One Week Mark: Prayer Points

As Erin and I reach the one-week mark until our travel to India on March 3, here are some of the prayer points we hope to lift up with some friends tomorrow night during a send-off get-together ... Please join us!  In light of recent developments, the biggest overall request is for SAFETY, and specifics follow:

General requests:

* for last-minute details & logistics to come together

* for smooth & safe travels

* for uncomplicated digestion of Indian cuisine - especially that Erin will encounter satisfactory vegetarian options as we travel

* for us to be able to stay on (preferably under!) budget 

* for protection from pickpockets & others who may seek to take advantage of foreigners

* for our time at the Jubilee Homes -- that we may be able to bless and encourage those there and come away inspired

* for wisdom and discernment during the second part of our travels to a potentially dangerous area, particularly whether to stay the night 

* for angels to guard us everywhere we go

* for successful scheduling of the meetings by the Coalition leader we are traveling with

* for favor in the meetings we will be attending with various diplomats and prominent policymakers -- to understand and accept the message conveyed

* for integrity and accuracy in our advocacy work

* for the fruit of our labor -- impact & effectiveness

Personal requests:

* for spiritual rejuvenation (something Erin and I have both discussed as a need as of late);

* that God will meet us both in a personal way while in India to renew our spirits and speak to our hearts afresh;

* that we will accept and embrace whatever He puts before us during our journey;

* that we present ourselves as open vessels for His purposes; 

* for God to supply and sustain us with energy & meet the various needs that arise;

* that we openly love & serve those we encounter with ready and humble hearts; and

* that we come away with a deeper understanding of the Indian people and culture and return full of vision and passion about ways that we can convey what we experience to others in a meaningful way ... one that might impact eternity.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~Eph. 2:10 (NIV)

The Countdown Begins . . .

In less than one month, Erin and I will be boarding the first leg of our 19-hour flight to India. Our travel dates span from March 3 through the 19th. Please keep us in prayer as we begin to prepare and work out the nitty gritty details . . .

*that my visa (pending) will be approved
*that we can orchestrate all the miscellaneous travel details such as lodging, etc.
*that any divine appointments we should have will line themselves up in the coming weeks
*that details will come together for an excellent post-trip fundraising event for the Jubilee Homes, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Bombay Teen Challenge and raising awareness for human trafficking issues in India

And join us in praises!

*that we booked our flights (afer a few headaches) & final agenda is confirmed
*that my mom graciously is allowing me to borrow her Cannon camera so I can hopefully take some inspiring photography home with me from the trip and somehow use it for God's glory
*that God has opened doors for the advocacy half of our trip that have been closed to certain others seeking to do the same

A special request: We covet your prayers that God not only goes before us and makes straight the path, but also places a hedge of protection around us and our travelmates as we embark on some rather dangerous investigave reporting and high-profile advocacy. I can't say too much for now other than to please keep us in your prayers for safety.

And on a personal note, praise God for fulfilling my heart's desire to use the journalism background he cultivated in me in a big ... make that really big ... way. He is so famous for exceeding our wildest dreams and humble expectations. The more I grasp Ephesians 3:20, He becomes bigger, his love becomes deeper, and his wisdom becomes wider. Truly, beloved, His ways and thoughts are higher. We are called to simply be still and behold.

And when he says jump ... it's time to jump. :) No looking back and no looking down. "I lift up my eyes to the hills" (Psalm 121:1) -- it's where my help comes from.

And the strength? (Neh. 8:10) It's all the Joy of the Lord's.