The last month has consisted mostly of following up with people and seeing how options were opening as I looked forward. I can joke about the tagline of my life being ‘failing forward,’ but there is an adventure in it. Pioneering something from nothing is mostly being open, available, and willing to push here or there to see if there is movement. Many groups have started and ended over the years, yet relationships deepen, seed is being sown, and there is always the hope of looking toward the horizon, knowing God is up to something.

Diversity in unity can create the most spectacular structures. What started as a bible study for an intern last summer, housing for a couple looking for an apartment, and some intentional outreach, a small group that owns a vision to be church that serves the neighborhood has launched. There is part of me that feels hesitant as in the past, as soon as something seems to be simmering towards the vision, it dissipates. Yet the Lord is reminding me to keep my eyes on the horizon. He is up to something and I am excited to continue to join Him for the ride! Our house church meets weekly for great fellowship and care of one another. We also are committing to follow the teams’ examples and be out in the neighbor engaging people or serving coffee to provide opportunities for those looking for spiritual conversations. Be excited with me! And please continue to pray that what has started will develop a strong root system that could impact the community in more ways than we can imagine!

The next five weeks will focus on nurturing the house church, having a weekly coffee table and creating other prayer rhythms to seek God’s face with others for this work. Pray for unity in the community as we continue to develop friendships and learn how we can encourage one another.

As conversations have deepened with both my Pakistani and Afghan friends, I will invite the individuals to have a more focused conversation comparing Islam and Christianity. Please pray for favor, openness, and hearts to seek truth together.

Two other prayer needs. I will be doing some traveling this next month pursuing leads for intervies for the research. Please pray for willing participants. I am praying for 30 interviews by the end of September. It may take a miracle, but I do believe in them, so pray with me! The other prayer request is for the financial account I am responsible for. Thanks to the continued support, I am only short $168 in monthly giving. Will you pray for this final amount to be committed? The balance of the account is also quite low. Therefore, I am praying for $4000 in one time gifts to help cover ministry expenses and the upcoming conferences this year.

Feel free to share how your summer is going, a picture of what you have been up to, and any ways I can pray for you and your family! Thankful to labor together!