ONWARD AND UPWARD! JESUS LEAD US ON!

1/1/2008

Have you ever been in a place or time in your life, and knew that you were doing the right thing, but it seemed that the results you were hoping for seemed very elusive? That's how I've been feeling at times, and I'm just honest with God about it. No biggie. Recently however, things have begun to change, and I am very excited! We have sought God and diligently prayed for Revival in our community. The condition of the "Church" here is troubling. I heard it said from the pulpit in my own Church that "Christianity is NOT about a relationship with God". You can't imagine the degree of disappointment and shock that sank into my soul when I heard those words. But it helped me to understand a lot of other things that didn't seem right. This has caused us to pull in closer to the Lord, to seek Him more desperately and often to trust him more.

One Sunday I got up bright and early, took a shower and began to grind the coffee. I deliver freshly ground coffee on Sunday morning, I wait until the last minute possible because I want these folks to have the best. "Whatsoever you do to the least of the brethren, that you do unto ME", I take this approach, do all that I do unto Jesus. After getting the coffee delivered, I sat down in the back where I usually sit for the teaching class. Michael went to the front where he likes to sit. We had no sooner started, than I hear the Holy Spirit speak to me, "Get up and go to the Austin Stone." Well, all I know is that when I hear that still small voice, I know it and obey it. I had been invited to many churches since we opened, but have only visited one, and I knew nothing of this Austin Stone. I went and got Michael, told him we had to run and explained to him what I had heard as we drove into Austin. We ended up at Stephen F. Austin High Scool where the Austin Stone meets, went inside and amazingly the eleven o'clock service was just starting. When I walked out of that place I felt as if I had just had a bath for the first time in three years. I was, and am, sooo thankful to the Lord for leading us to a place that has the same love and dedication to God's Holy Word, that does believe in having a relationship with God, that has awesome, wonderful praise and worship, that obeys Jesus command to go and make disciples of all nations, where community is a treasure to be nurtured and cultivated, a place we could call home. Finally here was a Church that I knew I was called to, but why?

We had prayed so long for Revival in the whole Body of Christ in Fredericksburg that I could not logically understand this at first. Now here, I was finally in a Church that I could invite people to, with confidence that they would hear the truth, be received in love, have opportunities for discipleship. But who in their right mind would drive a three hour round trip for Church? I was soon to find out and be amazed. I invited one young lady, Chelsea, and all I can say is she hasn't been the same since. The next week two more people made the trip. Now we have a caravan of people that meet at the coffee house every Sunday morning at 9:00 AM to make the trip to the 11:00 AM service. More are joining us every week. After three years of praying and waiting, we are seeing people hungry for a real relationship with God, join us. And their willingness to drive a three hour round trip really demonstrates the fact that our city, though filled with Churches, is dry and hungry, and desperate for a real move of God. Now we pray with greater fervor for revival here in Fredericksburg, and give thanks to God for leading us to the Living Water elsewhere.

It seems that along with this great blessing, other things are coming together as well. Our small group, "The Church at Fredericksburg Coming Together For Something Only God Can Do" has developed into a team. Small, yes, but amazingly willing to be used by God. God has brought us together, opened doors for us to go through as we reach out to our community and beyond. The wonderful opportunity to better the lives of Russian orphans has become a much bigger vision than we had initially planned. Last year we made the trip to Russia, met with Church leaders, as well as the Minister of Education, shared our desire to help, and have nurtured those relationships since then. We helped to raise 19,000.00 for a Van to transport the orphans from the orphanages to families homes, church, etc. This year we will return with a bigger team in May, and bigger goals. We are raising 250,000.00 dollars to build a "Family Home". It will house no more than fourteen orphans, and two house parents. The environment will be homelike, organized, clean and safe. In our visits as well as our other interactions we are serving in multiple ways. First and foremost as servants of Jesus Christ, we are bringing the Good News of God's gift of Salvation by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ, crucified for our transgressions, shedding His innocent blood to cover all of our sin, and sending the Holy Spirit so we could be born again. Second, we are cultural architects in a sense, presenting the orphans to the Russian community as people with great potential. These children are perceived as lost causes, criminals in the making by nature. We must show that in a different environment these children can mature and develop good character and be good citizens. We will humbly suggest that these children be included in the public school system so they may interact with others in their community. All of this will help to integrate these children into society in general. I have had the privilege to be invited to an Adoption Fair sponsored by Adoption Priorities, owned and run by Amanda Way, who has adopted children from Russia herself and is exteremly helpful and knowledgeable in her field. If you are reading this and are considering adoption I highly recommend Adoption Priorities, and you may reach Amanda at 210-494-2160. We did a board presentation and passed out County Woman Magazines that had my last article about the Russian Orphans. A BIG THANKS to Freya Pruit for getting us in at the last minute! That was a miracle. I was also invited to do a presentation to the Rotary Club by Lynda Donato, and was warmly received. That was truly the friendliest group of people and they all had a great sense of fun, I enjoyed the time, thanks again to the Rotary Club.

Now, we press on in faith, trusting that God will use us praying for those who will work with us and support this ministry. You may sponsor a child for 28.00 a month if you would like. We will provide you with a picture of your child and you may write to your child. Your monthly support will ensure that your child has proper nutrition, bedding, and clothes. You may make a larger contribution to your child's welfare that can provide education and a better life beyond the orphanage. Please provide your name, address, gender, and phone number and we will match a child to you, and provide you with contact information, updates etc.

You might want to make a contribution to building the "Family Home". We have a long way to go to raise 250,000.00 but we will persevere until it is done. All donations will be used for the children and their needs. We have no one on payroll, no donations go to administrative purposes.

If you would like to make a donation of any kind please make checks payable to Mission Go! Inc. 501c3 and mail to Mission Go! Inc. 311 E San Antonio St. Fredericksburg Texas 78624. On the children's behalf, thank you and God richly bless you as you bless them.