I shared this message on August 23rd via social media:
As many of you know, I have been traveling quite a bit over the past four months. I have had opportunities to talk and meet with people in a lot of places in Europe, in a few places in Africa, in Puerto Rico, and since being home, in North Carolina and South Carolina. I love telling people about God’s provision. I find joy in sharing the love of Jesus, and about the work accomplished at the cross, and the power displayed in the resurrection. I love sharing an eternal perspective. I love sharing testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I love to listen. I like asking and answering tough questions. I like researching answers with others. I like explaining how I strive to live by God’s will, rather than my own selfish desires. I share my downfalls and see God work through that. I enjoy helping others make the connection that God’s Word is applicable today. I like keeping in contact with others over time. I love conversation with strangers, old friends, people living in the streets, people at coffee shops, backpackers and tourists, kindhearted hosts, and more. I like getting on a train, on a bus, on a bike or a boat, or in a car, and going to the next place.
I’m trying to find a way to {sustain} more of the same, stateside for a while. If you would, be praying for this to come to fruition. I don’t know what it will look like. I don’t know where God will have me in a month, in six months, or in a year. Wherever that is, that’s where I would like to be. I would like to meet with churches I have contacts through. I would like to be writing more (that’s the current plan). I would like to be around young people and old people, new faces and familiar faces. I would like to be a part of fruitful conversation with people who are ready, or being readied, for Gospel action. I would like to sit on porches and in coffee shops with people thinking outside, and beyond, the American Dream. I would like to see the church act more as the church.
I have had generous friends donate over the past 4 months (and the month leading up to summer), and I am unable to explain how grateful I am. I hope you know that your contributions were well used. Contact me, as I would love to share more details.
I’m currently resting, all this week. I didn’t do much of that this summer. I’m also seeing some doctors, as I neglected my health a bit over the past 4 months. I’ll need to not do that again.
I am able to continue for a while doing the same work, cheaply living on savings and borrowing my mom’s guest room; but that can only last so long. If you would, consider keeping this matter in your prayers. Also, if you happen to have some thoughts, ideas, suggestions, etc., please send me a message.
So, those of you who pray, please pray with me. If this is what God has for me, I know He is the Ultimate Provider, and He will pave the way. If this is not what He has for me, I pray I see the door He would have me to walk through and that I go.
#LETMEINTRODUCEYOU
So, that was seven days ago.
I said I didn’t know where I would be, or what I would be doing. Well that is changing. I asked for prayers and suggestions, and now plans are forming up. The fogginess of the unknown is clearing. A path is becoming visible that had not been there, one stepping stone at a time.
The evening I posted the above message, I was contacted by an old friend about speaking in his church; now I know where I will be on September 4th. The next day I visited teachers at the middle school I attended; I’m now looking at dates for a time to share with those sitting in the seats I was once sitting in. Sunday afternoon I had the opportunity to meet with missionaries visiting my home church. They are from just south of the Texas/Mexico border. While we talked and laughed over lunch, they did an audacious thing: they offered an open invitation.
The plan is to go. A team will be going from my church. The team will fly; I think I will drive. I have an opportunity to visit friends in Alabama on November 9th. I would like to meet and share with as many others along the way as possible, whether youth groups, college groups, churches, guys on the side of the road, or with whoever will have a conversation as I stop for coffee.
This trip is tentatively planned for November 7th-December {10th}. The goal is to share Jesus, in word and deed. The hope is to see the Gospel received. The mission is to do the sharing, planting seeds and seeing others grow, participating as God allows.
I am looking for opportunities to share stories from this past summer, what has been going on in my life, and what is coming. If you know anyone who would be interested in supporting this mission adventure, please pass this along. If you know anyone who would be interested in partnering with me in prayer as I drive (most likely) my pickup truck out west, please share this with them. If you know any churches looking for an opportunity to support a mission which is both domestic and international, all at once, consider connecting us. Part of the reason for visiting the mission in Mexico, is to see if it might be the place for a longer stay in the near future.
Some obstacles:
-I drive an old truck. I need it to not break down before the trip, or during the trip out there, or on the return trip. There are a lot of miles between here and there.
-Gas and food cost money. Also, coffee costs money.
-Raising funds for ministry while in Mexico, and along the way.
-Finding a bus from where I will be in Texas to where I need to arrive in Mexico. And back.
-Contacting churches and groups to share with along the way and on the return trip.
Sincerely, I love you guys. I hope you know it. I hope you feel it. And far more importantly, I hope you know God loves you extravagantly. I hope you know He cares for you greatly. I hope you see how He has shown His love for you. I hope you respond well. I hope you know that He offers life abundant, now, and for eternity.
I am thankful for the opportunity to share life with you guys.
Greg
The last time I had the opportunity to spend time with friends in Mexico. You can tell it has been far too long ago by how short my hair is in the photo. And no beard. Baby face.
If you would like to contribute directly towards my next mission adventure, you can do so at paypal.me/greghelms. If you would like to hear more, contact me at rghelmsjr@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your partnership.
