Recalculating

Some of my funding for Lithuania fell through, and I waited far too long for it to come, so I think I'm cancelling my Europe plans for this summer. Europe is just really expensive for summer travel, and because of that, I would probably have to cut all my visiting and ministry down to just SLI. It would be around $1000 for three weeks of ministry, whereas before I was thinking $1500 for three months and at least four places, which would have been very doable. So I'm thinking maybe next year...maybe in the non-tourist season. It's discouraging, but I don't have any job or time to make money towards it, and it's pretty late for support letters. It feels like forcing it at this point.

Meanwhile, Mexico has been provided for, and the doors seem to keep opening there. So I'm thinking I will accelerate my plans and move down there by the second week of August at latest.

The View from the Zaragosas' Refuge, where I plan to teach and volunteer.

Still praying, but the way doors are opening and closing, I think this is the way things are headed. Also, this will give me a chance to formally set up my ministry, as the organizations I was trying to partner with have fallen through, or I don't know them well enough to say "yes, I want to be under ya'll." We'll probably be based out of Norman, Oklahoma. I also hope to record some music and take some sabbath this summer. Life in New Jersey has been draining.

Atlantic City Faith Community! (1/26/11)

My interactions with the youth at work have been much more positive, even when I have to be a disciplinarian. New youth at ROP means they don't know that I'm the new guy (although sometimes they overestimate my laid-back approach), so I've been able to build trust. I'm planning our "all-community retreat" where volunteers from our agency from Florida, Detroit, and New York will meet with us here in New Jersey for some rejuvination and rest, that's kinda fun, kinda daunting. I'm also taking a basic Greek class at church, and the youth group is still going strong. Speaking of, I am submitting a plan for the next two months today, so I gotta run. God bless ya'll and thanks for your prayers and support.

Also, I went to a really exciting conference on Orphan Care in Arkansas, and had an awesome but very brief visit to Norman...even got to play piano in the band on Sunday! More on that later, I have to put together my notes and such...still don't even have the pictures on facebook!