Message for Sara from an Unexpected Source

I did a bit of sleuthing and last night managed to speak with the minister of the church in Beaufort, SC that oversees the Non Denom ministry for the Recruits on Parris Island.

How wonderful to listen as he shared the ins and outs of their work with the recruits on base.

Even as I write, Sara is headed over or is waiting for the service to begin.  We are praying that the Word that is spoken will be a special blessing to her this day.  Maybe she is not as hoarse this week and can do a bit more singing.

From her last letter, "Honestly, I feel closer now to Jesus Christ than I ever have before in my life.  Reading my Bible and devotional book is like reading a letter from home :) and never fails to give me that warm amazing feeling of comfort!  I absolutely love it! And I'm living Sunday to Sunday :] 4 hours of free time and church!"

I thank God for those thoughts and invite you to pray with me that as she continues through this "shedding of skin" or "new birth" of sorts, that her personal relationship with her Lord will evolve into a bedrock of trust and comfort...perhaps the only stability in her daily life.

Senior Minister Daniel shared with me that where they meet is classified as "Others" :)   The vast majority choose either Catholic or Protestant services in the chapel (possibly with the 'help' of their D.I.).  The "Others" are Buddist, Hindu, Mormon, JW, Non-Denom (the service she attends), and others.

The service she is attending at this very moment is the largest of the "others" with an attendance usually around 60-70 recruits.  I am glad there is a good sized group.  That's a nice big "youth group" of sorts.  Ha! ...with no texting during the service :) or even 'legal' communication between genders.   Wow, that's gotta be tough!  (I wonder if the difference between printed and electronic Bibles is even noticed.  The touch of the pages of my Bible is so much to me... but I'm probably just old school, ha!)

I sent a message along with him which he passed forward to the men leading the service today.  If it gets delivered, I hope the extra "touch" from home is a blessing and does not earn her any "special" attention from any D.I.'s in attendance ... hey it is free time.  Any way, I thought it may be worth the risk to maybe slip in a verbal message of love and pride.

I am so very thankful for men and women that volunteer to minister to the thousands of recruits that pass through Parris Island, planting seeds and seeing many come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.
I expressed my appreciation to Randy for all of us parents (and families of our sons and daughters) scattered around the nation for working to carry forward the message of faith, praise and worship of the Most High, that we have sung, spoken, and taught into their lives these 18+ years that we had them in our homes.

May God bless you all as you worship together... even now.