Also thanks also to all who prayed and passed along their encouragement yesterday via email, blog, and facebook. We heard from members of out Adult Bible Fellowship (Naomi Kallenberger, Amanda Booth, Vickie Windmiller, and Greg Chadwell from LONDON, of all places); past members of our ABF (great to hear from Suzanne Vest and Mark and Lee Ann Price - we cherish your prayers); and of course family (Rachael's sister Samantha and my mom both checked in). This certainly is what Paul had in mind when he wrote descriptively of the Body of Christ and how the church should serve as a Community of Believers.
TODAY'S REPORT:
Today was mostly about getting here, and preparing our kids for what is in store for them (as best we could). God answered our (and your) prayers for safe and bearable travel. And, of course, pizza at Gino's East.
After a full day, we didn't arrive at the hotel and get the kids in bed until almost 11pm. That's something we'll have to watch. It won't do anyone any good to have over-tired little ones demanding extra attention. It will be early to bed tomorrow night to be sure.
Tomorrow the rest of the crew from Second Baptist Church will arrive, joining us and the Elliott family here in Chicago. We will have our first organizational meeting at the school tomorrow afternoon after they arrive, then dinner together with the full group and Eric Arnall. This is Jim and Heather Elliott's first time in Chicago, so I suspect they will want to see a bit of the city tomorrow night, but for the Morrows (and our younger children), I suspect it needs to be an early night.
PRAYER NEEDS:
Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement. I can't tell you how cool it was to read your e-mails, facebook posts, etc. to Jim, Heather, and Rachael as they arrived in my inbox en route to Chicago. What incredible affirmation and encouragement!
As you continue to pray for our efforts, today please pray especially for:
- Preparation. Rachael especially has worked so hard to prepare for the Bible stories portion of our Vacation Bible School curriculum, and I'm eager to see how God uses her preparation. Please pray that we all would be well-equipped and prepared for whatever God brings our way. Also pray that God would prepare the hearts of the young people we and others we will encounter. We know from His Word that only God can touch a person's heart and make them fertile ground for the gospel.
- Safe and timely arrival for the rest of the group. Most of our group arrives tomorrow. Pray for uneventful travel.
- Finding a core membership for City South Church. One of the goals we have while here is to meet committed believers who God will lead to be a part of the core membership of the new church that He is planting here in south Chicago. On faith alone, we are trusting God to bring people who have a passionate heart for Him across our paths so we can encourage them and build a relationship with them. Without their even knowing it, we are confident God has prepared work for them in this calling, and we are praying He will bring these people into our paths. Please pray for the same.
I wrote yesterday to members of my Sunday School class (and I still do, as they are our primary prayer support for this mission). But I am so grateful and amazed at how others already have found this blog and are also praying for us! God is truly amazing! He grants us ten times what we ever ask!
So, to all, please feel free to share these posts with others you know who will pray along with all of us for God's name to be glorified. You (or they) can sign up at http://ourabfclass.blogspot.com (upper right hand corner) to receive this blog via email. You can also share it on facebook, twitter, or just by plain old e-mail via the links that appear at the bottom of this (and every) post on this blog.
We love you and are so thankful for you. Please know that you all remain in our prayers daily as well.
God Bless You.
Matt
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