Hopefully, this story reminds you to look around - in the midst of your possible discouragement about the Church in America - and think about my new friend Chelsea. Choose to see where the Church (and your church) is winning!

My family and I just got back from a fantastic RV trip! While we were in Colorado, we checked out the YMCA of the Rockies for a possible conference. It was spectacular! While there, we met a Danish Au Pair named Chelsea. (For those that don't know, that's a full-time nanny from overseas who lives with a family for a year.)

Chelsea was bright and articulate! She was enjoying a day of activities on her own, until she ended up spending part of the day with our family. 

We quickly found out that she was a believer and as we walked the grounds, she asked what I did. I was able to share with her about the Fishhook team and our work. She was blown away that in America there are so many people who speak openly about their faith and that we could so readily use our gifts in Kingdom-focused ways. She said something like, "It seems like here, in the U.S., people are so open to talk about faith and that their faith is real. In Denmark, it's just not that way. It's sad."

While some data would suggest otherwise, and it may not feel like it from our point of view, it struck me that from her perspective, the church in the U.S. is winning! I find HUGE encouragement in that! But let's not boast on that. It's not the Christians who are winning, it's the Church. 
Here is the verse Chelsea has penned on her arm:
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We are so thankful for the opportunity to work with you all each and every day! We see the amazing work you do and the impact you have on people. Hopefully, this story reminds you to look around - in the midst of your possible discouragement about the Church in America - and think about my new friend Chelsea. Choose to see where the Church (and your church) is winning!