What I'm Doing For "Black Friday"

While you are out tracking down great deals, standing in line at Walmart, and preparing to be the next story on CNN.com as you run over little old ladies in walkers to get the last "Dance Star Mickey"...I'll be doing something different.  We are freaking out a little...yes! :)

Tomorow Cherie and I along with 9 other Parkviewians will be boarding a plane to Nairobi, Kenya as part of a missions trip.  Yep, we are leaving BG in the loving arms of my mom from South Dakota and travelling to the remote regions of Kenya. 

Much of what we will be doing over the next 9 days will look like Vacation Bible school with Bible lessons, worship, and Small Group time, but additionally we will be teaching self defense to the teenage girls there.  Cherie has said before that she is so excited to know that she will be leaving these girls with skills that can save their lives. 

That is freaking awesome!

What is more amazing though to me is the Scripture that frames this weeks activities.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2

I hope you join me in praying:

• That this trip oozes with the love of Christ for these teenagers.  That despite the circumstances they might be in they can rise above the with the love of Christ and we can demostrate that well.

• I pray that we as a mission's team throw off the sin of pride, judgement, and frustation that can so easily entangle our souls and show these children Christian men and women running their race strong for Christ.

• And I pray that we all can look back and have learned much from the Author and Perfector of our faith as we join our lives together for eternity with these young men and woman. 

Friends, please pray for us as we travel and I will be anxious to report back with what God is doing in far reaches of Kenya!

ALL FOR HIM!