God's Love, It Blows Me Away

It has been two months since Greg and I were in North Africa and we realize that some of you may not have gotten much of a report about our trip.  The time has flown by since we got back, but that has given us time to reflect on our endeavors.

When we arrived, we were greeted with some horrible news about a terrorist attack in Sousse, Tunisia, which obviously put our everyone on edge, but God is sovereign. We quickly realized that if that had happened the day before, our trip might have been changed, and He had things for us to do that week.

What a great evening we had that first night, running around trying to observe the busyness of the city. But it wasn’t busy, because everyone was still celebrating the breaking of the fast, because it was Ramadan.  We eventually found a bakery downtown and sat at a table on the street and were soon amazed at the busyness that was 11pm.

Our next day was filled with a planning meeting for our English Camp.  Our meeting was a the home of one our friends co-workers with their families, another co-worker couple, 3 interns, another American short-term visitor couple, 3 young ladies from the school we were teaching at, Greg and I. We planned day by day, and sang the two songs that I got to write over, and over, and over, and over and over again until we were sick of hearing them.  But, like our song says, “God’s love, it blows me away.” During one of our break times, I was just noodling on the guitar and we ended up busting out in Redman’s “10,000 Reasons.” Spontaneous worship.  Ain’t nothing like it.

Camp was great. Every morning we would let the kids into the courtyard and just freely whip around frisbees, without any major tooth damage.  We opened camp with our 2 songs, one about visiting America to the tune of Bieber’s “Baby,” and another one that we wrote using the Bible story of the day.  The kids went to English class for 2 hours then came to games with me. I was given a schedule for games and modified them to things that work with American kids. Then Greg got to teach Bible stories to 35ish North African children. “God’s love, it blows me away.”  His love reaches across the world and shows itself in the form of water balloon battles.

In the evenings, we would shop, sightsee (I can now say I’ve seen some really old things), relax, abide, whatever we wanted. By night time we were done and we would call our families at home and go to bed. Greg was awakened every morning at 3:30 to the sound of call to prayer from the loudspeakers of the several mosques surrounding our hosts’ home. I gladly slept right through them.

After a week of camp we celebrated the US Independence Day by going to the beach, playing bocce, and had a cookout with friends.  On the 5th, Greg and I had the greatest home improvement experience that anyone could have.  Our friends wanted screens put in their windows, but screens are not a common commodity, so we built them. 1 trip to the store. They work. No mis-measuring and breaking supplies, everything worked on the first try. They needed a new doorknob, we fixed it. 1 trip.  “God’s love it blows me away.”

This, for sure has not been an extensive update, and there are many more stories to tell, but again, for the security of our friends, the internet is not the best place to post these things.  So, please, ask us questions.  We would love to share how God moved in our lives into the lives of our new friends in North Africa and how exciting it was to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to children who don’t know who He is.  It was incredible on our last day at camp, looking out over the 35 children all singing, “God’s love, it blows me away.”  Thanks for sharing that love with us, and thanks for sharing His love with North Africa.  Please continue to pray for our friends, their families and the governments of North Africa as they are all trying to figure out what it means to allow freedom of religion. Continue to pray that our friends find ways to meet and interact with North Africans, so they can share how our God has given them the opportunity to live forever with us praising Jesus and singing “God’s love, it blows me away.”

Departure Day

Greg and I are sitting here in my office, and realized that our prayer schedule ends today.  We appreciate the amount of support that we have received over the last month, with all the likes, and shares and words of encouragement.  So, with that said, we'd love for you to keep supporting us.  We have put together another prayer calendar for the days that we are gone.
If you could spend just a little more time in prayer during these next 10 days, (wow, we just realized its only 10 days, there is no June 31st) we sure would appreciate it.  These prayer request also include our families here in the US.  Please start every prayer praying through either or both of the following scriptures:

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then you could pray for the following each day.

28th - Set up of camp, worship - both in North Africa and Hebron, Carrie's parents leave for Florida, leaving her with less support, Marissa's mom's wedding and the new relationships starting.

29th - Camp - Prodigal Son, City Tour - God grants us vision for our friends and a love of the city they live.

30th - Camp - Consider the Birds/don’t be anxious, Pray that we would form quick relationships with the students and families so we can be invited into homes within a few days.

1st - Camp - Parable of the sower, That bridges will be built above language barriers - Andersons to Harrisburg - safety in their travel to & from the Capitol of the Commonwealth

2nd - Camp - Exodus, Visit homes of students - God would use us to reveal himself to our hosts and their lives would be forever changed because of His love

3rd - Camp - Jesus calms the storm, Debrief with staff - a clear plan for future ministry would be formulated after spending the week with students and families

4th - Beach Day - Great encouragement of our missionary friends over the next few days. Hendrickson kids with a friend as Carrie is at a friends wedding, pray for Brendan and Tara's marriage. Pray for our country, that God would reveal Himself to the governmental leadership.

5th - Worship - both in North Africa and Hebron - that God would be lifted up in both places and everywhere in between, rest and relax

6th - More encouragement for our friends - relax day

7th - day of travel, safe trip home, that God causes a huge movement in the Christian church in North Africa.

Thanks for being there for us and with us. We, you and I, are God's Church. Open your eyes and ears to where he wants to use you.

Africa

Greg Anderson and Barrett Hendrickson

I have a friend in North Africa who is sharing the Gospel with people in an area of the world that is hostile towards Christians.  God has called him, his wife, two daughters and son to serve Him by living in and amongst Muslims in a place that does have a great recent past when it comes to the treatment of Christians.  His purpose is to show the people of North Africa the love of Jesus by living in their city and conducting regular, everyday business with them, hopefully finding a place where the Holy Spirit opens their ears to the presentation of God’s love for them.

I hope this letter finds you in a place where you know that as well.  Nothing is more important than recognizing that God loved us so much that “for our sake God made Christ to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

One of the ways that we show we are God’s righteousness is by living out that faith, and telling people who Jesus is.  My plan is to visit my friend in Africa.  While to some, it may not seem like the greatest time to go, I believe it is time for me to step out of my comfort zone and open my worldview to include what being part of the persecuted Church might look like. 

I, and another friend named Greg are going to visit our friend. Our trip will occur this Summer from June 25th to July 7th.   We pray that our presence will provide good encouragement to our friends.  Living in this area is joyful but difficult for this family.  They will benefit by having friends come and work with them in their context.  Specifically we will serve the local community by participating in a kids summer camp while we are there.  This camp will focus on kids learning English and sports.  Greg will be teaching English while I will be helping by leading music and teaching sports.  There are others coming from different parts of the the United States and Europe to participate in the camp as well.  All this is to build bridges for this community to the gospel.  

I am specifically writing you for prayer.  We need individuals who will pray for us and our friends. Please pray that our wives kids will continue to be awesome here in Pittsburgh while we are serving with our friends.  Pray for God to make His will incredibly clear in our lives.  Pray for the people that we come in contact with, that they will “have ample cause to glory in Christ” because of our being around. (Philippians 1:26)  Pray for peace in this area that has had recent turmoil. Pray that our friends would be encouraged and feel loved and supported by our church community.   Pray for the ongoing work in this part of the world.

Hebron Church has already generously supported us financially.  However, you can feel free to support us financially if the Lord leads you to do so.  We are being asked to raise money to help support deferring the cost of putting on this camp.   Primarily we are asking people to pray for us as I have indicated above.  Please let us know if we can count on you to pray for us during our time in North Africa.  Feel free to call or email if you are able to commit to praying for us. We will also post on Twitter and Facebook a daily prayer request, leading up to our trip, or if you'd like, here is our prayer list:

May 27-31-logistics of camp

27-That the building will be open and a great place for students to go

28-That students will show (get rides, walk...ext.) up to learn English

29-Pray for God’s hand in the set up going on now to prepare for camp

30-Pray that there are enough materials and equipment gathered for camp.

31-Pray that all the equipment and materials are ready and useful

June 1-6-security of camp

1-Pray for a general security of camp

2-That God would make camp a safe place for students

3-Pray that there would be openness about Christians sharing their faith

4-That God would provide safe arrivals and departures to and from camp (students and staff)

5-Pray that the police are open and available to protecting camp if needed

6-There would be no problem for the American camp staff getting into North Africa

June 7-13-how to share Gospel stories
7-Pray that God is equipping the leaders and Interns to do His mighty work
8-Pray for the workers, that God will give them a clear mission and plan how to share the amazing message of Christ’s love.
9-Pray that God is changing and preparing those coming from the US to share the Gospel.
10-Reassurance and peace that God will use them to do His work and spread the Gospel.
11-That the Holy Spirit will be present and clearly seen as the workers look for ways to share the Gospel with locals.
12- The stories used will be understood by the students and parents
13- That fear, and satan would be quickly pushed aside, allowing the staff to speak of Jesus

June 14-20- Interns-energy, leadership, focus
14-That God would bring high energy to all leadership
15-Pray that God would fill leadership with His presence
16-Pray that God would give wisdom to leadership in being aware of their surroundings and able to make quick decisions.
17-Pray that God will prepare the interns for a summer in their new surroundings
18-That while learning English, students and family will see the love of Christ in the camp staff
19-The time between arrival and the start of camp will be restful and jetlag quickly disappears
20-Pray that evenings after camp will be great time of rest and reflection

June 21-25- Contacts with families of students.
21-Pray that the frustration of communication would be minimal
22-We and more importantly the workers, are/is welcomed as part of the community
23-Relationships would be started with the staff and students/families
24-Pray that we would be invited into homes to share meals with students and families
25-Many North Africans would come to know Christ through our time together