A Family Spared by God

Posted on May 1, 2012 by athomasivcf

When I was InterVarsity staff at Western Michigan University in the late 1990′s one of my favorite student leaders was Anne. She went on to join InterVarsity staff herself, and I had the privilege of being her supervisor. Now, she’s married, lives in Grand Rapids and has four children of her own. On April 16, she sent me this letter written by her husband, Dave, and gave me the green-light to put it up on my blog.

I’m writing to share with you the events of a week ago, and to praise our Heavenly Father for his protection. Our family of six made a one-day trip to Canada to visit family for Easter. We were driving home last Monday night, and were about an hour out of Jarvis, on a county road, when a full-size pickup truck pulled up to a two-way stop sign, looked the other way, didn’t look to see if we were coming, and pulled out in front of us. We were going full speed, had less than a second of braking before we slammed into her driver’s door at nearly full speed.

By all accounts, we should have died, or been very significantly injured. Instead, although our van was totaled, we were mostly ok. All four kids were sleeping, and their relaxed bodies seem mostly uninjured, save for seat belt burns. The whole family was taken by ambulance to Tillsonburg, where Anne and I were admitted and x-rayed for chest and spinal damage. (Anne was numb immediately after the accident). The family practice doctor who looked at our x-rays said he saw no breaks, so we were discharged later that night. We are very sore (it hurts to breathe, let alone to cough…I Dave, am sick with a chest and head cold/flu), but also VERY thankful to be alive and well!

We believe that this accident, though allowed by our Father, was no accident. Hours before, on Sunday morning, Dave had stood before our congregation and spoke very boldly on the Matthew 28 words, Do not be afraid, challenging all present to fear nothing because our greatest enemy has been overcome and we belong, body and soul, to the overcomer. Nothing can separate us from his love, therefore we fear nothing. And Dave said: “I do not fear death. Nor do I fear the death of those I love.” Then a day later, our accident. Moreover, one day later, our friends, having heard of our accident, emailed us an encouragement complete with the words of Isaiah 43:1-3. I’ll let you look them up and see just how timely they were and how they tied in to the theme of fear/no fear.

Friends, join us in praising God for our deliverance, ask with us for quick and complete healing, and know that our family continues to remember each of you regularly during our morning after breakfast devotions.

Anne went on to add, “The other driver is ok! We’re so thankful, she was in a full-size pickup. In a car, she would have been killed on impact. But being higher up, the frame of the truck absorbed most of the impact. It was basically our engine on her frame. So the lower half of her doors were pushed in a foot or so, but she walked away from the accident.

Also, that evening and the whole next day, these words kept rolling through my mind: “He will command his angels concerning you.” And “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him.” We know that we were protected by his hand!

Reflections of a 5 Year Cancer Survivor

Posted on April 17, 2012 by athomasivcf

5 years ago today, I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. I’m a survivor.

On Sunday morning I had the incredible privilege of sharing my story to a “God Sightings” Sunday school class at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church and some of my dearest Austin friends were there. I got to tell a group some of the biggest God stories from life. Like how our oldest daughter Alayna was born exactly 7 years after I submitted my whole life to God — and this after doctors told me I would probably not be able to have children. I also got to recall the steps of faith Jason took, like his leaving his CPA job with Ernst & Young to join me in full-time ministry with InterVarsity where 100% of our income comes from raising support (and all our needs have been met!) I was able to recall how God led us to move our young family to Austin, Texas from Kalamazoo, Michigan to lead campus ministry together in 3 states, Jason and I serving as the first married couple to be Co-Regional Directors. I shared how, as evidence of God’s hand, we were able to sell our home in Kalamazoo, buy our home in Austin and move out all on the same day!

I talked about the redemption I’ve felt in being Malayalee. Our marriage brought shame to Jason’s parents as the community looked down on Jason marrying outside the culture. Now, I am deeply loved and deeply love Jason’s family and heritage, and I’m proud to be Malayalee. “I’m white on the outside but brown on the inside,” I told them. OK, well I’m still pretty white on the inside, but I have grown so much to love people of other ethnicities and cultures and to be aware of my own ethnic identity. Who would have ever thought I would be co-leading a spiritual community of Asian-American, Latinos, African-Americans, South Asians, and Caucasians after growing up in a small rural town in Michigan?

I also got to share about our cancer journey. Just after unveiling a 5 year plan for growing InterVarsity in Red River, 3 of our 6 leadership team were gone. Jason and two others were left to carry the weight of the ministry, and then Jason also had to carry the weight of my illness and caring for our kids. Five years later, the ministry has grown by almost 50%, our staff team has doubled, and we are on more campuses and seeing more students come to Jesus than ever before. God blessed the work of our hands, and brought so much support through his people!

Then there’s the $10,000 story, which our pastor, Will Davis Jr., is going to have in his book coming out this summer. As an act of obedience to Jesus, four months prior to my diagnosis we gave our inheritance from my grandparents to the global poor at Urbana, InterVarsity’s mission conference. It was a joyful gift, but then we had second thoughts when I was diagnosed. Well, you can’t outgive God AND when we obey, He comes through. We added up all the gifts given to us and they totally some $60,000 – a minivan, weekly massages, house cleaning services, gifts. All this was on top of the generous support we receive monthly from donors! Our church even sent us a check for $10,000 when they learned of my cancer and our needs. Of course, no one had any idea we’d given away $10K at Urbana!

I also got to share the greatest joy that transpired from facing cancer. My dad. I’m so proud of him. When I started chemo, he stopped drinking. After 40 years battling alcohol, he walked away from it AND God miraculously delivered him. He no longer has any desire to drink and has become a new man.

Well, lest I paint a picture that all is rosey and easy, it is not. God showed up again and again. God answered prayers. God delivered. But we did suffer and five years later I’m processing my pain. From cancer, I lost time with my kids. My family suffered seeing me suffer. I lost “the illusion of immortality on earth.” I lost my breasts. I lost my hair, though it is back longer than ever. I gained weight, which is something I would have rather lost. I lost my position as “Co-RD” with Jason, choosing to step back to focus more at home, and leaving Jason with a lot more ministry responsibility. I lost some of my mental sharpness and certainly my energy. As I recently told a co-worker, I feel “lost” these days. I know my work performance is not what it used to be. I forget things. I overcommit because I’m being too optimistic about my capacity. I don’t always follow through on the things Jason asks me to do, and I prioritize poorly. Jason and I have a lot more conflicts than we every used to. Alayna tells me that “she can’t count on me” which breaks my heart. The girls thinks I baby Josiah and don’t parent him well.

Cancer was also not the only crisis we’ve dealt with, and it is still hard for me to let go. A few years ago, Jason contracted hepatitis mysteriously and could have died. Our house nearly burned down last fall. Leading a big ministry is hard and funding it is a constant struggle. The new power differential between me and Jason (with me as Associate RD and he as RD) has been tough for me to deal with and I’ve not made it easy on Jason at work. We’ve got three kids who need us to be fully present and that’s just hard. I’ve changed and all the changes aren’t great. While I’m stronger in many ways, I’ve become more selfish, honestly.

Well, there you have it. Please keep praying for our family. We are like a ship that has taken in a lot of water these past 5 years. Now we are in the assessment and repair phases. We trust that God will continue to perform miracles in our midst as we seek to follow Him.

Houses and God’s Hand

Posted on April 14, 2012 by athomasivcf

It is my brother-in-law Jeff’s birthday today. So, I’m going to tell a story about where I’ve seen God at work recently in his life!

Mummy and Papa, as we affectionately call them, currently live in a large home which is getting harder and harder to care for. Papa’s health isn’t very good, so all the sons got together to discuss plans for the future. Jeff, Jason’s youngest brother who lives within a few miles of our parents, agreed to look for a larger home so our parents could move in with them.

When in the Detroit area last Christmas, we spent some time updating Mommy and Papa’s house to eventually sell it. Driving back from our third Home Depot run, Jeff’s wife Sheeja told me about a house that sounded perfect. Large yard for their 3 kids, in-law suite for Mommy and Papa, big kitchen for Sheeja and Mommy, and still close to all of our relatives in the Malayalee community outside Detroit. “Let’s go look right now,” I urged. We went right home, called the realtor, and learned the home was under contract and off-the-market. Disappointed, we vowed to pray about it and trust that another great house would come on the market. Our prayers were answered as Jeff and Sheeja bought that house! And they got a great deal, saving some $60K from the original asking price. All this was an answer to prayer.

After buying the home, it was time to get their house on the market. They moved most of their belongings to the vacant home, leaving essentials for staging. As Jeff and Sheeja were preparing their home for market, their next-door neighbors came over asking if they were moving. “We’ve got friends looking for a house right now and they might love your home. Can they see it?” the neighbors asked. They set up an appointment for the following weekend and the friends came over, loving the house. Immediately after their tour, Mommy and Papa drove up for a visit. They didn’t know any of this was going on.

Now, you need to know that our Mommy is a prayer warrior. She prays fervently and has a close connection with Jesus, whom she has followed since a young child growing up in Kerala, South India. Worried about Jeff and Sheeja being able to sell their home in the depressed Detroit area housing market, she’s been praying fervently. During her prayer time in the last few weeks, she had a powerful experience and saw a vision. In her dream, she saw the face of a man who was going to buy the home.

When Mommy got out of the car she was shocked and flustered. “Who is that?” she asked Jeff, pointing to the person standing on the porch of the neighbor’s house. Having never seen him before, she declared, “That is the man from my dream!” and told Jeff the story of what she experienced and saw.

Cleverly, Jeff responded, “In your vision, did you see the man signing papers and did you see how much he offered?”

Well, to bring the story to an end, it looks like Jeff and Sheeja will sell their home to this man and his family. Amazingly, they offered just $2500 less than asking price, which was another huge answer to prayer.

Back to the Blog

Posted on March 12, 2012 by athomasivcf

I stopped the “I Spy God” blog a few months ago, because I just wasn’t sure where it was going, or what my longer term vision was for it. Time was also much more limited as my husband, Jason, took a sabbatical and I covered a portion of his work.

However, just after taking down the site, an author friend informed me that one of my blogged stories would be in his book with a link to ispygod.com. I was also asked by a number of people why my site was down. So, I’m back in the business of telling y’all where I see God.

Let me start by telling you my love story, one that God is still writing. Jason and I were students together in college. During our freshman year we lived in the same residence hall on the 2nd and 3rd floors. We had many of the same friends and were in the same Honors program. However, we never met each other. When we did finally meet at the beginning of our sophomore year, we had an instant connection. I thought Jason was so handsome (which he is!) and I was intrigued to learn more about him. Jason shared with me his faith in Jesus as he led an InterVarsity small group Bible study. I also came to understand his ethnicity as an American-born South Asian, both his parents being immigrants from Kerala in south India. Jason was instrumental in my choosing to fully follow the Lord at the end of my sophomore year, and we dated on-and-off through the rest of college. We were married July 30, 1994. We are still best friends.

Jason and I at our wedding reception

The Clean-up Process

Posted on November 1, 2011 by athomasivcf

Getting rid of pollutants is costly! For $10,000 our home received a complete cleaning after soot was discovered and that ashtray smell had set in. Thankfully we only had to pay $1000 deductible. It’s amazing how much smoke can damage and get in absolutely everywhere! Over the course of two weeks a team of people came in to wipe every square inch of surface space with special sponges. Our air ducts were sucked clean, our flooring was thoroughly scrubbed, shampooed and steamed, our pillows, curtains and comforter were shipped away for restoration. The final step in the whole process was ozone gas. MJ had to go to work with me for the day while a tank of ozone was opened in our home. That gas were permeate and zap any remaining smoke particles in the air, and we returned to a home that smelled like rain. That’s ozone we smell after a rainstorm. You see, these weren’t just smoke particles from a cigarette or something…these tiny particles had all kinds of bad stuff in them. Imagine what is in the ash when a whole house goes up in flames? In our case, it was 23 homes in our neighborhood.

Now it’s 6 weeks later and I’m finally getting back to blogging. September was a crisis month for me, and I cried more during that month than I had in years. The sadness of seeing destroyed homes and feeling the loss with neighbors, the disruption in our home, the “work shock” of going from a few manageable responsibilities to covering a large part of my husband’s job while he’s on sabbatical, and the sheer weight of everything made for a tough September. Sadly, on the last day I learned that two friends passed away.

Well, October came and things have gotten progressively better and better. Just like the trucks of rubble being hauled up our street, God hauled rubble out of my heart. He comforted us, gave us the strength to persevere and taught us much.

First, He showed up and did amazing things on campus. 65 students have come to faith! We hosted the first ever Regional Conference for Black students last weekend. I’m on a national team of people developing training materials to help all the staff do their jobs better and with more joy. I have been at this for 6 years and was then able to see a mostly completed product! Last week we took that product to our new staff and was very rewarding.

Secondly, He showed up and did amazing things in our neighborhood. Jason is helping oversee the 12 new Small Groups our church launched in Steiner Ranch in October. Our church grew some 30% this fall, and it seemed God really used the fires to wake people up.

Finally, God is addressing the rubble and pollutants in my life. Today I embark on a 21 day fast with almost 200 other people from 15 or so ministries on campus at UT-Austin. It’s called “Face to Face: The Divine Experiment” and seeing it happen on campus gives me great joy. Last spring God called me to help make this happen at UT, and last night we launched it. We are all fasting from different things that get in the way of our relationships with God. I’m giving up carbs and crime shows while many have turned off facebook or shut down twitter. We are also praying together on campus, and in our homes, following a little devotional guide. Today and this week is about humility.

Steiner Fires update

Posted on September 8, 2011 by athomasivcf

taken by Jay Jenner/Austin American Statesman/AP

We’ve walked Plateau and seen the destruction. I really does look like a warzone. Thankfully, there has been such an outpouring of support.

Personally I’m grieving for the following people who lost homes whom I know: The aunt of one of Priya’s dear friends, Ashley. Heather Lutz who is the registrar at Steiner Ranch Elementary. Mary Ann Ebler, my Zumba instructor. The Lambies. Andrew is a classmate of Alayna’s. Sam and Carly Thompson, who belong to my gym. Nichelle and her family, she owns Priya’s music school, 26-Music. The Harais family…Elise is one of Alayna’s friends and classmates. I also grieve for the man who walked his little chihuahua past our house everyday. The Chihuahua died in the fire.

Our own house is in good condition, though it smells like stale smoke. We’ll have the adjuster come out and advise us as to what to do next.

Steiner Ranch Fire Miracle

Posted on September 5, 2011 by athomasivcf

Our God specializes in miracles, and there are many to be seen in the midst of disaster.

Yesterday afternoon we were evacuated from our home in “Plateau” part of Steiner Ranch. The neighbors, Jeff and Catherine and their three kids, were supposed to come to dinner at 5pm. They called before 4:30 to tell us they were evacuated, and Jeff had watched the fire jump from the greenbelt onto a home a few feet away. We quickly threw things in suitcases, gathered our valuables, got the dog and crate and left as the police were telling all of us to evacuate. Here is the footage taken by Jeff’s next door neighbor, and this all is down the street from our home. Steiner Ranch Fires on Schleicher and Medina River Way

(Their house is the one with the truck in the driveway and you can see that the home next door has caught fire. Surprisingly, there are no fire engines on Medina River Way when they are filming, though you see the hoses. We know saw at least 5 fire trucks go by our house, so they must have been frantically fighting the fires on Schleicher or in the greenbelt.)

Well, in the midst of the fire, God showed up. He showed up in the faces and hearts of friends and strangers who are reaching out. There are literally people around the globe praying for Steiner. He showed up in the fact that more damage didn’t happen and it appears all the fires are contained. We heard 40 homes were damaged, and out of 4000 that is pretty amazing given the draught we are in and how we are surrounded by kindling. He showed up in the brave bodies of the ones who fought the fires, including some brave folks in who were hosing down homes around them with a garden hose.

He showed up in the gracious generosity of so many, like our neighbors in “Canyon Glen” whom I just talked to and were at Home Depot buying supplies for the drive our church, Austin Christian Fellowship is doing. We were somewhat sure last night that the Nyugens had lost their new home, just moved into this spring, because when they evacuated they saw fire in their backyard. God spared their home and now they are providing for others!

And then, God graciously showed up to spare the home of our friends Jeff and Catherine. We were praying like crazy for their cul-de-sac, the one in the video. This was the very same cul-de-sac where a young man with the last name Vandegrift grew up. That young man lost his life fighting for our country and the local high school housing the Steiner refugees is named Vandegrift High School after him.

Check out this aerial view to see God’s sparing hand for yourself. Our friends live in the house still standing on the furthest right.

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150306141887618&set=a.10150306131222618.360733.791312617&type=1&theater

We are so sad that so many lost their homes, including (I believe) the woman who teaches the Zumba class Alayna and I take and Heather Lutz who works at the front desk of the kids’ elementary school and attends our church. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. We look forward to returning home tomorrow to help in the clean up process. I’ll keep you posted.

101% Dependent on God!

Posted on August 26, 2011 by athomasivcf

In our line of work, we are 100% dependent on God to provide for our livelihood through His people. Every InterVarsity staff position is funded by donations, and every staff is responsible to “get sent” by donors to the campus, which we believe is the most strategic mission field on earth.

Just over a week ago I received an impassioned email from one of our senior staff, Nick, who ministers to students in the Rio Grande Valley and has been the lone staff there planting work for over 5 years. This past spring we appointed Chelsea to join Nick in staffing the 2 new campuses he and students planted last year. However, policy is that we don’t let new staff to move and start on campus until they have raised the necessary funds to be stable. It can take some time to “get sent”.

Nick emailed a message inviting fasting and prayer to move Chelsea from 65% to 100% so she could move down and help him at the most critical time of the year for campus ministry, September! Almost immediately after the email, her support jumped to 74% when she heard back from a couple she’d approached earlier and felt called to sacrificially give their raises at work! Then, within a few day’s time Chelsea was able to get ahold of a wealthy man she’d been trying to reach all summer. Nick writes,

“They spoke over the phone this afternoon. He asked her to pitch her vision. She pitched it. He said, “How much do you need to be fully funded?” She responded, “About $12,000″. He said, “Do you want a little more than that? I’m in. I’ll make the check out today.”

Chelsea went from 74% funded to 101% funded.

My husband’s response via email…“SHUT UP!!!!!! That is an amazing God story.”

But that wasn’t the only amazing God story this last week. Jason, my hubby, told me the story of a new staff who is leaving a much higher-paying job at a national nonprofit to minister on campus, because he heard God’s call. This new staff went to turn in his two week’s notice at a meeting with his supervisor and a VP.

“Don’t tell us you’re quitting,” one said. He asked them to read his resignation letter before responding.

After reading his supervisor replied, “Oh, this explains the prophetic word I heard at church last Sunday, that God would change something at work this week.”

He walked in faithful to God to leave his job, and he walked out with a Spirit-led affirmation of his calling to campus, an offer from one manager to support him financially, and extended part-time work while he raises funds.

In 17 years of being 100% dependent on God to fund my work, I can attest to the fact that we serve a 101%+ God. Stories like this are just a normal part of our lives and I can’t wait to write more of them down!

Next week Jason will lead several staff in a “Fund Development 201″ course on Monday-Tuesday to help a few of the staff who are struggling to “get sent” but feel strongly called to campus. Would you pray for them? Pray for God to show up and encourage them in the hard and humbling work of asking for support.

South Asian Christian Leaders

Posted on August 25, 2011 by athomasivcf

“The South Asian Leadership Institute exceeded my expectations! 39 students and staff from around the nation gathered in New York for five days to be mobilized as Kingdom leaders . It was such rare experience to be around Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan 2nd generation leaders who are committed followers of Jesus, advancing God’s Kingdom.” Jerome, one of the leaders, wrote in his prayer letter.

Here’s an encouraging quote from one of the students who attended SALI:

“My heart has been changed because of SALI.. Words can’t describe the love that was felt being in fellowship and community with each other. I am sitting at Barnes and Nobles right now replaying the different ways that God spoke to me. I felt empowered. Listening to South Asian staff and talking with them, I was truly blessed and moved because it some sense they have struggled in the same ways but through Jesus they persevered. It was so encouraging to be in community with other missional students, knowing that you are not the only South Asian on the front lines on campus.”

– South Asian Leadership Institute

Summer 2011 Comes to an End

Posted on August 22, 2011 by athomasivcf

The kids are off to school. Summer is over, and it was a really good summer. Last night as I prayed with Josiah putting him to bed, I reflected on all the amazing things Summer ’11. Trip to Michigan, two VBS weeks for the kids, Cedar Campus Family Camp, visiting with old friends, swimming, spending time with family and just enjoying our time as the Thomas Five. I’d say we all ended the summer with more love for each other, getting along well! Kids at ages 13, 10 and 6 are pretty wonderful and this feels like the golden age of parenting. This was definitely the summer of games! Dominoes, Dutch Blitz, Settlers of Catan, Cities & Knights, Clue…seems like there was always a game to clean off the dining room table to make room for dinner. In fact, as I type this my coffee table is covered with Lego creations.

Yes, it was fun and spiritually significant. Our time at Cedar Campus Family camp studying Philippians meant a lot for me and Jason, and we loved watching the kids really make faith in Jesus their own. I helped teach a summer class for leaders in InterVarsity and Jason lead the South Asian Leadership Institute in August. He says SALI was a highlight of his ministry career! This was a great summer. Thanks be to God.