Thursday, April 07, 2005

Something on the Horizon

For the last six to eight weeks or so, we've been having a Bible Study at Marty and I's house but it wasn't just a Bible study it was more of an adventure. Kelly, Jason, Marty and I have felt for a long time now that there has to be more to this life than just going to church on Sunday mornings and Wednesdays - so we've been trying for over a year now to figure out what to do and where to do it. We also figured out that we probably couldn't do it on our own. We also realized that we weren't the only ones who had this indescribable passion for something more. So, we began a Bible study to investigate the ways to do church that are happening in other areas and that aren't traditional or normal that draw people who normally wouldn't step foot inside a church to Jesus.

So, anyway, we're at the beginning of the action stage and it's getting really exciting! Jason has a friend who is in charge of an organization called Whirlwind mission. They donate apartments to people with vision and pay for the resources you might need and then you begin programming in that apartment complex. Well, Jason already has the apt. and the resources. Last night we talked about how Lucy - wonderful, dedicated, workhorse Lucy has already recruited a ton of people to be in on this adventure, and about what type of ministries we would really like to see happen there. It's wonderful and amazing and I get to be a part of it! Thank you Lord for allowing us to see the beginning of answered prayer and for walking us through this. Thank you for the faith to believe that what you have begun you will carry on through completion. You are an amazing Father!

I hope you all have a blessed day!

P.S. I'm going to Russia to do a set-up trip for the Salvationist Service Corps team that will be travelling there this summer. Sorry if I confused anyone. BTW, I actually sent off for my visa yesterday and should have it by Monday - just in time for my departure on Wednesday. Now I just need to figure out where I'll be laying my head while I'm there. This is so much fun!

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

Ugh!

I leave for Russia in a week and a day! I should be excited but right now I'm just worried and stressed. I haven't even sent off for my visa yet because I don't have a hotel reservation yet because I can't get someone to tell me if I have the right address and on top of that I don't have the right credit card. I tried calling the Eastern Europe THQ yesterday at about 2:30 our time, completely forgetting there is a time change (duh) and I got an angry man on the other end of the line screaming at me "Niet Niet Niet...No No No." "Okay, thank you sir." And a polite hang up. That was actually quite funny. How could I not know that they are 8 hours ahead and that I called a poor man at 10:30 in the evening. Then I feel extra guilty because I asked my friend Jason to come in to work with me early this morning to call and be my translator and the woman who answered the phone spoke English! So he got up early this morning and came here for nothing. Sorry Jason! Anyway, it turns out everyone that I need to speak to in Russia is in Spain! So, now I'm a week and a day away from going to Russia and have no one to call and still no answers. I'm a little scared at this point. If you're reading this and it's before April 13, would you mind saying short prayer for my trip - I'll be gone from the 13 to the 19. Thank you!

Lord, please make the crooked way straight. I want to do this for your glory and to prepare the way for your servants who will go there after me so that they might glorify your name. I love you, Amen.