Friday December 30, 2005

I just finished speaking to about 600 Campus Crusade students at the Atlanta Hilton.  I gave them a brief intro and challenge and they'll be heading to 50 different apartment complexes this afternoon.

Answered my email and calls.

I'm waiting for a partner to bring over some computer stuff for the missions.  Then I'll head over to check on the teams.

I plan on running this afternoon if all goes well.

Peace.

Posted 12/30/2005 at 12:6 PM
Thursday December 29, 2005

The weather has cleared off some today.  I'm seeing sunlight come through my office windows.  PTL.

I went down to check out the crew at the Hilton.  It's the big group from Campus Crusade.  I'll make my presentation to everyone tomorrow morning.

Finished up my email and office work.

I need to go pick up some renter's insurance for our mission at the Corners and take proof of that by there this morning.

I ran 4 miles yesterday in 40:52.

Peace.
Posted 12/29/2005 at 10:42 AM
Wednesday December 28, 2005

Back to crummy ol' weather here in Atlanta this morning.  Cloudy, drizzly, cold.  Yuk.

Just finished wading through a huge stack of bills and checks.  Thank God for people's generosity!

I stopped by Staples this morning to pick up a new stylus for my Ipaq.  Still can't believe I lost the original one.  I never lose stuff like that.  Weird.

I have to do my financial support and then make a few more phone calls before I head back to Stone Mountain.

Kathy and I have been married for 20 YEARS today!  It's amazing that anyone could stand hanging with me for that long.  The places we've been to and the hardships we've endured are almost unbelievable. Yet we're still together and happy! God is good!

I need to run today, hope the weather clears off a bit.

I have a bunch of letters to mail and checks to deposit on my way home.

I need to get ready for my meeting with the Campus Crusade guys tomorrow morning at the Hilton in downtown Atlanta.  There will be 500 students working at 50 complexes around lunch time!  I have all the locations set so we just need to go do it!

Peace.
Posted 12/28/2005 at 12:24 PM
Tuesday December 27, 2005

We just got back into town.  We drove about 420 miles today and got into Atlanta around 4 pm.  No problem with the car or the traffic.  Beautiful.  We listened to the last of the book Fade.  We really liked it.  It was almost perfect timing as the story ended about an hour out of Atlanta.  I love it when a plan comes together.

Jesse's upstairs working on his computer.  He's had to change some hard drives around and he has a new wireless keyboard and mouse that he's trying to figure out how to make the same keyboard (bluetooth) run two separate computers.

Ashley has gotten all cleaned up and is already at a party with her friends.

Kathy is riding around Stone Mountain.

I'm working.  C'est la vie, baby.

Check out the new photos in the Photo Gallery of www.whirlwindmissions.org.  Got some sweet ones there!

Peace.


Posted 12/27/2005 at 6:49 PM
Tuesday December 27, 2005

Monday, December 26th, 2005

We packed up our stuff from the San Gabriel Motor Courts and went over to get the kids and our sweet Sugar dog.  After lots of hugs and kisses, we headed out of town pointed North towards Dallas at about 11:30am.  That's about when I figured we'd leave.

Before a trip like this I always go to the library and get a couple of books on CD to listen to in the car.  I highly recomment you try it.  We listened to two complete books: Storming Heaven and Fade, both by Kyle Mills.  Both were excellent.

We made it 564 miles to Jackson, Mississippi and crashed out at the Day's Inn motel.  We got there about 9pm. 

Peace.
Posted 12/27/2005 at 6:45 PM
Tuesday December 27, 2005

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Day!  Sweet Potato Pie!

I had the pleasure of preaching at my Dad's church, "The Worship Place" this morning.  Even on Christmas morning at 10 am, there were about 170 people that came.  I preached from the traditional passage from Luke 2.

We had lunch at my Mom's.  My brother and his family came to listen to me and also came to lunch.

Had fun hiking the trails around town.  I found one of the best examples of Tonkawa Indian arrowheads this afternoon just before dusk.

Peace.
Posted 12/27/2005 at 6:40 PM
Saturday December 24, 2005

I thought I'd lost our Sugar dog twice yesterday.  Scared me pretty badly.  I was way out in the bush with her at Lake Georgetown and she got in some pretty thick weeds.  She finally came back.

I continue to look for stone tools in the area.  I have a collection of about 10 pieces that are pretty cool, plus some fossils.

K and I got up around 8 am and came on over to my Folk's house where Ashley and Jesse are staying.

I finished going through my email and blog.

I'll post some more pictures to the photo gallery, play some chess with Jesse and then go for a run in the country.  It's a beautiful thing!

Peace.
Posted 12/24/2005 at 11:49 AM
Friday December 23, 2005

Another fantastic weather day.  Clear and supposed to get to 71 degrees!

Answered my email and calls.

Kathy and I will be hiking in the bush in a little while. 

Ashley and my mom are back out shopping.  Today they're looking for blue jeans. 

Our family went to see King Kong last night.  It was pretty good.  Kind of long at 3 hours plus.  I always feel sad when I see man's inhumanity to man, and man's destruction of the Earth and it's creatures--even if they are monstrous.  I feel the same way for man's relentless destruction of sharks.

Peace.
Posted 12/23/2005 at 11:54 AM
Thursday December 22, 2005

Fantastic weather here in Texas!  It's what I call "Nakuru weather."  Cool, clear. 

Kathy biked over to Stillson Basin.  I ran.  All in all we did a little over 5 miles.

We got these little cars with an electric racetrack.  It's fun watching them go around the track.  Simple pleasures.

I found some pretty cool objects including several blades and a tool for processing deer tendons.  The Tonkawa Indians produced them between 800-1000 years ago.  These indians were actually cannibals!  Ay caramba.

Peace.
Posted 12/22/2005 at 2:47 PM
Wednesday December 21, 2005

It's a gorgeous blue sky day today.  I got up early and ran a little over 4 miles in about 40 minutes to my old house in Georgetown from the little Inn we're staying at.  It was fun and not too hard.

Weirdest thing was there was a cop car on the side of the road apparently watching for speeders.  As I ran up to the car it turned out to be a manniquin at the wheel!  The cops just parked the car there and put a dummy inside to scare drivers.  Ay caramba!

I walked along the river here in Georgetown looking for rocks.  I took Sugar our dog with me.  I met Kathy down there, she rode on her bike.

My mom and Ashley are out shopping. What a surprise.

I've been working on my Christmas message for this Sunday at Dad's church, the Worship Place.  I'll be preaching from Luke 2 giving it a missions slant.

I've had a headache for the last couple of days.  I guess it's the changes in the weather.

J and I have enjoyed playing chess.  He's pretty good.

Peace.
Posted 12/21/2005 at 3:32 PM
Tuesday December 20, 2005

I've been working on my phone calls, email and office work here at my folk's house in Georgetown.  I've taken over a section of their living room.

The rest of my family are working on the January '06 mail out.  We get the Dec/January mail outs in the mail early.

K and I will be getting exercise.  It's cloudy and cool but not bad.

Peace.


Posted 12/20/2005 at 1:14 PM
Tuesday December 20, 2005

Monday, December 19th, 2005

We left Tyler about 11am. 

I ran 4miles plus in about 42 minutes. I just run for a minimum of 40 minutes when I don't have a laid out track.  It was cold and steep in spots. Overall, pretty hard route.

We ate a light continental breakfast then got on the road.

I decided to take 31SW from Tyler to Waco.  It's about 40 miles shorter but man, do you have to stop through a bunch of podunk towns.  We'll take I35 up to Dallas next time.  It's faster and when travelling long distance it's about time.

I wanted to eat at Kitok's in Waco.  Alas, it was closed on Mondays.  Bahd luck.

We got to Georgetown about 2pm. A glorious homecoming indeed. 

San Gabrel Motor Inn is where we're staying.  The little rooms have been remodeled to reflect old Texas themes.  Sweet.


Posted 12/20/2005 at 1:10 PM
Tuesday December 20, 2005

Sunday, December 18, 2005

We travelled from Meridian to Tyler, Texas.  It was about 400 miles.  We stayed the night at the Day's Inn.

We've been listening to the book called Storming Heaven by Kyle Mills.  It sure helped the time pass by in the car better.

We were driving fast today.  I'd have groups of cars travelling 80+ mph.  That helped condense the trip.

Peace.
Posted 12/20/2005 at 1:2 PM
Tuesday December 20, 2005

Saturday, December 17th

We hosted parties at Hamptons @ Lenox with FBC Atlanta's Men's Class, Highland Gardens with the Single Parents of FBC Atlanta, Woodgate with another FBA class, and the Ambers and Adelaide Park with FBC Duluth.  I have some shots posted on our website:  www.whirlwindmissions.org.  Click on Photo Gallery.

We got on the road headed west for Texas at about 5:45pm after I got finished with the parties.  Jesse was having computer problems (he was changing multiple hard drives out), he took his rig wth him w/o monitor. 

We travelled about 300 miles and spent the night in Meridian, Mississippi.

J and I have airmattresses on the floor.  I actually prefer the air mattress.  It's much more similar to my bed at home which has a memory foam topper.

Peace.
Posted 12/20/2005 at 12:58 PM
Friday December 16, 2005

Last night Kathy and I had the great pleasure of watching the Lawrenceville Community Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol.  Carl Barrington, the president of Whirlwind Missions' board, played Scrooge.  He did a fantastic job!  We had a good time, even though we left early.  Kathy had been up since 4:30am, she was exhausted.

Made my copies of the 2006 January edition of the Outreach Update today.  I wrote an article about Ashley working at the Oakbrook apartment complex.  She's raising funds to do her ministry over there.  I helped her some this afternoon.  I cleaned out a room and set up the three computers I brought over there last week.

Went to Sports Authority and picked up a new basketball goal for the mission at Azalea.  Somebody had run over it, destroying the goal and the wall of the median at the same time.

Also picked up a new printer for my mother in law and installed that on her machine.

Took Jouvens over to Perimeter Mall to hang out and get something to eat.  He's helped me a lot lately hauling stuff around.  I'll need his help when we get back from Texas.

Our trip starts tomorrow, even though we can't leave till after 4pm because I have 6 Outreach Events going on.  I'll shoot pictures and talk with the teams, then leave for Alabama. 

We may be incommunicado for a couple of days.  But it's amazing how many hotels have wi-fi now.  Wireless internet rocks.  Officially.

We've also decided to take our dog Sugar with us on the trip.  The kids are a little uptight about spending 11 days cooped up wtih family.  All four of us are very intense personalities.  It's interesting, that's for sure.

Peace.
Posted 12/16/2005 at 11:33 PM
Thursday December 15, 2005

Rainy, freezing weather.  Yuk.

The lights went out at about 5:30 am this morning.  Talk about an early wake up call.

I had a GREAT meeting with the missions committee from Peachtree Corners Baptist Church.  They have supported our ministry so faithfully for going on TEN years now!  Carlos Salaveria is their missions pastor and is doing a wonderful job!

There were a couple of windows broken at the mission at the Corners.  I talked with the office about getting that repaired.  They told me they'd take care of it.

I just unloaded 4 computers/monitors from a partner of ours.  Gary Ream has really helped us with supplies!  These are going to be such a blessing to the folks at the mission!

I have a meeting with an Indian woman at 3pm who is interested in working with Muslim women.  We have about six Bengali families who live at Azalea.  I hope to partner her with them.

A new volunteer is supposed to come help us at Azalea at 4pm today.  Her name is Julie.  Hope it all works out!

I'm supposed to go see A Chrismas Carol this evening in Lawrenceville.  Carl Barrington who is one of my best friends and is also the President of the Whirlwind Missions Board is the lead for the play.  I hope the weather doesn't get worse because I really want to go over there. 

I'm working on the Team Assignments page right now.  I need to put all 50 locations in the spreadsheet!

Peace.
Posted 12/15/2005 at 12:48 PM
Wednesday December 14, 2005

I'm currently on hold on a phone call (one of about 50) where I'm setting up an outreach for 500 Campus Crusade college students who will be distributing food at 50 different apartment complexes around Metro Atlanta.  SWEET!

I had a morning meeting at the Red Cross with the DeKalb County police department and managers from the Central Precinct.  They surprised me today with a Civilian Achievement award!  That was nice of them.

I'm working on my financial statements and finishing my email before I go to Azalea to help the kids with their homework.  They'll also help me with the label with this month's Outreach Update.

I'm glad to get this event organized.  It's a lot of work and takes focus to pull off properly.

Peace.
Posted 12/14/2005 at 4:6 PM
Tuesday December 13, 2005

Ran my 4 miles early this morning.  Man, it was a chilly dog.  Came in at 40:15.

I got confirmation on at least 400 college students working with us from College Crusade this year.  I've been calling the 40 complexes where they'll be giving away 5 boxes of food for 5 families on December 30th.  I've confirmed most of them.  I should have it all together tomorrow.  I may add as many as another 100 and 10 more complexes.  God is good.

Finished up my email and other calls and worked on the Team Assignment list.  Two other teams want to come help us this summer.  Excellent!

I'm going to drop off some Christmas gifts to Don Juan and then over to Azalea to help the kids with their homework.  We gave out gifts to the Azalea kids yesterday.

Peace.


Posted 12/13/2005 at 4:33 PM
Monday December 12, 2005

It was a pick up and haul stuff around day today.

I went over to Gary Ream's office to get some cubicle partitions, cable modem boxes, some little TVs, shelving, dehumidifier and some power cords.  We can always use stuff like that around the missions.  The kids use them to play video games.

Dropped off the cubicle stuff, the shelving and the dehumidifier to the mission at Adelaide Park.  I was just asked about that stuff last week.  It's amazing how the Lord works it out so quickly!

I picked up Jouvens to take him to lunch and then he helped me load up over 100 little stocking gifts which we took to Woodgate, Azalea and Oakbrook missions.  That will make the kids SO happy.  I took pictures of the give away.  They're at www.whirlwindmissions.org click on Photo Gallery.

I stopped by FBC Doraville to check the mail and drop off some flourescent lights that Gary gave us.  What a blessing.  I replaced four bulbs in the church office while I was there.

After I helped the kids with their homework I headed home.  Now I'm working on MY homework which includes my email, a tax donor letter and start figuring out where we're going to put the 400-500 college Campus Crusade students who will be helping us "Take the church" to over 40 apartment complexes on December 30th.  I have to get that organized before I leave for Texas on Saturday late afternoon, after the Christmas parties.

Peace.
Posted 12/12/2005 at 7:19 PM
Sunday December 11, 2005

I preached at White Oak Hill Baptist Church this morning.  It's a Black church.  I almost felt like I was back home in Africa.  I'm sure I'm the wildest white guy that church has ever seen.  I was fired up.

Came home and ran 4 miles in 40:06.  Cold, but bright and sunny.

This evening Kathy and I went to FBC Mountain Park.  They had a fantastic 5 grand piano concert.  As usual we were running late.  We caught the last 20 minutes.  That was plenty.  Kathy had been at Stone Mountain most of the day.  She worked out and biked around the mountain.  I'm proud that she's trying to take care of herself.
Posted 12/11/2005 at 8:2 PM
Sunday December 11, 2005

Saturday, December 10, 2005

I started out the morning over at Perimeter Church who was having a local missions celebration.  I got to see many of the directors of our missions--they go to Perimeter.  Hundreds of people went by our display.  I made about 180 balloon animals.  Usually I have partners to help me so I can talk to people about missions rather than "what color do you want your doggie balloon to be?"  It's all good.  I just decided loving on the kids was what I do anyway so why should a missions conference be any different?  We had two groups from that conference come and help us at two different parties later that day at Azalea and at Oakbrook.  PTL!

We had great outreach today!

FBC Mountain Park hosted Christmas parties at Highland Grove (first time there ever!), Krystopher Woods, The Lakes, Southern Place, Oakbrook Pointe and Azalea.  They did a fantastic job!

City on a Hill is a group of singles from different Metro Atlanta churches.  They hosted an event at Don Juan/Pearl Lane.

A Sunday School class from FBC Atlanta hosted an event at Huntington STation.  The office was supposed to be open.  I'd talked to them several times.  Apparently the weekend staff didn't get the message.  Fortunately it wasn't super cold and one of the families let us use a table so the event could be held outside.

It always works out!

Posted 12/11/2005 at 7:59 PM
Sunday December 11, 2005

Friday, December 09, 2005

Woke up to a problem with the van. Apparently, when Kathy closed the door on the side it came clean out of its track. Never seen anything like that before. I had to have it towed in. Man is AAA a good deal! I usually have to have a car towed at least twice a year for some reason. My mechanics fixed it later that day. Cost $160. That van is SO important to our ministry. I haul stuff around it in all the time.

Spent most of the day dealing with that and working on office stuff at home.

Then went over to Oakbrook to work on getting info out to the families about the Christmas party on the 10th.

Peace.
Posted 12/11/2005 at 7:52 PM
Thursday December 8, 2005


I had fun taking some friends around the International Village. Drew Grubbs and Bill Simms came from Sugarloaf Community Church and Mike Carpenter from Crossroads Church.  I made a short presentation outlining what we do, then we visited the three main market areas:  Asian Square, Carniceria Hispana #1 and Ngozi Tropical foods.  We covered the whole planet in 45 minutes.  Lastly we swung by Azalea Apartments to check on the kids and show these guys how a mission runs.  It was a beautiful thing.

I got the process in motion to turn on the gas at Concept 21--Delk.  I thought I'd done it already.  Gettin' mighty cold in dem dere missions.

Took a flyer for the event on Saturday over to Huntington Station.  I made a typo, so I got their email address, corrected the document and sent it back to them as a Word attachment.  Email is a beautiful thing.

I hope to do a similar maneuvor tomorrow morning by sending a flyer to Oakbrook.  Otherwise I'll have to go over there Friday morning so they can distribute them around the complex.

Crummy, crummy weather.  But still a fun day.  I need to run, but I don't run in this stuff.

Peace.
Posted 12/8/2005 at 7:2 PM
1 Comments

What's happenin?  Thanks for reminding my parents.  Hey, I joined Netflix.  If you want, send me the e-mail address you use for that or send a friend invite to ian.a.north@moody.edu.

Posted 12/9/2005 at 12:24 PM by eternaldig
Wednesday December 7, 2005

Preached to the ESL students in Clarkston this morning.  We told the Christmas story to the folks, many of who are Muslim.  Also got to share some time with Ms. Pat Maddox one of my favorite partners.  She's worked in Clarkston for years.  We have a team coming from FBC Mountain Park to help with a Christmas party this weekend.  I wanted to make sure that they were expecting the group and to help them.  Looks like it's all set up.

Went over to Oak Forest apartments to visit with Ms. Vickie.  She had about 8 big boxes of stuff given to us from the Operation Christmas Child program.  The boxes we received couldn't be sent over seas.  Perfect timing because we needed more stuff for the kids at the 6 locations that FBC Mtn Pk are covering.  They'll split the stuff up and take the toys to the kids as well as a lot of coats that they also collected. After picking the boxes up I dropped them off at the church.

I went down Killian Hill where I was supposed to pick up some other things for the mission from another partner of mine.  Unfortunately, that didn't work out--his guy had to leave early.  I'll get the van next week and pick that stuff up then.

I'm at FBC Doraville right now.  Finished my email and calls and put some financial stuff together for my CPA.  I'll put that stuff in the mail today.

I'll pick up three sets of computers in a few minutes after lunch for the new mission at Oakbrook.  I'll probably put the stuff in the Lumina for Ashley to take over there on Thursday.  I'm trying to help her out on Fridays over there.

Got a phone call from White Oak BC this morning.  Looks like I'll be preaching over there this Sunday for the Missions Emphasis.

I have my partner Drue Warner from Perimeter coming to help me with the kids at Azalea.  PTL.

I'm going to load up some chairs to take over to Highland Gardens before I leave the church.

I'm a bit uptight about my elbow with all this lifting.  Usually ends up making my tendonitis flair up. I'm trying to be careful, but I know how it goes. . . .

Peace.


Posted 12/7/2005 at 1:24 PM
Tuesday December 6, 2005

Frozen cold weather this morning. 

First assignment of the day was to go  to Concept 21 in Roswell to sign the new lease and meet the new manager, Robbi Miller.  Got it taken care of right quick then boogied over to Azalea to spend some time with Jouvens and drop off some stuff for the mission.

Went by the office to check on the mail and drop off a package for our CPA.

We had lunch at Pung Mie on Buford Highway.  That place has some of the best Chinese food around.  The group was made up of the Property Managers of Chamblee and Doraville as well as the Mayors of the two cities and two majors from the DeKalb plolice department.  And me.  We had a good lunch.  I have pictures of the event on our website:  www.whirlwindmissions.org.  Click on Photo Gallery.

From lunch I shot over to pickup Jerry Counselman--the new Missions Pastor for FBC Mountain Park.  He's a great guy.  The church is hosting Christmas parties at 6 locations this Saturday.  We went by The Lakes, Krystopher Woods, Southern Place and Oakbrook--where Ashley works. 

We met up with Drew Grubbs from Youth Outreach United and his regional director Adam Webb--truly two of my favorite people.  Drew interviewed Ashley about working at Oakbrook for YOU.  I wanted to get Drew in front of  Jerry Counselman too.

I came home a bit earlier than usual because I needed to drop Jerry off back at the church by 5pm.

I ran at dusk.  Cold.  Then dark.  4 miles in 41:17.

Peace.
Posted 12/6/2005 at 7:35 PM
Monday December 5, 2005

I had an appointment with two guys from Campus Crusade this morning and early afternoon.  We had lunch and visited several locations on the Prayer Walk.  We're planning to host at least 250-300 college students on December 30th.  They'll be working at at least 25 locations.  It takes a while to get the logistics lined up for that.

I have a meeting with my CPA in a bit to make sure that the ministry's taxes are good to go as well as my personal taxes.

Then I'll go to the mission to make sure that the kids are ok with their homework.

Peace.


Posted 12/5/2005 at 1:52 PM
Monday December 5, 2005

Sunday, December 04, 2005

I worked all day long on Friday and Saturday so my wife was after me to spend time with the family today.  I spent some quality time with Jesse this afternoon.  We went out to eat chicken fingers together.  He's a great kid!  I spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with Kathy.  We watched a movie and spent a few hours just talking.  I had an invitation to go to a friend's house in Sugar Hill, but Kathy just considered that "work."  Even though it was a party, she was right because all I'd do is talk work if we went.  So I decided it was better to just focus on Kathy.  It was fun.

I ran 4 miles in 42:11.  Balmy weather.  Weirdest thing is that my knee seems laterally unstable when I'm walking, but when I run everything seems fine.  I guess it's because I focus on foot placement when I run.

Peace.
Posted 12/5/2005 at 1:46 PM
Saturday December 3, 2005

Rainy day today.

I have a team from Ohio working with us this afternoon.  They're cleaning the missions at Azalea, Huntington Terraces and Huntington Creek and working with the kids.

I found out from Ernest Mocombe that he passed his first computer certification test!  I'm so proud of him!  He's like another son to me.  I took him out to eat at Golden Corral to celebrate.

I've been over at the office working on the December schedule additions, email and checking on my Ohio team.

I'll go back over to the mission in a second to make sure they're doing ok before I go home.  They're dressed sort of like Quakers with women in bonnets and them men with beards around the face and chins.  Cool. 

Peace.
Posted 12/3/2005 at 2:57 PM
Saturday December 3, 2005

Friday, December 02, 2005

I worked around the house this morning helping Kathy.  Gotta do whatcha gotta do.

Ashley and I went back to Oakbrook this afterrnoon.  We started canvassing the neighbourhood figuring out where all the kids live.  We got a map from the office so we can start tracking information.  So far we've met about 20 kids over there.  Ashley talked to Drew about working with Youth Outreach United.  She has a meeting with him and Adam the regional director to get the application started with them.

Jesse and I worked for about an hour in the evening.  We're trying to get a TV hooked up in the master bedroom or our house.  Lots of drilling and wire running.  He's getting pretty good at that!

I went through my email and also talked with several people interested in working with us in the spring and summer.  Excellente!

Not much of a day off, but got a lot of stuff done.

Peace.
Posted 12/3/2005 at 2:54 PM
Thursday December 1, 2005

Did my 4 miles this morning.  It was about 40 degrees.  I don't recommend it, but it beats running at night for sure!

Talked with folks from Florida and Kentucky this morning coming to help us next year.  That's always good to hear.

Went to Oak Forest to talk with the director over there Ms. Vickie. I had planned on bringing a team over there for a Christmas party, but the team that came in the summer from NC is planning on coming back to help the kids!  PTL.  I hope to move the other local team from FBC Mountain Park to Oakbrook Pointe where we're starting work back up again.  I hope to also cover Westwood in that area.  I'll get a confirmation on that on Monday.

I just finished working on my email and made the last of my calls.  Had to figure out some issues with the new leases at two of the Concept 21 properties in Norcross and Roswell.  Should be ok now.

I'll be going to Oakbrook this afternoon to help jump start that work again with Ashley.  That's a very important location.  Be praying for that community and the 712 families that live there!

Peace.
Posted 12/1/2005 at 2:7 PM
force5's Xanga Archives
Wednesday November 30, 2005

I ran 4 miles Tuesday evening.  Dark, cold, rough.  Completed my route in 44:40.  I've been trying to take it easy because my knee has been a bit tender.  Pretty much pain free.

What a great day today!

Went to Oakbrook Pointe this morning.  The manager called me up yesterday very interested in our ministry.  He heard about us from another friend of mine that works for an Apartment Renting magazine called Para Rentar.  She gave him a glowing recommendation of our work.  When the manager called me and I told him that I'd worked there for about 5 years he was flabbergasted.  I went for a meeting with him today.  I told him what we do, what I thought we could handle over at Oakbrook and when I thought we could start.  He was VERY enthusiastic about it and actually gave me keys to the clubhouse before I left!

They are talking about investing about $400/month in the program.  What a turn around!  The best news is that my daughter Ashley talked to me two nights ago about applying for jobs.  She told me, "Daddy, I put in applications in 16 places, but I don't want to do any of these jobs.  I want to do something that has some significance."  I told her I'd help her raise her support if that's what she really wanted to do. The next day I hear from Oakbrook about this opportunity plus funding!  Incredible.  I'll probably go over there with her tomorrow afternoon to introduce her to the manager and help her meet the kids.

One of my main partners is Youth Outreach United, led by Drew Grubbs.  He'd been talking to me about getting Ashley involved with their ministry.  YOU hires interns that raise their support and then work at their church and at our missions.  It really is a perfect fit and has had spectacular results.  They're set up to provide the salary for their staff once the money is raised.  This situation with Ashley, Youth Outreach and Oakbrook really seems like an answer to prayer.

I got a call from Campus Crusade this afternoon. Looks like they want to mobilze about 300 people on December 30th.  I'll be handling the logistics for those guys on that project.  I have a meeting with their team leaders on Monday.  I really learned most of what I know about evangelism from Crusade and Bill Bright is one of my heros.  I'll be back from Texas by that time and I'll get the event organized before I leave.

I'm headed over to the mission at Azalea in a few minutes.  I'll leave a little early today because it's my mother in law's 80th birthday today.  All the brothers and sisters are meeting at Red Lobster to celebrate with her.  Her husband died almost exactly 6 months ago.  Bill's birthday was December 25th, so it's pretty easy to remember.

Peace.
Posted 11/30/2005 at 3:7 PM
1 Comments

It onctinues to amaze me how much you get done, and how many new opportunities continue to present themselves!  It is wonderful that Ashley can lead out in this new venture!

Blessings!  Orville

Posted 12/2/2005 at 3:39 AM by boydorville
Tuesday November 29, 2005

The weather is SO much better today.  I can't believe how depressed I get if I don't see the sun for a couple of days!

My knee is still a bit tender.  I hope to get out and run today, maybe just a short run--2 miles or so.

I spent the morning and early afternoon in Clarkston working with Bennett Ekandem.  We went by Wyncrest, Krystopher Woods, The Lakes and Willow Branch to square away things for the Christmas parties on the 10th of December.  Looks like everything is good to go.

We had lunch with Jon Daniels over at Madina.  He was in town from Monticello, Mississippi  to complete the final interview for his doctrate from the New Orleans seminary.  His church has come to help us several summers.

Finished re-working the Christmas schedule.  It's always a work in progress it seems.

I'm headed over to the mission at Azalea to check on the kids.

Peace.
Posted 11/29/2005 at 4:4 PM
Monday November 28, 2005

Drizzly, rainy, depressing weather day.  Kathy keeps telling me, "The rain helps the plants,  Cheer up."  I try, but I still feel bummed out.  Us Africans, we don't like this rainy weather.

I went by to drop off the tag for the Mitsubishi that went dead on us last week.  Hopefully, we'll get another car we can use the tag on. 

I visited with the two apartment complexes in Lawrenceville that are near the tag office.  We had an outreach event to bring food there from FBC Lawrenceville last Thursday.  The event at Olde Salem went well, but the management completely dropped the ball on inviting residents to come from Cherokee Courts.  I couldn't believe it.  So no residents showed up from that location.  Sad.

I've been at the office taking care of email, calls and financial reports for the last few hours.  I'm trying to get everything nailed down about the coming Saturday Outreach Events for Christmas.  I'm having some problem getting for sure information from some of the teams.  It's exasperating.

I'll head over to Azalea in a little while to check on the kids and their homework.

Peace.
Posted 11/28/2005 at 3:2 PM
Sunday November 27, 2005

I'll be working the next three weekends in a row.  I know from experience that that means I'm headed for trouble.  SO I try to spend some extra time with Kathy when I can beforehand.  We enjoyed a late lunch together at John Boy's on 78. 

Did some office work. 

I'll work on getting the next three weekends organized with the managers.  There's really only one that I think might be a problem and that's at Highland Gardens.  They don't have an inside room which means we either do it in the office or he lets me use an empty unit.  Either way it's problematic.  Nothing I can't handle, but it does add stress.

Peace.
Posted 11/27/2005 at 6:34 PM
Sunday November 27, 2005

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Kathy and I went over to check on my mother in law today.  We helped around the house, and took her out to eat at S & S.  It's important to take care of family.

Jesse and I enjoyed watching the DVDs of Firefly --my favorite sci-fi TV series.  It was cancelled by FOX about 4 years ago.  Their new movie "Serenity" has done well.  If you have Netflix, you might consider renting the DVDs individually.  I think the writing is particularly strong, at times really hilarious.

Peace.
Posted 11/27/2005 at 6:31 PM
Friday November 25, 2005

Ashley and I went shopping again over at a thrift store/antique place on Highway 20.  I found a couple of groovy t-shirts for cheap.

I met Ian North and his father in law Mr. Hines at that shopping center.  We had fun catching up on what's been going on.  Then we went over to eat at Spiced Right one of my "Food Faves,."  Alas, the place had totally changed.  No more buffet.  Just order off a menu.  They didn't even have their Sweet Sauce any more.  WHAT A DRAG!  First Benny' BBQ and now Spiced Right?  Something is definitely not right.  I bet their clientele really drops off.

I just got back from running 4 miles.  Did it in just over 45:00.  I was really trying to take it easy, concentrate on my form.  I had some swelling on my right knee and really wanted to have a pain free run.  Feels pretty good right now.

We're supposed to go over for a little party at my nephew Jason Sullivan's house tonight.  He's a good guy.  I look forward to going over there.

Peace.
Posted 11/25/2005 at 4:28 PM
Friday November 25, 2005

Thursday, November 24th, 2005

We had Thanksgiving lunch at our house today.  Kathy and I will be married for 20 years this December 28th.  For the first time since we've been married she cooked a turkey.  It came out GREAT.  I was very proud of her.  She also made some delicious dressing.

We had most of her sisters and brothers over:  David, Ruth and Ali Sullivan, Bob, Ann, Katie, Laura, Mary Mitchell, Bill Doverspike, Nell Doverspike, Orene Duvall, Paul and Luke Doverspike and my sweet family rounded out the party.  It was a beautiful thing.

We rested and enjoyed the rest of the day's family time.

Peace.
Posted 11/25/2005 at 4:24 PM
Wednesday November 23, 2005

Mammoth shopping spree with Ashley today.  If you really want to spend quality time with my daughter you better be ready to shop.  We covered Perimeter Mall, Northlake Mall, North Dekalb Mall and the strip malls that line Highway 124 in Snellville.  She finally found a white jacket that she wanted, but alas, no white cowboy boots in her size.  She had a $100 to spend that my folks sent her for her birthday last week.  The jacket was on sale for $53.  I thought that was pretty good.

I bought a new book today called The Areas of My Expertise.  I saw it on Jon Stewart's the Daily Show.  Funny stuff.

I went over to Azalea to hang out with Jouvens for a while and drop off a bunch of snacks and drinks for the kids.  I probably won't be back there for several days with the holidays here.

Fun day with my daughter.  Sweet!

Peace.
Posted 11/23/2005 at 6:1 PM
Tuesday November 22, 2005

I put a priority on finishing the Christmas mail out, which I accomplished.  That was a big job.

I went by Kroger to pick up supplies for the mission.  I'll go by and see the kids tomorrow and give them the snacks.

Dropped by Jon Paul's house to leave some bills that had come in recently.  We're having an issue with one of the sets of bills from a mission in Roswell.  It's always something.

Updated my Teams 2005 list.  The teams coming for Christmas parties are moving along nicely. I continue to let the managers know.  Some of the locations may be a problem, because of lack of space.

I ran 4 miles this morning.  It was really cold and windy.  Felt like I was running into the wind the whole time.  Hard.

Peace.
Posted 11/22/2005 at 4:10 PM
1 Comments
Talked to Larry Rogers. I'm really excited about joining up with Youth Outreach; I think that it's going to be a great help with the Mission over here and probably a bit of a relief for you aswell. E-mail with more info will be coming shortly.
Posted 11/22/2005 at 5:19 PM by NAPosey
Monday November 21, 2005

Rainy, messy day today.

I've been working on the newsletter mailout for Christmas.  I have about a quarter of it done so far and have the first series of envelopes with the Christmas gifts in the mail already.

I have piles more to do.  I was hoping to get that done today, but I just got a call from a manager in Roswell.  I need to go sign the new lease.  I'll work on the envelopes later.

Gotta be careful driving.  Pray for me.

Love,

Tim


Posted 11/21/2005 at 2:40 PM
Sunday November 20, 2005

It's been a sad Sunday morning.  The Mitusubshi that we've had for the last six years has finally died.  It's still running, but it's leaking gas.  The mechanics said there was so much fluid under the car (oil, coolant AND gas) that they couldn't see where the leak was coming from.  They just flat out said, "It's not worth fixing."  For an ol' African like me it's hard to swallow.  Ashley had passed her test and was going to get to use it as her car shared with her mom.  Only one day and she's having to say, "goodbye."  Bahd luck. 

I went by Staples to pick up some more bubble wrap for the Christmas mail out project.  Jesse is cutting the strips for me now.  We should have all the pieces ready to go by tomorrow.  I'll finish up the newsletter today and print it up tomorrow.  Then we can start mailing everything out early.  I try to get the December/January issues out early in case people want to donate before the end of the year.

Our family is going to Smokerise BC this evening to celebrate Thanksgiving with several other family members.  Should be fun.

Back to work.
Posted 11/20/2005 at 12:34 PM
Saturday November 19, 2005

I ran four miles this afternoon in 41:01.  The best time since I was sick.  I've really come to the conclusion that it's better to be consistant with the milage and not worry about the speed.  The speed comes depending on how strong you feel.  But to me it's more about endurance.  I feel the same way about ministry.  It's the year after year effort that yields the most exciting results.

K and I went out to eat Chinese food for lunch.  It was a well stocked buffet.  Sweet.

I came back home to work on the mail out for Christmas.  Kathy rode her bike over to her Aunt Orene's house so she could visit with her mom who was staying there for a few days.

I've got all the labels on the mail out.  All the sections are separated out.  We ran out of bubble wrap for the little gifts.  I'll have to go get more of that tomorrow.  I just finished the first draft of the article for the Christmas letter.  It's kind of a sad story really.

Peace.

If any of you are interested in reading a fictional piece I'm working on called "Gabriel--an angel's angle" send me an email to timcummins@comcast.net. I'll send you the first few chapters.
Posted 11/19/2005 at 8:55 PM
Saturday November 19, 2005

Friday, November 18th, 2005

I worked on the getting the mail out together for December.  I think I have everything I need now.

The kids got home around 2:30 pm.  We went on over to the Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as Ashley changed her clothes and shoes.  She had to look good for the driver's license picture!

The DMV was almost deserted!  I couldn't believe it.  We walked straight in and immediately got registered.  Within five minutes they were called to their respective windows: one for driving the other for the written test.

Eventually they both passed and did a great job!
Posted 11/19/2005 at 8:48 PM
Thursday November 17, 2005

Worked with the plumber this morning.  I had a gas leak in the line going out to the grill on our deck.  He got that capped off so we don't have to worry about the place blowing up.  Amen.

We're in the middle of figuring out the mailout for this Christmas.  I already bought the little gifts that we send to our sponsors.  We packaged a sample of each item and bought the stamps and envelopes to get it together.  Soon we'll start putting the packages together and then when I write the newsletter we'll put the letter inside the package and mail it.  It's a beautiful thing.

Ashley is helping me with the project.  We're at FBC Doraville right now.  I just finished working on my email and made all my calls.

After we get the labels figured out we'll go over to thelp the kids at Azalea.

Peace.
Posted 11/17/2005 at 3:26 PM
Wednesday November 16, 2005

I started out the morning with a meeting of managers and the DeKalb Police department from the Center Precinct.  Lots of problems in that area.  Ironically, the more problems the apartment managers have, the more leverage I have to work there! 

I had a series of meetings with ministry partners at and around lunch today.  First group revolved around our ministry at the Corners apartments on Peachtree Corners Circle. Represented were Drew Grubbs with Youth Outreach United, Drue Warner and Scott Laravea from Perimeter, Carlos Salavaria from Peachtree Corners Baptist Church, Raphael Ospina from Victory and yours truly.  Looks like some exciting things on the docket for that mission.  The best news I heard was that there are now three Hispanic families that are attending church from that complex!  PTL.

The UNITE gathering of ministers came next.  We talked about the Adopt a School program, Katrina relief and expanding our apartment ministry.  Very exciting stuff.

After lunch I had a fun time hanging out with Chip Sweeney from Perimeter who is one of my original partners in ministry and Drew Grubbs who continues to amaze me with the amount of interns he is mobilzing into ministry.  We are all cut from the same cloth and when you get three easily exictable people together, it's pretty exciting!

I set up a couple of meetings for next week and in early December.  One I'm particularly interested in has to do with Crossroads Church.  They are a wonderful congregation interested in outreach.  You can't beat that combination.

Helped the kids at Azalea after my meetings.  Seems pretty calm over all.  Most of the major projects for this nine weeks are completed.  It makes it easier for me to work more closely with the kids that need individual help.

I continue to research the clorox fight situation from yesterday.  I have to really try and get all the sides of the story before I start punishing folks or talking to parents.  It's really easy to start coming down hard on the loudest kids and believing the ones that "never" cause trouble.

I remember when I was in school I got in trouble a lot for being loud (can you believe that?) What used to really bother me is when the occasional times when I didn't do anything and still was blamed.  I try and be sensitive to that. 

I had one little boy that regularly stole things from the mission. I finally confronted his parents with that fact.  Of course they didn't believe me.  Manuel hasn't come back since then.  I hate that.  I'll go and talk with the parents soon and encourage him to get back involved.  I'm sure he'll fail otherwise.  His whole family has real problems, including his 12 year old sister hanging out/kissing 19 year olds.  I had a frank talk with her too.  Another child who hasn't come back since. 

It's hard to tell kids how it is, without seeming condemning.  But I feel like one of their parents and that's exactly how I'd treat my own kids.

Tough.
Posted 11/16/2005 at 10:10 PM
Tuesday November 15, 2005

I purchased a new camera this morning.  My old Nikon has been a real work horse.  I've taken nearly 9,000 pictures with it in the last year and a half.  It's started having some problems with the zoom lens.  I picked up it's cousin at Best Buy today, the S1.  It has a bigger viewing screen which is something I really wanted.  Sometimes my eyes had a hard time focusing on the smaller screen.  I'm looking forward to shooting some terrific pictures with it!

I'm working on our Christmas mail out for our sponsors.  I go through an evaluation of who has donated what to the ministry and send out small gifts to say "Thanks!"  It takes a while to get all the gifts together, figure out the postage and wrapping them so I'm trying to start early.

I got good news from my partners at Midway Macedonia Baptist Church.  They told me that they want to start supporting our ministry financially.  PTL!

I'll be going to Azalea in a few minutes.  Yesterday those naughty boys had a Clorox fight!  They ruined some of the kid's clothes.  I just shake my head when I think about it.

Peace.
Posted 11/15/2005 at 2:42 PM
Monday November 14, 2005

Friday, November 10--Monday, November 14, 2005

Kathy and I got a night away in the N. GA mountains.  We spent the night in Dahlonega.  We had a great time looking at the beautiful leaves.  We did some walking in the mountains, nothing too serious since I was still feeling pretty week.  We stayed at the Super 8 motel.  It had a fantastic view and was cheap!

Go to www.whirlwindmissions.org and click on Photo Gallery then Trips/Dahlonega to see the pix I took!

Saturday we had a party for Ashley.  She had a bunch of her friends over.  They made a bon fire in the back yard.  She had 5 of her girlfriends spend the night.  They seemed to really have a good time.  I was glad.

Sunday I preached at  Crossview Baptist Church in the morning.  That little church is really struggling.  It's hard being in a transitional area.  The new Trickum Middle school is being built across the street.  I think there's reasons to be hopeful!  The congregation sang Happy Birthday to Ashley.  She turned 17 on Sunday!  Can't hardly believe it!

Sunday afternoon I took Ashley out for some drivers education.  I needed to teach her the rudiments of parallel parking, emergency stopping before her big driver's test on Friday. 

Sunday evening I was at Grace Fellowship for the missions conference.  They highlighted reaching the Muslim community.  They played an excellent DVD that they produced.  I was about a third of the information!  They're a great church and have really supported our ministry.

Monday I went over to Lawrenceville to take a new basketball goal to Cherokee Courts.  I stopped at Office Max to pick up some supplies for the office.  Then went to FBC Doraville to work on my financial reports for my board/CPA, set up meetings and do my email.

I'm headed over to Azalea to check on my kids at the missions in a few minutes.

I'm feeling better.  I've been on anti-biotics for three days now.  While I was typing I pulled a muscle in my neck.  Now the office smells like Icy Hot.  Bahd luck.

Peace.
Posted 11/14/2005 at 3:37 PM
Thursday November 10, 2005

I'm getting the brakes on my car worked on.  I usually go through about 3 sets of brake pads a year.  I do a terrific amount of city driving.

Still feeling weak.  I'm back in bed.

Pray for me.

Peace.

Posted 11/10/2005 at 3:48 PM
1 Comments
Will do, will also try and get you an email update pretty soon. Feel better my brotha.
Posted 11/11/2005 at 12:40 AM by NAPosey
Thursday November 10, 2005

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Still sick.  I called my doctor to get some antibiotics going.  Just feel weak.

Did some banking  Kept up with calls and email.

Resting.

Peace.
Posted 11/10/2005 at 3:47 PM
Tuesday November 8, 2005

I went to FBC Atlanta this morning to pick up the grills from last weekend's events.  I had plenty of help to load them up and then took them to Perimeter church.  I really appreciate Jackie Dieter at Perimeter.  She took the time to help me haul those things up and put them away.  I was feeling so crummy that it was extra nice to have help.

I had a meeting for lunch with the apartment managers in our area.  We had the Police department of Homeland Security make a very informative presentation.  The feedback from the events last weekend from the managers was outstanding.

I came home after taking the left over BBQ to the Mocombe family.  I'm still feeling really weak.

Just knocked out the last of my office work, now I can lay down.

Peace.

Posted 11/8/2005 at 4:18 PM
Monday November 7, 2005

I stayed home today to rest.  I'm still feeling pretty weak, stuffed up, head ache.  Turned out Ashley stayed home too, similar feelings.

I made the order for the manager's meeting tomorrow.  I'm bringing the food, and leading the meeting.

Back to resting.

Posted 11/7/2005 at 5:4 PM
Monday November 7, 2005

Sunday, November 6, 2005

We had the final day of the missions conference at FBC Atlanta today.  I had a great time speaking to the Single Parents class.  We had many interested people say they wanted to get involved. 

The evening conference also had an international food bazaar.  That's always fun.

I got home around 10 pm last night, totally exhausted.  I'm still feeling a bit sick, coughing and weak. I plan on adjusting my schedule to rest in bed on Monday.  If I try and stay kind of around the house I think I can recover more quickly. 

Peace.
Posted 11/7/2005 at 10:10 AM
Saturday November 5, 2005

Today FBC Atlanta hosted Impact Atlanta!  We had Outreach Events at twenty-three different apartment complexes.  During the debriefing time we discovered that over 67 men, women and children had accepted Christ including a whole family!  PTL!  It was very exciting to see the church mobilized on that scale.  I have hundreds of picturers from the event on or Photo Gallery.  Go to www.whirwindmissions.org for more info.

I dropped off the bread racks back to Kroger and my way to eat supper with Kathy.

I came home utterly exhausted and slept for about an hour and a half.

Just finished my email.

Peace.
Posted 11/5/2005 at 8:47 PM
Friday November 4, 2005

My partners from FBC Atlanta and I picked up all the food and supplies for the Impact Atlanta Outreach Events happening at 23 locations tomorrow.  The good folks at Kroger helped us get that together.

I'm still feeling a bit weak so I came on home after we loaded it up and went back to bed.

I'm better some.  I have to get up early for our work tomorrow.  I have to be at FBC Atlanta at about 8am.

Tired.

Peace.
Posted 11/4/2005 at 9:58 PM
Thursday November 3, 2005

This morning I had a great meeting with a potential new apartment partner at Highland Grove.  This is an Equity complex.  We've worked with them before at Adelaide Park.  My home church of FBC Mountain Park wants to do a Christmas party at several complexes.  I'd like to open work in that one because it's so near to the church.  Jerry Counselman is our new minister of missions.  He went over there to talk with the manager.  I'm trying to show him I do this sort of stuff.  It's always best to see it in action.  After the meeting we went over to the church to talk with Debbie Braswell--she's in charge of the children's ministry.  I'm really looking forward to some great things around Christmas!

Then I shot over to Perimeter Church to pick up 22 little BBQ grills to be used by my partners at FBC Atlanta.  I thank God every day for my partnership with Perimeter.  They have been SO supportive in all phases of our ministry.  May God continue to bless them!

I had a meeting with Myrek Hufton of World Harvest Church after I ate a quick lunch.  He's an MK from S. Africa and was born in England.  He's a terrific guy.  We have so many things in common.  I expect some powerful ministry to happen with their help in the Roswell area. 

Before the meeting with Myrek I had a few minutes and fell asleep in my van under a shade tree.  Sleep when you can.

Then back to FBC Atlanta to drop off the grills from Perimeter.  Tom Neville helped me unload them all. 

Went to the mission at Azalea to check on my kids there.  I had to go pick up some ink for the printer (this time color--I bought black ink yesterday).  Everyone is doing fine.  They're looking forward to the block party on Saturday.  Azalea is one of the 23 sites that FBC Atlanta is covering.  My partners at FBC Duluth are also doing ministry this weekend.

I FINALLY got to see Ashley this evening.  They were crashed out by the time that I got home from the missions conference. She's such a sweetheart.  I really miss my family when I get to working too much.  I'm also still feeling pretty week.  Just worn out.  Maybe I'll get a little more rest tomorrow.  In my dreams. . . .

Pray a little extra for me, eh?

Peace.

Posted 11/3/2005 at 7:47 PM
Wednesday November 2, 2005

We're getting ready for the big Impact Atlanta event this weekend.  We'll have teams from FBC Atlanta in 23 locations this year.  FBC Duluth is also helping us at several locations. 

Went to Party City to pick up some supplies for the event this morning.

Stopped by FBC Atlanta to set up my display for this evening.  I'll be going back for this evening's missions event later on.

I'm feeling kind of week, like I may be coming down with something.  I took some extra vitamins and will try and rest before going to Azalea.

I've held off running till I feel better.  Still doing my pushups/sit ups and Tai Chi.

Rest time.
Posted 11/2/2005 at 2:54 PM
Tuesday November 1, 2005

After spending a good time with my folks, they took me to the airport in Austin.  I flew back home arriving about 8pm.  Great to see my family!

Tired, but happy.

Peace.


Monday, October 31, 2005

We left Kerrville pretty early after speaking with two other families that support our work.  It was great to talk with old friends that have prayed and given to support our family for so many years.

My mom and I went on down to Uvalde to meet with some of my relatives.  Two of my Aunts live in that area:  Ophelia and Anna Belle.  Aunt Ophelia is 94 and looks like she's in her 70s!  Incredible.  They are both just sharp as tacks.  It was great to be able to visit with the.  That's special for my mom as well.  That generation is going to be with the Lord soon.  It's important to make the time to spend with them.  I'm glad that my wife always encourages me to do that!

We came home to Georgetown around 5pm.  I had a great visit with my dad and my brother and his wife (Jim and Kathy) came over later that evening with their daughter Katie all dressed up for halloween.  She was a little princess and just adorable.  I enjoyed taking her to the store and buying her bags and bags of candy. 

Dad and I stayed up late talking about ministry and family.  Good times!

Peace.
Posted 11/1/2005 at 1:35 PM
Tuesday November 1, 2005

Sunday, October 30, 2005

I had the delight to speak to a senior ladies Sunday School class from FBC Georgetown this morning.  Many of the ladies I knew from the 70-80's when my dad (Al Cummins) was pastoring that church.  We had a good time together.  They had sent an offering to help us buy school supplies for the kids this summer.

From that class, I went over to the Worship Place which is the church that my dad is pastoring in Sun City--a very wealthy retirement community near Georgetown.  They sponsor our work in Atlanta as well.  I spoke at the two Sunday morning services as well as to another SS class.

After lunch my mom (Peggy) and I drove to Kerrville, Texas in the hill country so meet with several other partners in ministry, specifically Bryan and Ada Betty Finley.  Bryan was one of my dad's long time friend and has been like an Uncle to me.  It was great to visit with them.  I'll be coming back to Texas in the spring to speak to the whole congregation.  I was supposed to do that this time but there was a scheduling conflict so I just met with individuals instead.  Most of the time that's the most effective anyway.

I love the Texas hill country.  It is fantastically beautiful with rolling hills and plenty of white tail deer.

Peace.
Posted 11/1/2005 at 1:30 PM
force5's Xanga Archives
Sunday October 30, 2005

Saturday, October 29th, 2005

I marched in the parade with my Frat brothers from Baylor.  We had a fun time.  Watching Tech roll over us wasn't too hot.

We got home and then went over to Wendy's house.  She a good friend of the Commagere family in Georgetown.  The whole family was there along with Pat Young from McAllen and my brother Jim and his wife Cathy!

We carved pumpkins and yakked till the cows came home!

Peace.
Posted 10/30/2005 at 12:42 AM
Sunday October 30, 2005

I had such a good time up at Baylor this weekend.  I got to hang out with my Frat brothers, looked around all the new buildings on campus, marched in the parade for Homecoming and watched Texas Tech clobber Baylor.  That part wasn't so hot.

I've slep about 30 minutes in the last two days.  I reckon I better crash.


Posted 10/30/2005 at 12:38 AM
Friday October 28, 2005

I had such a good time up at Baylor this weekend.  I got to hang out with my Frat brothers, looked around all the new buildings on campus, marched in the parade for Homecoming and watched Texas Tech clobber Baylor.  That part wasn't so hot.

I've slep about 30 minutes in the last two days.  I reckon I better crash.


Thursday, November 27, 2005

Flew to Austin. Texas this afternoon.

I handled a situation at the Corners with a basketball goal and called a partner that was interested in volunteering on Fridays at Azalea.

I enjoyed getting to see my folks.  We had curry. We also had David Morse and his family.  They are missuionaries to Malawi.  Pat Young came up to see me from S. Texas.  Great to see all my old friends.

We went over to Jim's house later this evening.  It was fun to hang out with my brother's family.

Peace.
Posted 10/28/2005 at 2:4 AM
Wednesday October 26, 2005

Today I had "The Great Candy Throw" at Azalea.  I buy a bunch of bags of candy, line the kids up on one side of a line and throw candy to them.  It's a LOT of fun.  The kids go crazy, and so do their parents.  I'll be in Texas during Halloween, so I went ahead and had a fun time with them today.  Doesn't seem like they've had that much homework lately.  Hard to figure sometimes.

My room is filled with the odor of peppermint right now.  I saw a show about natural pest remedies.  The guy said that rats and mice can't stand that mint smell.  You have to buy real peppermint abstract--the kind you get from health food stores and put it on cotton balls or add it to water and spray it.  I did both.  Two nights ago I felt something nibble on my shoulder.  I jumped up like a rocket and saw a mouse scurry away.  Last night while I was typing I saw another mouse run up a vertical pole.  I didn't think that was possible.  You  won't believe this but RIGHT NOW I just saw that blankety blank blank mouse just run up that pole! My heart is still beating.  I only hope that perhaps the smell will drive them away.  It's when I deal with things like that that I realize just how blood thirsty I can become.  I was trying to be nice.  . . use a little peppermint. . . but if I have to bring out my plastic bat again, by God I will.

See I go through all these thoughts in my head, like "What harm could that mouse really do?"  But it's just the thought of it.  Ay caramba.

I'm psyched about going to Texas tomorrow. Pray that I'll have a safe trip.

Peace.
Posted 10/26/2005 at 10:28 PM
1 Comments

Hey man. I've commented on your site before, since I worked with your ministry for a week in July. Well...I'm glad you're coming to Texas, I wish you could stop by Canyon and see Aaron McFatridge and the crew. Good work man.

Ben

Posted 10/27/2005 at 7:24 PM by bigdrummerboy1
Tuesday October 25, 2005

I went to Kroger this morning to talk with the new manager.  I wanted to make sure that he got the fax we sent him for the food order.  Looks like FBC Atlanta will be covering THIRTY locations in two weekends.  We'll be feeding about 3,000 people.  So we need to make sure that we have the food ready to go!  Green for go on the order.  PTL.

Visited two managers in Lawrenceville at Cherokee Courts and Olde Salem to let them know about the big Thanksgiving party that my partners at FBC Lawrenceville will help us with.  We'll feed 60 people on site at OS and will transport another 40 people from CC over to FBC L.  Looking foward to that!

I was interviewed by the media team at Grace Fellowship this morning.  I'm one of their missionaries.  This year the theme of the missions conference will be reaching Muslims.  They wanted to know some basic facts about how to do that and what we're involved in locally.  I hope the shoot went well and that a LOT more people from that great church will get involved.

Right now I have Jouvens Mocombe helping me load up 45 chairs which we'll be taking to the new mission in Roswell--Harmony Bay.  My partners from the Restoration Church of God are doing a great job reaching the kids with the Gospel.  The work is only a few weeks old and already we have regular attendance of over 40 kids!  Soon they'll have somewhere to sit!  Pray for my arm.  My tendonitis really bothers me when I have to do a lot of lifting---which is one big reason why I have Jouvens helping me.

After we load those chairs, we'll go over to Azalea to help the kids with their homework.

I ran 4 miles last night in 44:11.  It was drop dead cold with a biting wind.  I dressed warm and did ok.  I never can figure out why it is that no matter which way I run the wind always seems to be in my face!

It was Jesse's birthday yesterday.  He's 15.  We had fun looking through old pictures of him as a little kid.  He's just about as tall as me right now. 

Off to load chairs. 

Peace!


Posted 10/25/2005 at 3:0 PM
Monday October 24, 2005

I've been stressed out this morning. I really want to get the food order in for this massive outreach we're doing on November 5th in the bag.  We'll be serving in at least 21 complexes feeding a couple of thousand people.  That's not something you do on the spur of the moment.  I need to get the final figures so I can get the new manager at Kroger working on it.  Hopefully, I'll be able to nail that down tomorrow.

I went by FBC Atlanta this morning to try and get that info, but they were out.  Bahd luck. I've written email and called so hopefully I should get that soon.

I made all the calls to the managers involved.  At least I know that end of the stick is taken care of.  Plus the other supplies that aren't covered by Kroger  (table cloths, balloons, face paint. . . ) is also done.

I also have the logisitics set up for the big Thanksgiving outreach that FBC Lawrenceville is doing next month.  I'll go square that away with the managers tomorrow. 

I have an interview about our Muslim work with some folks at Grace tomorrow morning then I'll go up the road to talk with the managers involved with the FBC Lawrenceville outreach:  Cherokee Courts and Olde Salem.

I also called the counselor at the Lakeview Elementary school in Conyers.  I'm trying to get our team involved with the school system rather than starting something separate from them.  We'll see what happens. . . .

Lots of Christmas stuff is being organized now too, especially for our work on Beaver Ruin and in Cumming.

I've taken care of my financial report and church report as well as my calls and email to folks.

I'm trying to get everything done before I leave town for Texas on Thursday.

Lots of plates spinning . . . .

Peace
Posted 10/24/2005 at 3:55 PM
Sunday October 23, 2005

Early morning for me today  I spoke to the Brotherhood of FBC Lawrenceville this morning.  This church will be helping me serve a Thanksgiving meal to two complexes where we have work.  Their pastor Lamar Holley is a great guy and is interested in our ministry.  I pray that their church will get fully engaged in the community soon.

I came home and slept for a while.  I'm not an early morning person.  It was beautiful to watch the sun rise, but I'm a sun set kind of guy really.

I played with our outreach band CRUZ this afternoon at Calvary Christian Fellowship where Lester Ruiz--our percussionist--leads the music.  We played five songs for the congregation.  It was a lot of fun.  I always enjoy hanging out with my brothers.  We've been playing together for a little over 7 years now.  When we first started playing, Tito and Lester were both single, now they're married with kids. 

Tomorrow is Jesse's 15th birthday.  What a happy day that was for me.  With Ashley's birth there were complications and as the doctor wheeled her off for an emergency C section I laid down on the floor and wept because I thought that my wife and my little baby were both going to die.  With J we went in, got the epidural and an hour later they cut the baby out and we were parents for the second time.  None of that 48 hours of drip to induce labor.  Horrors.

I'm pooped.  I'm stressed too because of the big events coming up with FBC Atlanta in two weeks.  I always get uptight when I have to leave pieces of the puzzle (like the list of food that Kroger is getting for us) to other people.  When I have it on my plate I KNOW it's going to get done.  I just have to take a deep breath and trust that the Father is going to work it out like he always does.

Salama
Posted 10/23/2005 at 6:37 PM
Sunday October 23, 2005

Saturday, October 22, 2005

I ran 4 miles today in 43:41.  I've been trying to take it easy.  Get the miles in, don't worry about the speed.

I finished the newsletters and got them mailed off. PTL.  I'm trying to get all that done before my trip to Texas.

Stayed up late watching Baylor play Oklahoma.  We got beat in double overtime.  It's still amazing how much better Baylor is playing.  I would have thought we'd be creamed by OU in Norman.

Peace.
Posted 10/23/2005 at 6:29 PM
Friday October 21, 2005

I've got a bit of a stiff neck right now.  I've been writing newsletters and it starts hurting after a while.  I try and do some, take a break and repeat.

I made the copies for the newsletters.  There are 214 individuals/churches on our list currently. I write a short personal note to everyone of the supporters.

Did the shopping this morning.  I went to the new Kroger and talked with the manager again about the big event on November 5th.

J and I are updated the Team Assignment page on the web.  I try to keep that current as much as possible because the teams depend on that resource.

Ran 4 miles last night in 43:14.   Untl last week I had always said that I run 12-14 miles a week.  But on analyis I actally run 16-18 miles a week because I run 4 out of 7 days. 

After all that running I guess I need a nap.

Peace.
Posted 10/21/2005 at 3:51 PM
Thursday October 20, 2005

In about two weeks we will host FBC Atlanta in about 25 complexes around the Metroplex.  The logistics of feeding a couple of thouand people is enormous.  This morning I spent time making calls to my partners verifying we're where we need to be.

Next week I'll be travelling to Texas to speak at a couple of churches.  That takes me out of the loop locally right before the event so it's really important that everything is ironed out early.

I went over to Michael's and Party City to make reservation for some of the supplies that we'll need.  The manager assured me they'd have what we need by the 2nd.  The actual event is on Nov. 5th.

I'm also working on getting the newsletter out earlier than usual as well.  I want that to be completed before I leave for Austin.  The kids at the mission will help me with the labels and stamps when I get over there in a little while.  I bought the stamps and picked up more envelopes this morning.  Looks like I have all the raw material I need now.

I finished taking care of my email (a new team looks like they're on the way to help us next summer PTL) and just wrote my article for this month's Outreach Update.

I was up late last night.  CRUZ had a practice at 9pm last night at Calvary Christian Fellowship where Lester leads the music.  Our band will lead the music next Sunday.  It's always such a blessing to hang out with my two brothers and jam.  I picked up a pedal for my guitar this week.  It sounded terrific last night.  Sweet!

I need to finish laying out the newsletter so I can print it tomorrow morning.  I'll head over to Azalea in just a bit.

Peace.


Posted 10/20/2005 at 2:33 PM
Wednesday October 19, 2005

I've been working on making sure that the big outreach of Impact Atlanta on November 5th goes off without a hitch.  I went by the new Kroger store and met the new manager that is taking the place of Randy Nason who I've worked with for the last three years.  I want to make sure they're will be a smooth transition.  I've also contacted Tom Nevill who is the missions director for FBC Atlanta to make sure on the number of locations we're going to cover (around 30) and that he faxes over the list from last year.

Been in contact with the ESL teachers at Azalea.  I'll be moving that team to a new location as of next week.  Just a lack of interest at Azalea.  Teachers are too valuable to have them at a location where they're not being used adequately.

I'll be collecting the refurbished computers for our mission at the Corners in a moment.  I had to wait till there was someone at home so I can pick them up.

The kids at Azalea need a lot of help with these projects.  I'll be out of town for about a week going to Texas next week.  Man, were the kids ever uptight about that.  Lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth at the thought that I won't be there to bail them out.  I do plan on having a party for them next Wednesday for Halloween.  I'll throw a bunch of candy to them.  It'll be fun.

I have a rehearsal with our Outreach band CRUZ tonight at Lester's church.  We'll be playing the worship service this coming Sunday.  I also got a call from the pastor of FBC Lawrenceville who wants me to speak to the Brotherhood this Sunday morning at 7:30am to discuss the plans for taking food to two of the complexes where we have work in his area for Thanksgiving.

Lots of plates spinning. . . ..

Peace.
Posted 10/19/2005 at 11:55 AM
Tuesday October 18, 2005

I've spent most of this morning working on the action items I had from the Board meeting last night. 

I've put in the requests for the 2 new persons to help us.  One is a regional director to help me expand our base of operations, both with churches, volunteers, managers and city officials,  The other is a person skilled in grant writing/fund raising as well as working with Internationals.  We'll see how that goes.  Lord, bring them to us!

The second item was to check on the requirements that the IRS has for 501 c 3 non profit organizations.  I was making sure that we're doing everything that need to happen to keep us in good standing with the government.  That turned out to be a harder job to find than I thought.  But with perserverance I did finally track down the data.  Looks like we're good to go.  I forwarded the info to my board and CPA.

Also took care of my email and calls to the folks that needed my help.

I'm setting up some appointments to check out our new work in Forest Park and to see new possibilities of getting our team involved at the schools in Conyers.  As you may remember, our mission there was sold to another owner who offered to give us discounted rent, but still wanted US to pay for a ministry that is helping THEM.  Go figure.

After lunch I'll go to Azalea to help the kids with their projects.  I know that at least three of the kids will get a zero if we don't get it done.

I need to run tonight.  I feel tight and stressed.

C'est la vie, baby.

Peace.
Posted 10/18/2005 at 12:48 PM
1 Comments
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Posted 10/19/2005 at 11:45 AM by shady_lady44
Monday October 17, 2005

Kathy and I just watched "Behind the DaVinci Code" on the History Channel.  I've just started listening to the DaVinci Code on books on CD.  I like listening to books while I ride around going to the different missions.  I feel like I learn something.

I had a great time with my Board this evening with two of my favorite people: Carl Barrington and Tito Ruiz.  These guys have been such a blessing to me over the years.  It was a productive time.  I've been given some good ideas to act on, so that's always exciting. 

I was at Azalea this afternoon typing up 3rd grade research papers---600 words with a bibliography.  I thought that was a bit much for this age kids, but they seemed to do pretty well with some help.

I took Kathy's bike in for repairs this morning.  She has been so good to ride regularly.  She's ridden that bike into the ground.  It needs repairs.  The good thing is that it's a Nashiki bike.  We bought it at a pawn shop for $100.  It weighs about half what a normal bike weighs.  The first time you lift it you're astonished.  I'm getting some new wheels, brakes, chain and a tune up with lubricating all the cables.  She's really going to enjoy riding around Stone Mountain after that.

Peace.
Posted 10/17/2005 at 11:14 PM
Sunday October 16, 2005

Kathy and I enjoyed watching two rather obscure movie tonight.  We watched My Architect which was directed by Louis Kohn's son.  Kohn is probably the most important architect that America has produced.

The other movie was a French film called Monsieur Ibrahim.  It's the story of a 15 year old boy in France with no mother and a father that doesn't take care of him, and how the relationship builds between the kid and a Turkish store owner across the street.  I really enjoy hearing French.  I spent so much time learning that language, and now I hardly ever use it.

Pas de chance.

I also enjoyed some quiet time at Stone Mountain.  Went over my Bible memory verses.  Some of it was pretty rusty, but I still knew almost all of it.  Amen.

Peace.
Posted 10/16/2005 at 9:53 PM
Saturday October 15, 2005

Jesse and I just got back from seeing the movie Serenity.  I really liked it.  Kind of a space cowboy movie.  We also enjoyed looking around the book store and then going over to Radio Shack to pick up a set of screwdrivers he needed.  Ever hear of a Torx screw?  It's a special set of tools used in computers

I did the shopping this morning.  Always something to do around the house.

Kathy had a problem with her bike tonight.  Apparently the brakes and steering both went bad.  That's not a good thing when you can't stop and can't steer!

Peace.
Posted 10/15/2005 at 9:8 PM
Saturday October 15, 2005

Friday, October 14, 2005

My mother in law Nell Doverspike wasn't feeling well.  Kathy and I made a visit to get her something good to eat (KFC) and do some yard work.  Sometimes something simple like that can make a person feel a lot better.  It's so important to take care of our elderly parents.  I wish I was closer to Texas so I could help MY folks from time to time.  I'm glad my brother is there to help them.

Ran 4 miles in 40:11.
Posted 10/15/2005 at 9:6 PM
Thursday October 13, 2005

Today was "carpet day."  I was supposed to have the carpet man come anc clean at 8am. I started calling their office at 11am.  Eventually I had a guy come and work on my carpet at 1pm.  I left for Chamblee about 2:30pm.

Went by the office to get the mail and check on the plants.

All morning long I worked on the report for my Board of Directors.  I have a board meeting on Monday.  I completed compiling the documents and made the copies before the carpet guy came over. 

Went to Azalea to help the kids with their projects.  Miguel is doing a mobile on Magnesium.  The 5th graders have a "Flags of Latin speaking coutnries," plus a geography project related to a future career goal.  It's part of the same project where several kids got "F"s because they didn't finish the paper.

I got home and went straight back out with Jess who is doing a project for his Honors Biology class.  He has to take notes about 10 different locations or ecosystems in the area.  We went by Stone Mountian this evening before it got dark.  I forgot my new car (!) didn't have a Stone Mountain sticker on it.  I had $32 on me, but I needed $35 to get the sticker.  So I dropped Jesse off in a patch of wildflowers and went to get the extra dinero.

We had a good time hanging out together.  I'm such an outdoors person and J seems to just be completely happy sitting in his room in front of the computer.  When he's outside with me, looking at the birds and the bugs, I really feel like he's part of my gene pool.

Love.
Posted 10/13/2005 at 9:24 PM
Wednesday October 12, 2005

I had a great meeting with Todd Harrison this morning.  He's a big supporter of what we're doing and did a great job as the director of the mission near Sugarloaf Parkway.  He's moved and I'm hoping to plug him and his sons (who did a fantastic job for us at the other mission) to one of the new missions in Lawrenceville.  I took him to eat at Cafe Istanbul.  I ate so much hot sauce I can really feel it in my stomach.  Worth it!

We had a huge mess in front of our office this morning.  The Korean church had had a party and because the dumpster was full they left a bunch of trashbags on the ground.  I try to help around the church, especially with the heavy stuff.  I was throwing garbage into the dumpster and came to the last bag which was REALLY heavy. I had to swing it up into the dumpster and it ruptured--extremely funky kim chee went everywhere.  The smell was almost unbearable.  I scraped up as much as I could and threw it into the dumpster.  Then I felt ants biting my leg.  I was standing in a pile of fire ants!  I couldn't even brush them off because my hands were covered with this hideous kim chee.  I went into the church, washed my hands off about four times then stripped off my pants to get the fire ants off me as they were crawling/biting up my leg.  Bahd luck.

I have my Board Meeting next week.  I'm in an analyis mode of what's been accomplished.  It's a lot of work to go through stuff, but it always amazes me to se what God has done in just the last year.  It's great to work for the King!  I'm busy collecting information and getting it all printed up to give to my Board of Directors.

I'm headed over to Azalea in a moment.  Several of the kids have projects due.  I'm helping with Periodic Table projects, Eco systems projects, Spanish projects and book reports. It's like I have 20 kids besides Ashley and Jesse.  C'est la vie, baby.

I did have some good news.  In Jesse's bedroom where we had the 55 gallon aquarium break, it seems the plywood didn't warp--just the carpet.  With some struggle I was able to get the carpet to lay back down pretty well. PTL for that!

I also found out that the Egyptian guys that I've been working with lately who work at the Shell Station near my house are Christian! I was amazed and pleased.  I'd been sharing with the manager about what I do.  I've given him prayer cards about our ministry and articles that were written about us  I can see now why he was so supportive--he's one of US!  He told me that there are about 400 Egyptian familes in Metro Atlanta that are Christian.  Good news!  They come from a Coptic Christian background, similar to many of the Ethiopians I work with.

Peace.




Posted 10/12/2005 at 3:14 PM
Wednesday October 12, 2005

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

I took Jesse to school this morning.  He had overslept.  Bahd luck.

I had a positive meeting with Nick today.  He's the director of the mission at Glennbrooke on Franklin Road.  He's stuck with it in difficult circumstances.  Kids over there had a knife fight practically in front of the mission last week.  That family is being evicted.  PTL.  I'm glad that he's going to stay. I'm praying that we can get a really positive roommate for him to share that place with.

I had lunch with my friends from the Chamblee-Doraville Property Manager's Association.  I met a lady with Catholic Social Services who wants to do an after school program for 22 kids.  She didn't know what to do.  I talked with one of my manager friends and she will start working with the kids at Chamblee Heights next week.  That's a real answer to prayer.

Ran 4 mi in 42:22.

Peace.
Posted 10/12/2005 at 12:34 AM
Monday October 10, 2005

We had a disaster at our house two nights ago.  A sort of interior Hurricane Katrina.  The 55 gallon tank that housed our Oscar fish ruptured.  55 gallons of water released in your house is never good, espcially if my bed room is below the tank!  Fortunately, we got the water and it didn't mess up anything too badly EXCEPT the plywood flooring in Jesse's bedroom.  Now it's all warped.  What a pain.  It'll be a fairly major job to repair hopefully I can get a couple of friends to help me do it.

I guess tanks just bust like that from time to time.  The manager of the pet store where I go said that they sometimes develop flaws over time because of the weight of the water.  If it's not supported EXACTLY right it can rupture. 

I took care of banking and other office work this morning.  I'm spending the afternoon with the kids since they have the day off.  Jesse has a couple of major assignments I'm helping him with.

Ashley spent the night at a girlfriend's house last night.  She'll be home in a little while.

Peace.
Posted 10/10/2005 at 5:19 PM
Sunday October 9, 2005

Kathy and I left Opelika this morning and went over to Auburn to check out that campus. It was quite lovely with many red brick buildings that looked somewhat like Baylor.  Of course MY campus looks a lot better. 

We drove back without any problem.  It started raining just as we got onto 285, so we were almost home.

We had a fish tank disaster this weekend.  The 50 gallon tank for the Oscar we have "Big O" ruptured.  The bottom pane of glass just cracked wide open.  What a mess.  Unfortunately some of the plywood flooring has warped so you can't open the door the whole way.  I'll try putting something really heavy on that spot to even it out.  I guess it's possible.

Kathy and I had a lot of together time this weekend.  I was glad she could come with me for this trip.  She likes working with college students, especially when they're out working in the community, so she enjoyed that. 

I'm glad to be home.  I'll probably take most of the day tomorrow and spend it with my kids.  I know we'll have to go see if we can't find another fish tank.

Peace.
Posted 10/9/2005 at 8:46 PM
Saturday October 8, 2005
We visited the service project sites this morning. They built a ramp for a crippled man, mowed several yards, planted flowers and worked with a dynamic youth ministry called Lifesavers.

It's still overcast, but at least it's not raining.

I need to run.

Peace.

Posted 10/8/2005 at 3:11 PM
Saturday October 8, 2005
Friday, October 7, 2005

Kathy and I drove down to Opelika, Alabama. FBC Opelike has come to help our ministry twice. Their college group called Mission Possible invited me to come speak on their service project weekend. They were a very enthusiastic crowd and did a great job helping in their community.

Visited the Lifesavers ministry. They have a fleet of buses that go around their community and pick up at risk kids. They have Saturday Sunday School. They had about 200 kids listen to the message in song and word.
Posted 10/8/2005 at 3:9 PM
Thursday October 6, 2005

Rainy day today. Alright by me. My trees seem so thirsty.

Just got finished running 4mi in 42:12.

Several of the kids got F's on their papers--or lack thereof. Then the teacher says go ahead and do it anyway? What's the motivation if you already gave the poor kid an F?!! I really feel like I need to go do there and try and help these teachers be reasonable. To ask a 5th grader in this environment to type a paper for them is just crazy. It presupposes so many things: access to computer WITH internet, printer, supplies for the project, someone to help the find the information, someone to help them type the paper . . . the list goes on and on.

Diana tells me, "I told her that I don't have a computer to type the paper."
I replied, "What did she say?"
She said, "Get Mr. Tim to help you."
Sometimes I get tired of being secretly famous.
I just one guys trying to help all these kids. The hard part is when you try to get the kids to actually think and write down their own words. It's very difficult for them to do that, and as a student of languages I know just how they feel. I used to be pretty fluent in Malagasy--the language I used in Madagascar. I'm sure I'd sound retarted if I tried to write 600 in it.

It just makes me want to go down to that school and yell at people.

The principle is a friend of mine. I know that the teachers are given certain requirements that the children must meet. It's not their fault really. But it's somebody's fault.

Lala salaama
Posted 10/6/2005 at 8:6 PM
Wednesday October 5, 2005

Well today I made the transition into my new car that my doctor gave me!  It's a 2002 Chrysler Concorde.  I'm enjoying it thoroughly.  The Lumina (a car my doctor also gave me!) was a real work horse.  I'm still not sure if we'll keep it around for our use or give it to someone else.  I'm trying to get Kathy to start using the Lumina rather than the Mitsubishi which she normally drives.  I was hoping that Ashley would use the Lumina since it's a nice, heavy (ie safe) car, but she thinks it looks like it's an "old person" car.  C'est la vie, baby.

My first stop this morning was at Clarkston  International Bible Church where I preached to the ESL students that attend class at that location.  Dekalb Tech (Kathy teaches ESL for them at their Buford Highway location) runs the classes but on the church's property.  There weren't quite as many people there since we were serving food and it's Ramadan now--so most of the Muslims chose not to be around the food we provide.

I also picked up some donated computers from the Corners apartment and took them over to my computer repair man--Clatie Lewis.  I should have several ready to take back there next week.

I had a hard day at the mission yesterday because the kids had SO much homework.  The 5th graders have to write a 600 word research paper.  They were pretty much totally unprepared.  Even though I had helped them with their outlines, introductions and research they still hadn't done any other work on their own.  My guess is there will be a lot of incompletes before they get it all done.  If they turn it in one day late (tomorrow) their grade is reduced to a D.  Ay caramba.

I'm getting psyched up for a conference I'm going to over at Auburn University this weekend.  One of the student ministries is doing outreach on Saturday.  They're basing their work on the model that we use here in Atlanta.  The main guy in charge came and worked with us here during the summer.  It's always exciting to see people catch the vision and actually DO SOMETHING!

My elbow feels better today. I've still be massaging the pressure points that relate to that tendonitis.

I ran 4 miles last night (literally in the dark--thankfully I have little LED blinkers to keep cars from smacking me!).  Ran it in 42:42.

I'm headed over to the mission to see if we can work on those papers with the fifth graders.

The response from the Outreach we had this last weekend was fantastic.  My contact at Perimeter said they mobilized around 1,500 people from their church alone! Sweet.  The majority of those folks helped at our missions.

I tried to add a name to my phone last night and it said it was out of memory. I had over 500 contacts in that directory.  Yow!  I deleted some folks to make room for others.  I still have their contact info, I just don't normally call them (they were leaders of teams during the summer,).

Peace.


Posted 10/5/2005 at 3:4 PM
Tuesday October 4, 2005

I had a TERRIFIC time this morning/early afternoon with Wesley Horne who is the Assistant Pastor at E. Cobb Pres. Church.  He is definitely my kind of people, a real field operative who actually served in the Special Forces.  Sweet.  It's always fun to hang out with like minded folk. Helps keep me fired up and ready to rock!  I'm praying over time we'll see many of the folks from his church get into the community.  It's a very wealthy part of the city.  A really tough mission field for sure.

Just got finished putting together a packet for a couple of supporters to look through. 

Also got the paper work together for the new car that was given to our ministry.  PTL!  I have the tag in hand and the insurance is on it now so Wednesday will be my first day to be on the road with it.  I start out preaching to a roomful of Muslims over at Clarkston Intl. Bible Church in the morning.  A great way to break in the new ride!

I'm off to Azalea to help the kids with their homework and get some of their projects knocked out.

Salama.


Posted 10/4/2005 at 4:11 PM
Monday October 3, 2005

I worked in the Lawrenceville area today.  I spoke with the two managers that we work with off of 5 Forks Trickum road.  The work at Cherokee Courts and Olde Salem is going well thanks in large part to Grace Fellowship Church and Youth Outreach United.

I had lunch with Lamar Holley the Senior Pastor at FBC Lawrenceville.  They're in the middle of the Contemporary/Traditional church split. Sad.  He hopes to support our ministry through his church and the procedes from a book he wrote called Kidstuff for Grownups. Groovy!

The big news is that I was given a new car last night!  What a BLESSING!  This is the 18th car we've had given to us in the last 9 years.  God is in the miracle working business. 

My elbow has still been hurting.  I did more research on acupressure treatments and have been massaging the areas related to tendonitis.  It has helped a LOT.  Hurts while you're doing it, but the the pain is less afterwards.

Salama sana


Posted 10/3/2005 at 4:38 PM
1 Comments
I'm coming to GA around Thanksgiving and then again after Christmas.  Will you be around?
Posted 10/4/2005 at 1:51 PM by eternaldig
Sunday October 2, 2005

I enjoyed Grace this morning.  Buddy preached from 1 Timothy on "Finishing Well."  It's easy to get started, the finishing part is the hardest.  I really think life is so much more like a long distance run than a sprint.

I ran 6.2 miles in 1:12: 53.  Windy and cloudy.  Although it's a long way, it's still a LOT better than it was running in the summer--even at 9 pm!

Did a lot of reading at Borders after church on massage therapy, acupuncture and acupressure.  I worked on the acupuncture points that relate to my problem (tendonitis in the elbow) and it does feel better.  I also use Tiger Balm.  But it sure doesn't make me the best smelling person in the room.

C'est la vie, baby.

Peace.
Posted 10/2/2005 at 10:15 PM
Saturday October 1, 2005

I just got back from playing a concert at Wyndham Creek.  Cruz rocked!  It was actually a rehearsal of sorts.  We played all new music for the first time.  It still came off great, although I didn’t sing as much as I normally do, because I was having to watch the chord changes more carefully.

 In the Hippocratic Oath, one of the main tenets is “First do no harm.”  When playing in a band that means, only play if you know what you’re doing.  It never hurts to have an instrument drop out for a few bars.  It makes it musically more interesting.  So in some sections I just concentrate on singing.  Singing AND playing is quite challenging, especially if you’re doing it in another language.  And if you really want fun, many pieces of music are written in Sol Fa language.  Ever heard of that?  It’s the DoReMeFaSoLaTiDo, thing.  In that language Do is equal to what I learned as “C.”  Re is equal to “D,” Me to “E” and so on. So I’m translating twice—the language and the way the chords are written.  Sweet.

 There were a lot of people at the concert.  Tito preached great and sang amazingly.  And I think Lester may have played the best I’ve ever heard.  Really amazing percussion.

 This morning and early afternoon I spent with the team from Turkey Creek Baptist Church in NC.  Their puppet team “Caraway Street” does a fantastic job.  The were a blessing to the community at Huntington Creek

 Peace.

Posted 10/1/2005 at 11:35 PM
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