Hello Friends and Family,
Many of you I have not seen in far too long. It is my ongoing dream to be able to teleport but alas, I am bound by the laws of physics and cannot visit all of you as often as I would like. I am writing you as a sort of update to what has been going on in my life over the past while and to fill you in on my plans for the near future.
As most of you all know I have been living in
I have spent the summer on various adventures with friends, whether it be climbing or mountaineering. I have been able to keep myself busy and have found time to work now and again as well. My job at Arcteryx has truly been God-sent, in the seven months I have been there I have not once begrudged going to work and I think that is a pretty special thing. The people and atmosphere make it truly a wonderful place to work. Where else can I work in an office that has a climbing wall in it?
I have to admit that these past months and year have not been the easiest despite all of the blessings that God has given me. There have been times of great loneliness when I have thought of many of you and wished to be able to sit down and chat about life. I have found myself on a bit of a roller coaster in my life both spiritually and emotionally. I have recognized God through all of it however, and have been amazed at His patience and how He continually picks me up after I have fallen.
If I am honest with you all I have spent the summer trying to see if I could live my life with the awareness that God is there yet without having the life changing relationship with Him that He desires to have with me. I would go to church when I had nothing better to do, (usually on rainy days) and would listen to the sermons but resisted the tugs on my heart and conscience.
This went on for most of the summer until the Fall came and I had a unique experience that I recorded in my journal that I would like to share with you now.
October 13, 2008
Driving home tonight after spending the weekend in
As I came into Squamish, I looked up at the chief (a large rock formation in Squamish) that was shrouded in cloud and decided to go for a little late afternoon hike. It was raining fairly hard but I had the gear I needed in the trunk and I thought, “why not”. As I started to hike quickly up the long uneven stairs that led up the chief I realized how I wasn’t in the best shape of my life and how I wouldn’t make it to the top with time to make it back down before dark. So I continued on for a few minutes then stopped and sat on a large rock for a while.
I sat there and watched the thick cloud like mist wisp through the trees and I began to pray. I ask for forgiveness for the way I had been living for the last year and a half and I thanked God for not giving up on me. I asked for guidance in this next season of life. This post-Kim pre-something stage of life. I asked that He would bring community back to my life; I ask that He would give me strength to do what is right and to go where he called. Then I sat in silence for a while enjoying the creation I found my self in, enjoying the beauty and subtlety of the darkening forest. As I stood and began to hike down I asked that God would speak to me as I descended.
I took my first few steps and heard a voice in my head say, “I’m proud of you”. I thought for sure this was just my own thoughts, I asked aloud “God how can you be proud of me for how I have acted?” Then the voice said, “I’m not proud of your actions, I am proud of your heart. I am proud that you desire so much to live for me and that you will not settle for mediocrity.” This thought stopped me in my tracks, “could this be God speaking to me?” I can’t be sure of course but it makes sense to me. Jesus is a God that knows what it is like to be temped and he knows that my heart is good, why would he not be proud of it. I continued to hike.
Moments later I continued to listen and as I did, it was as if I was walking with an old friend talking about life. He told me that there were more hard times ahead and that I needed to find faith in him during those times and not run from the pain and not try to mask it with earthly things. I asked God if I should go to
So I am here looking to the future, I know there will be pain yet there will be joy as well. I don’t know what to expect but I do know that whatever happens life will go on and will all be worth it in the end.
That was the moment that I had been needing, the moment when God reminded me of who he was and also who he has created me to be. I don’t think I will ever forget it.
So this is where I find myself, ready and willing to serve and a little scared at the same time. I’m not sure what the future holds but I am open to where God wants to take me and it is in that spirit that I have made the decision, with Gods help, to travel to Nepal this coming March. I will be going into western
This was not an easy decision to make with the times of economic uncertainty. I am not sure if everyone would agree with me that this was the right decision. They might think it is a little illogical and maybe it is; however, I don’t believe that God works within our logic but instead asks us to do things that appear to be illogical. So I will go and I ask for you prayers.
In making this decision to take this trip I have also decided to pay my own way. What are Visas for if not for building the kingdom, right? However the church that we are building will cost about $4,000.00. I am working with my local church here in Squamish to help raise these funds but every little bit helps. If you would like to support this project financially please make cheques out to “Church on 99” with a note that says it is for the
Church on 99
And so, my friend, I will leave you with my apologies for the long winded letter. There is so much more to say yet I fear your attention span is waning J I love you all and thank you for your prayers.
Be Blessed.
Sincerely,
James Bronson
