ADDRESS CORRECTION

If you have seen the post below this one, my original zip code is incorrect!!! The correct zip code is 72135. I already corrected it on the original post, but just in case, this is the right one.

Back to Africa

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"Seek HIS will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:6

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Why does this concept always seem so difficult? I find this true in my life. I want it my way, my time, my agenda. Me. Sometimes I think God lets us move in our own direction for a little while, and then He makes His plan known. Right about the time everything I try to do seems to be falling apart, He whispers and says, "Christian, I am right here. Speak to me and find peace in my plan."

For months now, I have been trying to figure out my plans for this summer. I started pursuing a study abroad trip to the middle east. After months of going through that process, God made it clear that the door for that trip was closing. This was a process that took much prayer and patience. During that time, God taught me a lot about my need for His provision in my life. After that door closed, I continued to pray about where the Lord wanted me this summer. I pursued a few job opportunities in Little Rock with Starbucks and other locations. Those seemed to maybe have a positive outcome. As I moved in that direction further, the door was closed again. I'll admit that I was discouraged, but I wanted to keep praying. I knew God had purpose, and He had a plan.

A few weeks go by and I got a phone call. Sarah Ray with Yobel Market (our original contact with Canaan Farm) wanted to let me know about a trip she was leading to the Farm this summer. She had heard that I was praying about where the Lord wanted me for the summer. Sarah asked me to consider going to Canaan Farm this summer to help lead the trip, and assist in multiple projects. Of course I was instantly excited, but I knew I really needed to seek the Lord on this. I got off the phone with her and called my parents. I asked them to be fervently praying with me. I also asked a few of my mentors to do the same. I asked God to clear all thoughts of circumstances...time, money, details, etc... and to speak to me on this. Through confirmations in scripture and seeking wisdom from my parents and mentors, I feel God is clearly calling me back to Uganda this summer.

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"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed."

Proverbs 31:8

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Now for the details. I will be going with a team of roughly 18 students/parents/interns. The leaders will be leaving around the 26th of May, and we will be there 1 week before the students and parents arrive. We will then be there for 3 more weeks with the new arrivers. Multiple projects will be happening during our time there. Canaan Farm is in the process of starting the construction of a primary school. I will be assisting with the details surrounding the construction of staff housing for the school as a well as construction of the school. As many of you already know, Yobel Market started a jewelry making project with women on the farm a few years ago, as a way to provide sustainable income. I will be helping start a micro-finance loan opportunity for the residents of the farm, which they can apply for to help grow their businesses. Also, being a returning visitor to the farm, I will be able to be an ambassador to the farm for those who've not been. I will continue to develop the relationships V-team started when we were there last year. The opportunities for ministry and growth on the farm are endless, and I am responding to God's call to help and be a part of all this. The need there is great and I am open to whatever God may have for my time there.

The rough timeline of the trip is from May 26th to the end of June or beginning of July. I need to raise $1300 for my plane ticket which I need to purchase very soon. The cost of my time there which includes all visas, travel, food, lodging, etc. is $1000. So with my plane ticket and living cost, I am in need of raising $2300. I know this is extremely short notice, but I am trusting the Lord with His provision. I ask that you pray for this trip to Uganda, and also pray about supporting me in this. As you know, it is already the middle of April and May 26th is very soon. I need to purchase a plane ticket asap. I am praying and trusting that God will provide in this, and asking that you would be a part of this with me.

If you would like to be involved either in prayer or giving, please contact me by email or phone (provided at the bottom). If you plan on making a financial contribution, checks can be made out to me and mailed to the address provided. As you know, time is of the essence, so a quick response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

In Christ,

Christian Outlaw

Mailing Address:

Christian Outlaw

20501 Roland Heights

Roland, AR 72135

Phone:

(719) 502-1163

Email:

outlaw.christian@gmail.com

~0r~

OutlawC@jbu.edu

12 Months Fly By...

Today is April 2nd and I was texting Andrew last night. Little memories of our trip last year pop into my head ever so often, and I like to share them with the guys. The one I was thinking of yesterday was from our time in India. If you've ever ridden in a car in a developing country, you notice that people are not shy when it comes to using their horns. This holds true excessively in India. We would often drive around the countryside to smaller villages to do evangelism with some of IREF's evangelists. One of the times we were going out, we rode in a school bus. We spent probably about 3 hours in the bus moving from one location to the next. So, back to the horn honking. Our driver was horn crazy. I don't think he let off the horn for more than 2 seconds at time. This wouldn't have been so bad, accept for the horn was the volume of a train horn. So for 3 hours, we sat on a bus, tired and most likely with headaches at this point, listening to a train equivalent horn. On top of that, the driving there was nothing less than INSANE! So the story is, I texted Andrew and Evan about this and we had a good laugh.

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I decided I wanted to write a post today, because 12 months and 1 week ago, Andrew, Evan and I landed back at Denver Intl. Airport. I can't believe it has already been 1 year since we were on our trip. Often throughout this last year, I would about how long it had been since we were in a specific country or at a specific place. Now, we have been back in the states for over a year. This last year has been so exciting for the 3 of us, figuring out what God wants for our lives and how our plans are usually vastly different than HIS. At this point, almost 3000 miles separates us, when only a year ago, half time 3 feet barely separated us. I have now been at John Brown University for almost 2 full semesters. Andrew has been touring with a Christian Rock band from Ft. Collins, CO for about 6 months now, and Evan is living in LA working as a barista and plugging in to a community of believers out there. We know we are blessed and we are so thankful every day to God and how His plan for our lives is perfect. It is hard being apart from each other, but we know that we now have lifelong friendships in each other.

So, I want to share with you about some things of my life that have happened in this school year. Back in the fall, I started pursing a degree in Business Administration. I found out last year through prayer, and just elements of who I am, that I really wanted to study business. The reason I could see my self doing this is because of the opportunity that it presented for my future involvement in ministry. Last summer, I met with a director of a ministry located in Colorado Springs and Quito, Ecuador. This ministry is called HCJB Radio. I shared with her my dreams and thoughts of the future. I told her I desired to study business, and that this was something I really felt that the Lord had been directing me to. I asked about how this could be helpful in ministry. She told me that a huge are of need in ministry are people who have a heart for service but are also good at organization, numbers, financing, Business. This was encouraging to me, an affirmation that what I was going to be pursing was something of need in the world of Missions.

My meeting with this lady was in July of 2009, I started school in August. The moment I stepped foot into the business program, I knew I was where I needed to be. One class that really began to stick out to me was accounting. I had never had any experience with accounting, so everything I was learning was completely new for me. About half way through first semester, I started thinking about what it would for me to change my major to accounting. Through the first part of the, I really began to gain a passion for this subject. I know that totally sounds weird, who has a passion for accounting? Come on! But it's the truth. I mean, I knew the only reason I was hear was because of the grace of God. If he wouldn't have brought me here, I would never have known that I was good at and really enjoyed this subject. I began to pray about switching my major to Accounting, which since I was already studying business, a switch to Accounting was not that drastic. Many of my classes would already transfer over. I spoke with some of my professors about the options surrounding this degree, and the vast need in ministry for people who know this trade. After about 3 months of contemplating this, I really just felt peace with this decision. Last week I officially switched my major.

I am excited, because next fall, I will be studying Accounting for Non-profit Organizations. This is essentially what I want to do in the future-Accounting for ministry. I know everyone has their calling, and I am so thankful to have a calling to ministry of any kind. I never thought that accounting or business could be a ministry need, but as I look into it more and pray about where the Lord wants me, I learn that this need is great also. I know we never have it completely figured out and we shouldn't. We need dependence on the Lord for provision and guidance. So right now, I am trying my best to listen to His voice and His moving me.

As I sit here, I do really think it's awesome to see where the 3 of us have ended up. Evan is witnessing to a new crowd in LA, and learning about what it means to be all things to all people. Andrew is playing lead guitar for a rock band and touring the country. And here I am in northwest Arkansas, studying accounting for a future in ministry. Thanks so much for keeping up with us, and for keeping us in your prayers. Love you guys.

~Christian

Band

Hey everyone! this is Andrew. I just wanted to share what God has been doing in my life over the last six months. We arrived home and started to acclimated back to what it is like to live here in the states. God began to lead us all in new directions and to new great things. Christian got accepted to JBU, and Evan headed to California to try his hand at sharing God's love with some of the world's richest, and the State's poorest people. Meanwhile the only thing God seemed to be doing in my life was wrecking everything. He started to say that i was not supposed to go to Belmont and i wasn't even allowed to go to pikes peak community. i needed to wait for him to show up.

As time went on, it became increasingly more difficult. Relationships here fell apart and my best friends went to opposite sides of the country. Needless to say it felt pretty rotten "stuck" here in woodland park missing my three best friends. This whole time I have to admit I had my days of being frustrated beyond belief, and wanting to give up on this whole waiting thing. It just didn't make any sense from where i was sitting. i mean really. how is doing nothing productive, ever?

Its funny it always has to get hard before it gets better, it seems. My last week of this crazy time I went to church down in the springs and the pastor gave a lesson on how basically if your not moving, God can't use you. I was sent into a tail spin. had i been disobedient this whole time? This happened several other times where i would be talking to someone and they would bring up laziness or not hearing God's voice. And just at the point where i couldn't hardly believe in what God had said anymore, he showed up. I got this phone call and the person introduced himself and we talked for several minutes like everyone does when they don't know each other. Then he says this, "Andrew we are looking for a guitar player to go on tour. are you interested?"

Now before i go on, i want to say that God is not good because circumstances are good. He is good because he is God. So, as of right now i am going to be leaving to go on tour with a band called Andrew Witt (formerly Rough Draft). If you want to listen you can find them on iTunes as Rough Draft. I will be leaving the 28th of october to go to Florida, and would totally love your prayers. This is a christian band so please pray that we can be able to point people to Christ whenever and wherever we are. I am so thankful that God has given me this opportunity for how ever long it lasts. thank you all so much for your prayers.

Update from Richard (Canaan Farm)

About 2 months back, we put together a care package to send to Canaan Farm. Well, they received it and were very glad. Back a few years ago, Andrew and I (christian) played in a band called Doxology. When we broke up, we had a bunch of shirts left over that had our logo on them. We had been thinking of what we could do with all these spare shirts, so we figured this would be a great option. So in the package, we sent a bunch of 'Doxology' shirts as well as kitchen knives, elementary english books, movies, devotional books, and a few other personal gifts for Richard and Susan. After receiving the package, Richard took pictures of all the guys wearing the shirts, as well as one with him and Susan.
As most of you remember, while at Canaan Farm, we built a hut for a widow named Tabitha. Well, a couple months after leaving, someone donated the money to build her a real house, made of concrete. One of our friends from the states was there while Tabitha's new house was being built, and tells us that Tabitha was walking around weeping and praising God for her new house. Richard also sent us pictures of Tabitha's new house. Praise God for our friends in Uganda!!! Enjoy the Pictures!

-Christian

Dennis wearing his new shirt

Dennis (number 2) wearing his new shirt!

Geoffrey

The Guys with Richard and Susan in the middle!

Group Hug!

Our bible study guys with their new shirts

Check Out her smile!

Tabitha and her new House

Update from Christian

A few months back, I started this process with a ministry called HCJB out of Colorado Springs. I began pursuing working for them in Quito, Ecuador for the summer 2010. During my visit to their office in the springs, I got to meet a guy named Brandon Cole who had been an MK (missionary kid) with HCJB in Ecuador the majority of his life. He was now interning with them. I also found out that Brandon was a student at JBU, the school I currently attend. I was really excited to hear this. 
   Through our conversation, he told me about his brother, also a student at JBU, was currently in Echador working with a few different ministries. Brandon told me that I should meet his brother this fall and maybe talk to them both about HCJB. 
   After my meeting that day, I started the application process but I was taking it slow. As I was praying about everything, I felt the Lord telling me to put the app on hold for a while, just rest with this.
    Fast forward a month or so to me being in Arkansas...I was starting to feel a bit unsure with the whole thing. Was I supposed to stop pursuing? I wanted to wait it out though, atleast until I got to school and saw some of the opportunities JBU offered. During registration, I signed up to join a 'passion group', basically bible study/guys group. The passion groups wouldn't get organized for about a month or so. 
    Fast forward about a week ago now. I was really starting to doubt whether or not I needed to just email HCJB and call it all off, but God told me to be patient. So I prayed about it for the next few days. 
    Last Tuesday, I got an email saying that that night there was gonna be a ' meet your passion group' event. When I got to the thing, I went and looked up what group I was in and theN I went to meet my leader. His name is Brian. Within a couple minutes of talking with him, I realized that I already knew who he was. Brian was Brandon's brother. When I realized this, I asked him if I could share with him a little story...and I told him all a out what God was doing this last summer. 
    I had gone to the passion group thing that night with the intention of telling my leader, after meeting him, that I was to busy to be involved and that I wasn't gonna do it. But from the moment I met Brian, I felt God was speaking to me. This was one of the ways He wants to communicate with me about next summer. I know that Brian being my passion group is not a coincedence. Gid had His hand in the whole thing. 

Learning about peter standing on the raging sea

"Cuz Gods got Hiz hand on ever-thang. To where He'll take care of da problems, is not fo 'you to worry 'bout." - Random hick guy on The Almost's music video to "Southern Weather" (written phonetically) . Spelling...? i dono.

I haven't fully processed or realized what has happened yet, but I got a house. Big news. I have been searching for a month for a place to live, living as an orphan in my uncles house, commuting hours to find a job/house. After school started and things got crazy with that, as I am begging to settle for, "well, maybe it's not a big deal to God, maybe I should settle for this terrible living situation and move on..." I set up an appointment and arrived VERY late due to normal circumstances (got lost and hit traffic). As the lady was leaving the house to lock up, I ran up out of breath and explained. After seeing the house I was fully convinced with 100% confidence I should be there. Its an alcohol free and drug free house of all males, most of which are going to Glendale College. I am in a room with free internet, two awesome room mates, a nice bed with sheets and a comforter, a dresser and all the works! Now I am hopefully waiting for a job to pay for the next months rent! I will be spending my time now continuing looking for jobs in the day and doing college online at night. Kayla and I found a home church to begin plugging into as well. This church is located all thorugh out L.A. (changes buildings and theatres at different services) and is called "Mosaic." We have visited multiple churches since arriving here, and have FINALLY found one that we feel a part of and are ready to give ourselves to serve and be in community. Hopefully that will be picking up soon too.

I don't know why all of this has happened, why it took me a month of hard work while it took my room mate one day (who moved in one hour after me) to find this place. I know that feeding the homeless no longer feels like an "ought to" as a christian. For the past month I have felt hunger more than I ever have, and just an overall lowness of being on the outside of everybody's lives. I was sitting next to a guy in downtown burbank, all dressed up looking for a job- while he was obviously homeless and hungry. It should have been a painting; he was whistling and smiling, while my top buttons were loosened and I was rubbing my forehead in doubt and worry. Sitting on the same park bench. Priceless. I was thinking, "it may not look like it, but you and I are in the SAME position right now man. We have more similar circumstances than it seems! Gods kingdom is made up of men like you."

All I know is it's divine appointment to be living in this house. I know I am supossed to be in these guys' lives, and I couldn't IMAGINE a better living situation for me right now. I feel like this sort of thing makes me fully alive (besides being in the brush of Uganda). I am so thankful, and very bewildered still! I don't really know what to say about all of it except... YESSSS!!!!!!!! THank you for staying posted and checking in on us, hope all is well with you. Thank you for praying, it really does make all the difference in the world!