Tonight I am thrilled to tell you about a very special family, a family that has heard God's call to obey and is making a drastic change in their lives in obedience to Him. It is not easy following God's call. But the Lord does give grace to those who put aside trusting in their own power and put
all their trust in His. This is that family:
Team Owens
About 3 years ago, Dan and several of his friends heard about a place in Uganda where children lived in desperate circumstances. On top of that, there was little to no Justice for them.. and a whole lot of injustice.
My friends, who I am writing about now, Dan and Shelly Owens, lived a more than comfortable lifestyle. Dan had not just a job, but a good job. With a good salary. Upon hearing about the children in these circumstances in Uganda, He and Shelly got down on their knees one night and prayed together. They prayed that the Lord would show them how to use their resources.
They laid it all before Him.
And along with several other couples, they obeyed the call to start the ministry Sixty Feet.
About 2 years ago, I began following their journey. And I was very touched, and more than encouraged towards Jesus. I watched them obey God's call in many different ways.
I saw them welcome two precious Ugandan children, Hannah and Joseph, into their family.
Then Sean and I both traveled with the Owens to Uganda on two separate occasions this past year. Sean with Dan in January, and I with Shelly in June.
God had placed the desire deep in our hearts to go and experience first hand what others had, to see the faces, to hold the hands, to embrace those who benefit from their life giving ministry.
And this ministry is the real deal, y'all. It was incredible. And so much so, that it has been difficult for me to put into words exactly, but what I can honestly say is that I was deeply blessed by those that have been blessed by them. I did not go to give, but rather to receive. That I did, and I continue to do so by being in connection with this incredible ministry.
Now this ministry has grown into a huge responsibility. Up until now it has been run stateside by several men with demanding full time jobs and a couple part time employees. But Dan Owens has heard the Lord's voice to work for Sixty Feet full time and he has obeyed the call. Jim Elliot said, "He is not fool who gives what He cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Not only has Dan given up his good job with a good salary, but he and Shelly have given over the control of trying to figure out how it will all "work out." Speaking from experience, that is a difficult place to be.
The Owens prayed that the Lord would bring support to them and they have trusted the Lord for that support to come in in His timing.
And much of it has.
But the Owens are in the "Final Stretch"
They just need a few more supporters. 9 people pledging $100 month for 2013 and they would be fully funded for next year! Or 18 pledging $50/mo... Or 36 pledging $25/mo. I am asking you to join us in supporting this precious family as they take this leap of faith.
Have you ever watched someone run a race? Stood there at the finish line, cheering them on.. heard the crowd roar and watched them cross the finish?
As the Owens run the daunting race of raising their support for next year, I want to be that person at the finish cheering them on and believing with them that they will be 100% supported by the end of the year!.. So with all that said,
You can read all about the Owens and their call to step out HERE
And you can donate to their ministry Friends of Sixty Feet HERE
No matter what, please go to sixtyfeet.org and read all about this incredible ministry and the lives that are being changed in Uganda for His Glory. And please please keep this sweet family in your prayers!
"But whatever was gain to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3
Much Love and Blessing to the Owens.. and much love and blessing to YOU.
Laura (for the Kirklands)
