Kentucky 2025

Hello Family!

It’s been a little while since I’ve sent out an update on the mission work God’s been leading me through — and wow, a lot has happened since Japan. These past few months have looked a lot different than I expected. God called me into a season of slow living… a season of simplicity. He really pressed pause on a lot of things, especially in missions, and invited me just to be — to lean on His truth and timing.

At first, I didn’t understand why. I wrestled with questions — like, “Why did He pull me out of the mission field for a bit?” and “Why did my trip to Turkey get canceled?” But now, I’m starting to see it clearly.

One major reason: I got to experience Japan. And even though the organization I went with wasn’t the best fit for me personally, God still moved in a big way — because that’s where I met the love of my life. And if that’s all I got out of the trip, it was totally worth it.

Since then, I started looking again — praying for a next step. That’s when God led me back to Experience Mission — an organization I had tried to connect with in the past, but it wasn’t the right time. This time, I’ve been accepted, and this summer, I’ll be headed to Pikeville, Kentucky to serve as Trip Coordinator and Project Manager for mission teams coming in to help with flood recovery.

We’ll be doing everything from construction to community outreach, and also working closely with a local church to support their ongoing ministry. One of our largest teams will be around 40 people, and we’re looking at 30–50 projects over the course of the summer. It’s going to be full-on, but I’m stoked to be part of what God’s going to do — both in the community and in the hearts of those who come to serve.

To make all this happen, I’ll be driving down and using my car for the summer to help keep costs low and serve the team well. I’m hoping to raise around $2,000, which will cover:

• Gas
  
  

• Food
  
  

• Emergency funds (just in case anything happens to the car)
  
  

• Extra ministry opportunities or unexpected needs
  
  

But beyond the financial support — I really need prayer. Days will be long (about 6am to 10pm daily) and the work is heavy, both physically and spiritually. Please pray for:

• Mindfulness and rest in the chaos
  
  

• Wisdom in balancing leadership and relationship
  
  

• That the hearts of the teams would be open to what the Lord wants to do
  
  

• That the people in Pikeville would feel seen, known, and loved by Jesus
  
  

One thing the Lord’s been teaching me lately is the power of collectivism — this idea that we weren’t meant to live life on our own. In the Kingdom of God, we’re called to live and serve together. To be generous with our time, our finances, and our love. That’s not always easy — I struggle with it too. But I’m learning that the mission of God thrives in community, not isolation.

1 John 3:16-17 says:

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

That’s why I raise support. Not just to meet a need, but to invite others into the mission — to partner in what God is doing. Like 1 Corinthians 9:14 says:

“The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”

Giving isn’t just about money — it’s about the heart. I truly believe generosity is an anointed thing. When you give — whether through prayer, finances, or your time — God sees it, and He blesses it. Like it says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, He’s able to bless you abundantly in return.

So if God leads you to support this summer — whether financially or in prayer — I want you to know I’m deeply grateful. We’re in this together. This is Kingdom work, and it only happens when we live with a mindset of collectivism, not individualism.

Thank you for believing in me and walking with me. I’ll keep you posted as the summer unfolds — I can’t wait to share the stories of what God does.

With love,

Carson

All Links in one place:

dot.cards/carsonsframeofmind

1. Give Through Harbor Light:

Go to harborlight.org/giving

→ Select “Missions”

→ In the memo, write: Carson Norton - Kentucky

2. Venmo:

@carsonsframeofmind Write “Pikeville Mission” in the note

3. Check by Mail:

DM me if you’d rather send a check and I’ll send you the mailing address.

4. Prayer Support:

Seriously, this is just as important as any financial gift. I’d be honored if you’d commit to praying with me this summer.