Plans (Part #2): Walking in Memphis but not with the Lord.

Our plans were set, the u-haul packed, and we were ready to make the 550 mile move from Warner Robins, GA to Memphis, TN.  On August 16, 1999, Kim and I and baby Alayna began our journey as part of the Memphis Police Department/law-enforcement family.  A journey I believed would only be for a couple of years not only lasted almost 12 years, but also had a profound impact on our lives.

Brad was a Memphis Police Officer from August 1999 to March 2011

The plan was simple, I would work with the police department until I completed my undergraduate studies and then begin studying at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.  This should have been easily completed in no more than 3 to 4 years, but as we were learning our plans are often convoluted with life and we often change them.  In this time Kim and I had added Carolyn in 2001 and Kyle in 2003 to our family, and were no longer seeking the Lord's direction, but rather our own.

By 2004 we had 3 children, a house in the suburbs, 2 cars, a dog, and a yearly vacation to the beach.  On the surface it appeared we had the perfect little family living the "American Dream", but we lacked peace and joy.  Though we had chosen to forget our purpose for moving to Memphis in the first place God did not, and He did not allow us the peace and joy that comes from following Him.

After a few years of running from God's calling on our lives we surrendered to obey Him, and I began taking classes at Mid-America Theological Seminary in the Fall of 2006.  Though we were beginning an uncertain time in our lives we found peace in the Lord Jesus Christ as we followed Him.  "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trust in You." - Isaiah 26:3

Reaching & Teaching Mission Trip (October 1 -9)

The Christian cross resting on the pagan moon symbol.  A sign of syncretism in the culture between the Catholic influences on the culture and the traditional gods of the Canari Quichua Highland Indians.  Most houses in the area have some form of pagan symbol on them as an offering to the gods, in this case the moon god.  The Canari Indians traditionally worshiped the moon god but there are also symbols of sun worship because of the influence of the Inca Empire.

Our Reaching & Teaching International mission team in Sisid, Ecuador.  Sisid is a rural mountanous community primarily inhabited by the Canari Quichua Highland Indians.  It is located in the Canar Providence of Ecuador near El Tambo, and is over 10,000 feet above sea level.

A 500 year old Catholic Church (recently restored) located next to where we were staying.  In every community there is a Catholic Church, however, most of the churches do not have a priest and the people rarely attend mass.

Angel (an elder in the community) sounding a Quichua horn which is traditionally used to notify others in the village to come to their house and help, but during our week it was used to tell us it was time for a break.  Angel is wearing the traditional Canari Quichua dress for men.  Many of the Canari Quichua men and women still dress in their traditional clothing on a daily basis.

Brad teaching a group of indigenous pastors near El Tambo, Ecuador with Dr. David Sills translating.  In the class were a group of about 30 ideginous pastors/leaders who came from all over the area for training.  Most of the men in the group only make about $50 (US) dollars a month and work full-time outside of their churches, but gave up a weeks worth of work in order to come to the training to be better equipped to lead and reach their people. There is a great hunger among the pastors to learn more about the Word of God, as well as a great need for more missionaries to train them.

A little Quichua girl in tradition Quichua clothing.

Pastor Felix - left (a Quichua pastor/leader) and his family.  Pastor Felix was our host for the week and he has a tremendous love for the Lord and for reaching his community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.