Exploring "Lots"

It is vital that we all invest our time: In reading our scriptures; In prayer and focus on our Creator; & In quiet contemplation on his ways. We should be asking Him for his purpose in our lives, as we seek to hear His Voice. We would love to hear an audible voice, but those are rare. Sometimes there might be a nudge from the Holy Spirit. Other times it might be a specific verse that comes to mind, or someone that speaks into our lives. 

And yet, there are other times when we have been desiring to have a specific answer to a specific question. For us the question was, "Where in the world would you want us to go for you?"  It was in these moments, that we began to explore the idea of "Lots". First question is: What is a Lot? 

THE "LOTS" SYSTEM

In the bible, there are at least 88 accounts of casting lots in the Old Testament and 7 times in the New Testament. It was something that God did not condemn. However, in spite of the many references to casting lots in the bible, nothing is known about the actual lots themselves. They could have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones like coins, or some kind of dice. Their exact nature is unknown.

So, we devised a unique type of "LOTS" System. We divided up the world into 8 geographic areas (Generally Continents), and wrote each on on a piece of paper, folded up those papers and put them in a bucket. We did this twice, so there were 16 pieces of paper in the bucket; two for each geographic area. Our prayer was: "God, if you move to have us draw the same thing on the first draw, then we will consider that to be from you."

To match on the first draw, represents a small probability (1 in 15 = 6.6%). After that, the idea is, that once we get a Continent, then we will do the same for the Countries of that Continent (Which can be anywhere from 12 countries in South America to 50+ countries in Asia). Then, if the country warrants it (like the United States), we will do it a third time. To match on the First Draw for the Continent, and then follow that up with a match on the First Draw for the Country, represents a strikingly small percentage. 

PUTTING IT IN PRACTICE

Over the first several years, since we have had this system in place, we had gone to the bucket a handful of times, but we had never drawn a match. In fact, there have only been a couple of successful draws. But when it does match, you need to be ready to go.

CURACAO 2024

In June of 2024, we matched on the First Draw: Western Europe. That was odd. Western Europe was not on our radar. So, we divide up Western Europe into its parts, about 12 countries. The papers went into the bucket again, two for each country in Western Europe, and again we matched on the First Draw: Netherlands. So, we asked what is a "Netherland"? Turns out the the Netherlands is actually a kingdom of 4 entities: Holland, Aruba, Curacao, and half of St Martin. So, we put those 4 items on paper, two for each, and tossed them into the bucket. And, now the third time in a row, we matched on the First Draw: Curacao. - - We really didn't know what to do with this information, except that we should GO!... and see what happens. So, we did. We spent 17 days in July 2024, on the Island of Curacao, and at each step along the way, we were able to bless folks who said that they felt God sent us to the island "just for them".  To hear more about the culture there and what we found, see the Blog on Curacao.

ARGENTINA 2026

In August of 2025, we went back to the bucket. For the "Lots" System for the continent, we both selected on the First Draw: South America. Then, for the country, we both selected on the Second Draw: Argentina. Because, it was the second draw for Argentina and not the first, we took that to mean not right away. With this in mind, we spent some time in Northern Indiana with family (August/September), and then we took a drive out west to see family & friends in Idaho, Washington, California (a lot), Arizona, & Illinois (October/November). Along the way, during this very long road trip, we kept running into folks who had a connection to Argentina (one person spent 7 years there on a mission, another person has been going back once a year for the last several year, etc.). It was amazing, as if the "getting ready" portion was already happening. After returning to Northern Indiana for a couple of weeks. it was time to embark. To hear more about the culture there and what we found, click on the Blog for Argentina.