I find myself in a state of waiting and praying: I have hope and desire to continue my ministry in Cote d'Ivoire, but as before in my life, the means are in God's exceptionally capable hands.

"The disposition to leave the dearest objects of our hearts in the sublime keeping of the general and unspecific belief that God is now answering our prayers in His own time and ways, an in the best manner, involves a present process of inward crucifixion."

As I try to impose patience onto my thoughts, I battle through an internal debate. I know God can miraculously provide funds, strength, and whatever we need and I have read tantalizing stories,like of George Muller, where people have felt compelled to keep their hands off the means in order that God may receive all the glory: I am reminded of Gideon and his one-hundred men. That is what I desire; simply said, difficulty lived. The conflict happens when the desire to follow my heart in serving others seems to contrast with my desire to trust Him more, on account of the broken vessel in which they are experienced. Although, I think it is physically impossible to "pull oneself up by your own bootstraps", it finds its way into my reasoning and motivates me to "wisely" encourage people to support me. So I am stuck in a circle where every time I mention my needs for next year I feel like I am stepping on God's toes, yet all the while, I continue to walk in the hope that God's watch is just a little slower than mine.

Of course hope is not built my longings for God to hurry up, but in His promises to walk beside me, and provide the desire for His will along with the strength to accomplish it.

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken. You have made know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow...Give us this day our daily bread...As thy days, so shall thy strength be.

So, please pray that God will bring together in me the patient faith in allowing His will be done, and the wisdom to keep me from making the same mistake as Saul's impatient sacrifice (1 Sam 13)

Something that is both a spirit-lifting encouragement and a prickling of anticipation for me is the opportunity to work with a missionary in Guinea, Nathan Kendall. As I mentioned before, the idea is to spend some of the next year working with and learning from a WorldVenture missionary working with solar panels. I have contacted him recently and this murky idea has begun to take shape. There are running solar panel setups and future projects, from which to learn and participate. Even more appealing is a project in the planning stages to implement a micro-hydro generator in a river. These potential utilizations of my schooling have a resemblance to my misinformed plans before I left, which brings back echoes of having to learn again and again that God does not need my plans to succeed nor is it even always in my best interest. However, the relationships I have entered into, the ups and downs of living in a different culture, and a growing into a likeness of Christ will still be at there to overlap with whatever I may be doing. As a close to this discourse, please pray for God's opening of the door to collaborate with Mr. Kendall (the first opportunity is the end of September); the impact a second year, particularly working in Guinea, may have in directing me towards longer term application of engineering towards missions; and reliance on his steadfastness.

One of my host father's teacher colleague and my teammate for soccer has started coming to church. I do not know much of his religious background and have yet to question his on his decision. I ask you join with me in praying for the Lord to develop, from whatever his reason was for coming, a sturdy faith; strength for the inevitable challenges; and brothers to walk alongside him.

Thank you for your prayers and support. May God's word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.