Ashley had her final event at Springchase this afternoon. They had an Easter Egg hunt and told the story of the resurrection. We also gathered all the remaining gear from the mission to my team coming in on Tuesday can help me move it and scrub the room clean.

Went to the bookstore to do more research on improving our web presence. I’m convinced that the Father has given mankind the internet as the ultimate network. It’s part of my job to let future partners know how we do what we do. I’m so glad we have my son Jesse to help us accomplish this goal.

Finished up my email and calls. Cool stuff on the agenda for next week including opening up a new mission in Duluth with the help of my brother Tito.

Edited, compressed and uploaded six new videos to our Mission Video section of our web site: Three parts of the African Prodigal Son and Three parts on Evangelism.

One of the new books I’m reading is called “Guerrilla Publicity.” One of the concepts is to put as much free material out to the public as possible. I’ve been doing that for years. But with this “embedded video” concept that Jesse worked out for me, I’m now driven to do a video version of most of my training material that I can “embed” in the written material on the web site.

I think that will make the training section much more powerful and effective.

Of course it’s a lot of work to do a project like that. I’ve never been scared of work.

Ran 6.2 miles. That’s 10 k. And a mighty long way . . .

Peace.

Kathy and I worked at Springchase this morning. We transported all of the computers and three 8 foot tables over to our Ethiopian Pastor Milkano’s church. It was great to see Milkano and his excitement about how this gear can impact the Ethiopian community for the Lord.

Even though it was sad to start clearing out Springchase, it’s also a time for new beginnings and that’s always exciting!

After unloading the gear at Milkano’s we went to Kensington Station to deliver the Easter Outreach gear that I had so far. I took grills, charcoal, plates and cups, over $150 of candy, about 600 plastic eggs and a small PA for the party. Things are really shaping up! I still need to pick up drinks and cookies from my partner Todd Harrison and I’m expecting my twisty animal balloons and new pumps to come in on Tuesday.

We’ll also have events in Lithonia, Norcross and Roswell.

I also went by Truth Tabernacle of Praise to drop off some Spanish tracts and Bibles to one of my Pastors–Bobby Akins. He’s a great guy. I’m looking forward to helping them reach out into the community.

Also dropped off some info to friends at First Baptist Church of Snellville. The President of our board Dr. Carl Barrington said that their mission’s director is a terrific guy. I look forward to getting together with them soon.

Went to the book store this afternoon. Got a couple of new books on marketing and internet video–two things I’m sharpening skills on. This blog gets over 800 hits a month.

I REALLY appreciate you guys for reading and praying for us! That is a BIG reason why we have been so successful.

Click on the video too!

I went to see The Shooter this afternoon. I liked it a lot. Mark Walburg was great. It’s about a Marine special forces sniper.

Ran 4 miles when I got home.

Just finished up the last of my admin work.

Also posted some new stuff on YouTube–the African Prodigal Son. Click on MIssion Videos. It’s some of my best work.

Peace.

Full speed ahead day, baby!

Started out early finished up my newsletters. Got them in the post before noon.

Went to Kroger to make the order for the big event at Kensington Station on April 7th. Picked out one of every item I needed, they scan it in, then I tell them how many I need of each item. It’ll be ready for me to pick up the morning of April 7th. Mainly I needed to make sure that they have the hotdogs and buns ready. No way they’d have enough for 400 people.

Then over to Walmart to buy the candy I need for the event. I picked up $164 worth of sugar sweet goodness. Kids ought to be mighty hyped up after that!

Enjoyed lunch with Bennett Ekandem. We talked about one of our new partners, Milkano. He’s a Ethiopian pastor in the Clarkston area. We’re helping set him up with about 10 computers so he can teach his congregation–plus use it as an outreach tool. Bennett also supplied him with Bibles and chairs. We’ll take equipment from Springchase which we’ll be moving out of on Friday over there too.

Dropped off some paperwork for Jesse at Dekalb Tech for his GED class. His home schooling is coming along really well. Take a look at his work at aeokos.org. He’s already programming and some of his stuff is really popular–particularly VoteGrabber. He’s a clever lad. I like his TILT section—Things I Learned Today.

J and I spent a couple of hours together this evening. He always teaches me something or helps me improve our web site. Ever heard of Google Analytics? It’s a site analyzing program. Pretty cool. We average over 100 visitors a day at www.whirlwindmissions.org. This blog gets over 800 views a month.

J helped me embed our YouTube video this evening. He taught me how to do it at least. So that way if you want to hear me talk about what’s going on rather than just read it all you have to do is push PLAY. So GO for it!

After lunch I had a meeting with Amy Turner a leader in the Singles SS class at FBC Duluth. Her class is going to do an Easter Outreach at WestWood apartments. Amy is also the Choir Director for Meadowcreek HS. Many of her students come from the WestWood area. I used to really dig Choir in HS. I went All State in solo/ensemble in Texas. Sure seems like a LONG time ago. But I still like to sing.

Also worked with the kids at Azalea. Talked with Jimmy about what his brothers had said about him. He didn’t deny anything–just said it was because they “teased him.” Still made me really sad.

Peace.

Ran 4 miles this morning. Beautiful weather.

Then over to the Center Precinct Crime Watch meeting with about 15 managers and the cops. I got to spend a lot of time with Carlos Martinez who is the manager for Kensington Station where we’re starting a massive new work. Other managers I work with were also there. It’s a good way to see a bunch of my partners in one whack.

After the meeting, I got a call from Liz Pearson a partner of mine from Briarcliff Baptist Church. We’re working together on the “Great Day of Service.” I’m helping them focus on outreach in the community. We also did a recon of several properties together. I think they’re going to fit in best at Briarlake Village, just a couple of miles from their church. I always enjoy putting a team together and getting them rolling on the Jesus highway.

Also worked on writing newsletters. Kathy and Ashley also helped me write some. I’ll finish the last few tomorrow morning.

Went to Azalea to help the kids. It was their report card day. Some I was really proud of!

Others, not so much. I got pretty upset with one kid who is really smart but LAZY. He came home with 4 Fs and a D. I did the flip out.

Then his brothers started talking about his youngest brother and the way he’s been acting lately. I was shocked. He’s always super nice and respectful around me. It was just heartbreaking to hear how he’s been acting at home–cussing out his parents, threatening to “cut them up” while they’re sleeping. I mean he’s only in 4th grade! I was so sad.

Got home and talked to Kathy about it. Decided I needed to run to help me de-stress out. So today I ran a total of 8 miles.

I’m still sad.

This mission stuff is really hard on you emotionally. If you get attached to people–like I do–it’s like my own kids failing. I take their failures really personally. I keep asking myself, “What else could I do?”

I told their older brothers that I felt responsible. They told me, “Not your fault, Mr. Tim. You did the best you could.”

My problem is just how good is “my best?”

I’m one of those ultra Type A, high achiever, never satisfied, kinda guys. I always feel I could have done more.. .

Father give me peace.

Started work in Douglasville this morning!

I had my partners Bob Wiley and Kim Jeffrey meet me at Columbia Gardens.  We had a great talk with the manager there who is a dear friend of another manager we work with a lot in Villa Rica.

It’s all about relationships!

I’ll be going back to Douglasville in April to speak to a multi-housing conference.  I accepted the invitation to make a presentation ONLY if they agreed to do some outreach in the area.  When Bob said, “Ok” I immediately started contacting partners in the area.  The Father was at work!

Went to the mission in Azalea to help the kids with their homework.  Most of the kids are Bengali.  I had one of my older girls come to help explain a math problem.  She said, “I’ll help.  But I have to separate them.” When I asked “Why” she said, “They speak two languages.”  Never occurred to me that they had different dialects.  Learn something every day. . .

Worked out hard on weights when I got home.  Kathy did too!

Peace.

I had lunch with Joel Harrison–director of the Atlanta Metro Baptist Association this morning.  We had a good time talking about reaching Atlanta for Christ.  I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to mobilize many more people through his contacts in the church community.

Worked on the newsletters.

Went to the mission at Azalea.  The kids helped me with the labeling.

Debriefed a lot of them about the immigration problems.  Some of them were really freaked out over it.  Especially the younger ones.  It’s so sad when they talk about their uncles being led off in handcuffs.

Peace.

I had a great time preaching at Glover Baptist church this morning.  I always enjoy being with that congregation.

I did my Prodigal Son story in African mode–like I did in Niger.  It was fun. Also spoke on missions in our area.

Kathy and I hung out at Stone Mountain.  Ran 4 miles and worked out on weights.

Worked on the DVDs for The Less band.  I hope that’ll help promote them.  They’re good lads with real talent.

Peace.

Ashley and I worked on the invitations for the banquet on May 5th and on our newsletter which is now ready to copy. It looks great! Ashley is really talented with this graphics design stuff.

Kathy and I had a terrific time this morning. We rode nearly 6 miles around Stone Mountain. The weather was fantastic and the trees were bursting with color. I really love Atlanta in the spring. It truly is one of the most beautiful cities on Earth. Now if only we could do something about the traffic . . . .

K and I also had fun this afternoon. We took K’s mom with us to see The Less, one of my favorite bands. Two of the guys are sons of Todd Harrison—a great supporter of our work. Remember last Summer when we went to Montana? That was to Todd’s cabin. I think The Less is one of the best new bands around. I went to Mercer this afternoon and shot a concert video for them. Most of you know that my background is in TV. I used to shoot news for CBS and CNN. In fact I have 9 Associated Press awards for my work. I can truthfully say that I enjoyed this shoot more than just about any that I’ve ever done. Except for perhaps chasing cops down alleys with machine guns. Nothing beats bang bang stuff.

The songs and interviews with the band will be on the Whirlwind Missions YouTube channel just as soon as I edit them. Click on Mission Videos to see them LIVE! When The Less gets their own channel I’ll upload the video to their own site. I’m a big believer in helping friends–especially really talented ones that are committed to OUTREACH.

Peace.

Early morning for me.  Up around 4:30 am, my mind buzzing with things to do.  Finished my newletter, worked on the invitations for our first Whirlwind Banquete on 5/5 (YOU are invited!  Blog readers RULE!), did more paper work for the North American Mission Board.

Crashed out for a couple more hours after working till about 9am.

Then up and a quick (not THAT quick) 4 mile run.

Took my 81 year old mother in law and her 85 year old sister out for lunch.

Finished up my email.

This is my day off?

Peace.

Had a terrific time with Stan Dobbs today.  He’s the CEO for Apartment Life.  Cool guy and a real passion for reaching the folks in apartments.  I certainly feel that!  I think we’ll be able to partner on multiple fronts.

Also had a get together with Cathy Wilson.  She’s a new Mission Service Corps missionary with the North American Mission Board.  I’m helping her plug into apartment ministry and with Pregnancy/Women ministries.  I think she’ll be a great asset to the team.

Finished up my paperwork.  Made a request for another MSC person helping us work in the Austell area.  Kim is a great soldier and will do a terrific job at Kingsley Village and with the other complexes in the area.

I need to get on over to the kids at Azalea!

Peace.