Well, I’m back.

After literally the worst week in my life.

My hands have healed enough to type. In fact all my physical injuries are healing at a miraculous rate. My heart is still breaking over my son. If all goes well we’ll be able to see Jesse tomorrow evening. Please pray for that. He’s being held in the Mental Health unit. My brother in law tells me that that place is actually one of the best in Atlanta if you’re not in a private hospital, so that made me feel a little better.

I’ve been flooded with love. So many people have written, called or come by to show me their concern for our family. It’s very touching. In fact I’ll be talking to someone on the phone about the situation and will just start sobbing. I guess I’m just a big baby. My girls seem to bearing up a lot better than me. I guess someone has to be strong.

I thank God for Ashley keeping you guys in the loop. Sorry if the pictures were too gory. You only had to look at them. I experienced levels of pain I didn’t think existed. When they were cleaning my wounds I was just screaming. They closed the curtains around my bed and I heard the guy next to me say, “Is mine gonna hurt as bad as his?” I sure hope not Lewis. Kathy was an angel of mercy to him and me.

My heart breaks over my little boy. The evil one just attacked his mind and he had a mental breakdown. Please pray for Jesse’s healing and that one day we will see how God somehow will use this for His good.

I’m trying to keep up with all my obligations but it’s hard. I’ve got a cold now so my head hurts most of the day. I seem better this evening. I’m trying to rest and take a lot of vitamins. The doctor said I wasn’t supposed to do anything for three weeks. Can you see me sitting still for that long? About the same chance of those firemen keeping me from climbing up the ladder to put out the fire in J’s room. The firemen had to physically tie me to the guerney to keep me away. I thought he was still in there!

The evil one has raised the bar against us with this attack against Jesse. We must be in store for some amazing breakthroughs by the Holy Spirit.

I sure do love you guys so much. Thanks for praying and for your concern.

If you really want to do something special, write Jesse a note:

Jesse Cummins

ID# 9935 7554

Gwinnett Detention Center

2900 University Parkway

Lawrenceville, GA 30043.

Love you!

Still feeling really tired. Tried to get some extra rest.

I’ve been working on the videos I shot this weekend. I have them edited and compressed. I have them here!

Ashley took a great set of pictures from our Banquet on Saturday. Here are some of my favorites!

Ashley and I went to the book store. I like to look through the stacks when I’m trying to relax.

Kathy has been feeling bad all day long. She’s running a low grade fever and just feels really puny. Pray for her!

Peace.

I’ve been fighting off getting sick.  I’ve really tried to rest today.  I feel better.

Been working on my financial reports and email.  I’ll take the report over to Jon’s house tomorrow or Tuesday.

Peace.

Saturday, February 16th, 2008

Ashley and I spent the day at Perimeter Church.  They were hosting the Youth Leadership Conference led by GUIDE.  We met a few young people that were interested in our work.

Then we came back to Stone Mountain where we loaded up the car and took all the decorations over to FBC Mountain Park for our “Banquet of Love” for Whirlwind Missions.  We had some of my favorite people speak including my board, Jon Paul, Carl Barrington and Tito Ruiz.  Tito, Lester and I also played a few songs as our band Cruz!  Ashley and Kathy gave stirring testimony and Bennett spoke about his work in Clarkston.  It was fun!

I sure am tired.  But it’s a good kind of tired.

Peace.

I’m not sure how much of my history you know. Before I became a full time missionary I used to work as a Field Producer and was the Chief Photographer for WTOC-TV in Savannah. While I was there I earned 9 Associated Press awards for my work. That was fun, but the best thing was the cool people I came into contact with. One of my favorites was Blair Meeks who has been one of the top reporters in Atlanta for years. Blair is a great friend. It’s always fun to hang out with him and tell our war stories to each other.

Then I had a pre-site visit with Jimmy and Angela Samford from Virginia. We toured the International Village of Buford Highway and visited several of the missions.
We also went by N. Peachtree Baptist Church where their team will be staying in July. The time together went great and they seemed really excited about working with us later this year.

I went back home to rest for about 30 minutes before getting back into the car and driving up to Hamilton Mill. One of my favorite churches, 12 Stone Church, has a sister congregation called “The Gate.” They had a big music concert and several local artists had donated their work to be auctioned off to raise funds for missions. They chose Whirlwind to be the recipient of that donation. Sweet! I had a great time listening to the music and giving the folks a briefing on what we do in the International Community.

I left before the music was over because I have to be at Perimeter church early tomorrow to represent our ministry to a Youth Leadership conference. I’ll meet youth directors that could be interested in working with us during the summer or more often if they’re local. Should be worthwhile.

Then shoot back to Stone Mountain for our second annual Whirlwind Missions banquet. Not sure how many people will get to come. So many things going on . . .

I’ve felt like I might be getting sick. I’ve really tried to rest more. Sometimes my schedule doesn’t let me. That’s when I really depend on your prayers for me!

Pray till something happens!

Peace.

It was UT–University of Tim day, so I had both my kids with me today! GREAT!

Jesse drove. He’s getting a little cocky with his driving, and he doesn’t really have the experience to back it up. Plus, my son has never been wrong in his life. So that can cause me extra stress. Overall he did ok.

We met up with our team from Perimeter Christian School at Azalea. They gave the mission a thorough scrubbing and organizing. It looks really great. They also decorated the place with valentine and gave out bags of candy. The kids loved it!

I was supposed to have an assignment with a youth pastor from VA, but his flight got canceled due to weather. Bahd luck. So I meet with them tomorrow. That’s supposed to be my day off. C’est la vie, Baby.

We ate lunch at the PDK Airport off of Clairmont in Chamblee. It was perfect weather and the steady line of planes landing and taking off was super cool. Makes me want to get back into flying trikes.

We enjoyed the bookstore for an hour or so.

I took Jouvens and a car title over to Ernest who was waiting for us at the Sandy Springs Police station. We got to the door of the station at 4:55pm. The place was supposed to close at 5pm. We told them that it wasn’t 5pm–we still had 5 minutes. They said, “See you tomorrow.” Locked the door behind them, looked at us and laughed! Not exactly the best way to get good public relations.

We spent the rest of the day at Azalea with the kids. I went down to Miriam’s house to install their printer, but no one was at home.

We had fun making valentines with the kids. Ashley was with me so that was a special treat. She just jumps right in and does the whole thing. Sweet.
Most of my time was spent driving over to the cop shop in Sandy Springs. Jouvens is with me. He’s like a son to me. I ask him, “SO, Jouvens. Got big plans with Makayla this evening, valentines and all . . . ?”
“Think I should do something, Mr. Tim?”
“Are you kidding me, boy? You lost your mind? You better do SOMETHING!”
“Really?”
“Yes, really, Jouvens. You better make some kind of hand written card. They like those best. And something with chocolate would also be good.”

He just nodded his head. We got back to the mission and he wrote out a really good poem and decorated it with Ashley’s help. We made a bag of candy (from the Perimeter team), I made an origami butterfly for him out of Japanese paper and he attached his note. I think she’ll be happy.

I’m tired.

Peace.

I had a fun lunch with Drew Grubbs today. I’ve really missed hanging out with him. It was good to get together. We talked about our work and how we generate interns to staff our mission sites. It’s a great system and gives young people a chance to really make a difference and do missions. Google Youth Outreach United for more info!

I know I’ve talked to you about my brothers Tito and Lester Ruiz. I had a blast jamming with them. Lester was awesome on the drums and Tito was wailing on the keyboards and had terrific vocals. We worked up several new songs. I thought we sounded great. I put my guitar in the stand and then caught my foot in the guitar cord. It pulled the guitar forward and cracked the neck.

There have been times in my life if I had seen that happen I would have done the complete freak out. I was just like, “Yeah, it cracked. I’ll get it fixed.” NBD. My guitar repair guy is John Marshall of the Fret Shop. He runs a school for aspiring luthiers. These guys are world class. Literally. Last guy I met over there was from S. Africa. So I know my guitar is going to come out ok.

Checked the kids at the mission. Helped Mustek figure out ratios. I also alerted Jouvens that we have a team from Perimeter Christian School coming to help clean up the mission Thursday morning.

From Azalea I met up with Ashley and we went to Taco Prisa. I dig their Huevos Rancheros–with the salsa verde, baby!

Then over to Peachtree Corners Baptist Church where Ashley and I met with their Missions Committee. They are some of my favorites. I shared with them a strategy for mobilizing volunteers and Ashley talked with them about Kensington Station.

Peace.

I met with new friends and old friends today! I brought my Uncle Harold and Phyllis Cummins to the mission at Willow Branch in Clarkston.

We enjoyed a delicious meal at Madina on Memorial Drive with Terry Earl and the Cummins.

Then back to Willow Branch to put in a light in one of our apartments. Mike Fountain and Pastor Jackie from Sweetwater Baptist Church helped us with that. Amber and her two children help us at the mission at Willow Branch. They are a huge help!

Mr. Meredith and his wife are teaching kids about music. They are learning how to play the violin. They took the kids to the symphony in January. What a trip they had!

I didn’t get out of Clarkston until after 4pm. I got to 78 and realized by the time I got to Chamblee it would be time to come home. I called over to Jouvens and Bubba my on site directors at Azalea. I’ve got a good team there. They are my second generation young men. They used to be in my mission… Now they run it when I’m not there. Groovy.

Need to run. I’ll do 4 miles.

Peace.

I had such a fun day today!

I love my life. Working for the King rocks!

I spent the morning with my son, Jesse. He’s a computer genius and wants to make a living designing web sites. We went to the bank to start a business checking account. After some counseling, we think we’ll do some corporation stuff first. I think it’s really a perfect education for a young man. This is real world stuff and he’s doing it. Can’t beat that.

I had lunch with Trey Gerard. He was referred to me by Jon Paul, the treasurer of our ministry and one of the wisest men I know. We are REALLY blessed by having Jon on our team! So when he refers someone, that means something. Trey is a very passionate guy. He’s turning his back on a 6 figure salary to get involved with ministry.

I’m not sure if you know this, but people don’t get into ministry for the money.

I had a fun time driving him around. Took him to check out the homeless folks living under the bridge near N. Druid Hills & I85. Nasty place. Trash, poop and pee everywhere. I’m glad Trey was with me because there were definitely some unsavory folks living under there. Another guy had this little green tent out in the woods. I bet that was REAL warm during that last 19 degree weather we had.

While we were at lunch, George Teatro and his friend Tommy came into Torerros. We were all best buddies with Bob Speer who died last Monday. Tommy is this huge, mountain man looking guy, with a beard that reminds you of ZZ Top. He’s just a really tough customer. I told him, “You know Bob was really concerned for you, Tommy. He really wanted you to know the Lord. Did you make a decision about Jesus, Tommy? Did you ask him into your heart?”

“I don’t believe in God, Tim.”

“Well He believes in YOU, Tommy. Bob wants to see you in Heaven with him, Tommy.”

At this Tommy’s eyes started to fill with tears, “I miss Bob so much, Tim.”

I started crying too. “I know what you mean, Tommy.” I leaned over and prayed with him, “Lord, I ask a blessing on Tommy. Help us heal our grief. Lord, I ask that you will clearly show yourself to Tommy. I know how much you love him.” AMEN.

Pray for Tommy, y’all.

This morning I woke up hoping to see my “Uncle” Harold. I grew up on the mission field of Nairobi, Kenya. All the missionary kids called the adult missionaries “Uncle” or “Aunt” whoever. I really love those missionaries far more than my own flesh and blood back in the States. Uncle Harold has always been one of my favorites. He was a huge influence on me. He was the first person to help me realize I could learn anything if I just had the “how to” book. He’s taught himself languages time and time again. He also loves maps. I like tracking things geographically. Ashley’s done a fantastic job of developing the maps we use at Whirlwind Missions.

I took Uncle Harold and his new wife Phyllis (my Aunt Betty passed away about three years ago. That really hit me hard) to see Huntington Ridge where his daughter Cathy and son in law Tim Palmer will be moving. Then over to Azalea Place where my mission is. Most of the kids in my youth group at the mission are from Bangladesh.

Uncle Harold has a fascination with the Bengali language. My mission is loaded with Bengali kids who were delighted to teach this sweet elderly white guy more of their language. It was so cool because it reminded me of when I was a kid and Uncle Harold would be working with the young Indian men in Nairobi.

I could just see Mayur Patel in the faces of the kids in the msision. LORD, I ask that you will work in Uncle Harold and Phyllis’ hearts that they may feel a burden to join us here in Atlanta working with our international population.

I got home late. I let Uncle Harold follow me back to Stone Mountain. It took us a while, he drives like a tourist. I look forward to picking them up tomorrow morning.

Been at the computer for about 2 1/2 hours. That’s a lot of admin work.

My left index finger starts to go numb.

The joys of aging!

Peace.

Cross Pointe Baptist Church had their Missions Conference this weekend. I spoke to a Senior Sunday School class. They were very receptive. I’m looking forward to working with them. After SS I manned my booth near the auditorium. I had several good conversations with potential volunteers and partners.

Came home and rested then went back to Crospointe for the banquet. We had Benjamin Frances speak. He’s a missionary in India. He was inspiring.

Kathy will be home soon. She’s been on a road trip to Sumter, SC with her two sisters Ann and Ruth. I’m sure it was a lot of fun!

Peace.

Ashley and I had fun today! We went to speak to the kids at First Baptist Church Mountain Park for their Disciple Now weekend. They were a very receptive and attentive group of kids. High energy! Ashley also spoke and did a fantastic job. I think Ashley can convince young people that they can get involved, since she is!

One of my good buddies was doing some work around the church. Edwin Lamb has really helped us with construction projects in the International Village. He’s been a huge help to us.

Kathy is in S. Carolina this weekend with her two sisters Ann and Ruth. I’m sure they’re having a hootenanny of a time. While she’s gone, I always have a “to do” list. So Ash and I went to Kroger to do some shopping for groceries. It’s a weigh of life, baby!

I came home and worked on figuring out some origami forms. Sort of like 3D puzzles.

I’m working on a big project for Perimeter. I have one more document to create! Tomorrow morning I speak at a Sunday School class at CrossPointe church. I’m looking forward to that, but I have to be there at 8am. I’m not a morning person and when I have to get up around 6am, my brain wakes me up a lot during the night thinking I’ve perhaps overslept. I can’t really go to bed early, my brain just keeps thinkin’ and thinkin’ and thinkin’.

Peace.