7 Years of change

I loved the year 2006!  It was the year I was waiting for since the age of 6, the year I graduated High School.  I finally was set free from the monotony of going to school Monday- Friday.  Doing things differently than most of my class mates, I put college on hold.

I spent a month of the summer of 2006 in Costa Rica serving along side of a ministry that was led by a older man named Ernie who had a heart for the poor.  His whole life was filled with showing the love of Jesus to the unlovely.  His life impacted mine and the few others serving along side of him.  My mentor and youth pastor Spencer Boulter was convinced that God was calling him to move his family to Costa Rica to show Jesus to the unlovely.   Before returning to the states I was convinced that I would be returning in a few months to be a part of the Boulters transition.  

My brother and I returned a few weeks later to begin our 3 month journey in Costa Rica.  I remember spending a few afternoons out in the central park playing soccer with some rough looking teens.  They and the crack heads were the only ones to occupy the Park.  A spiritual darkness loomed heavily over the park.  We followed Spencer around bringing food to the hungry and building relationships with the local kids. 

The 3 months came to a end quickly and by then Ernie had passed over the leadership to Spencer and (Micah) 6:8 Ministries began to form.  The trip left a huge impact on my life and I desired to go back.  However through God's grace I landed in a Bible College in Simi Valley California.  I would spend the next 5 years there, meet my wife and we would have our first kid before I finished school.  With the new responsibility I was forced to finish school and jump right into the corporate world.  I landed my first "big boy job" as a Xerox Salesmen.  I learned a lot through the job but I did not enjoy it.  After evaluating my life and what Alli and I believed the Lord was calling us to do we decided to move to Florida to help raise funds for 6:8 ministries boys ranch.

With much excitement and we moved to Florida and started to collect and sell donations.  As of January we came on staff at 6:8 and I am the Thrift store manager.  God has been blessing the ministry so far as we are rapidly growing. 

I also volunteered to be trained in leading short term teams to Costa Rica.  I just came back from my first trip back in 7 years.  WOW!  I could not believe the change that I saw!  I was so encouraged by the power of the Gospel.  The Park that once was occupied by drug attics was filled with family and kids playing.  The house we stayed in 7 years ago was transformed into a thriving Church of 400. One feeding center held once a week has now been multiplied to many feeding centers through out the city.  People I met that were addicted to drugs have been set free and are now missionaries in other countries!  The trip was an example to me of God's powerful hand.   

For as much Gospel progress as I saw, there are 10x the amount of Gospel need!  Many of the kids in the ghetto have no parental guidance, prostitution is legal and destructive among the poor, men are leaving their families for drugs and women, kids play in rivers full of sewage.  The need can be so overwhelming and block the view of what God is doing.

As Christians we are called to care for what God cares about and do as Christ did!  Alli and I feel blessed to be able to pick up our crosses, follow and trust Jesus.  It has been a hard journey so far but totally worth it.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers!  We have felt the peace of God and the blessings of your prayers.  As of date God has provided 20% of our goal, We are very encouraged by the response so far.  If you have not considered yet, would you pray about supporting the McArthur family as we serve with 6:8 ministries?