Dear Colton

Oftentimes I pictured us being like Peter and Andrew
Matthew 4:18-20
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casing a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 

Dear Colton, 

Sitting here in the terminal a few hours before takeoff, and this love compelled me to write you this letter. 

Maybe you are preparing the preaching for the live stream, or in the garage finishing the last touches of paint, or on the road returning from a full day's work on the farm. Wherever you are I hope this letter finds you rooted and established in the Lord, fervent in prayer, and overcome by His goodness. 

During the last 8 years I would point at the face of the enemy and tell him about how much he will be in trouble when you walk in God’s Kingdom. Little did I know what actual havoc you and your family would do to the kingdom of the enemy. Truly the last 6 months have postured and transformed my heart as a soldier of Christ; growing in the knowledge of the realm of the spirit, depicting depths and revelations of God’s heart, and participating with you, sending demons who failed their assignments back to the pit of hell. We have bore arms and fought in places and gatherings all over; in the living room, in the basement, Tennessee, St. Lewis, Illinois Valley, haha and yes of course Ottawa! People from near and far have come for the bread of His children, the deliverance of the Lord. Those with suicidal thoughts have come to love and value the life God has given in Christ Jesus. Those who haven’t had a restful night in years, have come to experience peaceful nights. Those who have been bound with generations of rotting garbage have taken the garbage out and experienced a revelation of relief in His presence. Those without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire! Let’s continue to do so, and all the more for the Day is coming. 

Come on Jesus!!!

Thank you for mentoring me with counsel and experience, while getting the opportunity to run ahead and tear down strongholds by the power of prayer. Thanks for giving me the freedom to exercise the gifts the Lord has given me and establishing the Lord’s Kingdom here on earth. Thanks for the nights upon nights of intercession, prayer, and feasting on the goodness of His Word while eating chips and salsa. Thank you. 

I’m about to take that plane and head off to Doha. From Doha to Rwanda and the final destination being Uganda. God knows when, or if, I will return at all. We all know this, but even so much more in the cup the Lord has given me. May you stay near the chariots of fire, may your enemies tremble with weak knees and scatter before you, may the lion roar and thunder great billows of ocean waves and fiery flames, and in and through all this be a part of the adventure and joy of simply knowing Christ. 

As I go out to Uganda, I have a deep appreciation for all that the Lord has done these last 6 months of us running the race together. And who knows, how much more He will do as He takes us glory to glory, the mutual encouragement of the burning ones, and strengthens our faith. Well, He has done incredible things these last 6 months. What do you think He desires to do with rest of our lives and heavenward?  

Faithful in the day, fellow soilder of Christ, Your Double Blood, 

Jarid