6 Months & 1st Furlough

Alison's Wedding Day (January 1, 2020)

Charles Spurgeon: "Rest time is not waste time.  It is economy to gather fresh strength...It is wisdom to take occasional furlough.  In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less."  When I was a Missionary in Spain, people would always ask what the hardest part about it was, and still do to this very day.  I never hesitated or had to think about my response.  Without blinking I would say, "Leaving my family behind."  Now, years later, I have been blessed with another role in my family.  I am an Uncle, to two beautiful nieces that I absolutely love and adore.  Unfortunately, I believe many Missionaries carry around a false sense of guilt.  It is peculiar to me, that they are made to feel bad for missing the ones who God used to mold, shape, fashion, and form into the effective Servant of the Lord they are today!  More than that, Missionaries aren't machines void of a heart.  They are real human beings made of flesh and blood.  They have real struggles, shortcomings, flaws, failures, and sins like everybody else does.

Winning Gold February 24, 2019

On November 7, I launched a Competition Class for the juniors and seniors at Lion's Den MMA Ministries.  A practice geared for those wanting to compete in No Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  I would also be instructing them in Catch Wrestling, to round out there grappling skills.  Although a majority of our students come to us for self-defense purposes (mentioned a few posts ago), there are kids and adults who are serious about studying and practicing these martial arts for sport/competition.  The students would be learning; some rules, how to not get disqualified, toughening up physically, mental training, visualization, participating in competitive drills/games, etc.  More importantly though, whether they win, lose, or draw, how they carry themselves.  To represent Jesus (if they are believers), Lion's Den MMA, their coaches, and themselves well.  With this extra class to prepare for and coach at, it made me also shift my focus even more so to coaching in this season/chapter.  Coaching is about giving more than taking.  I knew God was confirming to me to not retire from competing in this sport, but to take a break for now.  To take some time off as an athlete.  To put aside my own athletic hopes, aspirations, and dreams.  It was now time to pass on knowledge and experience.  To be vulnerable enough, to not just share lessons I learned from my wins, but even more so lessons from my losses, mistakes, and disappointments.  It was time to invest in these students at a greater capacity.  To make it all about them.  To celebrate when their hand gets raised, to encourage when it is isn't, and sincerely want them to accomplish and achieve great things in this sport.  The beautiful thing about it as well, is everyone has different goals.  A different "WHY" & "WHAT."  So, "greatness" and "success" looks different for everybody.  Billy Graham stated: "A Coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime."

Before the Baptism of Mr. Gross

On November 25, one of our juniors who has been coming to Lion's Den MMA for many years, asked me to Baptize him along with Coach Ryan.  His name is Kahale Gross, who I affectionally call "Mr. Gross."  He is originally from South Africa.  When I took over the juniors grappling class, he became my "demonstration buddy."  We first met while doing renovations at the Den back in June 2019.  He is a great kid, who is a pleasure to work with.  He started coming to Calvary Chapel Whangarei with his mom some months back.  Once again, Pastor Ryan had done a great job over the years of planting and watering seeds.  So, on Sunday, December 8, 2019, we were blessed, honored, and humbled to Baptize Mr. Gross at Waipu Cove!  My first Baptism here in New Zealand, and first one with Calvary Chapel Whangarei is a day I will never forget.  Also, Kieran Nelson (mentioned a few posts ago), was also Baptized with his wife Janessa Nelson that same day.  Pastor Ryan and a good friend of Kieran's, did the honors.  Joe Spiers, who is a Board Member at Lion's Den MMA, along with Ryan Baptized his wife Leighanne.

Praying with Mr. Gross before Baptism

Sunday, December 8, 2019, I also had a BBQ/Meeting with just Pastor Ryan and his family.  As I approached 6 months of serving here in New Zealand, God had been stirring something in me for half a year.  I should really say, bring me back to my original CALLING.  In part, to plant churches.  The last service at Regeneration Church, was Sunday, September 30, 2018.  My resignation as Lead Pastor was official the next day on Monday, October 1.  As mentioned a few posts back, this began a transition period of 8 1/2 months of continuing to work, setting things in order, and preparing for my move to New Zealand June 20, 2019.  It was also time to reflect, and let God do a work IN me.  So, by the time 2019 was coming to a close, I knew it was time to take a step of faith yet again, and pioneer for the gospel.  I had some ideas as to where in New Zealand to go next, but Ryan brought up an area I had never considered before, mainly because I didn't know where it was at or hadn't even heard of it!  CLIFFHANGER...the story continues next post!

Hannah (Guppy) being Silly on Christmas Eve

Friday, December 20, 2019, I departed New Zealand and landed back in Los Angeles, for my 1st Furlough.  Those first 6 months, at times went fast, and at other times went slow.  It would be a short, quick trip with much packed in.  Spending the holidays with the family, officiating my sister Alison's Wedding, checking in with my home church (Calvary Chapel Lompoc), catching up with my Pastor (Mark Galvan), serving at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa Missions Day, and attending the annual Calvary Chapel Missions Conference.  The theme this year was: "The Church that God Plants," talk about confirmation!  What a great trip this was.  So much love and support given.  In my times alone with the Lord, a thought hit me.  I have 2 lives once again.  The one I left behind in SoCal, and my new one here in NZ.  It doesn't have to be either or.  I have people I left behind who miss and care about me, and I have people here that miss and care about me.  It is the best of both worlds when you are a Missionary!  My love and care for the people in "both lives," is mutual.  This insight, filled my heart with thanksgiving.

With the Fantastic 4

Wednesday January 1, 2020, was a big day in the life of my family.  My beautiful sister Alison got married to Eric Matsen!  I had the honor and privilege of officiating the Wedding Ceremony in Laguna Beach, CA, where only immediate family was present.  Small and intimate, the way they wanted it.  A picturesque day in SoCal...with no clouds, beautiful sunshine, and clear blue skies.  Not hot or cold, even though it was "winter."  Simply perfect.  One of my roommates (A Missions Pastor in the USA) at the Calvary Chapel Missions Conference (January 6th-10th), out of nowhere looked at me and said: "So do you have a family?"  Now, I know what he meant.  He probably wondered if I was married and had children.  Without missing a beat, I smiled and said: "Yes I do. I have parents, 4 younger sisters, 3 brother-in-laws, and 2 nieces."  I can tell by his facial expression, he didn't expect THAT answer.  Needless to say, the subject was changed, and we got along really well the rest of the week.  So, although I came to New Zealand "alone," truly I am not alone.  Safe to say, I am a "Family Man."

With Guppy & Nugget 2 weeks before I went to NZ (June 2019)

Wednesday January 15, 2020 marked the end of my Furlough in SoCal.  In the spring of 2011, a group of eight Senior Pastors from various parts of the USA gathered together to discuss various topics in the church and the world around them.  In the final session, seven of them did some Q & A.  About half way through the session, the question posed to the pastors was..."What is something that blesses your church, that you work hard at, people don't see?"  One of them responded: "I really love what I do, and I really do love the church, but I love my family more.  Time with my family for me is really energizing, its life giving.  It's not dutiful, it's joyful, and I really need them.  In a way that I don't really need a lot of people as a kind of self sufficient introvert."  The path of the Missionary will ALWAYS be hard, there is a cost, and sacrifices will need to be made.  However, with the invention of airplanes and modern technology, it takes the "sting" out a little bit.  Loving our families and wanting to be with them, is a good testimony for those we are ministering to and trying to win for Christ.  Whether it was in Spain, or now in New Zealand, a great opportunity has always opened up to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with someone who asks: "So why did you leave your country and family to come here?"  Well, let me tell you...

By His Grace,
Eric