Wow! Can you believe it’s August already? Where, oh where, did the summer go??? Pretty soon, the Minnesota State Fair will open and then the downhill slide starts for us … and winter is on it’s way. I don’t know about you but this summer has just zoomed by. Wouldn’t it be great if we could stop the clock for just a little while but I guess time doesn’t stand still for anyone and so we just keep plugging along. We hope this summer has been good for all of you and that, if you live in the northern part of the US, you are looking forward to God’s vibrant bouquet of autumn colors and the sparkling glitter of the wonderful white fluffy stuff that comes after that!!
Thank you to the missionaries from Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls who carried our crosses to the Cree people living in remote villages in northern Canada. This was Trinity’s 7th year of ministering through the LAMP program and they were looking forward to their visit as much as the villagers were to having them come. Read the journal on their trip here and find out more information about the LAMP program here.
In July, our crosses were distributed to these Cross The World family members:
Trinity Lutheran Church – Fergus Falls, MN – Fergus Falls, MN for a mission trip to northern Canada
Don – MN
Faith Community United Methodist Church – Rochester, PA – Rochester, PA
Grace – MN
Good Samaritan Homes – International Falls, MN
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish – Hastings, MN
William – MN
Kay – MN
Glory Baptist Church – Aitkin, MN
North Store Follow Me Outfitters – Newberry, MI
Lord of Life Lutheran Church – Moreno Valley, CA for family visits to Japan
Emily United Methodist Church – Emily, MN
On July 31st, Ernie and I enjoyed a public performance of the Jumpin’ Jehosaphats. Tuba, trombone, guitar, drums and keyboard … all playing peppy Dixieland jazz, gospel and bluegrass tunes … not to mention singing!!! It didn’t take long before the city park was filled with hand clappin’, toe tappin’ folks who could hardly stay sitting in their chairs! If you ever get an opportunity to see them perform somewhere, don’t pass it up!
And, more good news … our crosses took a walk around the park during their performance and are now gracing many homes with God’s love!!
We thank the Emily United Methodist Church for inviting that great musical group to the area for all to enjoy and for allowing Cross The World be a small part of their performance. Glory be to God!!!
Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly. Instead, God gave him a cactus and a caterpillar. The man was sad; he didn’t understand why his request was mistaken. But he thought, ‘God has so many people to care for; maybe He didn’t hear me correctly’ and decided not to question. Some time passed and the man remembered his request and God’s answer; he decided to check on his forgotten ‘gift’. To his surprise, a beautiful flower had grown from the ugly and thorny cactus and the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.
And, he remembered … God ALWAYS does things right; His way is ALWAYS the best way, even if it seems all wrong to us at the time. If you asked God for one thing and received another … TRUST!! You can be sure He will give you what you need at the most appropriate time, for what you want is not always what you need.
God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep going to Him without doubting and murmuring. Today’s thorns are tomorrow’s flowers. God gives the very best choice to those who leave the choices up to Him.
God’s gifts are not forced upon us; we may receive them with joy and gratitude.
God’s love does not force anything upon us and it can wait
until we stretch out our hands for Him to fill.
– Corrie Ten Boom
CROSS THE WORLD 