The Struggle Is Real

I’m not sure why, but one of the hardest things for me to do is write an update letter. It’s not like there are no great things to report of what the Lord is doing or that there are no struggles or that life is not in session. But the reality of sitting down and putting pen to paper has been so difficult for me. Some would think that being a missionary in California, USA would not be hard at all. Although I am enjoying all the benefits of the United States of America there are still many difficulties involved in serving here. I think it’s also a matter I’m dying to self. I say that because one of the greatest difficulties for me is to talk about me and sometimes I feel like that’s what I’m doing in an update later. I also think there’s a spiritual component here at work. The reality of an update letter is to bring attention and glory to what God is doing in the midst of victories, trials, and defeats and I truly believe that this is met with a special level of opposition. In any event, thank you for letting me share my heart and my struggle. Since the last update later and coming back from South Asia there have been some big changes in my life. One of them being a lady ”friend” of mine that I have been seeing for almost a year now is now officially my girlfriend. This is a wonderful thing and she is a truly godly woman who is completely in love with Jesus and His word. Even though I truly believe the Lord is in this and my friends and church family totally love her, this is a whole new level of awkwardness and dying to self as I have not had anybody in my life for the last 14 years. 

Another wonderful and even greater privilege for me has been that I was recently ordained as a pastor here at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace. This is a very humbling and sobering calling that friends have told me I’ve had on my life for some time now, I truly believe that we are all called to be ministers of the gospel and serve others daily, but to be a part of the pastoral team here is a complete mindblower. Coming from where I came from, living the life I’ve lived, and to be serving the Lord in the manner He allows me to is hard for me to believe at times. He keeps calling me deeper and using me more and for that, I am truly grateful. I often tell people if you’re driving down the road and you see a turtle on top of a fencepost you’ll know he had help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer Requests

  1. Please pray for the upcoming trip to Oaxaca Mexico 10/9 to 10/16; that the Lord would keep me and the team safe and give us great vision and a clear hearing from the Holy Spirit as we scout the land on a church planting vision tour with our missionary partners John and Allison Breckel
  1. That the Lord would grant me to be a man who is gracious and flexible as this has been a struggle for me lately
  1. That I would be a blessing to missionaries around the world and they would see the Lord through my actions. 

I am still in need of people who wish to partner with me financially. I am most appreciative of you who have joined me in this area, and I’m grateful that I have reached 1/4 of my monthly support needs. If the Lord leads you to join me financially, you can do so by clicking here to become a financial partner or mailing your support check to:

Saving Grace World Missions
17451 Bastanchury Rd., Ste.203 Yorba Linda, CA 62886

Note Pappas support in the memo line.

All for His Glory,

Tim Pappas
Asst. Director
Saving Grace World Missions

Phone 714-262-2260
Email tim@sgwm.com