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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

OUR MISSIONARIES! YOUR MISSIONARIES!!

Over the past 2 1/2 years, we have had to make major adjustments as we followed the course that God has laid before us.  We moved to Cincinnati and sat up housekeeping, we were warmly welcomed into a new church that we had never heard of but God had :), we took a required mission course that enhanced our understanding of God's Mission for missions, we began months of cold calling churches and asking for mission services, and then traveling all over America to visit those churches that welcomed us with, "Yes!  We want to hear about God's work in Peru!"  All of this might sound exciting and many parts of it were, however there was something I (Michele) was craving.  The need was met by a simple message sent via text.  It stated, "Our missionaries, the Flings, are welcome here anytime!"  Our home church, the Christian Nation Church, was always warm and supporting, but as you travel place to place you begin to wonder if God's and your vision for Peru will be remembered as you drive away.  This simple text from another church gave such encouragement to me, to realize others were catching the vision for God's Advancement in Peru and were counting us as "Our Missionaries."

Again and again over the last couple of months that statement in some form has been said or written to us.  Many will not realize the boost to our faith to sense that total strangers are being called of God to support HIS WORK in Peru, and are carrying a burden for this needy field.  One dear brother wrote how God instructed him before leaving his home, though he had never heard of the Flings, to support our ministry and how much to give.  He signed his letter, "For Jesus In Peru."  Praise God!  That simple signature showed us that another one had caught the vision of the need for Jesus' Name to be proclaimed to the masses!   Another letter came telling of a dear saint's prayers for our needs down in her grove of trees that she goes to pray in daily.  She was telling God of our needs and God spoke to her to step into the gap.  She and her husband have faithfully done so and continue to hold us up daily before God's Throne.  I don't know if this blog can adequately express our great appreciation for the feeling of being YOUR MISSIONARIES!  What an honor!  What an encouragement!

A wonderful dinner out with our Mission Director Mark & Kristal Becker and Pastor Carl & Gayle Eisenhart.  We so appreciate their Godly leadership and the shouldering of our burden for Peru upon their own hearts.

We also want to mention how thankful we are of the many homes that have swung their doors open for us.  Across the many miles and many states, we have not had to pay for one night in a hotel.  Thank God and thank you for giving to the Lord through such warm hospitality!

What a wonderful time we had at Rev. & Mrs. Kenneth Sickler's home.  Though he was busy with directing the New York Pilgrim's mission program and was flying out soon, he took such gracious time to take Samuel sledding.  We were not "THEIR MISSIONARIES" so to speak, however they treated us like royalty....we were spoiled there and look forward to returning again!
                            They graciously loaned all the apparel for Samuel to go on his first sledding trip!                           


Though my pictures would not load I want to mention the wonderful time we had with Rev. Kenny & Rachel Miles in New York.  We were warmly welcomed into their church and spent up into the morning hours reminiscing about our growing up days.  It was a delight to see one another again.


It was so wonderful to reconnect with Sr. Betty Rowley Walter.  I had not seen her since I was 10 years old living in Friendsville, TN.  What a dear woman and so happy to meet the good husband God provided her after losing Bro. Rowley.
                                                              Rev. & Mrs. John Walter Sr.

We were so pleased that Bryon's brothers made the effort to get up early and travel a good ways to hear us speak on Peru. It meant a lot to us!

                                                                            Bro. Dan & Lois Summers                                                                  
Last Sunday we had the great privilege of speaking at Clearfork Wesleyan Church where I had attended their academy as a girl.  It was such a joy to see my old principal and teacher Bro. Dan Sommers and his wife.  This man had such an impact on my spiritual life and I will forever be indebted to his caring for my soul as a young girl.

As we regroup for a few days in Cincinnati, we are gathering our things to begin a long haul to Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Florida, and then Georgia before returning to our snug little home for another couple of days. :) We covet your prayers and want each of you to realize what a high honor it is to be considered YOUR MISSIONARIES!