The story is rigged! (See Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 29:11.) God has already set us up for good works, which are the overflow of connections with Him and others (Ephesians 2:10). That’s GREAT NEWS!

Connections with God and others are not accidents but purposeful opportunities orchestrated by a loving God. He invites us into a deeply converted character experience of fully surrendered constant union and communion with Him. All the fruits of the Spirit — without one missing when truly obedient to God’s commandments — flow from this living connection! Missions are all about connecting with God so we can connect with others. I love connections!

When fellow pastor Fred Calkins approached me at the January 2024 Michigan Conference Ministerial Meeting, he was beaming joyfully. He heard I was going to the Ama project and elatedly shared that his daughter, Keren Lawrence, was serving there with her husband, Orion. Now, I was making the connection — because his daughter, Jephthae Campbell, who currently works in the AFM office, gave me the initial contact connections with her sister Keren and her brother-in-law. Whether it’s a WhatsApp call or an insightful email, Orion and Keren have been so helpful! They are even letting me borrow a canoe paddle from Papua New Guinea to use when I give AFM mission presentations.

Prayer, language learning, housing plans, how and what to pack for my move, and Spirit-led ideas about ministry — that’s just the beginning of the fruitful connection with the Lawrences so far! God planned it, and I’m already enjoying the adventure before I step foot in the field.

Are you willing to join these joyful connections through your prayers and recurring gifts? Thank you for letting the Holy Spirit lead. Your connections matter for eternity in the saving of souls.

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