Well it's been a pretty productive week. We've scheduled a few meetings and made quite a few contacts to follow up on next week. Our little break did us well. We needed some extra time to make a new display, new prayer cards, and "visit" our home church.
Our support this last month was really good. We picked up one more church! Our total support is almost 65% now, and there shouldn't be much excuse for it to not be closer to about 80% by 2011. We are still waiting on 2 churches that have promised to start sending too. We are very excited about how God is providing.
But we're back on the road tomorrow! We're headed off to South Carolina tomorrow, and from there to Knoxville for a couple days, enroute to a missions conference in Indiana. Then, to a missions conference back down in Mississippi. From there, it's up north to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, back in Indiana, then back to Ohio, and finally back south to Georgia for a meeting on the 13th of October. We may or may not stop by our hosts in Alabama around then, but either yes or no we'll need to head to LA (Lower Alabama) for a missions conference on the 16th, finishing there on the 17th, and driving overnight to get to another missions conference in Miami, FL starting on the 18th. After Miami, we have several meetings in Florida, and then WHAM. NOTHING after October 31st until November 28th.
Yep, that's a bunch of missions conferences to look forward to. A total of 6, with a couple meetings which are part of a "Missions Emphasis" month (a total of 2). It would be so great if each of these churches took us on for support. We are praying for 19 more, that average $50 apiece.
So, it's a two month trip, with a geographical range from Chicago, IL to LA (again, Lower Alabama), down/over to Miami, FL to the top right of the trip in Cleveland, OH. To drive a big circle between the 4 corners would be about 3,500 miles, but we're going back and forth quite between states, so it will probably be closer to 6,500 by the time we finish after nearly 2 months of traveling.
I put new tires on the van today to prepare. I forgot I needed an oil change, but it can wait until Knoxville. I need to meet with Pastor Allison tomorrow morning, pick up some dry-cleaning, load up the van and we'll hopefully be on the road right after lunch. We're in no hurry, but there's a great Mexican restaurant we HAVE to go to when we get to where we're going tomorrow evening.
Happy trails to us!
Days (daze?) in the life of Chris Lanier and Family, Missionaries to Arteaga, Mexico. Contact Information, Information Packet and Prayer Letter Archive below!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Latest Prayer Letter
The July/August Prayer letter is now uploaded and viewable. Look below for "Prayer Letters" and you'll see it at the top of the list.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Pray for the Peace of Mexico
The last few weeks have been rife with negative news from Mexico. I have taken a pretty harsh and critical stand against most everything that is publicized--knowing that each news agency has an agenda. Even the "shock factor" of spreading the tales of decapitation and torture attracts so much attention.
Yes, I have been in denial. There is, however, real danger in Mexico, and some seemingly much closer than we had previously thought. We used to downplay the atrocities by telling folks that the problems are all up by Juarez. Now, we have the story of 72 people tortured to death on the east side of Mexico, and a mayor of a town less than an hour away killed in a shootout.
I spoke with a man from the US Consulate in Monterrey today and he implied that most of the problems that we or anyone else "normal" would have is while traveling between the border and Monterrey. He mentioned to me that the drug cartels have set up road blocks on the toll roads and regular roads to and from Monterrey, and even inside of Monterrey. The gangsters detain to steal money and cars, and create havoc. They spread fear and terrorize all walks of life. Their "motto" is that maybe you don't have money, but you probably have friends that do.
For balance, I also spoke with a veteran missionary that lives in our little town of Arteaga. His work is up higher in the mountains. He told me that if the gangs wanted an American, they would know where to find him. They have called and threatened him, painted graffiti on his church, and driven slowly by his house. Perhaps his time is coming, as I "joked" with him, but he says that it's just a bunch of cowardly kids. The man from the consulate said the same thing, commenting to me that many are not really who they say they are, but think they can squeeze some money out of folks by saying they are the "Zetas" gang. He's not afraid, and not planning on leaving where God has called him.
While speaking with another missionary to Mexico, I made the comment that I would feel safer at our work in Mexico than I would in somewhere like Detroit, MI. I've been stopped by people there while driving, walking, and trying to park. I've never felt more afraid for my family than when a maniac jumped out in front of us while we were driving down the street and screamed at me to stop and let him by. I let him go, and don't you know the same whacko asked me for money after I parked.
So, what to do. The only hope for Mexico (and the US & World) is Christ. We're determined to reach Mexico for Christ with the Gospel, and to trust God to turn the entire country "upside down." We'll do our part and The Lord do His part. We're going to take precautions, just like we do while we're out soul-winning in the projects in the States. We're going to do our best to be wise, but not afraid to share the Gospel with the dear people God has called us to reach.
We think of what the greatest missionary in history would do in our situation. The Apostle Paul, I don't think, would let fear of danger prevent him from going where God told him to go or from doing what God told him to do. On the contrary, he seems to have run right where the worst problems would be to give them the opportunity to be saved.
The Lanier family, missionaries to Mexico will go to Mexico. We will do our best to bring salvation closer to the wicked. What hope can they have outside "What" sets men free? The government has failed them, religion has failed them, their military has failed them, and their police force has failed them. Christ can and will set them free.
God help us to be faithful.
Yes, I have been in denial. There is, however, real danger in Mexico, and some seemingly much closer than we had previously thought. We used to downplay the atrocities by telling folks that the problems are all up by Juarez. Now, we have the story of 72 people tortured to death on the east side of Mexico, and a mayor of a town less than an hour away killed in a shootout.
I spoke with a man from the US Consulate in Monterrey today and he implied that most of the problems that we or anyone else "normal" would have is while traveling between the border and Monterrey. He mentioned to me that the drug cartels have set up road blocks on the toll roads and regular roads to and from Monterrey, and even inside of Monterrey. The gangsters detain to steal money and cars, and create havoc. They spread fear and terrorize all walks of life. Their "motto" is that maybe you don't have money, but you probably have friends that do.
For balance, I also spoke with a veteran missionary that lives in our little town of Arteaga. His work is up higher in the mountains. He told me that if the gangs wanted an American, they would know where to find him. They have called and threatened him, painted graffiti on his church, and driven slowly by his house. Perhaps his time is coming, as I "joked" with him, but he says that it's just a bunch of cowardly kids. The man from the consulate said the same thing, commenting to me that many are not really who they say they are, but think they can squeeze some money out of folks by saying they are the "Zetas" gang. He's not afraid, and not planning on leaving where God has called him.
While speaking with another missionary to Mexico, I made the comment that I would feel safer at our work in Mexico than I would in somewhere like Detroit, MI. I've been stopped by people there while driving, walking, and trying to park. I've never felt more afraid for my family than when a maniac jumped out in front of us while we were driving down the street and screamed at me to stop and let him by. I let him go, and don't you know the same whacko asked me for money after I parked.
So, what to do. The only hope for Mexico (and the US & World) is Christ. We're determined to reach Mexico for Christ with the Gospel, and to trust God to turn the entire country "upside down." We'll do our part and The Lord do His part. We're going to take precautions, just like we do while we're out soul-winning in the projects in the States. We're going to do our best to be wise, but not afraid to share the Gospel with the dear people God has called us to reach.
We think of what the greatest missionary in history would do in our situation. The Apostle Paul, I don't think, would let fear of danger prevent him from going where God told him to go or from doing what God told him to do. On the contrary, he seems to have run right where the worst problems would be to give them the opportunity to be saved.
The Lanier family, missionaries to Mexico will go to Mexico. We will do our best to bring salvation closer to the wicked. What hope can they have outside "What" sets men free? The government has failed them, religion has failed them, their military has failed them, and their police force has failed them. Christ can and will set them free.
God help us to be faithful.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Pressing On
We have really enjoyed getting some rest this last week. Not having meetings is not our first choice, but it's been good for our little family to take a break. We would normally drop in on non-supporting churches and try to make contacts for future meetings, but we really felt we should just get charged up and ready for our next road trip. So, we've been attending services at our home church. It's been great and wonderfully refreshing.
Last Saturday we spent most of the day out and about. We stayed a couple hours at a park, where walked around, sat around, dangled our feet in the water and let the fish bite us, and just relaxed. It was great to be somewhere and nowhere at the same time, with definitely no worries about time and schedule.
Sunday was such a good, refreshing day. We so enjoyed being at home with our friends.
Today was a day of follow-ups, cold calling, and final work on our prayer letter. I had to "purge" the old distribution list. There were churches on there that I don't even remember anymore. I had to add a bunch of new churches as well. We've booked so many meetings in the last 2 months that it took me a while to get all of them added to the list. I am holding off on the the new churches that I won't be in until the spring of 2011. I spent a good chunk of time getting the necessary work done and I didn't have time enough to add the churches we won't be in for nearly a year. That will wait until the next prayer letter!
I was able to make some good contacts today, and scheduled one meeting in Texas. Praise The Lord!
Tomorrow will be mostly follow-ups in Wisconsin and Texas.
Tonight or tomorrow, we'll find out how our support is coming. We aren't expecting too much as far as new support, but it would be wonderful to be surprised!
We're also getting ready to get ready to be on the road on Saturday. Sometimes, we have to really motivate ourselves to get going. This next trip is going to be so long that it takes a bit more planning. For example, we'll be gone for nearly 2 months, and by then the weather will be changing. So, we pretty much have to pack everything in order to be ready for anything.
Ashley is continuing to improve in her sleeping and eating habits. It's been difficult on all 3 of us, but keeping her on a tight schedule is working very well. I put her to sleep just a few minutes ago and she'll be ready to wake up in just a little while to eat her 2nd supper!
All in a days work!
Last Saturday we spent most of the day out and about. We stayed a couple hours at a park, where walked around, sat around, dangled our feet in the water and let the fish bite us, and just relaxed. It was great to be somewhere and nowhere at the same time, with definitely no worries about time and schedule.
Sunday was such a good, refreshing day. We so enjoyed being at home with our friends.
Today was a day of follow-ups, cold calling, and final work on our prayer letter. I had to "purge" the old distribution list. There were churches on there that I don't even remember anymore. I had to add a bunch of new churches as well. We've booked so many meetings in the last 2 months that it took me a while to get all of them added to the list. I am holding off on the the new churches that I won't be in until the spring of 2011. I spent a good chunk of time getting the necessary work done and I didn't have time enough to add the churches we won't be in for nearly a year. That will wait until the next prayer letter!
I was able to make some good contacts today, and scheduled one meeting in Texas. Praise The Lord!
Tomorrow will be mostly follow-ups in Wisconsin and Texas.
Tonight or tomorrow, we'll find out how our support is coming. We aren't expecting too much as far as new support, but it would be wonderful to be surprised!
We're also getting ready to get ready to be on the road on Saturday. Sometimes, we have to really motivate ourselves to get going. This next trip is going to be so long that it takes a bit more planning. For example, we'll be gone for nearly 2 months, and by then the weather will be changing. So, we pretty much have to pack everything in order to be ready for anything.
Ashley is continuing to improve in her sleeping and eating habits. It's been difficult on all 3 of us, but keeping her on a tight schedule is working very well. I put her to sleep just a few minutes ago and she'll be ready to wake up in just a little while to eat her 2nd supper!
All in a days work!
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