We left for church today at about 2.30 and left the church building at 8.30. It was a very long day of long church meetings, intense discussions, etc. It was a big step in the life of the church. A huge step was made in the church taking responsibility for itself and defining what relationship it will have with missionaries. It was almost like you could see the church grow up right before your eyes. Unfortunately, it wasn't always pleasant but I don't think things like that are ever really pleasant, especially in churches where almost everyone comes from a non-Christian background.

But basically, the church kept it together and is moving forward together. This desire for unity is so strong and so admirable.

I have been thinking a lot about the need to get back involved in outreach and reaching new people. It seems we have been looking inward so much that we have to start thinking more about those out there. God seems to be really stirring this in my heart and I pray he will turn it into action, not just talk on a blog. I am especially interested in trying to reach out to people using this soon-to-be-released Narnia film and reaching out to students. It seems the methods we have used in the past don't work so well, so I pray that God teaches us some new methods. For me, it's coming down to relationships. We just have to have relationships with people who don't know Christ. We can have all kinds of programs and plans and methods but people are converted because the Holy Spirit convicts people of sin and people see in others the living Christ, alive and well, and they are drawn to him as he lives in us. There certainly has to be conversation, dialogue, teaching, and explanation. But there also has to be love, compassion, honesty, transparency, and vulnerability---that we are on the journey together.