Tim is still without internet in Haiti, but is working on relief efforts in the tent city in Port au Prince and with Christians there.  He is doing well, but his camera has been broken.  Hopefully he will find someone who will share pictures with him.  Let's continue to pray for Tim as he travels and does the work of God there.  Also pray for David Dirrim and those others who are working diligently to assist and teach those there.

In Him,
Chris Swinford

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

Tim made it successfully to Haiti to minister and assist with relief efforts there. His bags even made it with him! So far, he is without internet service, but texted that he is safe and sound. We praise God for the successful completion of this initial phase of this trip and will continue to pray for traveling mercies. I'm sure that when he can, he will communicate reports.

In Him,
Chris

Greetings.  Grace and peace in Christ Jesus. 

What an awesome experience to be here in Nicaragua.  I have been trying to upload pictures to the blog, but have been unsuccessful so far.  I have a new camera and apparently my pictures are now to large to load.  Bummer.  I'm sure that there will be some way to fix the problem later.

I enjoyed teaching Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon at the school we partner with in Jinotega. Our school is called the Institute for the Preparation of Workers, which really says a lot about the servant aspect of the school.  In addition to teaching, one can spend time doing addiction counseling, building school buildings, giving kids shoes and boots, passing out gift boxes to kids, mixing and pouring concrete, making concrete blocks, getting a sunburn, evangelistic efforts, preaching and fellowshipping with some of the greatest Christian friends and co-workers in the world.  I left Jinotega tired, but satisfied and inspired.  I really appreciate the efforts of our partners in Jinotega.  Mision Para Cristo is making a real difference in the lives of people all over Northern Nicaragua.

It has been great to be here in Brazil for the last few days. I can certainly see why so many people enjoy vacationing here, living here and serving the Kingdom here. I have enjoyed the scenery, the food, and especially the people.  We had an encouraging worship service on Sunday as we gathered with Christians and Missionaries from all over Recife. On Monday, we were encouraged by several speakers in the lectureship and were able to see even more of the city. The Pan-Am lectures are being held in a hotel that overlooks the beach.  The beach stretches out for miles from my 10th floor window.  You can see in the picture the line of hotels along the beach and the reefs that give Recife its name. It can certainly be challenging to travel the world and do mission work!

Once again, God is allowing me to travel the globe. I am sitting at the DFW airport about to head to a flight to Miami and from there to Brazil.  This will be my second time attending the Pan-Am lectures and my first trip to Brazil, so I am understandably excited.  Last year, it was held in Quito, Ecuador where SIBI sent a mission team, and this year it is in Recife, Brazil where SIBI sent a mission team.  I am prepared to be amazed at what God is doing through the school, it's graduates and these mission families.  I feel blessed to be able to witness first hand what God has done.  I look forward not only to attending the lectures and talking about what Sunset is doing around the globe, but teaching a couple of days in the school in Recife.  Truitt will be joining me later and we will both be blessed to teach.

My thoughts immediately go back to our apartment in Donetsk, Ukraine when I see images or hear a song or story about that ominous Sept. 11th when the USA was attacked by terrorists.  On this anniversary, here are a few of my memories:

1. Wondering if it was some sort of horrible reality show idea, or something actually occurring as we watched it unfold on BBC.

2. Feeling more than 6,000 miles away as we thought of our family and friends struggling with this back in the USA.

3. Being awestruck with the expressions of sorrow and the prayers of the Ukrainian Christians who suffered so for us and for our country on that day and the days that followed.

It is amazing to see what God is doing in our Sunset International Schools! There is no way that we could have dreamed or imagined how many nations and peoples of the world we would affect or how many lives would be affected by the gospel of Christ through these schools.  The school in Thailand (pictured here) is a school that we value highly.  They are making a great difference for Christ in Thailand, Laos and other surrounding countries.  What a blessing to see this work continue to grow and develop under God's mighty hand!  I hope that you will spread the word.  I would be excited to come and talk about the growth of the kingdom through schools like these in your congregation.  Just set up an appointment and I will come and present the good news we have to share today!  Aren't we all ready for some good news?

Taking a few moments to celebrate my alma mater winning the NAIA national championship in baseball.  Lubbock Christian won the championship early Saturday morning.  Their last championship was right before I became a student at Lubbock Christian in 1983.  I hope that those in the city of Lubbock and all of those who attend LCC or LCU will celebrate this incredible accomplishment.  Go Chaps!

In Acts 18, Paul stops while in the area of Corinth and Athens at the beachfront town of Cenchrea to mark the fulfillment of a vow or an oath by having his haircut. There's not really a whole lot we know about the place, it is simply memorialized by the faithfulness of Paul.  This is where he stopped to pay his vow.

It reminds me of the necessity of paying our vows.  Paul purposefully stopped and did what he needed to do to fulfill what he said he would do and we need to be as purposeful. 

Cenchrea is a beautiful place, isn't it? I wonder if it looked similar as Paul stood on the shore and looked out over the water?  I would like to think so.  More than that, I would like to think that I will be as faithful as Paul in my commitments.     

Haircut anyone?

When walking through Ancient Corinth, you can't help but be drawn to a wall, a stone floor and a piece of stone column looking remarkably like a pulpit or speakers stand. It's the stone pavement where issues were discussed, opinions stated, and judgments handed down.  It is one of the places in the ancient world where we know the Apostle Paul spoke and defended His teaching of Christ.

Walking through the museum, walking up and down the streets of the city, looking at the foundations and walls of the old city makes you realize that the words that we read in Scripture happened in a real world context.  Real stones, real buildings, real people.  We know this, of course, but it becomes so much more real when you stand in places like Corinth.