Hello everyone,
As I drove home the other night after meeting with a friend of mine, I passed by the busy shopping centers next to the university and near our house. I noticed that another new bar had opened and was overflowing with people. That makes five news bars that have opened in the last year or two in that little area of shopping centers--and they always seem to be packed to the max. Sure, there are lots of other stores and restaurants in the area but none of them are nearly as popular as those. I had a feeling deep down that was probably pretty similar to the feeling Paul had when walking through the city of Athens. It says he was "deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city" (Acts 17:16). You see, I wasn't looking at all of those young people in judgment or disgust. Why should I expect non-Christians to act any differently? They don't have the motivation or the ability to act like Christians. No, my heart broke for them. They were going to their "temple" to worship their "idols" in an attempt to fill the emptiness in their hearts. But they'll never find their fulfillment there. They just need Jesus.
It was just further confirmation for the calling that the Lord has on our lives to plant the church near the university. One day, we would even love to be able to move into a building right next to all of those bars. We've dreamed of opening a cafe in one of those same shopping centers with the entire purpose of sharing Jesus with those at the university and in the community. Who knows what God might want to do? Since it doesn't depend on our own ability but instead on His faithfulness and power--He can do incredible things! As Paul did in Acts 17 after feeling his heart break for the people, we just want to love those that are lost and build as many bridges as possible to gain the opportunity to share Jesus with them. The Lord is in the process of opening many of those doors right now and we are so blessed and humbled to be able to walk through them. May He receive all the glory.
-Tim, Priscilla, Josiah and Hannah
Eph. 3:20-21
Praise Reports
-God is blessing the process as we move toward an October launch date for the church!
-We had a wonderful trip to Colorado where we were able to spend time with family, share at a few great churches, sell our house and sell our car!
-Priscilla celebrates her 31st birthday this week and we celebrate our 10th anniversary next month!
Prayer Request
-That the Lord would raise up a group of people with the same heart and the necessary gifts to join us in planting the church.
-That God would continue to provide unity between us and Capilla Calvario so that they would be able to send us out as a sister-church in the city.
-For the new semester at the university that starts in the next few weeks. That God would bless the Bible studies, discipleship, English classes and English conversation clubs. That He would continue to raise up students with a passion to reach and disciple other students.
-For Josiah and Hannah as they get ready to start another year in school. They are excited but a little nervous to start in a Spanish-speaking local school (actually, Hannah went to the school for a few months earlier this year but Josiah is entering the school for the first time). Please pray that they would transition well, continue to grow in their Spanish, make lots of new friends and continue growing spiritually and academically.