As the Words Come

"Too many words about God - too much talking, reading,

and listening about God - can disenchant our faith.

We trade a relationship with God for knowledge about God.

But life with God isn't a test; it's a love affair."

-Richard Beck, Hunting Magic Eels

Just like last time I dropped off the face of the blog-planet, I have really good reason, I promise.

Our whole family got to spend two weeks in the country that we love in West Africa.

There is an idealism in Christian mission that likes to imagine our traveling to distant lands and unfamiliar routines is a sacrifice we make for our love of God. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Everything about this trip was Him pouring out love on us.

I want to hold in the stories because they are sacred and I don't trust my words, but I also want you to have been there, beside me in this other world full of friendship and laughter and striking poverty and hard awakenings. The tingling of new dreams surprised us, the culture stress brought out the worst in us, and we only cried when we had to leave.

Pull up a chair and I'll tell you all about it, as the words come.