My mission trip to Mali, West Africa

Taking my friends from Still Waters with me to Mali, West Africa

I leave in a few days on my short-term mission trip to Mali, West Africa with Francophone Ministries for Christ based out of Port Huron, MI.  A difference-maker for me in this trip has been the support of the folks in my church, Our Savior Lutheran in Lansing, MI.

I know that I'm in for some long flights and a pretty substantial time change, not to mention a change of culture. 

From my Sunday School class, to the prayers in the services to tonight's get-together of the Still Waters Prayer Service I have gotten plenty of people asking questions, showing their interest, providing financial support and praying for me.

Tonight, during the prayer and praise time, I was really touched by the prayers of the group.  I really felt like I was standing before the throne of God.  It was an upper.  It really felt good.  I feel like I'll be ready.

Tags: Mali, short-term missions, Our Savior Lutheran, Francophone Ministries for Christ, prayer,

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Reading material for the plane and for time in Mali

To get to Mali and back, I'll be spending at least 24 hours on an airplane.  I expect some good conversation, some sleeping and a whole lot of praying.  To fill in the gaps on the plane, I'm thinking of three books:

1. The Open Bible--I will take a Bible; this is a must; this is food for my soul and it's just as important as food as I put in my mouth.  It's a conduit to God and a roadmap to the only true hope.  The version I'm thinking of taking the NASB version.
2. Naked Conversations by Robert Scoble and Shel Israel.  It's a new book by two of America's top bloggers.  They write about the potential that this channel of communication has for business and others.  The applications for blogs to churches and other religious organizations is incredible.
3. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Joe Trippi; this was a Christmas gift from my son Justin. It's a story about how Howard Dean's people used the web and blogs to develop a powerful social network and movement that propelled Dean during the presidential primaries.  Again the application to the church is incredible.

I may change my selections between now and the time I leave.  I will not be able to check personal bags because they will be filled with ministry supplies and medicines. 

Technorati Tags: Mali, short+term+mission+trips, Bible, Naked+Conversations, Robert+Scoble, Shel+Israel, business+blogs