Come on...The Case of the Untied Shoe

I saw him hesitate.  He was almost at the front of the church.  The congregation was singing the invitation hymn, and a father and his young son stepped out of the pew, making their way down the aisle.  As they neared the end of the aisle, the boy glanced at his feet to see that his shoe was untied.  In a moment that seemed to stand still, I could see the young boy deliberating the situation.  Should he stop and tie his shoe? Or should he just keep going.  The preacher waiting at the front moved over to greet them at the exact moment the boy made his decision.  As the preacher reached out his hand to greet the boy, the boy kneeled down to tie his shoe.

He was coming forward with a purpose.  But he felt his shoe had to be tied first.  His father gave an embarrassed grin and shook the preacher's hand.  The congregation continued to sing.  Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.  I, however, ceased singing.  It was in that brief moment I received a glimpse of my own life, of my own heart.  This young man was making public the most important decision of his life, to follow Jesus Christ.  But he had to be ready.  His shoe had to be tied.  Or did it?

How many times do I stop just short of Jesus' bid for me to come to Him, to stop and fix things before I reach Him? Yes, Lord, I feel you drawing me in your presence, but before I can sit down and dive into Your Word, the house must be clean.  The dishes must be washed.  I must go to bed so I can sleep and awaken refreshed, ready for You to pour into me.  Yes, Lord, I see that person in need.  I can help meet the need.  Or I can even just be a listening ear.  But I'm so busy, God.  Maybe when life slows down a bit.  Yes, Lord, that is an amazing ministry opportunity.  But I'm not good enough.  Let me work on teaching, singing, repairing, cooking, serving...and the list of excuses goes on and on.

My Savior is gently calling to me, inviting me into His presence, into His work, but I so often stop short.  I get so close, ready to surrender, but my imperfection or the mess of my life distracts me.  Sadly, one distraction leads to another.  Many times, I miss the opportunity completely.  And what an opportunity it is.  The opportunity to be in the loving arms of my Heavenly Father.  The opportunity to be involved in His work and ministry.  The opportunity to simply bask in His glory.  The examples of God calling us to Himself in scripture are numerous.  And for almost every situation.

Coming into His presence:
Enter into His gates with singing and into His courts with praise.  Psalm 100:4

Coming with our sin:
"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  Isaiah 1:18

Coming with our burdens:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Coming with our fears:
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  Matthew 14:25-29

Coming with our future as designed by His will:
"Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people."  Mark 1:17

Coming with our complaints:
Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud. The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”  Exodus 16:9-12

Coming in our weakness:
Then because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.  Mark 6:31

Coming in our need:
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."  Revelation 22:17

As we celebrate Christmas and the season of advent, we focus on the coming of Jesus, both as a baby in a humble stall and His promise that He will one day come again.  The truth of the matter is, Jesus came to us, so that we might come to Him.  And He waits.  Patiently pleading, "come on."

Climb Every Mountain

It happened every summer.  It's a tradition.  One that continues to this day.  Every camper, former camper, staffer, former staff, is invited to come forward at the end of closing program to sing the song together.  To remember the lessons of camp.  To inspire others as you walk out the door, leaving the safety and seclusion of Camp Crestridge, going back into the world beyond.  I wonder what it was like to sit in the audience and hear three to four generations singing that song.  I wonder if it felt anything like what I felt last night when watching The Sound of Music Live!  The movie with Julie Andrews has always been my favorite, but I've never picked up on the spiritual significance of the story until last night.  Maybe it's because I'm older and I've climbed a few mountains.  Maybe it's because of Audra McDonald's performance as the Reverend Mother.  I'm not sure what it was, but last night, something was different.  I was moved to tears.  Sobbing tears.  Tears that won't stop, even as I type this right now.

I don't know if I ever really stopped to think about what the words to the song really mean.  I think I just sung them.  I never really stopped and let them sink in.  But as I reflect on the place that gave that song such significance in my life, I am thankful for the people there who prayed this prayer over my life, who helped me understand the importance of never being satisfied with mediocrity, even though I probably didn't realize the timeliness of their message.  I used to think everyone had someone in their life constantly telling them these things, constantly encouraging them, constantly cheering them on.  I was so blessed to have many people in my life who have done that for me.  Maybe my tears today come from the realization that many people don't have them.  No one is there to encourage them to work hard.  No one is there to tell them they are talented and they have a lot to offer.  No one is there to give them that little push of encouragement.  How could I have so many when many have no one? I am overwhelmed.  I think this song could be made into a wonderful children's book.  And here's the message.

Climb every mountain:
Life is hard.  Many days it's going to feel like an uphill battle.  There will be times you climb with vigor and excitement.  There will be days when each step is a struggle.  But know that the top of the mountain is worth it.  The view will make the climb seem like nothing in comparison.  And remember, it's rare for a mountain to stand alone.  There are very few singular mountains.  Most of the time, when you get to the top of one mountain, another one is waiting in the distance.  And that's okay.  Climb it just like you did the others.  One step at a time.  And don't be afraid to ask for help.  There will be other climbers who pass by that can reach out and pull you on.  Just as you will be there to reach out and help someone else.

Search high and low:
We don't like to search.  Think about the last time you misplaced something.  The search for it was probably not a pleasant experience.  The search may have made you late for something.  It may have caused you to have to switch gears and change plans.  These are not pleasant feelings.  But think about the last time you participated in an Easter Egg Hunt, especially when there were prize eggs.  The search was fun!  You were probably determined.  If only we could search ourselves and our lives that way and not look at the search as something dreadful.

Follow every byway:
The dictionary defines a byway as a secluded, private, or obscure road.  Life will definitely take you down these roads.  And your first instinct might be to turn around.  Your fear may lead you to believe this isn't safe.  But don't let your fear overtake you.  Trust the Lord to make straight your path.  Trust Him as you explore the byways of life.  And remember, you never really walk alone.  Think about roads that are labeled scenic byways.  We have several in the area of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  These roads are usually two-lane, winding, paths with some of the most beautiful views.  Enjoy the byways.  Learn from them.  Don't get upset if someone in front of you is going too slow and blocking your way.  Stop and smell the roses.  Just take everything in.  Stop at the scenic overlooks and enjoy the view.  Marvel at the mountains you've climbed already, and thank God for the mountains that still lie ahead.

Every path you know:
There's more to life than mountains.  There are familiar roads that conjure up feelings of safety and happiness.  (The road up to Camp Crestridge is one of these for me.)  Follow them.  Let those roads remind you of home, of safety, of harmony.

Ford every stream:
A ford is a place in the river or body of water where it is shallow enough to cross by wading.  To ford a stream is the cross at a ford.  Don't be afraid to get your feet wet.  Jump in.  Trust God to guide your steps.  Streams do exist, not to keep you from the other side, but to drive you on to the other side. Also, make wise decisions.  Crossing a river at its deepest part with rolling rapids is often a dangerous choice.  This doesn't mean you take the easy way out or you are lazy.  It means that it's important to know what you can handle.  Know your skills.  Know your limitations.  And constantly seek ways to overcome those limitations.  Sometimes, that involves getting your feet wet and exploring.  Sometimes that involves falling down a slippery bank.  Sometimes it simply involves perseverance to keep searching for the place the river fords and to never give up.  Never let the stream keep you from the other side.

Follow every rainbow:
There are also beautiful rainbows.  Many want to follow rainbows because of the legendary pot of gold waiting at the end.  But if you follow rainbows with this intent, you will be disappointed.  To follow rainbows is to trust in God's promises.  That's what a rainbow is, right?  God's promise.

Til you find your dream:
A passion very rarely just presents itself.  It must be discovered.  For it's in the discovery that the passion becomes just that.  


A dream that will need all the love you can give, every day of your life, for as long as you live:
Feed your passion.  Continue to dream dreams.  Surround yourself with people who will encourage you.  And find someone you can encourage.  Love your passion.  Spend time pursuing it.  Spend time learning all that you can.  Immerse yourself.  Find ways to use your passion to glorify God.  Don't give up!  Press on!



Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39



So climb every mountain. Search high and low.  Follow every byway.  Every path you know.  Climb every mountain.  Ford every stream.  Follow every rainbow.  'Til you find your dream.  A dream that will need all the love you can give, everyday of your life, for as long as you live.  Climb every mountain.  Ford every stream.  Follow every rainbow.  Til you find your dream!

A Mess of Ornaments...A Message of Hope

My husband doesn't like our Christmas tree. Well, I guess he just doesn't understand it. While there are a few sets of ornaments, none of them match. There are no brightly colored balls. No pretty ribbon. No theme. Just random ornaments collected from years past. I have friends who decorate multiple trees throughout their home. I don't care for artificial trees, and I can barely remember to water our one live tree, so I think I'll just stick to one. I have friends who change the theme of their trees from year to year. But that's an added expense I've never been able to justify. My ornaments have been the same, year after year. New ornaments are added each year, but not because I bought them. These are special ornaments given by friends. And each one has meaning. Each one has a story. Each one has a memory. And for me, that's what makes my Christmas tree so very special.

 Decorating the tree each year is like taking a walk down memory lane. I spend a few moments with each ornament, remembering who gave it, remembering that time in my life, remembering it's story. I often think of people I haven't spoken with or seen in ages. I cherish the time in our lives that we shared together. I am thankful for those moments, for those memories.

 There's the piano ornament, given to me by my piano teacher, Mrs. Rosalyn Taylor, in 1987.

There's an ornament given to me at work in 2008. The house. There is a matching house that belongs to my sister. This was my ornament in 1981 from my mom and dad. They still buy my sister and I a new ornament each year. They go on the tree at their home. But my mom let me take a few of mine. This is one of them. It's comforting to know this ornament's match is also being treasured on a special tree.

 The Joy to the World ornament from Julie. This was given in a year where we had to learn 3 or 4 different arrangements of Joy to the World for choir and praise team music at church. It was a challenge to keep them all straight.

The ornament I made Jay in 2011, the first Christmas together when we started dating.

The ornament that was the favor at my sister's wedding. My mom and I made so many of these!!!! Such happy memories.

 The Camp Crestridge Ornament... from the place I spent so many summers as a child and teenager. The ornament itself doesn't hold special memories, but the place it represents holds more memories than I can wrap my brain around.

 The cow ornament...well, one of many cow ornaments. From 1994-199 I was obsessed with cows. I loved them. I thought they were adorable. I still think they're pretty adorable. Some may think it's odd that I still hang the cow ornaments. But each year it just reminds me that I have friends and family who know me so well that they know exactly what ornament to give. That's pretty special in life...to have those kind of friends. So the cows stay!

 And there are so many more. The ornaments from Mexico I bought on a cruise. Ornaments from my former students. Ornaments I bought the first Christmas I spent in Spartanburg. Ornaments from friends. The set of three ornaments given to me in 1979 from my babysitter, Mrs. Haynes. If you haven't figured out...I keep track of where each ornament came from. The name of the giver and the year it was given is written either on the ornament or on the box. I figure one day I won't be able to remember each ornament's story. I'm preparing a cheat sheet of sorts for myself.

Like I said, they don't match. They don't make a jaw-droppingly, beautiful tree. It would never win a contest. To some, it may look a mess. But that's okay. It's my mess. They tell my story. And they are a reflection of life and a reflection of the true meaning of Christmas. When Jesus was born, it wasn't in a spick and span hospital all decorated with beautiful ribbons and bows. It was in a dirty stable. His birth took place after a long journey. An uncomfortable journey. There was pain. But, oh, there was joy! I wonder if Mary was worried about the messy stable as she was experiencing the pains of labor. Or was she just happy to have a place of privacy in that moment? If she was worried, I the worries faded away when Jesus arrived and she held him in her arms. The world He was born into was a mess, as well. God's people had confused His message. They had waited so long for the promised Messiah, they may have even forgotten what they were waiting for.

 Jesus came into a messy world, in a messy way, and He takes our mess and makes it His message. It might not look like what we imagined. It might be completely different from anything else we've seen. But to God, it's beautiful. It's unique. It's His creation. His handiwork. And His message is one of hope. Hope for a lost world. Hope for salvation and eternal life. Hope in knowing that He is in control. Ecclesiastes 3:11a says, "He makes all things beautiful in His time." My life is beautiful, not because of anything I do, but because of Jesus' handiwork with my mess. And while my tree might not be beautiful to everyone, it's beautiful to me. It's the story of my mess. And more importantly, the story of His message.

Thankful Tuesday - My Pioneer Peers

After a two week hiatus, Thankful Tuesday has returned. For the past week I have spent most of my time with 20 of the finest college students around. These students, the 2011-2012 SMC Pioneer Peers have worked tirelessly to prepare for the beginning of the school year, to help 500 new freshmen transition into college life, and have been a source of help to me beyond what they could ever know. I decided to devote this week's Thankful Tuesday blog to them. Below you will find why I am thankful for each one of them.

Chris B. - Chris makes me laugh. He is so easy going and willing to step in and help at any time. He really cares about other students and just people in general. I'm thankful for the way he brings ease to every situation.

B.C. - She is a hard worker. I can count on B.C. to be there. She has great ideas and wants great things for her life. I am thankful I get to have a sideline seat to watch her grow and come into her own.

Ebonee - Her smile and laughter are contagious. She makes everyone feel at ease and puts us all in a good mood.

Corey - He is so conscientious and aware of everything around him. He wants to live life to the fullest and is just one of those people who gets along with pretty much everyone. I am thankful for the positive example he is to those around him.

Sarah - She is so full of life and energy. She never seems to stop. She is dedicated to her family, her friends, and likes to have fun. I am thankful that she is my Pioneer Peers for my class this semester. We will have so much fun!

Rashad - He's quiet, but when he speaks, his words are powerful. This is evidenced by his poetry. He is a very talented individual and puts that into all that he is.

Brent - He has come out of his shell so much since I first met him. Brent meets you with an honesty that is refreshing and a transparency that challenges you to be a better person.

Marcus - He challenges me to think differently, to speak differently, to act differently, to look at the world differently. All in a good way. I am thankful for someone who keeps me on my toes...and keeps me laughing.

Matt - He never gives up. He has a passion for life that is contagious! He is just simply a fun person to be around. I'm thankful I get to watch him grow and learn to use his God-givens strengths.

Isaiah - I remember the first time I met Isaiah. He exudes life and excitement. His sense of humor and people skills will lend themselves well to a political career one day. I am thankful any time I get to be around him, especially when I get to see him figure something out for the first time...it's just pure joy!

Josh - He's a quiet leader but one who is coming out of his shell more and more each day. Yesterday I got to witness first hand him learn that he made a difference in someone's life. It meant so much to him, and I'm glad I got to witness that moment of realization.

Chris P. - This kid is passionate about so many things...running, eating right, being where he's supposed robe when he's supposed to be there, etc. He's committed! He's dedicated! We could all learn from him.

KP - She's fearless. I wish I could have just an ounce of her energy and excitement. She's not easily discouraged and a great motivator.

Ciara - She's always willing to share. She's always willing to do what needs to be done. She's a great encouraged!

Dezrae - She inspires me with her positive attitude and willing spirit. She is so teachable and such a great leader. She listens well and she gives back constantly. I cannot wait to see what she accomplishes in this life!

Kayla - She has fun no matter what she is doing. She speaks her mind and is not afraid to fail, learning from every mistake. She pushes through hardship and loves to laugh and enjoy the moment.

Chad - He's one of the most helpful people I know. He always goes the extra mile. He always has a smile on his face. He knows what he wants to do with his life and consistently makes choices to help him reach his goals.

Tayla - Sweet is the first word that I think of when think of Tayla. She's always positive and always helpful. Se puts herself out there in order to accomplish great things.

Nacolle - She is a good decision maker. She knows how to weigh her options and make the best choice based on the circumstances. She consistently puts other people's needs ahead of her own. This past weekend when things were so busy and hectic, Nacolle had to deal with some pretty heavy stuff to handle. Most people never knew because she put all of that aside to be an effective leader. I am so thankful for that attitude and her willingness to be so present.

I am so privileged to work with such a great group of student leaders. I don't know what I would have done without them is week!

Thankful Tuesday on Thursday - Mission Trip Experiences

Since my Tuesday was so busy, I had to move the Thankful Tuesday feature of the blog to Thursday for this week.

Since I'm currently in Kentucky on a mission trip, I thought I would focus this week's list of thankfulness on mission trip experiences, specifically this mission trip.

1. I'm thankful for a 1o year old who has the boldness to ask an adult he's just met if she knows Jesus.

2. I'm thankful for our evening devotions and hearing about the experiences of my team members and how God is moving in our group and in this town.

3. I'm thankful for rain showers, even if they force us to re-evaluate our plans for the day.

4. I'm thankful for the relationships I've built with other members of the team. I'm thankful for the barriers that God has broken down so that we can all serve together.

5. I'm thankful that we all have different gifts and strengths. I'm thankful that we are all members of one body. The "body" truly does need all of it's parts to work!

6. I'm thankful to get to see God's glory revealed in seemingly impossible situations.

7. I'm thankful to get to witness the concept of transformation in the physical sense to understand the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual sense and the command we all have in scripture to be transformed, not conformed.

8. I'm thankful for Jim and Nancy Ramey who are such fearless and capable leaders! Their giving spirits and love for God is so evident in everything they do.

9. I'm thankful for Danny and Donna Petty for making sure we are so well fed this week. I've never been on a mission trip where we have three full course meals each day! They truly are serving God this week!

10. I'm thankful for the odd experiences you never expect:

• Seeing bears


• Walking a drunk woman home around midnight because she's convinced she saw bears...don't you know, the bears are everywhere!


• Seeing the emergency crews of a small mountain town respond to an explosion down the street from our home base for the week...and boy did they respond!

11. I'm thankful for late night conversations in rocking chairs on the front porch. We've solved some of the world's biggest problems out there.

12. I'm thankful for the missionaries, George and Robin Lewis, who work tirelessly to help the people of Eastern Kentucky. They minister to needs and share God's love in word and in deed.

13. I'm thankful for Rick and Christy Hunter, the missionaries who devote their days to the upkeep and management of Solomon's Porch, a wonderful retreat center that provides our team (and countless others) with a safe, warm (and cool) place to sleep each night. They help us feel right at home!

14. I'm thankful for the opportunity to just listen to people...to hear their stores...to realize that we all struggle but that we are all dearly loved by God, the one thing to help us through those struggles.

15. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve God by serving others. It really is a humbling experience and one I wouldn't trade for the world. I am so very blessed. I take so many things for granted. I serve an amazing God who consistently does amazing things. I serve a loving God who loves us in spite of our failures. I serve a faithful God who is a sure refuge, his coming is as sure as the dawn (Hosea 6). I serve a patient God who keeps on making a way. I serve a majestic God who creates beauty beyond my wildest imagination. I serve a holy God who chooses us to walk along beside Him. I am thankful most of all for the opportunity to serve this God, the one true God, this week in Lynch/Cumberland, Kentucky!

Kentucky Mission Trip - Day 3

Tonight, I was telling some of our youth about my early morning run. I told them no one was awake except for the dog who chased me. They were quite alarmed until I told them that the dog only chased me as far as his leash would let him! To the edge of the yard. They then asked if it was a scary dog, to which I responded, "Not really. It was just a beagle." One of the girls remarked, " Kim, you made it sound like it was a really big, viscous event, and then we find out it was a little dog on a leash.". My response..."It was more interesting that way, wasn't it?"

This made me think of how sometimes we really do exaggerate our enemies. However, our team had one enemy against us today that needs no exaggeration. While he was a mighty foe, he was NOT undefeatable. The day started out great. Our construction team finished two projects they had started the day before. The other members of the group headed to the Freedom Center, a local outreach ministry led by our missionaries! George and Robin Lewis. We split up once we arrived, with some leading a Bible Study for a group of women and others heading to their warehouse to sort donations. We all gathered back at the Freedom Center after meeting us with a team from Illinois and helped as the thrift store opened for business. It was packed. I was so proud of the youth and children in our group. They jumped right into help. Some assisted shoppers. Blaine Dempsey was an excellent greeter and cashier. Ashley Ramey and I had a fun time changing out the display window from a summer theme to a back to school theme. Although it took us awhile, we finally learned that the best way to dress a mannequin is to takeoff her arms first. Another group of our children and youth found a group of local kids just down the street setting up a lemonade stand. They quickly became the marketing team for this lemonade stand. They wanted to make sure these kids were successful. They even spent about $10 of their own money on $0.25/cup lemonade. They were buying cups and giving it away to shoppers in the thrift store, attentive to the needs of both audiences. Chrystal Sheppard cut hair. You should have seen how happy her "customers" were with the finished project. One gentleman named Rooster had a magnificent transformation with just a simple haircut. I promise to post before and after pictures tomorrow.

Around lunch, the enemy came out to fight. Due to the unexpected and things out of our control, lunch was ready later than we anticipated. This seemed to put us further behind than it really should have. We even considered not going to play with the kids at the apartment complex in Lynch as we had promised because of the time crunch, however that group forged on and was able to continue to minister to those children and their families. Many members of our group were riddled with headaches and struggled to keep going, but the rest of us started loading up supplies for our family fun night in the park. We were showing an outdoor movie, and we thought we had everything we needed. Just before we walked out the door ( around 4:45 or so), it hit me that I had not seen us load a projector on the truck. A projector is pretty vital to showing an outdoor movie. I was in charge of the technical stuff so knew we had everything else. As soon as I voiced my concern, a small wave of panic spread throughout the group. I made a call to the church to confirm whether or not a projector was sent with us. It was not. I had seen one small baptist church in the town. I suggested that someone call them to see if they had one we could borrow. It was then that a picture flashed across my mind, a snapshot of something I has seen earlier in the day while driving down a street I didn't know existed. I had seen and made note of the Cumberland Public Library. To be honest, I was a little astonished that the town even had a public library. I knew they would have a projector. Only one problem...it was almost 5 pm. We knew it was probable that the library closed at 5. Greg Sheppard quickly looked up the number and was greeted by Pat the librarian. Pat had her keys in her hand and was ready to walk out the door when she decided to answer our call. She was our angel. Not only did she allow us to borrow the projector, but she also waited the 15 minutes it took for us to get to the library and stayed on the phone with us, giving us directions on how to get to her. Enemy's arrow avoided!

We arrived at Russell Drive and began setting up. The housing authority manager had left the power on in a utility building, allowing us to access the outlets on the outside of the building. we quickly tripped a breaker. The enemy was sending another arrow our way. There was no one on duty in the office after 5. But one of the residents across the street and another vocational missionary helped us get in touch with Henry, the maintenance supervisor for the complex. Henry left the comfort of his own home and family and came to our rescue. He flipped the breaker, showed us where another outlet was, loaned us more extension cords and a much needed power strip, and even left the door to the utility building open in case we tripped a breaker again. As having access to power was vital to our showing of the movie, another arrow of the enemy was avoided. People ate, played corn hole, had their nails painted and their hair wrapped, wrestled, raced, and enjoyed a good movie.

The devil was out in full force today. He wanted to keep us from reaching out to people, from talking with people, from sharing with people. But he FAILED miserably! It was not of our own doing. In fact, everything we tried on our own was falling apart. God, however, held it together. He met our needs. We were able to serve Him by serving others. Our God is stronger!!!!!!

Pictures coming tomorrow!

Kentucky Mission Trip - Day 2

Today was filled with the unexpected. We've quickly learned that people in this area don't seem to awaken until after lunch. We gad some kids come to our game day today who proudly proclaimed they had just eaten breakfast (waffles) at 2 pm. The unexpected led us to change our game plan for the rest of the week. The unexpected also allowed us to invite even more people to our family fun movie in the park night. Please pray for us on Tuesday night that during this event we will have opportunities to share the Gospel with lots of people.

Another unexpected turn of events was an explosion at a house just down the street from where we are staying. Coincidentally, this house is right across the street from a house our construction team was working on today. Thankfully, our team was finished when the explosion occurred, but our hearts go out to the young people who were injured in the blast. There were more police, ambulances, and firetrucks on the scene throughout the evening than you would find visiting Krispy Kreme in one 24 hour shift. The police initially ruled it as a meth lab explosion, but they have since said it was a chemical grenade of some kind. The details were not very forthcoming, but our prayers are with those who were injured. Events like this one are unexpected in the small town of Lynch, KY. This town of 800 people or so is usually very quiet. This is the second major incident in the town in the past three days. On Sunday before we arrived, there was a drive by shooting in Lynch. I can only guess that the residents of this city are on edge, maybe even fearful. Maybe God has our team here for such a time as this.

Today as we were walking the streets of Lynch in search of part of our team (did I mention we couldn't find them...in a town with a population of less than 1000, one main road, a post office, a half-sized mini-mart, and no traffic lights...still we couldn't find them), I prayer walked the city as we searched. As I passed by the various homes, I prayed for the people who lived there. I'm pretty sure I prayed over the home where this explosion took place. It was an unexpected walk, an unexpected moment, an unexpected opportunity, but it opened the door to me thinking about the people inside the houses, their lives, their struggles, their needs. God is definitely using the unexpected.

Please join me in praying for the people here. These are some names and specific needs our team encountered today:

Cody - salvation and a ceasing of distractions
Michael - salvation
Katie - overcoming loneliness and pain after knee surgery
The Lewis' neighbor - blood clots around his heart
Jimmy - overcoming addiction; understanding that the righteousness of Christ is not just for eternity but is ours to put on and claim and live with all of the rights thereof in this life
Joyce - overcoming addiction and openness to the gospel