Rain & Meetings

Hi Everyone!

With people flying in from all over the Caribbean and even some from central America for the regional strategy/DTS conference, it is a good time to be on the base. Our campus is hopping with seasoned leaders who carry passionate vision to see nations changed along with young disciplers, zealous to serve and acquire adventures of their own. It's been super encouraging to see the veteran ywamers come together like a family reunion, reminiscing about the old days while strategizing like a team of expeditionists, mapping upcoming ventures. How cool to hear stories of God's faithful hand in crazy situations.

I've been meeting ywamers of all sorts, practicing my French with the Haitians and other islanders while brushing up on Spanish with Venezuelans and Dominicans. I'm thankful to be a part of all this and I have really become fond of this part of the world.

Kim (ywam director in Guyana) is here for a couple of weeks for this regional conference so she and Steve and I have had some productive and amusing meetings about the excitement ahead. I already have so much to tell you about the work in Guyana so stay tuned!

Other highlights include hanging out with my fabulous friend Amy who is visiting us as she recuperates from her work in Central Asia, playing basketball with the Haitians and dropping into a fresh water hole from a slippery swinging vine on our staff outing to Cranbrook.

Thank you for your love and prayers.

Hi...

I arrived! I'm safe! I'm happy! Back to work...

Reflections, Poetry and Lougheed Hwy

In seasons of brokenness when the fingers I've pointed from shameful corners of my mind become fingertips pressed into the mirror as my frailty stares me in face, I realize anew my desperation for God's grace. It is through this brokenness, after the necessary hammering and stripping, that the faithful Builder constructs a sturdier structure. He is committed to His masterpiece and He cares about detail.

In moments of surrender, when there is no comfort of control and it's inevitable that letting go is more loving than holding on, I find myself in a position to let Jesus lift up my head and remind me that He is here.

Somewhere along the Lougheed Highway this basic truth became my epiphany:
God loves the world. He loves you. He loves me. And He knows what He's doing.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory..."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Here are my thoughts packaged in poetry...

Take these planks from eyes 'cause they block my view of You
I hate comparing and measuring; so do You.
If You tally me up when the day is through
We'll see all the ways I'm incomplete without You.

Dig up all the rocky dirt,
Cut sickly branches from the vine,
Even if it hurts,
Make Your heart grow in mine.

And plant me by the water,
Make these leaves come alive.
Trust me with a little,
I'll give You all I've got.
Reprimand me gently if I lose sight of You
Keep Your arms wide open so I can fall back into you

Bust the seams of deprivation
In all the worst of me.
Your scars inspire my desperation
Saviour, make me clean
My Saviour rescued me
He rescues me.

And plants me by the water,
Makes my leaves come alive.
Lord, trust me with a little,
I'll give You all I've got
Reprimand me gently if I lose sight of You
Keep Your arms wide open so I can fall back into You.