Where were you 8 years ago today? Abi and I were living in England and on our way to the hospital. We were about to have our 2nd child and we were going in for the last check before she was to arrive.
On the way to the L&D we heard a snatch of a news bulletin about a plane crash in New York. As we were nearing the end of our day with joy and anticipation in our hearts for our soon to be born baby girl, our friends and family were waking up to the horror that would shape a nation and shape world policies for years to come. We arrived at the hospital and it was strangely quiet. We discovered quickly that it was on Code Red, but no one really knew why. And no one knew actually what was happening 4,000 miles away on that gorgeous sunny Autumn morning much like the one here today. What followed was shocking, horrific and time altering. After this date 8 years ago, nothing would ever be the same. Security was shattered and fear became the emotion that infected everything.
It was a strange time for us. Abi and I were full of joy as we drove home anxious to call our friends and family back in the US with the good news that we would be parents again in a day or so. But instead, we returned to a news broadcast that wouldn't go away and images that are imprinted on my brain for ever. Our joy was dampened and our desire to share our news suddenly seemed inappropriate and callous. Even if we wanted to we couldn't because the lines were jammed with people calling looking for news on their loved ones. We eventually were able to communicate and later one friend told us, they were grateful because in the midst of great tragedy, our joyous news was something wonderful to look forward to and a reminder that God is still on his throne, creating, caring and bringing forth life when all seems lost.
Eventually we discovered that all of our friends, we had many who lived in DC and frequently traveled to New York, were safe and accounted for. We were pleased and we had our beautiful baby girl 2 days later. Oddly though, I felt strangely detached from all that was going on in the US. It almost didn't seem real. A book of condolences was opened in London at the US Embassy and daily people from across the country and from around the world lined Grosvenor Square for the chance to sign the book and express their condolences for our loss as a nation.
We still feel that loss in many ways don't we? In this mortal life 9/11 will shape us as individuals, as a nation and as the world. The day of condolences is over, a period of anger and hostility toward our nation is the new order of the day. And internally, we have withdrawn, we are more fearful, we feel however real or accurate that its us and them.
But the reality of that day is still true this day 8 years later, the God of Heaven and earth, the God of this life and the life to come is still on his throne, still ruling and still calling us to him and to share in his atoning mercy and sacrificial love. Yes, he allowed what happened 8 years ago to happen and yet what happened 8 years and 2 days ago he caused to happen. One resulted in the loss of many lives the other was the creation of one beautiful life. Do I understand it completely, NO. Do I trust he is in control regardless of my finite understanding, YES.
I have come to live with my detachment from the events of that day as it is a strong reminder to me that I am actually not meant for this world, I am a citizen of another Kingdom and another land. I am only sojourning here in this one for a time.
My condolences who lost someone that day. I pray you will know a peace that goes beyond our ability to understand.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Our latest support letter
This is a bit late but only now have I got round to posting it. Some of you will be getting this through your mail box in the next few days. Feel free to respond as you are lead.
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
-Ephesians 1:16
August 20, 2009
Dear Friend in Christ,
This just in from the Byrd family . . . We’re back in the U.S.A!
God is doing amazing things with our ministry. Through your prayers and support, He is changing people’s lives. We are so grateful for you. The Lord graciously covered all of our overseas costs.
Our time in Kosova was one of great joy and sorrow.
Seeing the Lord at work in people’s lives made the entire time there worthwhile.
I want to tell you the story of just one lady we were able to help. Eliona (not her real name) is just one of many lives we were able touch.
Eliona is a sharp lady who has seen the Lord work in her life in amazing ways, but sadly she has not yet put her faith in Jesus. Even so, she attributes most all of the good things in her life to God and even cries out to Him for the things that are hard and frightening.
Two years ago, we gave Eliona a loan to start a jewelry store in the local supermarket. Today, she has repaid her loan in full, even a month earlier than her deadline. Not only that, but she has also loaned money to others to start their own jewelry businesses.
As we celebrate Eliona’s successes with her and her husband, we are praying that our witness to them and the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ will one day come to fruition.
Please continue to join with us in prayer for Eliona and her family.
With the joys of ministry also come the challenges. During the trip, we saw the community we loved and ministered in for so many years struggling.
The common vision and unity is not as evident as it once was. Individual needs and differing ministry goals have taken over resulting in a breakdown in relationships. Abi and I did a lot of pastoral counseling while we were there.
It is our prayer – and we hope you will join us in praying that God will continue to work in the hearts of these friends and co-workers so that the Gospel will continue to get out to those in need.
God is always good! We continue to rejoice in the work he is doing through our work together. He has accomplished many great things in our lives in the last few months.
Rejoice with us over these things:
• Many people heard the Good News of Jesus Christ through the efforts of a short-term team we hosted from the Grace Church, USA, and ChristChurch, UK. To learn more about what God did, visit
www.byrdsonawire.blogspot.com
• Brad has been working with the Qendra Qiriazi Center, a non-profit
organization based in Peje. Through this work, your prayers and support have given Brad the chance to help train many students and professionals in servant leadership (read: Christ Centered leadership).
• Abi was able to encourage many of the families that she served while
she worked in the Charis Cottage pre-school that she set up a few years ago. She was also able to minister to and build up the single, missionary women in their service to the Lord.
Thank you for your prayers for our children. The kids were right at home and enjoying all the things they loved about living in Kosova. The goats on the property made for a lot of fun in their daily activities. Check out Abi’s facebook page or visit www.byrdsonawire.blogspot.com for more stories and pictures.
Now that we’re back from Kosova, Brad is continuing in his role as the U.S. director of Radstock, a global network of churches dedicated to serving the Lord and spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
Pray for him in this work. This ministry takes Brad all over the states, equipping churches to increase the scope of their labor for the Gospel. He will be on the road to Wisconsin, Kentucky and the UK and possibly Cuba this fall.
Our heart is to see this work continue, to build up others in their service to the Lord, and reach even more people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
-Romans 10:17
Radstock is a great ministry and a perfect fit for the skills God has given Brad – but it is a ministry that does not pay a traditional salary.
Pray about his work. Ask God for great mission opportunities for the teams Brad is directing. Pray also for our finances.
This ministry we are in together would not be possible without you. Your prayers and continued financial support deeply bless and encourage us.
Please know that your giving makes it possible to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people like Eliona, and impact lives with God’s Word.
These are tough economic times around the world. It is times like these when so many are open to the Gospel. Abi and I would like to ask for your prayers and help with this.
We see opportunities around us. God is opening doors for us to minister and even send ministers into the field. But we’re also a little concerned. Upon returning from Kosova, we’ve found our financial situation hurting.
God is in control of everything. We are confident in that fact. But we also believe this is a matter for prayer that we should lift up with our closest friends and family. Please join us in praying about our finances. The following is a simple chart that shows we need to raise an additional 1,900 a month.
Current monthly support $2300
Target $4200
Monthly support still needed $1900
As you pray about this, please consider what you might do to help. Ask the Lord to lead you in your giving. We ask that you give as He leads you and out of a spirit and a heart for the lost.
Again, we are so blessed by you! Thank you for standing with our family to impact the world and transform lives for the glory of God.
Together, we can make a difference for eternity!
In Christ,
Brad & Abi Byrd
P.S. We are excited to be back from Kosova and able share with you about our time serving the Lord. He has worked in unimaginable ways and touched many lives through your prayers and support. We are anxious to continue the work God has for us here in the states. Please continue to pray for us and the opportunities we have to share the Good News!
My Commitment to the ministry of Brad & Abi Byrd and family
I want to help through a monthly gift:
[]$200 / Month
[] $100 / Month
[] $50 / Month
[] $25 / Month
[] $_____ / Month
Credit Card Information
Visa Mastercard
Credit Card Number Expiration Date
____________________________ ______________________________
Cardholder’s Signature Cardholder’s Name
(as it appears on the credit card)
Please make all checks payable to Radstock Ministries, noting Brad & Abi Byrd
Send your gift to:
Radstock Ministries
P.O. Box 5188
Wheaton, IL 60189
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
-Ephesians 1:16
August 20, 2009
Dear Friend in Christ,
This just in from the Byrd family . . . We’re back in the U.S.A!
God is doing amazing things with our ministry. Through your prayers and support, He is changing people’s lives. We are so grateful for you. The Lord graciously covered all of our overseas costs.
Our time in Kosova was one of great joy and sorrow.
Seeing the Lord at work in people’s lives made the entire time there worthwhile.
I want to tell you the story of just one lady we were able to help. Eliona (not her real name) is just one of many lives we were able touch.
Eliona is a sharp lady who has seen the Lord work in her life in amazing ways, but sadly she has not yet put her faith in Jesus. Even so, she attributes most all of the good things in her life to God and even cries out to Him for the things that are hard and frightening.
Two years ago, we gave Eliona a loan to start a jewelry store in the local supermarket. Today, she has repaid her loan in full, even a month earlier than her deadline. Not only that, but she has also loaned money to others to start their own jewelry businesses.
As we celebrate Eliona’s successes with her and her husband, we are praying that our witness to them and the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ will one day come to fruition.
Please continue to join with us in prayer for Eliona and her family.
With the joys of ministry also come the challenges. During the trip, we saw the community we loved and ministered in for so many years struggling.
The common vision and unity is not as evident as it once was. Individual needs and differing ministry goals have taken over resulting in a breakdown in relationships. Abi and I did a lot of pastoral counseling while we were there.
It is our prayer – and we hope you will join us in praying that God will continue to work in the hearts of these friends and co-workers so that the Gospel will continue to get out to those in need.
God is always good! We continue to rejoice in the work he is doing through our work together. He has accomplished many great things in our lives in the last few months.
Rejoice with us over these things:
• Many people heard the Good News of Jesus Christ through the efforts of a short-term team we hosted from the Grace Church, USA, and ChristChurch, UK. To learn more about what God did, visit
www.byrdsonawire.blogspot.com
• Brad has been working with the Qendra Qiriazi Center, a non-profit
organization based in Peje. Through this work, your prayers and support have given Brad the chance to help train many students and professionals in servant leadership (read: Christ Centered leadership).
• Abi was able to encourage many of the families that she served while
she worked in the Charis Cottage pre-school that she set up a few years ago. She was also able to minister to and build up the single, missionary women in their service to the Lord.
Thank you for your prayers for our children. The kids were right at home and enjoying all the things they loved about living in Kosova. The goats on the property made for a lot of fun in their daily activities. Check out Abi’s facebook page or visit www.byrdsonawire.blogspot.com for more stories and pictures.
Now that we’re back from Kosova, Brad is continuing in his role as the U.S. director of Radstock, a global network of churches dedicated to serving the Lord and spreading the message of Jesus Christ.
Pray for him in this work. This ministry takes Brad all over the states, equipping churches to increase the scope of their labor for the Gospel. He will be on the road to Wisconsin, Kentucky and the UK and possibly Cuba this fall.
Our heart is to see this work continue, to build up others in their service to the Lord, and reach even more people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”
-Romans 10:17
Radstock is a great ministry and a perfect fit for the skills God has given Brad – but it is a ministry that does not pay a traditional salary.
Pray about his work. Ask God for great mission opportunities for the teams Brad is directing. Pray also for our finances.
This ministry we are in together would not be possible without you. Your prayers and continued financial support deeply bless and encourage us.
Please know that your giving makes it possible to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people like Eliona, and impact lives with God’s Word.
These are tough economic times around the world. It is times like these when so many are open to the Gospel. Abi and I would like to ask for your prayers and help with this.
We see opportunities around us. God is opening doors for us to minister and even send ministers into the field. But we’re also a little concerned. Upon returning from Kosova, we’ve found our financial situation hurting.
God is in control of everything. We are confident in that fact. But we also believe this is a matter for prayer that we should lift up with our closest friends and family. Please join us in praying about our finances. The following is a simple chart that shows we need to raise an additional 1,900 a month.
Current monthly support $2300
Target $4200
Monthly support still needed $1900
As you pray about this, please consider what you might do to help. Ask the Lord to lead you in your giving. We ask that you give as He leads you and out of a spirit and a heart for the lost.
Again, we are so blessed by you! Thank you for standing with our family to impact the world and transform lives for the glory of God.
Together, we can make a difference for eternity!
In Christ,
Brad & Abi Byrd
P.S. We are excited to be back from Kosova and able share with you about our time serving the Lord. He has worked in unimaginable ways and touched many lives through your prayers and support. We are anxious to continue the work God has for us here in the states. Please continue to pray for us and the opportunities we have to share the Good News!
My Commitment to the ministry of Brad & Abi Byrd and family
I want to help through a monthly gift:
[]$200 / Month
[] $100 / Month
[] $50 / Month
[] $25 / Month
[] $_____ / Month
Credit Card Information
Visa Mastercard
Credit Card Number Expiration Date
____________________________ ______________________________
Cardholder’s Signature Cardholder’s Name
(as it appears on the credit card)
Please make all checks payable to Radstock Ministries, noting Brad & Abi Byrd
Send your gift to:
Radstock Ministries
P.O. Box 5188
Wheaton, IL 60189
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Kosovo's Burning
Radical Islam is growing daily. Dollar for dollar there is more funding and manpower being poured into this small Balkan nation by radical Islamic organizations and governments than by the church. Some Albanians are returning to the religion of their fathers before Islam took root forcibly some 500 years ago. For that they are paying the price and according to Stephen Schwartz at the Weekly Standard, that price could be even higher than the price they paid for simply being Albanian 10 years ago.
The invasion of Kosovo by Islamist radicals, including assaults on moderate Muslims now includes threats of a "religious war" against Albanian Christians, some of whom have left Islam for the Catholic faith of their ancestors. More
The invasion of Kosovo by Islamist radicals, including assaults on moderate Muslims now includes threats of a "religious war" against Albanian Christians, some of whom have left Islam for the Catholic faith of their ancestors. More
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
