12 Days -
That is how long we have to pack everything that we are taking to Ethiopia into 17 suitcases - none of which can weigh more that 70 lbs. Our first attempt weighed in at 97 lbs! HA - I am glad we are weighing them as we go!
Reducing things that you need for a family of 4 into 17 suitcases is not easy. Some things are necessary items that are not availiable in Addis Ababa. Other things are sentimental items that would make some people laugh - you are taking that?
Whatever it takes to make a new home in Africa - we gave the kids some space to pick things that were important to them so that they would begin make choices about the "memories" that we surround ourselves with.
As of today the 17 suitcases were OK to travel to Frankfort Gemany. We will hear soon if they are cleared all the way to Africa - I HOPE SO! Tommorow will tell..........
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Church Fads and Rollercoasters
We took the kids to Cedar Point.
I realized a number of things - one was that I Rode the GEMINI the first year it was open -
I was 12 and Bethany rode it this year when she was 12 the ride turned 30!
I am too old for Roller Coasters - that said - I rode them all (almost - some things are just not worth that much of a time investment)
As we waited for up to an hour for a 3 minute THRILL - I noticed something The New rides have huge waits long and endless lines twisting and turning through well planned metal gates they line the most people up in the least amount of space they can.
The idea of "Church Fads" hit me in one line that was only a 10 minute wait. This coaster was NEW - FAST - TALL - it was the biggest thing that summer.........in 1994.........Now the endless rows of metal gates stood empty - Not many people had to venture back there to wait for the ride. Time passed it by. New rides captured all of the attention of the crowds. That ride did not change at all - but the crowd had moved on. I rode it - it was everything that was advertised in 1994 - it scared me - it shook me - it was a Thrill. But it was not new any more so the people had changed lines. They waited behind metal gates on the NEW ride.
The endless lines of metal gates were empty. This ride will serve thrill seekers for a lot of years but it is no longer a headliner. No longer a fad. Remember the ride has not changed at all!
We in the church often rush to the newest Church fad - it could be a new and cutting edge style choice for our worship team or our atmosphere or our order of service. Maybe it is a new "teacher" or leader that hits the church scene. Everyone begins to get right in line to follow the leader. Some hot new focus grabs a church and we are off to the races. We line up - this is where it is happening - this is the next Thrill ride of faith!
I am not saying it is a bad thing - Change is good - we need to be fresh and open to what God is doing today.
My point in this rant is to say lets not forget there are still some things have been around a while that are just as "good" as they were back in the "day" ( yeah I know that we don't say that anymore)
We also rode the Blue Streak at Cedar Point. Built in 1964 - 2 full years before I was born! That ride had about a 10 minute wait - I waited about 10 minutes to ride the Blue streak in 1978 and I waited 10 minutes in 1994 and now 30 years later I waited about 10 minutes to ride the Blue Streak.
It was just as much of a thrill (execpt on the last ride when the bugs came out - bugs - screaming - yuck - I digress)
It is a classic - I hope they keep it going as long as they can - It is a part of the Cedar Point experience. It is old - it needs a face lift - but it is great.
I waited in the long lines just like everyone else but I had fun with yesterdays thrill just like I did back in the day.
I realized a number of things - one was that I Rode the GEMINI the first year it was open -
I was 12 and Bethany rode it this year when she was 12 the ride turned 30!
I am too old for Roller Coasters - that said - I rode them all (almost - some things are just not worth that much of a time investment)
As we waited for up to an hour for a 3 minute THRILL - I noticed something The New rides have huge waits long and endless lines twisting and turning through well planned metal gates they line the most people up in the least amount of space they can.
The idea of "Church Fads" hit me in one line that was only a 10 minute wait. This coaster was NEW - FAST - TALL - it was the biggest thing that summer.........in 1994.........Now the endless rows of metal gates stood empty - Not many people had to venture back there to wait for the ride. Time passed it by. New rides captured all of the attention of the crowds. That ride did not change at all - but the crowd had moved on. I rode it - it was everything that was advertised in 1994 - it scared me - it shook me - it was a Thrill. But it was not new any more so the people had changed lines. They waited behind metal gates on the NEW ride.
The endless lines of metal gates were empty. This ride will serve thrill seekers for a lot of years but it is no longer a headliner. No longer a fad. Remember the ride has not changed at all!
We in the church often rush to the newest Church fad - it could be a new and cutting edge style choice for our worship team or our atmosphere or our order of service. Maybe it is a new "teacher" or leader that hits the church scene. Everyone begins to get right in line to follow the leader. Some hot new focus grabs a church and we are off to the races. We line up - this is where it is happening - this is the next Thrill ride of faith!
I am not saying it is a bad thing - Change is good - we need to be fresh and open to what God is doing today.
My point in this rant is to say lets not forget there are still some things have been around a while that are just as "good" as they were back in the "day" ( yeah I know that we don't say that anymore)
We also rode the Blue Streak at Cedar Point. Built in 1964 - 2 full years before I was born! That ride had about a 10 minute wait - I waited about 10 minutes to ride the Blue streak in 1978 and I waited 10 minutes in 1994 and now 30 years later I waited about 10 minutes to ride the Blue Streak.
It was just as much of a thrill (execpt on the last ride when the bugs came out - bugs - screaming - yuck - I digress)
It is a classic - I hope they keep it going as long as they can - It is a part of the Cedar Point experience. It is old - it needs a face lift - but it is great.
I waited in the long lines just like everyone else but I had fun with yesterdays thrill just like I did back in the day.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Rhonda's 10K Run
Rhonda Finishes The RACE!
Rhonda started training in April for a 10K on June 14!
Having never run a distance race before it was quite an experience.
She ran the Cereal City Classic and Tony the Tiger
was there to cheer her on!
She did GREAT!
She raised lots of money for the minstry in Burundi over $1,000 has already come in and there are other committments that will be coming in now that SHE FINISHED THE RACE!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Jump or Run
When faced with the decision to Jump into trouble or Run away - you don't get a chance to think about it very much.
Picture this: The kids school is having a "field" day - out door games with ribbons and all. Every year the teachers have asked me to bring the water balloon launchers. The field day always ends in an all school water fight! I did my thing with the water balloon launchers - longest one was about 110 yards - (I helped a kindergartner)
It was time for the organized chaos of the water fight. I was thinking about getting into the frey knowing that my water cannon was no match for what the kids had. I was just filling it up when the pipe that feeds 2 hose lines on the soccer field just erupted like Old Faithful. Kids were screaming water was gushing - teachers were strangley no where to be found...........
I jumped in - (I have always been quite brave - ha) With cat-like quickness I grabbed the PVC and attempted to cap the gusher - after some work I got it done -- for a moment or two. Then it went off again --- and again.
Each time I jumped in - hoping that someone would finally turn off the water.
So this time I jumped in - got soaked - got laughed at - and got a good chuckle
Jumping in may not always be the smart move - but it was more fun than running - this time at least!
Picture this: The kids school is having a "field" day - out door games with ribbons and all. Every year the teachers have asked me to bring the water balloon launchers. The field day always ends in an all school water fight! I did my thing with the water balloon launchers - longest one was about 110 yards - (I helped a kindergartner)
It was time for the organized chaos of the water fight. I was thinking about getting into the frey knowing that my water cannon was no match for what the kids had. I was just filling it up when the pipe that feeds 2 hose lines on the soccer field just erupted like Old Faithful. Kids were screaming water was gushing - teachers were strangley no where to be found...........
I jumped in - (I have always been quite brave - ha) With cat-like quickness I grabbed the PVC and attempted to cap the gusher - after some work I got it done -- for a moment or two. Then it went off again --- and again.
Each time I jumped in - hoping that someone would finally turn off the water.
So this time I jumped in - got soaked - got laughed at - and got a good chuckle
Jumping in may not always be the smart move - but it was more fun than running - this time at least!
Friday, May 2, 2008
I have placed before you an open door
I love the promises of God.
He has a way of putting His promises deep into His people. This is one of the promises that the Lord has put DEEP into my heart.
Revelation 3:88 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut - this promise is one that I cling to when doubt and unbelief creep into my life - we often have little strenght - the Battles that we face are difficult - but God's promises are true - they are personal and He will remind us of His word and at the whisper of His name He rushes in with TRUTH in the face of the lies of the enemy!
Thank you God - Help me to walk through that OPEN DOOR!
He has a way of putting His promises deep into His people. This is one of the promises that the Lord has put DEEP into my heart.
Revelation 3:88 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut - this promise is one that I cling to when doubt and unbelief creep into my life - we often have little strenght - the Battles that we face are difficult - but God's promises are true - they are personal and He will remind us of His word and at the whisper of His name He rushes in with TRUTH in the face of the lies of the enemy!
Thank you God - Help me to walk through that OPEN DOOR!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
1700 miles 4 days
We left Cadillac on Friday morning - 5 am
Drove to the Pittsburgh area and I dropped off Rhonda and the kids - 2 pm
Drove another 5 hours to the Philly area -- Friday at 10pm
Saturday - up at 5am - pray a while and sleep some more
5pm Saturday - Spoke at Missions Banquet
8 pm = start 5 hour drive back to Pittsburgh
1 am Sunday - arrive in Burg'
7 am - up for church
10 am = found church - Thank God for GPS! Shared at Worship Service!
3 pm - Visit my Brother and his family
6 pm - Visit with Rhonda's Family
9am - Monday - leave Burg for Butler PA
10:30 - "lunch" with Rhonda Dad
1 pm - Drive home to Cadillac
9 pm - Home sweet home
What is next? - o yeah - the paperwork!
Drove to the Pittsburgh area and I dropped off Rhonda and the kids - 2 pm
Drove another 5 hours to the Philly area -- Friday at 10pm
Saturday - up at 5am - pray a while and sleep some more
5pm Saturday - Spoke at Missions Banquet
8 pm = start 5 hour drive back to Pittsburgh
1 am Sunday - arrive in Burg'
7 am - up for church
10 am = found church - Thank God for GPS! Shared at Worship Service!
3 pm - Visit my Brother and his family
6 pm - Visit with Rhonda's Family
9am - Monday - leave Burg for Butler PA
10:30 - "lunch" with Rhonda Dad
1 pm - Drive home to Cadillac
9 pm - Home sweet home
What is next? - o yeah - the paperwork!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Finish the Race
It has been nearly 3 years since we KNEW that God wanted us to go to Africa!
Wow - 3 years is a long time - the first part of year 1 - just Rhonda and I and a small group of our closest spiritual mentors knew what God was birthing in our hearts.
After about 6 months - we told the world "as much of it as would listen" and we were off and RUNNING!
It was more of a crawl - a hurry up and wait period of our lives when we got poked and prodded and quizzed and questioned over and over..............( it was a growing and learning time)
We expected to raise our budget and be in Africa in August of 2007!
We have seen it happen - we even helped many of our missionary friends, in a small way, on the same journey...........we call it "itineration" - it has been the HARDEST thing that I have ever done!
It has been hard - the travel - the frustration - the rejection BUT it has been good - {not every good thing is something that you ever want to repeat}
We have learned to depend DEEPLY on the Lord and we have Loved each other in adversity and uncertanity and even when we did not know if we had a tommorow.............
God is Good!
So now it looks like we have a little further to go ----- a bit more "vision casting' ----- so more services to preach ----- people to meet and ---- money to raise.
God is Good!
It is time to Finish the Race and get to Africa and then Run the Race with all of our hearts!
God is Good!
Wow - 3 years is a long time - the first part of year 1 - just Rhonda and I and a small group of our closest spiritual mentors knew what God was birthing in our hearts.
After about 6 months - we told the world "as much of it as would listen" and we were off and RUNNING!
It was more of a crawl - a hurry up and wait period of our lives when we got poked and prodded and quizzed and questioned over and over..............( it was a growing and learning time)
We expected to raise our budget and be in Africa in August of 2007!
We have seen it happen - we even helped many of our missionary friends, in a small way, on the same journey...........we call it "itineration" - it has been the HARDEST thing that I have ever done!
It has been hard - the travel - the frustration - the rejection BUT it has been good - {not every good thing is something that you ever want to repeat}
We have learned to depend DEEPLY on the Lord and we have Loved each other in adversity and uncertanity and even when we did not know if we had a tommorow.............
God is Good!
So now it looks like we have a little further to go ----- a bit more "vision casting' ----- so more services to preach ----- people to meet and ---- money to raise.
God is Good!
It is time to Finish the Race and get to Africa and then Run the Race with all of our hearts!
God is Good!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Try Try Again
I have never gotten into the blogging habit - but I will try again.
We are in the "final stages" of our itineration (fund raising) to get to Burundi, Africa. This has been both a constant struggle and a life shaping challenge. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work in one of the poorest nations in the world and we are inching towards the "budget" that it takes to live and do ministry in Africa. I now realize how silly it was to expect to raise our support and depart for the field after just a few fast paced months of itineration.
We are forming relationships with a huge number of God's finest who will partner with our ministry at great personal expense and they are doing it with JOY!
Our future has always been one that was "faith based" - we never know what will happen tommorow or the next day = but never before has our future been in the hands of other men to determine if we can continue in this process.
We are out of time -- LIVING IN GRACE!
So we keep plodding on - inching forward and packing IN FAITH for 3 years of ministry in Burundi!
We are in the "final stages" of our itineration (fund raising) to get to Burundi, Africa. This has been both a constant struggle and a life shaping challenge. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work in one of the poorest nations in the world and we are inching towards the "budget" that it takes to live and do ministry in Africa. I now realize how silly it was to expect to raise our support and depart for the field after just a few fast paced months of itineration.
We are forming relationships with a huge number of God's finest who will partner with our ministry at great personal expense and they are doing it with JOY!
Our future has always been one that was "faith based" - we never know what will happen tommorow or the next day = but never before has our future been in the hands of other men to determine if we can continue in this process.
We are out of time -- LIVING IN GRACE!
So we keep plodding on - inching forward and packing IN FAITH for 3 years of ministry in Burundi!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Winter update
I am still not being too regular in my posts - but here is one for the winter.
Boy is it COLD
Boy is it COLD
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