Our February mission excursion weekend was jam packed. We do our best to incorporate many different kinds of ministries, churches, and social activities into these weekends.  This month we ended up worshiping in two large Fort Wayne churches: Pathway and Blackhawk. We visited the largest book store in Indiana, played some Laser Tag, enjoyed a Starbucks Bible devotion and study, went to a 3-hour workshop presentation entitled "Defending Life" with a national apologist, and we also spent time and served at a wonderful Mission located in downtown Fort Wayne.  By the time Sunday night rolled around, we had put in over 20 hours and had a lot to process. The biggie for me was the workshop and what we saw and experienced at The Rescue Mission.

The Rescue Mission (http://www.therescuemission.org)  is a faith-based, non-profit organization, providing restorative care to men, women, and children experiencing a homeless crisis. This incredible organization serves Fort Wayne, Allen County, and its nine surrounding counties. Their mission is to provide, through the power of Jesus Christ, a home for the homeless, food for the hungry, and hope for the future. The mission is huge and is comprised of over four different ministries, including a thrift store. 

Once inside, we got checked in and ready to serve. On this Saturday we were going to be doing some cleaning, but they had another project for us to do. We had to sort over 20 huge boxes of clothes for the store. Before we started that project though, we went on a tour with Raphael.  He took us all around,  showing us the lobby, sign-in room, the cafeteria, and offices. He then took us into a chapel and said that every night, everyone staying there had to attend the worship service. We then went upstairs and saw where the guys lived.  The whole floor was filled with rooms with beds, bathrooms, and community rooms.  Raphael stopped by the wall and tapped on a dispenser of hand sanitizer. He motioned that we use it as well and said that someone staying there might have MERSA.  It was while rubbing that sanitizer in my hands that I had that usual jolt of reality in doing mission work: Time to get out of a comfort zone and see things that we most want to avoid, not know about, or scare the life out of us.

While standing in one of the community rooms, I thought something looked out of place.  I pointed over to a huge empty bookshelf. "Hey, Raphael , where are all the books?" "Bedbugs." He replied.  Time out. "Umm, say again?"  "Bedbugs. That bookshelf is made of wood. They ruined all the books."   I then had another reality nudge. This time I felt like something was on the back of my neck. I felt itchy. These guys have no books to read? Were there Bibles on that shelf?  "Hey, let's head down and sort out these clothes fellas..."

Thank you, Lord, for all the warrior servants who work in missions and hospitals.  May they be blessed for living for others.  The apostle Peter shares with us, "Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless-cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything-encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!"  (1 Peter 7-11; The Message)

Sunday night I was sharing this experience with my wife. I told her I wished I could have done more than sort clothes for that mission for a few hours.  Then it hit me.  Let's do a book-and-Bible drive for The Rescue Mission and for those men living and searching for God.  Do you have a good Christian-living book or Bible you are not using?  Help serve with us. If you are reading this and are in our SEND network, please get us those books, those words, God's words, and we will get them to the mission.  Thank you!

This month of February we are thankful and grateful to many involved with SEND North America. To our teachers, you ROCK!  Brent C., Joshua H., David K., Dr. Kent H. X 3!, Dr. Paul and Susie R.,  Yohannes M., Pastor Bryan S., Pastor Bob S.

To all the churches and ministries we have worshiped and served with, we thank you: St. John Kendallville, IN; Sacred Heart Nursing Home, Avilla, IN; The Rescue Mission, Fort Wayne, IN; Pathway  Community Church, Fort Wayne, IN; Blackhawk Church, Fort Wayne, IN; New Hope Christian Center; Trinity Church Kendallville, IN; Ark of Avilla, IN; Prayer Chapel; Rev. Pam L., Zach H., Jon Z. Jr.; Cross and Resurrection, Ypsilanti, MI; Destiny Family of Faith, Kendallville, IN.

Special thanks and a huge welcome to my new co-workers in SEND marketing and promotion team!: John Wargowsky and Kelley Renz.  Welcome aboard, fasten your seat belts; the roller coaster is in process!  Honor to be serving with you.

Special thanks this month to The Lutheran Foundation of NE Indiana. We are grateful for your support and partnership!  Yohannes, it is an honor and true privilege to serve with you, my brother!  Link: http://thelutheranfoundation.org.