Dawning of a New Day

When I was laid off a few months ago, the Lord had already been stirring my heart for change. I was looking to the future, trying to understand my "calling" in God's big plan (which, I've concluded, need not be revealed by a big spiritual event, but is simply "where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet"; thanks, Frederick Buechner). While the future direction is still very foggy, I have decided (or discovered) a few solid things:

1. I love Jesus Christ above all else
2. I love the Body of Christ; when it works right, there's nothing more alive in the world
3. I love communication, music, community, games, children, solving puzzles, being childish (in moderation)
4. I have skills in technology and in interpersonal communication
5. I need to be around people at least part of the work day to keep me motivated and productive

This knowledge led me to seek current opportunities with technology in the mission field. While I have talked about this for years, it seemed best to pay off most of my school debt first. I was nearly finished with this when I was abruptly laid off, and the Lord soon put missions on my mind again. That has led me to my present location—Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, at the ICCM conference, surrounded by missionary computer geeks, and I am having a blast. So far, I've attended tech in missions presentations, met great people, heard challenging stories, and had some humbling conversations with the Lord as I relearn that He is the boss of my life, not me. I am also learning of opportunities in some mission organizations that I will consider pursuing. By far, the best part of this conference is the Christ-centered perspective. I get so consumed by the logic puzzles I'm trying to solve (that's how I view computer problems) that I forget that even technology belongs to God. He is the giver of all wisdom and knowledge. So let's submit our logical, natural, I-can-do-this-myself tasks to the Lord of all things. Let's pray about our computer issues. Let's recognize the King of kings and stop trying to take His throne.

When the conference finishes, my next adventure starts: three weeks of tech missions road trip with Tim Young of LightSys. Tim spends most of his time traveling to mission agencies around the world to consult and help with their tech needs, and I'm joining him and his wife for a piece of their USA road trip. They have a great Method of Ministry which you can learn about here.

My Itinerary:
June 12-16: Attend International Conference on Computing and Mission (ICCM) at Taylor University
June 17-21: Travel to "Home Base, Delaware", debrief on the conference, prepare for our first stop
June 22-26: Beech Mountain, NC: Christian Hospitality Network
June 29-July 10: Florence, SC: Operation Mobilization - Ships ministry office

Personal Goals
I want to know where I can fit well in God's big plan. I hope this trip will give me a broader perspective on the technology related needs in missions, and whether any of them are screaming my name.
I have done a lot of computer programming, but I prefer working with people. So I hope to use my technology skills in a more interpersonal context. That will help me decide what long term path to pursue.

Prayer Requests
Pray that I would have good chances to practice interpersonal stuff, like consulting or training, rather than menial technical stuff.
Pray that I will take time to be with the Lord, and for reflection on my experiences on this trip.
Pray that I will return with new vision and energy for God's work.

Praise
God has already provided me with a new laptop and a new (used) car at just the right time. He is taking very good care of me.

Here's a verse that one speaker powerfully shared, and it is shaping me this weekend.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11