January 2022

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” This is the closing of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. I have felt this passage deeply this past year. In the fall a friend shared a new song with me called “Weary Traveler” and to be honest, it felt like it was written for me. As I wrote in my last letter (November 2020), that year felt like the finish to a race that was never going to end, as we pushed our limits to finish construction of the Lighthouse building. This past year has been wonderful, as you can see from the photos above, Lighthouse is going great. The team is growing, kids are inviting their friends, so many good things are happening.

However, the words to that song hit me deep in my soul, “Feels like this road just might go on forever”, “Your tired heart is on the edge of breaking”. The weight of responsibility and what seemed like unending decisions that had to be made in the past two years definitely has had me on the edge of burnout. But the excitement and relief of having the building project completed, and being able to resume Lighthouse gatherings, enabled me to press on. In my private prayers this past year, I’ve been asking the Lord to make a way for me to take a break. My prayer has been, “Lord, if I could just have a year off from work so I can recover from the building project and have time to think, pray, and plan for the future of Lighthouse.”

What I want to tell you – my faithful friends who have supported us financially, who have prayed for us, who have helped us in so many ways – is that the Lord has answered my prayer and has provided a way for this to happen. Last week I put in my six week notice with my employer and I will officially start a one year sabbatical from my job (not from Lighthouse) on March 1. I am so excited. It is hard to explain in words. Thank you for your prayers for me.

Our number one need right now is more help. If you love Jesus and you love kids (especially middle-schoolers) – please consider this opportunity. If you would like to come checkout the building and hear more about what we are doing, you can contact me directly at chris@LHBH.org and 765-271-6687. I would love to tell you our story. If you would like to help by sending a donation, you can mail it to The Lighthouse, PO Box 336, Bunker Hill, IN 46914. You can also give electronically via the link here on our website, LHBH.org

Gratefully,

Chris Edgington, Director