After the meeting

The Parents of Teens group was really great tonight! We talked about the desire of humanity to be loved, cared for, and known, which is pronounced in adolescence. We shared how we have received love, been cared for, and felt known over the past two weeks and how each parent has attended to these needs of their teens.

I briefly mentioned the idea of true community pointing towards Jesus and hope to continue that discussion in the near future. It is going to take time but there is already one lady that seems really keen to lead this group and another lady who I think is a prime candidate to launch a separate group. Please be praying that Chris is able to coherently communicate the vision of inviting parents who do not follow Christ into this community, being the church with them, and naturally sharing Christ in this context.

Belgium

Thank you for your prayers during our travels in Belgium. We had a refreshing time with our friends there and hope that we were able to bring a breath of fresh air into their life. Would you quickly say a prayer asking God to give our friends there a new understanding of the French language today? Would you also pray that their 3 year old daughter would nap every day this week? We love you.

Parents of Teens

Tonight, at 8:30pm (2:30pm CST) we will meet with parents of teens for the second time. Our time together two weeks ago was encouraging and a brilliant first step towards parents distant from the church coming to know Christ personally. Chris had a great conversation (although confusing at times) with the wife of the local vicar today about the group. Tonight we will spend time talking about how each parent has received love, been cared for, and felt known over the past two weeks as well as how they have loved, cared for, and known their own children. We will also spend time in prayer together for each other and their teenagers. Since we last met, I have learned a bit more about the parents who have expressed interest in this group. A few are much further from Christ than I might have thought. Please pray that our time together tonight will point them a step closer to Jesus. Pray fervently that those following Christ will be bold in their witness for Him as a parent tonight.

One of the ladies, called Jenny, had to take her husband to hospital Sunday night. He has had sever abdominal pains but the doctors cannot find the problem. As of right now, he is still in hospital. Please pray for him and their family, that he would be healed (whether miraculously or by the hands of the doctors whom God has given their abilities) and that they would share the hope that they have in Jesus through this situation.

Parents Group

Last Tuesday we were part of the first support group for parents of teenagers. It was SO exciting to spend time talking and praying with 8 parents. They are all so hungry for support in a community setting and several shared very personal struggles as they do their best to parent in difficult situations.

Cynthia has lived through multiple tragedies and is in the midst of a difficult, demanding, just crazy situation. Both her and her current husband have previously been married. Along with her own daughter (28 y.o.), Cynthia now has two step-children (Ben-16, Kate-14) and quite a predicament. As many step-children do, these kids don't seem to like Cynthia. In fact, they have even assisted their birth mother in breaking into the house to take out some of her anger against her ex-husband (now Cynthia's husband). And that's just the tip of the iceberg.

In the midst of all of this, Cynthia has recently found Christ. She is taking steps toward Him as she faces this situation. She has also expressed a deep interest in being a part of what God has called us to do among parents of teenagers (especially step-parents). Please pray for peace in Cynthia's life. Pray that God will resolve the issues that surround this situation. And most of all, pray that Cynthia's husband, Peter, finds the hope that she has found in Jesus (pray the same for Peter's ex-wife, Janine). I am both broken and excited by all of this. Pray that God will give us wisdom as we relate to Cynthia, Peter, and, hopefully, their children and the courage and leadership to point them towards Christ in a way that will rapidly influence those around them.

We love and appreciate you!

Angie & those pesky allergins

Angie saw the doctor last week and was given a prescription medicine for all of the allergy problems that she has had. So far it seems to help but she still has quite a bit of sinus congestion. Pray that this medicine will clear that out OR, if necessary, the doctor will recommend the necessary next step (rather than tip toe around and waste time).

Ike Update

Please continue to pray for Chris' family. They evacuated for Hurricane Ike and are doing well but the status of their homes is still unkown. Currently, the electric company expects 2 weeks minimum before power is restored. It took 21 days to restore power to 2/3's of the Southeast Texas after Hurricane Rita. Ike took out at least 90% of the power grid. One of the primary power stations is reported completely gone (not damaged but GONE). If you would like to see video footage of the areas near my parents' home, check it out here (www.kfdm.com).

We also have quite a few friends in the Houston area affected by Hurricane Ike. Pray for Brannan and Kristie Duncan, Daniel and Kellye Frazier, Dave and Jen Allee, John and Jenny Burris, and Mark and Stephanie Cheney, among others. We're praying for all of you!

Hurricane Ike

Please pray for Chris' family who has evacuated their homes in Texas due to the approach of Hurricane Ike. Parents are near Port Arthur, TX. Brother and Sister-in-law in the Highlands (Houston). and Sister and Brother-in-law in Kemah (Houston-near Galveston). Pray for their safety and God's provision in all aspects of life. We will all assess the damage shortly.