It's Getting Closer...

It's now June, which means that we're just a little over a month from being overseas! How exciting! I am filled with joy when I think of the way that the Lord is going to move this summer, and is already moving in the lives of friends who are participating in summer projects and mission work across the globe. I just got my immunization shots - so the thought of traveling to Africa is becoming more of a reality with each passing day (and each additional shot!)

The process of preparing for Ethiopia is going well. I've recently been reading through the book of Acts and came upon the story of Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch in Chapter 8. Though I've read this passage before, two ideas impacted me during this reading. The first is the eunuch's desire to know God. When Philip comes upon him, the eunuch is reading scripture, looking for truth. He doesn't stop there - he INVITES Philip to come and guide him through Scripture. WOW! I believe that the Lord is working in the hearts of Ethiopian students in the same way - He has placed the desire to discover truth in them, and I am confident that He will reveal Himself to them as Savior and Lord.

The second observation is the incredible guiding role the Holy Spirit place in this passage. We are told in verse 29 that "the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go over and join this chariot.' " The Holy Spirit led the eunuch to read a passage that was a clear witness to Christ, directed Philip to approach the eunuch and relay the good news of Christ, and directed Philip and the eunuch by a watering place in the desert as the eunuch requested baptism. Nothing good is accomplished by my own will or action - all that is good and true in me is given by the Lord and is a result of His power working through me. May I remember this as I prepare for the summer and be obedient and open to the Lord's work.

In the coming weeks, I invite you to pray for Ethiopia. Join me in praying:

- That God will provide for the Ethiopian team as we continue to raise support.
- For unity of mind and spirit as our team meets for the first time on July 13 and as we begin to minister during our four weeks in the city of Bahir Dur. That we would experience open, honest, and Christ centered community.
- That the Lord would be working in the hearts of the Ethiopian students that he intends for us to meet in Ethiopia. You can pray that the Ethiopian Orthodox Christians will realize their need for Jesus Christ.

- That I would not rely on my own strength, but I would have the courage to take a step of faith during evangelism and leave the results to God.
- That the conference that our team will be planning (the Life4All conference) would help equip a generation of Christ following students who desire to proclaim the gospel throughout the African continent, particularly the surrounding nations of Somalia and Sudan.
- That through this trip, the Lord would reveal aspects of my character that He wants to change so that I may be more like Christ.

I am continually amazed at the Lord's provision through the generosity of family and friends. What a humbling experience support raising has been. Thank you all for eagerness to participate in the Lord's work overseas. I am currently at 80% of my support goal, which is an incredible blessing. However, I need to raise an additional $1,000 to be fully financed. I am confident that the Lord will provide. I want to give a GIANT thanks to all of you who have contributed to this project! And for all of you who are joining me in prayer - a HUGE thank you to you! God delights in hearing our prayers and is faithful to complete His work - how great a gift it is to play a part in HIS plan. You are all such blessings in so many ways, both in my life and in the lives of those who we will meet overseas.

I look forward to keeping you posted!

In Him,

Nathan