I Can't Give...But I Can Pray

I'm a firm believer in some being called to different tasks. Some have been blessed and entrusted with wealth by our Lord, so they are called and expected to give. Others have been blessed with a desire to pray and to offer support through the prayer and intercession. This post is for those who feel called to pray. Prayer is essential.

Let me be candid...I'm intimidated. That's right, I AM INTIMIDATED. I often don't say these words, but yet I find myself in a state of intimidation which is leading me to a greater dependency on our Lord Jesus. When I think about my impending trip to Burkina Faso and the things that I and others will be engaged in...it's easy to get a little intimidated. Sharing Jesus with Muslims and others that follow animism is intimidating. I can handle the travel and the food in other cultures, but when I walk into uncharted waters, I can easily get a little intimidated. So, although I'm brimming with confidence only in part to who I am in Christ and that I bear the "ministry of reconciliation", I am asking you to join with me that my intimidation would be enough to keep me humble and not enough to paralyze me. I hope this makes sense. I'm walking and going to Burkina Faso with tremendous confidence because it's obvious that God is doing something, and I'm simply joining Him.

So, I need you to pray. Giving is great, but I'm really after a collection of people who will intercede for myself and my 2 friends (my brother Jeff and my friend Jeff)that I'll be traveling with. Please pray for the following:

• Pray that we would be courageous as we share the gospel in two different villages, primarily with Muslim friends.
• Pray that many would come to see the JESUS film...and that it would make sense to those that watch it.
• Pray as we seek to lend out more loans to individuals...that these loans would be given in the name and love of Jesus.
• Pray for me and the loan officer (Jean) that I work with...that we would work out the logistics related to the micro-lending. Their is much to be done. I need wisdom in this regard.
• Pray for our business training that we'll be doing in 2 villages with the borrowers. Pray as we share some Christian business principles...that it would guide their individual business efforts.
• Pray for our ministry in and alongside a local Alliance church. I'll be preaching in an Alliance church on the Sunday.
• Pray for my family...that is back in Warren, OH. Pray for Mandy as she maintains our home and cares for the boys.

Thanks for praying...I'm grateful.

A New Work

A new work is always exciting. Everyone loves newness. People love things that are new. I'm experiencing "the new" in micro-lending in Burkina Faso. We started lending in a small village 28 miles outside of the capital city a year ago. It's been so cool to have a front-row seat and watch the power of these small loans in the lives of women who are now empowered with dignity and hope.

I told the Lord that I would stay one step behind Him as He leads. I was determined to go slow, and be willing to wait until I saw success and blessing. Every loan that has been lent has been returned in full. When I travel to Burkina on April 1st, I'll be involved in some training of these ambitious entrepreneurs with the intent of sharing the gospel with them. Through the showing of the JESUS film to these women and their families on this trip (and actually the entire village will be invited) we'll be sharing the hope of Jesus Christ, and not just giving out loans.

The newness comes when we will start lending to another village just a few miles from the village that we currently lend to. Their are people identified and ready to receive loans. So, due to the generous donations of some friends, we're ready to start lending. We'll be doing the screening of these potential borrowers and then training them with the practical things that are necessary to be both ethical and successful in their respective businesses. In this village, our goal is to share the hope of Jesus with EVERY borrower. We want to reach people with Jesus.

You see, it's so much bigger than giving out more loans. It's about the Gospel. It's about offering hope and salvation to many, some of whom have never heard of Jesus. So, pray for this endeavour. Pray that the newness of this new village would not crowd out the urgency to share Jesus with these precious people. Pray that as we loan monies to these new clients...that our actions and our words would be Gospel-oriented, and many would be drawn to the powerful and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Thanks for praying!!!