As I sit in my house today I am reminded that despite what seems like chaos around us, God is in control the same as He was a month ago, a year ago, and 1000 years ago.
In John 16:33 we read “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus is still sitting on His throne! A great reminder that He is in control and always will be. We have been praying that you would draw close to Jesus during this time. Let’s all press in and seek to listen to what Jesus is calling us to during this time of change. We are thankful for new life springing up around us and hopeful for all that God is doing!
In January we had the privilege of attending the Young Life all staff conference that is held every 4 years. Over 5,500 staff and spouses gathered together for, worship, encouragement and to be challenged to run after students with the gospel. It was great spending time with our Heartland Region staff and learning more about how we can be more effective in what we are doing here in Iowa and Illinois.During one of the sessions they brought in 104 people, each carrying a flag representing the 104 countries that Young Life is currently in. As the Kenya flag entered, we both felt a wave of emotion as we remembered the time that God allowed us to serve in Kenya. We are grateful to be able to be part of a global ministry that is focused on reaching students for Christ worldwide.While I was at the conference I had the opportunity to spend some time with Don Stuber. Don has opened almost a 100 new areas in Young Life around the country. He is a bit of legend! Since last fall, Don has been teaching me about how to start new Young Life areas so in our region. Even though he retired in January of this year, he is still helping open new areas so that the Gospel can be shared with students that don’t know Jesus. It has been a blessing to spend time with Don and learn from his wisdom.
Over the last few months we have been working hard at meeting new people and being connected with others that have a desire to see students reached in their community with the Gospel. We have seen good traction with some new areas (Urbandale, and Ft. Dodge) and continue to pray that God would help us to reach more students with the Gospel. In March we had our regional interviews and are looking to bringing some new staff into region starting in the near future. I am looking forward to working with each of them and will share more about them in the months to come.
We continue to press on during this pandemic by connecting with people over the phone and through Zoom (video conferencing) as we seek to make the most of our time during the Corona virus.I (Liz) has been meeting with women one on one and sharing the vision for YoungLives for the past few months. I’ve been working on forming a team to establish a solid root system and branches for the YoungLives ministry here in the Des Moines area.In the beginning of March, I got to share about YoungLives to the MOPS group at our church and lead a time of prayer there. Prayer is so essential as this is God’s ministry to teen moms that He’s just allowing me to be a part of.
Jaden and Josiah are doing well and they are trying to make the best of online school and more time at home. We are thankful for technology during this season of social distancing.
Items for prayer: New areas: Please pray that God would continue to raise up new adults that want to be a part of helping to reach students with the gospel all over our region.
Pandemic: Please pray with us as we seek an end to the virus and that we would look use this time to share the gospel with those around us boldly!
YoungLives: Please pray for the Holy Spirits leading as Liz seeks to develop a team to run after teen moms.
I was so touched by the comment on Kenya when the flags were represented….the boys sure are getting big….please give them my love. Mark seems to be happy there…like seeing the pics.
Sislers in Iowa 
I was so touched by the comment on Kenya when the flags were represented….the boys sure are getting big….please give them my love. Mark seems to be happy there…like seeing the pics.
The sunset pic was especially beautiful
Lots of Love, Aunt Rachel xoxox
Rachel