Beach & Downtown Savannah

My family did the majority of our vacation activities today. We spent the afternoon on the beach at Tybe Island, which is really the only nice public beach around Savannah. Although the city is on the coast, the majority of the nearby waterways are saltwater marshes and inlets. Despite the 40 minute drive, Tybe Island was fun to visit. I laid on the beach for several hours reading and watching large cargo ships on their way to port. Eventually, we took a walk and a quick dip in the ice-cold Atlantic. The waves were pretty big compared to what I'm used to at Gulf Shores, and I wished I had brought my boogie board.

Afterwards we showered and went exploring in the historic district of downtown Savannah where we ate a pizza dinner from Sam's down by the harbor, watched a comic and impressive street magician perform, and then meandered towards Leopold's Ice Cream, which is a classic Savannah establishment.

I'm really enjoying this city. I wish there were more time to stay and explore; I had really wanted to take one of the famous ghost tours through the city. (Participants ride in the back of a hearse!) However, I can't get rid of my head-to-toe sunburn soon enough. I went from pasty to raw-meat-pink in just three hours. In spite of the burn, it has been a good day. I can't wait to eat tomorrow at Paula Dean's restaurant, The Lady and Sons!

Why I'm an Engineering Major

I have to be down in Florida this Sunday for orientation with Pioneers, so my family is using this road trip as as a mini-vacation. Yesterday started out pretty normal as far as our road trips go. I said a final good-bye to my dogs and tied our gear on top of my car, and we left around 10 A.M. My mom & I had stayed up into the early morning hours packing, so we got to take naps on our way to Savannah.

The trip itself was uneventful, although I noticed that the speed limit signs in Georgia often tell you only the minimum speed. About an hour before sunset, we arrived in Skidaway State Park (about 20 minutes outside of historic Savannah) and started unpacking our equipment to find that my dad had forgotten that our tent poles, which support the tent entirely. (For some reason, they weren't in the tent bag, and ironically, I had decided not to check the bag when I packed it. I assumed logic had prevailed the last time the tent was packed up.) Using my engineering skills, I collaborated with my mom to find a replacement for tent poles. We came up with a design that involved bungee cords, hand-made duct tape rope, and a rope from an amused yet sympathetic park ranger.

After setting up our tent in a way typical of either a redneck campground or a statics homework problem, we went to Pearls Saltwater Grille for a delicious, stuffing seafood meal. Our waiter was very friendly and also happened to be a chiropractor. Then we returned to the state park and slept well with full bellies.

Why Europe?

"... the burden of proof lies upon you to show that the circumstances in which God has placed you were meant by God to keep you out of the foreign mission field." -Ion Keith-Falconer, 19th century Scottish missionary

In preparation for this summer, I've been telling people I'll be doing missions work in Germany for two months. I've noticed that outside of church, there are two main reactions. Some respond with, "Oh, that will be fun!" Although said with good meaning, this statement seems to reflect the idea that the main focus of the trip were fun. This bothers me, because it is so far from the truth. The second statement I often get is along the lines of  "Germany? I've never heard of a mission trip going to Germany" or "That's interesting. My church doesn't do anything with Germany." The overall impression is that Germany is a primarily Christian country with no need for evangelization. In fact, this is far from the truth.

Germany was the center of the Reformation, and today it is filled with beautiful churches. Spirituality, however, Germany is a very poor country. According to Joshua Project, only 2.1% of Germans have been born again. 62.9% of the German population is Christian in name only, and another 30% are atheist, agnostic, or secular. Germans view those who follow Christ as either fools or radicals. To many Germans, Christianity is simply tradition. For example, whether one believes in or follows Christ, one goes to a church on Easter and Christmas, because that is family tradition. One might even be an atheist and still baptize their infant, because that is tradition. It is something one does, just like giving the infant a middle name.

Unfortunately, the rest of Europe is in the same spiritual condition as Germany. Dr. G.A. Pritchard, affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America, recently wrote a publication entitled "Why Invest In Europe?". In it, Dr. Pritchard makes four key points:

1. Europe is the intellectual center of the world from today stretching back to the Renaissance.
2. Europe is the global center of education  Many Asian and African students go to school in Europe. In fact, there are twice as many international students studying in Europe than in America.
3. Europe has been and is the center of atheism, the fastest growing religion in the world. Over the past century, European intellectual movements have spread atheism over the entire world.
4. To fight against European atheism and unbelief, the Church must go to Europe and minister the the lost.

I believe it is very import to carry the Gospel to every people group on Earth. In the 2,000 years since Christ's death, the Church has taken the Gospel to most people groups. Most. About 55%. It is terrifying to think of the Church standing before Jesus, looking Him in the eye, and saying "We know the great sacrifice You made for us. We told most of the world about it." Yet that's what we've done. It is critical to go out and bring the Good News to the other 45% of people groups. However, we also should not forget that there are still many people to be reached in the "Christian" west. It is crucial that the Church go and proclaim the Gospel everywhere.

A collection of graphs from Why Invest In Europe?

Further Preparations & Blessings Beyond Belief

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT

With school finally over, I have begun kicking things into high gear in preparation to leave. Three weeks from now, I will be half-way through my orientation with Pioneers. Until then, there is much still left to be done, the most important of which is preparing myself spiritually and fighting the evil spirits that want to impede halt delivery of the Good News.

I think I'm starting to grasp the magnitude of this trip. I feel like God plans to do something big this summer, whether I realize it at the time or not. He has given me 110% spiritual and financial support from Lakeside as well as an army of prayer warriors. The Lord has blessed me with provisions so much greater than I was expecting. He has His Name written all over this endeavor!

As I'm getting down into crunchtime, please keep me in your prayers. Pray that I stay focused on the mission before me as well as stay sensitive to the Spirit's leading. Again, thank you to all my brothers and sisters supporting me in this venture!