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Don't
I have a beautiful mom?
Here we are at the Arboretum in Dallas..
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April
29, 2003
Praise
God I have my computer back! You don't know how thankful I
am that my laptop is still under warranty--I've taken it to
get fixed three times since January! But now I can give you
some updates and prayer requests.
Can
I tell you why I feel so strongly about Ireland and the rest
of Europe? Europe is a spiritually dead place. Yes, it's outwardly
beautiful and carries a magnificent Christian legacy. But
it is a dark, post-Christian society and is sorely in need
of Christ. I
spent a summer in Ireland and had Christian and non-Christian
youth practically begging for my attention, for the simple
reason that they were starved for love. And my heart broke
for them.
The
Irish
are turning to everything except Christ for answers: fortune
tellers, palm and tarot card readers, and representatives
from other cults line the streets of Dublin. Over the past
10 years there has been a dramatic decrease in attendance
in Catholic and Church of Ireland churches.
According to a 2002 survey many countries in the world have
a dramatically increasing number of evangelicals: Chile, Congo,
China, India, and the Ukraine. But after certain Muslim countries
like Iran and Iraq, Europe has the lowest percentage of evangelicals
than anywhere in the world. France, Italy, and Ireland have
no growth, and Germany and Belgium are actually decreasing
in their numbers. Less than 1% of the people in Ireland have
a personal relationship with Christ.
What
can I do to help? There are so few youth workers in Europe
and they must receive training and resource materials,
both for themselves and their youth. Greater Europe Mission
has stepped up to provide these materials, and GEM commissioned
me to use my graphic design and literary skills to provide
such things. These materials will help bring Christ to the
people of Europe and also help them train themselves. I'll
also spend a lot of my time ministering to college-age youth
and young adults. And I can't wait to get over there! Please
check out my website for even
more information on what I'll do in Ireland and Europe.
What
can I say except that God is good? And loving? And that He
will never leave me alone? Okay, I guess I can say a lot!
The sinful world that we live in has thrown some wicked curveballs
at me recently, but I can honestly say that I see God's love
now more than ever--all I want to do is run to Him. This amazing
God of ours still loves us despite the fact that we betray
Him with our sin every day. If He can forgive and even love
me, how can I not love the very people for whom he died?
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My
family. Satan is trying to get his claws into my
family in a variety of ways, and unfortunately he has
succeded in a number of them. Please pray for our strength
and that Christ's love and truth permeates our lives,
that we allow Him to love us and even humble us if need
be. Please intercede on our behalf to the Father, for
me, my mom and dad, and sister, Christy, and brother,
Jared.
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Jared,
my younger brother, is still looking for a job.
Please pray for him as he uses this time in his life
to re-evaluate who he is and what he wants to do in
the years to come. Pray for his encouragement and God's
guidance.
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Because
of the falling value of the dollar verses the euro
and the rising cost of living in major European cities,
Greater Europe Mission had to raise my levels of support.
(Check out my
breakdown of support costs
for a full breakdown and explanation of the costs.)
I am currently holding steady at having 10% of my monthly
needs and would still like to leave for Ireland in the
fall. But I can't go until I have 100% of my support.
Pray that God raises faithful supporters soon and that
friends, family, and people I meet catch the vision
for what God is doing in Europe.
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Thank
you so much for your prayers! Please keep in touch; I still
enjoy knowing what's going on in your life. Until next time!
Your
partner in ministry,
To get more information on how to contact me or how to give,
check out the Ireland
page on my website, www.thecarpetbag.com.
You can also download or print out a Faith Promise Card by
clicking here.
And don't forget to check out the videos
I put together for my website. God bless!
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