Fulfillment of a Promise

Our first LightHouse missionary with friends at Chiba University

Today was a really sweet day at church. We had a visiting missionary from Japan, and were commissioning Sam, who will be heading to Burkina Faso next week.

We also had updates on Adam, who has been serving in Japan all Summer, and Sean, who will be leaving for Iraq soon.

This afternoon I went back in my blog archive and pulled out this paragraph from a previous post. It was written in July last year, during one of those points where my heart just cried out for MORE. I had been on my face, pleading with God to show us the next step.

"I would love to find a group of believers who just want to come together, read straight Scripture, and discuss what it says. I want to pray and worship together for as long as the Holy Spirit leads. I want to hear testimonies of God's amazing power, and talk about our wonderful, magnificent, indescribable GOD!!!! I want to pour our hearts out on behalf of the nations, and intercede with tears and pleading for the unreached. I want to see the Holy Spirit move in power, and rejoice as lost souls come to Christ."

It is strange to read that now, and realize those words were written three months before LightHouse Church even existed. And yet that prayer has become a reality.

In the past nine months, we have seen every one of those things come to pass. We have experienced that level of fellowship, hunger for God's Word, and worship. Three people have come to Christ, and we have experienced the joy of baptizing new believers. We sent out our first missionary and are preparing to send two more. We've prayed for hours, studies for hours, wept for the lost, and rejoiced together in what God is doing. We've watched one house church grow into two--and God raise up amazing young leaders in John and Seth to head up those groups.

And now we are witnessing a whole new stage in the church, which goes above and beyond what we had dreamed of.

A few weeks ago, Adam had asked the church to get up and pray at 5:30 a.m.--covering him and praying for his Japanese friends by name as he finally got the opportunity to share Christ with them.

God heard our prayers! Two of those girls have accepted Christ(including the shorter girl in the picture above), and one has even been baptized. I can't explain the joy of seeing the "next generation." I remember when Adam became a believer, and what an amazing journey it has been to watch God radically transform his life. Now we are seeing the fruit of Adam's life and ministry.

Sean, who will be leaving soon for Iraq, also came to a personal relationship with Christ just a couple of years ago. We have seen God grow him into a strong, faithful leader, with a heart for the Middle East. Already we have seen the fruit of Sean's life as well, and are excited about what the future holds for him.

Adam told us this weekend that he believes that he is being called to Japan permanently. We'll miss him, but are excited to watch God's plan for him unfold.

We get him back for at least a semester before he goes career. He's already told us that he wants to challenge the church with fervent, active, gut-wrenching intercessory prayer. I can't wait. Bring it on, Adam. : )

This video was created by two girls for a social studies class. The organization mentioned is not legitimate, but the crisis is very real. Powerful video.

Rare and Beautiful Treasures

My two precious treasures

One of my favorite possessions is a little green plaque that stands on my entertainment center. The words on it are priceless: "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24: 3-4.

I love that thing. It's really special to me--and not just because my Mom gave it to me. I love it because it reminds me of a valuable principle.

Occasionally I'll look around my house and acknowledge that "Better Homes and Gardens" is never going to feature us. That doesn't often bother me, but every now and then I'll start to imagine what it would be like to have fine furnishings, a housekeeper and an interior decorator. Those feelings usually follow some event that makes me aware of what I'm "missing out on."

This time is was an exquisite bridal shower, held in a gorgeous home and perfectly presented down to the themed and matching hors d'oeuvres. I walked away almost breathless. It was like a fairy tale.

By the time I got home, I was immersed in a full-blown mental drama. Step 1.......Self-pity. "If I didn't have to be in ministry, then I could afford to have a cute house." Step 2......rationalization. "It wouldn't hurt to just spend a little more on decorations. I don't think God expects us to spend everything we have on Him, does He?"

Step 3.......anger. "It's just not fair! Everybody else has pretty things except me. I don't even want to be a missionary anymore!"

Step 4.....my life is in such despair! It's totally hopeless! I'm going to bed!

But as I lay there in absolute dejection, I notice the beautiful Thomas Kinkade picture hanging on my wall. It actually isn't a picture, but rather a jigsaw puzzle made into a picture. It was lovingly pieced and glued together by one of our college students, who wrote a note on the back and framed it. She is now serving in a far-off country, sharing Christ with an unreached people group. I wouldn't trade that picture for anything.

Next to it is a sketch of Jesus' face.....a drawing I made after a really sweet and intense time of fellowship alone with God. Just looking at it brings back those warm and tender feelings that come when God touches my heart in that most intimate and personal way.

Under that sits my nightstand--a hand-me-down from my grandparents. Inside it is my grandmother's Bible--right where it has lived for as long as I can remember.

I have so many wonderful memories of that Bible.....watching Mamaw read it on the couch early in the morning when I got up.... of her carrying it to church each Sunday..... and teaching the ladies in her Bible Study (which she did almost up to the day she died). But my favorite memory is how every morning she would set it on the table, right next to my grandfather's plate, and before we began to eat we would start the day in the Word of God.

That worn Bible, with it's ragged cover and tattered pages is one of my greatest treasures. Next to it I have some of my Dad's prayer journals.....written during trying years on the mission field. Inside are gut-wrenching, honest prayers filled with joy, pain, thanksgiving, and even questioning. Those journals are priceless.

There are so many heirlooms that I've gained from my godly heritage......riches far greater than any material inheritance I could ever receive.

I notice a scripture verse scribbled on a scrap of paper and taped above the light switch in my room. That's something handed down from my Mom, too. I remember finding memory verses stuck all around our house when I was little--on the mirror, the back of the door, above the kitchen sink.....wherever she was likely to be spending a lot of time. The amazing thing is that I still remember many of those verses!

As I study the items in my house, I realize what a vast storehouse of riches are all around me. International dolls cover the mantle, and prayer maps are taped to the dining room wall....symbols of a desire to see God's glory spread throughout the nations.

Pictures of my kids smile back at me from every room. What a sacred gift they are to me!

One wall of my kitchen is entirely covered with painting, drawings, and sculptings.....all made by my children. On my refrigerator are letters that Living has sent from Tanzania, along with photos of all the people who have touched our lives.

Even our old, dilapidated furniture is priceless in its own way. As a child, I loved to hear my parents tell of how God miraculously provided the items in our house--and usually just in the nick of time! Now we have our own stories to tell--of a couch given to us by a dear friend when we literally had nothing to sit on, and a table found by students and brought to us when we first arrived in Pennsylvania. I can't think of a single piece of furniture we've actually had to buy. That's how amazing God has been to us!!!

When people come to our house, they may see rooms filled with hodge-podge, mismatched decorations. But from where I sit, I see a home overflowing with rare and beautiful treasures. So.......I think I'll just keep things the way they are. Martha Stewart......eat your heart out!

Wow! It's been a while!

I can't believe it's been so long since I last posted. But so much has been happening here in Pittsburgh that I don't even know where to begin. Here's a picture of our first day as a church meeting in the new space.

Sometimes I feel like we're on a whitewater raft going down adventure river. The way is winding and pitched, making the journey thrilling and even a little scary. We never know what to expect, or what may be waiting for us around the next bend. But we wouldn't trade it for anything.

For example.....who would have thought three years ago that we'd not only have an established campus ministry, but also be planting a church in Oakland? Or that we'd be sending out our first two missionaries.......borrowing the PBC baptistry three different times.......moving into the Connections coffeehouse for large group worship......and starting multiple house churches.......in just eight months of being a church?

We look back and are still amazed. Only God could have done this. We have no idea how our support money keeps coming in, apart from the faithfulness of God. We had no clue how to start a campus ministry OR a church.....and yet God continues to grow and build them both. We didn't even know if we would like this city.....and yet we've fallen in love with Pittsburgh and our community.

Thanks for all your prayers. Thanks for fighting for us. There have been some tough moments. But as we look back and see what God has done, we can't help but be thankful.

"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9)

Latest images coming out of Zimbabwe

Keep praying for the people of Zimbabwe. Several people, including women and students, have been detained, beaten up in police custody, and denied adequate medical care. Tensions continue to mount, as does police presence in the streets of the main cities.

The news coming out of Zimbabwe is not good. Each report just gets a little worse.

Here is the latest update

Tensions mount in Zimbabwe

I haven't posted in a while, because this International Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe (www.prayzimbabwe.org) has taken what little time I have beyond campus, church plant and family.

But I am pleading with you to get everyone praying that you can. Tensions continue to mount in Zimbabwe, and already the situation is beginning to turn violent.

Here is a press release issued today by the U.S. State Department.

U.S. Government statement on Zimbabwe Government Arrests Opposition Leaders

Press Statement
Sean McCormack
Washington, DC

March 11, 2007

Zimbabwe Government Arrests Opposition Leaders

The United States Government condemns the brutal and unwarranted actions of the Government of Zimbabwe March 11 in attacking its citizens peacefully gathered
to exercise their legitimate democratic rights at a prayer meeting in the
Harare suburb of Highfield.

The Embassy reports that one person was killed, a number were injured, and over 100 were arrested. Police have refused to inform lawyers of the whereabouts of
those arrested, including Movement for Democratic Change leaders Morgan
Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara; and Lovemore Madhuku, head of the National
Constitutional Assembly.

We hold President Robert Mugabe and the Government of Zimbabwe accountable for
the government’s actions today, and for the safety and well-being of
those in custody. We call for the immediate release of those detained, and for
the provision of medical treatment for those injured.

2007/181

Guest Blogger--Ashleigh Dozier

I met Ashleigh two years ago, when she and several of her sorority sisters from Texas A & M came to serve with us here in Pittsburgh. Ashleigh's heart for the Lord and love for kids was evident from the second she got here.

I wanted to share with you a recent email I got from her, because it just blessed my heart so much. She has now graduated from A & M and is teaching inner city kids.

Ashleigh with some of the kids she worked with on her mission trip to Rio Grande

Today I was reminded of His grace and love for EVERYONE. It is my job to not only love on my kids that so desperately need it, but to guide them. "Love them like Jesus...Carry Them to Him. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. We don't need the answers to all of life's questions. Just tell them He loves them. Stay by their side and love them like Jesus"

Over the past day He has started to open my eyes to a new ministry approach. Anxious???...Yes I am. Overwhelmed??? You bet cha. Trusting in Him???...completely. I am nothing and He is all. He is all knowing, all powerful, always present, always active, and always in control. He is love. He is joy...and...He is peace. Without Him...my life would be meaningless. He is my hope, my friend, but most of all He is my savior.

As a believer I am called to be a light to this dark world. He has called me to take up my cross and follow Him no matter what the cost is. He's reminded me how much I really do need Him along with the rest of the world.

I want to know Him. Not just know who he is, what he's like, what's he's done. I want to KNOW him. I want my kids to KNOW him.

My heart breaks for those kids who have given up hope. Who don't see the light. Who don't know him and feel helpless. And I anger because on countless occassions I do nothing to show His grace and mercy to them. I should be living it. I should be pouring Him out in all situations to them.

Do I? No......not all the time! I let myself get in the way. I also hurt because I want to take those babies who don't ever hear I love you and aren't held and love them.I want to because He does.

I want my girls out there that don't feel loved and beautiful to know that they are. To know that they are more precious than rubies. They are His creation. He wants them to be called His daughters... Princesses of the Most High. I want them to walk away from bad situations and relationships and walk into His arms! Strive to be Proverbs 31 women.

I want the guys to grow into young men of Him. Not young men of the street who turn to violence and crime to feel a sense of belonging, power, and fufillment. Because of this hurt and this anger I am determined to step it up like He has called me to do and to challenge you to do the same. We can train up a generation for Christ if we set ourselves aside and just run hard after Him....live radically and SERVE.

We must Know Him and make Him Known!

But the coolest part about the whole deal is that we really aren't doing anything. He is doing it all and just using us to do it. What an honor to be used by Him. To get to be His hands and feet...not because we have done anything to deserve that, but simply because He wanted it to be that way. He is sovereign, majestic and loving. Just my thoughts :). Pray it up!

Hood Kids

hood kids

but good kids

not bad kids

just misunderstood kids

watch mom shoot up

and dad shoot bullets

and combat the words

that scream I'm useless

I'm not

just hot

and mad at dad who split

and mom who took him back

even though he split

her lip the third time

I watch from the sideline

and grow full of hate

from parents' guidelines

and you, pastor

push me faster

to hate

taking our crumbs to fill

you already full plate

your frock is stained

you mock the name

of He who commissioned

cuz you're more concerned

with titles and pensions

don't forget the babies

don't be so lazy

cuz I need you greatly

it's not about parking spots

and who pays a lot

but who gives a lot

and who prays a lot

for me

the lost sheep

but nobody's looked for me

don't you know God made

the Good Book for me?

but I need direction

some protection

much affection

not rejection

I.NEED.YOU

man of God

woman of God

be of God

and keep your eyes peeled

for real

we're crying

and dying

but still trying

though momma ignores us

and daddy abuses us

I'm sure that God still

wants to use us

when momma doesn't hug us

and daddy slugs us

I'm confident that God

still loves us

cuz I'm a hood kid

but a good kid

not a bad kid

just misunderstood kid

and I need your help

before it's too late

and I walk the same path

that my parents made

look at us

behind the chain linked fence

pain wrenched kids

such tainted kids

who were struck

but never fainted kids

we live hellish lives

but can be saintly kids

if you just TRY!

until then

we'll continue to die

continue to cry

the hood kids

that no one really cares about

it's so obvious that no one

really cares about 'em.

Will YOU care for him? Will YOU love her when she doesn't act quite right? Will YOU be patient and affectionate towards him? Will YOU hug her and her parents? Will YOU do whatever it takes to present the Truth in a way he can understand and grasp?

Will YOU at least try?

Update on Pastors

Keep praying for the Zimbabwean pastors, that they will not have to go to trial.

But also be praising the Lord for what He has done through this situation!!!

I just got a report that one of the pastors, while in detention, led all of his cellmates to the Lord, before requesting to be moved to a new cell. Apparently the scene was much like something you would have seen in Acts--with people singing, praying together, and praising God.

What Satan intended for harm, God used for his glory!!!!

Pastors Detained in Zimbabwe

Here's the story coming out of www.Zimbabwejournalists.com.

HARARE - Eight Zimbabwean church leaders have been released on bail after being detained for allegedly holding an illegal political meeting in a church on the evening of 26 January 2007, said officials siad today.

The church leaders were charged with breaching a section of the criminal law codification act outlawing political gatherings without police permission, for the meeting held in the town of Kadoma, southwest of the capital, Harare - as previously reported on Ekklesia.

Pastor Lucky Moyo, a spokesperson for the Christian Alliance, a coalition of mainly Pentecostal churches campaigning for good governance, said: "The pastors have been finally released today on 100,000 dollars bail each."

Magistrate Remigius Jemwa remanded the case to 5 March 2007. Pastor Moyo said: "The Christian Alliance had organised the meeting ... to launch a chapter in Kadoma. It was attended by scores of Christians from across denominations. The meeting was for Christians who felt they cannot remain silent while the country burns with companies closing, inflation hitting everyone hard and the majority of the people are suffering."

The cleric added: "We are not aligned to any political party and we don't mind who rules this country as long as they are accountable and respect the rights of all citizens. We are just against the prevailing situation characterised by looting and misgovernance."

Meanwhile, leading civil rights activist Lovemore Madhuku, chair of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), was arrested in Harare over a brief protest last week against plans by the ruling party to extend President Robert Mugabe’s term by another two years in 2008.

The NCA said: "Madhuku is currently detained at Harare central police station, where he is being interrogated by police assistant commissioner Bothwell Mugariri."

Zimbabwe is in the throes of chronic economic crises with four-digit inflation, massive joblessness and at least 80 per cent of the population living below the poverty threshold.

Please pray for these pastors and their families. Not only is the cost of bail a hardship, but the authorities can be ruthless to anyone who is labeled as oppositional.

International Day of Prayer and Fasting for Zimbabwe

This excerpt is from an article by Zimbabwean journalist RW Johnson, published on January 7th, 2007.

SUFFER the little children is a phrase never far from your mind in today's Zimbabwe. The horde of painfully thin street kids milling around you at traffic lights is almost the least of it: in a population now down to 11million or less, there are an estimated 1.3 million orphans.

Go to one of the overflowing cemeteries in Bulawayo or Beit Bridge, and you are struck by the long lines of tiny graves for babies and toddlers.
Hyena attacks on humans, previously unheard of, are increasingly common.

"So many babies, not all of them dead, are being dumped in the bush that hyenas have developed a taste for human flesh," a game ranger said.

A staggering 42,000 women died in childbirth last year, compared with fewer than 1000 a decade ago.

A vast human cull is under way in Zimbabwe, and the majority of deaths are a direct result of government policies.

Ignored by the UN, it is a genocide perhaps 10 times greater than Darfur's and more than twice as large as Rwanda's.

(You can read the remainder of the article here.)

The crisis in Zimbabwe has escalated to an unimaginable point. We MUST do something to help the victims of this humanitarian travesty.

• UNICEF is reporting that almost 1 in 4 children are now AIDS orphans.
• The inflation rate is estimated at around 1200 percent.
• Unemployment is over 80 percent, forcing citizens to desperate measures such as illegal mining.
• Controversial land reform and forced eviction programs have left thousands of people homeless, displaced, or dead.
• Food shortages are a growing problem.
• Medicine is in short supply, hospitals are in crisis, and now doctors have been on strike for the past two months. Average life expectancy has dropped to a meager 36 years.
• Laws restricting humanitarian organizations are keeping much-needed assistance from the people.
• Prime Minister Robert Mugabe was named the world's 4th worst dictator by Parade magazine. Political corruption and governmental abuses are rampant.
• Economist ranked Zimbabwe as dead last internationally in quality of life.

Please consider joining us for an

International Day of Prayer and Fasting for Zimbabwe
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
We need to get the word out to as many people as possible!!! Prayer can change the course of a nation. Prayer can heal a broken people.

If you are interested in being part of this event, please let me know as soon as possible. We need people to help with publicity and mobilization. For more information, contact jkikicherry@hotmail.com.

A new year, a new generation

Just this week I heard of a young lady who is planning to convert from Christianity to Islam. She is actually the third student I know who has done so, and all three grew up in church.

Sometimes I wonder what the future holds for our kids. My concern is compounded when I read articles like this one from PBS and this one from the Guttmacher Institute.

But in the midst of it all, there is a generation of students who are standing strong. In the past three weeks, over 50,000 college students have assembled to worship and glorify God. Here are videos from Urbana (Dec. 27-31, 2006, St. Louis), Passion (Jan. 1-4, Atlanta) and West Coast Prayer Rumble (Jan. 4-6, San Diego). (Okay, those videos are not showing up for some reason. But you can find them all on You Tube. I'll keep trying, but am challenged in this area.)

Oh Lord, I pray that you will raise up from this generation a people set apart for you. I ask that they will die to self-idolatry, to prosperity and the distractions of the world. May they be pure and holy and zealous for your name. May they take the message of your glorious grace, no matter what the cost, to every nation, tribe and tongue. For Your Name, and Your Renown, are the desire of our souls.

Anna's Band Concert

Anna had her annual Christmas band concert last night. It was so fun! Next year Joshua will be there with her. It's hard to believe she is already in Middle School. Here she is with three of her best friends and her saxaphone.


Doug and Joshua being enthralled by the music.

And this is what happens when you leave Kiki and Joshua unattended in a car for too long with a digital camera. We're thinking of making a calendar and calling it "Random acts of Boredom."

Goodness of the Lord and an incredible gift

Thanks to all of you who have written and called to check up on me. I appreciate it more than you realize.

I just haven't wanted to post in a while. The past couple of months has been like spiritual boot camp. So many good things have been happening--with the new church, students accepting Christ, and new relationships forming regularly.

But on a personal level, I've just been exhausted. God has been stripping away my pride, idolatry, and weaning me of my need for other's approval. I've been forced to rely on Him alone. That has not been easy for this sanguine people-pleaser.

I've lost the desire to interact with anyone. I have really felt "different", "radical" and alone. Not only does our calling set us apart as freaks, but I have been feeling my "third-culture" ness more than ever before.

It always seems worse this time of year, during the holiday season. The whole consumeristic, excessive materialism within American culture will always be a struggle for me.

I grew up in the midst of dire poverty, and those images are burned on my heart. The contrast of my two cultures is hard to reconcile at times.

One recent source of refreshment for me, though, was the day we spent at the mission downtown, feeding the homeless and serving alongside the young men in the "cognitive renewal" program. These young men--once trapped in the bondage of addiction--are now voluntarily serving others and sharing the love of Christ.

I think God not only commands us, but has put something in us that longs to take care of the poor, the orphaned and the widow. As our hearts begin to beat in tune with His,we are compelled to serve. Left neglected, that void cries out to be filled.

I love our ministry at CMU. But I am constantly surrounded by the gifted, privileged and superior. Even our neighborhood is filled with the spiritually lost, but affluent. I long to be with the socially disadvantaged--to be the hands and feet of Christ in a practical way.

And I miss Africa--the people, sights, sounds, and smells. I long to hear the joyful singing and dancing at church, and smell the wonderful aroma of mealie-meal porridge over an open fire. I miss the children's bright smiles and joyful innocence.

Through these past few weeks, God has given me a promise in the words of Psalm 27. I have repeatedly read that passage--especially the last two verses.

Psa 27:13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.
Psa 27:14 Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.

God is so good, and so faithful. Yesterday He truly refreshed my soul.

My husband gave me my Christmas present a little early. It could not have been more perfect, and encouraged me in such a powerful way.

Guess what he gave me? A sponsorship, through Compassion International, for the most precious little guy in all of Africa. He is five years old, lives in Tanzania, and loves soccer just as much as I do!!!

And guess what his name is??? LIVING!!!! I can now say I have truly seen the "goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living." : )

I can't wait to learn more about Living's life. In some ways, his childhood and mine are probably similar. But in other ways they are tragically different.

Does he like to eat guavas straight off the tree, and kick around a rag ball in the backyard? Has he ever climbed a baobab tree to pick a gourd, and broken it open to eat the sour fruit inside? Does he catch red velvet spiders after it rains? Does he watch the men play Mancala in the shelter by the road, or tease the ant lions until they come up out of their traps and grab onto his stick?

Does he help the older boys herd cattle and carry water from the well? Does he have his own knob-kerrie to fend against snakes and predators? Does he love the booming African thunderstorms, and the sound of the raindrops drumming on the tin roof? Does he ever walk down to the local store, and buy a hot bottle of coke and a piece of candy? Or does his family even have the few shillings to buy him a treat?

Does he ever go to bed hungry, or wonder what happened to his father? Does he have shoes to wear to school, and a sweater for those chilly mornings? Has he ever owned his own box of crayons, or notepad, or pencils? Has he heard that Jesus loves him? Does he know God has has a plan for his life?

One day I hope that I will get a chance to take my own family back to Africa. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get to meet this little guy as well. If I do, I want to be able to tell him in his heart language that he is loved and prayed for every day.

Thank you, Doug, for an amazing Christmas present. And thank you, Abba, for your goodness.

Smart People

One thing I love about working at CMU is that every day is unpredictable.

Today we were standing at the hot chocolate table, when J.W. calmly stated, "Look. There's Dennis Quaid."

Sure enough--there he was--walking his white lab puppy on the lawn in front of the CFA building.

Turns out they are filming the movie "Smart People" this week on campus. Apparently Sarah Jessica Parker and Thomas Haden Church are also on site.

We walked over and watched them shoot one scene of the movie. They will be at CMU until next Tuesday or Wednesday, filming scenes at several locations on campus.

Just as we were packing up to leave in the late afternoon, Dennis walked right past us on his way to dinner. The funny thing is.....on our campus nobody really cares about celebrities, so people seldom react.

In fact, I heard today that they've had some difficulty getting students to be extras. Apparently one responded by saying, "I'm not sure. How much of a time commitment would that be? I don't want it to cut into my studying."

And so goes another weird and wonderful day at CMU. I love it.

Birth Announcements!

This weekend brought big news around here! Two of our former CrossSeekers, Ed and Becky Fillipih, delivered their first child. Katie was born bright and early on Friday morning.

But later that day, there was another new birth. Danyelle was sitting in her dorm room, reading her Bible, when suddenly God opened her eyes to the full reality of who He was. Right there, alone with God, Danyelle believed and was born into new life in Christ.

We have been praying for her for so many months. There is lots of rejoicing going on within our group right now!!! This is joy on top of joy after Andy's decision just a few weeks ago.

It is so fun to get to witness God transforming the lives of college students. We've also noticed a pattern emerging in how God has worked. Without exception, we have seen each of these elements in the lives of our students who have accepted Christ.

1. Persistent, tearful, gut-wrenching intercession--When the Holy Spirit places a name of a friend or family member on the heart of one of our Christian students, our whole group begins to pray earnestly for that person. We believe James 5:16, which says our prayers are "powerful and effective."

2. Genuine, sacrificial relationships--intellectual arguments do not convince students of the truth of God's Word. It is transparent, authentic Christian living, and friendship extended in love that they find attractive.

3. Getting into God's Word--every single time it has been the Word of God and the revelation of the Holy Spirit that ultimately brings students to belief. His Word is "powerful and effective, and sharper than any two-edged sword." In fact, most of the students have ended up being alone with God, reading His Word, when they finally made the decision to believe in Christ. But that was preceded by months of reading the Bible, participating in small group, and meeting one-on-one with Christians.

4. Total life change and rapid discipleship--when students have spent months in God's Word before believing in Him, they have fallen in love with His Word by the time they come to faith. It has been amazing to watch the pace at which these students grow, and to see the radical change that occurs in their life and countenance. They are typically already entrenched in a small group, and surrounded by other believers who are encouraging/supporting them in their new walk. They read their Bibles--both Old and New Testaments. And they are, without exception, incredible evangelists. At the point where they finally come to belief, they are so convinced that they are willing to share their testimony boldly. They are also quickly grown into strong leaders, and are so grateful for the prayers lifted up on their behalf, that they tend to be powerful intercessors as well.

We don't get to see huge numbers of people coming to faith in Christ here, and the work is often lonely, exhausting and just plain tough. But the depth of what God is doing here is so precious. We get to be around radical young Christians, and it is way cool.

It's funny--on campus we've been dubbed the "Jesus freaks" or the "radical Christian hot chocolate people". But it's amazing how many of the same people who label us also want to hang out with us, or seek out our students to "talk to" when they are in trouble. The beauty of Christ is foreign but attractive to them.

Pray for our group. There are so many names still on our "lost friends" list. We need committed, faithful intercessors to fight with us on their behalf. Sometimes we get weary, and wonder "when, God???" But we cannot leave the battle. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."--Ephesians 6:12

There is Power in the Name

I love stories like this one. God is so clearly with us through all that He asks us to endure.

This is such a powerful reminder, too, of the importance of intercessory prayer. When I was reading it, I immediately thought of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians.

2Co 1:9-11

Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.

As I was with Moses.......

God often takes us back to promises He has given in the past, to remind us of His faithfulness.

He did that just a few weeks after we returned to Oklahoma from Pennsylvania. I was wrestling with God again over the call to CMU. I gave Him every excuse in the book as to why I could not go:

"Lord, I can't go to a smart school. You know I'm a dingbat. I can't carry on conversations with techies!!!"

"You know I will never be able to drive in a big city like that!!"

"My parents just retired in the States! I need to be near them!"

But God spoke again, loudly and clearly, through a scripture from our Daily Bread promise box. I pulled the card out that morning, and the words almost jumped off the page at me.

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee." --Joshua 3:7c

God was clearly reminding me of His faithfulness, through the exact same verse that had impacted me on our vision trip.

Just a few days ago He did it again. We have been receiving boxes and boxes of "Christmas in August" stuff from churches all over the United States. My favorite part of those packages are the handmade cards from all the little kids.

It had been a particularly tough week (in the midst of a difficult season) when the mail carrier arrived at the door one morning with a package from a little church down South. I was emotionally drained and spiritually exhausted that day, and had cried out to God for some encouragement. What happened next blew me away.

As I cut open the box, there was a little purple card laying on the very top. It had star and flower cutouts pasted on it, as well as a "Daily Bread" card. Guess what verse was on the card?

"As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee." --Joshua 3:7c

I opened the card. Inside, someone had scribbled in black marker: "We are thinking of you and praying for you. Don't forget--God is always with you."

That was the only card--amidst the 1,000+ we have received--which had a daily bread card pasted to it. I truly believe that card was from God to me, because I needed to hear Him that very day.

That card is now taped to my refrigerator. It's a reminder that I serve a very present and personal God who provides for my deepest needs.


Psalm 36:5-9

"Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light."

Pour Down Like Rain

This week is the fourth anniversary of our vision trip to PA. It was on October 24, 2002, that we arrived in Harrisburg amidst snow flurries and falling leaves.

At that point, we were just praying and seeking God's direction--whatever that might be. I was secretly hoping that He would let us stay in Oklahoma City. I loved working at the Children's Home, and being so close to my parents--who had finally retired on American soil.

But God had a different plan. That night, as freezing rain pelted the roof of the mission house, my heart began to change. Here is my journal entry from that day:

God woke me up about 3am, and began speaking to me. The words of a Mercy Me song were playing in my head.

"Word of God speak.
Would you pour down like rain.
Washing my eyes to see Your Majesty.
To be still and know that You're in this place.
Please let me stay and rest in your Holiness.
Word of God speak."

Scripture verses began to pop in my head. Most of them were about God's character and faithfulness. Praise songs played in my mind, and I had a really sweet time of intimate fellowship with the Lord.

God spoke very clearly. "I am in this place." In my heart I understood that He was at work in Pennsylvania, and I suddenly had an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment.

In my quiet time, I had just started the book of Joshua. That second morning in PA, I read what was already one of my favorite passages of scripture.

Joshua 1:5-9 "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

In the past when I have read that passage, it's the "be strong and courageous", "meditate on the Word" and "the Lord is with you" messages that I notice.

But this time verse 5 seemed to jump off the page at me. "Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you." For the rest of the day, as we drove through York and Shippensburg looking at campuses, those words were in the forefront of my mind.

I understood how God had been with Moses. I had just finished reading through the account of the wanderings in the desert. God was ever-present, interceding, faithful, forgiving, compassionate, but also HOLY in those accounts. The thought that He could abide with us in the same manner blew me away.

I filed that thought away to mull over later.

We looked at various campuses in the Central PA area, but it was not until three days later in Pittsburgh that we knew we were home. Here's my entry from the 27th.

We really liked the CMU campus. Something just felt right about it. Pittsburgh was pretty, too. I would be scared to death of driving here, but would get used to it, I'm sure. I really like the bridges and all the tall, skinny houses. I'm scared to death today, but excited at the same time!

And here we are now.....four years later.....settled and established in the place where God has called us.

Looking back, it's incredible to see how God orchestrated it all.

March, 2003--went to support school in Topeka, Kansas. Felt like God further confirmed our calling through one of our team leaders, who was from Pittsburgh, and had been saved while in college. His Jewish family had totally disowned him after his conversion, but Ellis went on into full-time ministry and is now impacting college ministers all over the United States through Campus Crusade.

September 1, 2003--It became clear that we needed to make our calling public, and focus full-time on support raising. We quit our jobs and spent the next weeks intensely praying and visiting prospective supporters.

October, 2003--Doug moved to Pittsburgh to find us a house. He came home right before Thanksgiving.

December 28th, 2003--after a hurried Christmas that we barely even remember--we loaded up the moving van and drove to Pennsylvania. Amazingly, we were at 80% of our support!!! I can't even tell you how it came in--it's like God just put it in our account Himself.

December 31, 2003--closed on a home I had just seen for the first time.

January, 2004--Moved in amidst 28 straight days of snow and freezing rain. Had our first CrossSeekers worship time on campus, and started meeting with our intern, Chris Massa.

But when we walked into our first meeting at CMU, I felt really out of place. There were only 12 students there--all male--most of them graduate students--and all engineers. My first thought was, "How will I ever fit into this environment?"

March, 2004--We realized that we were not going to be able to do campus ministry the way it had been done when we were in college. So we scrapped all of our agendas, and just began praying that God would send 8 core leaders to build upon.

2004-2005 school year--it was amazing what God did. One by one, those leaders simply walked through the door and told us that God had led them to be part of our group. It certainly wasn't anything that we were doing. Jarrod said that he actually hated our meetings at first, but came out of obedience to God. : )

2005-2006--we just stand in awe of what God has done. Our group has grown, and reflects a diversity and broad spectrum of campus life (no longer just male, graduate engineers--although we still have some of those who are key leaders in our group and who we are so thankful for!!!) We have been privileged to see students come to Christ, and others grow deeper in their walk. We've seen them gain a heart for missions and a passion for unreached people groups. We've had opportunities to serve, both in our own community and overseas. Our small groups are thriving. The students are passionate about reaching their lost friends. God is at work on our campus.

October 29, 2006--we start the new church plant in Oakland. We'll be meeting in John and Amanda's apartment, and starting with 12 core members.

November, 2006-eternity--can't wait to see what God has planned. : )

WOW!!! Even though these past four years have had tough points, too, I can only be grateful that God has allowed us to be part of what He is doing in Pittsburgh.

Isa 64:3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence.
Isa 64:4 From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.

What I'm learning from the Qur'an

One of our Muslim friends gave us a copy of the Qur'an last week. It has been interesting to read it, and it has given me a deeper love and concern for my friends.

There was a time when I would not have felt comfortable reading it, or even having one in my home. But I have realized three things: 1) Our Bible is the living, active Word of God---this is simply a book. I don't need to be afraid of it 2) "Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:1-6) and 3) Reading it helps me better understand, and so be better able to pray for, communicate with and serve my Muslim friends.

What I have discovered so far has made me sad. When you read the Qur'an, it is a very binding set of laws. Adam and I were discussing it, and both had the same impression. He asked, "where is the evidence of love? I see strong teachings about judgement and mercy, but where is the love from God to man?"

When Adam asked one of our Muslim friends that question, our friend seemed to indicate that love only exists between a man and a woman. Even phileo love, between brothers, was a somewhat foreign concept to him.

He was explaining how Allah is a reactive God. If we extend a hand towards him, then he will extend an arm back towards us. If we walk towards him, he will run towards us. It is very dependent on works and our ability to be "good enough". Their very lives are ruled by daily legalistic practices, and they are constantly held in the tension between their good and bad deeds. No matter how loyal and good they strive to be, they still also have no assurance that they will "make it" to paradise. (with one exception, which is the killing of infidels. I think I actually understand better about that, but don't want to discuss it in this post.)

As our friend stated, "we live in a balance between fear and hope."

Just studying the Qur'an has made me incredulously grateful for our God. He is so good, and his love endures forever!!!! When I see Him contrasted against the gods of other religions, I realize what an incredible and incomprehensible gift He has given us.

I also have a fuller understanding of the magnitude of His sacrifice. No other religion has a god who was willing to humble Himself to the point of becoming one of us. And yet He went beyond that, and gave His very life on our behalf!!! Why would He continue to love us that much, when we fall so short? How can He be so Holy, and yet also so merciful?

Thanks be to God, for His indescribable Gift.