Canada, home or visiting...

We have returned to land that Janna and I grew up in and thought that we understood. Living in Indonesia for 7 years has opened our eyes to so many new things and areas in our lives that God would like us to grow in. You are always excited to come to Canada and eat some of the foods that you love (even though your stomach does not like them), to drive on a different side of the road, and to see the country side that you grew up with. But the real reason that a person comes "home" is to meet family members and refresh and take a cultural break.

It is absolutely amazing to see family and hang out again. Family is so important to a support structure whether it be in T.key, Indonesia, or Canada. As I get older I continue to realize that family needs to take time, energy, and genuine care. The idea that because we are family we will just get along, is preposterous. I am so thankful I have been born into a family that really puts effort into relationship and spending time together. I sense this same attitude needed in regards to the community of the church. It takes time and genuine effort to get along and be effective as a family. If we are to support each other as families and as a church body we need to show genuine care and selflessness.

We have now been in Canada for two days and I must say that I have experienced some culture stress as I have returned to the country where everything is supposed to be understandable and customer driven. Shopping has been more difficult than expected and of course the jet lag continues to take hold of our kids. So be it Indonesia or Canada the Bible is the place to go. It just once again makes me realize that where ever I go on earth I am still an alien. I just do not belong here, I am here to glorify, to be used, to give up myself for Christ. Our home is heaven and we each have a purpose and a plan that Jesus through the word will reveal to us.

I came across a quote right at the beginning of a book that have just begun that is powerful to me.
He sustains all, but is himself independent of all. He gives to all, but is enriched by none. Such a God cannot be found out by searching. He can be known only as he is revealed to the heart by the Holy Spirit through the Word. AW Pink

Powerful stuff. We are on this earth for others not for ourselves. God does not need us. We need him. We should not be striving to be great Christians, we should be striving to be grateful Christians.

I'm Back

I had some feedback that there are some people who do read this blog and so I will continue to comment on it at the same very irregular intervals at which I have been lately :-) Sorry about that I will try to be better at putting updates on here. Thank you so much for your response to my last post.

We just finished the easter long weekend and again got to reflect on the huge gift which God has given us. So thankful to be a child of God. Jesus has risen and he is out there, beside you, around you, .... the real question becomes are we seeking Him. Seeking Him is all we really need to concern ourselves with...being in His will is the best place to be.

I have been studying through the book of John lately and have been struck by how John the Baptist really knew what his role was. John's job was to baptise with water and point to Jesus, he knew that this was his job, he also knew that he was NOT the messiah. John knew his role, his God appointed job. Do we know our roles?? Do I know my role in what God is doing? In order to be effective we must know our role. God we need you to be clear with us with our roles in your plan. We want to be in line with that plan.

Another verse I have been contemplating on is found in John 20:30, 31. The bible is written so that we may believe and by believing we can have life in his name. Listening to someone speak on this book he says that he uses these verses as a summary of the bible. I found this interesting.

May we continue to be followers of Christ by loving God and loving others. We can love others by serving. Darren From Papua OUT!

Last time...unless

I think that this will be the last time that I write on this site unless I hear that lots of people are reading it who do not have facebook. It has been difficult for me to write in both places so I have decided that facebook is the way to go.

Please send feedback to my email address if you object. Thanks so much for your support and we think of you all often.

Back from OE....

We have returned from two weeks in Merauke Papua. What a great opportunity to serve others here in Papua. This year we were teamed up with a missionary on the south coast of Papua. The home of swamps, monsoon rains, crocs, kangaroos, snakes, not rocks, and HEAT! At night trying to sleep sweat would be dripping off my forehead. Trying to sleep while you are in a pool of your own sweat is difficult.

God was at work in the lives of our students again this year. Seeing how the students and leaders change on OE is just an amazing experience. This year another teacher and I led OE and it went very well.

Again I am sorry that I do not write on this site more. Facebook is taking over. If you would like to follow us closer please sign into facebook and look for me as a friend.

Thank you so much for praying for my family over these two weeks.