When I reflect upon the times I have needed God the most, I fail to recollect a time where I have truly sought God’s heart and come up empty handed.  One of my all time favorite promises in scripture is James 4:8a Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  What I find unique about this promise is that we don’t have to do anything to acquire God’s affection, its already there.  The Father heart of God is an unfailing, never ceasing, consistent love.  One my favorite ways to understand this concept of drawing near is looking at it in the form of love languages. David Watson says God’s love language to us is grace and mercy.  Our love language to God is loving obedience.  The amazing part of it is that God’s grace and mercy is always available to us, its only if we desire to see it.  Ultimately God’s desire seems quite simple, obedience.  God doesn’t desire the kind of obedience where he is a power tripping King sitting on his throne, waiting to throw a lightning bolt at us when we fail.  Rather God eagerly desires for us to take delight in, rejoice in, and draw near to Him! John 14:15 If you love me, you will obey me.  So when obey God, an intimate relationship has formed.  The relationship has an opportunity grow everyday, but that relationship depends on you drawing near!

Photo by Anna Chan

Last week our team had the opportunity to explore a portion of the Sahara Desert in Mauritania. After staying a few nights in the desert, the men on our trip decided to join the fashion and purchase a turban! I happened to purchase my turban from an 18 year old boy spoke some English.  After eating two nights at the restaurant near where he worked, our team was invited over to the boys house for tea.  We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet his family and drink Mauritanian tea! We had tea on a carpet in the sand under the countless stars.  We had the opportunity to communicate with the boy we wanted to pray for him and his family.  After he understood through an Arabic translation what we meant, he responded that he desires to know the truth between our religions. He wants to know the true way to God. We had the chance to briefly share a picture with him that we use called the Kingdom Circles. The kingdom circles compare the similarities between our Christianity and Islam, but explains that there is one way to God that is Jesus.  I have exchanged emails with this boy and we are going to communicate through Ramadan. Please pray that as he draws near to God, God reveals the truth to him! I am filled with hope for this boy and this area because God is not the God of confusion.  His faithfulness that continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

Over the weekend we have received an opportunity to build a bio sand filter for an entirely unreached village. The bio sand filter is used to purify nearly all viruses from unclean water.  We are currently staying with some workers from our organization who hope to gain access to this community. Please pray for favor!

Ps - Hawkeye sighting in St Louis...  St. Louis Senegal that is!