May 8, 2012

Thank you for following me on this journey of faith. I would like for you to have the opportunity to follow the amazing ways God is moving. Please make sure to follow our ministry by visiting www.hisbridgebuilders.org to find out more about the work being done at H.I.S. BridgeBuilders. Soon we will be launching a new blog titled “I am a Bridge Builder” (www.iamabridgebuilder.com) to tell more stories about connecting people to God and each other to advance His Kingdom.

This past week marked the end of our treatment at MD Anderson, I will return in six weeks for a CT Scan. We are humbled and amazed by God’s continued goodness and grace to us during this battle. There is no question that the Lord led us to Houston and this treatment for a totally different reason than we were expecting. Often in the Bible we see instances of ordinary people having an unexpected faith in a season of great need. For example, Gideon being called out by God in a season of great need for the nation of Israel and Esther being willing to risk her life for her people. In every instance, there are the casts of thousands who pray for, invest in, provide for and walk with each of these ordinary people to see an extraordinary work of God.

In this journey of cancer, I am living proof of the fervent prayers of the righteous that availeth much. Many in the Bible class I teach at Prestonwood committed to pray through the night for me. I asked them to pray specifically that the Lord would be glorified by my lack of side effects and that I would be able to minister while I was in Houston. My Doctor called me “the poster child for Proton Radiation and Chemotherapy”. He said that I sailed through the treatments and the technicians said they were all talking about my case, and how incredibly well I did. To that I say, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in the fire but they did not burn, so that all who saw them would know that their God, whose name is Jesus, was the Giver of this amazing gift of undeserved Mercy.

The money that has been given for my care, and more importantly for the funding of Chemo Church, proves not that I am more valuable than any other soul, but that God is our provider. The many who came and held up my arms in the midst of the battle were the very hands and feet of Christ. They motivated me to stay on mission and not sit and think about myself. The Lord has birthed in my heart a great understanding that I was fearful of many things as I began this journey. God showed me favor and filled me with faith through your prayers, provision, partnership and the Word of God. Many of you sent scriptures at just the right moment that were living water to my parched soul. Each of you spurred me on to do the work God has called me to, whether in the inner cities of the world, or in a Chemo ward with those battling cancer. The Lord sustained me with an unexpected faith because of your faithfulness and His goodness. Please know that each day I am growing more aware of my inability to do anything apart from Christ and the body of Christ. I am prayerful that you will continue to walk with me In this journey of faith called life.

During my second week of treatment, the waitress at a restaurant I go to, told me that she was engaged to a man from Finland and that she was a Christian, I was thrilled for her and gave her a book and a little extra money for her upcoming wedding. She then began to share how her fiancé was searching to know Jesus personally as she did. I asked her to bring him to me so that we could talk. During my last week of treatment, I met him at her restaurant. I had purchased a study Bible for him and placed it in his hands and described how their marriage had to be built on a sure foundation of faith. Shortly after this I had the joy of sharing the Gospel with my new friend who prayed to receive Christ as his Savior. Every two weeks while I was there a soul met Jesus, whether in the hospital, the third ward, or a restaurant. If there is no one you are specifically praying for, investing in, and preparing to share the gospel with then you will miss the joy of seeing souls saved who desperately need Jesus. God has reaffirmed His priority and purpose for His people during this season of Cancer. Can you imagine what would happen if every Christian had one name on their heart to pray for, invest in, and be prepared to share the Gospel with. Revival!

I want you to read an amazing testimony from dear friend, Richard Chamberlain, who is an amazing Chef and owner of two great restaurants here in Dallas. He is also helping Velma fulfill her dream to have a restaurant, “Velma’s Kitchen and Catering” in the inner city, in our community that God is transforming daily through H.I.S. BridgeBuilders.

“Dear Mike, I can’t tell you how inspired your chemo church has been to me and the people I have shared it with. So much so, that the lord led me to speak to a very close chef friend of mine who has prostate cancer. He received Christ on our way to do some fishing this past Sunday. I can’t tell you how thankful I am to you and to the Lord for this incredible blessing. If you are up to it and have time in the near future, I would love to get the three of us together so you can share more about what it means to be reborn. Thank You Brother, Richard.”

We had many amazing encounters in the Chemo ward as we said good bye for now. We are headed back in early June for my test and also to spend more time in the Third Ward. I ask all of you who have been our faith partners in this journey to partner with me in faith in three ways: (1) join our prayer ministry for H.I.S. BridgeBuilders and Chemo Church by sending your e-mail address to manderwald@hisbb.org. (2) I ask you to prayerfully consider funding the ongoing work of Chemo Church by donating through our website at www.hisbridgebuilders.org or sending a check to H.I.S. BridgeBuilders, 2075 W. Commerce St., Dallas, TX 75208 (3) I ask you to pray for the person or persons who are to continue the work in Houston in both the Chemo Ward, and H.I.S. BridgeBuilders.

I am sustained daily by your love and prayers and want you to see the following video. I pray it will encourage you to be blessed with unexpected faith because of your time in the Word daily, your prayers for others and your desire to bring God glory.