Paper Dove Missions
Our Journey to the Mission Aviation Field : Justin, Anna & Liam Toews
I married a missionary!…
Posted on March 22, 2013
“Did you feel the Holy Spirit? It was there.”
A little more than three weeks ago, I married Justin Toews, and became Anna Lisa Toews. A new name, a new identity in Christ. Wife, future missionary. Justin’s goal is to be a missionary pilot – flying supplies and people to remote areas of the third world – all for the glory of God!
There was no mention of this on our save-the-date, invitation, or in the program. Those who knew, knew, and those who didn’t – well, they got a bit of a surprise when my Father made his toast to our missionary career! The toast was heart-warming and more than we ever expected or could have asked for.
And now I am home, learning what it means to be a military wife, future missionary, student, and business owner (Anna Lisa Toews : Graphic Design, Social Media & Business Consulting in One). The laundry and cleaning call me when I have business to attend to, and my business calls me when I have schoolwork to do. Then, lo and behold, it’s 5 o’clock! It’s time for hubby to come home . . . is dinner ready?
I am saying this to make a point that when change comes – even wonderful change – adjustment is necessary. But no matter how many adjustments need to be made, God is my one constant in life. If anything deserves my time, it is Him.
Just as our friend and mentor said, “Did you feel the Holy Spirit? It was there.” I want to be there for Him too.
Grow into your identity…
Posted on November 30, 2012
The super-important fact about pursuing missions work in your life, from Intervarsity’s blog post by Rachel Gregg:
“5. Missionaries Grow into Their Identity
“You’re not going to wake up one day and be someone you’re not already becoming,” Theresa reminds us. “You pursue Jesus and his kingdom one step at a time, every day.”
Even what seems like little things count as being missional. For example, Matt has committed to following Jesus’s example of care for others, even through what he chooses to buy:
“If we’re bringing the rule and reign of God to the world around us, that means caring about the things God cares about. It means serving and bringing dignity to people around the world through the products we consume and building relationships with the employees we come in contact with.”
Is there a local neighborhood or a distant country you can pray for while you’re still in school? Does the idea of a spring-break mission trip sound like a fun and risky step? Then you have the potential to grow into God’s mission.
No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, no matter your flaws, no matter where you live, Jesus has called you to join his mission to heal the world. No “superpowers” other than his are required.”
For sure…
Posted on January 30, 2012
It’s been a desire of my heart in the past few days to know FOR SURE if God is really calling me to mission.
But what would really occur if I knew that? Part of me, from past experience, thinks that I might feel trapped if I knew God had one single direction for my life, one single desire.
I know that God’s desire for me is this – to follow the example of his son, Jesus, to love mercy and to walk humbly with him.
A wise man once said to me that you can tell if something is God’s will if it leads you to love, joy and peace. Point of Grace, the women’s Christian band taught me, “If it’s got love, if it’s got peace, that’s the only way that I can believe it – if it leads me to the light. If it’s got joy, if it’s got truth, something that’s going to take a little faith to do, to make the pieces fit, God is in it.”
Yes, this is going to take a little faith to make the pieces fit.
Paper Dove Missions 