Modern Day Apostles

As I was reading Acts 9 this morning, I was struck by the way Jesus invaded Saul’s life. There were no negotiations. No offers made. No contracts signed. Jesus simply but profoundly intercepted Paul’s life and took over. That’s what Kings do. They rule. They reign. They establish and advance their kingdoms. And to demonstrate that His kingdom was established in Saul, King Jesus gave him a new name and a new life purpose. The rest is history. Or is it?

Paul’s apostolic purpose – taking the good news to unreached peoples – continues to live on. The same Spirit that invaded and redirected Saul, is still invading, still redirecting, still expanding His kingdom here on earth in our day.

This week, I have been in the presence of two men who have embraced Paul's purpose as much as anyone I know: Kevin Phillips and Eric Guthrie.

Kevin Phillips and I came to Dubai together about a year ago. We were both sensing God's leading to work in this city. On the last night of our trip, we visited Sonapur Labor Camp - an area of 8 square miles housing 200,000 men from India, Pakistan, Egypt, China, etc. All in all, there are nearly 20 nationalities represented in this labor camp.




Kevin felt led to initiate a discipleship initiative among the nearly 200 Telagu speaking Indian brothers who make up the Christian Evangelical Church of Sonapur Camp. Over the next year, Kevin's goal is to mobilize teams from the US and from Dubai to teach these men 72 Bible stories that they can, in turn, teach others. To read more about this exciting ministry, visit: http://www.dubaicampsforchrist.blogspot.com/. Please pray for the success of this project and for the ripple affects to be felt all over the world. Kevin is a man of great faith and great vision. KP - thanks for coming this week and for believing God to do the impossible! What an encouragement you have been!!!


Eric Guthrie of Every Nation Ministries mobilizes short term volunteer teams to partner with church planting teams in the 10/40 window. In fact, on my first trip to the 10/40 window to do tsunami relief work, Eric was our team leader. Eric came to Dubai this week to find out where God was at work and was looking for a potential partnership opportunity. He wants to send teams to help us prayer walk different parts of Dubai but, after meeting Kevin and seeing first hand the labor camp ministry, he wants a piece of that action too! The fact that Kevin's and Eric's trips overlapped each other is a sovereign act of God. You can check out Eric's amazing faith ministry at: http://www.untilallhaveheard.org/. Eric, you are my hero. Thank you too for coming and for not being afraid to "get out of the boat."


I count it a real joy to know these modern day Apostle Paul's who are following the simple, impossible commands of Christ as they trust King Jesus to do the impossible through them!

Christmas in the AP!

The Burns Bunch Babe singers! Lori and the girls sang in a Christmas cantata performed by our church choir at the Crown Plaza Hotel!

Daniel's favorite gifts were his Burj Al Arab t-shirt...

...and his new train set, of course!

With a little creative work on the computer the girls received an I.O.U. of sorts from Lori... a shopping trip for some native UAE dresses!

Embracing the Culture

We've enjoyed experiencing some of the sights, sounds, and yes, even smells of our new home and thought we'd share some of them with you.

Betsy at the Gold Souk (Market)! There must have been at least a hundred gold shops lined up one after another!

Since we did the Gold, we also checked out the Frankincense and Myrrh while we were at it...in addition to all the other spices at the Spice Souk!

We then caught an abra (water taxi) across Dubai Creek and enjoyed dinner at this Arabic Restaurant!

Matt and Camel Boy!

It took a while but we finally convinced even Lori to climb aboard!

The tricky part is the dismount!

Co-workers Uncle Gerry and Aunt Arylis led us to the top of Jebel Hafeet - the highest point in the UAE near Al Ain.

"Look Mom, I'm on top of the world!"

Lori and Daniel doing their "7-Star" Pose in front of the Burj Al Arab.

My "7 star" wife on our 17th anniversary in front of The Burj and Souk Medina.

A visit from some good friends

Albert and Wanda - some good friends we met this summer - came to Dubai recently. They ended up staying for Christmas and it was wonderful having them here. It was nice to rekindle our friendship and it gave us many excuses to get ice cream! The mosque photo was taken on the porch of where they stayed while they were here. We love you Albert and Wanda and miss you already!