GLIMPSES OF GLORY

A glimpse of glory is a real moment in time where you are invited into a present reality that will only be fully revealed in future time. Though you can easily miss them, they are all around us; you simply have to know where to be looking. These beautiful glimpses are given to depict a future reality, a glimpse of a kingdom yet to be established. They exists in this fallen world as whispers of a hope known only to those sons and daughters of the King, whispers which will, in future time, become beautiful melodies sung loud enough for all of creation to hear. They exist only as shadows passing, making up a form void of detail, yet obtaining a beauty unbecoming of any earthly shadow. It is in these shadows that a clouded reflection of magnificent beauty is seen. A beauty hindered, filtered by that smudge on a looking glass, in turn distorting its true brilliance but, nonetheless, a beauty to fallen eyes. These glimpses are often manifested in the smallest of ways, a child reborn, a breathtaking view, affection given, a utopian experience. You know, those lovely moments where something in you jumps and you feel, well, alive. They can be likened to the illusion of a mirage dancing over a sweltering desert floor. It is as if you saw something, though only for a moment, but long enough for you to second guess yourself, long enough to wonder if indeed you saw something at all, though, deep down you know you did. It is these glimpses of glory, a real instance in time given to us in those beautiful, yet, brief moments where one is invited to experience a future reality reserved for he who holds Kingdom citizenship.

DANGER AND THE OTHER STUFF THAT MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE

Well I have not updated in awhile and thought it would be fair enough to give anyone who cares about me an update on what is currently occuring in my life. Here you go those I love and care about.

Lets see....I have been staying half way busy preparing for all of our July teams, setting up accomodations and dealing with all the logistics of having a large group of people coming overseas. But all seems to be in order so I thought I would take a few days and get away from Rwanda and head up to the bordering country of Uganda.

Buying a 5000 RWF ($10) bus ticket gets you pretty far in Africa. After a 9 hour trek me and a couple of friends I ended up meeting when I first got to Rwanda managed to get up to Kampala, the rather large capital city of Uganda. Kampala has much the same feel of any large developing world city, dirty and much pollution yet contains some of the same luxories as a large western city such as nice restaurants, decent shopping and yes modern movie theaters. I took advantage of this and we went to go see a movie. For two hours of this weekend I felt like I was back home for a night out at the movies with friends. It was a pleasant fiction for the moments it lasted. Though I found I was dissapointed with the movie it was good times.

The highlight of the trip and the reason we ended up coming to Uganda was to go white water rafting at the source of the Nile River. Yes the White Nile boasts some of the craziest and breath taking (literally, especially if you fall in) whitewater this side of the Atlantic. It was for real class 5 and 6 rapids. Class 6 is basically impassable, not in Africa though...ha. We took the day along with maybe 100 other muzungos (white people) consisting of some Brits, Irish, Scottish, Aussies, and pretty much all the great accents and hit a 30 KM stretch of the Nile. If you enjoy adventure and travel I would encourage you to put this on your top 20 list of things you need to do before you die. Indeed it holds a place in the top of my list. We had about 10 runs on on rapids varying from class 2 all the way to class 6...well almost a class 6. Falling out of the raft into insane whitewater has given me some good illustrations for future dialogues with people...like let go and let God. I don't know who said that one but i'll tell you I never felt so helpless in my life. But its a rush none the less. It was a day filled with good conversations, good laughs, breathtaking sceneary, danger, and all the stuff that makes one feel truly alive, even if for a moment. I am a blessed man, not only because I came out alive...ha...but because of the experiences God has afforded me thus far in my existence.

Be blessed today brothers and sisters. Take advantage of every oppurtunity. It could be your last. Live for the moment and love always. True aliveness is only a decision away. Live today!

If you pray and you care about me. Continue to lift me up when I come across your thoughts. Love you guys! Coming stateside in a little over three weeks! Contain your excitement.