Staff Blog

I had never been to prison. I had seen it in movies, and once had taken a childhood field trip to the county jail. But I had never set foot in a real-life correctional facility. The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) had just started a satellite campus in Hutchinson Correctional Facility, and I was set to teach the first course. I was entering into a maximum security prison to teach convicted criminals about the Word of God. The nine men attending were the ‘cream of the crop’ (so to speak) of the Christians in the prison. They had applied for these classes, been thoroughly vetted, and approved to start TUMI training.

I too had been thoroughly vetted. I was subjected to a full background check, fingerprinted, and photographed (in the same place that the inmates get their mugshots taken). I sat through a four-hour training on prison policy and procedure. I had been given an orientation to the prison entry procedures and a tour of the facility. I knew that at all times I had to carry a walkie-talkie that had a red panic button on it. I was told that if anything should go wrong, I was to press the button and armed guards would swarm the room in under 30 seconds. Comforting.

The Monday evening of my first class I walked into the security office and removed my belt, my boots, and emptied my pockets. I placed it all in a tub along with my books for class and passed through the metal detector. After redressing and getting my walkie-talkie and classroom keys, I passed through several gates. Some were large metal doors, some were made of prison bars. I showed my official prison ID to several guards (who never seemed to smile).

Finally, I arrived in my classroom. Very soon I was standing in front of a class of nine men. This is a maximum security facility reserved for murderers, rapists, and other serious offenses. I was not entirely sure what to expect from these guys. What I found in them absolutely overwhelmed me. They were excited and hungry. Every one of them wanted nothing more than to be there learning about the Lord. They soaked up every word and responded enthusiastically to every question. In fact, their engagement was so enthusiastic that I had a hard time getting through the class in the allotted three hours. When they left that evening, every one of them hugged me and told me how excited they were that I was there.

I agreed to teach the course because I believe that the Lord wants to do something remarkable in their lives. Here is an excerpt of what I told them in our first class:

“Maybe this is foolish, but I take God seriously when he says that his eyes roam back and forth across the earth seeking to give strong support to those whose hearts are completely loyal to him (2 Chronicles 16.9). I am here because I believe that is true. You see, I am actually foolish enough to believe that in this room lies the power to do amazing things for the Lord; in this facility, and in neighborhoods, communities, and cities, in our country and truthfully in the whole world. I expect that one of you in this room now will be standing where I stand in days to come. I fully expect the Lord is calling some of you to be pastors and leaders, evangelists and teachers. I hope you believe that about yourselves…

“Why can’t the Lord who spoke the universe into existence by only his Word, fill this place with his Spirit? Why can’t this room and this facility become a training ground that raises up powerful servants of the Lord? I can’t think of a good reason why not. But it’s going to take men who want nothing else and nothing more than to submit to Christ and see his reign spread like wildfire. To be so dedicated to him that the Holy Spirit is unleashed, free to do with us as he pleases. So brothers, while technically I am here to mentor this TUMI class, my ambition for our class goes well beyond education and grades, it transcends material or books. Let’s do our part to advance the kingdom reign of Christ into all the earth!”

When I look at these men, I see kingdom warriors. I see men who are going to be released back into some of the hardest, darkest places in our country with connections and respect that I could never dream of. I see men who will live and die for their Savior declaring the gospel of his victory and advancing his church in places that I could never penetrate.

Some of these men will never again see the outside world. Some will be released relatively soon. But either way Paul’s words still ring true, “all were made to drink of one Spirit.” The same Holy Spirit that is calling and moving men and women on the outside, calls and moves these inmates. We pray that the Lord uses these men (and hundreds like them being TUMI trained in prisons across this country) to light the fire of revival in the cities of our nation!

A little over three years ago our World Impact Thrift Store (WITS) was opened at 13^th and Waco. It was a joyous occasion, with much anticipation of what was ahead. A few World Impact staff, along with an awesome group of volunteers started using their gifts and made it a new, bright spot in the community.

As the months went on, a number of people began to shop at the store regularly. We enjoyed getting to know people and started to hear some of their stories…from a local artist who would bring in some of his art work for us to see and talk with us about his latest invention, to a lady who works at a restaurant in the neighborhood and would use her tip money to buy treasures, to the older Spanish-speaking gentleman who always came in with a big smile on his face (wearing a cowboy hat and boots), to the homeless guys who would come in for a clean change of clothing and (in the cold months) a pair of gloves or maybe a coat as well…so many people who became dear to our hearts. We prayed for them—sometimes right there in the store, and then other times when the Lord brought them to our minds during the week.

We had funny times (volunteers coming out of the back room modeling unique/outdated/mismatched pieces of donated clothing), shocking times (someone being a little confused and thinking that the room with the glass doors was a dressing room), frustrating times (interacting with an unreasonably unhappy customer), joyous times (getting to speak hope into someone’s life and praying with them), somber times (learning that a customer had cancer and crying with him as we prayed for him), celebration times (someone sharing a victory in the middle of a hard fight against an addiction), dirty times (blessings to all who cleaned up after children had gotten sick), and the list could go on and on.

But times at the 13^th Street WITS came to an end last month. The store is now closed. We have said goodbyes and the doors have been locked for the last time, but we trust that the Lord is carrying on the work He began in people’s lives. He will remind people of the love of Jesus that they experienced at WITS! He will remind them of the many blessings (physical needs and otherwise) that people received at WITS! He will continue to draw people to Himself!

We are excited that the other World Impact thrift store at Central and Grove is still going strong. That store has been called Second Blessing Thrift Store for many years, but soon the name will change to WITS. We know that many people who had shopped at the 13^th St. store will continue to shop at the Central store. Please pray for the staff and volunteers there as they continue to serve and minister to people with the love of Jesus!

Picture 1: a pile of scraps that has little purpose or use in the future
Picture 2: a perfectly crafted piece of furniture that is both functional and beautiful

As we took the steps to the cross with Jesus during Holy Week, I found myself identifying with both pictures. On Good Friday, we come to the cross where the Lord obediently sacrificed His life for us. When faced with all He did for me on that day, I feel like picture #1. I see my sin and brokenness and the pain that He had to endure because of me. I know how undeserving I am before my holy God.

But the wonder of Easter is that death is not the end! After three days Christ rose from the dead, victorious over sin and death, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father in glory. (Amen!) Through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection I am made new. I become like picture #2 in the eyes of God. Perfect. Beautiful. Priceless!

Bob Derksen volunteers each week at our World Impact Thrift Store. When asked why he was drawn to WITS, he said, “I’m especially attracted to something slightly broken, unusual or (with) a piece missing.” He said he looks especially for things that are “in a disabled state that I can take home and repair it and bring it back to see how fast it gets sold and for what price.”

In his words he describes one such piece:

“WITS received a small antique table with terribly wobbly legs. The top was water spotted. It had been attempted to be repaired in a clumsy way. What a challenge.

First the legs; a strap of steel bent in just the right way into each corner underneath. Then four screws made each leg nice and firm. The top was nice wood, but water spotted. Ah, the answer: tung oil and hand rubbed. Each coat one day a part for four days. You could see those spots disappear. For sale $100.00. Wow, who would buy it? It sold in the first day. This is an example, among many others. Some items even taken out of the trash and repaired. It is amazing what a little tender touch does for an item.”

If Bob can care so tenderly for a seemingly worthless table, how much more will the Father care for us? You may feel like a pile of useless wood, but have hope! Christ is risen! If we will let him, the Master Builder will take our pile of scraps and present it to the Father perfected and beautiful.

All star WITS volunteer Bob Derksen stands next to the antique book shelf he found in 58 pieces.

La Iglesia de Cristo Victorioso (ICV) celebrated its 3^rd anniversary in January! Rachel Busenitz has been on this church plant team for all three years. This month Rachel follows the Lord’s leading to work with a mission in Peru. ICV will miss her greatly! Here are some pictures representing the many great times we have had with her.

ICV Church plant team—Gerson and Mayra Berrios (with their kids Junior, Richie and Cassie) along with Rachel Busenitz and Audrey Hanneman.

July 2010

Rachel invited people from the neighborhood and church to have a taste of farm life.

July 2010

The kids presented a program with songs they had learned at summer Bible club. Rachel always did a great job with teaching the kids and having fun costumes for them to dress up in.

September 2010

Picture time for the girls—Rachel, Audrey, Cassie, Amy and Mayra!

January 2011

ICV 2^nd Anniversary.

July 2011

Rachel teaching at summer Bible Club in the park across the street from the building where ICV meets.

February 2012

There have been many, many times where the church or ladies group has gathered together to make some tasty Mexican and/or El Salvadoran food!

April 2012

Rachel led the kids in a program for Palm Sunday.

May 2012

Rachel having fun with the ladies and kids from ICV at the park.

September 2012

Rachel leading another great kids presentation at church—complete with actions and sheep ears.

September 2012

ICV group picture.

November 2012

Kids always surround Rachel wherever she is!

November 2012

Ladies picture at ICV Thanksgiving celebration.

December 2012

ICV kids memorized verses and participated in classes at church and received new Bilingual Bibles!

January 2013

ICV 3^rd Anniversary.

A year ago our church moved out of the basement of our house and into our own building. We were so excited that God had opened this opportunity for us, and we were all so happy to be out of the basement! We moved into a small store-front building that was right next door to our World Impact thrift store (Second Blessing). Manolo, the pastor of our church, works at the thrift store three times a week. When he is there he is able to meet new people, pray with them, share the gospel, and invite them to church. Some of our church members have also been able to pray and meet people at the store too. The church has been growing so much since we moved. We are so thankful for the people whom God is bringing into our family!

Our church is still small, but we are all seeking after God and want to know Him more. We are on our journey of becoming more like him together as a family. We have been praying for God to bring us a worship team for the past few months. We are so excited to be able to say that last week we had our first worship practice for our new worship team. Each week the men and women of the church meet together separately to study the Bible and pray for each other, and we have been encouraged to see the Holy Spirit speak to each of us during those times. We are waiting expectantly to see the good work that God continues to do in our Christ the Victor Church.

How many years have you been on staff?

It will be 27 years in July.

What was your biggest adjustment in moving from a farm to the city?

Leaving the country was difficult.  We had no visible neighbors and just farmland surrounding us.  It was quiet and peaceful. We could see the stars at night, sunrises and sunsets.   Therefore we had many adjustments!  We moved into a ministry that kept us very busy, a neighborhood that was loud with dogs at night, street and people noises.  The only way to see the sunset would be to drive to a park with more of a view.  We had moved into a completely different world!

How many different houses have you lived on since being on staff?

Seven different homes, including an apartment for a year and a half with four kids.

How many times have you been broken into?

Our garage has been broken into a couple of times and we have had various things taken from our porches…including potted plants!  (Oh, our very beloved van of almost 200,000 miles also got stolen).

Our home has been broken into twice.  Once while we were out of the house and once while we slept.  We were living in Wichita at the time, preparing for our move to LA.  Our oldest daughter Tina (who was eight years old at that time) woke us up in the middle of the night informing us that there had been a man in her room and went out the back door of our house after he saw her.  Andy hopped out of bed to assure Tina that she had to have been dreaming.  Unfortunately he found the back door open.  We checked her bedroom and found Dana, who was six, still asleep in the bottom bunk of their bunk bed and Scott soundly asleep in his room right next door.

After the police arrived we found out the details.  Two intruders (they believed) had used a stun gun on our aggressive Siberian Husky and pulled him outside the wooden fence.  They used a lawn chair to climb into the girls’ bedroom window that had been left unlocked (the stun gun fell out of a pocket on the way in and was on the ground outside the window).  One of the guys opened Tina’s jewelry box that played music.  This woke up Tina and she got a good look at the guy.  He looked at her and then he left.

After this horrid event many people were thankful for our safety and made the comment that “God is good”!  I would nod and agree, but in my heart I knew that God’s nature doesn’t change when bad things happen.  If the worst had happened, God would still be God and be good, and I knew I had to be okay with that.  But we do double check our windows now!

Another time we were almost broken into but I (Lisa) was able to thwart the would-be thief’s efforts.  While in LA we had a six-foot wooden fence surrounding our quaint small back yard, drive way and garage.  Many times when I would be in the back yard, I would think through situations, “What would I do if…suddenly there was someone in the yard with me?” I also noticed how our neighbor Bob handled a difficult situation.  He yelled and yelled at a guy from his upstairs window who was trying to steal his lawnmower.  He was quite impressive in his yelling!  It didn’t stop the guy from running off with his mower, but it stuck in my mind.  So on this particular evening,  Andy had just left with the girls for soccer practice, and Scott ,who was five, was at our kitchen counter eating a sandwich.  I was in our laundry room, off of the kitchen, when suddenly there was a man peeking in the window, right at me.  I instantly knew he had just jumped our fence after Andy left, thinking no one was at home.  He was already close to the back screen door.  I pretty much copied what I had heard our neighbor, Bob, yell…along the lines of “what are you doing in my back yard – I am calling 911 … I see your face, yes, you better run – and I see you hiding by our garage…”  When I started my loud questioning, I kicked the back door shut and locked it immediately.  He took off.   I guess I startled him enough to get ahead of his efforts.  I did call 911.  I looked at Scott who was still sitting at the kitchen counter, with his mouth open.  He had never heard me yell like that before.   I told him the bad guy was gone.  Then I called Susie who is a fellow missionary who lived across the street…I wasn’t so tough then J.   She came right over.  At that moment I felt one with the city.  I had learned from watching my neighbor how to be aggressive when necessary, and I actually sounded like someone from the city!  We didn’t even consider it a big deal…we were more humored by my reaction.

You raised your 4 kids in the city.  What do you appreciate most about that experience for them?

There is so much…where do I start?  The World Impact staff have been extended family to our kids – their kids are like cousins, the staff are like aunts and uncles.  Our kids have learned firsthand how difficult church planting can be and also how rewarding.  They understand other cultures so much better than we will ever understand.  They have a deep appreciation for the people of the city. They had many “moms” of another culture instructing and encouraging them as they grew up.  They grew up seeing people accept the Lord and thrive and also people walk away and suffer the consequences, some of which have been prison and death. Our kids don’t always fit into our sending culture.  They don’t always fit into our ministry culture…but they have learned how to function in both and appreciate both.  It has not always been easy and our kids have not always been perfect or perfectly happy to experience all they did…but that is true of any kid, right? I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to raise our kids here in the city with World Impact.

Andy and Lisa with their Grandkids

What has kept your vision and passion fresh for the city after serving this many years?

Our call and our co-workers have kept us here.  Our call is what brought us here many years ago.  We truly believe that the Lord had called us to this ministry and to the people of the inner city.  His call equips us and sustains us.  Our co-workers encourage us and challenge us.  Of course all the prayers of our family and supporters uphold us.  And finally, the people of the city encourage us.  Being a part of their life and seeing how Christ and His church transform families is why we are here.

Lisa, what is your vision for the next years in our church planting?

We have been continually learning how to do a better job of planting churches cross-culturally.  We have always known that the indigenous folks will do it better.  I believe our focus on identifying potential leaders, training and equipping them (through our church plants and TUMI) will be the key to continuing to plant churches and hopefully planting churches that will in turn plant churches.  We are aiming in Wichita and now St. Louis, to unify our efforts in church planting in hopes that it will be more reproducible for our upcoming leaders.  We are doing this under the banner of Christ the Victor.  The folks in the city need to know or remember that they are a part of an ancient faith and tradition passed onto us through the Scriptures and the Apostles. They are not alone and through Christ they are Victorious!  I believe we will, in the near future, witness an explosion of the church in the city that will actually influence our whole culture!

Andy, what is your new role?

My new role is an extension of what I have been doing in part for the past ten years or so. My new title is officially Regional Vice President. (The Midwest region consists of Wichita, KS, Morning Star Ranch in Florence, KS, Deer Creek Camp in Bailey, CO, Dallas, TX, St. Louis, MO.) I have never been into titles, however. It is more about being in a position to do all I can to serve others and help them be successful. I have had the privilege of working with someone (Al Ewert) for many years who embodies the concept of being a servant. I am also fortunate to work alongside so many talented and committed leaders who make this not only possible, but a joy as well.

I look forward to working with and serving the directors of the Midwest region along with the staff. There is much that has been done already and much more to be accomplished for the Kingdom in the future. I believe that we are at a pivotal time in which to leverage our collective resources, gifts and passions as a region to establish a genuine church planting movement in the cities of our region and beyond! I know that this vision goes way beyond what man can do, but through God’s victorious power, all things are possible!

Patty is a dear friend. I met her well over a decade ago. She began coming to our church plant, Lighthouse. Patty attended our ladies Bible study. She was faithful in attending and completing the Bible study. Eventually she was ready to accept Christ as her Savior and I had the privilege of leading her in that process. A short time later she became a member of the church.

During that time The Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) was feverishly working on completing their Capstone Curriculum. This curriculum is very academic and thorough in teaching and training up leaders in God’s Word.

We were eventually able to establish a TUMI site within our Wichita ministry which we named Christ the Victor Leadership School. Our goal is to use this school to train up leaders to pastor and shepherd Christ the Victor church plants. Ryan Carter, a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate, heads up our school and has created many resources for our church plants.

Patty and one of her daughters, along with two others from Lighthouse, are now students of our leadership school. Patty has come a long way since our early Bible studies. She has already completed one Capstone course and is now plodding through her second course.

This is how our mission is supposed to work! Evangelism, Discipleship and Equipping are the keys to church planting. Patty has been faithful to follow the Lord even when life seemed pretty dark. Since coming to Bible study and accepting Christ she has seen her marriage restored and her kids following after the Lord. She has been a learner from the beginning. And now the Lord is preparing her to be a leader in the church through the classes and investment from our Christ the Victor Leadership School.

Eric began volunteering at WITS through our Job Squad partnership. Job Squad ... Read Eric's testimony in his own words.

I was born in Wichita after my parents settled here.  My dad was an alcoholic and so my earliest memories were of my father being drunk.  The home was unsettled as my mom tried to keep things calm while my dad was out doing his thing.  Today he is sober and is doing great.

Up until the age of eleven or twelve things were sort of normal for me, but then I started noticing all that was going on in the neighborhood.  My cousins were in the gangs and I noticed the homies having everything.  They had control, girls, they had all the things I wanted.  They had everything; the luxuries, cars, respect, they had it all.

I started kicking it with them, living that way myself.  I started hanging with the gangs and became what they called “a wanna-be.”  I wanted to prove myself.  I wanted to be the real deal.  A real gangster.  That was my main and only goal.  School wasn’t important.

In order to get into the gang you had to prove yourself.  That meant “putting in work.”  For some that involved shooting people, stealing, doing whatever needed to be done, and doing it without fear.  So that’s where I went.

I was now thirteen.  You get to know more people, getting respect.  I wanted people to fear me.  You go from respect to fear.  You want to be the hardest gangster you can be.

Hardness was all I knew by that time.  That was my world.  It was what I saw and what I knew.

I was fearless.  When there were gun fights I wouldn’t duck, I’d run toward them.  I was way out there.  No concern for my life, the lives of others or consequences.

As you get older you start having more influence.  That means training the younger ones, getting your own group.  Training up the home boys and getting your own soldiers.  You show them the way.  My reputation grew.

My oldest son was born while I was locked up in county.  I saw him through glass.  All the damage you have done starts getting to you.  To avoid looking at it up close you start doing drugs.  More drugs all the time and eventually cocaine, alcohol, and crystal methamphetamine.

I was fighting with my girl.  By that time we had four kids.  Because of the drugs, drinking and gang life I was out of control.  I became abusive to her and to the kids.  There is a lot I regret out of those years.

During that time I was stabbed, shot twice, brick-cracked over my head.  I had my battle scars.  To some they were badges of honor.  In time they became something else.  I’ve been in and out of jail in the county, done time in prison.  More than I want to remember.

When you drink you try to forget your problems.  Then you start losing everything.  You look for your home boys and where are they?  They’re either dead, deported or locked up.  What a life.  You see that you’ve been shot because of a one dollar handkerchief.  It seems wasted.

I lost everything.  I lost the respect of my parents; they didn’t want to claim me as their son.  My girl was gone.  I had lost my kids.  It was all gone.  The only thing I had was my car.

I was invited to church one time.  A seed was planted that God used later.

Finally I hit my lowest point.  I knew church was the only place I could turn to.  On Sunday I pulled into the parking lot of the Vineyard Church.  I sat in my car watching people go in, one after another.  I couldn’t make myself go in, always figuring I’d follow the next one.  But I didn’t.   I thought, forget this, and drove down the street thinking to myself, I’m a gangster, surely, I can go in.  I turned the car around and went back and sat in the car some more.   I still couldn’t make myself go in.  But finally, I took the step.

When I walked in the door someone wanted to hand me a pamphlet.  I blew him off and sat down.  People were praising God.  I had so many questions.  I was angry.  But it seemed that the pastor was answering every question I had in my heart.  One after another he answered them.  A peace started to come over me.

They did an alter call and the Lord just smacked me.  I was trying to be hard, act gangster as I walked forward.  The closer I got to the front the more I broke down.  I had never cried like I did as I gave everything to God.  I felt peace for the first time.

It’s been three years.  Nothing was easy after that.  It’s not easy leaving the gang.  But the Lord got me through it.

Walking with Christ is difficult.  On the one hand I left everything, the only world I knew, and it was the hardest thing I ever did.  Yet knowing Christ was with me has made it possible.

I had the opportunity to lead one of the guys to Christ that came out of a rival gang.  In fact, he was one of the guys who shot me.  It was a big deal to me, to see him come to Christ.  Others from the gang started coming to Bible study.  With God there are no borders.

As I look to the future I want to serve God.  It is His life.  I am trying to get my family to follow Christ.  It is tough, but I know with Christ there are things possible that I could never do on my own.

Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  I have battle scars and they are part of my testimony.  But they are also reminders of what not to go back to.  There is absolutely nothing in this world that will satisfy.  Only knowing the love and the forgiveness of Christ, being in the center of His will, will satisfy.

1. What is your day job and how has it benefitted your work at the thrift store?
I’m a fourth grade teacher in Wichita. Teaching has helped me at the store to multitask, communicate, and assess situations to make quick decisions.

2. Which is crazier - A busy day at the thrift store or your classroom right before Christmas break? Why?
Definitely a busy day at the thrift store! If my classroom is rowdy, I can take them out for a recess or simply threaten to take away recess!

3. What is the most Hillsboro German Sausage one person has bought at one time?
I’ve sold 4 two pound packages to a customer.

4. What is one of the funny, crazy or surprising things that someone has donated to the thrift store?
How can I pick one? There’s been toupees, enema medicine, wedding album of a couple’s wedding, and of course the multiple wigs and hats modeled by Dave.

5. How did you first get connected with World Impact Thrift Store? How long have your been volunteering at WITS?
I heard about WITS through my church. I’ve been volunteering on Saturdays for over 2 years.

6. What is a favorite song that you like to hear while you are at the thrift store?
I love to hear a variety of music but on Saturdays we clean, sell, and buy to the music from 90.7 FM radio.

7. Have you ever found a “treasure” or something you felt was meant to be yours as you have gone through countless donations?
Believe it or not, I don’t think I’ve purchased a “treasure” for myself but I’ve bought lots of things for an orphanage in Africa and Operation Christmas Children around the world.

8. What was your first impression when you started volunteering with the thrift store ministry?
“I’m so out of my comfort zone, I don’t know how to speak Spanish, but I like to organize things…. so jump in!”

9. What is a memory of a customer that reminds you of what the thrift store ministry is all about?
I’ll never forget a little girl jumping up and down after her father bought an old sleeper couch. She was shouting, “I don’t have to sleep on the floor anymore!”

10. In your time of serving at WITS, what has been the biggest way the Lord has blessed you personally?
The Lord reminds me each Saturday that He has blessed me greatly with a job, friends, family, health, and joy in my heart.

11. If you had to choose one word to describe what volunteering at WITS is like, what would it be?
Life changing (oops, two words)

12. Do avalanches and your work at WITS have any correlation? Explain.
Saturdays at WITS are like avalanches when unstoppable good deals flow freely with hungry, bargain seeking customers.

Tyron is 11 years old and will be going into the fifth grade this Fall. He has three older brothers and one younger sister. His oldest brother is in jail and the other two are in juvenile detention. His father is not in the picture and his mom wants little to do with him. His grandma is left to raise him and his eight cousins. Recently, I have felt that they have given up on him and just let him wander the streets. Despite all of this, God is working in this young man’s life.

His brother made a profession of faith just before going into juvenile detention. We would meet for discipleship and Tyron would tag along. Though his brother made the profession, Tyron has made the changes. Though he has a long way to go, I see growth in him almost every day.

My heart breaks for Tyron because of all he must endure. One morning he came over and crashed on my couch saying he was tired. I asked him what time he had gone to bed the night before. Tyron has no bed time and often stays up until four or five in the morning. His poor choices were not the cause this time. His mother and her boyfriend had kicked him out of his bed early that morning. Just the day before Tyron was locked out of his house when he had gone outside to cool off from an argument he had with his mother’s boyfriend.

These and other situations have put a bad taste in Tyron’s mouth, making his constant desire to be out of the house. Lately Tyron has been spending every day with me, helping me work. He walks the mile to my house, sometimes before I am awake. Though he often slows me down, it is a joy to have him with me. We get to talk about everything under the sun while I am showing him Christ’s love and teaching him valuable life lessons. He is a hard worker, eager to learn, and has a tender heart. He has helped me change brakes, fill water balloons, and even clean toilets.

He is faithful in coming to church with me every week, often calling me several times to make sure I have not forgotten him. He loves to sing. His favorite songs are Power in the Blood and Here I am to Worship. In club he will yell loudly with both hands in the air when one of these songs is sung.

Though he is not on fire for the Lord yet, he is making positive changes in his life. I am excited to see what God will do with Tyron. I think one day he will be a church leader or even a pastor. Please pray that God will continue to change this young man’s life and keep him safe from the snares of this world.

Our own Audrey Hanneman has left the city for the wide open spaces. She will be serving this summer at Morning Star Ranch. Here are her thoughts about her new surroundings.

1. How many years have you been on staff with World Impact?

A little over 13 years.

2. What is your level of Spanish?

I understand a good amount and can speak conversationally (best one-on-one), but I still have a whole lot more to learn!

3. How will you be spending your summer?

For about six months now, Tim and Kim (a missionary couple) have been the only people working full time at the Ranch.  And in the past seven months the Lord has blessed them with two beautiful baby boys through adoption.  With the blessing of two little babies to love on and the Ranch schedule filled with many different camps and retreats, (needless to say) they have their hands full!

The World Impact leadership saw this summer as an opportunity for me to spend some time at the Ranch—for me to be a support (and hopefully be a blessing) to Tim and Kim.  My church plant team has graciously agreed to “share” me and has released me to go to the Ranch for this camp season.  I will come back to Wichita for an occasional Sunday night service at our church to reconnect with everyone (because I miss everyone greatly), but for the most part I am living out at the Ranch.

4. What are you most excited about being at the Ranch?

I’m excited to hear laughter and see the joy on kids’ faces as they get to come have fun in a safe environment.  I’m also looking forward to getting to know the staff ladies and having the opportunity to speak into their lives (as the Lord leads), as well as learn from them.

5. What is going to be your specific roles?

One of the main things I am doing is being a “big sister” to the summer staff ladies-- connecting with them, having a weekly Bible study together, etc.  I am also lifeguarding during camps and retreats, interacting with campers as I help with various activities, help with other camp-life tasks, and (hopefully) getting to carry around one of Tim and Kim’s kids in a backpack on occasion!

6. What is your prayer for the kids and teens from the city that will get to experience camp life?

“Be Transformed” is the theme at camp this year.  Pray that everyone—students and staff (including me)—will be transformed through God’s spirit.

7. As a committed runner, how many miles do you hope to run out at the camp this summer?

If I go for at least 9 miles a week that could be over 70 miles, but I may throw in a swim workout here and there instead (since I imagine it will be getting quite hot on some days)!

8. How many different animals have you seen at the Ranch since you’ve been there?

Let’s see…in the “wild” I’ve seen skunk, deer, snake, and WAY too many creepy crawly things.  At least one person here saw a bob cat, so I wonder if I will see one of those at some point!

9. Will you be bringing any of them back to Wichita with you?

Not planning on it! And hopefully my encounters with most of them will be from far away!

10. What is the main difference between being a missionary at a camp and in the city?

I’m doing a lot less driving these days and getting to see a whole lot more of God’s creation (like thunderstorms and sunsets!), but the same amazing God is at work in the lives of people both here and in the city.  It will be awesome to see what He’s going to do!

Last weekend about 80 people from Christ the Victor Church, Iglesia de Cristo Victorioso and Club4.12 (our youth program) gathered at Morning Star Ranch for our annual Family Camp! Our theme was "We are Family, Somos Familia!" We participated in bilingual worship, heard teaching in both English and Spanish, played together, laughed a lot and ate even more! Watch our video recap here.

1. What is a favorite song that you like to hear while you are at the thrift store?
   It is Well with my Soul.
2. What is the first thing you like to do when you go home after a full day at Second Blessing?
   I go home and eat dinner but I never slow down or rest. I usually then make more jewelry.
3. What is a memory of a customer that reminds you of what the thrift store ministry is all about?
   One time a lady came in and was sitting on a sofa with her head down and was distraught. I put my arm around her and she just sobbed. I told her God knew her needs and I prayed for her. She now comes back all of the time with a smile on her face.
4. In your five years of serving at Second Blessing, what has been the greatest way the Lord has blessed you personally?
   This is truly my mission field. I always wanted to do more but didn’t know what to do. I had cancer and my daughter suggested that I start serving at Second Blessing Thrift Store. My husband goes all over the world to take mission trips but I feel like I don’t have to because this is my mission field.
5. If you had to choose one word to describe what volunteering at Second Blessing is like, what would it be?
   Rewarding
6. What is your favorite lunch item that you sometimes bring with you?
   Strawberry shake

What a week it was on our Wichita campus! The Lord gave us some very warm weather and beautiful days as we spent Thursday night through Sunday morning preparing four Christ the Victor (CTV) church plant teams. I believe the Spirit of the Lord fell upon us in a powerful way through our worship, prayer, teaching from the Word, challenges for bold and aggressive Kingdom expansion, and one-year church plant charter preparation. Check out what makes us unique in this document.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Four church plant teams commissioned - two led by indigenous leaders (21 team members trained)
• Powerful and Spirit-filled worship sessions focusing on CTV Identity, Vision, and Strategy
• Clarity in understanding what Christ the Victor is and collective ownership of our shared identity and growing vision
• Challenging sessions from Dr. Don Davis
• Solid goals set for this next year in 3 key areas - Evangelism, Equipping, and Empowering (charter)
• Celebrating our opportunity to live in The Story and share it with others
• Greater knowledge of church planting movements and our opportunity to be a movement that acts as a clear and bold army marching together into enemy territory
• Wonderful food and fellowship
• Our first conference where we had nearly an equal number of kids and one excellent childcare worker (St. Louis intern Rachel Huguenin with help from some others!)
• A powerful, concluding worship service where we 'divided the plunder' (celebrated Christ's victory!) in anticipation of what He will do

On April 14 an EF3 tornado blew through southeast Wichita causing an estimated $146M in damages. The Oaklawn neighborhood where we planted Lighthouse Community Church was badly affected.

The church became command central, hosting more than 150 people in their basement during the tornado and providing water, food, prayer and clean-up in the days following. They also hosted an outdoor "Praise You In The Storm" worship service to give glory to the One who deserves it (picture).

Check out this testimony from Jerry Willhite, pastor of Lighthouse Community Church.

Thank you to all the volunteers from Berean Christian Academy that came and worked on our Wichita property, in one of our thrift stores, at our missionaries' homes and at Morning Star Ranch. You all were a tremendous blessing!

HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Breaking news Easter week
among the Christ the Victor Church plants!

MAUNDY THURSDAY

All the Christ the Victor (CTV) Church plants (and future CTV church plant groups as well) gathered together for the evening at La Iglesia de Cristo Victorioso (ICV) on the corner of Emporia and 11^th St. The room was filled to standing room only! A group of musicians (many of them youth) representing different church plant groups led the time of worship through song in both Spanish and English. Pastor Gerson from ICV gave the teaching from the Word of God. There was a time of healing prayer for hearing to be restored in a young girl’s ear. The Lord’s Supper was the focus of the evening as the diverse group of people (unified together through Christ) remembered what Jesus did with His disciples on the night before His death. The evening concluded with a delightful time of fellowship and refreshments.

GOOD FRIDAY

La Iglesia de Cristo Victorioso met at their church for a time of worship and prayer and seeking the Lord. Though it was a much smaller group than the night before, they experienced God’s presence as He spoke to them through times of singing, intercession, reflection and meditation.

SATURDAY

Once again a large group of people from the different CTV church plants and groups gathered together, this time at the World Impact Village. The late afternoon event began with numerous excited children scurrying all around the grassy field looking for candy-filled eggs that had been hidden for their hunting adventure. The hunt was followed by an outdoor hotdog BBQ. Ryan and Amber Carter did an amazing job of keeping the flow of hotdogs steady until everyone ate and was satisfied. (The amount of hotdogs consumed could not be determined, though ketchup could be seen on a number of satisfied faces.) The Kansas wind did not deter this group of people from enjoying an encouraging time of laughter, fun and good eatin’!

RESURRECTION SUNDAY

The different church plants celebrated the resurrection of Jesus at their regular separate Sunday gathering places. These services brought together our regular attendees, many friends that have been away for some time and with some new guests as well.

Morning Star Ranch was the site of our first-ever regional women’s retreat. 70 ladies and 7 babies who needed to come with their moms came from St. Louis, Dallas, and Wichita.

Among the churches and church plants represented we had two Spanish-speaking church plants. Therefore the sessions were translated as much as possible and worship was in both English and Spanish. While this can take extra time and effort, it exemplifies what God’s Kingdom is all about. We are all part of the same Body of Christ.

Most of the ladies attending the retreat rarely have the opportunity to get out of the city, much less to be at such a beautiful camp in the country with the trees, hills and a river. Most of these ladies would not be able to afford a retreat like this. We raise money to help offset their costs.

One of these ladies, Judy, had never been to a retreat of any kind. Judy is in her 40’s and is waiting to be a grandmother for the second time. Judy is tall and thin with very short hair and due to a lack of funds and a difficult life most of her teeth are missing. While this is alarming at first, after talking to Judy for a few minutes you forget all about that. Her warm and intelligent personality is all you notice.

Judy shared that she has terminal cancer. She has been struggling with it for years and now it is in her liver and moving all over her body. She takes a chemo pill twice a week and sometimes it makes her sick. She didn’t share this in a way that made you feel sorry for her; she shared it matter of factly.

Judy has recently begun attending a Bible study at one of the church plants. She was so excited to be at the retreat. During the sessions I noticed that she took meticulous notes and would double check to make sure she had the correct Bible references.

Judy went on two hikes up to the cross on the hill and helped us set up for crafts and helped clean up. She was so enjoyable!

When it was time to say good-bye, Judy told me that she needed to get home to share all she had learned with her daughters. She said they never have heard about the Bible and Jesus. Many of the ladies wished that the retreat was one day longer. They were not ready to leave the beauty of the camp, the teaching times, or the fellowship with the ladies. Judy’s reality is different from the other ladies.

The retreat at the ranch gave Judy some time to rest and reflect, fellowship and be taught. I have no doubt that she will take what she learned and what she experienced back to her daughters. Judy is looking forward to family camp at the ranch this summer. She hopes to bring her daughters with her. I hope her health holds up and the Lord allows her to experience the beauty of the ranch and the fellowship of believers along with her children this summer.

Don recaps the message he shared with the ladies here.

I feel an overwhelming desire to take a picture of myself wearing a hoodie with my hands in my pockets and my back turned in passive aggressive support of Trayvon Martin's family. (Trayvon's death has made recent national headlines.)

This may come as a shock to you, but I have been white all my life, ghostly white - I don't even tan. I grew up in the white South and did not even interact with people that didn't look like me until college (unless you count the grocery store clerks that carried my bags to the car for me). I didn't know life any differently. And then I went to a 35,000 person college and saw every skin tone, every religion and every different way of thinking from my own. I had to do some real soul searching.

Then, God called me to the city and for the first five years to serve among mostly African Americans. During our four years in Dallas my office was in the city housing complex where we ministered. More than once a police car followed me to see what business I had in being there. Our apartment was quite literally 'across the tracks,' a noticeable racial divide. More days than not, Ryan was the only other white person I saw as I came and went from work and other daily activities like grocery shopping.

It never felt weird. It was my life. Until I had those moments. Those slips. Where a thought crossed my mind or I behaved in a way that was so natural to my upbringing, but so against my current way of thinking.

We ministered in Dallas to children, mostly elementary-aged. We searched and searched for curriculum for our weekly Bible Studies and found almost nothing. All the little kids in the pictures had blond hair. Jesus had blue eyes. The "take home" (application) was always some version of "obey your parents." What? It was so frustrating.

I remember so vividly being the first person to tell a group of eager-to-learn brown skinned little girls that Jesus looked more like their skin color than mine. The shock and joy in their eyes is burned into my memory.  It was so apparent that they had never considered that Jesus looked like them! What a joy to be the first to tell them! I hope it stuck with them.

I will also never forget one of those slips moments. Ryan and I were joining two other couples to celebrate someone's birthday - I don't remember whose birthday it was. We went to the local Chili's restaurant and were promptly escorted through the empty dining room and seated at the back next to the constantly-opening to-go door and across the aisle from another table of six or so. Our waiter was also in charge of all the to-go orders so he was painfully slow and inept (I have a serious thing about good service when I am paying so darn much for the food, but that's another blog). I remember being annoyed. But, what I now remember most is the light bulb moment probably a few weeks later when I put it all together. We were having dinner with two African American couples. We were seated across from a table of six African American diners. Seriously? Where we really treated with horrible service and forced to sit at the back of the empty restaurant because of skin color? My hands are shaking and my eyes are filling with tears as I even type this because it was a painful lesson for me. Should we have used our white privilege to demand a better table? Probably not. Am I ashamed even today that it took me weeks to put it all together? Sadly, yes.

So many times I have asked God why he chose to give me near translucent skin, but such a huge heart for the African American culture. He hasn't given me an answer and I suspect he never will. He doesn't owe it to me. My two beautiful boys had no choice but to get pale white skin from me and Ryan. But, I hope and pray that they will be forced to wrestle with all these things as they grow up in the city. As I teach them their ABCs and 123s, I want them to also learn from me that God loves us all...Christ came to save us all...Jesus himself was met with stares as he socialized with the "wrong" crowd. I hope that they love their friends that look like Trayvon just as much as they love their friends that look like them. I hope they jump in with both feet to follow Him!

Our store on Waco and 13th St. hosted a huge outdoor sale on Saturday, March 24 from 9am - 5pm. We had hot dogs and soda, popcorn and free cookies, and rock bottom prices on everything in the store. It was a HUGE success! Thank you to all the volunteers and the staff that made it possibe. You can view our video of the event here.