"I can hold Daddy's finger IN MY SLEEP." Talented! ...
Monday, September 25, 2006
2 cute pictures of who else?
No, that's not a bindi. It's a chiquita banana sticker, and Lily clearly knows how to follow instructions! ...
"I can hold Daddy's finger IN MY SLEEP." Talented! ...
"I can hold Daddy's finger IN MY SLEEP." Talented! ...
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Ramadan begins today
Today is the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is a month of heightened spiritual fervor and seeking after truth and virtue for many Muslims. For the past 15 years an increasing number of Christians have prayed daily for Muslims each day during the 30 days of fasting. If you would like to access this year's daily prayer guide online, click here. It is very well done!
You might also try fasting in addition to praying for Muslims. After all, Jesus said, "WHEN you fast" (Matthew 6:16), not "IF you fast." Jesus clearly assumed that his followers would indeed fast for suitable reasons and occasions. The salvation of 1.3 billion Muslims qualifies, if you ask me! Of course, if you do choose to fast, there is no legalistic standard for how you must do so. The point is not to satisfy a rigid code, but to draw near to God, and to feel in our very bodies our desperate, daily need for him. If you do not choose to fast all day, you could skip a meal on occasion, or even daily. Many Christians abstain from either breakfast or lunch daily during the month of fasting, as they pray for Muslims. Other Christians keep the whole month of fasting right along with the Muslims. If you choose to fast as well as pray in any fashion, may you find it to be a blessing. And may all the blessings of God in Jesus Christ come to the Muslims of the world -- each one of them!
You might also try fasting in addition to praying for Muslims. After all, Jesus said, "WHEN you fast" (Matthew 6:16), not "IF you fast." Jesus clearly assumed that his followers would indeed fast for suitable reasons and occasions. The salvation of 1.3 billion Muslims qualifies, if you ask me! Of course, if you do choose to fast, there is no legalistic standard for how you must do so. The point is not to satisfy a rigid code, but to draw near to God, and to feel in our very bodies our desperate, daily need for him. If you do not choose to fast all day, you could skip a meal on occasion, or even daily. Many Christians abstain from either breakfast or lunch daily during the month of fasting, as they pray for Muslims. Other Christians keep the whole month of fasting right along with the Muslims. If you choose to fast as well as pray in any fashion, may you find it to be a blessing. And may all the blessings of God in Jesus Christ come to the Muslims of the world -- each one of them!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Prayer letter, September 11
Dear friends,
We hope and pray you’ve had a great summer! Our summer has been a joy, seeing many of you again, and watching our precious Lily grow.
Lily update
Lily is three months old today! She is such a wonderful baby. She sleeps great at night (she got the sleep gene from both of her parents!), and is very good natured and delightful. She is getting more and more interactive, and is starting to play with us. We are so thankful to God for Lily. I’ve attached to this email a few pictures of her on her three month birthday! Thank you so much for your prayers for her. Please do continue to pray for wisdom from God for Mini and me for every stage of Lily’s life.
Living in Long Beach
We have moved to Long Beach! Our new home address is:
6481 Atlantic Avenue #137
Long Beach, CA 90805
We live in a large apartment complex. We’ve been meeting our neighbors and inviting them to church. Just yesterday I met a Hindu couple from India who live in our building. I spoke Hindi to them and they were astonished to hear a white man speaking their mother tongue. They invited us to come over any time. Do pray for our relationships with our neighbors and opportunities to share the gospel.
The new church plant we are a part of (Fountain of Life Covenant Church) will have its very first public church service this coming Sunday, September 17. We’ll have one “preview” service a month in September, October, and November, and then we start with weekly services in early December. We’re all very excited about what God will do in this community. Please pray for us.
Visits to Sacramento and Oregon
In July and August we traveled up to Sacramento and Oregon, visiting family and friends. Lily got to meet her great-grandparents in Oregon – that was extra special. (I wrote a tribute to my grandparents on our blog, dated August 8. Feel free to read it!) We also had a “welcome Lily” party in Sacramento that many of you attended. Mini and I talked afterward about how grateful we are to God that he has given us so many dear friends (not only in Sacramento!) who love us and care about us, and our daughter. We are blessed!
The Crossroads Conference
In my last prayer letter I asked you to pray for our teaching at the Crossroads Conference. Mini and I taught a seminar, hoping to inspire young people to devote their lives to missions for the sake of the joy set before us. After we did the seminar, it occurred to me that some of you might like to read it. So, I’ve attached it to this email too. Feel free to have a look if you are interested. If you have any comments at all (positive or negative), I would be glad to hear your feedback!
Servant Partners’ Global Urban Training School
Servant Partners’ annual Global Urban Training School (GUTS) is starting in two weeks. I will be helping to coordinate the first week of the training, which will be held here in Los Angeles from September 24 - 29. Then, the candidates go to Manila, the Philippines for exposure to an international urban poor setting, and additional training. I would appreciate your prayers for me and for all of this year’s candidates. One of my roles here in the US is to help prepare and train new missionaries who are going to the field with Servant Partners, so GUTS is an important time for me.
Upcoming church retreat
I would also appreciate your prayers on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1. I will be teaching on Romans 8 at a weekend church retreat for East West Church.
We love you, and we are always happy to hear from you! We pray for all of God’s blessings in your life, and joy and peace in our Lord Jesus.
For the joy set before us,
Dave, Mini, & Lily
We hope and pray you’ve had a great summer! Our summer has been a joy, seeing many of you again, and watching our precious Lily grow.
Lily update
Lily is three months old today! She is such a wonderful baby. She sleeps great at night (she got the sleep gene from both of her parents!), and is very good natured and delightful. She is getting more and more interactive, and is starting to play with us. We are so thankful to God for Lily. I’ve attached to this email a few pictures of her on her three month birthday! Thank you so much for your prayers for her. Please do continue to pray for wisdom from God for Mini and me for every stage of Lily’s life.
Living in Long Beach
We have moved to Long Beach! Our new home address is:
6481 Atlantic Avenue #137
Long Beach, CA 90805
We live in a large apartment complex. We’ve been meeting our neighbors and inviting them to church. Just yesterday I met a Hindu couple from India who live in our building. I spoke Hindi to them and they were astonished to hear a white man speaking their mother tongue. They invited us to come over any time. Do pray for our relationships with our neighbors and opportunities to share the gospel.
The new church plant we are a part of (Fountain of Life Covenant Church) will have its very first public church service this coming Sunday, September 17. We’ll have one “preview” service a month in September, October, and November, and then we start with weekly services in early December. We’re all very excited about what God will do in this community. Please pray for us.
Visits to Sacramento and Oregon
In July and August we traveled up to Sacramento and Oregon, visiting family and friends. Lily got to meet her great-grandparents in Oregon – that was extra special. (I wrote a tribute to my grandparents on our blog, dated August 8. Feel free to read it!) We also had a “welcome Lily” party in Sacramento that many of you attended. Mini and I talked afterward about how grateful we are to God that he has given us so many dear friends (not only in Sacramento!) who love us and care about us, and our daughter. We are blessed!
The Crossroads Conference
In my last prayer letter I asked you to pray for our teaching at the Crossroads Conference. Mini and I taught a seminar, hoping to inspire young people to devote their lives to missions for the sake of the joy set before us. After we did the seminar, it occurred to me that some of you might like to read it. So, I’ve attached it to this email too. Feel free to have a look if you are interested. If you have any comments at all (positive or negative), I would be glad to hear your feedback!
Servant Partners’ Global Urban Training School
Servant Partners’ annual Global Urban Training School (GUTS) is starting in two weeks. I will be helping to coordinate the first week of the training, which will be held here in Los Angeles from September 24 - 29. Then, the candidates go to Manila, the Philippines for exposure to an international urban poor setting, and additional training. I would appreciate your prayers for me and for all of this year’s candidates. One of my roles here in the US is to help prepare and train new missionaries who are going to the field with Servant Partners, so GUTS is an important time for me.
Upcoming church retreat
I would also appreciate your prayers on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1. I will be teaching on Romans 8 at a weekend church retreat for East West Church.
We love you, and we are always happy to hear from you! We pray for all of God’s blessings in your life, and joy and peace in our Lord Jesus.
For the joy set before us,
Dave, Mini, & Lily
Monday, September 11, 2006
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