Who do we work with?

Kari and Elaine atop a very high hill (not really a mountain) in the Yorkshire Dales, UK (2002).

Dear friends and blog readers, a few weeks ago I asked some good friends from my military days to tell us a little bit about their experiences with the ministry of Cadence. The following is from my best friend Kari, who was stationed at RAF Lakenheath with me. We met through the Hawkins' Hospitality Ministry (And for some time were the only two girls around).

House Building Missionary, Karpenter Kari, and Cadence

When I think of Cadence, that line pretty much sums up what Cadence did for me, and in turn what I wanted to do for others. I was introduced to Cadence back in 2000, when I had my first assignment to Lakenheath, England. In fact I wasn't even supposed to be in England. I was headed off to Charleston AFB, when I had the opportunity to "swap" assignments and go to England. I didn't know what to think of the opportunity, so not really having ever reached out to God before, I prayed. I prayed that if this England assignment was meant to be it would work out. Boy did it ever!

My first week in England, I was at [the base chapel] and these spunky young airman like myself literally jumped the pews after church to come and talk to me. During our conversation they invited me to Tim & Rebecca Hawkins Hospitality House. I really didn't understand the whole concept of missionaries and even God for that matter, however I was intrigued.

Every week we had a bible study and the bible was very new to me. I had a hard time remembering who everyone in the bible was for instance John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, Simon Peter, John, Jacob, Jingleheimer Schmidt (ok, maybe not the latter) but I couldn't keep them all straight. Each week I was able to get to know all the other single airman better, and it amazed me how much they knew and were willing to share their thoughts and feelings about God. I had never experienced that before. I never had Christian friends before, and I couldn't believe how deep these relationships were growing.

Elaine was my closest accountability partner and we went through a lot of growing pains and praises together. In Elaine and all the other people involved with Cadence I saw their passion for God. I saw what they had, I saw their relationships with God, I saw the joy that God gave them… and I wanted it too. So, I prayed again. What happened after that prayer was amazing. A little spark was lit under me, and I began to see the changes God had in my life. I was so excited for Jesus, I was ready to tell the world! At that moment I became a sponge and soaked up as much information as I could about God. After a few months I understood the bible, my prayer life improved, and everything was so real. I sought out understanding and God was answering my prayers. As I strengthened my knowledge I would get more and more excited about Christ, and when you are excited about God, you can't hold it in! I shared the Good News with everyone, every chance I got!

Cadence brought me new life and I am where I am today spiritually because of the mission. It was my time that was spent with the Cadence family that really helped me to understand God, learn about God, and share what I know about God with others. So much love and attention was shown to me, and my life was truly blessed when I was welcomed into a Cadence home.

Kari and her husband Scott. They were married June 2007
in Syracuse NY and are currently studying at a University in Minnesota.

Kari's is just one of the many stories we could tell you about our experiences with military life. Thanks for reading about my friend, and thanks for making ministry like this possible!

Joined in Christ,

Elaine