My Apologies

Once again I have failed in keeping those of you who want to know how I am doing uninformed about my summer. Forgive me... Anywho, since I have written last the Lord has continued to move here in North Dakota. Good news, God has opened windows for me to share the gospel in the past few weeks who I have built relationships with over the course of the summer. The Holy Spirit has moved in Jimmy Johns to the point that those who work there have earnestly asked me to stay in Fargo. This excites me and breaks my heart all at the same time.

It has been wonderful to know that the Holy Spirit has used me in the work place to minister to the employees of Jimmy Johns. At the same time I have felt the Lord lead me back home to Kentucky and away from Fargo. This breaks my heart in that they haven't become believers in Christ since my arrival in May. But I know that the Lord will continue to move there. Thank you for your prayers this summer for those who I work with at Jimmy Johns.

In a matter of six days or so I will be returning to Kentucky from North Dakota by way of an extremely long car ride. Keep praying for us as we finish here in Fargo and as we travel back to our respective homes before school starts.

Through this summer I have realized an important thing about myself and other Christians back in Kentucky. We unfortunately don't hang out with enough lost people that are in our area of influence. For those at Western, we need to reach out to the lost in our area (campus). Now hanging out with Christians isn't a bad thing at all. We need fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to be our support. But we don't need Christian bubbles of people.

"Why?" you might ask...

Think about it this way, if all Christians hang out with each other, who would be reaching the lost people that they rub shoulders with daily? Nobody! I am not coming down on Christian fellowship by any means at all. But fellowship needs to practiced within reason. Christ himself was not around just his disciples all the time, but he spent time with sinners who the religious community would have nothing to do with.

As you have read this I hope that you would realize that I say all these things in love. I love all of you whom the Lord has brought into my life.

I Timothy 6:11-16

I would love to thank John and Abby Fisher for bringing me up to Fargo for the summer and showing me how to live intentionally among lost people. Thank you for your love, support, wisdom, and care this summer as God has allowed me to serve along side of you. I would also like to thank my "host parents" and the other half of the Mission Fargo family in Jeremy and Pam Robinson. Thank you for sharing your lives with me, groceries, nuggets of wisdom, support, love, patience, and just being "there" as I was away from home. To both families I thank you for making this summer very challenging but rewarding! Your guidance through this summer has been more than blessing to my life. It is my hope and prayer that the Lord bring us together again soon... You, your families, Mission Fargo will be remembered in prayer by me and others in far away places!

Last but not least, I would like to thank the summer missionary interns from this summer. Katie and Jen, thank you for your friendships and the opportunity to serve along side of you this summer in Fargo. I look back and wouldn't have it any other way. See you all back in Bowling Green! God Bless!

The Long Anticipated...

After nearly 3 weeks of not updating those who read and follow my blog, I have found the time to write another installment. So quick update, things are going reasonably well. Life in general is just like life at home but without friends and family at home and school. But the Lord has made my job of the most enjoyable experiences in my life. Indeed, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches has been a sort of home in itself. The guys and 2 gals who work there have been nothing short of friendly and I can feel God working in the hearts of those who are employed there. Thank you for your prayers in that aspect. I was asked about what I believe the other day at work and was able to go through a door that the Lord had opened and was able to share the Gospel with my co-workers. Though they were far from a response, I know that God will continue to work in their life. It also built the relationship between me and my co-workers. Keep praying that the Lord infiltrate Jimmy John's and that He will give me answers to their questions.

Thank you for prayers for the city of Fargo and Mission Fargo's ministry to it. The first public event of Mission Fargo was a cookout that reaped results only that God Himself knew could happen. After that, the Fisher's hosted a cookout at their home for the workers of the Pita Pit that allowed us to interact with them.

God has provided ample opportunities to minister to the people of Fargo-Moorhead. Whether it be in coffee shops, work places, restaurants, campuses, and other random places throughout the city, God is moving here in the city. God is also moving at an outdoor basketball complex in South Fargo called Dike West. There is definitely a need for God's presence there among the people. Most people there are internationals or people who are minorities. Those who are there love the game of basketball more than anything in the world. Can't blame them, I kind of like basketball my self. I feel that ministry at this place in the city is huge. The need there is huge! Pray for this area. Pray for our ministry there at the courts. Pray that the Lord use me as his instrument there. Also pray that God give me the strength to make it through each game. Playing for four hours at a time can really take a toll on the body. Others that I have befriended also ask me to work out and play sports with them. Pray that God give me the physical endurance to serve Him in that capacity.

Thank you for supporting me and wanting to keep up whether you're in Peru, Kentucky, or any other place on this planet. I am praying for you, my brothers and sisters in Christ everyday! Keep serving out Great God!!

I read in my Bible today about us as Christians being sent out by Christ as disciples. John 20:20-21 is Christ's command to us to go out among the world as His disciples, and to live amongst the people whom we are ministering to. In Fargo, we have learned how to live intentionally. Everyplace that you go, you can use that moment to glorify God by living intentionally to bring the lost closer to Him. It isn't an exact science. It can be as easy as me writing this to you who read it from a coffee shop a block off campus here in Fargo. It can be done in the work place, recreational places, any place for that matter. It doesn't have to be done just on the mission field in Fargo, North Dakota but in places like Bowling Green, KY and the campus of WKU!

Once again, thank you for your prayers and support!! I ask you to keep submitting our names before the Lord so we may add to His number. Go and live for Him!