troy austian | blog

Argentina Conference Recap

My whole experience in Argentina was tremendous.  The International Transformation Network 2007 Global Summit was excellent and impactful to my life.  What an experience!  God has grown my vision for my life and ministry, spawned much bigger dreams in me than I'd conceived of before, and done some beautiful things in my heart to help me grow in Him and toward what He has for me.  I made a ton of new friends from all over the world.  I had a blast.  I got to impact others and be impacted by others.  I got to speak to hundreds of people from all over the world.  I got to hear from a variety of people from all over the world who God is using to do amazing things that are impacting churches, businesses, schools, governments, cities, and nations all over the world.

I was blown away by all that I was exposed to as well as by what God was doing in my own life.  I feel very priviledged to have had this opportunity, to have shared in what God did at the conference, to have heard from such amazing people from all over the world, and to have some really cool new friends...yes, from all over the world.

I'll be posting a photo album of pictures from the conference and as well as pictures from my vacation days in Argentina.

Conference in Argentina

The conference in Argentina has been amazing so far!  It's been fascinating, moving, and life-changing.  God has been doing some big things in my heart that I believe will take time to unfold, but I embrace them because it's God's work, though I honestly feel rather overwhelmed.  It is so often God's work in us that makes the way for God's work through us.  His work in us can be more difficult because we have to yield in trust and control, and, well, we get in the way.  I know I do, anyway.  When He has His way in us, His working through us can come more easily and naturally than we might expect.

Going to Argentina

I'm on my way to Argentina for an International Transformation Network Global Summit. We'll be flying into Buenos Aires, but spending most of our time in Mar del Plata, which is farther south. The weather will actually be similar to Minnesota while we're there, except that the seasons are opposite (because it's in the southern hemisphere). It's fall in Minnesota, but spring in Argentina.

I've not been to Argentina before, so I'm really excited about the opportunity to be there...and maybe use a little of my very rusty Spanish skills. I'm really looking forward to the conference and to meeting leaders from all over the world who are impacting nations. We'll be doing a presentation and a breakout session ourselves, which should be fun as well. More to come!

Cruisin' ...in the Caribbean

I had the opportunity to do something great for my mother, and it was amazing.  I took some vacation in early December and, with some very appreciated help, found a phenomenal deal on a 7-night Caribbean cruise.   Because of really good timing, it actually cost less for the two of us to go on this cruise than 7 nights of hotel would have!  I couldn't believe it!  And the cruise includes lodging, really good food, activities, and great entertainment including Broadway-style productions.

If you know my mom, you know she's an amazing person.  I can't begin to express my gratefulness for her...but this was a really good way to try!  It's been a lifelong dream of hers to go on a cruise.  She'd never been on one, and neither had I.  I hope to be married in the next few years, and less able to do something like this with her, so I was so jumped at it.  However, all I told Mom is that I was taking her "to Florida"...which was true.  She was very excited to be going "to Florida"...and that we did...and then promptly got on a very big boat!

I decided not to tell her we were actually going on a cruise but just let her figure it out.  We landed in Fort Lauderdale, got in a cab, and headed to where we'd board the boat.  The building was actually blocking the cruise ship, so it wasn't until we were asked which ship we were boarding that she realized...and flipped out!  What incredible joy and fun for me to surprise my mom, who has given me so much, with something that was a lifelong dream of hers.

The cruise line was Princess Cruises and our ship was the Star Princess.   Our 4 ports of call were Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; and Princess Cays, Bahamas.  It was absolutely incredible, and I would highly recommend it.

I may post some pictures from this trip in a few days.  One thing I don't have any pictures of is another lifelong dream of my mom's that I got to fulfill -- swimming with dolphins!  It was incredible!  If you know my mom, Zan, just ask her about it -- she'll be very glad to tell you!