My mom passed away at the age of 81, on Wednesday, August 27. I had the joy to spend the last year here with her.

https://www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Peggy-L-Helfrick?obId=44703291#/obituaryInfo

I learned last week that I should not send out reports via the blog while on the trip. But, I am allowed to send (daily) updates to people via email. (It’s a security thing, for the people we meet, not for ourselves.). so… if you want to receive those updates, you’ll need to email me (leave a response here on the site if you can’t email me) so I can add you to a list and I’ll send out emails rather than publish blog posts. And… there is still room on the prayer list – the more the better.

Hey all! I’m happy to say, and thanks to God, my trip is now fully funded. I’m even more happy to say there is at least one person scheduled to pray for me each day June through the end of the trip. Thank you so much for that – may the Lord richly bless you for it. *nudge nudge* there is still room for other to join in that.

In the way of transparency, it’s been a rough week. I’ve had more anxiety and anxiousness than I have had in maybe 15 years, or longer. So much so that during our second trip training session, I heard the enemy whispering in my ear “You shouldn’t even go on this trip. How can share Jesus when you yourself are weighed down by so much worry and concern?” At times like this I must remind myself of what IS true vs. what feels true, or what I see with just my eyes. And that is

• Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me
• He holds me in the palm of His hand
• I am precious in His sight
• He is working for my good
• He has plan for me, a hope and a future

Another tool we use, when not trying to be “so efficient”, is the (60 to) 90 second testimony. For me, it would be something like this:

—

There was a time in my life when I was suspicious of everyone, questioning their motives, and their actions.  I was fearful of being taken advantage of, being tricked, but most of all I was afraid of dying.  I grew up knowing about Jesus but not trusting in Him.  I felt angry, rejected, and abandoned.

Then a good friend invited me to a special music concert.  There was also a speaker who said that God loves me, offered His Son Jesus to pay for my sins, and that there was no better time than now to follow Jesus.

The speaker asked if anyone would like to receive God’s forgiveness and to follow Jesus.  I knew in my spirit that God was speaking directly to me that night.  And so I did ask God to forgive me my sins, and I did choose to follow Jesus.

God has continued to be with me, as He promised.  I cannot say that life has always been easy nor that I have always obeyed, but Jesus has always been faithful.  I know without doubt that God loves me, provides good in my life, calls me His child, and protects me.  Because of this, I now have a peace, joy, and love that I could never have imagined otherwise.

—

This follows the same idea, of before Jesus, meeting Jesus, and life after Jesus.

I’m sharing this here to help folks see a little bit into how we break the ice sharing the Gospel, and how simple and straightforward it really can be.

As part of what we’re doing on this trip, we are preparing to give our story, in some cases in as little as 15 seconds. What’s that look like? Like THIS!

Hi, my name is David. There was a time in my life when I was suspicious of everyone, and fearful. Then I met Jesus. He forgave me, and I chose to follow Him. Now I have joy and feel secure. 

Do you have a story like that? 

The intent is to convey what was life like before Jesus, meeting Jesus, and then how is life with Jesus.

Hi, all!

Well, there are less than 2 months before this next trip. A couple things to share off the top:

• I’m down to less than $200 to reach full funding.
• There is room for 5 more people on the team, if you’re interested to go along.
  • LMK if you want to go and need some help to sign up
• I’ve got my prayer request list spreadsheet up now!

Thanks to all who have prayed and will pray. I sense this trip and season will be different for me. I’m not sure what all to share here, but I’ve been off my anti-depressant meds for about a month now, and it’s not yet clear if it’s good or bad for me to be off them. I’ve shared that with some folks in an email, in addition to feeling God challenging, refining, questioning me. He is allowing situations in my life to make me ask the question is Jesus really all I need. Or… do I need Jesus “and”. I don’t want to be a man who needs “Jesus – and”. But I am seeing places where I seek something beyond Him

Hey all!  I’m happy to report that while there are still about 3 months before departure, I’m left with under $400 to raise, so thank you all for that.  I hope to put something up here when this gets some clarity to it, but I’ll ask for prayer, unrelated (I think) to the trip, that I feel that God is guiding me into something totally new, uncomfortable, and quite possibly not “safe” (not safe in a definitely a time of being stretched).    What’s that mean?  I don’t know.  He’s just been removing all excuses, unhealthy dependencies, and idols from me.  Some I find I was glad to see leave, while others I am still trying to hold on to.  Maybe you can relate.

Peace to all.

David

I added a correct link now, oops!

See here for details! It will be in July 2025.

SMR23x JUN2024