A Prayer for Togo!

T minus 4 days, 16 hours and counting...

Hey Friends - I know you haven't heard from me much lately (which might be a good thing :)) - I've been busy listening and focusing on some things I know God has called me to - I do hope to return to writing more in the near future - the first post of course will be sharing my experience (what God teaches me and what he does) while on the mission field in Togo. We leave next week!!! As the body of Christ, I thank you in advance for interceding in prayer for us while we are away.

PRAISE REPORT!!!
My Fundraising  is complete - praise God!!! He stretched and taught me so much in this area. I hope to share that with you in the future!

However, as a team, there is still approx $7500 left to raise. Now that seems like a lot, but, if you look at the $60,500 that has already been raised, we are in awe of how good God is and His provision. (If God calls you to donate to the remaining amount - no gift is too small, click here.)

Will you join me in praying for the following:

• SPIRITUAL Preparation & Protection

1. The TEAM remains unified with a surrendered heart. I've sensed for awhile, with such a large team (20 people), the enemy will try to come against team unity. With so many personalities and the challenges/inconveniences we are not accustomed to as Americans, it is inevitable. Our team devotional spoke on this just yesterday. If satan can get us through complaining, disagreeing, and taking offense; than he can greatly impact this ministry while we are on the field. However, we can come against this by claiming these verses and having the heart and mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).  1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourself also with this mindset. 2 Timothy 2:3 Endure hardship with us, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  
2. The TOGOLESE hearts are being prepared this very moment to receive us and most importantly the message of Christ - We will be going into 3 different villages (Agou, Kouve & Kpove) and have been told that 2 of them have never heard the gospel of Christ. What an amazing opportunity!!! We will be "bringing it" in the area of evangelism and discipleship. Pray that WE will take a backseat and let God do all the work. There will be spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:12), but God is much bigger (1 John 4:4) and He will show up (Isaiah 55:11)!
3. The cultural and language barrier to be removed and there will be clear communication (Galatians 3:28) - We will, thankfully, be accompanied by translators to aid in this, but it is definitely still an obstacle to pray against.

• PHYSICAL Preparation & Protection

1. Travel - We leave Wed, Feb 26th at 4:30pm and arrive back home at 9pm, Sun, March 9th. Please pray that the team of 20 people and the 40 suitcases of supplies (this does not include our personal luggage that is our carry on) all arrive safely in Lome Togo, as well as the three villages - or wherever God may detour us. :)
2. Team's overall Health - No sickness, exhaustion, dehydration or harm. While we have taken all of the necessary precautions, and will have access to doctors and medicine; things can happen.
3. Togolese's Medical Treatment- able to treat as many patients as possible - While the Togo physician to citizen ratio is .05 to 1000 (most are located in the capital city), there is a good chance that the people in these villages have NO access to medical care / medicine. Please pray for the wisdom to see the right patients and for them to understand that we cannot see everyone (the team consists of 6 doctors, 1 dentist, 1 pharmacist, 1 psychiatrist, and 6 other medically trained personnel)

Ephesians 3:20-21  Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ever ask or imagine, according to His power that it at work in us. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever. Amen!

Jesus Calling, January 29th

This devotional spoke to me this morning and is a great reminder. Just thought I'd share. STAY WARM!

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON ME. I have gifted you with amazing freedom, including the ability to choose the focal point of your mind. Only the crown of My creation has such remarkable capability; this is a sign of being made in My image.

Let the goal of the day be to bring every thought captive to Me. Whenever your mind wanders, lasso those thoughts and bring them into My Presence. In My radiant Light, anxious thoughts shrink and shrivel away. Judgmental thoughts are unmasked as you bask in My unconditional Love. Confused ideas are untangled while you rest in the simplicity of My Peace. I will guard you and keep you in constant Peace, as you focus your mind on Me.

Psalm 8:5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Test of Faith? Surrender? or Both?

43 Days till leaving for Togo, West Africa

Approximately 4 days until plane tickets are to be purchased

Currently,  only 25% of my expenses have been raised 

This post is not about begging for money, because if I am to go on this mission trip, the Lord will provide (Phil 4:19). It's about continuing in what God has called me to - Transparency - inviting you into my life ... the struggles, the blessings ... and the revelations that come along the way.  

... So welcome to my trial. I'm living this trial out loud in front of you so you will all be along for the ride as His plans unfold and not mine.

Right now, I am feeling....Anxious...Stressed... Overwhelmed ...  Was I supposed to do more to fund-raise? What else should I do? What if I don't get to go? My mind is racing with all the things I have going on right now. Is my plate too full? Where is my peace? Am I working in my own strength? I'm already a part and contributing to the teams success, but am I supposed to physically go?

Thoughts -> Feelings -> Attitudes & Actions... 

What's really going on here?

Is it a test of Faith??? Does God want to see if I trust him to provide in the final moments... to prove to me that it's all Him and no one else? He has come through and provided so many times in my life when money has been a factor. I do rest in that... but sometimes my flesh makes me waver. HEAVENLY FATHER, I CHOOSE TO TRUST YOU!


Is it a test of Surrender??? Am I willing and OK not to go if this is what God wants? His ways are higher...Is there something else I am to be doing and I just can't see the bigger picture? My plan is to go on this mission trip, not only to minister to the missionary's wives, but also to the young ladies on my team. HEAVENLY FATHER, I WHOLLY AND COMPLETELY SURRENDER MY PLANS TO YOUR PERFECT ONE!

Thank you for listening to my trial... praying for His will and 

donating IF He leads you to. 

Click Here to Donate 

Let me know if you have any questions (michaudchristie@gmail.com)

I will update you on His plan.

A Christmas Pause

Did anyone else miss the month of December? I don't know what it was about this year - but I somehow missed December 1-20th! It was like someone hit fast forward!

Some of that may not be so bad though .... because for the first time.... I didnt even get the chance to get caught up in how the world celebrates.

A  big regret, though, is I didn't even get Christmas Cards out this year.... 

...so here's my feable attempt to redeem myself!!!

Wishing you a
MERRY CHRISTMAS

from the Michaud's

George, Christie, Mason 7, Connor 5, and Allie (11 months)

May you hit your Pause button this year!

I'm so thankful, that ever since the 20th hit, I have somehow found my "pause button." Seacoast Church has been doing a series of sermons called PAUSE. I think it is the perfect theme for this season. What does this mean? How do we "pause"?

INTENTIONALLY!!!

Intentional: Deliberate... On purpose!

This is my new word starting now

I will INTENTIONALLY PAUSE

• to be THANKFUL
• to SURRENDER and TRUST
• to LISTEN

As you pause this Christmas, think on these things

What does it look like? What does it mean?

I will pause for now and be back to share what it looks like and means for me.

 Merry Christmas!



Its TOGO TIME!

 Mission trips have truly changed the trajectory of my life. Two years ago, I came home from Togo, West Africa with a purpose – a vision to minister to women… And I am speechless and humbled by what he has allowed me to be a part of since getting off that plane. During my hiatus from world missions, God not only blessed us with a baby girl, but also revealed, stretched and challenged me to lead and minister locally.

God has given me a hunger to be stretched even more and removed from my comfort zone – For this is when we truly grow. I KNOW that God still has things He wants to do in and through me in Togo…. And have patiently waited for the opportunity to return. I’m excited to say the opportunity has come – I will be returning to Togo from February 26^th till March 9^th to participate in Medical Clinics as well as evangelism. Click here to contribute online

Seacoast Church is continuing it’s partnership with Pioneers Togo while in country and I am honored to partner with this amazing organization. Their specific mission is to go into unreached villages, plant missionary families to live among the Togolese, raise up disciples within the villages, and ultimately plant churches to continue sharing the gospel. Our medical clinics play a large role in their mission and results in much more than caring for the physically sick. Pioneers’ is able to leverage our medical teams to open the doors of villages that have in the past been closed off to Christian missionaries. While we are providing healthcare, medications, and treatment, Pioneers Togo team members are busy using the opportunity to preach the gospel and minister to the villagers.

As of right now, there are 20 people signed up to be a part of our team this February – the most ever. We are so excited about the extra manpower, because we will be able to do something we have never done. Our goal is to have ONGOING MINISTRY (men’s, women’s, children’s, discipleship, skits, teaching, etc.) being facilitated while each clinic is running.

This year, I will be taking on the role of Women’s Ministry Leader. The vision is to come up with ideas and resources to pour into, encourage and challenge each of these three groups of Togolese women.

1. The Wives of the Pioneers Staff – they are often left to run the family while there husbands are hard at work and traveling. We want to create and bring them life-giving resources they can keep and use when we leave. 
2. The Village Missionaries Wives – While there husbands are being discipled by the Pioneers staff, many have no one to pour into them. We want to encourage, challenge, and stretch them to grow, while helping them learn to disciple women in their village.    
3. The Village Women who do not know Jesus.

This is just a small part of the ministry that will take place this year. The men and children’s ministry teams are hard at work as well. And, we are also fund-raising so French Bibles can be purchased ahead of time and shipped to the Togo Missionary House for distribution. How amazing it would be to have bibles available and ready to hand to people that are hungry for God's word.

GOD IS DOING GREAT THINGS IN TOGO ...

WILL YOU BE A PART OF IT?

For the families who give Tax Deductible Christmas/End of Year Gifts towards

missions, charities, organizations, please consider the Togolese and our

specific mission in your giving this year. 

Click here to contribute online

There are THREE ways you can be a part:

1. PRAYER – Prayer is not the last resort, but the FIRST Defense. Please pray for the team in raising the money, protection, team unity, health, divine appointment, and open hearts… not only for the Togolese, but for each member of the Team. And of course for my financial and childcare provisions. 
2. FINANCIAL - In order to go, we need to raise $3400 per pereson (half of this amount needs to be raised this month to reserve plane tickets). This covers lodging, meals, air fare, medications, surgeries, etc. If you would like to partner with me in this, any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated and is 100% tax deductible. Please know that no amount is too small! 
3. CHILDCARE - Help with Allie during the week days and the boys after school. In 2011, I almost did not go because this was such a concern to me. However, I trusted and He provided through friends and family working in shifts. I believe He will provide again.

Click here to contribute online

Be sure to select "Christie Michaud" on the drop down box

THANKFUL for the THORN

Give GOD THANKS

Regardless of your Feelings

And HE WILL GIVE YOU JOY

 Regardless of your Circumstances 

Jesus Calling, Nov 24th

What are you grateful for? There is so much revelation in this question but you will not get "it" unless you STOP and THINK about it.... and what a great day to start? Sure, Thanksgiving is about food, football and family... but there is so much more. For the month of November, my family has each come up with one thing a day to be thankful for (there are no repeats). It  challenges us to get past the obvious and tangible blessings and dig deeper into the unseen hidden blessings.

STOP - With the busyness of the holidays, many miss out on this special day the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24). Are you a statistic? Do you share a meal with family only to leave feeling physically full, but spiritually empty? This holiday was given to us, to remind us of our many blessings and Who The Giver of of them is.

THINK and THANK - Make a list of everything you can think of to be thankful for.... then come up with at least 10 more! The longer the list, the more your perspective on life will change. 

 Thankful for the Tangible 

 This is the easy one - people who love us, the things we have.... but this is just the surface

Thankful for the Tiny Details 

 The sunset, a rainbow on a rainy day, giggle of a baby, coffee time, a friend's sense of humor

Thankful for the Spiritual 

Unlimited time with the lord, His omnipresence, Unconditional love for ME, Jesus' Sacrifice, the Father's Forgiveness, the power of the Holy Spirit living IN and THROUGH me...

Keep Going - Dig Deeper

On my first mission trip, there was a woman who taught me so much and never knew it. No matter what circumstance came her way, she always spoke a "Thank you" to God. At first, I thought it was the funniest thing... but I eventually "got" it. She got  1 Thess 5:18 (Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].)

THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE

Can you be Thankful in ALL things... 

EVEN for Your "THORN"?

Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 

• Paul learned how to be thankful for the thorn in his flesh ... It's that chronic infirmity, annoyance, or trouble in one's life... that struggle that doesn't seem to go away.

...I was given the gift of a handicap (thorn) to keep me in constant touch with my limitations...

•  It was something so big he truly battled... maybe even daily.

...Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees....

• Paul even prayed for his thorn to be removed from his life, but God did not. (though we may not understand, God knows best... Can you trust and thank him for that?)

...The Lord answered "...My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness"...

• Once Paul "Got it", he was thankful for all things EVEN for His thorn.

... I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. [MSG]

Wow what a testimony!!! That very thing you want to get rid of may be that thing that keeps you coming back to Christ in surrender.  

What is your THORN

(a chronic habit, hangup, flaw, weakness, person) 

that's a CONSTANT BATTLE?  

Here's mine. 

Can you Thank Him for it? 

Make it your sacrifice today!

Give GOD THANKS Regardless of your Feelings

And HE WILL GIVE YOU JOY Regardless of your Circumstances 

JESUS CALLING - Nov 24th

Halloween - To do or not to do....

I believe THAT is not the question, but instead that there are TWO others we need to be considering ...

• Are you following YOUR heart's conviction and serving an AUDIENCE OF ONE? 
• Are you allowing the Enemy to cause distraction and disunity within the body of Christ by forming (spoken or unspoken) judgements of those who have differing opinions?  (John 10:10)

This was a hard one for me to write because I know there are strong opinions on this issue and the last thing I want to do is cause disunity. I do, however, believe this needs to be put out there. The inspiration to write this post came from an encounter I had with a sweet friend this past weekend who has given me permission to share.

We are Neighbors. Christians. Friends. Both a part of the Body of Christ

Same Church. Same Season of Life. Same Parenting Style. Same Values.

A Difference... 

MY Family chooses to trick or treat and decorate with Pumpkins and spider webs for Halloween
HER family chooses not to and goes with a more harvest fall decorating scheme.

Watch what Satan tries to do with this scenario.

This past weekend, our children were playing outside together as my friend and I monitored from a distance... the topic of Halloween came up between the boys. I began to feel a little awkward... unsettled... separated. When play time was over, I walked away feeling a little mad ... not at my friend... but at what the enemy was trying to do. ... CAUSE DISUNITY.


You have to look closely to see it...

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world... In the physical world, nothing had changed. But in the spiritual world, the enemy was throwing out some "tactics" (lies) to try and separate my friend and I.

Let me explain....

This awkward, unsettled, self conscious feeling was coming from what I started hearing in my head... something along the lines of  "She thinks less of you because you participate in Halloween. She's looking down on you. I bet she's rethinking letting our children hang out?" Now, Was this what she was really thinking? Of course not!

When I recognized the lie I was hearing, I started thinking that she could have been hearing a similar lie... something like... I bet Christie thinks I'm weird because we don't participate - I wonder what other people are thinking? Was this what I was really thinking? Of course not!

The Result: Awkwardness, insecurity, confusion .... distance.... this ultimately comes from my personal struggle of  people pleasing... and if I would not have taken those thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) ... then OFFENSE would have taken hold and caused DISUNITY. 

It makes me wonder how often things like this happen. 

Paul knew that Satan is the great enemy of God and his people, and one of his enduring tactics to disrupt the church and to hinder our witness to the world is to bring about disunity.  

-Tim Challies

We have to be sooo careful of this because disunity doesn't only affect you and your church... it also affects those outside of the church who are watching you. 

The impact can be great and Satan knows this.

So, back to the REAL questions:

1) Are you following YOUR heart's conviction and serving an audience of one? 

• Personal convictions are exactly that... personal convictions ... between you and God.
• Are you following your convictions regardless of what others think? Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 
• Interesting topic I'm currently looking into - Biblical vs Personal Convictions
• Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
   

 2) Are you allowing the enemy to cause disunity by forming opinions of others who have different personal convictions?  
 

• Satan is always looking for ways to come at the church. 

2 Timothy 2:23-24 But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. [AMP]

• ONLY the Father knows the hearts of man and has place to judge.

Luke 6:37 Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
1 King 8:39 Then hear in heaven, Your dwelling place, and forgive and act and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart You know, for You and You only know the hearts of all the children of men,

My goal for writing this post:


1 Peter 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

• To be AWARE of how Satan tries to cause disunity among believers
• Be INTENTIONAL and not allow it (go out of your way to make sure Satan cannot use your words or actions against you.)
• PRAY for EVERYONE to hear our Lord clearly and follow His voice and no one else.
• PRAY for God's will and protection over our words and actions 
• To be AWARE of your own intentions - Are you seeking to please God or others?

My goal for each October 31st.

• This is what I SPEAK: 

This is a day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24). 

• These are the questions I PRAY for wisdom for: 

How can I be a light to the world on this day? How can I teach my children to see God in everyday including this one? How is God calling ME to stand out? 

• This is our PUMPKIN TRADITION: 

Pumpkin Parable: Use pumpkin carving to share the gospel.