Dear GDW Family!

I'm long overdue for a ministry update. God continues to lead our family in wonderful (but often hectic) ways.

As I begin this update I'm reflecting on the fact that I often begin these update messages with "Dear GDW Family!" This deserves a comment. I began this internet ministry in August of 1996. At the time I had no idea what I was doing or what God had planned. I had very little Bible knowledge but I had a desire to follow where He would lead and to commit every area of my life into His hands. The ministry has moved in many different directions in the last eleven years, but this initial focus and commitment has remained the same.

In many ways GDW has shaped my entire life these past eleven years. What began as just sending out a few email message in 1996 grew to God calling me to leave a successful career and give myself fully to the ministry in 1999. I have had to stretch my faith time and time again as we have struggled with financial decisions as well as direction for the ministry. Through GDW I have been introduced to Brothers and Sisters all over the world. I have also made two trips to Africa to meet and encourage many to trust our Heavenly Father with more than what we believe is possible. This has been a great blessing! You have truly become Family!!

Because GDW is so much a part of my life, it's difficult to give an update on the ministry without also giving an update on my personal life. The last four months have been extremely busy. In May my daughter, Melissa, graduated from college (Baylor) and we began the process of moving to a different home - just to the other side of town. I had so much work to do on both sides of the move that June seemed like a blur. At the same time, God directed events such that I was asked to be the Director of Children and Family Ministries at our church. This is officially a "part-time" position but it has caused me to juggle and restructure the other areas of my life. Also, as if life wasn't busy enough, I'm continuing to take a few seminary classes each semester. It will take many years for me to ever graduate but I'm trying to value the process and not become focused on a specific destination.

I have to admit that all this business has had an affect on what I've been able to accomplish with the ministry the last several months. The book mailing, which I began in April, took me until mid August to complete. I felt bad with taking so long to mail the books, but at times I felt like I was drowning. The other thing which suffered was my Friday messages on John. I was only able to send out these about half the time. Well, all the books are finally mailed, the move is complete, I've settled into the work at church, and seminary classes have begun. I should now be able to refocus my effort.

I will continue to mail out devotional books, but for the time being I can only send books within the USA. I simply do not have the extra funds to keep mailing books to other countries. I'm sorry for this restriction but I will open up the distribution as soon as I am able. You can request devotional books at the following site:
http://www.gdwm.org/acwv1-4.htm

I am praying about my future involvement with overseas missions. Last year I was given a large amount of money specifically for projects in Kenya. We were able to build a few churches, help with a great deal of training, and strengthen many existing churches. This was a difficult, but very rewarding experience. The process has made me do a great amount of evaluation (and soul searching) as to how we can best give Biblical help to other countries. I have concluded that the solution is somewhere along the lines of training through long term discipleship. It is very ineffective to send money to build a church, and in many ways it becomes a hindrance to the spread of the true gospel message. However, becoming involved in the life of individuals over the course of several years and teaching the uncompromising message of Salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone can change lives, change families, change communities, and yes, change the world.

My challenge is how to do this without necessarily moving my entire family overseas. I have had the unique opportunity to build relationships through the internet - but without personal contact this is an inadequate form of discipleship. For one, I am not able to understand the true needs. And two, the ability to deceive through email is far too great. I hope to travel to Kenya in late October of this year to work with a missionary who has been involved with training pastors for the last several years. It's possible that effective training could take place by traveling for several short trips per year. Please pray for God's direction with this project.

Several people have written to ask about Stacey. She is doing well and is currently taking classes at the local community college hoping to become involved with counseling people who suffer with addictions. She has certainly seen her share of pain in this area and definitely has a heart to help others out of the pig pen. Thank you for your continued prayers.

I want to thank you for your continued support over the years. I have always tried to keep the expenses low and have done projects (books or missions) as money has been available. Donations are definitely down this year but there is still enough to keep the ministry going (I promise to let you know if there is ever a fear of folding). However, there is not currently funds for additional projects. At the moment, additional funds would go toward foreign book mailing and a training project in Kenya during late October. I would like to do both of these projects, but I am content to wait on the Lord's timing. I will probably delay printing Volume 5 of the Closer Walk series until funding levels increase - perhaps next year. If you would like to help with financial support you can do so through the web site at:
http://www.gdwm.org/support.htm

or through the mail at:

God's Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655

Thanks again for your continued encouragement. You have changed my life in profound ways and I remain committed to giving my ALL.

Your Brother in Christ,
Steve Troxel