Dear Family and Friends,

Praise the Lord! The call of God continues to lead us on, and I’m excited as I go again with the love of God and the cross for Jesus. Right now, by God’s grace, I’m returning to carry the cross through some of the countries in the Middle East.

We’ll give you a full report on my return. I will be traveling with long-time friends, David Fansler and Jason Rogers. We really need you to pray for us. We face great difficulties and dangers on this trip, but as always we rest in the hands of Jesus and trust Him to lead us on. We know what is before us, and we step out into the arms of Jesus to do His will. Our hearts are broken at the suffering of the people and the complexities of the situation in this part of the world. We pray that we will be a light for peace, love, and reconciliation. We trust that holding up the cross of love in these places will help. Pray that the people will hear of, know, love, and follow the true and real Jesus. In Him there is hope, good news, and eternal life.

Please pray for us and the people we will meet. As I’m writing this, it’s late and everyone has gone to bed. As David said, “I delight to do Thy will, O Lord!” (Psalm 40:8), and I pray that this is true in my life. You see, I am thrilled at the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead of me, yet there is a deep burden for my family as I go. If I’ve sneaked into their rooms and kissed them once, tonight, I’ve probably done it at least a dozen times. It happens each time I leave without them–I realize that I’m not assured that I will be able to return … only that I want to. The cross I carry isn’t the wood on my shoulder … it’s being away from them. I guess that’s the thing about a cross, isn’t it?

There is the sorrow and suffering of the sacrifice, yet the hope, promise, and the glory of the resurrection. I guess I share this (because it’s so late, or) because I really need you to take care of the family in prayer while I’m away. Thanks! We want you to know that we truly treasure you and praise God for your service with us … and so do so many along the roadsides of the world. You have to be one of the best families in the world — your prayers, phone calls, notes of encouragement, and giving put you there just as if you landed in the Middle East with your backpack. You go with us! We really do feel that it’s your prayers that keep our hearts fresh, as well as make our witness fruitful. You’re such an important part of what God is doing through our lives and the witness of the cross. We simply want to say thanks for loving us and being our friend. We’ll write again around the first of October.

God Bless You!!
Keith
Philippians 3:10