Looking forward to meeting you

In case you were confused:

Hi guys, Steve and I have been praying for you as you prepare for the project. It's been fun to read your bios as you send them to the group email list.

Recently, a computer glitch happened at Crusade headquarters where emails were sent out to all of the project applicants letting them know they were accepted to projects, even if they weren't. Rest assured that if you have been contacted by either Steve or I and have received the "Welcome to Long Beach" packet by email, that you are accepted. We look forward to meeting you!

Hopefully you've started working on developing a team of ministry partners to support you financially and prayerfully this summer. Don't leave this to the last minute! Now is the time to start inviting people to support you this summer. If you have questions or concerns we're here to answer your questions.

Trusting God - by faith, not by sight

Hi friends!

I have loved seeing the Long Beach Summer Project develop from vision, to plan, to reality. What a thrill it's been reading many of the women's applications for the project. We now have a full roster of twenty awesome women and lot's of great guys. God is putting the pieces in place to influence the community of Long Beach and our own lives this summer.

I know many of you are as excited as I am to see what God will do. In the midst of the excitement, some of you are freaking out as well. It's been wild to hear many of you say, "I feel called to go to Long Beach, but I'm totally scared."

It's totally normal to feel anxiety when you approach a new situation. The Bible is filled with stories of people dealing with their fears as they followed God. It surprises me how many of their fears are similar to the fears I face today...

1) Maybe I don't have what it takes

2) Maybe God won't provide

3) Who am I to think I can make a difference in God's kingdom?

As we follow God by faith, not by sight, we will regularly run into situations where our own talent, resources, or confidence are not enough. God wants us to depend on him so that his power and grace shine brilliantly through our weakness and need. The apostle Paul describes how the Lord reminded him of this truth, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (II Cor. 12:9)

For me, that's what makes the Long Beach summer project so exciting. We are trusting God to do what only He can do - change people's lives. None of us has the talent, influence, or resources to do that on our own. When I forget God's promise to empower and provide I freak out (and trust me, I can freak out with the best of them), but when I trust in Him, I find peace and confidence.

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see what God will do this summer. Praying expectantly as we trust God together,

Joanna