Up Up and Away - to the Central African Republic

As I stumbled out of bed this morning it hit me – today is the day we leave for Africa! At that, thoughts began to flood my mine. Thoughts like: “Goodbye nice comfy bed!” “Now what important, vital-to-life item did I forget to pack?” “I’m really going to miss the Fam!” “Do I really want to go to AFRICA?” etc., etc., etc. By the time the fog in my mind cleared and the thoughts began to subside I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror. I looked at my reflection. My reflection looked back at me. Together we smiled – yes the day that had been set for our departure last spring had finally arrived! We (me and my son-in-law, Ryan Aument) are about ready to walk through this open door of ministry placed before us by God! (If you want to read about how this all came about, check out my blog postings from the week of March 9, 2009)

As I think about this trip I am grateful for a number of things. I am grateful for Ryan who will be accompanying me. I am thankful for Dr. Augustin Hibaile. There are very few men who are in such a position to influence his part of the world for Christ as he is. He has a passion for Christ and His kingdom that I am anxious to observe first hand. I am grateful for the opportunities I will have to teach God's Word as we come along side of Dr. Hibaile and his ministry. I am thankful for our church family here at Grace and their generous support for our trip – both in the giving of their finances and the ongoing prayer support! Finally I am thankful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If He had not extended his grace to me when I was a teenager, I am not sure where I would be today. But I am sure where I would not be – and that is on a plane to travel to the continent of Africa in service for Jesus Christ! Would you do me a favor and pause right now and offer a prayer for our ministry that will be taking place in the Central African Republic, the people whom we will serve there and our families we leave behind here? Thanks for your prayers. James tells us that “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Thanks so much. This will be my last posting until I get “back in the saddle” around September 14th.

Thanks for stopping by . . . and thanks for praying for us!

pj

ps - a detailed itinerary of our trip can be found on our church's web site (www.gracewv.org)