Home At Last!

It has certainly been a great trip! We have seen the landscape that Jesus saw, walked the paths that Jesus walked and listened to the words that Jesus spoke. And now it's time to soak it all in. The trip was so fast and so packed, that often, you did not have time enough time to sit and contemplate. It's like when we went down into Petra and the guide said, "take 5 minutes and then let's head up." Five minutes, what can you see in such an important place in just five minutes. To be honest I could have used more time in every place we visited. Well, that just means, I will have to go back. I told Shannon, I should take a sabbatical leave and stay for a couple of weeks in the monastery on the Mount of Beatitudes. I could really get into the solitude, but I am not sure I would be that good at the silence part.

Now that we are home, it is time to catch my breath. The end of March, is always the best time of the year for me at our church. It's mission time. I know mission happens every day, but the end of March our church focuses on world evangelism. We call our mission program Mission Involvement. I believe Mission is more than just sending money; it is partnering with missionaries around the world to do the work of Christ. We are constantly trying to find ways to get involved in missions, not just support missionaries.

This year, we have three days of services, followed by three days of putting Bibles together. this is the second time we put Bibles together, but I am especially excited about this years project. We are planning to put together 9000 John and Romans for the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa. Let me tell you why I am so excited. First, this is the largest project we have ever endeavored to complete. Our project guide believes we can do it, but there is a little fear in me that we have bitten off more than we can chew. "Father, we need to help to complete the task for you glory."

It is also exciting because two summers ago, we had an intern at our church for the summer. Eli and Ann were students at Boston Baptist College. We were able to have this young couple at our church for 13 weeks during the summer. This family was from Cape Verde and had already established two churches. In the back of my mind I can't help but wonder if maybe some of these Bibles that we are putting together are going to further those works. No matter where these Bible are going, it is a pleasure to partner with those who are giving the gospel out in Cape Verde.

Well, I was so excited to get home and get a little rest, but as you can tell, there is no rest available this week. Maybe next week. And on top of everything, I am sick! We can thank Shannon for that one!