We are here in Asia ready to start our program tomorrow.  I have already had the opportunity to talk to a number of the people we have come to work with in various ways.  Our team is doing a great job.  It is truly amazing to see so many people that have sacrificed so much in order to just come and serve.  I told them this afternoon that I am so proud of our entire church familly.  This could not take place unless hundreds of people had not stepped to the line in terms of time, financial support, prayer support and involvement in all that is going on at home.

The youth program has already started and the children’s program begins tomorrow.  We have our first service in only a few hours.  I hope that you will be much in prayer for all of our team members but I would ask that you especially remember me as I speak.  This is a very stragetic time for a lot of these people and I am asking the Father to ready lead and guide me as I share what is on my heart.

It is amazing how quickly you can feel out of touch with what is going on at home.  Of course we have heard about the governor’s unfaithfulness.  What  a tragedy!  I have only seen a small part of it but I am sure that the press is all over it.  While there is a lot of talk, there needs to be a lot of prayer for our governor and his family.  I think there are several things that we should pray.

• Pray that he will be truly repentent.
• Pray that he will do whatever it takes to repair the damage that has been caused.  He must be willing do everything possible (and I am not talking about political damage).
• Pray that he will get the right kind of help in order to make real changes, not just cosmetic ones.
• Pray for his wife as she tries to deal with the hurt.
• Pray that his children may be protected as their home is in danger.

As governor, we have the right to expect him to maintain a moral standard and faithfulness in his marital relationship, but we must also pray for him.  Pray that this will be a real wake-up call for him spiritually and in every other way.

The other story is the death of Michael Jackson.  What an opportunity he had to make a positive difference and he became such a terrible role model.

I am sure that there is a lot of talk about these stories at home.  But I truly believe that the work that we are doing here will have more of an impact in the long run than either of those stories.  There will not be any press about it, but we have the chance to make a difference for the kingdom.  Those of you that pray for us are just as much a part of it as we are.  Thank you for your faithfulness.  We will keep you posted on our web page or you can follow on “twitter.”   Go to our webpage and you can follow along as I go through the next several days.