There are a few big things happening right now that we just wanted to highlight the need from prayer – from personal to ministry. The most urgent request relates to my mom (Brian).

• Brian’s Mom
  We would request prayer for my (Brian’s) mom. She has been in the ICU all week after experiencing slight stroke symptoms. After a few days of tests and procedures, they discovered an aneurysm. Right now at the time of sending this, she is in a procedure to correct/fix that.  We would appreciate your prayers as you read this and in the coming days as she recovers and that the issue is resolved and there are no complications. 
   
• July 9 through August:  From Conflict Resolution to Reconciliation
  If you are interested or know someone who could benefit from it and are in the Long Beach area, This Sunday I start teaching a 6-week class on Christian interpersonal peacemaking at Arbor Road Church at 11am starting July 9 in Room A110. You can just show up or register to the group here. 
   
• July 9/10-14:  Taking Resilience to Heart Workshop for 115 Philippines Staff. 
  Sunday night California time, I also will start a 5-day version of the “Taking Resilience to Heart” workshop that I developed prior to our Manila trip.  In that process, the door opened to offer it to Cru Philippines staff as part of their summer staff development training.  Initially, I thought it would be 30 staff.  Then it looked like 65-70 would do it.  As of today there are 115 registered!  So this is the large majority of all Cru staff in the Philippines.  So this is telling as to the felt need.  Half of these staff are not required to do this but are choosing it. Pray that they process their last few years under the cross and that their hope is refreshed by the Spirit in our loving, powerful, and sovereign God. They need to encounter Christ in the context of the stories they’ve lived these last few years. Pray I can faithfully point them to Him and they are refreshed in the Lord and that their ministry vision is rejuvenated and empowered. I believe this week can have a powerful impact on their lives and ministry for years to come, but especially in the next couple of years.

               Thank you for praying with us and partnering with us!

                                   In Christ,

                                                 Brian & Christine