Anniversaries

Over the last two months, we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and our 30th anniversary with Cru.  We’ve been reflective of our lives together, and our time in ministry.

Yesterday we were having a 30th anniversary lunch with some other staff and we were asked to share one highlight over that time.  Both of us thought of ministry partners who touched out lives beyond the support they provided.  

A supporter called me on New Years Eve to talk.  He asked about our roles with Cru, how our kids were doing, and how we were doing personally.  While we were talking, I shared how over the 30 years with Cru, there were many times where anxiety over how God would provide for us would consume me.  And yet, here we are, after 30 years and He has always been faithful!

We remember how over the last 30 years we have been so blessed by you and our whole support team.  Some have been with us for the whole 30 years, and others have joined with us in the last year or two.  But you have been our “snow blower man” (see next blog post) again and again.

You have shaped our lives by your faithfulness to the Lord and to us.  Thank you for your friendship, your generosity, and love shown towards us.  It is honor for us to serve alongside you.

Snow Blower Man

   

        During our second year with Cru in Minnesota, a blizzard hit and blew a snowdrift up to almost cover our garage door.  I made a feeble attempt to shovel a few feet out the front door, but the snow was so heavy, I knew it was impossible.

Then I saw my hero.  My neighbor across the street (whom I had never met) waved to me.  He was covered head to toe with goggles on, and he was pushing a snow blower.  Without a word, he proceeded to clear our driveway and walkway in no time.  I still remember how much I appreciated that unknown man.

I want to be like him.  I like the idea of helping someone who is stuck and giving them help that is just as exciting to them as “snow blower man” was for me.

I’m getting to do that with a few areas with Cru these days. Recently I was a
sked by a couple of friends to help with some projects that were stalled and it’s been fun to help “clear the way.”

Mark, our CFO, asked me to help with an overdue Enterprise Risk Management report for the U.S Director and Board of Directors.  The report tries to answer the question, “What could keep us from fulfilling our mission?”  We identified the top 5 risks to Cru, and what we are doing to address those risks.   We finished, and I think it’s a good process and an encouraging report.

In early March I’m gathering seven staff who work in finance for a “framing day,” for Kent, our Finance Team Director.  We hope to design a e-learning course for our mid-level finance professionals across Cru, and deliver it this year.  Cru is very good at ministry skills training…evangelism, discipleship, Bible study, etc.  We are growing in our ability to equip staff for “professional roles,” in which we may not have background or experience.

We love taking something that we “should” do and making it a reality to impact how Cru can be more effective.  Thank you for being a part of that as well!

With love and thanks,