An Unexpected Journey

It's Day 5 + I just want to say Thank You to all of you who love Erica + have demonstrated such a massive outpouring of support: praying, writing us notes of encouragement, Mark for setting up this page and our communications centre, others who have coordinated printing and distributing flyers, those bringing food + just being such loving family + friends to us.
A special Thank you to the Abbotsford police department and Search + Rescue + all your efforts in searching out the mountain areas in the east side of our city. We so appreciate your every effort!
It has been wonderful to see how God has raised up both a spiritual + natural army to cover this entire area. Erica's heart has always been to see a united body of intercessors rise up in this city and beyond, and here it happening, although I don't think she ever thought it would happen this way.
I cannot but think that as God is doing this, so it will not be in vain. We are encouraged + hope to have good news that Erica is safe + sound soon!



There are moments in life when you just have to give God control and surrender everything to Him. This is such a moment. I didn't think it would be day 7 with my mom missing, but I have learned the key word "trust." My heart rests securely in Him. He knows exactly where my mom is. He is watching over her, and He is even at work through this situation. My mom has prayed countless hours for unity between churches in Abbotsford and we are seeing churches work together like never before to find her! She has prayed for young people and skateboarders, and now they are praying for her. Mom, you are loved and valued by your family, friends and all of the church in Abbotsford and even around the world. Papa God, send her home at the perfect time. We are waiting and our eyes are on You! Amy Schmidt

Day 7 + we're still seeking Erica. We've come through 7 days now: 7 is God's number of perfection, quality fullness of time + substance, + I'm believing that this is the fullness of time for her to return. I have received many words: one call from Africa cut simply to the core: "I've been listening to Father God + He says, 'Erica is in His good care + will be home soon,' And that's the Word of the Lord!"
The time is longer than I had ever imagined possible + I cry out for the necessary endurance. But I seek, like David, to encourage my heart in the Lord, and she will be restored.
7 is also the number of God's rest: He rested on the 7th day + Hebrews 4 calls us into this rest in Christ's finished work. As His sons + daughters we have rest: a peace + joy unshakeable. A few weeks ago, Erica + I opened a ministry website entitled Emmausjourneys. Little did we know how quickly this journey would encounter such confusion like those disciples: hearing conflicting reports, but unable to connect all the dots + see the Big Picture. But also like them, my heart burns within me as Jesus intimately walks us through this valley, drawing us into fuller revelation of Himself and His love. Last evening, as we passed out flyers with Erica's picture to Reba concert-goers, He led me into this rest: The Prince of Peace is with us, walking us through His destiny, His Will in His Time, bringing His Erica home.
Thank you for all your love and support, prayers and deeds. They are not in vain.

One of Henry's mentors, Herb Klassen, sent him the passage of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. After Jesus heard the news that Lazarus was sick, he waited two days before doing anything. In that time Lazarus dies. This does not sound like the Jesus we know, that he would sit around before acting on a serious life threating problem and then wait too long so that his friend died. How can this be????

But here is what he said: "This sickness will not end in death."

No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Of course he used the situation to raise Lazarus from the dead.

This was an encouragement to Henry and a deepening of the intimacy he has with his loving father.

 

On day 8 of the search for my mom Jesus' words from Matthew 11 seem especially fitting:
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
I am indeed weary and weighed down and greatly in need of rest for my soul. And so I am thankful that Jesus does not abandon me in my time of need, but instead, like the good friend and father that he is, He offers me exactly what I need.

Michael Schmidt

 

 

It's very hard to acknowledge that we're about to begin another week and Erica still isn't back home with Henry and her family. Though each of us continue to hold on to hope, and continue to pray, and continue to do what ever we can to bring her safely home, I can only imagine how difficult it is for Henry to begin another week without Erica home, and for their children to not have their mom home - especially as we enter a weekend that many of us call Thanksgiving.

I've been staying with Henry these past few days and I want to confirm, what I'm sure you already know, that Henry and his family continue live what they have preached all these years – that they have placed their trust in the Lord, and in spite of the pain and all the questions, they know they have a Heavenly Father who loves them.

As we enter another week, I want to thank everyone of you for what you have done so far – for praying, for sharing, for searching, for feeding, for organizing, for calling, and for secretly and selflessly doing what you've been able to do to help in this effort - and for sending a clear message to Henry and his family that you love and care for them. Though it may be more difficult as each day passes, please continue to do what you can to support and care for Henry, the Schmidt family, Mark and the search effort, and each person that has worked so hard to bring Erica home.

As we're approaching the time of the week where many of us consider how we can give to the Lord, and help others financially, please consider assisting Henry and his family and the continued search efforts. We are working toward setting up a “Trust Fund”, but this taking longer than anticipated and may not be in place until late next week. In the mean time please consider making a donation by using the PayPal link provided. This is another practical way to show you love and support for Henry and his family. This group has over 1,100 members so far ... imagine if each of us gave even a small gift. Thank you to those of you who have already helped in this way. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Henry-Schmidt-Family-The-Search-For-Erica/1389938314574890

Though the days ahead may be uncertain, as Henry would say, “we know the end of the story (HIS-story)”. The Lord bless each of you as you continue to walk with Him today.

Glen Mueller

 

Day 9 today: the sun has risen + it was difficult to get out of bed today, but a friend is staying with me + together we 'walked this mountain' one step after another.
I want to thank you all for your support, love + prayers throughout this journey: sometimes highly expectant but so far deeply disappointing. Much good has already been revealed, but I have yet to see its primary objective realized: Erica restored!
Last evening many gathered at The River to pray for Erica: we have asked the Lord for the right piece: that one connector of these mysterious dots to bring revelation of where she is. We're through 8 = # of Resurrection + moved into 9 = # of the Holy Spirit: His gifts + fruit. We're asking for a word of knowledge + wisdom + His faith + endurance to take the next step. The Lord is working, He has not stopped and neither will we. Together He has raised up an army + saturated this city and beyond with her story, picture and our quest to find her safe, sound + soon.
One police office said he has not seen this kind of overwhelming response in 24 years of service. We will not quit, but we need to wait on the Lord for His next step, see what Father is doing and, as Jesus, do only that.
About 3 weeks before this began, the Lord gave me the word, 'Enduring'.
I had little idea what this meant, but I now realize it is strength for one more day than what I thought I could walk yesterday. We shall endure by His grace;
'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.'
There is no evidence that Erica is no longer on this earth; in fact, every word conveyed to us + my heart tell us there is continued hope for her safe return + so I will continue/persevere/endure this race to believe + press ahead to the finish line. Thank you for running this marathon with me + our family. We could not do it without you. With his wings, we can only mount up. We cannot fail!

It's Thanksgiving!