The Petra Zone

Heyyall, I got a short list of things I'd like yuh to pray about.

1. This week I have a bunch of papers to write for a music class. Like, um, 7 papers. Yeah. But at least they don't have to be more than 1-2 pages long. So anyway, um, I hope to get 'em done by Friday afternoon.

2. Pray specifically for the Japanese, Korean, and Chinese-speaking students on campus whose lives are being touched by the gospel. God has given some American Christian friends and I opportunities to share our faith with them and invite them to campus ministry programs. An American Christian friend of mine has been leading a Bible study for several of them. Most of these internationals are receptive and curious and asking a lot of questions because they want to know more about what Christ is all about.

3. My plans for this summer break are yet uncertain. I have one of two options: 1 - to stay with my parents in Marshalltown, Iowa (my hometown) or 2 - to stay with my grandparents in Ohio.
Option 1: If I were to stay in M-town, hopefully one of the facilities that I sent applications to will hire me for a job. I would also plan to get jobs playing trombone in the Municipal band and mowing my neighbors' lawn (which I do every summer). Also I would want to participate in summer ministry programs led by my church, which involve playing keyboard in the youth worship team, discipling middle school students, and doing mission projects within the town.
Option 2: Two of my grandparents offered me the possibility of staying with them most of the summer and make money for college by helping do their house chores. Advantages: This would really be a tremendous blessing for them because it would take a lot of the burden of housework off their shoulders. Also, I might get to see the rest of my Ohio family more often as well, whom I rarely see and we all miss each other very much. Disadvantages: I would not be able to partake in my church's ministry events, which I usually do every summer and enjoy very much. Also, my grandparents don't have a piano or keyboard at their house so I would have minimal access to practicing piano.

You're in my prayers, Dan. Ask God specifically where He wants you to spend your summer break, and He'll help you make the right decision.

A little update - I finally finished those papers last Saturday & now I'm done with all my tests and homework - so the semester is pretty much over for me now. I still have two more dishroom shifts to work at the Piazza dining center on campus. Most of my time now I'm spending checking out library books in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian so I can practice those three languages. (Yeah, I'm a language geek - I can't help it)

On Friday May 5 (�El Cinco de Mayo!) I will be picked up to come back to Marshalltown. Then on May 10-11 I have three concerts in Des Moines with the UNI Symphonic Band.

That's all I know so far.

May 21 Prayer Update

1. (uno, um, uno, un, eins, ichi) Most likely I'll be staying a month at my Grandpa/Grandma's house in Ohio to work for them. None of the businesses I applied for in Marshalltown, IA have contacted me yet for an interview or hiring. Yet. So I think that means God might be opening the door for me to do household work for my grandparents.

I honestly would really like to do that, too. I care for them so much and I want them to be served and appreciated. Plus they live in a really nice house in Canton, OH, close to some really good grocery and book stores.
Drawback is, as mentioned above, I will miss out on doing a lot of the summer band and ministry things in M-town that I normally take part in and enjoy. But really that's no big deal - I trust that God will provide.

2. (dos, dois, due, deux, zwei, ni) So far my summer break I have been studying and practicing Spanish diligently. Reading kids' books translated in Spanish really helps, as well as attending a Spanish-speaking church in Marshalltown and conversing with the members. Even though the pastors talk really fast, I feel like I am understanding them better and recognizing even more words and phrases than before.

Pray for God to continue opening my eyes and ears to the Spanish language even more so that I can understand and speak it as confidently as English. Also pray for the ministry of that church (Iglesia Fuente de Vida) to continue to grow and prosper and be focused on God's truth. Pray for safety for the Hispanics in the town, especially with the immigration law issue that has aroused protest groups to form.

3. (tres, tr�s, tre, trois, drei, san) Many of the Asian students who studied at UNI have recently returned to their home countries - either permanently or just for the summer. Pray that they would encounter local ministries in their countries - that God would give them many opportunities to hear (or re-hear) the Gospel, and to see the love of Christ in action. Pray for them to be safe, healthy, and prosperous in whatever they do. For those studying English, pray for a stronger understanding of the language. I really love these people and want the best for them.

4. (cuatro, quatro, quattro, quatre, vier, yon)I can guarantee that each of us here struggles with low self-esteem and regret on a regular basis. Not just me. This is something EVERY human being deals with. Yes, I know the Bible says that regret and low self-esteem are wrong, and God has the power to help us overcome it. But let's face it, these things are part of our human nature. Admit it. Let's all pray for each other on this issue.

I may sound brash and condescending, but I honestly don't appreciate when people single me out by just telling me that I should get over my issues. Remember that it applies to each of you too.

You do reap what you sow, and people who have that attitude will regret not having more patience one day. Don't take it personally if people tell you that, Dan, it really does say more about where they're at than anything. We do all have our issues; I think we've all vented here at one time or another, and we would all be in pretty sad shape if God had told us to get over our need for His mercy and grace...

You can send me an e-mail or private message any time you need to talk, Dan. I can't promise I'd be able to solve anything for you, but I'm a good listener.

Thanks Shells, much appreciated.


Anyway, on a different subject, it looks like I'm gonna be living in Ohio for several weeks and working for my grandparents. Despite the sacrifices I'd have to make, I think this is what I've most wanted to do anyway. At least I'll prob'ly be coming back to Iowa sometime in July and then maybe I can join in with my chorch's youth stuff. (I like saying "chorch" for some reason)

One of my cousins in Ohio is graduating from high school this weekend, so my family and I are going there to visit.