Whirlwind Missions

Friday, February 8, 2008

Tim A. Cummins @ 10:04 am  

Today Ashley and I went up to the North American Mission Board. I teach a class to the new missionaries each month on how to raise up volunteers.namb1

Then we went by a supporter’s house–he has some clothes for us from his wife who recently died. Ashley will give the clothes to the mothers of the children at Kensington Station. They seem to really appreciate them.

Yesterday was UT–University of Tim day. Ashley rode with me and so did Jesse! Love having my kids with me all day.

We started out at Total Grace Church. We were supposed to meet with Deon, one of the local mission pastors. She ended up running late from another assignment so we met with THE main missions director of the church Myrtle Smalls. We were able to share how we mobilize people and get the church involved. It always works out. We’ll meet with Deon too, probably next week.

We went over to Doraville where I met with Larry Aultman–he’s the new Missions Director for First Redeemer Church in Cumming. I had another partner of mine try and help us mobilize this great church. I pray we’ll be more successful this time. I took Larry on a short Prayer Walk and vision trip in the International Village. We went to Asian Square on Buford Highway. We got out of the car and heard “Boom, bang, bang, bang!!!” It was Chinese New Year yesterday and they shot off more firecrackers at a single go than I’ve ever heard in my life. They had guys dressed in dragons dancing around while the firecrackers exploded. Pretty cool.new year
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We also checked out where they sell the idols, the herb doctor’s office and Ranch Market 99. We then went across the street to Carniceria Numero 1 where we visited a typical Central American market. Larry was really impressed by the international flavor of the area. Then we drove around the Chamblee area where I showed him several of our missions and described how a church gets involved in what we’re doing. We’ll see what happens. . .

Then Jesse took center stage as we went to North Peachtree Baptist Church. Jesse is going to design the new website for this partnering church of ours. We had a great discussion with Jonathon Carnes who will be our main liaison for the project. I was very proud of Jesse. I’d help him get a presentation together and he did a good job going through it with Jonathon. I kept the ball rolling whenever it seemed he needed a little help. Ashley is a natural at talking with folks and communicating with them. It’s a lot more work for J who would prefer to spend his time studying or working on the computer (which he built!).

Final assignment was at Azalea where we helped Fameda and Mustek with their homework. I also went to Office Depot to pick up an presentation board for Navila. Visited with several families at Azalea to check on the kids and see how things were going with them.

Jesse drove us on home. One reason he comes with us is to practice his driving skills in heavy traffic. Welcome to Atlanta. He’s getting pretty comfortable with it, but I still need to give him a lot of directions. He’s just not sure where he’s going yet.

Kathy and I enjoyed a fun evening together. I helped with cleaning up the house and then we watched the 3:10 to Yuma on DVD. Liked that movie a lot. Russell Crowe is terrific and Christian Bale is one of my favorites too.

Peace.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Tim A. Cummins @ 11:34 pm  

What a sad and yet blessed day.

This morning I had a meeting with some of my favorite partners. I’m trying to get all my church planting buddies together. It was great to see my brother Tito Ruiz there, along with Drew Grubbs, Paul Reynolds, Alex Villasana and other Spanish pastors and friends from Dunwoody. Barb Newman is the local missions director for Dunwoody Baptist Church. She encouraged me to get the guys together and I’m glad I did. I think there will be some great synergy from this group working together.

Went straight from that to the funeral for Bob Speer. I sat at the very front right next to his wife Gloria. I was just sobbing. It was ironic that the widow was comforting me! Fortunately, I was able to keep it together during my parts of the funeral service. I spoke about Bob’s love for people. How he had made a difference in so many people’s lives because of his caring. Then I read most of 1 Corinthians 13 and had them imagine how many ways Bob had show us these qualities.

Bob was one of the good ones. He was a great example of leadership by servanthood.funeral

I got home about dark and went for a 4 miles run. I hate running in the dark. But I really needed to run. Get all that sadness out of me.

Peace.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Tim A. Cummins @ 12:31 am  

I had a fun day with Alysia and Adrian Crawford and their two kids Anna and Silas.  They are folks who really love the Lord and are passionate about our refugee population.  I enjoy helping people along on their journey.  It was fun to talk about missions in Clarkston and all the work that needs to be done there.

Went over to visit with Bennett at Willow Branch.  We’re trying to help determine the best use for the new folks coming into Clarkston to work with us.  I also got to talk with Susan Coker, one of my favorite volunteers!

Stopped by FBC Doraville to pick up the usual stack of bills for the missions then shot over to Azalea to work with the kids.  I helped Fameda, one of our little Bengali girls with her perimeter and area math homework.  She seems to be getting it, albeit slowly.  I’m just looking for progress.

Went to vote this evening.  Pretty cool techno-voting chip/cards.

I needed to run this evening, but I was just too tired.  This funeral I’m doing on Wednesday for my friend Bob Speers has really taken a lot out of me.

I talked with my Dad in Georgetown this morning.  He said my brother Jim has had a really bad muscle spasm in his back that has kept him bed ridden.  LORD, please help my brother feel better and let his medication be effective!  AMEN.

Just got an email from my good friend Chip Sweeney from Perimeter.  He told me that one of my favorite youth was just killed in Colorado in a car wreck.  She was in a mission training school.  Jessica was on the front cover of the Whirlwind Missions brochures for years.  She really exemplified a life lived in the service of others and the Lord.  What a loss for the Kingdom!

LORD, please comfort Jessica and Bob’s families as they go through this time of grief.

What a week for tears.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Tim A. Cummins @ 11:15 pm  

I had one of my saddest days ever today. One of my best friends and a dear partner, Bob Speer, passed away today. He retired just last week, then into the hospital, now this. He was a constant support to me and really a true friend. I’m still in denial about it. I really can’t believe he’s gone. I can just hear him say, “Well Hi Dere, ol’ Tim O!” I will miss you so much, my friend.

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Still work goes on.

I had a great meeting with Alex and Bennett Ekandem today. Unfortunately, the real guy that needed to be there ran real late and couldn’t come. We still hashed out a few things. We have some new people coming into the Clarkston area. We’re trying to make sure we make the best use of the resources God is sending us.

Went to Azalea to check on the kids. No one had homework today. That was strange. I talked with the young men a long time. The company that they were working for had the contract for cleaning up Kennessaw State University. Apparently, some of the other employees came to work drunk last night and the whole company got fired. So all my guys got laid off in one whack. I hope they’ll find something better.

Jouvens still needs to get his birth certificate from Bahamas. We’ve been working on that for a full year now. Then he’ll have to have a Haitian passport (since his parents are Haitian), with that document he can get USA documentation. What a nightmare of paperwork.

I have a large project to turn in for Perimeter church. They always help me come up with better ideas and ways to do things. It’s a lot of work, but worth it.

Spent a lot of time on the phone today. I’m constantly encouraging people to get involved with ministry NOW. There’s always some reason why putting it off is better . . . .what nonsense.

Vote tomorrow. Google Ron Paul.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Tim A. Cummins @ 11:39 am  

Kathy and I had a wonderful time of rest in Chattanooga this weekend. It’s great to get to know your wife again! February is shaping up to be another super busy month. Be praying that I will always prioritize time with my family.

We enjoyed biking around Lookout Valley. It’s a beautiful place.chat1chat2

I also like shopping at the antique stores there. I almost always find some little something that intrigues me.
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We had fun at the bookstore on our way home. I found a couple other origami books that were great. I’m enjoying making these little paper sculptures and sending them to friends and supporters.

Bob Speer took a turn for the worse over the weekend. I’ll check on him at St. Joseph’s this afternoon between assignments.

I have a meeting with Jon Hamby at 3pm. We need to figure out how the team leaders for Friends of Refugees moving to Clarkston will interact with the rest of the team. Looks like it’ll be too many chiefs and not enough indians if we’re not careful.

Peace.

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