Throughout my life God has given me little visions of the unseen condition of me. And by 'visions,' I don't mean crazy out-of-body super-spiritual ethereal experiences. It's more like God gives me this vivid illustration so I can understand the condition of my heart.



There have been others along the way...
but a few months ago, I felt so bogged down with the pressure I put on myself to be perfect. I like to keep everyone happy. I like to fix things.

I felt like my desire to please God was actually driving me away from Him.

He gave me this image of myself, as a child again, spinning around and around in a pretty dress in the middle of an endless field of flowers. My chin was tilted heavenward, my eyes were closed, the sun was perfectly bright and warm... and all was well with me. I knew that place.

This field is my hiding place. I know the path well. It's paved with melodies and songs that bring life to the cry of my heart.

And I clearly heard what God was saying:

 "Sara, I want you to bring people into this place with you. THAT is what you are meant to do."

I'm learning now, not to try to please people, but to bring people to the place where pleasure is fulfilled. I can't move that hidden place so people will just accidentally venture into it. I can't force them into it. But I can use my life as an invitation to all to enter into the place I call Home.

Hey, all! We hope you had a fantastic Independence Day. We're writing to share with you about something we're doing with The Gathering here in Red Oak. Our group has partnered with Blood: Water Mission, a non-profit created by Jars of Clay to help to create clean water and clean blood in Africa. For the next year, our community will be focusing on Marsabit, Kenya, a community in Africa with over 70% of individuals living in extreme poverty.

Part of this partnership is hosting three events here in Red Oak: A bike ride, a water walk, and a benefit concert. This is all part of the Ride:Well Tour, a cross-country bike ride to raise awareness and funds for the AIDS and water crises in Africa. 25 cyclists are currently crossing the nation on their bikes, and they stop here this Thursday.

Last Saturday, Aaron rode with over 60 other cyclists from our church in the Cow Creek Classic in the Dallas area. He rode 36 miles!! This Friday night we'll host the benefit concert and art auction, then Saturday morning our family will join others in walking 1.2 miles to get water, and 1.2 miles back- just like the women and children in Marsabit do every day.

Would you help us make a difference in Marsabit? There are a few ways for you to get involved:

• Pray with us: for the Ride:Well team, for Marsabit, and that we would meet our community goal of $40,000 and raise awareness about the AIDS and water crises in Africa

• Sponsor us: You can sponsor in any amount through the Ride:Well site. Just choose Aaron's name from the drop-down menu. Click here to sponsor.

• Donate: we've been raising money to cover the cost of the benefit concert so that all of the funds that come in that evening go straight to Marsabit. The concert will be hosted by Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay, and Derek Webb, Joy Williams, and Christopher Williams will be the featured artists. We also need great art to be auctioned off Friday night. If you or someone you know is an artist or photographer, could you donate or spread the word?

• Volunteer: if you live in the Dallas area, could you volunteer some of your time? We need lots of help this weekend, and we'd love to have you take part in the Water Walk Saturday morning. Just call us at 469.285.6298 or sign up on the Ride:Well site.

Thank you all for reading this and joining with us for this amazing cause. "This is true religion that pleases God: to care for orphans and widows in their distress." Thanks for being Jesus to people you may never meet.

Love and blessings,
Aaron, Sara, Josiah, Micah, Angela, and Jaraan Escamilla