When is the last time you felt brave? That word has been echoing in my mind over that last few weeks.

Bethany chose “brave” as her word for the year. She’s had a tumultuous semester and a half in college, and it’s taken courage to face some unexpected challenges.

She’s preparing to travel to thee countries in Europe for a school trip this summer that will include study and helping girls who are escaping from human trafficking. She will need to stay brave —and so will we—as she takes that trip.

Author Madeleine L’Engle wrote, “We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are.”

In Deuteronomy chapter 31 God directs first Moses and later Joshua to “be courageous” as they led God’s people into the Promised Land. In John 16:33 Jesus explains why we can be brave. “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” The Amplified Bible says that “take heart” means “take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted.”

In our work on Worldwide Challenge we see people show courage. For example, in the issue we’re editing now, we tell the story of David and Meg Robbins who left Mississippi and moved their family of five into a 1,000 square foot apartment to help take the gospel to New York City.

Over the last year I’ve especially enjoyed seeing Anne Marie show courage as Writing for Life has changed from classes for middle- and high-school students to adult education. Each new class has needed adjustments.

This month has brought several new opportunities. She’s teaching two weekly classes in our office, each with about a dozen of our staff members, and we’re preparing for our training in Ohio the week after next, March 25-28.

Over the next two weeks, please pray about these things.

• Ask God to help Anne Marie, me, and our coworker Amber as the three of us prepare to teach the sessions in Ohio. We’re working on our presentations this week and next.
• Pray for good connections with the 16 staff members who will be participating in the training. We want to work with each one to help them become more effective writers.
• Pray for safe travel and health for everyone who is coming, including the three of us traveling from Orlando.

We hope you find opportunities to be brave. As always, we’re grateful for your friendship and your part in our lives.