Sun sets at Cape Town

Well, had time to take a walk along the ocean today. A beautiful sunset over the Atlantic Ocean here on the southern most tip of the African continent. It symbolizes the end to a very good 8 days of work preparing for the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in October.

Today I spent a few more important hours at the Cape Town International Convention Center. I walked the halls with Chris, the catering manager, and Blair, the Congress director. We needed to nail down a few more placements of tables and booths and establish where food service points will be located.

Tomorrow I'll attend the Global Day of Prayer 10th anniversary celebration at a local sports stadium. I'll look forward to worship with people from over 200 countries around the world. Then I'll leave just a bit early to make it out to the airport to begin the long trip home.

Please pray for the transfers tomorrow from the hotel to the convention center, the convention center to the sports arena, and from there to the airport. And I always appreciate your prayers for a good seat and some extra space on the flights home. It seems like the Icelandic volcano is behaving itself, so appreciate your prayers for that allowing me to head home without delay.

Back home soon!

Valuable Experience

The last 4 days at the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) have been really tremendous. The role I've been playing for the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) is similar on a smaller scale to what I'll be doing with Lausanne. One of the key parts is working all day each day with both my key colleague for Lausanne and our key contact at the CTICC (pictured Low Bothma, director of Arrangements for Lausanne and Gaynor Kerr of the CTICC).

I've had an inside track getting to discover all nuances of running a conference at the CTICC. A chance to see both the real strengths and where things can be improved or streamlined. This first hand experience will be invaluable as I craft a plan for everything from office space for our over 600 volunteer staff to logistic plans for moving 4000+ people around the CTICC. In addition I've been able to have appointments with key vendors who will help us with everything from layout and design of the facility to office equipment, electricity and internet connections.

Of course all this valuable experience came as part of facilitating a wonderful conference in its own right, the GDOP. Over 700 people from all over the world joined together in a powerful expression of prayer and prophetic intercession. Pictured is one workshop featuring a well known prayer warrior, Cindy Jacobs. Most workshops were 30 - 60 people, but as you can see this one was over 100 people. The GDOP conference ended tonight with a communion service. Sunday I'll attend their 10 year anniversary celebration at a local sports stadium where over 200 countries will be in attendance, and over 7000 people.

Tomorrow I'm back at the CTICC with some of the Lausanne staff on a reconnaissance mission to make more decisions about space usage. Please pray for wisdom as we try and maximize every square inch of the facility. Thank you for your prayers for health. Despite long days, I'm holding up. Keep the prayers coming!

GDOP Kicks Off

Last night the Global Day of Prayer conference kicked off at the Cape Town Convention Center (CTICC). The opening ceremony was fantastic with a real South African flair.

For me, the true benefit is getting work with the CTICC staff on all the issues that come with running a conference. This is a great opportunity to develop a good working relationship and learn the in's and out's.

Today (Thursday) will be a long day of plenary sessions and tracks. So I appreciate your prayers for strength. I had a very short night last night. It is also the beginning of the winter here (though the weather is lovely, similar to San Diego in November. But it is cold and flu season. So need protection.

Meetings in full swing

The meetings here in Cape Town are now in full swing. I've been meeting with the key Congress directors in every spare moment on Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning. It is now approaching noon on Monday and I'll be moving from the Lausanne hotel where the meetings are happening, over to the Convention Center. At the Convention Center I'll be working with the Global Day of Prayer staff and team to get a feel for actually working a convention at the Cape Town International Convention Center.

With the long hours, it can be physically draining. I really appreciate your prayers for me on this. I also need your prayers for "divine appointments". In other words, that God will lead me to the right meetings with the right people at the right times.

Thank you so much.

(pictured Michael Cassidy (founder of African Enterprise, Jomo (assistant congress director) and others on the Congress Committees.

Out of Heathrow Just In Time

Well, the news today is that airports in Britain could close Sunday through Tuesday due to the volcano in Iceland. By God's grace, I'm already in Cape Town! I arrived Saturday morning. I had a 12 hour layover in London, so did the "London Eye." That and Hyde Park took care of the layover. Hit the ground running in Cape Town with meetings as soon as I arrived at the hotel.

Now, time to recover from the travel. It was a very smooth trip and even had a seat open next to me from London to Cape Town. Thanks for your prayers!

on the way

Well I'm on the plane and on my way! It is a full flight. I'd appreciate your prayers for a safe and healthy flight. Hoping for sleep. Seated next to small kids ;)

Busy week preparing

This past week has been a very busy week of preparation. First for an important Asian Access Board meeting which starts with lunch on Monday. As is typical, we will be meeting near LAX to make it convenient for those flying in from other parts of the country. Please pray for safe travel.

Then, I also was preparing for my trip to Cape Town. One of the key things I will do in Cape Town is a walk through of the convention center with the various Lausanne Committees. I will be showing each of them the space allocated to them for offices, meetings, etc. This has been a real challenge as there is not enough space for all that everyone would like. So, pray as they have to adjust expectations.

Hoping this weekend will be a bit of calm before the busy-ness.