God's faithfulness shown in Jesus Christ

We have had a very nice Christmas holiday time. There has been more relaxation than usual and we have been able to focus on the coming of Christ. This was a much needed holiday season as I reflect on some of the difficult things that happened during the lead up to Christmas.

• Unexpected late night guests and dog sleep over (Welcome to ministry with the Roma!)
  
• Aforementioned dog bites me
• Rescue said guests (and dog) in Prague when their car dies on highway
• Car repairs-out of commission for a week (at least no dog involved!)
  
• Joint decision made in church plant to bring in denominational leaders to confront some serious issues
  
• Personal Email attacks directed at me and another in leadership start arriving
  
• Misunderstanding and minor conflict-not job related
  
• Got a police ticket! (followed my GPS navigator past the "no entrance" sign)
• More church leadership conflict and disagreement on major issues that threaten to tear the church apart
• MOST IMPORTANTLY God remained faithful and has led me through some of the most difficult situations. We have seen His hand at work in our lives and in the lives of others. Our family has felt his peace and we have been able to focus on the great gift of salvation that we celebrate each Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Planning and Remaining Flexible

"I would have been here earlier...but things didn't go as planned today" was an understatement spoken by our colleague Renee just before we left our house for Club Rachel's "American party". She had plans for the day that were changed after her landlord requested a "quick" errand to the electric company that lasted several hours. She also shared about an interruption to her day when she was able to "converse" with a very drunk woman on public transportation. (Renee will get "bonus" language acquisition points for this ;-)

This week, I have been working on updating my 2010 Goals for ReachGlobal. I have, therefore, been reflecting on the tension between our planning and waiting on the Lord to lead during the day or during a year. There are times when we must plan very carefully in order to accomplish what the Lord desires for our lives. And there are times when we must allow him to re-direct our plans. Planning and waiting on the Lord are not contradictory. As we learn to hear His voice, he directs our plans and we plan more in line with what He desires.

Last night we planned on showing a Trans World Radio video highlighting their work with Roma in eastern Europe at...but the adult women started asking about prayer and how you can hear God's voice. This led to Renee, Dora, and I sharing our testimonies about how we knew God wanted us to move to another country to serve him.

We also planned on coming home to help Amy and the rest of the senior class bake cookies to raise funds for their senior trip. We were held up with conversations at Club Rachel and they ended up doing all the work themselves.

We also planned on having the house to ourselves after 9:00 PM or so. But 3 of the seniors stayed over night in order to complete the baking and packaging of cookies. AND we had 4 other guests (and one dog) from a Roma ministry in Brno who needed a place in Prague to stay after their plans fell through.

I am learning how to plan to the best of my ability with discernment of the Lord's will. I am learning to see interruptions and changes in my plans as the Lord's leading. I am learning to wait on the Lord in expectation that He has greater plans for me and for His kingdom than I can ever imagine.

A Day in the Life-the Reality

• On the way to the community center, guess who I met?...the friend I mentioned yesterday who thinks I sit around and do nothing!
• I felt good about my balance of reflection time and planning time
• I didn't get as far as I would have liked in planning. I spent more time trying to get my projects contained in Microsoft OneNote than actually reviewing them.
  
• "What needs to happen in order for me to be filled with the Holy Spirit?" occupied much of my thoughts and led me to meditate on Ephesians 5:18-21.