Justice Water with Jamie

Talofa, Malo, Ola, Salaam, Salut, and Hello 

After two years of working with Youth with a Mission all around the world, I am now in Edmonton, Alberta, have been here for over two weeks already, and will be around this area Lord willing for the next two school years.  I am taking third year classes at the University of Alberta toward my teaching degree,after feeling called here to finish it now, focus on family and friends here, and get this task completed.  

I have been exceptionally blessed to get to work with Youth With a Mission for the last two years and earnestly hope and trust that I will spend more time working with some of the incredible people that I've gotten to work alongside in the future.  I saw what it looks like to daily and wholeheartedly follow Jesus through many people around me, through the way that they've conciously decided that God's plan is more important that theirs, that His name deserves to be spread above theirs, and that storing up treasures where moth and rust really don't destroy is better than materialistic idolatry (whoops... I said it).  God has brought some amazing friends into my life; Stephen, Jordan, Marco, Jordan, Cole, Tomas, Annie, Lindsay, Dax and Rach, Sean, Lucas and Grace, Kolin, Stephen, Zach, Ryan and Steph, Caleb, Papa Bear, Craig, Jon, Sara, Dale, Jojo, Philipson, Liaina, and so many more.  I am so thankful for all of you, for the examples that you've been, the way that you've sharpened me and spurred me on towards godliness.  

Now being in Edmonton, I get the amazing priviledge of being in a community consistantly and getting to practice this mission stuff that we've been teaching about and talking about so much while in an area that I am so familiar with but also so used to.  This is where I get to walk with Jesus because I want to follow Him and because He is truly worth it- whether it is my job or not.  I want for people who are around me to know that I really 'count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ...'  I've preached, pleaded, and talked about how I say that Jesus is the most valuable thing or person in the universe and that nothing can compare to His intrinsic value (and it isn't close) but now am feeling challenged to let it be more than just nice words in my life.  This should shape the way that I look at school, friends, the lost, work, my life, and all things and practically should change the way that I speak, act, and interact with the world.  Wouldn't it be such a shame to say that we follow this almighty, absolutely worthy God and yet only give Him our leftovers and, as a result, look exactly like the rest of our world.  We will be the 'salt of the earth' and 'light of the world' if we really can look at this world as just a step on the road of eternity, at trial as pure joy because of the promises of God, and at our lives of no value compared to the excellency of Him!  'For to me, to live is Christ and to die is GAIN.  But if I am to live on in the flesh, this WILL mean fruitful labour for me...'  I am going to hang onto that!

Well I guess that I've ranted a good amount for now.  If anyone is in Alberta and would like to meet up in the next few months, let me know.  I would love to see some of you guys, to hear what's been happening around here and to reconnect.  I'm blessed to have such great friends, family, and support.  

In our GLORIOUS Lord,

Jamie