Our daughter Katie has made it safely to the YWAM Base in Christ Church, New Zealand. She has made several posts to her blog:
You can follow her on mission the next 6 months as she makes regular posts about what the Lord is doing in her and through her.
September has blown by at New Wine Mission. We are just finishing a 4 week preaching series on Christian Love called "What's Love Got To Do With It?" We all know it has everything to do with it. We are praying that the Lord would broaden our ability and desire to love as He has loved us.
In this ever increasing "Network Culture", where people can connect in a click of a button, we are challenged to love and care for each other as a healthy family cares for each other. Who are the people we are connected with? Do we see everyone as a person who is loved by God and has a unique story to tell and a unique story to live. Erwin McManus, author of one of my favorite books, "The Barbarian Way", recently reminded me not to try to inject God into the nonbeliever's "story", He is already there! We are called to walk alongside them and help them see where God is working and how being open to His presence will help them fullfill the story that could be! This shift in perspective helps evangelism to be more about a treasure to discover than a set of facts to preach. It is less oppositional and more cooperative.
Last month, one of our Cell Groups hosted a luncheon for a clean up crew at our local food pantry. These were a group of special needs adults who with the help of a coach work together to do special clean up and community service work. It was a blessing to get to know them over lunch and to be a blessing to those who serve. There is something good about serving together that builds our lives in faith.
Several people in our community are in need of work. Deb is still looking. Also Angelo, a Sudanese student at UM Flint, who is without housing is staying at our home as he goes to school and looks for work to meet his living expenses. Others are under employed and the funds are not enough to meet expenses. Pray for gainful work and open doors.
Last Saturday several of our Cell group leaders and potenial leaders met for a time of training. It is always good to step back from the regular routine of meeting and look at the big picture. We are hoping to start one or two new cells this Fall and praying existing ones grow in number, depth and mission.
At New Wine this month pray that we may see where God is at work in our network of family, friends, neighbors and aquaintances.
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