Have you ever jumped into a raging river that just swept you
away? When I was younger I use to
visit my grandfather’s dairy farm in Vermont. We would take trips into the mountains and spend the
afternoon jumping off a cliff into the locally famous Bristol Falls. It was about a 25-foot plunge into the
icy river from the rock cliff.
When you are ten that is a leap of faith. I remember the feeling of exhilaration and apprehension as I
let the force of gravity draw me to the white-capped river below. I remember
the feeling of being tackled by the current into a rollercoaster ride. It was fear, faith, and freedom all
packed in one explosion.
That childhood experience seems to parallel how I currently
feel. I feel as though I just
jumped into a raging river of the Holy Spirit. There is a force, a momentum, a
strength that requires courage and faith to risk it all for the adventure of a
lifetime. I had similar feelings
when I started the World Race, those feelings are back as I realize the
potential of the road ahead.
I have been in close relationship with Seth Barnes and Clint
Bokelman and they have been pouring into me Kingdom dreams that are way to big
for me alone. Like planting
churches in Gainesville and waking up a generation of college students to
radical lifestyles of faith through mini mission trips on their campuses and
inner cites.
These past 7 days my life has been at full throttle
dreaming, implementing, meeting new people, connecting with old friends, moving
in and reaching out. Last night my
house church partnered with an existing ministry, The Torch, and did an
outreach in what I found out to be the most dangerous place in Gainesville. Apparently an international gang called SUR13 has territory in that community.
There have been a number of members in this community murdered do to
gang violence.
The outreach was a hit. We had about 70 kids participate. We played football in the parking lot, soccer in the grass,
hung out, served hotdogs and chili, and presented the gospel in simple
illustration about light and darkness.
Oh and did I mention I am going to Haiti tomorrow? There is a lot going on and I love
it. Moving here feels like a great
outlet for a lot of things stored up in me. But I can’t do this alone. I need YOU to
continue to support me through prayer and finances. It is my desire, hope and prayer that some of you will
commit to partner with me on this journey. I have committed to working in Gainesville for the next year
with Adventures in Missions.
Currently my main focuses are on:
–Haiti: Overseeing
the logistics for all our Short Term Teams to Haiti. We have sent about 800 people so far and have spent over
$130,000 in donations for supplies such as food, water, medicine, and
construction material.
–College Break Trips: Dreaming,
structuring, implementing, and driving with Seth Jr. This is a branch in AIM that hasn’t had any ownership for a
while. We are hoping to offer
weekend trips through the year to inner cities all the way to month trips
internationally in the summer.
If you have been following me from the beginning or maybe
just started will you commit to praying if the Lord would have you partner with
me finically? I have been able to
cover some of my expenses but I still will need $1200 a month.
I am looking for monthly partners of $20, $50, $100 or whatever God
would have you support. Of
course one-time donations are great.
But since I am in this for the long haul I believe God will assemble a
long-term team around me. Would
you please consider being on my team?
Blessings,
Neil
*Donations can be made electronically by clinking on
“Support Me!�
Or mail a check made out to
Adventures in Missions with my name in the memo line to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA
30353-4470
**Adventures
In Missions is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3)
non- profit
organization. Donors will receive
receipts for their gifts with the understanding that the disbursement
of those gifts lies completely at the discretion of Adventures In Missions and
that the
gifts are non-refundable and non-transferable, per IRS regulations. Gifts may be tax deductible; please consult a
tax advisor.
