My mother and my sister Lynae's children at Christmas (last year)
A little over three years ago, at BJ's funeral celebration, 97 students came forward to surrender their lives to missions, for at least short term opportunities.
Since that time, we have seen or heard of a great number of them who have fulfilled that calling. It is honestly a very humbling and exciting thing to behold.
Yesterday came news that was very special to us.
The first person to respond to that invitation, was 6 year old, Joshua. He is my nephew who loved his cousing BJ with his whole heart. They had spent many wonderful hours building memories, though they lived in different states. Joshua, as many remember, holds BJ's sword.
Since that day, he has asked his mother and daddy if he could go to the mission field, especially Peru.
His daddy works for Operation Blessing and travels the world a great deal to assure that resources are being dispensed to the children of different lands in appropriate fashion.
His mother has served in short term missions projects as well, and has looked forward to when her children can serve.
That day is near.
At the end of January, Joshua will accompany his daddy to the country he has longed to serve Jesus in...Peru!
My heart leaps with joy, knowing that he did not make an emotional committment that waned with time. No, his heart has beat for serving Christ for nearly half of his young life.
He will head to the amazon region of Peru in a little over a month! At nine years old, he is ready. He has a mature understanding of His Savior, and cannot wait to serve him in this land that has been on his heart for three years or better.
I ask you to join in praying for Joshua, and for his family as they make preparations. Lynae, his mother, is not without concerns, but is thrilled to see this opportunity come forth for her one and only son!
The Lord showed us, Joshua's family, shortly after his birth, that he was set apart for service to the King of kings. No one knew then that at this young age, he would be off for his first overseas missions experience!
I am very proud of him, and cannot wait to hear what the Lord does in Joshua's own heart as he walks on foreign soil. I praise God for his life, and that of his two sisters (Ari, who was pictured yesterday, celebrated her 5th Birthday and Emily), and his mother and daddy.
Joshua, we are praying for you! Thank you for following God's call on your life! You are an example to us all!
uncle brent
posted by Pray for BJ @ 7:58 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Joshua, I am so proud of the young man you are becoming. As anticipated, you are proving yourself a worthy bearer of your cousin's unsheathed sword. We praise Him for your life and example.
Please know that the Pieper family as well as the blog family will be lifting you up as you go to take BJ's place in carrying the Gospel to Peru.
It's time to raise a revolution.
God will give you the strength.
with tender love
and prayers in pink,
Marti
oh...so exciting!!! i remember the moment joshua responded...we were sitting by them at the celebration service...
the question "who will take bj's place" was first asked rhetorically to prepare the people for the action that they could take at the end of the service... joshua and cladee being so young...thought that when Walker asked the question there should be an immediate response...so they both raised their hands... several times during the service when he would ask..."who would take bj's place?" i could just see the look on joshuas face...it seemed as if he was thinking..."why does he keep asking this question...i already raised my hand!!!" cladee and i walked up the stairs with rich and joshua when the response time came and he was very focused on signing his name on that card!!! i had no doubt ...that God was real to him then....and that he would follow thru with making a difference in this world!!! can't wait to hear all the stories when they get back...
hugs..marla
Post a Comment
<< Home