212

Our big name reveal was a success! The new name of our student ministry is "212"  For those of you thinking, "why 212?" I will tell you. This was a name that the youth group had already considered and liked so we decided to go with it.  212 is the boiling point of water, the point at which water changes from it's liquid state to a gas. 

Teenagers are at a point in their life where they are in a constant state of decision and change.  We encouraged our group to let Jesus be at the center of that change and every decision they have to make. We want our students to be an example to everyone they come in contact with of the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

We have to remember that when Jesus calls us to change and live a life for Him, it will cost us everything.  In many parts of the world peopel are litterally losing their lives for Him.  We are so blessed to live in a country where it is still legal to worship, and with the times as they are, we have to realize we may not always have that liberty.  We have to decide now how far we are willing to go for Jesus.

Jesus never asked us to give more than He has, in fact it's just the truth, that when you love God their will be those who hate you.  We cannot worry about things that are temporary though, we have to fix our hearts on the things that are eternal.  I want to encourage you that just like our students we all have daily decisions to "be like Jesus."  For some it may mean helping out a family member, for others it may mean going the extra mile for a neighbor, others may need to raise the standard of integrity in their life, and for some it may mean selling everything you have and stepping out in faith to go where He leads.  The one thing I do know is that no matter what the cost, it is worth it. 

Our week is filled with so many things that are not easy, but the result of the work is lasting.  Camp Sozo, Sozo Kids, Turning Point Mentor Centers, The Help Agency, and Salt Life Church are some of the many areas we help with...it is a blessing to be a part of a ministry that is truly a light in a dark place.  Jason picks up food every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday that helps feed over 6,000 people a month.  The students we are reaching come from homes with generations of drug abuse, alcoholism, physical and sexual abuse, extreme poverty, and homes where they are not valued or loved.  Not every home is terrible, but it is definitely a huge issue.  It is our goal to raise up leaders among this community who will stop these generational curses, and continue to reach thier neighbors with hope.  For some of them we are the only people showing them the love of God.  There is a video posted in the blog below this one that explains our ministry more.

Please remember to pray for us. Our family needs strength and wisdom.  We will soon be expanding our bus ministry and we know that will take our numbers in the youth group to a whole new level.  Many of the students we are reaching out to have a difficult home life, and the idea of living a life for Jesus isn't even on their radar.  They are all searching though and we want to encourage them to keep searching and knocking.  We want the love of God to change their hearts, and for them to have an encounter with Jesus that will change them forever. 

Also, our family is still in need of financial support.  I don't like to ask for money, it has never been something I have liked, but the fact is when you're on the mission field it is what it is.  Every penny that is given to us is a blessing and allows us to continue the work that we do. I would like to break things down just a little bit.  God has blessed us with a home but we still have bills and expenses to cover.  We have a monthly budget of about $1000 for us to handle all our monthly bills plus childcare and living expenses comfortably, we absolutly need at least $500 a month to survive.  We are receiving $125 a month in support as of right now.  Our goal may seem like a lot, but some people may be able to give as little as $10 a month...every little bit helps.  It has been our goal to get 20 poeple or groups to commit to $25 a month to help cover the urgent financial needs. Please pray about how you could help and please pass on our information to others.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support.  We couldn't do what we do without you!

Send correspondance and financial support to:

19186 NE 13th St

Silver Springs, FL 34488

or click on the PayPal button on this page

*if you need tax credit for your giving please follow these instructions

If you send a check, make the check payable to The Help Agency, Do Not put our name on the check, include a note that says the money is for our family.

If you chose to send a donation through PayPal please send us an email 212slym@gmail.com or Pastor Dave an email david.saltlife@gmail.com letting us know you have sent it electronically for our family.

Sozo Video

For those of you who are interested in seeing a little more about what we do, here is a great video that describes the ministry we work for.

Summer is almost here!

I can't believe it, summer is almost here!  The kids will be out of school soon, and summer camps are just around the corner. We have been so busy lately.  It has been hard to sit down and get any blogging done, but I am resolved to sit here tonight until I have shared a little. 

Every day has had it's teachable moments, and every week God is proving His faithfulness to us.  We have had the privilege of family and friends visiting. Jason is finding out that every strange or seemingly meaningless job he has ever worked at, has given him unique skills that he uses every day.  For me personally God has me on a journey through His word that offers fresh revelation every time I turn the page.

This week we will be revealing the new name of our youth group, I will have to share that next week so I don't ruin the surprise. We actually have a car wash coming up this Saturday in Salt Springs if anyone is in the area.  We will be located at Bass Champions on Hwy 314.

Jason and I are enjoying being youth pastors, we have some great students.  We are constantly looking for new ways to teach them and reach them.  It is our hope to soon begin a bus ministry to several neighborhoods. We have so many students in our area that need love and acceptance.  It is also our goal to begin to raise up leaders among the students we have now.  Please keep us in prayer as we try to impart wisdom to them and encourage them to grow in their faith in Christ.

I can't tell you how much your prayers and encouragement mean.  Since we are only an hour away from Palatka it is hard sometimes for people to consider us as missionaries, but let me assure you we are.  We go through some of the same things missionaries on foreign soil go through. We work hard and minister to people that are hard to reach.  The enemy uses things like loneliness, depression, anger, discomfort, impatience, fatigue, frustration, bullies, and confusion to wear us down.  It is amazing though, when you call on the name of Jesus how quickly He will answer.

We are still in need of financial support.  I can't express to you how grateful we are to those of you who have been sending money.  Every donation has been right on time to meet a need.  We had paid our phone bill and insurance in advance to help as we moved, but we will soon need to start a regular payment plan again.  We are looking for 20 people, this includes (individuals, Sunday school classes, businesses, church groups, etc.) who can support us at $25 dollars a month.  This will cover our bills and other monthly expenses such as clothing, gas, etc.  However, any amount no matter how big or small is appreciated and blesses us very much.

 If you are interested in sponsoring us please call us at 386-538-4119 if you have any questions.  You may send checks directly to us at the address below. If you need tax credit for your donation please make the check payable to "The Help Agency"  do not print our names in the memo space on your check, send a separate note with the check letting us know who it is for.  If you chose to make a donation on this blog site please send us an email letting us know, david.saltlife@gmail.com

We'd love to hear from you. Our address is 19186 NE 13th St  Silver Springs, FL 34488