IJM Field Office Update

Mission trips are funny things sometimes. We are called to love our neighbor across the street and across the ocean. So we go. We get passports and visas and shots. We hop on planes, and take buses for a week or 10 days, to help. To get our hands dirty. To do what Jesus calls us to.  We hold babies, offer clinics, build houses and teach English and in those days we feel closer to God. We watch him preform miracles in front of us. And it’s amazing.

And then, we go home. Changed by the experience, yes, but often we are left to wonder if what we did on our trip…made a difference, a dent, an impact.  Are people’s lives changed for the better? Is there justice for those who need it? Did we do our job? Sometimes we never get to know, but sometimes we do.

This week, I had the opportunity to get a field update from the IJM field office in Kampala, Uganda, and the conversation was filled with so much hope. In the summer for 2013, a group of women, myself included, from Crossroads went to Uganda to help organize court files along side two other churches in an effort to stop land grabbing from happen to widows and orphans. Land grabbing, as you know, is illegal in Uganda, but was virtually impossible to prosecute due to the fact that lawyers could never find the files.

The court house we worked in was one of the worst in Uganda. Cases were often delayed for years, or never tried at all because of lost or missing files.

This week, the IJM field director, Kathryn Wilkes, told us that because of the work that we did alongside other churches, files are now found immediately. Lost or missing files are now never an excuse for cases not to prosecuted! What incredible news!

Along with organized court files, they are offering police training to police officers so they know all the laws in their country, making the justice system even stronger.

The work that IJM does is slow, and hard but they are seeing prayers being answered, justice being served, and amazing work God is doing. We are so thankful for what they do, and their faithfulness to their calling.

I just wanted to let you know that April 16-17 is IJM hosting the Global Prayer Gathering in Washington DC. It’s 2 days of amazing stories of God restoring, rescuing, and rebuilding his kingdom through the work of IJM. It’s an amazing time or worship, prayer, and stories. I’d love to have you join me. For more details, click here.

See you this weekend!

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions 

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Thank You

Merry Christmas, everyone! Now that the halls have been decked, the presents have been unwrapped, we’ve spent time with our people, as we begin to get back in to the normal rhythms of daily life, I want to take a moment to say, “thank you.”

Our annual mug sales were a huge success, again! We’ve sold out again this year raising over $15,000 for International Justice Mission! That’s incredible. $15,000 means a year of after care services for widows and orphans. $15,000 means fewer women and children are living in fear of losing their homes and/or their lives. $15,000 dollars also means training for 150 police officers, strengthening the justice system in Uganda! I’m so thankful for our partnership with IJM and the work they’re doing. God is moving in big ways and we get to be a part of it.

You’ve given the gift of hope, progress and change this holiday season. Thank you.

I also want to thank our volunteers. None of this could have been done without the help of our amazing volunteers. It takes a ton of planning, hands and preparation to get ready for these weekends. Thank you for your time, your willingness to serve and your great attitudes. Thank you for your help over that last three weeks. I am so thankful for the team of volunteers behind me.

It’s been an amazing year in Missions. We’ve seen God move in incredible ways. I can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store for us! So grateful to be in this with you!

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions

International Justice System

It’s that time of year when Crossroads kicks off our annual mug sales. We sell gorgeous, handmade mugs made right here in St. Paul! Each year, we use the profits of these sales to support one of our Mission Partners. Last year, it was World Vision. This year, the money is going to support International Justice Mission!

We are excited to announce a new partnership with an IJM office in Uganda! The money from these mugs will help the IJM staff in Uganda provide a year of after care support for widows, and orphans affected by property grabbing as well as train 150 police officers to strengthen the already existing justice system in Uganda. To read more about our new partnership and the mugs, click here.

We are so excited for you to see these mugs. They are gorgeous, and they’ll make a great gift for someone you love….or for yourself. The money supports a local, family owned company andsupports the amazing work of the staff of IJM who seek justice for the world’s most vulnerable people. To read more about International Justice Mission, click here. 

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The snow beautifully blankets the ground and the trees. Your coats keep you cozy, and your cheeks are the perfect shade of rosy. There are twinkle lights, and great food. It’s amazing if you forget about the cold part. We are friendly to strangers. We are concerned about those who don’t have enough, we love our families and friends, we take time to honor traditions. We wave at neighbors, and hold doors open for people, we push cars out of being stuck, we help each other shovel and scrape, and dust off cars, sidewalks and porches, and the world just seems smaller.

It’s also the time of year when Crossroads kicks off our annual mug sales. We sell gorgeous, handmade mugs made right here in St. Paul! Each year, we use the profits of these sales of support one of our Mission Partners. Last year, it was World Vision. This year, the money is going to support International Justice Mission! We are excited to announce a new partnership with an IJM office in Uganda! The money from these mugs will help the IJM staff in Uganda provide a year of after care support of widows, and orphans affected by property grabbing as well as train 150 police officers to strengthen the already existing government in Uganda. To read more about our new partnership and the mugs, click here.

We are so excited for you to see these mugs. They are gorgeous, and they’ll make a great gift for someone you love….or for yourself. The money supports a local, family owned company andsupports the amazing work of the staff of IJM who seek justice for the world’s most vulnerable people. To read more about International Justice Mission, click here. 

We are excited to kick of the Christmas season with with you with the first sermon in our new series, A Reel Christmas! It’s going to be a great series! Can’t wait to see you this weekend. 

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care 

Disqualifier

One year ago today, I was in Africa for the first time.  I say first, because it won’t be the last!  It was my first international mission trip and the first time I led a mission trip.  I find it exciting to just get everything out of the way all at once.  I’m brave like that.

Actually, brave was the last thing I was.  I was terrified to be away from my family and my life in Cottage Grove.  I was sure I was going to do something as the leader that would tick everyone off. I thought I would offend the people of Uganda by doing something stupid.  Fear, insecurity and generally thinking too much about myself almost had me talked out of going on this life changing trip. Thankfully, God is bigger than my junk and He continued to show me that I was supposed to go.

I hear from people all the time that they feel like they are supposed to do something, but they don’t know what. That they want to go on a trip, but they don’t feel qualified. They want to serve and volunteer, but just don’t have the time. Or know where to start.

Maybe that’s you.  And if it is, I want to encourage you.  I want to tell you that for every question, concern, or hurdle placed in front of you, God still wants you.  In fact, he wants nothing more than for you to love Him and others.

And if you are still feeling unqualified or unsure, let me tell you about some Bible passages that came alive to me in a new way while I was in Africa. I want to remind you of a man named Moses. I know you remember him floating down the Nile in a basket, telling Pharaoh about the plagues, and the small thing of parting the Red Sea. But I want you to remember that time that he heard God’s voice coming from a burning bush.

Here are some of Moses’ responses:

×           Exodus 3:11 “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?”

×           Exodus 3:13 “Then what should I tell them?”

×           Exodus 4:1 “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me?”

×           Exodus 4:10  “O Lord, I’m not very good with words.”

×           Exodus 4:13 “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

It’s a burning bush.   And God is actually speaking to him.  And Moses is disqualifying himself at every turn.  How often do you respond like Moses?   How often do you question how God made you and what He wants you to do?   While it might take some convincing, the most amazing things happen when you do what God asks you to do.

So let’s go be brave.  Let’s learn from Moses and get going on the mission that God has called us to!  If you have no idea where to start, let’s get coffee and talk about what sea you need to part.

Lisa Adams
Director of Missions and Care