Today, we set out as a family, baked goodies in tow, hoping to meet many of our nearby neighbors and begin to build relationships and find out specific needs to lift up in prayer. We prayed before and as we went, specifically for open doors and softened hearts. No deep theological discussions or even Gospel sharing planned, just high hopes of a beginning of loving on those of whom God has placed us immediately in the midst. Oh, how convicting that we didn’t really know some of our Alabama neighbors. May we never neglect fellowship with the ones so close by, ever again. Would you join us in praying very specifically for the ones we met today and continue praying we can meet even more and grow into deeper fellowship with some? Would you join us in praying that the Gospel may be made known on these streets and that other laborers will be raised up for the harvest before our year here ends? Would you accept the challenge to meet your neighbors and hear their stories and pray over their homes? God is mighty to save, in your neighborhood and ours!!
Specific needs…please intercede for these, and others we don’t know about yet…
Next door on one side…Eric and his wife Sarah, raising two daughters (ages 7 and 4), grandmother and grandfather living in home as well. He was actually born in Huntsville, AL and is a college football fan. Only God could orchestrate that! Pray football will bring our families close and Gods love would overcome them, soften them and change their hearts to be patient and loving inside their home.
Next door on the other side…very brief interaction bc our timing interrupted an online exam. Pray we have another chance soon. Pray for her as she juggles a career and schooling. Pray God will soften her and help her want and make friends.
Behind us, there is a short street with several homes. At a few, no one answered. Pray a time will come when we can meet those.
Pray for Donnie, a very young father with two babies. The lady of the house and the two babies were napping, but Donnie was very friendly and said he will bring the family around to meet us one afternoon soon. Pray for them as they work to provide and care for 2. Pray God will bring us into conversation again soon and deepen our connection.
Pray for Andrea and Jesse, a young couple expecting their first child in December, baby Ava. Andrea welcomed us in, was very open, the kids played with her cat. Jesse is currently deployed overseas with the Air Force, due home in November. Pray for him to arrive home safely, before Ava’s arrival. Pray we can minister to her in his absence and have a chance to meet him when he returns. We exchanged phone numbers in case she needs a handyman or anything else in the meantime. Pray God will comfort her in her loneliness and protect her and Ava’s health.
Pray for Cindy and her husband. Eric had already met them last Thursday when one of our pups escaped the fence and ran to their house. We were able to thank them again for rescuing him, and to meet their 4 large inside dogs. Her husband was sick today and couldn’t visit. Pray for physical healing for him. Pray for God to bring us together again to talk and deepen our fellowship.
Pray for Craig, a recently divorced man, living alone. He is experiencing some bitterness and loneliness, it seems. He is a general contractor looking for more work. He was very friendly and open and has lived in the neighborhood for 18 years, so he may be a link for us, to many others. Pray we can chat with him again soon.
Pray for salvation for each of these, if not already secured. Pray that if there are other Christians in our neighborhood, that God will reveal it and allow us to serve together. Pray for more opportunities to meet and minister to our neighbors. Pray for a large group gathering at our home soon, outdoor ice cream social or grill out party. May we continue to grow more intimate with Christ, study and memorize His Word, seek and obey His will, and be salt and light in and around our new home. May all Glory be God’s for what he has done, is doing, and will do!

“How great is our God…SING WITH ME, how great is our God…all will see how great, how great is our God!” Wherever you are, stop and take time to praise God for His greatness, in your own life and in ours, for He is Worthy!!
We’ve been in Colorado Springs for 17 days now and there are no words for God’s provisions, care, protection, divinity, etc…except to say He truly is great, a great I can’t describe!
From weeks, months, even years before our journey here became reality, God has given us repeated confirmation that this is His calling, His plan. And from the moment we left to travel and each day of the 17 we’ve had here, we continue to see His hand in it. Thank you for your financial support and your prayers. We couldn’t have imagined better travel weather, more agreeable passengers (kids and pets!), or more fun/safety/beautiful scenery along the way! Last week, for our homeschool Bible memorization, we learned Ephesians 3:20. Never has it been more evident in our lives that “God is able to do far more than we could ever ask or imagine. He does everything by his power, which is working in us!” To God be all the Glory!
Our transition to a new house and new city couldn’t be smoother, either. We are settled in and the space/layout of our rental home suits us very well. We are finding our way around town easily and enjoying the many free activities offered for families here. We have already begun to connect with some people at Vanguard Church, both staff and members. The corporate worship there is very genuine and pure, difficult to describe. The people we’ve met there are genuine, warm and caring…just what we needed, coming from the “family” of Fairhaven!
God has already brought needs of this city to our attention and we are assessing this new and unique culture. In restaurants and stores, at playgrounds and even dog parks, we’ve already had opportunities to talk with people and hear their stories and begin to love them where they are. We’ve met many believers, quite a few southern transplants like ourselves, even some SEC fans! It’s a touch of familiarity we didn’t expect to find quickly, but God has placed people in our path, often in ways only He could orchestrate. School has started at home, we are establishing a routine with each passing day, and we are actively seeking ways to be used by the Lord here, praying we will share boldly and boast only in Him!
This week, the kids and I have studied Elijah, “the fiery prophet”. Alex mentioned the song “Like a Lion” and asked if the part about fire falling related to Elijah. Truth is, I don’t know, but the words to that bridge have become one of our prayers of pleading to God…Lord, please, “let Heaven roar, let fire fall, come shake the ground with the sound of revival”! I know it starts in me and the stretching of my faith, dissolution of my pride, and conviction of my sin are part of this transition but not easy or pain free. May the end result point only to my God, bring many into His royal family, and bring Him glory and honor for He is a GREAT GOD!!