Sunday, March 31, 2019

Chinese influence

More and more cultures and ideologies are mixing around the world.
Might we be used by God to influence, to make accessible His Gospel in this region, that knowledge of His glory might cover the earth
"China has fairly straightforward economic-political objectives across Eastern Europe: create the infrastructure necessary to extend its initiative in Europe, and where possible, trap weak local economies into debt dependency which will make them beholden to Beijing and give China a degree of diplomatic and political leverage," says Mujanovic, author of Hunger And Fury: The Crisis Of Democracy In The Balkans.
"China is not a 'balancing' element, it's another authoritarian power attempting to forward its own -- often quite destabilizing -- aims amid the vacuum created by EU and U.S. retreat and incompetence in the Western Balkans," he adds.
Read the entire article: 

BiH economy

I continue to study BiH.  Today I noticed the unemployment rate is on an overall declining rate over the past five years - a good thing! - from over 46% in 2014 to 34.5% in January 2019.


However, this leaves BiH in the #2 country in the world in terms of unemployment rate - not a good thing.


Pray that the Lord continues to heal BiH, in the area of economy and meaningful work.

Source:  https://tradingeconomics.com/bosnia-and-herzegovina/unemployment-rate

Visit to Mountain Lake MN

We had a wonderful visit with Mountain Lake Alliance Church on March 24. Though a small town, the church has had large Kingdom impact.

Additionally, the church was welcoming, encouraging, and supportive. We were blessed by our visit, and very thankful for being asked!

I (Michael) spoke on Sunday morning - and probably was a bit long-winded. :)  My sermon is available here: https://livestream.com/mlalliance/events/8611150/videos/189104405

  • Our interview begins at 26:15
  • My sermon begins at 41:00


Friday, March 1, 2019

Joy in the journey?

There is a joy in the journey
There's a Light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey...

Those words of Michael Card take on more meaning than I once understood 25 years ago when Michael sung them at our wedding. Now we are entering into a new wonder and wildness to life as we have been officially appointed by the Christian and Missionary Alliance to serve in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Forget not the hope that's before you
And never stop counting the cost
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost...

Because Jesus suffered outside the gate (Hebrews 13:11-14), I will go to Him in Bosnia. I will forget not the hope before me, and never stop counting the cost. For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, so I take up my cross and follow Him. Getting rid of most of our possessions, selling our house of 13 years, leaving the comforts and security of this life, moving across the ocean from our family, church family, and two oldest children are all the costs I am counting right now.

Yes, there is a joy in the journey, but the joy that Jesus spoke of is one of submission, suffering, and sacrifice. Jesus, Light of the world, went there first and promises to be with me (Matthew 28:20), and so I go.