We have had a great time and anixous  to hear about the harvest that Mission Fargo reaps from the seeds that were planted, but we are just as anixous to see our Bridge family. We missed you guys. 

A couple of sayings that you need to know. 

1. knock the skin off 

2. bark at the moon 

3. I can’t write Julie’s so you’ll have to ask her. 

Can’t wait to see you guys!

“And the truest sign of grace was this: from wounded hands redemption fell down, liberating men, and you are holy, holy, holy, all heaven cries holy, holy God

You are holy, holy, holy, I wanna be holy like You are, so here I am, all of me, finally, everything, Wholly, wholly… wholly yours.”

-Preston

The forecast called for thunderstorms…we woke up to a cloudy, kinda cool day…we all got ready, got into our groups and headed off for the tasks of the day.  Carpet cleaning for half of us and more Dakota Boys thrift store for the rest…

So…done with those tasks we had the picnic with the threat of rain looming, but while sitting at lunch the sun started breaking through the clouds…just a little, but I felt like it was message of hope and and a sign that everything would be OK.  So in a few hours the whole of us were in downtown Fargo, in Island Park telling anyone we could find about the picnic at 6:30…the showers started…and then Jeremy called with the message that there was a tornado warning about 30 minutes away…he left the decision up to us, we could stay and hope the rain stopped or try to do it tomorrow…I’m sure all of you (our Bridge family) know what we chose…we chose to trust and believe that everything would work out.  We had asked God to help us, to perform a weather miracle, to bring people (even without us having reached as many places as we wanted this week) and make this a success…and we needed to push forward believing He would do those things.  So we did.  We emptied the bus of the supplies, chairs, coolers…and set out into the park to set up and get ready.  The rain stopped, the weather was perfect…and off in the distance as Dale & Dennis started to grill was one lone man sitting on a bench…Julie set off and walked back with Bob, who had heard about the picnic at the Salvation Army this week while we were working there, then a few minutes later, a few more, and a few more, faces we had spoken to about coming, faces just wandering by that we called over to come and eat.   Soon we were handing plates of food to a steady line of people, and all of them seemed grateful and surprised that it was with no strings attached.  John & Jeremy, Pam and Abby were all on hand to talk to people about Mission Fargo, Alan had found him a spot at a table with a few men who were telling him their stories, the youth were playing frisbee with little kids who came with their moms or alone…Cindy found herself hugging a woman and praying with her…people were asking where the church was and when did they meet, was there a number to call. Randall (one of the summer missionaries) took off to play basketball with a group of college guys who had come to eat and then play…I looked around and saw a group of  20 or so people being Jesus to Fargo.  I looked up and saw blue skies, I looked and saw everyone had food, and we had enough to send home with several of our guests…God answered every prayer we’d asked that day.  We think we had about 65 people come.   Abby said she had started to be a doubting Thomas…thinking no one would really come…but they did.  I told John & Jeremy that my favorite thing was that God surprised them…I could sense that they had been feeling a little discouraged, that what they had planned for this week wasn’t gonna happen, that everytime they turned around plans were changing again.  They both said they had had doubts that it would be a success, and John is already talking of doing more picnics this summer and thinking they may need to start having bible study next week since so many were interested in coming.  People left, some taking home leftovers, and we packed up…but stayed in the park playing and talking and sharing about the people we’d met and the excitement they had about this new church and I think we lingered  trying savor the last few minutes of the miracle our Amazing Father had given us this day.  As we drove back to the dorms Julie led us in thanking our Lord for the amazing things He had done this day and for the blessings of grace He had shown the people of Fargo through a little picnic in the park.    

Mary Bea

8:OO… Once again. Getting out of bed was an interesting task, but once I was up, I was ready to go. We gathered and prayed for the days works. We rolled out of the parking lot around 9:00. Some of us went to finish the work from the day before at the Salvation Army and then some of us were off to another long day at the Dakota Boys Ranch and the rest headed over to the ARC, another thrift store in the area that focuses on people with mental disabilities.

At the Salvation Army, everyone finished their designated jobs (Painting and roofing). That group ate and enjoyed lunch with the people there.

Over at the Dakota Boys Ranch, there was tons for us to do. Jeremy, Gina, and Mary Bea helped repair some clothes racks while Lindsey was swallowed by the multiplying pairs of Camp Rock shoes and purses, and I was helping unload the 20 or so bins of NEW merchandise onto the shelves that were already over crowded.

Over at the ARC, the group helped organize the thrift store which funds the promotion of education and independent living of the mentally disabled population in the community. The organization actually saves around $17 per hour for every volunteer that they have and that money goes into their programs. 

Per the request of Dennis Knisley, we got to see the glorified Mount Rushmore! Only, it was a lot smaller…. and not in South Dakota. James Russell conveniently found a miniature version just for Dennis.

After we had our afternoon rest, we headed out to West Fargo and helped clean the Living Hope Baptist Church. Different people mopped floors, cleaned furniture, bathroom and the kitchen. After we finished there we headed out to the Downtown area to hand out flyers for the picnic……….. in the rain………. at the park. Needless to say, not many people were there.

While everyone else was waiting for Alan’s group to get back to the bus, Lindsey and I decided to take matters into our own hands and had some fun. We played in the rain. Heather decided to join in and quickly regretted that decision after lindsey and I drenched her by jumping in a puddle. 

We headed back to “The Crib” and got freshened up for dinner.  The guys had been craving a big juicy steak so John recommended Timber Lodge Steakhouse. We all had a great time and the Bridge family got to meet my cousin who lives in Valley City, ND. 

We are all grateful for the amazing opportunities and the luxuries that we are blessed with.  Please keep everyone in prayer that we have already met and the ones that we will meet in the future.  Tomorrow we have a community picnic in the park planned.  Thunder storms are in the forecast.  Please pray for clear skies, open hearts and witnessing opportunities.

Sarah

We just finished our nightly meeting with the mission team and I must say that it was one of the sweetest times I’ve enjoyed on this trip. Even as I type this, people are sitting here hanging out and sharing testimony and things God has done in their lives. Hearing my husband read and talk to the group, pray for needs, encourage the kids and say how proud he is of them and how they are working hard, hearing the testimonies of things that happened or people we came in contact with, hearing James Russell get excited because Mr. Dale declared that he and Seth have become men and seeing Alan and Mr. Dennis hobble around like two old men after a game of ultimate frisbee is a wonderful thing to sit back and watch, cry and laugh about. I am amazed by God and how He changes lives and brings people together. This mission trip is such proof of that. All of the stories and the different places we have come from may be different but the end result and the place God has brought us to can only be summed up in one word- GRACE!! Mrs. Julie was talking tonight about being convicted when we heard John Fisher talk about the goal of Mission Fargo during orientation. He told us that they are focusing on reaching people through strategic living and purposely being in places and building relationships with servers in the places we frequent or be sure to get their name and ask for their table when you go there to eat. It could be getting to know your barista at Starbucks or any place you go all the time. If we are going to make Jesus famous, we need to be His light AT ALL TIMES, not when only when are on a mission trip. I think our team has certainly been convicted and focus on this even when this trip is over.

Sorry to ramble, now to recap today….. we officially started working today. We spent the morning split in two teams between the Dakota Boys Ranch thrift shop and The Salvation Army. I was with the team at The Dakota Boys and were helping sort, restock and organize the clothing in the front while the other volunteers were in back. Glenda, the manager, was telling that they are Christian agency that helps house at risk kids and help needy families and you could tell they are commited to this goal. They were so thankful for the help and they needed SO much more. We are sending a team back to tomorrow as well as sending part of the team back to finish some painting that they started at the other site as well finishing the roof and sides for a building at The Salvation Army.

We broke for lunch (and I was able to get a 30 minute nap) then split into teams of three and did prayer walking and surveying the area as well as promoting the community picnic that we are doing on Wednesday. We are so excited about spending time getting to know more people in the community. The team here is amazing and I know we are forming some long lasting friendships! We’re already planning a weekend trip where the interns can come and hang out in Spring Hill!! John, Abby, Jeremy and Pam have been awesome are great in rolling with all of the changes and taking care of our team. I truly see the heart they have for Fargo and I know God has some great things in store! Everyone on our team worked hard and served well. I think they are making The Bridge proud and representing well! I’m so thankful for these servants that I am honored to serve with.

I guess I’ll close for now and go play some cards with the girls. I close with this- We were riding on the bus and James Russell randomly says…. “So what if the hokey pokey really IS what it’s all about?” Classic James, I love it!!! Look forward to another great day tomorrow!!!

Shi

P.S. Shi is in another room playing cards…and it’s my job to update pictures on the blog so I had to add the one of her and the big box of hot dogs…cause we all know if hot dogs are wrong Shi don’t wanna be right!!  (hee!! hee!!)  Love and Miss you all back home…MBea

I awoke at 7:00 am to a freezing cold room. I slipped on my Penn State hoodie and checked the thermostat. 60 degrees! What in the world?! Then I remembered, Alan. ‘We’re not payng for electricity, crank it down!’ I read until 9:00 when Julie, Dale, Dennis, Cindy, and I went for a breakfast at McDonalds. I then learned there is no such thing as a eggless McSkillit burrito because they pre make them. That’s McDonalds quality for you. After getting back we then headed out for church at Temple Baptist. Pastor Dude delivered a great sermon on John. He said they had been on it for a while. All youth then turned to look at John Fisher. We then went to Pizza Ranch had Pizza,Fried Chicken, and dessert. There was a item called a Texas Taco Pizza.  Heather and I agreed, this was a truly an awesome pizza. We then separated into 3 groups and  had  tours of the different areas of Fargo.  Think Spring Hill, Downtown Franklin, and Columbia combined. There are many demographics in this city and it will truly be an experience to witness to these people. Training was to follow. We heard what I have dubbed Dakota-isms. Such as putting “oh fer”  in front of good adjectives and not saying ma’am to ladies. Buffilo Wild Wings was for dinner, followed by ultimate frisbee. After almost  hurling our dinners and destroying our bodies, it was over. Tomorrow will be our first day of work and i’m sure everyone is excited.

Seth Slack

Today on the bus we played cards all day while we played Toby Mac Keith Urban and John Denver.  Playing cards on the bus was a challenge because it was a tight space we had a crate of snacks as a table and the bus shook A LOT.  So we were happy to arrive and the university so we could play a proper game.  Today Heather tried to give Alan hood a  marker makeover while he was asleep… and failed but managed to get a smiley face on the back of his head. When we arrived at the university we were welcomed warmly by John Fisher and his staff.  Tomorrow we are to get a tour of the city & have orientation and are going to church.  I am very happy to be here with friends and family to make Jesus famous in Fargo.

James Russell Johnson

Day One

            Today we began our 2-day drive to Fargo. We departed from Chapman’s Retreat around 4 pm after prayer with our family. We were on the road about 15 minutes when I had to ask “Are we there yet?” Dennis stood up and showed us a roll of duct tape. We all got quiet until we got a text from Dennis saying, ”The wheels on the bus go round and round!” We then got in another laugh when Julie asked if we would be on “Pacific” or “Mountain” time? We started getting bored and started playing Uno. It was the longest game we had ever played. I finally ended the game when I won. We stopped at Wendy’s and ate supper. We got back going with Dennis driving us. Dennis found us a Steak ‘n Shake while looking for a gas station. We had to stop in for a milk shake during happy hour at 10 pm. Alan walked in with no shoes and of course his socks don’t match. We got back on the road to hear some great music. Dennis started singing/playing spoons and brought out a lawn chair to sit next to Dale. We passed the arch (in St. Louis) with Dennis as our trusty multi-lingual tour guide. He is fluent in Russian, Chinese, and French, but not so much Spanish! We finally got to the hotel and are pulling out in the morning at 8 am.

Heather Teague

I read recently that non-believers must hear the gospel an average of 7.6 times before they receive it, and the bible says to GO & TELL…so that’s what we’re doing, we’re gonna go to Fargo, and tell people we meet about Jesus, about how much He loves them. If we are obedient to that, we may meet a person whose hearing the gospel the 7th time and we may get to be a part of the joy of a life changing experience for them or we may meet someone whose hearing it for the 1st time. The important thing to remember is that God’s word NEVER returns void, and the Holy Spirit will use people whose hearts are motivated by love. And if we share our faith with people in love we cannot fail.

How will we do this you ask? We will be walking around the city and neighborhoods, sharing with people about John & Abby Fisher and the work they are doing there, and letting them know that they have a place to go and people to go to for any need they have. We will be inviting them to a block party we’re hosting at the end of the week in a local park. We are hoping to be able to help people clean up their homes from the flood & generally doing whatever John & Abby might need us to do to help with their ministry.

It’s kind of exciting and a little bit scary to think that I may impact someone’s life—and that’s where you come in—you can help this team of people who are going to Fargo by committing to praying for us every day, as part of your morning or evening prayer time, praying. Pray for our safety, for God’s words to be ever present in our hearts and minds when talking to others, and for our boldness to truly be the hands and feet of Christ to this part of the world. Check out our blog during the week and hear about what we’re doing and what things you might be able to pray for leave comments for the team to encourage them. Also pray for John & Abby Fisher, they are brand new parents, and church planters…pray for the relationships they will build as they meet the needs of the people there. And pray that through all of this God will be glorified and Jesus will be made famous.

Mary Bea Johnson

Shivonne Hood