(written Aug. ‘06)

I keep going back to that fact that I know God led me here from Uganda. I know the same core vision we had still stands: to do ministry in a wholistic, incarnational way, through Christian Community Development (CCD) in an at-risk neighborhood. We have joined this vision with our friend, Keas, who is a youth pastor here. Together we are forming Discipleship Houses (D-houses). This means that we do CCD together with young adults who we are discipling by actually living together.

This is both exciting and scary for me. The other day, I thought, “What am I doing? Not only giving up having my own apartment, but moving in with younger girls and dealing with all the issues that come with that?” This will be ministry 24/7! Yes, it’s a bit crazy, but God let me know early on that the girls He has led me to disciple are a big reason I’m here.

Michael and Erika (who were in Uganda with me and are my team here) figured out the other day that between the three of us, we are mentoring youth from 20 nations! Where else would we have this opportunity? I pray that we can pass this vision for ministry to them and that they will multiply it all over the world!

More Transition

I’ve been thinking of changing my name to Sojourner…In one week I’m scheduled to move with three of the girls I’m discipling to the West Grove; the first black community in Miami. I will also start substitute teaching in several schools in the community. I recently also joined the mission, Faith & Learning International, knowing that as ministry picks up,
there’s no way I can work full time and also pour into these girls and the community.

Posted on September 4th, 2007 by Laurie Cook
Filed under: News