In Miami -- AIM going very well
San Francisco -- super time with author Francis Chan
Sacramento -- great debate with atheist Richard Carrier * * * * * * * Preparing for January trips to San Francisco, Sacramento, and Miami. * * * * * * * Enjoyed teaching in Dhaka, and the interactions with all the Muslim professors at the two universities. Delhi was great. Short, but encouraging: time with Raghu (teacher in India), staff teaching session, then church presentation, then dinner with Mark & Nadine Templer. Now on the way home (layover in Paris). * * * * * * * Long journey Singapore to Dhaka. Now in Bangladesh -- update at FaceBook. * * * * * * * Excellent time in Hanoi. Met the underground church, and also the three new brothers and sisters baptized days before my arrival. My friend took me to the "Hanoi Hilton" (of Vietnam War fame). Then I flew to Singapore, where I am teaching for three days. Last night: evidences. Today: parenting. Tomorrow: preaching, then to Bangladesh via southern China. * * * * * * * En route to Vietnam. You will find more complete updates at Facebook. * * * * * * * Wonderful time in Korea -- about to board flight to Russia. * * * * * * * In Tokyo. Preaching today (Sunday), class this afternoon, dinner with Tokyo staff, preparing for Korea later tonight. Korea wants to know the status of the various denominations and religious movements in the United States. (Wise choice for the lesson, I think.) * * * * * * * Oops -- forgot to update! I have been in:
(1) Boston
(2) Israel
(3) Boston again
(4) North Carolina
(5) Jacksonville FL
(6) Osaka
So, greetings from Japan! * * * * * * * In Atlanta, preparing for Boston trip: (1) Teachers Committee Conference, (2) American Leadership Conference, (3) Campus apologetics series, (4) New England School of Missions. * * * * * * * After a great trip in Chicago (Holy Spirit), now in Auburn, teaching on Amos (Weds) and Evolution (Thurs). Next stop: Boston. * * * * * * * In Norway. Tonight expecting 125-150 to the evidences lesson. Vicki got home last night, I will be home tomorrow night. Final stop of trip. Next city: Chicago (in 9 days). * * * * * * * After a wonderful time in Finland (class, debate, sermon), visited Sweden, even staying in our old neighborhood. Taught at Stockholms Universitet -- 65 guests came, 115 persons in all -- and Vicki and I also taught last night on parenting. Today she flew back to Atlanta; I am continuing to Oslo for the last two days of this Nordic tour. * * * * * * * In Tallinn. Spoke in Tartu and Tallinn this week, and tonight my wife speaks to the women in Tallinn. Tomorrow: Ferry back across the Gulf of Finland to Helsinki, then teaching on "Evangelism in the Church, 30-200 AD." * * * * * * * In Finland. Flew in from Paris this morning, taking ferry to Tallinn, Estonia, later this afternoon, and then traveling by car to the university town of Tartu. * * * * * * * In Gainesville Fl for brother's 50th * * * * * * * Just back from Auburn. The church has grown a lot this year. Heading to Europe in 2 weeks. * * * * * * * Just returned from a great Florida Discipleship Conference. Home for 6 weeks, teaching Mexico (WebEx), doing some radio interviews, finishing off book manuscript, celebrating wife's and brother's 50th (on Aug 23). To Europe at start of Sept. * * * * * * * In Athens... To Orlando in 10 days... * * * * * * * Back in Georgia. July trips: Athens GA (ICMC/AIM) and Orlando FL (FDC). Also teaching Toronto via webcast on 5 July. * * * * * * * Great time in Hickory and Asheville, and then a few days later with Vicki in Toronto. Now I'm in California: Pepperdine U, for the Christian Scholars' Conference, after which I'll speak at the ARS seminar, Christianity and the Paranormal, aboard the Queen Mary! * * * * * * * In AIM VI -- Counseling and Psychology, with Sam Laing, Steve Brand, Steve Staten, Joey Harris, Dana Hawkins, and Drs. Mike & Mary Shapiro. Next trip: Southeast Leadership retreat in Asheville, NC. * * * * * * * Pepperdine University (Malibu, California). Teaching on Islam. (Timely!) * * * * * * * After great times in NJ and OH, currently in the Georgia mountains, working on a book manuscript. * * * * * * * Back from South America. Heading to Princeton this week. * * * * * * * In Argentina. To Paraguay tomorrow.... (First visit to Asuncion!, third visit to Argenina.) * * * * * * * In Atlanta. Heading to South America next week. * * * * * * * Teaching in three cities in Central America. The next international trip is to South America (March). * * * * * * * After Kuwait, and Lebanon, I spent a few days in Egypt (!)
Now in Los Angeles (preachers and teachers conference) * * * * * * * I am in the UAE. Next stop: Bahrain. * * * * * * * Back from Tel Aviv, Israel. Next stop: Dubai. * * * * * * * AIM graduations (4) in Kiev yesterday, much celebrating; today to L'viv, western Ukraine. * * * * * * * Great time in Boston (apologetics). Now embarking on final trip of 2010: Romania, Ukraine, Israel. * * * * * * * Trinidad. Our congregation in Atlanta (North River) is twinned with a congregation in Port of Spain. Next trip: Boston. * * * * * * * Los Angeles : teaching at ARS with John Wilson, Foster Stanback, John Oakes. * * * * * * * Miami -- International Leadership Conference. Next stop: Columbus, Ohio... then to Africa. Last trip of October: Los Angeles. * * * * * * * Nova Scotia -- was here 38 years ago -- beautiful place and wonderful church. Taught a few lessons and now spending time with our daughter Lily * * * * * * * September: Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Halifax, N.S. and Miami. * * * * * * * In August will be in Dallas, Nashville, and San Diego. * * * * * * * In Atlanta till next trip: Portland and Eugene, Oregon (July)
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Home... Next stop: Series on the Holy Spirit in St Thomas
* * * * * * *
Concordia University, California, at the International Christian Evidences Conference * * * * * * * Home. To LA this weeken for ICEC and also to meet Michael Shermer at Cal Tech. * * * * * * * In Swizterland. After a few lessons here, will head through London (fellowship) on the way back to Atlanta. * * * * * * * After BST in London, and post-tour to Oxford, and now in Stratford-upon-Avon * * * * * * * Scotland! Tomorrow: Ireland * * * * * * * In London. Euro tour includes (in order) London, Glasgow, Dublin, London, Cambridge, London, Oxford, Stratford, Geneva, London. * * * * * * * Back from FL. Next: Pepperdine Bible Lectureship, Malibu CA. * * * * * * * Home in Atlanta.... This weekend to Florida. Our son graduates from college! And I will speak in Jacksonville. * * * * * * * Illinois. Speaking in Bloomington (my second visit to this great church) and Chicago (many visits). You can also follow me, if you want, on Twitter. * * * * * * * In New York. Back for 5 days, then to Chicago. * * * * * * * In Atlanta till the weekend, then NYC 16-18 April. Meeting Rabbi Shmuley, fellowship with many brothers, teaching at Javits Center & promoting my new book.... * * * * * * * After adventure in Abilene, then a great time in Gainesville (Santa Fe and UF), now in Alabama -- writing week. * * * * * * * Austin was incredible. Home one week, then Abilene Christian University, Texas. * * * * * * * After returning to Atlanta for a great AIM session, I'm now heading to Austin, Texas. * * * * * * * Vancouver! Here for the better part of a week with my son James. * * * * * * * Back from Latin America. Next preaching stop: Vancouver -- right between the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. * * * * * * * Having a great time here in San Salvador. Tomorrow is the final day. Monday to Mexico City. * * * * * * * Teaching a series on The Spirit here in San Jose. What a great fellowship, a vibrant congregation! Today going up a volcano. Leave Costa Rica tomorrow for El Salvador. * * * * * * * After weekend in Athens (GA), heading to Central America & Mexico for a week. Speaking in San Jose, Sal Salvador, and Mexico City. * * * * * * * Leaving Orlando (special church weekend on LEARNING FROM THE PAST). Later this week at conference in Athens GA. * * * * * * * Back in Marietta for a couple of weeks. Great time in South Florida. Next stop: Central Florida. * * * * * * * Miami. Then in February: Orlando, Athens (GA), San Jose (Costa Rica), San Salvador (El Salvador), and Mexico City. * * * * * * * In icy Atlanta! Next trip: Miami (late January) * * * * * * * Jacksonville, Florida. Visiting my mother, dropping my son off at college (he is beginning his last semester this week), and speaking in a sister church in Jax. * * * * * * * Home! New Orleans was the last trip of the year. Working on Harvest House manuscripts; podcasts; 2010 international and domestic trips; finances; and spending more time with church family and friends. * * * * * * * New Orleans, for apologetics conference sponsored by the Evangelical Philosophical Society, of which I am a member. Also preaching in a sister congregation on Sunday. * * * * * * * Seoul, South Korea. Final segment of this trip, "around the world in 18 days." * * * * * * * After a terrific visit to Dhaka (see newsletter 14!), this morning I landed in Singapore, 1 degree N of the equator. Here a few days before coming home via South Korea (another teaching stop). * * * * * * * In Bangladesh! About to teach a class on marriage... Great time in India and the Ukraine. * * * * * * * Pompeii tomorrow (Mt Vesuvius earlier today). Will fly to Kiev Saturday afternoon, before heading to Asia.... Thanks for your prayers. * * * * * * * Rome! The 2009 Biblical Study Tour.... * * * * * * * Oops -- forgot to update! (No, I haven't been in Illinois for two weeks.) Home in Atlanta... Will head next week to Rome, then the following week to Kiev, Delhi, Dhaka, Singapore, and Seoul. * * * * * * * Illinois. Will meet my brother and go back to Chicago (his home) this evening (Sunday) after my last session here. * * * * * * * After a great time in Northern Virginia, Vicki and I have been spending a few days together. Next stop: Bloomington, IL. * * * * * * * In Denver. Teaching tomorrow (Sat 5th) on Islam & Christianity, with a former Muslim -- from Iran. * * * * * * * Spoke in Tempe AZ (Arizona State U) on Saturday, and in Las Vegas on Sunday. About to board flight to Denver - leadership conference + teaching on Islam. * * * * * * * Home! Good conference. Also the teaching ministry gave away $740 in teaching materials to Bolivia and also to needy Christians in South and Central Florida. Preparing for AIM (31 July - 3 Aug) and finishing new book manuscript. And recording podcast on Joab/Absalom/Adonijah at the new website, www.jacobypremium.com. * * * * * * * Selling books in Orlando (FDC). * * * * * * * Home in Georgia. Next week I will head to Orlando (book table) at Florida conference. * * * * * * * Tuskegee, Alabama. Interviewing Fred Gray for our upcoming seminar on prejudice in the church. * * * * * * * After Dubai, I am back in Georgia. No travel for 2 months except for one weekend in Orlando (selling books), and also visiting my mother in Jacksonville. Focus: book manuscript (WHY BELIEVE IN GOD?). Will be (for me) fairly unresponsive to email & Facebook for a few weeks.... * * * * * * * In Uganda! Updates at Facebook. Next stop: The UAE. * * * * * * * In Kenya! * * * * * * * In Houston: Teaching in the International Christian Evidences Seminar. Saturday night is the big debate (vs. Robert Price).
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After a great time with old friends, and also teaching, have returned to the US. Here for another week before the Evidences Seminar in Houston. * * * * * * * London. Was in Cumbria... Home soon. Follow me at Facebook... :) * * * * * * * Manchester, UK. Next weekend: London. In addition to speaking, I am here in the British Isles with my family members, It is my mother-in-law's 75th birthday. * * * * * * * Los Angeles. Heading to Atlanta tonight... * * * * * * * Home until Pepperdine Lectureship (early May). Will also head down to Jacksonville, Florida, to spend a night with my mother. That night I will share a missions report with the Jacksonville congregation. * * * * * * * Budapest. Will be home Wednesday midnight. Next trip: Pepperdine University (May 2009). Keep up with my peregrinations and gyrations at www.Facebook.com. * * * * * * * Chisinau (Kishinev), Moldova. Heading to Hungary tomorrow. * * * * * * * Kiev. AIM (Russian) Bible school. After 5 days of teaching will head to Moldova. * * * * * * * Home! Lots of appointments this week with friends, plus teaching at University of Georgia. Will go to Kiev Sunday. * * * * * * * Nearing end of four-day stay in Sweden. Home Monday. Not an easy trip. Home next week Monday night-Sunday noon. Then back to (eastern) Europe. * * * * * * * Oslo and Bergen, until Thursday, when I arrive in Stockholm. * * * * * * * En route to Oslo, where I will begin a Scandinavian teaching tour. * * * * * * * Vienna, Virginia -- funeral. * * * * * * * Home! Next trip: Scandinavia (after 10 days back in Atlanta). * * * * * * * In Cali, Colombia. See more updates at Facebook. * * * * * * * Great time in Caracas. Tomorrow (Sun 8th) will fly to Panama for preaching and teaching. Then in the evening, to Cali. I will be in Colombia several days. * * * * * * * In Latin America. Visited Guyana, Trinidad, Panama... tomorrow morning (6 March) I fly to Venezuela. Great fellowship.... For more on my peregrinations, visit me at Facebook. * * * * * * * Speaking tomorrow night (13 Feb) at Harvard University on the reliability of the biblical manuscripts. Then the following weekend Vicki and I will be in Nashville (Mid-South Conference). * * * * * * * Home now! Next trip: Cambridge, Massachusetts, in mid-February. Working on visits to Ukraine, Moldova, Norway, Bangladesh, Russia, Indonesia, etc... * * * * * * * Snowy Boston! Delivering a couple of lessons up here, and also meeting with the president of the American Scientific Affiliation; speaking to a local chapter of Reasons to Believe, visiting the Boston Church of Christ, and enjoying fellowship with several close brothers. * * * * * * * Working on new Premium Content site (testing, working kinks out, etc). Home with the family for a few weeks... First 2009 trip: Boston. * * * * * * * In Rome, Florence, and Naples (Roma, Fiorenze, e Napoli) -- preparation for 2009 Biblical Study Tour. * * * * * * * Washington DC -- fellowship with several dear brothers.... * * * * * * * 8 December. Home! One more short trip this year (Rome). Next newsletter will go out in a day or so. * * * * * * * My work here in Kiev is done. Fly home tomorrow 4:30 am. Thanks for your prayers, emails, and support. * * * * * * * The Eurasian Bible School is going well. Tomorrow morning we begin Day 3. People have come from Latvia, Belarus, Russia, etc.... Good spirit! * * * * * * * Arrived to the Ukraine earlier this evening. (Yes, bags lost again...) Will be teaching here Tuesday-Saturday. Tomorrow one of my slots will be taken by a rabbi (part of the O.T. series). * * * * * * * Hey, they lost my baggage! Got to hotel around 1:30 am. Today visited Tyre and Sidon... and had to buy clothes! The airlines gave me $100 --enough to buy a suit, so I had something to speak in tonight. There were around 325 visitors tonight -- 12x as many guests as members! The Beirut congregation is to be commended! Tomorrow I will preach, and hopefully lots of tonight's guests will return. * * * * * * * At Dubai airport (DXB), en route to Beirut. (Hey -- that rhymes!) * * * * * * * Home for some family time... To Lebanon for weekend event (see latest newsletter!).... * * * * * * * Sweden. (Jag ska undervisa i Stockholm...) * * * * * * * Good debate, DVD out in a few weeks, home for AIM GA and to Stockholm for AIM W Europe Tues 18th Nov. * * * * * * * New York City -- debate tomorrow! * * * * * * * Today (Tuesday 4 November) in webcast to Latin American leadership groups. Topic: New Testament Leadership. * * * * * * * Home until Nov 10th, when I head to NYC for the next debate. Please pray for my wife, who lost her hearing in one ear 17 days ago (as well as her balance, ability to focus, sense of taste and smell, and more). She has improved (less nausea, and sense of taste is returning) but she is still deaf in one ear. The doctors are trying to figure out what is wrong. * * * * * * * Gainesville, Florida. Monday: creation debate. Tuesday: Gainesville Christian Church. Wednesday: drive home (teaching class at North River, my home congregation). * * * * * * * Home last night (13 October). Next trip: Gainesville, Florida (in just under 2 weeks, for the next debate). * * * * * * * In Kiev, capital of the Ukraine. About 2000 people are at the leadership conference. Very encouraging! * * * * * * * In Zagreb, the beautiful capital of Croatia. Evangelistic meeting last night (Sat 4 October), sermon today plus three classes on leadership, singles, and marriage & parenting. Will be in Kiev tomorrow night for the International Leadership Conference. * * * * * * * Early Church History weekend with David Bercot was amazing! 157 in attendance. We also released a new book. It is THE BIBLE QUIZ BOOK. In a few days a new audio set will come out, THY KINGDOM COME. Home until early October, when I head to Croatia and then the Ukraine. * * * * * * * 12 September. Finishing off new book on Islam, and also preparing for debate at U of Florida next month. Vicki is in England, with family. Weekend with David Bercot looking good-- many people signed up. It will also become a DVD set. * * * * * * * LATIN AMERICAN WEBCAST WENT GREAT! Just finished 2 minutes ago (30 August). It was ANCHORED FOR LIFE, and we had people from: * Mexico (Mexico City, Villahermosa, Culiacan, Puebla, Monterrey, Vera Cruz, León, Toluca, Querétaro, and Sinaloa – where the drug wars are being fought just now)* Panama (Panama City)* Chile (Santiago)* Spain (Madrid)* Peru (Lima)* Puerto Rico (San Juan)* Colombia (Bogotá)
Went very well. Third and final Webcast of the year (through Mexico City) is in November. * * * * * * * After three days in the Georgia mountains, working on my Islam book, I am back. Just got good news of a book contract with Harvest House publishers. Saturday 30 August -- webcast for Spanish speaking world. * * * * * * * Emma is set up at the University of Florida, having joined her brother James (in his junior year). I am back home, working on the website, catching up on Bible questions (going back 3 months!), and working on my book on Islam. * * * * * * * Home. This coming weekend we move our middle child into college (in Florida). But no more ministry trips until October. Aaaahhhh! * * * * * * * Jacksonville, Florida (my hometown). I am doing an evangelistic weekend for the church here. Great time, and already one person who attended has been baptized. Hope to visit Jax much more often in the future. * * * * * * * Home. Just finished day 3 of AIM (Holy Spirit & Apologetics). Day 4 ends this session (Monday 4th). At end of the week I head to Florida for a teaching weekend with the Jacksonville church. * * * * * * * Stuck in Amman -- my driver took me to the wrong airport! Vicki and the kids made their flight (I presume), while I am here for another day. Just had dinner at the (only) airport hotel. The menu featured, among other delicacies, "minced lamp" and "chicken cubs." (I opted for the mixed grill!) Should be home by midnight 29th. Then AIM starts on the 1st. Please sign up -- there's still room! * * * * * * * En route Amman to Dubai to Atlanta... * * * * * * * It has been an amazing 2 weeks in the Middle East. Met with combined Israeli-Palestian group. What an oasis of unity and love! -- in sharp contrast to what is happening in this land, where the US government pumps in enormous amounts of money used to build a literal wall around the Palestinians. I feel sad, angry, and disgusted. To me it seems no different from what the US did to the native Americans. One broken treaty after another, pushing the indigenous people to the margins of society. We even had a political evening in Jerusalem on this very topic, with fascinating speakers: An ultra-orthodox Jew who realized she was being used by her government to oppress the poor; a former Israeli solider; a professor of philosophy at Al-Quds University (yes, he is a Muslim); a teacher who showed us how Israeli textbooks teach children that Palestinians are non-persons; and more. 120 out of our group attended and eyes were opened! Ephesians 2:14-19 speaks to the situation. We are now in Petra. ("The Last Crusade"!) Will explore today. Tomorrow I'll speak to leaders in Amman, the capital of Jordan, about 3 hours north of here. Then the family will fly home. Thanks for your prayers. * * * * * * * Greetings from Jerusalem! We have crawled into a pyramid (2600 BC), cruised on the Nile, crossed the Sinai desert, sailed on the Sea of Galilee, and entered the synagogue where Jesus preached (in Jerusalem). And this is only a small portion of our adventures! Many new folks joined us on Sunday evening, esp. coming from Europe. Some are here for Israel and Jordan (our next leg), others for Israel only. A newlywed couple joined the Tour. This is their honeymoon! Yesterday I had lunch with the younger group. 16 of the participants are age 8-19, so we all shared a meal, and stories. Tomorrow night I will meet a high school friend for coffee. We last spoke 31 years ago. He, like many of my h.s. friends, is Jewish. * * * * * * * Greetings from Giza, the place near Cairo where the pyramids and the Sphinx are found. Today I traveled around the Egyptian sands on camel-back! This is the middle of the Egyptian part of the Biblical Study Tour. Sunday we drive through Sinai to Galilee. Tonight I preached in Cairo. (Friday is their Sunday.) English and Arabic, a simple message on suffering, from 1 Peter. The government is really paying close attention to our church, and it is not an easy time. Even on our tour the police are everywhere, on the one hand protecting us, but on the other incessantly seeking bribes! While they are not as limited in freedom as, say, China or Cuba, they certainly do not enjoy the freedom of religion we enjoy in the US and most of western Europe.
People have come from as far away as Australia, and 15 or 16 nations are represented. This is an amazing time of learning, but one site and through classes at the hotel. Tomorrow, among other things, will include a cruise on the Nile. It is so good to see old friends, and meet dozens whose names I know only through email. There are also 16 kids age 8-19 with us, as well as a handful of non-Christians. (What a superb evangelistic opportunity!) The entire conference is being recorded, and if you want to learn about EGYPT IN THE BIBLE you will be able to get the CD set. Next week we will be in Galilee a couple of days -- our hotel is on the Sea of Galilee -- and then 4 days in Jerusalem -- hotels on Mount of Olives and also Mt Scopus, north of the city! Then Jordan! Mt Nebo, Petra, the Dead Sea, Amman. The Bible comes to life when you can visualize. To cite the trite, "Wish you were (all) here!" * * * * * * * Cairo! The lessons of the 14th Annual ITS will be recorded and made available on CD in a few weeks. The theme: "Egypt in the Bible." * * * * * * * Home for a week, then to Egypt for the International Teachers' Seminar. * * * * * * * Drove down to Florida with my son. I am visiting my mother in Jacksonville. * * * * * * * After great time in Hungary, where Vicki and I joined old friends and spoken in the European Bible School, we are home. Next trip: to see my mother in early July. (She is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.) * * * * * * * Budapest, with my wife... * * * * * * * Home for a week, before Vicki and I head to Hungary. (European Bible School plus a few days alone together.) Emma (17) has headed to "the Swamp" (camp of Atlanta area churches) where she will be lifeguarding all summer. James is working in Marietta. Lily has a few activities planned for the coming months. The whole family will meet in Israel next month. * * * * * * * Chicago, for International Apologetics Conference. Tonight is the "tribate" between Muslim debater Shabir Ally, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, and me. Your prayers appreciated! * * * * * * * Home in Marietta. We just finished a 2-day AIM program. The topic was homiletics. We were joined by some 75 students in the North River Campus Internship. Tomorrow I teach the Middle Schoolers in our church, the 3rd in a series of 4 weeks, on Jesus: Legend, Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Tomorrow's class: Lunatic. * * * * * * * Newnan, Georgia. I am a on the program of a conference sponsored by the Southern Crescent Church, "The Life You've Always Wanted." * * * * * * * Super time in Stockholm, especially reconnecting with old friends. Today I fly home. Our son is now back from college, so the whole family (5) will be together. * * * * * * * AIM students have converged on Stockholm not only from among the Swedes but also from Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom! Day three begins tomorrow (Saturday). I taught the midweek lesson last night (Worldliness and the Church), and will speak at an invitation service on Sunday. A number of guests and former members are expected to join us. * * * * * * * In Stockholm! AIM (Western Europe) begins tomorrow morning. * * * * * * * After Kiev teaching day ("Anchored for Life"), flew with Pasha Goluv (translator) and Taras (another Ukrainian brother) to Kharkov (Kharkiv). Tomorrow is Easter (Orthodox calendar). I will preach, then have lunch with leaders, before flying back to Kiev. Overnight there, working on website etc, and then home to Atlanta. * * * * * * * Eurasian Bible School going well. 85-90 participants, and many non-Ukrainians this time. (Word is getting round!) Russia: Rostov, Moscow; Latvia: Riga; Belarus: Minsk; Ukraine: Kharkov, Kiev, Lvov, Donetsk, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, etc. Very encouraging! * * * * * * * Kiev, capital city of the Ukraine. This is the second week of the Eurasian Bible School. Topics: Preaching & Teaching, and The Holy Spirit. On Saturday I'll head to Kharkov, before flying home to Atlanta on Monday. * * * * * * * Today I was (electronically) in Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, Chile, Spain, Nashville, and Puerto Rico. Webcast: Revelation & the End of the World. Tomorrow: to the Ukraine, for 2nd of 4 sessions this year in the Russian language Eurasian Bible School. * * * * * * * The final lesson in Cebu has been taught, and after a little more fellowship today (Tuesday morning) I head to the airport for the 30-hour journey home. If I can figure out how to work it, maybe in future my updates can be short video files, as I have the eye of a camera in my laptop lid. Would people like to listen to on-site reports? All for now... * * * * * * * AIM Philippines graduation was yesterday. I also preached to the entire Manila congregation (2600 members). I am currently in Cebu (two teaching evenings and fellowship time with the church leaders). This is the oldest city in the Philippines and where Magellan was killed in 1521. On Tuesday I head home (Cebu-Manila-Seoul-Atlanta). * * * * * * * Talk last night went well. You will be able to listen to it at the website in a few days. Today I spoke on the existence of God at the National University of Singapore. Now I am en route to Manila, while Vicki and Lily are traveling to Hong Kong and then back to Atlanta. Will spend a few days in the Philippines. * * * * * * * Singapore. Tonight Vicki, Lily, and I will be sharing in a lesson for the entire church on Family. Singapore is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month! Incredible things are happening in this region of the world. * * * * * * * 12:22 am here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Just got back from dinner. Tonight the church (>300 members) had a great turn-out (nearly 200 guests) at our special evening, Can You Trust the Bible? Tomorrow 8:45 I fly back to Singapore to rejoin Vicki and Lily. * * * * * * * In Hong Kong. ready to speak tonight (12 hours ahead of Atlanta time) on "Reaching Out to the Postmodern World." This talk will be a mixture, something like "philosophy meets evangelism." Tomorrow morning we head further south, to 1 degree N latitude. * * * * * * * In Shanghai, after productive visits to Cambodia and Vietnam. We visited the site of Lily's old orphanage, and spoke with "the company." Tomorrow: to Hong Kong. * * * * * * * In Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Teaching several lessons today on the Pastoral Epistles and the Book of Revelation. Tomorrow: Parenting. * * * * * * * In Korea (layover only). Depart for Phnom Penh in one hour. * * * * * * * Leaving tomorrow morning (31 March) for Cambodia. Please keep this eight-city Asian tour in your prayers. * * * * * * * Home for a while. On April 1 I will be in Asia, but am here in Georgia in the meantime. Working on fresh website material and new books. On Saturday 29 March I will meet with a group of teenagers from Charlotte, NC -- here in Marietta. * * * * * * * Flying back to Chile. Time in Bolivia was great. Even managed to see Lake Titicana and the ancient ruins of Tiahuanaca (1500 BC). (Yes, human sacrifice was practiced!) * * * * * * * First two days in Santiago went great. Now in Bolivia for two days, then flying back south to Chile for the second half of teaching trip to Santiago. Prayers appreciated. * * * * * * * Flying to Santiago tonight. If anyone wants to help to subsidize the teaching materials I am delivering to Chile and Bolivia, please send an email.
(Total amount is $1815. Any donations are tax deductible. Donate at Third World Book Fund under "How you can help," tab near bottom left of homepage.) * * * * * * * Mother's operation (cancer) went well. Back home till Friday, when son James and I head to Chile, where we will both be teaching. I'll also make a side-trip to Bolivia. * * * * * * * Monday-Wednesday, in Jacksonville, Florida, with my mother, who is having an operation in connection with her cancer. My brother is also coming down from Ohio. * * * * * * *
Home till March 7-13 (Chile & Bolivia). Great conference in South Carolina, with messages by Juston Renton (Johannesburg), Mike Taliaferro (San Antonio), Damian Jean-Baptiste (Nassaau). My daughter loved the event. * * * * * * * With our younger daughter, Lily (14) at the Festival of Faith, in Columbia, South Carolina. * * * * * * * Home for a month (till 7 March), except for one weekend just up the road. That is the Fesitval of Faith, in Columbia SC. I will be there with our youngest, Lily (14). * * * * * * * Super time in Minsk. Got home yesterday evening, after flying to Moscow for my non-stop Delta flight to Atlanta. Next international trip: March 7 (Chile and Bolivia). Next domestic trip: Columbia SC, Festival of Faith, in two weeks' time. Everything on this latest trip went very well; thanks for remembering me in your prayers. * * * * * * * Greetings from the (former) Belarussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Arrived by train this morning (Sunday).... Last stop on the trip. * * * * * * * In Kiev, capital city of the Ukraine. Snowed this morning. Tomorrow we begin crafting together a 160-hour Russian language biblical course. Lots of cool topics, from biblical interpretation to medical ethics, church history to how to win over atheists. Should be a blast!
UPDATE: 72 students from many countries, men and women alike, all eager to learn. We had a great first day! And we are creating loads of Russian language written and video material.
Kiev church is >2000 people. We have 72 students in the program! They come from Moldova, Russia, Ukraine. From the Ukrainian cities of Kiev, Kharkiv, Lviv, Donets'k, Odessa, Rostov, Dnipropetrovs'k, Zaporodzhe, Vinitsa, Rovno, Khiliya. It snowed again this morning.
Thursday: 3 days of teaching done, 1 day to go in the training program. Then on Saturday we have a teaching day for the church. Topic: Conversion. That night I take a train to my next destination. * * * * * * * Home all week. Heading to Kiev Sunday night (Russian language biblical training program). * * * * * * * Sunday in Reykjavik was also very encouraging. I preached, and communion followed. Church service was just under one hour, and was followed by a light lunch, coffee and tea. Everyone (including the guests, who were nearly as many as the members) stayed for another hour of fellowship. What an incredible fellowship. Please keep the Icelanders in your prayers. * * * * * * * Just finished Saturday evangelistic double presentation. Guests outnumbered Christians 2:1! The church in Iceland is very encouraged. * * * * * * * Got into Reykjavik around midnight. I'm eating breakfast now, looking out at the snow. Sunrise is at 10:49 am, temperatures is just below freezing (Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream), and I am excited about this final stop on the tour. I will teach today on Principles of Bible Study. After the weekend, back to Atlanta! * * * * * * * After a great couple of days in Latvia, teaching on Women's Role and NT Conversion, I am now in Lithuania. All three Baltic capitals -- Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius -- are as beautiful as they are old. The snow adds a great finishing touch. The disciples are faithful and welcoming. Topics: Money, the Media, and Using our Minds for the glory of God. Tonight, after my final lesson, I fly to Iceland. * * * * * * * En route to Riga... * * * * * * * I am in Tallinn, Estonia, with the church here, joined by brothers and sisters from Tartu, about 150 in all. Today is Sunday the 13th. The spirit of the group is genuine and heartfelt. Tomorrow we drive to Riga, Latvia. * * * * * * * In Boston (Tuesday-Wednesday fellowship visit). * * * * * * * Home till 8 January! James is home from college, and the girls finish school today (21 December). * * * * * * * Ghana was super. Flying home in a couple of hours, rejoining the family. Son James is home from university, girls finish school tomorrow, great to have everyone together. The 2007 travel year is finished. * * * * * * * After a great couple of days in Freetown, Sierra Leone (update to be included in next newsletter), I am in Accra. Ghana is the final nation in this tour. * * * * * * * In Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire. Taught church staff this morning on 1 Corinthians 3 (on teamwork). In Dakar I taught on Philemon (with Joey Harris -- Joseph in Africa). Here till Monday, then to Freetown. Prayers coveted. * * * * * * * Flying to Senegal... then Cote D'Ivoire... Sierra Leone... Ghana.... Back 20th. * * * * * * * Home till Tuesday, when Joey Harris and I fly to Senegal. Finishing off another book proposal. The new volume is on Islam and Christianity. * * * * * * * In New York today, with Vicki (fellowship visit). Preparing for visit to Africa, also working on manuscript for a new book. If you have written me and I have not got back to you, sorry. I am about 300 emails behind at present; hope to clear the slate by the New Year. * * * * * * * Wonderful time in Patmos, Laodicea, Hierapolis... Now home in Atlanta. No more international trips till 11 December (West Africa). Thanks for all your prayers. * * * * * * * In Ephesus! Preached in Istanbul yesterday, took group of 80+ to Pergamum today (brilliant!) and tomorrow I'll explore ruins of Ephesus. People are here from many nations (US, Britain, Canada, Germany, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, China, Philippines, Mexico...) * * * * * * * Over half of the Sunday group I spoke to had been evacuated in the recent fires in southern California. Two families present (out of a group of 250 or so) had lost their homes. I am now home for a day, before Vicki and I head to London (AIM unit on Family Life). * * * * * * *
In San Diego. This weekend, in addition to teaching alongside John Oakes (apologetics), I will be preaching to a group in Pomerado, many members of whom were evacuated because of the recent fires. * * * * * * * Home! * * * * * * * In Los Angeles for the International Leadership Conference. Teaching a class with Foster Stanback on the importance of evidences in reaching the younger generation. And manning my book & audio table... * * * * * * * Just back from Chattanooga (class and sermon). Great church, and John and Lois Schmitt are doing a great job giving vision and leadership to the congregation. I also a good number of new Christians. And what a beautiful city! * * * * * * * Roswell and GA Tech meetings went swimmingly. This weekend, Tennessee, then Roswell and GA Tech again immediately after. Shermer debate is about to be posted on YouTube. I will send an email to my subscriber list once it is up. * * * * * * * Home. Speaking tonight in Roswell GA on What Happens After We Die? (part 2 of which will be in 2 weeks). Also speaking the next 2 weeks at Georgia Tech. And in Chattanooga. * * * * * * * In Texas, spending time with my publisher (Toney Mulhollan of IPI), the Huffmans, and the Houston church. In 2 weeks I will visit Chattanooga (hang gliding on Saturday, preaching -- Lord willing! -- on Sunday). No other trips until International Leadership Conference in October. * * * * * * * AIM went very well. Next weekend: Atlanta area singles' retreat. Will be teaching alongside Joey Harris, my colleague in the teaching ministry.
I continue to reformat all Q&As, since when we reconstructed the website in January all formatting (all 5000 pages) was slightly corrupted! New questions are posted (currently in the 1080s), but also old ones that seem relevant to the concerns of those who email or speak with me. Most Q&As are posted for only a few days, but are afterwards accessible through the long lits (Q&A) or, better, through the search tool at the top right of the homepage. * * * * * * * Home in Georgia. AIM GA (Worldviews and Church History) begins tomorrow here in Marietta, till Saturday evening. Sunday: more Museum tours. Next trip is to Houston in September. * * * * * * * Weekend in Edinburgh, with Christians from there as well as Glasgow, went very well. Sunday message on 1 Peter 4, and Sunday afternoon workshop on Friend or Foe? (fellowship). Reverent, inspiring atmosphere in the church. Flew home Monday. * * * * * * * AIM classes went well smoothly in London. Just arrived in Edinburgh. Will teach several times tomorrow to the combined Glasgow and Edinburgh churches. Prayers solicited. Good night! 11:20 pm GMT (6:20 ET). * * * * * * *
Classes in West Cobb on Sunday went well. It was a privilege to spend 6 hours with this vibrant congregation. Monday I flew to London, where I will be teaching Worldviews and Church History to leaders from Finland, Norway, and the UK. At the weekend I will be preaching in Scotland. * * * * * * *
This weekend I will deliver several lessons in the Atlanta Church of Christ - West Cobb. The following day I head tro Europe. Thanks for your prayers. * * * * * * * This week, have been teaching on church history, working on Ephesus tour, grading AIM examinations, and spending lots of time in fellowship and also with the kids, as this is our last full week together before college and school resume. Will attend my first elders' meeting this year on Monday 6th (no, I am not an elder of the local church, though I always have lots of ideas to share and respect these men greatly, relishing the chance to join them). I will also conduct a teaching day in one of the Atlanta area churches on the 12th. The 13th, which is also my birthday (no. 48) I fly to London (AIM teaching) and Edinburgh (evangelistic weekend). Am currently finishing off the beefy Leviticus commentary in the Word Biblical Commentary, before jumping into the next volume on Numvers. I'm also in the final chapters of the Greek N.T. (which I go through about once a year), finishing off a great book on the discovery of Codex Sinaiticus (oldest Bible in the world), and just starting Hughes' excellent Set Apart. Never a dull moment! * * * * * * * Home again. This weekend (29th) is our congregation's 2nd anniversary. After church and a fellowship meal, I will be teaching a class entitled "The Cradle of Christianity" as part of our 3rd 2007 congregational teaching day. This will be followed by a visit to the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University, where a fabulous exhibit (on loan from the Israel Museum) also called "The Cradle of Christianity" is on display.
* * * * * * * In Orlando Wednesday-Sunday, at Florida Discipleship Conference, with Lily (our 13 year old daughter). Teaching series of 2 classes on Understanding Islam and a series of 3 classes on Friend or Foe? Who is My Brother. Also conducting tour of Holyland Experience (model city of ancient Jerusalem), as well as serving on a leadership discussion panel.
The series on Islam and "Friend or Foe?" will both be made into DVDs, and available in late August. Will be checking email daily. Your prayers appreciated. --DJ |
