9 Weeks!

Yes, it is hard to believe but we are only 9 weeks from our launch! There is so much that still remains to be done! Pray that God gives us wisdom and diligence to do everything that HE wants done and to let go of the things we might have planned that don't fit into His plans!

Last week I met with KATY ISD and the custodians at the school we will be meeting in. The head custodian of course was Hispanic and spoke very broken English. AS soon as i began to speak in Spanish her eyes light up and a big smile crossed her face. Throughout the hustle and bustle of explaining what we would need on a typical Sunday i mentioned to her that she should bring her family with her. Even though she had to work they could come with her and participate in the Spanish service and have fun with the kids. That way even though she needed to work it could be something they could still do together as a family! She loved the idea and said that they occasionally went to Lakewood but it was an hour commute for her so they would love to be able to come! - Pray for her and her family! Pray for all the custodians who will be in a similar situation! That they would come to know the Lord and be able to worship and serve together as families on Sundays!

Yesterday Kim was checking our mail and she heard Jesus Culture music blaring from down the street. She decided to go see who was listening to Kim Walker and low and behold there was an Hispanic man all tattooed up! Kim asked him if he was listening to Jesus Culture and with a shocked look, (young Hispanic men that are covered in tattoos usually are not engaged in conversation by white young women on the street, rather they are avoided at all costs), he asked: "Are you a Christian?" of course Kim said yes to which he replied: "I am not a Christian, I was raised Catholic but don't go anywhere, but I love this Jesus Culture music. Do you listen to Jesus culture?" Kim went on to explain that we were Christians and loved to worship through good music. we were familiar with Jesus Culture and that we were starting a bilingual church just a few blocks away and she would love to introduce him to her husband. He got supper excited and so I will get to meet him today or tomorrow! - Pray that God gives me ears to hear and eyes to see and His truth to speak into this mans life that he would come to know Jesus as his savior and Lord!

Finally we are in full planning and prepping mode for "Night In Bethlehem". - Pray that God would bring all things together and that we would be able to share the true meaning of Christmas in a way that reaches the families who are lost in North East Katy!

We love you and appreciate you all!

Jeff, Kim, Max, Joshua and Tate

Never Alone

The picture above is a picture a dive instructor at a national park in Cozumel Mexico took last month of me when I was taking the boys on their first ever snorkeling  adventure. Kim and I decided to book a cruise a couple of days after the Carnival ship broke down at sea earlier this year. The thought was, they will be hurting for business after the negative publicity and cruises will be cheap! Indeed, we were able to take the whole family on a cruise for about $200 per person, but I digress.  

As the boys and I were snorkeling at Chankanab National Reef, one of my favorite places in the world, I got the boys some life jackets and took them out to about 60' depth. I knew the would love seeing the above statue. This statue of Jesus on the cross is about 30' tall and was placed out in the outskirts of the shore-line reef as a way to seek Gods blessing and safety from hurricanes destroying the reef. It truly is an amazing sight. 

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As we prepare to go into North Katy we are entering an area where most people don't know Jesus. Many don't even know who He is or was much less have a relationship with Him! For most of them He is that God to turn to in times of trouble or need. I think the enemy would rather it stayed that way.

This week as you pray and fast, pray that God would begin to soften the hearts of those who live in North East Katy. That God would begin to plant a seed and a need in their lives! One that could only be filled by His Son Jesus! 

Then pray that God would use "Night in Bethlehem" and our other means to draw them to Himself! But not just a knowledge of Who He was, rather, Who He IS!

Pray for protection for our family and all those who are committed to going and seeing His kingdom come there!  Many of us have started feeling and seeing the enemy raise up attack against us in personal and meaningful ways. Pray that this would only strengthen our resolve! 

Pray for favor and remaining staff that we need. That God would bring His perfect people for the tasks at hand!

We can't thank you enough!

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The best part of seeing the statue above, for the fourth time in my life, was that it wasn't just me, my boys were with me! It is always better experiencing the presence of Christ with others with whom we can share the experience. Thank you for sharing in the experience of launching new work in North Katy with us!!!!

Thankful!

Today I am thankful. Thankful that my biggest problems are trying to get volunteers for north campus. Thankful that when things get tight financially for me it comes down to having to eat Mac and Cheese or peanut butter and jelly versus having to choose to not eat so my sons can eat or even worse not eat at all. God IS good! I am thankful He has blessed us in spite of  who I am. This week there are many things we need prayer for. BUT this week I pause and ask that you would pray for a brother of mine.

Samuel is a gentleman I met while serving in Carrollton. He is from Pakistan. Samuel loves the Lord and many of his family live with him in the Dallas area. I think of all the times he and I talked about me going to Pakistan with Him. This was a deep desire of mine however God never saw fit to make it work out in the years I lived in Carrollton.

Many of you might have heard about the bombing at a church in Pakistan a few days ago. Some of Samuel's family and several of his friends were victims of the bombings. My heart is heavy for Samuel and his family! My heart hurts for our brothers and sisters who lost loved ones in the bombings.

Today would you pray for Samuel and his family! Pray for all those brothers and sisters who lost loved ones! pray for the hundreds who are still injured who need medical care yet have no means to afford it!

Below is an email i received with an update from them and some video shot immediately after the explosion and some pics. I warn you they are gruesome and i hesitated to post them here but this is what persecuted Christians all around the world deal with and this Sunday as we worry about choosing where or what we will  eat, may we be reminded to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who have far more serious things on their minds as they leave church.

Please Pray with us for them!



Here are some pictures and a video that the Pashi's sent me after the bombing in Pakistan.  The video is right after it happened so very graphic and bloody.  Dave & I spent some time with the family tonight and know they would be happy for you to call and pray with them.  The American church really needs to be aware of what is happening there, right after the bombing there were Muslims that wanted to come in to "help people" when they later let them in what they did was steal wallets & things off of dead bodies.  Although some of the original reports said 85 people died the death count is more like 200-300, many died after because they couldn't get medical care.  The youngest sons father in law was injured and taken to 3 different hospitals before he was able to get care,thankfully because his sons could afford care he is recovering.  There are also many children who are now orphans.  Money is needed to help pay for medical care for those injured, many are very poor because of discrimination because they are Christians.  Money can be sent to the diocese there to help the people