Le Papillon

It's been a while since my last blog. Sorry... again!!!

Let me get you caught up. My meeting with the elders... went GREAT!!! I was prepared spiritually and mentally. Thank you for your prayers. I am convinced that this was the most major contribution to my confidence in God's goodness and wisdom and power and in my preparedness. The elders had most of their questions answered through my brief presentation and their follow-up questions were encouraging. When they had heard all I said and asked their questions they voted... unanimously... YES!!! Our prayers were answered according to God's goodness! Praise God for His lovingkindness and power of the hearts of men (mine and theirs)!!! Needless to say I had a grin from ear to ear. They signed the church recommendation form and shortly thereafter I heard from World Venture. I meet with them on June 11th for an interview where they'll decide to bring me on (I know this is where God has me so I am confident that I will be accepted). After that I'm not sure what happens but I'm extremely excited to say the least. My goal, Dieu voulant (God willing), for arrival in Paris is the spring of '08. It's a short time to raise prayer and financial support but I have no doubt that if God wants me there in the spring it will be no problem raising the needed support. He is after all the, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, Creator, Sustainer and LORD God of all the universe. If God is for me than who can be against me.

At the end of May the youth pastor, my friend, Mark Mayfield, Scott and I went to Frontier School of the Bible for a ministry confrence. The speaker was Kent Hughes and the subject was biblical success. While the main sessions were repetative of his book, "Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome" the workshops were great. Overall it was a good time of refreshment and fellowship with family. During these two days I ran into Brian Russell, a former resident and student of Summit County and friend. He is going to Uganda with our church here in the next couple weeks and asked me to fill in the pulpit in Glendoe, WY where he pastors. I've been praying for more opportunities to preach and teach and here is one of God's answers. He is faithful and loving towards us!!!

Recently much of my family was here for my brother Kit's graduation from high school. Thank God that He brought them all here and back safely as well as for their salvation and our fellowship with one another in Christ and family wise! It was great to see them, especially those from Kansas City. I hope to pay a visit to them sometime this summer, God willing. Also I thank God for Kit's graduation and his salvation and foundation in our LORD Jesus Christ. He is going to Trinity Western in Vancouver Canada to study business and engeneeing.

I am also taking Cultural Anthropology from Colorado Mountain College over the web. It's been fantastic. I've been learning so much. What I've come to discover or perhaps realize is that every missionary is an anthropologist to one degree or another.

Lately God has really been convicting me of my lack of discipleship and of sincerity (Psm. 78:34-39). Our heart is decitfull above all else and desperately wicked but God our Creator can chage our heart and Christ our Redeemer has freed us from the bondage of sin. So my prayer and energies have been focused on overcoming these weaknesses through the omnipotent strength of God. May we all prove to have sincere hearts and to be faithful disciples.

Please pray with me concerning:
*My interview with World Venture
*The support raising process
*My spiritual growth and maturity
*A heart for the French from my home church, Rocky Mountain Bible Church
*Broken hearts and open eyes for the French
*My preparation for the missions field, things expected and unexpected
*A group of guys for accountability in France
*Diligence in learning French right now and God's blessing in it
*Wisdom and discernment in making the truth of Scripture culturally relevant to the French
*An intricate understanding of French culture