While You Were Out

I got a call from Dana this morning! I couldn't believe it. Deven had cut one of Bryan's yards before Wednesday Service and I had to do the trim work early this morning, Thursday, before work. Deven ran outside with the phone screaming, "It's Mom!". Dana is no doubt, the luckiest woman alive. She brought her phone to text me in the Atlanta airport, coming and going. On the way to the Missionary house in Zambia, a two day trek, she decides to see if AT&T really does have more bars, and they do! Now, it may cost us a good truck payment for that brief 30 secong conversation but so worth it. All is well, again she wants everyone to know she thanks all of you for your part in seeing this come to fruition.

Over the last few days I have learned a few things that I think you need to know (Dana). So I want to just list a few things that have happened while you were out...

1. I have discovered food doesn't mysteriously appear on the dinner table. Someone literally has to cook it.
2. There is a strong possibility that I am color blind. I am horrible at picking the kids clothes out. We showed up to Miguel's house looking like we just left a refugee camp.
3. Deven and Nathan are extremely good, trustworthy and hardworking young men.
4. Ayden is an artist, possibly water colors or finger painting is where his gifting is bent. Apparenlty at Mrs. Sharon's while playing on the floor with Dustin, Dillan, Nate and D, the remnant of a marker was all over the floor. Dustin touch it and ran it through his fingers saying, "This doesn't feel like marker." You are probably visualizing what happened. Ayden did the ol' reach behind diaper check and painted the living room floor with as Nate calls it, "handy, dandy, butt candy". Not sure who taught him that one.

Marriage Is For Making Children... Followers of Jesus

I came across a message series from John Piper a few months ago entitled "Marriage is for making children...Followers of Jesus". At first glance you think its about having lots and lots of children, for which I am an advocate, and then it gets you.

Raising children is the greatest responsibility there is. Whether they are your own or you have influence over a niece or nephew or a neighbor. Its such a risky undertaking!

As parents we have a responsibility to not just raise good moral citizens but as Erwin McManus calls "Revolutionaries for the cause of Christ". That doesn't happen overnight, but its a life long endeavor. What we call the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20 begins at home, making disciples to reach the nations. The end result is more people declaring the worth and fame and praise of and to God. Habakkuk 2:14 says, "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." God wants the Nations! He wants us!

Keep the faith! Push to the end. Lets teach our children about the Glory of God and lead them to reach the Nations! Lets go to the dark places of the world that have never heard the name of Jesus. Lets start at home and cover the globe.

On the way to Dakar

They are off and on their way! I recieved a call at 3:00 from Dana as she arrived in Atlanta. The next flight is the long one, 18 hours to Dakar. Nathan Locklar loaned Dana his high speed ear phones to drown out the noise. Dana told me the Plane is packed, every seat is taken. I won't hear back from her until Friday night. Sharon is watching the boys, "Thank You Sharon"! Miguel and Nancy are having us over for dinner. An early THANKS! We would be eating hotdogs, to which I am not a big fan!

They're outta here :(

How many 14 year old boys have the opportunity to go to Africa for 3 weeks on an adventure to Zambia and share the Gospel with people that have never heard of Jesus? You guys are amazing!!