Getting close...26 days...

...to departure. I've been washed over with blessings - there are nearly 60 people who've decided to walk beside me on this trip financially and prayerfully. As I look across the list of those who've decided to walk this one with me - it has struck me that each person has in some way before this endeavor - chosen to be part of God's solution - part of His plan - in a tangible and active way.

Not just church staff - volunteers inside the church - and volunteers outside the church - taking your hearts to help, heal and give - your service - to others for the sake of Christ. The power in such a team is enormous.

ENORMOUS!!

McManus said this in his book "Uprising" - "Only those who would live to serve can be trusted with the power of God...". I know each of you has been entrusted - and maybe I'm harping on this too much - but you gotta understand, I believe God has chosen to annoint this team of people - and honestly, maybe it will seem like a wrecking of our lives - but He's good at that - He's good at busting away the "things" of this world and tearing down the "stuff" we cling to so to bring us closer to Him - closer to His will.

Matthew...chapter 5 (the Message) - 13"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

I like the NASB version of v.16 - "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Isn't that God's total will for our lives? Be his boots on the ground - in some way? For His glory - for His purpose - 410 Bridge poses the challenge to us - to be part of the answer to the question we pray the world will ask - - - "What happened in Kenya?".

His light is shone - through you.

Immuned...??? Breathe on Me Lord...

Friday was immunizations - Hep A/B, tetanus and a few others were back in '05 - Kenya warrants Yellow Fever and strangely enough - they suggest polio. So - I got 'em. I figure to live is Christ, to die is gain - but s'pose the "risk" of getting one of those isn't all that smart. Malaria pills are also part of the game...

Said I might feel a bit ill - it's Sunday and the "flu" feels as though it's creeping in.

Guess it's just the shots...

Breathe On Me. Thank you Todd - thank you God for instilling that in Todd's heart.

What a song - God of Power...God of Might - breathe on me! Forever...you are the the reason for living! Merciful Saviour unending!! Breathe on ME!!

I couldn't help today as we offered that up to the Lord to think about the children we would be visiting. It's easy to stand here and say "we have it so good..." and then push that through the die of God's call to missions thinking all sorts of things - but the hope of our comfort and prosperity that we sometimes want to share is impossible. It will never happen. They will never sit at a cherrywood dining room table with a $100 bottle of wine and marinated steaks. In air conditioning.

It's just not going to happen - I guess for us - for me - for this "team" of people including the backline support - that we'd so center on the Breath of God in our hearts and lives and that receiving that breath - we'll all come alive in Him for one child - maybe two - it is all we really have to give. Nothing more - nothing greater.

God, please breathe on us - forever as you are the reason - the only reason - for living!! Breathe on me...