What Are You Willing to Give?

I had a strange dream a few nights ago. I was back in Zambia but things there had changed. The country was now persecuting Christians and there was a warrant out for my arrest. I knew it but I was also supposed to be preaching in a village that day. I felt the turmoil and I tried to make my decision. The dream grew stranger as my mom showed up and had a way to smuggle me out of the country without getting caught so I wouldn't be killed. There it was. I was faced with a life or death situation. I could feel myself agonize over the decision. Did I want to die? No. Would I sacrifice God's calling? Thankfully not. I made the decision to go preach despite knowing that it would be the last time I would see friends and family. I woke up and all I could do was lay there and reflect on what had happened. If it wasn't a dream, would I have made the same decision? I pray that I would and if ever the time ever comes, then I pray that I will. It is my heart's desire to see the lost reach. I'm thankful for the dream because it gave me a look into my heart that I am indeed willing to sacrifice my own life for the love of God. Are you?

Living on Support

I'm in Chicago at the moment working on finishing up support raising. That's right. I said finishing up. I'm 35% away and God is doing awesome things. In this lifelong journey called support raising, I've decided one time. I think that every believer needs to live off of support for at least 6 months of their lives. I'm not saying this to prove how "hard" living on support it because it's not hard. What it is is faith building. At first, it's scary. Not Freddy Kruger in your dreams scary but it's definately "stomach in knots", "life is out of control" scary. Once you get past the fear though, you then have people speaking unbelief in your life and you HAVE TO stand against it. Once you get past these, you then get to see God do amazing things in your life. The big thing is how much your faith grows. You suddenly start finding yourself believing for the "impossible" and seeing God do the "impossible". I've been told more then once that "it's a shame that your organization or church can't just cover all of your finances." I've disagreed then and completely disagree now. Raising up my support team has been once of the most amazing and life changing experiences of my life. I couldn't ask for a better team to come around me and above all I now know that God truly does provide for every need in our lives despite whatever outside circumstances we come up against. Just believe and trust in Him!

Don't Be Wise, Be Fools!

I don't want to be wise. You may think that's a ridiculous statement but it's true. I don't want to be logical, smart, sensible, or rational. If I were these things, I'd be home in the States, not beleiving God to be fully funded during an "economic crisis," not living in a tent in Zambia driving 12 hours into the middle of nowhere to people I don't even know or are even the same culture. There's too much risk. If I was wise, I'd know that I could get hurt, sick, go bankrupt, or even worse. However, I'm not wise. I'm a fool. A big fool at that. I'm a fool for Christ and each day I want to become more and more of a fool. I am raising my full support in an "economic crisis" and I love my tent in the villages. I dream of the villages and search Google Earth to find the footpaths that will take my truck to them. Stick that in your logical pipe and smoke it! In 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 Paul talks about the foolish things the apostles do in view of the world. They don't make sense. Why, when you seemingly have nothing, would you give it away? Why, when someone is threatening to kill you for preaching, would you proclaim the Gospel from every corner of every nation? IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE!!! Thus, it's foolishness. I want to be foolish with every breath, word, action, decision of my life. Foolish for Christ is a million times greater then wise in the world.

Life's Detours

As I was falling alseep last night, I was contemplating the changes in my life. What brought this on? Well, I'm selling my bass clarinet and last night I was cleaning it to get it ready for ebay. As I was holding the instrument, I kinda got sentimental. It felt like yesterday that I was putting together the instrument to go practice my scales and music for college. In fact, it's been almost 4 years of which my bass clarinet has been in a closet. The whole thing got me to think about this journey called life that I've been on. God's plan for my life has always been for me to preach the Gospel in the remote areas of Africa. Did His plan include a bachelors degree in music education? Maybe not. perhaps it was one of those detours we take without sometimes realizing it. You know those. The ones where we make decisions without consulting God. The cool thing to know is that in the end we still get to our destination. Perhaps we took the longer route. Sometimes a detour can actually be a harder drive then the original. Maybe there ends up being more traffic, or the road itself is full of pot holes. Lots of things can happen. But you can trust that in the end, you are where God has planned, as long as you keep your eyes on Him, trusting with all your heart and walk in faith.

Happy Thanksgiving

I know it's been awhile since I've updated but I wanted to take some time this evening to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I pray that each of you were able to celebrate with family and friends and take time to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. I am thankful for so much, the list is endless. For God, family, friends, co-workers, and especially my amazing support team. I'm also thankful for this specific thanksgiving as my younger brother has flown down to florida to join my sister and me for the holiday. It's been a great holiday and I look forward to continue the holiday weekend with wonderful sibling time. Blessings to each of you. I'll be updating more often from now on.

Trekking Around the USA

I've been back in the USA for 2 weeks now and I would love to say that I'm done with airplanes for awhile (especially after that crazy delayed flight in Atlanta) but it wouldn't be true. Currently I'm in Florida at the Overland Missions offices preparing for 15 weeks of support raising. In order to return overseas, I have to be fully funded by January 15th. It's a lot of work but God's favor is upon my life, as is yours. On Oct 8th (tomorrow), I'm heading to Chicago. I have a cousin who is getting married on Saturday and then I'll be meeting with friends and contacts to share about the ministry. Although I do have to jump back to Florida for a 2 day training seminar for support raising. From Chicago, I have no clue where I'm going or even when. No limits, no boundaries! :)

Looking forward to seeing all my Chicago family and friends!

Goodbye Africa, Hello Ireland

So tonight is my last night in Zambia for the year. I cannot believe how fast this last month has gone! I'm still sad about leaving so early. Most of you know that I usually leave at the end of November/December but this year is much earlier. Why? Mainly, support raising. I am focusing and believing God to be fully funded in January. After that I'll be in the UK for 6 weeks to train volunteer to run our new remote office and then back in Zambia in March. 2010 is going to be a busy but fruitful year!

On my way home I'm going to be visiting a friend in Ireland for a few days. I've never been there before and it was free to extend my layover in the UK. I'm excited for the chance to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty that the Lord has created.

I'll be back in the USA as of Sept 22nd. Please feel free to give my cell phone a call, the number is still the same. Blessings!