Two Days Until Departure for Russia
Muskegon, Michigan(ACN)
Weather Differences
When I awakened today at 8:00am, I was in Muskegon, Michigan with about 9 inches of snow on the ground, where only a week earlier there was 2 feet of snow. When I lay my head down to sleep in a few hours, I will do so in my home in Georgia with an expected temperature of 80 degrees. Then when I arrive in Moscow, the temperature should be around 30-40. Of course when I arrive in Nizhnevartosk (in Siberia next Monday), the temperature is expected to be around 20 (for a high).
A Weekend in Muskegon
This weekend was the trip to Muskegon, Michigan, to visit the Wolf Lake United Methodist Church. The purpose was to introduce the church to me and our ministry, to meet Beverly a December mission trip team member and to attempt to light a fire in the church in regards to missions. I think the trip was a success. Several church members seemed very interested in going on a trip, in addition to Beverly. So we will see.
I met Pastor Bobbie while visiting the church and found her to be very warm and friendly. She immediately put me on the spot, or at least tried to, by telling me from the pulpit that I would be addressing the adult Sunday school class, speaking for an hour about Russia. Well, I can always talk about Russia and mission trips for several hours, so that really didn't put me on the spot. Nice try, Pastor Bobbie, but you will have to do better than that. I love to speak of Russia, my friends in Russia and our experiences there.
The church has an average attendance of 90 and the community is not a wealthy one. However, I think think the challenge to the church of getting support for Beverly, so that she can go in December will bring elements of the church together. Once, Beverly returns from Russia and tells of what God did while she was there will cause the church to really catch the vision for missions.
Temptation
Today I was tempted with a call from a head hunter to apply for a programming position, which if a job was offered, and I accepted the job, it would kill this ministry. I would have to work as a programmer full-time and I would not be able to take 4-8 mission trips per year. God has brought me thus far, He will certainly take me onwards from here.
Thank You
Dawn and Bill if you read this, please know that I am very grateful to you for opening your home to me and allowing me to stay for the weekend. I really enjoyed getting to know both of you. To the prayer warriors at Wolf Lake; thank you so much for the prayers during our last mission trip, and yes I will certainly send you a list of prayer requests and team members for each trip, so that you can pray for them.
I have a million things to do tomorrow before departing on Wednesday for Russia. I pray that God will help me to get through the day safely and having completed all of the tasks.
Prayer Requests
As you begin your prayers each day from now until March 31st when I return from Russia, please pray for the following things:
May God bless you and your family richly and may His grace and mercy be extended to you daily.
Weather Differences
When I awakened today at 8:00am, I was in Muskegon, Michigan with about 9 inches of snow on the ground, where only a week earlier there was 2 feet of snow. When I lay my head down to sleep in a few hours, I will do so in my home in Georgia with an expected temperature of 80 degrees. Then when I arrive in Moscow, the temperature should be around 30-40. Of course when I arrive in Nizhnevartosk (in Siberia next Monday), the temperature is expected to be around 20 (for a high).
A Weekend in Muskegon
This weekend was the trip to Muskegon, Michigan, to visit the Wolf Lake United Methodist Church. The purpose was to introduce the church to me and our ministry, to meet Beverly a December mission trip team member and to attempt to light a fire in the church in regards to missions. I think the trip was a success. Several church members seemed very interested in going on a trip, in addition to Beverly. So we will see.
I met Pastor Bobbie while visiting the church and found her to be very warm and friendly. She immediately put me on the spot, or at least tried to, by telling me from the pulpit that I would be addressing the adult Sunday school class, speaking for an hour about Russia. Well, I can always talk about Russia and mission trips for several hours, so that really didn't put me on the spot. Nice try, Pastor Bobbie, but you will have to do better than that. I love to speak of Russia, my friends in Russia and our experiences there.
The church has an average attendance of 90 and the community is not a wealthy one. However, I think think the challenge to the church of getting support for Beverly, so that she can go in December will bring elements of the church together. Once, Beverly returns from Russia and tells of what God did while she was there will cause the church to really catch the vision for missions.
Temptation
Today I was tempted with a call from a head hunter to apply for a programming position, which if a job was offered, and I accepted the job, it would kill this ministry. I would have to work as a programmer full-time and I would not be able to take 4-8 mission trips per year. God has brought me thus far, He will certainly take me onwards from here.
Thank You
Dawn and Bill if you read this, please know that I am very grateful to you for opening your home to me and allowing me to stay for the weekend. I really enjoyed getting to know both of you. To the prayer warriors at Wolf Lake; thank you so much for the prayers during our last mission trip, and yes I will certainly send you a list of prayer requests and team members for each trip, so that you can pray for them.
I have a million things to do tomorrow before departing on Wednesday for Russia. I pray that God will help me to get through the day safely and having completed all of the tasks.
Prayer Requests
As you begin your prayers each day from now until March 31st when I return from Russia, please pray for the following things:
- That God will guide my steps in Russia
- That I will be led to men who wish to see Russia evangelized
- That I will find someone who is nearly ready to start their own church.
- That I and Anya, my interpreter, will have a safe journey.
- That Stephanie will be kept safe and healthy while I am gone.
- That this ministry will be blessed greatly.
- That this ministry will grow beyond even my wildest visions.
- That God will keep me from evil.
- That God will keep His hand upon me.
May God bless you and your family richly and may His grace and mercy be extended to you daily.
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