Sudan 2011-It's Coming

- On Mission -

Trip Date: October 11-21, 2011

Blessings to you in the name of Christ! Justin and I are excited to be returning to South Sudan this year for another short term trip. By God’s grace, He calls and provides for His children to obey. Please let us take this moment to share what He has been doing in Sudan, and how God has shown us we can take part.

 Many of you know we went on our first trip to the country last August, and were amazed at God's "New Testament Church" ministry in that area. When we got back to America, all we could think about were the faces and souls of brothers and sisters which the Lord allowed us to meet, and in some cases, lead into a relationship with Him. Pastor Onesimus gave me a picture of himself as a reminder to pray, and I turned the time, 11:11, into a reminder to pray for the church and others we met there: whatever I could do so as not to forget how God is working in Sudan. Over the last several months, this has included volunteering with e3 Sudan and participating in local ministry events.  God has not abandoned the seed of love He planted in our hearts for these people. I think only it has grown.

Almost a year later, we are following God’s lead back to Sudan for another, on-the-ground mission. Matthew 28:10-11 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you,” and that is what we want to do. Our team’s mission will be to share the Gospel, growing disciples in new or existing churches, and children’s and women’s ministry as we again partner with e3 Partners Ministry. Many of the team will also have the opportunity to teach at the bible school (growing in a year from about 20 to over 100), and Justin looks forward to this again.

Last year our team planted Jordan Baptist Church under a grove of Mango trees. The day before we left Sudan, I noted in my bible that I prayed these verses for the baby church: "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1:9-11) That is still our prayer not only for Jordan Baptist, but also many other Mango churches and the growing vision for the salvation of South Sudan. Returning to this area is not only a blessing, but a privilege, as we partner with the native missionaries, praying God uses us and teaches us mightily while we're there.

Just as we are partnering with the Sudanese on mission, we ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with us in one of two ways. As we obey God's call to this country, it is vital that we not do it alone. We covet your prayers in this mission, and would love to have you on our praying team! You can be praying for the Provision, the Plan, the People, and for Protection. We will send out a prayer calendar with specific things to pray for as the trip gets closer.

The second way you can partner with us is financially.  We have to cover all of the cost for flights and supplies for the trip (ca. $7,500 for both of us together), and a gift of any amount is a blessing! We truly believe that if God calls us to something, He will provide the means. If the Lord leads you to partner in this way, we thank you for allowing Him to use you. Please follow the instructions on the attached card to make sure your gift gets to the right place. (Below in Blue)

Thank you so much for partnering with us in this, and may God bless you. We can’t wait to see how God has planned to use your support on this trip!

“How then will they call on him In whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14 


 In Christ, 
Justin and Kari

South Sudan Fun Facts

- Independence Day was  July 9, 2011

- Has its own flag and currency
- Establishing its own government

- The church can play a big part by 

teaching men and women to be

disciples of Christ and to lead

by His principles

Thank you for prayerfully considering financial support! There are two ways you can send your gift: by check, or donating online. If you send a check, please make it payable to e3 Partners Ministry and send your contribution to 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 2600, Plano, TX  75075.  You will need to enter the name “Justin (or Kari) Copling” along with the trip code SD11N in the subject line to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner. Your gift will be placed in an account under our name. You can also make payments online at www.e3partners.org.  Under the “Give” menu, you will need to click “Donate today.”  Please follow the instructions given. You will need to enter Kari and Justin Copling and the trip code SD11N after checking “Other” as the “Designation.” All gifts are tax deductible, and e3 Partners then will send you a tax receipt.

Thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness!

Happy Anniversary!

I truly cannot believe that Justin and I have been married for 3 years, today. Three years! Time has absolutely flown by, which means that we are indeed having fun.

I am celebrating today in prayers of thanksgiving, poems, and a picture blog. Happy Anniversary, Bays!

An Anniversary Poem

"To my husband of this three years,

Thank you for loving me through laughter and tears.

I'm amazed at how much more each day,

You show me your love in yet another way.

Thank you for being my friend and strong rock,
And for learning to pick up your shorts and your socks.

Your laugh makes me smile, and your grin does me in,

Without you I wouldn't know where to begin.

Your love makes me smile, even when I'm alone,

And I thank God for you; that you're my own.

Let's keep having fun and new adventures,

'Till we're rocking a pearly white set of dentures.

Three years have gone by, in just a blink,

What God will do next, I can't even think.

But I know for sure, I'd have it no other way,

Than to obey Him and love Him with you, every day."

Justin, you truly are the love of my life, and I grow more and more in love with you every day. Thank you for all the amazing ways you show me your love. I'm so glad you asked, and that I said yes!

AN ANNIVERSARY IN PICTURES

Touring the Gaylord Texan

                               

                                         

Dinner 

                                  Sea Bass in lemon caper sauce, and (Sword Fish?) Piccatta.

                                         

                           

 Room Service Dessert (Even better after 11)

Bananas Foster Cake and Brownie Fudge Sundae

Day 2 - Paradise Springs and Lake Grapevine

  

Getting ready for Paradise Springs pool and the lazy river!

 

 Lake Grapevine - Silver Lake Marina

We had such an amazing time on the water. Hard to go home after that much fun! The whole weekend was memorable and precious.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Feet

 

Happy Feet

 

This weekend Justin and I made it to the movie theater, and as the previews rolled across the screen, one in particular caught my attention. More maybe as I remember it today than even at that moment: Happy Feet 2.

I have never seen Happy Feet, and likely will not see the second one, but that preview did two things. It made me wish I could have a fuzzy baby penguin of my own (almost as much as I want one of those mini giraffes from the Direct TV commercials), and it made me think of the things in life that really make me happy-all the way down to my toes.

 

Happy Cells

 

One of those things which make me very happy, is the sunshine in summer! This year's temperatures are breaking records (and pocket books) as we try to keep cool and stay safe in the incredible temps. But one thing does not change for me, regardless of the 100+ degrees. When the sun kisses my skin, all of my skin cells rejoice, and it's as if I can feel the vitamin D reviving the energy of those cells. Can you relate? It's invigorating, and I find myself at times, craving the warmth and rejuvinating energy from the sun.

 

How about after sitting for long periods of time at school or work, and then getting up and stretching the muscles in your arms, legs, and torso? Wow! Those muscle cells are jumping around, and thanking you for popping them back to life. It feels so good, and each time it happens, I wonder why I don't do it more often. Very. Happy. Cells.

 

Happy Heart

 

Recently, however, I have rediscovered the depth and breadth of the rejuvinating power of spending time in God's word. Not just reading a verse or two, or filling in blanks in a bible study book. But reading. Soaking. Studying the pages of scripture. For some, this is the status quo of your walk right now. You know the invigorating and insatiable draw of God's Word when it opens like a water hose and gushes refreshment and joy into your soul. For others, this is something you've known at various times in your walk with God. Maybe in college. Maybe right after you were saved and were on fire for the Lord. Maybe it was last year, but for some reason the habit is slipping as quickly as the summer months tick away. For me, I am easily intimidated by what I think it will take (time wise, committment wise, etc.) and if I can't do what I think it takes, I put it off, choosing rather to not try than to fail my personal expectation.

 

But, oh, what energy and excitement there is in knowing God in His Word. Studying whole passages or characters at a time help us to see God's character and learn from His mandates, love, and promises, as well as the mistakes and failings of those who followed Him in His Word. There is a spiritual "happy feet" dance that my heart does when I see His attributes come alive in the pages of the Old and New Testament, and convict and challenge me personally: when I begin to crave the Son.   

On one hand, I continue to learn (as all adults say to the next generation), "the more I know the more I realize I don't know." But at the same time, the more you know, the more God turns your heart to desire things of His nature, and the more exciting it is to live as His! Claiming His promises, obeying His mandates, and pursuing His best in each element of each day becomes like sunshine to my skin cells, or the tingling stretch of a muscle.

 

I hope that today you can say your heart is happy, and that your spiritual cells snap with the joy that is knowing our God in such a personal way. But if not, know that He is not far off, but near. "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8   Make it a priority today, and ask God to give you, happy feet.

 

 

It's a H.O.M.E.

We've been in our house now for 2 months. Hard to believe. And yet, it does feel like home. Every day I'm excited about something in the house, and so thankful all over again. Here are just a few of the highlights.

I love Having a pantry. Yes, a walk in, multi-shelved pantry to store food, snacks etc. What a treat!
I giggle about my dOorbell. I know it's a small thing, but one facet of 'house' defined is a doorbell.
We are soon getting a storM door! There is something comfortable about an open front door to greet the sun and friends and family.
And what a thrill to have a clothEs bar in the laundry room - so nice to hang wet clothes instead of draping my furniture with them.

Of course there are many more things to thank God for, including space to host family and friends, and an office for our books as well as rooms to let weary heads rest. A place to call our own, and use in ministry as the Lord leads.

*Sigh*

Very thankful. Every day.

"Good morning, Beautiful."

That’s what I heard as I rolled up to the second window at McDonalds. “Good morning, Beautiful.”

It was delivered so exactly as I arrived at the open window to pay, that it must have been perfectly planned by the two high school boys waiting with mischievous and satisfied smiles lighting their eyes as I pulled to a stop at their window. I smiled to myself, my mind repeating the words again in my head as I dug out my debit card and passed it through the window.

“Good morning . . . beautiful?”

Did they regret saying it the minute it crossed the tip of their tongue? Whether they were going off of my voice or had surveillance of the drive thru line to know I was female, were they not totally shocked when in real life I was just a 27 year old wearing no make up with wet hair lying limp against my head? I began wondering if they made a mistake, or were being facetious? Maybe they were trying to be smooth like the Starbucks people who call everyone “hun” or “love” or “sweetie.”

Whatever it was, I laughed to myself as I pulled away, (remembering too, that normally it only takes one person at the window to take money), and thought they are either really silly and just like to get reactions out of people, or they are laughing their heads off over their mistake.

I will never know. But, it was an amusing way to start the day, for them and for me. :)

Things I Love!

1. A quiet evening at home on the couch with hubby, perusing cell phone options on line.


2. Mornings when both Justin and I are home and getting ready to go to work!


3. Afternoons, just hours before departing for a mother/daughter reunion in another state.


4. Brisk walks over the lunch hour in dressy slacks and tennis shoes.


5. Answering questions about my Christmas card photo taken in Uganda.


6. Packing light in my new Vera Bradley (on sale) duffel bag.


7. Knowing sweet husband will pick me up at the airport when I return.


8. God's blessing, over and abundant beyond anything I can ask or think!


9. His Word and time alone with Him.


10. Peace. That passes all understanding.

(And I wasn't trying for ten...just came out that way :)

It's a Faith Thing

Bend

Push Off

Flailing Limbs

Scream, Blink, Rejoice

Faith

~

Did you know that life sold out for Christ is a bigger adventure than you can know while you're standing on the edge?

Did you know that when Christ takes hold of your heart, it will beat to the drum of all the nations represented at the throne of Christ in heaven one day?

Did you know that when your soul begins to understand the True Light of "Christ in me" it will no longer be satisfied with artificial light.

Did you know that by faith - in the Creator, Sustainer, Healer, Lover, Savior, Director, King and Father - you can learn your true purpose and meaning on

this earth: to love God and glorify Him ALWAYS so that

those around you see Him when they look at you

SO THAT they will also believe and Glorify His Name!

~

Are you just looking at the water from a distance?

Are you barely sticking your toe in the river?

or Have you jumped with abandon into the flow of His mercy, love and glory!