Our Stories
Two Weeks' Notice
By Aaron Soderlund | posted 07/01/2010
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20
The last time you heard from me, I was eight weeks away from heading down to the Dominican Republic with our team from Creekside. We're now two weeks out and just about ready.
You've heard about our different fund-raisers. You've eaten our baked goods. You brought us your old cell phones. The needles have been stuck in our arms immunizing (hopefully) from typhoid, malaria, Hepatitis A, and Brandon Bleek (though we still have to suffer through him despite our shots). Now we need your prayer and support as we make our final push and jump on our airplanes.
It seems like exactly the wrong time for me to be going on a trip like this. Finances are tight. It's prime real estate time of the year. The boys are young. And I could find many more reasons why I shouldn't be going to the Dominican right now.
The interesting part of following Jesus is that he completely defies logic and we often miss it because of that. Where my bank accounts say, don't go. Jesus says, "Trust me. And store your treasures in heaven, not in your bank account." (Matthew 6:19-20 paraphrased) Where I say, my kids are young and it'll be hard on the whole family for me to be gone so long. Jesus says, "There are little children without food or families living on dirt floors that need your help. You can help them. Your family will survive. Theirs might not." And when I say I need to be working on my business... I am reminded that God's business is more important than my own. It's not all about me.
So as I prepare for this opportunity, I find myself praying that I will trust God that he will provide for my family financially and physically while I'm away. That my heart would be broken for people whom have so much less than me. That I would keep perspective on what I DO have. And even more so, that I would keep perspective on what so many DON'T have and how my family can/should support them and help how Jesus leads us to going forward from here.
I know that my prayers will be answered, however I don't know just yet how they will be answered. I look forward to finding out.
Thank you to all of those who have already helped us pray, prepare and donate to our trip. Please continue to pray for us as we get make our final arrangements and as Creekside sends us off to serve. Pray we would be Jesus' light to those we come in contact with and that he would continue to mold our hearts to be more like his.
If you're interested, I will be uploading pictures and stories from our trip while we're there for you all back home to follow at www.asod.wordpress.com.
Aaron can be reached via email here.
