On another muggy, August evening, Bo and Jesse Bartlett find themselves in a suburban indoor soccer complex. Jesse cheers from the stands as her husband, Bo, launches himself off the Astroturf to head the ball out of his defensive zone. The ball hits the out-of-bounds net and the play stops. Progress is halted.

Five years ago, the Bartletts imagined they would be on a different kind of mission field by now.

For this married couple of seven years, progress is exactly what they long for when it comes to serving God overseas.  Over the last five years, the call to international missions has built to a shout to which they’ve responded. But, even with their response, they find themselves having to be patient.

How did their call to international missions gain momentum?

"In 2002 we met with Rodney Howell (Missions Pastor at 121 Community Church) at the Waffle House.  We had some questions about international adoption.  Throughout the conversation, Jesse and I started realizing that God had been stirring in each of our hearts, but we had never talked about this with each other.  Close marriage, eh?" Bo jokes.

"Anyways, during the Waffle House conversation, we started talking about Jesse and me serving overseas.  Rodney was very encouraging of what he saw in us and our ability to thrive in an international environment.  We shared our misconceptions of what missionaries were and Rodney clarified the role of the missionary, how the support system works, and gave us insight of the possibilities for serving the Lord."

After serving on their first mission trip as a married couple with a group from 121 in Acuna, Mexico, Jesse had no doubt about God calling them.

"As we were preparing to leave to drive back to Dallas, I remember sitting alone and God really putting on my heart that we needed to begin preparing to serve internationally.  I had such a peace about that and am confident that the Holy Spirit was stirring in my heart.  I remember starting to cry and I just kept saying to Bo, "There has to be something more than just working at our jobs day in and day out and living for retirement.  There just has to be more than just this."

The Bartletts are ready to bring plenty of experience, care and ability to people on the mission field.  Bo, a computer-systems support manager for the US Courts in downtown Dallas, and Jesse, a teacher for hearing-impaired students and owner of Esther's Attic (her own sewing and decorating business), are ready to invest their talents and personalities.

Spend time with Bo and you will come to know he'd much rather kick a ball around with poor kids on a dilapidated field instead of with a bunch of twenty and thirty-somethings in a nice, air-conditioned facility.

Spend time with Jesse and you will easily picture her playing games with kids or ministering to women by helping them sew dresses, scarves, or anything else that needs the needlework.

The question is not whether the Bartletts want to devote themselves to missions, it’s when and where. As they continue to seek God's will about the specifics, they have continued to serve in a variety of ways. In addition to mission trips to Mexico and India, they lead a Life Group at 121, have served on sending teams for other missionaries, and have been involved with World Relief, international students at UTA, and hosting international pastors.

While their excitement has continued to build for where God is taking them, the Bartletts have had to face some challenges. “By far, the most difficult part was telling my parents that we were feeling a call to move overseas.  We had a lot of tears, the questions about their future grandkids, the thought that there are enough people in America who need to hear the gospel,” Bo says.

But knowing they are going and having to wait has added some additional stress to the process. “Another difficult thing is the guilt associated with the length of this process to this point.  I feel as though I am wasting peoples’ time by not being gone yet.”

Jesse adds, “One of the biggest challenges would be still not knowing where God wants us to serve; whether in America or overseas.  The toughest part about wanting to go but not knowing is the constant battle with Satan.  He has planted seeds of doubt and we have often questioned, ‘Does God really want us moving forward with this since we don't have any real sense of direction?’  We are confident that we still need to move forward.  I believe the enemy just wants us to stop praying and trying altogether.”

With these challenges, the Bartletts are thankful for the encouragement from God, friends, and each other along the way. “Bo and I encourage each other by praying through different promptings from the Holy Spirit.  I specifically pray that God would speak to Bo since he is the spiritual leader of our marriage and for me to just be patient and allow God to work through him.  Friends, our current and previous LGs, and Rodney have been a huge support in our journey.  Rodney has been so patient with us and has allowed us to ask so many questions.  He takes the initiative in connecting us with different people who have hearts for missions and has even taken time to set up meetings with various missions agencies,” Jesse says.

During this time of waiting and serving, both have seen their relationships with God grow as well. “The truth of who God is and how He reveals Himself to me has become so much more real to me.  My desire to discover God and to draw near to Him has increased immeasurably.  With the prospect of being 'alone' in a foreign country I have been relying on God and trusting in Him for providing what I need,” Bo says.

Jesse adds, “My relationship with God has definitely become more personal than before I started praying and seriously thinking about serving him internationally.  He has taught me patience, how to trust him, how not to jump into something too quick because it "feels" right and I can see it working out.  This has also taught me how vital it is that I know what his Word says and to be able to articulate the Gospel.  I have been convicted that I NEED to know where certain truths are in the Bible and just knowing that it is somewhere in the Bible isn't good enough.”

How else have the Bartletts remained diligent while seeking God’s directions? “Bo and I are starting to plan a trip to Asia next summer (2009). We are talking and praying about visiting China, Thailand, Vietnam, and/or Indonesia.  Our next step is to contact a few mission organizations to find out where they have people serving and what they are doing. We hope to visit a few teams in those areas to see what God is doing and get a confirmation if and how God wants us to be a part of that.”

Bo also plans to begin courses toward a Certificate in Graduate Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary beginning in 2009. What do they hope others can take away from the process they have endured to this point? “I would hope that anyone contemplating serving in any type of mission area won’t think that because they don't know specifics doesn't mean they aren't supposed to serve.  God has given each Christian a command to tell all people about Him and his plan of redemption.  God has given all Christians certain gifts and calls us to serve.  Some he calls to move overseas, some he calls to stay in America.  We all have a calling to tell the world about Him.  We just need to pray and move forward.  In His time, He will show us the way,” Jesse says.

Bo agrees and sees the benefits of God’s timing. “I hope people are encouraged by the faithfulness of God in His preparations of my heart, mind, and attitude.  My knowledge of Him and my comfort level and ability of sharing His truth has grown tremendously over the past few years.  I shudder to think of God putting me in the field a few years ago and trying to communicate the gospel.”

By praying, serving, encouraging, and exploring opportunities, Bo and Jesse Bartlett are overcoming challenges and can see God’s unlimited boundaries as they continue to move forward in His will.

The ball is set on the ground. An opposing player kicks it in. Bo manages to dig the ball away from the crowd. Jesse cheers him on.  Bo dribbles the ball out of danger before kicking it to his mid-fielder. 
Progress continues.

::Chris Howard