Project Wilderland

We were staying with some friends in Idaho this summer. I had my Bible, journal, coffee and a beautiful view of the hills. It was idyllic. And Jesus was interrupting this longed-for moment. A persistent thought was occurring, something ridiculous, but I just couldn’t get away from it - and I did not want to miss the chance to walk with the Lord into the impossible.

A few weeks before, over a casual lunch catching up with a missionary friend during a big conference, we’d heard about a property in Europe that was on the market. One of the owners, a follower of Jesus, had asked if our friend knew any US Christians looking to start a retreat center. And the reason he told us about this place was because we’d just shared a long-range dream with him:

We want to establish a center of care and spiritual formation for Christian cross-cultural workers.

So, it turns out, he does know some people. The only problems being a lack of funds and none of the legal structure ready for such an endeavor. 

And we live in Texas. 

Apparently these objections were not that concerning to the Lord, who was now hounding me. As I reflected on the desires we have held for a long time around community, place, and formation, I came to understand something important - if accessibility is important for global workers, one place is not enough. Something in Texas is good, but we need other locations too.

Now that’s crazy talk. One significant property when you have no resources is fantasy, but to imagine more than that feels like borderline madness. 

Still, here I was, blinking in the early morning light of God’s great desires. 

I told Sarah that the outlandish urge to engage with the sellers was upon me. I’m tempted to believe she eyed me with questions about how long I’d been exposed to the sun recently. If so, she kindly didn’t let me see. 

After a few weeks of messages and logistics due to our travels, we had a wonderful call with the owner of this European property. And we were honest about the non-existence of funds etc. Still, they told us we’d hear if anyone made an offer before they accepted it. The generosity of that gesture baffles me even now. 

Sometimes you have to take the next step, even when the rest are unclear. Whilst I can’t write a check for a property like this, I can have the conversations. And I can pray. And God can move.

Less than a week after the chat with the owners, we were sharing this story with some friends. I wanted to pick their brains about organizational structures and international non-profits. They have experience. I’m almost clueless. 

Across nachos and guacamole, our friend turned to us and said, “I don’t know about structure, but I think we can help with the funding.” Turning to her husband she asked, “Is that ok, honey?” 

His response? “Sure.” 

Cue stunned silence from us.

Cue galaxies of possibility and astonishment and bewilderment colliding in my mortal frame. 

What do you say when the impossible unfolds in front of you?

“Thank you” is a good place to start. And then you get to work.

So after a lot of emails and research and phone calls and meetings, we are proud to announce the beginning of Project Wilderland.

We will establish a new non-profit to operate in tandem with the work we do as Directors of Member Care at WIM. This new organization will provide the gift of place and community for Christian cross-cultural workers, by establishing physical centers in strategic locations. 

It’s just the beginning, but it seems the Lord is moving very quickly. In all honesty, it’s quicker than I’m comfortable with - normally I’m asking Jesus to hurry up a bit, but right now I’m just buckled in and taking it one turn, one drop, one loop at a time. 

Because of our passion for flourishing cross-cultural workers, we want these facilities and programs to be 100% gifted to them, whether for short term rest, a structured retreat, during a time of crisis, or a longer Sabbatical.

Phase one, to form the non-profit and launch the first center, is a 2-year, $5,000,000 project.

Phase two will require an additional $7,000,000. 

This is where we are at with Phase One:

Ridiculous. Outlandish. I know. But also consider this - if the Lord is doing this, doesn’t it tell us how much He values His sent ones? Doesn’t it remind us that even as He calls us to surrender all for the sake of Jesus, He promises us that we will receive so much more not only in the age to come but now? 

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