Answered prayers and praises - June 17

• We started praying about additional staff, and God has already brought along a “helper!” Kent Jones, an intern at Pikes Peak Christian Church, is joining us in helping with Kairos, the church-based side of our Campus Ministry. Thanks, God!
• Caleb and Anna had a great time in Texas with the Grandparents, playing t-ball and hanging out on the farm. They attended day camp at Camp Deer Run, and visited cousins in Arkansas. What a blessing to have those relationships.

New prayer requests - June 17

• Fall housing for us and students is still at the top of the list.
• Additional full time staff.
• Please pray for Kat and Karen, letting God guide your prayers. Pray for our family, especially me, Dara, as I work through my own litany of feelings about this situation.

Team Members Prayer Requests (June)

Joel and Jennifer Hawkins share…

We did hear that we got verbal "pre approval" from the China Center of Adoption Affairs. So now we are officially waiting for Travel Approval.

You know, I'd really like it if you'd ask for people to join us in praising Him for all He has done for us throughout this process. He has been so faithful! With the big things, which we've shared, and about a million "little" things. In particular, there have been days that have been very low for me. Each time I have cried out to Him on one of those days for encouragement, He has sent it to me. One day I prayed for some sign of encouragement, and went to Blockbuster - in front of me in line was a man with his newly adopted Chinese baby daughter. Another time I ran into another Mom at Target with her two year old daughter from China, we ended up talking for a long time - just what I needed. Both times I just felt Him whisper over me "she is coming home, I am bringing her home". Just the other day, I was feeling so helpless, and asked Him to show me that things were moving. I needed that encouragement so badly. A few minutes later I heard from our agency - they had overlooked the email containing our Pre Approval -- God had been saving that news for the very moment I needed it the most. He has been a sweet, attentive, and dedicated Father to me. I just ask that everyone join us in our praise of Him. That we just all lift Him up for
what He has done for our family. I know I certainly have. Thanks for sharing our journey, you have no idea how much it lifts my spirits to know that others are praying, and also receiving encouragement -- all of this is part of Hannah's testimony!!

May Revival

Wade had the wonderful opportunity to speak at a revival in Oklahoma in May. Dave Atzenweiler, friend from AICM and now preacher near Cherokee, OK, asked me to come and share. The theme for the revival was Heb 12:1,2 – so I was able to talk about things that I love to talk about… Adventure, the story that God has for us, freedom from sin and a passion for God! Wow – what a great time. The Saturday activities included a family day out at the lake. Fishing, biking and eating were a big part of the day, followed by some worship by the lake, a chance for me to speak, and then a baptism. I felt like it was 2000 years ago by the Sea of Galilee!!

Impact Annual Conference

We were blessed by a truly encouraging time at the annual Impact conference this year. We spent our time in worship, prayer, teaching and encouragement for the 4 days that we were there. It feels like such a family when the staff all comes together. After one year with the ministry, we are continually encouraged and grateful to be a part of it.

The week after our conference, there is a Campus Minister’s retreat in Indiana. We had not planned to go, but God had other plans, and we ended up there. Not only was the worship and teaching refreshing, but just meeting many more people who are in similar situations was really encouraging.

One Last Ride

Well, the last five months have not been all smooth sailing, but the time we spent with Kat and Karen endeared them very much to our hearts, and I am sure to your hearts as well. Kat had come so far – finishing her CNA classes (all that was left was to take the State Exam), making so many new friends here in Colorado Springs, and finally getting her own car. A series of poor choices has resulted in her leaving these things behind.

Unknowingly to us, Kat invited the father of Karen up to stay with her for the week that we (Wade & Dara) were gone to our Impact conference. After staying for a week, they traveled down to Arizona together to get Karen, who had been staying with family. On the trip, they got into an argument, and it ended with him trying to choke Kat to death beside the highway. Passersby intervened, the police came, he was arrested, and Kat continued on to Arizona – a very different person than the person we had left just a couple of short weeks before.

In our communications with her since then, she has been unwilling to believe that she is “forgivable” for what she has done. So, she has chosen to give up everything that she has worked so hard for, and to just stay in Arizona.

Our hearts are broken, but this belief keeps us going; “The LORD works out everything for his own ends.” (Pr 16:4) We do not believe that God is done with Kat, so we ask you to join us in continuing to pray for her to be free – really free.

Divine Appointment's (June)

So I (Wade) walk into church this past Sunday, and I see this guy in there that I recognize – but I can’t remember his name or where I know him from. So I quickly duck into the bathroom, and immediately start asking God to help me remember who he is. And immediately it comes! It’s Zack!!!!!!!

Now do you remember? Zack was a Divine Appointment that I had in March! I talked with him, gave him my business card and a card from the church, and have not seen him since… until this past Sunday!

I walked up to him and said, “Hi Zack!” He looked at me like I was crazy, until I said, “Remember me? Wade! From Souper Salad!” His eyes got twice as big as they were, and a big smile broke out on his face! He told me that things have been going well. He has actually been coming to church for about three weeks now, and is even getting involved in helping with the upcoming VBS! He says that he still needs prayers for his girlfriend Ange.

I don’t think that this story is finished yet, so let’s keep praying for Zack and Ange!!!!! THANKS!

Wade's June Personal Retreat Day

I was able to spend some time in nature with God, just enjoying his incredible creation. My regular time with the Spiritual Disciplines was augmented by specific listening times as well, which God really used to connect to a specific situation I was dealing with. The whole day came together for me, as God gave me insights into what it really is to care for and help those who are the "underprivileged" in our society. How far will you let love take you in serving others? The day was quite the challenge and blessing, all at the same time.