Dear Family and Friends,
The months leading up to the start-up of my TCT residency can still be recalled with vivid recollection. At that time, there were no more than five to six core-group families represented, as we gathered around the book of Ezra to note the God-sized intervention that paved the way to unstoppable restoration. We noted the freewill offerings, silver, gold, goods, cattle, valuables and temple articles (1:6, 7). We highlighted the official proclamation for wholesale return of every surviving exile to Jerusalem (1:1). This spanned the spectrum of priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, male and female servants, and singing men and women (2:40-65). “The whole assembly numbered 42,360,” (2:64). And yet the high-flying banner that waved over all of this was, “THE LORD STIRRED UP THE SPIRIT OF CYRUS KING OF PERSIA,” (Ezra 1:1). Still in the throes of our own uncertainty, this great movement of God became our pattern for praying toward the signature of God, on this work, in the supply of funding, co-laborers, a song leader, a meeting place, office furnishings, and more.
Since those early meetings, during the spring of 2009, the invisible hand of God has become more and more visible. Back in April of 2009, my initial visit to Bethlehem Baptist Church was followed by termination from my current employment due to the economic down-turn. The sting of that rejection came with the unexpected gift of severance pay, unemployment benefits, and a COBRA insurance stimulus package! From the outset of the residency, support funds were deposited into our account through our Christian network of people and churches, including distant relationships from our past. In February 2010, at the missions conference of The Bible Church of Little Rock, we discovered approximately thirty adults with a common vision for the gospel absence of urban North Little Rock. Our move back to North Little Rock landed us in a meeting place, with two office spaces, at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club. This puts us in touch with neighborhood kids from every walk of life for only $600 a month! Nothing says it better than Psalm 118:7. “THE LORD IS FOR ME AMONG THOSE WHO HELP ME.” With each provision supplied and each prayer answered, the LORD continues to reinforce the vision that has been cast with the undeniable manifestation of His own good-pleasure!!
As recently as Thursday July 8, 2010, I was alerted to the availability of multiple office desks and chairs. By Tuesday the 13th, two office desks and chairs were sitting in our designated office area at the North Little Rock Boy’s and Girl’s Club. Both desks and both chairs were given to us, at no cost, by a business that replaced all of their existing furniture with new furniture! God intends for this to awaken gratitude in the hearts of His people, especially those of you who have persevered with me in prayer over this request and all the others. Take note of how our Father in Heaven is working for His glory and our joy, “so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many,” (2 Corinthians 1:11). O, how this should excite our hearts to give ourselves to God in prayer! God is not reluctant to respond to prayer, when it is according to His will, He merely insists on getting the glory when our prayers are answered. Often God’s delayed response to our Christ-exalting pleas draws more hearts into prayer, so that thanksgiving to God may abound when He finally answers. Won’t you join with me now in praying that God would raise up the man He has chosen to lead music for Urban Harvest Fellowship? Each of you are a gift to the Vaden family, and we praise the LORD for you!!
Boasting in the LORD,
Jason for the Vadens
