Reflections from Men’s Walk #1488

By: Ron Caccamese

I prayerfully considered the leadership opportunity that it created but did not believe that the timing was right. I placed the application in the bottom of my in-box at home. From time to time, it would filter back to the top and would solicit a typical response of, “I just don’t have time to do this right now.” This, of course, would result in the application being placed at the bottom of the stack once again.

Then the fateful day came when I pulled the application from the top of the tray once again. I got that nudge to consider it more seriously. I would also add that those are the moments that begin with fear but generally end with anticipation of the work that God may allow me to participate in. I informed my reunion group that I felt this may be my “call to discipleship.” I asked them to add this to their prayer list for the week.

I also took this opportunity to discuss with others the decision I was striving to make. I sought out those that I consider mature, Christian friends and requested their council regarding submission of my application. While I received confirmation that they believed I possessed the necessary skills and traits to fulfill just such a position, it was the affirmation that they, too, believed this to be a “call” from our Lord that was of the greatest importance.

You may note that, early on, I did not seek the council of others when first presented with the application. Instead, I prayed and stashed it away. To say I was tempted to simply discard the application would be to reveal the human condition that many of us experience when the Lord comes knocking. I was afraid to seek others’ council because of what their response might be, that I submit the application.

It is interesting to note that the application remained in my possession for over a year. It would continue to filter to the top of my in-box from time to time, and, time and again, I would return it to the bottom. With God’s nudge, good council

from my wife and fellow Christians, and support from my reunion group, I submitted my application for consideration. The rest is history, as they say, and Walk 1488 was the “best walk ever.”

A Word from our new SWTX Board Representative

Deb Eisenbrown

For those of you I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting yet, let me introduce myself. My name is Deb Eisenbrown and I’ve taken on Chrissie Smith’s last year as Board Rep so that she can serve the SW Conference Emmaus Board as Secretary. I went on my Pilgrim walk in August of 1998 and have served on teams most years since.

Notes from the board meeting on April 18^th:

TRIENNIUM TRAINING: Every three years your NWSA Emmaus board must undergo Upper Room sanctioned training. This is the year! Carlene Alderman, the Regional Rep from the Upper Room will be conducting this training in four locations that we know of (always subject to change).

Chrissie has been in touch with Lee White, the Lay Leader of the SonShine Emmaus community who is hosting the training at Canyon Lake on July 11^th, and we’ve received an invitation to join them there.

CANCELLED WALKS: The South West Texas Conference has had to cancel 8 walks this year – 4 because not enough Pilgrims signed up and 4 because the community was not able to support the walk. The board took steps to reduce the list of walks for 2009 by 3 more walks.

Please pray for all future walks – that God would provide the workers and would prepare the Pilgrims. If you know of a potential Pilgrim that is ready to go on a walk – don’t wait months for a NWSA walk. Certainly we want to support our walks if they are ready when your Pilgrim is ready! But don’t be afraid of taking your pilgrim to another community’s walk. My pilgrim walk was out of the Burnett community and I didn’t miss a thing! Think of your Pilgrim. Make sure you are ready to sponsor your Pilgrim when your Pilgrim is called to go.

PRAYER VIGILS: The board is still struggling with how to get the prayer vigils completed and back to the Lay Leader before the walk. Being able to go on-line to download the vigils seems to have helped but they still need to get back on time. Please do your part – we are a prayerful community – just don’t forget to sign up and “make it official”.

Deb Eisenbrown

1538 Beauchamp

San Antonio, TX 78213

210-957-2635 (Home)

210-219-7169 (Cell)

PRAYER VIGILS

Gary Barr

The power of prayer should not be underestimated. James 5:16-18 declares, "…The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops." God most definitely listens to prayers, answers prayers, and moves in response to prayers.  The power of prayer is not the result of the person praying. Rather, the power resides in God, who is being prayed to. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." No matter the person praying, the passion behind the prayer, or the purpose of the prayer - God answers prayers that are in agreement with His will. His answers are not always yes, but are always in our best interest. When our desires line up with His will, we will come to understand that in time. When we pray passionately and purposefully, according to God's will, God responds powerfully!  (Ref: www.allaboutprayer.org)

Emmaus is wrapped in prayer and meditation, which supports each Walk through a 72-hour  prayer vigil.  No Walk can begin until there are prayer commitments for all 72 hours of the Walk.  Please take the opportunity to sign up for a 30-minute block of prayer for one or more of the walks in the SW Texas Conference.  Sign up at an Emmaus gathering or via E-mail.  If you are not already receiving a request for prayer vigil commitments for EmmausWalks in our Conference, and would like to receive prayer requests, please send a request to be added to the E-mail list to GJBARR@earthlink.net.

The mission of Epiphany Ministry of Texas is to facilitate change in the lives of young men and women incarcerated in Juvenile Justice Facilities. God's love is manifested through a three day short course in Christianity and an on-going follow-up process to those incarcerated youth known as "Stars." If you are interested in learning more about serving on an Epiphany weekend, attending a closing ceremony or providing agape for an Epiphany weekend please contact Pat or Sarah Holden.

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NWSA Treasurer News

Larry Bollman

If you know of someone who needs financial help in attending any of the upcoming NWSA walks or Chrysalis flights feel free to submit a scholarship request. Scholarships are available for those in need for up to $92.50 which is 1/2 of the total fee to attend. 

If you would like to make a contribution to the NWSA FDG but are unable to attend the gatherings, please make your check out to SWTXC Treasurer and mail to Larry Bollman, 210 Northill Dr. SAT 78201.  Contributions are tax deductible.  Your contributions enable NWSA Emmaus to grant Walk to Emmaus scholarships, Chrysalis scholarships and Kairos sponsorships.

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The mission of the Kairos Prison Ministry is to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families and those who work with them, and to assist in the transition of becoming a productive citizen. More information about Kairos can be found at kairosoftexas.org.

For more information about how you can serve on a Kairos Inside or Outside Team, or attend a closing ceremonies please contact Don and/or Mary Kathryn Schmidt.