Calvary McAllen

BRAGGING RIGHTS

I want to take a little space to brag on our Kenya Mission Leadership Team. I'm their pastor ... so I have bragging rights. The trip was pretty much flawless. Think about it -- Forty Americans that had to get from about 3 different cities in Texas to Houston to London to Nairobi and back. While in Kenya we had groups going to Garissa (by airplane), inner city Nairobi, Massai Mara for a Safari (about 200 miles from Nairobi), Lemoru (about 300 miles from Nairobi), and back. All going at different times and with different people. This had to be done with excellent and safe conditions. In the middle of all of this we had to host a conference for more than 150 people.

As a first hand witness to the trip (and one who has been on a number of mission trips) I want you to know that the leadership team pulled it off with superb professionalism. Were there any problems that came up? Of course. Is there room for improvement? There always is. But I was extremely impressed with how smoothly everything went. Herding 40 people around (28 adults, 5 teenagers, and 7 children) can be a little like herding cats (O.K., it can be A LOT like herding cats). Yet, I never heard the leadership team complain. They addressed every situation with patience and were persistent and consistent in solving any conflicts or problems. It was impressive.

I want to thank David Chan for his overall leadership. David is our Pastor for Mobilization and Global Impact. David is a class act and one of the sharpest young men I know. He was a consumate professional throughout the trip. Everyone felt confident that there was not a problem he could not resolve. David made all of us feel safe throughout the trip and went out of his way to serve us. His hard work, both for months before the trip and for the 2 weeks during the trip, was nothing short of amazing.

I also want to thank Susan Sosebee. Susan is our Pastor for Families with Children. Susan's work at the conference and the Lemorus Children's home provided a rich experience for everyone. Her ability to work on multiple fronts and with people from varied backgrounds is amazing. Her love for the Lord and for the children is contagious. Susan made everyone on the team feel valuable. She also put a lot of work into this trip both before and during the trip.

Finally, I want to thank Bob Smith. Bob is a deacon at our church. Bob was the coordinator for the HIV/AIDS and Church Leadership conference. Bob's experience and expertise in this area was invaluable to us. We could not have done it without him. God has prepared Bob for "such a time as this," and Bob is responding to that call. His coordination of the conference is a big part of what made it such a huge success. Every participant felt cared for and appreciated. Bob was able to work with both the pastors and medical professionals in a way that made them feel comfortable and valued.

One of the things I heard over and over again from the pastors at the conference and others (not Calvary members) who went on the trip with us was, "with leaders like this you must have a great church." My response? "We have a lot more just like them back home!" It's true ... we are blessed. To God be the glory!

Blessings,

pastor ellis

CALLED

I've been thinking a lot about Africa. Specifically, about Kenya. More specifically ... should we go back? I was able to see quite a bit of Kenya. In Nairobi I saw an industrialized, international city. I saw the second largest slum in Africa. I saw mansions and I saw abject poverty. I met pastors and medical professionals who prayed with equal passion. I heard the heart of those who are in the trenches fighting a national tragedy. In Massai Mara (on the border with Tanzania) I saw the beauty of Kenya's wildlife -- lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, leopards and the rest. And the beauty of her landscape -- lush green hillsides, volcanos, mountain majesty, and virgin valleys. In El Doret I saw a provincial town where white people rarely trod. In Lemoru I saw village life like something out of the early 1900's. And I saw the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS on the innocent victims ... the children. It was, of course, the children that affected me the most.

Jesus has called us to the "uttermost parts of the earth" (Matt. 28). Kenya sure qualifies. We could go anywhere. There are certainly places just as needy. The only place I want to go is the place where Jesus is calling me. I didn't choose the Valley. God did. And because HE chose it I'm prepared to be buried here. The same must be true of Kenya. IF we go back it must be because God is calling us there. No other reason will justify it. No other reason is necessary.

Do you remember Kimberly? She is the 21 year old young lady who is the director of the orphanage in Lemoru. I asked her about her call. She shared it with me. I asked her where she would go from here. She said, "this is it." She wants to build a home for 1000 children (she has 200 on her waiting list right now). She wants to die in Lemoru ... with her children. I nodded in silence. I recognized the sound in her voice. I don't know whether or not she will die in Lemoru with her children. No one knows what tomorrow brings. But I recognized the sound in her voice. She believes she will die in Lemoru.

On the last day we set up the medical clinic in Kimberly's office. On a bulletin board over her desk were pinned pictures and cards sent to her. I snooped. On one of the pieces of paper pinned to her wall was written this prayer:

"Dear Lord -- I do not ask that Thou shouldst give me some high work of Thine, some noble calling or some wonderous task; Give me a little hand to hold in mine; Give me a little child to point the way. Over the strange, sweet pain that leads to Thee; Give me a little voice to teach to pray; Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see. The only crown I ask, dear Lord, to wear is this: That I may lead a little child. I do not ask that I may ever stand among the wise, the worthy or the great; I only ask that softly, hand in hand, a child and I may enter the gate."

And I whispered ... Amen.

blessings,

pastor ellis

WHY AFRICA?

I'm sitting in the hotel lobby waiting to depart for the airport and I wanted to post a quick blog. Ahh, the joy of technology. I'm in a reflective mood right now. I'm trying to understand all that God has done in my life over the last 12 days ... too much to think about.

It strikes me that there is always a price. Most of the time it's not financial. Priscilla went through surgery 10 days before I left for Africa. We thought everything was fine. Just before I left for Lemoru I found out that there were complications and she would have to go back for more surgery. I couldn't be there for her and that was devastating to me. I wanted to jump on a plane and rush back. She begged me not to. She told me that I was exactly where God wanted me to be and that she would be fine. I knew that she was right. Still, it hurts. There's always a price.

When I returned from Lemoru I found out that there have been two deaths in the church family -- Two people that I loved and cared about deeply. My heart aches again for the loss, and because I can't be there. We have so many capable pastors and ministers in the church and I know that they will take care of everything with excellence. Still, it hurts that I can't be there when you are in need. There's always a price.

Missionaries pay that price all the time. In paying the price they discover that God is good. God always provides. And God always sees you through. He's doing it for me. The price I've paid is nothing compared to others I know. I'm reminded of David pouring the water on the ground and saying far be it for me to offer something to God that cost me nothing. There's always a price.

I'm wondering why God wants us to go to Africa ... why Kenya?  I'm thinking there's plenty to do in our own backyard. Mexico is a 15 minute drive and the needs there are overwhelming ... almost as ovewhelming as they are here. So why go to Africa? I don't know. That's something we need to pray about. There are a few things I feel God revealing to us ... they are not completely clear yet ... just like the horizon on a foggy morning when the fog is starting to clear.

1. God has given us some strong relationships in Kenya. Mark and Debra Richardson are missionaries that we know, love and trust. They are here, in Kenya, to a certain degree because of their experiences at Calvary. It seems only fitting that we are, in turn, in Kenya because of our experiences with them. Our strategy is to work with "in country" missionaries who we know, love and trust -- in Kenya we have that.

2. The center of Christianity is shifting. For the last 1000 years it has been Europe, and then America. Most Christian historians are agreeing that the strength and power of Christendom is shifting from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere -- And particularly South America and Africa. Check out my book suggestions and read The Next Christendom. It's not easy reading (I read it for my doctoral work) but it's worth the effort. In short, the future of Christianity for the next 1000 years will be in the hands of Africa (as well as South America). If we invest ourselves in Africa we have a chance to make a difference for Christianity for the next 1000 years.

3. Kenya as a country is only 43 years old. They won their independence in 1963. In many ways they are where we were (in America) in the early to mid 1800's. They will be a powerful force for Christianity (or for Islam, if we don't help), but they need a lot of help. In the 1800's our country benefited from European missionaries, who helped us evangelize America. It's time to return the favor. If they don't receive the needed help from U.S. missionaries and European missionaries, then Islam could win the day in Africa. It is a critical time in Christian history.

4. The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa demands that God's church do something. We will be judge harshly if we just sit by and do nothing. I believe that Jesus Christ is the answer to the problem of HIV/AIDS. I pray for a cure. But, the church has the utlimate cure. We have the message of life. The more the nation is discipled ... the more people live the Christ-life ... the more HIV/AIDS as a disease will diminish. We have the answer. We must speak.

The vans to the airport are here ... gotta go. I'll blog more on this subject from the airport.

blessings,

pastor ellis

LEMORU

We're back in Nairobi. We spent the last 4 days at the Children's home in Lemoru, Kenya -- Six hours north of Nairobi. The countryside is a lush green with rolling hills and majestic mountains. This is the rainy season and although we saw very little rain we saw the beautiful fruits of it. Agriculture is pretty much the only thing that keeps the people alive. Most are living on next to nothing. This is an area of Africa where very few white people visit. We feel priviledged to be here.

I want you to meet Kimberly. Kimberly (Mama Kim, as the children call her) runs the children's home. She has been here for 1 year. She is 21 years old. She felt called to missions in the 10th grade. Everyone in her family thought it was just a phase, but the call never left her. After graduating from High School in San Angelo, Texas she immediately began to work in missions. She now works for a group called Catalyst Ministries that does a lot of work in Africa. After a brief time with Catalyst she took on the director position of this children's home. Her work over the last year at Lemoru has been nothing short of amazing. David and Susan were here this past January and they say that they hardly recognize the place. Under Kimberly's leadership they have built two new bungalows and a dining gazebo. They have started an agriculture program to teach the children how to grow crops and take care of livestock. The improvements in the children's home are too numerous to list. But more than that, when Kimberly is with the children her heart lights up. She is truly an inspiration. It's amazing what God can do when you give him every part of your life. Please pray for Kimberly. She is doing an amazing work. It cannot be easy to be alone and in a totally foreign culture at age 21.

After my four days in Lemoru I asked God, "Lord, IF you want us to work here what is it you would have us to do?" I see four areas of much needed work: 1. Agriculture -- they need to learn more about irrigation and caring for livestock. It's basic stuff, but they want to learn. 2. Construction -- there's always something to be fixed or built. 3. Medical -- the needs are overwhelming. You name it; they need it. General checkups, dental, vision, nutrition, etc. -- it's all needed. We set up a clinic to do general checkups and had 500 people show up. That's with no advertising ... the word spreads because the need is so great.  4. Education -- There are two elementary schools in the village, each with 600 students. One of them is a stone's throw from the children's home. The teachers are in desperate need of training. There are 80 students per classroom. The teachers have little education themselves and zero continuing education.

Well there it is. Are we the ones to provide for the overwhelming needs? I don't know. That requires tremendous prayer and even more tremendous commitment.

I was working the clinic the last day and looked over the medical charts we were creating for each child. Most of them had no medical records. On the family history page I kept reading, over and over again, these words: "Parents died of AIDS." I would say 90% of the children are orphans because of this terrible disease. When you look into their eyes and see the sadness, the pain ... you just want to bring them all home with you.

The amazing this is that every night they end their day singing. We do a devotional for them. They dance and they sing for us. They would sing for hours if we let them. And when they sing their eyes sparkle and their smiles glow. When they dance their feet are happy and their arms swaying to the beat spell J-O-Y. They sing about Jesus. They sing about his love. And to watch them you would never know ... you would never know the tragedy their young eyes have witnessed. You would never know the pain their young hearts have endured. When they sing about Jesus ... it all goes away ... even if just for a moment ... it all goes away ... and there's healing ... and you are healed too ... just because you were there in the room to watch the miracle ... somehow ... in some small way ... you are healed too.

blessings,

pastor ellis

MISSIONARIES

The children at the Lemoru orphanage are beautiful. They rarely see white people so they are fascinated with us. They love to sing. When they sing they do so with their whole body and their souls light up ... you can see it. They don't know that they are orphans ... I guess no one has told them that they are living in sub-standard conditions and that most of what they have to live with would cause the average American kid to say, "Ew, disgusting." OR "I'm not going to wear THAT." But someone forgot to tell these kids ... they think they are rich.

I'm sitting at a little internet cafe in El Doret, Kenya. El Doret is the small town about an hour away from the orphanage. When I walked in a little girl (3 or 4 yeas old) walked up to me, held my hand, and couldn't stop giggling. She giggled with her whole heart. You would think she had just seen Santa Claus. I felt a little like Santa Claus when her mother apologized and explained that her little girl had never seen a white person before. I didn't even know I was white!

I don't know when I'll get to write again. Just know that we are busy, busy, busy doing as much as we can in the little time we have here. James, one of the Kenyan board of directors for the home tells me that white people rarely come to this part of Kenya. They stay around the big cities. So the people are extremely open and fascinated with anything we have to say. I asked him, "What are your biggest needs at the home and in the community." He said, "Construcion, agriculture, medical, and educational." They have two elementary schoools (one right next to the orphanage) with 600 children in each school, and their teachers are not trained. They would love for educators to come and do training with their teachers. We have set up an impromptu training with some of the educators who came on this trip. They really are not prepared but they are doing it anyway. I'm so proud of our missionaries.

A big part of our understanding of what it means to BECOME is that EVERY MEMBER of our church IS A MISSIONARY. We have an incrdible group of missionaries on this trip. They have taught, carried, run, walked, talked, hugged, held, radiated God's love, packed, hauled, fed, and worked like champions. Your prayers are giving them the strength to do it.

God is using every little gift they have. You would be amazed at how God will use the things you never dreamed of. What is it that you do? What are you good at? I now believe that whatever it is (and I really mean WHATEVER it is) God can use it in Kenya to make a difference. I've seen him do it this week. He is using every one of us ... from little Andrew (2 yrs. old) to each adult ... God is taking our weaknesses and our frail gifts and turning them into something absolutely beautiful. It is a pleasure to watch. These missionaries have given everything the last few days. I am so proud to be their pastor ... and yours ...

blessings,

pastor ellis

HUNGRY

One of the things that has impressed my about my brothers and sisters in Kenya is how hungry they are for the things of the Lord. They sat in the conferences and feverishly took notes. Afterward, they expressed how helpful all of the information was for them. They begged us to come back. They said things like, "We don't have these kinds of Christian conferences available to us very often." "We need more theological training." "Our people need to hear more about the Christian life."

In the U.S. we are conferenced (I know it's not a word) to death. Many begin to feel that if you've been to one conference you've been to all of them. While most of us learn a few new things at every conference we go to, mention the word conference to me and you get a big yawn. Not here. Not in this part of Africa. One man walked ten miles to come to this conference. Others gave up a week's salary to be here. The people are hungry to learn the most basic things about God.

We are not presenting rocket science. We are presenting gospel and Word of God. It's not hard stuff. It's very basic. And they soak it all up with great satisfaction. I was worried that I didn't have much to teach them. They tell me that some of the things I said they have never, ever heard before. And they want to hear even more. They tell me of villages less than one hour away from Nairobi where the people have never heard about Jesus ... never. I can understand why missionaries don't want to leave this field. The field is white unto harvest and the good seed is starving for fresh rain.

There are two things that the Kenyas seem to think about us (Americans): 1. We are all very wealthy (which compared to their standard of living is probably true), and 2. We are very smart and have all the answers (which, of course, is absolutely not true). We are not always very smart. We have our problems. We do not have all the answers. When I survey the mountainous battle that this country is facing against HIV/AIDS and HUNGER and POVERTY and GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION, I realize that I have NO ANSWERS for them ... zero ... zip ... I'm clueless.

Except for one ... you know what it is ... and so do they. It's Jesus. Jesus is the answer to every problem on the face of the earth. I believe that. It is the church in this country that will win the battle against HIV/AIDS. The medical industry will do its part. The government will help (sometimes), and the good will of many around the world will make a difference. But in the end, it will be the Body of Christ rising up to provide the only eternal solution. The people I met last week know this. Their friends and family members are dying every day (some without Jesus). Jesus is the answer is real life to them. As Peter stated, Jesus has the words of life. And they are asking us to help them get the word out.

Blessings,

pastor ellis

FATHER'S DAY SAFARI

I'm on the Kenya-Tanzania border about 250 miles from Nairobi. We traveled for 4 hours on paved roads (I use the word paved loosely), and then 2 hours on dirt roads to get here. Every time I thought we were on the edge of civilization, we kept driving. This place gives new meaning to "the middle of nowhere." It is beautiful here. It feels expansive and wild and ... untouched.

We went on Safari today. Safari is Swahili for Journey. I discoverd that it is Swahili for -- lions 10 feet away ... no cages ... no concrete moats ... just us in a truck with no roof and the lions yawning at us, taunting us with their big, ferocious teeth. "I dare you to get out of the truck," I thought I heard the biggest one say. We saw hippos, giraffes, elephants, zebras, impalas, and too many other kinds of exotic animals to remember. It was a great experience ... a great part of the journey.

God's creation is an awesome thing. At the hour I would normally be preparing for worship, I saw a Kenyan sunrise. I witnessed a Kenyan rainstorm. I saw the sun break through the clouds after the storm, its rays mimicking the fingers of God. And I realized how easy it is to believe in God. It makes you wonder about those who don't.

I was struck by the wildebeest (not sure of the spelling) and the zebras. The wildebeest are near-sighted, but the zebras can see for great distances. The zebras have no sense of smell, but the wildebeest can catch a scent from miles away. So they always hang together. They travel in flocks ... always together ... the wildebeest and the zebras ... complimenting each others strengths and weakness. There's an illustration in there somewhere.

Several of us have been sick (I'll spare you the gory details). Fortunately, there are several in the group who are amateur pharmacists -- I don't think Walgreens is more equipped. My luggage did not make it to the Safari with us (long, sad story) so I've been borrwoing stuff from everyone. Ron gave me a shirt and some shorts. Danny Sosebee offered me some socks (although I suspect they were some of his dirty socks).

When you're ON MISSION you work together. When you're ON MISSION you don't have time to fight over who has what and who doesn't. You just share because you know that tomorrow it might be your turn to be in need. When you're ON MISSION you put aside your differences and your particular picadillos and you learn how to get along because you know that if you don't, you will fail in your mission. It's good to be ON MISSION. It would be great if we could always live ON MISSION.

On the drive up here I saw a Massai shepherd and his two young sons, standing on either side of him, out in a field with their herd. The Massai, tall and proud, was carrying his long shepherd's stick -- his little sons on either side of him with their miniature version sticks, like something out of National Geographic. Their father was teaching them the family business. It reminded me that today is Father's Day. And I miss my family terribly. My heart hurts right now for my wife and my children. I want to be with them today. I know I'm exactly where God wants me to be, but that doesn't ease the pain much. I can't wait to hug them and tell them how much I love them. I try to do that multiple times every day ... It's been 5 days since I've been able to do that and I'm suffering from withdrawal pains.

The Massai shepherd and his sons also remind me that too often our children don't get the best of us ... they don't see us at our best. They get the grumpy side of us after we've been working all day and are ready to release the stress. These Massai children are seeing their father at his best ... doing what he was created to do. They are learning from him. We could learn from him too.

It's Father's Day. The journey (Safari) has been long. I miss my family. I miss worshipping with my Calvary Family. I'm glad that my ticket home says, "McAllen."

Blessings,

pastor ellis

HOLD MY HAND

There has always been a sense of a strength in numbers for me. Don't get me wrong, I love my "alone time." Everyone who knows me well knows how much I enjoy being left alone with a good book. But when difficulty comes ... when I'm afraid ... or overwhelmed ... or lost ... I want as many people around me as possible. When I'm leaving the movie theater at night after watching a horror flick ... or walking down a dark, unfamiliar road ... or lost in a sea of strangers ... I want as many familiar faces around me as possible. I want someone to hold my hand. I find strength and comfort in numbers.

That's the sense I get from our Christian brothers and sisters in Africa. There were people here from Burundi, Nigeria, Kenya, and Botswana (as well as other countries around the world). And I get the same sense from each of them ... they want to be around as many Christians as possible. They, like me, draw strength in numbers. They want someone to hold their hand.

One conference leader pointed out that in one major city in Africa four public school teachers die every day from HIV/AIDS. "It won't be long before there will be no teachers left to teach the children," he said. Another conference attendee told me that half his family has been wiped out by the disease. He has chosen to fight back. Others just feel lost. And you can't blame them. I would feel lost too. These are scary, difficult, and overwhelming things our brothers and sisters in Christ are dealing with. And they want as many people around them as possible. Maybe that's the most important thing we do ... let them know we are around them. Maybe we're here just to hold their hands.

I don't know ... maybe.

blessings,

pastor ellis

GOD IS GOOD

I met a lot of Africans today. They were, without exception, gracious and kind. It's interesting to come half way around the world -- another hemisphere, another time zone, another continent -- and find that the people are your brothers and sisters. They have the same wants and needs, the same hopes and dreams, the same vision for their lives and the world, that you have ... really. They love their children just as much as I do. They love their family and friends and churches just as deeply and as fiercely as we do. And their children, family, and friends are dying.

In Kenya, 75% of the population is under the age of 25. Fifteen years ago the average life expectancy was 62. Today it is 48. I'm 44 ... if I lived in Kenya the odds would be that I would only have 4 more years to live. Such is the reality these brothers and sisters of ours live with each and every day. And yet, their faith is strong. Their voices are sure. Their hearts are full of joy. They spoke today with honesty and clarity and strength. And I was humbled just to be in the room. I would have paid just to come carry their books from seminar to seminar ... just to be in the same room with a people who have suffered so much, but still march on, is worth more than ... well, more than I can afford.

I met Moses today. Moses is a pastor to the Massai people. Fifteen years ago there was not a single Christian among the Massai people. Moses tells me that he, and all his family and friends, are first generation Christians among his people. Can you imagine? No one in the entire province has been a Christian for more than 15 years. In that 15 years the Massai tribe has gone from 0% Christian to 15% Christian. Considering there are about 600,000 Massai, that's an enourmous number of converts in 15 years (about 90,000 have been won to Christ in 15 years!). And Moses has been a big part of it. He is not a rich man. He probably paid almost the equivalent of what he makes in one month to be at this conference. He is a giant for Christ among his people.

God is good. He uses us even in our weakness (especially in our weakness). God is good. He shows us that He is the One who loves us just the way we are, and then makes us more than we ever dreamed we could be. God is good. Every once in a while he gives us a glimpse of His glory. God is good. I'm exhausted tonight ... I'm sad because so many in this country are dying young ... but still, down deep in my soul ... I know that God is good. And God will get the last word.

Blessings,

pastor ellis

NAIROBI

We made it! We arrived in Nairobi at 8:30 p.m. today (12:30 p.m., McAllen time). We are 8 hours ahead of you. As I write this blog it is just past midnight here and you are still at work or play or whatever it is you do at 4 p.m. most weekdays.

Two things hit me when I got off the plane in Nairobi: The smell and the smiles. The smell is not bad ... it's just different. It is the smell of spices cooking in the kitchen. Sometimes it smells like incense and sometimes it smells like an Indian food restaurant. Then there are the smiles. Everyone is extremely nice. They welcomed us with big, bright smiles. The Kenyan people are happy people. Nairobi has close to 2 million people, 70% of which live in "the slums" that surround the city. But you wouldn't know it at the airport. They were awesome.

The hotel accomodations are wonderful. Again, a lot of smiles and someone always ready to help you. The conference starts tomorrow and is being held here at the hotel. We are expecting a good group to show up and are looking forward to connecting with numerous pastors and medical professionals. God is already performing miracles for us. God does that when you're willing to go out on a limb for him. I'll just mention two for now:

1. Our connection in London. In Houston our airplane sat on the tarmack for 1 hour waiting for the weather to clear. That made us late to London. In London we had to get off of our airplane, go through customs, get our luggage, get in two mini-buses, drive to another airport (from Gatwick to Heathrow) that was 40 miles away, check our baggage again, go through security, and get to our gate. We had only two hours to do all that. A few of us made it to the gate on time and pleaded with them to hold the plane. They did. Our mini-bus driver told me that he never thought we would make it. We were doing all of this during 8am traffick in London. He said that he had never seen clear traffice at 8am. He also said that he had NEVER made it from Gatwick to Heathrow in less than 1 hour. But today the traffic was clear and we did it in 38 minutes. God is good!

2. Our lead team discovered today that they needed government approval from two different agencies in order to do the conference. No one had told us this. It's the day before the conference. Bob Smith worked frantically with the two government officials involved. One of them was not very cooperative at first. He told Bob we couldn't hold the conference. He said that we should have come to him sooner. But then Bob exhibited a humble and pleading spirit (not angry or accusatory) and the government official suddenly changed his tune. He approved the conference. God is good!

We know that God is with us ... and we know that your prayers are with us.

Pray for all the conference leaders. Pray for me. I am teaching two seminars: 1. Being a Missional Church, 2. Servant Leadership.  I feel incredibly inadequate to teach either. Please pray that the Lord will use me in spite of my shortcomings and my lack of knowledge. Pray that the Word of God will be taught with conviction and accuracy. Pray that the Spirit of Christ will be shown through me.

I'll talk to you tomorrow and let you know how it went ... until then ...

Blessings,

pastor ellis