2010 Year in review!

First, let me just wish you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year! As we celebrate a season of precious gifts and new beginnings let us focus on the MOST precious gift (our Lord Jesus) and THE new beginning He has created for us... praise God for His work, His life and His mission that we get to be a part of.

2010 was quite a year!

It is hard to believe that we spent 96 days on the road this last year between ministry and school... it might explain how tired we feel. But, God gave us so many incredible experiences and introduced us to so many amazing people - we truly have much to be thankful for.

After getting back into a good rhythm last January (including starting back into Seminary) we began our preparation for our Feb trip back to Northern India with Berean Way. Our Trip to the North was one of the most difficult trips we have done... the spiritual warfare was very intense and we were working in a part of India that even Indian Christians do not like to go to. As one of the local Indian pastors explained, "when I was in South India I saw myself as standing at the gates of hell, breaking down the doors, running in and rescuing the lost and hurting... now that I live in North India I see myself as having moved into hell, grabbing as many as I can and pushing them out the gates." But, God is moving mightily through the hands of His courageous followers there... it is truly inspiring walking with these men and women. Thank you Lord for these servants... keep them Lord I pray.

While in India I received a troubling call from my wife telling me that our house was on fire! Needless to say it made for a dramatic end to our trip. I made it back home and found that a shorted wire had burned out our front room BUT Brit and the kids were fine and that was all that mattered. Through the process God blessed us with a completely renovated wonderful home (through the hands of Jeff and Brian atCornerstone Construction - thanks guys). God continues to direct our steps leading us toward His purposes and not allowing anything more than we can handle ALL the while turning darkness into light... He is good at that. Praise You Lord for all that You are to us.

Through March and April we bounced from place to place as our home was being rebuilt while managing a trip up to Canada and our first annual Berean Way auction to raise funds for barefoot pastors (which went amazingly). In May I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of a three week intensive seminary class in Israel. With the help of a very special donor, a scholarship and approval from my family and boss I was able to go and spend three weeks walking where Jesus walked... lifting the stories of the scriptures off the pages. Thank you Lord for being more than just a theological idea but for being an actual person who was born and walked just like us... only perfectly.

After returning from Israel it was only one brief month later (which included teaching at a great Jr. High retreat for RHCC) that we were in Langkawi, Malaysia. Every four years CRM holds a staff wide mandatory World Wide Conference for all of us to get equipped, back on the same page and be an encouragement to one another. This year Britany and I were able to go together with a lot of help from the grand parents! As well as having an amazing experience with friends (especially those from Scotland) we were able to have a time of deep growth as a couple. On our way back from Malaysia we were able to stop in Taiwan to spend time with some dear friends of ours who are living there now working for Nike. It was great to spend some time in a new culture while having a bit of an adventure. Lord we are thankful for your provisions of family and friends!

After sliding in a bit of camping and family time it was time to prepare for the Fall and my trips to Canada, Nepal and Scotland. Canada was a fantastic whirlwind... a great chance for me to teach at a college retreat for Lethbridge E-Free and hang out with the next generation of world changers. It always feels good to be home! Now off to Nepal...

As I mentioned in previous updates, Nepal is a very different experience than India and yet shares so many similarities. Undoubtedly, Nepal is staggeringly beautiful... mountains, rivers and an amazingly diverse set of cultures make it a remarkable little country. Yet, it struggles with immense poverty and social/political ills that make it a desperate place of daily survival for most of its non-tourist inhabitants. Here, hidden amidst the great mountains and miseries, lies a tiny (less than 2%), young (both historically and demographically), fully alive faith filled Church. It does not take long in Nepal to see that God is moving amidst the Himalayas! We held 2 conferences over the course of a week with around 400 attendees total. We also spent time interacting with and praying for different churches and ministries in and around the Kathmandu area... it was an amazing time! Now off to Scotland...

My Trip to Scotland was amazing (it snowed almost every day!) and in many ways it was the perfect end to an incredible year. I returned to Glasgow to work with the team there doing team building and leadership training. While there I met with them as a group several times and one on one with most. The tool I was using with the staff helped ask important questions about who they are and who they are becoming... which is something pretty special. I am so proud of this team. They have worked hard to become what God wants them to be and this has taken grit, determination and a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. When others have quit they steadied themselves. When some have questioned their vision they looked to God, His Word and kept on. Their commitment to Glasgow is a challenge and encouragement to me and I pray it will move us - you and me - to reexamining what God has called us to DO... really, WHO God has called us to BE, WHERE He has placed us. Lead us Father on that we might be able to faithfully say with all of Your saints, "any time, any place at any cost."

As we launch into another new year would you join me in making this your daily prayer...

Lord lead us and make us,
mold us and break us
that through each day Your Spirit might take us

and create in us hearts and lives that all know
any time,
any place,
at any cost
we will go

and then in Your hour
when You come Lord in power

You will see just Your Son
and all He has done

and we will find there our place
as we look on His face.

Thank you for your faithfulness to this call financially, prayerfully and passionately... this does not happen without your faith-filled support.

grace and peace friends,
the McDonald clan

April/May Update + India!

Hey everyone!

To say that the past couple months have been crazy would be a complete understatement! Between traveling to India, having a house fire, living out of suitcases (while moving from house to hotel to apartment to house again), traveling to Canada, "re" moving back into our house (we are still in boxes), writing finals, Hallie's tonsillectomy and preparing to leave to Israel in 2 weeks, there has hardly been time to think... thank you for your patience (and prayers) as we get our feet under ourselves again!

This past weekend The Berean Way held it's first annual silent auction to raise money to reach and train barefoot pastors in the most unreached areas of Northern India. It was an amazing event that exceeded expectations. The evening was filled with bidding, laughter and fellowship while Jeff was able to communicate the need and vision for India. Britany was even able to dress up in a sari as she acted as one of the hostesses for the evening... it was a lot of fun AND its impact will be felt in India in the days ahead.


Just a couple of weeks ago we were able to move back into our house... it has been SO good to be back home. For those who may have missed the story or the specific updates on our house fire they are posted on our blog HERE. Our house looks amazing... we are so thankful to the Jeff and Brian Bohrer at Cornerstone Construction for going way beyond the call of duty and doing it so quickly. It feels good to be back in our neighborhood and we are looking forward to how God is going to use this experience and this house for His glory!


Just over a month ago Brit the kids and I packed up our van and headed up to Canada for a solid week of connecting with the Lethbridge Evangelical Free Church (the supporting church we grew up in), supporters, friends and family... it was 1600mile whirlwind! We had a very good time reconnecting with our supporters and telling them about our vision and direction. We left very excited about future partnerships and old friendships. It is always a joy to be home.


It feels like our trip to India was ages ago. Though I know most of you kept up with our trip on the Berean Way BLOG (if you didn't I would encourage you to look) I wanted to let you know what an impact full time it was. The conference times were fantastic but the spiritual warfare was intense. God had us in the enemies domain yet we experienced His power, strength and support every step of the way. As one of the local Indian missionary/pastors explained, "when I was in South India I saw myself as standing at the gates of hell, breaking down the doors, running in and rescuing the lost and hurting... now that I live in North India I see my self as having moved into hell, grabbing as many as I can and pushing them out the gates." Another pastor told us that we were the first to do any sort of training in the area and that they couldn't even get other Indians to come to their area... it is a very dark place.


BUT!!!


God is doing amazing things! Men, women, children turning to Himself, the fountain of living water for LIFE. God has amazing things for India in a time when the doors have never been so open. Truly the harvest is ready and the work is great... THANK YOU for you part in making this ministry happen. Your prayers, financial support and encouragement have been so appreciated. May God bless you as you have been a blessing to us!

grace and peace friends,
Tim

looking backward & forward

Isaiah 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Can you believe that it is 2010?

I remember thinking as a kid about how weird it would be to live in the year 2000 and now here we are... 10 years in! So much has happened this last year that it would be impossible (and exhausting) to recount it here - BUT there are noteworthy blessed moments that must be remembered with much thanksgiving.

- After 8 years, this spring we transitioned from our nieucommunities family to begin working with The Berean Way. We praise God for the friends and experiences that we were gifted by nieucommunities and are thankful for their great work.

- After 8 years, this fall we moved back to Portland Oregon. It has been great reconnecting with friends and family as well as seeking out new relationships and ministry.

- The kids started into their third school in three years... one they will (God willing) be settled in for the next season. They love their new school and have begun to really flourish.

- After 10 years, I started back (very part-time) at Western Seminary. I have felt God leading me for many years that it was time to continue my education. As I have found myself doing more discipleship and teaching as of late it has been exciting for me to be in an academic sphere.

- This Fall we were extremely blessed to have Sam Apollos and his family come to Portland for several weeks. It was an amazing blessing to have him here, to talk about the future in India and spend time getting to know them all better.

- After being gone from Glasgow for almost a year and a half Britany and I were able to return for some training and reconnecting... it was fantastic to be able to see our friends and RE:hope.

So what of 2010?

What an amazing year we have ahead of us... starting this February with my first trip back to India in a while. We have been planning, writing/translating material and fundraising for our next trip to the northern boarder of India. We will be doing three different training events for the barefoot pastors there (one of which will actually be in Nepal)... please be praying for money for the events and my visa!!

Beyond that we have plans for travel to Canada in March, Israel in May, Malaysia in July, Uganda in September and back to India in October... we would appreciate your prayers as we navigate all these trips!

Pray also for all the AMAZING opportunities God is opening up here in Portland. We have been so humbled and thankful for the doors that are opening up here. Pray specifically for two different equipping tracks that I am developing/teaching here for our teams and a handful of churches in the area. One is for those going on short-term mission experiences and the other is for those wanting to grow in their discipleship and disciple making. These are things that I have almost stumbled into but am excited to be a part of... God is using SO much of these last years for His work here and around the world.

Finally, would you join us in this prayer... this commissioning - that our minds would stay on our Lord, that we would not be distracted by issues of money, fear or doubt and that all of us would find our perfect peace in trusting in our everlasting ROCK.

Amen Lord. Amen.

busy...

I've been VERY busy lately traveling to and fro but thought I might direct you to The Berean Ways blog so that you might hear more about the ministry that we are going to be working with. Jeff is currently in India making plans for our next trip this fall... he has GREAT pictures and stories!

Blessings!
Tim

A word from our sponsor... :)

Hi friends,
As we begin the process of laying out our next steps for you all I wanted to include a note (below) that has been written from Jeff AND encourage you to go to his website and see more about what The Berean Way does. Thank you for ALL of your encouraging words... it has been amazing, confirming and humbling... we have the best friends, supporters and family anyone could ask for!


On behalf of the Berean Way, I am so excited to announce the addition of Tim & Britany McDonald to our ministry family.

Tim will oversee the newly formed position of Discipleship Coordinator where he will be responsible for overseeing all discipleship activities both in-country and overseas. This will include our extensive pre-trip training programs, developing all training & discipleship materials and managing the team's adjustment back home.

As the ministry has grown, our needs have greatly increased. My passion has always been the Bible and to provide methods to understand and apply its teachings. The other half of our ministry is discipleship. We have been praying for years, that God will send us the right person to lead this most important aspect. Tim is the answer to our prayers! I believe God has given him the passion, the experience and the relational skills to take this ministry to the next level of effectiveness.

Tim and I first started working together a decade ago to form a new ministry to provide opportunities for training future leaders to train future leaders. The two main sections of this ministry were Bible study and Discipleship.

Well, God lead us into different directions (post-church Scotland & unreached tribal villages of India & Uganda) for awhile. However, we discovered is that we were both striving to improve that concept that we had originally started when we served together in the youth group many years ago. Ten years later, we find ourselves joining forces once again to take that same ministry and expand it throughout the unreached areas of the world.

The possibilities are endless and I believe God will use our individual experiences, our relationship, our vision and our passion to make a tremendous difference in both the world we live in and unreached areas that we are yet to discover.

Because of you, many people have been impacted for eternity. I invite you to continue your support with the McDonalds and continue seeing the great work God is doing throughout the world. Praise God and to Him be all the glory! Jeff Valdes, President

{For I am} confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6

PRAY... follow up!

Here is a follow up from your prayers... THANK YOU!

Dear Tim & family,

thank you for your prayers for us,

we were warned and sent out of the police custody, and we were all forced by authories to get out of the town on the next day, We arrived here at ... on the saturday. All of our 8 peoples names were in the news papers all the 4 districts, and english papers also. They framed a news liked this religious vigorous group came from ... to disrupt the religious harmony in the local people

please pray for the pastor ..., who is the local pastor could not able to live in the town any more and he has to vacate the rented house, this week, we are going back on the tuesday to help him to shift the house to different town.

Again Thank you, for the prayers, all the charges framed against us were dropped and we have given a written note signed at the police station that we will not come back and preach the christian religion, any more at ...

thank you for all you prayers

with love in CHRIST
SAM

PRAY!

Acts 4:29

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

I was wondering if you might be able to find a moment today to pray for my good friend (and brother) Sam. I got an email from him this am saying that he had just gotten out of jail. Sam the Indian and an evangelist/teacher who I have mentioned on this blog before. He is married and has 1 son. Him and 7 others were arrested for preaching the gospel. Though they have been released on bail there is a group of people trying to get them arrested again and they have had to be "evacuated".

Please be praying for:
- favor from the officials
- protection from false accusations
- courage for Sam and his wife

Pray also that the peace and comfort of Jesus would be with all of them.

Mighty God who hears all things and knows the plans of men's hearts - I pray first that Your name would be shown to be great among all people and all nations of this earth through Your children. Guide Sam this morning with all wisdom. Give him courage and love from Your Spirit. Protect him, his family and his friends. Grant him favor with the officials AND with the people around him... turn his enemies into brothers. Make Your name great in this situation and guard Your servant from evil. We love you Lord. Amen.

Our most recent Update!

Hey everyone,

Well, here we are well into March and it seems that time is flying.

We haven't yet got all the snags worked out with our newsletters but it looks as if we will soon be moving to a digital newsletter that will both save on postage/trees but time as well... we appreciate your patience in this process.

After a very busy Christmas with all of Britany's family in town January and February have been months of questions asked and new experiences. As we mentioned a few updates back, Britany has now "officially" stepped back from her weekly nieucommunities responsibilities to focus on getting her energy back, getting our family into a healthy rhythm and on being a "good" missionary to our neighborhood. It has been a great step forward for us as a family and I think we are heading down a more sustainable pathway for ministry. I have begun working with a few local ministries and it feels like we are diving in. All of this ministry and connecting is of course the preliminary for our primary work of nieucommunities - the equipping and sending of missional leaders worldwide for the sake of the Kingdom of God. It looks as if we will be officially launching the training this fall as we already have a group of interested young leaders.

As many of you know, due to visa issues, I was unable to go to India this February with The Berean Way. This was very difficult for me personally but I have trusted God with His timing knowing that He is in control and knows what's best for me and my family. As I have been looking at increasing my involvement in this ministry, missing this trip has created many questions about my heart for the hard to reach places like India (as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder).

I am increasingly convinced (and compelled) that our time on earth is short and that there are still many who need to hear about the person of Jesus Christ AND the hope of the good news of the Kingdom of God. And, I am convinced that this message is best spoken by THEIR neighbors, families or friends. With the Berean Way I can teach/preach, encourage and duplicate in the hardest of places... looking into the eyes of these men and women who walk forward in the face of persecution and help them live/preach the gospel in their VERY unreached neighborhoods.

But I have another love - the Church. I have a deep conviction that the church know and become what Christ has called us to become. It is a desire to see the Body of Christ live to its fullest God inspired potential. I believe that the Church is God's instrument on the earth for good and that we have a calling to steward... a calling that goes way beyond our own comfort and security. With nieucommunities I am able to challenge, disciple and equip the next generation of church and mission leaders for the global mission of the Church. Often I feel a tension between the two callings... it is a tension that literally keeps me up at night. Which is where you all come in.

Would you pray for us?
We need your prayers (and God's guidance) in navigating this changing world. We are trying to be the people/missionaries that God has called us to be (including making wise choices with our family life) in this generation... for this generation. Pray that we would step forward with faith and courage. Pray that we would speak boldly as we should. Pray for open doors and ready hearts.

...the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11-12)

grace and peace,
Tim McDonald (and the clan)

They are on their way home...

It's amazing to think but my brothers Jeff and Wade are returning home from India already... Thank you to those of you who prayed for them. You can check out their story here!

not this time...

As many of you know, I was supposed to be in India right now with Jeff and Wade. I know right now that they are experiencing so many crazy sights and sounds... right now they are smelling smells that are as foreign to us westerners as the far side of the moon... tasting foods that are so unique and distinct you wonder if they are really supposed to be eaten. They are sleeping in beds that WILL probably bite them back later and traveling down roads that, far from being less traveled by, have seen more traffic in any given moment than many of ours will see in their lifetime. It truly is an incredible experience and I would encourage you to keep up with them here.

To say I will miss being on this trip is a tremendous understatement... but I will be praying for my brothers and for India - Thy Kingdom come Lord. Thy will be done in India as in heaven. Amen

The "Hand of God"

1 Peter 5:5-7

...Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

It is amazing how often I find myself surprised by what God does.

I know, I know... it seems like a subtle (or not so subtle) form of arrogance but so often I think to myself, "huh, I didn't see that coming". Why it should surprise me that I don't understand the plan that God has OR why He chooses to do what He does is beyond me... obviously. Recently a friend of mine (thank you Sophia) shared a picture she had drawn about how God moves in her life. It was actually two pictures that communicate a very powerful idea about God.

The first picture showed her with a mighty hand behind her gentle nudging her forward as she lived her life. I imagine this hand as being half motivator and half comforter... like my hand on my daughters back as she was learning to ride her bike. Firm yet gentle. Guiding yet unleashing. You sense that at any moment it is OK for you to simple allow yourself to rest in it's guidance BUT it is equally OK to simply move forward passionately allowing each nudge to keep you focused.

The next picture is a little different.

In the next picture the mighty hand has a firm grasp on her and is moving as IT chooses. At first I imagine this hand as powerfully controlling my destiny and making me move towards things that I don't necessarily want... like when I make my son eat his broccoli. It feels powerful and, ironically, a bit removed from my reality. At times it might even feel unloving. But as I reflected on this picture further this week in light of current events in my life another picture began to unfold. Maybe this second picture is more like the time I saved my son off the bottom of the pool. My grasp was NOT gentle. My movements were NOT graceful. My response was forceful (almost uncaring)... and yet, in that moment, my heart could not have been filled with more love.

This week, due to circumstances that were WAY beyond my control, my trip to India was pulled out from under me. A trip I have been looking forward to for a year. As much as I want to blame governments, policies and even the enemy... I know the "Hand of God" is more powerful than all of them. I know the "Hand of God" moves as He (in goodness) wills. I know what His hand feels like on my back as He moves me forward and I know what it feels like to be rescued from circumstance or self. I guess the thing I don't understand is why I'm repeatedly surprised when it happens...

Lord, I surrender to Your hand. I surrender to Your plan. Lead as You will... and will as You lead. Our lives are Yours to do with as You will... any time, any place and at any cost. Amen.

holding the ropes...

After hearing an account of the spiritual needs of India, the secretary of the meeting remarked: "There is a gold mine in India, but it seems almost as deep as the center of the earth. Who will venture to explore it?" "I will venture to go down," said (William) Carey, "but remember that you must hold the ropes."

I have to confess that I wasn't intending to write in my BLOG during our transition from Glasgow to San Diego BUT I have woke up thinking about this so many times I think I need to get it "out of my head" and on to "paper".

I have amazing supporters.

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G... amazing!

Family, friends, acquaintance's... churches and companies. They are all such gift's to Britany, the kids and I. I am not sure if anyone who is not a missionary understands exactly how incredible it is to place yourself and your family in the hands of God and His people... and then to see them show up! Thank you Lord. Thank you friends. You have held the rope with courage and faith... with compassion and love. May our Father in heaven bless you for your faithfulness and extend your blessings around the globe.

For the sake of our King.

simpler

Mark 10:21

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

It is AMAZING how much stuff we have.

I mean, I consider us a pretty simple family (especially in light of having 4 kids) AND STILL we have given away, thrown away and donated trucks full of stuff. It is remarkable. We moved to Scotland with very little and have bought almost nothing since we have lived here these past 5 years BUT we have accumulated so much stuff... and not all of it is junk! We have given away some really great things that have served us very well for these past 1847 days. And we have recycled and donated loads of toys, dishes, toys, electronics, toys, linens, toys, decorations, toys, clothes and, oh yeah, toys! Till... all we are left with is a single mound (which is currently sitting in our kids room). It's the most precious stuff. Britany's tea set. A couple antique dressers. My bike (which I will definitely start riding when I get to San Diego). Our emac. Pictures, papers, cards and cloth. And, of course, some toys. All of which fits into a 11x5x7 space... still feels like a lot though. And, depending on which of my friends is reading this right now (those in India or those in North America) it may seem like a lot or a little. BUT, one thing I WILL say is that it feels freeing.

I love giving stuff away.

Every time a little more space is created in our household I feel a little more space in our life. Everything just seems simpler. I wonder how often we read verses like the one above and ask oursleves why it is that Jesus puts so many limitations on following Him. I mean, come on... sell everything?!? Surely He is exagerating for effect. Surely He must know how much I need this stuff... Or maybe He knows how much we don't... hmm... makes you wonder.

On February 21st (while in India) I wrote…

The village we are teaching this conference in is very beautiful. It is in a very lush, almost tropical, area where they grow bananas… field after field of bananas! There is a river that runs up the valley and feeds all the villages with water. As we drive along the road we can see all of these villagers doing their laundry, drawing their water and taking clothed baths… it is a remarkable sight.

Our drive is almost an hour long and as we drive we see wave after wave of men, women and children all dressed in yellow walking toward us. Though it should be beautiful it seems rather eerie. Sam explains to us that they are walking to their temple to worship their (demon) goddess that has required them to walk 40km to this one specific temple 3-4 times a year. As we drive (and they continue to walk) they appear as ghosts in the darkness wandering, limping… starring vacantly into the black.

Sam tells us that often as they walk they will manifest the demonic influence they are under… I’m not sure what that means but it makes the hair on my neck stand up. As he is explaining this, a scene plays itself out in my head.

I imagine the evil one walking beside them every step of the way mocking them and mocking God. He says, “Look at what I can make then do for me!”

Sneering he goes on, “Look at how pathetic these children of mine will act for me… families wandering in the dark barefoot for hours and hours on end… with broken, swollen and bloodied feet… all for me.”

“And You, You can’t even get Your ‘children’ to wake up and have a conversation with You in the morning… You and Your ‘children’ are the real pathetic ones…”

And my heart breaks…

Forgive me Father… I know that it is not by works that we receive Your favor BUT our passions flame glows so dimly compared to these “yellow wanderers”… reach these little ones I pray… give them hope in the midst of darkness and despair… give them a purpose and a life motivation that is from You… give them You. Amen.

In His eyes...

Matthew 6:22

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.

In His eyes...

His battered brow to early seen the evil of this darkened dream

It's in his eyes...

Innocence and painted lips in gruesome love they co-exist

It's in her eyes...

Shattered bones and broken hearts, loves embrace too soon departs

It's in their eyes...

It's in their eyes that He can see the possibilities of what could be

It's in His eyes...

timothy mark mcdonald

India takeaways sitting in Café Nero LHR… 3

Hebrews 10:22-25

...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Third, I feel the challenge in my spirit (from THE Spirit) to not hold my tongue so much in my world. As it does with these faith filled followers in India, my love for Christ must compel me to speak more about Him and bear an increasing testimony of His greatness… His power to heal… His saving name… in faith… to all those I meet. This is especially true with the message of hope that is in my heart. I must live a life of hope (as my friends here in India do) and I must carry a message of hope with in my heart and on my tongue… for the sake of this world and His kingdom come. I have been convicted by my own message.

Lord, let me draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with my heart sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and my body washed with pure water. Let me hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for I know that YOU who promised is faithful. And fill my mind with fresh ways to stir up those around me to love and good works... Lord, make me more like this I pray.

India takeaways sitting in Café Nero LHR… 2

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Second, I see the balance of suffering and faith fleshing itself out in these men and women’s lives much more vividly. The loss of an infant child amidst the new life of the Gospel call. Persecution and strife alongside new awakenings and miracles. Lack of belief and usury alongside complete submission and self-emptiness. It is so beautifully complex and visible here in India – you can almost taste it in the air – life and death side by side. Everything is so much more real in India… so much more tangible. Idols are idols… demons are demons… cows are holy and people are worthless. There is no were to hide from reality here. Their faith is a faith intermingled with suffering on an almost daily basis and it produces an amazing amount of courageous resolve.

The testing of their faith has produced steadfastness. And they have let steadfastness have its full effect, making them perfect and complete, lacking in nothing... Lord, make me more like that I pray.

India takeaways sitting in Café Nero LHR… 1

Hebrews 11:1&6

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

I find myself pondering a few personal takeaways from this trip.

First, I am again struck by the level of faith I see being lived out in the lives of Apollos Sam, Sam Charles, their families and Solomon. Theirs is a faith that is lived out with their lives AND with their mouths. Faith in evangelism. Faith in Money. And resources. Faith in obedience. Faith in word and deed. Even when it is so hard they trust and obey (even in the midst of their struggles). Their faith even stands out head and shoulders above the other leaders and pastors in India… they are special people. They are radical and steady all at the same time. They are faith filled and faithful to Him who has called.

They must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him... Lord, make me more like that I pray.

Getting back at it!

Well, I am back from India. It has taken a little longer than I thought it would to get my head back on straight but I think I am finally starting to feel "normal"... whatever that means. I am going to try and do some back logs from my trip to India (from my journal) over the next few days. BUT, the short version is this:

It was an amazing trip. Our training events were VERY well received with almost 1000 attenders. Our theme was "consider Jesus" from Hebrews 3:1.

It was a difficult trip (emotionally, physically and spiritually). The travel was brutal... logging hundreds of miles on really rough roads. I got sick a couple times. And, the enemy was eager to undermine every step we took.

BUT, God showed up in powerful ways!

More soon.

In India!

Hey everyone...

I just got the ability to go online today and thought I would give you a window into our time here India. It has been a great trip so far and, with one training event down (in Thirukkovilur), we are looking forward to the next one in the next few days. Please check out Jeff's blog to hear about what we have been doing and see a few pictures. Thank you for your prayers!