Friday, April 25, 2008

Vacation, Executive Directorship, Scholarship

April Vacation is just about over-- and it was a pretty good one. I visited good friends in Vermont, hung out with my girlfriend, saw a Sox game, fished, skied in 70 degree weather, and had a $200 dinner date at a fancy French restaurant called Aujourd'hui (I didn't pay-- she had a gift-certificate from work!) During these last days of rest, I'm mentally preparing for the storm that will be May, June, July, and August. My series at VAC got postponed, but I still have 2 sermons to prep over this next week.

By now, most of you who read this know that Project Destiny (a summer urban youth camp ministry) is a big part of what I pray for, think about, and do. Over the past few years, I've been helping to run it as a part of a director board. During our last meeting, we finalized a decision to name me Executive Director over Project Destiny. I've been involved in the camp for more than 10 years and I my heart still flutters when I think of what good God will do in and through the staff team that he assembles. It will be a challenging summer. My pastor recently asked me how I felt about this. My answer: "I trust God." In the end, that's all I can say-- I have no real reason to believe that I am the perfect candidate or that I won't fail miserably. If I say, "I can do it," it is a lie because that's honestly not how I feel. But I can trust God to lead me to glorify him in success or in failure... "as it is my earnest expectation and hope that I will not at all be ashamed, but that now, as always, Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or death." As before, I will try to post updates here throughout the summer and I appreciate your prayers.

On the seminary front, I am indeed going to Gordon-Conwell next year. On top of that, I am receiving a significant scholarship that will cover a third of my projected costs for next year. I am exceedingly grateful to see how God is encouraging me by removing obstacles and opening doors. This scholarship, called the Partnership Program requires me to build a support team and to fund raise. I will, at some point, post more about the program; but if you would like to be a support partner for me to attend seminary, please contact me by comment or the usual channels. Thanks!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Grading, Preaching, Vermont

It is nearly 2AM... and I am still grading. Term 3 grades are due tomorrow and I still have over half of the major projects left to grade along with other assignments. After you enter all the grades in your computer program, you then double-check everything, factor in extra-credit, and then fill in a whole bunch of scan-tron sheets in #2 pencil. That step is far off for me, right now.... I suppose this is one thing that I won't miss about teaching.

I have decided to preach at Vietnamese Alliance Church again for a short 4-week series, beginning April 27. I don't know what the series will be on yet, but it is an honor that they keep inviting me to speak. I really value the opportunity to preach Christ in a congregation that is never far from my heart. Please pray for me!

This weekend, I'll be visiting Vermont to reconnect with some friends from my college days there. I'll also be bringing a friend to meet folks. It will be a welcome change of pace before the truly busy season of Project Destiny planning and execution begins in May.

Image: the gold plated bathroom that I used during a recent pre-marriage conference... it was in the home of the creator of Ms. Pacman, Missile Command, and the TV Guide program!