It's kind of strange to think of in a small town - heading down the streets with tracts, asking people if they know the Ten Commandments. But in a large city like Dallas, it's much easier. You don't know anyone.
The GFA intern team spent this evening watching several videos from www.thewayofthemaster.com. Tomorrow morning will be prayer and preparation and tomorrow afternoon will be a time of personal evangelism -- heading out by twos and threes to talk to people at the Texas State Fair.
I'll let you know how it goes. Keep us in your prayers.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Tired...and the Holy Spirit
I'm very physically tired right now. My back has been hurting me almost around the clock for the past two weeks (pop-pop-pop every 30 minutes or so) and the adreneline rush from the first of the internship is definitely worn off.
Today was a crazy day in the office with so many things happening at once. I also managed to get my car to have its oil changed and state inspection completed over lunch hour. NN wants my help setting up internship activities for this Friday/Saturday and I'm already triple booked for Friday.
And I think to myself, When am I going to get to the end of my physical rope and let God work through me instead of me trying to do it all myself? Where does the outpouring of the Holy Spirit come into this--giving me the strength and wisdom and boldness to go into situations that are scaring me to death?
Mom and Dad, don't worry. I'm not depressed or anything like that. I'm just tired. And so thankful for each of the people who pray. Thankful for the people who print off my blog so others can pray for me. Thankful for a God who listens.
Our videographer returned this week from India. He shared briefly at prayer tonight about a church in south India that has grown so fast that it has outgrown the church building that hasn't yet been completed.
What a joyous problem to have.
Today was a crazy day in the office with so many things happening at once. I also managed to get my car to have its oil changed and state inspection completed over lunch hour. NN wants my help setting up internship activities for this Friday/Saturday and I'm already triple booked for Friday.
And I think to myself, When am I going to get to the end of my physical rope and let God work through me instead of me trying to do it all myself? Where does the outpouring of the Holy Spirit come into this--giving me the strength and wisdom and boldness to go into situations that are scaring me to death?
Mom and Dad, don't worry. I'm not depressed or anything like that. I'm just tired. And so thankful for each of the people who pray. Thankful for the people who print off my blog so others can pray for me. Thankful for a God who listens.
Our videographer returned this week from India. He shared briefly at prayer tonight about a church in south India that has grown so fast that it has outgrown the church building that hasn't yet been completed.
What a joyous problem to have.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Blessings from a local family
We had a nasty bug epidemic here at the house. One of our donated mattresses seemed to be bug infected and one of my interns was getting maliciously bitten in her sleep. It became evident fairly quickly that we needed a new mattress, so I checked around GFA families with no success.
After a little thought and a little more prayer, I sent out an email to the missions pastor and one of the life group leaders at my local church here. My request email was sent about 11 in the morning and at 9:30 that evening, there was an email from a church member donating a twin mattress and box springs. At 7:30 the next evening, I was out picking it up.
The next day, an email came in from yet another church member offering a queen size mattress and box springs. We didn't need a queen size, but two phone calls and twenty-four hours later, GFA staff members G & M were picking up their "new" mattress.
I attended my church yesterday with two of the GFA interns. During the "meet and greet" time, one of the church ladies turned to the interns and asked--very excited--, "Are you the new Gospel for Asia interns? We've been praying for you! I am so glad you're here!"
I can't tell you how much of an encouragement that was to the interns--to know that there were people they had never met who had been praying fervently for them.
Thank you for praying for me!
After a little thought and a little more prayer, I sent out an email to the missions pastor and one of the life group leaders at my local church here. My request email was sent about 11 in the morning and at 9:30 that evening, there was an email from a church member donating a twin mattress and box springs. At 7:30 the next evening, I was out picking it up.
The next day, an email came in from yet another church member offering a queen size mattress and box springs. We didn't need a queen size, but two phone calls and twenty-four hours later, GFA staff members G & M were picking up their "new" mattress.
I attended my church yesterday with two of the GFA interns. During the "meet and greet" time, one of the church ladies turned to the interns and asked--very excited--, "Are you the new Gospel for Asia interns? We've been praying for you! I am so glad you're here!"
I can't tell you how much of an encouragement that was to the interns--to know that there were people they had never met who had been praying fervently for them.
Thank you for praying for me!
Friday, September 23, 2005
Hurricane Rita
We took a few minutes this evening after a long week at the office to play 45 minutes of soccer at a local elementary school field. I must admit, I missed a couple passes (is that what you call them?) since I was watching the sky. You could see the line of the clouds ahead of Hurricane Rita slowly moving up from the south. I watched the news tonight and it looks like Carrollton will only be getting rain from a wandering scattered shower.
It makes me think...Bangladesh and east coast of India have been hit by cyclones and storms this week. 58 dead in Andhra Pradesh state and over 200,000 homeless. More than 30 Bangladeshi fisherman were killed and an earlier report mentions over 600 fishermen missing.
We've been spending quite a bit of time in prayer at GFA--specifically for Hurricane Katrina refugees and Hurricane Rita. And although we feel a bit helpless at times, we're doing the most we can.
It makes me think...Bangladesh and east coast of India have been hit by cyclones and storms this week. 58 dead in Andhra Pradesh state and over 200,000 homeless. More than 30 Bangladeshi fisherman were killed and an earlier report mentions over 600 fishermen missing.
We've been spending quite a bit of time in prayer at GFA--specifically for Hurricane Katrina refugees and Hurricane Rita. And although we feel a bit helpless at times, we're doing the most we can.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Strength and perseverance
To my prayer warriors (and faithful blog readers): I'm sorry for not updating. Please forgive me. (Thank you!)
The last week has been pleasantly busy. Which means mostly busy, but not busy enough to drive me crazy. It was busy enough to cause a severe lack of sleep which prompted me to sleep every spare minute. Even so, Friday brought a headache from lack of sleep, but Saturday and Sunday brought naps! (Saturday also brought Ultimate Frisbee for the first time in a year--it really helped get the kinks out of my hurting back!)
Friday evening was a highlight of this past week as the interns and discipleship team met at TT's house for a time of worship followed by personal sharing and prayer for each person. We started at 8:30 and finished just before midnight.
This week, I'm getting my rest, but I'm tired. Today, half way through the afternoon, my strength and clarity of mind suddenly vanished. Distraught, I decided to go for chocolate or caffeine and then a small thought popped into my head. "Ask for God's strength." So I sat back down at my computer, asked for His strength, and headed on for the next project. I finished that one and repeated the process until the day ended.
And now I sit here, thankful for your prayers and thankful for a wonderful roommate who is rubbing my back! God is good!
The last week has been pleasantly busy. Which means mostly busy, but not busy enough to drive me crazy. It was busy enough to cause a severe lack of sleep which prompted me to sleep every spare minute. Even so, Friday brought a headache from lack of sleep, but Saturday and Sunday brought naps! (Saturday also brought Ultimate Frisbee for the first time in a year--it really helped get the kinks out of my hurting back!)
Friday evening was a highlight of this past week as the interns and discipleship team met at TT's house for a time of worship followed by personal sharing and prayer for each person. We started at 8:30 and finished just before midnight.
This week, I'm getting my rest, but I'm tired. Today, half way through the afternoon, my strength and clarity of mind suddenly vanished. Distraught, I decided to go for chocolate or caffeine and then a small thought popped into my head. "Ask for God's strength." So I sat back down at my computer, asked for His strength, and headed on for the next project. I finished that one and repeated the process until the day ended.
And now I sit here, thankful for your prayers and thankful for a wonderful roommate who is rubbing my back! God is good!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Indian Pastor Dies
One of our native missionaries, Pastor Sukhwinder, was killed in an motorcycle accident last Sunday. His wife and three kids who were with at the time all survived. You can read the full story at the gfa.org website. Pray for his wife as she is willing to continue his ministry. Pray for the church of 25 new believers he is pastoring and for the two outreach centers he was starting.
On the office front: One of our computer administrators and I went to visit another ministry today and see their use of Microsoft Sharepoint Services. We quizzed them over their use of Sharpoint Team Services as opposed to Sharepoint Portal and wrote down their server specifications and usage notes and challenges. Our goal is to use the technology the Lord has given us to the best of our ability. And sometimes part of getting to that goal is deciding whether a new technology will be useful to our ministry or not.
And on the home front: This Friday night is all-night prayer. Yeah!
On the office front: One of our computer administrators and I went to visit another ministry today and see their use of Microsoft Sharepoint Services. We quizzed them over their use of Sharpoint Team Services as opposed to Sharepoint Portal and wrote down their server specifications and usage notes and challenges. Our goal is to use the technology the Lord has given us to the best of our ability. And sometimes part of getting to that goal is deciding whether a new technology will be useful to our ministry or not.
And on the home front: This Friday night is all-night prayer. Yeah!
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
More stories from Katrina
Another team from GFA spent time at MissionArlington Monday morning, helping distribute clothes to those who needed it, clearing the way for more donations arriving for the hurricane refugees.
I mentioned James and his family in the last post--they arrived on a bus from New Orleans while the GFA team was assembling portable showers. You can see his new toy in the picture. As they climbed off the bus, James was looking terrified until one of the Arlington police officers rushed up with a plastic glove. James watched, skeptical at first, as the officer blew the glove up like a balloon, tied a knot, and drew a funny face on it. The parents watched, amazed, as the officer made the balloon talk to James and he smiled for the first time in days. Even after the officer returned to his duties and James and his family waited in line to get in the shelter, James was laughing and carrying on a conversation with his new friend. It was the first toy he'd had in a week.
I mentioned James and his family in the last post--they arrived on a bus from New Orleans while the GFA team was assembling portable showers. You can see his new toy in the picture. As they climbed off the bus, James was looking terrified until one of the Arlington police officers rushed up with a plastic glove. James watched, skeptical at first, as the officer blew the glove up like a balloon, tied a knot, and drew a funny face on it. The parents watched, amazed, as the officer made the balloon talk to James and he smiled for the first time in days. Even after the officer returned to his duties and James and his family waited in line to get in the shelter, James was laughing and carrying on a conversation with his new friend. It was the first toy he'd had in a week.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
MissionArlington
21 GFA staff and interns descended on MissionArlington this morning at 9:00. A ministry dedicated to reaching the unreached in their area of Dallas, MissionArlington is also a "first responder" for disaster relief.
To hit the highlights... Our morning project was cleaning up a large storage building that was going to be used to house refugees come Monday. Our afternoon was spent sorting donations given by the steady stream of cars and SUVs funneling through MissionArlington's parking lot.
As we left there, we made one last stop--dropping donated pillows and towels and toothbrushes off at Grace Street Church where refugees would be gathering. We paused a little longer as the local police department needed a hand setting up the portable showers/decom area and our team was all too willing to help.
While setting that up, a large tour bus pulled up--filled with refugees from the SuperDome. I spent a few minutes talking to Caroline and Junius and their kids James (2), Joseph (9), and Josephina (almost 11). Leaving their home, they had just enough time to grab a change of clothes for each of the kids. They hadn't showered since last Wednesday. Josephina was so cute with her short black braids -- cheerfully holding the WalMart sack and diaper bag that contained everything they owned.
Again, it made things just a little more real.
To hit the highlights... Our morning project was cleaning up a large storage building that was going to be used to house refugees come Monday. Our afternoon was spent sorting donations given by the steady stream of cars and SUVs funneling through MissionArlington's parking lot.
As we left there, we made one last stop--dropping donated pillows and towels and toothbrushes off at Grace Street Church where refugees would be gathering. We paused a little longer as the local police department needed a hand setting up the portable showers/decom area and our team was all too willing to help.
While setting that up, a large tour bus pulled up--filled with refugees from the SuperDome. I spent a few minutes talking to Caroline and Junius and their kids James (2), Joseph (9), and Josephina (almost 11). Leaving their home, they had just enough time to grab a change of clothes for each of the kids. They hadn't showered since last Wednesday. Josephina was so cute with her short black braids -- cheerfully holding the WalMart sack and diaper bag that contained everything they owned.
Again, it made things just a little more real.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Flooding our worlds
The relief effort for the victims of Katrina is in full force...depending on who you listen to. Even here in Dallas, we have thousands of people in Reunion Arena and staying with friends and family. Donations are pouring in to the Red Cross and Texas Baptist Men and grocery and clothing and school supply drives are being held. The intern team will be helping tomorrow--sorting clothing donations and packing up food for families that need it. And sharing the love of God.
The 2000 statistics show the population of New Orleans as going on 485,000. The 2000 statistics show the population of Mumbai, India as going on 16,000,000.
Remember the posts from a few weeks ago? About the flooding in Mumbai? Washing away all the churches and leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless? Some of our missionaries and relief workers are in the hospital even now because of the water-bourne illnesses from the still-flooded city.
In India. In the US. Seeing this a little closer to home helps the disaster in India hit home just a little bit more. They both need our prayers.
The 2000 statistics show the population of New Orleans as going on 485,000. The 2000 statistics show the population of Mumbai, India as going on 16,000,000.
Remember the posts from a few weeks ago? About the flooding in Mumbai? Washing away all the churches and leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless? Some of our missionaries and relief workers are in the hospital even now because of the water-bourne illnesses from the still-flooded city.
In India. In the US. Seeing this a little closer to home helps the disaster in India hit home just a little bit more. They both need our prayers.
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