Seek and you will find

In Matthew 7:7 Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Well, in the course of the last 10 days, I have discovered yet again the truth of these words.

Last Saturday night, January 12, God got a hold of my heart as I was heading home on the metro. Over the course of the next couple hours, through a quiet and exciting time of thought, prayer, Bible study, and journaling, God directed me to return next year to Moscow and Hinkson Christian Academy. I plan to teach at HCA for a third year! What a direct answer to prayer! So many people have been praying for me with this decision, and now the clear guidance has come! Even earlier in the day on Saturday, I had asked God to "direct my heart and my mind in this decision." I've come to realized lately that I can operate too exclusively from the heart in many situations. In making this biggest decision of my life to this point, I wanted to employ the mind God's given me as well, so as to make a balanced choice. But above all, I wanted God to show me the way, for I am one who would much rather follow in obedience the One who is blazing the trail of my life than have to blaze that trail myself. One verse that was especially powerful in making this decision was Psalm 139:9-10: "If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

With regard to Hinkson, this second semester of my second year is going very well. I can't emphasize enough how much I love being a teacher, being the shepherd of a young flock of "sheep" in the big city of Moscow. The fifth-grade Bible study has already been held on each of the first two Fridays, and it went really well. I've already had three students ask if they could lead the study in the coming weeks, and my answer was an unhesitating "Yes!"

Please pray that Hinkson will be able to obtain its educational license. This is an extremely important license since it is required for the school to be able to issue and process other documents. The paperwork is being processed this month, and expediency is of utmost importance in this matter.

The second direct answer to many prayers is that God has also provided Max and me with an apartment! Within the next couple weeks we will be moving from the southwest part of the city to the east side. On the second to last stop on the yellow line, Max's friend's dad owns a one-room apartment that he is willing to let us rent for a very reasonable price. On top of that, the man has agreed to buy new appliances, better window shades, and make some good improvements to the place, all without a cost to us! It will be on the first floor, a one-minute walk from the metro, and a very direct metro ride to school (though a little bit longer). I stand amazed at how God has graciously provided yet again and in just the right time! Thanks for praying for me in both matters!

Finally, below is a hilarious picture that Max and I made on his computer tonight. We were goofing around with his webcam and had some uproarious roommate laughter in the process! In case you're wondering who the tough guy is, it's me!

Apartment Situation

Dear friends and family - please pray for me in these next couple weeks. A situation has come up with my apartment in which both my roommate and I are being forced to leave, and we have to be out in two weeks (weekend of February 26-27). Although I am not worried that God will provide a place for us, pray that He will guide our steps as we seek a new, affordable place to live in the city. This also comes at the same time that I am in serious prayer about my direction for next year (that decision must be made by Friday, February 25). God will show the way!