The beginning of a journey...

Ever sing the song "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin?  I remember going to speak to my church youth group one Sunday when this song was led.  I wanted to sing, but I couldn't.  I asked God "Why can't I sing this song with my whole heart?"  And God responded, "It's because you haven't been living a life that requires me to be great.  You've been doing things on your own strengths, on the gifts and abilities that I've given you."  Then I think I prayed asking God, "Then help me to live a life that requires You to be great."  I didn't realize how soon God was going to answer that prayer.


In this blog I hope to share with you the journey God has been taking me on and and many of the amazing things I have see Him do in the lives of those around me.  Much of what I've shared I have put in my quarterly prayer letters (if you don't receive them and would like to drop me a line), but they could never capture all that really happens.  So, at my wife's encouragement, here's my story.  I've started near the beginning for those who are new...may you be blessed and encouraged as you read.

When I was eighteen years old I was convinced that God had called me to be a missionary.  When?  Where?  How?  I had no idea except that it was in His hands.  When I finished University I thought God would magically open the door for me to ministry and I'd be set for the reset of my life.  How wrong I was.  It was another six years until God saw that I was ready.

I was working at a Christian bookstore for a number of years but knew that God had called me to something more I so I began handing out resumes everywhere in what would be last year there.  I applied to hotels, various businesses, and TESL courses.  But I held back from applying for youth pastor positions (or anything like that) simply because I felt it was something God should call me to.

CEF was a place I applied to in November of 2004.  Two months went by and I heard nothing.  Then in February, Charlene (my wife) happened to be off sick and a sequence of events like this happened:

Bookstore manager: "Ivhan, can we meet in five minutes?" 
Me: "Sure." (what else would you say to your boss?)  

Phone rings.  I answer.  
Charlene: "CEF just called, they want you to come in for an interview." 

Me and *Chanel.  One of the many kids
 I would come to know and love serving
with CEF.

Me: "Okay, I'll call them back soon." 
I go to meet with my manager.  
Bookstore manager: "Ivhan, we've had cut backs and we're going to have to let you go."  End of conversation.

I called CEF, have an interview the next day and start two weeks later, right after finishing with the bookstore.  It was only the beginning of seeing God be great.