Dear Friends,

On June 15, 2015 the evangelical world mourned. Elisabeth Elliot, one of the most influential Christian women during my lifetime, passed away. Elliot was a wise mentor to many, a passionate spiritual writer and a towering model of an obedient follower of Christ. Several of her books are on my shelf. Terry and I remember listening to her inspiring story at an Inter-Varsity Urbana Missionary Conference in 1976.

Elisabeth married three times—her first two husbands preceded her in death. Her first husband was Jim Elliot. Jim and four other missionaries were ambushed by a group of Auca Indians and killed along a sandy beach in the jungles of Ecuador in 1956. Her second husband lost an agonizing battle with cancer. Elisabeth knew the experience of deep pain and loss.

Ironically, when I heard the news of Elisabeth Elliot’s death I was in Nampa, Idaho to speak at the Advocate’s Summit for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF). As I was preparing to leave the final day, my host took me to the MAF gift shop. There displayed was the actual frame of the airplane that flew Jim Elliot and the others to the very beach where they were savagely killed (incidentally, it was a MAF pilot that flew the plane that day). It was a surreal moment for me—and a poignant reminder of the costliness of obedience to Christ. I love what I do because I often have the privilege to meet similarly minded followers of Jesus.

Lee Teaching in Idaho

Many of these men and women have suffered unimaginable torture, persecution, loss of freedom, imprisonment, exile and loneliness. Their courage and tenacity is inspirational. Their hunger and desire to know God’s Word is humbling! It’s a joy to partner and work with such people.

We have not even reached the mid-point of 2015 and already many of these same groups are inviting us back in 2016. We want to say “yes!” We want to continue to invest our energies in training these leaders and teaching them God’s Word. We need your help to do so!

BrookLink, like many non-profits, is presently facing a “summer shortfall.” Would you prayerfully consider making a financial gift at this time to help us ‘catch up’ on some of our financial commitments, and to ‘set us up’ to say “yes!” to the invitations we are receiving? Please visit our website to learn more about how you can make a tax-deductible gift.

And speaking of “yes,” I am writing from O’Hare Airport waiting to depart for 8 days to Warsaw, Poland. I have been invited by Rich Frazer, President of Spiritual Overseers Service International to join him in Lublin, Poland. This will be my first trip to Poland and I’m excited to work alongside both Pastor Rich and Pastor Jacek Duda training and equipping local Polish pastors.

Incidentally, some have asked about my ongoing relationship with Meadowbrook Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where I serve as Interim Senior Pastor. This summer we are doing a series on Jesus’ parables entitled: “The Long and Short of It: Stories That Will Grow Our Faith.” I invite you to visit the Meadowbrook Church website where podcasts of these messages are available.

There are growing opportunities to share God’s Word and bring encouragement to church leaders serving in difficult places. We are ever grateful to the Lord for these open doors and also for you! Your generous partnership, both by your prayers for us and your financial support enable us to, “make the most of every opportunity” (Col. 4:5). Thank you for the difference you are making in hard places.

Grace and peace,