Let's Try This Again

I figured it was finally time to put down some thoughts. Who knows if anybody even checks this thing any more. But for you faithful bloggers, I will attempt to re-resurrect the glimpse and see what happens.
The Spirit of God. Has anybody heard the song 'Vision of You' by Shane and Shane? Probably my favorite song right now: it basically talks about inviting the Spirit to come and fill this earthly container (thanks Aunt Audrey) and letting Him be the focus. The song moves me every time I listen to it. By the way, if you haven't picked up the album Pages by Shane & Shane, you have some shopping to do. Anyway, I've been in this intense learning curve as of late as God prods me telling me that He wants more of me. Well, I don't know about you, but sacrificing more of me has always been a huge struggle of mine. It is so easy to grab life by the horns (which is what the world tries to convince us to do) and live it for ourselves with our own agenda. My good buddy Luke Heidebrecht and I were talking on the phone a week ago, an he mentioned that if our goal on earth is to serve and glorify God, why would we want to do anything else? Living our lives for ourself seems to always end with a need that cannot be filled. And then we go on trying to fill these needs that can't be filled. I can't count the times that I've had to relearn trust. Why can't I regularly trust God with my life? I think it might have something to do with pride. Pride is all about ME. It's totally counter-sacrifice and it continually pulls me away from seeking God's will in the fullest. Praise Jesus that He has never and will never give up on me. He keeps tugging at my sleeve, beckoning me.
The last few weeks have been quite the "wrestle match" with God. I've been trying to listen more for God's voice instead of filling the silence with my own words, and it seems that God has been waiting and anticipating this change in conversation for a while. It's amazing how God has the right words for our lives if only we will listen with our hearts.
Back to the Spirit of God.
I desperately need the Spirit to fill and work in me. I desire my vision to be centered on Jesus. Even though you're here, Jesus come.

Stab in the Dark

You know it - facebook did it. I'm curious - shall I update? Or... has everybody else stopped blogging and is now doing you know what. If you still think blogs are worth it - and that I should continue this thing - drop me a line. It's not like there isn't a lot on my mind that could be written down.

I'm What

I'm in Thailand on Koh Tao.
I'm currently enrolled in a 4-day PADI scuba diving certificatiion course.
I'm looking forward to coming home.
I'm coming home on thursday.
I'm currently reading C.S. Lewis (Screwtape Letters) and Return of the King.
I'm being blown away by the gospel of Matthew as I experience a Jesus I've never experienced before.
I'm going to bed.

Off to Thailand

Hey Guys! Well, our stint in the Himalayas as finally ended. It was a glorious week up here at 7000 feet! We have spent much time in awe of God and his artistry! So... if you guys could just pray for safe travels this weekend that would be awesome. The itinerary is as follows: Today 5:00 - 5 1/2 hour train ride back to Delhi, Sunday at 12:40 in the morning (so basically Saturday night): 3 1/2 hour flight back to Bangkok, Monday night: Cody takes 10 hour night bus to Chumphon and 2 hour speed ferry to Koh Tao in Thailand, Tuesday morning: Luke flies home to Canada. So, there's a bunch of stuff going this weekend - should be fun! I'll update again from Thailand. Maybe some pics if you're lucky too.

My New Look

Ok, so I need your honest opinions. In an effort to look as ugly as possible, I have decided to attempt a horrible looking handlebar moustache. Please leave your ratings... suggestions... concerns.

Sooo... what do you think?

Sunset at Kanyakumari - at the southern most point of India.

A couple little friends from the old folks home ministry near Madurai (they are kids of the staff)...

Okay, some explanation required. I never thought that ever in my life, I would be involved in a interpretive dance competition. Well, it's true. These are most of the members from our 24-7 prayer room team, and we entered in a competition at a youth conference (it was actually a lot of fun) and won! Hehe... a video of the whole dance is on the way.

Okay, so here is my winning photo of the Taj.

Patricia and Marie-Eve from Montreal. They were part of the 24-7 prayer room team, and so as a band of new friends, we ventured to Agra together to see the Taj and other sights.

The boys posing in regular style.

Finally, a photo of some worship with the missionaries in Delhi. Luke and I had the opportunity to lead their house church sunday morning. I was blessed to lead worship and Luke shared a bible study. Oh, and I did a children's story - The boat story of mike, ike, and two other guys I couldn't remember - and made the missionaries act it out impromptu while I narrated. It was a riot!

So. I apologize for the lack of updates, but truthfully we've been on the move a lot since we got to India and lots has been happening. It's been incredible getting to know all the missionaries out here and they have blessed and encouraged us so much. God continues to teach and grow Luke and I immensely - especially in matters of prayer and love. I'll admit that it is difficult sometimes to love people who sometimes can be so rude and in-your-face, but it seems that truly humbling yourself sometimes and responding with grace instead of anger, always yields a favorable result. God is gracious with us also - I praise Him for that! He has provided us with so many new friends along the way, and we have been blessed to make connections with so many brothers and sisters.
We joined with the MBMSI team for a week to help them with a prayer room they were hosting at Storm; a youth conference for all of North India. It was an incredible experience, and we did lots of teaching and guiding in prayer. This was one of the more stretching experiences of the trip, as prayer has for a long time been a struggle of mine in my walk with Jesus. Once again, God was gracious to me and taught me so much. I had so many neat opportunities to speak into people's lives; opportunities that were totally orchestrated by the Spirit. Praise the Lord! People are hungry for truth - it's so exciting to see!
Anyways, tomorrow we head to Jamuna Nagar, about 6-7 hours north by car. We're heading up with Darren, one of the missionaries here. From there, we will head to Mussoorie in the Himalayas. It is a small city built up on the mountains. The temperature will be cooler there (although the heat wave in Delhi has ended - now we're down to high 30s - seems pretty comfortable actually) and so we will hopefully do some hiking and take in God's creation. We will be there for the week and then come back to Delhi in time for our flghts back to Thailand.
Thank you all so much for your prayers - they have been felt!!!! I give God all the glory for everything He is doing in India, with the missionaries, and with Luke and I as we continue our journey.
Praise the Lord!

Fast Update

Quick update

45 degrees Celsius
Delhi
Manning a prayer room from the 7th-9th at an India Youth Conference called Storm
Being blessed beyond reason by the missionaries we are with
Learning more and more about God's compassion for the hurting
Looking forward to cooling off in the Himalayas in about a week
Bye

Mmm...curry

Hey Everyone! Well, it's true - we've reached India! Pretty crazy. Day one in India is about to wrap up and let me tell you - it has been a crazy day! India is WAY different than Thailand. In Thailand, the people are so sweet and kind but in India, they are very rude and pushy. Luke and I were actually pretty tired from a short night before flying out and so our patience was tested to the max numerous times today - but we survived and things are working out one step at a time thanks to the Lord! We are in Madras, and are looking to catch a train or bus down to Madurai as soon as possible so we can be with our missionary friends there. There is so much poverty here - it's unreal. We were riding an auto-rickshaw through Madras on our way to see a fort, and drove through a slums area. It was actually very difficult to see. I've never experienced anything like that before - broke my heart. How can it not? People lying on the sides of the streets - children without clothing - men dying with leprosy: it blew me away. I pray that God would use this experience to continue to mold my heart after his - I can only imagine how much more pain He must experience when he sees his children hurting.
Anyways, the stress and testing of patience did die down later in the day and we went out for some good Indian food and chai tea. Best tea I've ever had in my life...
Luke and I definitely need prayer - 1) things work smooth going to Madurai (we're new at Indian train transport) 2) We will be safe 3) God will continue to guide us and teach us!
Okay, that's it for now - no pictures this time - sorry!
Cody