Wednesday, February 11, 2009

2009 National Prayer Breakfast

I recently returned from Washington DC, having traveled there for the National Prayer Breakfast (NPB). This year there were delegates from 178 countries (there are presently 240 countries in the World, in case you were wondering), attending not only the annual breakfast, but also a number of events over a four day period.

This was my fourth year going to be with & assist a dear friend, who has been meeting with delegates from Latin America for a number of years (and recently the Middle East as well).

In many ways, the NPB is a difficult place for me to really get to know people, due to the size of the event, and the amount of people. [I believe around 4,000 attend the breakfast] But over the last few years a number of friendships have started through this time, and this year I came away with a real sense of having connected on a deeper level with a few of the people I have been getting to know over the years.

There are three areas (and friends in those areas) Ana & I have been praying for since 2006. Chiapas, Mexico (we visited on our Honeymoon), Colombia & Ecuador. We really believe God has a purpose in these friendships, and I ask you to join with us in praying for the State of Chiapas, Mexico (as you pray for Baja California as well), and the countries of Ecuador & Colombia.

The opportunity exists for visiting these places and the friends there, we just don't know when.

What continues to amaze me, is the realization that we are participants in a global work, that spans accross all aspects of society, culture, marketplace & economic strata. All of us, who are in the fellowship of believers in Jesu, are connected in this work. Its easy for me to focus on the work I am doing, or what's right in front of me, but I am so thankful for the opportunity to have a glimpse of the diversity in how God is working around the world.

We are so grateful for your prayers & support in this global work that we are all a part of. "Forming One Body, Building One Community"