I am currently sitting in a study cubicle on the lower level of our local community college outside of the choir room. My wife sings in the local Philharmonic choir and they practice every Tuesday night. I drop her off and I wait in the study area while she goes to practice. I use this time to work on church and Saints stuff.
They are currently working on Christmas music for their Christmas concert in December.
They are currently singing "Deck the Halls" to be specific.
Christmas time comes up quicker when you are an adult. It means that we are close to the end of the year.
That is somewhat appropriate because tomorrow I am traveling on my last Saints trip of the year. We are heading back to Louisiana to visit USP Pollack for three days- the prison is big enough that we can spend three days ministering to the men there!
While I will most likely be the only guy on the field, or in the entire prison for that matter humming Christmas carols, I am really excited about the opportunity to visit USP Pollack and share the Gospel with the men that we will see!
Here are some ways you can pray for our team this weekend:
(Note: This looks like I totally copied and pasted this from my last email from our trip to Louisiana but trust me, I updated it for this trip!)
Traveling Mercies– There are six different states represented among the 14 men going on this trip. Our last trip to Louisiana two weeks ago included lots and lots of plane delays, rental cars, and more airports than we had planned. Everything worked out OK and we made it to the prison and made it back home...eventually!
Please pray for traveling mercies as we will navigate airports and some more Louisiana country roads!
Team Unity– This is a really fun group of guys to travel with this weekend. There are guys who have been with me since my first Saints journey in 2011 and lots of guys who have been with me throughout my Saints travels over the years. Please pray that fellowship will be sweet and morale will be high as we serve together. I will be leading the team devotions each evening so please pray that those go well.
Team Performance– The results of the games aren’t important but it is critical that we play well and that we earn the respect of the inmates. If we play well and earn their respect, they will be more likely to stick around and listen to us share the Gospel. I really like the talent level of the team and I'm looking forward to us all being together on the field. Please pray that we play well and that we avoid the injury bug!
Speakers– Pray for the Missionary Athletes who will be sharing their testimonies of how they met Jesus and for the Missionary Athletes who will be sharing the Gospel. I will be sharing the Gospel on Saturday so please pray for me!
Families– Several of the 14 Missionary Athletes are leaving a family at home so they can minister. Please pray for all of the wives and moms who have to brave work and kids by themselves. I’m very thankful for the support that I have from home on these trips!
Inmates– Most importantly, pray for the men that we will encounter as they are the purpose of this trip. Pray that they hear the Gospel and will see a need in their lives to follow Jesus! Pray that God works in their hearts and that God draws them to Himself.
I will be updating my Facebook page throughout the week.
Thank you in advance for the prayer support and for all of the encouragement many of you have given over the last several years! I’m looking forward to having some time to write updates about FCI Oakdale, Pittsfield WC, and Jacksonville CC. This has been a busy stretch but I am so blessed to be part of this!
