From Sushi Nights to Chiang Rai | Calling Story with Connor and Cheyenne Elliott (Ep. 228)
Connor and Cheyenne Elliott spent over a year preparing to teach in Okinawa, Japan. Amidst the pandemic, they learned Japanese and hosted sushi-night fundraisers. Then in July 2021, they received the call that their visas had been rejected. Just a week later they were telling the same supporters that they were going to Thailand instead. Five years and three kids later, they're still serving missionary kids at Chiang Rai International Christian School. As they share their story, Connor and Cheyenne reflect on preparing for missions, raising children overseas, the meaning of “home,” and a calling that was always about surrender rather than a particular place.
- “My heart was always so stirred whenever a missionary would come to share at church.” -Cheyenne
- “I knew that if we’re both just going to be surrendered and pursue the Lord together, then He can do with that whatever He wants. We can serve God, whether it is at home or abroad.” -Cheyenne
- “When we got the news that we couldn’t go, it was pretty crushing.” -Connor
- “We already said yes to Japan. Let’s say yes to Thailand!” -Connor
- “We realized we really loved the vision of CRICS – to serve the servant.” -Cheyenne
- “The place where we were was the place that God brought us to, and we just wanted to delight in that.” -Connor
- “Lord, can you give me excitement for going back to Thailand, but still contentment with where I am now and where I will be in the future?” -Cheyenne
- “The Kingdom of God is my home.” -Connor
- Hebrews 11:8-16 and Hebrews 13:14
- “[Parents] can continue to stay on the field and find ways to serve unreached people groups to plant churches, the Bible’s being translated into new languages, and it’s really cool to know that that’s happening around us and to know that this is a small role that we can play to support those.” -Cheyenne
- “Your sending base is so important when you’re considering moving overseas. Be known and be involved in serving where you are.” -Cheyenne
- “I think there’s a lot of joy and delight in even doing the fundraising process, and there’s joy in education itself. So, some of it’s just like trying to go through a door and waiting to see whether it’s open or closed; I feel like that can be a good step if you’re considering missions.” -Connor
- “I think that God calls us in all sorts of ways and God leads us in a lot of certain ways, too. Sometimes that’s just through your passions or your desires and what delights you. And in some ways, leaning into that can be a way that God calls you to a certain place or not.” -Connor
What’s changing our lives:
- Keane: Reading a shorter book between longer or more intense books
- Heather: Open Bible challenge
- Connor: Reading and thinking about about education and technology
- Cheyenne: Making sourdough bread
Weekly Spotlight: Chiang Rai International Christian School
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