Katie, Charles, Janiece, Ashley and Emmanuel. [We visited Southwestern Seminary on Monday night and they have a beautiful campus with this lovely garden]
Matt has worked at Mission Arlington for 13 years and loves Arlington. The city, the people and the ministry--which at times can be really tough. He shared some really challenging stuff with us every day. One thing that he said that is so inspiring to me is that missions isn't just what you do for one week a year when you go on a 'mission trip'. It should be a lifestyle and it should be the way we live the other 51 weeks of the year. He is a very humble guy, but he unashamedly challenges us to live following Christ's example. Giving worth to everyone, no matter what they look like, how much money they make or what kind of 'home' they have.
Miss Tillie started Mission Arlington 25 years ago. She is such a beautiful woman and full of wisdom. She is also the strongest lady I know, no joke! She loves this city fully. One thing that she challenges us and anyone who ever goes to Mission A with--that everyone needs to hear about Jesus. If it is pouring, hailing, sleeting, and negative 50 degrees, you better not cancel church. People need to hear about Jesus. They do not do anything half-heartedly and are so devoted to ministry. I love this woman.
Also in this picture on the far Left is Marc, Marc is the pastor of the church that we worked with on Sunday as well as where we held our Rainbow Express in the mornings. He is and his wife volunteer their time to minister to the members of that apartment community as well as hold down full-time jobs; they are raising two daughters and are about to welcome their third in 2 months. What an example of faithfulness in serving they are! We were blessed to be able to spend a lot of time with them!
Heather has been at Mission Arlington for longer than 3 years[because that's how long ago it was that I first went]. She is a great servant and loves the kids. I am so encouraged and blessed every time I go and just see how much she loves people. I am encouraged by her commitment to serve and give up so much to be there serving Arlington. Lets just say they don't work a 9-5 there, its pretty much an 8 to whenever everything is done day and that would be every day of the week. But everything that is done at the mission is because of God. They bathe everything in prayer and trust Him to provide for them.
I really have a billion things I could say about these wonderful ministers of the gospel and the wonderful work they are doing in Arlington. I know they wouldn't like it. But I am grateful for such wonderful witnesses and I pray that God will continue to bless and use their ministry while challenging us to live with abandon for the glory of His name.
We also got to spend time with a bunch of really great kids telling them about Jesus and playing with them.
Janiece teaching the Bible verse to the kids. Psalm 119:105: 'Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.' The hand motions really helped the kids remember the verse!
'M' drew a lovely heart picture with all of our names and wanted everyone to see it. We had to close our eyes though while we were walking there so we wouldn't see it until we were right on top of it.
Charles sharing with the kids how Jesus has changed his life.
Ashley coloring on the parking lot with two girls who came the second day.
'R' and I coloring our pictures. He was one of my favorites! A little rough on the edges, but really sweet and would randomly run up and give me a hug. He filled up cups with water for everyone and even delivered them.
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