Miracles and Send Offs

They still happen, you know. You should watch for them. You should expect to see them or experience them. Sometimes they are big. Sometimes they are small. Sometimes they come as an answer to prayer. Sometimes they are just an unexpected blessing. They are always extraordinary.

We're talking about miracles.... and we know a thing or two about them because they have been happening as we have prepared to send the Outreach Team to Swaziland. Here are two examples from within the last 48 hours:

1. As a part of the Seeds for Swaziland project, we needed to take specific varieties of seeds with us. Earlier in the summer Kevin R. had spoken with a local home and garden center about purchasing seeds from them for the project. The plan was that as time got closer for the team to leave, he would stop in and pick up the seeds. Well, time passed a little too quickly and suddenly we realized we didn't have the seeds we needed. When Kevin called the local company he was told that unfortunately, since planting season was over, all of their seeds had been shipped back to the distributor. Kevin got the same response from the next several businesses he called. With panic setting in, Kevin prayed. He asked God for some divine intervention and for the patience to deal with the situation. Then he picked up the phone again. A "funny thing" happened when he talked with the folks at Knollwood Garden Center in Beavercreek. They too had returned all their seeds to their supplier a few weeks ago; but some how one of the boxes of seeds had just been returned to them. They had no idea what they were going to do with them.... until Kevin called. They sorted through the box, found the varieties and quantities of seeds we needed, and then they donated them to the project! They were pleased to support the mission trip. Praise God!

2. When we first began planning for the Women's Retreat portion of the Outreach trip, Cassandra requested that we form an intercessory prayer group to pray specifically for the Women's retreat; its leaders, the curriculum and the women who would attend. For the past several weeks prayer warriors have lifted up those requests. One of their prayers was that the Holy Spirit would begin stirring the hearts of the Swazi women who needed to hear the message. At the outset we were told to expect between 35 and 50 women at the retreat. Imagine our surprise to get a message last week that 60 women had preregisterd for the event and that a few more might show up the day of the event. Imagine our even greater surprise to find out this morning (just 6 hours before the team was to leave) that the registration total had climbed to 111 women! We can't wait to see and experience what God has in store for the women of the retreat.

And so, the Outreach Team began its journey today humbled and joyous, anticipating more miracles in the coming weeks. Please be in prayer for them.



The team left the gate on time, but had to sit on the runway for 45 minutes before taking off. They then had to circle Dulles Airport for a while because of weather. When they finally touched down, they had just enough time to walk to the international terminal, check in with the gate attendant and then board the plane. They are now winging their way over the Atlantic Ocean. Hopefully they are enjoying some much needed rest!

To the family, friends and CLC staff members who came to the airport to see them off, thank you for coming. Your love and support mean so much. May you experience God's presence and peace until they are safesly back in our midst.