Naz, Amm, Alex, & Cairo

It has been a great trip so far. I spent two days with my good buddy Noy Castillo in NYC prayer walking and encouraging missional families there with the biblical principles of Shepherding A Child's Heart. They now are reading the book and sharing one thing they want to obey from each chapter with each other via Whatsapp. I then spent two days in Nazareth, Israel visiting pastors and leaders for the second time. Then I spent six days in Amman, Jordan seeing both old friends and making new ones.

I'm writing this on a flight to Alexandria, Egypt. We lived there in 2010 and were part of the homeschool co-op group of Egyptian families. In God's gracious timing, they will have their annual retreat on two of the four days I am there! I will also attend a half-day of training in biblical counseling in Cairo. Finally, the country director of Cru has invited me to attend their 3-day staff retreat. Pray that "as iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another" as I spend time with these young dads.

Only 25% of my conversations in Nazareth & Amman were in Arabic because they know English better than I know Arabic. However, in Egypt, I anticipate that it will be more than 50%. Please pray that God gives me the ability to understand, express myself clearly, and not tire easily.

Finally, please pray for my wife to manage homeschooling, teaching/coaching at the classical school, serving in our refugee community, & now a bedbug infestation, all while I am not there.