I know I have said this and Patrick has to, but mark your calender for these two dates. Saturday at 6pm and Sunday morning at 10:30a, we will dedicate our services to our recently completed trip. You can click on the link below for a map to our church. It you have any questions please email me at pwmissions@sbcglobal.net.
Grace and Peace,
Michael.
http://www.praiseworks.org/411/meeting/where.htm
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
No place like home, Patrick
We land at LAX. I beat Mike through customs so I was walking ahead of him by myself. I didn't really know where I was going but as I turned a corner I found I was in the right place.I thought the Beatles must have been on the same flight & standing behind me because the crowd went wild. It turns out a huge group of people from P-dub showed up at the airport to greet Mike & I. Everybody else in the airport must have thought we were famous, the roar was deafening... It was awesome, thanks guys. Seeing everybody I had been missing was touching, hearing them scream like rock & roll crazed teenagers...Priceless.
So this is the end of this journey but not the end of the mission. Your mission field, my mission field, mission work in general does not have to be on the other side of the planet & it doesn't have to cost a bunch of money. It doesn't have to start on a particular date & end when a plane lands back in your home town.
If you are a believer, you have a mission... spread the WORD, be HIS hands & feet, love people like Jesus would. It is amazing what you can do when you do it in HIS name & in HIS power. With God all things are possible.
If you would Like to here & see more about our trip, please come to Praiseworks May 17Th & 18Th. Mike & I will be sharing our experiences, Photos,& videos.
Thanks for reading.
Patrick,
John 3:30
So this is the end of this journey but not the end of the mission. Your mission field, my mission field, mission work in general does not have to be on the other side of the planet & it doesn't have to cost a bunch of money. It doesn't have to start on a particular date & end when a plane lands back in your home town.
If you are a believer, you have a mission... spread the WORD, be HIS hands & feet, love people like Jesus would. It is amazing what you can do when you do it in HIS name & in HIS power. With God all things are possible.
If you would Like to here & see more about our trip, please come to Praiseworks May 17Th & 18Th. Mike & I will be sharing our experiences, Photos,& videos.
Thanks for reading.
Patrick,
John 3:30
And We're Back...
We'll here I am sitting in my office on my laptop thinking, "Did what I just experience really happen?" It's surreal to be back home, where did the time go? The last 25 days flew by!
Patrick and I were greeted by thunderous applause by many of our church family after we cleared immigration and customs at LAX. Patrick got through first and was about 50 feet ahead of me. As he exited the customs area to freedom, the ovation was deafening. Thanks to our church family that drove up to LAX to see us back. It touched my heart to be welcomed home with so much love.
So, what was my first meal back? Chipotle!
Well, what is next? I am determined not to let the momentum generated by this trip come to a grinding halt. Having seen what God did though our church and beyond, I know that there is more work for us to do. We will talk about our trip at church in our weekend services on May 17 and 18. What ever I put together visually, I will work to put on UTUBE, so those of you who are out of the area can see what happened. Keep checking this blog over the next couple weeks and I will let you know what is happening.
As always,
Grace and Peace,
Michael.
Patrick and I were greeted by thunderous applause by many of our church family after we cleared immigration and customs at LAX. Patrick got through first and was about 50 feet ahead of me. As he exited the customs area to freedom, the ovation was deafening. Thanks to our church family that drove up to LAX to see us back. It touched my heart to be welcomed home with so much love.
So, what was my first meal back? Chipotle!
Well, what is next? I am determined not to let the momentum generated by this trip come to a grinding halt. Having seen what God did though our church and beyond, I know that there is more work for us to do. We will talk about our trip at church in our weekend services on May 17 and 18. What ever I put together visually, I will work to put on UTUBE, so those of you who are out of the area can see what happened. Keep checking this blog over the next couple weeks and I will let you know what is happening.
As always,
Grace and Peace,
Michael.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
London to LAX
We are here safe in London and are waiting for the next flight. Looking forward to getting home.
Grace and peace,
Michael
Grace and peace,
Michael
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Nairobi to London
Well, we are officially on our way home. We are here in Nairobi enjoying our 8+ hour layover.
Yesterday afternoon we left Goma for the drive to Kigali, Rwanda. The scenery along the drive is very difficult to explain. Rolling hills, lush landscape, great views, simply amazing. He got into Kigali about 7pm and the lights from the city coming in were very cool. We spent the night at Hotel des Mille Collines, which is the hotel in the movie Hotel Rwanda. We had a nice evening with the Ntoto's and enjoyed God's favor. This morning we drove around the city, which is very clean, and purchased a few things.
We will miss Camille and Esther, they definitely are family to us.
The flight to Nairobi was pretty uneventful and full. We are hoping that our flight to London won't be full so we can lay down.
This will be one our last blogs. I hope and pray that you have been able to journey with Patrick and I as we took this most excellent adventure. Mark your calender for May 17 and 18. We will use our weekend services to share our experiences, in pictures and word.
Grace and Peace,
Michael.
Yesterday afternoon we left Goma for the drive to Kigali, Rwanda. The scenery along the drive is very difficult to explain. Rolling hills, lush landscape, great views, simply amazing. He got into Kigali about 7pm and the lights from the city coming in were very cool. We spent the night at Hotel des Mille Collines, which is the hotel in the movie Hotel Rwanda. We had a nice evening with the Ntoto's and enjoyed God's favor. This morning we drove around the city, which is very clean, and purchased a few things.
We will miss Camille and Esther, they definitely are family to us.
The flight to Nairobi was pretty uneventful and full. We are hoping that our flight to London won't be full so we can lay down.
This will be one our last blogs. I hope and pray that you have been able to journey with Patrick and I as we took this most excellent adventure. Mark your calender for May 17 and 18. We will use our weekend services to share our experiences, in pictures and word.
Grace and Peace,
Michael.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Coming to an end
We have been quiet for a couple days as we have had no internet service. It's Friday afternoon here and we are about to leave to spend the night in Rwanda so we can catch our flight Saturday morning. I will summarize, as best I can, the last couple days.
Wednesday, April 30.
Morning start at 6:30am with a run/walk with Camille, Esther and Patrick. Following that at 7:30am was a prayer meeting with all the staff and volunteers of Light of Africa Network on the patio. It was a fantastic way to start the day.
We spent the morning with Esther going to Heal Africa. We got to see the hospital and visit with the founding Doctor. Part of what they due with the victims of sexual violence is teach them job skills and the best one is sowing. We went and visited the program and purchased a lot of the things that they made. We are bringing them back with the intent of selling them to fund more projects.
We spent most of the afternoon at the house preparing for Thursday's speaking engagements.
Sounds like a slow day, but is was nice to catch our breath and be prepared for Thursday.
Thursday, May 1
Day started like Wednesday, run followed by prayer. I was able to share some scripture that God gave me while we were praying. We spent time asking questions about the passage and talking about how it applies to us.
First on the schedule was a couples retreat and the Full Gospel Church. The event was sponsored by the Christian Business Men's Association of Goma. I spoke for an hour on marriage focusing on equality, love and covenant. The message was very well received and once again, Camille did an excellent job translating. When I finished, a pastor spent 30 minutes going over the main points in Swahili for those whose French is not that good.
Second we went to a youth retreat at a Baptist Church. Patrick was scheduled to give his testimony. At this point I had heard it a few times, but it gets better and better each time. The youth were very focused and we had open question and answer after. The three of us answered the questions, then Camille did a teaching on the first couple verses in Hebrews 11. He is an amazingly gifted teacher, I only wish I could understand French better.
We then where off to an event at Holywood City, this event was a week in the making. Last week, we attended an English Bible study, see entry from that day. Clark the owner had the idea to get the bible study, drug addicts, and street kids together to hear Patrick’s testimony. Clark went into the streets of Goma and found where the addicts hung out and invited them personally to the event. He told them that he had a friend who had a story that they had to hear. Thursday night came and there where almost 60 people in attendance! Drug addicts, street kids, and believers in Jesus all together, the way Jesus would want it. Camille started it out with worship and we discovered his gift on the guitar and to draw people into worship. He taught each song, in English, and to my surprise everyone was participating. Patrick was first up and gave his testimony. It seemed that some where thinking that Patrick had nothing that could relate to him, but boy were they wrong. The Spirit locked them into his journey through his bad decisions, into his great decision to follow Jesus. I followed Patrick with a message about the choice between heaven and hell and that we get to choose. Camille followed with a decision to follow Jesus time. At least 12 people made first time commitments to follow Jesus! Party time in heaven! It was truely overwhelming.
We funded and meal and Clark's people came through big. They made rice, beef and beans, with various soft drinks available. He used his good dishes and silverware, treating people as VIPs. The streets kids ate as if there was no tomorrow...Bellies where all full and the love of Jesus was displayed in tangible ways. Clark is one of my new hero's. God told him to go into the street and bring the neglected of society into his restaurant/hotel. Next Thursday they are meeting again to begin leadership training and discipleship. I just received Celebrate Recovery Material from home today, that Camille and Esther will use to meet the huge needs of recovery here. CR Goma, we will have to let Saddleback Church know that their progam has landed in Goma, DRC.
After the event, we hand an opportunity to have dinner with Clark, Esther, and Camille and reflect on the day, in a word...Transforming.
Friday, May 2
Travel day as we are off the Kigali Rwanda.
This morning Patrick Esther and I went to a hospital in the outskirts of Goma to drop off the medical supplies we brought. They were very appreciative as they do not receive much help. They serve a lot of displaced people from the war and cannot afford to pay, they are doing a great work.
In the way back, we stopped at a Heal Africa Clinic and bought more stuff to sell at home.
Well, off to Kigali. We will update the blog from Nairobi.
Grace and Peace,
Michael.
Wednesday, April 30.
Morning start at 6:30am with a run/walk with Camille, Esther and Patrick. Following that at 7:30am was a prayer meeting with all the staff and volunteers of Light of Africa Network on the patio. It was a fantastic way to start the day.
We spent the morning with Esther going to Heal Africa. We got to see the hospital and visit with the founding Doctor. Part of what they due with the victims of sexual violence is teach them job skills and the best one is sowing. We went and visited the program and purchased a lot of the things that they made. We are bringing them back with the intent of selling them to fund more projects.
We spent most of the afternoon at the house preparing for Thursday's speaking engagements.
Sounds like a slow day, but is was nice to catch our breath and be prepared for Thursday.
Thursday, May 1
Day started like Wednesday, run followed by prayer. I was able to share some scripture that God gave me while we were praying. We spent time asking questions about the passage and talking about how it applies to us.
First on the schedule was a couples retreat and the Full Gospel Church. The event was sponsored by the Christian Business Men's Association of Goma. I spoke for an hour on marriage focusing on equality, love and covenant. The message was very well received and once again, Camille did an excellent job translating. When I finished, a pastor spent 30 minutes going over the main points in Swahili for those whose French is not that good.
Second we went to a youth retreat at a Baptist Church. Patrick was scheduled to give his testimony. At this point I had heard it a few times, but it gets better and better each time. The youth were very focused and we had open question and answer after. The three of us answered the questions, then Camille did a teaching on the first couple verses in Hebrews 11. He is an amazingly gifted teacher, I only wish I could understand French better.
We then where off to an event at Holywood City, this event was a week in the making. Last week, we attended an English Bible study, see entry from that day. Clark the owner had the idea to get the bible study, drug addicts, and street kids together to hear Patrick’s testimony. Clark went into the streets of Goma and found where the addicts hung out and invited them personally to the event. He told them that he had a friend who had a story that they had to hear. Thursday night came and there where almost 60 people in attendance! Drug addicts, street kids, and believers in Jesus all together, the way Jesus would want it. Camille started it out with worship and we discovered his gift on the guitar and to draw people into worship. He taught each song, in English, and to my surprise everyone was participating. Patrick was first up and gave his testimony. It seemed that some where thinking that Patrick had nothing that could relate to him, but boy were they wrong. The Spirit locked them into his journey through his bad decisions, into his great decision to follow Jesus. I followed Patrick with a message about the choice between heaven and hell and that we get to choose. Camille followed with a decision to follow Jesus time. At least 12 people made first time commitments to follow Jesus! Party time in heaven! It was truely overwhelming.
We funded and meal and Clark's people came through big. They made rice, beef and beans, with various soft drinks available. He used his good dishes and silverware, treating people as VIPs. The streets kids ate as if there was no tomorrow...Bellies where all full and the love of Jesus was displayed in tangible ways. Clark is one of my new hero's. God told him to go into the street and bring the neglected of society into his restaurant/hotel. Next Thursday they are meeting again to begin leadership training and discipleship. I just received Celebrate Recovery Material from home today, that Camille and Esther will use to meet the huge needs of recovery here. CR Goma, we will have to let Saddleback Church know that their progam has landed in Goma, DRC.
After the event, we hand an opportunity to have dinner with Clark, Esther, and Camille and reflect on the day, in a word...Transforming.
Friday, May 2
Travel day as we are off the Kigali Rwanda.
This morning Patrick Esther and I went to a hospital in the outskirts of Goma to drop off the medical supplies we brought. They were very appreciative as they do not receive much help. They serve a lot of displaced people from the war and cannot afford to pay, they are doing a great work.
In the way back, we stopped at a Heal Africa Clinic and bought more stuff to sell at home.
Well, off to Kigali. We will update the blog from Nairobi.
Grace and Peace,
Michael.
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