May 31, 2023

            School’s out for summer. But not forever. I remember when I was a kid and looked forward to summer vacation, and then realized that it meant more chores, and getting bored, and by the end of the summer I was excited for school to start again! Now that I’m a parent with a home office, I still kind of feel the same way. The kids are home! When do they go back! We spend the month of May bringing school to a close. Justin got a pie in the face on Field Day (that was a popular item in our silent auction), standardized testing meant that the kids were an absolute disaster in the evening, and shortened schedules made everything feel pretty dysregulated. Now that we’re all settling into the summer routine, it’s kind of exciting. 

            The kids have a whole mess of camps to attend. Justin is the missionary speaker at a camp in the St. Louis area in July. One of the integration projects that Justin has been working/waiting on with Salesforce is basically finished, so we get to move forward to some more exciting stuff in that realm. There are lots of new churches to speak and share with, we are still trying to get our support back up to goal (Pray for that, it takes a good chunk of Justin’s time that he’d rather be spending doing other ministry). In a week Justin is officiating a funeral for his dad, which is going to be difficult. Pray that the gospel is clearly communicated. 

            Last week we went on a “date” and had supper at a local restaurant owned by Iraqi people. The food was great, and it was interesting to see how the owner went from being non-interactive with us at the beginning, to being excited that these Christians were so interested in their home and culture and language and religion and food. Did you know that Iraqis put sweet pickles in their Shawarma? We were a bit surprised to find it, bit that’s how we started the conversation with the waitress who said “Oh, Iraqis put sweet pickles in everything!” We also knew some of the same people from the local mosque, overall it was a good connection to make. 

            Cute story time: Two weeks ago Justin got to church early for security, and Amy and the kids ended up not making it for various reasons. When I (Justin) got home from church, Ezekiel had written a sermon, and he and Caleb picked songs and made communion so we could have church at home…and then Ezekiel preached a sermon on forgiveness! I remember most of what he said but I was a little emotional and forgot to write down notes! 

            Thanks for keeping up with and praying for us. If you haven’t heard from us lately and would like to (especially if you want me to come to your church) reach out and let me know! 

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb Cul

April 28, 2023

               For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba!  Father!”  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God..” Romans 5:15-16

               In the past month, I’ve been remined about the reality of spiritual warfare, the goodness of God, and exhaustion.  It all started the day I received a phone call about my dad dying.  He has been an alcoholic longer than I’ve been alive.  I’ve seen him homeless, and in other ways having to live with the outcome of his addictions.  I’ve shared the gospel with him, others have cared for him and shared the gospel with him, at one point he even “got saved” but then fell back into his old lifestyle, and then one day a few weeks ago he was found in his apartment surrounded by empty bottles.

               A few weeks later at the kids’ school, we had our yearly spring fundraiser event.  It is the biggest source of scholarship funds for the school, but involves lots and lots of work to get it going.  This year we had a committee of already busy people who were stressed that the event just wasn’t going to happen, or wasn’t going to be as fruitful as it has been in the past, but we decided to do what we could do while remembering the things that are real priorities in our lives.  Last Saturday the event happened, it was fun and everybody I have talked to loved it, and the proceeds were actually more than last year.

               This week I had a plan to get caught up on calling some of you, calling new churches where I want to go and speak about Encountering Muslims and our own fundraising.  I started the week by changing the oil in my truck and found a broken spring shackle on the rear end, rendering the thing undrivable until I can get it fixed.  That day was a whole day of trying to arrange another vehicle to drive, which a brother from church was able to provide.  Today I was just reflecting on how much this reminds me of working in Lohutok!  

            I spoke at River Oaks Church a couple of weekends ago, and Pastor Larry said, “God used twelve years in South Sudan to prepare Justin for the ministry he is doing today.”  I kind of chuckled about having never seen it that way before, but man he’s right.  People die while others grieve and need help, busyness just keeps going on and cars break… But the gospel is still there, and still needed, and we are the ones who have it.  In the midst of all of this chaos, when giving up seems like an attractive option, the Lord still has a heart for the nations, the nations are still on our doorstep, and He is still providing opportunities all the time for mobilizing churches and taking the gospel to the unreached.  Thanks for reading, praying, keeping up. 

March 26, 2023

Caleb's science project - Baking Soda rockets.

How does adjusting the amounts of reactants affect propulsion? 

Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  … For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong… 1 Corinthians 1:20, 26-27

            Last month I had a bunch of exciting things to write about.  This month has been all about travel and kids.  My time is usually split between a few different roles.  Some days I’m a programmer, some days I’m a teacher, some days I’m an evangelist, some days I’m a fundraiser, some days I’m a librarian and some days I’m just the stay-at-home parent.  If you see our prayer calendars, you may know that one of my biggest priorities right now is getting our support level back up to where it needs to be.  Since our transition to US-based ministry for a season, and the current economic issues that people are facing, we’ve lost some donors and have been using a bit of reserve every month. 

               For me that means lots of phone calls, visiting new churches and re-visiting churches who know us.  This last month, the fundraising activity sort of took off and used up a good part of my time.  I spoke in 4 churches and had 12 meetings with pastors, supporters and potential donors.  I also went to a donor development training, the kids had their spring break (which involved Ezekiel and me going to Mississippi) and then Amy had her spring break (on a different week) and traveled to visit family in Georgia.  It’s exciting to get some momentum going in the world of fundraising, but today I sat here and said, “What am I going to write about?!” 

Ezekiel presenting his science project.

Which lego car will travel the farthest when being propelled by a balloon?

            There are a few things developing that I am excited about, but not ready to shout from the mountaintops until they’re a little more certain.  I went to Columbia a couple of weeks ago to take Basic Archery Instructor training for possible use with refugees, and then had an amazing person donate a bunch of the equipment that we will need to get that started.  You can be sure I’ll write more about that when there is more information to share.

            The kids had their science fair, Ezekiel’s Sunday school teacher told us how impressive and engaging he is in class, Ezekiel made honor roll, Caleb has injured himself 4 times this month, the boys have injured each other a few times.  Caleb turns seven in a few days, his birthday party is coming up.  Thanks for keeping up with and praying for us!

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb Culp

February 27, 2023

This month Ezekiel won the JOY Award at school.

His teacher talked about how much he cares for other people and loves Jesus!

            Some of you have asked me recently why I don’t write newsletters as often as I used to. I honestly had to look back and realize that it’s been almost 2 months since I’ve written! Our lives feel like a constant whirlwind of activity and yet sometimes it feels like there’s just nothing to write about in a newsletter! 

            2023 has, so far, been a year with lots of learning. Amy is taking teaching classes at Missouri State, Justin is constantly up against things that he needs to know for the programming part of his job, and then having to learn new things for there. Lately, on that front, it’s been HTML and Javascript, which are necessary for making Salesforce work properly for our team, but I don’t think most of you want to hear about my struggle with Document Object Models! 

            There has been some exciting stuff happening here lately. I (Justin) have been doing a lot of churchcalling and trying to get out to share the ministry we’re now called to. I’ve talked to quite a few churches about the importance of changing the way we think about reaching Muslims with the gospel. I’m also working on a few ways to partner with some of our local refugee ministries to use the resources and skills I have for that work. 

            Last weekend I made a trip to St. Louis to visit some churches. In 3 days I visited four churches, and still had time to meet a co-worker who lives in the area. Here was a guy I’ve met through online classes and zoom calls, but never in person, so knowing nothing about who he is or what he does, I reached out to have coffee. Coffee didn’t happen, instead he invited me to a meeting for Perspectives alumni where he was the speaker. I heard him tell an amazing story about how small the world is becoming (we use the word “glocal”). My friend, who spends time wondering whether playing video games with his Muslim friend in St. Louis should count as “work hours” told us how that relationship led to him being in Bosnia, during that big earthquake a few weeks ago, in that very city where the earthquake happened, with the parents and siblings of his friend in St. Louis. 

We also did the Family Timber Challenge this month

We were the last ones to finish because the kids had to do every lane of every element!

            Taking time to love someone and forge a friendship that wouldn’t “normally” happen meant that the relatives of this immigrant Muslim man had their lives be literally saved by their son’s Christian American friend who helped them find a place to stay (It was 30 degrees and raining when the earthquake destroyed the entire city). Now that family is forever related to missionaries who speak their language, love Jesus, and love them as well. 

            Sometimes our work seems tedious, but days like that remind me why I’m here and why it’s all worth it. Thanks for praying for us! 

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb

December 16, 2022

 

He chose us in him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.  In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace which he has freely given us in the One he loves.  Ephesians 1:4-6

               When I think about the season of Advent, the word that always comes to my mind is “waiting.”  It’s not a word that evokes feelings of firelight and presents or food and family.  When my kids are begging me to go somewhere or do something, the last word they want to hear is “wait.”  We spent all this past week at the school book fair, and my son wanted a different new thing every day, and he always looked crushed when I said “Wait until the end and then we’ll decide.”  I’m also hard pressed to think of an adult that I now who enjoys being told to wait.  I think patience is a fruit of the Spirit because it's one of those things that doesn’t come to us naturally.

               And yet, waiting seems to be God’s modus operandi.  For the One who is Eternally present, waiting makes sense.  How miserable would tomorrow be if everything we ever wanted happened today?  The most miserable people I know are the ones who have everything they thought they ever wanted.  Waiting is also the anticipation of a kid for Christmas morning.  It’s the excitement of a bride and groom who kept the wedding day sacred.  It’s finally enjoying the fruit of your long labor.  The joy of holding your baby after hours or days of birth pains. 

               In my own life, “hurry up and wait” is like, on my to do list.  Longing for people whom I love but am separated from for a season.  Hoping for the Lord to come through in so many areas of life, family, ministry, finance…  The temptation is to think that if God doesn’t answer me right now, according to my time, it’s probably never going to happen and everything is hopeless.  But then that small voice reminds me that I’ve been saved from hopelessness because I serve a God who authors hope, fulfills hope, and designs hope for my good.  Without that icky word waiting, there is no such thing as hope!

               Joseph overcame betrayal, slavery, false imprisonment and literally just being forgotten.  The kids books and movies don’t do justice to the decades of waiting he experienced, and yet after all of the victories seemed won, his grandchildren spent 400 years as slaves.  How many generations of Israelites were born as slaves in Egypt, lived their entire lives as slaves in Egypt, and died as slaves in Egypt without ever seeing the outcome of their suffering?  How many of them felt like God had simply forgotten about them?

               God eventually called Moses to lead them out, but to what?  More waiting.  Kings lived and died, and eventually the Israelites were led into exile, more waiting.  The prophets were silent for another 300 or so years…more hopeless generations.  But without waiting there’s no place for hope.

               Paul said that before the world was founded, we were chosen In Christ to be holy and blameless, adopted to sonship.  That’s worth waiting for.  The Israelites learned and proved that “holy and blameless” is impossible to achieve on our own.  But the Lord knew that.  He predestined us to the adoption that Christ made possible…before the world was even founded.  If he can do that, working through thousands of years of…waiting…what am I so worried about? 

               When I think about the season of Advent, the word that always comes to my mind is “waiting.”  Not because Christmas is just miserable and reminds me of the perceived misery of waiting, but because this is the season where we remember that, after thousands of years of waiting and hundreds of years of absolute silence, God finally broke through the barrier and entered His creation to be with us and fulfill that adoption that was predestined before the foundation of the world.

               Waiting feels miserable for limited, impatient, fallen people, but hope fulfilled is worth the wait.  Christ is here, He’s not a baby anymore, He satisfied your debt and freely offers you His perfect righteousness, He inaugurated your adoption plan, He promises to end it all with something even better.  Merry Christmas, following Christ is worth the wait.

 

Justin, Amy, Ezekiel and Caleb Culp

September 27, 2022

          I’ve been to more than twenty countries around the world, and every state east of Kansas City, but I’ve never been west of Wichita and Salina, KS. I’ve also driven through a few mountains but, apart from the small hills in Lohutok, have never spent time in mountains outside of a vehicle. Labor Day weekend, Amy had a friend getting married in St. Louis and I had the chance to go to a conference in Estes Park. The kids came to Colorado with me and it was an exciting weekend. 

          The conference was an event for Merge and Vision 5:9, which is an association of missions organizations who have the goal of reaching the Muslim diaspora in the USA with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a great chance to meet people from other places in the USA who are involved in the same kind of work. We got to talk about different approaches and strategies, network with people who would be interested in the training course our team provides, make some fun new friends, and connect with some old friends. I even got to talk to some people about ways to use CRM to improve processes…the boring stuff that I do now. 

          The kids are back in school full swing, Amy’s working as a para, I’m learning a new software and networking with churches to talk about Muslim ministry. I’m also volunteering as the librarian at the kids’ school (Don’t I strike you as a librarian? Haha). I’m speaking at churches and trying to get people involved in reaching the Muslims around them, and also trying to get our support back up. Other than that, these newsletters are hard to write because life just feels…boring! 

           Thank you so much for keeping up with us, our calendars, praying and caring. We couldn’t do this without you!

July 28, 2022

I introduced the boys to Star Wars…Now they have a whole new set of games to play hahaha. I went to the supper table one night and saw this

          Do you ever wonder if you’re really accomplishing anything? I do. Do you ever feel like the Lord has put you in a place where everything you are supposed to be doing is something you just aren’t good at or equipped for? I do. Sometimes the Lord gives us little glimpses of what He is doing, but not always. When I read where Paul was told “My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness” I’m like…yeah that’s good for Paul who knew deep down that he wasn’t really weak…right? When I think of the Apostle Paul, weak is the last thing that comes to mind, but I’m starting to think that Paul probably saw himself differently. Maybe when he talked about only boasting in the cross, he wasn’t just speaking platitudes because he knew he could take credit for so much more…he really did feel like he didn’t deserve credit for anything. 

          In the past few weeks I’ve been struck with the degree to which I really don’t feel qualified for anything that I’m doing right now! I’ve had seasons where I’ve thought “Wow, now THIS is what I was made for” but this is not one of those seasons. Pretty much every area of responsibility I have today involves a steep learning curve, and it’s hard to find a place to stand! 

           Last week I was working on SalesForce, which is part of what I am doing for our new Pioneers team. When I talked to one of their nonprofit employees who helps people get started, he said “Most nonprofits I talk to don’t have somebody with your level of understanding” and it felt like he was either trying to be nice…or saying they all know more than I do! 

           Later that week, while running errands with the boys in the car, I was listening to a book called Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. Here I am today as a student in the course that I should eventually be able to lead, and the author of this book was one of the speakers in the course material. The boys were in the backseat playing as I listened to the book, and then all of a sudden Ezekiel said “Dad can you pause this?” I thought he was getting bored with it, but he had actually been listening and wanted to clarify that he was hearing it right! People actually believe that Jesus is the Messiah, Word of God, sinless, born of a virgin, coming back to judge the world, and yet ISN’T God and didn’t die for sins? I got very little work done that day because Ezekiel spent 3-4 hours listening, stopping, asking questions, backing up to listen some more, and comprehending things that so many adults have trouble with. 

          Are you in Christ? If you are, God is not inactive. In his immutability, he is so infinitely active that He could never be more or less so. Despite our weakness, insecurity and failure, God chose to use you, and me, for His kingdom…believe it or not. Justin Culp