Latest update on the ministry stuff

Well the last I wrote, I was still waiting on a renter for my place, so that I could move into the neighborhood next to my Karen families. I was waiting for some clarification from my Father, because I really believe He wants me in that area. Well, I am coming up to the end of my contract timeframe, where I have to break it to keep my earnest money. We found a mortgage underwriter who will let me buy it now, and occupy later. So I will sign papers this week, and begin my slumlord responsibilities, with plans to move when we can rent out the condo, possibly in the spring.
This is a direct answer to prayer! I have been praying for weeks that if I'm not supposed to have this place, and be able to live in the neighborhood, that He would make it obvious to me. And yet while praying this week after week, my heart is broken as I think of the families who are preyed on by their neighbors, who want to learn english, who sometimes barely scrape by. Of Raepaelo, the resident muscleman, lifting his hands in desperation as he tells me in broken English that he can barely pay his rent and feed his family, and that to top it off, his job in a hotel is no good, and he wants to learn some handyman type skills, and get a related job. Skills that I can teach him. Every time I spent time helping at North Austin Christian Church, I knew I needed to be in the neighborhood. I knew God could come through at the last minute, I believed it, but would He was the question. Now He is moving me one step closer to living there, where I can put into practice the compassion He has taught me for the refugee, widow and orphan. This is a song that has spoken to me and been my prayer the last few weeks, from Third Day:

My life, Has led me down the road that's so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Trying to find my way, Trying to find the faith that's gone

This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I'm tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation, Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation, I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

My life, Has led me down this path that's ever winding
Through every twist and turn I'm always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end

Give me a revelation, Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation, I've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without... I don't know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won't You show me where I need to go
Oh ohLet me follow Your lead,
I know that it's the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation, Show me what to do
Cause I've been trying to find my way, I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here, Or do I need to move
Give me a revelationI've got nothing without You
I've got nothing without You

Oh, give me a revelation... I've got nothing without You,
I've got nothing without You

First update in awhile

Well, it has been awhile. There was nothing really new to say. I've had a contract on the duplex forever. All I'm waiting on is a renter or buyer for my condo. We've lowered the price ridiculously, and I put signs up every few days. We had someone who was a "sure thing" back away, on the verge of signing a rental contract, after I lowered the price even more to accomadate her. I don't know what else to do now, except pray. The more time I spend around the refugee families, the more I am convinced that God wants me in that neighborhood. It started out as an idea to get immersed, to learn the language. Then it grew into an opportunity for missional living. Then several Christian young men expressed interest in living there. Then it grew into an idea that I could teach the Burmese men job skills, related to remodeling, home maintenance, landscaping, drywall, painting, tile, etc. And to be able to instill confidence and empower these men to better provide for their families. Then I added the idea that the believers who minister to this community would have a forward operating base, to borrow the Marine term. A safehouse to link up, refit, and launch out of. And it would provide an easy place to have these families over and love on them.
I heard a sermon at church this week about idolatry. I learned that an idol is not necessarily something that starts out bad. It could be something good, like a hobby, a relationship, a social justice cause, even a duplex in the North Austin Rutland neighborhood...Anything that starts to encroach on my relationship with my Father, and detracts my attention from Him, can be idolatry.
So I still need all the prayer I can get on this one. Please pray that God who has moved everything along up to this point, would give me clear direction. Pray that I'll have wisdom to discern His direction. Pray that He would either provide someone to rent out this place soon, or close the door. Pray that He would give me grace and humility to accept His decision, and as always please pray for the Burmese refugees in Austin.