Intro's all around...

Well, I've gone and done it. I have started a blog... whatever THAT means. It can be a bit stressful trying to think of what to even call your blog let alone figure out something worthwhile to say.

Since this is my first post I guess I'll introduce myself a bit. I am a guy who has recognised that his life is really a journey of discovery about who my God is and how I can reflect His character better. So I'd say that first I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. That may not mean much to you but it gives me an anchor point to begin. Secondly I am a husband. I have a phenomenal wife, partner, friend. Together we have 4 amazing kids (18, 16, 14, 13) who make me so proud and who I know will exceed anything I could have ever achieved. Our niece is also living with us and has been for the last almost 4 years since she was 2, she's now 6.

I have been a Pastor by vocation for several churches and totalling about 15 years. Currently I drive a school bus, and volunteer for non- profit Org called the Christian Ministers' Association. I'm the Secretary-Treasurer, and it's quite a bit of work. I'm trying to do a better job of that one.

The real reason I started this blog is that I believe that God has opened the opportunity for me to go to Africa this summer (Aug 2010). I'll be ministering with some of the local churches and to some of the local Pastors. IT seems that God has put all of the pieces in place for this to actually come to fruition.

About a eighteen months ago I received an email to the CMA email address from Nigeria which I promptly deleted. Several days later there was another which met the same fate. After the third or fourth I noticed that these were all from the same email address. So I replied. I assured them that we as an organisation were Canadian in our focus and as such couldn't really do anything for him except pray for him. The next day my phone rang and I spoke with Isaac for the first time. That was the beginning.

It wasn't until the past August that Isaac said "My brother, I am asking the LORD to open a way for you to come to Nigeria, there are many Pastors here who need help and even a little training. You must come! Inside I felt "Hey, I appreciate the sentiment I like you too!" I have another friend who is Kenyan and lives near me. Willis is African and we have been friends since Bible School. Our paths have crossed numerous times over the years with He and his family coming over for a meal or we going there. I had a coffee with him about a month after Issac's comment and Willis said "I am going back home (to Kenya) in the summer of 2010 and I have been asking God to bring someone to mind who could come with me; Your name has been on my heart for some time and I want you to pray about coming to Africa in 2010." This began the journey which I am now on and why I started this blog to record where I see God's fingerprints and to have a way for my family to stay in the loop.

It's these last several months that inspired this blog title. God is SO faithful, and there have been many time where I have moved in confidence that He is with me and there have been equally many times that I have felt that I must honestly decide to trust God 'cause I don't have a clue what else to do.

SO if you take time to read these ramblings Thank you. If you do read this please pray.

For King and Kingdom,
Ray