Global Summit 2011

This week we've been privileged to get to participate in a global summit that Fellowship Bible Church organizes every two years.  During the summit, FBC brings all their global partners to Nashville, TN and gathers for a week of activities where all attendants are mutually encouraged.  We didn't attend the whole summit, but only parts here and there.  Yesterday, we were introduced to each partner and given a 15 minute spill about what's going on in the area which they serve.  We heard from ten partners in total.  It was really interesting to see the close ties that Fellowship has with these strategic partners from around the world.  Today, we listened to Brian Fikkart, the co-author of the book, When Helping Hurts.  He specializes and is known for his wisdom in this area of helping the poor in a way that helps both parties, instead of bringing shame to one and pride to the other.  This book should be read by any Christian who works with people in need, and 1 John 3:17-18 is a must read for any professing Christian who doesn't work to help people in need.  If I find out that the sessions are online, I'll be sure to comment below and let you know how you can get to each session to watch it.  Finally, tomorrow I'll get to hear Dave Ramsey in person.  I'm pretty excited as I've heard so much about him, but never been able to hear him in person.  Global Summit has definitely been a blessing to me, and I do think that I have a broader perspective because of it.  Until next time...

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 (ESV)

Top Row (L to R): Darko & wife (Croatia), Angel & wife (Peru), Mario & wife (Peru),  Aniefiok & wife (Nigeria) Bottom Row (L to R): James & wife (South Sudan), Christoph (Germany), Rosemary (South Sudan), Dinislam & wife (Russia), Andrey (Russia), Steffen & wife (Germany)

We're Engaged!!!

Enjoy these photos from the engagement night and next day.  If you don't know Autumn, then that's misfortunate for you.  She's an amazing woman of God.  Maybe one day, you two will have the privilege of meeting.  Until the next post... Blessings...

Life as of now

Life has been good lately. I’ll give you the highlights:   

  

Trek-X has gotten off to a great start. We are reading through Romans, surveying the New Testament, and we just finished a session on personal evangelism and how to share the Gospel effectively.  God showed merecently how much of a blessing it is to be able to have this intentional discipleship every day. I really am soblessed to be living this life.   

We have already had so many fun times with our Burmese friends this year! We were able to reunite with the family we adopted in January. They moved this summer while we were out of the country and we didn't know where they were, but through friends, we were able to find them! It’s been so fun seeing how much they learned while we were gone. And we've really been able to encourage them in Christ and even got to give them their own English Bibles. We’ve also gone to a few apartments where some new refugees live and offered our friendship. They are such vulnerable and sweet people. It’s so fun to be with them and pray with them. Lastly, we have gotten to begin meeting with another Burmese family weekly to teach them English. Last week, we sat in the floor with the father, mother, and 4 children and used the book of John in the Bible to teach them English. They were eager to learn and to our surprise, invited us back this week! Please pray for wisdom for us as we guide them. They believe that salvation comes only from  confessing their sins to a priest. We want them to know the High Priest (Hebrews 4:15‐16), Christ. We want them to be free in Christ, knowing that Jesus died once for all sin. If they have faith in Him, all their sin is forgiven. Pray for the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts.  

This is a dress that sweet Mrs. Hella gave me.
It's what the single women in Myanmar wear.

I also wanted to share something that the Lord has been showing me. Some of you may remember that a prayer request I mentioned last month was for the Lord to continue to provide for me financially. Well, the Lord has really been teaching me so much about TRUSTING Him. He’s faithful. He’ll provide. An anonymous giver—if you are reading this, you have no idea how much God used you to bless  me and TEACH me. Thank you. I’ve been praying you will be blessed in return.    

  

Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to share some good news with you…

I’M ENGAGED! 

                                      

WILL YOU MARRY ME?  

Josh (my fiancé for those of you who haven’t had the privilege of meeting him) proposed a couple of weeks ago at my granddad's peach orchard. We couldn’t be more excited about what God has in store. Please join us in praying that God will prepare us to be husband and wife, prepare us for our 2 years overseas, and that our wedding would be a display of the Only True Love.     

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken."           Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Sayd has come and gone...

Just wanted to record Sayd's trip on the blog.  If you didn't know, Sayd was a translator for us this summer in Puerto Rico.  Through some support, he was able to come to Nashville and go through a bit of Trek-X with us.  Here's a few pictures from his time here.  Pray that Sayd will affect Puerto Rico with the gospel as he goes back to his home.

Sayd, myself, and Hampus

Matt Loving and his family 

No Chic-fil-a in Puerto Rico!!!

Tuesday Night Fellowship