Dear Family and Friends:

Hopefully it was an encouragement as we reminded you last time, that you, our ministry partners, have done the same thing we have—you have joined God where He is at work in and through us. Many of you have felt with us the sorrow of separation, you have wondered and been alarmed and struggled in prayer with us through asthma, eczema, interstate moves, hurricanes, the sale of our house and the scattering of our belongings across two states. And with us, you have given up things for the sake of the Gospel. Many of you express more confident attitudes and are so much more joyful than we are prone to be. Thank you for your ministry of encouragement to us!

We have learned so much as we meet and speak with people, sharing our calling and the invitation to join us. As you are aware if you’ve read previous prayer letters, we don’t feel at all “comfortable,” “adequate,” “gifted” or “wise enough” for this task. All we understand is that God has called us to the LINC-Net ministry and that the ministry in which we’re currently involved (Ministry Partner Development) is a necessary process to a lifetime of ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ. Thankfully, among the things we are learning is that an acknowledgement of our insufficiency paves the way for Him to make it up. (2 Cor. 3:4-5)

One thing that makes it possible for us to do what we’re currently doing: (calling strangers, asking for appointments, inviting them to become financial partners with us)…is the recognition that it is a ministry. It is very similar to evangelism, in fact, and, as such, one of Crusade’s slogans is a comforting thought. “We share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leave the results up to God.” This doesn’t make us passive by any means—but it sort of keeps us from worrying about the ultimate results. If we weren’t convinced that the message of reconciliation between God and man we offer is the best news anyone ever heard, evangelism would be even more difficult.

Similarly, it’s motivating to think that we have the privilege of inviting others to become “co-laborers with God” (1 Cor. 3:9), to invest for eternity. (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:33-34; Heb. 10:34) Statistics have shown that Americans spend roughly the same amount for chewing gum than on missions. What a testament to America ’s waste of wealth. What a sharp contrast to the faithfulness of our partners! I came across this quote recently from Billy Graham: “Money—man’s time converted into currency.” We and our partners have the privilege of investing percentages of our very lives in God’s work. What a reminder of Revelation 12:11: “…they overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Over a million searches each day are for spiritual information, about God, life after death, and comparative religion. A poll shows 64% of online Americans use the Internet in this way. It’s one of the main subjects about which people are searching for information. And Campus Crusade for Christ has over 300 counselors at our unique responsecenters.org ministry ready to answer thousands of responses each year, not just from our sites, but from other ministries like the American Tract Society and Evangelism Explosion.

Please join us in prayer that

• We would be able to keep our eyes fixed on the Lord and not circumstances
• At the same time that we have to admit it’s stressful to have strict deadlines and high expectations, we also have to give praise to God in that He’s moved on our behalf so often.
• He would continue to open doors and improve our ability to discern those open doors
• He would give us greater insight into the arena of faith: open doors mean many adversaries. (1 Cor. 16:9)
• Specifically, Luke’s eczema has been severe for the past two months. He’s suffering nearly constant itchiness and claws himself to bleeding each day. We’re seeking the right formulation of oral and topical medicine for him but haven’t had much success yet. We are changing his diet as well; please pray that he’ll be receptive to new foods.
• Our efficiency would improve: we need to accelerate our fundraising and yet expect to be at our staff conference in Colorado July 21-27
• We praise God that we’ll be enjoying time with ministry partners in Colorado while we’re there.

Love,

Mike and Cindy
”One Day Closer” ( Rom. 13:1)

Make a Mermaid Game	Kids at Emily's Party	Luke with Dad on bridge
Emily with Grandpa and Judy	Emily with Tessa & Grandma and Favorite gift	Uncle Jamie's dogs
Caught a salamander!	Luke with Salamander	Fire in the neighborhood (no one injured)
Cindy and the kids at Aiken State Park	Dad with kids on the bridge	Emily's birthday sign
Aiken State Park