By: Rob Yonan

Rob Yonan — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:58:04 +0000

Okay, so it’s pretty intimidating to share any story in the context of these poignant posts for the World Next Door team. I mean, here I am, sitting in suburbia and what can I say?
Yeah, I’ve been on my share of trips – always with a load of incredible teenagers along for the ride. And yes, the experiences and teams have always transformed me at some level.
But what can I write?
Well, when Barry & the team went to Kenya I began faithfully reading World Next Door virtually every day. Most of them are former students, which reflects my significant level of interest and ownership. It also explains why I added a daily reading from a
Ukraine team blog in July, following one of our student ministry teams.
So my morning would start with coffee and the newspaper.
It was followed by time in the Scriptures, prayer and at least one book. Then – these blogs.
It was as though the Scriptures came alive to me.
The pictures and stories would grab my heart in a way that seemed to ‘set my face forward’ for the day. It was as though my internal compass was fixed.
I mean this is stuff that’s becomes very real even though it’s across the globe!
Of course it’s more meaningful because I’ve been to Kenya, but that doesn’t explain the impact of what I’m reading in the other posts. It only adds to the wonder for me.
And no matter what I read in the Scriptures there always seemed to be something I’d read in one of the blogs that would amplify God’s heart out of His Word in a personal way.
In fact, if memory serves me correctly, much of my early summer reading was in Proverbs! I can’t tell you how many times a proverb would stir in my soul as I read about Kenya or the Ukraine.
I guess I can say it’s helped me be far more ‘attentive’ these days. Attentive to the eyes of those I see.
I find myself looking and listening to their soul.
Attentive to the choices I make.
I find myself thinking twice when I pay bills, fill my calendar or clear it.
Attentive to the Presence of God among us.
I find myself listening hard for His voice in my ear as I walk through the day.
I have no cool pictures to show.
No video.
But that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Thanks W.N.D. for bringing the heart of God alive to mine through what you see, experience and pass along!
It’s like my daily ‘quiet time’ has become far more personal.

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By: Rob Yonan