All, 

It's hard to believe that we're only six days away, but here we are.  We're in a terrific position heading toward the finish line.

We now face the crush of arranging final details and scrambling to cover last-second crises that make organizing events so much fun. And by 'fun' I mean....well, this time I just mean straight-up fun. I've organized a number of events in my life. Nearly every time I have woken the day after, concluded that it was a fine thing...but resolved never to do anything like it again, because the anxiety and stress simply is not worth it. (Some people are constitutionally designed to be event-planners: I'm constitutionally designed to be an 'event-idea-haver,' I've learned.) Honestly, however, this event feels very different. I've been sending emails about it all morning and organizing details and sorting out schedules...and it's just fun. Really fun. I'm praying that continues, but for the final week we're off to a great start. 

That said: we do have a lot of details. If I don't provide another update until after the event is over, well, that's why: because I'm running helter-skelter, here and there, doing things. 

Still, I come to you one more time asking for your prayers. Specifically, I ask your prayers for: 

• The weather: Yes, seriously, the weather, that variating friend and nemesis. Right now, it is slated to be surrounded by thunderstorms and to be cool; I'm hoping it will be 76 and partially cloudy. Please pray that we are graced by warmth and dryness. 
  
• The people: we have extended invitations to two distinct communities, who do not necessarily have the warmest bonds between them. I ask your prayers for peace, for good conversations, and for a spirit of levity and laughter to pervade the event.
• The volunteers: we're so grateful for everyone who is willing to serve alongside us. We still probably need a few more, and so ask your prayers in that direction. But we also ask that you would open up great conversations between us and those we're serving, that we would have humble and open hearts, and that we might be willing to learn from those whose needs are sharper than our own. 
  
• The testimony: We are extending invitations to our local news media to come see what we're up to. If you would pray for a positive response, I'd appreciate it. This is more important than it might seem, as having documentary evidence of this sort will help us build on this event for subsequent years and help persuade those members of law enforcement and our community who are skeptical that this is a thing worth doing. 
  

My sincerest gratitude goes out to you all for your generous and gracious support. We could not have done this without you. I ask you now to carry on that work in prayer with us. 

Best regards, 

Matt