A verse remembered

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

These verses have been a comfort and joy to me the last five years.  With all the twists and turns and ups and downs of our journey I have found that these words of wisdom and instruction have brought re-focus to my heart and thoughts in the midst of all the unknowns.  

It's actually comforting for me not to lean on my own understanding.  I find that my own understanding so many times is bias, incomplete, tainted and just plain selfish.  But in my experience, when I acknowledge the Holy Spirit and get his perspective, that is when peace, clarity and understanding come.  It's not that all of a sudden things are perfect or the way I want them but I start to see and experience some of The Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) within my situation and my perspective changes. 

Thank you Lord for your Word - written and spoken.  Thank you for continuing to speak in and through it, using it to teach me, rebuke me, correct me and train me in righteousness.  All for my good.  I want to be more like you.

Bisson Family Pics

The kid's version of a horse.

Beautiful Sunrises

Human body school projects

 We are so thankful to be at the farm.  The kids didn't take long to transition to seeing grandpa and grandma everyday :)  Thankful for this season.

1.5 WEEKS to go!

Goals - we all have them in some capacity or another.  Our current goal - to be fully funded for Hungary by next week!!!  It's been a year of believing God for the impossible and watching him show up in unexpected ways and never in the same way.  Control - we have none.  Our capacity - low.  God - is able.

In John 15 God reassures us to simply ABIDE.

John 15:5-11 ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ⁹ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.


7 times in 7 verses.  Yup, it's important.  A few thoughts from Webster to help us understand the word abide.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. i.) To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to dwell; to sojourn; -- with before a person, and commonly with at or in before a place.2. (v. i.) To wait; to pause; to delay.
3. (v. i.) To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue; to remain.
4. (v. t.) To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I abide my time.
5. (v. t.) To endure; to sustain; to submit to.
6. (v. t.) To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with.
7. (v. t.) To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for.

So today we will abide (stay, remain, endure, bear patiently and stand with Him).  It might not be what we thought or how we planned but God will come through.  He always does!

Saying Good-bye

As some of you know, our family lost my grandpa about a month ago.  He suffered from lung cancer and congestive heart failure.  It was one of those times in your life where you know death is coming but you can't quite wrap your head around it or know how you'll feel until you get the call. 

It was the eve of our 10th anniversary and our youngest son's 3rd birthday when my dad called to tell us that grandpa was now with Jesus.  I put the phone down and immediately began to cry.  It's amazing how human you feel in that moment.  Helplessly human.  Death will and does come. 

Weeks before, grandpa had told us all he was ready to go and stand before the Lord.  He faithfully loved, gave, and served.  He was  ready.  He had eternity in mind.  He knew his earthly body was failing and he was already looking to be with Jesus.  What an amazing thing to know that it was simply a matter of time before he would be in the presence of his Savior! 

As the days go by we wonder what grandpa's doing in heaven.  What is it like?  What is he experiencing?  The glory!  It reminds me to live for eternity!  This verse in James says "...yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."  I am again challenged to make today count!

Shortly after his death my cousin posted the 1st question from the Heidelberg Catechism that grandpa could have recited in his sleep.  He believed it will all his heart and it give me hope today!

Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.


He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.

Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.

8 Weeks Left to be Fully Funded!!

Thanksgiving may seem far away since summer just ended but it is right around the corner.  God has been so faithful to provide and we are humbled at the way so many of you have supported and encouraged our family. Thank you!
We are only 8 weeks away from our goal to be fully funded!!!  We're getting closer with 75% of monthly and 57% of one-time support pledged!
    - We still need:
      $1,750/month. This keeps us in Hungary for the long haul.
      $26,000 in one-time gifts.  This get's us there and starts our life and ministry.
If you would like to meet with us to hear more about what we are doing please let us know and we will set something up.  If you have been thinking about being on our support team now is the time!

Click the Give Online button below to be a monthly supporter or give a one-time gift.  Select our names from the drop box, Bisson, Andrew & Susan.
To give by check: write it out to AMI and put our names in the memo line, send it to AMI 505 N. 20th St., Waco, TX, 76707.

Give Online

What have we been up to the last few months? It has been a crazy few months.  We wrapped up our lives  in Waco.  Before we left we sold most of our things, said  goodbye to our  friends and our beloved neighbor kids, and  started planning our time in South Dakota.  We have been  in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for 2 months now and time is  flying.  We found a great place to stay while we continue to  raise our support.  Thank you Lin and Mert, you guys are  great!  We've really enjoyed being close to family again  and being able to connect with all of our good friends in  Sioux Falls.  We have been on the move quite a bit since being back.  Trips to Minnesota to visit family and raise  support, and Texas for our organizations annual missions  conference. The kids started their home-school year a few weeks ago,  and we started calling it travel school since the first two  weeks were not at home. We just said goodbye to Susan's grandpa, John Schaap.   He went to be with Jesus last week and he will be deeply  missed.  He left a great legacy of kids and grand-kids that  love Jesus.

Timeline and Prayers Our timeline is getting shorter.  Here is a brief breakdown of our last months in the states. continue to raise support and be funded by end of November spend our last holidays in the States with family head to Waco, TX first part of January to finish up details with AMI leave for Hungary by mid to late January How you can pray... the rest of our funds would come in quickly all the details of moving overseas would go smoothly Susan's side of the family.  They just lost Grandpa John Our kids would thrive in the midst of so much transition

Kids, Cake & The Big God Story

"God is the brightest star in the sky."

"God is scary looking."

"God lives in that cloud right there!"

"Where is hell and where is the devil?"

"We all have angels! Did you know that?"

"My cousin says I have a devil inside me and I listen to him when I do bad things, but I got an angel too.  I try to listen to that one."

"Why did God fight the devil?"

These were just some of the questions and comments that arose from our sweet neighbor kids the last few months we were in Waco .  

God gave us so many opportunities to walk these kids through some tough questions and misunderstandings about God.  Dorean, Camoria, Dewayne, Kaitlyn, Kyle and Jordan were in our lives for the 12 months we were in Waco.  Almost everyday of the summer they would come over and ask if our kids could play, but really longed for love and attention from us as well.  Each day the kids would play and we (mostly Susan) would supervise.  They slowly began to understand the dynamics of our family and that we loved this man named Jesus who we prayed to, talked about and shared with others. Our house quickly became their safe place.  A place where snacks were handed out,  where dad and mom were there, no one made them feel small or yelled, and smiles were always given freely!  In return we received a wonderful gift from each one, friendship.  

It wasn't always like this.  Dorean would come over for months and never smile.  I told Andrew one day about this sweet boy who never smiled.  I knew life was hard for Dorean, but didn't know the extent of it, and probably never will.  I would wave to Dorean when we left our house each day with no response.  He was quiet, strong and steady.  Dorean, Camoria and Dewayne are all cousins living in a small house with many other relatives.  They have learned at a young age to stick together, fight for each other and defend each other because most likely, no one else will.  That's all they have.  Over time, Dorean began to open up.  Then one day I waved good-bye and out-of-the-blue, he waved back.  I was shocked, but still managed to smile.  As I drove away, my heart was full.  

One day, like so many others, I started talking to the kids and encouraging them that God made them all for a special specific purpose.  Dorean asked timidly, "Does dancing count?"  I said, "Of course."  A huge smile came over his face.  "Then that's my gift.  I was made to dance," he said.  Often, after that conversation, I'd see this shy boy with ear buds in his ears dancing with moves I can't do:)  Dorean's heart became softer and softer to Jesus through many conversations. 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Most days, around 11:00 a.m., a child would ring my doorbell :)  I would greet them with a smile and sometimes a snack as they asked if my kids can play.  Whether or not it was the first time they rang the doorbell or the 3rd time that day I tried to be Jesus.  The girls could usually be found on a big blanket in the front yard playing dolls and the boys on an big sheet with the Legos, on scooters or riding bikes.

Just before we moved back to South Dakota, all the kids were invited to a good-bye party at our house with cake and ice cream.  Before the party I made up encouragement cards for all the kids.  During the party all the cards were shared with the kids.  What a powerful time to speak the love of Jesus and identity over each one.  Following the Spirit's leading, I was able to share the story of God’s love for them and slowly explained the gift of salvation.  Three of our sweet neighborhood kids decided to receive and follow Jesus! My heart was overwhelmed by their joy of the news and sweet acceptance.  We talked about being able to hear this amazing God who wants to be our friend and talk back to Him.   

Sweet Dorean bowed his head and waited in silence longer than all the other kids.  I finally asked, "Dorean, did you hear something?"  He looked up with the biggest smile I'd seen on his face and said, "Yes.  God said that He loved me and he wants me to love my family and obey my mom."  That sounds like God.  Wow!  The Lord is faithful to speak to the heart of His children.

Lord, would you continue to work in the hearts of all our neighbor kids.  Would you keep there hearts soft to you and would you speak to them often.  Would they know the voice of their heavenly Father so all other voices fade away.  Would they know they are Princes and Princesses of the Most High God.  Would you seal up in their hearts, the decision to follow you all their days.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall "never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." John 10:27-29

The point of sharing stories like this is not for everyone to think we are so great.  In fact, it is quite the opposite.  It's a testimony of how God uses broken people, like us, to show himself.  Not because he has to, but because he delights in using us if we are willing.

Free

Psalm 37: 5 - "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will act."

One morning I was lead straight to this verse.  I knew it was what I needed to hear to continue on this journey and continue to believe for the future of our family.  I read it and read it over again and had the thought, why is this so hard to believe?

Have you ever had that thought when reading a verse?  It sounds amazing and it's easy to say, "Yes, Amen", but then you find yourself thinking in the back of your head, what if I believe for it and it doesn't happen?  Your mind starts flooding with past disappointments or times you've believed for something and it didn't turn out the way you hoped.  That was me.  I could feel myself hesitating to believe but felt like the Spirit was saying to believe.  So in that moment I prayed and asked God the big question, how do I lessen the blow of disappointment?  The answer came quickly but cut to my heart, fully surrender. 

Psalm 37: 5 - "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him and he will act." 

When I am fully surrendered, committing not some, but ALL my ways to the Lord, and trusting that He knows what He's doing when He acts, I can believe that He's acting on my behalf. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' Romans 8:28

It will not always be the way I planned or the way that I asked Him, but I believe, in a new way, that He is acting on our behalf more than I know or recognize in all my humanness.  As I let go, the possibilities are limitless.

It Is Well

A nugget for your quiet time with our Creator.

Where your giving goes!!

Hello friends!  We are 4 1/2 months away from our departure date to HUNGARY to church-plant and are still in need of 45% of our monthly support ($3,000 more a month) and 60% of our start-up costs ($30,000)!!  We need your help!  We cannot do this alone.  We live off 100% support.   If you've been thinking about giving, now is the time :)  Would you consider one of these monthly gifts?

$30/month - 1 meal a week for our family of 5!
$50/month - clothes & shoes for 3 growing kids
$75/month - costs of doctor, dentist and meds
$100/month  - pays for the kids school!!
$200-$400/month gifts - transportation & utilities

If you are feeling really generous :)

$500/month - covers a portion of our medical insurance
$1,000/month - covers rent for our family of 5 in a major European city!

We need lots of givers!


Click here to GIVE
-Choose our names from the drop-down box (Bisson, Andrew & Susan) and fill in your information.

If you are looking to help with Start-up Costs, we still need $30,000 covering:

Plane Tickets, House set-up, Relocation Fees, Transportation, Emergency Fund (mandated by our organization for plane tickets in case of emergency) and more.

Any and all gifts are SO appreciated!  THANK YOU FOR GIVING!

For tax-exemption Donations to Antioch Ministries International are tax deductible in accordance with the provisions of the IRS.  Donations are solicited with the understanding that AMI has complete discretion and control over all donated funds.  In practice, AMI implements donor instructions whenever possible.  In case a gift cannot be used as indicated by the donor, it will be applied to other important functions of AMI.

They really want to go :)

Wildflowers - Out of the Ashes

A nature show called Wild America aired on PBS in the 80's.  It was one of our families favorite shows growing up.  Recently, we stumbled across an old episode about Wildflowers.  It was one of those moments where time stands still and you know that what someone just said, (or said over 30 years ago) God was using it to speak to you right then.  While referring to wildflowers, Marty Stouffer, the host, mentioned that, "many seeds must be subject to fire in order to sprout." 

I thought about that single statement for days.  I decided I feel similar to one of those seeds right now.  I know that the Bible warns us about trials, troubles and just down right hard things but when you feel 'subjected to fire' you don't always think about what's on the other side.  You don't think about how God doesn't waste our suffering. That part feels too hard in the midst of everything else.  

We are excited to be apart of something greater than ourselves!  We are humbled that God wants to use us in Hungary.  We are so excited to get started and settled there.  We are excited to interact with the people and love on them.  We are excited to see how are kids pick up their new language and us for that matter.  We are excited to give God all the credit for what He will do there!  Those are the things our family tries to remember in the midst of this journey.

To be honest though, during this process of support raising, we have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in ourselves.  Our weaknesses have been exposed, our faith challenged and our endurance tested.  This is hard.  We ask, "Is it worth it? Does all this really matter?"  When I ask these questions a resounding Yes comes.  It's worth it. It does matter in the unseen - the eternal.  So I find myself saying (sometimes forcing myself) as David did in Psalm 103 when he said:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!   

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,"

Even if it comes through tears.  The cry of my heart is that the Lord be blessed through it all.  That's why I wouldn't trade being subjected to this 'light and momentary' fire (that we are still in) for not following God's call on our lives. The old normal is long gone and walking with Jesus into the unknown is the new normal.  There isn't anything left in and of ourselves.  Strangely this feeling of coming to the end of myself in this process is freeing.  So restful.  So I find hope in God and remembering the wildflower seed.  

 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

He will move this seemingly impossible mountain of finances and sprout new things in us and the people of Hungary through it all.  Though it looks as if the end has come and there is going to be nothing left...over time, out of the ashes sprout fields and fields of beautiful new flowers.  Oh, to continue to remember that something amazing will be birthed from this fire!