Had a great time with my team from Virginia Tech today! Kathy reminded me that they’re the first team of the year. AMEN!

Took them for a visit of the International Village. They loved it.

Sadly, while we were eating lunch, I broke the edge off of a back molar. It’s left a sharp edge that’s really irritating to my tongue. Hate that. But I’ll get it fixed!

The group also had fun at Plaza Fiesta Mall and then over to the mission to help the kids.

Came home by way of Clarkston to drop off some documents for Ashley that I worked on last night.

Then home to spend time with Kathy. We’ve really enjoyed watching five or six episodes at a time of Big Bang Theory. It’s one of of new favorite shows!

Was working on my admin duties and got a call from Jesse. He’d told me of a TED talk (if you haven’t visited TED.com to watch the best presentations in the WORLD, you’re really missing out!) he’d just watched that was super powerful by a man named Diamantis. THEN he tells me he’s on his way to Stanford to hear the guy speak! WOW!

I wrote him an email telling him to make sure and meet these guys. Just like I put out the effort to go meet the guys in the band Dr. Dog. I’d just hit the send button and I noticed that a picture had popped up on my phone. It’s a picture of Jesse and Dr. Diamantis! That’s my boy!

We talked on the phone for over two hours. It’s about 1:30am now. Told him I needed to finish up the blog and rest. We sure do enjoy each others company. I reckon that’s one reason why we’re ok with him being in California. We still keep in touch and that makes ALL the difference!

Finishing up my admin duties and resting soon.

Had a great time with a Trey Sapp and Josh over at Eastside Baptist Church.

Enjoyed their fellowship and checking out the mission at Concept 21–Delk and Bentley Manor.

Also met with Jay and Jan Bell.

Had fun showing them around the International Village.

Then to Azalea to work with the kids. Always good! Glad to have Miles and Ashley there!



I thought Angel was funny.

I liked Jeffrey’s blue tongue.

Fun day!

I really enjoyed seeing (and meeting!) my favorite band: Dr. Dog!

I had some small gifts that I’ve found in my journeys in the International Village.

Toby Leaman, the lead vocalist for the band, went crazy over my map jacket. “Here you go, Toby!” Gave it to him right off my back. He sure was happy! Here he’s pointing to his home town of Philadelphia!

I really enjoy the rich sound these guys put out. I think they sound a lot like the Beatles.



Turned out that Toby’s Dad is a Methodist pastor! It was fun to talk about spiritual things.

Frank Miller’s wife is a lawyer studying now in Mexico city. She’s helping immigrants recover funding they were promised.

We had a lot to talk about since most of my work is with those same immigrants.

Fantastic night with new friends!

Kathy, Ashley, Miles and I enjoyed the service and speaking at Roswell United Methodist Church.

The sanctuary is a beautiful place. But something unusual happened–all the power went out!

It was cool singing in the dimly lit sanctuary.

Before long the power came back on and everything was well lit.

I enjoyed introducing our ministry to the congregation. They’ve been faithful supporters.

We spoke to the Foundations class. They’re made up of young married couples. Most have young children. Fun group.

I told Ash and Miles they were my angels!

We stopped at the mall to get a bite to eat before coming home. Early morning this morning, nice to rest in the afternoon!

I’m looking forward to seeing one of my favorite bands, Dr. Dog, this evening.

Beautiful trees!

Think I’d look good in these?

I asked for a ride. They said I didn’t qualify. ; )

Even though it was in the upper 30s this morning, it still looked like Spring.

Powerful thunderstorm last night. I heard tornadoes went through Chattanooga. That’s not zesty. Broke a big branch off one of my trees last night.

Over 2 1/4″ of rain!

Kathy and I ate lunch at Green Tomato.

Love that Southern cooking. Even if the owners of S. Koreans! I thought their high tech door closer was funny.

Had a fun time leading a vigorous group of middle schoolers this afternoon! I did a briefing with them and taught them how to make balloon animals.

Even the grown ups got educated!

Kathy and I helped the teams working three locations: Olde Salem, Greens at Hillcrest and Alexander Mill.

We had a fun time! I always like working with kids.

Still a bit tired after my 10K run yesterday.

Looking forward to resting this evening and spending time with Kathy.

I have an early morning tomorrow with Kathy and the kids at Roswell United Methodist Church. Have to be there at 9am and it’s a long drive over there.

I liked this tag.

Tru dat!

Kathy and a wonderful time with our friend Rashida Wednesday evening. She passed her citizenship test! Welcome to America!

We made a little certificate for her. We’re proud of our families!

Dropped off the financial report that Ashley worked up to our treasurer.

This morning I met up with Rob Martin and our pastor at FBC Doraville, Bill Kelly.

Great to talk with him about plans for a shower trailer to help with our teams.

Rob and I picked up Bayo. It was fun to hear Bayo share his amazing story.

We also went to the mission to figure out how much work there was to be done by the team coming in a couple of weeks.

Good time hanging out with great friends!

Came home and went for a run. I probably shouldn’t have watched “Running the Sahara” nor listen to my friend Ian North talk about running 20 miles in the Appalachians.

Started out to run about 2 miles. Felt good. Kept running. 3 miles. Then 4. Onto 5. A full 6.2 mile run. What!? At least half of it was in the rain.

Surprisingly, the weather was no problem. And I made it. Just kept telling myself, “If those guys can run 50 miles or 20 miles, I know I can do this.”

Maybe there really are no boundaries. It’s all in your head, baby.

Of course I’ll probably have to have a pep talk to the lower half of my body when I work with the teams tomorrow in Lawrenceville.

I tried to take Sugar Dog with me. This was her reaction to me bringing the leash. I think she knew I was headed for craziness.

Picked up some supplies from FBC Doraville for the event.

I enjoyed the run and the beauty I saw around me.

I was intrigued by the idea of recreating myself.

Did we really need this mark on the street? It was harder to see than the actual sign.

I liked how this con trail made a shadow on the lower clouds.

I liked the sound of this. I strive for it.

I hope this isn’t cussin’. Think of the children!

K and I had fun watching Big Bang Theory this evening. We also had a good talk with J . . . . our favorite evening entertainment.

Big thunderstorm last night. Got about 1/2″ of rain.

Had fun taking my friend Becky Gilbert from Rehoboth church around Clarkston this afternoon.

She has had a long friendship with the Doverspike family (my wife’s family). In fact, when Kathy was a little girl, Becky helped her how to tell time! Sounds like my kind of lady!

I took Becky by the Mommy and Me program to see Kathy’s babies she works with and some of her colleagues.

Then over to Madina for a traditional East African meal.

I showed her around the main shopping center in the area and showed her how I typically meet and talk to people.

Enjoyed speaking French and Swahili today! Always fun. We also met folks from Sudan and Afghanistan. Such a cool place.

Picked up Ashley and Miles and went to the mission at Azalea.

The kids had a field trip today so very little homework. I spent most of my time helping Rashawn set up a router at his house. We worked on it Tuesday to no avail, so I called Tech Support today and we got it squared away. Only took about 30 minutes. He sure was one happy kid!

Glad to see that Miles’ hand is better!

Stopped by the ATT store on the way home. Miles had been having some trouble with his phone. They got that squared away too. Excellent!

Admin duties at home. Looking forward to spending time with K. I’m just now hearing her upstairs. GREAT!

This morning I had the fun of recording a new podcast!

I love doing that. I think this one may be the best EVER! “Feel Good, NOW!” Click on the title and start feeling better NOW!

Kathy and I went to T&G to pick up her van.

Had a brake job and radiator fixed. Stuff ain’t cheap!

Ate lunch with K, then over to Chamblee to talk with some new friends at Briarcliff United Methodist Church.


They agreed to host around 40 students this summer. MAN! That’s good to have figured out.

I think the church will be a terrific place for them to stay.

Went to see Ashley to bring her some of the financial documents.

Plus to admire her shoes. And her panda toes.

I like her office set up.

She and Miles spoke at Foothills Community Church this evening.

Then over to Roswell to share about our ministry with the good folks at Roswell United Methodist Church.

I really enjoy my time with those guys.

Got home late. Watched Moneyball with Kathy this evening.

Admin duties now.

I saw this truck today. Still not sure who they’re hauling with.

Got the newsletters in the mail stream this morning! Nice to see an empty box!

Kathy and I folded all the letters last night while we watched Running the Sahara. What an amazing documentary!

Had a good lunch with Frank Childs from Mississippi today.

I enjoyed showing him around the International Village.

Always wacky stuff to see there!

I made a short presentation to the people who were attending the people group conference at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Made some good contacts. Very worthwhile (and pretty much totally unexpected) bonus.

Fought my way through traffic to get to the kids at the mission.

Eduardo decided to see how high he could climb on top of me.

Miles cut his hand when he was working at the zoo today. He’s fine, but I must admit I was pretty worried about it. Ashley took him to the doctor to make sure he was ok. So I was at the mission by myself today. No big problem. We always seem to get through it somehow. I worked by myself for years. Sure don’t miss those days!

Drove home in the rain. Hate that. It’s hard to see in the dark.

Enjoyed watching Castle with Kathy this evening.

Have a long day tomorrow since it’s the first day of the missions conference at Roswell United Methodist Church.

Not sure I want this in my hair. Who comes up with this stuff?

What an exhilarating day I had!

Started out kind of rough. Nearly flat rear tire. Fortunately, I have a small compressor to pump it up.

I had a meeting with my partner Trey Sapp at Eastside Baptist Church.

It was fun to hear of the exciting things happening at his church and how they related to our mission!

They even have a couple of new missionaries coming on staff to help, including Joshua from Brownsville, Texas. Wonderful!

Dropped off a package for Jesse at the post office.

I saw these odd shaped clouds while I was there.

Then was on the way to my next assignment at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

Went there to see my good friend Jon Daniels from Mississippi.

Then to Azalea to work with the kids! Always fun.

I had many of the make a message for Jesse and shot pictures of them for him.

Also went to Rashawn’s house to help him with his router. It’s times like these that I REALLY miss Jesse!

Picked up our newsletters that our friends at the Atlanta Metro Baptist Association had printed for us! THANKS!

I enjoyed eating a pizza with Ashley this evening.

This shot reminded me of Africa.

I enjoyed speaking Swahili and Kikuyu to some Kenyans I saw today in Marietta! Mzuri!