As we start in on the last week of January here is some upcoming things to look forward to!

Another special announcement is a prayer request. Kathy and I have a friend who was kidnapped Saturday in Afghanistan. Her name is Cyd Mizell and she and her driver were abducted on Saturday, and no one has claimed responsibility yet. She has been living in Kandahar  for the past 3 years working on economic development with Muslim women. Pray for her safe release, but also pray that she will be a bright-shining light to her captors. She is a strong woman, and I know that she would desire prayer for Divine opportunities as well as her safety. Obviously personal safety isn’t very high on her priority list.
 
The Journey Group will be postponed to begin NEXT MONDAY night at 8 PM in the spiritual center. Let Johnny know if you would like to jump in for this semester’s group. It will involve a weekly commitment for 8 weeks.
 
Breakfast Crew will brave the cold for another serving experience tomorrow morning from 7:30 – 8 AM at the Art Museum Patio area. Bring your boots and warm gear!!
 
Connections happens at the usual time and place – The Garden Room of the Spiritual Center – 7 PM –This week we’ll continue our series called Glory. This week I will focus on HOW we reflect God’s glory to the world.  
 
This Friday night there will also be a guys’ night out. (We’re not going to sit home and twiddle our thumbs while the girls are having fun!) We’re mulling over the multitude of macho options, stay tuned for a final decision. Maybe we’ll throw in a talk on Making Decisions!
 
Here’s a Couple of opportunities with deadlines.

InCounter ‘08: Sign up is off and running for our annual state-wide retreat – Feb. 8-10 @Camp Joy-el in Greencastle, PA. We are working to get the cost for the weekend to $50. This is usually a highlight of the year for me, and this year we will feature a similar relaxed format focusing on Community. We will send more detailed info in a separate e-mail. Also check our web site for an update. We want to bring the house for this unique retreat experience! Deadline for sign-up is Jan. 30. (THAT”S THIS WEEK)
 
Spring Break: ReNewOrleans! Yes, we are headed back to warmer weather with tools in hand. This year we have space for 10, and the cost for the week is a measly $50! I need to know this week if you plan to join us, so that we can finalize plans. You can hit reply or sign-up at Connections. Because of our limited space, the deadline is first-come-first-served. We want to nail down our team ASAP. There is still plenty of work to be done!
 
PRAY FOR Honduras ‘08: Our team for May is set (unless you are a fluent Spanish speaker!) I am looking at organizing another late summer trip if we have enough interest. SO far I have 3 people interested and possibly some Honduras alums, so an August trip is looking likely. Stay tuned for more details.

Speaking of Honduras… Hope For Honduras Educational Sponsors are needed. We are continuing to sponsor youth from La Acequia to attend jr./sr. high for the coming school year. We are asking sponsors for $25/month, or $300 for the year to give a deserving youth a fighting chance for a better future. This year we are taking the leadership role in this ministry, and you will have an opportunity to know who you are sponsoring and will be able to keep connected to what God is doing through your partnership

Quote of the week… “…He (God) makes us passionately and spiritually unbalanced. God steers us in the direction of His Kingdom, His purpose, His passions. His desire is not to conform us, but to transform us. No to make us compliant, but to make us creative. His intent is never to domesticate us but to liberate us.” Erwin McManus