Friday, December 19, 2008

take the long way home


A friend of mine and I were talking yesterday, mixing depth of life experience and humor in our rumorings of each of our present situations. In a deep theological moment he described life as taking the long way home. Some of you may recognize those words from the deeply insightful and wise theological society known as the band, Supertramp (song: Take the long way home). But as I continued to ponder this thought and where life has taken us and wondering where else it may lead, I wondered if that’s what this life is about for those who love and embrace Christ. (thanks Rob)

We are all on a journey ‘home’. This world, these toils and struggles are temporary. Even if we wind up in a box under an overpass, we don’t belong here, we are on our way home. We are just taking the long way around, but how else will we grow into Christ-likeness?

On this road we are going to encounter roadblocks, mountains, valleys and many other obstacles. During this ‘road trip’ it is important to notice when someone or something shows up as part of Gods plan to create in us that Christ-likeness through relationship or through suffering. Unfortunately the truth is that we can become so preoccupied with all we have to do that we look right through people and past situations and fail to see their significance. Seeing those people and situations God would use to reshape our lives does not happen automatically. Christ-likeness is intentional and it cannot be rushed.

The most difficult thing on this long way home is the look inward, that ‘Dark night of the Soul’ where we encounter our sinfulness and come face to face with it. And for each individual this comes at a different stage of life and perhaps repeatedly. However, the glorious and most wonderful thing about this deep dark night is that we stand on the promise of Romans 8:1, there is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION. We are not condemned, and anyone who teaches sin without grace is distorting the Gospel and speaks out of pride. God is all about grace as we discover the darkest, most deceitful recesses of our selves on this long way home. Yes, we will be convicted of our sin, but as we breath out the sin, in the same breath we breath in the grace of God and don’t live condemned. Condemnation is a lie of the enemy and he would have us remain immobile on the road home.

As I’ve read the e-mails of a friend this year who has struggled with cancer, I have listened to her journey as she has gone deeper with the Lord on her long way home. She asked to become more Christ-like and through suffering is going deeper. The hand of God, in grace has held her and she is healing. Each one of us is on this path, each in a different way, each at a different stage. Know that God is there, that he loves us all and is walking with us on this long way home.

May He bless you as your journey continues in 2009 and may you go deeper.

The Whites

Wednesday, December 17, 2008


Hello dear friends.

We are ending another year that has brought a lot of changes to our family. Thank you for walking through this time with us as we have made our move from Austria and church planting to Colorado and raising workers.

I have been traveling locally quite a bit, visiting with colleges and churches, developing relationships and helping individuals prepare for ministry in Europe. I am also coaching several individuals as they are either completing their application to join GEM or as they are raising support to get to Europe. In addition I will be helping teach some of the sessions during the candidate orientation for our new candidates end of January, beginning of February.

We have begun to regularly attend a church here in Monument which is a 2 year old church plant. Surprisingly it seems difficult for us to stay away from church plants. After attending for a couple of months it became apparent that the church lacked a missions program, so I had some significant meetings with the pastor and am now in the process of developing a missions program. We are already helping the church reach out locally. One of our first along-sides is a needy family of 6, a mom and 5 daughters. We as a church are doing more than just buying them a turkey or ham. We are coming along side them in significant ways, including finding women in the church to mentor the daughters, help the eldest get her GED, providing car repair etc. It has been exciting to see the church step up and take on this challenge too.

As many of you are aware, with our move back, we have lost some significant support and our account has gone into the red due to the expense of moving back. We have already received a couple of year-end gifts towards this need, but would invite you to consider making a one time gift before December 31st, which is tax-deductable and would help us regain some footing as we go into the new year.

Some of you have really blessed us I doubling your support sometime in the last two years. That has been a huge encouragement. May we ask others of you to consider doing likewise. If you have been supporting us at $25 a month, would you be able to move to giving $50? If you have been giving $50, would you prayerfully considersupporting us at $75 or $100 a month? Some of you might also be in a position to come along side us as first time supporters or as a major partner at $200 a month.

We are so thankful for all of you and your prayers and your giving and look forward to seeing how the Lord will continue to lead our family as we seek to empower rapidly reproducing churches in Europe.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the White family, Tim, Jennifer, Connor, Katya and Marika


In order to make a one time gift, start coming along side, or increase your partnership with the White’s please either go to: http://www.gemission.org/Donate/ , and follow the links to give on-line,

or write to:
GEM USA18950 Base Camp RoadMonument, CO 80132

and inform them whether it is a one time gift, an increase, or a new supporter and identify us by name and account number. Tim and Jennifer White – acct# 46870

Thanks again