WATER?

So this morning I woke up with the dread that I had to go to the dentist to get two cavities filled. I was very upset about this because I take pride in clean teeth, and my pride was damaged when I found out my teeth cleaning was not sufficient. Well, I had them done and then came home to realize that there was no water running in my house.

NO WATER? You've got to be kidding. I live in suburban America where no running water is just a myth...a situation only for third-world places. So I call my mother and inform her that we have no water. She tells me that she forgot to pay the bill.....DOOH!

I'm a little "frustrated" at my mother by this point, so I decide to get out the house, the source of frustration, to run errands. Much to my enjoyment, it is 104 degrees in Columbia. AWESOME! I have no water, and the heat is so ridiculous that I can't even open my eyes without them burning. I think I hate Columbia more at this point.

I make my way to the mall to buy vitamins and a new bible before I leave....on Saturday. Wow. I come back to the house, where I am reminded we have no water after I try to wash out a glass so I can put store-bought water in it. Ugghhh.

I have to stop and admit something at this point. I'm a brat. I'm selfish. I've got it made in America...and even in Slovakia, where I'm supposed to be "suffering" for the Gospel. How many people just live with the fact that running water is not part of their lives? And better yet, how many people are still happy despite the fact...and even BETTER yet, still are thankful to the Lord for what they have. In most cases, family.

Tonight I will go without my nightly shower. I'll probably complain about it in my head, telling God that this isn't fair. And how many people will go to sleep tonight just thankful that they have salvation in Christ?

YES!

God taught me a lot today about His sovereign providence. I'm glad He's doing this thing, and not me.

I'm at 80% of my support overall. I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel...and Slovakia. Man, I'm REALLY excited.

"but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me." Hosea 7:2

really awesome rainbow

sometimes you just gotta find the rainbows in life...

i had a hard day today...but God taught me about my weakness through it

mmmm....support

So I'm in Columbia for a few days trying to meet with as many people as possible about support. I had a pretty successful day today, with three new supporters. I've been praying for God to bring in 20 new supporters this week and to raise up 10,000 dollars. Pray for me if you would, please.

I did have the chance of sharing at a camp on Wednesday night, which is something that the Lord wanted me to do for a long time. I just shared how God had grabbed my heart over the past few years to go overseas.

I went to my doctor's office today for a checkup before I leave. As I was rushing over there, b/c I was late, I kept praying that the Lord would give me a chance to share with my doctor about what I'm doing. He kinda knew what I was doing last summer, but had no clue I am going back. And of course God did it. He asked me what I was doing and then he mentioned that he had just gotten back from a mission trip to Peru. Hello. Awesomeness. So we kept talking and then I got the chance to ask him if he would consider supporting me, which he quickly replied positively and I'm sending him some info in the mail. God is cool like that.

But you know what's cool about right now? I get to watch God be God. I get to see Him bring in support which I do not have the strength or power to do. Good deal.

More support appointments tomorrow. I'm going to be really glad when this is over.

Korea and such

So I had the pleasure of going to CM2007. The following is a list of what I learned there:

-my prayer life is weak, Koreans pray all the stinkin' time

-God really wants me to be in Slovakia next year, it's not just a joke

-Koreans are for real about their faith, unlike 90% of Christians in America

-God is serious about reaching all the nations of the world, by sending the nations

-I have no ability to lead the STINT team next year, only the HS can

-I love the way Crusade does things, building spiritual movements not just doing ministry

-if I ever can afford it, I will fly first class b/c 28 hrs of travel is rough in economy class

-winning students to Christ is going to be hard

-it's going to be really cold in Slovakia

-ministry is a lot more work than I ever thought

-I absolutely have to believe God will raise all my support, still another 2/3 and only one month

-Korean people are fun

My brain is still somewhat fried from jet-lag and being sick. Please pray for my support to come in quickly. Til next time.

Matt

still treking on...

Well, life is treating me pretty well right now. Support is coming in pretty steady at the moment. I'm just starting to gain momentum and then I have to leave to go to South Korea. I guess it's not such a bad thing since I'm going to the other side of the world. That's always fun. Last weekend was fun. It included 1,100 miles of travel all within five days. Drove to Hickory, NC and back again on Friday. Then I drove from Clemson to Charleston, while stopping in Columbia for lunch. Then Monday I drove to Beaufort, where I was acquitted of all charges in traffic court....pretty awesome! I stayed in Beaufort for the night, which turned out to be a poor decision, then drove back up to Clemson with another stop for lunch in Columbia. I think I decided that I want to live in Charleston at some point in my immediate future. Maybe when I get back from Slovakia...maybe not. I might like it too much there. I'm thinking I'll find me a nice Slovak woman to marry. Just settle in and live happily ever after in a foreign land. Tomorrow starts another week of work at Eco-Art. It's a pretty sweet job. I get to design landscape and install them at the same time. I've decided I don't want to be in the design-build business for myself. It's way too much work and too much time. I need time for my future family. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about hard work and sweat. But I've got to have consistent time to love my wife and kids, Lord willing.

I've been reading in 1 Kings about the disobedience of all the kings that came and went through Judah and Israel. It seems hard to connect myself with those people, but I have to continually remind myself that I am a sinful man, just like the last and next guy. Pray for the Lord to open your eyes to your sinfulness. It is paramount that we understand our fallen nature...and then grasp onto the Gospel of Christ and cherish it. It is the only place of peace.


Peace and Love to you,
Matt

it's going

Well, it is officially June. It's kind sad to see May go by. I've had so many memories; graduating, spending countless hours in studio, going to the beach, sleeping. Yeah, it's been quite the month. But I must push onward toward my goal of getting to Slovakia.

So my support is coming in....gradually. I can't seem to setup any actual appointments, though. Everyone I talk to doesn't seem to be interested in meeting with me...although some have already decided they want to support me, which is cool I guess. I'm hoping I can find more contacts here in Clemson and be able to have meetings in the evenings. That's if work doesn't kill me first.

Eco-Art is fun so far. I've mostly been working out on the jobs and sweating most of the day. I did get to work on a design for a future job Friday. The design-build world is a hard one. You've got to find all your own work and provide enough work for your employees at the same time. I don't think it's something I want to do long term, but it's good for now.

I'm gonna make some phone calls and try to get some appointments setup. If anyone out there would like to meet with me about Slovakia, give me a holler!


peace,
Matt