The NIEUCOMMUNITIES covenant

As I mentioned in a previous post, while we were in Africa Britany and I recommitted to the new NC covenant. A few of you were curious what was on the covenant... you can check it out here. Let me know what you think.

"Stop it"

Check out this post on Tim Challies BLOG. The video is hilarious and his thoughts are VERY worth thinking about!

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.

Check out our updates!

Well, we just updated our web page with our most recent letter, pictures and prayer requests... I encourage you to give it a look at www.TimandBritanyMcDonald.com!

He is Risen

Matthew 28:5-7

But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you."

Yesterday was a great day around the McDonald household. We did something that we love to do at our house... open our doors to our friends, neighbors and community. We hosted our 4th annual (and last) Easter dinner in Glasgow. It is always a joy to celebrate Jesus' life, death and resurrection with our community.

As I was praying for this years meal I was struck again at how blessed we are... we are surrounded by so many people who love us... we are provided for by such amazing supporters, family and friends... but most importantly, we have been given a gift that we do not deserve - the life and sacrifice of God's only Son.

Thank You Lord for Your gift. Thank You for really living. Thank You for really dieing. Thank You for rising just as You said You would. And, thank You for the amazing blessings that have come from Your pierced hand... we are not worthy to receive so much from You... all we can say is thank You. Amen.