Monday, January 16, 2006

Worshiping Abroad

SUNDAY WORSHIP in Nigeria was a wonderful experience this morning. Hands clapping, people dancing, obvious praise and prayer to the Father . . . It’s just incredible being in a different part of the world and still openly joining with brothers and sisters in Christ as we worship the same God! There are so many people that don’t know the truth – even here – but today was a reminder of God’s hand at work in people’s hearts. It’s truly refreshing to share the joy of the Lord with strangers in another land and culture. <><

I’m just so thankful that we’ve started this trip in giving glory to God! And now the time comes for us to journey deep into the “bush” and to mingle among those that have never heard the gospel. We’re not sure if they’ve ever seen foreigners, and we may not be welcome among their villages. I pray that the chiefs in the various villages will be open to our presence and our words. And we definitely have some adventure heading our direction . . . especially in the ways that we’ll be living, traveling, and eating – (not to mention the lack of bathroom facilities)! :-)

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Airplane thoughts

I'm trying something new again -- emailing a blog entry.  Let's see if it works!  :-)   I'm in an airport right now, and here's a short journal entry that I wrote a few hours ago.  I thought that I'd share:
I'm sitting on the airplane waiting to begin this leg of my journey to West Africa.  At least I'm already starting it off right... in utter dependence on God!  That's the only way that I could have made it this far today.
 
Editing videos, replying to emails, no sleep, returning phone calls, mailing packages, paying bills, skipping meals, packing equipment, organizing travel schedules... the list is endless.  And yet that about sums up my last few days.
 
And now, I'm finally airborne.  The journey begins.  Please, God, prepare me for what you have in store.  Please change me, Lord, into who I need to be for the people of Nigeria.  I'm already tired.  Please, Father.  Lift me up and carry me.  Be my rest as I now close my eyes.