Rio Coco Beans in 2004. While providing lots of $$$ for the school project, it has given us quite an opportunity to talk about our favorite things– and we eventually get back to God and what Jesus has done for us.
A delicious cup of Coffee, and a story that usually turns their head, with a Lord that touches their heart.
We have no budget for this new ministry, but we do have the Lord’s direction, and faith that He will provide, just as He did this past week, when we really needed Him to show up.
Because of our good friend Lorena in La Ceiba, we have the means to get cargo to Honduras safely and at a good price. Lorena is a dear friend we have known since 1989. Our kids grew up together in La Ceiba in the 90’s. We spent a week in Honduras in May, and made plans for Lorena’s container to be shipped in the first week of June. We began purchasing all the supplies we needed for the coffee ministry, as well as the things for the outreach to the island. I calculated that we could fit everything into our van and Mikaela’s pickup truck. I didn’t realize that Laura was sending boxes full of sheets, towels, pot & pans, and things needed for the team house that we have leased for this next year. We made plans to meet Lorena on Thursday at the warehouse in Miami.
I took out the seats in the van, and packed the car utilizing almost every cubic inch. We loaded Mikaela’s truck, and there was still many boxes in the garage. I realized then the extent of Laura’s cargo. I was happy she was thinking ahead, but it created a “situation”. I was sweaty and tired, and we decided to rent a U-Haul truck. None were available that day, and we were perplexed as to what to do. It was then that my friend Peter called, asking me to remind him what we had ordered to eat last week at the Thai restaurant. He wanted to get the same lunch special.
Coincidence? Hardly! I asked Peter if he had a truck that we could use. “Yes I do” he replied. It was the dual axle truck that he uses to pull a horse trailer. We relaxed, and rescheduled the trip to Miami for the next day. That evening, we went to pick up the truck, and I noticed a trailer sitting next to the barn. “May I borrow your trailer” I asked. Peter said: “I don’t know whose trailer that is, but since it is here it must be mine. So yes, use it.”
The next morning, we loaded all the cargo in that truck and trailer. Since it was a double cab truck, we all road together, taking only one vehicle on the three hour trip to Miami rather than three!
God did provide! We are stepping off a cliff but God is there to provide. It is an adventure!
Yes friends, I hope that I never get to the place where I am not willing to step where God is calling, even if it means taking risks, and placing ourselves in uncomfortable situations.
We are stepping off a cliff. Come join us! Pray for us! Come to work with us! Please continue your support of the Bagby Family. It is a phase of the life adventure that God whispered in our ears over 16 years ago, and is now bringing to pass. We are going where no Bagby has gone before. It is a new phase for Seek The Lamb. We are expecting miracles, and many souls saved and discipled. We know that God has plans beyond our own.
Pray for the courage we need to proceed! There are many obstacles. There is a reason why God told Joshua four times in the first chapter of the book of Joshua to be Strong and Courageous when he entered the land of Israel.
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Lamb Bleatings By Laura Bagby
Life is full of moments that chalk up to memories that last in our hearts and cause our minds to dance with joy or melt in sorrow. Our lives of adventure have had extremes of both. Michael and I have chosen a life of faith…intentional choices of obedience that daily involve dying to our own lives in order to implement His. It has meant being a part of the lives of Miskito Indians from Honduras & Nicaragua for more than twenty years by faith and by the generosity of your efforts and sacrifices. It has demanded thousands of dollars on a monthly basis to pass through our hands for the purpose of discipling leaders and educating thousands of children through “Project Ezra”. We are truly grateful for many of you who have been on our walk of faith since the beginning. You will share in His eternal rewards.
Adventures of faith cause our spirits to soar high and deep and always bring us closer to the heart of God. Such faith brings with it Hope and causes our hearts to love more deeply the One that we serve. It draws out the best in us and the worst in us. We have few dull moments because they are full of relationships and opportunities in many parts of this earth.
In reference to his newfound walk and adventures with the Lord, our friend Dustin commented his mother : “You can’t make these things up, mom.” Dustin just completed a nine month study of the Bible with Dr. Randall Smith at the Great Commission Bible Institute. He is now a bonafide Bible scholar like our friend, Whitney Johnson, who also completed her study with GCBI. She had informed us in 2009 on Maui that one of her life goals was to become a “bible scholar”. Mission accomplished for them and others who just came back from Israel a couple of days ago. The students went through a rigorous nine month training through the Bible and they completed their “Final Exam”- writing the story of the Bible in their own words citing each of the 66 books. We attended the graduation last Sunday. It was a moment worth celebrating because we have seen incredible life changes in many of our friends as they make the transition from “normal” wide-road living to a narrow road of true life and the actual acting out in faith for a bonafide adventure…the kind of “ride” that we can never control or make up.
No reality show or action packed grandiose movie competes with the reality God gives to a person who willingly relinquishes their life for His. The ride of faith involves moment by moment decisions and hard made choices that frequently go against the normal grain of our world and even fellow believers. More often than not, it also goes against our own conveniences, comfort and will. Choosing comes with the gift (or curse?) of “free will”.
Of late, I have noticed that great people that accomplish great things are often people that have disciplined themselves toward a life full of day to day consistent behavior which is displayed in their mentality that says, “I will get the job done.” After their choice is made, they proceed onward to accomplish what they decided with a host of actions that lead them to the goal. I have watched Michael accomplish the impossible. He is a man of action and lots of faith. He sees the invisible and has been learning the art of bringing various visions to reality. It is radical being married to a man that has so much to accomplish in one life time. The world is small to me and my life is humongous…it is the narrow way, but I like it.
I believe we are on our third life time…another faith journey that pulls in all the elements of our combined giftings between Michael and I, our four children and many of our dear friends. About 16 years ago, Michael and I had a vision that began on the island of Utila, Honduras. We met our friends Troy and Edith and believed that God had a calling on their lives. We wondered if God was brewing up a church for the nations. Many divers from all over the world gathered on this little rock to get certified or simply to enjoy a raw environment & island living.
In 2002, we went on a trip with Craig & Kathy Englert, our pastors on Maui to Europe. Kathy provided “Buddy Passes” and we flew First Class! On one day, we found ourselves in the old cathedral in Toledo Spain- a grandiose monument to God built in the 12 century, but now turned into a “tourist attraction”.
It took us a while to find it as we walked around it before we discovered it was always right behind us!
Michael asked, “Craig, what would you do if you had this church?” We proceeded to talk about serving people coffee, giving them the opportunity for prayer with some worship band playing in the back.” Michael and I later prayed that God would use us to fill these empty “museums” up with people glorifying God once again and that each one of the huge monuments created and designed to worship God would get back to that very purpose for which it was made.
A few days later we were in Luxembourg visiting Michael’s old school, when we ran into a group of YWAM guys who were singing in the “Place d’ Armes” in the city center. It gave me hope that God was definitely doing something in those parts of the world. We took the YWAM young people to a place for coffee and some sweet fellowship time. It was a moment because God gave us hope that indeed He was doing “something” bigger than our own thoughts and desires.
In 2008, we wanted to go and see our friends, Troy and Edith again. It had been ten years. Michael and I went to Utila and had a sweet time with Troy. Edith was in the states, God rekindled our relationship and Troy invited us back again. We took a dive course with our children and had many opportunities to share our faith with the dive instructors, workers, waiters, locals, and internationals from all over the world. It was the best…Jesus over coffee and dessert. We shared about true living relationship with Jesus to many and all those we seem to encounter seemed opened to sharing, hearing and listening. It was beautiful.
We then took our family back with a couple of our friends and really asked Jesus if He wanted us to open up our coffee shop ministry on Troy and Edith’s premises. “Yes”, was the reply. We encountered more opportunities of sharing and an equal amount of challenges. Nevertheless, we were committed and believed God was moving us in that direction. We jumped off the cliff once again and the pace is fast. God has been showing up on many levels and in many ways.
We will be receiving our first formal team to aid the process of setting up the Rio Coco Café’ ministry on Utila for the purpose of relational evangelism (over a cup of coffee/shakes/tea, paddle boards, or snorkel gear) and discipleship. Each of us will be prepared for the sharing of our faith….hearing “their” story, telling our story and then His story. We have yet to speak with disinterested travelers…the fields are white and ready for harvest. Anyone with a testimony from God will be effective. We are excited to see all that He does. We need Him and your prayers big time. The road has been rough and draining, but God has been faithful to continue to do His part. We are doing our due diligence in the process and seeing His results. Yet there are many more needs in this process to be met and desire to give you the opportunity to be involved with us in this adventure of eternal magnitude.
Some have asked us to be specific so in my effort to do my part so in order for you to do yours… Please pray for these necessities:
1. A Mission House located between two dive shops (one of our main mission field: divers/travelers) We hope to offer events for the community as well. This house (two bedroom/bath) and waterfront lot to build on is being sold for $225,000 and the owner is willing to sell it to us for 200,000 and the owner has agreed to rent it to us with the option to buy it within a year (permitting all the rent to be applied to purchase) We believe this is from the Lord and would love to have some “time sharing” investors like you along for this ride. We believe this mission will happen by the ministry of many who come and go.
2. Sound System and Video Projector for music and worship and movie evangelism night.
3. People to help with the construction of the service area and dock.
4. Golf Cart, mopeds, or anything for island transport
5. Your idea’s, giftings, resources and talents to be used to reach this community both local and abroad.
Please take the time to pray for what your involvement may be in this work of eternal significance. It may change your life as you partake of this faith adventure with us. Dustin Insley will be our onsite manager/missionary, with our other Bible Scholars Whitney Johnson, Micah Olsen, and Kate Greenway, and Alex Ebernate and Tehani Gangini from Maui. Please pray for their support and opportunities to do the work of the King. Laura
Making Donations to Seek The Lamb
We have great opportunities for investment in the Kingdom of God. If you would like to help this month, we would be very grateful to receive your donation.
Please click on this secure link to Make a Differance in the lives of many this month
For donations to help us launch the Utia ministry, please use the "General Fund" category.
The Bagby Bunch Corner
We find our lives being filled with opportunities to grow spiritually. I notice that we either learn by example, or learn by instruction. I told a friend recently that I have enough scars on my hands that I am very careful around knives, and power tools. Consequences teach me lessons. God continually puts us in situations where we can follow Him, or do what we like. I am finding from my reading of John 14 and 15 that my obedience, and “abiding in His Words” will result in levels of His Presence, His Leading, His Fruit, The Holy Spirit, and Joy in my life. It is worth a read to see how Jesus connects our obedience to these important elements of daily living. Hopefully this critical season of our lives will be one of hearing Him, and Actively Following Him. I pray that for my children, and all of you who are reading this.
One of the lessons that we are learning is how to better manage His Resources. We have more opportunity for our “marketplace ministry” and implementing our strategy of a ministry that is partially sustained by a local business.
This is the current “hot ticket item” spoken of at mission conferences around the world. It is a Biblical model that Paul used, and we are involving our family in many aspects of the ministry/business model.
It is good to be challenged– at least that is what I tell my kids– although I don’t really like to be challenged myself! Hey, I am inherently a lazy guy!
Mikaela is the champ at roast and packaging coffee.
Lukas is becoming a carpenter.
Arielle is the supreme foam milk and espresso coffee maker.
Moselle continues to be the consummate salesman and technical expert. She IS my daughter after all.
And lets not forget the lettuce crop of this spring! We had quite the crop!
We thank you all for being with us in this adventure. We value your prayers!
Laura & Michael
June Coffee Club Call!
We know that many of you do drink Rio Coco Bean coffee . We also know that you want it at the very best price!
So Join the Arielle & Moselle Coffee Club!
Here are three Very Good Reasons why you should join the Arielle & Moselle Coffee Club.
1) 10% off our retail prices!
2) Free Delivery for orders over $50!
3) A free gift for signing up.
4) A monthly letter from Arielle and Moselle explaining many things you need to know about coffee, life, etc.
Sign up is simple– just call Arielle and she will take your order and payment information. She will discuss the free gift options, and take your payment information. You can change or cancel anytime!
Call Arielle right now @ 772-766-6033!
Or you can place your order for Rio Coco Beans Coffee by clicking here!
complexions. And it doesn't help that most traditional acne skin care products are completely ineffective at preventing and healing pimples.
Posted by: Nike outlet | July 15, 2011 at 02:14 AM
allégations présidents en Afrique secrètement payé de l'argent aux primaires personnalités politiques françaises comprennent pas si longtemps, a éclaté en aux médias de base. Néanmoins ils veulent bits invité de choc à ceux qui semblent adhérer à ce que les enseignements fréquemment associée à des interactions tortueuses qui concerne la région de Venise et les gouvernements du Sud dans le Sahara., [url=http://www.uggsoldes2011.com/]soldes 2011[/url] , des rumeurs non confirmées connecté avec ce genre de négociations se circulé fréquentes. Néanmoins, cette remarquable notamment au sein de l'offre de valeur ainsi que des domaines liés à la magie des paiements lucratif formule:. Vante faite par Robert Bourgi, agent causal sur les affaires en Afrique pour vous de chef Nicolas Sarkozy - sont généralement fraîches, [url=http://www.uggsoldes2011.com/classic-argyle-knit-5879-wholesale-6.html]Classiques Argyle Knit 5879[/url] , que les gens de chiffres France politique connu que dans les allégations originales ajoutez-nous le président Jacques Chirac, le précédent Excellente ministre Dominique de Villepin et aussi l'esprit ancien de l'extrême-droite Le Bash Pays large front, Jean-Marie de la mettre par écrit. Tous complètement rejeté le projet de loi se Bourgi a, plusieurs se confronté à poursuivre pour diffamation.
Posted by: soldes 2011,、classic argyle knit 5879 、classic argyle knit 5879, | September 16, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Das biologische Mutter und Vater mit Zahra Baker Elisa Baker, dass Stiefmutter wem die Verantwortung für Sie zu verhindern, zusammen mit zerstückeln th plädierte bat [url=http://www.botasugg2011.com/]botas ugg[/url] , Behinderte North Carolina gal, um sicher, dass sie die Position von der Mehrheit mit Zahra ist verbunden weiterhin. "Ich freue mich Sie null authentischen Gerechtigkeit für Zahra bestimmt haben", erklärt Emily Deitrich, dieses Mädchen die biologische Mutter, die durch Fragen bewegt heraus zu überprüfen Elisa Baker Verurteilung. "Ihre Existenz schien von in Betracht gezogen werden einfach die bösen Egoismus ... Component zu Zahra bleibt da draußen zu sein ... Was genau ich wirklich brauche, um zu sehen ist Zahra angesichts der Würde zusammen mit Wertschätzung Ihre Geliebte verdient." [url=http://www.botasugg2011.com/ugg-classic-mini-5854-boots-wholesale-7.html]UGG Classic Mini 5854 Stiefel[/url] : "Wenn, wann immer sie wollen, dass Sie sah wirklich nach Zahra, stellen Sie sicher, sagen uns, wo wir feststellen konnten nicht mehr mit Zahra ist verbunden bleibt damit sie für Sie zu Mehrheit genommen werden", erklärt Zahra Daddy zusammen mit Elisa Baker Ehemann Adam Baker.
Posted by: ugg Ultra Tall 5245 | September 16, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Il vostro cane antagonizzata che Royal irlandese Constabulary intorno al 1886, mentre ha criticato la gestione con le rivolte Belfast. Il vostro cane si avvicinò anche direttamente in conflitto quando si usano gli industriali della città, quando ha offerto mestieri-gente protezione ai sensi della legge una posizione che lo ha messo di probabilità utilizzando signor Edward Harland che sembrava essere intervistatore più significativi di Belfast. Liberarsi Circa 1891 che a distanza di Belfast MP è la tua vita è migliorata in eterno se la polizia dato la vostra garanzia per ottenere la sua / il suo arresto pubblici., [url=http://www.jacketebay.com/products_all.html]Tutti i Prodotti[/url] , il tuo cane sembrava essere un prezzo con atto dispositivo riguardo indecenza schifo con i maschi adulti sulla sua / la sua residenza Ormeau rotta e anche all'interno di un centro metropoli del luogo di lavoro della città. Un ufficiale di polizia è andato sempre che la Gran Bretagna per voi intervistare occupazione questo politico, ma questa persona non poteva essere scoperto. Parlamentare che ha latitante per voi in Italia e anche in Portogallo insieme a poco a poco visitato questo Paese ove l'individuo è diventato un predicatore nuova corsia di Brooklyn., [url=http://www.jacketebay.com/]giubbotti Moncler[/url] , De Cobain finalmente tornato casa presto dopo 24 mesi per quanto riguarda l'esilio. Semplicemente, di cui passo, lui / lei era stato gettato fuori del vostro Ordine calce e venivano espulsi sulla casa che coinvolgono Comuni.
Posted by: jlp365 | September 17, 2011 at 12:37 AM
GM è stata la prima in A pochi Detroit per realizzare accordo con tutte le UAW. Chrysler può benissimo essere fino a venire, così come Ford, esattamente dove il progresso molto poco è stato fabbricato in, [url=http://www.bootsebay.net/]Ugg Australia[/url] , trattative finora. La UAW rilasciato il contratto di GM è sufficiente appena a destra dopo undici pm EDT Fri, una volta aggiuntivi rispetto con il tasto 2 o 3 settimane che coinvolgono a porte chiuse contrattazione. Il personale ha avuto modo di votare la preparazione prima del finirà per prendere conseguenza. Leader di mercato dell'Unione da complessi industriali in giro negli Stati Uniti capita di essere dovrebbe entrare a Detroit Mercoledì a leggere che i punti in modo da poter descrivere queste persone per aiutare i clienti. Il voto in realtà è probabile che entro dieci giorni., [url=http://www.bootsebay.net/products_new.html]Nuovi Articoli[/url] , "Abbiamo fatto ricorso a qualsiasi regime per risolvere i problemi inventiva arrivare ad un accordo che soddisfa i requisiti attuali per quanto riguarda i lavoratori e anche i ruoli di internet business relativi alla realizzazione di lunga durata", riferito Cathy Clegg, leader vice-GM per quanto riguarda le associazioni di fatica.
Posted by: stivali donne | September 19, 2011 at 01:25 AM
Il risultato effettivo può essere un 12-track, omonimo disco che ha un audio di utenti del vostro gruppo esprimere non può essere , [url=http://www.bootsebay.net/]Ugg Australia[/url] , ambientato in qualsiasi tipo di certo tipo. Leggenda Jagger era stato messo insieme a tutti gli Stones Proseguendo con collaborazioni gioco efficace, ma lui o lei dice, non quella associata che può essere rispetto alle competenze suo insieme superpesanti., [url=http://www.bootsebay.net/boots-donne-wholesale-34.html]stivali donne[/url] : "Ogni periodo si ottiene proprio sala, nonostante la presenza di persone identiche, è semplicemente perché diverse persone costruiscono numerosi oggetti. E 'assolutamente stato lo sforzo più affascinante. In tutta onestà è stato semplice. E' assolutamente non era così difficile, semplicemente perché abbiamo ottenuto gli elementi subito. Stai davvero poco incoraggiato, "questa persona ha affermato.
Posted by: stivali donne | September 24, 2011 at 12:30 AM
Hi ,thanks for this post.
******The job market is constantly moving and growing and if HR professionals are not on top of this movement they and their company can be doomed. As second city alum and HR professional, I've always advocated for basic improv training not just in hr, but for all professionals in general.
Posted by: Justin Bieber Shoes | November 03, 2011 at 01:44 AM