We are alive...and well!

The past few weeks have gone by quickly! However, the speeding calendar has not stopped us from connecting with family and friends. Although there are many more people to see, Kirsten and I feel refreshed and blessed that we have been able to spend some quality time with people we love and miss while in Jamaica. Eating food, sharing stories, and enjoying one another's company is deeply satisfying, and we thank God for the opportunity to do so during our time in the States.

As far as the baby is concerned, baby and Mommy are doing really well. We have had all great reports from the doctors and will be having another ultrasound next week! We are awaiting the "little one" on the 26th of July, which is approaching at a blistering speed. When not visiting or eating local favorites, I have been deep in studies as this is my mid-term exam week.

Please continue to pray for us as we anticipate parenthood and recharge in New Jersey. Also continue in prayer for the ministries in Buff Bay. We will be sure to keep you updated with our dealings!

The prayers of the righteous accomplish much

I knew that the 101st post needed to be good. As you have seen, although last week was a good one, today trumps last week.

The last 24 hours have been filled with excitement and heartbreak. After seventeen days away from my beautiful, pregnant bride, I was ready to hold and kiss her again! As the flight date approached, my excitement grew, and then came my flight itinerary update last night at 6 pm. As I reviewed my flight information, I realized that I made a horrendous mistake in booking the flight. My plan was to leave at 4 pm on the 13th from Kingston (which was correct on the itinerary), but my connecting flight, which I supposed to be at 8:10 pm, was scheduled for the next day at 7 am! They did not cancel the flight; I totally screwed it up. So we started praying that God would get me home to New Jersey tonight.

I have been reading Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret recently and have been floored by the faith of the famous missionary to China. Legendary is the word that comes to mind. My heart burned on almost every page to enjoy, celebrate, and trust Jesus with mighty issues we face and as well as the minutiae. So, like Hudson Taylor, I have begun resting more on Jesus and his promise to meet our needs. Jesus bids us to come and drink from his fountain and be satisfied (John 6:35) in a continual way. This is my hope.

Now, back to Fort Lauderdale. We were asking God that I may be able to fly standby for the flight to Atlantic City, which leaves 8:10...remember. First hurdle: my flight was delayed out of Kingston 45 minutes. Second hurdle: a delayed release from the our plane upon arrival for security purposes. Throughout this period I thought of something that Hudson Taylor had learned about God: if He is going to move, no amount of hurdles matter.

I am currently sitting in the gate awaiting a delayed flight crew, which is keeping MY Atlantic City flight from departing on the 13th. I got on the plane with no hassle and time to spare. There will be no sleeping in Florida on vinyl airport benches but in a bed with my wife in New Jersey.

Getting on the plane I sent Kirsten a text message with James 5:16 "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" in the message. The reality is I have never thought of myself as the man that this verse talks about for effective prayer. That is, I am not like Hudson Taylor. As I was walking to my gate I realized that the object of our faith is what is key, which is exactly what Taylor knew.

Let me try to land this thought plane for you. I am not righteous but Jesus is. The Christian has his or her life in Christ and can approach the "throne room" of God boldly (Hebrews 4:16) and know that it is not on our righteousness but Christ's righteousness that we stand. It is here that "we have a strong and perfect plea before God" as the hymn says. Our prayers are worthless without Christ. God hears our prayers because Jesus took our unrighteousness and gave us his righteousness. God delights to hear from His adopted children in Christ. He delights to showcase the reign, rule, and power of the risen Christ even through answering prayer. Today I got schooled in God's sovereignty and compassion, and I am stoked about it!