This summer will be quite different than any in the past eight years for my family and myself. Through much LISTENING to the Lord, i have made the decision to stay behind during the annual MP trip to Ukraine. i was supposed to lead a team of 6 people into the area of Belagorsk, our first trip there with a team. Initially, i was excited....new place, new people, new evangelistic opportunities. i was excited about the larger Muslim population there and the opportunity to witness to them. But, as time went on, my excitement waned. i kept 'working it up', but something was wrong. And it was then that the Lord spoke.

By the time He was finished, i had learned a few things. First, that my excitement was not so much for the purpose of the trip as much as it was for the NEW location we would be going to. And evangelism is about Jesus....not placement. Second, that this year was more about TRADITION than the work at hand. It HAS been a tradition for me to go to Ukraine every summer with the team. And it has been a good tradition, and the work got done. But this year was about my perception. It was more like....well....i go because...well...that's what i DO each summer! i GO to Ukraine. And third, i have not been home for our anniversary since 1996, since i have been on every trip since we started the team trips in 1997. And the dates always included June 25th. Wow...that's one i hadn't even given that much concern to. After all....i was 'working for the Lord'! So, it will be nice to spend time with Pam for a change on the 25th instead of with people she doesn't even know.

Well, that's the long and short of it. I am going to be home and be a pray-er for those who ARE going, and will look forward to hearing the stories about what the Lord has done with the people of Belagorsk, and with the team members. WHEW!!...NOW i'm excited about the trip!!! mark