Answered prayer

As I drove to Sebewaing on Thursday September 18, I must admit that I was not sure what the day would hold. I knew I was going to spend a couple of hours helping out at the school, but I had a couple of appointments that had called to cancel for this week and so I was unsure what I would do with my morning. I decided to park downtown and simply start with a prayer walk. As I was walking and just asking God to give me direction, I passed a house just as a car was pulling in the driveway. A young man jump out, who I knew, and asked me what I was doing in town. He then invited me in for a cup of coffee, and we began to talk about the difference between making people converts to Christ as opposed to creating disciples of Christ. It was a very uplifting time for me because I really felt like God orchestrated the meeting. It was an answer to prayer. This young man asked if he could attend a meeting that I referenced on October 2 to begin the process of casting a vision. I told him that would be great. I gave him my card and he email me before the day was out to confirm his interest. Praise God!

After visiting a couple of other families that morning, the afternoon took me to the school where I have decided to volunteer for a couple of hours a week with the alternative education program which is just kicking off. I am going to help the group as they go out into the community to do volunteer projects. The agenda for the day included visiting some of the local churches to tell them what we were planning and to offer our services. It was a great privilege for me to go with this group of young people to 3 different churches and Bayshore Camp sharing our desire to simply be of service. I also had the opportunity to share in a couple of those places with some people about the idea of a Disciple Making movement and arranged at least one appointment for the following week.

Overall it was a great day, and I was encouraged in many ways. I am learning that I need to make sure not to simply try to get things going for the sake of doing things. As I get more into the Key Stone training, God continues to show me that I need to be aware of something bigger than the vision I had. I am trusting that God will continue to be faithful as I wait upon Him.

Praises:
The way God used the time set aside last week simply for prayer.
The Lord's encouragement at just the right moments
For the openness of the USA School
The vision of the Thumb area LEAD Team to look beyond planting a church and instead to work to create a disciple making movement.

Prayer concerns:
That God will continue to open the right doors
That God would make it clear to me how much to pursue doors that seem to be closed
That God would continue to give direction to the Alternative Education Program at USA as they reach out to these students who have fallen through the cracks.
That the Lord will continue to show me grace as I wait upon Him

Your Servant in Christ,

Brian