June 25, 2012

Monday Mayhem

My house is strewn with boxes, the phone is ringing off the hook, and my schedule just keeps filling up. The term "mayhem" seems especially appropriate today.

So, after a week off while hosting the FOCUS missions team, here is this week's collection of random links.

More than a Dream A fascinating interview with Phil Vischer, creator of Veggietales and What's in the Bible.

Coming to a Best Buy near you... Interesting (and scary) tech from the movies that could become part of our lives.

Lego Creation of the Week: The Island Tower

Global Finance Fallen on hard times.

When Toys were Toys I remember playing with the third from the top.

That's all for this week. Have an interesting link to be included in the next Monday Mayhem? Leave a comment or send me an email.

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max, Parts 1, 2 and 3 are now available for Kindle and Nook!

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June 22, 2012

FOCUS Report

Once again Itacyara and I have had the privilege of hosting a team from the US. This is our fifth team since we arrived on the field in 2005, and the second to visit us from Fellowship Baptist Church in Lakeland, FL--our sending church.

Every team that has come down has been an adventure, and this one was no different. What follows are some pictures, lifted (with permission) from the Facebook page of Pastor Daniel Comings (aka "my bro").

Ministry at the new kids club in Rio São João

Hacking through the underbrush at the camp in Morros

Interacting with English students and teachers

Sharing Christ at the Federal University of Maranhão

Exploring the ocean inlets around São Luís

Braving the treacherous crossing on the way to Barreirinhas

Making puppets for Child Evangelism Fellowship

Frolicking on the dunes of the Lençois Maranhenses

What They Accomplished

On their last full day here in São Luís, I sat the team down and gave them a summary of the impact they had here.

1. The Gospel was shared repeatedly, and clearly. At the University, to English students, in two different churches, at a youth rally, and to many people individually.

2. Doors were opened. The presence of the americanos here presented us (Itacyara and I) with opportunities to meet and befriend people we would have never met otherwise.

3. The Church in São Luís was edified. Two different events were planned and executed that brought together people from all three of our local churches here in São Luís...specifically the young people. During and after the events, the consensus among the attendees was "we need to do this more often". It took a group of foreigners coming from Lakeland Florida to do it, but finally we are now beginning to see more unity among our breth'ren.

4. The missionaries were encouraged. God used this team, from our home church, to give us a "shot in the arm" when we needed it the most.

5. Investments were made in future missionaries. Several of the young people on the team expressed a desire to return and become more involved in the ministry here. We anxiously await their arrival!

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max, Parts 1, 2 and 3 are now available for Kindle and Nook!

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June 8, 2012

Amazing Picture

I didn't take this picture, it probably won't win any photography awards, and most likely nobody will "repin" it on Pinterest.

Yet, this is a truly amazing picture, for several reasons.

* It represents men from two congregations here in São Luís--Kerigma and First Baptist--working together at our camp property.

* It was taken at the end of a long day of grueling work in the hot sun (punctuated by a merciful downpour), and yet all the men are smiling. Why? For most of them this was their first time at our camp property, and they had seen with their own eyes the potential of the piece of property God has given us.

* To the right of the picture you can see the trunks of two palm trees. When we arrived that morning everything behind those trees was covered in dense underbrush. All the cleared are you see behind those trees (and some that you can't see) was the product of that day's work.

* Behind the hill is a long stretch of area that was, as of yesterday morning, unfenced. It is now fenced.

Yesterday marked great progress in the life of our camp. We continue to keep before us the goal of putting up the first buildings and beginning to hold events--events where the Gospel will be preached and Christ's kingdom advanced.

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max, Parts 1, 2 and 3 are now available for Kindle and Nook!

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June 4, 2012

First Kids Club in Rio São João

Our first Kids Club in the Rio Sao Joao bairro went better than we dared to dream. Here are some pictures of the event:

At first, only a few kids showed up. Still, this was better than what we expected.

Simone, Itacyara, Rose, and Francivaldo teach Romans 3:23

Of course there had to be puppets...

The missionary keeps order during a hotly-disputed game of musical chairs.

By the time we finished, 27 kids had arrived.

The group of outstanding workers God has provided for this project.

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max, Parts 1, 2 and 3 are now available for Kindle and Nook!

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Monday Mayhem

It's Monday, and time for random, off-topic links in no particular order.

Popular Destinations and how to get there.

Books! Glorious books!

Books! ...not quite so many, but equally Glorious Books

Diagram of the Center of the Earth It may not be 100% accurate...

Stairs are for wimps.

It's the Iron...man

Got something for next week's Monday Mayhem? Shoot me an e-mail or leave a link in the comments section.

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max, Parts 1, 2 and 3 are now available for Kindle and Nook!

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June 2, 2012

Intrepid Adventurers

This group of young people (and young-at-heart people) will be visiting us here in Sao Luis from June 9th to the 18th. Their group is called F.O.C.U.S (Fellowship of Christians United in Service), and they are from our sending church in Lakeland, Florida.

We are very excited about their visit, and the doors that have been opening for their ministry while they are here. Please keep them in your prayers.

The Astonishing Adventures of Missionary Max, Parts 1, 2 and 3 are now available for Kindle and Nook!

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