Two Great Days!!!

Man the last two days were great. I spent the bulk of Thursday riding with my partner-supervisor Tim Cummins. I always love it when I get the opportunity to spend time with him. His energy is so contagious it makes you tired. Friday I spent time in the field with my lovely wife Cornelia. Boy it sure was good to have her working with me.

Our first stop Thursday was at a pastors conference at Clarkston International Bible Church. All these international congregations serve the community from one common building. Scheduling is strict but organized. Lunch was provided by Chik-fil-a.We left Clarkston to meet up with our partner in the Peachtree Corners Matt Johns. Last Fall, with the help of our partners from Perimeter, Matt and Tim started new work at Sturbridge Square apartments off of Howell Bridge. Yesterday we met the apartment manager and her staff to firm up a start date for the new mission. They are really strong Christians and are fired up about getting the help. This place is loaded with potential and I am sure that Matt will really be able to advance the Gospel here.

We prayed for the manager and her staff and practically had church in the leasing office. It was really good stuff.

We ended up our day helping Ian and Ruthy North with legistic regarding their ministry site. They are our newest team and serve in one of the more dangerous areas inside the perimeter.

Yesterday Cornelia and I spent all day working in the field. Last Wednesday I was late arriving at the mission. I could hear kids in the mission room loud, wild, and out of control. As I approached the door it was closed and locked. That's never a good sign. I could hear kids saying put it in your book bag man!!!...so I began to bang on the door. The door opened and the look on the kid's faces was that of "we have been caught." The ring leader was a kid named Oscar. So after talking to him, I told him he could not come back to the mission for one week. Tough love I know, but with these kids you have to be tough sometimes. Unfortunately it looks like they had been coming in the room regularly on days we are not there. Most of our school supplies were gone along with toys and part of our library books. But let's be reminded the reason we are there is because kids and adults like this need Jesus!So Friday morning we went to Home Depot and bought a new dead bolt lock to install on the door. Now we can keep it permanently secured so they can not enter at their will. While I installed the lock and placed the room back in order, Cornelia reorganized our storage space and restocked the shelves with supplies that we store at home. We will try to get our books back, but it might take time to get the guilty kids to fess-up.

Today we have Youth Outreach United, one of our partner organizations, coming to do recreation ministry with the kids. One thing you learn quick in this business is that you can not do it alone. It takes many approaches to win a community to Jesus.

We appreciate all of you that continue to track our progress through this blog. Please pray for us as we continue to serve in a difficult community.

The Mission

Monday we showed up at the mission a little late. The management had let the kids in to the mission room, and they were tearing the place up. We have a lock on the door, but the management wont give us a key. I had a great conversation with the kids about that being there room and how important it is to take good care of all God as in trusted us with. I ended up having to send Isaid home because he had gotten a chair and was handing out candy from the treasure box on the very top shelf of our storage shelves. I sent him home and told him he could not come back for one week. That's just the way it is with these kids. We love them,but occasionally we have to give them a little tough love as well. I'll let him come back next week.

We went by today to check on the kids. It was early release day from school, so most of the kids were already in their houses. We have an event scheduled for Saturday. Our partner, Meghan, will be bringing a group from Youth Outreach United to play games and share the Gospel with the kids.

Sunday me, Cornelia , Kaitlyn and friends went to the "Winter Jam" concert. I had the opportunity to go back stage and meet Toby Mac.

He seemed to be a very Godly man focused on getting the gospel message to the kids. It was a big thrill. Unfortunately Kaitlyn was a little upset because she has always dreamed of meeting him. Maybe one day she will get her opportunity. Unfortunately I left my camera behind with Cornelia and was not able to get the photographic proof.

I also had the opportunity to meet my hero "Toddie Funk" the bass player for the Diverse City Band (Toby Mac's bass player). From one bass player to another we talked about music styles, gear, and the types of bass guitars we like to play. It was a great conversation. Cornelia said that I was trying to relive the glory days back when I stood in Toddie's shoes. Hey and I did not forget my camera this time. Oh yeah...the photo is courtesy of Kaitlyn my daughter. She was excited too.

Tomorrow I get to to spend the day with my partner Tim Cummins. It's been awhile since we have seen each other and I am look forward to the days activities. I will blog again tomorrow to let you know what we did.

We Love You All!

Feeling Blessed

It's good to know that our Lord is in total control of every aspect of our life.

Recently we have had great ministry happening at Villas Nueva. We continue to work hard to share Jesus. We also wanted you to know that we plan to expand our days of ministry to four or five days instead of two. Our homework help program is going well and we plan to expand the days of operation to Monday - Thursday. We have added an additional ministry. We are now providing art and craft lessons to the residents in combination with a bible study and sharing of the Gospel.

Our public school ministry continues to develop. Currently we have shared the Gospel with over 100 students. We have also built an allegiance with several teachers as well. So far we have not had any substantial objection from school administration and the Lord continues to shield us as we discreetly do our work.

Other items of interest is a Saturday rec programs provided by Youth Outreach United and Parkview Christian Church on alternating Saturdays. We are so grateful to have substantial partners to help us minister.

Please pray that the Lord will bless use spiritually and He will give us the go ahead to expand into the community.

Much Love