So... the internet connection has been sketchy the last week or so again. There are about 6 of us sitting in a cafe in Valetta at the moment, with our laptops out, catching up with the outside world.
We're a little stir crazy... working through some stuff... keep praying for us...
Hoping to sort out the internet situation on Wednesday.
Later!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
argh...
There are some things going on with me that I am so NOT okay with right now.
I brought some baggage into this trip, hoping to leave it behind, and find myself healed and lighter. It's not happening, though I haven't completely given up hope that the healing is coming.
There are things that I am picking up here that I am able to carry, and there are things that I am picking up that I have no energy left to bear, but must carry anyway.
I'm tired (the storm the last couple nights has prevented much sleep), and that is not helping my perspective very much.
The spiritual atmosphere of this nation is having an incredible effect on my physical body. I am experiencing a vast magnification of certain manifestations that I have experienced at home in Canada from time to time. Things that are easy to ignore when they happen once every two or three days or even less often, but are far more difficult to ignore when they happen a half-dozen times in the space of ten minutes, and occur nearly constantly throughout the space of my days. The manifestations frustrate me, because I don't understand them. I can't explain them. They don't fit into my logical and controlled world. I am experiencing physical pains that seem to be strongly connected to various spiritual things at quite regular intervals as well...
I'm coping. Kind of. I continue to feel a deep sense of the peace and shielding of the Father over my life - promises that have been spoken over my life the last couple years, and are now being fulfilled. I do, however, have to remind myself of those promises at every turn, as they are easy to lose in the midst of the intensity of the moments that are filling my days.
Apparently we're going to visit one of the refugee camps tomorrow. Not sure I have the energy that that is going to require of me, but needing to go... Had to ask someone tonight for a logical reason for me to go to the camps tomorrow... cringed when she actually came up with one... guess I'm going...
Keep praying for us. For unity of hearts. For protection against fears.
I brought some baggage into this trip, hoping to leave it behind, and find myself healed and lighter. It's not happening, though I haven't completely given up hope that the healing is coming.
There are things that I am picking up here that I am able to carry, and there are things that I am picking up that I have no energy left to bear, but must carry anyway.
I'm tired (the storm the last couple nights has prevented much sleep), and that is not helping my perspective very much.
The spiritual atmosphere of this nation is having an incredible effect on my physical body. I am experiencing a vast magnification of certain manifestations that I have experienced at home in Canada from time to time. Things that are easy to ignore when they happen once every two or three days or even less often, but are far more difficult to ignore when they happen a half-dozen times in the space of ten minutes, and occur nearly constantly throughout the space of my days. The manifestations frustrate me, because I don't understand them. I can't explain them. They don't fit into my logical and controlled world. I am experiencing physical pains that seem to be strongly connected to various spiritual things at quite regular intervals as well...
I'm coping. Kind of. I continue to feel a deep sense of the peace and shielding of the Father over my life - promises that have been spoken over my life the last couple years, and are now being fulfilled. I do, however, have to remind myself of those promises at every turn, as they are easy to lose in the midst of the intensity of the moments that are filling my days.
Apparently we're going to visit one of the refugee camps tomorrow. Not sure I have the energy that that is going to require of me, but needing to go... Had to ask someone tonight for a logical reason for me to go to the camps tomorrow... cringed when she actually came up with one... guess I'm going...
Keep praying for us. For unity of hearts. For protection against fears.
Flashbacks
There are three of us sleeping in a laundry room on the roof of the house here.
Let's just say that we didn't get much sleep last night. Any of us.
I'm having flashbacks to a camping trip our family once made on the beach of Prince Edward Island. A trip that has become legendary in the Pippus family lore. A trip involving a tent, and gale force winds, and a thunder and lightning storm.
The doors of the room we were in last night were rattling in the wind. It howled and whipped and shook all night. I think I slept maybe two hours.
So, we're tired, and we're pushing through a lot of things. Keep praying for us. Things have been somewhat intense these last few days, and we could definitely use your prayers.
Let's just say that we didn't get much sleep last night. Any of us.
I'm having flashbacks to a camping trip our family once made on the beach of Prince Edward Island. A trip that has become legendary in the Pippus family lore. A trip involving a tent, and gale force winds, and a thunder and lightning storm.
The doors of the room we were in last night were rattling in the wind. It howled and whipped and shook all night. I think I slept maybe two hours.
So, we're tired, and we're pushing through a lot of things. Keep praying for us. Things have been somewhat intense these last few days, and we could definitely use your prayers.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
hmm...
So, we're all here now. The last two team members arrived at 2:30 this morning. Since they were jet-lagged and thought it was 11pm, and Marty and I were wide awake with a second wind, we did a little bit of touring. I've now seen the ancient city of Mdina in the middle of the night - very cool!
Yesterday was definitely a more intense day - not sure how I feel about that as I'm sitting here at the breakfast table this morning. Could definitely use a slower day, but not sure that's going to happen for the next little while.
Dar just headed out to enjoy a couple hours on her own in the prayer room, so Bree and Nate are hanging out with me for a while...
I need to get outside for at least a little while at some point today...
Okay... my brain is not very functional today, so I think that might be it.
Sleep is as rare here as it is at home, but the intensity level is higher, making less sleep a more draining sort of thing.
Yesterday was definitely a more intense day - not sure how I feel about that as I'm sitting here at the breakfast table this morning. Could definitely use a slower day, but not sure that's going to happen for the next little while.
Dar just headed out to enjoy a couple hours on her own in the prayer room, so Bree and Nate are hanging out with me for a while...
I need to get outside for at least a little while at some point today...
Okay... my brain is not very functional today, so I think that might be it.
Sleep is as rare here as it is at home, but the intensity level is higher, making less sleep a more draining sort of thing.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
A Few Quick Pictures
Kari and I at the spot where the Magna Carta was signed - during our 10 hour layover in London.
The church in the centre of Siggiewi - the village where we're staying.
Andy, Kari, Dar and I at the Valletta City Gates. Bree took this photo for us.
With Bree and Luke at the Lower Gardens - Grand Harbor Valetta - a quick stop on a horse drawn carriage tour of the city that Dar and I took with the three kids....More thoughts coming soon... Prayer room kicked off today - went great - looks great. Thought you might like to see a few pics in the meantime...
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