A year ago, we were wondering what Africa would look like. How the landscape would appear, if the people would be friendly, and how the Lord would move. We had a difficult but incredible experience there.

Taking part of BJ's ashes seemed like a huge thing. We knew it was not acceptable to the people of that land, yet felt the prompting from the Lord that it was what we were to do. I cannot tell you why, I only know we were supposed to. We took them, had an incredible time of worship and remembrance, and left him there...in the last land he was called to.

Now, Deanna and I are preparing to take the first Awe Star team back to Peru, since BJ went. We have tremendously mixed feelings about doing this, but once again know it is the right thing for us to do.

One of the churches that knew and remembered BJ well, has asked to have a service in his honor while we are with them. They asked for many pictures. We have no idea what that will look like, but appreciate the fact that they want to do this. We know this will be bittersweet.

We are looking forward to meeting people he knew, whose lives he had an impact on. We are thankful that we will have this experience. We are trying not to put too much expectation on what lies ahead. The trip is not about BJ, it is about taking Jesus to people who do not know him. The Lord has sifted the team we will be taking, and it has not been an easy process. Our numbers have risen and fallen, and risen and fallen, as those who wanted to go have had one thing after another stand in the way.

The team that is going is the team that the Lord has prepared. It is comprised of 10 men and 9 women. This is pretty amazing in and of itself, as the last two teams into Peru (both of which BJ was on) had 4 then 5 men on them. We are thankful to have a strong representation of men. This will help us minister in a country that is male dominated.

In two and half weeks, we gather our 2007 leadership together for training. Then we gather with all of the students who are serving this summer. On June 20th, we head off to four different countries. Lauren will help lead the India team, while Deanna and I head to South America.

I don't know where the time has gone, and cannot believe it is almost time to go again. I only know the enemy is fighting hard against us, and pray that the level of intensity of the fight reveals the powerful way the Lord intends to move. We need for Him to move. We need for the students who are signed up right now to get there...to where the Lord has called them. We have seen too many drop out.

We know that His Word will be taken to each of these lands, and that He will be with us. What an honor to be able to take 17 students into the land the Lord has called them. Please pray for strength and unity for our team and our leadership. We recently lost one of our key leaders, but the Lord has replaced him. We are humbled to see God at work in this, and marvel at what lies ahead. We are thankful that He would trust us with His own. We do not take that responsibility lightly.

Between now and then, as we are preparing for our trips, we are also trying to take care of book details. I can tell you that the name of the book will carry the same title as the song. While this was not the working title we were using, we are very excited about it. We anxiously await it's release (January 2008), and look forward to how the Lord may use it.

"I Would Die for You; One Student's Story of Passion, Service and Faith," is a book about the life of one young man sold out to Jesus. He spent what he had in serving the King. We are excited to take the next team of students to do likewise...to the land that BJ loved...a land called Peru!

dad