Dear prayer team,

We recently asked you to pray for leaders of volunteer mission teams that will serve in Townsend this summer.

Today we want to thank you for praying and give you an account of how your prayer worked.

We had the best attendance for an orientation in the four years that we have been holding these annual sessions. Only one team leader was unable to attend, because of a schedule conflict.

The orientation sessions are designed to let us give information and encouragement to the leaders but by far the greatest value comes from putting new leaders together with leaders who have led teams here before. That way, the leaders learn from one another. There was better participation, in terms of discussion among the team leaders, than in past sessions.

There was an added joy of seeing our association’s team of leaders participate in this year’s event in greater ways that previously.

God’s grace and provision was evident, in abundance.

Thank you for being a major partner in all that happened. Your prayer made a difference.

We thank God for you.

Joe and Linda

Americans are not accustomed to losing wars, but we are definitely losing one right now.

I’m talking about the spiritual war that’s ravaging in our country. It’s as real as if guns and tanks were rolling through our neighborhoods. In fact, a far greater danger is on the move in the homes and communities of our land.

Americans in increasing numbers claim they have no interest in church, no religious affiliation. And they like it that way. Worse, they have little knowledge of God and no relationship with Jesus.

This weekend, we have the privilege of hosting some of God’s soldiers in the battle. These are front-line troops who will be leading teams of church volunteers to Townsend this summer.

These teams will teach Bible stories to children. They will witness to adults in a casual and friendly setting in campgrounds. Their goal is to bring peace to our land, one soul at a time, by introducing people to the Prince of Peace.

Every force of evil the enemy can muster will oppose these Christian soldiers.

Will you be the support and supply divisions in this war? Will you pray for these team leaders and their teams?

Thanks,

Joe and Linda

Have you ever said “Good bye” to someone and not know if you would ever see them again?

In hospitals or nursing homes, we tend to think about such things. Maybe at airports.

But the truth is that any of us, at any time, may say “Good bye” to someone and that will be the last time we see them.

It happened to me recently. At a church I was visiting, I had time to talk with a good friend. We don’t see each other often. He’s younger than me, but I noticed his hair being much grayer than I remembered.

We talked about family, work, economy, faith. What stuck with me, as I recalled the conversation later, was that he mentioned two or three times that things don’t worry him much. Because of his faith.

Less than 48 hours later, I learned that my friend had passed away. As he was being wheeled into a hospital emergency room, he told his wife, “If anything happens to me, I’m ready to go.”

I’m so glad my friend was a believer. His expression of faith helps me to trust God more.

The passing of my friend makes me realize my own frailty. And it makes me realize that every moment with friends and family is precious.

What I want to remember from this experience is that it is urgent that everyone needs to hear how they can be confident that they are ready to go.

Will you join Linda and me in praying for my friend’s family?

Thanks,

Joe