May we all first thank you for your prayers for this mission! Second, it is a bittersweet message to write about our last day on mission. Oh, how we saw the Lord do good: hearts forever changed; beaming smiles; unity of our CHPC team, and broader mission team; strength to go on when we were tired […]
Sun & Fruit
It was a beautiful day. Not only did the sun shine brightly on us, and we felt its warmth, we saw fruit. Felu gave his heart to Christ. We have seen him return this week to multiple talks, today talking with Michelle at the end, eventually praying with her. Brian and him went to play basketball in the […]
Act Your Age!
On the door frame of our pantry you will find precious pencil marks that represent the passing of time in the Toone household. Every year on the first day of school, our kids backed up to that door frame and we marked how tall they were. Rachel was in the lead for many years and […]
Softening Hearts
Chris, who we shared with you about yesterday, told Stacie and Michelle that he would really like a Bible, so Michelle went and got one for him. She promised if he came back today, she’d have a Bible for him. He came back for it! There was Shaina, who said “I’m debating coming…but I don’t like […]
Fearless at PSU
Today began with a vibrant prayer and worship meeting in which we talked about specific conversations we had on campus yesterday, and then we prayed together about these people – Chris, who grew up with Atheist parents, always believed there was good and evil, and had an experience where he felt like God reached out to […]
Portland State University Mission Begins!
We’ve made it to Portland State University! (In this picture – Lizzie Unterbrink, Megan Kemp (me), Stacie Anderson, Brian Cox and Ellis White – our team from Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Gig Harbor.) We embarked on this mission this morning at 5 a.m., arriving to Portland safely and happily to join the extended team who […]
John 21
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus restored Peter to ministry by forgiving him and giving him a second chance to serve. We can affirm people in ministry by encouraging them to serve according to their gifts. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus did not compare Peter and the other disciple; each disciple has […]
John 20
What did I learn about Jesus? Mary Magdalene appears in all four gospels as the first person to see Jesus after the resurrection. We are especially blessed because we believe in Jesus even though we haven’t seen him! What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus is gracious in how he handles Thomas’ doubts about his […]
John 19
What did I learn about Jesus? John’s gospel emphasizes the sheer brutality of Jesus’ beating and death more than the other gospels. Do I truly comprehend that Jesus endured this brutality for my sake? What did I learn about disciple-making? Do I believe that God is Sovereign over every aspect of my life? Extended thoughts […]
John 18
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus showed self-control and restraint as he was arrested, taken away and questioned by religious and civil authorities. We must be willing to speak the truth about God even in hostile environments. What did I learn about disciple-making? Sometimes disciples will run away when they face persecution or […]