My Papa!

I bought my Dad a hammer for Christmas.
Of course, he already has a hammer - if you count a 16 oz claw hammer.
I bought my Dad a real hammer.
A 20 oz. framing hammer.
Why?
Because he's offered to go to Mississippi with me to help build houses.
This is my way of assuring he'll go.
So, sometime this winter - we'll build a house together.
I can't wait!
Oh yeah - Dad is preaching for me this weekend. I've had quite a long run and am ready for a break. So Dad is preaching on "The Mulligan". He's reminding us that life is like golf - that because of God's grace, we get to "try over" whenever we need.
Thanks God!
And Thanks Dad!

Eric the Entertainer

So this is Eric. This is a picture of Eric, UNDER the house that the rest of our team was building in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Why is he under the house?

Well, it was a job that needed to be done (hurricane clips from underneath). While everyone else was up above, basking in the sun and lifting 2x4's and all, Eric did the "grunt work" of crawling around, pounding nails while crouched in wierd positions.

All the while, Eric made us laugh. He's funny and fun and doesn't push for his own way or try to sweet talk his way to the top. Eric is humble.

And now, Eric is leading the GO Factor initiative while I give direction to the church.

There is a reason I chose Eric. It's not just because he's a little crazy and a lot funny - altho those are both true.

It's not just because he has tons of extra time on his hands, which, he doesn't - he's very busy.

It IS because he really cares. Cares enough to actually push through all the "pitfalls" that come with leadership. He cares enough to answer all the red flags that pop up. He cares enough to get the job done.

Right now, Eric is working on a team that will leave for Haiti early in the new year. While in Haiti, they will deliver a few thousand pair of glasses, and fit hundreds of "sight impaired" people (like myself) with glasses that they would never be able to afford.

Think about this: To take a team to Haiti, one must find an eye doctor, find dates when people can go, handle the danger of traveling to a country like Haiti, get passports, find a way to raise money for plane tickets, collect thousands of pair of glasses, have those glasses checked and labeled (which he did almost singlehandedly, along with his family!), and then, clear away everything else (like work and hobbies) that could get in the way of the actual trip.

So, Eric and his team are leaving early next year for Haiti.

Hundreds will find sight because of Eric and his passion to help.

Think about this for a moment: How often have you wanted to do something nice for someone else - send a card, make a phone call or build them a new garage? There are always things that get in the way, aren't there? Important things like family and church, or unimportant things like "The Amazing Race" or "Survivor".

Leaders find a way to get things done - AND do the important things.

Thanks Eric!

Back to the Pass

Well, my friend Greg Kisov went back to the Pass.
He and his friend (and son), along with Kevin VanErt and Jon Hisey all flew down to Pass Christian for the weekend -- to work hard on the Spencer home - trying to get that family in to their new digs!
The story is this: Thomas and his wife and daughter lived a happy life in Pass Christian. Hurricane Katrina came and absolutely blew their house away. It's gone.
For the last two years, Thomas and his 8 year old daughter have lived in a FEMA trailer, while his wife lives 2 hours away in Hattiesburg. She can't stay in the FEMA trailer on account of her being claustraphobic.
Greg led a group from CrossRoads back in November, and that group (us!) framed and roofed the Spencer Home - all in 5 days. This is about 1 year earlier than anyone expected!
So, now, we all want that family back together as soon as possible.
So, Greg and Jon and Kevin and the rest went down to drywall and put on the siding.
Way to go guys! I love your passion for this amazing work!

Project 418

Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poort. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." We're excited to raise money during this Christmas season, for our GO factor work all around the world. From Bulgaria to Bowling Green. From Missionaries to Mississippi relief. From Church planting to Church camping! Yay God -- thanks for letting us do this!