like hammurabi

We have a friend here who is a very smart guy but for some reason couldn't figure out the words to "Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall. As far as he could tell, the words went something to the effect of "it is marvelous like hammurabi." It's not really a funny story or one you would get but I just wanted to explain to you the title of our blog. I couldn't think of anything else to put and it was running through my head.

It is amazing that we have only been here for 14 days. We have learned so much and yet there is still so much to learn. We've been so blessed to sit under wonderful teaching from our director, Elbert, and our president, Jerry Rankin. It is almost information overload with sitting in sessions 6 hours a day, then returning to the library or our quad to complete reading assignments for our region. During the first week, we got pretty stressed out with the amount of work that was ahead of us but we just began to pray that we would view all of our assignments and classes in light of eternity. All of the things we are learning are so instrumental for our lives now and for our lives on the field.

Even though it sounds as if we are in lecture, lecture, lecture and then reading, reading, reading, the team of our FPO (field personnel orientation) have scheduled time for us to be able to take in all that we are learning and allowed us time to retreat with God. During our first week, we had a 4 hour spiritual retreat where we were instructed to use that time only to read God's word, study, pray or simply rest in His presence. I can't think of any better way to start 6 weeks of training than to commit that time to focus on God alone.

We did not have as free a weekend as last week. We had to attend a Saturday session on learning to teach ESL from 9-4. We did get out with friends and go to dinner and a movie and of course, Wal-Mart. Even though we probably needed to read, our brains were about to bust with information so we took the opportunity to veg on Chipotle's & the new movie "Invincible." Another week has just begun and we look forward to sharing more with you soon...

Prayer Network Note: Thank you to all of our prayer supporters who have been praying for Stefan. We do not have any update but are continuing to pray that God would open a door for communication.


posing at the playground

















school is so much fun!!


















mark leading worship (with his Taylor ... what else?)

















krispy kreme!! the hot sign was on.
could i resist? NO!! so i bought two
dozen! ("boo's baby"*, me & mar mar)

*name changed for security reasons

Acts 1:8 (or God at the bowling alley)

As Parker and I have now completed one week of training we have been narrowing our focus more and more each day. We came here to focus on what God is doing all around the world, in Africa, in West Africa, in the Songhai people, in Niger, and in Ayorou. We are learning about cultural barriers and bridges, customs, faith systems and much much more. Yet last Saturday was a great reminder that missions is not just for West Africa. I want to tell you about Stefan (Stefan, if you're reading this, I totally didn't get your permission but I hope you don't mind me telling your story).

Parker and I and four of our good friends all decided to go to lunch and a movie last Saturday (after an expected 8 hour class was unexpectedly cancelled). When we realized that there wasn't really any movies we wanted to see we decided to go bowling. However, our bowling plans were delayed by about 45 minutes when we realized that none of us had socks. So we all went to good ol' Wally World to split a six-pack (of socks of course!). When we got to Wal-mart there was a lady handing out free, what else, but socks!!! My friend Bo (not Jackson) was able to share the gospel with this lady who listened kindly to him. Our first divine appointment.

We then went back to the bowling alley which was packed and finally got a lane. As we bowled, the people just getting to the alley had to wait for a lane to open. Stefan, a 16 year old high school student from the area was one of these people. He just happened upon our lane and began watching us bowl (probably hoping to see a 6 foot 3 guy do the splits). I saw him and just struck up a conversation with him. In a few minutes we were sharing the gospel with him and God was working in his heart. I am so thrilled to tell you that you all have a new brother in Christ as Stefan asked the Lord to be His Savior there at the bowling alley!!!!

You see, we didn't know that the class was going to be cancelled, or that we'd all seen the movies we wanted to see, or that we'd need socks when we left, or that the bowling alley would be packed, or that they'd give us lane 18 which was right by the door, or that Stefan would be waiting for a lane to open up...but God did.

We're going to the ends of the earth to share the gospel but I hope we never forget to go to Jerusalem with that same gospel. Stefan is not a follower of Christ today because of coincidence, or a series of random events, but because God is sovereign and was drawing Stefan to Himself, even at the bowling alley.

Stefan, if you're reading this, I am praying for you bro (and so are about 300 others).

To God be the Glory,
mark

home sweet home (at least for 6 weeks)

We have arrived!! We pulled in to the International Learning Center in Rockville, Virginia on Monday, August 14 around 4 p.m. After checking in and having a nice dinner of sweet and sour chicken at the cafeteria, we spent 2 hours unpacking our stuff.

On Tuesday, we attended a few meetings, had a medical interview (nothing invasive, just telling us about our 9 shots we have to have before we leave), and made a trip to the local Wal-Mart and Starbucks with James & Mary Margaret, some friends we met in Albuquerque at our appointment service. We ended the night by playing a friendly game of Phase 10 and scavaging cereal and milk from the cafeteria!

Today has been another day of introductory meetings and an overwhelming realization that these 6 weeks are not a vacation. While we are very excited about all we will learn and experience, we also realize that there won't be much time for Wal-Mart and Starbucks. There are a lot of classes, training, meetings, readings & assignments that are awaiting us in the next 6 weeks. Please just keep us in your prayers that we would be good stewards of our time and be diligent and faithful to the task before us.

Thank you all for your prayers and support. We posted some pictures of our first few days here at ILC; have fun and feel free to comment!




our first day of school!!


Mark doing laundry?!!


Our little kitchette! We eat most of our meals in the cafeteria but have the option to cook our own. Since breakfast is at 7 am, we've been opting for breakfast in the room at around 8:30!!


All this reading is taking a toll on us!! Thankfully, there has been a few moments to nap!


Mark and his Taylor!! They've been inseperable since "his boys" gave it to him!

what does flameball have to do with rhinos?

Six years in student ministry has taught me about such a wide array of topics: how to get freshmen guys to be quiet on the first night of camp, how to use SPAM in at least fifty different ways, and how to function on less than four hours of sleep per night.

As that chapter in my life has now closed and this new season of life and ministry just begun, I could not help but wonder how, if in anyway, student ministry had prepared me for Africa. I mean what does playing flameball have to do with rhinos?

However, if you hang around me for more than two seconds you'll probably hear me say what has underscored my life and ministry: "God is sovereign." Even when life's events seem so detached and random, God is providentially guiding each step towards His perfect plan. That said, I began to think today about how student ministry is not all that different from Africa. In both situations I had to learn to be a student of new cultures. Yes, in Bowling Green we all spoke the same language but this generation of students is a culture all their own. In both situations it was about equipping the saints for the work of ministry. And in both situations, it was about working with and on a team. Yet one similarity seems to stand out the most: His grace is sufficient.

Jeff Crabtree (my former youth minister) gave me a copy of a mission trip application form I had filled out as a Senior in high school. On one section, you listed fears and weaknesses. As I read over my list, it was like reading a list of qualifications for student ministry. I never felt qualified to lead high school students and a team of volunteers. I'm not cool and I don't own a fanny-pack (two of the top spiritual gifts required for being in student ministry). Yet I have learned not to fear my inadequacies but to boast in them. We've had the privilege of seeing so many lives changed over the past six years and as much as my pride would like to say it's because of great leadership or great talks or great programs, the only answer is that it's because of a great God. Ted Taylor once said something in class that seemed sort of cheesy (and perhaps it is) but it stuck: "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called."

So as Parker and I stand on the edge of this seemingly endless darkness that is West Africa, we boast in our weaknesses. We can't learn two languages, we can't be the only Christians the Songhai in Ayorou have ever seen, we can't live without A/C in 120 degree heat...but Christ can, and He can in us. In student ministry and in Africa, it's not about our ability or our knowledge or our gifts or our personalities, it's about Christ. So should God choose to do something mighty among the Songhai in West Africa, know that the glory all belongs to Him.

On a path to Ayorou,
mark

Jesus & Johnny Cash

We are totally relating to the lyrics of Johnny Cash, "I've been everywhere, man; I've been everywhere, man 'Cross the deserts bare, man, I've breathed the mountain air, man of travel, I've had my share, man, I've been everywhere." Since July 16, we have been through and/or visited 13 states spending time with family and friends. Now that we are without a home we literally feel the words of Matthew 8:20, "Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.'" Homeless, tired and dry on tears from all of the many good-byes, we are much anticipating our stay in Virginia for the next 6 weeks!

Thanks to all of you who have provided us a bed or meal or even a simple prayer during our travels!! You are more precious to us than words can express!! We have so many memories of our travels ... the butterflies in Callaway, the frozen custard in South Dakota, the coffee in the bathroom in Montgomery, the hotdogs in South Carolina, the golf in Waynesville & the Boggle in Statesville! We've loved and enjoyed every minute of it & can't wait to share many more!!

Until another day ...