Chevy's for Missions-- This Sunday

We greatly hope that some of you can make it to Chevy's in Greenbelt this Sunday! Again, THIS SUNDAY from 12pm-3pm, Chevy's Tex Mex Restaurant will donate 25% of your check to our mission! Please come join us for lunch. Not only will it be great to raise funds, it will be even better to see you! Thank you for your support!

Note: all you will need to do is hand your server this little slip that we will provide you.

Our Last 10 weeks in America

Yes, you read that right. We have about 10 more weeks before we move to Cape Town, South Africa. It is hard to believe in this Internet age how many people are still totally unaware of this. Just got 2 emails and a call today from people who had no idea we were leaving. Anyway...

So many folks have asked us about our schedule and plans for the rest of our time in the states, that we wanted to just share it publicly. Here is our plan in three words: Family. Fundraising. Farewells. (Come on, I am a Pastor...I need 3 rhyming words.)

(Note: Our final Sunday at CCF was this past Sunday. My last day in the office is tomorrow.)

More detailed version looks like this:

• Later this week we will be in several EMM meetings and will be attending the VFCC (our alma mater) Homecoming.
• We will be attending a Marriage Encounter Event this weekend. Looking forward to a great time as a couple. Enough said. ;-o
• We will have a Chevy's Fundraiser this Sunday at Chevy's in Greenbelt. (will blog about this later)
• October 28 through November 19 we will be in Georgia, Mississippi, Florida and South Carolina visiting family, and working at fundraising through meetings, speaking engagements and other opportunities to share our vision. Pray for a few other speaking opportunities that we are about to finalize.
• The remainder of November, all December and the start of January will primarily consist of Family (time with those we love), Fundraising (many speaking opportunities and fundraising meetings) and Farewells (being sure we are leaving well). This will include some time in MD and some other travel. We will be in MD 5 of our remaining 10 weeks we have in the US.
• We will fly out between January 10-14. Davis starts schools on January 17th.

We welcome your prayers, your patience and your pledges as we focus on family, fundraising and farewells! We commit to you our continued love, leadership and lives (1 Thess. 2:8)!!

Thank You Just Doesn't Feel Like Enough!

Yesterday was so amazing for Tricia, Davis and I. I just wanted to take a moment this morning to say THANK YOU...although the words "thank you" hardly seem like enough. You honored us yesterday and you filled our hearts with the peace of God. You lived out the one anothers in a very powerful way yesterday as you commissioned us for missions.

We took many mental, emotional and spiritual snapshots throughout the day yesterday...and I am sure there are days coming where we will need to stare at them and be reminded of your love. The reward we felt yesterday seemed far greater than the investment we made....we know it is God's grace. Any good that we did among you as we led, was because of God's marvelous grace and goodness, because in and of ourselves we are nothing.

I really, really loved all the special gifts that we received yesterday. Here are two that we will always cherish:

Worship Music I'm Rocking!

Here are some of the new worship songs I am really being blessed by right now!!

Envy

Last week I read the book "Envy; The Enemy Within" by Bob Sorge. Pretty good-- for certain folks (I will tell you who in a minute). It is a pretty convicting book and I appreciated the use of scripture throughout.

Here are some of the concepts in the book that spoke to me:

• Everyone is impacted by envy in two ways. You are envious of others who have been selected for honor or success that seems greater than yours. You are an object of the envy of others. The author asserts that BOTH scenarios are true for all of us to one degree or another or at one time or another. All are guilty.
• One major concept of the book was this: In the bible God often dealt with envy by crucifying the one selected for honor. He took time to use Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, Job's brothers, David and his brothers, the two Kingdoms of Israel and the Apostle Paul as examples of this concept. He suggested that the pain and struggle of the envied one places compassion and love in the heart of the envious one. While I saw the validity of the point and the truth in the examples he used (inarguably, this happened), I think that the author did a poor job of dealing with how the envious one takes responsibility for themselves. If I envy you, the problem is in me!! And I need to ask the Lord to help ME deal with it. Having something bad happen to you cannot be the only remedy. He did not deal with this enough. If you are envious, you are off scott free.
• Sorge took time in the book to unpack the parable of the talents...explaining that we all have been given different levels of talents to steward. He also explained a concept surrounding the different "measures of grace" that we have all been given (I Corinthians 15:10).
• In the final chapters of the book, he shares profound lessons about envy from the book of Obadiah...a book all about the envy between Israel and Edom. It was extremely powerful teaching. It would be an awesome sermon series! I will post a blog specifically capturing some of this soon.

Read this book IF...

• You can honestly admit that envy is a sin or tendency in your life.
• You feel like people are hating on you/envious of you often.
• Find yourself wondering why other people have it so much better than you.

The Myth of a Christian Nation by Greg Boyd

When I read a book, I typically like to write a review on my blog. However, I have been reading too many books to blog about them all. It seems that it's easier to find reading time than blogging time.

A few weeks ago, I finished "The Myth of a Christian Nation" by Greg Boyd. It rocked! There is no possible way that I can start to capture any specifics in this blog review or it would be so long that you would never read it. I was highlighting something every other page...literally.

Let me just say these 3 things:

1. This book unpacked and described the "Kingdom of God" like nothing I have ever read (other than the Bible itself)! Boyd brought laser focus to the hardest and most difficult to articulate realities of the Kingdom of God. Stunning work.
2. In my opinion, the title is a tad misleading. The book talks about Kingdom living and Kingdom thinking for the majority of the book and then is "America-specific" for the minority. He does, however, offer a very Biblical view of how to view country-- America or otherwise. Let me not mislead you though...he makes a strong case that he does not believe America is a "Christian Nation." He asserts that NO "Kingdom of this world system" is "Christian." The Kingdom of God and the Kingdoms of this world are distinctly different and will always be.
3. If you want a fresh and unique dose of Biblical teaching on the Kingdom of God vs. the Kingdoms of this world-- READ THIS BOOK! I highly recommend it. It is probably in my top 10 now!

A Pastor's Heart; My Farewell Message Series

Here is the "very shortened-publicly promised-would love to share more if there was time" version of the two week series that I felt the Lord wanted me to leave with CCF. (However, on Sunday, I changed up last minute and am glad I did.)

I guess this could be looked at as my final 10 bits of encouragement for CCF...a church we love with all our hearts!! Read these and let the Lord use them in whatever way he wishes to.

I know this is a long post, but I wanted to share it all in one place.

Here Goes:

1. There is a strong grace and favor that rests upon CCF. Recognize it, name it, celebrate it and thank God for it. It has been His doing, and it will continue to be His doing! Since being planted in 1929, Cottage City Mennonite Church/Capital Christian Fellowship has thrived and ministered. In all of these years, there has been no financial scandal, no moral failure of a leader, no church split, and an unusual harmony and grace! As far as i am concerned, that is God’s favor!! And I hope the church keeps praising him and recognizing Him at work.
2. As you respond in the interim, rise up in the right way! This is not the time to act selfishly and push for your agenda in the life of the church. This is the time to rise up in an Ephesians 4 type of way, a time to become the Body of Jesus like never before. This is a time to show yourselves and the world what Christian community is all about. It needs only the presence of God and the people of God. This is not the time to act up or walk off. It is the time to step out in love, grace and service like never before.
3. Pay attention to how you respond to change and risk. I promise you that there is one thing that will stay the same at CCF regardless of anything else—CHANGE! Especially in this next year. One of the biggest problems that I see happening in established churches is that people begin to be committed to a way of DOING church and not BEING the church. Do not become attached to what CCF is doing. Rather, pray that you assist it in becoming all that it is to be for Jesus! Remember, the message never changes, but the methods MUST CHANGE!!
4. Here are a few words about your next Lead Pastor. Start praying for him NOW! Do not wait until you have a face. He has one. I promise. Remember this: the first six months he is here may be really hard for him and his family. They will be adjusting and trying to build new relationships. There will be days when they may wonder what they have done! In addition, the first wo years will be spent building your trust and your friendship. The sooner you offer it to him, the more confidence and anointing he will lead you with. You CAN hold him back if you do not encourage and accept him as God’s leader called to serve you! Also, please know that he is not the hired hand that does all the work! You are the one that does the work. He leads the work as equipper…let him equip! You minister! Finally, remember that he is not me. Don't compare him to me either quietly or publicly. Some of you will want to thank God that he is not me! Others may be mad at God that he is not me. Remember that I was called out, he is called in, and you are called to trust the Lord and pray for your leaders.
5. The supreme importance Prayer! I believe that prayer has lacked at CCF! I take responsibility for that. I just really, really hope this changes. There are some people in that church that have been bothered by the lack of prayer (they've told me so). I hope you will find the courage to use your frustration to make changes! DO NOT leave it to the next Pastor to figure out. I tried, others have tried and we were not successful. Your next leader may or may not have the gift of intercession. Don't expect him to. He cannot, and should not have every spiritual gift. This is why you are here. I think that the best way for prayer to become important in CCF is for all those with the passion, gifting and desire for intercession to RAISE UP and begin praying together every chance you get. Just go for it! Who is stopping you? "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). 


6. I am afraid that there is a special calling and anointing on CCF to be a SENDING CHURCH! I think that there is a sending grace on you. CCF seems to be a place where Jesus shapes, deepens, challenges, calls and sends people. You sent Pastor Chet and his family. You sent Pastor Dave and Helen. Now us. Maybe more in the future. Get this: Most churches I know have a common goal, worded one way or another, the concept is the same....GET MORE PEOPLE (salvation or migration) INTO OUR CHURCH (or to Jesus)! How cool would it be if a church (CCF?) adopted an opposite vision....to send as many people out as possible! I have this strange feeling that God would get behind this type of idea. It kinda reminds me of Matthew 28 and the Great Commission. Perhaps that is something that God might still be into. Just wondering. In our nature, we would want to horde. How can we do OUR thing if we give people away? Precisely. Let's do God's thing. And you might end up with more money and people than you ever could have imagined.
7. How you steward your resources as a church is so important. I am sorry! I am sorry that the economy tanked, and I am sorry for any decisions that I made as your leader that did not maximize God’s resources. My hope is that you will pay attention to the pie chart as yo move ahead. Be sure that the ratio of money spent on “us” and money spent on “them” reflects Kingdom teaching. Do not forget what business you are in. God builds churches and brings increase (not you), you love people and be Jesus to the broken and lost. Do not get those two twisted. And make sure spending reflects that.
8. As you pray and discern CCF's Vision for the future, I pray that you would seek the Lord regarding what the specific and unique calling is for this church. I think that our current “purpose statement” is solid, but broad. It is time to determine a more specific impact for the Kingdom that we are called to make. And I think that this is discovered and determined when 3 things converge: 1) The needs of the community, 2) The gifts of the church, and 3) The passion of the leader(s). Allow me to insert a personal hope that I believe MAY be a divine sense or call for you and the leaders of CCF to strongly consider. It was my predecessor's vision that CCF plant churches. He saw CCF as a church-planting church. I assumed that same hope. For many reasons that I will not get into, we did not plant another one in Pastor Dave's eleven years or my almost seven years. If I believed then what I believe now, we would VERY LIKELY had planted several churches. It was not in God's plan I guess. But, let me leave you with this...consider planting churches!! And when you do, define what you want to do according to the BIBLE, not according to the CULTURE! If you need to know more about this, ask me.
9. The relationships you have with each other-- the purity, or lack thereof, will make or break your future. The main way that the enemy likes to disrupt moves of the Spirit of God is by attacking relationships. Protect against this! Commit in your hearts that you will live in right relationship with each other. When you sense and feel your heart is not right, go to the person and talk real! Encourage others to do the same. Keep relationships right and pure!! It will be the key to you being a LOVING church that is LOVING people!
10. Prioritize your PRIVATE time with the Word of God and the God of the Word. This is central!! As a community-- your private time with Jesus can lead to a public revolution and revival! Without a private commitment to be alone with Jesus, this becomes a PUBLIC show and the Lord will not bless it!! Get with the Father every day! Sit at his feet and listen to him through His Word and His Spirit.

____________________________________

I leave you with the words of II Corinthians 13: 11 -- "Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you."

I love you and I thank God for the honor of serving you as your Pastor!

Pastor Noah

Where do you live now?

Where do you live now? This has become a common question from our family these days.

If you CLICK here, you can read all about our Nomadic Lifestyle of 2010!

I just waned to issue a shout out on the blog to:

1. Joeley (my sister), Eamon, Brayan and Elliza for letting us stay with them for the last month+! They were AMAZINGLY gracious to us. In fact, much of our things are still there. I think we will be back later.
2. And to Ruth Yoder (a dear friend of ours and the treasurer of our MST)! We are living with her for the rest of this month. Davis is loving it because there are 2 dogs and 3 levels. We are so comfortable here. In fact, I am working from "home" right now as I post this blog.
3. Harmony, Rick and Gabe who may be letting us camp out at their place during our last month here.

We just take it a day at a time. God is with us! Trust me! If he wasn't, there is NO WAY we would be able to live like this.

Tricia and I feel this way: there are millions of people around the world with no food and no home. We have multiple choices of homes where people love us and welcome us. God is unbelievably good to us and we praise HIM! We cannot wait to do this for others one day.

Sermon #241

Sunday was a tough day. I preached my last sermon as the Pastor of CCF. It was the 241st sermon I've preached since I was 16. Yes, I have kept track. Laugh all you want. ;-) I am happy with how Sunday turned out. I'll take it! The Lord literally had me change my message up between 2am-7am Sunday morning. And I am glad He did. Found all sorts of encouraging ways to unpack Rev. 21:1-8!

Let me just go on record and say this-- I will really miss preaching! I am not the best by any standard, but I LOVE sharing the Word of God and pointing people to Jesus.

Just before I preached, Tricia and Davis took me off in a room and gave me a card and a gift. The words she wrote on the card were priceless. The gift will be special to me forever. It is coming to Cape Town! It is a picture/plaque explaining the word "Journey"! It was right on target for what we are going through. Here's a picture of it below. I feel so totally loved by my family!

This Sunday!

CLICK HERE to read all about this Sunday.

Tricia and I would LOVE to see you at either 10:30am, 5:00pm or both!

My Wife Is Blowing My Mind

OK, you HAVE to read this blog that my wife wrote last night. I had already gone to bed when she posted it. I woke up to it this morning. Her faith these days is blowing my mind and inspiring my heart! I cannot help but tell you how thankful I am for Wife! God REALLY hooked me up on this one!

CLICK HERE!

My 10 Catalyst Takeaways

1. Appetites for MORE are never fully or finally satisfied and I will not allow an ungodly desire for them to ruin my life and family. I will not give my birthright away for a bowl of stew! Click here to read a good review of this talk by Andy Stanley.
2. Don't confuse compassion with emotion. Compassion is not feeling sad, sorry, teary and emotional. Compassion is never compassion until you cross the street and meet the need by getting involved with your time, talent and treasure. Compassion does not just feel, it acts.
3. Ministry is like throwing a baby up in the air with them laughing their heads off. Things are wonderful. Life is great. And then all the sudden (you never see it coming) their head hits the ceiling fan, and BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! That is how ministry can change from one day to the next. Amen!
4. There is no way to word this one. Basically, God rocked my world and opened my eyes to the needs in the world that he wants US TO MEET! Pick a cause. And give your life to it. You cannot go wrong!!! Help get clean water to people, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, free kids from sex trafficking, care for those impacted by Aids, Malaria, Depression and disease, love the blind and the deaf and the least of these. THIS is God’s heart. Isaiah 58 basically says this: Until you do these things, you might as well shut up with your singing and praying, because I cannot hear you! (NIV- Noah International Version)
5. Seth Godin was a fascinating presenter, shared some compelling ideas and I want to read some of his stuff. He gave away a free book to just those who attended Catalyst. It is called “Graceful.” I will share more on that later.
6. Self-loathing and self-consciousness is just as self centered and wrong as self love and arrogance.
7. Francis Chan got up and shared his story. It is unbelievably similar to ours. God used it to impact our heats and confirm his calling and nearness to Tricia and I in a profound way. At God’s prompting, I wrote him a letter when we returned to the hotel Thursday night. Please pray with me that I am successful in getting it to him.
8. Bishop TD Jakes taught me that If you always do what you have always done, you will always be what you have always been. If you are called to an ocean, get out of the fish tank. Fish only grow to the size of the tank they are in. God does not want you in a bigger fish tank. He wants to drop you in the ocean.
9. If we think that everyone and everything has something to say about ME, then we need to check ourselves. This is a problem and a sure sign of pride. It's a dead giveaway to people that you are self absorbed when you are repeatedly finding ways to put yourself at the center of everything.
10. If you live in a room where people are always looking to you for leadership and answers, get out of the room! It is time to move on to a place with leaders who have more answers than you.

Many more tweets and blogs will come out of this week! But these would be 1o of the best ideas I took away.

Off to Catalyst

In about 2 hours, we are heading out to the Catalyst conference in Atlanta. We're caravaning down in 2 cars...Jaye's Sienna and my old faithful Avalon.

Joining us will be:

1. Pastor Nelson
2. Pastor TC
3. Jaye Lindo
4. Carrol Grizzle
5. Carol Roberts
6. Noah Kaye
7. Tricia Kaye

You can click here to read more about what we will be experiencing.

Here is my vision for our week:

• Increase unity among key leaders
• Deepen relationships
• Have fun
• Further develop leadership hearts and abilities
• Connect and network with many other leaders (hoping to see some friends there)!
• Grow spiritually
• Get inspired for 2011 (just in time for annual ministry and budget planning)
• ZOOM OUT! As a church, we are in a time of transition and it is easy to become internally focused. I pray this week zooms our leaders out to a broader kingdom focus.

Tricia and I are very thankful for this "last hoorah" with some people we love very much.

Off we go...will tweet lots and blog some too if I can.

Weight Loss for Missions. Week 12. Pressing Resume.

Tomorrow will be 12 weeks since I began a journey to destroy weight before moving to South Africa. CLICK HERE to read about it.

I asked people to sponsor and support me in the journey. Well, here is the update after 12 weeks.

The last month has been whacky. We have traveled alot and eaten whatever and wherever. I decided before leaving that I would be happy if I maintained.

Since posting last, I destroyed 2 more pounds for a total of 35 pounds destroyed in 12 weeks. I am at 26o now.

Basically, I only lost a half pound per week for the last month. However, I feel like I'm hitting "resume" now after hitting "pause" for the month of September. I am back at it!

I would appreciate your continued prayer support. This is hard. I want to keep pressing. I aim to lose another 30 pounds before Africa.

Sunday, October 17th! Our sending from CCF!

This blog is to invite ALL OF you (CCF or Non-CCF people) to hold October 17th in your calendar. Tricia, Davis and I would be honored and encouraged if you would join us at our church as they commission us for missions to South Africa. The entire day will be meaningful to us on so many levels.

Here are the details.

Sunday, October 17th at 10:30am: Commissioning Service

• Missions-focused Worship
• Special Musical Selection
• Message by Bishop Glenn Kauffman
• Special guests of honor
• Commissioning ceremony

Sunday, October 17th at 5:00pm: Sending Banquet

• A wonderful meal
• We'll share more of our vision
• People will share about us and make us cry
• Silent Auction for fundraising
• Open opportunities for support
• Other cool stuff that we're not allowed to know about...

With the banquet, you will need to send an email letting them know if you want to attend. Send it to pamkaye5@gmail.com.

All events will take place at:

Capital Christian Fellowship

10411 Greenbelt Road

Lanham MD, 20706

_______________________________

**Tricia and I are so thankful for our MST (Missions Support Team-- read here), the love they have for us, and the way they are serving this cause!!

Cape Town Ministry- Three Adjectives

Let me make something very clear-- we feel that we only know a fraction of what is to come in this next season of our ministry. We have a deep sense that the Lord is about to change us forever. That said, in our recent trip, we got a small glimpse into what we will be doing.

Here are a few characteristics of the ministry that our family will be doing in Cape Town. Each are particularly different from what we have been used to here.

1. Active. The great commission says GO! Jesus SENT disciples out to be people of peace and grace carrying the gospel to those in need. Tricia and I have done church where "they come" for our whole lives. Now, we are about to do church "we go"! Literally. Each day, we will go to the neighborhood that the Lord has called us to and GO! Walk, talk, meet, greet, play, love, eat, share, minister and be carriers of Jesus. It will be active, not passive. Yeah, I know it sounds odd. But, this alone will rock you and stretch you. It did us in 2 days.
2. Holistic. We will enter the neighborhood God is calling us into with a holistic approach. Meaning, that we aim to love people totally. This will look different for everyone. Some will need shoes. Others food. Others a roof. Others counsel. Others to cry. Others to play. Others to be heard. Others to be hugged. Others to be given water. Others to need a ride. Ministering holistically means that you start wherever people let you in....and you pray that the Spirit of God makes them hungry for more. Then, you give them the reason for the hope that lies within you. Jesus! For some this will take a day. Others a week. Others a month. Others a year. Others longer. You wait. You love. You believe.
3. Specific. The teams at all nations (we will serve on ONE) are about 5-20 in size and are each sent into ONE township (maybe 1,000-40,000 people). And that team is a church. They are sent and called out ones into that town. They love that town! Pray for it daily, fast for it, yearn for it, walk in it, and believe God for it. That is their ministry as a team or "church." They meet to pray, study, disciple each other, play, eat and build relationships (sound like Acts 2?). But their hearts and lives are dedicated to THAT TOWN! It is specific. And they carry the transforming gospel to everyone that will open their hearts in that town. We will go from street to sidewalk to yard to threshold to living room. I have never been a part of a church that loved a single community with their hands, money and hearts...full time called ones into a single neighborhood for the sake of the gospel. This will be too cool! And life-changing.

This is a start. But just there three characteristics alone have the potential to change the way that Tricia and I live, lead and do church for the rest of our lives. And we are not even there yet. This is going to be crazy.

(In the above picture, the guy on the left just surrendered to Jesus 2 weeks ago and the guy in the middle is discipling him.)

Review: "The Book of Eli"

While the air about 38,000 feet over top of India last week, I watched the movie, "The Book of Eli." It had been recommended to me by numerous people. Here are a few of my thoughts:

The story revolves around Eli, a nomad in a post-apocalyptic world, who is charged with delivering the last remaining Bible, to a safe location on the West Coast in California. The history of the post-war world is explained along the way as is the importance of Eli's task. Through many challenges, Eli makes it to the west coast and delivers the Bible to a place that ends up being the printing press where Bibles are reproduced for many more to have.

What I liked:

• I think the Denzel Washington is a fantastic Actor. He always captivates me in any role he plays. The film held my attention.
• Eli's commitment to the task of delivering the Bible to it's destined location was extremely deep! He was determined and courageous.
• I loved watching a movie where the main character was focused on reading, memorizing, carrying, protecting and delivering the Bible! Pretty awesome.
• Although twisted at times, the movie communicated a strong message that the Word of God has significant power. And it does!
• I really loved the scene in the movie where Eli talks about the days when we appreciated nothing (now). This was especially highlighted when the context of the film was one where water, shampoo or a KFC hand wipe was a reason to party! They had nothing. We have everything.
• I loved how Eli dictated the Bible to the printer at the end of the movie--from his heart. It had been "hidden in his heart."

What I did not like:

• The physical violence. Especially since it does not match the heart of the "Jesus of the Book"!
• The bad language. Language never adds to a movie for me. It always subtracts. In fact, I tend to think that even "carnal" people would never leave a movie and be impressed with the language. I do not think that I have ever heard anyone say..."Man, that movie was awesome! I really loved the foul language!"
• While I love the word of God, I do NOT love it more than the God of the word. In this movie, the Bible is the focal point while the teachings within it are not always lived out. This troubled me.

That said, it was full of messages that need spread, and reached people that you, me or a church may never reach. I am sure that God can use it. Liked it!

A Pastor's Heart

I am really looking forward to the next two Sundays at CCF. As the time of our transition has approached, the Lord has impressed different "words of encouragement and grace" into my heart that I feel I am called to leave with CCF. So, in obedience to the Lord, I will be preaching a series the next two weeks called "A Pastor's Heart"! Each Sunday, I will leave five words of wisdom and encouragement for the church as final words of grace. Pastors SO often leave on bad terms. I cannot tell you how thankful I am to be leaving in love! I believe this series will communicate the love I have for this flock. I will share my "Pastor Heart" these next two weekends.

Hope to see you there!

Reflections from our time in Cape Town...part one of many

It is quite difficult to figure out where to start. While we were only in Cape Town for about 4 days, our eyes were wide open and our senses were peeked to every detail that we could take in. The lens through which we looked at everything was so different than any other trip we have been on. Because THIS is the land to which God has called us. So, we picked up a lot of details and registered a myriad of emotions and feelings...which will take time to communicate. So, stick with us for a few years.

We will be posting more blogs along the way, but for today, let me just jot down a few random bullets that will help me start to download and share our experience.

• Make no mistake, the flight is LONG. About 19 hours in air and about 24 total travel time no mater how you slice it.
• The Cape Town region is simply majestic! See pic below. Never in my life have I seen a more beautiful display of God's creative ability. My best description would be: the Rocky Mountains meet the Caribbean waters meets the Northern California/Oregon Coast meets San Diego weather. In other words: HEAVEN!
• All Nations (the ministry organization that we will be serving with) was impressive. Mainly because the obvious favor and blessing of God on them. In just over 3 years in Cape Town (longer in other countries around the world), they have fantastic campus, over 40 Staff members and are doing powerful ministry in the region. You can see from the moment that you arrive that God is at work blessing this ministry.
• We either met or met with about 15-20 All Nations Staff. In each conversation, we got more of the heart of the mission. It was neat to see how each person is playing to their gifts within the flexible system they have established. They clearly put the bunnies where they hop.
• We were not as sure before, but now we can confidently say that, we will be in school for the first 6 months. We will be a in church planting school (CPx) with 30-50 students from around the world. However, this school will be about 50% teaching and 50% implementation. This will be really cool...to focus 6 months of our hearts and lives into learning more about church planting. This will be relatively new to both of us and I think will really help prepare us for the future.
• From the first day we arrive, we will begin ministering to people in South Africa. While the region contains the greatest beauty we have ever seen, it also contains the greatest poverty and brokenness we have ever seen! See the difference in the pics below. These 2 pictures are taken 10 minutes apart from each other.

In my next post (probably tomorrow), I will write more specifically about the needs of the are present in this nation and how we will be ministering into those needs. I think that it is going to be transformational-- for us and them! In just 4 days, the Lord began to shift and reveal powerful stuff in us. His call and will is being confirmed!!

One last thing...yesterday, Lia, one of our MST members asked us to describe our trip in one word. Tricia said "Life-Changing." I said "confirming." That pretty well captures it.

Weight Loss Update...from Overseas

I wanted to offer a quick update for those tracking with my in my weight loss journey. I was not sure how this trip would be on my progress. In some ways it has been easy and in other ways it has been hard. I am not doing the “program” that I was doing, but I am making the best choices I can. The problem is that there have been plenty of time in these weeks where I had no say, no choice and you eat what is set before you.

I do not feel like I have lost any weight, but I don’t think I have gained any, but I have not seen a scale, so I have no idea. It has not been easy, though! In fact, this is one of the things I miss about “home” the most. Cannot wait to get back into my routine. I feel like this trip, I had no choice but to hit pause. I look forward to hitting play again in about a week.

Look for the next update on my weight loss journey to be around October 1st.

Thanks for your support!