Home.

February 24, 2009
Dear Brothers and sisters,

I am writing to you from the kitchen in my house in Golden, Colorado. I have so much to write and I don’t know where to begin.

First I must begin with an apology. I haven’t updated this in too long and so much has taken place. I want to assure you that I have consulted the Lord on every decision that I have made, as well as many of the men and women that I trust most in my life.

I received an e-mail from my mother on Thursday the fifth of February talking about my great grandmother and her rapidly deteriorating condition. After I read the e-mail, I spent about 48 hours fasting and praying about what to do next. I was at a point with the ministry in Nepal that I could leave and the things that I had helped to start would continue. I was at a point where I felt like I wanted to come home, and I felt the Lord leading me to come home. For the first 40 hours or so, I struggled with not wanting to think that God was telling me to come home when it really was just my imagination. Then I prayed, “God, if this is not what you want, please make it so clear that I couldn’t deny it if I wanted to.” After I prayed that, it became more and more clear that God was not only okay with me coming home but He was totally behind it.

During my time of prayer and fasting, I asked God that, if I went home, would that mean that I would be done in Nepal? He answered me and said “I have a lifetime of work here ahead of you.” So, I am completely confident in the Lord’s ability to use this time of being home to further his vision in me and equip me for what is next.

About support. I know that many of you have already sent me money that was supposed to last until the end of my trip in August. I will soon be getting a printout of all the support that I received and who it was from, from St. Johns, and as soon as I do I would be more than happy to send any money back to anyone that requests me to do so. In the case that you are willing to let me keep the support that has already been sent, I plan on putting the remainder of the Missions support that I have received into an interest bearing account until I know what the next thing is that God wants me to do. I will not be using any received Missions support for anything other than just that, Missions.

While I was in Nepal, I was able to see some people that are using real skills that they acquired prior to getting into the mission field to further the kingdom of God. I was able to observe and get a taste for what it takes to be effective in ministry for God. I saw people of all different walks of life and levels of education serving the Lord in many more ways than I could have imagined. Having seen all of this and experienced so much more, I have seen a way that I will be able to serve the Lord. I have decided to pursue further education by first getting my EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification, and after that, my Paramedic License.

You have been the legs of this past mission to Nepal. You supported me financially, you prayed for me often, and you encouraged me. I am honored and humbled to have had this opportunity to serve our Lord, with your support. Please know that I am grateful for each one of you, and that I felt your prayers, and saw the difference they made in my life.

God confirmed my calling to Bhutan. God also assured me that my months of interceding for Bhutan, from the neighboring country of Nepal, was not in vain. I will continue to update this blog, because I have only begun the journey that God has for me. I have put together a small presentation about my trip, and I am available to come to your church or Bible study or home to share this with you. I am excited to see each of you, and share my stories, and answer your questions.

In truth,
James P. Lear