A simple reflection

I've discovered that I'm not very good at sharing about things that I've just experienced. I've been traveling for about 3 weeks now and will soon be traveling for another week to Colorado. Everyone who knows I've been gone asks me how's it been?? What did you do?? and on and on. I just say it's been fabulous and awesome. I've learned a lot and seen so many people. How do I put into words all that has transpired. My few words just don't do any of this justice. In all honesty I can't even count all of the relationships and friendships that have been strengthened and the simple increadibleness of being able to see so many people who mean so much to me.

I guess what I can say is that I am astounded how God can work a stupid mistake that I made (aka losing my passport) and turn it into something life giving and beautiful. Yet another lesson among the many lessons for me to learn more about the one we know as Father.

Spoiled

The Thinkers

That's the only word I can come up with to describe how I feel right now. Blessed might be a better word... but I feel too selfish to use it.

I'm in Kansas City (in the great state of Missouri or Kansas) at the moment. It's after midnight and I'm just reflecting on my circumstances. I'm hanging out in this great place simply because I lost my passport and my path has now led me here for the time being. I am spoiled because for this moment in time I am being treated not as I deserve to be treated. I've been taken all around this great city, eaten tons of great food, explored museums, cruised around a lake on a party boat, and simply relaxed. It's extremely humbling to join in the lives of dear friends whom I only briefly met on their recent visit to Zeway.

I think back to that time in Zeway hearing about their church and lives, thinking how I would probably never be able to see it, breathe it, and experience it, yet here I am. I am so thankful that GOD can see beyond my finite mind and into the unimaginable and incomprehensible.

The Way Home

Aside from attending a week long training, I also had the incredible opportuntiy to visit with numerous friends and supporters. I got to go to the drive-in, walked in the beautiful Oregon woods, and had incredible conversations. Below are some pictures from my road trip with my cousin, Greg. We took Highway 101 home. Although I've driven between Portland, OR and SR, California more times than I can count, I've ALWAYS driven the I-5 stretch. Not so pretty, if you've ever driven it you'd know what I'm talking about. Anway, my cousin and I had a relaxing trip home, one in which I got to breathe in the beauty of God's creation.

The wide world of CHE

Luke & I working on a lesson at CHE

Practicing group involvement

The entire group at the CHE training.

Are you wondering what the CHE training is? Well it's a training in the concepts of Community Health Evangelism by Lifewind International. The goal is to train nationals to work within rural communities to bring community and personal change. Many lessons revolve around a physical issue/problem (worms, malaria, clean water, interpersonal relationships) and also spiritual issues and lessons. The goal is to empower the community to recognize and work through its own issues of need through this program. Through this proven method thousands of people have come to Christ and hundreds of churches have been planted across the world.
to find out more about Lifewind and its incredible work, go to lifewind.org

One of the beautiful Covered Bridges of Oregon....thought you'd enjoy