I say “functional” because we have made several attempts in the past at ministry sites but these all died, crippled on the “hospital bed” of failed website code operations…  ) There is nothing so confusing and frustrating to me as code, whether it be html, php, pearl, flash, java script or any other!!!

Current Status of Our Missions:
(Initiating this blog prompts me to survey the progress of our diverse efforts in this ministry.)

HANDS OF MERCY:  Initiating this blog prompts me to survey the progress of our diverse efforts in this ministry. Danny, Daniel and myself have been reviewing the “Hands of Mercy” team since Wednesday night.  Though we are making some changes by way of tightening up the teams and such, overall I am just thrilled by the prospects for this youngest of our teams. I say youngest because we’ve only recently configured this group of enthusiastic young people (about 18 in all) as the music team. However, we all remember that it was as a small music team, singing in area nursing homes and assisted living places that this whole ministry got started in the first place. Maybe the nostalgia of these memories explains some of my excitement over what all God may work through this group...

PRISON MINISTRY:  While our ventures into the various state and local correction centers are not without their regular obstacles and interruptions, our faithful team of men and women continue to arm themselves with truth and march through those iron doors each week in hope for one more soul to respond to the power of so great a love as we’ve been shown.  How many times this inflexible system has aborted our well meant plans, I couldn’t count. However, before yielding to the Mr Quitter’s great temptation, recall those snatched from the fire who now thrive in our midst as beacons of hope for the hopeless people.  Just seeing the face of one man from the prison here in Waco whom I baptized, participating in our Monetary church fair, was enough to fan the flame of perseverance in my chest.

If I can “help one fainting robin unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.” –Emily Dickinson

TEEN CHALLENGE: We are scheduled to make the drive to the Azel center, just northwest of Fort Worth, tomorrow evening.  Certainly, it is time more than anything else that can prove how durable our efforts are in this field. However, I just love seeing in our Wednesday services the sun-burnt faces of so many guys, given the chance to come here and work. So much possibility and promise invites them out of the broken patterns of their past and into the way of life.  It seems we will soon realize the longstanding dream of accommodating such young people in a home and on some land where they can grow a garden, care for animals and taste the fresh joy of real living. I’m sure I’m not the only one holding my breath a little about the revenues for this venture but it does seem right!

PRACTICAL:  Permits, permits, permits!  One could began to think that the city’s primary goal was to stifle growth and condemn every dilapidating building to its worst state. Too strongly stated, I know but the system seems designed to frustrate…  The site of all hands on deck this Saturday, finishing out the exterior of the new auditorium was enough to replace cynicism with appreciation to be a part of such a people.  Mickaih and Joel W. sure have bettered the climate of our services by their labors on the a.c. duck network. Thanks!