Light the Darkness

China Aid Concert Tonight

I can't wait.  Will I see you there?  I hope so! 

I regularly pray, God, let me join you in what you are already doing instead of asking you to bless what I'm doing.  He pointed me toward Project Partner and opened my eyes to what He is doing in China.  Will you join me, join Him in reaching the largest country on earth with the good news?  He is working there.  You can help by coming tonight to support and to enjoy the music.

See you there! 

Gary Kendall

WHEN: Saturday, July 18th 7:00PM WHERE: Indian Creek Community Church PRICE: $10 Tickets can be purchased in advance at Indian Creek Community Church and at the door on the night of the event or online. Win a FREE 2 hour stretch limo ride for yourself and 9 friends! Raffle tickets for the limo ride are $1 and can be purchased at the church or the night of the event. Other prizes available.  Not required to be present to win. For additional information visit the Chinaid page onFacebook.  All proceeds go to support the August mission trip to China. COME ROCK WITH US!

The Growth of the Muslim Population

I found this video message about the growth of the Muslim population to be provacative.  I think we should be aware and motivated to share the love of Christ with everyone in this changing world.  Not to do so will have these kind of results.

P.E.A.C.E. Plan

Belinda and I were invited to attend the Saddleback conference where Pastor Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life revealed what he calls the P.E.A.C.E plan.  You'll hear me talk about this plan so let me give you the thumbnail. 

P     Promote Reconciliation  (Preach the Good News and Plant Churches)

E     Equip Servant Leaders   (Leadership Development in business, church, gov, city and state)

A     Assist the Poor   (Feed, clothe and shelter)

C     Care for the Sick   (provide medical assistance)

E      Educate the next generation   (schools, life skills and trade training)

The essence of the idea is that if we could get all churches and all 2.2 billion Christ followers working together for the same five causes with a strategic plan we could wipe out the 5 global giants that cause this need within the next 50 years.  He's working on a plan and software that could link everybody together to better allocate resources, time and personnel. 

These are things we already work on here in Kansas City, in our nation and around the world at Indian Creek.  Imagine the power of connecting with the Church with a capital "C" to move everyone's mission forward.  Let's pray that Jesus prayer in John 17 is fulfilled in our day.  Let's work to do our part.  We know there will be a time in history when the Great Commission is fulfilled.  Why not now!

Check out his website to learn more.

Earthquake

I lived through the great Alaskan earthquake in 1963.  It was only 5.6 on the Richter scale and I saw first hand the devestation.  A five story building across the street from my home collapsed with one floor falling into the other until it settled into a pile of smoke.  My heart goes out to those in Southwest China who are grieving their losses.  The death toll continues to climb and in some cases whole towns are devestated. 

At Project Partner we have been in contact with our ministry partners who are just now getting the big picture of the scope of their loses.  Travel is limited and communication is hampered.  Kristen Levitt, Director of Project Partner, says that we will send financial relief ASAP.  If you want to contribute you can mail your gifts to Project Partner, 2111 E. Santa Fe, Suite 149, Olathe, KS  66062-1606.

Partnerships are critical in times like these.  They need us now in China let's respond quickly.  We will have online giving up on our website soon but don't wait for that use snailmail.

I had the opportunity tonight, while Bill Hybels was at Indian Creek, to ask how it went on his trip to Hong Kong and he said it went great.  His associate Gary Swammlein meet with our partners in another city nearby and that contact went very well.  They may host a Global Leadership Summit in Macau.  The world gets a little smaller when one set of friends networks with another set.  I love it!

Made it to Hong Kong

Thanks for your prayers.  We made it to Hong Kong minus my suitcase.  We are supposed to leave tomorrow but the next plane won't be here until 10 p.m. tomorrow.  So the adventure begins :)  I don't know if or when I can blog but I will if I can.  However, for security purposes, the names and places may simply be representative.  A good thing about prayers are, they go from anywhere and the answers can always find you.  God bless you!  Thanks.

Belinda Safely in India

People asked me today if Belinda made it safely to India.  The answer is, yes!  Check out her blog at www.belindakendall.typepad.com.  It sounds like things are going well so far.  Thanks for your prayers.

Belinda is famous for calling and texting in the middle of the night while she is gone because the time difference is 12 hours.  This trip has started off no different than the others.  I got a text at 3:30 a.m. from Heathrow, London.  I woke up and looked at my phone to see a note reminding me to call DeAnna (on the right pictured with Anita) and give her family the rest of the chicken noodle soup Belinda made before she left.  I thought, I woke up to get this?  Just goes to show who is the better friend, I guess!  I'll make sure De gets her soup but it did make me smile to know, once more, that Belinda is always thinking of others.  That's just one of the many things I love about her.

Belinda's Safely Off

Belinda Jan, Marie, and Kimberly boarded a plane for Bangalore, India (via Chicago and London) yesterday.  They left with a lot of excitement and purpose.  Kimberly and Jan are from the Westlink Church in Wichita.  Westlink has been a supporter of Project Partner and The India Gospel League for parts of the last twenty years.  Kimberly attends Kansas City Community Church where Richard Prim is the pastor.  Richard will be our speaker at Indian Creek Community Church the last Sunday of this month when he wraps up our Beyond Talk series.

They go to India to lead a Women's conference for The India Gospel League's Women with a Mission.  Women who are leaders in their churches, homes and communities come from the surrounding area to receive leadership development training.  This is Belinda's ninth trip to India.  The repore she's built and the increasing familiarity increase her effectiveness.  In addition there is great value in having an experienced team leader when the culture is so different and the travel is challenging. 

Please pray for Belinda and her team.  Whenever I get updates I will pass them on.  You may also want to check out her blog, www.belindakendall.typepad.com as there are times she can get to a computer and give us a post straight from the field.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  There is a lot of spiritual darkness in India and the spiritual warfare is real and it is fierce at times.  The victories in India are many because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.  Thank you for the part you play in reaching our world for Christ.

Home

Belinda and Judy made it safely back from the Philippines Wednesday at about 9 a.m.  Jeff, Kristen and I were happy to welcome them home.  You'll want to go to their blogs to get the latest but I wanted to say "Thank you!" one last time for your faithful prayers.  I am so grateful we never stand alone in this community.  We are blessed indeed.  Thank God for His faithful love and provision.  The South Africa team arrived safely and now we just need to pray our Germany team home.  What a great church!  Thanks for being you.

Back to Cebu

Belinda and Judy made it across the sea.  Thanks for your prayers.  Now they are safely in Cebu shopping.  Now you need to pray for me!  They leave on Monday morning their time (they are 11 hours ahead).  Let's thank God for His great work through them and pray them home.  Thanks.

The South Africa team is headed home today.  God has miraculously provided for them and their trip is a great step forward in our partnership.  The team you see pictured below (in the Call to Love devotional on Relationships) was the first team we sent to the Transkai region of South Africa. 

The Germany team left yesterday.  There are four from Indian Creek who will work to support the technical needs of producing the Leadership Summit in Germany.  Pray for Ray and Terry Robins, Ed Roche and Lauren Prue.  My goodness, there are so many needs we are getting lots of practice praying.  Thank you Indian Creek for making a difference around the world.

Worse than this

Belinda texted me at 5 am to say they were getting on the boat for the overnight trip.  She said it was worse than the boat pictured here--that basically they have an open deck and no place to sleep.  Plus there are all types of criters that will share the ride. 

So as often as you think of it today would you pray for their trip.  I'm praying for smooth seas, peace, protection, the presence of God, health, safe travel and the chance to be a witness.  The problem with the last one is that it often doesn't go with the others!  Thanks for your prayers.  If you haven't visited Belinda's blog and Judy's blog you are missing out!