Ministry Opportunities

I've had such a great summer! In June, I got to be the children's evangelist for a week at a Methodist family camp in Minnesota. It was a wonderful experience! I did 17 services Sunday through Saturday and I couldn't have asked for a better week. The leadership was great to work with and the kids were so precious and really ready to draw closer to God. Fourteen kids got saved and they all spent some quality time at the altars learning how to pray and be still before God. I didn't get to go to any camps last summer due to my knee so I couldn't wait to get there. This is my 18th year of kid's camp!

Last week, I was back at Iowa camp at Sunstream Retreat Center our Assembly of God camp ground. The team that operates the whole grounds have done an amazing job adding activities and updating cabins. They now have go carts, a Zorb ball, 5 zip lines, a remodeled pool and pool house and many more great details. I served as camp pastor for the week. My main responsibilities were loving and caring for the homesick kids and handling any discipline issues. I kept busy with some other duties and loved every second of it! It was so great to see many of my old friends and make some new ones. I even got to see some of "my kids" that are all grown up now and were there counseling.

There are not too many things in this world that are more beautiful than witnessing a child at the altar worshipping God and praying. Just imagine 200+ kids on their knees with their heads bowed or buried in their hands crying out to Jesus. Picture them with raised hands, singing their praises to our Savior. It's a time of no distractions and the opportunity to be with like minded peers helping each other draw closer to God. We had tons of fun, laughed a lot and enjoyed our speaker, Big Vinny, but services are always the highlight.

Our camp leadership is made up of people who understand the importance of reaching kids with the Gospel at an early age. The Iowa Ministry Network has build an excellent team! It was an honor to serve Iowa kids along side them!

Coming up August 25-28, I'll be in Creston, IA doing a Kid's Crusade! My friend, Pastor Karen Norton pastors River of Life AG and we are working together to make an incredible event for the kids in her community. Also, On Thursday, Sept. 5, I'll be doing chapel service at Des Moines Christian School. I'm super excited for both events!

It has been difficult being away from ministry due to my surgeries and I'm ever so thankful to be back doing what I'm called to do. When you have to be away from the things that you are passionate about, I feel like a little part of you dies. You just feel incomplete and worthless. I realize that the enemy will use those feelings against you but it's difficult to set them aside for such a long time. I'm so thankful for these doors that God is opening! It's exciting to see what God has in store for us.

I'm Ready to Write Again

It's been almost two years since I posted and I've decided it's the right time to get back to writing. We have gone through some pretty big trials in the past two years and it's hard to explain but during that time I found it too painful to write. You would think having so much time on my hands would be the perfect opportunity to write here or to start that book I've been talking about for years, but every time I tried to put my thoughts down I would just feel like a failure and mourn, once again, how my health had totally disrupted our lives.

The main thing I want to say today is that God is faithful! He got me through leaving a job that I dearly loved. He brought me to the right doctor to find out what no other doctor in two other states could figure out. I know it's by the healing power of Jesus that I am recovering so well from two huge operations on my knee. God is the faithful in His love, grace, mercy, understanding and forgiveness! God believed in me when many did not. To Him be all the glory!

I have forgiveness towards those who thought they knew what was going on in my life but were totally wrong. I've tried to be "the bigger person" and not go back and defend myself or offer proof that they were wrong because I just wanted to move forward and begin to heal.

So here's to the beginning of a new chapter in the Eilers' family! Thanks be to God and thanks to all those who have stood by us. We a rich in friends!