Norris Family News

Catching our breath

The last month has been a whirlwind of activity. Even with two weeks "off" between things, it has seemed like the activity level is ever busy. Four weeks ago was the Smoky Hill Vineyard (from Denver) outreach, then a week off to prepare for an outreach group from Idaho, which was followed by a wonderful week's visit from my parents. There will not be another outreach team until January. We plan to do some staff training here, several work projects, homeschooling, a new IFM website, and many other things. My personal prayer is that our time will be wisely spent. Sometimes I feel like I can get head down into a myopic project and lose sight of what else needs to be done.

I had the blessed privilege of leading the Smoky Hill outreach team with our dear sister, Susan Brugger. We have known Susan for about 20 years. All of our children have been snuggled by and have slept on "aunt Susan" when they were small. She is an amazingly organized person and has led over 50 outreaches over the years! This was my first time as a leader, but with Susan there it went incredibly smoothly. She "pushed" me into the front and supported me in that role as a solid foundation.

The team leader's role is one of "positioning" and of watching. A team leader positions the team each day and throughout the day from the scripture to be prepared for the widely various aspects of ministry that occur. A team leader also watches things on many levels, from being sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit in a certain circumstance to being aware of logistics and physical safety issues. It could be described as a pastoral role since the team is in a vulnerable place and is relying on the leader for many things throughout the week.

At first I was very nervous and felt completely inadequate to the task. Leading up to the week I even had a minor feeling that it was an imposition on other projects I wanted to do. But through prayer (and certainly the prayer of others) God met me each day with mini bible studies that spoke directly into the day's activities. The people on the team were very eager to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in any and every context. God used them for that as a handful of people genuinely forsook their sin and put their faith in the Lord Jesus, and He also used them in other ways to bring His love and blessing to those in need.

I have often thought about the doorkeeper of Psalm 84. Imagine if God Himself came through your workplace with His retinue. Imagine that He looked at you and said, "Child, would you hold the door for Me?" Wouldn't that be the most incredible honor? To know that I was doing something for my Lord, at His asking, would make that moment more precious than a lifetime otherwise. In so many ways I had that experience as the team leader. I was able to be His servant as a facilitator of other people's being used for His Kingdom. I never had any question that it was exactly where He wanted me for that week. What an honor!

The next outreach was Mike and Lori Hutchin's turn as team leaders. They did very well also and God used their team mightily for His Kingdom's sake. I was able to participate as a driver and our family was able to be general support. It was another time of blessing, knowing that we were where He wanted us for that week.

My parent's visit was glorious. We were able to take them to our new friend's house in a Juarez colonia for a great time of fellowship and singing...all in Spanish. We did some projects around the House of Cornelius and even did some tourist activities like going to a space museum in Alamogordo, NM and White Sands National Park. What an amazing place that is! The landscape looks for all the world, especially on the "plowed" roads, like it is covered in snow. But it is all sand! It was gorgeous and the kids loved playing in it. We would highly recommend the place as an awesome family destination, though I can't imagine how hot it must be in the summer.

--Thaine