Wow.

So a month has gone by fast. Really fast. At least it has for me. We'll be flying out of Guam at 4 am on Sunday. We have a 12 hour layover in Seoul, then on the plane again headed for Auckland. One week of debrief time back at Oak Ridge, then DTS graduation on the 27th. You can come if you want ;).

The last weeks have fallen into some resemblance of a routine.... at least sort of. Hopefully you've found our video journals on youtube... if not you can search "Guam Outreach" and you will find them. They can give you a good outline of the things we've done.

We have two more sessions with focus groups this week, wednesday and thursday. It will be a busy week wrapping things up. Then on Saturday night we're having a huge bash, to which we have been inviting... everyone. Kids from schools, youth groups, churches, random people at the beach... it will be a good time. There will be food. Local food. Red rice, pancit, ribs.... yeah it's gonna be awesome.

This last week a few of us got sick from some bacteria in the water... we went swimming at a waterfall. 70 foot waterfall. It was pretty cool. I didn't get sick. Chad got real sick... bad enough we took him to the emergency room. It was kind of scary, but he's fine now. Rebekah, Mary, Courtney, and Derek got sick on different levels. I think a couple of them still feel a little down but everything is on the upswing.

I read The Shack yesterday. Yep, the whole thing. Good book. I can see why it caused some "controversy." Because of modern day pharisees. Who don't get metaphor. That's what I have to say about that.

As of right now my plane ticket home is scheduled on the 31st of March. But... and some of you know this and some of you don't.... I might be staying in New Zealand. I think I mentioned in previous posts about the church in Tauranga whose youth group we spent some time with. They are looking for a worship/youth leader, and they're very interested in me filling that void in their church. My plan right now (God willing... :)) is to head down there immediately after graduation. I've only met the youth group and 3 of the youth leaders, so I'd like to meet the rest of the staff and spend a little time with the church before any final decisions are made. I think they feel the same. Trust me, it's a difficult thing to consider. I miss my family, my friends, and the northwest a lot. But this could be a really good opportunity for me to develop some of the things that DTS has opened up in me, as well as meet a very pressing need for these people. It's a little scary, and a little risky. But one thing I've learned is that God can be a little scary and risky too. The position is as a member of the church staff... with a place to live, a car to use, and paycheck. However I would not be playing the role of "worship pastor" or "youth pastor" or "pastor" at all. They are looking for someone on the younger end of the scale because they want the vibrancy and energy that would bring to their sunday morning worship as well as to their youth group. I definitely bring vibrancy and energy, especially to worship. It feels like a good fit.

I know this probably stresses some of you out. Please don't make the mistake of thinking that I take this lightly. I'm honored to even be considered as a possibility by the church leadership. There are a number of things that excite me, and a few things that make me think twice. Tauranga is a beautiful city... about the size of Bend. It's right on the east coast, south of Auckland, and seems to have a vibrant arts and outdoors "scene." And you know me.

If I stay, hopefully I'll be able to make it home for a visit before too long. God has proven himself to me as provider over the last few months, through people who love me. You, my family (biological & spiritual) have made it possible for me to be here... Thank you. Frankly, I'm confident that he will continue to provide. So with his blessing, I hope to see you all soon, whether for a short or a long time.

I hope you're doing well... I'm sorry that I haven't kept in touch well. I'm hoping to have some more time to catch back up with everyone next week.