Scattered thoughts, again.
I just tried to post a blog and then the website erased it. I'm almost crying now. Not really.
A quick quick update. I'm in sitting in a hostel in Tanzania as we're about to head to our ministry city in an hour or so. I had some sweet moments of solitude earlier this morning, away from any human presence. I'm discovering more and more that being in a city unknown but surrounded by thousands of people is a weak substitute for being alone; anonymity is not the same as solitude.
This past month of February we worked with an incredible incredible ministry in Kitale, Kenya called Great Mercy. I will blog about it soon. I promise. It has been one of my favorite ministries on the Race. We taught, preached, and just loved orphans and children who literally lean on the Father for every provision. It was a beautiful and sweet month.
There are two things that I would beg of you to partake for me. Both require humility on my part, knowing that I can't do things alone, and power on your part, knowing that you can and do make a difference.
First and foremost, I ask that you could pray for me, even moreso these last few months than the previous eight. From my recent blogs I'm sure you can tell that I've been tired. And I have been. These last three months are the last leg of my Race. In any real race, that's when runners put all they've got into going hard and going fast. When relief or a slower pace makes more sense, they run faster than the pace they set in the beginning. I'm there. It would be infinitely easier to slow down, to take a breather, to go easy. But I know the Lord wants more. He always wants more for me. I know that the past eight months, no matter how great or difficult they have been, won't dictate the beautiful things He can and wants to do for the last three months. I just have to be willing. When every day seems like a week, and when the next three months seem longer than the last eight, endurance is the last thing I want. Please pray that I would lay aside every weight to run the Race that is marked out for me. Pray that my heart would be fixed on the prize as I finish with a joyful heart. I know that He will bless what little I have left to steward, if indeed I am faithful to steward it well.
Secondly, I'm swallowing my pride to ask for this, but would you consider donating funds for me to buy warm clothes for my months in Europe? We saw this coming from a long way off but the closer it comes the more the reality sinks in that we are ill prepared for the weather. In Tanzania right now, the weather is mid to high 80s. In Latvia the average weather in April is 40 degrees with lows in the 30s. And we'll more than likely be in Estonia for that month which puts us higher up north. To give you an idea of how far north, both countries are slightly below St. Petersburg in Russia or along the same latitude as Newfoundland Canada. My cold weather clothes consists of a pair of jeans, a lighter pair of khakis and a hoodie. The rest of my clothes are short sleeves and shorts, running socks and chacos. Every little bit would be appreciated as I'm hoping to buy clothes in the markets, which should be fairly cheap. If you feel inclined to help out you can message me (on the side or [email protected]) or if you see my parents on a regular basis, you can make out checks to them which they'll deposit into my account near the end of the month. It is very much appreciated!
I'm grateful for your love and support, and most of all your prayers. Lately I feel like I'm living off of what you pray for me and the grace of God. So thank you so much for them!
Oh, and p.s. today's my birthday :]
So here's to the next year being more abundant and full of the Lord than the past 23 years. Amen
