We hope that this, our first letter as a married couple, finds you well! As many of you already know, we were married July 11th! Married life is so wonderful and we are having a blast, as well as continuing to learn and grow together through every challenge that presents itself.
Silas and I both felt a calling to missions and a desire to serve others as we prepared for marriage. We have continued to feel that calling since we have been married, and anticipated going on a trip at least a year from now. Of course God had other plans! Both of us have felt that God is calling us to do a Discipleship Training School in Belize this coming January, 2010. We both came to this timeline independently, which was confirmation to us that is was the right thing to do!
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). YWAM is an interdenominational, international Christian organization that has reached into nearly every country around the globe. Their desire is to know God and to make Him known. To fulfill the great commission that Christ gave us (Matthew 28:19,20), to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ so that we in turn may be more like Him. It is their goal to go into the world and proclaim the gospel of Christ to the lost, bring hope to the hopeless, stand against injustice, feed the poor, clothe the naked, and pray for the sick to be healed. We desire not only our marriage but our entire lives to be built upon the foundation of Christ, and believe that this is just the beginning to how God wants to spread His love and hope through us.
A DTS consists generally of two phases, lecture and outreach. The first three months are lecture phase and will be spent on the base in Belize. This is a time of training and teaching through lectures given by different speakers each week and is accompanied by worship, work, and service to the surrounding communities. The second phase, outreach, will be spent in surrounding Caribbean countries, serving where there is a need, and especially where God calls us.
We desire this to be just the beginning for us! We do not know where God will take us, but are so excited to be used by Him. To be His hands, feet, and voice. We have prayed over this decision to step out time and time again. It has been scary and overwhelming to say "we will trust you Lord", especially so soon after being married. But we believe that this is where the Lord is leading us and so we are trusting that He will guide the way. The following verse has become a theme for us:
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, and to provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor."
Isaiah 61: 1-3.
We are asking for your partnership with us in this next step of our life. Similarly to the way so many of you were there to hold us accountable when we said "I do", not so very long ago. We ask again for your participation, primarily in prayer support, yet also financially. We are stepping out in faith that God will provide for us! God has continued to press upon our hearts the importance of prayer, so please keep us in prayer and we would love to talk with you more about what our needs are throughout this trip!
Please prayerfully consider supporting us however you feel God leads you! Thank you so much for everything! We love you all. May God pour out His amazing blessing and anointing upon you!
Silas and Sarah
P.S. We would love to hear from you!!
2901 West Olive Street
Fort Collins, CO 80521
therappes@gmail.com
Blog: www.therappes.blogspot.com
please send us an email if you want to be updated on the trip, our blog info, or if you have any other questions. God bless you all!!!
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