​Early this morning I woke up to a nagging sense of angst. I don’t like it when I feel that way. Even though it was earlier than I wanted to get up I knew there was no more sleep to be had for me. Do you ever experience this type of thing? It can be work related, relational, financial or a million other reasons, but the result is the same – I do not feel at peace!
 
The things in my world that have me writing about this problem are quite inconsequential when compared to big issues like having a child with cancer, dealing with a broken marriage or a deep depression that leaves people barely hanging on. Even though I can be thankful I am not personally processing any of three burdens I just listed, it doesn’t mean my lack of peace isn’t real.
 
Don’t you like when things just feel right? I sure do! It takes me back to being a kid and just enjoying the day that was playing out before me. I knew my parents loved me and I had a place. It seemed so easy for me to just be Nick and trust God with the big stuff.
 
Humanity craves peace and being right with the world. God made us that way. So, this morning I need to own the fact that my sense of “offness” is a combination of a world that has rebelled against God and on the personal front, my clearly imperfect trust in God. But here is the really good news in it all – I am a Child of God because that is what He made me. My Father in Heaven has declared to me that all is good between us – Jesus brought peace and reconciliation to my broken and rebellious soul.
 
The need for peace and reconciliation is what our text and message are about this Sunday. Paul also makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 5 that once God accomplishes this in our lives, He wants us to let others know about it.
 
 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation… 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
 
God invites us to do this in our homes and all through the world. We will be sending a check out in the next couple weeks that will connect us to the work in Chad being done by Pastor Malloum, Rachel, Ezekiel and Aline. The micro-loan we send will be used by this family of missionary pastors to drill wells, bring water to villages and open doors for reconciliation with God to be proclaimed. They are Christ’s ambassadors along with us to these Fulbe communities that have never heard the message of the love of God that comes in Jesus Christ.
 
My morning cry for peace that I mentioned earlier serves as a reminder that we are called to be Jesus’ messengers of a peace that is so comprehensive it includes a peace with God, each other and life itself. Let it begin with me!
 
May we be about God’s Peace and Reconciliation,
Pastor Nick
 

​This past Sunday Barb and I had the opportunity to share about of our recent trip to Chad. We showed lots of pictures and tried to talk fast. We are looking into the possibility of a Q&A time to go a bit deeper with some of you and give another chance for people who were unable to be here Sunday to learn more about Oak Hill’s ministry reaching into Chad, Africa.
 
I mentioned Sunday our next Overflowing Hope Project that Oak Hill will be funding. Some of the details are below and I would be more than happy to discuss this with anyone if you have additional questions. We will be given a chance to support this project with a special gift over the next couple of weeks. There will be special envelopes in the bulletins on Sunday or you can just designate funds in the memo line of a check.
 
Oak Hill Overflowing Hope support of the Fulbe mission:

• Finance an interest free loan for Pastor Malloum and his son Ezekiel to start a family business of well drilling.
  • As you know, the Living Waters well ministry has proven to be an excellent tool/platform for ministry.  With this we have been able to make a presence and build relationship in Fulbe communities for the sake of the gospel. 
  • In the past, we have sub-contracted our wells to a local company.  This has worked OK, but we have often struggled with corruption, inefficiency, poor quality of work, etc. 
  • We feel that Malloum and Ezekiel would be able to manage this business well, ensuring quality and through this be able to capitalize on evangelistic opportunity through the whole process.  Ezekiel (well-educated as a civil engineer also desires to be a pastor) would be responsible for the business side of the project.  Malloum would provide oversight, mentoring, direction and spiritual emphasis.
  • The total cost of the loan is 3,185,500 francs, or an estimated $5,540.00
  • Project funds like this are an in-out donation and do not contribute to the ministry budget of LBIM.  With project fund donations such as this, we encourage considering additional funds that will contribute to the Fulbe ministry fund in Chad.  Without the support of our LBIM and EFLT missionaries in Chad and all the resources that it takes to support them, projects such as this could not happen.  This additional support brings the funds needed for this project to $7,400.00.
  • As mentioned, this would be an interest free loan.  Reimbursement would be made to our micro-finance fund as wells are installed.  This reimbursement would not come back to Oak Hill, but would be rolled over to be used to finance future micro-finance projects that serve the mission of LBIM – Chad.
• Finance the Narvesen Medical Ministry fund
  • Dave and Sonja’s principle responsibility now is language learning.  But as they find their feet in Chad, there will be more ministry opportunities for them to engage in.  Already, Sonja is using her nursing skills and passion to care for those who come to her door needing help.  The priority would be wound care and infant health (malnutrition and dehydration primarily).  A ministry fund for this could help supply basic supplies, nutritive assistance, or even helping to pay for mileage when they choose to transport an emergency case to the regional hospital. These needs could be funded by a percentage of our benevolence ministry fund. We are in the process of defining this funding with our Caregiving Ministry Team.

 
I am so very excited that we get to be a part of what God is doing in Chad. Please pray for the Fulbe people and consider a special gift to deliver the Gospel to those who have never heard of God’s love for them in Jesus!
Thanks for caring and giving,
Pastor Nick

Barb and I will be answering that question on Sunday. We are looking forward to sharing with you the important work that Oak Hill is a part of in reaching the Fulbe people of Chad. You will get a chance to see our missionaries at work, as well as meet the people of Chad. I will just tell you now – you should sit closer to the front than the back on Sunday so you can the faces of people God loves more clearly!
 
On Sunday you will also be given another opportunity to support an exciting Overflowing Hope project. Here is a little teaser – you are going to be a part of starting a new business in Chad that will directly provide income to our Chadian Missionary families to the Fulbe. Come and hear more on Sunday!
 
The text for this first Sunday in Lent includes this wonderful promise from God that we celebrated many times as we walked with the people of Chad.
 
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13
 
See you on Sunday!
Pastor Nick