stevievan.com

Beginning of the end of the beginning

Administrator — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:06:12 +0000

Today, i’m heading to Argentina to take Cori to bible college at Palabra de Vida (Word of Life). I’m strangely tired and numb, probably because i’m in production mode, trying to make sure we get thru customs and into country without problems.

I think it will hit me when I sit down long enough to think about it. As I write this; please, understand, i’m not upset about this. But Cori will probably be off for the adventure of her life, and will not be home for quite a while.

Believe it or not, that makes me really sad. I’ll probably miss the messes all around the house. in the last week, she has “dumped” stuff in every room and on every table in the house! and yet, I will miss that as well.

Appreciate your prayers for me and Amy as we go through this new phase of life. I’m glad for Cori to grow up; and yet I’m wanting a return to the simple pleasures of toddlerhood.

Faith Promise for Missions

Administrator — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:43:37 +0000

I have always believed that God will provide the monies needed to build His Kingdom here on earth. I just get nervous about how I can be a part, with my financial margin shrinking each day.

An old Sunday School song refrain says, “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills; I know that He will care for me!” God, help me to believe it, and to give to Your work like I believe it.

on the ground in Denver

Administrator — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:13:09 +0000

Ok, been a while since i’ve posted. No one is commenting, so i must be journaling to myself. That’s cool.

Landed in Denver to 3 degrees Fahrenheit temps. I feel alive. Working on site surveys for Rock The River Tour.

Miss my family. My wife is the greatest asset to my success and my life. She’s more than an asset, though; she’s my lover and best friend. My kids love Jesus, and are sensitive to the HS. That’s the best thing a dad could ever want.

God is working on my heart, to pull me out of my self centered North American lifestyle, to pour myself out for Him. I don’t want to be stupid, but I do want to be sold out.

Feeling bummed, oppressed, and depressed

Administrator — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:27:37 +0000

Most people know that I’m truly happy most of the time. I sing lots of stupid, silly songs, and enjoy life most of the time. But, I do admit, I’m feeling pretty down right now.

When someone you love seems to ignore your advice or your input, and you see them walking down toward a road of destruction and misery, it hurts. And yet, the only thing that I can do at this point is pray for that person.

I do believe in God’s sovereignty, but also understand that all of us make choices that affect our lives. So, I pray for my friend who needs to make a choice that will benefit them long term.

heading to bed.

First hot shower since I’ve been in Haiti

Administrator — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 23:49:58 +0000

today, I just had my first hot shower of my entire haiti trip. only to be interrupted by a phone call from the production manager!!! when I got back in to rinse off, THE WATER PRESSURE WAS OFF!!!!!

Administrator — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:20:23 +0000

Hi folks, on the ground in Haiti getting ready for the Franklin Graham Festival here. We are broadcasting a live webcast on Sunday afternoon, January 9, 2011, from 1:30pm – 4:30pm, from the stadium floor. To see it, click billygraham.org/haitilive

Merry Christmas 2010!

Administrator — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 22:01:01 +0000

Thanks for coming by to visit with the Vans! We are thankful for good health, great kids, and an Amazing Savior in Jesus Christ!
ERICA: excelling at guitar, played allstar baseball with the boys and held her own, started 7th grade, enjoys shopping with Cori, and hanging out with her friends! We have a true pre teen on our hands!

FAMILY: Our family participated in our church’s local mission trip named “Seek the City”. This was a meaningful time of fun and ministry, as we all sought the welfare of the city of Charlotte, and learned the blessing of serving.

FAMILY: We have the privilege of having Amy’s mom and dad (Rick/Dawn Boutieller) and my dad (Richard VanDusen) living within 10 miles of our home. It’s both enjoyable and “adventuresome” to have our parents close by, after living away from them for so long. Learning to lean on Jesus.

CORI/JOEL: left on June 26 for Nicaragua, for a three week adventure. See Cori’s blog here. Language school in the old town of Grenada, working with kids in a poor barrio school in Grenada, and traveling around the country sharing the Good News of Christ’s love with a local drama team. ”Life changing” would be too simple a phrase to describe it. Both kids exhibited their gifts of leadership, service, and love to each person they met and interacted with.

Cori has a “latina heart”, and desires to vocationally serve somewhere in the Spanish speaking world. That’s what you get for sending your kids away on missions trips: God calling them to service. Awesome.

JOEL: one word to describe him – “GINORMOUS”. He now stands at about 6’3″, and is a fine young man. He’s switched his “first love” from baseball to basketball, and we are enjoying watching him play. Youth group and friends round out his spare time.

CORI: Graduates from high school this June, as Cori has coined it “The beginning of the end of the beginning…” Our prayer is for God to use her zest for life and adventure, and love for people to serve Him and His Son. She’s looking to attend a Bible institute in Argentina next year to combine her two loves: español and the Bible.

AMY: had a bout with “vertigo” in July (seriously). Who can blame her, having to spin in so many circles to keep up with the family: taxi driver, teacher, super mom, youth leader. I’d be dizzy too.

STEVE: celebrated 15 years of full time employment with Billy and Franklin Graham. Traveled to India for first time. Still enjoys teaching Sunday School to high schoolers.

We all have facebook accounts (except for Erica), so stop by and visit. I hope to be more active on my blog this year. But why would anyone care about what I have to think?

Our prayer for you and your family comes from I Peter 1:8,9 – “Though you have not seen Him (Jesus), you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him, and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith: the salvation of your souls!”

Merry Christmas,

Steve for the Van’s

My kids are blogging

Administrator — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:17:48 +0000

They are showing me up… but I am proud of them. Cori and Joel are in Nicaragua, sharing in ministry and seeing God’s love spread. So proud of them. Keep up with Cori’s thoughts at http://nica2010loveoutloud.wordpress.com/.

Blogging… I must be traveling again

Administrator — Sat, 29 May 2010 12:01:39 +0000

well, I’m in Belo Horizonte, Brazil at a Franklin Graham Festival, seeing lives change. One of the remarkable things I’m seeing is the number of “young adults” that are coming to the festival and coming forward to trust Christ. Most of the inquirers have been in the 20′s or 30′s. Amazing. Perhaps festival evangelism isn’t dead….

More to come. I’ll be in Western Canada for Rock the River Tour . that will be a great time seeing God work, and cutting some good rock and roll…

More training for those I love

Administrator — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:25:23 +0000

I’ve been recently challenged to do some more training w/ my kids. I thought I already was, and yet this person challenged me to do some more direct and specific training.

So, i’m taking this to heart. Now, I’m being purposely vague on the issues at hand, cause I’m not ready to bear my total soul to the internet. Let’s just say that when God points something out to you, you have a couple of choices:

1. ignore it
2. excuse it
3. listen and obey what He is telling you.

I’ll do #3, and pray for my heart to change.