My mom is home

Hey All,

 Thanks for praying for my mom. She is home from the hospital as of today. I'm thankful. Thanks again!

My mom's surgery

Hey all, I have been delinquent in blogging. Other things have taken precedence. I wanted to ask you guys to pray for my mom, Rita. She is scheduled for exploratory surgery on Thursday the 20th. The doctors aren't sure what or where the problem is exactly. All they know is that there is a growth (possibly around her appendix). So, please pray. There are so many near and dear ones to pray for. I'm thankful that God hears our prayers and always answers in His wisdom. My mom will probably not be happy that I selected this photo- but I'll risk her wrath and comfort myself with knowing that you all are praying :) I'll post when I know more. Thanks for your friendship and prayers. 

My Kind of Town

There is a song about Chicago that includes the lyrics "my kind of town." I love diversity and in particular, I love the diveristy of Chicago. Obama pop art, Chinese New Year's celebrations and Ash Wednesday worshippers were all featured in this morning's paper. Sure, there are lots of other American cities that showcase and celebrate their diversity, but none that hold the same affection in my heart. Why does diversity make me so happy? I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe because it ultimately points to the manifest wisdom and beauty of our Creator God who also delights in our varied forms of expression. May we honor God in our lives and delight in the way others do so as well.

Visit to Kyrgyzstan

Recently, I went to visit my missionary friends who are church planting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I left on the 10th of January, thinking that I was just going to see my friends and the work that God is doing there. I returned on the 17th with a confidence that the Lord is calling me to join the work there. Throughout the week, my heart changed and for many reasons, I see that God is leading me to move there sometime this year. It will be difficult to leave my brothers and sisters in Christ here in Ukraine, but it's my prayer to see the family of Christ grow as I participate in God's work to transform lives in Kyrgyzstan. I consider it a great privilege to be able to share the name of Jesus with people who have never heard it, in hopes that they would know the Joy that He is. One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. May the day of salvation come quickly for those in Kyrgyzstan who do not yet know His name.

Looking Backward, Looking Forward

Someone told me that the month of January was named after the two-faced Roman god, Janus. Sure enough, they were right. As we will soon be in the month of January and beginning a new year, I began to reflect upon what has been and what will be. I’m thankful that my past, present and future are in the hands of God and that there is meaning and purpose in everything, even if I don’t see it. So, if you do some thinking back and looking forward at this time of year, keep in mind that God’s wisdom has higher plans than we can see, that His power can redeem any tragedy, that His love can comfort our pains, that His Spirit can transform us that His peace passes understanding and that He will ultimately be glorified in it all. May we look back and forward with eyes of faith, believing in His holiness and goodness, finding our peace and satisfaction in Him. Wishing you all a Happy New Year of trusting Jesus.
Rom. 11:33-6
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Updates and Petitions

Thanks for praying for Paul Billings. His surgery went well last week. You can continue to pray for Paul and Mel as they were suppose to meet with the religious affairs dept. in Bishkek today (Dec 17th) regarding the church plant there. Pray that the church can be registered and that they will have continued permission to preach.
Also, please pray for Jake Knotts, that God would heal his kidney. You can read more about that on his blog if you like. There is a link on this blog.
Also, here's a fun tidbit: I was talking with Yulia (see earlier post) yesterday and she asked if God ever slept. It is amazing and sometimes startling to get insights into how she thinks about God . Certainly it was a joy and a privilege to share with her that God never sleeps and is always watching over her. Ps 121:4 "He will not allow your foot to be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber." Good news for weary souls!

Lift Them Up

Please pray for Paul and Melanie Billings. They are missionaries in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and are currently in Hungary where Paul is awaiting surgery to repair damage done by kidney stones earlier this year. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday the 11th. They have 2 boys and are expecting another child in the new year. Here is a poem dedicated to them:
Reaching to the sun
bending to the wind
the wind does blow
and I bend
I am bending
bare - blown - trusting.
oaks of righteousness have small beginnings
dry deserts have their season of rain
the water falls and goes deep
and the sun never fails to bring life
(see Ps. 84 esp. verse 12 and Isaiah 61:3)