Greetings from India!
First of all, I must apologize to you, the faithful readers of my blog, for my infrequent updates as of late. The internet abroad is difficult to find and harder to actually use when found. You would think that through all of the “We should reset the modem” and “I wonder if it would help if I jiggled the ethernet cable” moments I would have learned something more about the internet, that great series of tubes. Alas, I have not, and to this day it remains a mystery on par with Bigfoot and how they get those little chunks of fruit to float in the Jello Snack Packs.
For my first in a slew of updates to come, I would like to share with you some prayer requests that I have and humbly ask you to consider joining me in prayer.
- We are getting into the thick of the World Race. We have left the relative safety and comparative cultural familiarity of Eastern Europe (and, to some extent, tourist-friendly Katmandu) and are diving straight into cultures and peoples almost completely foreign to us. Pray for patience as we seek understanding with our hosts and continually give up our rights to operating within our own societal norms.
- Additionally, health has been a big issue as of late. Several squad members have been experiencing illnesses of varying degrees, and all diminish the quality of our ministry. I myself was afflicted with what I affectionately refer to as “Captain Trips” after eating some strangely delicious but dubiously manufactured Nepalese candies. Pray that we would be able to stay strong and overcome the health perils of oversea travel: contaminated water and food; exposure to unfamiliar viruses and bacteria; and inadequate means of sanitation.
- Pray for spiritual and emotional strength for my squad mates and me. We are in tough places, places where the enemy doesn’t want us. Spiritual attacks are common. Apathy and frustration are more difficult to overcome. Spiritual exhaustion is near-guaranteed. But God is our provider and he equips us with the energy and zeal we need to complete the mission he has for us.
In support news, my final deadline is February 1, 2012. By then I need to have raised about $3500 more to be fully funded. This Christmas season is coming up, and I would humbly ask you to consider supporting my missions overseas this holiday. You can help by telling your friends to make a donation in your name in lieu of gifts, or by pitching in a s a family to make a one time donation. Anything that you are willing to give is appreciated beyond the ability to convey in words and goes directly into the hands of men and women serving Jesus Christ all around the world.
Stay tuned for more updates – a wrap-up of Nepal is coming as is some thoughts on my first week in India. Also, I know that I keep saying I will post more videos, and I have about five ready to go up as soon as there is adequate bandwidth. Anytime I find it, there is the likelihood I will have to share it with at the very least five other people – you understand how these things go.
I love you all and am so grateful for you prayers and support. As they say in India (and other parts of the world), Happy Christmas!
