Not my usual post

I just wrote a very long blog entry that was deep and heady and possibly difficult to follow. I erased it and wrote the following instead because what I think what I want to communicate is simple. I'm going to attempt to clearly share my joy.

Jesus has changed me. He used the friction of colliding worldviews on the ship and in Africa to slowly liquefy my values and beliefs. Then he hit me with a trifecta of methods to hammer home some gospel truths. The methods are his word, the words of other people and a supernatural leading of my thoughts through meaningful experiences to some conclusion. He has replaced some of the most rotten parts of me with fresh flesh. He has taught me things that I can't believe I never knew, things about him, about other people, about the world and about me. He has loved me just like he said he would and just like he loves you.

I don't know how to say it any other way than that. All of the credit and honor goes to God.

Just a quick update

Well, if you didn't know you will find out soon enough anyway. I'm in the states. MS flew me to Texas to do some hospital supply preparatory work for next year. I was at the base for 3 weeks and then I flew to VT to surprise my family. I snuck into my parent's house at 1am, camped out on the couch and then woke up early so I could spring the trap. I intended to cook breakfast and have it ready when everyone got up, but I forgot that my dad wakes up super early and he got the drop on me just as I got to the kitchen. I am fully satisfied with the amount of shock and tears that occurred. After thanksgiving I made my way east to Maine and pulled another surprise on my church family. Also satisfying. I've been having a great week catching up with everyone and getting reacquainted with east coast living. Next week I'm heading back to the ship to resume life on board. Vacation in the states is always nice, but I'm looking forward to going back home to Africa.