SEEDS

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant.” - Robert Louis Stevenson

Dear Family and Friends,

This quote from Robert Louis Stevenson encourages me. For it sure seems like a season of planting or re-planting right now. Here are but four examples:

1.   I am writing to you from my new office in Sterling Heights, MI, where Julie and I are now based. We have relocated from Benátky nad Jizerou, Czechia and been re-planted in “a new garden,” one that is situated in a locale foreign to us. It’s going to take some time before we see ripening fruit in relationships. It’s stretching us.

2.   A large map covers one wall in this office. Black or white flags identify all existing Tyrannus and Lydia Halls. Small frames hold the picture of each TH or LH staff person and are linked by a similar colored ribbon to their hall. I can now daily see and be reminded to pray for all staff and the students in their halls. These are seeds of prayer, being sown for a spiritual harvest. Would that the Lord remind many of us to sow seeds of prayer. Many more Tyrannus Halls and Lydia Halls are needed in our world. Many more staff are needed. Jesus “was saying to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest’” (Lk 10:2).

3.   Two weeks ago, I self-published A Disciple’s Primer: Essential Marks of a Disciple of Jesus According to Jesus. It is a concise summation of a lifetime of theological study and practical application in being a disciple with others and in establishing and nurturing small discipleship communities. As I’ve now handed out a few copies to others over this past week, I get the distinct impression that I’m sowing seeds. If interested, you can obtain a digital or print copy.

4.   Minutes ago, the final document was mailed from California to Illinois to complete the necessary paperwork for the merger of Tyrannus Halls International and Tyrannus Halls Europe. Once the California Attorney General approves this merger, the “old-new” mission organization of Tyrannus and Lydia Halls will become the sole torchbearer of this ministry into the future. It, too, is a “re-planting” and new beginning.

I will leave you with one important prayer request. Please pray for Szilágyi Tamás. Tamás is the 25-yearold student-staff at the Cluj Tyrannus Hall (Romania). We were unable to identify an appropriate staff couple/family this year for the CTH. Rather than close the hall of 12 students, the local board decided to ask Tamás to fill this role. With a university degree in business and a little over one year working for a non-profit, Tamás is returning to university for a degree in education. As the oldest student who is also gifted in leadership, he nonetheless has a daunting challenge ahead among his slightly younger peers. Please pray for his wisdom, endurance and encouragement. He is the student on the far right in a black sweater in this 4-minute video’s opening sequence. I have had the privilege of developing a deep relationship with and respect for Tamás over the last two years as well as participating last month in this 4-day retreat in the mountains of central Romania.