July

2011

beautiful feet

do you ever wonder if your prayers really make a difference?

Background: In May, I bought tickets to the Weekend to Remember and invited my husband to go. He had filed for divorce the same week, unbeknownst to me. We struggled back and forth over the next few weeks about whether we should go and whether it could help us. He had been extremely nasty and hostile to me and we were having a very difficult time just trying to be civil around each other. Events: On Fathers Day we fought and we both said we wanted it to end and decided not to go to the marriage conference the next weekend. I did not see him for a few more days. About Wednesday, he came by and we were cordial toward each other. He asked me if I was still planning on going. I told him I was. I figured I might learn valuable information that would help me in any relationship; and I still had a responsibility to raise my boys unto the Lord and try and teach them how to be married even though I wasnt able to model that in my own home due to the pending divorce. I kept inviting my husband all weekend. He refused to come.

Yesterday he called me and wanted to reconcile! He had bottomed out. He was repentant and sorry. He wanted to stay married and fix the things that he had been doing wrong for the last three years. He stopped smoking, doing drugs, drinking caffeine and one other vice he was participating in, in one day. He committed to immediately begin an addiction recovery program. He committed to seeing our Bishop and get back on track to being in full fellowship with the church. He committed to read the books I brought home. He committed to going to the next marriage conference with me in November, which just happens to be the end of the six months waiting period for a divorce. Instead, we plan on filing a dismissal and moving full force ahead. As we talked last night and this morning, he revealed the Lord had really worked on him for the last few days and he had personally agreed again to receive the Lord into his heart and to turn his life over to the Lord and let the Lord lead our family. He had come to an understanding on a lot of issues that had not been apparent to him before. He was extremely humble. He seemed so in shock about what happened and why. I havent told him yet about the prayers prayed over us. As I listened, I quietly smiled inside and thanked my Lord for answering not only my prayers but the prayers of total strangers on our behalf. Someday soon I hope to share with him what transpired in my world while the Lord was working with him in his world.

I have to say that it was by far one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I was sad to be alone, but the Lord kept confirming I was in the right place doing the right thing. I think I was the only solo person there. On Sunday morning, I actually talked with a woman sitting next to me and shared a little about my situation. She said she and her husband would pray for us. A little later, I sat next to another couple. They asked about me being solo and I shared a little more. The husband took my hands in the middle of the group and together the three of us prayed over my husband, my marriage, me and my family. A most beautiful and amazing prayer. A little later I was speaking with one of the volunteers; she asked if she could pray for me and we did, on the spot. About 30 minutes later another volunteer asked about my situation and invited another volunteer to join in prayer with me and again we prayed over my marriage. Sunday afternoon didnt go so well. My husband called me several times, being very hostile. I did not talk with my husband again until yesterday. I had bought $200 of books on marriage and family while I was there, including a prayer card, guiding me on how to pray for my husband. Beginning that afternoon, I prayed that prayer twice a day.

I know we have a long road ahead, but we finally have some hope and definitely more direction. No one can ever convince me that God doesnt work miracles and answer prayers.

spring impact report
weekend to remember attendance: 37,700 salvations: 1,377 art of marriage people impacted: 80,000

the following is an exerpt from an email FamilyLIFE recently received.

Fun times at the POOL!!

01 PRAISE!! Another member of our community group, Mike, accepted Christ! Please pray for Mike and his wife (who accepted Christ several months ago). They are moving to Atlanta in two weeks. Please pray that God would provide Christian friends and a solid church as they move. 02 NEIGHBORHOOD MINISTRY Debi and Robin are two of our neighbors that really need to hear Gods truth. Please pray for open hearts and wisdom as we build relationships with them.

prayer requests
03 SPIRITUAL & PHYSICAL PROTECTION Please continue ot pray for protection of our family as we minister to other families.

3209 Ozark Dr. Bryant, Arkansas 72022 gingerandgene@gmail.com 515.291.9282 ginger 515.291.9272 gene
ONLINE GIVING: https://give.ccci.org/give/View/0608127

Gene & Ginger McClugage

missionaries ___________