Blue Grotto hike

Sunday I took a much-needed rest from studying and went on a hike to the western part of the island. I felt the presence of the Lord very strongly when I was walking.
This is a picture of the sunset from the bus on the way home.
The group that went--me, Geraldine and Theressa.
Picture of the Siggiewi church from afar.
Thank you all for praying for me. Though I have often been bleary-eyed and tired from studying for exams I have still been growing in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.
Please pray for:
1-humility before the Lord and others
2-trip to Egypt June 7th-12th
3-the rest of the semester here in Malta 

Lunch after church

Last Sunday a woman at our church, Alison, invited us over for lunch at her house. It's a ten minute walk from the Residence, and, it just happened to be the old Russian Ambassador's house!
Jon, Geraldine and I had lots of fun in the pool after lunch.
View of the Good Shepherd Convent from the roof.
Jon and I being silly Americans. 

walk home from school

The flowers are glorious this time of year. I took the chance to walk home from school today to take pictures.
Flowers in someone's front garden.
One of the prettiest streets in Malta. Pink and white flowers line the side and the "wedding cake" is in the middle of the roundabout. We just live around the bend.
Closeup of flowers with the wedding cake and the Mediterranean blue in the background.
Update on the Bible study: I said what I needed to say. The message was a very hard one for people to hear--saying that there is one way to heaven and Jesus requires total obedience. Some people were offended. We had a long discussion afterwards and even after the Bible study I talked to other people who didn't attend about similar things. I am being faithful in the things the Lord gives me to speak, but I am desperately ready for the power of God to come and change hearts.
Please pray for:
exams this week and the following weeks.
more unction in my prayers and speech. 

prayer request (and some pictures too)

Geraldine, me and Tyler on one of Malta's "great walls" near Birzebugia.
Me doing the Rich Mullins pose--"an arrow pointing toward heaven."
The group on our most recent hike to Bugibba.
Me jumping.
The main reason I posted this is to ask you all to pray for the Bible study tonight. For those that don't know I've been doing Bible studies in the University Residence throughout the semester. I think this is going to be the last one, and God really impressed upon my heart to pray for breakthrough. Pray that I would be faithful to speak what He has put on my heart to speak and to do it with conviction and in the authority that He has vested in me. Love to you all and I hope to give you another update soon. 

Paceville to Bugibba

Today's hike was a little different. We are trying to walk around the entire island bit by bit. We walked through a little bit of city and some more open space, but there wasn't nearly as much climbing or hiking involved. Regardless, we saw a very different part of Malta than we usually did. This picture shows the contrast between new Malta and old Malta.
There was a speed boat race going on as we were walking by.
This is the Paceville/Sliema area.
Me, our new flatmate, Guus, and Tyler. Guus is from the Netherlands and is here to study medicine.
Prayer requests:
That I would "practice the presence of God" more throughout the day, praying and communing with God no matter what I'm doing.
More passion for Jesus and for His glory. Recently the Lord has put this on my heart that though I am not just "going through the motions" God's emotions are so rich and I want to experience more of the glory of fellowshipping with Jesus in His emotions. 

Birzebbugia

I think we're going to move our Thursday hikes to Sundays. I have to be diligent with my schoolwork this month six days a week, but I try to reserve Sunday for things other than homework. Today we started out in Birzebbugia and set off along the coast. Adventure ensued.
One of my favorite things about Malta is if you look hard enough you can find really cool things like this that not many people know about. There are the big tourist attractions like Dingli cliffs that are nice, but since this terrain is much more rough, it is much less frequented, which makes it even more special. Pirates of the Carribean was filmed here, and, while we haven't seen anything that we know for sure is in the movie, we've found lots of places that could have been used as a backdrop.
Me rejoicing in our Lord's creation. It's amazing--Psalm 8 gives us amazing advice on how to conquer pride--simply consider the heavens!
Our motley crew. 

Another harrowing adventure

Today we went to Marsaxlokk for our weekly hike. This picture sums up part of our walk--getting wet and trying not to slip.
We ran across a fort with an overgrown moat. It was quite impressive.
"the heroic pose"
the path we walked
Prayer requests:
1. For my back and neck. I've been studying more with finals coming up and my neck especially has really been hurting. I am standing in faith and on God's word that when God says, in Psalm 103 that He heals all my diseases, that He really will heal ALL my diseases.
2. I am continuing to contend for God's presence to come in a powerful way in the University Residence. Please join me if the Lord puts it on your heart.
Blessings to all! 

more amusing things from Malta

These sheep in Gozo were just wandering the streets. They ran into this alley when we tried to take their picture.
We wanted a picture of the United Macaroni sign, but Theressa dropped her phone right as Geraldine was taking the picture. Chaos ensued.
Oooh! Life buoy... with light!
For all those who require solar heated water for their showers.
Prayer requests:
1. I am beginning to miss American conveniences, so pray for patience and a good attitude.
2. Pray for breakthrough of the Holy Spirit to come to Malta and specifically to the University Residence.
3. That I would be filled with the knowledge of God to know and love Him more!