Becoming Greek

People are so eclectic....

This week has been a busy one when it comes to meeting with people, and one thing I can say is that people are eclectic. I have come to the realization that you can learn something from everyone that you have a significant conversation with. They might be older, younger, smarter, or dumber..... Yet, the ability to learn something from someone is there. We are all experts at something, and when you can talk with someone about their expertise you can truly learn a thing or two.

The greatest conversationalist that I know is a friend of ours named Dana. Dana has the gift of conversation, and I do not mean that she can talk the paint off a barn. Dana has a way of finding the passion of the person, and allows that individual to express themselves in a truly natural way. I have tried to better the art of conversation, and become a little more like Dana. I met this week with pastors, athletes, students, and a Ryan who was pretending to dress like a homeless person. I learned about church planting, division I football, the armed forces, paramedics, church discipline, and youth hosteling.... All to say I found some passions, and I was able to sit back and learn. A wise sales person once said that you earn more money with your ears than your mouth. The same can be true in conversation.... You learn more with your ears than your mouth.... I love talking with people because we truly are eclectic.

AJ Hodge

One of my best friends is in Korea today to pick up a newly adopted baby. Brian and Jolie Hodge were amazing youth leaders and in the next 24 hours they will be giving Anna J Hodge the luckiest day in here life. She is about to be adopted by two of the greatest people I know. She has no idea what a big day tomorrow will be for her.

Pray for a smooth transition, travel, and easy adjustment. I personally can't wait to meet her!!!

The O's

The past few days I have been able to enjoy America's pastime at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The baseball players have done alright, but I have enjoyed some great company.

I attended a Tigers game with a true Detroit fan, Brad Leach. Brad was in Baltimore for his Master's work, and we enjoyed our time together. It is always refreshing to talk with such a great leader.

Monday night Jamie and I attended a game with some new friends from Trinity AG. Keith Edwards and his wife were a pleasure to spend some time with. I enjoy this stage so much when I can meet wonderful, intelligent people.

Yesterday capped off my summer with a few great Orioles fans. Andy, Brady, Jamie, and I all enjoyed a day game. Brady got to jump in the bounce house. He spent some quality time with "the bird", and we got a few funny pictures. But the coolest thing was that Brady got a ball. What a day, and what a lucky, happy kid!!

Simpleton

I am a simpleton when it comes to refreshing beverages. I really like raspberry Brisk ice tea, and I could argue that it should be everyones favorite. Now today was a great day in my book. Hans and Mia stopped by the house. I had a great meeting at VFCC with Dr McLeod about Engage. A solid Wed night service with Jack Mason in Spring City, PA. Yet, the kicker came at a normal gas station stop on the ride home.

I usually peer at the Pepsi section to find a absence of my favorite. However, tonight was a night of a man's simple dream coming true. Tonight I laid eyes on the 24 oz mighty can! Zelda has found his princess....... I can say that today was a good day.

Engage Missions

During my time in Springfield, MO I ran into a missionary I have worked with in the past named Steve Shoop. Steve is located in Guadalajara, Mexico and is doing an incredible job. He was a wonderful individual to work with, and now I get to extend that working relationship.

Steve has pioneered a program called

Engage Missions. This is a program designed to connect AG kids on the mission field before or during their college career. In the months ahead Engage will be partnered with most AG schools, and can work with any accredited institution. The basic concept is that a student gains missions experience, takes online classes, and has the opportunity to attend a university in another country. The student would not lose time in their educational process, but would be gaining experience in ministry. It is ideal for students pursuing a full time call of God, or a student who wants to serve for a year in their college years before hitting the workforce.

We are going to be a host site in the Fall of 09 and we are really excited about it. Not only will it allow us to accelerate what we are doing in Greece, but it will allow us to invest in the next generation. We will have a part in forming lives who will then go back home to the states and continue to serve. You will hear more about this opportunity in the months ahead....

Mac's creativity

Mac went to the Dr's yesterday and everything is looking really good. He was such a good sport about the entire thing. The toughest part was the arm splints the first few days. They were put on to keep him from rubbing his eyes, but it kept him from being able to eat very well. Mac is very independant and likes to feed himself, and so we found a solution. This pasta spoon became his mode of eating. He dealt with all this so well, and it encourages me as we get ready to move abroad. If you can learn to function well without bending your arms, you can learn to do a lot of things diffrent. What a great lession in flexability.... The splints are off and we have no more Mac-en-stien, but the flexible spirit remains.

Burkina Faso Miracle

WHile I was in Springfield we heard the miracle again that many of us have heard about this country in West Africa. About 80 years ago some of the first A/G missionaries arrived and built the first church. One of those workers has turned out to be the grandfather of the current superintendent Jean Palantari. As the indigenous church was built in this nation, the gospel exploded. Today in the country there are more A/G churches than you can throw a stick at. The countries population is 12 million, and they have 1 million members in the Assemblies of God. I the next few years they might have almost 10% of the country in this one denomination.

They have overcome a lot of obstacles to see the growth in the church explode. We are praying for a similar miracle to happen in Greece. The population is almost identical as Burkina Faso, but the A/G in Greece is not nearly as successful. The entire Pentecostal movement numbers close to 750 people. We are a long ways from a million members, but we just need the right move of God. We need the right grandfather to work in the right coffee shop, and we need the right workers in the harvest field at the right time...... May we be half as successful as Burkina Faso.

I hate saying goodbye

The past few days have held a lot of goodbyes..... I hate saying goodbye to people, and as we near our departure date in November they continue to get more frequent. I had a tough three day stretch the past few days. I said goodbye to some family from Wichita on Saturday as I left another great weekend of fishing after school of missions. I then spend Sunday with the Hernando's at their church in Springfield, MO. I had a wonderful time at their church, and a great time of fellowship. The sad thing was I had to say another goodbye. After a 14 hour drive through the night we had the Britton's over for a few minutes. We had some great conversation, and we said goodbye to Andrea. She is going abroad for the semester and she will not get back before the departure.....

All of these goodbyes have been bitter sweet. These people mean so much, and it is so hard to say goodbye. However, we will get to see them in the next few years in Greece. Some of the toughest goodbyes will hold some of the greatest hello's in the years ahead. We still have a lot of hard goodbyes ahead, but we are really looking to some great hello's in Greece....

I want to thank everyone for praying for Mac this morning. He is really sleepy, and seems to be doing well. He had a ton of fun before the surgery getting carted around on the wagon. After the surgery it was not so much fun for him. I think the toughest thing is the arm splints to keep him from rubbing his eyes. He moves as well as C3PO from star wars... He tried to eat a cracker this afternoon, but could not get it to his mouth..... A tad funny, but really frustrating for him. Some day we will get a laugh out of it together when he is older. It is sad, but the Dr said it went perfect and Mac has been resting well. We appreciate all the prayers, stop by's, calls, emails, and text's.....

Eye Surgery

Our son Mac is having eye surgery today.... Please keep hum in your prayers, and I will post an update latter with the results...