Leaving Normal Behind

This news article doesn’t have an overt theological or spiritual message … however, I enjoyed it too much not to attach. Can you imagine being 80 years old and seeing snow for the first time?!!!! It does, however, bring the reality of “human-ness” to the men and women who live in Iraq and just might give us new ways to consider and pray for the country!

A first! Snow falls in Baghdad - Yahoo! News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080111/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_first_snow_in_memory_2

As part of my “assignment” yesterday I made the comment that I want to be more disciplined with prayer. I’m a big fan of ASBO Jesus and this not only struck a chord but made me laugh.

Please pray for our team as we consider issues associated with postponing our trip last week. New decisions are to be made! Pray for:

• When to reschedule … late March or April? We’ll make this decision by the end of next week.
• Who will go … the potential exists that the team could change due to timing, personal matters, etc. Pray that each team member will have clear guidance and peace about their participation.
• How to travel … through Nairobi or Uganda? The political situation continues to be unstable in Kenya and this may determine or change our travel itineray.
• What … still needs to be written/re-written for the conference curriculum. Word came through today that the ministry would like the material asap for another team to use. Mine is not near completion!

Continue reading Rescheduling Sudan…

We often make light of New Years resolutions and their quick “breakage”. However, the new year is a great time to reflect on the past year and consider the next. Thanks to our staff leadership I had to opportunity to do just that in our ministerial staff meeting today.

Continue reading Reflect…

Update (March 25, 2008):

I was re-reading my posts last night and was surprised at some of the language I used in the post below. I was tempted to edit it to sound more diplomatic or kind. I decided not to because I realized the emotions were real and valid. One of the “lessons” I’m trying to learn at the moment is to express my emotion, not just internally, but to others … to allow them to join in the full expression of joy, pain, sadness, etc. I taught myself a long time ago to temper my outward emotion in order to protect others, or so I thought!

Continue reading Family Surprise…

Africa … I’m supposed to be in Lainya, Sudan at this very moment. Well, obviously I’m not “supposed” to be because I’m not … but that was my intention. The impact of this non-trip is pretty significant on me, emotionally and spiritually. Some of it being selfish (if I’m to be honest).

Continue reading Thoughts…

well … I had to make a disappointing call today. We will not be traveling to Sudan tomorrow. Our trip would have taken us into Nairobi for one night and day on the way into Sudan and two days and nights in Kenya on the way back. There is too much unrest, violence, and unknown to take a team into that situation. I am willing to take calculated risks and might have traveled if I was alone or with one other person. However, in the position I’m in and with the recommendations I received it would have been unwise. So … I’m very disappointed. Sad. And unsure what to do now. I expected to be out of the country for two weeks - now I’m not - and I have nothing to do! A good thing. Maybe.

I’ve pasted an email I sent to our church staff and friends today regarding the trip. More to share later regarding prayer for the situation and some of the good things that have come about through the preparation for the trip!

Hasta luego …

Continue reading Sudan Update…