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This site is dedicated to the eternal KING of Kings who pierced human history as a baby in a barn. His passionate desire, in doing so, is that all people could get to him. Then he showed us how to live: in infinite love and trenchant truth. By his death and rising again, we are given choice: to gain total emancipation as his forever child, or remain in slavery forever.
HE ALONE is incomparable good and glorious! Check out the GOD page (above) to gain hope. HE is...
calm | "careless" | elegant | faithful | happy | kindred | optimistic | passionate | valiant | vulnerable
We finally got an updated FAMILY PICTURE on Christmas day. Check out the Family page (above).
God likes wimps. Examples...
Feb 9 (today). Another blur. Times flies when you're having fun, and we must be having LOTS OF FUN, since i rarely get back to updating this. We're in daily contact with internationals here and by internet overseas. Last night, for example, I received a call from an Iranian student who wants to meet for lunch. He's a seeker. VALENTINE'S DAY is coming up, so we'll be using that platform to share that true love comes from the true God. There's no other source.
Dec 7-29 is a happy blur. Christmas eve was sweet, worshipping at Grace with brother Aaron, and receiving God's word through comedian and prophet Buddy!
Christmas day was the highlight, spending the a.m. home with family, spending the aft with a dozen immigrants in their Ethiopian home. We gave them presents. They showered us with immense joy; it was a win-WIN situation. Grandma Heard arrived yesterday and we're delighted to host her. Working today on outreach plans for New Year's eve.
Our planet is SO MESSY, with so much anguish, war, violence, and forms of injustice. NO way we can start 2012 without a strong Warrior and Lover of our soul. Thankfully, there is One.
Dec. 6: please check out our prayer page to intercede for Mrs. Ortega's total healing.
Nov. 26 Mary, Greg and I were honored to have a small part in hosting about 300 M friends for turkey dinner. Jesus is building His church, made up of living stones; so glad to be a part.
Nov. 24 THANKSGIVING DAY. Seeing grandmama Heard in Alabama was fun, as always.
FROSTING ON THE CAKE THIS YEAR...was the amazing answer to prayer that God gave to a M friend named "A". We've been friends for a few years. About a year ago, he confided in me that he was grieved at not having any children, despite being married for several years. God led me to pray with him and his wife. On July 4th he ecstatically told me that she was PG and would give birth in November, InsyaAllah. Sure enough...on Thanksgiving day...a healthy, beautiful boy.
Nov. 22 Danny was a challenge and inspiration to 40+ folks at Celebrate Recovery in Monroeville, AL.
Nov. 21 Greg, our friend Danny, and I spent over four hours with our friends Scott and Janet Willis in Tennessee. (World magazine, Oct. 22, '11; page 75) Having said goodbye to six of their children, Heaven will be an incredible reunion for them. IF you're looking for genuine heroes of the faith, they are.
Nov. 20th. I visited a dear man who young son died tragically a few days ago. Carlyle said "he was my buddy". Life had already been painful enough for the previous month, as Carlyle broke nine bones in his foot, falling off a ladder when helping paint the home of son Jake. The irony is that Carlyle had parachuted dozens of times as a teen but with no injuries. With this fall of 4 feet, he'll have eight metal pins through his leg for 4 months (thru Feb. '12) providing stability for his bones. Please pray with me that the Comforter will wonderfully work in and through this dear brother, his wife and three children.
Nov. 13: Forty years as God's kid. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Jesus!!! And thank you, Sharon and friends at Prince of Peace in Portland, for freely sharing the bread of life.
Nov 12: We got to see Amy and her good friend Audrey in Chattanooga today. Yeah!
OCT 30 Just six hours til the alarm slaps me, then off to the airport for my marathon Monday (26 hours without a bed), enroute back home to Atlanta. (I made it ok, but the 12 hr. flight from Japan to Detroit was too long; it hurt my back a little. Need prayer on that.)
Oct. 26 It's a humbling experienced to be among 200 full time servants of the King this week in Asia. I'm about the oldest guy around, so it's cool to be able to share some experience, at least telling folks what NOT to do.
Oct. 21 Thank you for praying. My flight to Asia went well, highlighted by the divine appointment of a 'seeking' seatmate the final 3 hours. His life is broken, but he now knows Who can fix it, inside then out. PTL i also received the gift of 5 hours of sleep here in Manila. Off to the south now.
Oct. 19 I (bob) am leaving tomor at 8 a.m. to a recent assignment in Asia. I'll partner in training over 200 evangelists in literacy and compassion ministries to M groups there. Thank you for your prayers that I will be bold and not forfeit my privilege of praise, lest the stones do it (Luke 19:40).
Oct. 9th So glad to share evangelism strategies at Grace Fellowship in Clanton, AL. Yeah pastor Jake! You're amazing.
Oct. 8th. So glad to witness bro Marcus tie the knot!
Oct. 7th. I (bob) helped a pro painter (Bob Hunt) paint a house in just three days this week for our dear bud, Jan Cowles, in Colorado. For being (way) over 30, those many trips up and down ladders were challenging. But PTL we got it done. JAN still needs prayer as he started chemo a week ago. Pray for healing in his lungs and liver. God is able!
OCT. 1st THANKS, everybody who prayed for Norman. He had successful brain tumor removal yesterday and was sitting up talking within 2 hours of it. Mary and I saw him today and prayed with his family. So sweet.
9 pm now and I (bob) am off to zzzzzzland as am headed to Denver tomor a.m. early to see my dear bro, Jan Cowles. Looking forward to being a blessing there for a few days. He has major health challenges now, but nothing that the Creator and Redeemer can't handle.
9/27 Having gone to bed at midnight, I set my alarm for 5:30, but was convincingly awakened by searing leg cramps at 4:30. I made a quick breakfast and enjoyed a marvelous Bible reading time, knowing that my scheduled 6 a.m. departure to 'the hood' would be eventful. It was very cool to be with a few guys for prayer til 8 a.m.. A few minutes later I found myself sharing the grace of God with a young man nearby. It was surreal, knowing that I was in the heart of one of the darkest drug-dealing centers in America. It was also potentially frightening. Thankfully, three hours earlier, God had already given me His gracious mandate which I wrote in my journal "Be strong and take heart", Psalm 27:14. Being the 27th of the month, my scheduled reading was Ps. 27 where God, the timeless one, already had a word in advance for me. His Word truly is a lamp (and sometimes a light beam) to our feet; Ps. 119:105.
9/26 I was up late, buying a plane ticket to Denver, CO. for this Sunday to see my blood brother, Jan Cowles. He's one in a billion who will be young at heart forever. Unfortunately, his earthly tent is showing some major wear and tear that brings tears to my eyes as I keyboard this. Please pray with us for his healing.
9/22 Mary Em had an extraordinary time tutoring English to Hannah in her home ten miles from us. Hannah's family (husband Abdul and five kids) lived in a large tent with many relatives since she was born, a few hours from Bagdad, Iraq. Four years ago, U.S. army trucks entered their village urging them to evacuate within five minutes or be slaughtered by extremist militia. Hannah's family got in and were spared; everyone who didn't was massacred. Now, extradited to America, they are seeking God, whom we declare to be full of grace and truth. It's pure joy to interact with these friends who are near the Kingdom.
9/16 Bob got back to Atlanta last night, in time to lead our 2nd ESL workshop at Grace Fellowship. We only had ten candidates this time, but enough to launch the ministry this week at four apartment complexes in Clarkston. That leaves about 46 more apartment areas. COME AND HELP US!!!
9/12-15 I (bob) was ecstatic to spend 3 days in Wisconsin, with about six meetings with pastors and other 'workers' built around the main person of the trip: to be with my mom on her birthday. I got less than a mile from the Milwaukee airport when I met one of my heroes. We talked and squawked like a couple hens, for about 4 hours. "M" has been a faithful witness over a decade in the Middle East and has been amazingly used to further the Kingdom. As an 'old guy' in this, I feel that this time was well spent as I was able to encourage and inspire my brother there to continue being salt n light.
9/11. We have not forgotten those TV images. Nor has my family forgotten the repeated death threats we received that week in Mindanao. We weep with those who lost loved ones. The evil of that terror came from hell itself, as does all unconscionable violence. Nonetheless, King JESUS is alive, well, and calling people into His forever family, into His Kingdom, from every tribe, nation, and people group on earth.
His truth is trenchant, his power is almighty, and his love is infinitely stronger than hate.
God loves everyone...regardless of race, nation, etc. He is truly at work in our 1.6 billion Muslim neighbors. They are NOT THE ENEMY. They are the prize. May we allow Him to change us, making us useful for His kingdom, making a difference on earth.
On Sunday afternoon, Mary, Greg, and I were honored to join over 150 teens (and a few parents) sharing picnic lunches with Clarkston refugees, many of whom were Muslim refugees from the Iraq war. They've lost everything, except life. We're living to love them Home.
Sept 9,10 We were pumped to meet 23 schoolmates of Amy that came down to Atlanta for evangelism training. Soooooooooooooo amazing!!! Mary's mom came too, as well as an WBT m.k. that was my student at Faith Academy (Davao, Philippines) in 2001. This weekend was incredibly short n sweet! So good to be alive and multiplying for the only Kingdom that matters forever.
Sept. 8 Mary and I had the opportunity to train about 30 people to do ELM (English Lang. Ministry) that are committed to friendship and meeting needs among the refugee communities (over 50 apartment complexes in Clarkston alone). Yeah God. HE's raising up harvesters.
Sept 3 God really helped Norman at the wedding today. He was a new man, smiling, peaceful, blessed. He got tired later on (when the reception ended about 10pm).
Sept. 2: Our next door neighbor, Norman, is marrying Eymy Herrera tomorrow at 5pm, but he has a brain tumor (causing severe headaches); yesterday he was diagnosed with a heart abnormality. Norman is a young believer. He knows where he's been and where he's going. Please pray with us for God's healing today.
Aug. 18 We helped a Congolese friend to tranfer apartments. Elodie is an unemployed single mom whose son has major health challenges. We met her back in January, shoveling her sidewalk when six inches of stuff shut down the city for a week! Two days after we met, her neighbor decided to get drunk while cooking supper. Subsequently, 'Suzy Q' passed out. An hour later 4 apartments were totally gutted by fire. Thankfully Elodie was taken in by a gracious Muslim family that provided shelter for a week until we had all her stuffed cleaned and moved to an adjacent building. That was January, this is August, but the trauma lingers on. Pls pray for her emotional, occupational, and spiritual needs. She's not alone. Pray that she will find the amazing Christ in the midst of all this pain.
Aug. 11-14 EASTBROOK MISSIONS CONF. I was privileged to engage some of the most incredible people in America, many of whom serve as Ambassadors elsewhere. Frosting on the cake was breakfast at pastor Marc and Nancy's, especially their parting prayer and farewell as I headed back south.
Aug. 8. Greg started 7th grade at Trikkum Middle School. This is a public school just five min away where the Lord is doing amazing things, thanks to Young Life and Grace Fellowship teams that lead 200 teens in worship once a week (before school). This should be an excellent year for Greg.
Aug. 2 Ariel and I had an amazing opportunity to share the love of Christ with an M refugee family in Clarkston. I'm learning how to effectively do this using the source text of the M persuasion along with the Bible. Without doing studies in the Quran, most M followers aren't aware that the Quran teaches that Jesus in fact died on the cross; (Sura 3:55; 19:30-34; 5.117). There is only one other Quran reference to the death of Jesus (4:153-159) but it's the source of numerous interpretations. Anyhow, in Ariel and my sharing with our Clarkston friends tonight, we read John chapter 1, with a focus on the Word who became flesh (John 1:14), and is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). We traced the blood sacrifice (important to Ms) from Genesis 3 through the Passover; Ex. 12. So good to see lights bulbs turn on! Psalm 119:105.
July 31 Amy arrived from N.C. and will be home for a few weeks. Yeah! IN PERFECT TIME FOR GREG'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS...lasting about 4 days!
July 30 Ariel Bollant arrived for a short term missions opportunity.
July 15 Greg and five friends got a free limo escort, and enjoyed deluxe seat and free food at the Atlanta Braves game, courtesy of Victory World Church in Norcross. A month prior, Greg's team of six were Number 1 in competing with over 2000 men/sons at a Victory fun night. One of the events they championed was changing to Nascar tires in 46 seconds. (Not good enuf for Indy, but decent.) We all enjoyed the standup comedien, "Michael Junior".
July 9-15 SO FUN to see friends and loved ones in Wisc, and bring back our nephew Josh to Atl.
JULY 8TH. I was privileged to break bread tonight with Sudanese pastors David Joram and Bastian, celebrating independence that Southern Sudan begins tomorrow. Over two million Sudanese have been killed in the past 30 years in this struggle, and many challenges exist, potentially erupting at anytime into the next war there. May God help them.
July 4th ! THIS WAS THE BEST EVER. We made several impromptu visits to international friends, dropping off red/wh/blue cakes that we got this a.m. from Walmart for 3 bucks. I'll just tell you about the FIRST and favorite encounter.
Our list actually didn't include 'Mr. Is' but on the way I felt compelled to stop by his office. We met him 3 years ago prior to moving to Atlanta, and have since stopped in a few times, espec. on Easter and Christmas. In one of those early visits, I met his wife of ten years, and learned of their strong desire to have kids. I took Mary along on my next visit (about a year ago) and prayed with them in JESUS name. They were thankful at the time, but not sure what to do with me.
So, on Monday a.m., I walked in with the usual and beautiful greeting "salam waleikum". He didn't answer in the normal way (waleikum
salam), but said 'hello brother". Without thinking, the Irish in me blurted out "Is your wife pregnant yet"? His eyes misted and he gave me a hug, saying "YES, in November she'll have a baby."
I went crazy, so happy that God had answered this prayer. I started jumping up and down. "Is" was pretty happy that i was ecstatic for them. SO COOL to represent the King anywhere, anytime.
July 2 So good to spend time in NC with Amy on her 21st bday!!!
June 28 Unlike our normal schedule, Greg and I were watching a video at 11:30 pm when we heard someone knocking LOUDLY at our front door. After peeping through the drapes, we saw it was a teen who lived nearby. We have been praying for "V" for two years, and this was the time for her to come to salvation in Christ. Sweet!
June 25/26 Mary Em enjoyed her 21st birthday again with her mom in Mville!
May 27 Mary arrived from Manila at 7pm; tired from the 30 hour marathon, but thankful to be used by God there, and thankful to be back home in Atlanta. What a woman!
May 24 My Sudanese friend, pastor David, texted me this a.m.; he had just arrived at the storage area where he keeps all his landscaping tools and mowers. All were stolen during the night, valued at about $4000. We prayed for the thieves that they would come to Christ.
May 14 I was saddened today to counsel a Sudanese family, David and Martha, that suffered so much there. They'll be losing their Clarkson home this month, as his landscaping business isn't bringing in enough income.
I was further saddened tonight, as well, seeing the news of the Louisiana families...up to 25,000 people who are being 'sacrificed' so that the millions in New Orleans and Baton Rouge will be spared. How gut-wrenching that must be.
Do they suffer alone? No. God sees each sparrow that falls; how much more His heart yearns to hold, love and comfort all people in distress. If we would put our ears to His heart, we'd hear it saying:
"I love you. Don't give up. DON'T FORGET IN THE DARK WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED IN THE LIGHT. Come to Jesus. "
May 13 MARVELOUS friday 'the 13th'. Had a bible study tonight with Brian, a local teen, now an adopted child of God by faith in Jesus.
April 24...Easter!!!!!!!!! HE has risen! HE has risen indeed!
Remembering the resurrection of Christ on the 3rd day, the preeminent point of history. No other event or person guarantees hope. Because HE rose from death, so will all who love Him.
April 22. Sharing the message of Good Friday included showing The Passion of Christ, produced by Mel Gibson. I couldn't watch parts of it. Man's inhumanity to man is bad enough. Man's inhumanity to the son of God was/is unconscionable.
After showing the film to about 50 people, I was privileged to briefly address our visitors, with our neighbor/friend Danny translating into Spanish, followed by an invitation by pastor Enrique. God met us there, as several committed their lives to Christ.
April 15-16. Thanks to some very generous friends, we were able to buy excellent tickets for the final showing of the Passion Play, put on by Dr. Charles Stanley's church at the Civic Center, for the past 35 years. We were glad to provide tickets to 22 friends from central America, World Relief staffers, Greg, Mary, her mom, and Val, our maid-of-honor. Family affair! What's forever fun is being in God's family. Looking forward to that day being Home together.
April 9-10. Mary, Greg and I had just 24 hours in Macon, but it was a marvelous experience visiting First Presbyterian Church there which is a longtime bastion of the gospel. In fact, FBC launched an urban fellowship two years ago, Strong Tower, that is making significant inroads in the lives of needy people there. Strong Tower fellowship is being capably led by our good friend, pastor Tom Anderson.
It was also fun for me to be entrusted with the high schoolers Sunday school class. My challenge to the teens was from them to prepare well and then confidently share the gospel with Muslims who also need the love of Christ.
April 1-7 Greg and dad spent a week in the Rio Grande valley. Dad's main work was pastoral counseling, including missions awareness. It was time well spent, especially with pastors in the RG Valley, and students at Rio Grande Bible Institute. In fact, two of the four men who visited us in Atlanta last year are enroute this coming May to spent two months in the Philippines, serving in street ministries. One young man, Obed de la Cruz, is considering fulltime ministry in the Philippines upon graduation from RGBI in December.
March 16. I spent last night in Birmingham with Ted/Joyce Carter who were missionaries in Japan for 35 years, serving about an hour from the hardest hit areas of last week's tsunami. They've had email contact this week with MOST of their friends within 100 miles of the devastation. They've not received responses from others. We need to pray for that needy country. Having served there for two years and knowing enough of the language to get around, I yearn to jump on the next plane to Tokyo. Most airlines are still going there! Why shouldn't I go?
March 12. The highlight of this birthday weekend was spending time at Billy Graham's center, The Cove, in North Carolina. Scripture says "A wise person wins souls", ostensibly because nothing else is eternal. Billy was so wise. And so were his ministry/prayer partners for those many years. It was truly inspiring to be there, though it wasn't on 'our itinerary' for the weekend. It was the frosting on the cake. Our primary intent in traveling to the Asheville area was to check out a summer job for Amy at Ridgecrest, which will be her home for six weeks this summer. She'll be a camp counselor there. We're so proud of her!
March 3-7. I was truly honored to have a part in the annual missions conference at the EV. Free Church in Sheboygan, Wisc.. The highlight was being with my mom. It was also very sweet to get up to Manitowoc to share our ministry with friends at Faith EFC there.
Feb. 4-26. My Philippines visit had a challenging 'first half' because of amoeba, blood clots, kidney stones, jetlag vertigo, etc that hit upon my arrival, but I was usually coherent enough to share Christ with doctors and nurses in two Manila hospitals. (Maybe I should be a chaplain.) The 'second half' allowed for the fun of sharing the gospel with about 70 hearing-impaired teens (six came to Christ),and 60+ residents of the DSWD group home for women and girls in Davao. I was especially glad to get to Samal island for a couple hours. A friend (Gary) came along. A few minutes after we got off the boat, a body of a young girl washed ashore. Gary ran to her, did CPR, and revived her. THAT was awesome. Thank God that He can use anybody anywhere as we allow Him to lead us; Psalm 23:3.
Saturday Jan. 22. Mary and I were happily but totally worn last night, having spent the past week helping a Congolese mom (Elodi) whose apartment was gutted by fire on Sunday, no thanks to the 1st floor tenant who had passed out on booze while cooking. 4 units were destroyed. We (+ friends from Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, Italy, Nepal, and Iraq) truly sensed the strength and peace of Christ as we shoveled (wet, sooty insulation), cleaned, and moved salvaged items w Elodi and her son to a nearby apartment. We truly MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE in just a few days.
Why all the fuss? Because God has brought over 30,000 refugees to Atlanta, the world's busiest airport. More get off the plane every day, most with their "entire earthly goods" in one plastic bag. Satan's plan was to kill, cripple and crucify everywhere he has license to do so (John10:10). But the risen Christ has a indomitable plan to give life, love, joy, and peace now and forever to all who will humbly receive Him.
Friday, 1/22. I messed up today, not loving the hard-to-love. As chauffeur and expediter, I spent the morning with a mom and 8 kids, getting their immunizations. 'Mom' was extremely challenging. So needy. They have five mangy cats which makes things worse. The children are joyless, though their English is excellent and they seem to be doing ok in school (with after-school tutoring at CIBC). I do have a favorite among the 8, so I look forward to being a light to them next time. Anybody want to help? GREATEST need is for salvation; pls pray that 'mom' would let the children attend Sunday school. Anoher need is for more after-school tutors for the children.
Jan. 17 (Monday)
With 5 inches of snow a week ago and subsequent ice all over Atlanta (with no salt), our ministry focused on chopping ice the last four days, including the sidewalk at Carriage Oaks II apartment that's home to many Christian African and Iraqi Muslim refugees. We were there two days ago, and met a Congolese believer named Elodi. We were there again this a.m., but shocked to hear that her apartment was gutted by fire LAST NIGHT. We found her this a.m. at Mohammed's home a few units away, being well cared for, but of course in shock. Her husband remarried years ago so she's alone now with no income; her son "Grace" is a part time security guard. We've promised to help her set up an aparment this Friday. Anybody want to help with used furniture or groceries?
January 16 (Sunday). Mary and I just came from Thahtoo's house. His younger brother (age 20) was murdered not long ago, having lived in this 'land of the free and home of the brave' less than a year. He was shot in a 'drive-by' by punks. Thahtoo is praying for the killers that they would also know that Jesus died for their sins too, and rose from the grave to demonstrate that God is stronger than all hell.
"Thanksgiving Day" holiday in America is now history. We have MUCH to be thankful for. Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus hosted the 'Last Supper', where He distributed bread and the wine (symbols of His death) to His twelve closest friends. Before doing so, He "gave thanks". He knew the cross was waiting for Him at 9 the next morning, where He'd be dead by 3pm.
Why? Because of infinite grace and absolute truth. That's who He is, the very gutsy God. If you REALLY WANT to meet him, and if you hunger and thirst for truth, purpose, meaning in life, it's your's from the Author of life, who's so much, much more than a Carpenter, Teacher, Healer and Friend of sinners. He's GOD in the flesh, forever. John 7:17; Matthew 5:6.
Sunday, Nov. 28 Mary, Greg and I were privileged to be among many believers who provided a belated but scrumptuous Thanksgiving dinner to over fifty Muslim today. Just trying to love our neighbors.
Sat, Nov. 27 BUSY day today, hosting about 30 marvelous Nepali refugees in the morning, and over 40 others from various nations in the afternoon, mostly Burmese. THANK YOU, to all our praying and giving friends. Now we need energy for tomorrow!
Saturday, Nov. 20
I (bob) am very bummed seeing that it's been 3 months since I updated this site. (Groan. Deep breath). Nor can I do much now, as it's been a very hard day (our first one here as a 3-some, just ten minutes from Reynosa, Mexico, which is darkness depot for drug dealing and other lucid reminders of mankind's need for the Light of the world, and no less. Because the Almighty often uses the weakest wimps for His glory (2 Cor. 12), this week here should be hugely beneficial for eternity. Answer: We spent Nov. 18-24th in Edinburg at the Rio Grande Bible Institute. We were inspired by these committed collegians (about 100), and hopefully it was reciprocal. It was amazing to me (bob) to see that many students left on evangelism trips within an hour of school being dismissed (for Thanksgiving break). Most were going into high risk areas along the border to share the life-changing gospel of grace and truth.
Life in Atlanta these intervening three months have been good, as the Lord is good, His mercy is eternal, and His truth endures forever; (Psalm 100:5). Pls check out the separate pages (above) to get news on our family, and prayer needs.
SUNDAY, Aug. 15
Morning:
Having heard of TEAM missionaries (to Asia) Dave and Kathy (sis of my dear bro Keith Rascher) North for over 20 years and having prayed for them a lot, without ever meeting them...I noticed their sons Ian and Eric at worship today, sitting five feet away from me, with a mid-age couple I guessed correctly to be their parents, Dave n Kathy. I was so pleased to meet them, though that was tempered by the report from Ian of daily pressure on his 28 'after-school' kids (at Huntington Creek apartments) where Ian and Ruthie serve as missionaries. Pls pray for David and Kathy as they return to Asia TODAY and for Ian and Ruthie as they incarnate the gospel of grace and truth 24-7 in that needy apartment complex.
Afternoon:
After the senseless killing a week ago of newly-arrived refugee, Pa Lee, I was honored to walk with about 800 other Burmese and about two dozen Americans in a MARCH OF LOVE AND SOLIDARITY this afternoon, from Clarkston International Bible Church to the apartment area where Pa Lee died on Jolly Street. The distance was about a kilometer, but we seemed to get there in about two minutes, as if the Lord was making us fly like eagles in this demonstration of His incarnation...reaching out to the outcast, the poor, the needy. The reality of anti-immigrant, gang-motivated murder was not mitigated by God's presence. In reality, we were reminded that the darker the night, the brighter shines truth, love, forgiveness, and the fact that vengeance and justice are totally in God's hands, as are the scars of Calvary. This is no cop-out, no heartless fundamentalism.
Later on (about 7-9pm), Mary and I enjoyed being at the home of Tha Thoo, brother of Pa Lee. We were enamored by the love of these humble Karen tribespeople, some of whom have been here just two months. Sitting on the floor, we played 'Simon Says' etc. for a while, creating waves of laughter for 20+ kids, parents; as well as young teens who had been walking w Pa Lee when he was killed ten days ago. It was absolute Ambassadorial privilege to bring laughter to these, then pray in conclusion. I recommend it to all of God's people.
Aug. 14 Amy was baptized today, along with two Hispanic American friends she's made here in this year. We're praising God that Lauren and Eymy both came to Christ in the last few months, as did our next door neighbors, Danilo and Norman who were also baptized two weeks ago.
Aug. 12. Our amazing Amy left at 6:20 a.m. to be with her ex-roomie (AnaLynn Ebersole) in Dayton, TN. for her baby's arrival. "Lynn" and hub Caleb are friends from Faith Academy in Manila. Their baby girls arrived in good shape so Amy has just left the hospital (7pm) and is headed back to Atlanta; hope to see her by 10pm. IF ANYONE'S READING...pls pray for safe travels.
(11pm update: she arrived back home safely, tiredly; what a faithful friend she is!)
Oh, by the way, the PGA championship started without me today in Kohler, WI. where I worked for a year. Somebody forgot to invite me. No problem. (Same thing happens every time the Olympics and World Cup happens.) I'd rather go see Karate Kid 2 for the 4th time with my son tonight. I'm praying for Tiger Woods that, win or lose, he'll find true peace in Jesus.
Aug. 11. My dear wife and I went to see the movie, Charlie St. Cloud tonight. The heroism was good, but the metaphysics were patently cipher. I preferred the burger at Wendy's afterwards.
Aug. 9. I worked with World Relief friends to set up three apartments for asylee families, inclu. a young Eritrean widow and her two children. When those jobs ended at 7 pm, I went to the home of "T" (from Burma) whose younger brother, age 20, was killed in a 'drive-by' on Friday, just a block from his home. Thankfully I had some extra cash in my pocket so I bought burgers and ice cream for the family and some very fearful neighbors, then went next door to invite the Burmese pastor to T's home for prayer. My impromptu visit was a welcome salve for much pain there. I'm so glad to be available to love these 'aliens' to America who suffer so much. By the way, many of these Burmese and Bhutanese work in chicken plants where most Americans don't want to work because of low pay and high smell. Remember them the next time you chomp into some nuggets...and pray that they will have courage to leave their homes each morning when it's time to go to work or school. At this time (five days after the latest murder), many are still very afraid.
Sunday Aug. 8 I drove from Atl to Birmingham this a.m. to share w teens at SVCC. Regretably, at the Alabama rest stop enroute, I left my keys in the ignition then locked the car. An hour later, a AAA guy took two minutes to unlock it, and I was on my way with ample time to watch the movie To Save A Life with the teens and lead the discussion afterwards. Teen suicide is infinitely heartwrenching. Only Jesus can heal hearts of friends and family members who wondered 'what happened'.
Aug. 7. I was honored to chauffeur a dozen Bhutanese refugees from Atl to Chatanoonga today...Aug. 7th. It was the 'end of summer' worship conference for Nepalis from ten different states. These teens are incredible. My copilot, for example, is 19 yrs. old. 'Subis' spent 17 years at a refugee camp (in Nepal, of all places) prior to gaining asylum in America two years ago. He loves life, Jesus, people, music; is fluent in several languages, plays several instruments, etc. My intent was to be an encouragement to the 300 plus teens there. They blew me away.
These hearing-impaired teens came to Christ during my June visit! I (bob) was privileged on 6/27 to share God's Word with about 120 hearing-impaired friends at their k-14 school/dorm in Davao, southern Philippines.
They can hear only with their hearts and sing only with their hands, so i've added a couple 4 minute videos (below). Their choreographing doesn't perfectly sinc with the music because they can't hear it. They will someday. Maranatha!
VIDEOs
The following news relates to my June-July ministry in the Philippines. I hope you enjoy WATCHING THE VIDEOS of this memorable stop at the Deaf Ministries Int'l in Davao, Mindanao. If you like Johnny Cash music, it's on the first one.
HE ALONE is incomparable good and glorious! Check out the GOD page (above) to gain hope. HE is...
calm | "careless" | elegant | faithful | happy | kindred | optimistic | passionate | valiant | vulnerable
We finally got an updated FAMILY PICTURE on Christmas day. Check out the Family page (above).
God likes wimps. Examples...
Feb 9 (today). Another blur. Times flies when you're having fun, and we must be having LOTS OF FUN, since i rarely get back to updating this. We're in daily contact with internationals here and by internet overseas. Last night, for example, I received a call from an Iranian student who wants to meet for lunch. He's a seeker. VALENTINE'S DAY is coming up, so we'll be using that platform to share that true love comes from the true God. There's no other source.
Dec 7-29 is a happy blur. Christmas eve was sweet, worshipping at Grace with brother Aaron, and receiving God's word through comedian and prophet Buddy!
Christmas day was the highlight, spending the a.m. home with family, spending the aft with a dozen immigrants in their Ethiopian home. We gave them presents. They showered us with immense joy; it was a win-WIN situation. Grandma Heard arrived yesterday and we're delighted to host her. Working today on outreach plans for New Year's eve.
Our planet is SO MESSY, with so much anguish, war, violence, and forms of injustice. NO way we can start 2012 without a strong Warrior and Lover of our soul. Thankfully, there is One.
Dec. 6: please check out our prayer page to intercede for Mrs. Ortega's total healing.
Nov. 26 Mary, Greg and I were honored to have a small part in hosting about 300 M friends for turkey dinner. Jesus is building His church, made up of living stones; so glad to be a part.
Nov. 24 THANKSGIVING DAY. Seeing grandmama Heard in Alabama was fun, as always.
FROSTING ON THE CAKE THIS YEAR...was the amazing answer to prayer that God gave to a M friend named "A". We've been friends for a few years. About a year ago, he confided in me that he was grieved at not having any children, despite being married for several years. God led me to pray with him and his wife. On July 4th he ecstatically told me that she was PG and would give birth in November, InsyaAllah. Sure enough...on Thanksgiving day...a healthy, beautiful boy.
Nov. 22 Danny was a challenge and inspiration to 40+ folks at Celebrate Recovery in Monroeville, AL.
Nov. 21 Greg, our friend Danny, and I spent over four hours with our friends Scott and Janet Willis in Tennessee. (World magazine, Oct. 22, '11; page 75) Having said goodbye to six of their children, Heaven will be an incredible reunion for them. IF you're looking for genuine heroes of the faith, they are.
Nov. 20th. I visited a dear man who young son died tragically a few days ago. Carlyle said "he was my buddy". Life had already been painful enough for the previous month, as Carlyle broke nine bones in his foot, falling off a ladder when helping paint the home of son Jake. The irony is that Carlyle had parachuted dozens of times as a teen but with no injuries. With this fall of 4 feet, he'll have eight metal pins through his leg for 4 months (thru Feb. '12) providing stability for his bones. Please pray with me that the Comforter will wonderfully work in and through this dear brother, his wife and three children.
Nov. 13: Forty years as God's kid. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, Jesus!!! And thank you, Sharon and friends at Prince of Peace in Portland, for freely sharing the bread of life.
Nov 12: We got to see Amy and her good friend Audrey in Chattanooga today. Yeah!
OCT 30 Just six hours til the alarm slaps me, then off to the airport for my marathon Monday (26 hours without a bed), enroute back home to Atlanta. (I made it ok, but the 12 hr. flight from Japan to Detroit was too long; it hurt my back a little. Need prayer on that.)
Oct. 26 It's a humbling experienced to be among 200 full time servants of the King this week in Asia. I'm about the oldest guy around, so it's cool to be able to share some experience, at least telling folks what NOT to do.
Oct. 21 Thank you for praying. My flight to Asia went well, highlighted by the divine appointment of a 'seeking' seatmate the final 3 hours. His life is broken, but he now knows Who can fix it, inside then out. PTL i also received the gift of 5 hours of sleep here in Manila. Off to the south now.
Oct. 19 I (bob) am leaving tomor at 8 a.m. to a recent assignment in Asia. I'll partner in training over 200 evangelists in literacy and compassion ministries to M groups there. Thank you for your prayers that I will be bold and not forfeit my privilege of praise, lest the stones do it (Luke 19:40).
Oct. 9th So glad to share evangelism strategies at Grace Fellowship in Clanton, AL. Yeah pastor Jake! You're amazing.
Oct. 8th. So glad to witness bro Marcus tie the knot!
Oct. 7th. I (bob) helped a pro painter (Bob Hunt) paint a house in just three days this week for our dear bud, Jan Cowles, in Colorado. For being (way) over 30, those many trips up and down ladders were challenging. But PTL we got it done. JAN still needs prayer as he started chemo a week ago. Pray for healing in his lungs and liver. God is able!
OCT. 1st THANKS, everybody who prayed for Norman. He had successful brain tumor removal yesterday and was sitting up talking within 2 hours of it. Mary and I saw him today and prayed with his family. So sweet.
9 pm now and I (bob) am off to zzzzzzland as am headed to Denver tomor a.m. early to see my dear bro, Jan Cowles. Looking forward to being a blessing there for a few days. He has major health challenges now, but nothing that the Creator and Redeemer can't handle.
9/27 Having gone to bed at midnight, I set my alarm for 5:30, but was convincingly awakened by searing leg cramps at 4:30. I made a quick breakfast and enjoyed a marvelous Bible reading time, knowing that my scheduled 6 a.m. departure to 'the hood' would be eventful. It was very cool to be with a few guys for prayer til 8 a.m.. A few minutes later I found myself sharing the grace of God with a young man nearby. It was surreal, knowing that I was in the heart of one of the darkest drug-dealing centers in America. It was also potentially frightening. Thankfully, three hours earlier, God had already given me His gracious mandate which I wrote in my journal "Be strong and take heart", Psalm 27:14. Being the 27th of the month, my scheduled reading was Ps. 27 where God, the timeless one, already had a word in advance for me. His Word truly is a lamp (and sometimes a light beam) to our feet; Ps. 119:105.
9/26 I was up late, buying a plane ticket to Denver, CO. for this Sunday to see my blood brother, Jan Cowles. He's one in a billion who will be young at heart forever. Unfortunately, his earthly tent is showing some major wear and tear that brings tears to my eyes as I keyboard this. Please pray with us for his healing.
9/22 Mary Em had an extraordinary time tutoring English to Hannah in her home ten miles from us. Hannah's family (husband Abdul and five kids) lived in a large tent with many relatives since she was born, a few hours from Bagdad, Iraq. Four years ago, U.S. army trucks entered their village urging them to evacuate within five minutes or be slaughtered by extremist militia. Hannah's family got in and were spared; everyone who didn't was massacred. Now, extradited to America, they are seeking God, whom we declare to be full of grace and truth. It's pure joy to interact with these friends who are near the Kingdom.
9/16 Bob got back to Atlanta last night, in time to lead our 2nd ESL workshop at Grace Fellowship. We only had ten candidates this time, but enough to launch the ministry this week at four apartment complexes in Clarkston. That leaves about 46 more apartment areas. COME AND HELP US!!!
9/12-15 I (bob) was ecstatic to spend 3 days in Wisconsin, with about six meetings with pastors and other 'workers' built around the main person of the trip: to be with my mom on her birthday. I got less than a mile from the Milwaukee airport when I met one of my heroes. We talked and squawked like a couple hens, for about 4 hours. "M" has been a faithful witness over a decade in the Middle East and has been amazingly used to further the Kingdom. As an 'old guy' in this, I feel that this time was well spent as I was able to encourage and inspire my brother there to continue being salt n light.
9/11. We have not forgotten those TV images. Nor has my family forgotten the repeated death threats we received that week in Mindanao. We weep with those who lost loved ones. The evil of that terror came from hell itself, as does all unconscionable violence. Nonetheless, King JESUS is alive, well, and calling people into His forever family, into His Kingdom, from every tribe, nation, and people group on earth.
His truth is trenchant, his power is almighty, and his love is infinitely stronger than hate.
God loves everyone...regardless of race, nation, etc. He is truly at work in our 1.6 billion Muslim neighbors. They are NOT THE ENEMY. They are the prize. May we allow Him to change us, making us useful for His kingdom, making a difference on earth.
On Sunday afternoon, Mary, Greg, and I were honored to join over 150 teens (and a few parents) sharing picnic lunches with Clarkston refugees, many of whom were Muslim refugees from the Iraq war. They've lost everything, except life. We're living to love them Home.
Sept 9,10 We were pumped to meet 23 schoolmates of Amy that came down to Atlanta for evangelism training. Soooooooooooooo amazing!!! Mary's mom came too, as well as an WBT m.k. that was my student at Faith Academy (Davao, Philippines) in 2001. This weekend was incredibly short n sweet! So good to be alive and multiplying for the only Kingdom that matters forever.
Sept. 8 Mary and I had the opportunity to train about 30 people to do ELM (English Lang. Ministry) that are committed to friendship and meeting needs among the refugee communities (over 50 apartment complexes in Clarkston alone). Yeah God. HE's raising up harvesters.
Sept 3 God really helped Norman at the wedding today. He was a new man, smiling, peaceful, blessed. He got tired later on (when the reception ended about 10pm).
Sept. 2: Our next door neighbor, Norman, is marrying Eymy Herrera tomorrow at 5pm, but he has a brain tumor (causing severe headaches); yesterday he was diagnosed with a heart abnormality. Norman is a young believer. He knows where he's been and where he's going. Please pray with us for God's healing today.
Aug. 18 We helped a Congolese friend to tranfer apartments. Elodie is an unemployed single mom whose son has major health challenges. We met her back in January, shoveling her sidewalk when six inches of stuff shut down the city for a week! Two days after we met, her neighbor decided to get drunk while cooking supper. Subsequently, 'Suzy Q' passed out. An hour later 4 apartments were totally gutted by fire. Thankfully Elodie was taken in by a gracious Muslim family that provided shelter for a week until we had all her stuffed cleaned and moved to an adjacent building. That was January, this is August, but the trauma lingers on. Pls pray for her emotional, occupational, and spiritual needs. She's not alone. Pray that she will find the amazing Christ in the midst of all this pain.
Aug. 11-14 EASTBROOK MISSIONS CONF. I was privileged to engage some of the most incredible people in America, many of whom serve as Ambassadors elsewhere. Frosting on the cake was breakfast at pastor Marc and Nancy's, especially their parting prayer and farewell as I headed back south.
Aug. 8. Greg started 7th grade at Trikkum Middle School. This is a public school just five min away where the Lord is doing amazing things, thanks to Young Life and Grace Fellowship teams that lead 200 teens in worship once a week (before school). This should be an excellent year for Greg.
Aug. 2 Ariel and I had an amazing opportunity to share the love of Christ with an M refugee family in Clarkston. I'm learning how to effectively do this using the source text of the M persuasion along with the Bible. Without doing studies in the Quran, most M followers aren't aware that the Quran teaches that Jesus in fact died on the cross; (Sura 3:55; 19:30-34; 5.117). There is only one other Quran reference to the death of Jesus (4:153-159) but it's the source of numerous interpretations. Anyhow, in Ariel and my sharing with our Clarkston friends tonight, we read John chapter 1, with a focus on the Word who became flesh (John 1:14), and is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). We traced the blood sacrifice (important to Ms) from Genesis 3 through the Passover; Ex. 12. So good to see lights bulbs turn on! Psalm 119:105.
July 31 Amy arrived from N.C. and will be home for a few weeks. Yeah! IN PERFECT TIME FOR GREG'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS...lasting about 4 days!
July 30 Ariel Bollant arrived for a short term missions opportunity.
July 15 Greg and five friends got a free limo escort, and enjoyed deluxe seat and free food at the Atlanta Braves game, courtesy of Victory World Church in Norcross. A month prior, Greg's team of six were Number 1 in competing with over 2000 men/sons at a Victory fun night. One of the events they championed was changing to Nascar tires in 46 seconds. (Not good enuf for Indy, but decent.) We all enjoyed the standup comedien, "Michael Junior".
July 9-15 SO FUN to see friends and loved ones in Wisc, and bring back our nephew Josh to Atl.
JULY 8TH. I was privileged to break bread tonight with Sudanese pastors David Joram and Bastian, celebrating independence that Southern Sudan begins tomorrow. Over two million Sudanese have been killed in the past 30 years in this struggle, and many challenges exist, potentially erupting at anytime into the next war there. May God help them.
July 4th ! THIS WAS THE BEST EVER. We made several impromptu visits to international friends, dropping off red/wh/blue cakes that we got this a.m. from Walmart for 3 bucks. I'll just tell you about the FIRST and favorite encounter.
Our list actually didn't include 'Mr. Is' but on the way I felt compelled to stop by his office. We met him 3 years ago prior to moving to Atlanta, and have since stopped in a few times, espec. on Easter and Christmas. In one of those early visits, I met his wife of ten years, and learned of their strong desire to have kids. I took Mary along on my next visit (about a year ago) and prayed with them in JESUS name. They were thankful at the time, but not sure what to do with me.
So, on Monday a.m., I walked in with the usual and beautiful greeting "salam waleikum". He didn't answer in the normal way (waleikum
salam), but said 'hello brother". Without thinking, the Irish in me blurted out "Is your wife pregnant yet"? His eyes misted and he gave me a hug, saying "YES, in November she'll have a baby."
I went crazy, so happy that God had answered this prayer. I started jumping up and down. "Is" was pretty happy that i was ecstatic for them. SO COOL to represent the King anywhere, anytime.
July 2 So good to spend time in NC with Amy on her 21st bday!!!
June 28 Unlike our normal schedule, Greg and I were watching a video at 11:30 pm when we heard someone knocking LOUDLY at our front door. After peeping through the drapes, we saw it was a teen who lived nearby. We have been praying for "V" for two years, and this was the time for her to come to salvation in Christ. Sweet!
June 25/26 Mary Em enjoyed her 21st birthday again with her mom in Mville!
May 27 Mary arrived from Manila at 7pm; tired from the 30 hour marathon, but thankful to be used by God there, and thankful to be back home in Atlanta. What a woman!
May 24 My Sudanese friend, pastor David, texted me this a.m.; he had just arrived at the storage area where he keeps all his landscaping tools and mowers. All were stolen during the night, valued at about $4000. We prayed for the thieves that they would come to Christ.
May 14 I was saddened today to counsel a Sudanese family, David and Martha, that suffered so much there. They'll be losing their Clarkson home this month, as his landscaping business isn't bringing in enough income.
I was further saddened tonight, as well, seeing the news of the Louisiana families...up to 25,000 people who are being 'sacrificed' so that the millions in New Orleans and Baton Rouge will be spared. How gut-wrenching that must be.
Do they suffer alone? No. God sees each sparrow that falls; how much more His heart yearns to hold, love and comfort all people in distress. If we would put our ears to His heart, we'd hear it saying:
"I love you. Don't give up. DON'T FORGET IN THE DARK WHAT YOU'VE LEARNED IN THE LIGHT. Come to Jesus. "
May 13 MARVELOUS friday 'the 13th'. Had a bible study tonight with Brian, a local teen, now an adopted child of God by faith in Jesus.
April 24...Easter!!!!!!!!! HE has risen! HE has risen indeed!
Remembering the resurrection of Christ on the 3rd day, the preeminent point of history. No other event or person guarantees hope. Because HE rose from death, so will all who love Him.
April 22. Sharing the message of Good Friday included showing The Passion of Christ, produced by Mel Gibson. I couldn't watch parts of it. Man's inhumanity to man is bad enough. Man's inhumanity to the son of God was/is unconscionable.
After showing the film to about 50 people, I was privileged to briefly address our visitors, with our neighbor/friend Danny translating into Spanish, followed by an invitation by pastor Enrique. God met us there, as several committed their lives to Christ.
April 15-16. Thanks to some very generous friends, we were able to buy excellent tickets for the final showing of the Passion Play, put on by Dr. Charles Stanley's church at the Civic Center, for the past 35 years. We were glad to provide tickets to 22 friends from central America, World Relief staffers, Greg, Mary, her mom, and Val, our maid-of-honor. Family affair! What's forever fun is being in God's family. Looking forward to that day being Home together.
April 9-10. Mary, Greg and I had just 24 hours in Macon, but it was a marvelous experience visiting First Presbyterian Church there which is a longtime bastion of the gospel. In fact, FBC launched an urban fellowship two years ago, Strong Tower, that is making significant inroads in the lives of needy people there. Strong Tower fellowship is being capably led by our good friend, pastor Tom Anderson.
It was also fun for me to be entrusted with the high schoolers Sunday school class. My challenge to the teens was from them to prepare well and then confidently share the gospel with Muslims who also need the love of Christ.
April 1-7 Greg and dad spent a week in the Rio Grande valley. Dad's main work was pastoral counseling, including missions awareness. It was time well spent, especially with pastors in the RG Valley, and students at Rio Grande Bible Institute. In fact, two of the four men who visited us in Atlanta last year are enroute this coming May to spent two months in the Philippines, serving in street ministries. One young man, Obed de la Cruz, is considering fulltime ministry in the Philippines upon graduation from RGBI in December.
March 16. I spent last night in Birmingham with Ted/Joyce Carter who were missionaries in Japan for 35 years, serving about an hour from the hardest hit areas of last week's tsunami. They've had email contact this week with MOST of their friends within 100 miles of the devastation. They've not received responses from others. We need to pray for that needy country. Having served there for two years and knowing enough of the language to get around, I yearn to jump on the next plane to Tokyo. Most airlines are still going there! Why shouldn't I go?
March 12. The highlight of this birthday weekend was spending time at Billy Graham's center, The Cove, in North Carolina. Scripture says "A wise person wins souls", ostensibly because nothing else is eternal. Billy was so wise. And so were his ministry/prayer partners for those many years. It was truly inspiring to be there, though it wasn't on 'our itinerary' for the weekend. It was the frosting on the cake. Our primary intent in traveling to the Asheville area was to check out a summer job for Amy at Ridgecrest, which will be her home for six weeks this summer. She'll be a camp counselor there. We're so proud of her!
March 3-7. I was truly honored to have a part in the annual missions conference at the EV. Free Church in Sheboygan, Wisc.. The highlight was being with my mom. It was also very sweet to get up to Manitowoc to share our ministry with friends at Faith EFC there.
Feb. 4-26. My Philippines visit had a challenging 'first half' because of amoeba, blood clots, kidney stones, jetlag vertigo, etc that hit upon my arrival, but I was usually coherent enough to share Christ with doctors and nurses in two Manila hospitals. (Maybe I should be a chaplain.) The 'second half' allowed for the fun of sharing the gospel with about 70 hearing-impaired teens (six came to Christ),and 60+ residents of the DSWD group home for women and girls in Davao. I was especially glad to get to Samal island for a couple hours. A friend (Gary) came along. A few minutes after we got off the boat, a body of a young girl washed ashore. Gary ran to her, did CPR, and revived her. THAT was awesome. Thank God that He can use anybody anywhere as we allow Him to lead us; Psalm 23:3.
Saturday Jan. 22. Mary and I were happily but totally worn last night, having spent the past week helping a Congolese mom (Elodi) whose apartment was gutted by fire on Sunday, no thanks to the 1st floor tenant who had passed out on booze while cooking. 4 units were destroyed. We (+ friends from Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, Italy, Nepal, and Iraq) truly sensed the strength and peace of Christ as we shoveled (wet, sooty insulation), cleaned, and moved salvaged items w Elodi and her son to a nearby apartment. We truly MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE in just a few days.
Why all the fuss? Because God has brought over 30,000 refugees to Atlanta, the world's busiest airport. More get off the plane every day, most with their "entire earthly goods" in one plastic bag. Satan's plan was to kill, cripple and crucify everywhere he has license to do so (John10:10). But the risen Christ has a indomitable plan to give life, love, joy, and peace now and forever to all who will humbly receive Him.
Friday, 1/22. I messed up today, not loving the hard-to-love. As chauffeur and expediter, I spent the morning with a mom and 8 kids, getting their immunizations. 'Mom' was extremely challenging. So needy. They have five mangy cats which makes things worse. The children are joyless, though their English is excellent and they seem to be doing ok in school (with after-school tutoring at CIBC). I do have a favorite among the 8, so I look forward to being a light to them next time. Anybody want to help? GREATEST need is for salvation; pls pray that 'mom' would let the children attend Sunday school. Anoher need is for more after-school tutors for the children.
Jan. 17 (Monday)
With 5 inches of snow a week ago and subsequent ice all over Atlanta (with no salt), our ministry focused on chopping ice the last four days, including the sidewalk at Carriage Oaks II apartment that's home to many Christian African and Iraqi Muslim refugees. We were there two days ago, and met a Congolese believer named Elodi. We were there again this a.m., but shocked to hear that her apartment was gutted by fire LAST NIGHT. We found her this a.m. at Mohammed's home a few units away, being well cared for, but of course in shock. Her husband remarried years ago so she's alone now with no income; her son "Grace" is a part time security guard. We've promised to help her set up an aparment this Friday. Anybody want to help with used furniture or groceries?
January 16 (Sunday). Mary and I just came from Thahtoo's house. His younger brother (age 20) was murdered not long ago, having lived in this 'land of the free and home of the brave' less than a year. He was shot in a 'drive-by' by punks. Thahtoo is praying for the killers that they would also know that Jesus died for their sins too, and rose from the grave to demonstrate that God is stronger than all hell.
"Thanksgiving Day" holiday in America is now history. We have MUCH to be thankful for. Almost 2000 years ago, Jesus hosted the 'Last Supper', where He distributed bread and the wine (symbols of His death) to His twelve closest friends. Before doing so, He "gave thanks". He knew the cross was waiting for Him at 9 the next morning, where He'd be dead by 3pm.
Why? Because of infinite grace and absolute truth. That's who He is, the very gutsy God. If you REALLY WANT to meet him, and if you hunger and thirst for truth, purpose, meaning in life, it's your's from the Author of life, who's so much, much more than a Carpenter, Teacher, Healer and Friend of sinners. He's GOD in the flesh, forever. John 7:17; Matthew 5:6.
Sunday, Nov. 28 Mary, Greg and I were privileged to be among many believers who provided a belated but scrumptuous Thanksgiving dinner to over fifty Muslim today. Just trying to love our neighbors.
Sat, Nov. 27 BUSY day today, hosting about 30 marvelous Nepali refugees in the morning, and over 40 others from various nations in the afternoon, mostly Burmese. THANK YOU, to all our praying and giving friends. Now we need energy for tomorrow!
Saturday, Nov. 20
I (bob) am very bummed seeing that it's been 3 months since I updated this site. (Groan. Deep breath). Nor can I do much now, as it's been a very hard day (our first one here as a 3-some, just ten minutes from Reynosa, Mexico, which is darkness depot for drug dealing and other lucid reminders of mankind's need for the Light of the world, and no less. Because the Almighty often uses the weakest wimps for His glory (2 Cor. 12), this week here should be hugely beneficial for eternity. Answer: We spent Nov. 18-24th in Edinburg at the Rio Grande Bible Institute. We were inspired by these committed collegians (about 100), and hopefully it was reciprocal. It was amazing to me (bob) to see that many students left on evangelism trips within an hour of school being dismissed (for Thanksgiving break). Most were going into high risk areas along the border to share the life-changing gospel of grace and truth.
Life in Atlanta these intervening three months have been good, as the Lord is good, His mercy is eternal, and His truth endures forever; (Psalm 100:5). Pls check out the separate pages (above) to get news on our family, and prayer needs.
SUNDAY, Aug. 15
Morning:
Having heard of TEAM missionaries (to Asia) Dave and Kathy (sis of my dear bro Keith Rascher) North for over 20 years and having prayed for them a lot, without ever meeting them...I noticed their sons Ian and Eric at worship today, sitting five feet away from me, with a mid-age couple I guessed correctly to be their parents, Dave n Kathy. I was so pleased to meet them, though that was tempered by the report from Ian of daily pressure on his 28 'after-school' kids (at Huntington Creek apartments) where Ian and Ruthie serve as missionaries. Pls pray for David and Kathy as they return to Asia TODAY and for Ian and Ruthie as they incarnate the gospel of grace and truth 24-7 in that needy apartment complex.
Afternoon:
After the senseless killing a week ago of newly-arrived refugee, Pa Lee, I was honored to walk with about 800 other Burmese and about two dozen Americans in a MARCH OF LOVE AND SOLIDARITY this afternoon, from Clarkston International Bible Church to the apartment area where Pa Lee died on Jolly Street. The distance was about a kilometer, but we seemed to get there in about two minutes, as if the Lord was making us fly like eagles in this demonstration of His incarnation...reaching out to the outcast, the poor, the needy. The reality of anti-immigrant, gang-motivated murder was not mitigated by God's presence. In reality, we were reminded that the darker the night, the brighter shines truth, love, forgiveness, and the fact that vengeance and justice are totally in God's hands, as are the scars of Calvary. This is no cop-out, no heartless fundamentalism.
Later on (about 7-9pm), Mary and I enjoyed being at the home of Tha Thoo, brother of Pa Lee. We were enamored by the love of these humble Karen tribespeople, some of whom have been here just two months. Sitting on the floor, we played 'Simon Says' etc. for a while, creating waves of laughter for 20+ kids, parents; as well as young teens who had been walking w Pa Lee when he was killed ten days ago. It was absolute Ambassadorial privilege to bring laughter to these, then pray in conclusion. I recommend it to all of God's people.
Aug. 14 Amy was baptized today, along with two Hispanic American friends she's made here in this year. We're praising God that Lauren and Eymy both came to Christ in the last few months, as did our next door neighbors, Danilo and Norman who were also baptized two weeks ago.
Aug. 12. Our amazing Amy left at 6:20 a.m. to be with her ex-roomie (AnaLynn Ebersole) in Dayton, TN. for her baby's arrival. "Lynn" and hub Caleb are friends from Faith Academy in Manila. Their baby girls arrived in good shape so Amy has just left the hospital (7pm) and is headed back to Atlanta; hope to see her by 10pm. IF ANYONE'S READING...pls pray for safe travels.
(11pm update: she arrived back home safely, tiredly; what a faithful friend she is!)
Oh, by the way, the PGA championship started without me today in Kohler, WI. where I worked for a year. Somebody forgot to invite me. No problem. (Same thing happens every time the Olympics and World Cup happens.) I'd rather go see Karate Kid 2 for the 4th time with my son tonight. I'm praying for Tiger Woods that, win or lose, he'll find true peace in Jesus.
Aug. 11. My dear wife and I went to see the movie, Charlie St. Cloud tonight. The heroism was good, but the metaphysics were patently cipher. I preferred the burger at Wendy's afterwards.
Aug. 9. I worked with World Relief friends to set up three apartments for asylee families, inclu. a young Eritrean widow and her two children. When those jobs ended at 7 pm, I went to the home of "T" (from Burma) whose younger brother, age 20, was killed in a 'drive-by' on Friday, just a block from his home. Thankfully I had some extra cash in my pocket so I bought burgers and ice cream for the family and some very fearful neighbors, then went next door to invite the Burmese pastor to T's home for prayer. My impromptu visit was a welcome salve for much pain there. I'm so glad to be available to love these 'aliens' to America who suffer so much. By the way, many of these Burmese and Bhutanese work in chicken plants where most Americans don't want to work because of low pay and high smell. Remember them the next time you chomp into some nuggets...and pray that they will have courage to leave their homes each morning when it's time to go to work or school. At this time (five days after the latest murder), many are still very afraid.
Sunday Aug. 8 I drove from Atl to Birmingham this a.m. to share w teens at SVCC. Regretably, at the Alabama rest stop enroute, I left my keys in the ignition then locked the car. An hour later, a AAA guy took two minutes to unlock it, and I was on my way with ample time to watch the movie To Save A Life with the teens and lead the discussion afterwards. Teen suicide is infinitely heartwrenching. Only Jesus can heal hearts of friends and family members who wondered 'what happened'.
Aug. 7. I was honored to chauffeur a dozen Bhutanese refugees from Atl to Chatanoonga today...Aug. 7th. It was the 'end of summer' worship conference for Nepalis from ten different states. These teens are incredible. My copilot, for example, is 19 yrs. old. 'Subis' spent 17 years at a refugee camp (in Nepal, of all places) prior to gaining asylum in America two years ago. He loves life, Jesus, people, music; is fluent in several languages, plays several instruments, etc. My intent was to be an encouragement to the 300 plus teens there. They blew me away.
These hearing-impaired teens came to Christ during my June visit! I (bob) was privileged on 6/27 to share God's Word with about 120 hearing-impaired friends at their k-14 school/dorm in Davao, southern Philippines.
They can hear only with their hearts and sing only with their hands, so i've added a couple 4 minute videos (below). Their choreographing doesn't perfectly sinc with the music because they can't hear it. They will someday. Maranatha!
VIDEOs
The following news relates to my June-July ministry in the Philippines. I hope you enjoy WATCHING THE VIDEOS of this memorable stop at the Deaf Ministries Int'l in Davao, Mindanao. If you like Johnny Cash music, it's on the first one.
I'd Rather Have Jesus; by Davao Deaf Ministries Performers
Oh Glorious Love; by Deaf Ministries Performers Davao
June 19-July 6 in the Philippines
It was SO HARD to miss dad's day, Mary's birthday, and Amy's birthday.
But I'm thankful for the lives I could touch in the name of Jesus in Luzon as well as Mindanao during these few days. There were many highlights, though I'm not free to share some in this format. One experience that is unforgettable was visiting Smokey Mountain garbage dumpsites in Tondo, Manila. It had rained for just 3 hours two days prior to my visit, but there was still a foot of liquid garbage in the streets. I had to borrow knee high boots to visit the neighbors. I'm privileged to partner in ministry there with the Philippines Christian Foundation which provides free education to the disabled and orphans among the 100,000 dumpsite dwellers in Manila. In all, over 600 children are provided full scholarships to this beautiful mission. It was humbling for me to be there.
JULY 8-15
I arrived in Portland on July 6th,stayed awake most of the day, then slept 15 hours. It was great to see our sweet friends there. Mary was with her mom that week in Monroeville, and Greg was at Art Camp in Birmingham. Amy was my super chauffeur from the Atlanta airport back home to Lilburn (July 8th).
We're hitting the ground running now, plugged into VBS (July 12-16) at Open Table EFC, the heart of the immigrant and refugee communities in Atlanta. God has brought over 200 nationalities to within five miles of our fellowship. It's the highest honor possible for mankind, bondserving, joyfully obeying the call of God to invite all people to His banquet table.
How you and I engage in this great work will be remembered for eternity. In contrast, in less than 100 years, no one will know or even care that Lebron announced 'MIAMI' tonight, that Spain got the World Cup on Sunday, that the National League finally won a MLB all-star classic, etc.. LET'S NOT be so earthly minded that we're no heavenly good.
ABOUT THIS WEBSITE............................
WHY the "gutsy God " ??? HE loved us to death. That took infinite courage.
He gave all people a free will, thereby allowing mankind to curse His name every second of the day and forever, or humbly receive forgiveness of sins through the Carpenter and begin to live now, through forever.
At the moment in eternity past when the Almighty decided to create man, He knew we'd prefer darkness to light. He knew Adam would rebel, that Cain would kill his own brother, etc. but God didn't desire worship from robots or puppets on strings, so He made us with a free will...knowing that 'religious leaders' would lead a riot to crucify the Son of God.
How do you know that the President of the universe is nonetheless passionately committed to you? EASY ANSWER: you can trust the Person who died for you.
At that crux of time and space, Jesus said: "It is finished." (John 19:30) The job is done, complete, perfect. The PRICE has been paid. Don't mock God by throwing in your two cents.
If nothing else, believe this: JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!!! Easter is not about the bunny. It's about the most profound fact of history. God did it, whether you believe it or not. The empirical, objective evidence is all around you. But it takes humility and repentance to see it.
David the Psalmist wrote "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (34:8). Receiving Jesus into your life is adoption, salvation, soul insurance...all you need. The warranty is good infinite, as long as you sign it, and let Him sign you. Your guaranteed WINNING LOTTERY TICKET is intractably, irrefutably, totally free.
"The LORD is good; His mercies are everlasting, and His truth endures forever." (Psalm 100:5)
You know (or you can know) that...when we can't see God's scars, or trace His face, or hear His voice, we can still know that Jesus rose from the grave. We're alive because He is.
It was SO HARD to miss dad's day, Mary's birthday, and Amy's birthday.
But I'm thankful for the lives I could touch in the name of Jesus in Luzon as well as Mindanao during these few days. There were many highlights, though I'm not free to share some in this format. One experience that is unforgettable was visiting Smokey Mountain garbage dumpsites in Tondo, Manila. It had rained for just 3 hours two days prior to my visit, but there was still a foot of liquid garbage in the streets. I had to borrow knee high boots to visit the neighbors. I'm privileged to partner in ministry there with the Philippines Christian Foundation which provides free education to the disabled and orphans among the 100,000 dumpsite dwellers in Manila. In all, over 600 children are provided full scholarships to this beautiful mission. It was humbling for me to be there.
JULY 8-15
I arrived in Portland on July 6th,stayed awake most of the day, then slept 15 hours. It was great to see our sweet friends there. Mary was with her mom that week in Monroeville, and Greg was at Art Camp in Birmingham. Amy was my super chauffeur from the Atlanta airport back home to Lilburn (July 8th).
We're hitting the ground running now, plugged into VBS (July 12-16) at Open Table EFC, the heart of the immigrant and refugee communities in Atlanta. God has brought over 200 nationalities to within five miles of our fellowship. It's the highest honor possible for mankind, bondserving, joyfully obeying the call of God to invite all people to His banquet table.
How you and I engage in this great work will be remembered for eternity. In contrast, in less than 100 years, no one will know or even care that Lebron announced 'MIAMI' tonight, that Spain got the World Cup on Sunday, that the National League finally won a MLB all-star classic, etc.. LET'S NOT be so earthly minded that we're no heavenly good.
ABOUT THIS WEBSITE............................
WHY the "gutsy God " ??? HE loved us to death. That took infinite courage.
He gave all people a free will, thereby allowing mankind to curse His name every second of the day and forever, or humbly receive forgiveness of sins through the Carpenter and begin to live now, through forever.
At the moment in eternity past when the Almighty decided to create man, He knew we'd prefer darkness to light. He knew Adam would rebel, that Cain would kill his own brother, etc. but God didn't desire worship from robots or puppets on strings, so He made us with a free will...knowing that 'religious leaders' would lead a riot to crucify the Son of God.
How do you know that the President of the universe is nonetheless passionately committed to you? EASY ANSWER: you can trust the Person who died for you.
At that crux of time and space, Jesus said: "It is finished." (John 19:30) The job is done, complete, perfect. The PRICE has been paid. Don't mock God by throwing in your two cents.
If nothing else, believe this: JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE!!! Easter is not about the bunny. It's about the most profound fact of history. God did it, whether you believe it or not. The empirical, objective evidence is all around you. But it takes humility and repentance to see it.
David the Psalmist wrote "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (34:8). Receiving Jesus into your life is adoption, salvation, soul insurance...all you need. The warranty is good infinite, as long as you sign it, and let Him sign you. Your guaranteed WINNING LOTTERY TICKET is intractably, irrefutably, totally free.
"The LORD is good; His mercies are everlasting, and His truth endures forever." (Psalm 100:5)
You know (or you can know) that...when we can't see God's scars, or trace His face, or hear His voice, we can still know that Jesus rose from the grave. We're alive because He is.
