(Volume 20 #2)

Steve had been in Afghanistan for 18 months. But judging by the toll it had taken on him, it could have been 18 years. When he signed up to serve his county, he really didn’t know what he was getting into. Maybe the recruiter told him, but he had rose-colored glasses on. He was going to save the world. He had been to Boot Camp, and then he was doing so well that they sent him to several different schools and the next thing he knew he became a part of a Special Forces unit. He excelled at everything he set his hand to. It was amazing because it was in his heart to serve and to serve well. He was fully committed.

As he met each assignment with excellence, he was assigned more important tasks. He worked very closely with men who were as dedicated as he was. He gave his all. They were seeing bad things happen, but they would have victory. He was experiencing things he had never thought he would experience. Then suddenly he found himself growing tired. At first—a weekend in front of the TV would relieve all of the stress he felt and he was ready to face another week. But then it just didn’t seem enough. He was always tired and suddenly couldn’t really remember why he wanted to serve his county. The people that “they” were helping didn’t seem to want their help. They would cuss and spit on the Special Forces when they were seen. “Stupid American” would be shouted at them, and that was one of the kinder words they heard.

Then the team that had always had such a unity couldn’t agree on the brand of coffee to keep in the bunker. They were picking at everything that each other did. They were supposed to have each other’s backs but suddenly there didn’t seem to be any trust among them.

Then their commander knew it was time. It was time for R and R. It was time for a refreshing, and the military had already prepared such a place. It was a place for such a time as this. Yes there would be rest—but there would be time with leaders who had been where they had been and were there to help them focus again. It was time for this team to step back—step away—and to be renewed.

That is a simplistic explanation of His Resting Place. Why does it seem that REST is the hardest thing for us to take? God set an example in the beginning by resting on the seventh day, but we just don’t. Jesus even pulled away from time to time, but we feel that we have to keep pushing forward. We have real reasons like family, time and money. Even if we don’t notice it, we lose steam…we lose zeal…we lose focus. At one time we, Les and Des, took great pride in the number of services at which we ministered each year. We were God’s Superman and Superwoman. We had to go – go – go. Now, we made a practice of shutting down the ministry for one month each year—but Les worked his job, and we kept the administration of the ministry going. We didn’t rest – we caught-up. We both wished we had learned to rest.

Most ministers in the field are not “KNOWN” ministers. There are many, many, many people who minister without any glitz or glamour. In a sense, they are Undercover. They are truly in God’s Special Forces: prison ministers, jail ministers, nursing home ministers, shut-in ministers, Special-needs hospital ministers. This list is just a sample because I don’t want you to think His Resting Place has a box of who can use it. Here is another example: how about a Mom who just needs to STOP and get a refreshing, because she has a child that can push THE BUTTON that pushes her over the edge? You think about someone who needs a break and the time to focus on a God-renewal—His Resting Place is for them.

So much has taken place in the last couple of months. So many people have been helping with donations. Our list of needs is dwindling down, but we still have needs. We really want to do “the special touches” to His Resting Place. We believe that the Lord has called us to be a Rest Stop during this time. We are asking for you to consider supporting us in this vision, if you are not already doing so. Please pray about it. We need all of the support we can get. We are not charging anyone to come to His Resting Place. Next month we will submit a monthly budget.

(All checks are to still be made out to Living Praise Ministries)

We appreciate your love,

Prayer Requests

• For God to identify for us the “Son of Peace” spoken of in Luke 10:6. That person/people/family would be the initial core of the ekklesia

• For the land to receive us

• Favor with the local people

• For God to give us great discernment as to what to pray, when to pray it, over what or whom to pray it, so that bondages (both of people and land) would be broken.

• As always, for finances sufficient to meet the daily, weekly, monthly obligations

Needs List

PRAISE FOR ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED

1) 2-40lb propane tanks; a two-stage, auto-off regulator; and copper tubing

2) Propane space heater for downstairs

3) Queen Size Bed

4) 1 Chest of Drawers

5) Paint for the entire interior ALONG WITH A PAINTER! (To be done this winter)

6) A Propane space heater for upstairs

7) A Love Seat

8) WE PURCHASED 4 PADDED CHAIRS (for meetings)

9) Laminate flooring and underlayment sufficient to cover about 320 sq. ft.

10) Kitchen Table and chairs

11) 2 Chairs for Living Room

12) End Tables Living Room

13) 1 Runner

14) Blender

15) Pots and Pans

16) Dishes

17) Cooking Utensils

18) Small Frig (dorm size)

19) Kitchen Knives

20) Coffee Pot

21) Desktop Computer

ALL OF THE ABOVE ITEMS HAVE EITHER BEEN DONATED OR GOD HAS GIVEN US SOME GREAT DEALS!