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No, “Oh! Gravity” isn’t a new way to curse… it’s Switchfoot’s newest album. I’ve been listening to the album for a few days and I thought I’d share some of my thoughts about the album here… If you are American and one of my peers then you already know who Switchfoot is, so skip this paragraph. For everyone else: Switchfoot is a band. The members are Christians (though they don’t bill themselves as a “Christian band”). Their music is usually found in the Alternative or Rock section, so chances are if this paragraph is news to you, then you wouldn’t like their music. That said, the lyrics in their songs have a lot of truth in them and that’s what I want to talk about now.

I could go on and on about most of the songs on the album and tell you how they relate to me and why this is my favorite album right now, but that would bore most of you. So I’ll just share my thoughts on two of them: (more…)

Today God reminded me that he is faithful in all he does. After sending out my last update, in which I mentioned my need for a pair or two of jeans, I received an email from some friends asking for my size. As I was beginning a reply my dad said “Hey, Greg! Look at these” as he entered the room with a pair of jeans in hand. Lo and behold they were the pair believed to have been lost! As it turns out I didn’t lose them during our trip to the States. Dad accidentally packed them in a box that we shipped back to Ukraine!

Now a month and a half later, as I’m replying to someone offering me jeans, the boxes arrive and dad happens to pull out the missing pair. God’s timing is awesome! I know the provision of jeans isn’t very impressive but this little incident encouraged me and reminded me that God will take care of me… even in the “little things” that don’t seems so important. If God can take care of things as insignificant as my pants, I know he’ll provide for the “significant” things. One of my favorite passages of scripture is the end Matthew 6 where Jesus says:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”Matthew 6:25-34, NIV

God is faithful in all things, we don’t need to worry, just seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. He’ll take care of us.

Oh, by the way: Old Navy makes a great pair of jeans.

They went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Matthew 2:9-11

God bless you all! Merry Christmas!

Last week Dad, Steven and I went to Uzhgorod with a team of other YWAMers for our annual Christmas program in the orphanage. I really feel like this year went even better than last. You see, last year the orphans where just that to me: “The Orphans”. But a year later, after multiple visits to the orphanage and our week long summer camp, they aren’t “The Orphans” anymore… they’re Sasha, Evan, Aurthur and Joseph. Oh, there are more then four of them, but my point is now they are individuals. We have relationships, we can communicate much better, I know them and they know me.

Here’s a sort of travel diary of our time in Uzhgorod. (more…)

Several months ago I began looking at and praying about where to take my “DTS” (Discipleship Training School) and researching some of the more than 100 different YWAM locations around the world where the school is offered. Ultimately I was able to narrow down my list to about five different locations on three different continents. After much thought, prayer and counsel from Christian mentors, and through the opening (and closing!) of doors, God has led me to a YWAM base in Northern Ireland.

After contacting the base and learning more about them I submitted my application last month. During the application process I heard from the base a couple times that they had “interest in the school that far exceeds” the number of students they can accept. I figured this was another opportunity for God to continue to confirm this direction or redirect me somewhere else.

Early yesterday I was notified that I was accepted! I am very excited and I’m looking forward to my DTS. This is my first step “out on my own” and it’s the beginning of my own ministry. DTS is the “gateway” if you will, to both YWAM Ministries and the University of the Nations (UofN) where I plan to continue my training. UofN offers courses in almost every imaginable field, all over the world, with hands on ministry application and a missions focus. I am particularly interested in the courses on Teaching English as a Second Language, Biblical Studies and the courses related to my gifts in media. I’ve seen first hand how these can be used in missions and I’m excited about the opportunity I’ll have to increase my knowledge, ability and usefulness.

Part of this step out is raising my own support. The tuition for my DTS is roughly $5500 to $6000 USD. (This includes, housing, food, necessary transportation, etc. during the six month DTS.) I have seen God provide for our family in amazing ways in the last two years and am confident that He will provide for me too. I’ve already been given several financial gifts as we’ve traveled around the U.S. and praise God I have my first monthly supporter! What a great encouragement that is! I’d like to ask you to pray about and consider supporting me on a regular basis or sending a gift to help pay for my tuition. If you’d like to support me please click here for details.

I praise God for His faithfulness in His promise!

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.