Young Life Chicago on FACEBOOK

So I hope if you're reading this you are on Facebook. If you are not, then GET ON IT! tThere are over 200 million people on Facebook!!

Anyways, seriously, if you're not on Facebook, then it's time you were. And if you are on Facebook, come join the NEW group that I just created for our new Young Life ministry in the Chicago Northside areas of Hermosa and Humboldt Park.

This will be a way to stay up to date with our ministry and our lives. I will continually post pictures, videos, and blogs about what's going on. Also, I will be making a web site for the area as well, but that's in the next few months.

Click on the image below and it will take you right to the Facebook Group so you can sign up!

Young Life Chicago Update

Speechless..........

Thank you LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speechless..........

Seriously though... Anna and I just came home from being gone the whole weekend for a wedding and opened up some mail and our jaws dropped. The LORD is SO good!!

And yeah, everyone know that the LORD is good, but when He comes through and is faithful to His character.... it makes me just be speechless, tear up, and drop to my knees with praise and thanksgiving.

So to continue my story, we can home to 2 miracles. We had 3 letters that were return envelopes from the letters that we sent out to people to be able to know that we were called into ministry with Young Life and to also give them an opportunity to partner with us as we are being sent off as missionaries. All three checks were very generous, but 2 of the three people either know us very little or not at all!

The "Not at all:"
We sent a letter to a friend in Arizona and we received a letter back from that address, but from people that we do not know. They explained that they read the letter out of an impulse and they sent back money to support our ministry!! Praise God!! Talk about a divine appointment!! Only only only our God Almighty can do something like this. This couple are believers as well, so the chances of the people that opened up the letter being Christians as well makes the story even better!!!

The "very little:"
We also have spome married friends that know about our ministry with YL and they told their parents about us. So, our friends urged us to write the parents and their generosity literally left me speechless. I won't say how much they gave, but I WOULD HAVE NEVER EVER EVER thought that we would see a check for the amount that they gave us. All I can say is PRAISE GOD!! Even when we write them a thank you it won't seem like enough... Thank you LORD!!!

So, I'm going to go praise the LORD with my wife right now, but please continue to pray for us as we follow the LORD'S will in this calling and faithfully believe that He will provide from nothing...

We Need Prayer - Chicago Young Life

Hi everyone,

Thanks for continuing to pray for us. I just want to update you guys on the process.  I just received an email from Chicago that said that we are not going to be able to get the transitional housing that we were hoping for. It would have been for free, but the place that was in question needs some much needed repairs.

So we are a little bummed... more than a little bummed about that. It seems that as soon as we accepted the job, the enemy started to pounce on us. We know that the LORD will provide, but right now I feel that He is taking away anything that "we" had planned and any source of provision that "we" had in line. Go figure God wants to provide for us in His way and in His timing.... It's hard though :)

So please continue to pray for us as we keep fighting against feelings of frustration, anger at times, and for us to continually be faithful in remembering that our God is our Jehova Jireh...

Hurdles

The Enemy is REALLY trying to discourage us and somehow impede Anna and I to both be joyous of our calling to go to Chicago and of us actually be able to go to Chicago...

We need to raise over $10,000 to be able to go to Chicago so we cannot waste money on any leisure things. And, since the time that Anna and I accepted the job offer and started to walk into the calling that the LORD has for us we got hit with medical and car bills that reach the $3000 mark!!

I've been a little concerned and I have even momentarily questioned if we were right to accept this job, but now I can only laugh at the Enemy's attempts to thwart our going... cause he can't!!! I mean, "If He is for us WHO WHO WHO can be against us?!?!?!"

I the name of Jesus we COMMAND the enemy to leave our family alone and leave the presence of His children!

I know the LORD is allowing Satan to do this and as soon as Anna and I learn to completely rely on Him about this, I know that the LORD will stop all of this and miraculously provide for us!!! AMEN!!!

Family.... and I mean all of my Community in Christ.... keep us in your prayers as we have moved to the front-lines and the enemy doesn't like it one bit :)

I feel so empowered even though I have been "weaker" than any of the last 16 months since I have been attacked by the Enemy... How good it is to be strong in our weakness because of the LORD's strengthening us :)

I could write forever about the LORD right now... but I gotta go be with my wife :)

Selling Full Bedroom Set

Anna and I are moving to Chicago and we need to sell my bedroom set from my bachelor days :) Please let me know if you are interested and PLEASE spread the word. We need to raise a considerable amount of money and it would be a HUGE double blessing if we received funds through this sale AND we got rid of the bedroom set that we will not use. Comment on this blog if you are interested. The bedroom set is in Lompoc, CA 93436.

Here's my Craigslist Description:

Full Bedroom set in very good condition. I am the orginal owner and the item was bought brand new. Imported from Italy $1800.00 value. The set contains 2 night stands with 2 drawers each, a beautiful headboard as well as a bed frame. The dresser has 6 drawers with the size of 8 drawers (see photo) while a big vanity mirror rests on top. The wood on all surfaces has a slick feel to the hand. $500.00 or best offer. Will help with loading from house to your truck. Please email me at the craiglist email above. Furniture is in Lompoc; mattress not included.

Here are some pictures.

WAY COOL BUSINESS CARD!!!!

Westmont in the West Side - Ministry opportunity

Hey guys! If you are wanting to connect with some amazing ministries in the Santa Barbara Area, check out Facebook's "Westmont in the West Side" Group.

You don't need to be a Westmont Student to be in this ministry!!

Here's the direct link once you are logged in. I think you'll have to be Jeff's friend to see his profile, but here it is anyways: CLICK HERE

Here's their most recent post (Jeff Shaffer):

How do you like that for an intro!

Here are some important things for you to know about to continue the incarnational revolution!

WED APRIL 15TH

Local churches are joining together to consider transformation for the local poor in SB. We are meeting at Community Covenant Church on April 15th at 6:30pm if you want to bring something for a potluck dinner, or 7pm if you just want to come for the meeting. More info to come.

WED MAY 2

From 9am to Noon there will be a unique gathering for leaders for kids club goleta, east side, and west side. Kelly Soifer will be doing the training. If you are involved with Village Kids, this will be good to go to. I am awaiting more specific info on this as well.

SUMMER OF LOVE 2009

Every 40 years there is a revolution. Last time for us - the 60's. Since I am jealous of the 60's, we are going to have our own summer of love here summer 2009. If you are around this summer, let me know and I will fill you in. Buy a black light poster and bring your lava lamp.

Jeff