I realize that not everyone gets the opportunity to experience my
favorite season...Fall.
It's magical. The weather cools off to leave us with crisp cool
mornings and evenings that bring a chill up your spines. The leaves
change to incredible colors. Jeans and long sleeve shirts are good with
me. Football seasons are fully underway. There's so much I love about
"fall" that I'm going to miss this year.
Eh?
Oh yeah, I kinda forgot to mention
something to you, my faithful blog readers! In October, I'm headed away
to the "Land of Smiles"...Thailand! It's a land that captured my heart
when I was there in 2008, and I've always had the bug to get back
there, and in October I'm making it happen!
I'll be moving there for the next season of life, working with a
ministry that I couldn't be more excited to work with in Northern
Thailand! I'm completely honored that Ray and Candace have invited me
to join them in the Kingdom cause that God has laid out in front of them
over the past several years. I will join them in ministry, helping in
several ways...church plants in the northern hill tribes, working in a
refugee camp, doing some photography ministry, and then there's the big
project of helping build a children's home in Northern Thailand!
If you'd like more info on what I'll be doing there, shoot me an
e-mail (or Contact Me on the right side of this page!)...I'd be glad to
share more with you and let you know how you can also be involved! (to support me financially I'll still be with Adventures in Missions, you can do so through the link "Support Me!" on the left menu of this site!)
***Also, be sure to subscribe to my personal blog site at www.markstratmann.com as not all my blogs will be posted here on the WR site!!!
"Cookie
Cutter Cookies are good. Cookie Cutter Friends are crappy."
Sometimes I have to wonder who reads my blogs. I mean really,
who the heck cares? I'm just another person of the 6.8 billion people
in the world today, why do you pick mine to read? I kinda think it's
because I'm unique. And so are you. That's why we're friends (if we
indeed are friends, if we aren't, let's start off by saying that we
should be!).
I have a dear friend that wasn't going to post a blog for the world
to see because they felt it was opening the world (according to
Facebook) to the deep parts of their brain. I actually think it's the
depth of their heart that was being poured out, but that's beside the
point. The other point was that they thought the blog was a little out
there…and they were only writing for the heck of it. Well, after
spending a lot of time in introvert status lately, I pondered this for
awhile today as it must have struck a nerve with me…I responded that
they should post it for the world to see because even if it is 'out
there' I think that's kinda the point. We're all a little 'out there'
in life…or at least I know I am!
We were all made uniquely. In
Psalm 139 David writes about how we were knit in our mother's womb,
fearfully and wonderfully made (paraphrased completely, but it's there, I
promise!). This is actually is one of my favorite chapters because of
how it expresses the depths of how much God not only loves us as they
teach us in Sunday School…but it expresses how much we are known by
God. He knit us together, he has searched me and knows me (and you).
He is familiar with our ways. And He still loves us. Not only that,
but He likes us so much that He chooses us.
Where do these two intersect? Well, I read into my friend's concern
two ways…first, who cares? I mean really, they wrote the blog, but
there's 6.8 billion people in the world, who cares about what they have
to say…and then the other portion, my blog is a little 'out there'…well,
both kinda struck a little nerve within me I guess.
"Who Cares?"
Each of us are unique. (I know, thankfully there's not many anywhere
near how unique I am…haha!) Well, not to answer a question with a
question, but what if David (author of several Psalms) said 'Who Cares'?
What if Moses said 'Who Cares'? What if the 12 disciples said 'Who
Cares'? What if Jesus had said 'Who Cares'? History is changed by
ordinary people willing to say things whether people care or not. I'm
writing this blog wondering if anyone will care other than me…but hey,
if I don't let people know my opinion, I'll never know if anyone
cares!
"Out There"
Everyone knows the story of Peter walking on water with Jesus, but if
you think about it, those who told this story to their family and
friends had to be thinking the same thing…their story of what had
happened is kinda 'out there'…I truly believe we are called to be a
little different. If we all had the same thoughts and opinions,
wouldn't life be boring? If nobody ever said something that stretched
the way I thought, or differed from my opinion I don't think I'd have
much of a personality today. I thrive on people that stretch me in some
way or another…whether it be a higher level of thinking, or simply a
different view on a topic. I like when people make me think about
something in a new light. I don't like friends that only say things
that are acceptable. I want friends that have unique views. I don't
want cookie cutter friends!
All this to say one thing…we all have a voice in this world, and we
need to use it. Our voice is of crucial importance...if indeed we are
children of the King, we have to have something important to say! The
more we contain the things we think, the suppressed and congested our
mind and souls get. I'm as guilty or more guilty than the average
person at not expressing myself enough. Instead I bottle things up
inside me and nobody ever gets to know the real me. It's time we step
out of the boat and walk on water, having faith that what we have to say
is important and what we have to say has value…that our circle of
influence will not only still accept us for who God made us to be, but
they will actually grow from it.
Friend of mine, you have important things to say, a unique and
great way of saying it, and people need to hear what you have to
say…don't be embarrassed or ashamed in any way! Who knows, maybe what
you have to say will change the world...
My blogs are all posted at www.markstratmann.com please be sure to check it out and sign up for e-mail updates there today!
It's been a long time coming, but this blog may change your life...so hold on tight!
It's time to man up. this isn't your typical "Man Up" blog that many men that go on the World Race post after a month of intense 'manistry' in Thailand, but it is a "Man Up" blog nonetheless, maybe a 'increase your man-card' kinda blog. It's not a overly spiritual blog, there's no real deep provoking thoughts, just something that was on my mind today...and I've not blogged enough lately apparently!
I wasn't at worship Monday morning at the AIM office like I probably should have been, especially after I heard that Allison put me in the showcase showdown. Apparently the rant went something to the nature of, when something breaks or needs worked on, any smart person in the AIM community calls Mark Stratmann...and if he can't fix it, you call your dad. I've found it true more and more lately that I simply know how to fix a wide variety of things, and it's come in very useful not only to me, but to the community I find myself in...all the time! No matter where I find myself, people are always finding out that I can fix crap...and I get asked for Mr. Fix-It advice on everything from lawn mowers to computers, house repairs to flat tires. I'm destined to be one of your phone calls someday if you've not found me out yet...I just know stuff.
People ask me all the time where I learned how to do so many things. Well, I'll answer it rather simply...my dad. He's been a great father over the years, a carpenter nearly his whole life, and a great example of how all dads need to operate for their sons. I remember as a young child he helped me make a pinewood derby car for Boy Scouts...he didn't make my car, he told me what to do and watched me do it. (at the time I wish he'd have just done it though...it probably would have won then!) As I got older I'd 'work' on the lawn mower, don't get me wrong, my dad isn't a mechanic at all, but he let me try to fix the lawn mower, replace the spark plug or clean the air filter, that kind of thing...sometimes the lawn mower ran afterwards, sometimes it didn't, but he always let me try. Then as I got older, he let me work for him building and remodeling homes. I may not have ever loved doing that as a job, but it taught me a lot that will stick with me forever on how homes are built and how to maintain them, things that will forever be useful. He was always an open encouragement to trying new things, even when I failed at fixing things he always laughed and helped come up with a solution to get it working again. He always passes on his knowledge to me, without barrier, still today. There are very few projects that I get into that I don't find myself calling and asking him a question on how to fix this or that on a house. When I owned my houses in North Carolina there was hardly a day that I didn't ask him something which he always was more than willing to give me an answer to. When he didn't know the answer (in the days before Google), he always helped me find the answer, whether he had to drive me to the auto parts store or ask an uncle or who knows what else, he always helped me figure out the solution. It's now invaluable in life to have the confidence to stand in the midst of a confusing situation and reason my way through how to make it work.
I've just recently noticed for myself that I am always being called on, and I think that more of us men need to start learning how to do things. We do need to drive trucks rather than sports cars. There's a reason we need to have some cuts and bruised knees from changing a flat tire every now and then. I actually think that the women of our lives want us to be that way (c'mon, someone vouch for me here!). I can't imagine a woman wants to marry a sissified man that's gotta call the repair man to change the lightbulbs or adjust the screen door, or to call AAA when the tire's low on air...they want to be taken care of. They want to see you serve them even if you end up getting your hands dirty. Now I can't prove any of this (I'm not married after all...) but I do hear that a lot, and I kinda think it's true...
Don't get me wrong though, as my friend Kara pointed out to me last night, I kinda like being the guy with all the answers on how to fix things, and I don't necessarily like competition in it. I want to be that guy that you call in times of need. A group of friends has had me do some things like help them move, help them assemble some things, and fixed a few things around the house, and as a thank you they've been feeding me...sandwiches or steaks (both are acceptable, along with cookies!). I think I'm on to something here though...I like to fix things, they like to cook, it's a beautiful mutual agreement. Guys, I'm available for classes, we'll call it Man Card 101. Girls like it when you can fix things...and you don't want your wife calling me someday to change the light bulb, though I'll do so for a sandwich (without mayonnaise. or onions. I hate mayonnaise, onions are bacteria infested. they're gross.), but I'll likely laugh at you at some point!
Am I completely off my rocker?
***PS...I'm mainly blogging at www.markstratmann.com now, so be SURE to sign up for e-mail updates there!!!
We need to dream more and we need to dream bigger. Really, isn't that what makes us tick in times of discouragement and discontentment?
I've been talking to some people lately that I've discovered have no real dreams in life. It's like they've lost their desire to be great in life. I remember being a child, and thinking of how I was going to grow up and be someone great What young boy didn't have dreams of hitting the grand slam to win the World Series for their favorite baseball team, or who didn't dream of being the firefighter who saved some old lady from a burning building in some heroic way? I know I did...maybe I was just crazy, but I think most of us had dreams and aspirations in life that drove us to excel in our youth. I remember sitting in the sandbox (or in my case a large tractor tire filled with sand) thinking of how I was going to dig the deepest hole to china...and some days I worked hard to get there...only to realize I dug a hole about 12" deep at best...but still, I had a dream and a goal to get somewhere and accomplish something that day (yes, I thought I could get there in a day...mock me if you want!)
I find it interesting that as we ‘grow up' we realize that not all of our dreams and aspirations in life come to pass. This is a crucial time for us. We make choices that we don't even know we are making at the time. We stop dreaming with God, and allow Satan to tell us things that aren't true over us. Instead of dreaming about being a world changer we start to do just enough to get by. God's got more for our lives, but since we stop dreaming and realizing what we can accomplish in life, we start to see that it is safer and easier to settle in and do what is simply expected of us.
It becomes a dangerous intersection in life, the intersection of dreaming big and realizing our potential. As kids we somewhat over estimate our life potential, as adults we underestimate it. More and more "life" happens to us. Hard times hit us, friends hurt us, finances drain us, cars break down, disappointment creeps in, on and on and on I could go, but the point is we begin to doubt ourselves rather than believe in ourselves. As a 9 year old, I was fairly well convinced I could make millions playing in the big leagues, now I wonder if I can even run the bases without a nap somewhere between 1st and 2nd. Ok, maybe that's a little exaggeration, but you get the point...we stop believing in ourselves.
I truly believe that life circumstances force us to dream differently, but I still absolutely believe that we NEED to dream in life. If we don't dream about something, what are we living for? What are we working towards?
I have many dreams...I want to see people set free. I believe I have some key roles in setting people free. I'm starting to accomplish this by working with The World Race, and I know it will be a launching pad to seeing people set free...We see this time and time again in training camps and in people's lives being changed through their time on The World Race. We see the participants set free from the garbage they've walked through in life. We see it in the ministry we do working with people enslaved in the red-light districts of Thailand. We see fruit from all of this ministry, and I'm glad to be right in the center of it all.
What are your dreams? Big or Small.
********** *** **********
Help me achieve my dreams by helping to fund this ministry, click here or click on the "Support Me!" link on the upper left corner of this site to help me continue along this path!
Well, it's no surprise to most people that I'm an inquisitive person who is always ready to take something apart to simply figure out how it worked. Growing up I was always fiddling with things, "fixing" my bike up, learning about computers, building things out of scrap lumbar my dad brought home, it was and still is my escape from the world to get lost in some project of building or fixing something. I think a portion of this I got from my grandfather, though as I see more and more now, it's hereditary as I see my dad now trying to improve things in some strange yet interestingly ingenious ways. I see that it's a trait that must be built into my system from generations upon generations.
I notice a trend that runs deep in my roots, I come from 2 lines of families that produce things in life. My grandfather on my mom's side was a farmer, paid in life to produce crops all is life. I don't remember him so much working in the fields as I remember him knee deep in tools tinkering and working to fix or improve something in his barn. At any given time he would have some project that needed his attention.
My grandfather on my dad's side was a carpenter, well known in his prime for the work he did building homes and roofing barns. He was paid in life to produce an end product as well, and to this day much of the work he did still stands, money well spent by his customers. By the time I was old enough to really have memories of him he was retired, but my memories of him include many days of him fixing or trying to improve things, often times in some rather strange ways, but he definitely had an inquisitive nature.
My dad took over the business after my grandfather retired, growing and expanding the business to be a well known home builder and remodeling contractor. I worked for him throughout college, a job that fed into my inquisitive nature, and produced easily measurable results...at the end of the day you could stand back and see what you did with your day. In fact, still today when I’m around town I drive past homes that I helped build or remodel.
After college I transitioned into being a middle school teacher. Yeah. A job that was a stark difference from building homes or working at a bicycle shop. I unknowingly went through a time of figuring out how I was going to measure how successful I was, at the end of the day there was nothing to prove what I had accomplished that day. Sure, there were some middle-school projects, and a few kids proudly showing their projects off, but what did I have to show for my day? I suppose there was a way of measuring my success there, but it was no longer through material items. I had to simply find satisfaction through non-material results.
Then there was my time as a World Racer. How could I ever define success on a trip like The World Race? Sure, there were some months where there was an actual physical project that we accomplished, but what about the year as a whole? There are some kids living in an orphanage in Bolivia, there is a pastor and his family in Peru that are living in their house that I helped rebuild in Peru, there are kids enjoying some ceiling fans and operational lights in India, there's a church with a fresh paint job in Thailand...but how do you define success the other months? The months where lives were impacted simply by me being me, and by me helping impart Christian principles and God's Kingdom living? Is there a rubric for that? Any way to measure success in that?
Clearly I find extreme value in all of it. Why else would I quit a good paying job of teaching to give a year to missions? Better yet, why have I spent the past year working for next to nothing financially for this? Clearly I find value in it all, or I wouldn't do it! I consider my start in working with the World Race and Adventures in Missions when they asked me to explore Ireland finding ministries that we could partner with last March. Now, nearly a year later, I'm continuing to work on staff with The World Race taking a large roll in setting up ministry sites for the 250+ people we have out in the nations today. It's a large task in a role that needs done, though I always try to find the end result of what I'm accomplishing with my life. At the end of the day what do I measure up to? Well, with 250+ people on the field at any given moment (with another 150 to launch in June and July) in any one of the 64 countries we are currently involved in, I have to start finding success in the fact that churches are being planted, orphans are being loved, the sick is being healed, the poor are being fed, the untouchables are being held, the red-light districts are being impacted, slaves are being set free, people are walking into their destiny...the list can go on and on, and I directly have an important part in helping get people connected through it all.
I'm standing today at a point of need. I'm realizing that I'm desperately in need of financial supporters. March is going to be a month where I am stressing the huge importance of becoming a financial supporter of mine, so that I can continue doing what I do for this amazing ministry. Please consider becoming a monthly supporter of mine, or a one time giver.
...I have a goal of $8,500 to raise in 2 months...
Give today by Clicking Here or by clicking "Support Me!" at the upper right side of this webpage!
It's actually a question
I get a lot these days, a question that looms me with the need to get out and
tell people what I'm doing these days.Admittedly I've been out of touch with so many of you lately, and it's
on my list of things to do in 2010...to keep in touch with people more!
What am I up to these
days?My role with The World Race
is to help mobilize a generation of young people through coordinating team
logistics for those currently in the field.It includes traveling internationally to establish contacts,
planning travel routes, arranging ministries for teams to work with, arranging
debriefs, and a plethora of other spur of the moment tasks!
Where am I?I currently live in Port Huron,
Michigan with several other staff members of the World Race....at least when I'm
not traveling!
Photo of the house LAST winter...currently we don't have much of any snow!
Why am I doing
this?I see the layers of impact
that this ministry is having in the Kingdom, and am glad to dedicate my time to
such a cause.Not only is there a far-reaching
impact on not only the people of the 64 countries that we're currently involved
with, but lives are changing in those involved as participants of the World
Race.Currently there are 152
young adults on the field, and in January another 109 will begin the journey of
a lifetime.Time and time again we
see lives changed of those on The World Race...time and time again we see people
with life-long breakthroughs in oppression and darkness in their own
lives.Then time and time again we
see the impact this ministry is having overseas, life and freedom is breaking
out in dark places...more to come in the future on both of those!
How is this
possible?Well, I can do this only
through the help of people like you.Staff members on The World Race raise support to cover all their living
expenses, and I'm no exception.Please
pray about giving to my ministry in a monthly or one time gift.You can do this through the link on the
upper left hand corner of this page or by clicking here! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!
As a surprise to many of you...as it's been 3 1/2 months since I've blogged...I'm currently in IRELAND!!!!
I've hit a block in what to write about lately, there is a lot on my heart and mind but I often simply don't have words to describe any of it. So, other than saying that I'm currently working on a logistics project for the August World Race squad, I've taken just a few pictures...not the quality I like, but I've been a bit busy to try to really focus on my photography the past couple weeks! Anyway, since I don't know what to blog about, I'm simply putting a few random...really random pictures up...
I landed in Dublin, Ireland on May 23rd, and hit the ground running. After dealing with the lag of an overnight flight combined with a 5 hour time difference, I did explore the city of Dublin....
One of MANY extremely old cathedrals in Ireland
A memorial to Ireland's horrible famine
Then the next day I headed to Galway...an incredible town on the west coast of Ireland!
The harbor, extra busy because of the Volvo Ocean Race being in town!
I've been facinated by the history in Ireland, I've seen graves dating back to the 1500's
This sums up a lot...a strange street artist amongst the many...there's a strange spiritual environment here...
A harbor in Bangor, Ireland (on the north side)
One of a collection of murals remembering the not so distant past in Derry, Ireland
Another sight from Derry, Ireland
I've simply met some incredible people in Ireland, and have fallen in love with it here...I'm sure it isn't hurting that I'm hitting the best weather in years while I'm here! As I sort out some things, I'm sure I'll be blogging again soon...
Before leaving on the World Race over a year ago, my sister questioned my desire to go in many ways. The biggest question I remember hearing over and over again was, "how can you go, help these starving people, help the homeless, be with orphaned children for a few weeks and then leave them?" It was a valid question, and most of the time I had no good answer...in fact, I don't think I ever had an answer.
Today, I will answer it...You Can't.
In reverse order, I will answer why that is...
Thailand - Walking down the streets of the Nana Entertainment District (overshadowed by the Marriott Hotel) I had no clue how real the sex-tourism was. From the broken lives of the girls being treated as nobodies in this world to the hurting, lost men lurking the streets, there is not a day that I can walk and not think about the far reaching effects of Human Trafficking, and the need for people...US...to walk into horrible situations and bring Hope into them...Bringing Jesus and God's Kingdom to them...everyday I think of them...everyday.
Cambodia - My stay was short in Cambodia, but in the few weeks there, I spent some time at the "Happy Tree Orphanage" where many kids diagnosed with HIV or AIDS were living. I remember two of the girls, who decided that they needed to have me do a photo shoot of them, and in turn gave me a tour of the AIDS hospital. As I walked through the halls and around the playground, it hit hard that these kids all have a very short life expectancy. I wonder today how many are still alive, how many are sick, how many of them know what they are up against in life. Also in Cambodia I can't get out of my mind the faces of many victims of land mines, still active in the countryside. Or the stories of survivors of the mass genocide that took place in the killing fields. I saw the need for God's healings, the need for Jesus to come into these places and truly turn around the future of the country. I still see the need for all of US.
Vietnam - A country that I love so dearly, faces that I think about every day. From the multitudes of orphans that have birth defects resulting from chemicals spread during the Vietnam-American War to the college students who are some of the most incredibly friendly people in the world, I can't go a day without thinking of them all. I remember many of the people who I encountered in Vietnam, and see how God is moving in that country...a country where the government would rather not have anything to do with Christianity, to which laws forbid much of the freedom that we have in America. It's a country that has prostitution and human trafficking that is growing quickly, they are in need of Jesus to use US to help direct the future of Vietnam as well as Christianity in the nation. I remember them daily...and don't forget any of it...ever.
Thailand (Northern) - The villages in northern Thailand captured a special part of me. Maybe it was the growth of the church, the drug addicted villages transforming ever so quickly, the welcoming people, the smiles on everyone's faces...there are thousands of reasons that I could speak of on why I loved northern Thailand. There is a huge and intense need for Jesus to use US in northern Thailand as there are people in great danger and living in fear of the Burmese Army. There are hundreds of thousands of people...humans...fleeing from Burma in fear of their lives. It is a really catastrophic situation which needs Heaven to be lived out on Earth...through US...not a day goes by that I don't think of them...not a day.
India - A country that was a struggle for me...in many ways...is in great need for Jesus to create a movement quickly. A place where the government shuts down many Christian run organizations. It is a country where overcrowded streets create for dangerous (and rather humorous and exciting) travel situations. Many people in India come across as rather difficult and aggressive at times. It was a difficult place for many reasons, but I know that Jesus is moving there. The needs in India range from God breathed healings and miracules are needed for the orphaned children, the trafficked children, the lepers living in colonies, the hungry, the hurting, the lonely people living each day asking for distress...they need US...and I haven't forgotten it one day.
South Africa - The orphaned children, the HIV & AIDS victims, the graphic living situations, the danger, the lack of value on human existence. There's no way that I can forget many situations I found myself in in Africa...held up at gunpoint, sitting in the dirt with orphans, seeing the white vs black struggle, the physical/emotional/spiritual hunger that rages through many in S. Africa...not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of the needs for Jesus in Africa...not a day goes by.
Swaziland - What more needs to be said about a country so engulfed in the AIDS / HIV epidemic that the average life expectancy is near or less than 30 years old. The need for healing, food for the hungry, and education are in huge demand for this small country. The ways that God used US in Swaziland will continue forever. Not a day goes by that I don't somehow think of the kids walking miles after miles for the one meal they will get in any given day. Not a day.
Mozambique - What a time it was for US in this beautiful country. The incredible healings that take place in Mozambique, the hunger for significance, the thousands of orphans, the grateful and welcoming people in Mozambique, the horrible roads...it's all part of why I loved my time in Mozambique. Again, not a day goes by that I don't think of the people WE prayed for, the lives that were transformed and changed in this country of hurt and poverty. Miss it daily...and never a day that I don't think of it...
Bolivia - There's no way I can forget this beautiful...beautiful...beautiful country. From the incredible mountains to the lush green of the rainforest, it is gorgeous. The landscape can't fool you though, this is one of the poorest countries of South America, being landlocked severely limits it's export capabilities, causing industry to overlook the country. The constant turnover in their Government causes turmoil daily in much of the country...yet Jesus is lived out in this country. I miss the time in the rainforest working on the orphanage...while I may not have met any of the children that are now living in the orphanage that we helped to complete, they are constantly on my mind. Never a day goes by that I don't think of the nights I spent with Rusty and some of the girls of our squad talking (attempting to talk) to Remberto, an amazing missionary to his country, who left everything behind to build orphanages around Bolivia with his family. He is an amazing man...I miss him daily.
Peru - From the vast desert-like area of Chincha to the lush Amazon Jungle, I miss it all daily. I miss so many of the people at the Iglesia Berrea in Iquitos, or Templo La Mies in Nauta...I can't get the images and lives they are living out of my mind. I can't forget that Pastor Nester is living in Los Jardines, Chincha...and the earthquake torn area surrounding him. Not a day goes by that I don't think of those days...not one day.
Through all of this, I come back to my sister's question..."how can you go, stay there for a little while and leave?" and my answer is ... you can't.
Not a day goes by that I don't wake up wondering what I'm doing of significance. Not a day goes by that I don't think of these countries and the multitude of things that I could be doing to help any one of them. Not a day goes by that I don't wonder how many people I encountered are still among us. Not a day goes by that I don't think of the lives that could be turned to God...through you or me.
Yet things hold us back....that's for another blog though...for now, oh sister of mine...my answer still remains empty...while I did see so many people, and sit in awe of so many things across the world, I still must say, I don't know how...other than it changes your life in more ways than I can count...and (not to brag, but...) I can count pretty high.
"You Can" ... the more up-beat blog coming soon!!!
Oh yeah, I kinda forgot to mention
something to you, my faithful blog readers! In October, I'm headed away
to the "Land of Smiles"...Thailand! It's a land that captured my heart
when I was there in 2008, and I've always had the bug to get back
there, and in October I'm making it happen!
People ask me all the time where I learned how to do so many things. Well, I'll answer it rather simply...my dad. He's been a great father over the years, a carpenter nearly his whole life, and a great example of how all dads need to operate for their sons. I remember as a young child he helped me make a pinewood derby car for Boy Scouts...he didn't make my car, he told me what to do and watched me do it. (at the time I wish he'd have just done it though...it probably would have won then!) As I got older I'd 'work' on the lawn mower, don't get me wrong, my dad isn't a mechanic at all, but he let me try to fix the lawn mower, replace the spark plug or clean the air filter, that kind of thing...sometimes the lawn mower ran afterwards, sometimes it didn't, but he always let me try. Then as I got older, he let me work for him building and remodeling homes. I may not have ever loved doing that as a job, but it taught me a lot that will stick with me forever on how homes are built and how to maintain them, things that will forever be useful. He was always an open encouragement to trying new things, even when I failed at fixing things he always laughed and helped come up with a solution to get it working again. He always passes on his knowledge to me, without barrier, still today. There are very few projects that I get into that I don't find myself calling and asking him a question on how to fix this or that on a house. When I owned my houses in North Carolina there was hardly a day that I didn't ask him something which he always was more than willing to give me an answer to. When he didn't know the answer (in the days before Google), he always helped me find the answer, whether he had to drive me to the auto parts store or ask an uncle or who knows what else, he always helped me figure out the solution. It's now invaluable in life to have the confidence to stand in the midst of a confusing situation and reason my way through how to make it work.
A little glimpse of what I've been up to in September ... Turkey, Israel, and Romania!
After returning home from the World Race, I have found a continued need to serve God's Kingdom and the Nations. My time to dive in is now.
