Ahh, what a relief it is to be in Jesus...

“If you’re on God’s side, you’re on the winning side.” As I reflect on the words of a 106 year-old preacher/evangelist’s sermon that I was able to attend earlier this month, my mind begins to dwell on the first week of this month and how the Lord raised more than what was brought in for the entire month of August. This month has truly been a blessing and waking up early in the morning to go run and then spending some quiet time with the Lord afterwards has really helped me in seeking Him and realizing more and more why I need Him. God has definitely been setting up some divine appointments with people this month, and at the end of each one, He teaches me that it was not anything in my power that moved the person, but His Spirit who shines through me as I tell them my vision and mission for going to South Africa.
“These students are craaaazy hungry for Jesus.” With these enthusiastic words from my teammate, Tammi, who’s already in South Africa, I can’t help but to think about getting there. I think about it so much that the Lord had to show me that He still has things to teach me while I’m here in the States. Personally, He has shown me that if I don’t truly know Him, how can I expect to tell someone else about Him? He has shown me that I can be as good as I want at sharing my faith with someone but still be missing what the message that I’m sharing truly means. The Lord has taught me that my obligation to do His will does not start when I get over to South Africa, but that it starts right here and right now. I say this because, during a support appointment, I found myself sharing the gospel message with a potential supporter! This was odd because I usually don't do that during appointments but for some reason I brought my bible with the feeling that I might have to share the gospel with him.
This made me come to the understanding that, if my mentality isn’t mission driven all the time, then I’m just going over to South Africa to do some good works and then come back to regular life. Now, I must make it clear that I’m going to South Africa to share the gospel with lost students, and build them and other’s who are already believers, in their faith. Then, send them out to share with and build other’s up. I’m not going to build houses and feed people, that’s good in the right context because it is necessary, but my desire is to teach young people about Christ crucified. The Lord calls us to be ready at all times to preach the gospel, not just a set apart year dedicated to doing His will, but a life driven by one ultimate purpose: Glorifying God! Let’s do it, together!

Newsletter Aug09

“We need you here, Jerrah.” These are the encouraging words of Leon Best. He is our team leader who is already in Cape Town, along with his family and two of my other teammates. The journey of raising support to get to South Africa began back in June, but this is the first of my monthly newsletters that I will be sending out to keep you updated on how support is going and what the current prayer concerns are.

I just stepped off the plane returning from Summit County (Copper Mountain), Colorado where we were at 9,700 feet elevation (as seen in the picture below)! Campus Crusade for Christ hosted a Global STINT (Short-Term International) send-off there and I am trying to get back adjusted to Eastern time. Basically, this 6-day meeting in the sky was composed of encouraging speakers who addressed four topics: Loving the Lord, Loving Your Team, Lauching Movements, and Learning a New World. In addtion, the special seminars helped me connect with God better through the book of Psalms and learn creative and fun ways to communicate the Gospel. This conference was a great way for God to show me His big picture in spreading the Gospel, and that I have a part to play in it! (Praise God!) Now, back from the conference, getting to South Africa is the main thing I’m looking forward to.

Points of Prayer

· My goal, as far as financial support, is to have 85%-100% of my needed support by October 1, 2009. I am currently at 15%, and so, my first and most important prayer concern is that the Lord will grant my petition I have placed before Him (Ps. 20).

· Though I am set to leave in January, I would actually like to leave by the end of October.

· Also, pray that my teammate Laureen (on left in picture above) may raise the rest of her financial support by October as well so that we both can depart at the same time.

· Pray for boldness as I step out on faith to speak with potential partners.

· Pray that the Lord will protect me as I travel up and down the highway for support appointments to Fort Wayne, Indiana from Indianapolis.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in spreading the Gospel!

the First

this is my first posting out to the world on this blog to keep people in the know of how support is going and whats been going on. First of all, after talkin to my friend Chris aka Chris T., I decided that I'd do a blog and post it here and on facebook to keep friends, family, and whoever else in the know (thanks a bunch Chris, I'm trying what you said to see how it works). I plan not to put a whole bunch in my postings but to put enough info in them so that people may know "what's been up with Jerrah lately?" Second of all, give me a break here people, because I was really hesitant on doing this just because I'm not a "blogger" and so I don't really like the idea of doing this kind of thing on a regular basis, but I believe it will turn out alright in the end because I think it helps me get things out of my head and to stay connected with the world. Finally, I plan on having videos posted up as well (for when I don't feel like typing). Thats it for now. (note to self, think of better ways to end my postings other than "thats it for now.")