Hey Roadies in Afghanistan!

I know some of you are rotating in, so if you can let me know where you’re at.  I would love to hook up.  Things are well in Kabul.  Lots of rain.  I have pasted a little video for you.  I flew on this mission over a year ago.  We still work with these guys several times a week.  Can anyone tell where this is??? Sound off if you’re at KAF?  I will be down there for a week very soon.  070-734-7915 is my local cell.

Take Care and God Bless You!
Matt

Happy Nowruz (New Year)!

As you know Monday the 21st was the New Year on the Iranian calendar used in Afghanistan.  The celebration is called Nowruz and has its roots from way, way back.  So Happy New Year in Afghanistan!  This makes the second New Year for me in Afghanistan.  One with our Gregorian (Western) calendar on January 1st, 2011 and now my first in Afghanistan where we rang in the year 1390!!!!!   

Well, I completed my first week back and I have to say it has been much easier getting back in the swing this time.  I am so thankful this has been a good week for me.
I had begun to anticipate the work I would do upon my return and began to get anxious.  As you know the pace in Afghanistan is fast, so I started to think and worry about my return quite a bit my last week home.  I can honestly say that the anxious worrying feelings did me no good at all.  I don’t know why I do that to myself.  There really is no reason to worry.  I love that the Lord tells us in Luke 12:22–26 (TNIV) 

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 

All of that worrying I did while the entire time Christ had it covered for me!  May I encourage you to join me in a renewed effort to not worry so much? Whether you’re coming or going from Afghanistan, or there are things going on at home that are out of your control….do your best to lean on Christ’s words and wisdom in this matter.  It works!

Be Blessed!

Welcome Back Crossroads Afghanistan!

Well, it's been five weeks since I last blogged.  My intent was to possibly blog a couple of times while I was home, but I was OBE (Overcome by Events).  All I can say is WOW!  There are so many things to do when you get home with so little time to do it.  Especially, when you are on a quick return clock.  I know many of you only get two weeks at a time, so it would be extremely difficult to get stuff done.  If you only get two weeks on your R&R I would just stick with immediate family, because that time will go by really fast.  Two weeks is better than nothing though.

Well in the five weeks I was gone I missed most of the cold weather here in Afghanistan...that's good.  I came back to a country that still has a lot going on.  I know each of you is really busy and I just pray that you are finding some peaceful time to yourself.  I can say with all honesty that Crossroads Community Church DOES think about you and pray for you.  You are a big deal to Pastor Gene and the rest of the team.  This blog is actually a very small thing when compared to all that is going on to bring you a better capability to stay connected (video).  Trust me its coming.  It's coming with much love and effort having been put into it, so I am very excited about that.

That’s it for now.  I am back in Kabul.  My cell phone has not changed 0707347915.  Call me if you can.  I am not sure when I will be out and about, so if you get anytime in Kabul please call me.

Be Blessed
Pastor Matt