Остров Принца Эдуарда (PEI)

The Island has been an interesting test of patience and endurance (and it's only been 2 weeks so far!). I have done a lot of visiting and NOTHING has changed. Pretty much the only things that have changed here are people's ages; the reality is stark and unnerving. I realize even more the life that God has made me for. Kinda like a nomad, roaming places on the earth where most other people don't want to go. I'm fine with that, it's who I am. I'm not really fine with complacency though. If what you see and hear going on in this world doesnt stir you to some kind of action, then there is something wrong. Not all of us can run out and try to "save the world" (as some accuse me of trying to do), but we can all play a part in alleviating the suffering so much of the world endures.

In 1Corinthians 9:23 the Apostle Paul says: "I do all things for the sake of the Gospel......". I want to imitate that. The Gospel is literally "good news". I want to bring this broken world good news. News that God loves them and is not out to get them. That He brings joy, not sadness; hope, not despair; love, not hate; acceptance, not racism; good news, not bad news. Meeting the physical needs combined with these Spiritual needs is what I belive living is all about. I want to stand before my Lord when this life is over and have no regrets about what I did with the time He gave me.
I also want to see people (Christians) abandon themselves to the Lord and live wholly and completely for Him who died for the world. For them to sacrifice even a tenth of their lives to the degree that God sacrificed His Son out of undescribeable love for the lost. Heirin is life: to live not for yourself.

day of Church

I have come out of hiding here on PEI and today was my first sunday out of my hole. I went to Faithworks this morning for the AM service and the congregation seemed genuinely thrilled to see me back. Many were in wonder over my experiences in Mozambique/Russia and were filled with emotion as they listened to me share my stories. It was pretty sweet.

Then for the afternoon I went to Harvest House for the service. Noel let me share about my trip and I got to speak into the lives of about 20 or so interested people. I gave a practical overview of my journey, and then talked about making the most of every opportunity God gives us, and about "doing everything for the sake of the Gospel".

Then for the evening I went back to Faithworks Center for a baptismal service where 7 members of our congregation went through the waters of baptism, identifying with the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Good times.

My time the last week has been filled with meeting people and trying to impart into them what the Lord has imparted into me. I believe I have a great Spiritual responsibility to this Island, even if at times I find it incredibly hard to remain here. Tomorrow and through the week I continue to do visitations and make the most of whatever opportunity the Lord gives to me.

Jeremiah 4:30

hidden (re-entry as it can be)

I am on PEI, and yet I have hidden myself here. Noone knows I'm back, and those that suspect I've returned don't know where I am. I need time. I need time to process life and everything that it involves. I usually say that my stubborness is my best and worst asset; now I can add my thought life to that as well. It can be a great addition or a terrible pit. There is lots to think about, and I just want to shut myself off. Alas, I am back to PEI, and there will be business upon business as everyone will undoubtedly want to meet and hear lots of stories, etc.

I dont really know what to do, or how to feel, or anything at all right now. I just want to escape by myself for awhile. Lock myself away for about a week and have no communication with absolutely anything except God. I desire His friendship right now as much as I would desire air if I were being held under water. Quietness and peace are necessities I cannot be without in this time. I should just stop; there are people in this world who actually have a good reason to feel........................I cant think of a good word to describe how I feel. Sometimes missionaries lead lonely lives. Maybe they don't, but maybe sometimes they feel like they do. It's part of the cost, I guess. I don't know. I'm tired and need God to minister to me; goodnight. I hope He fills all our sleep tonight with dreams of encouragement.

And then.......

Well, I've been back in Canada for a week and I've mixed feelings about the whole thing. It is great to be back and syeeing some of my bestest friends still going hard after God. John, in his 3rd letter says, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth." (3John 4) . I absolutely adore this scripture and kind of have adopted it and I keep it close to me. I truly desire to see everyone walking close to God and running hard the race.

The opportunities to minister have been abundant here. Through the last week I have been able to speak at a nursing home, sing songs and pray at a hospital, do visitations with children from broken homes, do street and bar evangelism; sunday we did another nursing home service, and monday I got to speak at another nursing home. It has truly been awesome. God has really been speaking to me since I returned about taking and making the most of EVERY opportunity He gives me. Of being a good steward of opportunity. It has been good. He makes up for my inadequecies. It was a good weekend as well. I spent most of it at TACF. Heidi Baker was ministering thursday eve and friday eve, wih Ruth Fazal and Kelly Warren leading worship respectively. It was an awesome few days and now I pray for the opportunity to give out of what I recieved there.

So now, I return to PEI. I wil be there by next week and will remain through the holidays. What is next? Who knows? I sure don't. I have high expectations for what God is gonna do over the next 6-7 weeks though. Blessings to you all, He is good.

Why did the Pope, Mother Teresa, and St Francis cross the road?

The answer is totally obvious.........................TO PREACH THE GOSPEL!!! And thats what they did.

Last night was obviously Halloween and I wanted to go to the bars dressed as religious icons and spread the Good News of what Jesus has done for people. Colin Jackson and I went to Niagra Falls to look for costumes and when we were there I convinced him and Jenny Brown to dress up as the Pope and Mother Teresa (respectively). So, we did.

Later that night we went downtown St Catharines and started going outside bars, inside bars, and on the street witnessing to people about the Gospel of grace. We were told off and cursed at a lot and MANY were surprised when they found out we were not putting on a show but were actually genuine and concerned for their realtionship with Jesus. We got quite a few opportunities to speak into people's lives but the highlight was when Colin and I jumped up onto a ledge and started open-air preaching to a group of about 30 people standing in line to get into a bar! They thought we were fools until they realized we were preachers of "Grace" and not "condemnation"! Looks on faces changed and people couldn't believe what we were actually doing. It was pretty sweet. We were out for a bit over 2 hours and there were times I couldn't help but wonder where all the other christians were? We did run into one Christian, but he wasn't out to evangelize. It is too bad for all the people who want Jesus but don't have anyone to show them His love. Sad.

We realized just how much people need Jesus. In Africa they are all to ready to admit their need for Him; it's obvious. Here in the 1st World people need Him just as much, they just don't realize it. Help us reach the world Lord, please.