Oftentimes God has something for us that we didn't quite expect.  Victory Innercity Ministries did not give us a list of things to be involved in or goals to accomplish, and because of this, we have been able to walk through doors as God has lead.  It's an exciting way to live and minister!  Several months ago, Mary and I began to fill in at a small local church that has been looking for a pastor.  We have been stretched and received a chance to develop some of God's gifts.  We were privileged to have my cousin, Jason Lindahl, a Bible Methodist minister in Frankton, Indiana, to hold special weekend services.  The Sunday evening service was almost canceled due the big storm that came through recently.  But God ordained that we could have service, and God helped Jason preach a wonderful sermon that was just what we needed.  Please pray that God's will would be done as this church seeks a pastor.  

  Some other exciting things that have happened in Detroit.  We requested prayer for more avenues of ministry, and we can see that God is answering that prayer!

• Mary and I have been approached to work with a homework-help outreach program for children in an Arabic neighborhood.  This is scheduled to begin in January.  
• I will be teaching English and perhaps also serving in a maintenance role at a local ministry to Muslims.
• We've been able to deepen relationships with other Christians doing more typical inner-city ministry.   We enjoy fellowshipping with a Detroit, Bible Missionary Church as they minister to many poorer children and adults in the city.
• We are very happy with the progress on the house. Two new exterior doors, insulation in the attic, and trimming out the windows were some of the projects completed with the help we received on our work days. 
• A group of six college students and two of their professors from Penn View Bible Institute came to Detroit and used our home as a base for a 'vision trip'. 
• We were also able to give two Mennonite couples who are planning to move to Detroit a place to stay for a night.  It is encouraging that the Holy Spirit is moving in different denominations to bring in His harvest!

  Someone has asked us, "Why 'Jesus Slaves'?"  Following the principle that if one person asks, there are several others who also wonder. :)  

  Mary writes this:

     We are beginning to learn the beautiful paradox of what the Christian is.  On the one hand, we are children of the King of kings, we are friends of God.  Jesus said to his disciples, "You are My friends if you do what I command you.  No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you." (John 15:14,15) Yet on the other hand, just because we are friends of God does not give us license to have an arrogant or presumptuous attitude. Instead, we are to be humble.  Jesus also told his disciples, "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'" (Luke 17:10) This same attitude is displayed by the apostle Paul when he wrote,"For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" ( I Corinthians 9:16)

  Mary and I are celebrating our first year of living by faith. I'm not sure what gave us the courage to walk away from a good paying job with just the feeling that God had something for us.  But whenever we felt we couldn't take it anymore or couldn't imagine how God could supply this or that need, it seemed God was right there with the reassurance we needed.  A verse that has grown to mean a lot to us says: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)  In all our lives, we have the great challenge to seek first God's kingdom.  And as we do this we have the promise of God's provision.  He doesn't promise us that we will always be prosperous - the Apostle Paul testifies: "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." (Philippians 4:12)  

  

   Our most important lessons have been trusting God daily and learning that a lot of what we considered needs are really just wants.  I was convicted recently by the life and teaching of John Wesley.  His example of frugality puts me to shame.  He taught an important principal - when you satisfy a fleshly desire, you simply want more.  You 'grow' that appetite in yourself.  Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:32,33)  We often think the problem the rich, young ruler had was that he 'loved' his money too much.  I'm afraid we've misplaced the emphasis.  The Bible doesn't say he 'loved' his wealth, it simply says he 'had' a lot.   Remember that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."  

  

 The Wesleys saw a great revival in their time.  Could it be that a return to frugality and sacrifice and simple trust is necessary to open the floodgates of heaven one more time?  

Prayer requests - 

We would like to do community gardening on some empty lots - pray that we could contact the right people to get this underway.  It would be a great way to strengthen the neighborhood.

For Mary and the new baby due in January!

For the new homework-help ministry in an Iraqi neighborhood and for me as I begin teaching.

For those in the process of moving to Detroit to let their light shine.

Daniel and Noah on the work day

group of students and professors from Penn View Bible Institute

view of the empty lots where we could garden