Moments from my heart journey. Spontaneous and unrefined revelation.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

transition between chapters - "At Home"

This week has seemed quite long enough, as has the whole month, and I there is a part of me that is very ready to just go ahead and be there. Its kind of like the feeling that one might have after finishing up a semester of school in another state, and can't return home for several weeks, but is really done with what they came to do at that place for that time.... and looking forward to going home, but can't yet. Thats how I feel, even though I am 'home' in Allen techinically. This has become more of my launch pad, where I touch down and rest between new places and journeys and temporary homes. Of course I know that this world altogether is not my home, but also I know that God has brought a chapter to a close in my life, and the next one starts in Mozambique. That is my next temporary home. And the thing about my temporary homes is, that because it is God who designs them and goes before me and behind me in them, wherever they are they are strangely comfortable and familiar, even if I've never been there before, and i think even if I don't speak the language(that theory is about to be tested). That is the gentleness of God in my life, I feel very at home in him. (As King James would say, I feel at home because I know that he is with me withersoever I goest)

So here I am, resting in transition, and also anxious to move on.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Destination: Pemba, Mozambique

Pemba Center
Where I will be staying for 7 of the next 10 weeks.
These are all pics from the mission center I will be at in Mozambique.

The Holy Given School of Missions has a required list of books to read before we finish school. I have read almost all of them already so that I don't have to carry them along in luggage, and although I don't like to finish books, I have finished these, and they have been awesome.

Book List

Some of them particularly life changing and faith challenging. I recommend any of them. My favorites were "There is Always Enough" which explains the idea/faith behind the whole ministry I will be with in Mozambique; "Peace Child" which is the story of a missionary to a cannabal tribe and how they were changed with the power of the gospel, and "Like a Mighty Wind" which is the story of what happened to a small Indonesian church when the Holy Spirit brought his own revival there. All of them are quick to read and narrative, story style. Some of my new favorite books. If you read just one, and want to understand what I am doing/think i am doing, read "There is Always Enough" by Heidi and Rolland Baker, the missionaries who started the ministry 10 plus years ago that now includes the school I will be attending.

Durango Half Marathon!! (click here for pic)

Yes I actually did it! To all my doubtful adoring fans.... I did actually train a little, and even when I didn't feel like it, and even when I had a super bad attitude, and we did actually finish the race on our feet. This link is to a picture from the run. Also, at this website:
Marathon Pics

if you type in bib # 599 you can see Denea in blue, or 530 and 531 for Les/Jenny who also ran with us. I'm sure they would be delighted for you to see them all sweaty and happy. We had an awesome trip, in my opinion way too much fun for just running 13 miles. I think I'll have to do it again sometime. God is so good to me, he doesn't just make things do-able for me, he makes them fun and surrounds me with amazing friends and encouragers along the way. Of course I think I can do anything, after all the support he has always given me.. He is good.