Actually, not much to say. Have not been blogging much lately. Here is what has been going on...

I got ordained a priest and had family in town for a few day. I went to an AMiA national leaders meeting. I was only able to present yamia to the network leaders as there was not time in the general meeting to do so. I was blessed with some amazing donations (one of which was HUGE) so I was able to go out and get a new (well, new for us) car! That was an amazing answer to prayer as our cars were 10 and 20 years old respectfully. Let's see, what else...

I kicked off some ministries at our local church. We are getting ready for a second child (any day now). I don't know, have had a lot of stuff going on. Regardless, I am now blogging...today at least:)

SOUL IN THE CITY UPDATE
The promo video is done. We hope to have it up on the site soon and we hope to have copies for all the clergy and youth ministers in the mission. In addition, Sayward Elliot has agreed to come on board and be the point person for the 2 soul in the cities we will be having next year (Jacksonville, FL and somewhere in Colorado).

Africa Update
To make a long story short, we are going to East Africa. It was off the table for a few weeks but then God brought it back out! Very cool. Anyway, it looks like our advance team with go in November and our youth training will take place in mid August. We will be doing interdenominational youth training under the leadership of Rwandan Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini in Kigali and Chiangugu (sp?) for the following countries:
Uganda
Congo
Tanzania
Burundi
Rwanda
Sudan

We will be putting a list together of needs and we will get that out to you hopefully by Winter Conference. We will also be looking for folks to come with us and to serve once we know what we need (after the advance team gets back).

Labels: Africa, Summer Camp, Youth Specialties

I wanted to blog about something that is not yet out in the open...but it will be soon enough.

I am leading a team of folks (some from our group here at yamia and some from Youth Specialties) to do yearly training for youth leaders in East Africa. That is, for Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Congo, Burundi and the Sudan.

More info will be coming, like dates and those who will be teaching etc...

As I sit here and type this I am stunned. I feel like I am actually having a surreal experience. I wanted to be the guy who was the best. I wanted to be famous. I wanted to be noticed, loved, approved...by others. Then the one who loves me the most. ..He...he began a deep, no, really deep and painful/joyous work. He began to rip that out of me. He began to transform me.

I am sitting here typing this years from the beginning of this work begun by the one who loves me. And it is surreal. Why? Because instead of a sense of accomplishment or pride I feel...thankful...and a lot of other stuff I suppose. Things I cannot verbalize. You know how that goes. I am thankful to have the opportunity to help and to serve and to know a God who loves me so much that He changes me for the better.

I love you Lord.

Labels: Africa, Training, Youth Specialties