2 Thessalonians 1:11 Therefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power

Romans 12:11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Isaiah 49:4 I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity, yet surely my right is with the Lord and my recompense with my God.

Mulling over these scriptures this morning. Where and who are the Amy Carmichaels', David livinstones', John Calvins', Martin Luthers'? Romans 8:18-39. (you can read yourself)
Does it make sense to leave my beautiful house, a job I love, all the things I have ever wanted and take my beautiful family to a 3rd world country, to be foreigners? Absolutely not! I have felt called to medicine from a very young age. Since I was 3 or 4 years old I knew I wanted to be, "a doctor". I have also felt called to missions in Africa since receiving that call one night at Victory Center Bible Camp. Who will go? I will, send me.... but who does? He didn't ask who is worthy to be called. Certainly I am not. Did it make sense to Abraham to take Isaac up the mountain to sacrifice him? Did it make sense to build a boat in a desert? Did it make sense to send a perfect son, through who all things were created, to die the worst imaginable death for a creation that despised and rejected him?

Jan Wall felt called to missions saying, "Lord I will go anywhere, but please don't send me to the Indian Reservation." She ended up in Dupree, SD from Blue Earth, MN ministering to the plains Indians of the Lakota Sioux tribe. Was it worth it??? It was to me. Good News Club touched my life and at 3-4 years old the truth began to work in my heart and mind. Yes, it wasn't an easy life and I am sure there were times when she wanted to quit, to see the people you minister to continue to live lives contrary to scripture.

As John Piper wrote, "The Lord measures the faithfulness of our Labor, not our success." So, whether we see great success in what we do in Africa or if nothing, or no one changes, Isn't it all dependent on God?

So what is my obligation/priority? My family and making sure they are safe and have an ivy league education to pursue the big houses, nice cars, 401k's, or "here am I, send me"....out of obedience to a call. Will God provide? Will He keep us safe? Will He make sure my children have a good education and are well provided for? It really isn't up to me, is it? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Chuck

It's good to be home! And yet, we know life will never be the same. Neither one of us can imagine not going back. We continue to pray and wait for details about working with Orant at Kasese. On our first flight home, I traded seats with someone so I could sit next to Chuck. As he and I were discussing some of the cultural differences, the man sitting next to Chuck asked if he could add his perspective. He's been a missionary in Malawi for 23 years. The next 2 hours flew (ha,ha!) by as he shared how God is bringing change, healing, and restoration to the country of Malawi - it still gives me goose bumps to think about! We were so excited and encouraged to hear from someone who has been working among the people and who is seeing REAL change as Malawians learn TRUTH from God's Word and it begins to transform their lives, families, and communities. AMAZING!!!!! What an awesome God we serve!
Still, after being home for a couple of days, the thought of bringing our family to Malawi is somewhat terrifying (lots of strange diseases, no good medical facilities, terrible roads and drivers -yikes!!!, no Walmart or Costco, very few Americans, different foods, different culture, different language, you get the idea!) But the message we've heard over and over the past two weeks has been, in order to make an effective and lasting change in Malawi (or anywhere), we MUST invest ourselves totally, for the long haul. Chuck and I both feel strongly that if we go to Malawi, we are committing to years, if not the rest of our lives - unless God clearly directs us otherwise. And frankly, how could we do anything less than that?
So, we plead for your prayers. At this point, it seems all "arrows" point to us going to Malawi - and though we're terrified, we're willing to go; in fact, at this point, we really can't imagine doing anything else. But that's why we're pleading for specific direction from the Lord - so we don't push our own agenda, timing, etc.
We and so many of our friends have been praying, and God is listening! There have been times where we've had major tension between the two of us, and then the Holy Spirit has just moved in and displaced the tension with peace - that is God answering our prayers! He kept us, our kids, and the Jewell's safe. He gave our team in Malawi incredible unity (there are already plans for an August 2014 trip/reunion). We all stayed healthy. We had some amazing talks with other team members that challenged and encouraged us spiritually. God has heard all of our prayers and He has answered! What an amazing God we serve!  What a privilege to be able to serve Him!  In less than 3 months, He has completely changed the course of our lives, and though where our Shepherd leads is sometimes new and frightening, I can't imagine following anyone else!  Truly, with Christ, life will never be the same!
 

We made it and have been as busy as we were told!  I'll post pictures when we return as I have no idea how to post them here and the interenet is "come and go."  Our team of 12 has seen nearly 1,000 people over the last week (though many just wanted vitamins or Tylenol). There are SO many people here, searching, needing.  And so many children.  I want to take them all home with me.

When we went to visit the compound at Kasese, we were told to pick out our duplex, and one of the board members has made it very clear that Orant wants us here. The hospital is only half functional now, but it has so much potential! We've seen pictures of an identical compound that is in Salima that is fully functional, and it is amazing! We need SO much prayer now! We definitely love Malawi and can see our family living here, but we need some clear direction from the Lord before we make such a hugely impacting decision. It's hard to believe we'll be heading home in just 3 more days. It's sad and wonderful at the same time. I can't imagine not coming back here. But I can't wait to be reunited with the kids! Is it too much to want it all?

Well, we are just two days away from departing. Just thinking about it makes my heart race!

Here is our itinerary:
Sunday, August 4, 6:45 pm - depart
Monday, August 5, 9:35 am - arrive in London - 9 hour layover!
7:10 pm - depart
Tuesday, August 6, 6:55 am - arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa
10:00 am - depart
12:25 pm - arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi
3:00 pm - arrive at headquarters (Bowie) and settle in
Wednesday, August 7 - Saturday, August 10 - 6am Mass/devotions, 7 am Breakfast,
then off to different remote villages (no running water, no toilets, no
electricity) for a 10 hour clinic caring for wounds, handing out vitamins and
nutritional supplements, treating illnesses, etc.
Sunday, August 11 - Church in the am, then help repair wells in 2 villages in the pm
Monday & Tuesday, August 12 & 13 - continue with clinics
Wednesday, August 14 - spend the day at Lake Malawi and visiting shops (getting souvenirs for the kids!)
Thursday, August 15, 1:15 pm - depart
Friday, August 16, 3:50 pm - arrive at DFW

We will have WiFi, sometimes they say, at Bowie, so I'll try to update at least a couple of times while we are there. Here we go...

In His love,
Kalyn

Well, I think we are almost ready! We have plane tickets and I am at least mentally, and partly physically, packed. And now, the nerves are starting to settle in...writing up a will has been the hardest part of preparation so far - facing the possibility of not ever coming home. Of course, I could not make it home from Lake Worth tonight too, but somehow, this is different.
I know how difficult it was to leave all the kids for a weekend just a few months ago. I don't doubt at all that we are supposed to go but as I'm typing, there is a knot in the pit of my stomach. All sorts of "what if's" are going through my head.

I'm realizing that I have been so busy preparing for our trip that I've neglected the most important thing - spending time with the Lord.  And how quickly the worries have replaced peace. So, I'm going to sign off and seek forgiveness.  The next few days will be filled with craziness, and we need to start each one on our knees.... I'll update again soon!

It's taking a LOT of restraint to keep from jumping up and down right now! Chuck and I just got our passports in the mail. Yippee! But that isn't why I'm bursting with excitement! It's what else came in the mail today...We have been selling pets and other items on Craigslist to downsize in preparation to go to Africa and also to raise money for our August trip to Malawi. We've been able to set aside about $1000 toward those costs so far, which is pretty phenomenal. However, we still needed about $1400 and since we are heading out of town until July 10th and we leave around August 3rd, I was getting nervous that we weren't going to be able to pull enough funds together and that Chuck would have to go without me. But we kept praying and hoping some of our other items would sell or that God would intervene in another way. Well, today God answered that prayer! We got an unexpected check in the mail for ... $1484! It is a mortgage settlement from way back in 2009!

Lord, I confess I have such little faith. Thank You for being faithful even when I am faithless. You are amazing and You always provide! Thank YOU for continuing to make straight our paths and confirming that this is Your will! Please use us to accomplish that.  Please keep our eyes fixed on You and help us to delight in You daily. Amen.

To further update, we met with a recruiter for African Inland Missions last night. We learned a lot and will pray for continued guidance, but at the moment, we are still leaning toward ORANT. We are also beginning the application process for Missions Resource Network, who will help train us and our partnering church/sponsors. It's a pretty lengthy and intense application, but we'd like to complete it and have it submitted by August 1st before we head to Malawi.

We met with MRN (Missions Resource Network) last night, and we believe they are a God-send! They are exactly what their name implies: they provide a network and resources to those of us who are completely new to missions. They have an intensive training course that will first train us to BE disciples and then train us to MAKE disciples. They also work with all of those who will be supporting us along the way - equipping the "senders" to keep us accountable, to mentor us, to pray with us, to encourage us.  Missionaries are sometimes put on a false pedestal when people think it is just the missionaries doing all the work, and that pedestal will come crashing down if they don't have a support network. It is the supporters back home in coordination with God Himself who do so much of the labor - it just isn't always as evident as what is happening on the mission field. My hope and prayer is that WE won't have to beg anyone to partner with us but rather that God will lead some of YOU to beg to labor with us on this journey Because then I know it is HIS leading and we will never be alone.

Last night, we had the privilege of spending some time with Jeremy and Martha Smith, who have been missionaries in Mozambique for the last 10 years. It was so refreshing and encouraging to hear about their experiences and learn how God has sustained them - 10 years is a long time on the mission field and they plan to stay as long as God allows them! Jeremy's dad "just happens" to be a medical doctor in...Malawi, and since he has been a missionary for decades, he will be a wonderful resource for us. We are AMAZED at how God continues to orchestrate these meetings and makes our world seem so small! We also met Sam and Nancy, who served in Africa for over 30 years (Zambia, Kenya, and Rwanda) - what a beautiful couple in whose home and lives the Lord's presence is evident (they reminded us so much of Jack and Diana Stimmel, for those of you who know them). We also got to know two couples who are training to go to Tanzania (Landon & Courtney and David & Audrey), and we hope to spend more time training with them. Our hearts are bursting with excitement and hope for the future!
Thank You, Father, for Your greatness and power! You are sovereign and Lord of all! Your fingerprints are all over this and we praise You for Your continued guidance and direction. Thank you, Lord, for Your faithfulness!  Thank You, Lord, for bringing these families into our lives and for loving each one of us enough to not just save us but give us a relationship with You, Lord of the universe! You are awesome and amazing and worthy of ALL our praise! We love You, Lord!
 

Wow, just...wow! Last night we had the pleasure of meeting the director of ORANT and his wife. What an awesome couple and family! It didn't take long to realize we were all very much on the same page as far as Malawi - God has put this amazing heart for Malawi in each one of us. Chuck and I are going to Malawi in August!!!! And twice, Ray asked us, "So when do you want to move to Malawi?" Chuck told him we'd go tomorrow if God provided the way. We are SO excited! And the week has just begun!  We still don't know God's exact plan or timing, but the heat has definitely been turned up!

Chuck just sent this explanation to a friend, explaining what has been happening, so I thought we'd share it with you all. There are MANY details missing, but it gives you a snapshot of what's been going on the last few weeks:

Well, it's kind of a crazy story. We have friends, Sam and John, who were missionaries to Brazil, and Sam had a dream where God told her, "There are 12 of you." This dream kept reoccurring. About a month later, they approached us and asked, "Have you ever thought about being missionaries?" We said said we had both felt the calling to missions at different times in our lives. We told them both of us always felt a calling to Africa, but wherever God would send us, we'd be willing to go. They asked us to fast and pray with them for 2 days about going to Brazil. So we did. During those 2 days, I did some research into Brazil and found that it just wasn't a good fit for us. They continued to pursue going back to Brazil and met with some of their different contacts at Mission Resource Network (MRN). Two days after meeting with them, I had a patient come into the office for his annual physical. He was suppose to see Dr. Myers but got put on my schedule for some reason. From his accent, I could tell he wasn't from Texas. I asked where he was from and he said Malawi, Africa. I asked, "Well what brings you to Texas?" He said his wife's family is from here. We continued to talk and go through the normal questions for a physical. More out of curiosity than anything, I asked "So what is it that you do for work?" He said, "Well, I'm the director of an organization, ORANT, that works with medical professionals like yourself to coordinate medical missions to Malawi." I'm pretty sure I about fell off my little rolling stool when he asked, "Would you want to go? We have a need for a team leader in August from the 3rd to the 13th." I think he was half kidding. I said, "Well, as a matter of fact, I would like to go. Do you have needs for longer term?" He told me they do some short term missions trips of two months. I asked, "What if someone wanted to go permanently?" He said, "We've been praying about just that." He told me he was leaving on a mission trip in a few days and would get back to me after that.
That night, I told Sam and John what had happened. I think we were all in shock. They started making calls, and two days later, they had a meeting with MRN. They imagined the people at MRN would think they were crazy switching from Brazil to Africa, but no one blinked twice! They were very supportive and since that initial meeting, they've heard the phrase "We've been praying for someone to go to Malawi" nearly a dozen times from several different people in several different organizations! Our families will be meeting with MRN next Thursday (please pray about this!).
In faith, I requested the time off work, set up a time to get my passport, and started the process of getting my immunizations updated. But I was starting to get discouraged because I hadn't heard back from ORANT in nearly 3 weeks, even though we knew our contact was back and had met with his board over a week ago. I was feeling like maybe I should have work put me back on the August schedule since we hadn't heard anything. We prayed yesterday morning and asked God for clear direction: we told the Lord we would wait for another week, and if we didn't hear back from ORANT, we would just consider that a closed door and pursue other options. Yesterday afternoon, we got a text from him and he asked if I was still interested in travel with them. He said he will be in contact shortly. So, once again, we wait...But this is the process, isn't it? Waiting on the Lord. But we have renewed hope and we are certain God will work out the details in His timing.

Like I said, there are still many details missing, leading up to this point in our lives, but I hope this gives you a taste of what God has been doing in the Sever household.  More to come soon!