Tuesday morning the 10th. Ok. To start, I'm STILL feeling like a bozo about mom's birthday. Bottom line, I should have been there. But in my defense - she's in Omaha. Still... She was the gift that God chose to give the gift of life to me through - praise His name!!

So - with all that going on, the question I must keep answering is - what am I DOING WITH THAT GIFT!?!



St. Francis of Assisi once said "Start by doing what's necessary..."

I think that for someone who's heard the "call" of the Lord - as scripture says, "I chose you..." (John 15:16) the "necessary" starts with a simple yes. Kinda' a "here am I Lord..." thing.

I'm in.

From there, the "necessary" things unfold before us when we open our eyes and pay attention. So - we say yes - and begin to see what's necessary - in our own life - in the lives of our neighbors - in the lives of those living in the despair of the inner city. In the lives of those who are struggling to survive daily - those who are trapped in bondage by others - modern day slaves. The list of "necessary" things is huge - long - maybe endless.

He Assisi added, "Then, do what's possible...".

I think we sometimes want to jump to the 3rd part of this encouragement (see below...). But this is the "daily" step - the mundane - the expected - sometimes the "duty" - what's possible - what's in your hand right now? A pen? A shovel? A law-book? A Bible? Empty handed with them clasped together asking God to show you? We gotta get involved in doing what's "possible" - - - hard to see on the surface and honestly, when we look at something like starving children - where do we start?!? We have to start with what's possible - my encouragement is to find someone who's gone before you - who knows today what's possible with the resources we have - you have - with what you're bringing to the table.

In Kenya - 410 Bridge knows what's possible. What is necessary and what we can do TODAY with what we have in our "hands" RIGHT NOW.

Assisi finishes his encouragement with this - "...suddenly, you are doing the impossible...".

As you watched that video clip. Did you note how easy that 500kg tank moved. 500 kilograms. 2.2+ pounds per kilo. That tank weighed over 1,100lbs!!

Could YOU move that?

I couldn't. It is IMPOSSIBLE.

Will you join me in the impossible? Am leaving on 12/26 to go to Kwambekenya and Joska with the 410 Bridge.

Together with God - where God is already working - - - the impossible is transformed.

Join me prayerfully and I also directly ask - financially. We've got a bunch of money left to raise - here's my proposal - I turned 50 this year - - prayerfully consider $1 per year the Lord's granted me life on this earth (maybe $2 per year?!?).

Send a check - made out to "410 Bridge" to -

Clay Zirkle
14275 Thompson Road
Alpharetta, GA 30004

OR - please send me a note if you do this - but you can contribute online HERE. Be sure to plug in my name - - -

Join me. It's about doing things that are nuts. Crazy. Impossible.

Clay

For more info on where we're going - click here.

Monday night – the 9th of November. Tonight I was talking with Jill and ended up reminiscing about Pastor Phyllis of Glory Outreach Assembly. I met her almost a year and a half ago as I was preparing to go with GlobalX to Kenya on a 410 Bridge lead trip. There were two moments of significant memory – well, more than that as it would turn out – but two that I’ll mention here.

Our team met Pastor Phyllis and Bishop David Thagana at Northpoint on a Sunday afternoon – and she had some free time that Wednesday night. We invited her to come and have dinner with the team and she graciously said “yes”. When asked what she’d like to have for dinner – she answered –

Food.

Stop and let that sink in. Not a snarky answer. No wise-guy twist. And honest, from the gut answer.

Food.

She went on to say that whatever was prepared for her – set in front of her – she would eat – and be grateful.

If you’re reading this – consider her answer deeply. She was happy with “food”. She was grateful that we were going to prepare and provide her with “food”. Not pizza – or a particular BRAND of pizza. Not a steak or a particular cut of steak – prepared medium rare and dry rubbed - - -

Food.

I long for that level of gratitude in my life. Than you God for showing me that in Pastor Phyllis. May the example you’ve born in her be in my heart – may it be MY response – for the rest of my life on this earth.

That's enough. The 2nd significant thing will have to wait. 10:43pm - time for this old man to hit the "hay"...

Friday night - - just got notified that we've got to have all of the funds raised by NEXT Wednesday!! Lord forgive me as I've let the "weeds" of life leap up around me and cover up a lot of my day-to-day life. That's not all that unusual I'd guess - for each of us.

But - gotta stop. Re-group. Find silence, solitude and surrender at the foot of the cross - look up and know I am loved. Each one of us - and that He's got the end result. Now - that doesn't let me off the hook. I'm still charged with being what He's called me to be. And asking - asking people to come along - be a part - this year it's not possible in "bodily form" - the trip is "closed" (uh, cuz' it's so darn close!!) - but prayerfully and financially...

If you're watching out there - Jill and I need to raise a total of $3000 between now and next Wednesday the 11th. Oh Lord - help us to be bold - and to bring those who you've "called" to draw alongside - - - another video a comin'!!

Clay

Been way too long again. They (whoever "they" are...) that for a blog to get any kind of traction - gotta post to it regularly - - - ok, well - I've been BUSY!! Raising support for this trip - working - going back and forth to K.C. to see my dear Jill who is going with me on this trip! Talk about some DEFINING MOMENTS!! Go - go - go - go GOD!! Wreck our lives for your sake!!

Tear down the junk that still sticks to the walls of our hearts - our souls - to bring us closer to You! May we step into the impossible with You - into a realm of "are you KIDDING ME!!" kinds of amazement that You've given us the opportunity to be your hands, feet, eyes and ears - and to be conduits of Your love. Where we're stopping any of that -

Rip it out.

A start of another awesome endeavor - it begins with an alarm clock. Waking up to hear the call of Christ to put hands, feet and heart in gear to be a part of something greater - something huge - something unfathomable!

This is about returning to Kenya - this December - the 26th. As with Abraham, I'm a bit like him leaving the Ur and frankly, not knowing where I'm going! But - I'm going with www.410bridge.org - God has led them to know where to go - and what to do. I believe Christ first called us to be incredible followers - before he became the world's true Leader.

SO - this is about that - and asking you to join me - come along - in body - prayerfully - financially - support the 410 Bridge and this trip -

Ok - TOMORROW is my birthday! I'll be 50 years old - DANG!! Would you consider a gift to me - well, more so to 410 Bridge? A non-profit - consider sending me a CHECK with say - $1 for every year I've been alive??!? Or maybe $1 for every 6 month's I've been alive?!?

Please support this trip - prayerfully for sure - financially if you are led - and if you're crazy like me - support 410 Bridge by COMING ALONG!!

Clay

The Wise Servant...

What faces me today? What faces each one of us? A friend's help? A friend's attack? Where does each come from might be a good question that can lead us to the only place to find an answer - the foot of the Cross. There we will hopefully see those friends, those circumstances - the friends who have humbled themselves to be the helper - or sometimes, not find the face of the friend who is in the "attack". It is all an opportunity to learn more - to grow closer to God - to accept what all of these situations and circumstances are for His purpose.

To bring us closer to Him.

Some times in the junk - or weeds - of life, seems like the Lord's just not hangin' with us - well, maybe just me this morning! But truthfully, I know He is - maybe just away on a bit of other business?

When the attack comes - the circumstances seem desperate - and we believe He's not in it with us - His word reminds us to be the Wise Servant. Matthew 24:45-51 is where I landed today...

"25 Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? 26 Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes"

I will chose that blessing -

Real quick!! Moved trip to the 410Bridge "open" trip leaving December 26th!! There's room to go - there's time for it to happen! Come with me!

http://www.410bridge.org/trips_open.php

Work alongside the people of a 410 Bridge community, focusing on projects that have been identified as strategic priorities for the community. You will have the opportunity to interact with local leaders, community members, and many children throughout the week. On the back end of the trip you will enjoy a safari day at a Kenyan national park where you will see a variety of animals while enjoying the Kenyan landscape. More detail will be provided as we get closer to the trip dates. This will be a life-changing week, serving and building relationships with our brothers and sisters in Kenya! * All participants must be 18 years old by the trip date or an adult chaperone will be required.

A bit more information -

Working directly with 410 Bridge on this trip, we are still in the process of deciding what community and what project we'll be focused on. But the following are confirmed - ALWAYS remembering though that flexibility is the watchword!!

Departure: From Atlanta - Thursday afternoon October 15th for Nairobi. We'll travel through Amsterdam or other major European city as arrangements dictate.

Return: We'll fly out of Nairobi late evening the 24th - to arrive in Atlanta on Sunday the 25th.

Passport: You will need a current/valid passport of course. IF your passport expires this year - get it renewed ASAP - if your children are coming along, they'll need their own as they cannot travel "under" yours...

Vaccines/Shots: The CDC is the best place to start when considering the vaccinations you may need - http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationKenya.aspx. We'll coach on this as well - key thing is - get your history of vaccinations - know them and keep track of them!! You'll probably want to go back...and won't have to do a bunch of 'em again!

Raising Support: Our focus is on people - not money - but money's required. Build a list of people you know - EVERYONE - people want to be a part of something GREATER than they - they just don't get the invitation very often!! This is your chance to invite them to being a part of something big... 25 - 30 - 50 - maybe a 100 people to support you! A different way to think about it!

Who? You...plus a friend...a husband/wife...teen children with a parent...if you've heard anyone ever say they feel the tug but don't know how?!? Connect them in...

Initial Deposit: We do need $150 as the initial deposit for the trip - a check made out to 410 Bridge and mailed to C Zirkle - 14275 Thompson Road, Alpharetta GA 30004.

The People: All of the 410 Bridge team speak English as do most of the people you will meet - so communication is easy.

You will have the opportunity to interact with local leaders, community members, and many children throughout the week. On the back end of the trip you will enjoy a safari day at a Kenyan national park where you will see a variety of animals while enjoying the Kenyan landscape. More detail will be provided as we get closer to the trip dates. This will be a life-changing week, serving and building relationships with our brothers and sisters in Kenya!

There are a lot more questions to be answered - stay tuned - forward this blog - suggest friends to Clayton Zirkle at FaceBook - connect people - we all want to be connected...!

Called to a life of His direction...

'Tis been too long. Since the last post in September - life happens and for sure, Christ remains! Staying in touch with some of the folks in Kenya and have been praying about going back.

October. This year...

Come with me - the project is yet to be defined - with 410 Bridge - the community yet to be identified. Right now - deferring to 410's vision and strategy to define the place and the effort.

If you're interested in going back with me - send me a note at clay@kenya2009.com - am looking to put a small event to connect and share what God's got going on in this. To go and let God connect you with people who have the same heart - same desires - hopes. With different color skin, shape of the eyes, way of life - but then to see we all are the same - come with me.

Nutshell - looking for a team of 15-20 - singles or couples (must be husband and wife) - your teen kids are welcome - the trip will center around Philippians 2:5-8 which at it's core tells us to receive this world as it is and to be a part of it - bringing His light. It will be a 10 day trip - well - maybe a bit more - we'll see - - -