I never know how to answer, not honestly anyway. I don’t have words that could adequately convey how it was, what it was. Was it good? Well, some of it was horrible and there were also beautiful moments. If I could explain, it still wouldn’t make sense because you had to be there, and it’sContinue reading “How Was Your Trip?”
Tag Archives: Discipleship
A Bomb & A Blue Plastic Chair
There’s a bright blue plastic chair, flipped upside down and partially shattered, on the outside corner of the porch. Shards of plastic are scattered on the ground, along with jagged pieces of shrapnel from the bomb that landed about 30 meters away. Those jagged, molten chunks of metal traveled with such force and velocity thatContinue reading “A Bomb & A Blue Plastic Chair”
Thoughts on Magic, Manipulation & Becoming a True Disciple of Jesus
I’ve been reflecting again on the fundamental power of beliefs, and how core beliefs impact our choices, relationships, and ultimately our destiny. This brought up the memory of a conversation I had with our team leader out in the village in Mali one day, a conversation that could have been mundane but went unexpectedly deepContinue reading “Thoughts on Magic, Manipulation & Becoming a True Disciple of Jesus”
Espoir, Déception et Plus Grands Projets
French version of my post on Luke 1… ESPOIR, DÉCEPTION ET PLUS GRANDS PROJETS (Lire Luc 1 : 5-80) Je ne me lasse jamais des contes bibliques de la venue de Jésus dans le monde et de tous les détails que les Écritures nous donnent sur les événements entourant ce moment charnière de l’histoire. Les personnes impliquéesContinue reading “Espoir, Déception et Plus Grands Projets”
Hope, Disappointment, & Bigger Plans
I finished writing this devotional piece this morning to send to international staff serving in places like Sudan and South Sudan – challenging places where life is unpredictable, the work is hard, and disappointment is often part of the landscape. You might want to refresh your memory of Luke chapter one so that you’ll haveContinue reading “Hope, Disappointment, & Bigger Plans”
Scars and Sufficient Grace
Hast thou no scar?No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;I hear them hail thy bright, ascendant star.Hast thou no scar? Hast thou no wound?Yet I was wounded by the archers; spent,Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rentBy ravening beasts that compassed Me, IContinue reading “Scars and Sufficient Grace”
Unexpected Gifts
Here we are, well into 2023 already! Once again, it’s been a while since I’ve updated this blog, and I really am going to post more Africa chronicles in the months to come… But for now, I just want to share a recent experience, along with some reflections, that I hope will be insightful andContinue reading “Unexpected Gifts”
Eternally Grateful
A note: This post is a little parentheses in the ‘village chronicles’. During that first year of ministry and of getting our team established in the village in Mali, my health began to visibly deteriorate. In September 2013 I was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer. I was in the last stage and it seemedContinue reading “Eternally Grateful”
Can I Eat the Meat?
Wrestling with questions of culture while trying to communicate the Gospel faithfully… another story from life in the village. Koyala, Sunday April 7, 2013 We had a somewhat lengthy discussion this morning about what to do with meat that’s been sacrificed to idols. It wasn’t simply an abstract discussion – the meat in question wasContinue reading “Can I Eat the Meat?”
When I thought about quitting…
Months ago I had planned to start sharing stories, experiences, and reflections on life and mission in a village in rural Mali – a random collection from a 7-year period – but I got sidetracked with present day life and responsibilities. So I’m making an attempt to actually start, and I’m going to try toContinue reading “When I thought about quitting…”
Know This Love 