Sometimes there are things going on in Cebu that make our team there feel too far away from me in the US. It could be a difficult decision, a weighty situation with a child or an important event in the life of one of our team members. Leading an organization in which most of the team and the work are regularly 9,000 miles away has its challenges...but this unusual arrangment has taught me over and over again the powerful role of prayer.

There have been times I've said, "I wish there was more I could do than pray." It's a statement that feels a little strange, but I know why it slips out of my mouth. I'd like to be there to lift a load, hold a hand or make the decision in the moment, but there's only so much I can do from the other side of the International Date Line. At some point, I have to leave things in the capable hands of our Cebu leaders.

I feel the same way when I'm in Cebu and something comes up with my family back home. At some point, there's only so much I can offer via email, Skype or text and I need to leave things in the capable hands of my wife.

It's a disarming feeling on either side of the ocean. I want to be able to take charge and make things better. It's a little delusion I live with...control. Ever struggled with that?

Thanks be to God it is his hands that ultimately hold CSC. He has breathed life into this place, and he offers us the opportunity to breathe a prayer into the day, situation and children he has given us. Feel free to breathe those prayers any time you think of us!

Oh, and if you'd like to pray more intentionaly for CSC we'd love to have you join our FrontLine prayer team. You can sign up here:)