I AM

Just wanted to share an excerpt from Louie Giglio's book, I am not but I know I AM. I read this yesterday and it brought me a lot of peace.

"And in the days to come, when you're questioning, needing, searching, wondering, asking, and struggling you will find His sufficiency at the end of every desperate prayer. When you cry out all the things that you are not, you'll know His answer is, "I AM." For every cry there is one answer:
I need hope. I AM.
Who could possibly be smart enough to figure this out? I AM.
What lasts? I AM.
I need a bigger story. I AM.
Nobody's listening to me. I AM.
Nothings real anymore. I AM.
I'm pouring into others, who's pouring into me? I AM.
I'm not sure why I'm here. I AM.
Somebody just hold me. I AM. "

Thanks to all of you who have spent time in prayer for me these last days. Just to give you an update, I have decided to move from my current hut and into a room at one of the teacher's homes near the school. It is for now a temporary solution, but seems a really great option. I'll be close to the school and the clinic which should be great workwise and influence wise. I will be about 2 miles from my old village, so I can still visit and be involved there. Please pray for this adjustment and also that my "old" village would not feel abandoned or hurt that I have moved. Specifically for my relationship with Cholwe, that it would continue to be strong and grow even with the distance. I love and miss you all!

Thanksgiving

Rain is falling here in Choma, the turkey has been killed, and friends will be gathering in two hours to celebrate all the blessings we have. There was not a turkey bowl, football here is soccer, and all of you are halfway around the world...BUT I still have so much to be thankful for in my life. Above all, that I serve a God who was willing to sacrifice everything to have a relationship with me, a God that allows us to partner with Him in ministry, no matter how much we mess things up! A God that walks beside us, holds us up, and gives us rest when we are weary. Be thankful today and enjoy this awesome holiday.

Just a quick update on life over here. I have been in Lusaka for the week doing some follow up training with Peace Corps. Learned a lot from other volunteers and also PC staff. Had fun in the big city and ate food I did not have to prepare-it was awesome. Right now my biggest prayer request is with my living situation here. After 2 cobras in my hut and another near my bathing shelter Peace Corps medical staff got a little nervous. I went out to my site with our safety and security coordinator yesterday to check things out, only to find a black mamba in my yard. SO, I have a couple options and I'm just not sure the best way to handle the situation. PC is leaving it up to me at this point, I can stay in my hut, move within my village to another place, or move altogether to another village. Ideally I would like to stay in my hut, but at this point it appears there must be a nest or something nearby because it is very unusual to have so many snakes in such a short period of time. Please pray that God would give me direction on what to do and also protect me physically and emotionally.

Love you all-enjoy Thanksgiving!