I was up late with the Lord one night this week. I have been struggling with some things that I wanted to talk to Him about. As I spent this time with Him, I was led to an outline of a sermon that my Pastor had preached on. I was reading over it when these 2 verses jumped out at me:
Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Isaiah 65:24 It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Wow! He hears me, even before I call He knows and answers. He gives comfort when I need it. He doesn't remove the circumstances everytime (He didn't this time) but He gave me strength to go through the tough times so that He can teach me more about Himself. I can trust Him so I patiently wait for Him to answer in His timing.
I don't look to be satisfied by my circumstances, it is God who truly satisfies. My circumstances change but God never does. Therefore I can say, "I am satisfied in God".
Gary
Thursday, January 31, 2008
One week to go ...
until we leave for Orientation at WEC's sending base in Fort Washington, PA. I can't believe there is so little time left before we leave. I also can't believe how much we still have to do before we go and these last few days haven't helped as many things seemed to have gone wrong.
It started last weekend when the washing machine broke
Then the pipe on our bathroom sink broke
Then on Tuesday I was stopped on my way home by a large tree that fell across the road. I know it happened not long before I got there as I was the first one on the scene of a fairly busy road.
Next, on Wednesday a routine doctors exam turned out to be not so routine as the doctor found something suspcious and sent me immediately for some tests.
Today we had doctor appointments for 4 of the kids - oh, and the furnace broke
I thank the Lord that:
Gary fixed the washing machine (at no cost!!)
He now has the part to fix the sink
I wasn't under the tree when it fell
My tests showed everything was okay
3 out of the 4 kids had a clean bill of health (Elaina has to get a check up for hearing and blood pressure issues)
Gary fixed the furnace otherwise it would have been a cold night
But what I was very thankful for was this encouragement - while I was at the hospital waiting for my test results I turned and saw a beautiful picture on the wall with this scripture beneath
Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
It may not have been the easiest of weeks, but as long as I trust in the Lord, and continue to be fed by His Word (the Scriptures), I do not have to be afraid of anything and through everything He will still use my life and He will get the glory.
God is good!
Michelle
It started last weekend when the washing machine broke
Then the pipe on our bathroom sink broke
Then on Tuesday I was stopped on my way home by a large tree that fell across the road. I know it happened not long before I got there as I was the first one on the scene of a fairly busy road.
Next, on Wednesday a routine doctors exam turned out to be not so routine as the doctor found something suspcious and sent me immediately for some tests.
Today we had doctor appointments for 4 of the kids - oh, and the furnace broke
I thank the Lord that:
Gary fixed the washing machine (at no cost!!)
He now has the part to fix the sink
I wasn't under the tree when it fell
My tests showed everything was okay
3 out of the 4 kids had a clean bill of health (Elaina has to get a check up for hearing and blood pressure issues)
Gary fixed the furnace otherwise it would have been a cold night
But what I was very thankful for was this encouragement - while I was at the hospital waiting for my test results I turned and saw a beautiful picture on the wall with this scripture beneath
Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
It may not have been the easiest of weeks, but as long as I trust in the Lord, and continue to be fed by His Word (the Scriptures), I do not have to be afraid of anything and through everything He will still use my life and He will get the glory.
God is good!
Michelle
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
My Trip to England!!!!
I have arrived home from England. Wow! What a trip. Last week was incredible. I met a lot of people in a short period of time and I actually remember all of their names! They have become like family to me in such a short time. Let me explain. They were very welcoming, giving and loving. Most lunches and every evening someone took me in to feed me. It was great fellowship and food :-) If I needed anything or had questions they were more than willing to help or answer my questions. I also had a chance to put the skills the Lord has given me to use. I fixed the boiler to the main house and tried to fix a light, but didn't have the right tools! It was wonderful to experience life with a group of people who understand that everything they have (time, money, possessions etc) comes from God and belongs to God. Although they didn't know me well, they loved me as a brother in Christ. I look forward to returning with my family in the summer.
As Michelle posted last week I was having trouble in England and I want to tell you why. I have lived in the Saint Louis area all my life. I have never left to live anywhere not even for college and now God is calling me to leave and go someplace new - new friends, a new church, a new home, a new country and a new culture. It is still so hard to leave those I love and all I have known, but I know this is where God is calling. The Lord has given me a peace that does pass all understanding and I am ready to go.
We still have lots of things to accomplish here before we can leave for Rothwell, England. First we leave for Fort Washington, PA on February 8th. We return from orientation in the middle of May and will have several things to do before we leave for England, like finish rehabbing the house we are currently living in, selling our furniture and packing up our belongings. One thing we would really appreciate your prayers for is the sale of our house. We pray that the Lord would bring this about quickly.
Check out my pictures in the left column.
Gary
As Michelle posted last week I was having trouble in England and I want to tell you why. I have lived in the Saint Louis area all my life. I have never left to live anywhere not even for college and now God is calling me to leave and go someplace new - new friends, a new church, a new home, a new country and a new culture. It is still so hard to leave those I love and all I have known, but I know this is where God is calling. The Lord has given me a peace that does pass all understanding and I am ready to go.
We still have lots of things to accomplish here before we can leave for Rothwell, England. First we leave for Fort Washington, PA on February 8th. We return from orientation in the middle of May and will have several things to do before we leave for England, like finish rehabbing the house we are currently living in, selling our furniture and packing up our belongings. One thing we would really appreciate your prayers for is the sale of our house. We pray that the Lord would bring this about quickly.
Check out my pictures in the left column.
Gary
Provisions for England
Well, it hasn't taken long for the Lord to start providing for us in England.
Last week Daniel asked me if there were any children at Radio Worldwide. I had to tell him no, but that we could pray that the Lord would provide friends for them. So, a day or two later Gary called from England and during our conversation he told me about a family that had contacted Radio Worldwide and among other things, were looking for friends for their 5 children!!!
The Lord didn't stop there - just two days ago we were offered a short vacation in Devon (south England) in the Fall. This will be exciting, especially for the children as some of them have never seen a beach or the ocean before.
God is so good!
Michelle
Last week Daniel asked me if there were any children at Radio Worldwide. I had to tell him no, but that we could pray that the Lord would provide friends for them. So, a day or two later Gary called from England and during our conversation he told me about a family that had contacted Radio Worldwide and among other things, were looking for friends for their 5 children!!!
The Lord didn't stop there - just two days ago we were offered a short vacation in Devon (south England) in the Fall. This will be exciting, especially for the children as some of them have never seen a beach or the ocean before.
God is so good!
Michelle
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
He will supply ALL your needs
On Sunday we received two cards from members in our church which included a very generous sum of money. At the time I was very touched and grateful for the thoughtful words and the money which was needed to cover bills.
While the Lord has graciously supplied our physical needs He has also been supplying our other needs. While I knew the words in the cards were thoughtful I just didn't realize how much they were going to help. A few hours later I was talking to Gary who was a little discouraged. I was able to share with him the encouraging words on the cards. These words really gave him hope and helped him immensely.
Also, over the last few days I have been struggling with the thought of what I have to accomplish when we go to the Candidate's Orientation in Pennsylvania. I am expected to be in class for 4 hours most days. Along with this I will have assignments to prepare and books to read, not forgetting homeschooling the kids and taking care of other family needs. This was a little overwhelming for me today especially as we didn't even finish all the schoolwork.
This evening as we were preparing to leave for church I was asking the Lord how was I going to get through this and do everything I needed to do? Just 10 minutes later I picked the mail and received a card from I lady who I haven't seen in a few years and I didn't even think she knew about us leaving. The card read as follows:
To Queen Elizabeth (for that is what she used to call me!) & Gary.
Best Wishes on your new Venture!
Fear not, the Lord will provide!
Wow!! I still don't know how He will work things out, but I was so thankful for the timely reminder that He will provide a way for me to accomplish what He has called me to do.
Michelle
While the Lord has graciously supplied our physical needs He has also been supplying our other needs. While I knew the words in the cards were thoughtful I just didn't realize how much they were going to help. A few hours later I was talking to Gary who was a little discouraged. I was able to share with him the encouraging words on the cards. These words really gave him hope and helped him immensely.
Also, over the last few days I have been struggling with the thought of what I have to accomplish when we go to the Candidate's Orientation in Pennsylvania. I am expected to be in class for 4 hours most days. Along with this I will have assignments to prepare and books to read, not forgetting homeschooling the kids and taking care of other family needs. This was a little overwhelming for me today especially as we didn't even finish all the schoolwork.
This evening as we were preparing to leave for church I was asking the Lord how was I going to get through this and do everything I needed to do? Just 10 minutes later I picked the mail and received a card from I lady who I haven't seen in a few years and I didn't even think she knew about us leaving. The card read as follows:
To Queen Elizabeth (for that is what she used to call me!) & Gary.
Best Wishes on your new Venture!
Fear not, the Lord will provide!
Wow!! I still don't know how He will work things out, but I was so thankful for the timely reminder that He will provide a way for me to accomplish what He has called me to do.
Michelle
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Oh me of little faith!
I need to tell a story. One that happened back in November. One in which my faith grew.
It was November 10th, the children were at 'Parents Night Out' at our church. Gary and I had a few hours to ourselves - but no money to do anything. So unfortunately we had a little pity party instead :-( We complained about our money situation. We knew the Lord could provide as we have read many examples of Him doing so - our question was 'why would he provide for us?'
When we returned home I became a little more concerned as I remembered I had promised the kids a party on Monday afternoon to celebrate Daniel, Elaina and Deanna's birthdays. We were going to Chuck E Cheese. Now, I had planned the party frugally. We would have store bought pizzas before we left and I would buy tokens with coupons I had saved. It was going to cost approximately $30, but that was $30 we didn't have.
So early Sunday morning I brought my concern to the Lord. I pleaded with Him to show me something that day to prove He would take care of us. I told Him I didn't mind having to go without things but please don't make me have to tell the children their party is cancelled - please don't make them suffer. I hated to ask God to prove Himself to me but I didn't know what else to do.
It was November 10th, the children were at 'Parents Night Out' at our church. Gary and I had a few hours to ourselves - but no money to do anything. So unfortunately we had a little pity party instead :-( We complained about our money situation. We knew the Lord could provide as we have read many examples of Him doing so - our question was 'why would he provide for us?'
When we returned home I became a little more concerned as I remembered I had promised the kids a party on Monday afternoon to celebrate Daniel, Elaina and Deanna's birthdays. We were going to Chuck E Cheese. Now, I had planned the party frugally. We would have store bought pizzas before we left and I would buy tokens with coupons I had saved. It was going to cost approximately $30, but that was $30 we didn't have.
So early Sunday morning I brought my concern to the Lord. I pleaded with Him to show me something that day to prove He would take care of us. I told Him I didn't mind having to go without things but please don't make me have to tell the children their party is cancelled - please don't make them suffer. I hated to ask God to prove Himself to me but I didn't know what else to do.
Then, on the way to Church that morning I noticed I had enough gas to get me there and back home - but no more - I was getting discouraged.
That morning, after Sunday School someone came up to me and handed me a check for $50. She told me that the Lord had strongly impressed it on her heart that morning to give $50 to me. I was a little emotional, but was so excited to be able to share with her that God had answered my prayer through her. He had provided not only for the party, but for the gas to get there.
As I reflect on the events of that weekend I realize that if things had happened the way I wanted - meaning, if I had enough money ahead of time - I would have missed out on seeing the incredible way my Heavenly Father provided for us, the lady who gave the gift would have missed out on the blessing of the Lord working through her and ultimately God wouldn't have received the glory for it.
I realize my Father knows best, I just hope I can trust Him a little more next time. My mustard seed is growing - albeit very slowly!
Michelle
The Details
For those of who don't know I want to take just a minute to outline the details of where and when we will be going.
On February 8th we will be leaving for Fort Washington, Pennsylvania where we will spend 3 months in Candidate Orientation with WEC. We will be returning to St Louis in the middle of May. Once we are back here we will have a few weeks to wrap up all the details before leaving sometime this summer for Rothwell, England, where Gary will be taking care of the property for Radio Worldwide.
We will spend 2 years there and then come home for a 2-3 month period before returning to Rothwell - or doing whatever else the Lord has for us at that time.
Michelle
On February 8th we will be leaving for Fort Washington, Pennsylvania where we will spend 3 months in Candidate Orientation with WEC. We will be returning to St Louis in the middle of May. Once we are back here we will have a few weeks to wrap up all the details before leaving sometime this summer for Rothwell, England, where Gary will be taking care of the property for Radio Worldwide.
We will spend 2 years there and then come home for a 2-3 month period before returning to Rothwell - or doing whatever else the Lord has for us at that time.
Michelle
All Clear
This week Gary went for a check up with his neurosurgeon. We are grateful to the Lord for the 'all clear' that his doctor gave him. Just 5 weeks after surgery he no longer has weight restrictions on what he can lift. Even more exciting is that the pain he had before surgery is ALL GONE. Praise the Lord.
So now he can lift Deanna again - and take out the trash :-)
Michelle
Sunday, January 6, 2008
The Call
God has been calling me for a long time. I met and married my wife (Michelle) in 1994. A God decreed appointment. Leaving home and becoming the head of my family was the start of God teaching me to trust Him. I believed God wanted me for something so I met with my pastor at the time and he had me go before the Church to ask for prayer as I sought God. Life went on and this was soon forgotten until recently. I continued to grow and seek Him and always looked to be useful.
We moved our membership to First Baptist Church of Fenton, MO in 1995 but I did not tell anyone of God's call on my life as it wasn't foremost in my mind at the time. Michelle and I just knew that God had something for our lives and would often remark "We don't know what God will have us doing in a year, 5 years or 10 years from now but we know it won't be a 'normal' life". I have always had a desire to hold Bible studies and as time went on the desire to see men grow in Christ emerged.
In 1998 I started my own business and we became foster parents (from which we have now adopted 6 wonderful children). Right from the start God had set the ground rules. You are to trust ME. I went full time in my business in October (a bad time of the year for construction and Michelle had just left work to stay home with the children) and by December I had very little work. My stomach was hurting and I was very anxious. I said to God "I can't do this You have to take this from me". I looked to Him to provide and He saw us through that winter.
The talents that God has given me in the construction and repair field have developed tremendously during the 9 years that I ran my own company. I started out doing 1 project at a time by myself to being able to manage several projects at once. In 2001 I expanded my knowledge a little more and started rehabbing houses. Over the course of several years I have rehabbed 6 of my own, not to mention all the ones for other people. In 2005 I was given the opportunity to build my first house. I knew these skills were given to me by God and over the years have looked for ways to use these talents to help others. In 2003 I went on my first (of 4) construction mission trips with my Church. God has given me many opportunities to learn and to trust Him.
The following year I began realizing that there was more to this Christian life than what I was living. I also knew with my children getting older that my responsibility was to teach them the Bible, but I was quickly realizing that I didn't know enough for this huge task. So I started taking classes at Missouri Baptist University extension program that we have at our Church. I took 3 theological classes as well as several others. I did not graduate, but did receive a firm foundation on which to build.
The more I learnt about God, the more I became unsettled and wanted to do more. I thought that maybe God just wanted me to train my children well so that they would be equipped for the mission field if that is where God would lead them. I certainly did not think that I had anything God could use on a mission field. I am not highly educated and have no desire to preach, but God was about to reveal to me that He had given me talents I could use for Him. He led me to study about such men as George Mueller and Brother Andrew. I read about how George Mueller, a pastor of a church in Bristol, England, founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institute for Home and Abroad, where he distributed Bibles and tracts, formed Sunday Schools, day schools, adult schools and supported many missionaries (including Hudson Taylor). What Mr. Mueller is most noted for was his work with the orphans in England. What intrigued me greatly was that never did he ask people for money, instead he took all of his needs entirely before the Lord and watched as God provided everything George and the ministry needed. He believed that all men's hearts are in God's hands and that He could stir them to give. He believed Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. (This is a passage that God has, and continues to take me back to since about 2004 because He wants me to understand it's meaning). George Mueller did the work God had for him to do, he stayed on his knees before God seeking His kingdom and His righteousness and had faith in God that His word was true and that God would meet his needs. And God did - every time.
In May of 2006 Michelle was talking to her Dad on the phone who asked if they found a 5 bedroom house would we move to England? Michelle said "in a heartbeat" - thinking that this would never happen - there was no way we could afford a small house in England - let alone a large one. A couple of weeks later her Dad called and told us they had just bought a 5 bedroom house and offered it to us if we decided to move to England. Wow - what an offer. We discussed it and prayed about it and realized we didn't want to move to England just to 'live', in fact we didn't want to move anywhere just to 'live'. If we were to move it would be because God would lead us there for a purpose. I had long thought that God wanted us in England for some reason and all this set a greater fire in my heart so I continued waiting upon God and doing what was before me and looking for what God was doing.
A few weeks later I read the autobiography of Brother Andrew who lived in Holland and took the Bible behind the Iron Curtain. He (like George Mueller) lived in dependence upon God, trusting God for all of his, and the ministry's needs. Brother Andrew received his training from WEC in the 1950's and had mentioned (in his book) that WEC used people in the construction field. Now this intrigued me because they were headquartered in England. I wondered if WEC was still in operation today and if so do they still need construction people and could it be close enough to the house Michelle's parents had offered us. I found their website and discovered they needed a maintenance person at the headquarters just outside London.
We applied for the position but were turned down at the end of 2006 as they had no room for our large family at the training facility in Pennsylvania and they definitely wouldn't have room for us in England. So the door was closed. We also had some things to finish such as: Deanna's adoption, closing the business etc. So we thought the Lord must be calling us somewhere else. Also around this time the Lord began to impress it on my heart to close the business and get out of debt. It seemed to me that God was saying not to use the talent He has given me for my gain anymore and to close the business. I wanted to try and close the business by the end of the year but I knew I had too much debt for me to close the business until I sold the rental property that I owned. God gave me the gift of faith to believe by Christmas He would provide us with a contract on the rental property, He did. But that contract did not go through. God was again saying trust Me. Once more God gave me the gift of faith to believe by my birthday (February 3) He would provide another contract, He did. It seemed that God wanted me to close the business sometime toward the end of March. The Lord brought about the sale of the property in the month of March and paid off a lot of the debt. The end of the month came and went, but the work continued to arrive. I was thinking that God was providing us with more work than ever before. But He was going to use this to teach me more about Him. So life continued here for several months, but I wasn't settled. I continued to try and build the business and provide for my family while serving the Lord as best as I could, looking for opportunities for service. By this time we had both forgotten about closing the business.
Throughout the Spring I kept saying I don't want to miss what God has for me. But by the Summer I had a burden that I had missed what God wanted me to do. I spent one of several nights up with the Lord, seeking His will and the Lord brought back to my mind you were supposed to close the business and I will show you what I want you to do. I fought with this for several weeks. I told Michelle that I don't think He will show me the next step until I am faithful in following Him in this first. So I spent several weeks seeking the Lord and His plans for us - but the answer never changed - close the business before I show you the next move. So over the next few weeks I made plans to hand the business over to a friend, but still had trouble taking that final step, so I prayed that God would give me the mind to close the business. He did. The very next day I had a customer disagree with me on an invoice to the point that I was out $2,500 that he owed me - now that did give me the mind to close the business, but I still could not bring myself to do it. I was talking to Michelle one evening about it and she said "if God wants you to close the business then why are you not doing it". My answer was " I guess I am scared of the unknown", but I agreed to finally close it. So on August 1st 2007, I handed the business over. My friend needed some help for a few weeks because I had given him a lot of work, so I stayed on as a subcontractor. Before long I began to think - did I go far enough? As I was still working and using the talents God has given me for my gain.
Meanwhile we continued to look for the opportunity that God had for us. We searched and were amazed at how much need there is for someone with the skills the Lord has given me, out on the mission field in a supporting role to missionaries. We sent enquiries to several organizations and I thought I needed to get in contact with WEC again. As we continued to seek the Lord I became convinced that we were to serve in England. Every time something came up about England my heart would just ache and burn. I told Michelle to seek the Lord for an answer as to where we are to go. I prayed that the Lord would tell her too - I didn't want to - I knew how she would respond. So I kept asking her "Has the Lord shown you where we are going yet". "No" would always be her reply. Therefore I knew I had to tell her that I was convinced we were to be in England. She did not want to go (For several reasons, that I will come to later). So for a few more weeks I continued to work as a subcontractor, as we waited for a response from these mission organizations - but none responded. All of a sudden, we started to lose big jobs. On one job my friend was underbid by 50% and on another we were told to stop work half way through stripping wallpaper because someone had put a contract on the house and wanted no more work done on it. Just a few days after this I realized that there was less than 1 weeks worth of work for 1 man - I knew I needed to quit. If I didn't the work would run out and my friend's family would suffer too. Michelle and I likened it to a 'Jonah' situation. We knew that if I didn't 'jump ship' everyone on the boat would drown. Sure, as I left we struggled with that 'drowning' feeling - especially me - how would I provide for my family - but we know that it is God who provides (Matthew 6:33), not us. I needed to be on my knees before Him. He would show me what He wanted me to do. With no money in savings we have been watching God meet our needs. I have been busy - working on the house that we are renting and taking care of others needs, all without pay, but God has been faithful and has provided.
Now, remember it had been several weeks since we had inquired with the mission organizations and we had heard nothing back, but just one week after I stopped working as a subcontractor, we heard from WEC, apologizing for not getting back to us sooner but they were very busy. They had forwarded my request to England was waiting to get a response from them. We were encouraged but expected it to be a long time before we heard anything else. Instead, the very next day we received another e-mail stating that the Director in England was very favorable but needed to pass this through the right procedures - so we thought we had another wait. Only a few days later we received another note encouraging us and that they were hoping to make a decision by the end of the week. That Friday I spoke to our liaison person in PA who informed us that we were being invited to join WEC International in their mission work in England. This time there was no question about the size of our family - although they are fully aware we have a larger family that most houses or vehicles could ever fit in England.
So the Northcutt's will be leaving our home here in Missouri to go where the Lord is sending.We will first go to PA for 3 months training starting in Feb. Which is where the Castle is located. Then in the summer we will be headed out to England. We will be living on campus at the headquarters of WEC's Radio Worldwide, just outside Leeds, North East England. My primary responsibilities will be property management and partial redevelopment of this property. My first assignment will be to make the accommodations actually big enough for our family.
A Note from Michelle
There were many reasons I didn't want to go to England. I had given up on the hope of being close to my family a long time ago. While I love them very much and miss them terribly at times, I knew (or thought I knew) I would never live there again. I don't believe God is calling us to live in England permanently, just as long as He wills, it will be so painful to have them closer and one day to leave again. Also, God has given me a great life here. It is going to be hard to leave. I have a church family here that I treasure greatly. The children are happy here - why would I want to take them somewhere else? Spiritually, we will be challenged as England has moved very far from God. But my biggest fear is not doing what God wants us to do. So, despite my fears and concerns I am so grateful for the peace I have that this is God's will and He is bigger than my aching heart and bigger than my fears for my children, and He will provide our needs as we do our best to trust Him. This is the theme of our lives in the Lord, Trust Him.
UPDATE - JANUARY 2nd 2009
We did attend training with WEC in Fort Washington from Feb to May last year. Apparently it was not the Lord's plan for us to travel to England last Summer as we are still waiting for visas. Lord willing, these will be approved within the next month. Once we have approval we have just 28 days to leave Missouri and enter the UK. Currently we are sorting through our things and preparing to leave.
Please check back on the blog often as we will post updates on our visas/travel situation as soon as we know them. Thank you.
We moved our membership to First Baptist Church of Fenton, MO in 1995 but I did not tell anyone of God's call on my life as it wasn't foremost in my mind at the time. Michelle and I just knew that God had something for our lives and would often remark "We don't know what God will have us doing in a year, 5 years or 10 years from now but we know it won't be a 'normal' life". I have always had a desire to hold Bible studies and as time went on the desire to see men grow in Christ emerged.
In 1998 I started my own business and we became foster parents (from which we have now adopted 6 wonderful children). Right from the start God had set the ground rules. You are to trust ME. I went full time in my business in October (a bad time of the year for construction and Michelle had just left work to stay home with the children) and by December I had very little work. My stomach was hurting and I was very anxious. I said to God "I can't do this You have to take this from me". I looked to Him to provide and He saw us through that winter.
The talents that God has given me in the construction and repair field have developed tremendously during the 9 years that I ran my own company. I started out doing 1 project at a time by myself to being able to manage several projects at once. In 2001 I expanded my knowledge a little more and started rehabbing houses. Over the course of several years I have rehabbed 6 of my own, not to mention all the ones for other people. In 2005 I was given the opportunity to build my first house. I knew these skills were given to me by God and over the years have looked for ways to use these talents to help others. In 2003 I went on my first (of 4) construction mission trips with my Church. God has given me many opportunities to learn and to trust Him.
The following year I began realizing that there was more to this Christian life than what I was living. I also knew with my children getting older that my responsibility was to teach them the Bible, but I was quickly realizing that I didn't know enough for this huge task. So I started taking classes at Missouri Baptist University extension program that we have at our Church. I took 3 theological classes as well as several others. I did not graduate, but did receive a firm foundation on which to build.
The more I learnt about God, the more I became unsettled and wanted to do more. I thought that maybe God just wanted me to train my children well so that they would be equipped for the mission field if that is where God would lead them. I certainly did not think that I had anything God could use on a mission field. I am not highly educated and have no desire to preach, but God was about to reveal to me that He had given me talents I could use for Him. He led me to study about such men as George Mueller and Brother Andrew. I read about how George Mueller, a pastor of a church in Bristol, England, founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institute for Home and Abroad, where he distributed Bibles and tracts, formed Sunday Schools, day schools, adult schools and supported many missionaries (including Hudson Taylor). What Mr. Mueller is most noted for was his work with the orphans in England. What intrigued me greatly was that never did he ask people for money, instead he took all of his needs entirely before the Lord and watched as God provided everything George and the ministry needed. He believed that all men's hearts are in God's hands and that He could stir them to give. He believed Matthew 6:33 Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. (This is a passage that God has, and continues to take me back to since about 2004 because He wants me to understand it's meaning). George Mueller did the work God had for him to do, he stayed on his knees before God seeking His kingdom and His righteousness and had faith in God that His word was true and that God would meet his needs. And God did - every time.
In May of 2006 Michelle was talking to her Dad on the phone who asked if they found a 5 bedroom house would we move to England? Michelle said "in a heartbeat" - thinking that this would never happen - there was no way we could afford a small house in England - let alone a large one. A couple of weeks later her Dad called and told us they had just bought a 5 bedroom house and offered it to us if we decided to move to England. Wow - what an offer. We discussed it and prayed about it and realized we didn't want to move to England just to 'live', in fact we didn't want to move anywhere just to 'live'. If we were to move it would be because God would lead us there for a purpose. I had long thought that God wanted us in England for some reason and all this set a greater fire in my heart so I continued waiting upon God and doing what was before me and looking for what God was doing.
A few weeks later I read the autobiography of Brother Andrew who lived in Holland and took the Bible behind the Iron Curtain. He (like George Mueller) lived in dependence upon God, trusting God for all of his, and the ministry's needs. Brother Andrew received his training from WEC in the 1950's and had mentioned (in his book) that WEC used people in the construction field. Now this intrigued me because they were headquartered in England. I wondered if WEC was still in operation today and if so do they still need construction people and could it be close enough to the house Michelle's parents had offered us. I found their website and discovered they needed a maintenance person at the headquarters just outside London.
We applied for the position but were turned down at the end of 2006 as they had no room for our large family at the training facility in Pennsylvania and they definitely wouldn't have room for us in England. So the door was closed. We also had some things to finish such as: Deanna's adoption, closing the business etc. So we thought the Lord must be calling us somewhere else. Also around this time the Lord began to impress it on my heart to close the business and get out of debt. It seemed to me that God was saying not to use the talent He has given me for my gain anymore and to close the business. I wanted to try and close the business by the end of the year but I knew I had too much debt for me to close the business until I sold the rental property that I owned. God gave me the gift of faith to believe by Christmas He would provide us with a contract on the rental property, He did. But that contract did not go through. God was again saying trust Me. Once more God gave me the gift of faith to believe by my birthday (February 3) He would provide another contract, He did. It seemed that God wanted me to close the business sometime toward the end of March. The Lord brought about the sale of the property in the month of March and paid off a lot of the debt. The end of the month came and went, but the work continued to arrive. I was thinking that God was providing us with more work than ever before. But He was going to use this to teach me more about Him. So life continued here for several months, but I wasn't settled. I continued to try and build the business and provide for my family while serving the Lord as best as I could, looking for opportunities for service. By this time we had both forgotten about closing the business.
Throughout the Spring I kept saying I don't want to miss what God has for me. But by the Summer I had a burden that I had missed what God wanted me to do. I spent one of several nights up with the Lord, seeking His will and the Lord brought back to my mind you were supposed to close the business and I will show you what I want you to do. I fought with this for several weeks. I told Michelle that I don't think He will show me the next step until I am faithful in following Him in this first. So I spent several weeks seeking the Lord and His plans for us - but the answer never changed - close the business before I show you the next move. So over the next few weeks I made plans to hand the business over to a friend, but still had trouble taking that final step, so I prayed that God would give me the mind to close the business. He did. The very next day I had a customer disagree with me on an invoice to the point that I was out $2,500 that he owed me - now that did give me the mind to close the business, but I still could not bring myself to do it. I was talking to Michelle one evening about it and she said "if God wants you to close the business then why are you not doing it". My answer was " I guess I am scared of the unknown", but I agreed to finally close it. So on August 1st 2007, I handed the business over. My friend needed some help for a few weeks because I had given him a lot of work, so I stayed on as a subcontractor. Before long I began to think - did I go far enough? As I was still working and using the talents God has given me for my gain.
Meanwhile we continued to look for the opportunity that God had for us. We searched and were amazed at how much need there is for someone with the skills the Lord has given me, out on the mission field in a supporting role to missionaries. We sent enquiries to several organizations and I thought I needed to get in contact with WEC again. As we continued to seek the Lord I became convinced that we were to serve in England. Every time something came up about England my heart would just ache and burn. I told Michelle to seek the Lord for an answer as to where we are to go. I prayed that the Lord would tell her too - I didn't want to - I knew how she would respond. So I kept asking her "Has the Lord shown you where we are going yet". "No" would always be her reply. Therefore I knew I had to tell her that I was convinced we were to be in England. She did not want to go (For several reasons, that I will come to later). So for a few more weeks I continued to work as a subcontractor, as we waited for a response from these mission organizations - but none responded. All of a sudden, we started to lose big jobs. On one job my friend was underbid by 50% and on another we were told to stop work half way through stripping wallpaper because someone had put a contract on the house and wanted no more work done on it. Just a few days after this I realized that there was less than 1 weeks worth of work for 1 man - I knew I needed to quit. If I didn't the work would run out and my friend's family would suffer too. Michelle and I likened it to a 'Jonah' situation. We knew that if I didn't 'jump ship' everyone on the boat would drown. Sure, as I left we struggled with that 'drowning' feeling - especially me - how would I provide for my family - but we know that it is God who provides (Matthew 6:33), not us. I needed to be on my knees before Him. He would show me what He wanted me to do. With no money in savings we have been watching God meet our needs. I have been busy - working on the house that we are renting and taking care of others needs, all without pay, but God has been faithful and has provided.
Now, remember it had been several weeks since we had inquired with the mission organizations and we had heard nothing back, but just one week after I stopped working as a subcontractor, we heard from WEC, apologizing for not getting back to us sooner but they were very busy. They had forwarded my request to England was waiting to get a response from them. We were encouraged but expected it to be a long time before we heard anything else. Instead, the very next day we received another e-mail stating that the Director in England was very favorable but needed to pass this through the right procedures - so we thought we had another wait. Only a few days later we received another note encouraging us and that they were hoping to make a decision by the end of the week. That Friday I spoke to our liaison person in PA who informed us that we were being invited to join WEC International in their mission work in England. This time there was no question about the size of our family - although they are fully aware we have a larger family that most houses or vehicles could ever fit in England.
So the Northcutt's will be leaving our home here in Missouri to go where the Lord is sending.We will first go to PA for 3 months training starting in Feb. Which is where the Castle is located. Then in the summer we will be headed out to England. We will be living on campus at the headquarters of WEC's Radio Worldwide, just outside Leeds, North East England. My primary responsibilities will be property management and partial redevelopment of this property. My first assignment will be to make the accommodations actually big enough for our family.
A Note from Michelle
There were many reasons I didn't want to go to England. I had given up on the hope of being close to my family a long time ago. While I love them very much and miss them terribly at times, I knew (or thought I knew) I would never live there again. I don't believe God is calling us to live in England permanently, just as long as He wills, it will be so painful to have them closer and one day to leave again. Also, God has given me a great life here. It is going to be hard to leave. I have a church family here that I treasure greatly. The children are happy here - why would I want to take them somewhere else? Spiritually, we will be challenged as England has moved very far from God. But my biggest fear is not doing what God wants us to do. So, despite my fears and concerns I am so grateful for the peace I have that this is God's will and He is bigger than my aching heart and bigger than my fears for my children, and He will provide our needs as we do our best to trust Him. This is the theme of our lives in the Lord, Trust Him.
UPDATE - JANUARY 2nd 2009
We did attend training with WEC in Fort Washington from Feb to May last year. Apparently it was not the Lord's plan for us to travel to England last Summer as we are still waiting for visas. Lord willing, these will be approved within the next month. Once we have approval we have just 28 days to leave Missouri and enter the UK. Currently we are sorting through our things and preparing to leave.
Please check back on the blog often as we will post updates on our visas/travel situation as soon as we know them. Thank you.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Opportunities for Service
Thank you for your interest in helping with the work God is doing among the Zambian Community. Please contact us using the form below and we will respond shortly:
The Castle in Pennsylvania
Okay - so the kids couldn't wait 5 weeks to find out if it was a real castle, so I emailed WEC for more information. This is what they sent me. It was built in 1880 as Sarah Drexel's Summer mansion. It is located on Camp Hill which is so named as George Washington camped here in the winter of 1777 before going on to Valley Forge.
The area we get to call home is on the second floor and includes the three rounded windows (from the left). We will have 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (now I'm being spoiled!!). I imagine this could be quite an adventure!
Friday, January 4, 2008
Something to think about
"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for him."
C T Studd, missionary, founder of WEC International
C T Studd, missionary, founder of WEC International
Living in a Castle
Now I know I am a daughter of The King, but I never expected to live in a castle. Yesterday we received an email from WEC which included the following paragraph:
You should have seen the children's faces when I read it to them :) Ever since they have been asking me if it's a real castle - I guess we will find out when we arrive on February 9th!! You can be sure I'll be posting photos of it next month.
Michelle
As we don't have an apt. with 3 bedrooms to offer you you will be staying on the 3rd floor of the Castle and have 'a wing' to yourselves.
You should have seen the children's faces when I read it to them :) Ever since they have been asking me if it's a real castle - I guess we will find out when we arrive on February 9th!! You can be sure I'll be posting photos of it next month.
Michelle
Ladies Day Out
Today we said goodbye to my family. They had to return to Chicago for their return flight to England tonight. We had a great visit with them - check out some of the photos in the new slide show.
While they were here my sister and I took my mum out to the Spa. This was a belated birthday present for her - What made it even more special is that I watched God provide for it.
When my sister suggested doing this for my mum back in August I thought it was a great idea, but I wasn't quite sure how I was going to pay for it. God knew. In September Walgreens ran an offer - buy 4 Robitussin products and receive a $100 gift certificate for a spa. What made this even better was I found coupons for the Robitussin products. My final cost was $3.96 for 4 Robitussin products and a $100 spa certificate. God is good - He allowed me to give my mum a special birthday present - and I even got a massage too!
Michelle
While they were here my sister and I took my mum out to the Spa. This was a belated birthday present for her - What made it even more special is that I watched God provide for it.
When my sister suggested doing this for my mum back in August I thought it was a great idea, but I wasn't quite sure how I was going to pay for it. God knew. In September Walgreens ran an offer - buy 4 Robitussin products and receive a $100 gift certificate for a spa. What made this even better was I found coupons for the Robitussin products. My final cost was $3.96 for 4 Robitussin products and a $100 spa certificate. God is good - He allowed me to give my mum a special birthday present - and I even got a massage too!
Michelle
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year
Well, before I look forward I need to look back and see what the Lord has done in our lives over the last year.
It was a year where the Lord tested our faith in requiring Gary to give up the business before He would show us our next move, but in testing our faith He has been faithful. We have not had a late payment on the bills - in fact we have even paid all our taxes before the end of the year (better than we did last year) - Thank you Lord.
It was a year where the Lord took Gary's dad home to be with Him. As hard as this was we are grateful for the time Gary had with his dad before his death and that he is now rejoicing with our Saviour in Heaven.
It was a year we both struggled with direction after being turned down from WEC at the beginning of last year. God used this to draw us both closer to Him as we sought His leadership. He showed us the way.
We are so thankful for the many blessings He has given us in 2007. Too numerous to mention, but they do include our many friends and family, Deanna's adoption, and of course, God's faithful provision for us.
Now, as I look forward to 2008 I see the Lord leading us to Pennsylvania in February and moving to Leeds, England in the Summer. While this brings much excitement it also brings pain. I long to do what God has for us, but I struggle as I think about counting the cost. It will be so hard to leave here. To leave people we love and who love us not knowing exactly when we will return. It's hard to take my children away from everything they have known and hope they will just adapt to a new culture easily. It will be hard to wait patiently upon the Lord for our needs to be met.
BUT - God IS in control, He WILL comfort us in our loss. He WILL give my children the ability to adapt and he WILL provide for our needs. My prayer is that we will remain faithful as He leads.
Michelle
It was a year where the Lord tested our faith in requiring Gary to give up the business before He would show us our next move, but in testing our faith He has been faithful. We have not had a late payment on the bills - in fact we have even paid all our taxes before the end of the year (better than we did last year) - Thank you Lord.
It was a year where the Lord took Gary's dad home to be with Him. As hard as this was we are grateful for the time Gary had with his dad before his death and that he is now rejoicing with our Saviour in Heaven.
It was a year we both struggled with direction after being turned down from WEC at the beginning of last year. God used this to draw us both closer to Him as we sought His leadership. He showed us the way.
We are so thankful for the many blessings He has given us in 2007. Too numerous to mention, but they do include our many friends and family, Deanna's adoption, and of course, God's faithful provision for us.
Now, as I look forward to 2008 I see the Lord leading us to Pennsylvania in February and moving to Leeds, England in the Summer. While this brings much excitement it also brings pain. I long to do what God has for us, but I struggle as I think about counting the cost. It will be so hard to leave here. To leave people we love and who love us not knowing exactly when we will return. It's hard to take my children away from everything they have known and hope they will just adapt to a new culture easily. It will be hard to wait patiently upon the Lord for our needs to be met.
BUT - God IS in control, He WILL comfort us in our loss. He WILL give my children the ability to adapt and he WILL provide for our needs. My prayer is that we will remain faithful as He leads.
Michelle
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