Author: alithiadavis

He is Saviour, Lord, lover, defender, ever-present, redeemer, King, maker-of-all, owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, seeker of all and the one, all-knowing, maker of all things good and beautiful, life-giver, joy-bringer, warrior, peace, debt-remover, risen-one,  worthy, miracle-maker, creator of happy, tear-catcher, listener, speaker, comforter, shelter, wise-one, faithful, bless-er, welcome-er, friend, brother, life-maker, creative director of universes, detail crafter, bliss-giver, heart-healer, quest-maker and quest-answer, the all-in-all, the everything, Red Sea parter, mountain-mover, fig tree supplier, manna-giver, dream supplier, consistent presence, heart-holder, blood-sweat pray-er, mask remover, good, both remember-er and forget-er, beautiful,  flawless, light, joy, marvel supplier, creator, mansion builder, truth-teller, truth-maker, the Truth, lie breaker, wisdom provider, forgiver, punishment taker, hope-raiser, death conqueror, and the One who loves-you-no-matter-what-all-the-time.

 

We have heard ‘I couldn’t do what you are doing’ or ‘It is amazing how God is using y’all to do such a big thing’ so many times.   The thing is we are being obedient. There are no big or small things-it is obedience, pure and simple. Where He has you in this moment, BE THERE.  Be obedient. Don’t fall into the trap of waiting on God to use you to do something big. We cannot measure the outcome of His calling on our lives. In fact, we often cannot see when one calling merges into another.  What we can see clearly is obedience. We can choose to obey day in and day out. To be honest when we mess up. To choose to be joyful when joy hides. To love like Christ to those who are unloveable. To love our families with the best of us, instead of leftovers from the rest of the day.  Your obedience brings glory to Him and He can use you in every single circumstance. If you are a Christian, you are called to be His witness WHERE YOU ARE-in the classroom, boardroom, restroom, aisle of grocery store, kitchen counter, changing a diaper, getting repairs done, ordering a meal, at the doctor’s office, messing around online, or sitting in traffic.  We are all on mission to shine the light of Jesus-the choice is to live like it.  I won’t lie and say it is easy.  I won’t lie and say we are perfect (y’all know the truth anyway!).  What I can say is that you will not regret choosing to put God first.  Promise.  

BIG NEWS!!!  We have a house and address!  The member care team is amazing and we are thrilled to have pics of our soon-to-be home!  It has really helped all of us with the thoughts of transition.  We have also started packing!  We will eventually have at least 24 bags!  Yikes!  For those who know me well, yes, there is a google sheet file set up to keep it all organized!

Quick update on where we stand from support-raising perspective. We are at 22% of goal needed before we leave July 24.  The yard sale, personal support, and the t-shirt money all pitched in to get us this far.  Thank you to all!  For the supplemental support needed while we are in Indonesia, we are at 10% of goal.  Knowing we leave in just a smidge over two months makes this gal a bit worried.  But as soon as those worries start whispering, He reminds me through His Word and others that He is a great big God.  I refuse to doubt what He has so clearly led us into!  Pray that we cling closer to Him than fear.

Keep lifting us up as the days speed by.  Much love, the Davis Crew

Look! The shirts are in! We will be working to get them delivered this week if you had them shipped to us! Otherwise, be checking for packages at your house!  I’ve heard tales of them arriving already!!!  Thank you to everyone who ordered! You encouraged us greatly!  Be sure to let us see you wearing them in person or selfies!  I can’t wait for the girls to see them out and about!

FAQs

1. How long are you staying?  At least two years.
2. Are you taking the kids with you?  Yes!
3. Won’t you miss your family?  Absolutely. Can’t discuss it.  #tears
4. Why are you doing this?  We know this is where He wants us for this next season of our life.
5. Where is Indonesia?  South of China. North of Australia. A 3,000 mile long string of 17,000 islands. We will be on Island of Java with the capital, Jakarta.
6. Are you really selling everything?  Surely you are storing furniture and stuff for when you come back.  No, we are only keeping sentimental items. The rest is Yard Sale!
7. Are you shipping stuff over?  Nope. We are moving over with just luggage.  The rest is in the yard sale!
8. What are y’all doing with your van?  Selling it! Need it? 2016 Town & Country
9. Aren’t you scared?  Yup, but more scared not to obey His leading.
10. Are you excited?  Yes! Most of the time!
11. What do you need?  Prayers, money to get ready to go, monthly support while there, more prayers…
12. What’s the name of the school again?  Bandung Alliance Intercultural School (BAIS) www.baisedu.org
13. What will Michael be teaching?  6th grade maths, 6th grade science, Bible, Geometry, and extended session
14. Are you teaching, too?  I will stay home with the littles the first year or two for sure.
15. Are you going to use your dyslexia therapy training?  I hope to!
16. Do you speak the language?  Not yet! The older girls will have a class at school to learn the language. We told them they have to help us get around while we catch up to them.
17. When do you leave?  July 24
18. When do you get there?  July 26
19. How long is the plane ride?  #TooLong Three planes, three countries, 29 hours of travel
20. What are you going to do with the kids on the plane? Bribe them!  Books, games, sleep, walk, movies, play, repeat…
21. Will you come home soon?  Not sure. For Christmas? Not this year.  Summer? Not sure.
22. Will you need a car?  Yes, we can’t fit all of us and two car seats on a moped!  Neat fact: We get to drive British-style!
23. Do they have toilets?  Yes, we will have both toilets and squatty potty in house.
24. Where will you live?  We have a house that school is setting up for us.
25. Is house furnished?  No, we will be starting from scratch!  We have began purchasing items from teachers leaving though.  We hope to do that as much as possible!
26. Does anyone speak English?  Yes, the school is English-speaking.
27. What will you eat?  Lots of new things, I’m sure!  It will be an adventure. Michael is excited about the spicy options.
28. Will you have tv?  We can, but it isn’t a priority.  Ability to watch DVDs and listen to music is more important!
29. Are you sad?  Yes, we love it here.  Our people are all close.  It is definitely sad to leave them.  
30. Are you worried?  Trying not to be overly worried.  We know this is our call so we bring worries to Him and try to let go.
31. What if you get sick?  There is a hospital in our town, and if it is something major, we will go to Singapore.
32. Do you know anyone?  Not personally, but we have been chatting with people from there often and are excited to meet them soon!
33. Does Amazon Prime ship there?  We are getting mixed reports as to the correct answer this question!
34. Do you have to get shots to go?  Yes, a few. Better safe than sorry!
35. Why didn’t y’all go back to China?  We weren’t led in that direction for this season of our lives.
36. Can we come visit?  Yup! Please do!

This week, we were able to join in a celebration.  For the past 4-5 months, our family has been studying God’s word with Gosnell Baptist Church on Wednesday nights.  Bro. Eddie does a great job taking us through the Bible.  Each week I have learned something new that shines a light on Scripture in a way I have not seen before!

This past Wednesday was a little different though. We celebrated all the kids who have participated in Awana this year.  Kids that had perfect attendance and had completed their Awana books.  It was uplifting to watch the kids get excited for each other as they got their awards. The most amazing part was the ending with 4 baptisms.  It was so much fun and it’s own worship time.

We finished the night with the privilege of speaking to the youth.  Alithia and I loved getting to share our heart and vision for the next 2 years with these students.  Many committed to pray regularly for us and we truly appreciate it.  Stan is doing a great job of leading the students of GBC and we look forward to seeing what God has in store for them.

Thanks for letting us share with you all.  And remember, “The One who called you is completely dependable.  If He said it, He’ll do it!” -Michael

The day after we told the girls, we went to get passport photos done right after school.  The news was still fresh. Excitement was in the air, but we could tell the older girls were feeling sadness, too.  While waiting to get our passport portraits taken, an exuberant man started up a conversation with RyAnne. She told him we were getting pictures made because we were moving to Indonesia. The man’s excitement filled the entire room.  Not only had he been to Indonesia, he loved it! His contagious joy was such an encouragement to all of us, but especially RyAnne. How we needed this from someone in that moment! I even questioned if he was real or an angel sent to encourage!  RyAnne has mentioned him on several occasions and I’m so very thankful for this God-moment!

In a month, Michael and I will walk away from two vital parts of our lives.  First, we will clear out our classrooms and exit for the last time as employees. We will say goodbye to not only our peers and students, but to a district that has grown us in so many ways.  We’ve gained wisdom from teachers all around us as we honed our trade. We’ve embraced strengths and shored up weaknesses. We have learned to inspire and teach those who don’t want to learn. We have earned experience in being both fluid and flexible when things don’t go as planned.  Michael has been teaching in this county his entire career and where he grew as a professional. I’ve been here twelve short years, but this is home. We are incredibly thankful to this community that has loved on us our entire married life. We pray we leave them with encouragement in their sails.

We will also say our goodbyes to h.i.s. ministries, our beloved church family who has reminded us how beautiful the body of Christ is.  They love Christ and want to show His love wherever they go. We have found joy again in the serving and teaching, even though we were stretched mightily!  These kids have blessed us and helped us find the wonder in the Bible again. I will never forget them begging me to finish the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt!  They couldn’t stand to wait until the next Sunday! Please join us in praying for the new ministers to step up and pour into these amazing kiddos.

We want to finish well as a testimony of His call on our lives.  He has specifically placed us here all of these days to fulfill a purpose.  May we stay focused and use His wisdom to prioritize each moment as we close these chapters.  Pray for us as we seek to finish in such a way that He alone is brought glory.

Today we shared our hearts with h.i.s. ministries.  We have been immensely blessed to serve there as children’s pastors for almost three years.  They have loved us through thick and thin, sickness and in health…there will be more about this fabulous small church that loves BIG later.  I simply cannot do a good-bye post yet!  This morning with Kaybrietta dancing about and Lissie Joy being, well, two, we were able to share out our vision and passions God has placed on our hearts concerning Indonesia.  They have helped heal our hearts and loved on us in His name.  It is so encouraging to know that this family will continue our journey with us.  My heart is truly full.

The weekend before Indonesia entered our lives, a small tribe of gals in Blytheville joined in the IF:Gathering (February 9 & 10).  I was ready to learn, to hear, to be pushed, hugged, and directed. I knew I was getting ready for something (though honestly, I had no idea what!).  We would be digging into 2 Timothy that weekend. The very first session, I wrote down and circled this statement from Jennie Allen.

“Build a life that NEEDS God.”

That sentence.  That is what I had grown out of.  I had stopped needing Him. I wasn’t expecting God to do much of anything.  I prayed, of course. But in the back of my heart, there was typically a Plan B or C if God didn’t stick to the plan.  Periodically I had noticed and even bemoaned the lack of needing Him stateside. Yet, here I was, smack dab in the middle of functioning on autopilot, and seeking Him as it occurred to me.

Michael and I knew a lukewarm Christian life was no life at all.  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16.  We had discussed in-depth how we wanted our family to live in expectation and reliance on God alone.  This IF:Gathering weekend gave me the phrase and push I needed to be ready for just a few days later when the word ‘INDONESIA’ would be spoken into our ears and hearts.  I yearned for a life that needed Him. One that would speak of His faithfulness, not our plans and pretty checklists. WOW. Be careful what you ask for…but then again, DON’T be afraid to pray to need Him.  While I am aware we don’t exactly know what we are getting into, we do know WHO is leading. There is nowhere else we would rather be.