2006...What a Year! 2007...It Is Just The Beginning!
As I look back on the events of 2006 I can honestly say it was the most "roller coaster" ride year of my life. It has been a year filled with many "ups and downs" but a year in which I have grown much in my walk with Christ.
I have never worked so hard in regards to attempting to follow the will of God in the birthing of the church plant. From the outside looking in one would not see much growth. We have had a very inconsistent meetings of our small group with only a few families. We have not seen anyone really come to the forefront in commitment to help us. We have struggled in understanding what God was doing. However, it has been a year filled with many neat ministry moments. Moments that make what we do worth it.
It has been a year that in many aspects has taken a toll on my family. We have seen many "direct hits" from the enemy. We have scars to prove we have truly been in a war. But it has been good for us and it has made us strong.
It has been a year of joys, laughs, heartaches, struggles, questions, answers, discouragements, affirmations...I know...I need medical help!
So as we approach 2007 we have added a new twist. A twist that we see has God's answer to a ministry "angel" as well as one that should allow us so financial freedoms...KIDD COFFEE SHOP. We (my Dad, Mom, Gina and I) have opened a local coffee shop in hopes that we will establish relationships where we can share Christ (in which I have shared my faith twice in the last week and "sowed" multiple seeds in the past two weeks) and see if we can establish a vibrant ministry hub for people.
The shop opened on December 16. We have been open for three weeks now. Things have gone fairly well. We are planning on hosting a small group there beginning January 21, 2007. It should be an awesome ride!
I have never worked so hard in regards to attempting to follow the will of God in the birthing of the church plant. From the outside looking in one would not see much growth. We have had a very inconsistent meetings of our small group with only a few families. We have not seen anyone really come to the forefront in commitment to help us. We have struggled in understanding what God was doing. However, it has been a year filled with many neat ministry moments. Moments that make what we do worth it.
It has been a year that in many aspects has taken a toll on my family. We have seen many "direct hits" from the enemy. We have scars to prove we have truly been in a war. But it has been good for us and it has made us strong.
It has been a year of joys, laughs, heartaches, struggles, questions, answers, discouragements, affirmations...I know...I need medical help!
So as we approach 2007 we have added a new twist. A twist that we see has God's answer to a ministry "angel" as well as one that should allow us so financial freedoms...KIDD COFFEE SHOP. We (my Dad, Mom, Gina and I) have opened a local coffee shop in hopes that we will establish relationships where we can share Christ (in which I have shared my faith twice in the last week and "sowed" multiple seeds in the past two weeks) and see if we can establish a vibrant ministry hub for people.
The shop opened on December 16. We have been open for three weeks now. Things have gone fairly well. We are planning on hosting a small group there beginning January 21, 2007. It should be an awesome ride!