Leaving a Legacy.....together

"We are like ripples that reach the far corners of the earth." I have relatives on both sides of my family who have done extensive work researching our family roots and heritage. Listening to stories of parents, grandparents, great aunts and uncles, great grandparents is such a blessing and a gift. Hearing of the Christian legacy coming from generations past is a priceless treasure. A newspaper article writes of my grandparents decision to minister and reach lives for Christ on a Native American reservation in 1956. When I was a kid, I remember hearing about my grandparents serving in "Tokio" and used to think if was Tokyo, Japan. More like Tokio, ND! Many other stories of past generations in Norway sharing of Christ through song and their lives. They are still singing today! Norwegian gospel music! 

We all leave "ripples" that touch other lives around us for good and/or for bad. We can choose to leave a legacy that honors God, points to Him and can be a guide for younger generations to follow. 

As you pray and give to my ministry of reaching middle school lives at Black Forest Academy, you are helping to impact hearts for Christ. And helping to set up, establish and grow a legacy that in God's mercy will continue to flourish in the hearts of young lives. You are such a vital piece of what happens at Black Forest Academy! 

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27, 'For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - and were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together, if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.'

So many of you have shared encouraging emails, notes and prayers with me! Thank you! I am so grateful! My middle school principle and several teachers in the middle school have also shared encouragement. Even though I am not physically at BFA this year, they have not forgotten me, are praying for me and I am still a vital part of the school. A wonderful new friend from TeachBeyond's Member Care Team is also connecting with me on Skype to check in and see how my Home Assignment year is going. At times I do feel like I am in limbo, so am so encouraged by wonderful co-workers, friends and family. 

The diagram above shares how I view support raising. As God holds all the resources in His hands, I appeal to Him FIRST to supply all of my needs. I am trusting those who are looking to invest in ministry are also asking God where to invest their finances. I love sharing my ministry and the calling that God has placed on my life with anyone I can! As I invite individuals and families to invest in my ministry at BFA, I am also praying for them as they are seeking God's wisdom. Would you continue to pray that God would supply and provide for my need of $1410.50/month? I am looking forward and trusting that God will supply this need in His perfect timing with the right individuals. 

Thank you for all your support as we work together to invest in the lives of middle and high school students!