Utter Dependence

What a ride this has been!  As always so much to say but not enough time to blog it all :)  We have seen the hand of God move in such mighty and powerful ways!  He has provided for us all along the way from the big things to the smallest of details day to day.  God cares about it all!

As you can imagine, our lives this past week have been very busy with packing up a house and moving, getting our 20+ bags of luggage ready for the trip, bringing our cats to their new homes (thank you for your prayers), having to put one cat down, gatherings to say "goodbye" to family and friends, finalizing details here as well as trying to prepare for what is to come.  We've looked at it and said "There is no way!"  But then Jesus reminds us of what he calls himself... "The Way" (John 14:6).  Through Him we have access to the Holy Spirit who gives us patience, guidance and peace.  All of which we needed desperately!   There was only one way to get it...utter dependence!  Dependence on the One who is able!  On our own, we could not do or accomplish any part of this journey without our complete dependence on Him...  "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Most of life lately has been so task focused that the reality of leaving hit us harder this week as we let go of so many things held near and dear to our hearts.  And this is only the beginning!  So how will we continue on this journey?  Utter dependence on Jesus...He is the only way!  When we emotionally cannot bear the loss of letting go more...when the tasks seem too numerous to count...when the circumstances around us seem unexplainable and questions remain without answers...where will we run?  To what?  To whom?  Into the arms of Jesus...of all else we're letting go!   It is their we find strength, guidance and peace for our souls!  God chooses those who are inadequate in and of themselves so that the ultimate glory goes to him.  When we serve out of our weakness and God's strength, it is obvious to everyone that the power of the Holy Spirit and not the strength or wisdom of man have accomplished great things.  Looking back on our journey thus far, He HAS accomplished great things!  We have witnessed his miracles...we have experienced immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine!  All to the glory of God!

Some of God's recent miracles include:
Two family members coming into a personal relationship with Christ!
Cats finding a home
Moving on time/packing up/cleaning an entire house
Smooth house closing
Selling both vehicles at just the right time/all personal items sold
Rummage Sale held on our behalf by people we did not even know
Surprise going away party at karate (put on board breaking fundraiser)
Lunch brat fry held at James work bringing in almost $1000.00
All luggage donated just when we needed it
Meals at our doorstep
Open homes offered for our family to stay
A vehicle provided for us in El Salvador
The healing of Skyler's knee injury
General health of our entire family
Ability to bless others as God has so abundantly provided

Thank you so much to everyone who has come alongside us in some way on this journey whether it was offering up a prayer, hosting a gathering, supporting us financially, offering an encouraging word, donating luggage, helping with fundraising, making a meal, etc... and the list goes on and on.  You are all part of God's hand in bringing about His plans for our lives.  We are witnessing God's miracles daily!  We are witnessing God's miracles through you!

Since moving out of our home just days ago, we are currently staying at the mission house on church campus!  What a blessing God has provided!  A sanctuary for our family to grieve what has been and begin looking forward to what's to come!  The most recent event we are looking forward to is the Car Wash/Brat Fry/Silent Auction/Farewell being held tomorrow (see below for more details).  Close friends have put this all together as not only a way to provide more funds for the many expenses we will have but also the chance to say "goodbye" to the people/friendships we treasure so dearly.


We hope to see you there!

As we partner together for the sake of the Gospel!

The Schuenke Family

It is Official

Well it is official...our tickets have been booked!  We are leaving August 3rd for El Salvador!  It is hard to believe we are in the final weeks.  Everything seems to be happening so fast.  Yes there are so many things we have to do, but what we really want to do (which is spend time with each of you), we do not have all the time we wish we had.  Please know how important each of you are to our family and how truly grateful we are to be a part of your life.  Please continue to pray for all the details along the way to come together, but also for the time to say an appropriate "goodbye" :)

As most of you know, this Sunday is the grand opening of the new building/sanctuary at Appleton Alliance Church.  We will be celebrating this with our sister churches, one with Pete Brokopp and Pastor Thomas (and wife) from Burkino Faso, Africa who will also be there. During each of the morning services, our family will be commissioned (prayed over and prepared to send off). Please pray for us and with us as we come together for the purposes of the Great Commission (Matthew 28)...bringing the Good News of salvation to all nations!  Weather you go to Alliance or not, you are all welcome to join us on this very special day!

Please continue to pray as we still look for homes for our cats.  We might have a home for one but know our hearts won't be at rest until all four cats have safe and loving homes.

Lastly, if anyone has any large luggage they are willing to donate, we would really appreciate it.  You can imagine the amount of stuff we need to somehow bring in suitcases. We are not able to use plastic totes as we originally thought.  Please email me if you are able to help us out.

Thank you so much for loving us through prayer along the journey!

Partnering with you for the sake of the Gospel,

The Schuenke Family

Isaiah 6:8  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

This is where it begins: God calls and we respond.  Like Isaiah, we may feel like unclean people who are not qualified, bur God doesn't look for that.  He is looking for those who are willing to obey.  This is the same God who took David, a shepherd boy, and made him king.  Jesus chose unlearned fishermen to turn the world upside down, and He will use you and I as we walk forward in faith to His promptings.  Resting in that truth!

Only God Could Do That!

Thank you so much for your earnest prayers as we asked God for his mighty hand to move and bring forth the hearts of people to help raise the God-sized goal of $20,000 in three days!  We knew this was only something God could do!  We not only made our goal but exceeded it!  In three days, God raised $34,000 through the generosity of His people!  We are going to El Salvador with a potential departure date of August 3rd!  We are moved to tears as we fall on our knees praising God for the ability to witness yet another miracle . . . all starting months ago with one word . . . "YES".

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22).  If you pray according to God's will, he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).  We asked and God answered!  There is no doubt, God has made his timing clear to us...he wants us there sooner rather than later.  We never doubted the will of God for our family...it wasn't a matter of if we would go but when.  God has spoken!  
Psalm 33:8 "let the world stand in awe of Him".

We cannot thank you enough for the faithful prayers offered up on our behalf throughout this journey so far.  Not to mention of course all the people God has brought together to fulfill His purposes and carry out His plans through so many generous givers.  From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!

Please, if you have not given yet, but still want to be a part of our journey financially, you may give at any time.  We have lots of costs coming up with airfare, luggage, shipping, etc... Not to mention other one-time costs like buying a vehicle once we are there.

To Him Be All the Glory!
Partnering With You for the Sake of the Gospel!

Lisa for the Schuenke Family

1 Chronicles 29:10-13

"Praise be to you, Lord
the God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your GLORIOUS name!"