Can you remember a time when circumstances overwhelmed you? You felt like you couldn't go on? And then God provided encouragement that changed everything? I bet you can think of more than one such time. Here's one of mine.

     In 2009, I returned to the U.S. from Vietnam to speak to our supporting churches. Between speaking trips, I visited our rural home which was rented out. There I found two large, aggressive dogs locked inside. One almost came through the front window lunging at me. My renters had left two, 50 pound bags of dog food and water for the dogs to live on and left. They had been gone for three weeks. You can imagine the waste, the urine smell, and the carpets. One of the porch posts was knocked off its base. I was shocked, numb, and very, very discouraged. I sat on a rock and wept. 

     I might have given up and not returned to Vietnam EXCEPT that two of our supporting churches loved Jesus and us enough to send workmen to help. They cleaned and repaired. They knew what to do when I didn't know and couldn't do. They changed everything in only a few days. The encouragement that came from their presence and love changed everything. They raised my spirits and brought hope. 

     As you know, many Kentuckians are now suffering from the recent floods. They're discouraged. Some feel that they can't go on. But it's in their deep discouragement that we can bring them face to face with the love of Christ.

     You're busy. And you may already be helping others during the floods. Still, we want you to know that we're organizing volunteer work teams to help those who've been flooded out: shoveling mud, tearing out dry-wall, non-skilled labor! (but we need some guys with knowledge too!).

     If you're not already engaged with helping, prayerfully consider volunteering. We're targeting work to be done from April 21 through May 17. If you can come for even 2-3 days - great!

     May God richly bless you!