Dearest Friends,

As I was preparing for my trip to Asia this summer, I was told that there were two important documents that I simply could not go without. One was a passport, the other a visa. I was not told, however, that it would be such an adventure for me to obtain these documents!

First I had to have my picture taken. Simple, sure. I was back in that little photo shop three times, and had almost twenty pictures taken! It wasn’t that I didn’t like the pictures; they were passport pictures, I wasn’t expecting to like them! I think the lady may have been new to the art of passport picture taking. She decapitated me at the chin a couple of times, and then almost missed my head entirely other times! There were many other fun details of getting my passport; it getting lost in the U.S. mail, finding out that the pictures were half an inch too short, etc. Then I sent away for my visa.

Then a lady with a very strong accent called and told me that she had my visa application on her desk, and wanted to ask me a few questions. My first reaction was that I really didn’t want another credit card (I can barely keep my checking account in balance, the last thing I need is a credit card!) but then it hit me: Asian accent, Visa, hhmmmm…maybe I do need this Visa…

As the time draws nigh for my departure, my heart has been deeply struck with a sense of urgency. I find that I have become complacent, and lukewarm. Do I truly live each day seeking the Lord for every decision, and following His every prompting? Do I really mourn for the lost? Mourn enough to get out of my comfort zone, and tell the thirsty where to find living water?
I recently sat in on a debate between an atheist and a Christian. As the atheist stood up on the platform and mocked the one true God, he made some very profound statements. He scorned Christians for our beliefs. He scorned the fact that we believed that God has a purpose for our lives. To him that would be a demeaning factor to his existence. He said that if we truly believe that, then we are in fact puppets. Oh! If only that were more true! If I could truly be more of a puppet, with my Father as the puppeteer. If only I would lift my arm willingly when He is gently tugging, rather than resisting with my stubborn self will.

We are commanded in 1 Peter 3:15 to be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) We have free access to God’s word here in America, yet we take it for granted. Countless scores of Christians across the world do not have a Bible, or access to one. Treasure the word, read it, absorb it, hide it in your heart.

I recently heard a testimony by a missionary named Darlene Rose. (I strongly recommend her tapes, they are available through the Church at Cane Creek, 1000 Pearl Rd., Pleasantville, TN 37033) She was in a Japanese concentration camp for four years during WWII. She said they took away her Scriptures, but it didn’t matter because she had them all hidden in her heart. Can we say the same thing?

I am looking forward to these next few months of adventure with the Lord. Thank you so much for your prayers! I feel extremely inadequate, but I know that the Lord is able to use even the weakest of vessels. “May His Beauty rest upon me, as I seek the Lost to win, and may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.” I promise to give you a full report of what God is doing in Asia when I return.

Have a wonderful summer walking with the Lord! This is the day that the Lord may come! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

In our Savior’s love,