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.

ASSESSING GLOBAL GIANTS

Greetings,

It is noon and me and the team are in a local internet cafe. I thought I would write briefly and let everyone know that all is well. I am healthy and blessed to be partnering with an amazing church. God has given me and the team amazing opportunities to meet with local governments, school faculty, and church leadership. We are here to assess some of the needs and "global giants" in the communities here. The effects of the genocide are still evident 13 years later. Through the raping and killing many in the community we are in ministering are widows, orphans, and HIV positive. Thus an amazing opportunity exists for the church to minister to these. The team and myself feel very much like the Apostle Paul on his visits to the churches he planted. We have been able to offer great encouragement and build lasting relationships with some incredible people. This is all that time permits me to write now. More to come when I am give a little bit more time. Continue to pray on!

37,000 Feet

It is early Monday morning as we are cruising at an altitude of 37,000 at 561 mph over the skies of the Sahara Desert. It is funny now to think that we left from Los Angeles Saturday evening. My days have not been days but just what seems like one never ending day. I have seen two sunrises in 12 hours, something here does not seem right, at least this is what my body is telling me. O the joys of flying to Africa!

Well from LA we jumped on a plane to London and had an uneventful trip over. I think I like London, even though I experienced it from Heathrow, which is not to appealing yet I wish we could have been there a bit longer, lots of cute girls with accents. Ha. I know wrong motivation! Haha. However, as soon as we arrived we departed from London yesterday afternoon and continue to press onward to Nairobi, Kenya from where we will make our final connection to the destination, Kigali, Rwanda. This has no doubt been the longest travel experience I have ever had! I am going on maybe an hour of total sleep on two back-to-back overnight international flights with 24 hours under my belt so far and 10 to go! Praise the Lord for in flight entertainment and a good book! I am defiantly feeling the exhaustion setting in at this moment but I am realizing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

It still has not hit me that I am going to be in Rwanda for two months. Right now that seems like such a long time, though I realize it will pass quite quickly, I am met by mixed emotions. I am indeed excited about the opportunity before me, yet. I am feeling; well I cannot right put it into words. However, I do know that I have met this opportunity by no accident. God has placed me out here for this specific time in history and for a specific purpose.

My eyes are heavy now. My body is feeling good, just so physically exhausted. You have got to be in shape for these trips! I think a twenty-minute power nap will give me enough energy to get me through Nairobi, maybe! I will be keeping you posted!

2 hours until a break from the air!