Day of Encouragement!

David Delp, Don Gifford and our HOPE volunteers!

HOPE volunteers with supplies in our fellowship hall!

Command Center newspaper clipping wall!

Pastor Joel trying to find that lost key...don't you love his clean desk?

I can't talk...mine isn't much better, right?!?!

Every so often you get one of these days...visits from friends and calls from friends! Today was one of those days. God sent many people my way on this Wednesday...

First, I had the joy of talking to PJ from Michigan. It's been a while since we've connected and chatted over the phone. PJ was my associate and youth pastor for three years. We had a good conversation catching up on family and also ministry matters. Then I updated him on how the Flood of '08 has changed our church...and transformed our lives. He was shocked to learn of various landmarks in Columbus that went "under" the flood waters. Great to talk with a friend who was a loyal supporter and encourager while we ministered together @ CFA! Thanks Lord for the relationships you've given me with former staff members!

Then it was our privilege to have the District Superintendent and Ministry Development Director from our State Office visit us and take a tour of our wounded facilities. It was good to see their smiling faces and receive their encouragement in the aftermath of the devastation from June 7th! Bro. Don Gifford and Bro. David Delp brought their love and support to fellow ministers serving in the flood zone. They took time out of their day to travel down to Columbus and pray with us. They assured us of getting the word out to our Indiana pastors and Indiana churches. With more fellow ministers learning of our dire situation and how they can help, the quicker we can get back home to 10th and Iowa Streets! Thanks Pastor Gifford and thanks David Delp...we appreciate you and what you are doing for CFA!

Then later I received a call from my ministry group leader from Eagle Creek A/G in Indy. Pastor Gentry has been extremely busy on many fronts but quickly was updated on our situation and also pledged his support, prayers and assistance. Thanks Lord for the calls and encouragement from our leaders! We are a family and family fends for one another when disaster strikes!

There were lots of CFA volunteers moving around in our concrete halls and serving those looking for a little hope and a little assistance. Our HOPE CENTER team shirts are fast catching on with more and more wearing them and showing their support for CFA! We have a great group of people in our church that are helping out and ministering to those that come in our doors. Lord, please allow us the privilege of ministering through the HOPE Outreach Center for a long, long time with food, clothing and home supplies. Lord, may we expectantly enlarge the harvest through new and expanding ministry opportunities that opens up to us at this juncture in time and history!

We were ready to leave CFA when a grandmother and her great-grandchild walked into our church building looking for HOPE. Though we officially had closed the center you gotta flow with opportunities that are presented to you. The little girl's name was "Queen" and my daughter took to ministering to her and showing her some kids toys. Thanks Lord for giving us a daughter, and also our boys, who follow in their parent's heartbeat for ministry to others! Lord, please give them your heart always for serving others in your name. Just as you did not come to be served but to serve others, may our children follow in your footsteps and please you with their gifts and talents!

Tonight we went out as a family, (minus two kids...guess which ones were gone?), and enjoyed a meal out and some needed time together. It was a great getaway from the constant buzz of action during the day. Thanks Lord for these precious hours that we enjoyed together tonight! Plus we also had the chance to do what we love doing when we get the chance...tour new homes being built in different stages of the construction time line. Found some gems being built in our great community of Columbus!

Well, that wraps up another day. Pray that I get some needed rest tonight. Sleep has been evading me and my body is feeling the effects. Your prayers before the throne are being answered and this one will be no different...thanks so much!

If you can send us a gift to help us in this uphill struggle to rebuild debt free, we would be most appreciative. Or you can make a donation online too: www.columbusfirstassembly.org.

Blessings BEYOND ALL LIMITS to you and yours!