are we nearly finishing the final lap or about to start a new one?
As I drive down Iffley road Oxford, and pass the running track on my left, I see the sign which commemorates Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute mile on May 6, 1954.
One of the most endearing things about Roger finishing well, was that he had Parkinson's disease in later life. For all of us, the ageing process waits for no man, and every new lap of life is a sober reminder that there is 1 less stretch to run.
As we prepare the team to go out to Odessa Ukraine, we are wanting to "run well" on this lap of the race. In many ways we are reaching the finishing tape. Our initial work is to prepare transition house for it's official opening on June 3rd. We have run something of a relay marathon with this project. Approximately 80 men and women have worked on this project (around 60 from the UK) that I am aware of, and maybe many more from the US / around the world I don't know. Like Caleb in the bible the issue is not starting a project with enthusiasm, but trusting in God at the finishing line, when things have been tough and gruelling. We want to be "Calebs." (Numbers 14:24)
Many of the team this time are over 65, very much not retired in serving God, and the biggest encouragement and recharge to my spiritual life. I want to be like them (in the not too distant future :) ). To be available to God for servant works at their stage of life speaks loudly to the younger generations about their love for Jesus Christ and also his greatest passion - love for people. I have lost count of the younger men who sprint up to me with enthusiasm,after a presentation - saying "I am interested in going". If I had a quid every time I've heard that line, I'd be a wealthy man. What ultimately matters however, is not initial and individualistic enthusiasm but grit and godly determination to roll up your sleeves and get the job done by fitting in with everyone else. I thank God for an amazing team of people gifted in rolling up their sleeves. The generations who knew wartime, have a lot to teach us on these things, and I pray that "wimpy self centred Christianity" will not prevail when their race is done.
During our second week in Ukraine, we hope to further the work of "grace camp" near the Black Sea, by completing the internal sections of a family block, For many years this camp has been massively used of God to encourage young people and foster families as they grow together and in the knowledge of him. The work to complete the task is significant - internal walls, plumbing, bathrooms, tiling, flooring, wallpaper, decoration, electrics. However, the pay-off would be massive if it can be achieved. 3000 young people head to the camp for August alone.
We will of course keep you updated on the blog now the trip is near. Some of us are out there for the duration (May 19th - June 4th) Some will be there for part of the time. At the time of writing the team of 12 are involved, 9 of whom form the work party, 3 are also hoping to join us for the opening celebrations and to encourage the ongoing work.
Please come with us on this final lap, however please be aware that we have only completed our 4 minutes worth. We are very aware that God is preparing us for another race yet to begin. We hope to "firm up" over this trip, exactly where that track meeting (project) will be... one thing is for sure - the presenting opportunities are exciting and yet will require some dogged determination. We do not start anything likely - knowing that those things which are left unfinished are not glorifying to God. We are hugely encouraged however by 6 churches / men's ministries committing to the possibility of supporting the next project before they know exactly where it is. It has been one of the greatest privileges of life to be involved in this, and so I thank all of you who have carried the torch...
- Some of you have been incredibly faithful in your giving and prayers. Thank you! Everytime an envelope is opened, it has been a huge encouragement to get this finished. Bless you for your relatively unsung involvement - God sees what is given in private and hears what is prayed in the confines of a room at home.
- Some of you have helped set the pace. Thank you for kicking things off and passing on the torch, it is a privilege to run alongside you and we run on enthused by the inspirational warriors of faith who ran before us.
- Some of you have just uttered the words of Caleb and meant it - "God is big enough." The gospel message is that Christ is big enough to deal with us as people, the big issues of life, death and the world we live in. This is not only our belief but also our experience.
And so we run on in faith, not as young (and naive) maybe as we once were, but with a renewed determination and enthusiasm that the one who carries us in his strength is a finisher not just a starter.
Phil 1:6
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Heb 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverancethe race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
With love, your friend and running mate,
Blogski
