Squeezing In A Post

Life has been busy in the little town of Rexford, Kansas. Somedays it feels like there is so much to be done...that it would require two or three of each of us to even come close to accomplishing it all! Sometimes it is overwhelming...to try to discover which of the many possible paths will lead this ministry to successful service, to see so many needs that need to be met, to try to make contacts and schedule events and everything else entailed.

But it's also exciting to look to the future, to see what God will do here, through us.

This weekend is a full one. Christian Challenge came to paintball and enjoy a hot-dog roast; before they left the monthly Teens For Christ (TFC) group arrived for their Edges meeting. (Check out the Shepherd's Staff FaceBook page for pictures of both events.) These teens had burgers, fries, and milkshakes (Gwen learned that it takes about 90 minutes to make all those shakes!), then participated in their own Amazing Race, followed by worship and a speaker. We're excited to develop relationships with these kids over the coming months.

Tomorrow we'll host another Family Movie; this time it's Letters To God. This is a way for us to build relationships with the community. Then Tim will head to McCook with a vanload of guys to a conference with a special speaker on purity. Please pray that these men will hear and take to heart the message given there.

We have so much more to tell, but no more time. Thank you for praying, for reading, for being at the other end of our computer screen.

Picking Up Steam

[edit] I am so amazed by God's provision! Last week the air conditioner went out of our van, and when we finally heard back from the mechanic, we were quoted $800-$1200 for a new compressor. When they got under the hood, they realized the problem might just be the clutch in the compressor, only $300. This morning, just after I wrote the post below, the mechanic called back to say they had found a used clutch that would work in the van. I had been stressed about how we (or God) would pay for the repairs, and He has been working before I even asked Him to make the situation far better than we expected. Thanks, God! You're amazing! [end edit]

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Wow, the weeks sure pass quickly here. I'm having a hard time getting my mind around "September 1". I'm looking forward to September, though: cooler weather and hopefully the end of allergy season. September also marks a couple of big events at Shepherd's Staff, a trip home to Nebraska, and the beginning of an adventure for Gwen.

We've been attending the Colby Berean Church on Saturday nights. It's a time when we can both worship and be ministered to together, regardless of where Tim has to speak the next morning. The church started this Saturday service in May and has been trying to get a worship team started. Gwen was asked to participate, and the worship team will play for the first time this Sunday (September 5). It has been such a blessing to be a part of this ministry. God has put such a great vision in the heart of the leader (some of you Scottsbluffers may remember Jason Purdy), and has given unity and focus to the group as a whole. Gwen has really missed being part of the worship experience in this way, and is thankful that God has answered her desire.

In other news, Nattie started preschool this week. Yes, I know we homeschool, but the local school district offers a preschool program (2 mornings a week for Natasha), and in the interest of supporting the community and school system we decided to enroll her. This will also give Gwen two mornings each week to concentrate solely on Tyson and Jesalynn.

Also coming up in the very near future: Tim will spend a lot of time on the road as he hits as many ministerial alliance meetings as possible (see at least five in the next week). We have a paintball event on Saturday. The kids have soccer practice and games, and the local kids' club will be starting soon, followed by Awana. Oh, and Gwen is taking a class on Web Design this semester; thankfully, it is an online course, so no extra traveling is involved.

September 11 we'll be hosting two events: an Awana Training Simulcast and our Trap Shoot Fundraiser. We'd appreciate your prayers for both events; so far we haven't seen a lot of registrations, but we know that God will provide exactly what we need. Both events are a chance to reach out--to churches and individuals--and let others know about the amazing ministry here at Shepherd's Staff.