Learning from Hershey

Hello everyone. My updates have been slow, please forgive me. But I want to share with you what happened in Bismarck ND. We dropped off one of our teammates Philip in Fargo. He was headed back to his home in Texas. Matt has set up a place for us to stay over in Bismarck. When we got to Bismarck I noticed there wasn’t the same atmosphere as Minneapolis. It seemed normal. Well as normal as Covid has made life. Then we met our new friend Andrew Hershey. He did his mission trip the same year I did, back in 2017. He felt the Lord telling him to make an ice cream shop. So he got a flat bed trailer and started building an ice cream stand. People from his community came and helped out. The end result was a beautiful little ice cream stand. I got to make ice cream with Andrew for a few days. I’ve never made ice cream before, but I ended up loving it! We would mix all the flavors and while we mixed, we prayed. We prayed for the people and countries in the 10/40 window. This is the most unreached people group in the world. This includes countries like Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, China and so many more. After we would make ice cream he would sell it. The profits from the ice cream is given to those ministries and people in the 10/40 window. The people that Andrew has personal relationship with. As I watched this man work hard and give everything to those thousands of miles away. I asked myself is this what a business for God looks like? 

 

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I’ve made it back to Gainesville. I really wanted to help and serve the community here. I was inspired by Andrew and the way he lived his life. The way he gave his business to the Lord’s work. I thought to myself what can I do? Then the Lord reminded me, I have learned many hands on skills. I worked as a mechanic for a while and I’ve worked construction too. I decided to help the body of Christ with my skills. I got on the community Facebook page and posted. I wrote, “I’m here until the end of the year and would love to help. I would like to give away free mechanic and construction work. I’m not looking to get paid but if you really want to give me something I will always love food.” So far I’ve been able to help around 10 people. I know it’s not much but I’ve learned that God has given me so much. I must give it away freely.

You guys have continued to give me support through prayer, through financial giving. None of this would be possible without us working together as one body. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. There have been so many people that have told me our group has given them Hope, Life and Love. We have pointed them back on the right track and have given them that extra push, that extra bit of of help. Sometimes it can be hard to see the fruit when it’s not immediately in front of our eyes. But I wanted to remind us all that God is doing a good work through all of us. We can always look to Him, and give Him thanks, praise and glory. He is always moving, He is always working. Together there’s nothing that we can’t do. Thank you.

A prayer for all.

 “Father I ask that You would bless all those who read this message. Lord I ask that You would give each of us the strength and the endurance to live life for You another day. Lord I ask that You would give us the provision that we need. Lord that You open the doors that we need to be opened. That You would close the doors that need to be closed. That Your peace would come. That those who don’t know You, would find You right next to them. God you are good and we can trust You. Thank You Lord for these amazing people who love to give and be light in darkness. I pray this all in Your name Jesus, amen.”