Breathe International Missions Network » China

The drought is over – July 2010 Update

jmillerjr — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:28:08 +0000

We may never understand all God’s ways, purposes and dealings with us in this life; however, we will definitely see, feel and taste the results of His hand. The key is what posture will we take when Father is leading us through the valley or desert, in times of famine or drought? Will we react, most likely, or will we respond, eventually? Well, at least for me this seems to be the case.

The weeks and months since I returned from Kenya, December 2009, have been very quiet. Most of my focus has been praying and encouraging Becky, as she discovers God’s purpose for her. For years, our ministry paths have been complimentary or parallel, but not really united in common focus and purpose. A little over a year ago, we closed a struggling, OK…failing, church plant that was doomed from the onset. This was done in conjunction with a full time youth ministry, which was our primary passion and focus. In hindsight, I see that moving from the youth ministry and a failing church plant was divinely orchestrated by the Lord. In spite of the feelings of rejection, loneliness and failure God was working something in us, not just for what’s happened the past few months, but the weeks, months & years ahead.

If you are like me, you can identify first hand with at least one character in the bible. Often times I find myself aligned with Elijah the prophet. (*Disclaimer – I am not calling myself a prophet) I heard Steven Furtick speak during The Nines event on Elijah out of 1 Kings 17. Elijah prophesied there would be a famine, afterwards he was led to the brook Cherith where he was fed by ravens. One day the brook dried up. Why did it dry up? Because God told Elijah to prophesy a famine/drought in the land. At some point everything would dry up. This forced Elijah to move beyond the brook to a widow woman’s house, where he blesses the woman and her son. God spoke the famine, God led Elijah to the brook, God fed Elijah, God dried up the brook and God led Elijah to the widow woman. Not only that, but if you read on in chapter 18, you find that Elijah confronts the wicked King Ahab and wipes out the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. All things, regardless of how they looked, were purposed by God for a divine moment.

For months, there appeared to be a famine in our ministry. God open doors to secular jobs so we can receive provision, sustenance and provide some stability for our family. However, He did not intend for us to camp out here. This has been a time of much needed physical and emotional mending. Kenya was a wake up call for me, showing me what my true purpose in the Kingdom is. When Becky returned from China, she too had a clear direction and purpose for ministry. For the first time, our hearts and spirits are united in missions. So much so, that at this writing Becky is on her second missionary endeavor, this year, to Haiti. In December, she will join me for our first ever joint missionary journey to Kenya, and possibly Uganda.

Doors for missions are not the only thing opening in our lives, the month of July is more busier in ministry work than previous months. I have performed a wedding ceremony for a friend from high school. This Sunday, I am filling the pulpit at our home church, River Stone in San Marcos – TX, for the first time. Finally, I am preaching the Central District – PCG youth camp in Missouri for a fellow youth director friend, Dalin Antwiler. Now I know how Elijah felt when the servant told him he saw a cloud the size of a man’s hand. It was a small sign, but Elijah knew it meant the famine and drought was over, and a deluge filled the land.

I don’t know if we are about to experience a ministry deluge, but I can say it sure looks like the famine and drought is subsiding. Now we wait on the voice of the Lord to lead us away from our secular jobs and back into full time ministry, global missions. Will you pray and agree with us? Will you take time to encourage us? Finally, will you consider partnering with us?

China Update 05272010

jmillerjr — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:19:48 +0000

Here is the final 3 day summary of Becky’s China Trip. We will post an overall trip report with pictures after she is home. Right now the River Stone team is resting, but will soon be on there way for a Saturday arrival. This is the first time I have been on the waiting end of a mission trip. It’s strange, yet exciting. I can’t wait to hear, cry, agonize and strategize for future endeavors. Here are the links to Becky’s updates. Be sure to keep the team in pray until they are safely back in Texas. Blessings, James

Day at the Park

Random Thoughts

Farewell from China

China Update 05242010

jmillerjr — Mon, 24 May 2010 20:14:53 +0000

Here is our second 3 day summary of Becky’s China Trip. She still doesn’t have data access with her BlackBerry, and according to Verizon her phone is active. We have a sneaky suspicion the local carrier may have disabled her access after she connected to her Twitter & Facebook accounts. Oopsie! Anyway, the River Stone team finishes up this week and will be home Saturday. As long as Becky continues to send me an update, I should be able to post one more time before they come home. In the meantime, please continue pray. There journey is NOT over. Enjoy!

Taste of China

Chinese Weekend Adventures

Life in the Welfare Centre

China Update 05212010

jmillerjr — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:36:07 +0000

Becky arrived in China this week and the entire River Stone team has pretty much hit the ground running. Becky is having issues with her BlackBerry, and I am working with Verizon to resolve. They are limited in their communications; therefore, updates may be fewer than expected. Below are some post from Becky’s site to give you a view from the ground. Lord willing, we will get more details and pictures, when I get her phone issue resolved. Enjoy!

Austin to Hong Kong to China

Hong Kong to China

A Day in China

It Begins

jmillerjr — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:25:40 +0000

This is just a quick post, with many more to follow in the coming weeks & months. Today is a major milestone in the Miller family and ministry. My wife, Becky, is off on her very first mission trip ever, and it’s to communist China. I always thought I would be the one going to face the giants of atheism head on, but God always has a much better plan. Not only is she going on her first trip this year, but she will be going to Haiti in July and Kenya with me in November/December. By years end she will be 1 trip shy of me. Talk about a quick work!

For 20+ years in the our ministry, Becky has always been a faithful & suitable helper [one who provides a remedy], having my back, supporting my spiritual “fly by the seat of my pants” & “hair on fire” endeavors. Up until now, it’s been me in the forefront and she holding my arms in battle. Now God has revealed to her that she has a ministry mission race to run too. Father is showing her that she is equally, if not more, equipped to advance His Kingdom to the nations. For the first time I don’t have to drag her along for the ride, she is beginning her own race and she will run along side me, if not in front until we cross the finish line.

As I wrap this up, please pray for Becky and the team from River Stone Community Church over the next 2 weeks. They need our prayer covering and encouragement while they are there. I would also ask you to consider supporting our ministry as we take the gospel of Christ to the nations, making disciples, and caring for the poor, widows & orphans. For more information, visit our contact page and let’s do life in Christ & build Kingdom together.

Missionary to a Generation

jmillerjr — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:07:55 +0000

This has been months in the making, but I have finally cleaned up the site. Since my return from Kenya in December, I am seeing clearer and clearer who I am and what God has called me to. Not only in me, but in my wife and children too.

It’s taken a while for me to accept that I am a missionary, not in the traditional sense, but a “Missionary to a Generation”. What does this mean? I am not limited to a single nation, continent, people group, age, race, culture, tongue or political affiliation, but a missionary to the generation I have been blessed to live in.

I turn 44 this May and realize my time on earth is not getting any longer; therefore, I MUST seize every moment of breath I am blessed with and put it to good work for the Kingdom of Christ. This means setting my sights and leading my family into the nations, and go make disciples of Christ.

I pray you will take a few moments to navigate the updates. We did not change the look and feel, but all the content has been updated to reflect our current and future mission projects. You can begin with our Welcome page. Don’t miss our Missions: Kenya, Macedonia and China pages either.

Lastly, we pray you will consider being a partner with us in our mission endeavors. Be sure to visit our contact and support pages for more information.

Have a great weekend,

James

Mission China 2010

jmillerjr — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:54:08 +0000

Still cannot believe I [Becky] am departing for China in just two and a half months. My Visa package is complete, but need to schedule an immunization appointment. I am very grateful for the donations that have come in. To help offset expenses, the team is selling t-shirts.

The shirts come in serene green, natural or Vegas gold. They cost $15 and are available in adult sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. All shirts will have a silhouette of China with red writing that says, “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you”. Shirt orders and money are due to me by Friday, March 19. Orders/checks may be mailed to Becky Miller, PO Box 1167, San Marcos, TX 78667. Please make checks payable to River Stone Community Church. Thank you for your support.