I Am Not A Fundraiser: Confessions of a Missionary Raising Support

"I am no good at this, what is God even thinking."

I must admit that I've asked this question on numerous occasions over the last 12 months. I have never been an entrepreneur. I've never claimed to be a vision-caster that draws lots of people in with an emotive plea for resources. So what on earth am I doing trying to raise a budget of over $7000/month?

The only conclusion that I've come to at this point is that I am doing what God has asked me to do.

Michelle and I feel strongly that God has called us to France. If we're honest there are times that we don't feel qualified or that we don't have anything to offer. We don't yet know the language, and neither of us feels like the most outgoing people.

But our call to France doesn't just have to do with a sense of obligation or duty. The more time I spend in prayer, or go through pictures of our last trip there, or email pastors or missionaries that are working in France - the more I am overwhelmed with a sense of burning desire to help. My heart aches for the pastors that are living and working in France, in small churches, shepherding the people that God has brought into their families.

The multiple newsletters that we get from our friends who are working in France stir our hearts with a mixture of heartache because we are not there and excitement for a time in the near future where we will get to be a part of what God is doing. God has called us to go, and each day He weaves the strings of our hearts together with the hearts of the French people.

I am not a fundraiser, but this process of fundraising is an essential part of our call. You see, we cannot do this alone. God never intended us to shoulder this burden by ourselves. He has called us to partner with family, friends, and church families to share the load. We get to work together to bring the Good News to people in France who have never had a clear presentation of the Gospel. It was Paul's partnership with individuals and church families that enabled him to share the Gospel with so many. We desire to partner with you the same way.

If you are reading this, then I assume that you know us. We've attempted to chronicle our journey thus far, but we know that you may have questions about the details of what we'll be doing. We would love nothing more than an opportunity to share our hearts with you, and allow you to pray about your level of involvement. We know that God has called us to go, and we want to offer you an opportunity to give.

I am not a fundraiser, but I want to get to France. I feel that God has called us to be a part of what He is doing in that country. We want to give our voices, our energy, and our strength to partner with the Church in a country that has largely dismissed Christ. We can only do that with your help.

-ted

Counting Down...

I wanted to give everyone a quick update:

We have until the first week of November to raise our monthly support to a total of 80%. Right now, we're a little over 35% of our monthly support raised, so we have a way to go.

We know that God has called us to submit to this process and His provision, but we also know that you play a major part! We can't do this alone (nor do we want to)!

If you are currently part of our support team, we want to say thank you so much for your faithful giving. Please continue to pray that we will be able to raise the additional support we need by our deadline. If you are not, will you please consider what you could do?

There is a link on the right side of the page that will take you directly to our account page with OM. This is a quick and simple way of giving online. (You can also click here.)

We love you all, and we're grateful for anything that you can do. If you would like to know more about what we'll be doing in France, we would love to set up a meeting with you and share our burden for the Church in France. Email Ted at ted.wallace@om.org or call at 972.342.7345.

-ted
of The Wallace Clan

OutBound Days 3, 4, & 5

Ok, apologies for not updating sooner, so I'll try to get in the last three days in this update.

On Wednesday, we went to Atlanta to take part in a "Life Experience" activity. The first part was basically a scavenger hunt that had us running around the Atlanta airport. It was a lot of fun, even though it was a little uncomfortable at first. I got to have a few really good conversations, including one with a former pharmaceutical rep who got hooked on prescription drugs and alcohol. During the course of the conversation, she asked, "Don't you think you have to be completely broken before God can really heal you?" I responded, yes, and shared a bit of my testimony. It was really awesome to be able to connect in such a God-ordained way.

CNN World Headquarters 

The second part of that activity was to go in our "tribes" and pray or serve someone that we saw around Centennial Park. We got to do a prayer walk through the CNN World Headquarters, pray for a homeless man on the street named Larry, and pray for Christie, the VP of a non-profit that works with young people in the Atlanta area who was setting up for an outdoor conference.

Tribu "Les Oliviers" - The Olive Tribe

OM USA Headquarters

Harmony House. We stayed in the apartment on the left.

Every Thursday, the OM USA office gathers for a time of worship and prayer for the countries around the world. When we walked into the room, there was a large map on the floor. People were able to stand on the country that they were serving in or that they had a burden for. It was amazing to hear from so many missionaries who are serving around the world. There is a strong focus on the Middle East and North Africa right now, so we were able to pray for our brothers and sisters in that region of the world. Please pray with us that the church will be strengthened in the midst of very oppressive situations.

Thursday Morning Prayer

Feet on France

Me, Michelle, and our newest sister, Vicki

Some members of our tribe, Emily, Olga, Patrice, Michelle and me.

We spent these last few days making some really great friends, and developing life-long partners. Tonight, we shared communion together and then prayed in our tribes, commissioning each other to carry the gospel to the country God has called us. It was a really beautiful time of worship and prayer together.

Michelle and I are coming away from this conference convinced more strongly than ever that God's call is on our lives. We can't wait to get back home and begin to share what God is doing. Thank you so much for your prayers over this week. Please pray for us as we travel back home tomorrow.
-ted

OutBound Day 2

Even as I write "day 2," I find it hard to believe. It feels like we've been here a week already. We have had so many meetings, training sessions, and one-on-one discussions, it feels like our brains are about to burst!

Hopefully that won't happen.

Today we covered a variety of topics, beginning with prayer for the region of MENA (Middle East & North Africa). We heard stories about how God is working among Muslims in the region, and it was both exciting and heart-breaking at the same time. God is doing a powerful work. Did you know that the church in Iran is the fastest, and largest-growing church in the Muslim world? I didn't either! God is doing an amazing work there, but the need is still so vast. Please keep praying that the truth of the gospel will penetrate the hearts of those in that area of the world.

We also talked a lot about transition; both to the field and returning home. It was really a good discussion/session. We were able to talk to several individuals who have already been on the field about how to best prepare our kids for this transition. Good stuff.

We ended the day a little earlier than the last two nights, so it gave us some time to answer some emails, and read a bit before the end of the day. I am more convinced that God is doing something throughout the world right now, and in this time. I am more stirred to pray for the lost and for workers who are making disciples than ever before.

Marsha and Marvin* two of our housemates here at OutBound. (*Names have been changed to protect the innocent!)

This is our room during the conference. That bed that Michelle is sitting on has been the bed that we're sharing during the conference. It is ok, we love each other, we don't mind being close.

I would like to end with this question: How are you answering the call to the Great Commission in your life?

Let's do this together!
-ted

OutBound - Day 1

Inside the central OM USA office. There are 6100 missionaries worldwide representing about 118 countries.

We traveled on the road for about 15.5 hours yesterday, leaving our house around 6 am and pulling into the OM property at about 9:30 pm. It was a long day, but Michelle and I really got a great opportunity to talk together and dream together. Since the kiddos are with Michelle's family this week (Thank you Mike, Donna, Meredith, and Nathan!), we actually had quiet time to process through all that God has done and is doing in this missionary process.

If this is all new to you, let me just explain a little about what is going on. Michelle and I are participating in a job interview/orientation/training conference with Operation Mobilization (OM) called OutBound. These conferences take place about twice a year. We were invited to be a part of this week because we have applied for their long-term missionary program. We have been praying about going back to Europe, and we really feel like this is the next step for us. So far we've had to fill out loads and loads of online forms and paperwork, take personality tests, get references, get physicals, and do phone and face to face interviews. This week is another part of the "getting to know you" process. We are exploring OM and they are doing the same with us to see if we would be a good match together.

Michelle in front of the OM USA Headquarters in Tyrone, GA

Without a doubt in our minds, God has lead us to this place, and we are simply taking the next step. We are still praying about where to go exactly (even though we have some idea in our minds), and we're praying about how we will integrate the kids into their roles on the mission field.

Today we had about a 2-hour interview with the Member Support team. They asked all sorts of questions from, "How do you fight?" to "How do you make decisions?" and "What is your greatest fear about this process?" Michelle and I both walked away feeling really good about their approach, and about how we will move ahead with OM. After this conference is over, they will get the sending committee together to review all of the interviews, applications, and notes from the week and come to a decision on whether or not they want to invite us to be part of the team. So even though we are a few weeks away from knowing what will happen, we feel more and more confident that this is right.

It may be a sign from God...

We can't thank you enough for your prayers and financial support that you've already given to us. We literally couldn't be here without it. Please just continue to pray that God makes things very clear to us and to OM this week on how to move ahead.

Feel free to check out the OM website for more info on their organization at www.om.org.

Thank you all!

-ted

Outreach Report from France!

This is the outreach report from our missions trip to Clermont-Ferrand, France. These pictures and quotes are from the team, including us!

Update from Michelle (Outreach Day 3)

Hello again!

The last week has been a blur of activity! We meet together daily for devotionals, worship, prayer, testimonials, meals, and the outreaches.

So far we have done outreaches in 3 different towns and have visited 3 different participating churches. There are only 8 evangelistic churches in this region, which is strange coming from Dallas, where there seem to be ten on each major street.

Yesterday we climbed one of the highest dormant volcanoes in the area. A local man told us there are around 80 volcanoes and craters of different sizes, and many of the buildings are made out of the volcanic rock.

From the top of the mountain, the view was breathtaking! There are also ruins of a Roman temple built to worship Mercury, built in the 1st century AD.

View from the top, you can see some of the volcanic range
of mountains in the background.

Another view from the Puy de Dôme

"I think I can see my house from up here." Daniel Wallace

The ruins of the temple of Mercury at the top of the Puy de Dôme.

Timothy, Ted, and Daniel at the top of the mountain.

Tonight was our 2nd international service, which has been so much fun! Team members from France performed a skit about how they're always on strike, we learned a song in Swiss-German, a traditional Scottish dance (so much fun!), watched an African drum line perform, and listened to some French gypsies sing. The Americans performed a skit featuring Timmy as a host and Daniel doing his Napoleon Dynamite dance.

It's been wonderful to learn more about the other cultures, have great conversations, and do ministry together. Not to mention the food- several courses of homemade French cuisine that takes 2 hours to eat and several more to digest!Ted and I were also asked to share our testimony, and we've had a tremendous response. So many people have told us that it blessed them, and then we've had the opportunity to encourage them as they share their struggles with us.

International Night in Riom

Timothy introducing Daniel during the "America's Got
Talent" skit for an International Night Service

After the service tonight, our borrowed little car died on the road. But a while later, a van load of OM friends rescued us. We are loving France! :)

-Michelle 

OM Team - Clermont-Ferrand July, 2012

The Kids in France

I thought it would be best to take today to show a video interview we did with the kids this evening. Today was "officially" our day off, which meant that we did laundry and toured the Puy de Dôme (a dormant volcano) before turning in an hour earlier than normal.


Tomorrow is more outreach, and another International Night service, that Michelle will talk about more in tomorrow's post.


In the meantime, I hope that you enjoy this:

Final Day

Bags are all packed!

All of our preparations have been made and we leave in less than 20 hours! The combination of stress and excitement is making everybody a little crazy tonight, but we're all packed up and just running down the clock.


I'm not really sure what else to say at this point other than, "Here we go!"
-ted

Wish this little guy was coming with us, but he gets to stay with Paw Paw and Grammy!

Counting Down...

Tonight we made our last trip to the store, crossing off those final items on our packing/shopping list. All of us can feel the excitement building, and if I'm honest, trying to focus on tasks at work is becoming more and more difficult as the clock ticks by...

Michelle and I have been asking ourselves repeatedly, "Have we forgotten anything? Did we get everything we needed on the list? Have we made all of the necessary arrangements?"

I think that we're about as prepared as we can be, and yet there is still so much that we can't plan for. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us over the next two weeks. We've prayed and prepared, and all that is left to do is get on the plane!

Please keep praying that God will prepare the way for us. In so many ways He has already answered this prayer, but the preparation that we are depending on is in the hearts of the people that we'll be reaching. Pray for open doors into people's hearts. Pray for God to give us courage and boldness to share the Gospel in love and truth. Pray also for Jesus to speak to Emily, Daniel, and Timothy as they begin their first (of many) missionary journeys. We want them to see and experience the heart of Jesus as we venture forward as a family.

We're about 30 hours away from our departure from DFW, and we're counting down...

-ted

We're Headed to France!

It's very surreal to announce that we'll be leaving for France one week from today! God has been so good to us. We have raised $10,000 in a few short months, gotten our passports, booked our flights, hotels, and trains. So many people contributed to this miracle, and we are grateful beyond words!

We'll have three days in Paris and the rest of the time we will be in Clermont-Ferrand. The last few weeks we've been reading travel books, devotionals, studying French and trying to keep it all in perspective. We don't just want this to be a great vacation, or to get lost in a whirlwind of events. We desperately want God to move in our hearts- in us, our kids, and in the people of France.

Please pray for us over the next few weeks- for protection, for all the details to come together,and especially that God would do an amazing work in and through us (and in spite of us!). We are so excited to watch this journey unfold before us, and we can't wait to see what God has in store!

On top of the Eiffel Tower in 1996, Michelle's first trip to France