From the San Juan Mission House

It's now been almost five months since we've moved to Detroit. I don't think either of us ever dreamed of working in the urban mission field in the US. We both had desires to minister overseas, and maybe that dream will yet come true for us. But when we got reacquainted with an old friend, Eric Himelick, and saw the mission house and the great need in Detroit, it seemed like the Lord said, "This is my next assignment for you." We had been feeling for several months that our stay in Indiana was to come to a close soon and the opportunity to work with Eric's group, Victory Inner City Ministries, seemed like an answer to prayer.

Our initial visit to Detroit shocked us. It's not that either of us had never seen urban decay or poverty. But what amazed us was the extent of the devastation. Burned out house after burned out house. Blocks of abandoned businesses. Overgrown playgrounds. Schools left to rot. Trash everywhere. Graffiti. And it seems the whole city is this way, with a few exceptions. We felt like we were in a different country. Our first night we were rather overwhelmed and discouraged. The mission house itself needed a bit of work to make it livable for a family, let alone thinking about where to begin helping people in the midst of what looks like sets from an apocalyptic movie. But the next day we felt more encouraged. We knew this was where God was leading us; and since that was so, He would make our way. And He did. We had some wonderful help from friends in Indiana and from family over the time of moving, and we are so grateful to them for that help.

We rejoice that we've been able to be an encouragement to some local Christians and ministries.  When we moved to Detroit, we discovered an old mission downtown called Mary Lou Brown ministries.  Mary Lou Brown was very successful in the world of acting and modeling before the Lord saved her and directed her to sell everything and live by faith.  She moved in under Communists and beside Black Panthers, but eventually was able to buy out nearly the whole block including a theater and two bars.  One bar was so wicked it was closed by the sheriff.

As Joyce, a co-worker of Mary Lou Brown's and a dear conservative lady, showed us around the mission, she almost cried saying that they were getting too old to really carry on.  They had their yearly open house coming up, and things were overwhelming.  We were blessed to be able to help them.  I helped decorate the hall.  It's not too often that I get to hang up streamers and balloons!  We were able to take some young people down and clear out an overgrown area and scrape and paint over some graffiti. 

As we move through the introductory phase to our time here in Detroit, we try to keep to our family ministry principle of just doing each assignment the Lord gives us.  It's so easy to lose your joy because you are trying to live up to some expectation (many times our own expectations).  Indeed we feel that each and every Christian has a full time ministry!  When we see each task as a chance to serve our Lord it brings a meaning and fulfillment to our days.  The joy of obedience flows.  Often we wish our circumstances would change, when God just longs to change our circumstance by helping us see how we can serve Him and rejoice.  When we are faithful in the little things, then we can be trusted with the bigger things.  (see Matthew 25:23)

Sometimes fixing a roof, cutting down grass, and teaching English can seem like a little thing, but I don't believe with God there are 'little things'.  Of course, we long to see God move in a mighty way, and we expect it, but God is looking for people He can trust.  If we can't wield the slingshot for His glory, then we shouldn't expect to command the host.

We never know what will grow out of the relationships we've formed. We think of our neighbors and our Muslim friends, and wonder if God will allow those relationships to blossom, or whether we were just a planter or a waterer sent by the Lord to impact their lives briefly. Whatever the case, the important part is that we obey what God is telling us to do and leave the rest in His hands.

One thing we really hope to get into in the spring would be a community garden. The neighbors we talked with seemed supportive of the idea. We feel that it would be a great opportunity to reach out to our neighbors, as well as bring some beauty and fresh food into the neighborhood.

In the midst of all the changes we've experienced the last while, the Lord gave us one more to prepare for. January 18, 2014, is the date on which we expect the next addition to the Troyer family. The pregnancy is going well and Mary's energy has returned since the end of her first trimester. We're looking forward to having another little baby in the house.

We want to thank you for your prayers, interest, and financial support; we desire to pray for you as you pray for us. We were just remarking to each other last evening how time after time since we moved up here that encouragement and blessings have come from our friends and family just when we needed it. Praise God for the beautiful thing His Church is! Lastly, we'd like to extend an invitation to you all to come visit us sometime! We'd love to have you; the house has plenty of space for visitors, and as we like to joke around here, visitors keep us sane.

God's blessings to you!

Your fellow-laborers in Detroit,

Daniel, Mary, and Noah Troyer