Amy Ministry 2

Johnny Jones, December 2001

The blessings of Christmas are now going towards the grace of a New Year of life. In my last article we got Amy to Europe (late, because of the World Trade Center destruction). Now let's get her home! Here is what happened after Ireland:

The last leg of our trip was spent in London. We stayed at a mission church in one of the less-than-nice areas. This was a good experience as well. We worked mostly with children, many of them from Muslim or other non-Christian backgrounds. One day, our team organized a "carnival" for the kids. There were several different games which the children could choose from, like a maze to crawl through, or pin the tail on the donkey. I was in charge of "bowling," with plastic pins and a little ball. It ended up requiring huge amounts of energy, since I was running to set up pins, grab the ball, hand it to the child, all the while maintaining some level of order and discipline to the whole thing. It really was a lot of fun, though, and I got to know several of the children in that way, who came back several times to bowl. Afterward, we did simple evangelistic skits which children would enjoy, and gave explanations. I really enjoyed this time of children's ministry.

The trip had its difficulties and challenges, but I'm so grateful for all that God did in and through our team. I feel encouraged in my desire to one day be a full-time missionary. One of the main lessons which I learned was that if I step out, God will do the "magic." By that, I mean that God puts us together with just the people He desires for us to minister to and speak with. When we take the small step of ministering in some way, God does the "magic" of touching hearts, of "matching" us with people, of taking our small loaves and fishes and multiplying them. The work does not come from our strength or righteousness. God's heart is for people. He loves them insanely. That's why He uses us as broken vessels. It doesn't depend on us; He will use any instrument because He so much desires to love people and for them to know Him.

I have made more lifelong friends within the space of a few months than I have made in a matter of years. God has taken care of me, and allowed me this time to be with Him, to know Him better, to solidify my walk with Him. I am really grateful. I am astonished at His love. We all should be. It is way beyond our understanding.

"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" Romans 11:33

With Paul, I pray that you, my friends, "may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge ­ that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God." Ephesians 3:18

I pray that all of you will be blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3.) Thank you all so much for your love, prayers, and support. I hope that 2002 is a wonderful year for each of you, in which God is present in your lives in new ways than ever before. God bless you all. I would love to hear from you.

Let me add my best wishes to Amy's for the Lord's peace in your life.