As most of you know John and I moved to Little Rock March 2010 to join FamilyLife. What you may not know is that in our hearts we considered this a missionary move. We made a conscience decision for John to move from a cooperate setting to a ministry one. The less money he is making in this new job confirmed that our focus was on expanding “God’s mission” rather than an upward career move.
The “mission” was confirmed when we got to Little Rock. God led us to an amazing innercity church where we could share His love. Right away John got involved as an (unpaid) elementary school pastor. And just a few months after we arrived I started a weekly support group for Teen Moms. There are around 20 young women in our group. 90% are from broken homes. Most come from families who live on welfare. Only a few have cars they can drive to our meetings, so all the leaders take turns giving rides.
Our kids have gotten involved too. Leslie has helped start a Cru (Campus Crusade) Bible study at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. She also is a youth leader and is active in sharing her faith in all aspects of her life. Nathan helps John in children’s church. And since our Teen Mom Support group is in the inner city, Nathan also mans the front doors that we must keep locked. Nathan deals with the drunks and the homeless people who often come by looking for a handout. Every week he tells me the same thing, “This is not Montana.”
Moving to Little Rock has been a stretching experience to say the least. We are learning to live on less. We are learning to minister to very needy people who are very different than us. Recently we lost two of our three cars in two different accidents. We are learning to work together to make sure everyone gets to where they need to go. And we’re clinging to this Scripture that my friend Robin sent me:
“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!” (Isaiah 31:1, NASB95)
We have less chariots to trust in, that’s for sure!
While our “mission” was in our minds when we moved, what we’ve failed to do it let others know what was on our hearts. As a positive and upbeat person, I’m great about focusing on the good things and trying to ignore the challenges, yet sometimes the best thing we can do is to invite others to join us in prayer.
Won’t you pray for us? Pray we will be more diligent in seeking the Lord for every challenge we face. Pray we will grow in understanding of those we minister to and learn to share Jesus in ways that will touch their hearts. Pray we will continue to adjust to living on less and trusting God with all our needs.
Looking back I have no doubt we will see these first years in Little Rock as a growing experience. God has already been at work, and we know He is STILL at work in ways we can’t see! One blessing He’s given us is the new book contracts and increased sales of my books. In a down economy I’ve seen my book sales grow. Only God can do that! Thank you for all YOU do in supporting my writing ministry.
May God continue to use our hands, our hearts and our words to reach others for His glory, and any prayers you can offer are greatly appreciated!
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