Quick update from Bolivia

Yesterday was one of the longest ´days´ of my life. I arrived in La Paz around 6:30 AM after flying all night from Miami. I got a 2-3 hour nap in and then joined the team from ZHOP and went until pretty late last night. There is definitely grace flowing for this. We met with interns yesterday afternoon at the Bolivia house of prayer and then led in some prayer sets late afternoon and evening. We drive 2 hours this morning to the retreat center. Its a bigger event than I had understood previously, with somewhere between 250-300 people including many leaders in the region. Thanks for praying for us, we can feel it!

Bolivia bound

This afternoon I'm leaving for Bolivia for 6 days. This is one of the boldest faith steps I have taken in a while but it truly seems to be God's leading. I just finished a work project for a local company yesterday and now I'm putting on "the other hat". I must admit its challenging at times to be "bi-vocational". I don't feel like I dance the dance in either arena as well as I could if God would let me do just one. But I really don't have a choice in the matter. Much better people than I have gone this way before me so I'll just follow and pursue a heart of wisdom, that I might number my days well. My biggest consolation is that David was a person of "one thing" yet was also required to wear several hats. My biggest complaint is that I'm not able to be as accomplished as my peers in either arena due to a constant juggle, which clearly is ordained of God to help me feel 'poor in spirit'. If we understand we are truly 'poor in spirit' then we are positioned in heart to be blessed, for one reason being that we feel/see our need. The ways of the Kingdom of God run contrary to the world in many ways... many, many ways. One of them is this: as we grow in the Kingdom we will be increasingly aware of our need for God. The wisdom of the world is such that it wants us to become independent and isolated. The Kingdom of Jesus causes us to grow into God and into other people. The shepherds God is giving His church in this hour will understand this and will be focused on God's people growing into Him.

In my recent work project I was meeting new people and my heart grew tender at seeing their struggles without Jesus. This is good and intentional in God's leadership; people usually seem to find me unusual in a good way as I don't don't fit in the mold of what they expect for a white middle-aged American with 4 children. To demonstrate peace in the midst of the rush and pull of life is worth more than gold, and to embrace integrity and love when it costs you something rather than demanding your just gain brings shock... even to the Christians I've worked with. I see that I was able to be a blessing. I don't have this fully worked out by any means, but I want to be like Jesus. Cross and all. I want to know the light of His face as He smiles upon my life.

I'm rambling a bit because I'm not sure about when and if I'll be on the intraweb when I'm down south for the next 6 days. But pray for us as we engage in ministry down south. We definitely need it. And pray for my family while I'm away. Thanks

VOM News and Prayer Update: March 11, 2008

"The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever." (Isaiah 32:17)

SRI LANKA
Violence Against Christians Increases - National Christian Evangelical Association of Sri Lanka
On March 4, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reported increased threats and attacks against Christians in Sri Lanka.

February 17 - A mob of 50 people armed with rods attacked members of the King's Revival Church while they were returning from a Sunday worship service in the district of Mathugama, Kaluthata. Four members were assaulted, including a child. The assailants also threatened believers who belonged to the Tamil ethnic group, saying they would be imprisoned if they returned to the church. On February 24, a group of individuals armed with gardening tools gathered on the road near the church building and threatened believers with violence. They prevented them from attending a scheduled service.

March 2 - Ten students walking from Lunuwila Railway to Believers' Church Bible College in Putlam District were beaten by a group of masked men on motorcycles. Another group of attackers joined in and dragged a student into their van, and severely beat him. When one of the students ran to the college for help, he was followed by a motorcyclist, who attacked the security guard and fled. Pray for believers in Sri Lanka as they recover from their injuries. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Also pray Christians will forgive their persecutors and for their testimonies to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ. Isaiah 40:31

IRAQ
UPDATE - Archbishop Still Held by Kidnappers - Compass Direct News
Archbishop Paulo Faraj Rahho remains in the custody of kidnappers who have demanded a ransom of $2.5 million in return for his release. According to Compass Direct News, Kirkuk Archbishop Luis Sako said the kidnappers added new conditions for Archbishop Rahho's release. Compass added, "He declined to give further details in the interest of Rahho's safety. A church source close to the negotiations described the new conditions as 'impossible to fulfill.'" Pray for Archbishop Rahho's safe return. Ask God to protect Christians in Iraq who live under dangerous conditions in Baghdad. Pray they remain faithful and strong despite harsh conditions. Psalm 91

INDIA
Hindu Extremists Assault New Christian Leader - Compass Direct News
On February 27, the newly-elected president of the Balaghat Christian Association was beaten for providing legal help to victims of an earlier Hindu extremist attack on February 22. According to Compass Direct News, "Members of the Hindu extremist group, Bajrang Dal allegedly targeted Dr. Robin Singh, a medical doctor and Christian leader, because he had provided legal and administrative help to Tom George, Sunil Lal and others who had been dragged from a Lent meeting and beaten with bamboo poles, sticks, rods and other weapons. They struck him with their fists and wooden sticks, as well as kicked him, to deftly give him internal injuries." Pray for believers injured in both attacks. Pray God gives Christians in India courage to stand for Him despite persecution. Also pray believers will forgive their persecutors. Psalm 103:1-5

Colin Powell's leadership insights

1. Promote a clash of ideas. Allow subordinates to argue and clash with you. Once you've heard enough, make your decision, and then count on your team to execute it with full passion,

2. Encourage a noisy system. Put people at ease by listening to them; genuinely desire to want what people know.

3. Remember that only people get things done. A leader must give followers an environment to get things done. Take a third of the time to plan, and give two-thirds of the time for people to execute.

4. Maintain an open-door policy. Let people see you when you're there, and be sure to give special access to those closest to you.

5. Probe the organization. Walk the "grounds" everyday, allowing people access to you. If you uncover something affecting your organization or team that requires attention, close the loop and let those involved know the outcome.

6. Reward your best performers and get rid of your non-performers. You must constantly prune. Otherwise, the leader who doesn't prune out the bad risks watching the good turn bad.

7. Be prepared to anger and/or disappoint some people.

8. Check your ego at the door. Don't tie ego to title.

9. Have fun in your role. Maintain hobbies outside of work that can settle your mind.

10. Fit no stereotypes.

11. Remember that perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. Always assure those around you that the team will make it, that the problem will be solved. At the same time, don't do so with false statements.

12. Things always look better in the morning. Be optimistic of the day ahead.

13. Avoid war if at all possible. But when battles erupt, use your same processes to make decisions, then accept the fact your decisions will have to come faster.

14. Trust the element of instinct.

15. Prepare to be lonely.


Found this here.

Facebook basketball pool

We now have 27 participants in the ZHOP for fun NCAA basketball pool. Its online and open to the public. Find it here.

Common (uh-huh!) Market

I was thinking about a good way to make my homies in Iceland a little homesick. So for lunch today I've zipped over to Common Market and grabbed a Californian (the sandwich). CM makes the best stinkin' sandwiches in Charlotte! So here's to you, Mr-and-Mrs-intercessory-missionaries-in-Island!

Spring breaking, St. Paddys and South America

Matthew the eldest is back in KC after being home for spring break. He's jumping in and joining with the St. Patrick's day outreach IHOP is doing today, a tradition they have there from way back. It was so nice to have him back home and we already miss him badly. Plus, I think he sees home cooking in a whole new light! :)

The internship left dock on Saturday. I really like this group, it should be an interesting season for everyone involved as we have a pretty wide range of ages in the class. But they all want to find God and pray so with Him leading the way I'm sure we are in for good things. This is the 3rd internship we've led at ZHOP; when I look back all I can really say is that I'm amazed at what God has done with the people who have gone this route. Some are at ZHOP, some have left for other places (such as Iceland or Concord, NC!).

I leave for Bolivia on Wednesday. It turns out that the orphanage leader we'll be spending time with has actually started 8 orphanages! Amazing! So pray for the team going down, for protection and responsiveness to what God is doing and saying.

Sabbath