Walking Beside...

How do we become isolated, and find ourselves wistfully looking back on a time when we were sharing our walk in a deep and momentous way with someone who "gets us"?

For me, it’s just part of my human nature to "drift". My prayer for you, and for me: "God, help me not to do this. Help me to embrace my vertical relationship with You, and my horizontal relationship with a mentor, and stay "caught up" and "fresh" in my awareness of the Holy Spirit.

I know how to practice this, Lord. Vertical: openness, humility, gratitude. Horizontal: love, acceptance, forgiveness. When I talk with You, or journal to You, or meditate on You with openness, humility and gratitude, my heart is soft, my mind is clear and my spirit is free. Then I’m free to practice the horizontal, acting in love, acceptance and forgiveness.

Lamentations 3:22-24 - Amplified Bible

22 It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.

24 The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.

You are new every morning, Lord. Help me to be."

Mary Hagle

Editor

The House

What Does a Mentor Do?

Over the last several months, one topic we have highlighted as a church is mentoring. I am starting to realize that we may have encouraged people to find and become mentors without ever defining what a mentor actually does.

Culturally, we have many good examples of mentoring programs. The system set up by Big Brothers and Big Sisters comes to mind: a caring adult who spends time with a needy child, teaching them valuable lessons and skills as they do fun things together. In general, this might be our perception of a mentor: take what I know and pass it on to someone else. While this definition might be useful in many scenarios, this is not actually what a spiritual mentor seeks to do. Let me tell you how I discovered a better model for mentoring.

Several years ago, I was left needing to find a new mentor when my then-current mentor took a new job. It was at this time that I sought out another pastor by the name of Tim Barton. Tim had always impressed me with his wisdom and depth; he seemed to me to be someone who walked closely with God. I believed I could learn a great deal from him.

Tim and I began to meet about every 6 weeks. My experience in these meetings was almost always the same, and forms the real content of what I want to share with you as you consider being a mentor. When Tim and I met, he would begin asking me questions about life and faith. As I talked, Tim would listen intently and nod. After I would finish, Tim would proceed to ask more questions. He would at times interject a thought or a comment, but more often than not, he would only summarize or clarify what I had already said. And then he would ask more questions. I would talk some more until our time was up, at which point we would pray and head our separate ways.

I inevitably walked away from these encounters disappointed. I would feel that I had shared my heart in order that Tim could then tell me what to do and give me some great advice. Repeatedly, however, Tim failed to share much advice at all! I would be left thinking, "What in the world is the point of this? If all that happens when we meet is me talking, I can do that by myself!" Honestly, I would feel jilted, as if Tim was holding back from really helping.

But then I started to realize what was happening in these meetings. Rather than answering my questions for me, Tim was helping me find my own answers by looking at what God was doing. Tim asked questions in order to discern where I was at, and where God was at work. The more I talked and the more Tim listened, the answers or ideas I most needed seemed to surface on their own. These conclusions always meant more and stayed with me longer because they had come from my life and my heart. When others give us pat answer or advice, we tend to forget. When God reveals truth to our own heart, we cannot help but be changed.

So this, in my mind, is what a spiritual mentor does. This is something I believe you could do. Sit with another and listen to their story. Listen and ask, listen and ask, listen and ask until you start to discern where God is at work. And then, when necessary, speak a few words to clarify or encourage. The truth is, the person you are mentoring doesn’t need more of you. They need more of God. Your job is to help them down that path.

Here are a few good questions to ask as you seek to mentor in this fashion:

What do you think God is trying to teach you in this situation?

Where have you seen God at work in your life recently?

What Scripture passages has the Spirit brought to mind lately?

When you pray, what do you find yourself praying about the most this week?

How does your recent experience fit with other ways God has shown up in your life in the past?

When you mentor someone, always keep in mind these are never one-on-one meetings. It is always three, and your role is to help the other person discover what God, the third person, is saying.

Blessings! Nick

As Nick let me know EHA is planning to focus on a local ministry each weekend in June, and explore reaching out to people with practical displays of love, I was amazed, because I was thinking about focusing on ways we can remind ourselves that Jesus is here, now, like setting a place for him at our dinner table (which we have done, with interesting results). Sometimes one of us remembers it’s there, and it calls us to ask for prayer about something or someone. Since it’s close to my place at the table, I think I’m reminded more often than Susan and the kids, but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we recognize His Presence in our lives, and respond to Him.

But this idea of Nick’s is even better. Finding ways to BE the hands and feet of Jesus really helps when the cares and woes of the world and the people who inhabit it seem overwhelming and prompt the "it’s such a huge problem, what can one person do?!?" There are things we can do, one person at a time, often for one other person in need. And we become the hands and feet of Jesus. What a joy!

I’ve found that to be so in serving as the area office administrator at Young Life, a Christian ministry for middle school and high school students. This ministry is founded on the concept of walking beside these kids, being there at school lunch breaks, their art or sporting events, taking them to camp in the summer, and getting to know them, so that when they are ready to talk about their relationship with Jesus, they know the volunteer staff person, and feel more comfortable about talking with them.

The joy comes for me because I know I’m supporting the staff and volunteers so that they are freed up to be with the kids when it matters most. I also enjoy the privilege of praying for each kid I add to the database when they’ve signed a "club card" at the weekly gatherings, or registered to go to Washington Family Ranch in Antelope, Oregon for a week in the summer, billed as "the best week of their lives".

I have a "built-in" prayer list. I pray for staff, volunteers, and kids while completing my administrative tasks. My "part-time" job is a "full-time" prayer experience. Everyone who comes into the Young Life building I consider a spiritual encounter. As soon as they push open the door, I start praying, whether it’s staff, a volunteer, a kid, or the UPS driver.

As you read these words about Young Life, perhaps you will think about how you might find a place to walk beside a kid. Call me! We’ll go for a coffee, and talk!

As we hear from others in the community who feel called to the ministry they are sharing about in this House issue, my prayer is that you will be listening for that Sweet Voice of the Holy Spirit, urging you to step into that for which you hear Him calling you.

We grow as we share,

Mary Hagle, editor

An Interview with Brian Wrezesinski

Bio-Notes . . . Brian Wrzesinski: Brian has known Jesus as his Savior from the age of eight, growing up in Onalaska, and finishing high school there in 1977. He attended the Presbyterian church and was active in a youth group comprised of kids from four churches in the town, who came together as one group. Brian attended the Inland Empire School of the Bible in Spokane, considered a "junior college for Whitworth" with thoughts of being a Christian school teacher, but he was eighteen, and just married to Monica. They moved there together, and stayed for ten months. It snowed hard for months, and when Monica ran over their snowman in March, that was enough! They moved home.

Brian enjoys baseball and reading in his spare time, and especially likes reading "cops and robbers" novels, and Max Lucado. He also enjoys teaching Sunday school to little kids every Spring, as his "anti-work" experience.

He feels he is still working on establishing spiritual disciplines, and is most grateful for family. He and his sister and three brothers all still live an hour from their parents’ home, and Monica and her two sisters and brother all live one and one-half hours from her parents. At Christmastime, there are 35-50 family members gathered at his mother’s house.

The House: Thank you for taking time to talk about the prison ministry that is a part of what you do as an Administrative Sergeant in our local law enforcement. You told us that your work includes arranging transportation, overseeing volunteers coming to offer support to inmates, and making sure inmates and staff have the supplies they need.

Can you tell us more about how you became involved in the prison ministry?

Brian: This ministry was definitely a calling on my life. It wasn’t hard to recognize it for what it was, as I grew up with a social worker and nurse for parents. Dad would bring his clients home with him, give them a place to stay until they were able to go out on their own, so jail and these people weren’t new to me.

I came to visit my dad at his office as a probation officer, and a job was posted just outside his office door. I had only visited him at his office three times, but when I saw the posting, I applied for the job immediately and was hired to work in our local prison system.

Ten years ago the captain who was head of the program was retiring, and I was asked if I would be interested in taking his position, and I said yes.

The House: How have you recruited volunteers for the program, which you told me has grown to over 100 volunteers?

Brian: Thirteen years ago Monica and I were without a church home, and visited many churches in the area, and met a lot of Christian people in the process. When I began looking for volunteers, many of them I found because of getting to know them at the churches we visited until we were led to join East Hills Alliance.

The House: Can you tell us about the different ministries actively reaching out to inmates currently?

Brian: On Saturday there is an NA group, as well as Seventh Day Adventist church services. On Sunday, there are five different churches that share the responsibility for church services, including Shekinah, St Rose, the Gideons and New Life. There is also a Bible study on Tuesday, AA on Thursday and Attic Ministries comes one Sunday morning a month.

The House: What is Attic Ministries? Do they serve former addicts?

Brian: No. It is a "street ministry" and they minister to lots of people on the streets, not just addicts. It is ministry to the homeless, whatever their history.

The House: How long have you been involved in this ministry?

Brian: Thirty-one years. I see family members being booked in their third generation of burglars, but I also see churches stepping up and ministering to these people within their churches.

We have training for volunteers every quarter. Ten of our volunteers have been doing it for twenty years. We need new volunteers, as these faithful ones are reaching the place where they will retire from the service they are doing.

We have a volunteer potluck every November, which is a "Volunteer Reunion" of all the volunteers who have served.

We also have "Chaplain Call" and inmates can ask to talk with a chaplain. There are about 7 "regular" local pastors who come to talk and listen. There are a couple of them who have been coming for ten years.

There are pastors who have members in jail, and can visit their congregants twice a month.

Some volunteers have been inmates who have been out of jail long enough to be able to come back as volunteers, after they have proven to staff that they have genuinely changed their lives and want to help others. They make great volunteers, because they have "been there".

Some of these people don’t have ANYBODY to care. The interest and compassion the volunteers show makes a difference in the inmates’ lives. Showing them respect and responding to them as another human being is something they are hungry for.

The key to volunteering in prison ministry is KNOWING you will make a difference in these people’s lives.

Some of you will recognize Love INC by another name: Servant Week.

For the last 5 years, area churches have banded together for a week (or two) of service to the community. During these 5 years, hundreds of Christ’s servants gave time, talents, and energy to help needy individuals, whole neighborhoods, schools, and city governments.

The idea of service together was such a success that requests started coming in for year-round help. As a result, the participating pastors made the decision to adopt a more permanent structure for serving the community, i.e., Love INC. Love In the Name of Christ officially was launched last fall and later (last February) hired me (Larry Russell) as the Executive Director.

Here’s what Love INC does. We mobilize believers in the local participating congregations (about 22 at present) to meet the needs of people falling through the cracks. This week a group of us helped move an elderly woman into a new apartment. She could find no one to help her and started calling churches. One of the churches called Love INC and 24 hours later she was in her new apartment. The same day over 100 youth from area churches cleaned trash out of 12 Highlands alleys. Next month we will replace a leaky roof for an elderly widow in North Kelso. As I am writing this letter to you, a call came in to help clean an elderly man’s yard.

Another Love INC ministry is "Loving Teachers". This program purchases school supplies for teachers to give to needy kids. These are supplies the teachers normally have to buy themselves.

Mobilizing the saints for serving the community has given the church tremendous favor in our two cities. Hundreds of opportunities (divine appointments) are just waiting for God’s people to meet. Many of these calls for help will come to Love INC. Saturday, June 18^{th and Sunday, June 19th I’ll be at East Hills Alliance to tell you how you can be part of what many are calling "The Movement."}

-Larry Russell

Executive Director

Love INC of Cowlitz County

　

Contact Love INC

by calling:

(360) 430-1355

By: Cheryl Wilson

I heard about Pregnancy Resource Centers back in the 80’s, but never investigated fully what they were. When we moved here from California in 1989 I met a couple who were involved with the Caring Pregnancy Center. Still, I didn’t pay much attention.

Shortly after our daughter was born in September, 1990, God began to softly whisper that He wanted me to volunteer at CPC. I was working full-time (from home) and our benefits were through my job, AND I was a new mom. So what could I do? Why, ignore Him, of course!

However, over the next 8 months His prompting grew stronger, and I tried to continue to ignore it. I’d since learned that this was one of those pro-life places for women with a "crisis" pregnancy. Well, I’d never had one of those, so I knew I would be of no use to such a ministry.

One morning while I was having quiet time I felt so heavy with conviction that I’d been running from Him, but at the same time I was angry with Him for hounding me! Surely He understood my predicament! I reminded Him that I had to work full-time and couldn’t volunteer, so if He wanted me there he’d better figure something out.

The company I worked for was based in Connecticut, but I was with its California subsidiary. Two short weeks after reminding my awesome & faithful heavenly Father that He would need to figure something out if He wanted me volunteering, I got a call from my boss. Something about taxes…my residency in Washington state…too expensive…blah blah blah. He was very sorry but they were going to have to let me go.

Not amused. The God of the universe, and this is what You come up with?! Fine. I’ll just keep ignoring You, because now I have to found another job so my family can have health benefits!

Well, long story short, my awesome & faithful heavenly Father did not allow me to continue to ignore Him. My husband and I prayed and agreed I would be a stay-at-home mommy now, as that was really where my heart was. We would just have to trust God to provide. And after an additional 8 months I ran out of excuses and finally got up the courage to talk with the Director of CPC about volunteering.

Although I hated leaving my daughter, I loved volunteering at CPC. I had to completely depend upon His leading in order to minister to each young woman that came to CPC, and because of that I grew closer in my walk with Him. But in all honesty, I hated the days when a young woman would have a positive pregnancy test, and instead of being filled with joy she was scared, or angry, and was adamant about her decision to abort her baby. I would go home crying out to God, asking Him where He was and why didn’t He soften that mama’s heart? Why did He let me fail? Where were THY words that could’ve been spoken to change her mind?

And then something very terrible happened. In the span of one year I suffered two miscarriages. My heart became resentful toward these young women, whom I now perceived as cold and heartless, and undeserving of ever being blessed with a baby.

I hated the ugliness that I saw within my own heart, so I called the Director to let her know that I needed time for God to heal and soften my heart. He is faithful…

Over the years there were times when I was unable to volunteer ~ two, three years at a stretch. But for some reason my heart remained. And while I was volunteering the summer of 2004, I was asked to come on staff temporarily. The Director of 11 years was retiring at the end of the year, and by that fall I knew God was calling me to become the new Director. Believe it or not, I attempted to ignore Him again!

I have been Director since January 2005. It has been challenging and rewarding, exhausting and exhilarating. And while I have no clue how much God has used me to touch the lives of others through this ministry, I do know that my life has been forever changed because of my involvement.

The women who come through our door each have a story. Most are from a culture that is not too dissimilar to that of what Paul encountered in his travels. These young women desperately need to know of the unconditional love and saving grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We may have one encounter to share His love with them, or they may become a client whom we get to mentor and minister to weekly. In every encounter we desire to be His hands and feet.

I remind my fellow Christians that we are ALL ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and if you want God to use you, just have a willing heart (sometimes that takes a bit of prodding!) And pray. I am so grateful that He is so faithful to equip us when He calls us!

If you’d like to know specific opportunities about volunteering at CPC ~ give me a call (636-3333) or come talk to me, and sign up for our newsletter so you know about miscellaneous opportunities that arise.

Cheryl Wilson

Director

Caring Pregnancy Center

By Ann Hight:

I wish everyone could have the experience of working in the environment of a healthy church. I love coming to work, love the variety of tasks, love the people I work with, and love the blessings that come my way every day. When people talk about the challenge of sharing their faith at work, I cannot enter in to that conversation because everyone I work with is a Christian and nearly everyone I meet with each week is living a life of committed faith.

But there is an underlying problem with all of that. It is easy to lose awareness of the needs in our community and world. It is so comfortable to sit in my office and talk Jesus stuff with people and leave the gritty rest of the world way out on the periphery of my life. It is easy to let the darkness creep in as I work in the Light.

From our earliest days on staff here we are encouraged to find ways to serve outside these walls. I had dabbled around with this, trying a few things, but never really connecting in the way I wanted to. I envied Pastor Nick having the opportunity to connect with kids as he coached; I kept looking around for ways I could connect in that way.

Then one day I happened to see a small ad in The Daily News offering training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). I was not even sure what that was, but it piqued my interest. When I saw the same ad a couple of days later I picked up the phone and called. After an initial conversation followed by an interview, I knew I had finally found a place to serve outside East Hills.

A few months later, after successfully completing the training, I clutched the folder of my first case. I was ready to dive in to the world of dependency. As a CASA volunteer I investigate the issues and people surrounding the placement of children outside of their family home. When cases are brought before a judge for his or her decision, I have the opportunity to speak on behalf of that child, using the information I have gathered to seek the best resolution for those who otherwise have no voice in the system. During court proceedings parents have lawyers, the state has the attorney general, and the child has a CASA. Each case takes more than a year to complete, so I get to know the principle people involved and often get to speak about hope in the middle of distress.

It has been an interesting three years and the opportunity to learn more is never ending. The juxtaposition of my two "jobs" reminds me that everyone needs to experience the love of Jesus, no matter what their circumstances are. I have new appreciation for the verse in Proverbs 31 that says, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Letting Go - Taking Hold

by: Mary Hagle

"What is the basis of our security? When we start thinking about that question, we may give many answers: success, money, friends, property, popularity, family, connections, insurance, and so on. We may not always think that any of these forms the basis of our security, but our actions or feelings may tell us otherwise. When we start losing our money, our friends, or our popularity, our anxiety often reveals how deeply our sense of security is rooted in these things. A spiritual life is a life in which our security is based not in any created things, good as they may be, but in God, who is everlasting love. We probably will never be completely free from our attachment to the temporal world, but if we want to live in that world in a truly free way, we'd better not belong to it. "You cannot be the slave both of God and of money" (Luke 16:13)." Henri Nouwen

To one degree or another, I think Henri Nouwen is right; we probably will never be completely free from these things as long as we’re here on earth. I could feel their "tug" as I thought about losing money, friends and family. It felt cold and lonely instantly. It was like the thermostat of my contentment just "went to zero in 15 seconds". Not that I don’t ever rely on God, because I do, and try to, always, but, if I’m honest, financial security, friends and family are very important to me. What a great wake-up call! Reading the list is a quick way to gauge just how attached I am.

What can we do about it? We’ll be asking several of you to respond to that question. A few things come to mind:

1. Stay in conversation with our sweet Lord, and repeatedly confirm to Him (and to ourselves) that in spite of the pull of all these things to "keep our hearts and minds captive," we want to be captivated by Him and His heart.

2. Develop a healthy relationship with money. Do the work from Financial Peace University. Read The Gift by Lewis Hyde. "I am not concerned with gifts given in spite or fear, nor those gifts we accept out of servility or obligation; my concern is the gift we long for, the gift that, when it comes, speaks commandingly to the soul and irresistibly moves us." Ask God to show you your heart condition about money. Give to help others. Be generous and joyful at the same time (quite a good learning exercise!)

3. Express love and gratitude to your friends and family for how important they are to you, and especially make the connection with them to how God’s love for all of you deepens and enriches those relationships for you. That may be a part of loving and being loved by friends and family that we take for granted and think "everybody knows that", but it’s important to say it. And, maybe some of them don’t know that. They need to. You need to.

4. Set a date on your monthly calendar to stop and think about this. It could only take a minute or two, or an hour, depending on your journey and life’s circumstances, but if you make a habit of checking in with yourself about it on the same day every month, it could be very informative. Do the tough exercise of contemplating how content you feel when you think about being without success, money, friends, property, popularity, family, connections or insurance.

So, thank God for Henri and his inquisitive heart, and for the loving One who created it.

We grow as we share . . .

Lentimonies from April 2/3

As we thought about our Basis of Security question, the Lenten stories told during the Celebration Service seemed an appropriate response to the question "What can I do to rely on God more?" These stories came as we shared what we were letting go of, and what God was putting in to us.

Becky Cox: "I have given up all reading except the Bible for my Lent experience. I found my days so busy, I decided to get up early, which is unusual for me, to spend more time alone with God, and it has been really good for me. I am reading, praying, journaling and being honest with God about my fears and giving up control. I have found myself contemplating, "What does God want for my life?" more than ever before."

Steve Jones: "I gave up alcohol, and found I don’t miss it at all. Two things have changed; one physical and one spiritual: I am sleeping so much better, so much more soundly. Working out at the gym and working on weight loss, I think about those empty alcohol calories I’m not consuming. More importantly, the biggest change is that I was excited to see what God would put in its place, as Caleb had suggested when he heard we were "doing" Lent. I have spent more time in prayer and Bible study, and am aware of more of His Presence with me, at work, play and home. I have really noticed the Holy Spirit being with me twenty-four hours a day. It is a great experience."

Michelle Stumbo: "I have given up sleeping in, desserts and candy. It’s been a challenge, but different from past experiences, I think because of the deep changes that have come from fourteen months of accountability in the counseling we have been receiving. I have made it a habit to start my day with the Lord, and my children are watching and mimicking this.

When I think about desserts and candy, often, and how long Lent lasts, I thought about what was driving those thoughts, and how God would fill me up instead."

Matt Milligan: "I gave up snacking after dinner. Shelley has told me she can hear my tummy growling after we’re in bed for the night. I have experienced going to the fridge, taking out a pop, looking at it, and putting it back, many times. This process has begun to remind me to pray for my sister overseas, and her mission, and the people she is ministering to. Some of them go hungry often, many times with only two meals a day."

June Hoover: "I decided to get rid of some of my excess . . . my closets, drawers, shelves. I gathered a big bag of clothes from my closet. That was easy. Some of them still had the tags on them. The hard part came as I went into stores: "I wanna buy something." Having to say "No" to myself was hard. I was reminded about Matthew where Jesus said not to store up treasures here on earth, and where he said not to worry, but think about the lily, and how beautiful it is, and it doesn’t worry about the future. Also, the part that says God wants to give us good gifts.

It’s getting easier to say, "It’s NOT a buying day." The desire is not as strong. The lesson really came home for me when I thought about watching my daughter graduating from college in a month, seeing her less, and having to "give up stuff" about our relationship, and I’m learning how to give up my expectations and desires, and wait to see what God has to give me instead."

Val Squires: 'I gave up ‘noise in the car’. Silence in the car means I’m praying, singing to God, and listening to the Holy Spirit instead of the radio or CD’s. Practicing Mindful Silence has been phenomenal; it impacts everything, especially the peace I feel in the silence. I find myself much more aware of His Presence throughout my day, not just in morning or evening "devotional" time. The Holy Spirit gives me clear instruction, wisdom and revelation. With gratitude and relief I am able to leave stuff at the Cross. The Mindful Silence has given me a thirst to want God more throughout my day. I am finding small pockets of time where I can silence my mind and body, and God meets me there."

　

Struggling With Definition

By: Josh Droke

I believe that struggling with security is essentially struggling with definition. Not struggling with how to define security, but rather with how our security defines us. We struggle with letting go of something, struggle with the thought of being without it, because it defines part of who we are.

Take TV, for instance. Television isn’t just about entertainment; it’s about being able to have relevant conversations with people the next day. Would people still talk to me if I didn’t know what was going on in the sitcom/drama/sports/news world? Or if I didn’t own a car, would that change how people look at me? If I wore the same clothes every day, would that change the way I look at myself? What if I didn’t have this job? What would I say when people ask what I do for a living? What would I do with the looks they would give me?

As a husband and father, a house and food are important in defining how good a caretaker and provider I am. It is vitally and intrinsically important to me to protect my family, and the quality of my house shows the world how good I am at providing shelter. I want my wife and daughter to be happy and healthy, and the quality of food I can supply goes a long way towards defining my ability to do that. The thought of being without a house, or without food, is more than just being cold or going hungry. It’s grappling with how I would live with my failures as a defender and protector.

Even more incomprehensible is the thought of living without my family. What if something were to happen to them? Husband and father are the most important roles in my life, right? How could I go on without them? What would give my life meaning?

In the end, I think that we cling tightest to the things that define us the most. We find our security in creating our own definition of ourselves, and hold on to that for all we’re worth. And yet Jesus invites us to be ready to leave it all behind. He called the disciples to drop everything that defined them – their businesses, their families, and their possessions – to come and let him change their definition of everything. And he invites you and me to allow him the opportunity to define each of us, a definition wrapped in grace, love, faith, and hope. If security is simply a battle for definition, let us all be defined through clinging tightly to Jesus.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)

Lent, Take Two

By Ann Hight

Last year I was exploring some of the ancient practices of the Church. I read about solitude, Sabbath keeping, journaling, and other personal spiritual quests. I decided to engage in the practice of lent. I thought a lot about what to do, what to give up, what to add in. It was a private endeavor. I wasn’t so sure that any of my friends or family would be very keen on this ancient practice that was so new to me so I just kept it to myself.

That was a mistake. Trying to go it alone doomed my plan. In just a few days my weak will was overcome by the press of "real life" and lent got lost in the shuffle. So when we began talking about doing lent around East Hills this year I was both excited and apprehensive. I love the idea, but was dogged by my earlier failure.

I was on sabbatical when lent began for me this year. I was out of touch with the details of our church observance so I began my practice of lent on the more traditional day of Ash Wednesday, about a week and a half before most of the church began "lenting". But this year, several people in my family began on the same day so I had a little support this time.

After some consideration, I decided to give up all beverages except for water. I did not really expect this to be much of a challenge since I do not have coffee every single morning, don’t drink that much of any one particular thing. For a day or two I was just fine. Then someone brought over a pizza. In my world, pizza REQUIRES root beer. Ouch. A day or so later, on a very gray and grim morning, I could actually hear a double short cinnamon dolce latte calling my name. Ouch. And I discovered that warm toast without cold milk is just dry bread.

By this time, the church had begun the observance of lent. It was my first day back to church. As I watched friends carry cards forward to make their pledge, along with remotes, candy bars, bags of sugar, and many other representations of their commitment, I was moved by the sincerity and earnestness of what I was witnessing. I felt enfolded and empowered to be part of a wonder-filled journey with friends. I was no longer trudging along on a lonely road, but a fellow traveler anticipating the adventure.

Along with giving up all drinks but water, I have been making an informal study of places in Scripture where water is a key part of the story: the woman at the well in John 4, the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14, and others. I have had a renewing time in the "water of the Word" as God has chosen to speak to me in the particular circumstances of my life.

And since I began lent on the more traditional date, according to my official orthodox source, I am "allowed" to have each Sunday off from lent. That way, it still ends up being forty days. So this past Sunday morning I went to Starbucks for my you-know-what. However, as I carried it in to the church I was extremely self conscious that I was breaking the rules that my lent friends were keeping. I actually stashed the coffee in my office until after worship practice so no one would see me. By the time I secretly drank it 45 minutes later, it was pretty tepid, definitely not worth the hassle! I know that my enthusiasm for lent is tied directly to participating in it with you. How can I falter when friends are nearby, going through the same thing? I truly believe that our lent experience has it’s greatest value in us as a group, though the individual practice is very worthwhile. I hope you are finding your lent challenges to be rewarding as we realign our priorities and collectively step closer to Christ. Easter will be a grand celebration together.

Finding Comfort in the Storm

By: Brian Clark

It seems the past few months have brought much heartache for me and those around me. As I’ve dealt with grief and great loss, the same words that are meant to comfort us all during these times keep coming to mind. Sayings like, "Time heals all wounds," "This too shall pass," "God has a plan," "Hang in there," and the list goes on. Although the sentiments are nice, the comforting effects of these phrases do little.

I remember several years ago when my wife and I went through a particularly difficult season. We were blessed to be surrounded by friends and family who loved us and truly shared in our pain. Often in their compassion they would offer words of encouragement to help ease the sorrow. I recall appreciating the heartfelt attempts to comfort us as the waters of life raged out of control and our emotional and spiritual strength was tested to the limit.

As the details of our crisis became known to more people we were often approached by folks who shared similar stories of heartbreak and loss. Although we had known most of these people for many years we had never known some of the most defining and difficult moments of their lives. Moments that undoubtedly shaped them into the very people we had come to know and love. While the deepest part of their grief had subsided we stood smack dab in the middle of our storm clinging on for dear life.

As their stories were told I was shocked at how many people tried minimize their pain in an effort not to overshadow our situation. The accounts would often start with words such as, "I know this isn’t as painful as…," or "I realize this does not compare to…." Then I would listen to how some tragic event changed their life forever. I remember thinking how these dear people were trying to help us process our grief by sharing a similar experience but at the same time, in their humility, minimizing one of the most painful things anyone could face.

Through that ordeal I learned many valuable lessons. I feel one of the most important is not to try to compare any situation, any amount of pain, any level of sorrow with anyone else’s hurt because no one can really know the emotions another is facing except our Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 56:8 (NLT) "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."

Sometimes the best comfort you can receive, or give, is to just be there while the storm is raging. Seasons of grief are inevitable, like a hurricane; tragedy can rush in unexpectedly and at times tear us down to our foundations. These events and trials come in many shapes and forms and affect all of us in different ways. It is my prayer that when you face these trials you will know the peace that comes though the presence of the Spirit and God will send you someone that will be there as you endure.

An Interview with Chris Jenkins

Bio-Notes . . . Chris Jenkins had two grandmothers who prayed for her always, and that’s who she credits with having introduced her to Jesus Christ as a child. She related to us having walked away from her conversion experience as a teen, but being brought back to Him because of stormy times in her life. Chris grew up in Kelso, and graduated from Kelso High, married Tary at a young age and began a family, focusing her energies on her home, marriage and children, while working outside the home as well.

Chris and Tary enjoy camping in their RV, which they bought when Chris was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago now. They were intentional, as Chris wanted something to look forward to after her surgery, chemo and radiation. Their currently favorite campsite is one close to home outside Castle Rock at the Toutle River RV Park, but they also enjoy going toward the beach as well. Other fun activities for Chris include knitting, reading and enjoying grandkids. A favorite author is Joyce Meyer, who wrote, among others, How to Succeed at Being Yourself and Battlefield of the Mind.

The House: As we talked about, the March issue of The House is focused on weathering stormy times, and especially, how they can be an opportunity for spiritual growth. We remember you sharing some in the Monday Night Live Life Group about your experience of cancer survival. That can be the "definitive" storm of life idea for many of us. Do you feel like your experience has deepened your faith?

Chris: Yes, but it is not the roughest thing I’ve been through. That was another storm Tary and I weathered together. Thirteen years ago, our nineteen-year-old son died. The lessons I learned in my grief and despair are what help me keep my perspective as we continue to drive the cancer into remission.

The House: Did you find more of a sense of God’s presence during the time around his death, or is it clearer as you look back now?

Chris: When my son died, my grief was so great, I felt it could crush me, and even still, I make a conscious effort every day to give my grief and pain to Jesus to carry for me. I couldn’t let it crush me; I was forty years old, and my husband and I had two daughters, fourteen and fifteen at the time, to raise. I couldn’t, and still can’t, "bear" it, though. Jesus carried it for me. I know I will never be the same, but I feel I would have died without Jesus being there for me. Healing has come, but I am very in touch with how much we all need the Lord. During the worst times of grieving the loss of my child, or facing the challenge of fighting the cancer, my faith has been a gift to me. I know I had to choose it, but still, it was and is a gift to me.

The House: We are very grateful to you for sharing your story with us. It’s a privilege to hear about your journey.

Chris: I am grateful for an appropriate time and place to share it. I can’t "just share it" anytime. It’s too heavy to casually talk about in everyday conversation.

The House: What do you consider some of the gifts you have received through these experiences, beyond knowing how much we need God in our lives?

Chris: I am acutely aware, both with the death of a child and the cancer, of how many other people have it worse than I do. I don’t allow myself to have self-pity. The doctor has told us we must go on fighting this cancer for ten years, at least. We have one year done so far. The surgery, radiation and chemo are done for now, and I am taking cancer-fighting medication to continue the treatment until we can expect it might be beaten. One thing I do to fight when I’m feeling overwhelmed is to take one verse or a portion of Scripture and meditate on it. A good example is a simple one: Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you." I will find a verse, or phrase, and repeat it over and over throughout the day. This practice has brought me so much peace. It reminds me where I need to focus – not on the grief, or the pain, but on God. I would encourage anyone, no matter what the problem might be, to write down Scripture and put it in front of themselves, and meditate on it.

The House: Are there other times when you’ve used another way to focus on God?

Chris: When I was in treatment, everybody told me radiation would be the easiest part, but it was the most difficult for me. I was naked from the waist up, every day, with my arms up over my head. I felt so vulnerable, and as the machine passed over my body, all kinds of clicks and buzzers sounded. It was so unnerving . . . so . . . I filled my IPOD full of praise music, put my IPOD on, and listened to praise music during my radiation treatments, telling God, "I’m praising You!" And then, we had a new challenge: While I was in chemotherapy, I was very ill, and had to be hospitalized. While I was there, I dislocated a disk in my back, and had to wait several months for the surgery I needed, until the radiation was over. I had to rely on God during those painful months, until I could have the back surgery. I’m still in recovery from that, and relying, again, on God’s AMAZING GRACE. These words are not just a song title, or something we just say: His Grace is Amazing, and helps me to go on. Another thing I noticed was how when you’re looking for God in your situation, He’s there! During my treatments, at every turn, there were Christians there, in hospital staff; everywhere. God was there all along the way.

The House: Is there one other thing you want to say about weathering storms?

Chris: I have begun praying intercessory prayers for people. I use it a lot these days. I have empathy for people. I know what it is like to have hard things in your life. The Holy Spirit guides me to pray for people, and it’s a privilege and a blessing to do it. I also have been blessed with a husband, children and grandchildren who have given me lots of love. And, God. When I asked, He gave.

　

　

　

The Stormy Times of Job - by Pastor Caleb Cox

My wife and I have been reading the book of Job this past month. If any man in history hit a rough spot, it was him. He had it all; incredible health,　wealth, land, servants, a huge family, respect in his city, and a blameless life. Everyone looked at him and said, "I want to be this man!" And then God allowed for divine reasons of His own this unthinkable tragedy to befall Job. God gives Satan the reigns to afflict Job's body with boils and sores; bandits come and steal away all of Job's wealth, livestock and possessions, and Satan causes the house where Job's kids are feasting to fall on top of them and kill them. The only thing Job has left is a wife who tells Job to "curse God and die." Job couldn't go any lower.

Imagine if you were stripped of everything you had. If your family was killed, your house dispossessed, your possessions robbed of you, your health taken away; you’re sitting in the mud in the cold Washington rain with nothing but hurt and sorrow. You couldn’t go any lower.

A few years back I was in Scotland doing a bagpiping competition. I traveled with some other band members who were not saved. And one day I was sharing with them about what I believed, when one of them brought up the suffering of Job. This person said to me, "I just might consider Christianity to be a good religion if I didn’t know about what God did to Job. How could I ever trust a God who could let a man go through all that? What if he did that to me? I couldn’t give my life to a God like that!" I remember thinking at the time that it was a good question. And right now I’m still convinced that it’s a great question. How can we trust a God who lets His children go through hard times? Is God dependable when we suffer loss? Is his heart for us really good?

This month we are considering the possibility that stormy times in our life may actually cause our faith to grow and allow us to sink deeper roots into what we believe.

There’s something about Jesus sleeping in a boat in the middle of a storm that causes us to pause. There’s something about Job’s reaction to his circumstances that makes us stop and wonder, "what’s really going on here?" How can Job say, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; Blessed be the Name of the Lord!" There’s something about Horatio Spafford loosing his daughters in the ocean and then writing the words to the hymn "It is well with my soul." It makes us wonder: from what perspective am I seeing my life? How am I seeing all that is going on around me?

Perspective changes everything. God sees things perfectly clearly. We see like we looking through a steamed up car windshield. So much of our life is caught up in trying to understand, when our life should be truly about surrendering to Another’s perspective. That’s why we call it faith. That’s why we call it trust. If we truly saw things the way God sees them, our whole world would change. We would still experience suffering. We would still experience loss. We would still grieve. But something would happen in us as we look from that place where we know that the heart of God is good, and that He is trustworthy, and His plans for his children are amazing! We would look up and see that the hills are filled with chariots of fire…

-Caleb Cox

Stormy Times - March 2011 Issue of The House

It’s hilarious, really. This fall, we “paved” a flowerbed with concrete stones we made with some mix and a mold, as we decided we wanted to put big pots and solar lights there instead of tulips and roses. Looked just fine, we thought. Then, the bluebells decided to come out. And come out, they have, pushing sections of concrete stone out of their little way, forcing their shoots and leaves to the air and light.

I was thinking of the March issue of The House being about stormy times that deepen our roots in our faith and make us stronger – spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. When our fall and winter has been as wet as the past months have been, Western Washington people seem to really be watching closely for any sunny day, any sign of Spring.

And the “winter months” of our spiritual journey, the stormy times, can help us, if we let them, to get more deeply into the Word; find a friend with whom to talk about our walk, if we don’t have one already; ask God to show us where we need to grow; study a book like Crazy Love, or Making All Things New; or look for ways to serve others, as Jesus taught us to do in response to His Love for us.

When my daughter, Susan, was very young, she began singing for church. I think she was two years old the first time she sang for service. One of the songs she sang was “Little Flowers Never Worry”. The words are:

“Little flowers never worry
When the wind begins to blow.
And they never, never cry
When the rain begins to fall.

Though it’s wet and oh so cold,
Soon the sun will shine again.
Then they’ll smile unto the world,
For their beauty to behold.

When the clouds begin to gather
And the storm begins to blow,
Little flowers don’t complain,
Though they’re tossing to and fro.

Oh, I guess they’ve learned the secret,
They don’t fret because they know,
If it never, never rained,
Then they’d never, never grow.

So, let it rain, let it rain, let it pour,
Let old trouble keep knock’n at my door,
If we learn the right from wrong,
It will help to make us strong.

Lord, please help us learn the secret,
Even little flowers know,
If it never, never rains
Then we’ll never, never grow.”

_Beth Bernard

As March winds blow, and April comes with showers (more rain?!!?!?), let’s ask God to help us grow deeper in our faith, put down roots in practical ways, and celebrate with Him every evidence of His Love blossoming in our hearts and lives. Keep shoving against those “stones”!

Don’t be shy! We NEED to hear from you! Please write to us and share your thoughts and experiences in walking the Walk, and especially, practical ways you are “putting down roots”.

Send your thoughts, questions, ideas, book recommendations and experiences to: hagle54@gmail.com, or Mary Hagle c/o EHA, 1405 East Burcham Street, Kelso WA 98626.

We grow as we share . . .

Mary Hagle

Editor

“The House”

The Process of Finding A Mentor

By: Steve Jones

Sometime in 2009 Pastor Nick’s message was on mentoring. He discussed how important it is for Christian brothers and sisters to have someone in their life who can help grow their relationship with Jesus Christ. As someone just returning to the church and a relationship with Jesus, I understood this importance. Finding that person to work with took longer than I had hoped.

My search for a mentor during the next year was casual at best. There are many good men at East Hills Alliance who have and display a strong faith. The relationship with a mentor is what is important to me. They must understand and appreciate each other. Each person must be patient and listen to the other.

Recently, a casual conversation with a co-worker revealed that I was a Christian. He asked some questions about speaking in tongues. When I mentioned this to Tom Hight, he suggested we meet for a Bible study. We met at East Hills on the Thursday prior to his passing. This was the only one-on-one meeting Tom and I would have. As we parted that afternoon, we stood in the cold air talking about how we should get together again. We gave brotherly hugs and parted.

The following Sunday after church service I was standing in the aisle speaking with a mother who was asking me to mentor her young son in a Scout project. As we spoke someone walked by and gave me a hip bump. I turned to see Tom looking back at me. We smiled at each other as only good friends or brothers can do. I was so excited. I knew at that moment Tom Hight was my mentor.

The news of Tom’s passing came Tuesday, and I was devastated. This was the same day I was to meet with my young Scout friend. I knew Tom would want me to continue. As I met with my young friend, I kept thinking, "What would Tom do?" "What would Tom say?" Suddenly being a good mentor had taken on great importance.

Tom’s sudden passing meant our mentoring relationship had ended before it had hardly begun. Or had it? Much of the past week has been spent thinking about Tom. He was so happy to see me return to church. Tom always listened to my stories of my Christian growth. He was always happy to see me. We spoke often about a very good friend of mine with whom Tom had worked for thirty years. He always encouraged me to be active in the church. It is now obvious to me that Tom was mentoring me all along. The importance of this is not lost on me.

Pastor Nick and Pastor Caleb have asked each us to have a mentor and to become mentors. Those of us who accept God’s challenge need to look no further for an example than the man who greeted us each Saturday and Sunday service. Tom’s father-in-law called him, "The most Godly man I know." Pastor Nick spoke of Tom as a great man and how others must step forward to fill the void. It is important for me to accept the challenges of leading and mentoring. Tom Hight wouldn’t have it any other way.

A Mentor To Lean On In Tough Times

It was through reading the book, Touchdown Alexander, the story about the Seattle Seahawk running back Shaun Alexander and his experiences as a Christian that

I first contemplated finding a mentor who could support me in my own journey with God.

He writes about his pastor, who encouraged his parishioners to have a mentor, a protégé and encourager in their life. As I began to pray and ask God for help to find a mentor, He gave me a surprisingly quick answer. I knew I needed someone who was a godly example; someone I could trust. He needed to be someone that I could be honest with and respected enough to heed his advice. Tom Hight fit the criteria.

I hadn't spent any time with Tom outside of church, but every time I spoke with Tom or watched him at church, I saw a man who cared about people and was doing his best to serve God. So I approached Tom one night following a Monday Night Live meeting to see if he would be interested in joining me in this special relationship. I was a little nervous, again, not knowing him very well. As it turned out, he was so gracious and suggested we meet and get to know one another first. From that first meeting to the last (which occurred the Wednesday before he passed away) I knew God had his hand in bringing us together. In one of the most challenging years of my life, I had a mentor and friend to look to for wise counsel and support.

Little did I know that God's timing, as usual, was going to be perfect. Three months into our regular meetings, my younger brother, Craig, died of a heart attack at 38 years of age. As a family, we had celebrated his birthday earlier that very day. Craig was my only sibling. So while I grieved the loss of my brother, I tried to be there for my sister-in-law Teresa, my three nephews and niece, my parents and my own family. Thankfully, Tom was a constant support with his prayers and encouragement. He and Ann attended the memorial service down in Vancouver, where I spoke about my brother and what he meant to me.

I leaned on Tom as he kindly reminded me of God's strength and love.

I so appreciated the fact that God knew I was going to need a mentor more than ever and that Tom was willing to serve in that role for me.

There were other difficult situations I faced during the fifteen months I spent with Tom. With each one, he consistently listened, empathized, and offered words of encouragement and wisdom from the Bible. Whenever I told Tom how much I appreciated our relationship, he would say the feeling was mutual. Even though I was the one being mentored, I would ask him how his life was going and what I could pray about for him. I was honored that he trusted me enough to allow me to be a part of his life. This demonstrated how mentors are human too. Humility, when practiced in front of others, is a powerful testimony of what God can do through us.

Through my relationship with Tom I gained a deeper understanding of the verse found in James 4:10,

"Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up"

My respect for Tom grew as he showed his humanity and dependence on God.

I will cherish the time I had with Tom Hight as my mentor and dear friend. I am a better man and a stronger Christian for having known him. The lessons I learned I will forever remember and proudly pass on if ever asked to be a mentor to someone else someday. I hadn't anticipated gaining a friend by having a mentor, but what a wonderful and blessed byproduct of having one! I have come to believe that only when someone is willing to become a friend can he become an effective mentor. If you do not yet have a mentor in your life, I strongly encourage you to find one. I guarantee you will not regret it.

-Mike Mendenhall

A Mentor Named Tom

By: Cameron McKinney　

Tom was my Mentor. We met on Wednesdays every other week at Starbucks. We started out just getting to know one another over several weeks, sharing family backgrounds, how we met our spouses and how we came to know and follow Jesus Christ.

　　　　 He was the one I would talk to if I was having family struggles or had questions on Godly parenting. Tom was always encouraging and never had a judgmental response to anything I shared. He was an excellent example of what a godly man is and should be.

　　　　 I know when someone dies, people "come out of the woodwork" to say all kinds of good things about them even if they didn't really know them. However, with Tom, he had a way of impacting everyone　he came into contact with.　

Tom was the man I want to become. He was generous, kind and always willing to help or listen. Tom was a righteous man and full of Godly wisdom.

　　　　 There was a time when one of my children had a bit of an "error in judgment" and Tom offered some advice that most likely saved me from making a very serious parenting mistake. His advice also　preserved my child’s dignity, saving them from further humiliation, while restoring them to a place where they could have continued positive influences and be able to rebuild trust. Because　I followed Tom's Godly advice, that child felt the freedom to repent and not repeat the same unwise choices.

　　　　 　I miss Tom and can't wait to see him on the other side. Knowing he is with our precious LORD and SAVIOR brings great comfort. Yet I must confess to being envious of who he gets to keep company with, "Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses". I'm truly excited for him. I imagine him dozing off in his EZ-chair,　then waking up and the first　thing he sees is "THE SON of THE LIVING GOD, JESUS THE CHRIST" our Master and　King, surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousands of　His angels and the great cloud of witnesses. WOW!!! AWESOME!!!　 I can't wait to join him. "Soon and very soon we are going to see the King"! Amen

　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

An Interview With George & Tricia Salas

Bio-Notes . . . Tricia Salas had her first conversion experience at about the age of ten, during the time her grandparents were taking her to church with them. At about thirteen she kind of fell away from a relationship with God. She has been coming to the Easter service at Kelso High for the last four years, and she and George had been talking with Ann Hight for about two years about marriage and parenting their son, George.

Tricia made the decision to return to her faith in Jesus this past November, and George followed in December, surrendering his life to God for the first time.

Both George and Tricia grew up in California and finished high school there. They have made Longview/Kelso their home for the last six years. George works with Steve & Cheryl Mazzuca at Grocery Outlet, grateful for the kind of employers they are, and Tricia is the manager at the Kelso Safeway Starbucks. She enjoys interacting with people, so it’s a good fit for her. They have a delightful little boy we met for the first time during this interview, named George after his father.

They don’t seem to have a lot of free time, but they do enjoy "hanging" together, and are working on developing a time of reading the Bible together. They like watching movies, and George is busy with on-line marketing. They are also trying to establish a time of praying together, and for Tricia, the experience of "talking to God all day" is new, but great. She wants to get past the "don’t have time . . . I’ll do it later" aspect of Bible study and prayer with George, but they’re definitely "working on it"!

Tricia has started reading Five Love Languages, about learning a simple way to express feelings and bring joy back into marriage, and George has been reading bits of a book about Christian persecution and the hardships of being a Christian, during his lunch break at work.

The House: As we talked about, the February issue of The House is focused on Mentoring, and particularly, the relationships that grew out of knowing and talking with Tom Hight. I know you told me that wasn’t directly true for you, but that he did influence your spiritual journey. Can you tell us more about how that’s true for you?

Tricia: I only had brief conversations with Tom when I came into Celebration Services every weekend. He was always at the back of the church, always asked me about my week, always asked about George, even when he wasn’t with me. But . . . the counseling George and I have been doing with Ann is based on the relationship she and Tom shared, and the way they raised their children.

She talked to us always about how they loved one another, and how forgiving and loving Tom was. One example she used was what she called "the gas fairy" because she would go to bed knowing she needed gas in her car, and when she got to her car to go to the church, Tom would have taken her car and filled the tank for her.

One phrase Ann repeats often sticks in my mind: "Love is kind".

An example of Tom and Ann’s parenting style was splitting responsibilities. Ann would wait for Tom to take care of the part he was responsible for when he got home from work. They respected what the other brought to their parenting relationship.

One funny story is how, when they were newly married, Ann thought it would be funny to pour water on Tom. She told me he got so mad, and she had never seen him mad. She said she was afraid he was going to leave. She said he hadn’t ever gotten that mad again, but she never threw water on him again either!

How well they lived their life together has really impressed upon me how important it is. My dad died when I was fifteen. I never had the opportunity to experience what it would have been like to have parents like Tom and Ann, but I want to base all my relationships on their example.

The House: George, you have been chiming in to agree with Tricia all along the way tonight. Do you have something to add?

George: Just that there were so many people who would say, "I need to know what to do in this situation. I think I’ll go talk to Tom. He will know the best thing to do." I want to be like him.

My Friend Dave, a Mentor

By: Nick Stumbo

As a high school student, I was pretty sure the world revolved around me. Most of us live with that delusion for awhile. (Some of us for far too long!) I would like to tell you about a mentor and friend I had at that time. His name was Dave. Dave was a boisterous, quirky twenty-something who did ministry at our church and was a local substitute teacher. Dave was single. Dave sometimes said the wrong thing and inadvertently offended people. And for some reason, Dave wanted to be my friend.

Dave would find ways to include me in just about everything he did. Dave and I performed puppet shows together for kid’s church and walked in community parades as clowns. I went car shopping with Dave and hung out with him while he ran errands. Dave introduced me to unique ethnic foods and showed up at all my basketball games to take pictures. Most of my high-school teammates thought he worked for the newspaper and were rather shocked to find out he was just there to take pictures of me.

And all along the way, Dave shared his life with me. He talked of his struggles and his joys. He told me what he thought about God and what he believed God thought about Him. At no point in this friendship can I remember Dave telling me that he was trying to mentor me, but trying or not, he did. He invited me to learn about life and faith with him. As I look back, this friendship had a more significant impact on my life than any other relationship outside of the one with my parents.

This month, we are focusing on the topic of mentoring. I know that many of you reading this article are on the lookout for a godly mentor in your life. But the thought of becoming a mentor intimidates you. You wonder if you have what it takes; if you’re close enough to God. Let me encourage you from my experience. Dave made a difference in my life, not because he was godly, but because he wanted to be godly. Dave helped me grow, not because he had it all together, but because he opened his life to God and others. Dave taught me about God and faith, not because he knew all the right answers, but because he showed me how to ask the right questions and wrestle in faith with the realities of life.

And now, I believe in you because Dave believed in me. If you will pursue God with your whole heart, faltering though your steps may be, that very journey is what God will use to touch and change the lives of others. So get on the pursuit! And invite someone to join you along the way. You never know; you just might become their mentor.

Mentoring. Walking alongside. Friendship

What is the value to us in one life lived in a side-by-side relationship with the Creator of the Universe? As I considered focusing on love for the February newsletter, something held me back. I didn’t have romantic love in mind. Certainly Hallmark and flower shops have the corner on that market, in many ways.

I was thinking instead of one of the loves Lewis discusses in The Four Loves: Friendship. We may still yet come back to the subject of love in a later issue of The House. Lewis’ is not a simple idea. Like most of his observations, there are many twists and turns and "attic rooms" to take captive our minds and imaginations. What was sticking in my mind about love is his statement about Friendship: "What have all these ’unconcerning things, matters of fact’ to do with the real question, Do you see the same truth?.

This question is the base, for Lewis, of Friendship.

Then came the loss of such a true friend as Tom Hight. And on the heels of his memorial service, the Celebration Service message about Mentorship. The rapidity of it all took our breath away. But, it’s no surprise, really, where God took us. This issue of The House is about Mentoring, and most particularly, the Mentoring some of us were privileged to experience from Tom. And how he asked Lewis’ question: Do you see the same truth?

Thank you so much, those of you who were willing to share your experiences with Tom, and what it meant to be mentored by him. Yet another gift from his life: an example for us all as we follow our pastor’s invitation to ask God to show us whom we might mentor, and be mentored by.

　　　　- Mary Hagle

　

　

　

　

　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

To Honduras and Back

Bio-Notes

. . . Pat Enbody:

Pat accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of six. She had attended a revival service in Lawrence, Kansas, with her family, and her dad asked her if she wanted to go forward and make a declaration of her faith, and she did! She attended Friends Academy High School in Haviland, Kansas, completed two years of junior college, was a beauty school instructor, and taught HeadStart. Serving other people is Pat’s favorite use of free time - especially children. "Children have been my life. I adopted eight and had three of my own. I’ve been a guardian and foster parent many times, and have always wanted to do these things. He gives us the desires of our hearts."

Latest reading material: Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola

The House: Our focus for the January newsletter is on "walking out our faith". Pastor Nick wanted to hear more about your trip to Honduras, as it certainly represents this aspect of spiritual discipline.

Pat: I sponsor Jensy, a girl at the Children’s Village, Tegucialpita, Honduras, a part of Worldwide Heart to Heart Ministries. Jensy is fifteen now, but our relationship began two years ago. We write letters to one another faithfully, and I promised her one day I would come to see her.

The House: Many of us sponsor children in other countries. How did you come to the decision to take this trip?

Pat: As I said, I had promised Jensey one day I would visit her. And then, last January a woman who takes teams on trip for WWH2H asked me, "Have you ever thought about going to visit Jansey?"

This was WAY out of my comfort zone! I had never done anything like this. I was shocked. But, I decided this was an invitation I couldn’t pass up. I began getting my shots, getting the paperwork done, and buying my plane ticket.

The House: What kind of impact has this had on you since your return?

Pat: I am so aware of how here at home we think our happiness is in our "stuff". We think we have to be surrounded by our possessions. The children of the Children’s Village are happy to have food and shelter. Two lane roads serve as their "freeways". Mechanics come along to broken-down vehicles on a bicycle, with their tools on their backs. Every day, electricity and water is only available half the time. And yet, these are happy people. No one I met has a car. They walk to church, but the church was full at worship time. We ate with the children every day. They ate beans, rice, soup, chicken and tortillas every day, but it was good!

Mothers who can’t feed their children bring them to the orphanage and beg them to take their children, so they will be fed and clothed. These mothers come after working all day to visit their children at the orphanage, go to church with them, and mother them as best they can even though they can’t afford to keep their children with them. All of this, we take as our privilege, without considering what a privilege it is to be able to do so.

The House: You returned after 10 days there this November. What was Thanksgiving like for you this year?

Pat: This was the most thankful Thanksgiving I’ve ever experienced. When Jansey and I were introduced, she was so amazed that I came to see her that she cried. I had told her I would make the trip, but she was still touched that I was really there.

While I was there, Nora, 13, another of the teenagers there, asked if she could sing for me. She sang, "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord," and she meant it! She has inspired me to see people through the spiritual eyes of my heart, through God’s eyes.

The House: What was the greatest reward to your faith walk from the trip?

Pat: To see the work the Lord is doing. My team had the joy of leading a 13-year-old to know Him while I was there. I got to take part in his Kingdom while here on earth. We should be excited about what we get to do to participate with God in what he is doing while we’re here.

I’m convinced these children who are being saved from starvation and death have been saved for a special purpose the Lord has in mind for them. Their faith will be strong because of their struggle to survive. It’s a privilege to get to be part of ministry at this time in my life.

In two years I lost my mother, my husband, a son, 12, and a step-son, 32. This invitation to go to Honduras and meet Jensy was in God’s timing. I had been through a lot of grief. This was like a gift from Him to bring me out of my grief and give me purpose and direction again.

The House: What would you say to the people of EHA who might be interested in having this kind of experience?

Pat: Get involved in this ministry, or another like it! Contact WWH2H at wwh2h.org to sponsor a child. Support the Byrom family in Sarajevo/Bosnia. Find out how you can help someone locally. Try to give your life away! You can’t out-give God! You will get back more than you can ever give away!

I am so grateful to the people at EHA who prayed for me. I specifically asked for prayers that I would be able to keep up physically with my team, not get sick, and have the energy to do what we went to do. It is a twelve-hour flight to get there. We stayed at the orphanage. We were with the children all day, and had meetings every night, the seven of us, to sort 18 duffel bags of gifts into packages for the children for Christmas. It was hard, but so worth it. ALL those prayers were answered in abundance! Thank you!

The House: And the future?

Pat: I’m already planning my next trip! In November, 2011, I’ll be going back to teach 12 high school girls to sew. This will be a skill they will be able to use well.

I’m so blessed to have this opportunity. God is so good to me. I can see other people as He would want me to, because He has opened the eyes of my heart.

Walking Out Our Faith

These past three months, The House has focused on the spiritual practice of Solitude; Practicing the Presence; how to "be" with God. It has been a rich experience to hear from one another as we look for words to say what it means to have a lively relationship with God, exploring what it means to be in close communion with Him.

And now, it seems the Holy Spirit is reminding us that the natural response to that experience is "walking out our faith", "putting feet to our prayers", "walking the talk", and "making new resolutions".

"All Jesus' words and actions emerge from his intimate relationship with his Father. ‘ Do you not believe,’ Jesus says, ‘that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? What I say to you I do not speak of my own accord: it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his works. You must believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe it on the evidence of these works’ (John 14:10-11).

"Just as all Jesus' words and actions emerge from his communion with his Father, so all our words and actions must emerge from our communion with Jesus. ‘In all truth I tell you,’ he says, ‘whoever believes in me will perform the same works as I do myself, and will perform even greater works. ... Whatever you ask for in my name I will do’ (John 14:12-13). It is this profound truth that reveals the relationship between the spiritual life and the life of ministry."

Henri Nouwen

There are so many amazing ways we can make our lives available to God to "perform the same works" as Jesus did! The House will share the ideas and experiences of six ways; but YOUR story, YOUR path, is as unique as our God is! What direction will He lead YOU in this new year? Please consider the challenge of participating in something from one of these six, or following as the Holy Spirit leads you to another – and write to us to share where He takes you! Remember, the word "enthusiasm" means "God in us" and/or "belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit"!

Love INC

One great way to follow Jesus’ leading in this adventure of faith is a very practical one. The good news is – YOU are already a part of it, because you are a part of East Hills!! East Hills decided many months ago to be one of several participating local churches in something called Love INC (Love In the Name of Christ). Love INC of Cowlitz County is a network of local churches, church volunteers, and community organizations coming together to help people in need.

Through a clearinghouse, Love INC will receive requests for help, screen the requests for extent of need and legitimacy, and refer the request to a local church ministry, church volunteer, or community agency. Love INC will follow up to ensure the need was met and to offer spiritual support.

The beautiful thing about Love INC is that it isn’t just another social service agency trying to meet needs – it’s meeting needs in the Name of Jesus. The church (us!) can take its rightful place in the front of the line James was talking about when He said, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress." –James 1:27

In the next few months, you will be invited to name ways you feel equipped to help people in need; given the opportunity to use your unique gifts and talents in specific, manageable ways to serve others. Perhaps you can begin now to pray about how God wants to use the abilities and interests He gave you in very real and practical ways, so that when the question comes, you will be ready to answer!

In this issue, we will also hear from Jason Hoover and Habitat for Humanity, an opportunity to challenge yourself in a hike into the mountains with Jason, Pat Enbody’s Honduras mission trip experience, Anna Milligan’s letter from Cambodia, and Pastor Nick’s article about A.W. Tozer’s "Five Resolutions to Make and Keep".

Where will YOU walk with God this year?!? God’s Blessings on your travels! Please write and tell us about your journey!

Send your thoughts, questions, ideas, book recommendations and experiences to: hagle54@gmail.com, or Mary Hagle c/o EHA, 1405 East Burcham Street, Kelso WA 98626.

We grow as we share . . .

Mary Hagle, Editor

The House

Habitat for Humanity

A little over a year ago our church was given the opportunity to partner with other churches in the region to build a house as part of a Habitat for Humanity (HFH) project. I was asked to coordinate the volunteers with the Habitat organization. I felt there were many benefits to working with Habitat.

• People of the Longview-Kelso area see the EHA name somewhere out in the community away from the church building.
• A family in need gets help through the use of our talents
• God's will is accomplished here on earth through serving
• God's name is glorified instead of reviled
• A sense of community both inside and outside the church is created through a shared serving experience
• A person can learn how to repair or remodel a house in a non-threatening way.
• Getting to know other people in our church and outside of our church

As you can read there were many benefits working on a Habitat home. Even if a person had no experience, a warm welcome was extended and the person was made to feel that he or she was involved as much as anyone else. A typical day started around 8:30 a.m. and began with a gathering of all who were there for a quiet time/devotional followed by a review of all safety procedures. No one is asked to perform a task that is unsafe or makes a person feel uncomfortable. Afterwards the Habitat co-ordinator started describing and assigning tasks based usually on ability and experience. Inexperienced people are usually paired up with a more knowledgeable person who guides the task. Around the noon lunch time, other volunteers show up with a fantastic lunch already prepared so the workers take a break to eat but do not have to take time for food preparation or cleanup. Providing lunches is another option for volunteering for those who feel they have no construction skills. Our EHA group always had someone ready to step in and provide a great lunch. Usually the work started winding down around 3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. unless the day’s tasks were completed before that time.

The work is not always the "fun stuff". Many times there is menial work to be done, but the next big project cannot get started until the little stuff like preparation and clean up get done. But it is work that must be done. Menial work is well… menial, but many times this type of work provided for more time to interact with co-workers. Learning who had grandkids, where someone worked, or other little known facts about your co-workers can be a great menial job reliever. You find out that there is more to the someone when you spend an afternoon prepping window protection for upcoming texturing of the walls.

What if I make a mistake? Usually if you are not sure of what to do you will find a foreman and ask him or her. But mistakes still happen. On our project our team worked hard in the morning to prepare and install the trusses for the roof. Our goal was to get the trusses up and complete as much of the roof sheeting as possible. Our team was pumped and making good progress. But the truss installers noticed the measurements used to keep the trusses even were starting to vary from the expected measurements. The more trusses we installed, the larger the difference between actual and expected measurements. the installation stopped and the foreman was consulted. After 15 minutes of consultations and pouring over the blueprints, it was determined that the Habitat foreman made a mistake in the laying out of the truss measurements. Our team had to pull up 12 installed trusses (about half of what was to be installed) and start over with the corrected measurements. Our team could have complained and grumped and walked out. The team was frustrated and disappointed, but we did not feel as bad as the Habitat foreman. So we applied God’s grace, tried not to show our disappointment and reset the trusses with no grumbling. After all the hard work, we still were able to set all the trusses and get the first couple of sheets of roof underlayment on top of the trusses so the next crew could easily finish the roof. So our group had a great opportunity to practice God’s grace.

We are not involved as a church with a Habitat project at this point in time, but do not let that hold you back. The local Habitat organization is currently building a house in Kelso and is continually asking for volunteers to help in the construction. There are plans for another house in Longview probably starting next spring or summer, so there are current and future opportunities for ministry through Habitat. There have been inquiries into if EHA will be involved in another build. I cannot say one way or another at this point, but there may be some from the church involved on an informal basis.

I would definitely encourage you to consider working on a Habitat project if you have any inclination or feel God’s tug on your heart. There are so many ways to be involved that anyone can find a place to contribute. Feel free to ask me if have questions about Habitat or you are interested in becoming involved somehow.

--Jason Hoover