Baby steps…….“They say to climb Everest successfully, you actually climb the Mountain five times over-in the process of going up and down. It is a giant game of snakes and ladders, and like the game, the higher you go, the further you have to fall” (Bear Grylls, The kid who climbed Everest)
The harder the journey has become and the more things stripped away Jesus’ grace continues to meet me in new ways. Since the last communication, the summer has brought many adventures from a skateboard mission trip with the kids, leading a trip with Global Expeditions to the San Blaas islands off the coast of Panama and a trip to a friend’s church, “Jacobs Well” in Spokane, Washington.
While in Panama I was on an island with one of our teams who were ministering there to the Kuna tribe through vacation Bible schools and service to the islanders. A guy named Mattias docked his small boat and we had a conversation which led to hanging out for a few hours and just sharing our stories. Mattias had quit his job in Brazil as the President of a bank which he had taken him all over the world. We were on the same page and he had two kids…we had many similar stories. He had began his trip around the world with his whole family and two young kids but it ended up too much for his wife and kids so they decided to go back home to Brazil. The rest of the journey around the globe would be on his own: he talked of his loneliness and I talked of my unexpected time in my life and being away from my kids. It blew me away how God uses our stories and brings people into our paths for a reason. I gave Mattias one of my favorite books and we prayed together for his journey around the globe and the search for Christ.
I am continuing my studies in Adventure education as I plan to write my thesis in the spring. I also am plugging into my church working with the youth group as well on next step in my journey. The internship timing has changed, beginning in January 2010, at that time all funding will be changed to Sojourn Community Church. 930 Mary Street, Louisville, KY 40204 In this internship I will need to raise monthly support as part of my internship needs which will cover basic living needs and education. I am a deacon in training and playing a leadership/vision development role in the youth ministry. I also will have a space to create a non-profit focused on building healthy community in public schools through the medium of adventure education. More vision and information to come in the new year.
The pastors at sojourn community church have been very supportive and embracing me in this difficult journey of navigating this painful time. This internship is a space to fully embrace Gods vision for the future. The vision for the year would be a incubator and a time to retool in the midst of people who love me and believe in me. Please continue to pray for my family during this transition. My journey is really about obedience: simple. Am I willing to follow God’s plan and His word vs. my own emotions?
Isaiah 40:29-31
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youth grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.”
A word from Hud McWilliams, Sr. Resource Pastor Christian Associates International “On behalf of Christian Associates, I would like to thank you for your support of the Isom family during this time of difficulty and transition in their lives. While none of us would have hoped for this outcome, we know that God has continued to be at work in many ways, and we're grateful for your partnership in that process. We are in support of the direction that Jeremy is taking, as outlined in this letter, and we hope that you, too, will continue to walk alongside him and his family as they go forward from here. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me."
Embracing,
Jeremy Isom
http://www.sojournchurch.com/
isomjeremy@gmail.com
Facebook: Jeremy Isom
http://thedownwardmobility.blogspot.com
615 483-1818
