Hello, thank you for joining me today for Give Him 15.

The title of our post today is, I Must Have America.

When approaching our graduation from Christ for the Nation's Bible Institute,

Cici and I were confident we would end up on the mission field, as we called

foreign missions back then. America had so many churches and laborers. We wanted to go where the

need was more significant. Opportunities in four nations were on our radar. Our bags were practically packed. Then something

strange occurred. While praying one day, Holy Spirit spoke to me, quote, the Bible College is going

to offer you a position, and you are to accept it.

Where did that come from, I thought.

This was nowhere on our radar.

Sure enough, within days, the offer came, and we said yes.

We thought we would serve there for a short time, then go to another

nation. We continued to pray for other nations faithfully and fervently, as well as so financially,

all that we possibly could into missions.

Over the next few years, we served in a couple of other ministries,

all the while holding onto the dream and wondering why the Lord would not release us to move somewhere overseas.

Finally, Holy Spirit broke through our preconceived notions of being foreign missionaries.

America is your mission field, he said.

I need you here.

And by serving me here, you will serve me abroad.

My first thought was, that can't be God speaking. America has more preaching and teaching than anywhere in the world. I want to go where the need is greatest.

Little did I know.

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