Our Weekly Dose of Encouragement

We have a special place in our heart for the people at Borrego Springs Christian Center. This is where Derek initially got his hands-on ministry training while in bible college, where he was able to be mentored and grow exponentially in his walk with the Lord, and where he was first commissioned to be a missionary to the youth of Belize, Central America! This church welcomed him, housed him, allowed him room to make mistakes and learn from them, and graciously poured into him so that he could pour out to others.

The good ole days in Borrego!

 Bill & Jackie Hine, who let Derek live with them for a time- what saints!

 This picture just makes me laugh...look how much hair Derek had!

 Lee & Andi Bosworth at The Fudge Shoppe

Steve Mellor is the pastor at the Christian Center  and he and his wife Marian have been such great friends of ours during the time of our dating, engagement, and marriage. They've counseled us, encouraged us, married us! (well, Steve did...) Sometimes it aches to be on opposite sides of the country from this wonderful family and body of believers. It would be such a joy if we were closer!

 Steve and the fellas back in day

Marian & Lucy during our visit last year

With that said, you can understand our excitement when after church on Sunday we discovered that the Christian Center now has a live feed of their weekly service! Not having attended a service there in...gosh, 6 years?...7?... (a REALLY long time!) we were thrilled to be able to "sit in" on the service that had just finished and feel like we were a part of the worship right alongside everyone else there! I know Derek especially enjoyed it as he kept making comments about what had changed, what was still the same, and what the "sound guy" was doing (I guess since Derek used to be "the sound guy" on Sunday mornings he knows all about what goes on "behind the scenes" during the service).

Then, much to our amazement, WE were a part of the very service we were watching! That was really crazy... We haven't been able to attend a service there in years, but God ordained that the very first service in which they set up a live feed, we would find it and witness them watching us! Steve's words were so encouraging, and to see them praying for us was doubly encouraging! It felt as though we were right there in the church with them, being sent out as one of their own missionaries. 

And that, friends, is the blessing of stepping out in faith to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself! To say YES to the impossible is to open the door for God to move in a way that can only be pointed back to Him and for His glory. This seemingly minute example points back to that very great truth.

 New Youth Pastor, with Old Youth Pastor

Thank you, friends at the Christian Center, for blessing us without even realizing it!