Goodbye, Mr. Wilkerson

Last night I received a text right before I went to bed informing me that David Wilkerson had died in a car accident. All I wanted to do was cry. That reaction took me by surprise. David Wilkerson hasn’t deeply impacted me, not as much as many other heroes of the faith. I still haven’t read any of his books, despite the fact that they’re fairly high up on my “To Read” list. I’ve only listened to one sermon by him, and quite honestly I can’t even remember any details about it. What has impacted me is the Bravehearted Thot “A Call to Anguish.” As I listen to him preach, I wonder how I can get that fervency, willingness, passion, desire, and single-minded intensity for God. He was a man willing to do anything, say anything, and be anything that God asked him to be. Perhaps the reason I am so grieved about his death is because I wonder who will boldly proclaim Truth in the pulpits of America in his place. Who will stand for the Word of God? Who will sprint with liquid ferocity towards the battles now taking place in our country? The responsibility falls on us.

My prayer is that God would raise 1,000 men even mightier than David Wilkerson to take his place in our country.

Another Goodbye

Here we are at the end of another 9 weeks of Basic Training. This will be the last batch of basic students that I'll be saying goodbye to, and I'm finding that rather sad. I'm thinking back to the days when they had first gotten here, and it felt like we would never really get to know them well. Many meals, much teasing, times of heartfelt sharing, deep conversations, and hours of wrestling in prayer together have passed since then, and now I feel like I've known some of them for nine years rather than nine days. As I say goodbye to these thirty or so students, the only thing that's gotten easier since the first semester is that this time I felt better prepared to see them all leave. I hate it when people leave, but I'm thrilled at the thought of watching them all sent out to love and pray for everyone around them. Praise the Lord, because once again He has done a mighty work in our midst.

A Gift From the Father

Sometimes I feel unfit to be released into society. I have been humbled here at Ellerslie in greater ways than I thought possible. I have come face to face with myself- with my sin, ugliness, and inadequacies- and walked away with the image still clear in my mind. I have compared myself to heroes of the Christian faith and found I have come up lacking. With that in mind, how can I go to France this September and hope to be used by God?

The only thing that has kept me going is the fact that He has called me. How do I know this? Well there’s been a few different ways. The support of my parents for one, and key figures in my life and in my church. There’s also been a growing passion in me for the lost people of Paris. And then there are the little fingerprints that God as left in my life as a way to reaffirm me and establish me in this call.

The other day I was walking back to my dorm after class, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather when the peace was interrupted by ugly construction noises. In an effort to escape the loud noises for a brief moment, I decided to walk through the Everitt’s Center and check my mail. To my surprise there was a letter! It is not often that I receive letters, so when I do it is cause for much rejoicing. I saw on the envelope that it was from ‘a sister.’ I assumed it was from Sara, but thought it strange she didn’t put a return address. Or her name. To my surprise, I opened the envelope to find an anonymous note and a financial gift for my trip to France.

This would be only the second time someone has given me money for France, and both times I never had to ask. I’ve been standing in faith that He has called me, but at times my legs get so shaky! He doesn’t reprimand me for this. Instead He strengthens me. What a wonderful God we serve.

This week I’m jumping into the fundraising with both feet. There’s no turning back now! I’m excited to see how God will provide all that I need. I’ve put a ‘Fundraising Thermometer’ on here as well so that you guys can pray for me and watch the progress! How exciting!

A Little Bit of Ellerslie Life

Praying Through. Wish I had a wide angle lens for this one :-)

Just a beautiful afternoon in front of our lake. A rather happy dog came to visit for a while.

Windsor Lake, and oh what fun we had!