NYWC Day #1

I'm sitting in my hotel room, ready for bed and settled in after a great first day at the National Youth Workers Convention in Sacramento.

This is the 6th time Gary and I have attended this convention, and it's always surprisingly refreshing to me how safe and free I feel alongside thousands of other youth workers. So, I come here seeking not just practical training, but spiritual refreshment in the arms of Jesus. Seriously, our joint times of worship are so sweet, I can't help but look forward to heaven.

A major highlight of the day was the exhortational teaching from Bishop Sherwood Carthen on the importance of a wilderness experience in the life of a leader. He referred to Matthew 4:1, which describes Jesus being led by the Spirit into the desert. Jesus' experience there in the desert was not easy: he was extremely hungry while fasting, and the devil showed up to tempt him mercilessly.


How many times do we ourselves experience times of need or frustration, and immediately look to place blame on God or feel sorry for ourselves? Perhaps, like in the life of Jesus, God wants to allow us to experience hard things to prepare us for the ministry he has in store for us ahead. Perhaps God is saying 'wait, I have better things waiting for you, trust me'.

Those of you who know me or have been following this blog are aware that I've been struggling with these feelings of frustration - I really felt challenged during Bishop Sherwood's teaching to obey that still, small voice saying "wait", to embrace brokenness, to trust God, that He has me right where I need to be right now. Only God can work through such a provocative challenge to bring peace.

Thank you, Lord.

The Power of Prayer

So many times, I feel that I don't even bother to pray because I don't expect the miraculous. I do desire to grow in my faith and reliance on God, so it's important to remind myself of God's power and the ways I've seen him work in my life as well as in the lives of those around me.

This encouraged me, and I hope it will encourage you as well: an incredible testimony from some of my South African friends:

God is doing amazing things in our schools!

The other day, there was a big UCSA Praise and Worship meeting at Jacques' school. Just before they started, Jacques noticed one of the students who is very involved in occult practices. He knew she had probably come to the meeting to bring disruption, and just prayed softly in his heart that Jesus would "knock her of her feet" during the praise and worship.

Well, the meeting went well, but a couple of minutes afterwards, the office of the school sent a message to Jacques that he must please come to the office immediately to help carry a girl who could not walk. When Jacques reached the office, there was this girl! Her legs couldn't move!!! :-)

No one knew about the prayer, but I'm sure that girl knew that Someone with greater power than her at touched her. The school immediately took her to see a doctor, and the doctor could find NOTHING WRONG with her! (medically speaking) She was able to walk again soon afterwards, but her whole attitude has changed towards Jacques and his ministry! God is so faithful!

When we least expect it, He shows up and does the Xtraordinary!

Teach in the Philippines for a year!

At Fair Oaks Church, we support many endeavours around the world. One of them is a Christian school in the Philippines, called Bethel International. As the school grows, they add a grade every year. I just received this notice from our contact there:

**Teachers Needed**:

Next school year Bethel International School will be adding the ninth grade. We are trusting in God to provide teachers for ninth grade subjects as well as a music teacher, an art teacher, an English teacher and coaches for boys as well as girls sports. If you know someone who would like to have an exciting adventurous year helping meet any of these needs please have them email me.

(Please leave a comment with your e-mail address, or e-mail me directly if you would like the contact info.)