As our last newsletter stated, at the end of February, we attended a gathering for converted buses (skoolies), called Skoolie Swarm, in Florida. Our plan after that was to head south to visit friends, but God had other ideas. We wound up staying in northern Florida to attend a second yet different type of Swarm in the same location. Travis and Michelle Mattson have organized 17 Swarm events over the years, but this was their first-ever Christian Swarm, called “Swarm to the Shepherd”. This week-long event included daily group devotionals, teachings by a local pastor as well as some of our peers, a Sunday service, and lots of potlucks, karaoke, movie nights, campfires, and time to get to know each other’s stories.

The theme of the week was “Your Story Matters” and while there were several different speakers throughout the week, three especially resonated with us.

First was Matt Henry, known on social media as Imperial Beach Dad. Eight and a half years ago Matt had surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumor. However, during the surgery, the doctors determined that they could only remove a portion of the tumor and were forced to remove a chunk of Matt’s brain where it had spread. This left Matt with an intense lack of problem-solving skills and severe PTSD, both of which the doctors told him he would never recover from. He was literally stuck in a perpetual state toddler-dom mixed with terror. He couldn’t solve the simplest of problems like what to do if he was thirsty, and he would run out of the room screaming and crying at any sudden noise, like if one of his 6 children dropped a spoon on the floor during a meal. So while his wife Christy took over all the responsibilities of life for their family, for 3 1/2 years Matt spent the majority of his  time secluded in his garage. But God….

Long story short, God healed Matt – in ONE DAY! After hearing a sermon about the centurion’s faith in Matthew 8:5-13 and knowing in his heart that God was able to heal him, Matt found himself instantly healed. No more crying fits, no more inability to interact with his family. He could be a father to his children and a husband to his wife. He could make decisions and think for himself. He was healed! The portion of the tumor that was not removed remains to this day, and the doctors gave Matt only 3 years to live. That was 8 1/2 years ago! God showed up and healed Matt, and He continues to show up to fight the cancer and allow Matt to function and thrive in this world. Now Matt, along with his wife and 6 children, travels in their skoolie all over the country, and he shares his testimony of God’s healing power and goodness.

The second story came from George and Kimmi Stacy. George’s past involved years of hard drugs and alcohol abuse which destroyed his life, and Kimmi (aka TuTu), a native Hawaiian, was homeless at age 14 and forced to do things no 14-year-old girl should have to do to survive. Together they have faced and continue to face discrimination (even in the church) due to their interracial marriage, their looks, and their pasts. Self described as “a little too weird for the religious folks and a little too religious for the weird folks,”  George and Kimmi have learned to lean on God and His love for them and have received much healing to their hearts. They have embraced what makes them uniquely them and have found their sweet spot in ministering from the highway to the hedges (Luke 14:23). Living in their skoolie full-time, they travel throughout the United States, ministering at truck stops, homeless encampments, music festivals, and more. God has placed them in an amazing ministry that takes their ashes and turns them into beauty (Isaiah 61:3), using their past experiences to relate to and love those that are marginalized by society. Their authenticity opens the door for them with people most of us could never relate to. George and Kimmi are who they say they are – tie dye clothing and all, and we are blessed to know them. We love these two!

Lastly was Janice Frisbie, Michelle’s mother. Momma Janice was our last speaker for the event, and in keeping with the “Swarm to the Shepherd” theme, she spoke on Psalm 23. As she went verse by verse through the psalm, explaining little known facts about sheep and shepherds and how it correlates to us and God, her words were the icing on the cake for the all testimonies that we had heard during the week. Each person’s story was a true life example of how God, our Shepherd, took care of them, rescued them, healed them, provided for them, restored them, comforted them, and more. Sometimes He showed up supernaturally, other times in more natural ways. But for sure, every time He showed up.

We have to remember that testimonies, like the ones above, are prophesies. They are stories about God and His goodness, His power, and His love and how He showed up in someone’s life. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and He doesn’t play favorites (Romans 2:11). What He has done for one, He will do for another. Our God is good all the time, even in the midst of our trials. He is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14) who never fails us. If you are struggling, know that He is right there with you, ready to supply you with everything you need – physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, spiritually. Sometimes all we have to do is have the faith to ask. Sometimes we just need to look with eyes of faith to see that He is already acting on our behalf, then have faith to ask for more. If you can’t see Him working, ask God to help you see His presence in your life. He doesn’t always show up in the way we want or expect, but He does always show up in the way we need.

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The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For you are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

~ Psalm 23