Dear loved ones,
It was day #63 of sobriety. I knew it was not God’s will for me to drink. So I sat trembling in my work truck, begging God to make it through the day. An addict is a runner; he runs from his emotions and problems ,and they only mount throughout the time in addiction. If he stops, all those emotions, failures, shame, fears…can come rushing upon him. That was what was happening in my work truck that day. It was overwhelming, and I thought I might need to be put in a padded room for a while…but I was deter-mined not to drink. To do God’s will for the day.
This morning I woke up thinking about how my body felt that day because I have felt a similar strain as of late. An emotional upheaval that is not sustainable in my own strength. What led to this? The passing away of 2 mentors dear to us and the suicide of a friend certainly play a part. Many illnesses and hospitalizations of several loved ones also factor in. Ministry and the tragedies we’ve seen recently (too much to detail). Awareness and care for our brethren suffering throughout the world is something that I always feel as well. But as I look back to the last letter, there are some more clues. There is so much order represented in that letter, we worked so hard for those moments of victory. Beautiful pictures.
And now? We are in the 9th week of organized chaos! It’s a double-edged sword of challenges and victories in the midst of a giant, somewhat orderly mess. And the East Lincoln mission group is coming, some leaving home as I write…and another group of friends just recently left. However, as I step away for a minute, we couldn’t have asked for a better start on this massive ministry upgrade. We knew it would be costly coming into it.
And that brings me to the picture below (the area featured last letter that sits just behind where the group of teens were pictured). As the sun was dawning on the day, the mixer was waiting at the cabins’ area down to the right, our crew was ready to pour for the 4 new bathrooms and additional room designed for special needs and leadership. I needed to help them and then drive up to Texas. Behind me, out of the picture, all the rubble and torn up ground all around the ministry. It was the calm before the storm of the day…and all is in order. Even in the storm.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
-Psalm 46:10-11
And so I invite you to sit with me for a while to receive what is needed from the Lord. God is good. And He is with us.
Peace to you.
Prayer requests/ praise reports:
The new sewer lines are in! Now, THAT, is a praise!!
Our plumbing crew is doing a fantastic job. All our new bathrooms are roughed-in, and the new bathrooms in the church are all plumbed. 10 stools, 2 urinals, 11 showers!
And pressure! The kind we like, water pressure. Our backup tanks for the church are installed along with a pressure pump. Al-so, we now have hot water throughout the facility, especially to be appreciated during the winter! What an improvement!!
New electrical lines are also run. It took 5 of us to pull the main lines in! It was a show. Demolition is all complete now as well and I think we are done digging the yard up. Tile for the bathrooms in the church is all done! And we have begun to order the plastic divisions for the new bathrooms as well.
The first of the new sanctuary footings are now dug, and the rebar is still waiting for us to get to it….
The new generator back-up and the jackhammer have come in very handy!
Both Jacks have been working hard (jumping Jack and Jack hammer).
We are working hard on this project, and God is using this project to work hard on some of us! As I look back at these months, it’s the people moments that stand out most. New friendships are developing. Old friendships are being tested and forged a little more. It’s the times around the dinner table, it’s the tears and frustration and prayers together away from it. It’s advancing together upheld by your prayers and support…it’s the 2 workers that we are loving on that do not know the Lord.
There is a lot to this project and the orchestration of it, at least to me there is, and I felt it the months leading into it and it continues to work itself out. Please be in prayer for Minnie and me and all our various crew over this year. For wisdom and protection, favor and strength for the many tasks at hand.
And may the Lord build up His body through all of these efforts, this year and beyond…
We thank our friends that came to help February 14th-23rd. The brisket was amazing!
East Lincoln Alliance is on it’s way and will be on-site around when you receive this letter. Please be praying for the 17!
Thank you to all of you for supporting our lives and ministry. God bless you in 2025 and always. Truly, the best is coming…
love from,
Gary and Minnie and Sophia, along with all your family in Mexico.
Head here and scroll to the bottom of the page to see some video updates!