Top 10 Super Encouraging Quotes From Spring 2008 UAE Perspectives Alumni

God exceeded our expectations in every way during the inaugural year of Perspectives on the World Christian Movement in the U.A.E. Over 150 people from 30 different countries participated. We thought you would be encouraged to read excerpts from some of the personal responses written by UAE 2008 participants…

10 - Through this class, I've been reminded of the awesomeness of God's glory.

9 - God has challenged my life in a big way. I have started sharing with my friends about Jesus in my place of work. I have a burning desire to tell people about how God loves them dearly.

8 - I am encouraged to be an obedient, active Christian in the largely unreached people group in which I am presently working and living.

7 - In short, everything I have learned has drastically not only changed my life but also the lives of my family.

6 - I saw the real reason for pursuing mission-the supreme goal is the glory of God… I found fresh new drive and vision and zeal to live for God, and to live for his glory.

5 - I used to be very shy and afraid and I hesitated to share God's word, but now I feel I have such a boldness and confidence because I perfectly know about the gospel through Perspectives.

4 - Oh how I thank God that through this course he has ignited a passion in me like never before to truly bring Him glory and make him shine to the nations He allows me to be in contact with.

3 - I am drawn more toward the Lord and where He is at work. Most deeply though, I am in awe of Him and desire is stirred within me to be involved in the work of His glory.

2 - Really, I am 'glued and hooked' to this course. It is my breakfast, lunch and supper. And I am chewing on it slowly and carefully. God is reviving me again to His mission.

1 - We will never be the same after taking this course. Thank you! Thank you!

To God be the glory, great things He has done! As you know, four coordinating teams were trained in October to plan, promote, and implement the Perspectives Course this coming spring in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Sharjah. These teams are now hard at work preparing for the spring course. Please pray for their promotion and recruiting efforts. Please also remember the 2009 Speaker Team. To view the list of our UAE speakers, go to: www.PerspectivesLink.com. Please ask the Lord to anoint these speakers and to use them in such a way that the participants are truly transformed as they discover their role in God's glorious global purpose. Thanks for your on-going partnership to make disciples of all nations...for God's glory!

For those in the Little Rock, AR area, you can find details on the Little Rock Perspectives course at: www.arperspectives.org. The class will be hosted this year by St. Andrews Church on Kanis Road and will be held every Thursday night starting January 17th. For others, find a spring Perspectives class near you, go to: www.Perspectives.org.

Burns Bunch Big Bus Buckingham Bonanza!

We took advantage of our long layover in London on the way "home" to see some sights high atop the Big Bus tour. We basked in the cool temperatures and enjoyed putting jackets on for the first time in a LONG time! If we look a little tired and travel worn, it's because we are!

"Look kids...Big Ben! Look kids...Big Ben!" (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Summer 2008 in pictures

Random Summer 2008 shots...

Daniel going for a ride on Grandpa Kermitt's tractor!

Daniel going for a ride on cousin Kyle's back!

Matt thinks he still has it! Can you say "Glory Days!?"

Hannah and Katelyn sporting their new "dews" at Grammy and Grandpa's!

Relaxing with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Pat at the coast.

Daniel's patience is rewarded with this "whopper" of a catch!

Betsy chillin' in Aunt Laurie and Uncle Bernie's pool.

Clowning around at the Perspectives headquarters!

Daniel at the "Big Cross" high on the hill overlooking Fayetteville.

Prior to seeing "TEXAS" with Grammy and Grandpa outside of Canyon, Texas!

Coming up for air... with music!

We are re-surfacing into blogger land on the other side of the big pond! We are back in the U.S. for 2 months and here's our schedule for the remaining 5 weeks.

Little Rock, AR --- July 21 - Aug. 10

Fayetteville, AR --- Aug. 11 - 12

Amarillo, TX -- Aug. 13

Brownfield, TX -- Aug. 14 - 17

Los Angeles, CAL -- Aug. 18-20

Brownfield, TX -- Aug. 21-23

Depart for Dubai -- Aug. 24

Below is a family collage of photos with some music from Chris Tomlin... "You and I Were Made to Worship." Enjoy!

Texas Tumbleweeds

G.W. wasn't the only Texan to visit Dubai this past week. Lori's parents, a.k.a. The Texas Tumbleweeds, rolled out of town today in the rain after a 2 week Christmas visit.

Speaking of rain... we have enjoyed every drop after a long draught. The windows of Heaven opened upon us the last couple of days. Thought we would keep that theme going with our blog and deluge you with buckets of photos since you too have endured a long draught with no postings!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy some snapshots of some of our outings with Kermitt and Janice.

Kermitt and Janice in front of the world's tallest building, The Burj Dubai, still under construction! They just THOUGHT everything was bigger in Texas!

One of Daniel's favorite Christmas gifts...Lucky Charms!

The dreaded Pirate suit ran a close second. "Arrrr... you makin' fun of my pants? These aren't pink, their red!... Now walk the plank! ... Cause I'm one of theeeeeee.... Piiiiirates who don't do anything...."

The whole clan at a "World Tea" carnival.

Betsy tries her luck at the carnival.

The Burns Bunch at Qanat al Qasba in Sharjah.

A little 2 on 2 beach volleyball. Kermitt approaches the net for a killer spike after a glorious bump-set from Hannah.

Meanwhile Daniel enjoys some time..."just a swangin'!"

After we all worked up an appetite, Kermitt and Matt prepared to do the tube steak boogey around the charcoal fire!

Hannah and Lori kickin' back.

(This is where you join in and sing the tune by The Judds) "Grandpa, tell me bout the good ol' days. This world's gone crazy.... Grandpa, take me back to yesterday... Whoa-whoa Grannnndpa - tell me bout the good ol' days!"

Hannah and Grammy roughin' it at Chili's... "Nuther round (of coke) bartender!"

How many Boxes of "Perspectives" notebooks can you cram into the back of a Galloper with three generations of Shults-Burns girls? Answer...7! Perfect! We all breathed easier when the 100 notebooks arrived safe and sound in the bookstore and later, in our warehouse...ur, apartment, I mean!

We made Kermitt and Janice earn their keep with a little work on the notebook assembly line...

The final product!

(Commercial break.... Warning! This course, "Perspectives" (http://www.perspectives.org/) has been known to ruin people's lives for the ordinary! Please pray, pray, pray that God blesses the 100+ people taking this dynamic, 15 week course in the UAE. To see the schedule and the list of speakers, visit: http://www.uaeperspectives.lifequarters.com/. Now back to our program...)

A tribute to Kermitt...thanks for being like Jethro to me (not as in Jethro Clampett but as in Jethro, Moses' father-in-law!) I never grow tired of your sage West Texan counsel!

Thanks Grammy and Grandpa for the countless games of Ants in the Pants, bowling, and Quiddler!

"Hey - the fruit and veggies look different over here than back in Terry County!"

Wow...that was a "plethora" of pictures. We all enjoyed an evening wth Matt's college buddies' and their families. Here's a shot of the Dubai Three Amigos... Dan, Mark, and Matt. "Did you say 'plethora'?" (From "The Three Amigos")

"Ya'll come BACK now, ya hear!"