A Year Ago

A year ago on November 6, I got up early in the morning, made myself some coffee, and sat down to check my email. Ten minutes later, I was was sitting in front of my computer crying, re-reading an amazing, unexpected, inconceivable email, at last feeling some hope for my lost son Craig. Craig's friend Nathan Riley, YWAM missionary in Hurlach, Germany, had written a lengthy letter telling of his burden for his friend Craig, and how God was directing him to come here to offer Craig the opportunity to come work for room and board at the YWAM base in Hurlach, Germany. A year ago today, Nathan emailed again with the news that he would arrive here on November 18 and offer Craig a plane ticket to return to Germany about 10 days later.

That first email ended with, "That is the plan all in a nutshell. I hope the world for Craig, and I desire that he would come back to Lord. I believe this is what should happen. I hope you are in agreement, because I would not like to do something so big without your blessing as his parents.... Above all else, let’s continue to lift him up in prayer and place him in God’s hands. I am anxious and excited to see what becomes of all of this and I hope that whether Craig comes or not, he will still see that there are people who love him dearly, and that God is behind it loving him most of all."

Who would have thought that one year later, Craig would be serving Jesus as a YWAM missionary in Amsterdam, ministering to the homeless and addicted on the streets there. Here is a quote from the update Craig sent out to his prayer supporters last week:

"I felt it was needed to touch bases with all from the homefront and tell you first and foremost THANK YOU! Thank you for your prayers, thank you for all the ways you have backed me up. It feels good to know that even though I am halfway across the world, I am absolutely not alone and there are people back in my homeland that love me in a very practical and real way. I am excited to write more and provide clearer information as I learn more of what the need over here really is. I love that so many of you have joined me in building God's kingdom in the heart of Sodom. "

Craig is part of a team that is preparing to establish a mission base in Curacao, an island in the Dutch Antilles where he spent part of his Discipleship Training School outreach. You can read more about this team at a blog created by the team leader, http://www.curacao4jesus.blogspot.com/

I stole this picture of the team from his team leader's German blogsite.

Craig's story shows a beautiful picture of the Good Shepherd going to great lengths to seek out, rescue and restore his beloved lost sheep. I firmly believe God has a plan to rescue and save all of his lost children, and when he asks us for our help, we need to be willing to obey! My appreciation for Nathan's love for his friend and his obedience to God knows no bounds, and it is a challenge to me. God hears and answers our prayers for our children and our friends!

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death." (Psalm 68:19)