Working for the mission organization that BJ spent the last two summers with has been such a blessing over the last 6 weeks. I am learning a great deal, and have had the opportunity to meet some pretty incredible people.

Deanna and Lauren have spent the last two days with me at the office helping to prepare for the summer mission trips we will be leaving on very shortly. What a joy it is to have them this close, and to be in a position where their help is valued, and the staff embrace them as assets. The staff at Awe Star have become part of our family.

That actually started back in August of last year. The unbelievable ways the Lord bound us together during BJ's journey have only strengthened since that time. Thank you Lord Jesus for your incredible provision. We are moved at how you have gone to work in our lives.

It began with a phone call to alert Awe Star that BJ was being hospitalized for an unknown illness. We were concerned, and wanted to find out whether or not any of his teammates had come down with anything similar. Fortunately, that was not the case, all of his team were healthy.

However, this began a cascade of contact. Not overwhelming, but out of concern. We began to hear from those in the office at Awe Star, and from his Peru team. Walker Moore began to contact me each morning prior to prayer meetings that were already scheduled to inform others how to pray. It was such a comfort to us in those weeks to hear from not only Walker, but David, BJ's leader for the past two years, and board members of this organization just to pray with us.

We soon became overwhelmed at our circumstances, yet the support we were receiving from friends and family in our city and across the US, and the world brought such comfort. Our Savior knew what we needed, and he knew what implements to use to accomplish His purposes. We began to hear from Awe Star missionaries and families on a regular basis. We looked forward to their contacts as BJ had asked me to be sure they knew what was happening so they could be praying.

They did pray, and they are praying. We have been so moved at the outpouring of God's love we have received through this family as well as the blog family. Often, they are one and the same. Just as Christ had been praying for the unity of believers in John 17 (the last passage BJ spent crucial time in) we began to see a Unity that we knew was coming from brothers and sisters in Him.

We were blessed with missionaries who traveled from Peru, Ecuador, many states in the US and other places, to be present at BJ's funeral celebration. This would not happen under normal circumstances. This was a time breathed by the Holy Spirit. His children were responding to His voice. They were moving in obedience to where He was leading. We found ourselves the beneficiaries of an unbelievable outpouring of His love. We Praise His Name for this.

Now, months later, His design was for us to unite with the very organization that Beej so loved, and learned from. Now it is our turn. We also love, and are learning a great deal. We are anxious to get to our destination, and confident of His calling to that place. Our time here is very short. We begin leadership training next week. It is intensive and long and we will not likely be updating much beyond this Friday, until after our trip to Africa is complete.

We have a team in Guadalajara, Mexico right now. When we leave for Africa, we also have teams departing for Chile, Peru, Panama, and Hungary. I know many of you will be in prayer, and we are very thankful for this. Just know that as you lift us up, we are asking the Father to give you opportunities in your area of influence, to share Jesus!

Be encouraged, and blessed today, for our King is on the Throne!!!


brent