Dear Friend:
And all the time . . . God is good! You have probably heard that line before. For me it has been a reminder that even when times are challenging we need to remember that God is in control, and His goodness will carry us through whatever we are facing.
Personally, this past year has been one of serious struggles and issues. At the end of October 2010 I was hospitalized to determine the cause of a blockage in my intestinal tract. The short story is that I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer and began chemo treatments in January.
Things had been progressing well until the end of July when I started having significant pain in my hip and back. As the doctors looked into it they determined that the cancer had spread to my bones, and those tumors were the cause of the discomfort. The docs have said that this is not unusual, that spreading to the bones is better than to the organs, and that they think the cancer is still beatable. That continues to be our prayer!
While I have been talking with our board of directors in recent years about my transitioning out of day to day leadership, the present realities have accelerated that process. The board is currently in the search process for a chief operating officer who will carry the load of the ministry management and I will continue to be involved in the role of founding executive director. There is still much to be done at Circle and in Austin that I want to be part of.
The past couple of years have produced wonderful advancement in our youth programs providing spiritual, academic, character and social development. The renovation for our campus has progressed recently with the completion of the cafeteria for the new school year, made possible in large part by volunteers from some local churches.
God has brought my family and Circle Urban through many struggles over the last 37 years and has proven faithful. I continue to be hopeful for what God will do for my family and myself. I also continue to be excited to see what He will do for Circle Urban Ministries and the Austin neighborhood in the future.
I pray that you will also be involved in Circle Urban with your prayers, time, talents, and treasure.
In His Service,
Glen Kehrein,
Executive Director
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