Bolivia - Day 1

WE MADE IT!

After taking flights from Pittsburgh to Miami to La Paz to Santa Cruz to Cochabamba ... we've arrived safe and sound.

It's so great to be back here again. It feels like I've just experienced a time-warp and that I never left! When I was here in January, the weather was like it is now, the ride on the back of Freddy Andretti's pick-up truck (Pastor Freddy, that is, but he drives as fast as Mario Andretti) is just as I remember, the house is as comfortable as ever, the smells are the same, many of the faces are the same ... it's like the January trip just got a 10 day extension.

I can't wait to get to work.

The sense of accomplishment in January was wonderful, and I know that we will work hard again this week to help make the dream of the orphanage for the children of incarcerated women a reality.

Tim and Jason seem to be fitting in great and I'm sure we are in for an incredible week.

Click on the link below to see the video blog - and please ... pray for us and for all the people we are here to bless!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1Fy7hMPJBs

Bolivia Bound!

What a thrill - I get to go to Bolivia again!

Right now, we are sitting at the departure gate at Miami's airport just waiting to take the 8 hour flight to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

I'll be posting regularly here, so that anyone who is interested can see the progress that is made on the Hope Center.

Also, stay tuned for video blogs that will allow you to SEE what's going on! I'll generally be writing at night, so - log on first thing in the morning and get your update!

I Wish

I wish our dryer would dry the clothes completely the FIRST time.

To buckle or not to buckle ...

It's a never ending battle ... getting my kids to buckle up when we go for a drive.

The other day, I tried a new tactic with my 6 year old son.

"Son, you HAVE to wear your seatbelt when you are in the car."

"Why, Dad?"

"Because if you don't wear a seatbelt, I'm breaking the law as the driver of this car. If a policeman were to pull us over and he saw that you don't have your seatbelt on, I would get in trouble and could get a ticket or even go to jail!"

"Hmmm. For how many days?"

ugh

Arachnaphobia

Sunday afternoon I was moving some papers in my basement and suddenly I pain shot through my left hand. I dropped what I was carrying, looking for the sharp object that had hurt me.

Nothing.

But, oh the pain! I've never felt anything like this before. It felt like a bee sting, but without the flutter of bee's wings as it sticks you.

I guessed that most likely I was bit by a spider. After a few minutes, I saw a dot in the palm of my hand, then a white circle forming around the dot, then a redness throughout my palm. My hand got a bit swollen and then the inevitable happened. The decision that has torn many a marriage apart - do I go to the doctor or do I tough it out?

Only whimps go to the doctor! Plus, it's Sunday. Plus, I had other things to do. Plus, only whimps go to the doctor!

But, it was Mother's Day. I decided to forgo the traditional debate with my wife and go to the hospital. This was my special way of saying 'I love you and respect your opinions' to my wife. (Also, I knew that if I didn't go to get it checked out, that if I felt any pain or discomfort for the rest of the day, I would get ZERO sympathy from my wife - but rather, get the 'I told you to go to the doctor' speech. yuck)

All in all, I'm glad I got it checked out. I got prescriptions in the event the pain worsened (every few minutes it felt like I was getting pricked again) and got a lot of information about the Brown Recluse spider which can be found in our valley (rare, yet present). Now, we feel a whole lot better about letting the kids play in the basement as well as what to look for if they ever get bit by a Brown Recluse.

So, thanks Mary Jo - you were right - it was a good thing for me to go to the doctor.

(although - only for the information we received, not because I needed to go!)

Wonderful Sunday!

On Mother's Day, we had just a wonderful worship service.

We know that God is always there - we don't need to 'feel' His presence for us to 'know' His presence. That being said - a day like yesterday is always nice ... and necessary. As much as we know He loves us, we also need to experience Him now and then.

Perhaps we would experience Him more, if we listened a little more! (ouch ... on me!!!)

Of special bonus, was that it was Pentecost Sunday on Mother's Day. Now, normally I'm very aware of Pentecost Sunday. I think it's a shame that so many Pentecostal churches don't give that day more of an emphasis. This time, knowing the emphasis I gave the day last year and the overlap with Mother's Day, I decided months ago that I wouldn't preach on the topic of Pentecost this year.

This just makes yesterday even more special, because had I remembered it was Pentecost Sunday, I might have been inclined to lead the service as I did. But, because I didn't remember - I can honestly and truly say - the Holy Spirit was the boss and gave the directions for the day!

DO IT AGAIN, GOD ... DO IT AGAIN!!!

Garbage Update

I can't believe it ... for the 2nd Wednesday in a row - I forgot to put out the trash!

Yuck.

Proud ... then embarrassed

It's so exciting for fans of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team to finally have a team to be proud of again. Sure, we always talk a big talk, but this year the Habs are backing it up for us fans.

After finishing the season as the top team in the Eastern Conference of the NHL, and then beating the Boston Teddy Bears in round 1 - things are looking up for the most storied franchise in hockey history as they persue a record 25th Stanley Cup championship.

But then this morning I heard news that is embarrassing as a former Montrealer - some individuals opted to celebrate their beloved hockey team's victory by torching 16 vehicles and damaging 10 buildings as they left the game last night.

Back in the late 80s and 90s championship teams' fans would riot after the series clinching game. I think it started in Chicago when the Bulls were in the midst of their dynasty in the NBA. Then, it seemed to be en vogue for other cities to copy this ridiculous activity.

"HOORAY! We just won the championship!!! Let's go break some windows!!!" How stupid.

If I could say anything to the looters I'd tell them 2 things ---

1. IT'S 2008! Championship riots are YESTERDAY. GET WITH THE TIMES

2. IT'S ONLY THE FIRST ROUND! There are 3 more rounds to go. Don't act like we've won anything yet, cuz we haven't. There are no banners hanging in the Bell Centre for 1st round victories. Anything less than a Stanley Cup isn't worth celebrating. Toronto Maples fans may be happy to celebrate winning round 1 ... but fans of the Bleu, Blanc, Rouge? I don't think so.

Well, I for 1 hope that every one of those hoodlums get caught. I understand they have video surveillance that caught much of the riot. I learned many years ago that my actions, whether positive or negative, have reprocussions. Seems to me there are some people in Montreal that need to learn that lesson.

I'm proud of my Montreal Canadiens. I love the city of Montreal. There are a few Montrealers who have embarrassed the city & team that I love.


For the full story, read http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/story.html?id=fcaba077-b2e5-4ff1-b8c4-a5942df5dc85&k=32319

Lesson from the grocery store

Last Friday night, I thought it would be nice to pick up a few basic groceries that I knew Mary Jo needed for the home so that we would be set for the weekend. Of course, I can't JUST get the basics! I'm finding cookies and soda and potato chips and everything else that shouldn't be consumed by any in the human species.

None-the-less, I end up with about 5 plastic bags (which, btw you can hardly call 'bags' since they fail to contain anything heavier than 2 lbs for more than 10 seconds!).

When I got home, of course, I start looking for the cookies. NO COOKIES!!!! ARGH!!!!!

How can this be? I check the pantry, in case I had a senior moment and put them away without remembering to. I check the hallway, in case I put down the back upon entering the house. I check the car, in case I missed it when coming inside. No where.

I then check the receipt - perhaps I never actually bought the cookies. Sure enough, I bought cookies (& lemonade & hotdogs & juicy juice ... but ... clearly the cookies are the staple item in this list and the object of my desire, so, hence-to-for I'll only refer to the cookies, but you'll know that I mean the full contents of the missing bag).

Now what. I call the Giant Eagle (local grocery store). Amazingly, I remember that I went to checkout lane 8 and the cashier's name was Michelle (I have NO idea why I remembered that information ... but I did!). Sure enough, I left the bag with the cashier.

I'd like to be able to blame Michelle for not passing me my 6th and final bag of groceries, but, I packed the bag myself - unfortunately, I remember that too.

I'm told that if I come back to the store in the morning and bring the receipt with me, that I will be able to collect my forgotten items.

So, that's exactly what I did. The next morning, receipt in hand, I wander through the store picking up the 4 items and I take them to customer service. Because they had a note which stated they should be expecting me, and because I had a receipt that told them that those items had been paid for by me - they let me walk out without having to see a cashier.

Later, I couldn't help but realize that the Devil has a note that informs him that someone is coming to collect what is rightfully theirs. The note is the Bible. And, Jesus through the Holy Spirit is today collecting His people from their various aisles of life. And best of all, one day Jesus is going to stand before His Father and show him the receipt of His shed blood that announces that everyone who is with Him is entitled to remain with Him because the price for their redemption has already been paid for.

When I reclaimed those grocery items, I wasn't stealing - I was taking things for which I had already paid the price. I didn't have to go back and get them. I could have said, "nevermind, it's only a couple of things worth very little" - but - I'd paid for them, so I wanted them, so I went and found them again and proved to the store that they were mine.

Jesus has paid for you the price to forgive your sins. Not only that, but He doesn't expect you to jump off the shelves and figure out how to get to His home, He's come to find you because He loves you and wants you to be with Him forever.

Don't hide from Him.

You've been bought - you're free to go!

My trip to Parkside

On Tuesday, Mary Jo & I decided to take a road trip. We drove to Cleveland (about 1 hour away) to visit a Parkside Church.

We first heard about the church because of its pastor, Alistair Begg, who has a radio program we used to listen to while living in Toronto called 'Truth for Life'. Pastor Begg is an incredible preacher with a gift for exposing the truth in scripture.

The weather was nice and we were in the mood for an adventure. We were hoping just to spot the church, perhaps peer through a window and return for home.

We got MUCH more than that!

As we pulled into the church parking lot, we noticed they had a bookstore and coffeeshop. Without saying a word, Mary Jo and I both thought 'We're in! We can get in the building!'

Entering the building, a man held the door open for us and noticed quickly that we were strangers to these parts. We told him we were just visiting and attended a church in the Youngstown area. He then offered to give us a tour of the church. Little did we know how great a tour he could give, since he was the custodian! Our first stop ... the back entrance to the SANCTUARY PLATFORM!

The sanctuary seats about 1,700 and was amazing to see, especially from the platform POV. We went to the prayer room and saw classroom after classroom. They don't only separate the children by grade for Sunday, they separate them within the grade by last names A-L, M-Z!!!

We then met the 'Truth for Life' staff and the room they use for recording the post-production for the radio program.

Continuing the tour, we met the Children's Ministries director who was so helpful. I was amazed that she would tell us so much about their program when they knew I was a Pastor and certainly would never be attending their church. She even said that if we were planning to visit some Sunday night that we should email her first so that she could tell us exactly where to bring our children that night! Amazing.

The church receptionist was speed-walking around the sanctuary's outer corridor. She stopped to talk to us and went on and on about how much she loved working there. Again, it's not like we were potential converts to their church! We were SO impressed.

Although I don't have a goal for our church to reach a certain size - I do have a goal that our church be as warm and welcoming as Parkside Church.

In case anyone is interested, I would recommend checking out www.truthforlife.org to hear Pastor Begg preach, or check out the church website at www.parksidechurch.com .

Off to Bolivia ... again!

Well, it's official ... I'm going back to Bolivia!

I'm very excited that 2 men from our church will be joining me as we partner with another church in Tennessee to go back to Bolivia to continue work at the Bolivian Hope Center (BHC).

We will be leaving May 22 and returning May 31. This time, I'll try not only to blog about the trip, but also add videoblogs! Cool, eh?

American Idol Throws a Curve

First off - I can't claim to be an American Idol (AI) junkie. I don't rearrange my schedule so that I can watch the program, I rarely get to hear all of the singers each week, I don't watch the elimination show very often, and even when I am watching AI, I'm often playing games on my laptop and only listening to the singers.

But something happened last night that got me to stop playing mindjolt and start paying attention.

It started when Mariah Carey was singing. At first, the song just seemed to have a gospel theme to it, especially when the choir robed backup singers appeared. Then, as the song neared its end, I noticed the words weren't merely 'moral' or 'gospel' ... she actually said 'Jesus' a couple of times. Now, I know extremely little about Mariah Carey. I have no idea if she is a Christian or proclaims to be a Christian or simply wants to appear to be a Christian ... but it sure did make me take notice.

While Mary Jo and I were still talking about Mariah, a familiar tune began to play ... the AI singers sang 'Shout to the Lord'! I realize Shout to the Lord is the most popular chorus in our churches today, but I didn't realize that it would be so popular of a song to not only be sung on AI, but to serve as the grand finale piece of the special 'American Idol Gives Back' episode that featured a whole lot of Hollywood and Nashville star-power.

I wasn't expecting the show to be so Christian. THAT is a curveball.

In baseball, if someone throws the batter a curve, the batter has a few options: take a swing at it, let it go because you think it's out of the strike zone.

Of course the cynics would suggest that the ending had more to do with getting the Christians to give to the cause or perhaps because the producers of AI have realized that a number of the top vocalists in their competitions this year and in years past have been Christians and therefore a large portion of their viewership are Christians so AI is simply catering to their market.

But I don't really care what the producers of AI's agenda was. I don't care what FOX's rationale for ending the show that way was. JESUS CHRIST WAS PRAISED! That's what I care about. Someone, somewhere heard that song and was encouraged. Someone, somewhere was challenged. Someone, somewhere was reminded that they need to get back to God. It wasn't a song about Allah. It wasn't a song about falling in love with a guy/girl. It wasn't about money or fame or self. It was a song that proclaimed that the whole earth should recognize that Jesus Christ is Lord.

It may have only been for a moment at around 10PM, but last night AI & FOX did it right.

They took my trash!!!

This is an exciting day for me!

Last night, I put out the garbage, and this morning someone came and took it all away! Can you believe it! They took it ALL!!! Ever since being in Bible College and having to carry my trash down the hall it seems that garbage has been a problem for me. In New York we had to put the trash in a dumpster that would often be full to overflowing because the whole church used that dumpster. In Sharbot Lake we had to put a tag on each bag (a tag cost $1 each) and a local guy would collect them every Saturday - of course, if I didn't have any tags or didn't catch that guy before he passed by, that meant garbage sat in our laundry room for an extra week. In Oshawa the trash was only collected every 2 weeks, with limits as to how many bags they would accept - great for the environment, not so great for a family of 5 with stinky diapers that really can't wait 2 weeks to be collected!

Garbage troubles ... no more!

Because last week I finally gave in an signed our household up for garbage collection (I had been dumping it at the church dumpster ... old habits die hard!). They sent me a garbage can that is big enough for 3 garbage bags that they will empty every week!

Have you ever had something become important to you that you never thought would be significant? I know it's kinda crazy - but even a simple thing like trash collection is another reason I'm feeling so 'at home' in Liberty - trash collection is like how I remember growing up. We should never discount the familiar things that comfort us - in fact - the familiar things help provide a foundation that allows you to do the spectacular.

What familiar things do you have that perhaps you take for granted? They may seem trivial, but, then again, they may be the things that keep you happy and grounded so that you can excel in other areas of life.

Jib Jab in Jeopardy?

One of our family's favorite stops is the Jib Jab Hot Dog Shoppe. We can eat there for under $15 and all be full. Now, what we are full of ... that we're not so sure about, but as a parent I'm just happy they are full and content and the outing is cheap.



I always figured they had to be doing great business because they were one of the few establishments that refused plastic. If you wanted to buy a hotdog and fries with a cherry coke, it had to be cash. There have been a few times where I got there only to find I'm out of cash! This led to a quick trip to my bank to withdraw a quick $20.

Only a restaurant with a product so good can afford to risk me avoiding the eatery because I am unwilling to first stop at an ATM. The other example of this that I know of is Tim Hortons (in Canada, this isn't the case in the US). At Tim Hortons, it's cash or foggettabbotit! But, we still go get the cash because where else can we rrrrroll-up-the-rrrrrim or get that great coffee & warm, toasted, buttered bagel! No where is it quite like Timmy's.

It's the same thing with Jib Jab. Until last month! Jib Jab has given in! Either that, or their business must be sliding down the wrong side of economic mountain. What a shock for me to see (as I pulled out my $20) that I could have used my debit card. Of course, after going to the trouble to getting the cash, I used it.

All I know is that for some reason Jib Jab must have compromised for a reason - and if it's because of poor business, it's time for all of us around Interstate 80 and Ohio 11 to unite and reacquaint ourselves with the delightful delicacy called the Jib Jab Hot Dog!

Save Jib Jab! Save the family on a budget who wants to eat out! Save the world!

Update on Siberia

Thanks so much to all who prayed for Ilya Bantseev, the missionary to Siberia, who is trying to have their church roof repaired. Work on the roof began on Monday - and they have 10 days to complete the task with the blessing of the mayor of the city. That's right - the mayor!

Their neighbor, Sergei, who they are praying comes to salvation, wouldn't give them permission to put the crane on his property, so the mayor stepped in and gave the church permission! Praise the Lord! Had the mayor not stepped in (amazing that he took the side of the church ... truly amazing and something that would not been imaginable even last year) they would not have been able to fix their roof from leaking.

It is too bad Sergei is still against the church, but God is still sovereign and seems to be really taking care of this growing congregation.

One day, I will have to have Ilya & Janet Bantseev come and share what God has done for them in their ministry in Siberia ... it is an amazing story. For now, it seems this chapter is coming to an end. Now, they are praying they get all the work done in their 10 day window and that God will continue to bless the work there.