Wow, what a week! Life and ministry have been full, and this week looks as though it will be about the same!

This past week I received word that Bishop Wright has officially requested that I continue to serve in the Diocese of Belize on a long-term basis. All systems read "go" at this point for further work with Juan and Maria here in Cayo, so now all that is lacking is the promise of additional financial support to sustain the ministry in the year to come.

Our retreat with the Bishop and other clergy here went very well also. We touched on many areas of life and ministry, the struggles that we share as pastors and leaders of churches and ministries, and what lies ahead of us as we consider the goals and priorities of October's general synod. While we left the retreat more tired than we arrived, it was a great time of fellowship and encouragement as we approach the Christmas season.

I was also asked to preach Sunday at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Belize City. I was thrilled to be able to serve in this way, and I had a wonderful time with the congregation there sharing God's word at both services. God was very good, and I look forward to being back at the Cathedral sometime soon.

Unfortunately, the planned and expected performance of Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb did not happen: the lack of electricity in the performance building kept us from being able to manage it. I was pretty bummed about it, but I trust that God had a purpose and a plan, and I look forward to the possibility of singing some of the same songs on Saturday at a benefit for the elderly.

This week looks busy. I've already been to Belmopan to renew my visa, and I will be preaching this weekend on Philippians 4:4-9. And it is with that perspective, that of "Rejoice in the Lord, always!" that I consider well the activities of the week and ask God to give me grace to serve him well in all of them. Thank you for joining with me in this prayer, and for supporting me in so many other ways!