God's Kindness

This past year I have been reading the book, "The Narrow Road" co-authored by Jars of Clay and a missionary named Brother Andrew. His stories of delivering Bibles to soviet countries are so exciting and moving that I savor every page and pace myself. Unfortunately, before leaving the US I hadn't finished the book and was so sad, because I couldn't justify carrying it in my suitcase across the world for the 30 pages that I had left to read. So I just thought it would have to wait. While in Amsterdam a wonderful family opened their home to us and took us around some of the outlying towns. Over dinner one night they extended the invitation to stay another night and come to church with them. They casually mentioned that a man named Brother Andrew would be speaking and doing a question and answer session afterwards. I think my fork and jaw dropped simultaneously. I asked, "Brother Andrew! The Brother Andrew of Open Doors (his ministry working with the persecuted church)?" And they replied, "Yes, Brother Andrew comes to our church often. You know him?" I said, "Do I know him?! His faith has blessed me and his testimony left a scearing mark so deep that when God gave me the opportunity to visit the persecuted church in East Asia, I jumped!" They giggled at my celebrity like reaction and it was official that we would stay another day to go to church. So I met him, and learned even more about how God is using him in the middle east. He meets with government officials, and leaders as an ambassador for peace and Jesus! So yeah, God just blessed my socks off with the opportunity to meet him and learn more. I was floored, to say the least.
BUT the story doesn't end there...remember how I told you I didn't even finish reading his book, well I was perusing in our MSID (Study Abroad Program thru the University of Minnesota) Library here in Kenya when I stumbled across a copy of(you guessed it)"The Narrow Road". Now can I emphasis that this is NOT even remotely a Christian program (many of the participates distain the faith) and there are only about a hundred books in this library and most of them are on Development, policy, poverty, and aid programs- not Christian missionaries. SO I was extatic! And I took it and finished the book with a heart beeming with joy!

Traveling Companions

I love these girls! They are such good friends. And I got to spend a week with them in Amsterdam. God uses them to stretch me and teach me so much. They also arn't afraid to speak the truth and tell me when I am in the wrong! Thanks Beth and Rachel. I love you.

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Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Prov. 27:6

Beautiful Amsterdam

Amsterdam is such a great city. Here I am standing on a bridge over a canal (just one of many) and the bikes along the rail are a common site (less pollution+ more exercise= healthier public; the dutch are pretty cool). Plus biking is just fun!