LifeTIMES
A monthly ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Maple Grove, Minnesota
June 2013
As a boy growing up in Franklin, Minnesota my mother’s favorite Bible verse was displayed predominately in the main entrance of our home. The verse was Joshua 24:15, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Operation Home Coming
by John Rodvik, Lord of Life Military Family Support Ministry
W
hen my wife Lucy and I were asked to start a Military Family Support Ministry we did so but had many questions as to not only how we can serve but just as perplexing was who we can serve. Our mission became defined and we have been blessed by completing numerous service opportunities mostly focusing on helping military members, their families, and veterans. All of these service opportunities have been special but our latest endeavor was a feat that appeared to have divine guidance from the beginning and quite frankly, divine guidance is just how Operation Home Coming not only was derived but executed as well.
Late last year my friend Phil Leith asked me to be guest speaker about Lord of Life’s Military Family Support Ministry at the Maple Grove Lions’ meeting. He told me a free meal was involved so I enthusiastically agreed to speak! Little did I know my speech would put into motion a bevy of activity resulting in a soldier who was serving in Afghanistan being welcomed back into a new home of his own. Operation Home Coming began in earnest on the last Monday of February when Lord of Life member Wayne Studer, representing the Maple Grove Lions, asked if he could attend our monthly meeting. Wayne had told me earlier that the Maple Grove Lions had voted to support our ministry with a financial gift. Wayne indicated that this was not going to be just a small token gift but a substantial gift which made me worry that we may not have a project “grand” enough to warrant such a generous gift from the Lions. We began our potluck meeting promptly at 6:30 pm with Wayne as our guest. I knew what Wayne was going to discuss. I was still concerned that we may not have a grand enough project when at 6:32 pm Sandy, the church receptionist, handed me a note for me to call someone who just called into Lord of Life’s office seeking help for a soldier. I made the call and could not really believe what I was hearing on the other end of the line. The gentleman who called into Lord of Life had heard that LOL had a ministry —continues on Page 10
June 2013 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a