Pressing Onward

Well, it's getting closer! The days are coming near that we will be feeling the warm air of Western Cape mountain breezes on our faces. I must admit, there have been times that I wondered if this was all going to move forward. When I contacted the consulate in Chicago to make an appointment to interview for our visas and they said they were no longer processing visas until further notice, I felt like we encountered our first major roadblock. I began contacting the other three consulates in the states and ran into more dead ends. Nobody answered their phones, nobody returned e-mails, and nobody returned voicemails. Then, a conversation with the base in Robertson revealed that the housing arrangements we had made prior to leaving South Africa were no longer available. We will have to find new housing farther from the base (but closer to the town) and we will have to purchase a vehicle, which wasn't in the original plan. For the next two days I sulked, feeling like I failed in making the trip happen. I wondered if I had heard incorrectly from God. The first real roadblock revealed my true colors. My trust in God was not yet strong. After sulking about, I awoke the second morning to a changed and renewed heart. My mind was clearer and I began to move forward. There was a peace in my heart. I really didn't know what had changed if anything, but it was clear we needed to continue moving forward. What was God doing? What was He saying to me? He couldn't have brought us this far to then change His mind. He would continue to show me that I could indeed trust Him through the next few days. Carolynn and I put many of the childrens clothes and toys up for sale in a Mom-to-mom sale and the success of the sale was uplifting. Then, our church had planned a luncheon that allowed us to talk about our trip and our dreams for the future. It went really well and we were able to answer questions that we had heard for the first time from anyone. The support we felt was incredible! When we finished, the group prayed over us and asked God to break down walls and remove barriers. The following Tuesday I was able to finally get in contact with a consular. They said to just mail the application in and it would get processed! Wow! So, we have moved forward. We will send our application in the mail, with prayers and trust that God will make a way. With all the roadblocks, we had to wait to purchase our flights.  When we asked for a new quote this week we found out that the plane tickets are now $1000 cheaper! Praise God.  We have purchased them and plan to leave March 30th! Please pray that we are able to find acceptable housing and transportation within our price range, quickly.
So what has God been saying? I was led to Luke 17:5-10 while in a small group. We were talking about faith. How do you get it?
Luke 17:5-10 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?  Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
I felt that God was saying that rather than be concerned about how I need to have my faith and trust in God built up so I can do things, that I should rather focus on hearing from Him and doing what He says. "Well what if I'm confusing my thoughts with His voice?" Will God not answer the request to make my thoughts His thoughts? Will the Holy Spirit not council me and guide me? I should think that God would stand by His word. It was so easy to focus on what I lacked than on what He said and is saying.  The "takeaway" from the trials is to just do what God says.  I could spend time wondering if I heard correctly, or if I am doing things the right way, and for what? If God said to do something, I should just do it, and leave the results up to Him. Easier said than done, but what if we all did that...?


If you'd like to watch a slideshow of our time at Harvest School follow this link! https://youtu.be/CVHkXO9guO4

Monetary Support

Many supporters have asked how to donate money to us while we are in South Africa. Thankfully, the administrative staff at Iris has developed some really great ways to make supporting the work they are doing extremely easy. As a result, anyone who wants to help us out can give online or write a check.  There are also options to directly support specific projects that Iris is doing. The link to donate online is www.irisglobal.org/giving-center.  Click this link or go to the web page and scroll down to select your giving option.  To give directly to us, select "Iris Missionary" and type my name into the space provided.  Be sure to select either a one time donation or recurring monthly gift and the amount.  Follow the steps to complete the transaction. Iris will send tax deductible contribution receipts to each donor at the end of the year.
If you are interested in donating by standard mail and a check, make checks or money order to: 
Iris Global
PO Box 493995
Redding, CA 96049-3995
USA
Be sure to include a note saying who or what you would like the gift to contribute to. Also write "Mike Sidlauskas - Robertson, SA" on the memo line.


We are thankful beyond words for the trust that has been given us to even be considered in undertaking this mission to reach the lost. We cannot even think for a moment that we have the strength, ability, knowledge, or courage to do this on our own. We stand humbly before our God with nothing but the faith and hope that He gives us. This mission is not about us or Iris Global, but is solely intended to bring honor and glory to the Most High God. It is through His strength, and His love that the lost will be found, and the captives set free. We thank everyone who supports us in so many ways for the shared hope and faith. Together, may we be effectively used to bring the most deserved glory to God.