This has to be the latest recap in the history of mission trips

Especially since some of you that will be reading this probably have been wondering... "why hasn't Chris blogged about the trip since that Wednesday in camp?" and now... "why blog something now?"  Perhaps I can provide a little bit of an explanation for my tardiness:

1.) Of course, life took over at full tilt when I arrived back in the States last July.  Having left a lot of balls up in the air I needed to get back and start to juggle.  Unfortunately, that didn't leave a lot of time for reflection as God was still very much working in the "here and now" of the summer...

2.) Why now?  

Well... as I mentioned in my regular blog, a few of the folks we support through our time, prayers, and vacations came to the States a few weeks ago to share about what they were doing, what they are sensing and learning from God, and obviously sharing some of their own lives with me again.  Peep, Mart, Tarmo, Anna, and Daniel were all around Atlanta and had a chance to catch their vision in a couple of desserts... one of which was a Josiah Venture dessert in which a lot of pictures had been included from English Camp (a few folks from JV came by the camp to interview students and take pictures).  

One of these pictures was of Ragnar, who was baptized on the last day of camp.  Tarmo, his cousin who slowly invited him closer to relationship with Jesus, got the opportunity to help baptize him... it was a moving moment.  The pictures brought back the memories, and they were really really good.  

My last blog was on Wednesday (or at least that's what Blogger is telling me) of Camp... the camp was a blast, the students were even more of a blast, activity was non-stop, and we didn't have much margin for getting online.  But, like I said as fun as the students were, I didn't really notice.  

What I got to see in English Camp this year was God bringing students (and at least one American... ME!) through the process toward greater intimacy with Him... and this in a culture that isn't really into Christianity.  For all of us, this is a process but I can see it more clearly there because in a sense church, Jesus, and such isn't part of the culture like it is in the U.S., which makes it really neat to see when people catch this relationship with Christ what an amazing difference it makes in their world.  I was blessed to see it.  And also, the processes of refining that God uses to shape a man or woman into someone who shines forward with His character.  

I'm also writing this because I am seriously praying about next year... and possibly being back at English Camp again with these awesome students in 2009.  Knowing that our trip (as well as some others within GlobalX) had troubles meeting our financial objectives in this tough year... I wanted to encourage you to give to GlobalX's work in Estonia if God puts it on your heart.... not to our trip or to me... but as a gift to support this ministry so that the partnership continues and is strengthened through Northpoint's partnership with Peep and his team.  No link here... you can find it on other pages or on Northpoint's website if you're interested.  I did want to lay it out there because seeing this ministry partnership continue is obviously very near and dear to me.  

I hope you are having a great 2008 Holiday Season.  

Chris <><