BUT I CAN PRAY

Work is over for the day. I thought I would stop and get caught up on finding out what is happening in this crazy world we live in. Out of all the madness going on I have been particularly interested in finding out what is taking place in Kenya. What better way of finding out the "truth" than our worlds media sources. Yes there was some sarcasm involved there.

Of course the media is just that "the media" but I have come to enjoy the reports and articles on the BBC. They do a much better job on coverage of international news than most American based media in my humble opinion. After reading through some gripping and informative articles I came across an excerpt from an article entitled "Kenya's poor at each others throats" written by BCC reporter Fergal Keane. I thought it worthy of expounding on.

Fergal at the end of the article throws in an interview he did with a woman that is experiencing the lack of stability firsthand. The excerpt reads as follows:

"In the middle of all this are families like that of Ruth Awuma. She is married with six children and a husband who cannot work due to dreadful burn injuries. A lit candle fell on his bed while he slept.

Ruth rises every day at dawn and travels to work as a maid in Nairobi, returning home every evening just in time to put her younger children to bed.

I asked what her dream was. She didn't talk about a new president or democracy. Such things seemed abstract in her dark and claustrophobic home.

"I would love a water supply in my house," she said.

But you must know that is unlikely, I said.

Ruth laughed. "But I can pray," she replied.

It was about as eloquent a statement of hope as you could hear in Kenya these days." Click here to read full article

And there we have it friends a lovely topic to write on.

Fergal tells Ruth, "You know Ruth, that dream you have of water, that probably will not happen. I don't want to be rude but seriously come back down to reality, don't get your hopes up, you must know that is not very likely for you to get a water supply in your house! That is actually crazy"

In the very face of opposition Ruth laughs, "O Fergal, indeed what are the possibilities for me to get a water supply. I would in fact be the first in the neighborhood to obtain one, but you know, I can pray. So that's what I will do, I will pray!"

Fergal with a smile nodds his head pleasantly in agreement, though knowing full well prayer is a hopeless act, "Ah, yes Ruth, indeed, you can pray."

This brought a smile to my face. I wish I could go back in this moment to be present in this conversation just so I could give Ruth a hug and say keep on praying sister. Don't give up on your dreams.

Now alot could be written here, of the faith of the Africans, of the power of prayer, of having hope in desperate times or of being optimistic in difficult circumstances all of which could be an appropriate topic to expound on from the inspiration this one statement. Maybe I will come back to one of those at another time when I have more time to write. But for now I leave here with this thought in mind, we have not because we ask not. Thanks Ruth for reminding me, keep on laughing at the odds and praying expectantly.

JANUARY UPDATE

The holidays have come and gone. It is hard to believe that I have been in California for one year now! In spending some time reflecting upon this last year I am amazed at the experiences I have had as well as some of the learning’s. I do apologize indeed for not writing of the happenings in my life over the last several months. It has been a humbling, yet, refreshing season the Lord has brought me through. No need to reflect on all of the learnings in this letter. Yet, I will say that the Lord has been so faithful. I am a blessed man indeed!

During the holidays I had the opportunity to be home. For a good two weeks I was able to get away from some of the busyness and enter into an incredible time of rest. It could not have come at a better time! During these couple of weeks home my family and I traveled to Texas to celebrate Christmas in Waco with my Uncle and Aunt and cousins. It had been such a long time since we last celebrated Christmas with extended family. It was a wonderful time though! After Christmas we began to journey back up North but not without first stopping in East Texas to be with some family friends from Austin who we have known for many years. After several days of fishing, reminiscing, and resting we made the final leg of the journey back to Arkansas were I concluded my time away from California.

The time home went by quickly but I was able to get some great rest, rest that has benefited me over the last several weeks of being home. Although I was gone for only two weeks upon coming back to California I realized that it was probably one week longer than I needed to be gone since I came back to church with a large workload. Yet, it was all worth it.

So what have I been working on might you ask? Well do let me share. I believe I shared in my last update that I am now working as the P.E.A.C.E. coordinator in our college ministry, Crave. In this role my responsibility is quite simply to mobilize college aged students to be active followers of Christ in both our local community and the world. Over the last month the ministry team of Crave and myself have been working towards setting up five global P.E.A.C.E. trips for our students to travel on this summer. In the last several weeks to our joy sixty-five “Cravers” signed up to go on one of the five trips as a P.E.A.C.E. team to Rwanda, Argentina, Czech Republic, India, and Ukraine anywhere between two weeks to one month. Therefore, the last two weeks have proven busy as we have begun preparing these Crave P.E.A.C.E. teams to go global.

On top of all that is happening in Crave I have been preparing to go back to Rwanda for about a month from March 14 – April 11. Pastor Rick has been invited to launch the first nationwide 40 Days of Purpose in Rwanda, an historic and exciting event in a country still working through issues of reconciliation from the 1994 genocide. On this trip I will be leading several teams partnering with some of the local churches in Rwanda to help them get started in bringing their communities through 40 Days of Purpose. Please be praying that God would do big things in the Rwanda during their journey through 40 Days.

This next year should indeed fly by with all that will be occurring! Already it is almost the end of January. So eleven more months to go! By this time next year I have no clue as to where God will have me, which, is indeed something that I ask you to join in prayer with me about. I rest in the fact that God will reveal what that next step is, in the meantime I am focusing on the exciting year ahead I am greatly blessed by you! Thank you so much for your continued prayers and for your support!

THE SQUALL IS HERE

Drop the sails!
Pull up the anchor!
Cut loose the ropes!
The squall is here!
We must get out of this harbor,
Out to the open sea!
On the depths is our safety.
(Indeed, on the depths is my freedom.)

Are you crazy!
The depths will consume us.
The storm will overpower us!
The ship cannot sail in the great squall.
Have you gone mad!
Do you not know what this cutter is made of!
We are but wood and rope!

Can you not see!
The harbor poses no safety.
The rocks are no haven.
Indeed, a vessel of wood and rope we sail upon.
Yet, this vessel was made for such a squall.
We will hold up and not break apart.
Set course for this great squall.
There we will find safety,
(There I will find my freedom.)
Indeed, in the center of the storm.

Captain to set sail would be certain death!
Can you not see we are but wood and rope!
No match for the power of wind and wave.
What will hold us together!
Have you gone mad?

Certain death?
To remain safe would be certain death!
This cutter was built by such great squalls.
To remain imprisoned in the harbor
Anchored in by rope and fear
This young lad is certain death.
Do not fear what waits.
Indeed it is great.
Trust your cutter.
Drop the sails!
The squall is here!