But first- a look back...

As I began tidying up this Blog, I couldn't help but notice the one consistent theme running thru a lot of my posts. The feeling that God truly had a plan for my life and was tugging at my heart to step out in faith and join Him is prevalent in so many posts! For years, God has been calling me and finally I listened!

Other posts show my intense love of Star Wars and Jedi Cosplay. I made so many friends that came from my passion about that Galaxy Far, Far Away and I truly miss my interactions at conventions with them. Sadly, time and a new focus has drifted us all away.

My wife and son are mentioned in many blog posts and I consider myself to be so blessed to be a husband and father to them. I cannot do what I do without their love and support!

So here's to my Lord and Savior for loving me, forgiving me and having a direction for my life.
Here's to Star Wars, the Jedi, the Sith and the fun of Cosplay!
And finally, to Pam and Daniel for letting me answer God's call and believing in me!!

A New Blog...

Well, well, well. It's been quite awhile since I last posted here on my Blog.

I actually spent quite a few hours yesterday going thru all of the posts and cleaning them up for grammar and I added more consistent look. I changed some fonts and sizing to bring an easier to read style and I played around with some of the colors shown.

I plan to keep using this Blog for personal writings, opinions, off the cuff stories and observations, family life and non-ministry related topics. However, I am in the process of creating a new Blog for only Ministry related topics and discussions. Mission work from a lay persons point of view will be of primary focus and the ability to offer a platform to share what I do for my Ministry supporters, family, friends and public all the while being safe and secure in my writings is of the upmost importance!

Please keep this new endeavor in your prayers as I seek to serve Him in this digital space!

Vietnam in retrospect (2012)...

First, I would like to thank my Savior Jesus for making the trip to Vietnam possible. Second, I want to thank my wife Pamela and my son Daniel for their undying love and support from the beginning. My Mother, Aunt, other family members, friends and church who helped finance my mission will never go unappreciated!

With that being said- Xin Chao! That is Hello in formal Vietnamese... 

This journey to Vietnam began in June 2012.  I was convicted right after Pastor Joey and his first team returned from Vietnam in the spring and I just knew that God wanted me to go as well.

My first obstacle was the fundraising part.  How in the world was I going to be able to raise $3500 to fund my trip? I just could not fathom asking friends, family and even strangers to give me money... But after 3 weeks and mailing over 100 fundraising request letters- God provided!! The money started coming in and things started clicking in place.  Generous donations both large and small allowed me to be fully funded in about 9 weeks.  I even had excesses that allowed me to transfer funds over to other team members accounts. With funding in place, passport in hand and quite a few shots and vaccines- I WAS READY!!

We left on a Friday morning and after traveling thru 3 airports and crossing many time zones- we arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam. 

A few hours later- we were checked into our hotel in the Old Quarter of the city of Hanoi and ready for some much needed sleep!

I was blessed beyond words to be able to attend an Underground Church service the Sunday morning after our arrival. There was only 4 of us that went- the rest attended the Evangelical Church of Vietnam.

So you might be asking- what's the difference? Vietnam is a communist nation with Buddhism as their state religion. After opening their nation to other countries influences and the West knocking on their door- they sanctioned an Evangelical church to basically appease their visitors and countrymen. So the ECV is a registered sanctioned church authorized by the Govt. Because underground churches are not officially registered organizations, they cannot interdependently own property and hence meet in secret, often in fear of arrest or imprisonment. Because house churches operate outside Govt control and regulations, their members or leaders are frequently harassed by local Govt officials.

But what a sight to see! About 40 Vietnamese Christians singing, praying fervently and worshiping almighty God!! Joey Tillery even brought the sermon that morning. The church was studying 1st John and Joey had prepared his sermon the night before from 1st John- not knowing that the church was on that particular piece of scripture! What a blessing!!

The next few days were followed with traveling to parts of Hanoi in a taxi. Boy, the traffic is something I will never forget!

I was blessed to be able to lead a young man to Christ and is something I shall never forget! Liem is my new brother and I shall never forget meeting him!

Our group spoke to over 318 Vietnamese men and women and of those - 80+ accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour!!

I have committed to return to Vietnam and I cannot wait!

Thank you Jesus for this golden opportunity to share you with the people of Vietnam!!

Put on the Armor...

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power put on the full armor of God.

We are his army.

The war rages on and Christ our King has called us to arms, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes- hypocrisy, rumor, injustice, vengeance, lies, hatred, pornography, slander, brawling, drunkenness, deceit, and every seductive lie of the enemy.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.

For life is eternal and our enemies war for the souls of mankind.

But against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore put on the FULL… not half…the FULL …not as much as you feel comfortable wearing…not as much as is politically correct… not as much as is evangelically chic… not only enough to cover your backside… THE WHOLE.

Even 90 percent is inadequate.

The whole armor of God.

So that when the day of evil comes- (And know this, it will come.)

When the forces surround you and there seems nowhere to go but down,

When you have been challenged, attacked, battered and thrashed,

When you have been ridiculed and mocked, accused, subjugated and hammered,

You’ll be like the house that Jesus built.

The winds will come and the waves will crash down upon you like the raging rapids of hell,

But you’ll stand.

You will stand.

You will stand!

Stand your ground.

Stand at attention!

Like the three Hebrew children before Nebuchadnezzar,

Like Moses before Pharaoh,

Like David before an ugly, sneering giant,

You’ll stand.

Like Jesus at the flaming portals of Hades demanding the keys of destruction, you’ll stand.

Undistracted.

Totally determined.

No demon can touch you if you stand regaled with the shining armor of God.

You’ll stand and no weapon shall prosper.

No arrow can touch you.

You’ve been called into the service of a God who is all powerful, all loving, all knowing, all right and all ready!

Are you ready?

Will you put on the armor?

Will you fight the good fight?

Will you seize the gates of hell?

Will you triumph with the undefeated warrior?

Will you reserve your place at the victory celebration?

Will you find your place next to Stephen and John the Baptist at the ticker tape parade of glory?

Will you finish the course?

Will you fight the good fight?

Then take up the armor.

Listen for your captain’s call.

AND STAND!

e3 Partners Church Planter

Praise The Lord!!

I have entered a new phase of my calling with e3 Partners Ministry to Indochina. I have now transitioned into a status to where I can start training for all the logistics, planning and paperwork that goes into an Expedition overseas.

I will still have to raise more support and will do so while I am training with Gloria and others with e3. I will also be co-leading 3 expeditions in the fall to Indochina.

To God be the glory!!

Marriage 2015...

On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court of the United States decided that marriage between a person of the same gender was to become legal in all 50 states. Essentially, they redefined the definition of traditional marriage which is between one man and one woman. A new era in our country has begun and the biggest question is- "How are Christians going to react?"

God is still on His throne and loves each and every one of us. He wants us to turn away from our sin and enter into a relationship with Him. 

Do you know Him?

Hospital stay 2015

Dear friends and family- where do I start? 

I was in the hospital for 25 days from Jan to late Feb.

It all started with the terrible flu. That illness seriously tore me down and weakened me to no end. Pam prompted me to go to the Dr after getting no better and that's when the fun really started. CT scan and ultrasound showed that my liver was covered in cysts or abscesses.

Several days later, a follow up scan showed they had grown even larger. Infectious disease specialists are in the TriCities (an hour away) so it was set that I would be hospitalized at Johnson City Medical Center. 18 hours in the ER with my Kidneys shutting down, fever and a liver in bad shape made for a stressful 1st intro to hospital life. We finally got a room then all the bloodwork and testing began.

I'm sure that I glow at night due to all the CT and X-rays pumped into me. After 2 drains were poked into me to allow 2 of the liver cysts to drain- we finally were introduced to a liver specialist who works strange cases. Another high contrast CT scan determined that I had appendicitis which in turn had damaged my Gall Bladder and caused the abscesses on my liver. Open surgery was scheduled and my appendix and gall bladder were removed as well as 12 cysts cleaned from my liver.

After 25 days, we were finally released to go home. I say we, because Pamela was there with me- every step of the way. I had to have home healthcare for the next 3 1/2 weeks and a daily IV antibiotic to take. Because of complications from the appendix and liver, I had a blood clot in my lungs and had to take oral blood thinners until this past Monday. I lost 30 lbs while I was in the hospital, but have gained 24lbs back.

I'm sure I've forgotten some of the ordeal, but one thing I will not forget is the kindness, concern and prayers of so many people. Church ministerial staff to church members, neighbors and Pam's coworkers, dear E3 partners and strategy team to my Mom, Aunt and Uncle and Pam's sister and brother in law. Their willingness to sacrifice their time to visit, help take care of Daniel, watch the house, get groceries and pray will never be forgotten.

God bless you all!

2014- the end...

It's crazy to think in 2 days that 2014 will be at an end. 

2014 brought the end of my Walmart career and the beginning of my life as a Church Planter with e3 Partners Ministry. The year also brought some pretty serious back surgery to Pam and a whole new restructuring of our bills and financials. 

God has a plan for this path that he has set us on and I must remain resolute to see this to the finish. I have set a goal to be 100% fully funded with Monthly Ministry Partners and with some serious focus and God's help- it can be accomplished!

Goodbye 2014 and hello to 2015. SE Asia awaits my part in The Great Commission!

Foister Ministry with E3 Partners Ministry begins...

God is good ALL the time!

I have now officially come on staff with E3 Partners Ministry. I am a Church Planter "in training" for the Indochina region. Part of my training will include taking a class called Ministry Partner Development with Support Raising Solutions in Arkansas in October.

I started a fundraiser on Booster.com selling customized T shirts. I was able to raise over $400 in about 25 days. The funds are just enough to cover the bus ride, hotel stay for 3 nights and taxi rides to and from the training. It's like God knew just how much I needed to make this happen! 

Praise The Lord!!

Update on E3 and God's calling to Missions...

I am in the final stages of the Application phase for Full Time status with E3 Partners Ministry. I have filled out an 11 page application and sent it in. I have completed 3 phone interviews from E3 individuals  in the US and Thailand. As of this week, my future is now in the hands of the Hiring Committee at E3. 

So what happens next? If I am "Hired" - I will then fill out more paperwork (probably online) then prepare to attend several trainings in Texas and Arkansas. One of the classes will be a Ministry Partner Development course that will teach me how to raise the necessary monies to fund my Expeditions/Mission trips and have a small salary at the same time. 

This is a big change to the Foister family lives. I am used to a 9-5 job with an hourly wage. This job will entail a LOT of leaning on God's grace and trust that He will provide. 

I am so thankful to have the support of my wife Pam and son Daniel. Many prayers have been said and I appreciate every one! 

I will update more when I find out whether or not I am a Church Planter with E3 Partners Ministry!

Why E3 Partners Ministry and Indochina Missions?

I get asked- why E3 Partners Ministry and not the International Mission Board or the Southern Baptist Convention for Missions work? Both the IMB and the SBC are wonderful organizations and ones my family support. However, after seeing the logistics involved in planning an Expedition and how well E3 carries out these Missions to the betterment of those involved- I cannot put my faith and trust in any other group. They offer all the hands on training, logistical support and planning to ensure a safe and fruitful trip.

It has taken me many years as a believer to decide to heed the call of The Great Commission given to us by Christ Jesus. Too many things have happened at this point not to say it's God's timing and plan that I am to travel this path. It is not my will, but my Lord Jesus Christ that guides me! 

E3's Statement of Faith and Corporate biblical beliefs align fully with mine and my family's. Simply put, E3's mission is simple. They equip God's people to evangelize His world and establish His Church. Raising funds for my Expeditions can seem like a daunting task. It is an exercise in Faith. I know though, that God has called me to go and He WILL provide the means!

So what exactly do I do on an Expedition? I travel to other parts of the world to tell about Jesus, make disciples and plant new churches. There are transforming initiatives that impact the local communities that I visit along with great opportunities to step out in faith and serve The Lord. When I go- I am joining thousands of others mobilizing through hundreds of Expeditions to over 40 countries. Often, I will travel with a group from my own church or I might meet up with others from around the country.  I might visit a Coffee House or even an University In-Country to meet locals and when able- share my story as to how I was saved by Grace by acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Savior. I sometimes will join a group during an English lesson class which opens the door for me to share my faith with a National. 

This will be my 3rd and 4th Expedition in September to Indochina with E3 Partners Ministry.  I have been blessed to be able to serve him in such a closed country and I know that is only thru His strength that I can go again.

The task of finishing The Great Commission is bigger than any one part of the Body of Christ. God wants to use the entire Body of Christ to finish this task. E3 Partners Ministry seeks to be an answer to the prayer Christ Himself prayed in John 17:20-21 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word: that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." 

*Note- I have used some materials from E3 Partners to better quantify and explain my reasoning and purpose. 

E3 Ministry Partners and me...

2014- Who would've thought that 3 years ago I would now be planning my 3rd Expedition/Mission trip to the Indochina region?

A little history...

I grew up in a Southern Baptist Christian home. My Mom, Aunt and Uncle were children of a Minister and I even played church as a child and delivered sermons to them in my room. As a youngster, I thought I might one day grow up to be a preacher. God had other plans and that never happened. 

My life has been full of ups and downs. From being a child of divorce (my lowest) to my marriage and birth of my son (my highest)! God has always been there- protecting me and guiding me. Doors have been opened and closed by his hands and plans put into play long ago seem to be coming to fruition. 

I have had on my heart for several years now a desire to do more for Christ's Kingdom. At one point, I thought that I needed to start a Youth Ministry another time a Drama Ministry. But those ideas never panned out. I just never felt led to take the necessary steps to pursue that lead. My retail job has for several years sucked the life out of me and kept a veil upon my heart for all things Godly. I really have felt too depressed to "get involved" per se. But, one Sunday at church in 2012, the bulletin had a promo for a Mission Trip to Vietnam. And something clicked inside me. Missions...! I had to know more and look into the possibility of going. I talked with Joey, our Associate Pastor (who quickly has become my Mentor and Friend), and he gave me the details about the Expedition and E3 Partners. I was so excited! I signed up several days later and started the Fundraising Process. My wife and son supported this new endeavor and we were quickly amazed as family, friends and strangers started sending me money to fund my trip. God was so good to me! The trip came and went and it changed my outlook on life. But- I returned to the daily grind and my passion quickly faded and once again became replaced by luke-warmness. 

2013 comes and with it another opportunity to go to Vietnam with E3. This time as a Sports ministry and an even larger Expedition team. A blessed time in Ho Chi Minh City quickly ended and then back to the day to day toil of retail...

The end of 2013 and the first few months of 2014 brought a change to my job. I accepted a promotion to go into Mgmt last November, went thru training and started in Newport TN as a fresh faced Assistant Manager of Walmart. I was moved from store to store and drove mile after mile to whatever location they needed me at. After 2 1/2 months of sheer frustration, despair, physical pain and anguish- I made the decision to throw the towel in and sever my employment with the company. That was a scary decision!! But you know what? I had the support of my wife and son and even more importantly the assurance of God that we would be ok...

Even greater reason to be at home unemployed was that Pam had to have back surgery. And I got to be home and take care of her for over 3 weeks- meeting her needs, running errands, taking Daniel to school, cooking supper and doing whatever was needed thruout the day. God's timing is perfect!

Gloria from E3 came to visit our church 2 weeks ago. She gave a great report on the E3 strategy for the Indochina region and mentioned that they needed a staff member as a Communications Coordinator. This intrigued me and little did I know (until later) that Pam was thinking that I should look into the position. I called Gloria and we chatted about the needs for the team and I shared what was on my heart about wanting to give myself full time to His Ministry. Gloria prayed with me and agreed that this is the time to make that next step for His Glory. 

I am now pursuing a Full Time Staff member position with E3 Partners Ministry for the Indochina region.  This would include the countries of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. I have a 4 page application to fill out, several videos to watch and summarize, a 3 part phone interview process- all of which could take 2-3 months. If I am accepted and on boarded- I then will begin training and attend a class called "BodyBuilders" which will show me how to raise funds monthly by gathering Ministry Partners to fund a small salary and pay for Expeditions. I would like to see me going on 3-4 Expeditions a year and know that it is all in God's hands at this time...

Too many things have happened at this point not to say it's God's timing and plan that I have traveled this path. It is not my will, but my Lord Jesus Christ that guides me!!

"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

(2 Timothy 4:17)

Vietnam 2014

After much prayer and consultation with my wife, I have once again decided to go to Vietnam with E3 Partners Ministry. I will now start the process of composing fundraising letters and gathering financial support for this trip that leaves on September 11th. 

This is what God wants and I am ready to fully give to him what is needed!

Mother's Day 2014...

I've been reflecting on Mom during this Mother's Day. I know that I am the man I am today because of the upbringing given to me by my Mother. And the cool thing was, that I had my Aunt Dana as a second Mom. When my Father checked out years ago- it was my Mom and Aunt who were there.

Play dates, game time, hide and seek, book readings before bed, Mom's Taxi, many years of Trick or Treating, fantastic Christmas mornings ( even if Dad was sitting there like a log), taking me to many viewings of the Original Star Wars trilogy- it was all Mom and Aunt Dana. 

When we trekked out into the cold and snow to dig up frozen wood to burn in our stove to be able to stay warm- it was me, Mom and Dana who did it. When we pulled food out of the trash to have something to eat- it was me, Mom and Dana. Heartache and Sadness was a common bond in my household and it was only thru God's love and my Mom and Aunt that I survived it. 

When I was five, I accepted Jesus Christ into my life as Lord and Saviour. It was with my Mother that I got down on my knees to pray a prayer of acceptance. I owe my Christian upbringing to Mom and Dana because without them I would be lost!

I am thankful for my Mom and my Aunt on this Mother's Day 2014. 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Pam's back surgery 2014

After many months of pain and suffering, Pamela will be having back surgery in Kingsport. She has spinal stenosis and several bulging discs, as well as sciatic nerve problems. Tomorrow, she will have a very small semi noninvasive back surgery that will last probably about two hours. I truly think that God has allowed me to be unemployed during this time. It will allow me to be at home with her to help take care of her during her recovery time. This will also allow me to cook supper, run errands and take care of Daniel as needed so she won't have to. God is in control!

Walmart- the end...

I started with Walmart in July of 2003. I was hired as a Sales Associate in Sporting Goods and after a years time became a Customer Service Manager. After 4 years I was promoted to a Department Manager over PaperGoods and Chemicals. A year later I promoted to a Zone Supervisor over Operations and the Front End. In 2013, I reluctantly accepted a promotion to Assistant Manager.  From the middle of October to the week before Thanksgiving I was training in Knoxville. Training was fun- but it was for perfect world scenario facilities and doesn't prepare you for what's really out there in the stores. I became what is known as a "Floater"- an Assistant Manager without a home. The market had promoted a few associates ahead of the need for Assistants so they could be ready to fill in when needed.  I "Floated" between Knoxville, Sevierville and Newport for almost 3 1/2 months. Never truly getting into a routine or learning associates names was the norm. Unloading trucks at Sevierville until my body ached was a nightmare as well as being expected to manage the Apparel areas of the store. Working endless pallets of freight in Knoxville and Newport as well as miles and miles to and from work corrupted any such positive thoughts about working at Walmart as an Assistant Manager. Sleepless nights, upset stomach, stress, panic attacks and an intense hatred for Walmart, retail and the job finally took its toll. 

On Thursday March 13 2014- I handed in my badge and quit Walmart after 10 years on the job.

God has a plan and it's in him that I must trust. To God be the Glory!

Why I carry...

I do not carry a firearm because it is my right.
I do not carry because I am afraid.
I do not carry because I am paranoid, and I don't carry because I am trying to make a statement.
I am not being political, and I am not being religious.
I do not carry a gun because I want to frighten, intimidate, or kill.
I carry a gun because there is genuine evil in this world.
I carry a gun because most people are not equipped to deal with that evil.
I carry a gun because the police mostly respond to crime, they do not prevent it.
I carry a gun because there are some that cannot defend themselves. Some threats are too fearsome, too strong, and too evil.
I carry a gun because I am willing to stand between you and that evil.
I carry a gun, expecting that someday I may have to use it, and praying that I will never have to. (author unknown)

2nd Amendment, Gun Rights and the Foisters

Dec of 2012 brought the world a horrible massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in CT. A crazed gunman entered the school and killed 20 innocent children and 6 adults. A tragedy for sure. A tragedy that hopefully will never be repeated.

Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world where mankind will always have a sinful nature. It is only thru a loving and nurturing family and peace thru Christ that this "nature" can be overcome.

So where does this bring myself and my family?
Well, lets go back a few years first...
I was raised to respect firearms, but I was limited to BB rifles, Airguns and a few times shooting my fathers .22 rifle. So I was never really into guns or the gun culture.
Fast forward to 2011. I started noticing more and more friends buying firearms and getting their carry licenses.
This sparked an interest in current firearms and what they meant to the average citizen. So, after much thought and study I decided to talk with my wife about wanting to purchase a firearm for our family's safety. 2012 had shown such violence towards other human beings and it triggered a response in me. A response and reasoning that I needed to step up my game in doing whatever it took to protect us.

We now own 1 Firearm and I have gotten my Conceal Carry license. So yes, this means that I carry concealed at least 60% of the time. Can't carry at work or on school grounds or during Scouting. Pam is interested in getting her CCW and I would like to get her a .380 pistol to have with her when I'm not home or around.
I would also like to purchase a sub compact pistol as my full size is just not comfortable 100% of the time.

I am now a contributor to ConcealedNation.org and had my 1st article published today.

So home defense, defense of myself and Pam and Daniel are first thoughts in everything now. I will protect what is most important to me- and that's my family!

Return to US...

I'm sitting at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. We have just returned from a very moving mission trip to Vietnam. Can you believe that 318 Nationals had the Gospel shared with them and 76 accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior!
I have so many more things to post, write about and pictures to go thru and share. However, moving thru different time zones and weird sleeping makes it very difficult to even put coherent thought together.
Give me a few days...
God Bless!

Hanoi...

It's Thursday night and we have one more full day here in Vietnam. God has blessed this journey. I cannot believe how things have turned out- more than I had imagined.
I truly now understand that with God -ALL things are possible!!