Last week I heard something that surprised me.  Jesse told me, “I’d like to work for you, Dad.”

Bottom line is that he’ll spend at least 4 days a week doing ministry with Whirlwind, either with me or Ashley.  After all the heavy lifting last week I started thinking, “Sure would be good to have some young help.”  This is an answer to prayer!  He’s been doing a great job at the mission.  We’ll give him some money every week.  I believe in showing people that I value their work.  He’s a good partner.

We went over to Grace Fellowship Church today (one of my favorites) to pick up the hard drive with the video that NAMB shot.  I sure do appreciate their ministry to us!  The video looks great!

Then we had the pleasure of seeing Todd Harrison–one of our biggest supporters and a true man of God!  Sure do love that guy.  He was really there for me when I needed help.

He helps us a LOT!  Today he gave us 15 full size medical emergency kits.  When he told me he had these kits I was thinking some little white plastic box with some bandaids and antibiotic salve.   These are full on, go to war, medical emergency supplies.  They’re cool too because it’s divided into sealed plastic bags that each contain one crisis (Burn, Not Breathing, Shock).  It has an emergency card to give you instructions along with all the supplies.  They’re really super cool and I think we’ll be a great asset to the mission.

Lord, I know that’s a great gift, but please protect the kids and volunteers so we never have to use them!  AMEN!

Todd also loaded down the car with snacks and drinks for the kids at the missions.  THANKS!

We went over to Chamblee to pick up a partner Joe Scott. 

He’s in the process of being appointed with the North American Mission Board.  He’ll be coming on board with our team in the Avondale and Clarkston areas.  Actually, we’re still laying out options for him.  I believe the best thing we can do for new missionaries is to help the refine what it is they really want to do, and then figure out the place that best suits that call that is close to where he lives.  We went by Oak Forest to talk with the management there about some possible job training courses.

It was good to also see Cathy Palmer and Tim Hatch while we were in Clarkston.  Tim also came with me to check out Oak Forest.

We had a terrific time at OF last weekend with First Baptist Atlanta.  They were one of the locations for “Impact Atlanta.”

Then all the way over to Chamblee to check on “my” kids at the mission.  Mustak and Clinton needed science fair boards.  I picked some up at Office Depot.  I got back to the mission and two of the other kids came by and said they needed them too.  Back to the store.   Ay caramba.

I met with a new friend Derrek Meier who works with Global Frontiers.  He’s been working in Oaxaca, Mexico for the last few months and is going back in a week.  He’d heard about our ministry and wanted to check us out. 

It was fun hanging out with him as I rode back and forth to the office supply place.

Their mission organization is considering Atlanta as a training site for their missionaires and local teams.  Of course I told him that that was a great idea and that I’d help him expedite that!  I’m all about getting people here and getting them to work.

Had a talk with Rosena, Jouven’s Mokombe’s 19 year old sister. I’ve known her since she was a little girl. Today she came to the mission to let me know that she’s four months pregnant! I’ll make sure she gets prenatal help.

I talked with Cathy Palmer today.  She’s working with 8 refugee families very intensively.  She does that and juggles a full time writing career too.  It’s very inspiring!  Check out the Palmer’s blog at   http://palmermissions.blogspot.com/  Cathy always has something worth reading.

On the way home I had a bad experience.  Some people in the religious community I don’t get along with well.  I’m just a little bit much for them to handle.

I’m not the most politically correct person you’ve ever met.  I think in the long run it’s best to be honest with people about whether you think what they’re doing is going to work.  Sometimes just changing direction ever so slightly can pay off big.

But there are many people out there that are so SURE that they are RIGHT!  and they talk in ALL CAPS all the time.

People that are that sure that they’re right make me nervous.

I mean, I know I’m right.  But there’s always a doubt . . .

Can’t we do this better?  Of course we can!  So be open to change.

But some people have been doing the same thing for years.  And they’re so sure they’re right.  So they just keep right on going.