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Faith - Challenge - Growth
"Lord, please protect us. Please keep us safe." My heart was beating out of my chest as I squeezed the steering wheel of our broken down van. I tried to stay calm but felt uneasy, because I wanted my team protected. Minutes before, traveling down 75N in massive traffic, we lost power in our van. The fuel pump went out and we coasted off the nearest off ramp. We then came to a stop in a neighborhood in downtown Detroit. If you are familiar with the lovely city of Detroit, all I can really say is that I was beyond thankful the sun was still out. If it had been closer to nightfall, this blog would have been entitled "Sun Stand Still, Part 2."
Faith under pressure! James shares with us in chapter 1 verses 2-4: "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." MSG
So many things that day went wrong. Many times it felt like we were in a nightmare just waiting to wake up. By God's grace, we made it through the many challenges and still accomplished our mission throughout the rest of the weekend. It felt as though things were trying to stop us, but we persevered and, because of that, we grew in our faith and in our journey in SEND. Would I agree with James in the above verses and consider almost dying in a car wreck, being robbed, killed, or all the spiritual warfare a sheer gift? Yes, because the gift was that we were given a test and challenge; and, through faith and pressure, we got through it. In regards to our van, we were led to a BP Gas Station in Troy that was getting ready to close at 8:00p.m. This was on a Saturday night and the Christian owner stayed open and fixed it for us. Unbelievable. Praise God!
We are now about two-thirds into our SEND journey. The goals for our young adults have been to provide many real life missions, work with many ministries, experience many different worship settings, and provide incredible teaching and wisdom by pastors, leaders, and ministry experts. We have been stretched, tested over and over along with being challenged non-stop. The reason for this, like in many types of training, is to grow. There, again, is our gift James is talking about. Challenge = Growth! Our goals, as Servants, have been to Equip these New Disciples and challenge them; and, from that growth, to SEND these disciples out into the world in a couple of months!
For the month of March, we thank the following amazing teachers: Pastor Bob S. (x 2!), Pastor Tom S., Pastor Adam D., Greg L., Jim M., Joshua H., Pastor Brian S., Pastor Chrysanne T., and Pastor Scott P. We thank the mission churches and ministries we are working with on Thursday afternoons: New Hope Christian Center, The Wreck youth center, Pamela Lash and Light House Chapel, and First Church of God in Kendallville. We also thank POBLO, People of the Book Lutheran Outreach ministries, some of the greatest missionaries we have ever known who share the Good News of Jesus Christ with Muslims, the un-churched, and others. What a blessing to do mission with you and all the above! Special thanks to Destiny Family of Faith this month as well!
 Prayer request: Perseverance of the five young adults in SEND - that they stay focused the remaining two months and can finish giving it all they have. Also, that the Lord helps and guides them in finding their life purpose and to remain healthy. We also need prayer and financial support for our Guatemala mission trip. We have purchased our plane tickets and are now raising money for our trip and things we need for the trip. We are only 5 weeks away and really need your help! Please see the link to the upper left if you are able to support us!
Thank you for your time being involved and supporting SEND! I hope to hear from you soon and that you are enjoying this spring weather. Peace, blessings, and Happy Easter to all!
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