Impact Update #1 7-20-2008

7-20-2008

Dear Praying Friends,

On behalf of the entire Impact 2008 Cherokee team I would like to thank all of you for your prayer and support, without which this trip would not be possible, and there would be little chance for success.

The first 2 days of the trip have been long, yet we are eager to get busy with the work that the Lord has set before us, which in many ways has already begun. Earlier this morning we had the privilege of leading a worship service at the Tsali Care Center, a nursing home here on the reservation. I was blessed to have the assistance in the service of Andrew Bell for the music and Carrie Burns, Rick Willis, and Marlies Cabell as leaders within the service. They did a fantastic job, though the preaching was unusual for us – unusual, not in the sense that it came from me, but unusual in that I preached for only 15 minutes (that must be a record) and in that the message came from Hebrews 12:1-3 and not from the Gospel of John. It was truly wonderful for me, throughout the time that we had at Tsali Care Center, to watch as the rest of the team interacted with and ministered to the residents there at Tsali Care – they all did a wonderful job.

Seven of us were additionally blessed in that we got to spend a bit of time later this afternoon visiting with Ned & Mary Smith, the couple whose home we painted two years ago. We were warmly greeted by the Smiths and welcomed lovingly into their home. Within a few minutes of sharing with them, we all began to feel as if we were renewing acquaintances with long-time family members – and that is indeed what we are in Christ. We look forward to interacting with them more as they frequent the Tsali Manor Senior Center where half of our team will be doing ministry in the mornings.

We are anxiously awaiting now our first day of work and covet your continued prayer. Half of the team will spend the mornings at one senior center and the other half will serve at another. In the afternoons we will then be painting for a lovely lady that we met today, Ms. Ida Rattler.

Here are some items for which we would ask for your prayer.

1. Pray for the health of our team – that everyone would continue to feel well and able to participate in all of the work planned for us.
   
2. Pray for our interaction with the seniors at both the Tsali Manor and Snowbird Senior Centers.
   
3. Pray that we can build a relationship with Ms. Rattler, like the one that we have with the Smiths.
   
4. Pray for Tom Warner as he seeks to recover from the injury which occurred here last week.
   

Thanks again for all of the support, love and encouragement that you have all given to us and enjoy the pictures that we have loaded with this message.

With the Lord's help, we will seek to post more pictures and updated information on Tuesday evening.

With Love to All, yours in Christ's Service

John Ceselsky