Kairos through the eyes of Mom

I'm so excited for Gary.  As I type this he's at work diligently serving the teachers and staff to get as much technology as possible updated and ready for their return.  He's training, working, communicating and helping.  He's being interrupted and adding to his infinite "to-do" list- and he's doing it for the Lord, for our family, and for our community.  Gary's job in some way impacts almost every member of our community.  His job impacts every staff member, every teacher, every student, and by extension every family.  His job impacts not only our community now, but for the future and I"m so very proud of him.  It's an overwhelming job full of frustrations and there is no such thing as "normal" or "caught up".  He handles it so well and even though he does not always get the recognition, I know people appreciate him.  I also know the Lord blesses his diligence and perseverance.  It's hard having a behind-the-scenes job.  He does it well with a joyful spirit and always with the goal of serving people through the Love of Christ.

Matthew 25:43-45

I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

When I first heard of the Kairos ministry through our church it intrigued me and I immediately thought, Gary would be so good at that.  He doen't realize what an encourager he is, and what a servants heart he has.  I see it in him every day though.  Just this morning he took our youngest daughter to speech therapy allowing me a break from an extra early morning of getting kids ready and running around.  It also gave him some one-on-one time with her.  What a blessing to all of us! Less stress for mommy, more sleep for the other kids, and time with Daddy for our littlest one.  I hope it was a time of blessing for him as well.  But either way, that's Gary- always willing to step in and help where needed and show love in any way he can.  The team building/training meetings have been so good for him.  To have a group of like-minded men and women to worship with, to learn from, and to fellowship with has been wonderful.  It always helps to focus on the Lords work when we can be encouraged by those around us.  I know I feel that every summer when I attend a weekly Bible Study at our church.  Those 6-8 weeknights are one of the highlights of my year.  Gary's experience will go several steps further as he not only is given the chance to worship, fellowship and learn, but also to love and serve, encourage and teach others about Jesus.

While's he's had extra time away from home we've tried to use that time to work hard on our schoolwork (we homeschool).  We've worked on learning some new chores and skills that will help mommy when the new baby comes. I've also tried to really encourage a continuation of the servants heart we were able to put into practice this summer.   Practicing patience, obedience and other character qualities God requires is hard work, but we hope as parents, that this training will pay off for our children as they grow older.   There are many ways to get involved as a family with Kairos beyond prayer.  We're getting our schoolwork done so that we can take some time off in the next two weeks to bake cookies.  We also have some small projects to finish, and we work to find ways to serve daddy when he's home so that he can relax and be refreshed.   I want our home to always be a place he is sad to leave and anxious to come home to.  It's not always that way, but it's one of my (many) goals!

I want to personally thank those of you who have been diligently reading Gary's posts and joining us in prayer for this ministry.  Consider signing up for one or several blocks of time durring the visit weekend to pray so that the entire ministry will be covered.

James 5:16  

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Please continue to pray for the men and women of the team, and their families. Please also commit to praying for the residents who will be participating in the weekend visit that is only a few weeks away.  This is a huge opportunity for THEM to be loved, encouraged, strengthened and grow in their faith, or even come to a new faith in Jesus Christ.  It is our passion to share the love of Christ, and these men are hungry for love, acceptance, grace, forgiveness and the freedom that Christ gives!  They need discipleship and strength to live out their faith through the rest of their lives. Pray for their families as well.  Each resident has left a family at home and life is hard for them too.  Their lives will be impacted for Christ more and more, the stronger the faith of the residents when they are released.

Most of all I want to impress upon you something God has been teaching me.  This is not a one time, temporary ministry.  I'm not asking you to pray just for the weekend, or just for the cookies, or just for Gary, or me, or the residents.  When we commit to praying for someone or a situation it's not temporary- it's for life.   People are NEVER outside the need of prayer.  The way you pray may change; the frequency, even the passion with which you come before the Father, but the obedient act of prayer should never end.  The team and residents will continue to need prayer for continued discipleship and guidance beyond this big weekend.  There are also other teams and residents of prisons in other cities and states all over the country.

This is so much bigger than Gary or our family or even Gary's team.
You are praying for the work of the Lord.
The furthering of his kingdom.
The strengthening of His people.
The eternal lives of many rest on our prayers.

So when I thank you for your prayers it's not just a flippant "thanks".  It's from the bottom of my heart and with the full knowledge that you are truly partnering with the entire team, furthering God's kingdom and helping bring people to the Lord.
 May God Bless you for your obedience, sacrifice and love.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.