3…2…1…Go!

“then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it…Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:17, 12:13-14

Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement, and financial support as we prepare to leave in just over a week! We are so thankful to be surrounded by a community of people like you. Thanks to your generosity, the Lord has covered our expenses for while we serve in Alaska for the next two months.

I can’t be the only one who finds comfort in the book of Ecclesiastes, right? Knowing that I cannot possibly understand all the ways God works or “comprehend what goes on under the sun” reminds me that long before I was here on earth and long after I am gone, God will still be at work. This life is not about me, so I will use it to bring glory to the only one who deserves it. I will stumble and fall, but I will also learn and grow. The past months since we committed to serve the youth groups coming to Alaska have been a blur. We have continued to finish projects around the house, fellowship with friends and family, and Benjamin has been busy wrapping up jobs as well as lining up more work for when we return in August. I have continued to work with a wonderful lady nearby and begun to pack and get the house set for the summer guests!

Later this week the leadership staff for camp this summer will begin to arrive and start their training. Please be praying that they will be unified in serving and supporting the counselors as they share the Gospel with the campers that will be coming. We will be flying into Anchorage on the same day next week as the rest of summer staff, we appreciate your prayers for safe and seamless travel for all of us. The first Doulos group is due to arrive the Saturday after we do and we will be helping to serve the counselors as they begin to work together as a team and learn how to serve the campers this summer.

I am tempted to fear that I am not enough for the task at hand. I can spend all my time in fear and worry, or I can rest in what I know.

I know that I will never completely understand what God is doing in me or through me.

I know to guessing what God is going to teach me in the months ahead and instead serve him in each moment.

I know enough to trust that his promises to me are true.

As I leave you with a final word from Isaiah, what fears and worries are holding you back today? What do you know about our God that brings you comfort? We would love to be praying for you this summer, please reach out with any questions or prayer requests, we love to hear from you!

Isaiah 55:6 – 11 (emphasis added)

“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon hime while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty but it shall accomplish that which I purposed and it shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.“

– Mikaela