Project Focus

As I prepare to leave for ministry in Myanmar in February/March with our
equipping team, I discovered some time ago that I enter a "zone", that
is to say a sort of "state of otherworldliness". It usually happens
about 3-4 weeks before our projects launch. I fondly refer to it as
"Project Focus".

It is a state of being that is similar to what happens when a man has a
bag of Cheetos open and a remote control in his hand watching two good
football games on TV.

Some of the symptoms of said "Project Focus" are as follows:

* greatly reduced hearing (if it doesn't pertain to Myanmar, I don't
hear it),
* greatly reduced vision (if it doesn't pertain to my study for
Myanmar lessons, I don't see it),
* and greatly reduced speech (if it doesn't pertain... oh by now
I'm sure you get it)

Anyway, the problem with "Project Focus" is that others don't truly
understand it, and in fact tend to get a bit annoyed at the seemingly
semi-comatose state you are in. They misinterpret the drool, glassy
eyes, and furrowed brow as a sign of rudeness, or a lack of interest in
what they are saying or showing to you. Shannon deals with it by
whopping me upside the head when she really needs my attention. My boys
just point and laugh.

There are a million and one things to complete (not literally, but you
get the picture) before our team departs.

* Pray for our families as they prepare to experience the fact that
their husbands and dad's will in effect "drop off the face of the
earth" for about a month.
* Pray for the pastors and leaders, that nothing will hinder them
from attending.
* Pray for our translators, that they will be filled with the power
and presence of the Holy Spirit.
* Pray that the remaining funds needed will be provided.
* Pray for our equipping team, that we will be diligent in study and
prayer.

Thanks for your faithful support and for taking this journey with us!

David

--

Monday Missions Moment

"Yes, the great Invisible is in the midst of these Karen wilds. That mighty Being, who heaped up these craggy rocks, and reared these stupendous mountains, and poured out these streams in all directions, and scattered immortal beings throughout these deserts - He is present by the influence of his Holy Spirit, and accompanies the sound of the Gospel with converting, sanctifying power. The best of all is, God is with us!"

This quote is from the first American missionary, Adoniram Judson, who spent his life in Burma (Myanmnar). Today they still use his translation of the Bible as well as his dictionary. His life is an example of faithfulness, strength and courage in the midst of unbelievable hardship. He is one of my heroes!

Please join with us in prayer as we prepare to head to Myanmar in February. We will be leaving on February 8 and will return on March 9. During this time we will have the privilege of equipping and encouraging about 230 pastors and leaders from several different parts of the country.

Pray for the remaining funds to be raised to make this trip possible. Pray for the pastors and leaders as they travel to the various sites where the training will take place. Most of all pray that God will be glorified by all that is said and done during our time in Myanmar.

Thanks for taking the journey with us...

J