Back From Haiti

It was good to be back in Denton after seven days in Haiti.  I can personally testify that the earthquake damage is even worse than you have seen and heard on television.  Tens of thousands of people are living in tent cities across Port Au Prince, hundreds of buildings are piles of rubble and the Haitian people say the death toll is closer to 300,000 rather than the 200,000 we have heard.  In the midst of that destruction our team made a difference in the lives of several people.  They worked in the orphanage, cleared about four feet of rubble from a destroyed houses foundation so it can now be built back and brought a great deal of encouragement to Jacob and Claudette Bernard.  Our team of 23 was fantastic.  Not a word of complaining about cold showers or food they are not accustomed to.  We were blessed to be staying in the moutainous area this time.  I never thought I would need a blanket at night in Haiti but I did several nights!  Each and every adult and high school student worked extemely hard each day and as a result came back changed.  Many are already looking forward to a return trip.  John Hinchey will be talking about the trip on a Wednesday night at WEBS in the near future. 
Tami and I are on an anniversary celebration trip this week.  Next week I will begin visiting churches.  I will let you know how it goes then. 

What a Send Off!

When I planned my sabbatical leave I knew I didn't want to miss Vacation Bible School.  In twenty-one years as a pastor and several years before that I have never missed VBS.  I'm so glad I didn't again this year.  It was a fantastic week with hundreds of kids and workers.  The greatest number was 42, that's the number of kids that made professions of faith on Wednesday morning, the highlight of the week for me.  This year Chris Barfield brought some great new ideas.  One of which was my favorite.  At family night Brad Cockrell and I baptized 11 of those kids!  I now have a new highlight of the week! 

This morning 23 of us left for Haiti.  We will be there until Saturday June 26th.  Please pray for safety and opportunities to share Jesus with the people there.  I won't be able to post until I return so I will get back with you next Saturday.