So here's some of the things we saw this weekend...

The fountains of Bellagio, alongside a visitor from Israel named Asher. When he asked what our son's name was, we were excited to tell him "Josiah". Asher paused, and asked if it was two words or one. He then asked if it was a religious name. We reminded him of the story in the Old Testament, and he remembered the name, but insisted that Josiah was not a king, but a foreteller, or prophet. It saddened us that someone with so rich a religious heritage, someone whose ethnic heritage is so strong that he would risk terrorist attacks to live in the land of his forefathers, would not be more knowledgable about why his heritage is such a treasure. We pray that he would re-read the story of Josiah, and that he would be similarly inspired to rediscover the law of our God.

On the way home from the strip we saw a circle of about six or seven people dressed in black gowns with faces painted white, standing around a collection of candles. Are they called a coven?

Driving home from Arizona, I could see the blue Colorado river as it cuts a path through brown, dry, hot mountains, while the snow-capped Mt. Charleston graced the distant horizon. It is always odd to be able to see snow when it is 85 degrees outside.

Played with Josiah in the pool. Shared Sonic burgers with my grandma and her friend. Caught up with some friends at church. Read part of a Henri Nouwen book while balled up in a broken-in Barnes and Noble chair.

The only bad thing was having 3 out of 4 hubcap covers stolen off the car. I just hope they don't get the last one!

We printed the application for ACU summer missions seminar. I will fill it our tomorrow during my lunch hour.

The weekend was enjoyable, peaceful, warm. We live in a unique place; we were reminded this weekend of how much fun we have here. As God takes us on this journey, we will miss this place. But we can not miss the journey.

Please pray...

just a couple quick thoughts...

first, the bombing in Spain has been on my mind all day. We live in a violent, twisted world, and it seems that our best efforts to "rout out" violence and terror simply adds fuel to the fire.

The master spoke of the danger of living by the sword. But are we really to believe that turning the other cheek is a better way?

Whatever we think of such a notion, it is the ethic of Jesus himself. He could have fought back, as the army of angels were at his disposal. But he did not. He choose to lay down his life. He desires us to choose the same.

Does this sound like a viable foreign policy? Id on't know.

Secondly, I have spent all morning listening to advertisements for St. Patricks day parties on the radio ("Let's shamrock the house at the House of Blues!"). Funny, such regard for a English missionary who carried the Christian faith to Ireland. Patrick's story is incredible, although today's culture might judge him as intolerant, as he declared the traditional Gaelic religions to be false.

We just received a "signing with your baby" book and video kit in the mail. We will let you know if and when Josiah duplicates one of these signs.

And we are applying for scholarships for the ACU missions seminar. (Want to join us? check out http://www.bible.acu.edu/missions/page.asp?ID=1223). There are three other couples planning to attend this seminar also hoping to move to Mwanza. We have attended in the past, and we pray for an open door for us to attend this year.

Thanks for stopping by. Peace be with you.

It's springtime, the weather is warm, and Josiah swam in the pool for the first time tuesday (well, since his birthday, at least). The weather and time of year provides great peace for my soul.

So, here is where we start this part of our journey, but as I think back this journey has several starting points. A recent e-mail conversation confirmed our desire (some might say calling) to serve the poor and lost in Mwanza, Tanzania. The summer of 2001 provided us with the opportunity to visit Mwanza. Charity and I met on a mission trip to Africa in 1997. Our individual desires to serve God through mission work predates our relationship. Personally, I feel that God may have been forming a heart for the poor and the suffering within me even before I became a follower of Christ.

But I can't rewrite all the experiences of my life, so I will start here... We live in Vegas, Charity is a full-time mother of Josiah, and I work a couple of different jobs to make ends meet (or at least get the ends closer together). It is our great dream and desire to join Chris and Teresa Boyce (and other dreamers like us) in a quest to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the people of Mwanza, Tanzania.

God has blessed us this week. Some friends, although frustrated by our inability to provide them with a fundraising letter, provided us with a large check (one of those checks that has a comma in it!), with the memo line saying "plane tickets". The check might get us as far as London, but the symbolism and encouragement provided by this gift is worth more than the airfare it will provide. It reminds us of God's provision.

Well, I must return to work. If there is anyone out there who sees this blog, and has anything to say, or any questions to ask, please do so. May God pour his love upon you this day.