Splash House Reflections

You could totally go quail hunting from our balcony.

Our GAP job continues to be quite the adventure. We have only one more family to meet. Bethany and I just finished a respite at Splash 9 which went well. There are three teenage boys who I got along with quite well. They liked me because I am athletic and can play guitar. It is always interesting to see what helps you get your foot in the door.

This week one of the friends I have made down here had to give up a child he had raised since the age of seven months. It was hard to watch how that tore him up and I was reminded how deep love often goes hand in hand with deep pain, and yet God wants us to love deeply regardless. It is great to be around people who are taking God’s word and kingdom so seriously and going through trials because of it.

Bethany and I have been frantically running around and as a result we are having trouble finding the discipline to cultivate our spiritual lives in any way beside loving others and daily prayer.

But God has been providing for us and has stayed with us. In Mark 10, Jesus says, “No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.” The good part of this verse has already been seen in our lives. We have a wonderful little apartment and God has absolutely been providing furniture for us. God has provided a mentor couple for us and two youth pastor friends who inspire me. Bethany is going to a bible study tonight with a group of newly married young women.

So thank you all for your prayers. I really believe God is using them to work on our behalf in many ways. May God’s will be done and His kingdom come.

Here is a picture of the wall above our fire place with the sword hanging up. We printed and framed our first two wedding pictures to go on either side of the sword. We are looking forward to more decorating and making our apartment our little nest.

Prayers: Pray for Bethany and me to continue to build our relationship with Christ and that we will have chances to spread that good news to these children. Also continued prayers for the provision of furniture, specifically a couch or futon and a dresser for our bedroom. Bethany would also love a set of matching night stands.

Praises: Praise God for the family, friends, and home God is providing for us.