Long Time no Post

well its been a very busy summer and fall. It took me some time to remember how to post to blogger, but now that I remember, I will attempt to catch up.

As many as I can remember

One of the first was Tom from Alabama, who was gracious enough to show me the pot scrubbing station. Now Tom was a big fella like me and what with me growing up in Mississippi we just seemed to hit it off. I got his good ol boy jokes where some of the city folk and yankees did not. Next came Barbara who if I remember correctly was stirring a large kettle of corn on a fish cooker. I learned the difficulty of not burning while bringing up to correct temperature. Randall was next and it took me a day or 2 to make the connection that he was Barbara's husband. Now Randall was one of those little guys who would just plum work you into the ground. He was a great pleasure to work with. And we spent more than a few hours at the sinks together. The 3 ladies in the kitchen knew their domain and shoo'd me out in a right good hurry. They were gracious enough to let me boil the water to heat the cambro's, as long as I was not in the kitchen. HA. OK, thats it, I have got to find my journal. Cause we had 2 lead cooks, a blue cap, the fella doing warehouse and a bunch of others that its hurting my feelings not being able to mention them by name. So I am going to shelve this for now and move on to the next post which will be: Thoughts and emotions.

Write it down

It was suprising to me how little time was available for personal stuff. Folks in Utah saw me sitting down to journal, and that I tried to do most every chance I had. Cause you see these almost 2 years later and I can hardly remember anyones name. That in my personal opinion is a bad thing. I have always had a terrible time with names. Faces I remember, but names, no way. Too make maters worse I have misplaced the journal. On a mission you have upwards of 20 or more people to interact with. Utah was a small operation. You have this vast miriad of emotions. Utah was one of the tough assignments. See, Fuzzy was the expert on mines, and he was letting us know how truly bleak the situation was. This was oppisite of the hopefull expectation of some and the praying for a miracle of most of us. Had I been a good steward of God's provision I would have been better prepared. Having a lap top, having a blog site, shoot - just having e=mail would have been a vast improvement. With the Lord's blessing and grace I am moving in that direction.

Next post: As many as I can remember

Working as a team

One of the hardest things to accomplish with a diversity of individuals is team work. Unless, Christ is the true leader, then things fall more easily into place. Most of the time you have no lack of individuals who want to be in charge which makes for conflict. And then you have folks like me. So dad burn excited to be there they just want to try everything. Let me take the time here to humble myself and confess. See I owe a sister in Christ an appology. I did not smoothly allow her excitement the same easy access I was allowed in Utah. I was a bore. A grumpy old man. And more than a bit snippy. If you should find yourself with these less than Christ like attitudes, do what I did not do until too late. Hit your knees at the altar and pray until they pass. But back to Utah. After saying good morning to Fuzzy and stepping out into the sunshine, the place was buzzing with activity. Now we were set up on a church property which was being maintained by the local association. Deep in Mormon country, the congregation and pastor had not been able to make a go of it. At the national level southern baptists have 2 primary team mates. 1st is the american red cross. 2nd is the salvation army. All 3 would be involved here in Utah. Our sleeping quarters were in the church, the kitchen was set up in the parking lot along with the supply trailer, the dry box trailer and the refer trailer. The fellowship hall of the church was were the command center was, along with our dining/meeting room. The shower trailer was set up out back. Man was I excited to be there. Sleepyness was gone. What I should of done, did not do, was to check in with the blue cap to find out who I had been assigned to and check with them as to what duties I had been assigned. Mr excitement here took one look around and jumped with both feet. Airborne! The washing station needed a little help, then the cook on the fish cookers, then warehouse, then main kitchen, then, then, then, I was all over. God bless my brothers and sisters for tolerating me. I loved it all. All positions are vital to one another. Teamwork is essential. So too is Leadership. There is a lead cook for a reason. They report to the blue cap for a reason. Who in turn reports to the white cap for a reason. The more effective the leadership, the more effective the teamwork leeds to more effective productivity. We were here for a reason. In the name of Christ to ease the burden of those living the situation and those responding to the situation. If we were not cooking, we were cleaning up. Done with that we were preparing for the next meal. I would bet that everyone was like me in sending up prayers throughout the day. Waiting on the next situation report. And at night coming together to have group prayer, devotional and team meeting. That first night I crashed. Hard. Good thing cause over the next several nights I would hardly sleep at all. Parts of 3 teams were involved. Utah, Idaho & Arizona. Folks from all over. Men and women. The youngest was 20 something, the oldest 80 something. I hope to learn how to post photo's so you can see more clearly what I am saying. Cause you see, to me, these disaster call outs are like the local church. Or more like what the local church should be. If you consider we live in the midst of a lost, dying world, we should come to it in the name of Christ to ease the burden of the lost, by example show them the love of Christ, encourage them to turn to Christ. And in so doing we would be the responders to the situation, not just sitting back with our 'fire' insurance card, but assisting the team.

I would catch glimses of Fuzzy throughout the day. Man, what an inspiration. Helping. Serving. Even keeled. Constantly on the move. Meeting everyone. Just possibly the most Christ like man I have ever met. Thank you Lord.

Next post: Write it down.

Utah - the trip up

I had found myself for some time being a news junkie. It allowed me to pray for folks I did not know, for situations I had little experiance in, for our country as a whole. Truth be told, I had an almost overwhelming desire to go and help. When the news broke about the mine colapse, once again it seemed the country was coming together in prayer. It allowed in places conversations about prayer and God that one would not normally be allowed to bring up, work, business, neighbors, etc.. The flash went out from the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention - Disaster Relief web site. I responded as led by the Holy Spirit. It felt like the time we went on alert in the Army. The whole division of the 101st Airborne. Loaded for bear, sitting on the tarmac waiting to board the C-130's. We were going to defend Israel. Exciting yes, Scary yes, a job trained for and now being called on to do. Lord use me. Except there would be no C-130's this day. My truck with a broken lifter rod would not make Utah. So I would need to hitch a ride. This will be a long trip and my 1st introduction to Fuzzy. Fuzzy & I played phone tag for awhile, but finally made arraingements for him to pick me up around 2pm from my work place. Fuzzy was an old guy. Shoot I was 52 at the time, but I remember thinking 'this trip could be interesting'. He reminded me of an ole farmer, slow to speak, hard to read. This was going to be a lot different than my daily contacts and would you look at that. His truck was just like mine. Well except his was working and well stocked for just about anything that might come along. On the way to Phoenix was mostly get to know you conversation, not that Fuzzy was chatty by any means. And the trip was going faster than I had suspected upon 1st seeing him. Now on a trip I usually have the map out close by, refer to it, and keep track of where I'm at. Fuzzy just drove. When I asked him, his response was "well, I been this way a few times". From Phoenix up to the State line is where I found out Fuzzy had been in mining most of his life. Had in fact been the leader for a rescue team. Underground mining. Like what we were heading towards. I came to understand 2 things on this part of the trip. I had not understood the grim reality of the situation fully, and God places people in your path for a reason. Now up around Page is where Fuzzy scared me. Ummm brother Fuzzy did you know the speed limit dropped to 35 a little ways back? Oh, thanks he says. Then tells me a story about a grandson "we be good grandpa, we be good.". Now being a big guy, I hate seat belts. Yeah, I know, the law. But this was a long trip and its dark. I had just told Fuzzy the speed limit again when I saw a patrol car flip a U in the medium and take off. After us. Dang - where is that seat belt. Good thing we were wearing out yellow shirts and hats with the disaster relief logo. Good thing it was Fuzzy driving and talking to the officer. Good thing the officer was simpathetic towards the folks in Utah. A lighter slap on the wrist I have not seen. Answered prayer is what it was. The seat belt stayed on for a good long while. Wonder what all those red streaks are on the road. Man, thats alot of them. Ok Lord, Utah is starting to freak me out a little cause that looks like a lot of blood to me. One set went on for miles. Then we caught up to the truck picking up dead deer from the sides of the road. OK. Don't see that, ever. And thats when we meet them. A whole herd. Scattered all over the road, chatting or whatever deer do while standing in the middle of the road. Good thing Fuzzy was driving. Cause I don't think my reflexes are that quick. Didn't even tap one, not that I couldn't have petted a few as we went by, had my window been rolled down. Ok Lord, Utah is really starting to freak me out. We had been on the road a long time. 14 hours or so. Hunnington is not all that big, really. We find the church after a few turn arounds unpack just enough to bed down. Another first. Sleeping in the church, well at least on a pallet on the floor. Takes me awhile to get settled with my C=pap breathing machine and fall asleep. Thank you Lord. Please Lord, stop them folk from coming in and out and waking me up. But I managed about 4 hours before finally giving up and getting up. Well, lets see what the Lord has in mind for this day. Now be quiet, cause Fuzzy is still sleeping. If I'm this tired, that old guy must be. So I open the door to the church and meet on his way in - Fuzzy. Who had been up and working, for awhile. Now I don't think he actually said it, but in my mind I destinctly heard, "bout time you was up".

Next post: working as a team.

Utah part 1

The Utah mine disaster was my first official call out with the AZ DRT. Some mighty impressive things happened on this mission. Its not until now that I can more clearly see the hand of our Lord at work. Not just for the 10 day mission, but the years of preperation for it. This will take several parts to do the witness justice. See, several years ago I had drifted away from the church, worse the Lord. Having been born and raised a catholic (see no ones perfect) and going thru my first communion in MS, I knew of Jesus and God. But coming from an unequally yoked family did not help. Only when in need did I turn to the Lord. Maybe a little more when I was in the Army jumping out of airplanes. And on several occasions after becoming a nurse, mostly over patients who were close to going home to the Lord. Our Lord is patient with us, He kept calling me and I finally accepted the call in a small church in Marshall, MO. Tears, snot, broken heart, the whole deal. I felt the crushing sin I had placed on the Lord on the cross for me. Jan & I later returned to Tucson and for awhile attended our current church, only to drift away. The problem with drifting is the Lord will raise His hand of protection until you look around and say "Hey where'd ya go Lord?" Well I can tell you, He didn't go anywhere. I did. To a dark place. To a place I do not recommend. To a place that tried to kill me. Of my own doing. So one day during monsoon, standing on the trailer, holding onto the large metal swamp cooler, watching a very intense lightening storm come at me (have I mentioned yet I'm mostly Polish). I decide to challenge God. Screaming at Him. Cursing at Him. Now I don't know if you know it or not but lightening can travel several miles in a strike, carries more voltage than necessary to crisp a crazy polish boy on a roof, and when it strikes close enough will send you to your knees out of shear reflex. On my knees is where I needed to be. It is where I heard that still quiet voice say "You want to come home? Go back to the church I put you in, complete the duties I have for you, then you can come home." So back to Flowing Wells Baptist Chruch. To the breakfast ministry. To the 3 fold passage of "feed my sheep". To find missions, most specifically - disaster relief. To engage in the necessary training. All the ups and downs. All in preperation to serve. He knew I would need all of this in Utah. I found out also. That, and you absolutely need to have a close relationship to Christ. To depend on Him for all things daily, sometimes minute by minute. That you are not alone. You have Christ. You have brothers and sisters in Christ. You get to choose.

Next post: Utah part 2 - the trip up.

Crown Ministry

I thank the Lord throughout the day, everyday, for the many and continuous blessings He sends my way. I have noticed as I reread thru my blogs that I use I alot. We walk this path together. We is the indwelling Holy Spirit and myself. For you see with out the Lord sending the Holy Spirit to me after I accepted Him as Lord and Savior, I would not be lead to go on mission trips or tackle in depth bible studies. Not in my flesh. Though there are many examples in scripture, I think Paul says it best. "Those things I would do, I do not. Those things I would not do, I do". A constant battle within and ole satan without. satan will come at you from all sides if he thinks you are attempting to do most anything for the Lord and His kingdom. satan does not want you to succeed. The Lord does. Could be why a crown is waiting for those that persevere. I had attempted to take Crown Financial Ministry prior to the MS trip, but Jan was not ready, and by myself, well, I just did not finish. The sin of course was the squandering of the Lords blessing. Heaped upon that was coveting. That lead to excessive debt. Stupid. As the Lord continued to raise his hand of protection from around me, due to my disobedience, He also softly spoke of a way back to Him. A biblical way. After much prayer and conversation Jan & I took the class and completed it. Now ours was a 12 week study, they have shortened it to 10. If you think a couple of hours once a week and an hour each day is too much then don't take the class. From my experience you would be wrong. I was. The class is not the 'hard' part. The hard part is choosing to live the lesson. I have a dear brother and sister in Christ who not only took the class but have also taught it on several occasions. They have become discouraged. If I understand their position, its because they did not see the "effects" of the class they were expecting. I believe one of the statements were along the lines of 'everyone who takes the class goes out and buys a new car'. Interesting. Jan & I had taken a brand new car to MS. Christ does not punish us each and every time we sin. He gently calls us to move towards Him. We deserve that ungiven punishment, He showers mercy and grace. Crown in my humble opinion is directed towards those with some wealth. Those that have not ruined their credit. Towards those that a relatively simple readjustment of the percentage of income page and all will be fine. That was not me. The easiest way would have been to file bankruptcy and start fresh. That was not the leading I was getting from my prayers. See, sometimes the sweetest reward is the one you have to work very hard for. Not by your own, and not on your own. The choosing to make Christ Lord. The actual, painful, this is where I am and over there is where the Lord would have me be. Mine was a long uphill rocky trek. I'm still on it. Because it is not, NOT, I took the course, completed it, succeeded! whats next. Biblical financial "Crown Ministry" is lifelong. You will not know of your level of success this side of glory. There are some bench marks for sure. But they do not easily apply to all. Lord willing Jan & I will be debt free in about 2 more years. I personally feel the gas crisis is satan's doing, but that's me. Free of debt is one of the benchmark goals. As in "neither a debtor nor lender be". Now understand this Tithing is not the goal. God does not need our money! The primary goal is a change of heart. Think of Christs example of the widow and the 2 mites. Does most of the resources God provides you go towards building and strengthening his Kingdom? Or, towards self, or the world or worse towards satan's. Take the class, do the work, read the scriptures, let the Holy Spirit guide you. See one needs food and water to sustain life, one does not need $8. per lb steak or $5. cup coffee. One may need transportation and that reliable. One does not need a Lexus or Jaguar, or if he is to be believed a young man from work who boasts of his $1ooK mustang with NOS injection system. You are the basic block of God's system, know this. That is why Jesus came to save you. From there its your family, then the church, then missionaries and outward from there. The easy ones are the $100. per hour income and above. It gets really tough at minimum wage. Below that sometimes its just by Gods good grace, the ability to survive. One of the benchmarks towards the end of your life is the inheritance you can leave for the following generations. At this point I will be lucky to get into potters field, but, I see light at the end of the tunnel where I could see none before. That thru Christ. Take the course. You will absolutely get something entirely different than I did. How do I know? Christ will take those things you need to work on and bring them to the forefront. He did for me. Thank you Lord.

Next post: Utah.