Jesus is so cool

As you know, I've been reading through the book of John while I've been here. I just got to chapter 6 today (some days it's a real struggle to stay awake long enough to read and comprehend....and other days I read things other than John). I love what I found about half way through the chapter. It's talking about how the disciples had been rowing for 3 or 4 miles in a storm when they saw Jesus walking towards them. On the water! But it gets cooler. He gets in the boat and says "It is I. Do not be afraid." Verse 21 is the one that absolutely amazes me. It says "then they were glad to take him into the boat, and IMMEDIATELY  there boat was at the land to which they were going." What?! That is insane. These guys have been rowing their boat. It's not a sail boat. It's not a motorboat. It's more like a canoe. These men are laboring for miles! Rowing and Rowing to get to their next destination in the middle of a harsh storm. And all of a sudden some guy starts wandering over to their boat. Walking nonchalantly on top of the water, breaking all laws of physics and gravity. And he says "It's Jesus, let me on." So they do. And then suddenly they're at their destination. It doesn't say that the storm stops and they have an easier time rowing. No. They are at the land they were shooting for. Just because Jesus showed up. 

I wonder if it's the same in our lives. There are storms. We're working so hard just trying to stay afloat. We're exhausted, and we're not even really getting all that far from the situation. But then Jesus shows up and tells us to let him into our hearts. If we choose to do so, he has power to drastically change things. Suddenly (more or less) make us into the people we were meant to be in the first place. And it becomes a way easier task. 

That's something I hope I'm able to convey to the people I meet here. All they have to do is let Jesus in. He's willing to do the work. To carry our load, because he knows it's too much for us on our own. These people especially could use that idea and hope. 

Prayer requests:

- The people we have met in Battambang. We leave tomorrow, and leave them here to continue the ministry. Pray for them to keep on keeping on, and not lose heart. 

- The boat ride we have tomorrow. We will be on a small boat for about 8 hours traveling to Siem Reap. Please pray for safe travels and a good attitude from the team. 

- The communities around the house churches we visited this week. They need to have their eyes and ears opened to Christ. Please pray that they would soften their hearts and find The Lord. 

- The teams safety and health to continue. We're doing great so far! 

- Nicole and I to figure out our curriculum for our extended stay / English teaching. We'll be working on figuring that out in Siem Reap. 

- My homesickness. Just in the last day or so, I've started experiencing what I think people call homesickness. I'm missing my family and fiancé. I know I'm blessed to be here, and I'm having a great time, but it don't get enough time to talk to my family about what all is going on, and that's starting to get pretty tough. 

Thank you, prayer warriors!

God bless.

Xo