Providence and Provision

The past couple weeks got away from me before it seemed I could blink! I spoke at two churches—Somerville Wesleyan and Friendship Christian. Both churches gave me a beautiful welcome and responded with generosity. Also in the past two weeks I was able to begin substitute teaching. My first day subbing was for a kindergarten class. I have to admit, that was a little bit outside of this youth pastor’s area of experience, but God helped me through it. Since then, I have been able to sub a few times for fifth and sixth graders as well as for high school students. It has been so great to be around students again! I love being in the schools, helping kids learn, and learning more personally about youth culture.

Speaking of spending time with students, last week some friends and I spearheaded a youth/young adult ministry at my home church. We had a very successful first meeting, and from what I hear, we should have several more students this week. We are working through Romans together, seeking to strengthen students’ faith, create an environment of mutual encouragement, and to reap a soul harvest for the kingdom. The ministry is called The Grounds, and once renovations are complete, we should have a “coffee house” area in which to meet. Until then, my living room is the youth room.

God has proven faithful in the last couple weeks in ways I can’t even fully describe. Many situations have cropped up that have been difficult, some even tragic, in my life and the lives of people very close to me. However, even in the midst of such trials, I see God at work. He never leaves us to fend for ourselves—He walks with us, even through dark valleys. He also goes before us in mysterious ways. I will share just two examples of many from this past week of God’s incredible provision in my life. Over the past months, I have been able to fill every weekend of my calendar with New Zealand speaking engagements all the way through the last week of May. However, two weekends in February just seemed to be impossible to schedule. I was initially frustrated to have two weekends in a row empty, but after the events of this past week, I see that God knew those dates needed to be open for reasons I never could have foreseen. Second, I received a paycheck for substitute teaching earlier than I had expected for $113. The next day, my car broke down, and it cost $110 to fix. Thank God for His providence and provision! He is so faithful!!!

Please join me in prayer for God’s hand in the following:

1. A special unspoken which is heavy on my heart.

2. Traveling mercies and a special touch of endurance for my car as I travel over the next months.

3. Continued divine appointments with both churches and individuals for support toward New Zealand.

4. God’s blessing on The Grounds and those youth/young adults who will be reached through this ministry.

5. That I will be a light in the schools as I continue to substitute teach.