John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.  8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish. 


Friday August 22nd 2014 was my last day at work with General Dynamics, and my first official day as a missionary on “support”.  With the deadline of September 18th looming for our departure date, I knew that I had to leave – now.  With only a couple of weeks left we had to focus on closing loose ends and raising all of the financial support we could before we leave.

Just like Peter, I saw Jesus and jumped.  We are still deficient on monthly support, but have enough along with other money raised to at least get started.  At some point you just have to go for it.  God is calling and ultimately He will provide.  It is kind of like skydiving – you know the parachute is on your back, but there is always this uncomfortable uncertainty until it actually opens.

I can relate to Peter, especially his deficiencies.  He denied Christ (after proclaiming so boldly that he never would), faltered in his faith after walking on water, tried to talk Christ out of being crucified – just to name a few.  If you would have taken a snapshot of any of these events it would have been easy to pass heavy judgment against Peter, but if you contrast these events with the whole of Peter's life a different story would unfold.  

Peter, empowered and filled with the Holy Spirit, shared the gospel so boldly and effectively that great multitudes were saved and abandoned everything to follow Christ.  Peter eventually followed his Savior in death on a cross, as he was unwilling to deny Him ever again even if it meant death.  History tells that Peter requested to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy of the same death as his Savior.

I have at times been rebuffed because I do not yet hold a theology degree, but neither did Peter.  This did not deter him and in fact was a cause for bewilderment on the part of the religious leadership of the day.  Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

I love Peter's enthusiasm at the sight of the risen Lord when he saw him from the boat.  The men were not completely sure that it was Jesus on the shore, but after the miraculous catch there left no doubt.  As soon as Peter got the confirmation he needed he jumped and left everyone and the fish behind.  I often think of Forest Gump at the sight of Lieutenant Dan jumping and leaving his shrimp boat to crash into the pier.  I'm certain given Peter's disposition that there was nothing graceful about it.  Just a leap of faith leaving everything and keeping his gaze fixed on Jesus.

This past week was spent mostly focused on raising the financial support that we will need to carry us for the long haul as we care for the orphaned and abandoned of Haiti.  I know some of you reading this have been contacted.  Know that no letter, email, or phone call goes out without first personally directed prayers for each individual that God has placed in our life as a potential long term ministry partner.

This past Friday was my last event with my former co-workers.  My former supervisor hosted a going away party for me and another guy that was leaving also.  This event marked a distinct demarcation line dividing my existence for the past decade or so with one foot in the ministry and one foot out, to a leap into this calling with nothing left on the table.  My initial calling to full time ministry was  confirmed by Pastor Hal Rollins at First Baptist Church of Alpine in California in my mid 20's.  It was there that I preached my first sermon.  I have been thoroughly refined since that time and feel so much more prepared than I ever have before.  

Probably my largest stretch of Biblical educational growth happened at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait under Chaplain Stephen T. Dabbs.  A Navy Diver – Shannon Johnson – and I were discipled together into biblical exegesis and expository preaching.  I left from there never to be the same again.  There is nothing like Scud missiles being shot out of the air overhead, hanging out in bunkers in chemical weapon suits, and learning to study scripture in depth for an amazing combination.

On September 14th I will be ordained as a minister at National Hills Baptist Church at the 11 o'clock service.  In addition to this my family and I will be commissioned as missionaries.  It is such a privilege to be sent out, commissioned, and ordained by this wonderful body of believers.  It's time to go!

In Christ,
Laramie

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,  21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

It's been a full few weeks and keeping the blog updated somehow didn't get on the list for top priority.  We certainly love each of you and desire wholeheartedly to keep you informed on our journey!  God has been faithfully confirming the plans He has for us to care for the children of Haiti.  We are anxiously anticipating the next leg of the journey, THE BIG MOVE!  

The last update let you know that we did indeed sell our home.  We are tickled pink to be debt free and enjoyed handing our home over to a neat new family.  God allowed us a unique opportunity to share with the new home owners our mission to Haiti, how we had prayed for them to buy our home, and our repeated prayers that their new home would be a blessing to their family.  I won't lie - we shed a lot of tears leaving that house. It was one of the hardest things I've ever seen our family press through.  

The last few weeks have been busy with music, sharing Haiti with churches and an all out PUSH to prepare for Haiti.  At the beginning of the month we went to Tennessee to meet with the Hands and Feet Project and nail down some details.  The meeting was productive and Laramie is eager to get his feet on Haitian soil and get to work!  We learned more of our job description, expectations, policies and procedures, and received pictures of the kids that we will be caring for.  We learned their story, which was an emotional time.  I am striving now to learn their names and faces - all 31 of them.  Even though we spent a week with the kids last September I've had a hard time remembering their names.  I am excited to now have a picture of each child and I drill myself every night before bed to learn their names!  It's a great opportunity to pray for them too!

We have been weighing and inventorying our 60 odd plastic trunks that we have condensed our entire life into.  In addition to getting our “go to Haiti” stuff organized, we've been working to get our “stay in South Carolina” stuff in order as well.  We've made all the hard decisions on what goes and what stays, now we just have to make super sure it happens!  

Our leave date for Haiti was recently confirmed!  We will be flying out of  Ft. Pierce, Florida on September 18th  with Missionary Flight International.  The six of us and our stuff will all go together from Ft. Pierce to Port Au Prince.  We are praying hard for a smooth flight and entry into Haiti.

You can cover us in prayer that customs and flights and 'all things' travel will go well.  We are still trying to figure out renting a van or something that can tow a u-haul rented trailer.  We are open to anyone that would like to help us get there – ie caravan, etc...  The six of us and all of our stuff will need drive from Augusta to Ft. Pierce.  We are looking into how to do that the most cost effectively and praying for the plan that makes the most sense!  So you can pray that God will give us wisdom.  

So here's some BIG NEWS-Laramie's last day of work was Friday!  Laramie has faithfully provided for our family for 20 years.  I have no doubt that he will continue to do so, but Friday was his last day at a normal job!  We can't really express the many emotions that it brings to be fully reliant upon God's provision and the body of Christ.  It's pretty terrifying at times, extremely humbling, and most certainly stretching our FAITH!

Today was pretty emotional for Luke.  His grandparents had given him a '96 Mustang for his 13th birthday.  He had been looking forward to driving it for 2 years and just recently got his permit in April.  He has thoroughly enjoyed his few months driving it, but had to let it go today.  A local mechanic had seen it at our last garage sale and offered to buy it.  With Laramie not working we only have a need for 1 vehicle now, so today was the day.  Luke put the money into savings and will add to it so he will be ready when the time comes to buy another car.  We have no doubt God will bless his obedience.

Lots of folks have asked.... What do you need?  How can we help?  Our greatest need right now is committed regular financial giving and lots of prayer!  We need folks to partner with us for the long haul!  Prayerfully consider making us a part of your family either financially or prayerfully.  We love to hear that we have been added to family's daily prayers!  That blesses us more than you can imagine!

We are praying hard for monthly financial partners.  God has answered and brought so many onto the team.  We are so grateful!  Thank you to the ones that are prayerfully investing in Kingdom work for the long haul. Our hearts are full and we lift you up in prayer constantly, thanking God for you.  

His Hands and Feet,
Amy