Carney's preparations for serving in South America

Thanks for checking out our blog! Here is where we'll chronicle the "learning opportunities" God provides for us as we seek His will in partnering full-time with Christian Veterinary Mission in Bolivia

20 November 2011

Thanksgiving!

It is so easy to get bogged down in all the little details of life and lose the big picture.  We are having a big picture day I think, I hope, I pray...
Today we are sitting in our snug, cozy house while it drizzles rain.  David's parents are here for the weekend and we are thankful to have them here.  David is packing up some of our sentimental trinkets from travels past to send home with them for storage.  Actually, it gets a little sad seeing our precious things go away--selling a lot and deciding what we think we can't part with.  Rifles going into storage signal the postponement of dreamed-for hunts, books being sold by the trunkload end the ideas of a future house-build, and putting away our centuries old piece of torah scroll lends certainty to our plans.
We are remembering friends and trips past and being so thankful for the blessings we have had.
We have been exceedingly blessed by relationships such as yours!  Spending a quiet weekend with family is a capstone on this busy week.
We are looking forward to spending next week with my family in Indiana.  For us to do this I must remember to thank Dr. Erica Oller and my staff for covering for me while I am gone.  I can't think of when my whole family has been together in years!!
Deo gratias!!  yes, my household is remembering our Latin nerdiness (ok, maybe just me and I am indoctrinating Caleb).  Thanks be to God!  What are you thankful for this season?
I am thankful that
             We are a redeemed people with a loving God of grace!
             The Lord has commissioned us all to share this grace and love to the ends of the world
             We are all family--sons and daughters of the living God
So, Happy Thanksgiving to our family! 
Are you up for a challenge?   Our pastor challenged us to a fast today until the end of the year (yes, while we were smelling the feast of a covered-dish we had planned).  Thankfully, it wasn't a food fast!  The challenge was to fast from complaining.  Wow!  Wonder how many of us made it home with the challenge intact?
Continue to pray for the sale of our house and progress of our plans.  If anyone wants more information about anything we are doing, contact me--how to give, how to pray specifically, how we can pray for you.
Deo gratias!  (maybe we can have Spanish for you soon...)

05 November 2011

Gearing up

Ok, I think it is finally time to start working on this blog!  First-some background on us and our calling.  David and I have now been married 9 years and are finally moving on our pre-marital desires.  That maybe didn't sound like I meant...We both independently felt a stirring in our lives to serve as full-time missionaries elsewhere prior to dating.  Hopefully we were waiting on God's timing these last 9 years, but this spring came a strong sense of unrest in our very placid and wonderfully happy lives.  Uh-oh, right?  God was moving.  It is finally time to get moving on moving!
We have been involved in various aspects of Christian Veterinary Mission (www.cvmusa.org) for 15 years, so naturally we want this family of believers to be our primary sending organization.  Ok, then, step one--partner organization: check.
If you know us, you know we have a severe travel bug, so where should we decide to settle?  We love Asian food, African animals and Latin culture (and of course all things Irish); so this has taken the most discernment for us.  At present we feel rather strongly called to Bolivia, in South America.  We have peace about this decision even in the face of some minor setbacks (more to follow, time permitting).  Great! Step 2: location: check
What will we be doing?  Hmm, that is a bit tougher.  God has gifted us both with a very diverse set of skills and things we really enjoy doing, but teaching is always first.  The hard part is figuring out if that is formal institutional teaching or backpacking 3 days to a tribe in the mountains.  Both have great promise for "rain"ing on the body of Christ in Bolivia.  If it is the latter, you won't have to endure this blog very frequently ;) So step 3: sorta check?
We are now on to steps 4-144,000.  I don't know what some of them are, but here's what you can be praying with us about for our immediate needs
  • sell the house
  • sell our junk-I mean earthly treasures
  • compile contact info for friends and supporters who want to build/maintain relationship with us
  • begin deputation process (that's the missiological word for raising support/money for project and living expenses)
There are many details to work on and much excitement about getting there and getting started.  We are claiming the Lord's faithfulness in getting us ready quickly!  Watch for more blogging with more of the personal stuff as we get through the formalities of who and what we are about.  Contact us if you have other questions or comments, ideas, encouragement and very importantly what is going on in your lives and how we can partner with you in prayer.  Love to hear from you!
Kim