Feb 28 2009
Let me caution you today to be careful about what you say, how you say it and where you say it. Recently I was visiting La Grange, Ky. marrying off Kristin and Brian. I’ve known these kids all their lives so they had no choice but to have me conduct the wedding. After the wedding there was a little reception. I was visiting with somebody when John the carpenter came running up to me and said, “I know your voice! I listen to you on the radio.”
Feb 27 2009
Have you ever imagined what hope would sound like if you could hear it? I was recently in La Pita, Honduras and what I heard around me was the personification of hope. We drove way up this mountain to get to a particular village. When we arrived at the village we began distributing two of our favorite things, educational packets and knitted caps.
Feb 26 2009
They just absolutely floored me and knocked me off my feet! My buddies from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, led by Dean of Students Dr. David Klein, did an amazing job in fall 2008 in the Dominican Republic. Rivers of the World’s (ROW) work in the Dominican Republic in based in Barahona, located three hours southwest of Santo Domingo.
Feb 24 2009
Most of you probably know by now that one of the reasons I enjoy my travels throughout the United States is because there is always something exciting and good to eat, not to mention the wonderful fellowship that I experience. Today, I want to focus on Jackson, Miss., home to some wonderful fried catfish and some great people out at Ross Barnett Reservoir.
Feb 23 2009
Okay, I confess. I am not very good at waiting. I have a tendency to get quite impatient when I have to wait. There are 1.2 million people living in homes on or near eight rivers in Peru who are waiting to hear about Jesus. These people are also waiting for healthcare and Rivers of the World’s (ROW) answer to this is to build a hospital ship in Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest.
Feb 22 2009
They’re here! I can’t wait for you to see them. Check out the downloadable posters at www.row.org. They are creative, informative and a great way to let people know about Rivers of the World’s (ROW) new Fleet Fund. ROW has set a goal of building five new ships in 2009. These small ships will be used to provide microeconomic opportunities in remote jungle villages, predominately in Central America. Each ship will cost $15,000, which includes the boat, motor and enough fuel to do ministry for a year.
Feb 15 2009
Okay, I confess. I am trying to stay away from something very important in my life—buffet meals. When I am near a buffet at a restaurant temptation grabs a hold of me and I cave in, resulting in me eating way too much. I am working on one of my New Year’s resolutions, which is trying to stay away from these types of dining options. They are just too much fun and way too tempting for me!
Feb 14 2009
When you travel as much as I do it happens all the time. What am I talking about? I’m talking about being surrounded by germs. You know I would love to come see you but traveling there would likely mean that I would be stuck on a plane sitting next to some kid coughing his head off with a terrible cold. That would mean I would probably get exposed to his germs and frankly, that just gives me the creeps!
Feb 07 2009
I just recently received an e-mail from my wife, Dr. Mickie Mathis, who is living in Qatar, located in the Middle East. Many of you know that Mickie lives in the city of Doha where she is working as one of the academic deans at the University of Qatar. She is also nearing the end of a pretty tough battle against cancer.
Feb 05 2009
I was in the sixth grade when integration in the public schools took place in Memphis, Tenn. I can still vividly remember walking down the hall one day at school when all of a sudden there were kids of a different color walking down the hall.