From the Helm – Sunday, December 20, 2009

 10:30 AM - Another morning slept in.  I must have been more tired than I thought.  Anderson met me for breakfast at 7:30, and then took me downtown for a meeting.  The morning went by surprisingly fast.

I spoke to Luiza a bit about our legal situation with Carlinho and Hoseas.  It is becoming clear the time to cut our losses in Manaus and move our operations to Parintins may be near.  To stay on here will require substantially more resources than to relocate further down-river.  Over the next month, our two small teams will allow us to check out airline and provisioning logistics from there.  I feel some changes just below the surface, on several fronts.  However, no decisions have to be made on it today.  So, I’ll just let the days unfold until clarity drives away the questions of the mind.  Luiza and I are scheduled to meet about it all over the next couple days. 

3:00 PM – It’s been a good day.  The boys and I just got back from lunch.  In a bit, they’ll probably head out on the town, leaving me to my coffee – it’s a win-win situation…

- God continues to give me the peace I’ve grown to seek and cherish in our trek together.  There are no storms brewing; no speculation or undue anticipation; nothing baffling.  But for His grace and mercy, it would all be quite different for me.  My memory is still fresh.  Maybe, that’s why my gratitude is so profound.  To wake up an amazed child each morning rather than the self-made victim of fruitless searching, is the difference He has made in it all.  A difference I could scarcely imagine living without today.

I thank You, Lord, for the hours You’ve granted me this day.  I look forward to whatever hours that remain for me, whether many or few.  It doesn’t matter the distance yet to go.  In the end, You will have accomplished in me whatever was Your plan and I will have truly lived every minute of it.  For that, I am indescribably grateful.  Grateful indeed…