Prayerwalking Rekindled

I long for the days of walks at Little Beaver State Park. Those times were filled with solitude and intimate conversations with God. These days it’s really hard to find that same refuge in the midst of three million and a concrete jungle. Being at the beach recently rekindled my desire to walk, pray and connect with God in nature’s peaceful setting.

I think it’s interesting that some others who have faithfully gone before us have found the same.

Hudson Taylor – “Regarding a wandering mind in prayer; I have found more help in praying aloud, and praying while walking about – talking as to a present Lord – than any other way.”

D.E. Hoste – “He usually prayed aloud, but in a very low tone, and would pace up and down the room while he was in prayer…somehow he seemed to have more freedom in prayer while walking; that prayer seemed more free and unrestrained.”

J.O. Fraser – “A habit he formed early was to walk up and down, praying aloud, talking as a man talks to his friend.”

George Muller – “Muller also took to walking and praying – with his New Testament in his hand – when conditions were suitable.”

Francis Shaeffer – “I walked in the mountains when it was clear and when it was rainy. I walked backward and forward in the hayloft of the old chalet in which we lived. I walked, prayed and thought through what the Scriptures taught…”

So, where is your favorite spot to get away – the Appalachian Trial, Sea of Galilee’s shore, a local park or out your front door and down the road? Any quiet place will do to walk, pray and connect with the Creator of it all.

Okay, Last Word On Colombia

First Impressions of Colombia: It’s very green, very green and clean - great for growing flowers and coffee.

We visited El Peñol (the big rock). It is the biggest rock in the northern hemisphere. Until five years ago the road to this tourist attraction was controlled by guerillas making it impossible for foreigners and the middle/upper class to travel lest they be kidnapped for ransom.

Speaking of security the airport takes it very seriously. For us it all began with passing a number of checkpoints on the way to the airport. Once in the airport military personal looked over all our luggage and singled out Diana’s as needing further inspection (she has the face of a smuggler). Further inspection meant that everything from her luggage was taken out, opened, unwrapped and sorted though, including dirty laundry. On we went to the next security check where all carry-ons were x-rayed and books were opened and sniffed before we were patted down by other military personnel. Then to the third security check where carry-ons were again x-rayed and where baggage was randomly searched. Finally before boarding we passed military with their trained dog.

Four things we saw on this trip we have never seen before: the coast of Cuba; a cat on a leash going for a walk in the mall; major streets closed in the city on Sunday for walking and bike riding; the shuttle launch as we sat in the plane at the Miami airport.

The ministry we worked with while in Colombia is called El Redil (the Fold). The main church meets on the grounds of what was once owned by one of the most powerful drug cartels in Colombia. It’s a huge complex that includes soccer field, basketball court, swimming pool and a huge Greek style bathroom. Plexiglas covers part of a walkway over an aquarium to give the illusion of walking on water. Horse stables have been converted into church offices, and the morning service is in the room that was a private disco. How’s that for a twist of irony? A facility that was once used by a drug lord is now used to honor the Lord of lords.

Medellin, Colombia – A Photo Journal

You’ve got to love the buses




Can’t miss the downtown government building

Typical Colombian meal


Medellin from the Metro Cable car

Just waiting for a book and a glass of iced tea

On the streets for an afternoon

Fat Cat by artist Fernando Botero

Invasion Housing

At Café Juan Valdez

Enjoying a little Colombian social hour

$100,000 in hand (About $50 U.S.)

Retreating In Colombia

Here we are at the Retreat Center, and it is early morning. Many of us are gathered around the bay windows watching brilliantly colored exotic birds at the feeder. It’s a scene that’s only a snapshot of the beauty that dots the grounds and provides surprising delights at every turn. Phil and Dean, career missionaries in Colombia, have landscaped and decorated their home into a retreat where others can be led beside quiet waters and where the Lord restores the soul.

The birds are not the only ones being fed. National pastors and missionaries from Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico are being challenged and transformed during these two weeks together. Here is a taste of what we are hearing:

*Worship is a lifestyle.

*I should not only ask God to use me how He wants but that he also use who He wants to use for my best.

*Wounds are caused when lies are accepted in the mind…the Lord will restore us if we invite Him to come into that difficult moment and apply His truth to our hearts and minds.

* The worldview of an individual is his big picture, the culmination of his beliefs about the world; his formula to understand the world. A worldview is the basis for his daily decisions and therefore is so important.

*Many times we are confessing our acts and not our heart.

*As parents we should give our children blessings at different stages of their lives (births, preparation for adulthood, baptism, marriage…). A blessing is an occasion or a ceremony where an individual is specifically honored with truthful, sincere and upbuilding words.

Meanwhile back at “the ranch” in Houston our children are enjoying a variety of activities with their cousins. Whether it’s a water fight, going to a teen worship time called Reverb, celebrating “Gotcha Day” with their newest cousins or staying up way too late talking, they are making the most of the opportunity.

You can look forward to a photo journal of Medellin next week since we are visiting the city Friday, Saturday and Sunday to take in the local culture and meet with our Colombian brothers and sisters.