What Does It Take?

What does it take to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth? It's take all that you have, all that you are, and all that you're not.

Ponder on that for awhile... I am! :)

Updated website!

I've updated my website with new photos, Overland promo videos, news, projects, and more. Please check it out!

Budgeting Conclusion: I Rely on God

Today I decided it would be budgeting day. My expenses have changed since coming to the states, with car insurance, and cell phone added so it seemed appropriate. I also am getting ready to start focusing on raising funds for 2009. So I sat in front of our staff budgeting worksheet going through all the categories and typing in how much I thought I would need for ministry. Then went back and deleted about half, seperating the needs from wants. For instance, I'd love to have year round health insurance or even a retirement plan... but I don't need it. Well, maybe some of you think I need it. I've been fine so far. Praise God! :) What was my final conclusion for my afternoon of budgeting? I rely on God. I know that I'll always have enough. Sure, some days may be a bit tighter then others but I'll never be without. I will ve faithful to God, keep serving HIm with my life, and be a good steward of my finances and I know He will provide for me day after day forever.

I know that with the economic crisis in america, many people have taken looks at their own budgets and the numbers don't add up. Take heart, friends. My numbers never add up but yet here I am. God provides! Need more encouragement? Go to the Word. Whenever you're frustrated, stressed, or feeling anything other then joy, always go to the Word. You wouldn't believe what great therapy God provides through His word. Psalm 37:4-5 is a great one to meditate on: "Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."

Florida: Hello Sunshine!

I know it's been awhile since I've updated but the time has flow by since being home. It's been great visiting with my family & friends in Chicago and in Pittsburgh. My only complaint is the cold weather, but who can blame me when I've come from the hot African sun. I did make it to florida now and am back in Merritt Island/Cocoa Beach area working in the Overland Missions offices. Right now we're preparing for our 2008 Conference which runs from Dec 28th-31st. It's such an amazing time when past alumni, friends, family, and newcomers gather together to worship and receive from the Word through wonderful, anointed speakers. If you'd like more information, please check out our website. http://www.overlandmissions.com.

I am going to hopefully be updating this blog at least once a week over the next few months, and carrying into my return to Africa. March is coming up fast and pretty soon I'll be back in the bush of Southern Africa!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I've made it home safe and sound. I'm writing you form the living room of my parents house in the suburbs of Chicago. It's great being home and with family, although I miss Zambia already. I think I began missing it even before boarding the plane. :) It's comforting to know that I'll be back to my African home in the middle of March. Until then I will be working at the Overland Missions office in Florida, traveling around the USA recruiting for expeditions and AMT, and raising up my 2009 budget. I look forward to seeing all of you during this time home.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I hope that you all have wonderful time with friends and family. Happy Thanksgiving!

Baptisms in the Mighty Zambezi!

Last Friday was an amazing day. At 6:30 am the AMT students, Dan, and I found ourselves climbing down the Batoka Gorge. This is not a climb I normally enjoy. It's steep, rocky, and hard. Your legs feel like jello by the time you reach the bottom and you still have to climb back up! However, my motivation wasn't for the exercise but for the fact that Dan and I were going to baptize two of the AMT students in the Zambezi. This was my first time doing baptisms and I felt very honored and blessed that Wezi and Liz wanted Dan and I to do it. Here are some of the photos of the event:

Here is Wezi being baptized. He is a local Zambian who was given a scholarship for the AMT course.







This is Liz. She is 23 years old, from Texas. Not only was it the day she got baptized, but it was also her birthday! I found the biggest challenges was trying to stay on the rocks as you submerged them. You can see me falling off the rock in this shot.



We laid hands on Liz to be filled with the Holy Spirit, as per her request. What an awesome step of faith!








The morning was finished with communion and then some praise and worship. It's amazing to hear the worship echo throughout the gorge.

Elections for all!

Elections seem to be consuming my life lately. Zambia just had their presidential elections after the death of their president, Levy Mwanawasa. Things went relatively smoothly, with only one riot in Livingstone. The results were announced yesterday with Rupiah Banda, the vice-president, elected as the new president. Today everyone's attention seems focused on america, even zambians are interested to see the results of the election. Most of them are in favor of Obama but just based on his race. I can only imagine what america must be like at the moment but from the look of everyone's facebook status' many are voting. All I can say is that the Lord is in control and whatever happens, happens. We will deal with what comes and need to continue in prayer for the leaders of every country. God bless the world!