Paper Dove Missions
Our Journey to the Mission Aviation Field : Justin, Anna & Liam Toews
Our purpose. Your purpose. The most important thing…
Posted on July 7, 2014
What is the point of the Christian life? You might expect us to say “missions” or “evangelism,” because we’re headed to the field one day. But we won’t.
It’s just not true.
As we move towards a life as a missionary family, and as you move forward in your Christian walk, I think we would all agree that we must keep our eyes on what is most important.
So what is most important? What is the point of our lives as Christians? Well, you probably know that we wouldn’t tell you “money” or “fame” or “success.” But we also won’t tell you “family” or “giving” or even “church.” And we already told you that it’s not even “missions,” though it seems that’s what we’re dedicating our lives to.
The point of the Christian life, now, and for all eternity, is worship.
One of our favorite quotes from a great and prolific Christian author argues this case: “Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more.” – John Piper
That is what we want. That is our goal as missionaries: to lead others to worship the One True God. On earth, and in heaven. That is what we are dedicating our lives to. The pursuit of more worship for an awesome God.
So as we look towards moving to Virginia at the end of this month to take our last step before applying for our missionary career, we remember that even though we leave behind family for a little while, and tithing for a little while (while there is no income), and our church for a little while, we can worship, and lead others towards worship, wherever we are, and with whatever we have.
Worship. Try it today. Pray to God, sing to God, thanking him, admiring him. See if it doesn’t bless you in return with a startling joy, peace in your body, and love to fill your heart. It’s our purpose. Live fully. Worship God.
– The Toews Family
Traveling Toews Tribune: #1
Posted on January 3, 2014
It’s finally time – time to start our missionary newsletter. We didn’t think it would come this soon. But there is demand. And our journey has started.
Several of you have expressed interest in following us on our journey into the mission aviation field. In times past, we would point you to our blog, Paper Dove Missions, which has grown to approximately 100 readers per story. Some great stories have gathered over 200 views. But the stories are just that – they are stories – anecdotes of our lives.
The idea for the Traveling Toews Tribune was sparked when a church, interested in supporting us, asked us to send them our regular missionary updates. It was then that we realized that we needed something that told the facts of the matter – not just the stories. And there was demand for it – right here, right now.
So here we go. The Traveling Toews Tribune will help record the facts of our missionary journey – a journey to serve the third world in the name of Jesus by flying small aircraft to help locals and missionaries. It will also be posted on the Paper Dove Missions blog.
God bless you all,
Justin, Anna & Liam Toews
Who is Giving to Christian Missions?
Posted on July 31, 2013
Who is giving to Christian missions? Friends? Family? Churches?
In my online survey of 150 Christian missionaries from around the globe, I found some interesting trends…
Read more at the link below to our sister site, Paper Dove Ministries!
http://paperdoveministries.com/who-is-giving-to-christian-missions/
We’re on the move!…
Posted on July 18, 2013
Well, folks, here we go! It wasn’t in the plans a few weeks ago, but we are moving back down to San Diego at the end of August!
I finished my Bible classes at the beginning of the month, and therefore became qualified for the missions organization we want to go with.
So what’s the next step towards the mission field?
I’ll give you a hint: it’s not exciting . . .
Saving money!
That’s the next step for us, because soon Justin will be out of the military and back in school so he can get qualified for the missions organization we want to go with. And I will be making some money freelancing, but I will have a little one on my hands.
So we calculated all the potential expenses of Justin’s school (we’re hoping to go to the School of Mission Aviation Technology in Ionia, Michigan) and came up with a number.
We also calculated how much we could save if we moved in with my parents (as they had generously offered). Same number.
It was too good to ignore.
So, to the delight of my parents, especially because Baby “L” is on the way, we are moving in with them in Scripps Ranch for a year before we zip off to Michigan!
Being in debt while on the mission field is what we’re aiming to avoid, for our sake and the sake of our future supporters.
So here we go! First move as a married couple. Hopefully this one sets a good tone for our future moves around the nation and around the world!
Our big project – revealed!!…
Posted on July 9, 2013
Today we are SO excited to reveal Paper Dove Ministries – Christian Missionary Social Media Headquarters, run by us! This ministry is an effort to share the expertise Anna has gained from her master’s thesis on the role of social media in raising funds and awareness for Christian missionaries.
It will soon be a web site with helpful content, videos, and opportunities for Skype consultations and webinars about how Christian missionaries can most effectively use social media!
Here’s our first social media tip article! Check it out!:
Your Image to the World – 5 Tips for a Better Profile Picture
I played by the rules… so now what?…
Posted on May 1, 2013
I am humbled by where I sit.
I’m in the last class of my Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program. I’ve just taken the standardized exit exam. I thought this would be it – the beginning of a new career in business – a new career. Empowered, a woman of corporate business.
Instead, it’s a bit anti-climactic.
I love how the “situation of the millennial generation” was put in an article shared with me through social media recently:
“We’re not a slacker generation, nor are we politically naïve: We were born into the fast-paced optimism of the money-happy ’80s and ’90s, only to come of age as a drawn-out, indefensible war and crippling financial crisis . . . In this world they’ve left us with, we’re not sharing shabby apartments and living on coffee-shop tips out of some blithe desire to experiment. . . . What we’re experiencing now isn’t rebellion, it’s reality — just not the reality we thought we’d be rewarded with for playing by the rules.”
It hits the nail on the head. I’ve played by the rules. I did community service, joined clubs and teams, and attained a GPA above 4.0 in high school. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from University, and now I will graduate with grades equal to Summa Cum Laude, the highest honor, for my Master’s. Yet there is no new corporate job waiting for me. I will still be working at home, for myself, making our second income off of hourly pay. Do I love it? Yes. Is it what the world expects from a Master’s level education? Probably not. The quote below explains why.
Morrigan McCarthy, mentioned in the article quoted above, is part of a project called Geography of Youth that has spent two years touring the world, documenting the opinions and lives of the millennial generation.
“In general [millennials are] much more interested in experience over material good,” McCarthy says. “That’s something that’s much easier to achieve in this economy, in this world we live in. Subconsciously we know we’re not going to be able to do what our parents’ generation did.”
Or, as another source from the article, Niel Howe, put it:
“[Millennials] look at the house their parents live in and say, ‘I could work for 100 years and I couldn’t afford this place.’”
My parents will be congratulating me on my graduation this weekend. My grandparents are flying out from the Bay Area just to see me walk. I love making them proud. I just hope they’ll understand where I’m headed next – back to the home office, and then on to the mission field. For me it’s the experience of my life, and what I can do to serve God, that will make me happy and fulfilled. And thank goodness for that; because I’m a millennial.
(Quotes from Grist’s article “Millennial medium chill: What the screwed generation can teach us about happiness” By Claire Thompson)
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.”
My toothbrush…
Posted on November 9, 2012
It’s occurred to me that I should be more mentally aware that I’m marrying a man who wants to be a career missionary. It’s a huge potential life change. But with all the wedding planning, and even with the plans to move after we’re married, everything is focused on the near-future. What about a few years later, when we might be anywhere in the world?
Then I picked up my toothbrush.
Bingo.
I am aware.
I’m aware in the little things.
My toothbrush is a passive instrument. It doesn’t buzz or have an on button like most fancy tools designed to keep our teeth white and clean these days. Just a month ago my fancy tool had died. It served me with good check-ups during its long life – but when it went to electric toothbrush heaven, its meager bristles just didn’t suffice.
As I stood in the aisles of Target, I had a choice to make. And like all Type A personalities, I needed to know which toothbrush would help me reach my life goals. One of those goals, fortunately enough, is to become my mind’s version of a practical missionary. Now, I’m not about to say that missionaries never have electric toothbrushes; but it seems that if supplies are short, you shouldn’t carry around a toothbrush that needs batteries and replacement heads in order to be effective.
Now, you must understand that to use an electric toothbrush until it’s time to leave for the mission field would be a denial of self for me. I believe that the sooner you can get used to something, the more prepared and comfortable you will be when the change is actually required. So the passive instrument it is.
I am aware in the little things.
– Anna
How do you know if he’s “the one”?…
Posted on September 4, 2012
How do you know if he’s “the one”?…
The wives of my dear cousins sat around the table with me, where a beautiful puzzle with a running herd of horses was slowly becoming whole. The topic turned to men. Both recalled when they knew my cousins were the ones they’d marry. “I just knew… You just know.” one said.
Later that night, while we were lying in bed, my youngest cousin asked me a question through the darkness – “How do you know if he’s “the one”?” (We both believe that there is no such thing as one man you are destined to marry. “The one” is a man that would be a smart choice for you to marry – one that you should continue dating and say “yes” to.)
It occurred to me that there were many men I’d dated that I honestly thought were that “one.” But with my current relationship, it has felt different. How?… When my cousins’ wives mentioned “knowing,” I believe they were referring to a feeling of quiet peace and assurance. It’s not a jumping-up-and-down type of “I know! I just know it’s him!” It’s my opinion that an over-excited feeling comes from being glad you are acheiving something through your own means and strength. Quiet peace and assurance comes from realizing that God is working in your life and blessing you.
I cannot express how grateful I am that my cousins were so curious and supportive of my possible future career as a missionary this holiday weekend. My uncle and aunt were very encouraging regarding my thesis work, and so many, including my grandfather, praised my choice of Justin after meeting him. It brought me further strength and assurance to talk to my family about the roads I’ve chosen to travel. It is so important to me that my family are also the people of God, and can help affirm that God is working in my life.
I was hoping to hear back that my survey was ready to go, but it’s taken an extra two weeks longer than I expected. My advisor is now trying to assist me in speeding things up with the survey review board. Thank you for your patience, if you are planning on taking or sending my survey!
Paper Dove Missions 