Free Virginia

 Do you know the feeling when you are waiting for something for what seems like forever and all of a sudden, it's happening? Well that's how I feel about church planting. It's been over 2 1/2 years of praying, waiting, planning, waiting, and hoping about planting a church in Virginia, MN but only this fall did we get the official go ahead from the district. And now there are only 17 more days until it's here!

 

 I must say that's it's quite scary at times, but also so very exciting! To see the Kingdom being expanded and looking forward to the gospel going out in our community is so awesome. For me, it's been a five year journey to figure out how to love this area. Those of you who know the Range will know that it's a rough area and it's a really hard place to move to. For years I struggled with bitterness towards the culture until I really started to understand it and came to love it. 

 It's a geographically beautiful area and I am one of those people who finds the big iron pits stunning (both in the fall and winter especially... oh... it gives me goosebumps!). But spiritually it is very dark and that darkness has been a hard thing to get used to and to truly start to change. Yet over time my heart has become burdened for my community that is so very lost. I am excited to see a place that is enslaved to sin be freed by the gospel! 

 My dad created a blog this week entitled Free Virginia until we get a website set up later on. Please go over and check it out! Also, on facebook we have a group for prayer partners and that's the easiest way to stay updated. 

 Please keep my family in your prayers as we embark on this journey into what really is unknown. God IS working though and it's obvious to see it! Things and people and money are all coming into place and we are left amazed by God's provision and perfect timing. It's been a crazy December and the rest of it will be crazy as well as we finish out our time at Chisholm Baptist and prepare for full time planting work. We will be taking a week to visit my grandma in ND and having some down time and then we'll start travelling to other churches for support raising and getting to know the community in Virginia better. 

 I know I haven't been posting much lately and that probably wont get better anytime soon, but do know that I'm thankful for all of you readers and appreciate you! I will try to keep y'all updated on planting and life up north (where it is COLD!!! -7 as a high tomorrow... ugg) so until next time, here is one more look at the beauty of the Range. 

Let Us Not Forget

 LET US NOT FORGET

 Amidst the paper and bows

 Amidst the holiday glow

 Amidst the carols we sing

 Amidst the bells that ring;

 Let us not forget.

 When chaos takes control

 When business refuses to let go

 When we are rushing to and fro

 When we are mindlessly going with the flow;

 Let us not forget.

 The tears of the child who lost parents to AIDS. 

 The struggle of the woman who sells her body unpaid. 

 The growl from the stomache of the hungry man. 

 The power of darkness that grips the land. 

 Let us not forget. 

 The hurt of the girl holding her pain inside.

 The panic that grips the man with no way to provide.

 The depression of the child who has been owned. 

 The abandonment of the widow left all alone. 

 Let us not forget. 

 How one person can make a difference.

 How one voice can rises above the noise. 

 How one life can change another. 

 How one heart can help another come alive.

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 December 1st - World AIDS Day 

 December 2nd - International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

 Let us not forget the 33 million with AIDS, 27 million slaves, and all the others that are hurting and suffering.