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!!

The day has arrived...

I'm sitting here typing this post while waiting to board Korean Air to Vietnam! I can't believe it's here...
I'm very sleepy and am looking forward to getting some sleep onboard the plane. It will be a 13 1/2 hour trip to Seoul, Korea then another 4-5 hours to Hanoi Vietnam.
I'm sitting here with most of my team. The rest we will hookup with in Seoul and Hanoi.
God is totally in control of this mission. I have to empty myself and let him guide and lead me as to what to say, who to say it to and when to say it.
Prayer coverage is very heavy for our team and we feel it!
To God be the Glory!!

The night before...

Well, it's here! 3+ months of planning, praying, fundraising, worrying and stress are now coming to an end. A new chapter begins tomorrow morning. God is with me- what is there to worry about?
Vietnam- here I come!!

Isaiah 6:8

Then I heard the voice of The Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for us?
I said:Here I am. Send me.

It is now the Monday before my Vietnam mission. The bags have been packed for a second time and will need to be packed a final time on Thursday. I have had all my shots- Typhoid, Hep A and Hep B. I start Malaria meds Weds. I hope they don't make me too sick to begin with- I have to work that day. I need to purchase a spare camera battery and a few snacks and I believe I am all set!

I referenced Isaiah in my opening. It truly sums up my heart going into this trip. I cannot wait for the roller-coaster ride of emotions that I'm sure will take place. I also cannot wait to meet the rest of my team in Chicago and in Vietnam. We are ready to serve The Lord!

Vietnam. T-minus 4 days!!

Fully Funded!!

As of this weekend, I am now fully funded for my Vietnam mission!! God has been so true and faithful! I cannot believe that in June, I was sweating the details and worried that I couldn't raise the money to go.  I had to let go and trust God.  I should never have doubted!!
Any monies raised now will go towards clothing and supplies.  Any extra,past that,will stay in my E3 account and can be applied to future missions.
God is soooo good!!

1 Corinthians 1:9

I Am Second...

I started hearing about the I am second movement on twitter. Didn't really look into it or understand it. It wasn't until I signed up and joined E3 Ministries that I found out that they are the ones who created IAS. We will be using the IAS curriculum to help witness to the Vietnamese in Sept. I have not heard how exactly, as E3 usually uses the Evangicube to witness.
I also have joined an IAS group at First Baptist Church led by Joey, our Assistant Pastor. We have about 6-8 men who meet every Sunday. We review specific sets of scripture and ask questions about it so we can grow in understanding what is truly being said.
So in essence- what is I Am Second? It's a gathering of people who want to put Jesus first in their lives. People who know the freedom found in Christ and want to pass it on to others. Online, you can find short videos of celebrities, sports figures, pop culture individuals, musicians, etc who sit on a white recliner/chair and give their testimony. A book has been written that ties into the online videos and there are shirts and black rubber wrist bands that help proclaim IAS.
I Am Second... Are you??

Vietnam prep continues...

Donations have started coming in. I'm about 1/4 of the way there. God is in control and is making his presence known daily as I continue to watch the website for donations and receive checks thru the mail. I really need to start praying more for God's providence.
My team here in Greeneville are now starting the I Am Second curriculum that we will be using in North Vietnam. I also have learned that I have to make up to 50 salvation bracelets to give out on site.
I have the support of friends and family, but I still am in desperate need of funding. Especially since the full amount is due August 28th!!
Just pray!!

Ruger P95...

Well, I never thought I would say this- but I am now a Handgun owner! Proud user of the 2nd Amendment!

After seeing friends and family's handguns and knowing the world we live in... Pam and I agreed that in the interest of protecting our own- it was time to get a handgun.

I started researching types of handguns and prices and decided on the Ruger P95 9mm handgun.

So far I have broken it down and cleaned it twice! Nerve racking at first, but the gun is really easy to clean!

Daniel and I went with a friend from work to a small shooting range in Cherokee National Forest last night. It was only $2 to shoot. I was able to fire about 70 shots down range and it was awesome! Absolutely nothing like firing hot lead at targets! The gun performed perfectly with no jams, the trigger pull was so smooth and the recoil was nothing! Pam wants to shoot it now!

I have signed up for a safety course in August as I plan to obtain my Concealed Carry permit ASAP. Will I carry in public one day? Who knows- probably. I want that option and the ability to exercise my 2nd Amendment right.
I now am hooked on handguns!!