September 2013 and October 2013.

It's been a while since my last post and we've been in Pennsylvania with family for almost one month now. We've also been trusting the Lord alone for our provisions for over two and a half months! That means no job or steady form of income. I strive to do the will of the Lord by spreading His word and always seek first the Kingdom of God.

Some might say we are a burden to society, but society is just the world moving away from the truth of Jesus and closer to the lies of the world. We "give to Caesar what is Caesar's" and we refuse to use government programs, such as Medicaid and WIC, which moves our trust into the government and away from God. By showing others that God's promises are true I hope to glorify His name.

Ministering to and serving rock climbers is a little different than other ministries. It has been slow but we've seen the Holy Spirit at work and have had many quality discussions about our Lord.

The following are entries I've made regarding our needs and prayers and the glory of the Lord as he provided for all of them.

September 5, 2013
I read in a newsletter that a couple with Solid Rock Climbers for Christ is attempting to open a coffee house in a small climbing town in Mexico, and they are requesting missionaries to help for a short time. I have a strong desire to be a part of this and possibly run that coffee shop. I will pray on this daily.

September 8
I was able to make an announcement in church today regarding our ministry and our family heading out on the road. One woman puled Bethany aside to offer her $140, $40 for her own pleasure and $100 for the ministry. Another brother in Christ gave us all that he had on him at the moment. Praise Jesus for His generosity!

September 14
Lord you are great! I prayed for the willingness to work and you have answered my prayer. My wife and I have worked the entire day until 11:00 pm, finishing all major tasks on our home. Thank you Jesus.

September 17
Safe in Missouri with my sister and her family. I love them and thank you for my family. I pray that you use us to do your will during our short time here.

September 23
Many trials and tribulations getting to Arkansas. I wouldn't say that I didn't have faith the Lord wouldn't solve our problems, but I just didn't feel like dealing with them. I must abide in the trials set before me, be patient for resolution and believe 1 Peter 1:6-7, "...if necessary you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Current traveling needs
-New brakes on RV
-New tires on Subaru
-Better towing system for Subaru (lights, braking, etc.)
-New shocks on RV?

I will pray that Jesus meets these needs.

October 2013
A question that is often placed on my heart, "Is being rich a sin?" Men are quick to defend being wealthy and the "need" of the wealth they have, and the "need" to have a large home or many cars. It is often referred to as a "blessing from God," or "a gift from the Lord." Making money is not a sin but I believe keeping money is.

Before leaving Texas to do God's will full-time I sold all of the stocks that I had been sitting on for years. They totaled around $3,500. Not an exuberant number but it was 10% of my yearly income. It was something that I kept in the back of mind just in case I ever needed it. I realized this was just an attachment to the security of the world and not that of the Lord. I also didn't think it was scriptural to ask for support from brothers and sisters in Christ while sitting on a substantial sum of money. This was an emergency fund, but I later realized it was a replacement for 100% faith in God. How can one say, "this is just in case?" Just in case God doesn't provide? Why would God not provide for us during our greatest needs? How little faith we have in God's promises!

Retirement funds, social security, 401K, they are all treasures laid up on earth. Do you not believe that the Lord will provide for us when we are old? Will He not provide when we are sick?

October ??
Every morning I wake up at 5:00 am to read the bible and pray to the Lord. I am always praying that our needs are met and we may continue to do the work He commands. Today we met a climber that was struggling with his faith and beliefs and we were given the chance to climb and talk to him almost the entire day. After many good conversations he had to return home but was moved to offer us $30 for our ministry before he set off. Thank you Jesus for opportunities to speak about you and always meeting our needs.

We had the funds to purchase new front tires for our Subaru and got a great deal on them as well. Thank you Jesus.

October 22
Current prayer needs:
- Sell old trailer I left in Gainesville
- Sell van before next month's payment is due
- Enough money to get us back to PA
- Courage to proclaim Jesus Christ
- Healing of my body as it is taking a beating with all the climbing I am doing so fast
- Should I pursue some sort of outdoor ministry training? If so, I would need about $6,000 to do it.
- Health of Subaru and RV

October 25
A this point we only have $190 left, not enough to pay for fuel to get us back to PA. We need $390 in gas plus another $230 by November 15 for our van payment. We would also like to travel to Atlanta to visit a brother and sister in Christ who work with Justice For All to prevent the murder of innocent babies, also known as abortion. I will continue to pray that these needs are met.

October 30
"You are my Lord, I have no good apart from you." (Psalm 16:2) I have no good apart from you Lord yet you still meet our needs. I am blind, naked and wretched yet you provide for me to do your work another day. We have received support to get us to Atlanta to train and work with Justice For All, and back up to PA for the holidays. My tendonitis in my elbows has also mellowed out a lot in the past few days. How great God is! Evidence that I do not serve a hard master.

November 2
After nearly six full months we have finally sold our old trailer. The Lord blesses on His time and not our own. The money from the trailer came at the perfect time and will help pay for our trip back North. This was a great lesson on having patience and waiting on the Lord. Many times I wanted to drop the price of the trailer but I was patient that God would provide for us when we needed it most.

November 6
How great the Lord is! We just spent three days in Atlanta with an amazing family of six who are committed to doing the will of God. They are a perfect example of believers in Christ who understand His word and commit their lives to obeying his commandments. They have four kids under five and are still doing what God calls us all to do. There are no excuses to not do God's work, he will always provide. Through the organization Justice For All they travel to universities to debate abortion in a loving way and offer Christ to passers by. The Lord blessed us while there as this family provided for all of our needs and offered their house to stay in. We had eleven people, four adults and seven kids under five, in a three bedroom house and all we could feel was love from everybody.

The Lord, through the training on debating abortion, also better equipped us for evangelism. When setting out on the road to be missionaries we were met with much opposition because we were not officially trained on evangelism. This is a great witness to how the Lord will equip you to do His work. The weekend offered incredible training and first-hand experience on dialoging with strangers. We had the opportunity to discuss abortion, and one conversation led to a deep discussion about Christianity. I pray that this young lady comes to know Christ.

Was blessed to send a new harder problem at Horse Pens before I left. I woke up early to read God's word and pray then went out climbing for a few hours before we left for PA. I sent "Chattanooga Plow" a V7/8 in three tries! I'll post a video soon of an epic top out...

November 7
We had a very easy safe drive back to PA. Thank you Jesus.