We have prayed for God to send someone to help us with the project side of Mission Indy ever since He called our friend and co-worker, Scott Vestal home in June of 2004.

We had no clue when a guy named Bill Briley called us in April from Arizona, this would be how God would answer our prayer. God has brought Bill and his wife Julie to work with us for a year or so, and wow, they have been such a blessing!

Thanks to Common Ground CC and Greenwood CC, as well as some other friends, Bill is working about half time with Mission Indy and contributing in several areas. In addition to having many construction skills, Bill also helped by leading some music this summer, and with computer 'stuff'.

Bill & Julie have written some thoughts down to share their hearts, and here are some excerpts:

In June's Newsletter we talked about the great job North Liberty CC did in hosting Week # 1. Now we want to talk about the other three weeks.

On July 4th, we tried something we had never done before, and engaged groups in a 2 hour skill training course before we left for the work sites.

Fairfax CC hosted Week # 2 of Mission Indy, and we had groups from Batesville Church of Christ, Chapel Rock CC, Fresno Bible Church (OH) and Valley Mills CC.

Chapel Rock hosted Week # 3 with groups from Clermont CC, Pine Village CC and Princeton Bible Church (IL).

Englewood CC closed out the summer by hosting Week # 4 which had groups from Calvin Christian Reformed Church (Muskegon, MI), Central C of C (Streator, IL), Deer Run CC (South Bend), 1st Christian Church (Florissant, MO) and Taylorville CC (IL).

One of the projects that continues to amaze us when we think of how God provided, is what we referred to as the "Common Ground School". We met Arch Nevins just before the summer began and learned that he and his wife were already living in the old public school building at 21st and College. We also learned they were part of Common Ground CC, and that the plan was to convert the old boiler room into dorm rooms, for the participants of a Church Planting School set to begin in September. They needed the help and MI needed the project. What a "God Thing"!

"It was an awesome week--from the speakers, to the music, to the work sites. God has opened my eyes to see so many things--my weaknesses, and His love and compassion. He has shown me that I am very comfortable in my own world, and I must not stay there."
-Sponsor,
Florissant, MO

"I have learned so much this week, I don't even know where to begin. Serving at DAMAR, I acquired a whole new perspective on kids with special needs, and I have discovered that everyone needs God's love and how to share that love just by talking to people."
-Student, Age 16,
Noblesville, IN

"I learned that we can do things for others in our own community. We don't have to go away to do it."
-Student, Age 16,
Lawrenceville, IL.

We thank God for all the participants, the kitchen workers, and our staff. Each brought unique gifts and abilities to our effort of "Equipping" that God used in awesome ways.

Please pray now as we evaluate and seek God's plan for the future!

Just a note to tell you that even with a reduced number of participants, we stayed in the black financially! Praise God!