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His Winding Road and Her Expressway

“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.” 

– Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God

Since early this year I, Don…have spent a lot of time driving back and forth from Gainesville, GA and Greenville, SC. The drive normally takes about two hours. The trip always starts off down winding back roads that lead to the highway, then finishes, with yet another winding road. All this driving time has given me time to reflect. This past year has felt much like the winding road, with its many twists and turns. As I have spent the year searching for the next place that God would have me serving in ministry (understanding that I am serving Him no matter where I am), I have served in a number of part time jobs and explored different careers. During this time of twist and turns, I’ve come into the realization that I was created with a desire for full time ministry.
 

I wouldn’t say I have been running away like Jonah. My time could be compared to more like a time of isolation in the desert like Moses. I have been drawing closer to the Lord and he has been drawing/preparing me for what lies ahead.

A friend recently asked me to read HEBREWS 12 and reflect on this last year in light of what it said. The passage is about God’s loving discipline. Many times we view these times of isolation/discipline with negative lenses.

Paul, however, speaks of a loving father who sees the difficult times as just what is needed to bring one to the place where they can fully glorify God.

I continue to pray and seek where God is leading me, and I sense the opportunity is just around the corner. So I ask that you continue to pray with me. I truly appreciate your prayers and the way that you have supported both Connie and I over the years.

CONNIE’S JOURNEY (picture by DenZel)

While my journey this year may have seemed like a winding road, Connie, however, (from my perspective) has been flying down an expressway. Since this time last year she has lead seven teams to Thailand, Cambodia, India, and Guatemala, trips that she has led many times for Adventures in Missions, to places where she has built many relationships, and locations where her business, Purchase Effect, has established business and ministry relationships that continue year after year.

During all these trips she has also been working as a Mobilizer for Adventures. To say that this woman is busy would be an understatement. Her heart for the lost and the marginalized of society has constantly kept her going.

I am proud of how she continues to chase after the dreams God has placed in her heart – dreams like Purchase Effect. I think of Joseph seeing a dream where he would be ruling over his bothers, this must have been a confusing dream. To have his brothers sell him in to slavery he must have been filled with doubt and questions. Then all the years spent serving and in prison, that dream must have seemed so beyond reach. Joseph, however, held on to his God and the dream that God placed on his heart.

I know that Connie has held on to the dream God has given her for Purchase Effect and how it might be used to glorify Him and bless those in need. We thank you for praying, participating, and supporting that dream.

SIDE NOTE: WE CELEBRATED 21 YEARS OF MARRIAGE ON JUNE 4TH! (HER IN THAILAND AND I IN SOUTH CAROLINA) 

WHAT LIES AHEAD?

As we continue to move through the summer, I am sure there will be more twist and turns. Connie will lead a team to India again, serving this time in a new location and with a new ministry partner. Afterwards, she will spend a few days in Nepal looking for new partners for Purchase Effect. She will then return to Thailand and Cambodia in October. Purchase Effect will lead another trip to Guatemala in November (I would love to join this year; please pray that opportunity would open up).

In the middle of all these trips Connie is hoping to open a store front in Greenville, SC for Purchase Effect, along with launching a new website for the business as well. On top of that, she will be transitioning to new role with AIM (more to come on that in the next newsletter). I will be hopefully informing you on what God is moving me into in a future newsletter as well.

Graciously, God continues to use us and our lives to His glory. We ask you to keep us in your prayers. As you are praying if God leads you to support us financially we want to thank you, because without your gifts we wouldn’t be able to follow God’s call on our lives with so much freedom.

GOD AT WORK – by Connie

Did you know that it was January of 2007 when we moved to Gainesville, GA to join Adventures in Missions? That’s 8.5 years!

At that point, I had never been anywhere in Asia. I had no desire to go. None. Zero. Nil. Zilch! Then I heard about the genocide in Cambodia and children being sold for sex at a very young age. My friend, Alli Mellon, packed her life and moved to Cambodia to learn and later build a safe house for boys…and I was placed as the Southeast Asia Advocate for our Adventures in Missions teams. As I began praying for them, I suddenly had a great desire to support them, encourage them, and see Cambodia for myself. So, myself, and a friend bought our tickets and headed across the world.

What started in Cambodia lead me later to Thailand. I’ve now lost count of the teams or times I have been. Where Asia was once a place I had no desire to ever visit, it has become home away from home. My family now includes: tuk-tuk drivers, children sold for sex, parents selling their children for sex, mamasans (bar mother’s), touts (those who wave sex menus at you), bar girls, vendors, the entire staff of a massage parlor, restaurant owners, guest house managers, bar tenders, and women who have been trafficked – just to name a few.

My first trip, I took literally thousands of pictures, asking hundreds of questions and shedding many tears. Now that years have past and I’ve returned multiple times each year, I take fewer photos. I ask less questions and have more answers – and I shed less tears. Instead, I laugh with them and take joy in the work and restoration happening. I am greeted with hugs and squeals! We know each other by name, share stories, and yes, some sadness. I minister to them and they to me. They invite me to their homes and try to get me to eat their food…go to movies and take selfies with me. Some have come into a saving relationship with Christ as a result of seeds planted way back when…while others, have not yet found that freedom. God is at work, in them and in me. Thank you for investing in my extended family. Thank you for investing in me.

This last trip was a great joy, sharing these countries, these other family members, with my dad. I’ll treasure this time…watching him light up at the rows of food sold along the streets. I even created a hashtag – #dadeatshiswaythruasia When he wasn’t eating, he lead the team devotions and handled the finances. I love my dad…and his low mumble. I wonder what he is saying?

PARTNERSHIP

We’d love if you would continue to partner with us through prayer and support. Step 1) Go to donrock.myadventures.org Step 2)

Click the Support Us link to the left. Step 3) Fill out the online form, please make sure to include our names (Don and Connie Rock) THANK YOU!

BECAUSE YOU PRAYED – Mel Patterson

Someone’s spirit is being lifted. Someone’s burden is being lightened. Someone’s health is being restored. Someone’s disease is being healed. Someone’s finances are improving. Someone’s Salvation is occurring. Someone’s addiction is being defeated. Someone is being forgiven. Someone is forgiving. Someone is making peace. Someone is benefiting from that peace. Someone’s family relationships are healing. Someone is going to bear martyrdom. Someone is being delivered. Someone is being born. Someone is being borne again. Someone is being born into eternal life. Someone is seeing Jesus. Someone is living with Jesus for ever.

T  H  A  N  K     Y  O  U  !