Thanksgiving

Hello all, Praise God this week and be thankful for who He is and what He has done for you. This week is kind of a week of Thanksgiving for me. I have many people and things to thank God for. First I want to say that I am writing this from the airport on my way to participate in the St. Jude Memphis, TN to Peoria, IL Run. Yes they really are 465 miles apart and yes between sharing the load with 150 other runners we do take turns and run the whole way. To check out more info on that go to www.stjuderuns.org

I am thankful that I am able to go an participate in this event and know that the sandwiches are in the able hands of Andy Hirko this week, my sandwich partner in crime. I am also thankful that Wendy’s will be taking care of making the sandwiches for Andy and that he can concentrate on bringing the sandwiches and the word and further building relationships and helping people come to know and grow closer to Jesus.

I have sort of jumped ahead of myself, I need to step back to last week and tell of what I am so thankful for. I am thankful to Lisa Davis and her family for making the sandwiches for me. She has wanted to do this for some time and last week she was able to get her chance. As we have come to get used to, when people step out and try to help with sandwiches they end up having quite a struggle on their hands. Lisa was no exception, she had a difficult time find time and making the sandwiches. It seems things were befalling her all around. But the good news is that she perservered and pressed through and made the sandwiches. I am so thankful because I know the devil doesn’t want anyone to step out and lend a hand to these sandwiches. That is why I want you to continue to pray for Lisa and others who are willing to set up and serve the Lord. I pray that she and all others be blessed for stepping up and pressing through pain, circumstances, trouble, etc. what ever they have to go through to serve the Lord. I am also so thankful that I had two people go with me this week, Gary and Andy. I am thankful because in our very first stop we came across a man named Greg who needed lunch and as we were talking we asked if he needed prayer. He said yes, read this carefully and see what he asked for, he said to pray for his mom who just had a stroke on Sunday 7-23-06 and was not doing well. Now Greg’s mom had the stroke when she learned that her daughter, Greg’s sister, had died from brain cancer. Greg’s sister had had headaches went to the doctor and was diaganosed and give 5 DAYS, she made it 2 DAYS and died, then the mother followed with a stroke. Greg was out of work and looking for a job, but finding it difficult because of his prison record from dealing drugs. He has been out 6 years and just trying to make the most of his life. He was surprisingly upbeat more than you would think and his focus was his mom. Despite all these things he was trusting the Lord. Thankful that the Lord met his need of lunch that day.

I am thankful that we were able to have a study again this week. We went to the spot and and saw a whole crowd of people waiting for us. We talked about how the devil walks the earth like a lion waiting to single us out and devour us. And that we need to stay in community with each other and share our struggles and give each other hope and encourage us. And yes it is all going to be very hard because the devil wants to keep us separated so he can pick us off.

I had just off handedly noticed that the area was really more “picked up and put together” more than normal but didn’t think much of it until I was talking to John John and he told me that he was glad that we had the study again, because “the Devil was out hear last night in those young boys and they left a terrible mess. So I didn’t want to leave it that way knowing you were coming today so I paid a boy $5 to pick it before you came.” I said you didn’t have to do that. And he said “I don’t mind I am just giving it unto the Lord, it just my job to make a nice place for you to come and do what the Lord is having you do.” I don’t think I have to tell you that I love John John. It is always so amazing the way God raises people up for just the right time and just the right service and brings together very unlikely people to help grow his kingdom. John John and I are an unlikely pair but I love him and I know he loves me and it is all possible because we are both being obedient to the Lord. What a blessing. Please contiune to pray for me this week as I am gone, pray for Andy and whoever goes with him, pray for any and all people that are willing to step out to serve the Lord. And most importantly pray and be thankful to God for all he has done for you and for who he is. For His Glory, Mitch

comments (1)

1. Jenn Says:
July 31st, 2006 at 8:17 pm I am so glad that you are sharing your connection with John John, it’s amazing to watch and hear of the relationships you are making through God’s love. You honestly love these people and I’m just so thankful you are obeying God’s plan, He is using you as a light. When we were driving to St. Augustine the other day and you spotted two of your lunch buddies driving the opposite direction and shouted, “Hey there’s so and so, how cool”, the joy and light that radiated from you said it all. You just adore these people, thank you for loving them, they are so blessed to have you working for God. I love you!!!