January Update

January 1, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,

January is traditionally a time of anticipation. It is a time of new beginnings and new resolutions. It is an exciting time as we anticipate what is to come in the new year. And I will be the first to admit that I love a fresh start. Change is exciting to me, and I am eager for new things to take place in my life.

Before surging forward this year, however, I would like to stop and consider what has happened in the past twelve months. The end of this month marks my one year anniversary of moving to St. Louis and beginning full time ministry here with World Impact. It is hard to believe a year has come and gone so quickly. I remember waiting for what seemed to me to be an eternity for the word that I could finally move here and I was so excited to begin the work to which God has called me.

So much has taken place since I arrived, and my eyes have been opened wider than ever before to both the needs of the inner city and the way God is working among people here. Over the past year I have been introduced to countless new faces, gotten to know lots of local children, and worked with hundreds of volunteers.

I have witnessed and experienced a variety of new things this year: natural disasters causing blackouts for hours and days, the tragic death of a man struck and killed in the street, personal triumphs over sin and circumstance (both my own and those of others), and decisions to trust Christ made by children and adults.
And in each experience there has been a lesson: life is about community and coming together with those around us, life is fragile and fleeting, God will provide strength in our weakness, and the ultimate change comes in a life fully surrendered to Him.

Looking back I see that this year has been one lesson after another as I have tried to soak up the culture of this community. I feel like my ministry here is just beginning and I am really excited to see how God moves in and through me in 2007 as I continue to serve him here in the inner city of St. Louis. When I think about the New Year I think of Isaiah 43:19 which says, “Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”

Let’s watch and see what new things God will do in our lives in the coming months. And may we praise Him as He works in our midst.

Happy New Year,

Beth