Beyond Survival

12/02/2025

At the end of 2024 as I (Laura) was thinking about this year, the Lord gave me the word “Harvest.” I immediately decided what this meant for me and my life and expectantly entered 2025 convinced of what God was going to do. I continued to pray in faith for those areas where I believed God was going to bring the harvest. I had the evidence that I presented to him of how I had faithfully planted the seeds, watered, pulled the weeds, and toiled for many years. At one point, while I was on a walk, I was experiencing a particularly challenging week around my expectant harvest. I reminded God that he gave me that word and that He was not fulfilling it...

At the end of 2024 as I (Laura) was thinking about this year, the Lord gave me the word “Harvest.” I immediately decided what this meant for me and my life and expectantly entered 2025 convinced of what God was going to do. I continued to pray in faith for those areas where I believed God was go...

11/12/2025

I’ve been having this conversation with my friends about ai. By using AI, I’ve really enjoyed saving time on projects and helping me think. However, ai, can’t replace a human. I think it’s important to process this fact and share it with others. Here’s the short list—what only a human can do for another human’s well-being that no AI ever will:

1. Feel the weight of a soul in your chest. When someone sobs in your office, you ache with them. AI can detect tears via we**am; it can’t grieve with those who grieve.

2. Lay actual hands on them in prayer. The warmth of your palm on a trembling shoulder while you pray carries the incarnate presence of Christ. AI can generate a prayer; it can’t transmit comfort through touch.

3. Discern the Spirit’s whisper in real time. In a counseling session, you sense a nudge: “Ask about the dad.” That’s the Spirit, not data. AI predicts; humans perceive.

4. Bear the cost of love. You lose sleep, skip meals, absorb anger, and still show up. AI has no body to weary, no heart to break—no sacrifice.

5. Smell the hospital room and stay. The bleach, the fear, the beeping. You sit in it. AI can send a perfectly timed text; it can’t abide in the valley of the shadow.

6. Forgive from the inside out. When someone betrays you, you wrestle, repent, and reconcile—in your gut. AI can model forgiveness scripts; it has no nature to surrender.

7. Celebrate the mystery of resurrection hope. At a graveside, you weep and proclaim, “He is risen!” with a cracked voice and unshakable conviction. AI can quote 1 Cor 15; it has never tasted death of a loved one.

8. Love the unlovable because you’ve been loved first. You hug the addict who relapses for the 7th time. Your love isn’t algorithmic—it’s covenantal, rooted in being loved while unlovely.

9. Carry secrets to the grave. You hold the unspeakable—abuse, shame, su***de attempts—and never talk about them. AI stores data; humans conceal it.

10. Be the image of God in flesh. AI can mimic empathy. Only you—imago Dei—can reflect the Father’s heart in a way that makes someone value the power of presence.

AI can support soul care. Only you can be the real human touch for another—with scars, tears, and a heartbeat.

07/15/2025

“I have no greater joy than to know my children are waking in the truth.” 3 John 4

We took some time as a family to debrief our historic Swazi trip and process much of what we experienced together. What began as a dream a year ago, became a reality this past week. This trip will echo in our lives continuously. We are forever changed.

Thank you for praying for our family and supporting this mission trip. We begin our long journey back home today. We are grateful for your friendship and encouragement. Please consider coming with us in 2026.

07/13/2025

Our final day in Eswatini was at the care point. It was an emotional and moving day to hear the stories of families and see the impact of the leaders in the community. Lives are being cared for emotionally, physically,spiritually, and psychologically. We are so grateful to AIM and their staff team. We are proud of them and thankful for their investment into the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. We are truly humbled and honored to be with them. Please pray for Missional impact and provision as thousands of children are being feed and impacted for the Kingdom. Thanks for praying for us and our family. We are so thankful for your encouraging words, prayers, and sacrificial giving.

07/11/2025

How do you put into words something that refreshes your own soul? Our hearts are full from sharing the afternoon at the halfway house. We loved being present with so many children. Laila is basically a celebrity there. Her presence is a sign of hope and encouragement that what the house moms are doing has great purpose. We count it a privilege to know this place as it has changed our entire family. Such a special day. “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” - Proverbs‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

07/10/2025

Finding your purpose and calling in life can be confusing and cloudy sometimes. Advocates of Hope (AOH) is a dream that now has become a reality to disciple young leaders and encourage them in their journey of character formation and spiritual purpose. Our day was led by Cody in mental wellbeing as it relates to understanding how trauma affects us all. It was an honor to hear the challenging stories of the students. We also got to share our lives with them. It was extra special because our kiddos were the same ages as most of the students. We ended the day touring the OASYS aquaponics system as the next level of ministry sustainability is being implemented and developed. It’s our hope that this system will fund the future ministry endeavors of training new leaders. This year is a year of experimentation and trying out new crops. We got lettuce figured out!

07/09/2025

I really don’t have words for all the emotions of today except to say it was a gift. Laila got to meet her biological family who hasn’t seen her in 16 years. I don’t understand all that God is up to on this year’s trip. However, this moment today was one of the main reasons for us coming. Our moments were emotional , awkward at times, but moving. New relationships were formed. I believe this day will echo into our future in ways we can’t even imagine. We are so grateful for you helping make this moment happen for us as a family. Words cannot express our gratitude.

07/08/2025

The “Father’s heart” is said to be God’s deep love, compassion, and care for humanity. I can’t think of a better description and example than Gerry & Robyn, the founders and caretakers of Abandoned Babies for Christ (ABC). ABC is a home where children left vulnerable and abandoned are rescued with unconditional love, provisions, and care. It’s the place where children experience compassion as well as comfort and guidance. They are loved with the hope of experiencing a forever family. ABC needs your prayers big time. They need breakthrough and a release of their future property so they can continue to build and make room for more kiddos. Please pray and consider supporting them as they love on these beautiful children. We are grateful to know ABC and thankful to journey with them.

07/08/2025

One of us…there are very few places you can go in the world and as soon as you enter into that space, you are welcome as one of them. Here, Eswatini is one of those places for us.

We are so grateful for the friendships and relationships that have been built over the past many years. We’re honored and grateful for the opportunity to know these leaders and to be included as friends.

Our training was on rhythms and routines as leaders and how to make sure we are leading our hearts well and making space for the most important people and values in life. Leadership is a marathon and takes intentionality to last.

It’s been an honor and a privilege to share our stories. We continue to pray for and ask God’s kingdom blessings to be showered upon of these leaders, their families and ministries. We ask that you lift them up also. Thanks for your love and support of Beyond Survival. Lives and ministries are being poured into and transformed over time.

07/06/2025

Gratitude. I’m grateful we are here is Eswatini making forever memories. It’s been a long day getting adjusted on a new time zone and we are very excited to begin our ministry week starting tomorrow. Today we learned more about Swazi culture and got to take in the sunset to end our day. Tomorrow is our Point Leaders Gathering and being with our friends at The Luke Commission.