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. 

Proud Dad

Most parents say they are proud of their kids and for good reason.  But I promise you there is no one more proud of their kids that me.  Recently they have both done things to continue to make me proud.

Ryan just this week completed his sophomore year at Oklahoma State University.  He has earned almost 70 hours of credit and has maintained a good GPA.  He is on track to receive his degree in four years!  Which I really need him to do because his sister starts college in just over a year!  While going to school and making good grades Ryan has also walked on to the OSU football team.  This past February for the third time he went to the tryout and made it!  He did spring football with the team and will be on the roster this Fall.  It's his tenacity and never give up attitude that I am especially proud of.  Even if he never plays a down in a game he has accomplished a great deal and I believe that trait will take him far in life.

Alyssa will finish her Junior year at Ryan High School in just a few weeks.  This coming Friday she and I are going to Baylor  for an official visit for her.  This July she will make application to Baylor and in just 15 months hopefully she will be a Bear!  I can't wait for her to fall in love with Baylor as I did 27 years ago!  She already has 6 hours of college credit and will earn some more her senior year.  For the fourth time Alyssa tried out for and made the cheer leading squad at Ryan.  Next year she will be the captain of the varsity squad!  Her leadership skills are great and I'm looking forward to watching her lead and encourage the other girls this next year.  And by the way that makes me the "Cheerleader Captain Daddy!"  That's a role I am proud to have.

Well as you can see I have a lot to be proud of and those are just a few of the reasons I'm proud of my kids!   

Elves Shelves 2009

What started about 5 years ago with our Children's Minister Christy Butler learning about a few families that needed help at Christmas has grown into what we call Elves Shelves.  I was so proud of the family of First Baptist last Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Over 500 people gave their time as volunteers during those three days to distribute toys to 577 families representing over 1300 children right here in Denton!  And hundreds more brought toys over the past several months as well. 

I'm proud of what First Baptist has done over the last decade in missions.  We have sent hundreds of people all over the world on mission trips and we plan to send hundreds more in the years to come.  But missions begins right here at home.  In the first message of our Christmas series yesterday I used the verse from John 15:12 "My command is this: Love each other as I loved you."  That is exactly what you did this past week.  you loved the needy of Denton as Christ loves you.

As I worked Friday morning as a volunteer at Elves Shelves I had the privilege of being at the "exit" door where the parents left the building with a bag full of toys for their children.  Over and over I heard things like "thank you for making our Christmas special."  "My kids would not have had Christmas without this."  "God bless you for giving to us."  It was a joy for me to see smiles on the faces of people who seldom have much to smile about.  It helped remind me of what Christmas is all about. 

Brad Cockrell was our staff liason to Elves Shelves this year and he did a great job.  Jane Naugher, Brenda Eckel,  Tracy Lau, and Mary Tickner were our "head elves" but there were so many more that gave of their time not only the past couple of weeks but all year long.  Elves Shelves is now a year round ministry at First Baptist.  So if you are interested in being a part of next year's ministry the first meeting is this coming Thursday December 10th!