John's shoulder surgery Thursday AM

Photo of John in Iraq with some kids.

I had a good phone conversation with our son John today. He appreciates your prayers about his shoulder surgery on Thursday morning. He has had some annoying pain in one shoulder since his tour in Iraq. I don't completely understand his injury. but trust that the doctors do. I think it is called an arthroscopic outpatient surgery. He goes in at 6:30am, and out after lunch time. He will have three weeks of recovery. Then he has three weeks of National Guard camp in September. He is also taking a full load at college and working as a personal trainer at Gold's Gym. Oh to be 22 years old again!

Heavenly Father, we trust You to heal John's injured shoulder. Give the doctors wisdom and steady hands. Protect John from infection and further injury. Strengthen him as he juggles a very hectic schedule this fall.

Grateful for simple pleasures

Downtown Abidjan across the lagoon

We're grateful for so many little things in our lives here in Africa. It's true, we miss much about our lives in the USA, but God meets us here in simple and pleasant ways. As I was making my visits today on my motorcycle under a clear blue sky, cool breezes were blowing off the Atlantic Ocean. August is simply the best month to be alive in Abidjan. Before putting Joshua to bed tonight, we enjoyed another simple yet precious pleasure. We watched a one hour resume of today's Olympic events on French TV5.org.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the beauty and cool weather in Abidjan. Give Mike, Sue and Joshua much joy as they serve You in this city of about 6 million needy souls. Open doors each day to share the love of Jesus. Protect John as he serves at the Nebraska Army National Guard Camp this week.

Prayer for 08-08-08 at 08:08am

Thought I would celebrate this awesome date with a special prayer for you, posted on 08/08/08 at 08:08 am. That makes this an 080808 0808 GMT prayer!

Heavenly Father, we thank You for giving us a new day to know You and love You. We thank You for giving us the fruit of Your Holy Spirit to enable us to obey You. We thank You for Your patience with us each day and year You've given us. Empower us anew to be Your faithful servants on this planet we call home. Enlighten us as we reflect Your glory. Cause Your love to overflow from us to all our neighbors and every nation of the world.

We pray all these things in the name of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who died to make our pardon possible. Amen

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God took away my fear!

On Aug. 7, 2001, a number of our friends experienced a living nightmare. God supernaturally saved us from being caught in the maelstrom of that evil day. I don't want to open the wounds that so many experienced that day. I need to share one friend's healing after that frightening day. Last week, she shared that the fear was so overwhelming that she couldn't sleep for days. Then she cried out to God to take away her fear. Immediately, a wonderful feeling of peace came over her. I can honestly tell you that she is now one of the most courageous people I know.

Heavenly Father, thank You for healing those who were so terribly wounded that day 7 years ago. Make this anniversary of that event one of increasing peace and comfort for all. Protect Your servants who serve You in areas of intense spiritual warfare. Deliver them from the evil one and his schemes to destroy them.

God, if you exist, prove it to me!

A Lebanese man became frustrated and angry at what seems like God's indifference with what is happening in Abidjan. He climbed on the roof of his house in front of his friends and cried out, "God, if you exist, prove it to me!" That night he had a dream in which God spoke to him. He reached out and grabbed at a red star that was flying by him. The star burned him. Then he awoke, to find his right arm burned and blistered to his elbow. Now many Lebanese are telling his story of new faith in God to their friends.

Heavenly Father, we know you exist and thank You for Your presence in our lives. Open closed hearts to Jesus as they hear this man's story. Give Mike and Sue opportunities to encourage them in their faith.

Modeste Church School

I have an important meeting Wednesday with the head elder of the Modeste Bambara C&MA Church. The Christ Community Church 808 Team was able to leave some cash to do some work on their school building. They want to fix up their one room classroom a little before school starts again this fall. It is an exciting project. The Ivorian government likes the school so much that they provide a teacher! That is a really big deal, since the church and the villagers can't afford a salary for a teacher. They grow vegetables for the Abidjan market.

Heavenly Father. Thank You for the generosity of Christ Community Church and their college students. Use this C&MA school to train boys and girls to read, so they can read Your Word and mature in Christ.

See a photo of the school

Learn more about the Modeste Church

C&MA DNA

• Our Christology . . . what we believe about Jesus
• Our core values . . . how we live our beliefs
• Our strategies . . . how we decide what we’ll do together as a movement for God

Read more about our C&MA DNA

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