June 8, 2015 – Jeff & Angie

What an incredible week! I thank God for the opportunity to serve him. I thank each person who gave of their money, supplies, and prayers. Lives were changed in Bolivia…both Bolivian’s and Orange Team members.

To the Orange Team members:
Thank you for positive and obedient attitudes.

Thank you for “going with the flow” when direction changed, or when asked to rush and asked to wait.

Thank you for having a servant’s heart.

Floyd, thank you for leading the “set up/break down crew”. You all had this down to an art. I knew when we set foot on each campus the “stage” would be set and ready to go within 10 minutes. Thank you for being willing to help with the object lesson. I believe this visual will stick in the minds of everyone who saw it.

Sandi, Than you for heading up the puppet and game crew. You always had everything ready to go. You made each transition behind the curtain smooth. Your positive attitude when things changed was so appreciated. When given a task, you ran with it. Thank you.

Chase A., Thank you buddy for all your help. From helping set up, to passing out candy, to helping with an object lesson and anything else I asked….I really appreciate you. The world needs more teenagers willing to give up some summer activities to share God’s love around the world. Thank you.

Chase C., You helped in so many areas. From setting up, to entertaining kids, to demonstrating games….so many things…you were always willing to pitch in. I so appreciate everything.

Shelly, You always had that beautiful smile. It made an impact on many lives. You were such a big help with the puppets and each game. Even doing a little ballet with some of the girls. I know they will remember this for a long time. I thank you and Chase very much for taking a week away from home and your sweet girls to touch the lives of so many who needed to see and feel your love and attention.

Mr. Aubrey, you were a constant. I always knew you were behind me. You did an awesome job manning the sound equipment. Your encouraging words meant so much. Not to mention the many children who flocked to you to see what your hands would create next. We may never know just how much a “stick” affected each life.

Cindy, you are the best mother-in-law. I am so blessed to serve with you. You are one of the hardest working people I know–you helped in so many ways. I cannot thank you enough. Anything I asked, you were there. Your heart is so sweet and obedient. I love you very much. Thank you.

Lacy, you are such a sweetheart. I cannot thank you enough for all that you did this past week. Your willingness to serve however needed was invaluable. Your passion for Jesus is very evident. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for your ministry. Thank you.

Daniel, you were such a big help in so many ways. From helping physically each day during services to being our comedic entertainment. You kept us laughing with your stories and tales. You were a blessing to have with us this week. Thank you to you and Lacy for taking off a week from your jobs and leaving your children behind to work for Jesus.

Mother, you make me so proud to be your daughter. Your willingness to step in at any moment was awesome. Thank you for helping with lessons and entertainment. Thank you for sacrificing time you could have spent doing other things to take photos of all of us. Thank you for your constant encouraging words. I love you more…

Daddy, I could not be more proud of you. You are an amazing leader. You too, were so willing to do anything needed and asked. Your positive attitude and obedience was constant. Thank you for all that you are. I cannot wait to see what all God has in store for you and mother.

David (George), you make me so proud. You are always willing to wear anything silly, act out any skit, and make yourself vulnerable to make kids laugh. Thank you for your support. I am so happy that I get to travel this journey of life with you. I love you.

Serving Him Together,
April Pettis

Now from Jeff and Angie,
We ditto everything April said- you all were the best we could have hoped for. April, as your parents, we could not be more proud of you. You excel in all you put your heart and mind to–and this was no different. We love and appreciate you. You depict a true leader with a servants heart. There is no other kind.

We can’t wait for the next one!

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, LORD.

Psalm 9:9-10 HSCB

Orange. Bright. Easy to spot in a crowd. When the masses that surround you have black hair and darker skin, and your bunch is fair skinned you really don’t need an orange shirt to stand out…

When we were getting our shirts and deciding on a color, orange seemed to yell, “pick me!” “Make a decision to stand out and be counted for Christ~put ME on and lay your all on the altar!” Wearing Orange… It might cost you some time, vacation money, and possibly other extravagances….

Or, it might cost you your life.

Just like the persecuted Church. They are easy to see from a distance.

It has been difficult to process some things we’ve encountered. One particular day. Wednesday–when our friends in our home towns were getting ready for Wednesday night Bible Study, we were riding back to the hotel, sweaty, exhausted and spent. That’s what we came for.

When we begin this and all mission trips, we pray for God to direct our steps and our path–and we leave it entirely up to Him on the “how and when”. This trip had a fully loaded fact. Heart wrenching, emotional fact.

We encountered a young girl who had suffered abuse at the hands of a step-brother. Had, in fact, been suffering in silence for 2 years. It began when she was younger than 10 years old–in her prepubescent years the assaults began. And she could tell no one. Likely he threatened her life, and possibly the life of her mother.

Our paths crossed for a purpose and each of our lives will never be the same. The team did not get to meet her or pray with her, but our Focus Forward Ministries team did–and hug her and give her a Bible and hope. Hope that is only found in Christ Jesus.

It was no accident that this young girl, barely thirteen, now a child-mom of a 3-month old, encountered a team of orange wearing soldiers of the cross who would not back down from the pain that her wounds inflicted on each of our hearts. We could do something. Jeff and I will be sharing her story, along with our mission and purpose as we are able to meet with pastors and be in churches in the coming months. It is a story and a purpose that has become embedded in each of our hearts.

Wearing orange gave us a particular boldness as we all remembered what our brothers and sisters in Christ were experiencing in their stand and statements. Their stand, to remain associated with Jesus–their statement to not back down.

When our Presbyters wore orange ties at the recent District Council, they wore them in recognition for the persecuted church. When I looked at the sea of orange as we filed off the bus, I remembered another single file line when I looked at the first group of Christians about to be beheaded. I can’t even think of it now without crying.

Of the thousands of photographs I took, there are those that have a special place in my heart. You may get tired of reading–and tired of looking at so much orange….but friend, this was one trip I am so glad I didn’t miss.

I may bleed red–but my heart boldly wears orange.

Whether they prayed sincerely, or simply bowed their heads because they were asked to is not ours to know–it’s between them and God….but the fact remains: They were given an opportunity by a bunch of orange-t-shirt-wearing-believers who gave up a normal vacation for a trip to their country to give them a chance to know HIM.

To be continued….

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Day: June 8, 2015

A Note From April Pettis- Crusade Leader

Wearing Orange