Tuesday we awoke to more rain. It rained all night and today the front of the property looked like a river flowing through it. It just seems damp all of the time. Unfortunately, the rain doesn’t cool down the temperature much at all. It is just a warm rain to go with the hot days down here. Not complaining, mind you, just stating the facts. Since we are limited with kitchen utensils and cooking gear, the ladies have to offer the same basic meals. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, cereal, and bread. Morning devo was led by Jorge Del Bosque, the summer intern from Texas. George is a wonderful guy and is a real fireball. He is 42 and has been battling colon cancer. He gave a testimonial of how God is working in his life and how he has been able to use his trials for good. To say he is focused and on fire is an understatement. He is completely fluent in Spanish and is picking up the language here quickly.
Today we had our food give away. We assembled 150 bags of food Monday night and the first give away was at 11:00 at the camp. 50 families came and had a Bible lesson before leaving with the food bags. After lunch the majority of the team loaded the bus to travel to 4 distribution sites to give out the rest of the food. Rain did not stop most of the families from getting out to receive the food. The team was gone for about 5 hours and then went to the mall for dinner at the food court.
A small crew of 7 stayed back to continue the painting and assembling projects. Since the church pews were finished the construction team began building picnic tables for the dinning hall. They build 4 new tables to go with the existing ones. There are now 12 tables in the dinning hall. The paint team continued working on 2 of the murals. The mural of David and Goliath has become a much bigger challenge that we expected. We have limited paints and some a water based and others oil based. Quite a challenge to say the least. We worked until 6:30 and then 4 of the crew went into town to eat while 3 of us decided to stay put. Devotionals tonight were held in our rooms.
Wednesday we saw the sun again. It was really hot and humid today. We had breakfast (we cleaned up all of the left overs) and had morning devotional. Today was a wrap up session and “pep rally” for the team. Some of the team members left today to go on to Salvador where they will continue working for another week. We cleaned camp, gathered linins, returned borrowed mattresses, and swept the place clean. A few of us finished up the murals before loading up the bus. The camp definitely looked a lot different when we left. The dinning hall was completely painted from top to bottom along with the picnic tables. We painted the center part of the outside of the building (all 3 floors) and painted a Torch Missions logo at the entry. The entry was painted along with the stairwell and part of the second floor as well. A flag of Brazil and the camp logo finished out the artwork.
We ate lunch at the School of the Bible ($2 for rice, beans, spaghetti, chicken, and drinks!) and then headed over to a nearby orphanage. Several of the 65 children were still in school but there were still about 30 children there to play with and to give out toys. We stayed there for over an hour before leaving to go to the church building. Tonight we are being fed by the members here and then spending the night. Most of us are leaving before dawn so we decided staying at the hotel was going to be a waste of money.
This is my last entry till we get back to the states. People are flying everywhere in the next few days. It has been a wonderful trip and one that I will not forget. Brazil is a fantastic place to work and visit and I hope several of you out there will consider going next year. Next year’s dates will be May 30 – June 14.
Just a couple of weeks, literally, and the first Honduras team will be leaving for Tegucigalpa. Hope you are excited, I know I am!!! Until later, May God continue to hold us in the palm of His hand.
TR
Wednesday, June 13
Brazil update....loving it!
Sunday was a wonderful day here in
We traveled into
After services we went to a local restaurant to eat. In case you haven’t picked up on this yet,
From there we went back into town to an area that was built up by the Jewish community. Because of persecution they were forced to leave (many came to
We went to a Brazilian steak/ sushi house for dinner. It was an all you can eat extravaganza. Waiters came by literally every 5 minutes with all kinds of meat mounted on swords. Yes, we are toughing it down here. It literally became comical as we ate our food and eyeing the next waiter coming down the table to see what he had to offer! We ate till we could eat no more and settled up on the bill. From there we walked across the street and had a beach devotional. The beaches here are lit up at night and it is only about 40 yards from the 6 lane highway to the ocean. A far cry from Siesta Key but cool none the less. It was difficult to talk over the pounding surf and wind but I did the best I could. I spoke about the faith of Peter stepping out of the boat. The launching of faith requires getting out of the boat.
Today (Monday) we continued our renovation projects around camp. We were very busy today and spent the entire day at camp. After a morning breakfast of breads, fruits, scrambled eggs and cheeses, we had morning devotional. Ron Bontrager, an instructor at the Sunset School of Preaching, spoke. He spoke of being a living witness and things that are here only by the grace of God. He concluded by saying that we should be remembered for being too good for this world, not because of how good we are, but, because of how bad the world is.
Our work force was divided into many groups today. The faithful few, known as the Pew Crew, finally completed the task of assembling the new benches that will go in the chapel area. We had a landscaping crew that picked up trash and cut the grass. Now, I have to stop here for additional details. Here in
Our paint crews were divided into 6 teams. We had the white team (white paint), the blue team, the flamingo team (I just can’t bear to call it pink), and the yellow team. There were also 3 teams painting murals today. I was working on one that is at the front entrance, Kyle Matey and Bev Bontranger worked on one inside the dinning hall entry, and one of the Brazilian ladies (her name is Maria but goes by Li – Leigh) was painting the logo of the camp near the cafeteria where I painted the Brazilian flag a couple of days ago. Were a painting machine today! We still have paint to do but we are really getting close to being finished. We still have to paint the picnic tables and the floor of the dinning hall (we have dripped and spilled so much paint this week that we felt obligated to paint the floor to cover it all up… the same is true for the tables….).
Tonight Tim Brumfield, another Sunset instructor, gave a powerful lesson about creation. He showed us a great video called, “The Watch Maker.” Awesome! He explained to us that we witness the miraculous everyday but because we see it so often we just don’t pay attention to it but that the world is without excuse to know that
God is the creator. After devo Randy gave us information about the camp history and some of the visions he has for the facility. Then we went to the dinning hall and formed an assembly line to put together about 150 food bags for the food distribution Tuesday.
Another awesome day working for God in His kingdom. Sadly, the trip is coming to an end soon. We are worn out and exhausted, but each night we go to bed with a smile on our faces knowing that we gave it up for God today. We hope your walk is going well too. Hopefully one more blog before we come home. Love to all.
TR
Sunday, June 10
Brazil update...Wow!
Brazil is really an incredible place. It is absolutely beautiful down here. As Ken Haab would put it, Brazil is lush. We are at the tail end of rainy season and everything is in bloom and a beautiful green. The different plants and trees tell you that you are definitely in a tropical zone. Right now it is winter down here but you would never know it. It is very warm (90’s) and rainy during the day and a bit cooler (70’s) at night. Rod Myers noticed that the water drains opposite down here when he washed his hands! Last night we were in search of the Southern Cross constellation, but were unable to find it (you can only see it in the southern hemisphere). Since we have been here we have found a large variety of frogs, lizards, spiders (even tarantulas) to go along with our tree monkeys. We have photos of all to prove our tales too!!! We have also picked and ate several native fruits down here. I really question the first people that discovered that they were eatable; they must have been starving to death!!! Ugly as they are, they taste really good. Some are sweet while others are very tart.
The Bible camp is located outside of town and is in a small village. The people who live around here are very poor, and the roads and small markets remind me of Honduras. Most live in single room houses made of an adobe type brick. Some have plaster and white wash while others do not. The children here are so cute and friendly!!! They are clean and well groomed and it is obvious that they come from families that take care of them. Most are barefoot and the boys are constantly kicking soccer balls around. Imagine that!
They have really enjoyed the VBS this week. VBS started Thursday and today is the last day. We have constantly had between 60 and 80 children each day. We begin out VBS with some games and singing (Nayane and Francisco have done a wonderful job!!!). Then we have done a couple of my patented, slightly off the wall skits. Thursday we did a skit on the Good Samaritan (John Wallace). The Levite was played by Kyle Masey and the priest by George (AKA Jorge, Georgie) Bosche, one of the summer interns down here from Texas. The bandits were played by Kevin Cline and Scott Townsend (can we say stereotyped). Danny Bracher was the victim and was robbed right down to his pants and shirt (he had on shorts and a t-shirt in case you were worried).
Friday the skit was David and Goliath. Scott and Kevin combined to make a 9’ tall Goliath, draped in bed sheets and towels. He wielded a pvc pipe spear and a machete sword. A cooking pot made his helmet. King Saul and his mighty men (???) ran in fear at the sight of Goliath. The children screamed, 2 cried, and some laughed at the sight. But when Goliath made fun of David the children booed at him. When David killed Goliath (the fall revealed Kevin, causing much laughing and relief for the children) the kids cheered like Brazil beating Argentina in soccer!!!
Today we did a puppet show and showed a Vegi-tale video. They have been playing games all week (soccer, baseball, kickball, volleyball) and have had craft time. Kevin Cline brought coloring books of Bible stories in Portuguese. The kids have loved them and have created masterpieces worthy of a young Michelangelo. Snacks have included chips, popcorn, sandwiches, and drinks.
Wednesday afternoon we went to a children’s hospital in Recife. It was quite large, 6 stories tall, full of kids suffering from a wide range of serious diseases from Aids to cancer. We got special permission to go in after general visitation hours were over so that we could spend more time there. We stayed for about 3 hours giving out toys, stuffed animals, and candy. We divided into three groups and covered 2 floors. Jim and Irene Casey, from Sarasota, taught children how to say Jesus loves me in sign language. Jim also did a short magic show that brought a lot of smiles to the children and the parents. The hospital was very clean and well kept, very different from Hospital Esquela in Tegucigalpa.
We have been doing a lot of cosmetic work here at camp. I have headed up a painting team that has been working on the first floor of the main building at camp. We have finished the dinning hall and are now working on the front entry area. We have changed the look from a very drab and faded while to Flamingo peach, Ocean blue, and Sunshine yellow. Brian Steffy headed up the team that is doing the fine carpentry work. His crew is assembling wooden benches that look like church pews! They are gorgeous and very comfortable and sturdy. We have also done some landscaping projects but the rain has slowed that team down a lot.
We have been into town a couple of times so far. We went to a Brazilian steak house last night that was off the charts good. We are going to another one on Sunday. Otherwise we have ate at camp and have been working here.
Tomorrow we will go into town for church services at the congregation that Randy Short, the full time minister here, works. We are going to do some sight seeing and shopping as well and then, if weather permits, a sunset devo on the beach.
All is well here. Besides some homesickness and a couple of sore throats, we are doing OK. We are having a blast and can’t wait to see what the new day will bring. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we work down here. We miss you all!!!
TR
The Bible camp is located outside of town and is in a small village. The people who live around here are very poor, and the roads and small markets remind me of Honduras. Most live in single room houses made of an adobe type brick. Some have plaster and white wash while others do not. The children here are so cute and friendly!!! They are clean and well groomed and it is obvious that they come from families that take care of them. Most are barefoot and the boys are constantly kicking soccer balls around. Imagine that!
They have really enjoyed the VBS this week. VBS started Thursday and today is the last day. We have constantly had between 60 and 80 children each day. We begin out VBS with some games and singing (Nayane and Francisco have done a wonderful job!!!). Then we have done a couple of my patented, slightly off the wall skits. Thursday we did a skit on the Good Samaritan (John Wallace). The Levite was played by Kyle Masey and the priest by George (AKA Jorge, Georgie) Bosche, one of the summer interns down here from Texas. The bandits were played by Kevin Cline and Scott Townsend (can we say stereotyped). Danny Bracher was the victim and was robbed right down to his pants and shirt (he had on shorts and a t-shirt in case you were worried).
Friday the skit was David and Goliath. Scott and Kevin combined to make a 9’ tall Goliath, draped in bed sheets and towels. He wielded a pvc pipe spear and a machete sword. A cooking pot made his helmet. King Saul and his mighty men (???) ran in fear at the sight of Goliath. The children screamed, 2 cried, and some laughed at the sight. But when Goliath made fun of David the children booed at him. When David killed Goliath (the fall revealed Kevin, causing much laughing and relief for the children) the kids cheered like Brazil beating Argentina in soccer!!!
Today we did a puppet show and showed a Vegi-tale video. They have been playing games all week (soccer, baseball, kickball, volleyball) and have had craft time. Kevin Cline brought coloring books of Bible stories in Portuguese. The kids have loved them and have created masterpieces worthy of a young Michelangelo. Snacks have included chips, popcorn, sandwiches, and drinks.
Wednesday afternoon we went to a children’s hospital in Recife. It was quite large, 6 stories tall, full of kids suffering from a wide range of serious diseases from Aids to cancer. We got special permission to go in after general visitation hours were over so that we could spend more time there. We stayed for about 3 hours giving out toys, stuffed animals, and candy. We divided into three groups and covered 2 floors. Jim and Irene Casey, from Sarasota, taught children how to say Jesus loves me in sign language. Jim also did a short magic show that brought a lot of smiles to the children and the parents. The hospital was very clean and well kept, very different from Hospital Esquela in Tegucigalpa.
We have been doing a lot of cosmetic work here at camp. I have headed up a painting team that has been working on the first floor of the main building at camp. We have finished the dinning hall and are now working on the front entry area. We have changed the look from a very drab and faded while to Flamingo peach, Ocean blue, and Sunshine yellow. Brian Steffy headed up the team that is doing the fine carpentry work. His crew is assembling wooden benches that look like church pews! They are gorgeous and very comfortable and sturdy. We have also done some landscaping projects but the rain has slowed that team down a lot.
We have been into town a couple of times so far. We went to a Brazilian steak house last night that was off the charts good. We are going to another one on Sunday. Otherwise we have ate at camp and have been working here.
Tomorrow we will go into town for church services at the congregation that Randy Short, the full time minister here, works. We are going to do some sight seeing and shopping as well and then, if weather permits, a sunset devo on the beach.
All is well here. Besides some homesickness and a couple of sore throats, we are doing OK. We are having a blast and can’t wait to see what the new day will bring. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we work down here. We miss you all!!!
TR
Wednesday, June 6
We are here!
Wednesday, June 6
Greetings from
Although all of us are suffering from jet lag, we were up and going fairly early this morning. Rod Myers and crew were up early fixing scrambled eggs and assorted cereals. Country critters helped wake us up this morning including donkeys, turkeys, roosters, and other animals. Tree monkeys were spotted this morning as well. The camp is about an hour outside the city.
Today we are going to a children´s hospital associated with St. Jude´s hospital in
So long for now, more news and stories to come. Keep us in your prayers, we miss you all.
TR
Monday, May 28
Get the door, it's....God?
God is unbelievable. As a matter of fact, God is awesome. Now, those of you that know me know quite well that the words “unbelievable” and “awesome” are used quite a bit. OK, a lot. But I have to tell you that I am amazed a lot and it really doesn’t take a whole lot to do it. This is but just another example of how amazing and unbelievable God truly is.
Torch is launching into Brazil for the first time this year. I have dreamed of going to Brazil since I was in 7th grade at Davis Hills Middle School. I was in geography class and my teacher assigned everyone a country to do a report and a presentation in class. I was assigned Brazil. It wasn’t my first, second, or even tenth choice, but never the less I got it. But, after doing my research I decided that I would go there someday. Lofty dream for a boy growing up in northern Alabama. For most, just leaving the state of Alabama seemed like a pipe dream.
Yet, here I am, a week away from seeing that dream come true. Finally. Let me share with you another “God thing” moment. It happened today, on Memorial Day. A national holiday honoring our fighting men and women, past and present, who have guarded the freedoms of this country.
Plans began for Brazil about 2 ½ years ago. Danny Bratcher, long time Torch veteran, decided to sell his possessions and go to Sunset School of Preaching to get his degree in bible and go into the mission field in Brazil. We began discussing the idea of a Torch team going to Recife to work. Last summer plans began in earnest for our trip. Information about the trip went out in November and by March of this year our team was assembled.
Now, to go to Brazil you have to apply for a visa. I have never had to do this but it seemed to be a fairly simple procedure. You have to fill out an application, send a photo, your passport, and a check for $110.00 to the Brazilian consulate in Miami, Florida. How hard could this possibly be? Plenty hard, I can assure you!
My first mistake was waiting to the last minute to send off my application. I was waiting for 2 of my students from Friendship Christian to get all of their paperwork and money to me. I wanted to send all 3 of them together. Now, Danny had given me VERY SPECIFIC instructions on how to till out the visa application. He told me that if we made any errors on it that it would be rejected. I should have known this was true since 2 members of our team were rejected and they had to reapply.
My second mistake was not signing my passport. I just renewed my passport this year and I forgot to sign the new one. My application had been gone for about a week when Margaret asked me about it. Knowing that just one mistake could reject the whole thing, I began to worry. Actually, I had already started worrying because I sent off the applications 3 weeks before we were suppose to leave (and it takes 2 weeks to process the applications).
My third mistake was not paying close attention to the visa instructions. It clearly states to attach a passport photo to the application. Although I did attach a passport photo to my application we did not attach passport photos to my student’s applications. We used school photos that we got from the yearbook staff. One of the team members that were rejected was because he did not use a passport photo on his application. When I found that out I began to worry even more. (A lot…)
In my state of Worrydom, my wife told me to turn it over to God and stop worrying about it. Let HIM handle it. In my sarcastic little way I told her OK. (Can I say easier said than done here…?) So, Sunday night (May 27th) I finally did laid it out there in prayer and turned it over to God. I also got in touch with Brian Steffy to let him know that he might be leading the trip. (I am such a believer, aren’t I?) I figured I needed to make plans in case God decided that I didn’t need to go this year…
Monday morning. Memorial Day. National holiday. The banks are closed and so is the U.S. Post Office. 11:30 am the doorbell rang. I am outside in the back yard working. Margaret answered the door to receive a package. A package being delivered on Memorial Day??? It was the U.S. Postal Service delivering a 1-day express delivery envelope from Miami, Florida. ON MEMORIAL DAY. I really thought my heart was going to stop beating. It was from the Brazilian Consulate. Judgment day was about to take place.
And to my surprise and great pleasure, 3 approved travel visas were inside. And a great big invisible note from God with a smiley face on it. I guess nothing, including the U.S. postal service or a national holiday, can keep God from making a delivery!!!
TR
Torch is launching into Brazil for the first time this year. I have dreamed of going to Brazil since I was in 7th grade at Davis Hills Middle School. I was in geography class and my teacher assigned everyone a country to do a report and a presentation in class. I was assigned Brazil. It wasn’t my first, second, or even tenth choice, but never the less I got it. But, after doing my research I decided that I would go there someday. Lofty dream for a boy growing up in northern Alabama. For most, just leaving the state of Alabama seemed like a pipe dream.
Yet, here I am, a week away from seeing that dream come true. Finally. Let me share with you another “God thing” moment. It happened today, on Memorial Day. A national holiday honoring our fighting men and women, past and present, who have guarded the freedoms of this country.
Plans began for Brazil about 2 ½ years ago. Danny Bratcher, long time Torch veteran, decided to sell his possessions and go to Sunset School of Preaching to get his degree in bible and go into the mission field in Brazil. We began discussing the idea of a Torch team going to Recife to work. Last summer plans began in earnest for our trip. Information about the trip went out in November and by March of this year our team was assembled.
Now, to go to Brazil you have to apply for a visa. I have never had to do this but it seemed to be a fairly simple procedure. You have to fill out an application, send a photo, your passport, and a check for $110.00 to the Brazilian consulate in Miami, Florida. How hard could this possibly be? Plenty hard, I can assure you!
My first mistake was waiting to the last minute to send off my application. I was waiting for 2 of my students from Friendship Christian to get all of their paperwork and money to me. I wanted to send all 3 of them together. Now, Danny had given me VERY SPECIFIC instructions on how to till out the visa application. He told me that if we made any errors on it that it would be rejected. I should have known this was true since 2 members of our team were rejected and they had to reapply.
My second mistake was not signing my passport. I just renewed my passport this year and I forgot to sign the new one. My application had been gone for about a week when Margaret asked me about it. Knowing that just one mistake could reject the whole thing, I began to worry. Actually, I had already started worrying because I sent off the applications 3 weeks before we were suppose to leave (and it takes 2 weeks to process the applications).
My third mistake was not paying close attention to the visa instructions. It clearly states to attach a passport photo to the application. Although I did attach a passport photo to my application we did not attach passport photos to my student’s applications. We used school photos that we got from the yearbook staff. One of the team members that were rejected was because he did not use a passport photo on his application. When I found that out I began to worry even more. (A lot…)
In my state of Worrydom, my wife told me to turn it over to God and stop worrying about it. Let HIM handle it. In my sarcastic little way I told her OK. (Can I say easier said than done here…?) So, Sunday night (May 27th) I finally did laid it out there in prayer and turned it over to God. I also got in touch with Brian Steffy to let him know that he might be leading the trip. (I am such a believer, aren’t I?) I figured I needed to make plans in case God decided that I didn’t need to go this year…
Monday morning. Memorial Day. National holiday. The banks are closed and so is the U.S. Post Office. 11:30 am the doorbell rang. I am outside in the back yard working. Margaret answered the door to receive a package. A package being delivered on Memorial Day??? It was the U.S. Postal Service delivering a 1-day express delivery envelope from Miami, Florida. ON MEMORIAL DAY. I really thought my heart was going to stop beating. It was from the Brazilian Consulate. Judgment day was about to take place.
And to my surprise and great pleasure, 3 approved travel visas were inside. And a great big invisible note from God with a smiley face on it. I guess nothing, including the U.S. postal service or a national holiday, can keep God from making a delivery!!!
TR
Wednesday, May 23
Brazil packing list
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED PACKING LIST OF SUPPLIES YOU ARE TO TAKE ON THE TRIP:
Bible
Camera, film, memory cards
Deck of cards
Paper, pen
Toilet paper, Kleenex
Pepto Bismal
Tooth brush, tooth paste
Soap, shampoo
Shaving cream, razor
DeodorantHand wipes
Hand sanitizer
Q-tips
Imodium
Insect repellent
Sunscreen (spf 25+)
Towels* (at least 2)
Wash cloth
Twin bed sheets* (2 sets)
Pillowcases* (2)
Passport
Spending money ($100 - $150)
Watch (waterproof)
Hat or visor
Flash light, extra batteries
Alarm clock Work clothes
1 “church” outfit
Work shoes (closed toed)
Work gloves
Peanut butter, jelly
Snack foods, gum
Laundry bag
Backpack
Water bottles
Box of Zip-lock sandwich bags
Several boxes of Zip-lock bags (gallon size)
Pocket knife (pack in suitcase!!!)
Sunglasses
Sharpie marker
Band-aides
Personal medicines
Items in bold VERY important
*Items to be left when we leave (Bring new sets if possible in white.)
Bible
Camera, film, memory cards
Deck of cards
Paper, pen
Toilet paper, Kleenex
Pepto Bismal
Tooth brush, tooth paste
Soap, shampoo
Shaving cream, razor
DeodorantHand wipes
Hand sanitizer
Q-tips
Imodium
Insect repellent
Sunscreen (spf 25+)
Towels* (at least 2)
Wash cloth
Twin bed sheets* (2 sets)
Pillowcases* (2)
Passport
Spending money ($100 - $150)
Watch (waterproof)
Hat or visor
Flash light, extra batteries
Alarm clock Work clothes
1 “church” outfit
Work shoes (closed toed)
Work gloves
Peanut butter, jelly
Snack foods, gum
Laundry bag
Backpack
Water bottles
Box of Zip-lock sandwich bags
Several boxes of Zip-lock bags (gallon size)
Pocket knife (pack in suitcase!!!)
Sunglasses
Sharpie marker
Band-aides
Personal medicines
Items in bold VERY important
*Items to be left when we leave (Bring new sets if possible in white.)
Tuesday, May 22
What lies within us
Ahhh, fresh air. Well, at least, sort of…. We have entered our last week of school and finals. For several of my students school has already ended because they were exempt from tests because of their class averages. So, classes are half empty (or half full, depending if you are an optimist or pessimist I guess) and reviews are taking place. My grades are caught up, my tests are already made, and soccer is over. Life is slowing down to the speed of light and I feel like I can breathe again. At least for a couple of days that is.
The summer mission trips are here and the bullet train is leaving the station. Nathan and his team are already in Honduras. They left Saturday and will be there until May 30th. The inaugural Torch trip to Brazil leaves June 4th. I am both nervous and excited. Our team will consist of 22 from Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. WE have 5 interpreters that speak fluent Portuguese and one very excited Danny Bratcher.
Danny left Monday afternoon for Recife, Brazil, SA. He is moving down there to become a full time missionary. He is an amazing guy with one of the biggest hearts I have ever met. He sold his possessions, went to Sunset School of Preaching, earned his degree, and is about to do what he has dreamed of for several years. Many of us that are reading this story are jealous. He is doing what a lot of us wish we could do. But, for the rest of us, we rejoice in the fact that we get to spend a couple of weeks doing what we love to do too. And for 22 of us, we get to do it with Danny.
Torch Missions has blessed so many lives. In so many different ways. But I think in every way it has helped us all to see the importance of our relationship with God and with each other. God’s kingdom is so big, so vast, and even though we all play just a small, small part, collectively the work is huge. We can never truly understand nor comprehend the worth of sharing the good news about Christ and showing the love of him through simple everyday actions and deeds. For the treasures of the earth do not compare to the wealth of just one soul.
OK, for the Brazil team, here is a news update for you. Remember, you can take 2 pieces of luggage on the trip. Plan on 1 suitcase for your clothes and stuff, 1 needs to be filled with toys, stuffed animals, crayons, paper, jump rope, and give away stuff. Bags need to weigh 50 pounds or less. Make sure you bring 2 sets of sheets and pillow cases for a twin size bed (that we are going to leave for the bible camp) and 2 towels (we will leave them also). If you have not done so yet, please send me a copy of your flight itinerary so I can make sure Danny knows when we are all arriving in Recife. If you have not send your final payment to me, I need it ASAP or you need to bring it with you in the form of cold, hard cash! Plans are falling together well and we are going to have a great trip!
For those going to Honduras, your final payment is due. Please make your checks payable to Western Hills Church of Christ / Torch Missions. I will be ordering lumber for our houses very soon and will be making our reservations at the Mission House and paying deposits. Any last changes with team numbers, names, etc., need to be made at this time. Otherwise, it looks like we are good to go.
We will be blessed this summer by having Tim Hines and Marc Tindall in Honduras. For those who may not know, Marc, and his wife Teri, are moving to Honduras to begin full time work. The Tindall’s is yet another family who has sacrificed greatly to go do kingdom work. What a blessing it is to see God at work through so many people!!!
May God continue to bless us all as we endeavor to work for Him. Keep your eyes focused on the cross and look ahead. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Terry Reeves
The summer mission trips are here and the bullet train is leaving the station. Nathan and his team are already in Honduras. They left Saturday and will be there until May 30th. The inaugural Torch trip to Brazil leaves June 4th. I am both nervous and excited. Our team will consist of 22 from Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas. WE have 5 interpreters that speak fluent Portuguese and one very excited Danny Bratcher.
Danny left Monday afternoon for Recife, Brazil, SA. He is moving down there to become a full time missionary. He is an amazing guy with one of the biggest hearts I have ever met. He sold his possessions, went to Sunset School of Preaching, earned his degree, and is about to do what he has dreamed of for several years. Many of us that are reading this story are jealous. He is doing what a lot of us wish we could do. But, for the rest of us, we rejoice in the fact that we get to spend a couple of weeks doing what we love to do too. And for 22 of us, we get to do it with Danny.
Torch Missions has blessed so many lives. In so many different ways. But I think in every way it has helped us all to see the importance of our relationship with God and with each other. God’s kingdom is so big, so vast, and even though we all play just a small, small part, collectively the work is huge. We can never truly understand nor comprehend the worth of sharing the good news about Christ and showing the love of him through simple everyday actions and deeds. For the treasures of the earth do not compare to the wealth of just one soul.
OK, for the Brazil team, here is a news update for you. Remember, you can take 2 pieces of luggage on the trip. Plan on 1 suitcase for your clothes and stuff, 1 needs to be filled with toys, stuffed animals, crayons, paper, jump rope, and give away stuff. Bags need to weigh 50 pounds or less. Make sure you bring 2 sets of sheets and pillow cases for a twin size bed (that we are going to leave for the bible camp) and 2 towels (we will leave them also). If you have not done so yet, please send me a copy of your flight itinerary so I can make sure Danny knows when we are all arriving in Recife. If you have not send your final payment to me, I need it ASAP or you need to bring it with you in the form of cold, hard cash! Plans are falling together well and we are going to have a great trip!
For those going to Honduras, your final payment is due. Please make your checks payable to Western Hills Church of Christ / Torch Missions. I will be ordering lumber for our houses very soon and will be making our reservations at the Mission House and paying deposits. Any last changes with team numbers, names, etc., need to be made at this time. Otherwise, it looks like we are good to go.
We will be blessed this summer by having Tim Hines and Marc Tindall in Honduras. For those who may not know, Marc, and his wife Teri, are moving to Honduras to begin full time work. The Tindall’s is yet another family who has sacrificed greatly to go do kingdom work. What a blessing it is to see God at work through so many people!!!
May God continue to bless us all as we endeavor to work for Him. Keep your eyes focused on the cross and look ahead. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Terry Reeves
Monday, April 16
You've got mail!
Monday, April 17. 11:24 pm. I am sitting in front of my computer at home (I am so excited to use my computer at home…. It has been such a long time….) trying to finish the day. It is going to be a short week this week. Friday our school is hosting a Special Olympics for the kids in Wilson County. It is one of several service projects our student body does at Friendship Christian. And, from what I can tell, it is one of the student body’s favorites. So, 3 more days of classes and then a fun one.
I am also trying to send my passport off to be renewed. I have waited long enough that I will have to pay extra to get it back in time. I just love wasting money, don’t you?” I can’t apply for my visa to go to Brazil till my passport gets back to me. I hate putting things off, but sometimes it just happens, right? Of course it does, and that is OK, but when it is time to go it is time to go.
And that leads me into this public service announcement. “Calling all slackers!!! It is April 16, 2007, and I have not received applications or deposits from many of you out there in cyber space!!! I compliment my group leaders from Nashville, Tn., Columbia, S.C., Memphis, Tn., and Kittanning, Pa. They are all in and accounted for. Soooooo, unless you are in one of these groups, this message is for you! I need paperwork, photos, and deposits ASAP.
It is very important that you get this in. I have a massive payment coming up in the next couple of weeks to pay for the container we are shipping to Honduras and I do not have enough money to do it. While we are at it, I don’t even have an accurate number going from each team. Planning projects, budgets, and transportation is all based on team numbers. So, please, help me out and get your stuff in as quickly as possible.
Ok, now that wasn’t too bad, was it? Of course, I could call out names, so let’s just keep this between you and me. My address is 221 Oak Hill Drive, Lebanon, Tn., 37087. Hope to hear from you soon! (make your check payable to Western Hills Church of Christ / Torch Missions)
Blessings
TR
I am also trying to send my passport off to be renewed. I have waited long enough that I will have to pay extra to get it back in time. I just love wasting money, don’t you?” I can’t apply for my visa to go to Brazil till my passport gets back to me. I hate putting things off, but sometimes it just happens, right? Of course it does, and that is OK, but when it is time to go it is time to go.
And that leads me into this public service announcement. “Calling all slackers!!! It is April 16, 2007, and I have not received applications or deposits from many of you out there in cyber space!!! I compliment my group leaders from Nashville, Tn., Columbia, S.C., Memphis, Tn., and Kittanning, Pa. They are all in and accounted for. Soooooo, unless you are in one of these groups, this message is for you! I need paperwork, photos, and deposits ASAP.
It is very important that you get this in. I have a massive payment coming up in the next couple of weeks to pay for the container we are shipping to Honduras and I do not have enough money to do it. While we are at it, I don’t even have an accurate number going from each team. Planning projects, budgets, and transportation is all based on team numbers. So, please, help me out and get your stuff in as quickly as possible.
Ok, now that wasn’t too bad, was it? Of course, I could call out names, so let’s just keep this between you and me. My address is 221 Oak Hill Drive, Lebanon, Tn., 37087. Hope to hear from you soon! (make your check payable to Western Hills Church of Christ / Torch Missions)
Blessings
TR
Thursday, April 12
Paging Mr. Maxwell House
Greetings to the faithful few that are still keeping up with the blog. I disappeared off of the radar screens for a few weeks with a flurry of activities and events that consumed my time and energy. In the past 4 or 5 weeks I have led a 1 week mission trip, began my spring soccer season, closed on our house in Florida, bought a house in Lebanon, Tennessee, moved all of our stuff out of storage, and moved from the house we were staying. Oh, and that is on top of my regular teaching load, writing curriculum, and grading notebooks and papers. Besides planning the summer mission trips and trying to sleep every now and then, that’s about it!
Now it is painting bedrooms, remodeling bathrooms, doing YARD WORK (my favorite…) and trying to get the heat and AC working. Thank goodness there is only 24 hours in a day because I don’t think I could handle any more. Tax forms, visa travel applications, MRI & PT scans, writing grant requests, scheduling flights, and doing fund raisers… it goes on and on. Can you sense the stress building??? Is it obvious yet?
We live in a fast paced society. Many of us, like me, have chosen to drive in the fast lane. And ALL of us need to learn one simple lesson…. Slow down and smell the coffee. (Now, I don’t drink coffee but the saying still gets the point across). In all of our hustle and bustle, we race past the things that are the most important of all. God. Relationships. Friendships. Peace. Tranquility. Rest. Meditation. I could go on but I am sure you get the point.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Are you excited about the summer trips? They are just around the corner! Just think, in just a few weeks we will have time to focus on the truly important, serving God and serving others. Taking a break from our daily grind to do work for the Master. For me, that is what Matthew 11 is talking about. When I get my focus right, things just seem to flow better. Life gets simpler. And even the aches and pains of the day leave you with the impression that it was all good.
Have a blessed day. And if you get a chance, smell some coffee for me.
TR
Now it is painting bedrooms, remodeling bathrooms, doing YARD WORK (my favorite…) and trying to get the heat and AC working. Thank goodness there is only 24 hours in a day because I don’t think I could handle any more. Tax forms, visa travel applications, MRI & PT scans, writing grant requests, scheduling flights, and doing fund raisers… it goes on and on. Can you sense the stress building??? Is it obvious yet?
We live in a fast paced society. Many of us, like me, have chosen to drive in the fast lane. And ALL of us need to learn one simple lesson…. Slow down and smell the coffee. (Now, I don’t drink coffee but the saying still gets the point across). In all of our hustle and bustle, we race past the things that are the most important of all. God. Relationships. Friendships. Peace. Tranquility. Rest. Meditation. I could go on but I am sure you get the point.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Are you excited about the summer trips? They are just around the corner! Just think, in just a few weeks we will have time to focus on the truly important, serving God and serving others. Taking a break from our daily grind to do work for the Master. For me, that is what Matthew 11 is talking about. When I get my focus right, things just seem to flow better. Life gets simpler. And even the aches and pains of the day leave you with the impression that it was all good.
Have a blessed day. And if you get a chance, smell some coffee for me.
TR
Friday, February 2
I believe
I believe-
We don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
No matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in awhile and, you must forgive them for that.
True friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
It's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be, and that is probably true for other people too.
You should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
You can keep going long after you think you can't.
We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
Either you control your attitude or it controls you.
Heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
Money is a lousy way of keeping score.
My best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time!
Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
Sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
It isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
No matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
Just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other, and just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
You shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
Your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
Even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
Credentials and diplomas on the wall do not makeyou wise or a decent human being.
The people you care about most inlife are taken from you too soon.
I believe that you do unto others as you would have them do unto you and that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Blessings!
TR
Monday, January 22
zoom, zoom, zoom
2007 is not only here it is flying by at an incredible pace. It is almost impossible to believe that we are already into the last part of January. And believe me, the plans for this year’s mission trips are well on their way. I have contacted several group leaders from past trips to get information to them and I have also contacted many individually. But there might still be a few out there that have not received information about the trips planned this summer so I am going to give the newest updates on the trips.
The next trip on the calendar is scheduled for the second week of March. I am planning on taking a team down to New Orleans to work for about 5 or 6 days with Tim Hines. The details are still a bit sketchy, only because I have had not had time to discuss them with Tim. The plans are to arrive in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon, March 11 and leave on Saturday, March 17. I will post specific information in the next week or so for this trip.
The first international trip for the year will be May 20 – 30 to Honduras. Nathan Reeves will be leading this trip. He has told me that he has already had several that have contacted him to sign up for this trip. There are still spots open but you need to contact him right away to secure one. Nathan plans on working in Tegucigalpa and will focus on building, visitation, distribution, and evangelism. The cost of his trip is $425 PLUS your airline ticket (each person going to Honduras this summer is responsible for booking and paying for their own ticket this year). You can contact Nathan at ncreeves@gmail.com , or reevesnc@lipscomb.edu , or you can get the full details at www.ncreeves.blogspot.com .
Those planning on going on the June 4 - 14 trip to Brazil must also start making specific arrangements for this trip right away. This trip is limited to 20 spaces. The cost for this trip is $540 plus your airline ticket. Those going on this trip must get their applications in ASAP so that we can begin the process of applying for our visas to enter Brazil. I will have more information about this trip in the next week also, especially flight information. If you are planning on going on this trip and have not received the application and paperwork from me, you need to contact me as soon as possible.
The July 1 – 11 trip and the July 13 – 22 trip are filling up fast. I still have spots available, especially for medical personnel. Applications and deposits for these trips are due next month. The cost for this trip is $540 plus your airline ticket. I will post flight information about these trips next week as well. The July 1-11 trip will work in Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, and San Salvador. The July 13-22 trip will work in Tegucigalpa and possibly Comayagua.
We are planning on shipping a container of supplies down to Honduras again this year. Ken Haab, from Sarasota, Florida, is in charge of the container. The container will be scheduled to go down to Honduras the end of April so that Nathan’s team will be able to be there to unload it. Ken will be posting packing, invoicing, and shipping instructions soon. It is not too early to begin collecting supplies, especially medical supplies (Advil, Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, cough syrup, vitamins, etc.) and baby/infant clothes. PLEASE SORT ALL SUPPLIES BEFORE BOXING THEM UP TO SHIP. We want to carry down items that are in VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT CONDITION.
Please contact me right away if you need applications and paperwork mailed or Emailed to you. It won’t be long before applications and deposits will be due. Be watching; more updates are coming soon along with flight information. As soon as you get your flight information, start booking your tickets. All trips are subject to seat availability!!!
Blessings,
Terry Reeves
The next trip on the calendar is scheduled for the second week of March. I am planning on taking a team down to New Orleans to work for about 5 or 6 days with Tim Hines. The details are still a bit sketchy, only because I have had not had time to discuss them with Tim. The plans are to arrive in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon, March 11 and leave on Saturday, March 17. I will post specific information in the next week or so for this trip.
The first international trip for the year will be May 20 – 30 to Honduras. Nathan Reeves will be leading this trip. He has told me that he has already had several that have contacted him to sign up for this trip. There are still spots open but you need to contact him right away to secure one. Nathan plans on working in Tegucigalpa and will focus on building, visitation, distribution, and evangelism. The cost of his trip is $425 PLUS your airline ticket (each person going to Honduras this summer is responsible for booking and paying for their own ticket this year). You can contact Nathan at ncreeves@gmail.com , or reevesnc@lipscomb.edu , or you can get the full details at www.ncreeves.blogspot.com .
Those planning on going on the June 4 - 14 trip to Brazil must also start making specific arrangements for this trip right away. This trip is limited to 20 spaces. The cost for this trip is $540 plus your airline ticket. Those going on this trip must get their applications in ASAP so that we can begin the process of applying for our visas to enter Brazil. I will have more information about this trip in the next week also, especially flight information. If you are planning on going on this trip and have not received the application and paperwork from me, you need to contact me as soon as possible.
The July 1 – 11 trip and the July 13 – 22 trip are filling up fast. I still have spots available, especially for medical personnel. Applications and deposits for these trips are due next month. The cost for this trip is $540 plus your airline ticket. I will post flight information about these trips next week as well. The July 1-11 trip will work in Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, and San Salvador. The July 13-22 trip will work in Tegucigalpa and possibly Comayagua.
We are planning on shipping a container of supplies down to Honduras again this year. Ken Haab, from Sarasota, Florida, is in charge of the container. The container will be scheduled to go down to Honduras the end of April so that Nathan’s team will be able to be there to unload it. Ken will be posting packing, invoicing, and shipping instructions soon. It is not too early to begin collecting supplies, especially medical supplies (Advil, Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, cough syrup, vitamins, etc.) and baby/infant clothes. PLEASE SORT ALL SUPPLIES BEFORE BOXING THEM UP TO SHIP. We want to carry down items that are in VERY GOOD to EXCELLENT CONDITION.
Please contact me right away if you need applications and paperwork mailed or Emailed to you. It won’t be long before applications and deposits will be due. Be watching; more updates are coming soon along with flight information. As soon as you get your flight information, start booking your tickets. All trips are subject to seat availability!!!
Blessings,
Terry Reeves
Thursday, January 4
Bringing in the new year... Honduras style!
Monday, January 1. All I can say here is that celebrating the New Year in Honduras is an event like no other! Sure, we have fire works in the states, but down here? They have FIRE WORKS! Or, shall we say, mini-bombs. From mid-night till 3:00 am I am pretty sure thousands of new pot holes were created from the explosions that went off around the Mission House! So, while the rest of Honduras slept in Monday the crew got up at 7:00 am to get ready to go to the Kluge’s for breakfast (I guess it was wrong of me to have wished for some M-80’s to fire off to wake up our slumbering amigos, huh?).
After breakfast we went back to the Mission House to break down our load of bulk foods for the food give away. We spent about 2 ½ hours measuring out beans, rice, flour, sugar, coffee, etc, and placing it in gallon sized zip-lock bags. Then we bagged up the food (about 250 bags) and loaded up the pickups to take up to Mololoa for delivery. Jerren and Jonathan rode on top of the food to watch it (and because we did not have room inside the trucks for them!) and to make sure it did not fall out (although we did loose 1 bag that some lucky pedestrian picked up).
We arrived in Mololoa about 12:00 where we locked our hubs and put the trucks into 4 wheel drive and began our climb up to the top of the mountain. We hiked to the farthest houses first and worked our way down. We delivered house to house delivering a much needed bag of food, a smile, and a warm, “feliz ano Nuevo!” Greg Armstrong mispronounced “Cristo te ma” and told everyone that their name was Christ! We all had a good laugh (along with the Hondurans) and shrugged it off like any good gringo would do!!!
Susan and Spencer went to the church building around 1:15 and handed out stuffed animals and toys to the 1:00 and 1:30 group that came to eat. We ran out of toys on Friday and this group did not receive anything. We were determined that everyone in the feeding program was going to get a Christmas toy from us before we left. At 3:30 we had handed out all of the food and an entire mountain was given almost 2 weeks of food.
We headed back up to the Mission House for a couple of hours of free time. Some of the guys played soccer while the rest of us took a power nap! We left at 6:00 to go down into town for dinner at the new mall near Baxter. It is amazing and is MUCH larger than the other mall that we usually go to. After dinner we went back to the Mission House for devo. We had a great wrap up discussion. Everyone was very talkative and had a lot of thoughts on the week. It was truly amazing how much was done in just 5 working days with such a small group. After devo we started the clean-up of the dorm and packed up some of our stuff.
Tuesday was a “day of Tim” day. We got to sleep in till 8:30 (Randy woke us up or it might have been even longer) and we started loading our stuff onto the trucks. Greg and Jonathan got up early and took a leisurely 6 MILE run before we left! I guess we did not work hard enough for some people…. We made it to the airport around 10:30 and had a very quick check-in. Brandy and Jennifer said their goodbyes and we passed though security to the gate area.
We had a great flight into Houston. There we passed through customs without a hitch (we did not have the Canadians with us) and even got our entire luggage (again, we did not have the Canadians with us). We did pull a prank on Jonathan and his bag, which we carried out for 10 minutes till Greg Armstrong couldn’t contain his laughter. We connected and arrived in Nashville on time to some very happy parents.
Thanks to all who made the trip possible. From the donations of toys and money to the prayers and phone calls, this was a great trip. Honduras is a beautiful place, especially during December, and I hope that we will be able to take a team down there again next year. God bless you all and happy New Year!!! Next up, the May trip! Until next time, may God bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand.
TR
After breakfast we went back to the Mission House to break down our load of bulk foods for the food give away. We spent about 2 ½ hours measuring out beans, rice, flour, sugar, coffee, etc, and placing it in gallon sized zip-lock bags. Then we bagged up the food (about 250 bags) and loaded up the pickups to take up to Mololoa for delivery. Jerren and Jonathan rode on top of the food to watch it (and because we did not have room inside the trucks for them!) and to make sure it did not fall out (although we did loose 1 bag that some lucky pedestrian picked up).
We arrived in Mololoa about 12:00 where we locked our hubs and put the trucks into 4 wheel drive and began our climb up to the top of the mountain. We hiked to the farthest houses first and worked our way down. We delivered house to house delivering a much needed bag of food, a smile, and a warm, “feliz ano Nuevo!” Greg Armstrong mispronounced “Cristo te ma” and told everyone that their name was Christ! We all had a good laugh (along with the Hondurans) and shrugged it off like any good gringo would do!!!
Susan and Spencer went to the church building around 1:15 and handed out stuffed animals and toys to the 1:00 and 1:30 group that came to eat. We ran out of toys on Friday and this group did not receive anything. We were determined that everyone in the feeding program was going to get a Christmas toy from us before we left. At 3:30 we had handed out all of the food and an entire mountain was given almost 2 weeks of food.
We headed back up to the Mission House for a couple of hours of free time. Some of the guys played soccer while the rest of us took a power nap! We left at 6:00 to go down into town for dinner at the new mall near Baxter. It is amazing and is MUCH larger than the other mall that we usually go to. After dinner we went back to the Mission House for devo. We had a great wrap up discussion. Everyone was very talkative and had a lot of thoughts on the week. It was truly amazing how much was done in just 5 working days with such a small group. After devo we started the clean-up of the dorm and packed up some of our stuff.
Tuesday was a “day of Tim” day. We got to sleep in till 8:30 (Randy woke us up or it might have been even longer) and we started loading our stuff onto the trucks. Greg and Jonathan got up early and took a leisurely 6 MILE run before we left! I guess we did not work hard enough for some people…. We made it to the airport around 10:30 and had a very quick check-in. Brandy and Jennifer said their goodbyes and we passed though security to the gate area.
We had a great flight into Houston. There we passed through customs without a hitch (we did not have the Canadians with us) and even got our entire luggage (again, we did not have the Canadians with us). We did pull a prank on Jonathan and his bag, which we carried out for 10 minutes till Greg Armstrong couldn’t contain his laughter. We connected and arrived in Nashville on time to some very happy parents.
Thanks to all who made the trip possible. From the donations of toys and money to the prayers and phone calls, this was a great trip. Honduras is a beautiful place, especially during December, and I hope that we will be able to take a team down there again next year. God bless you all and happy New Year!!! Next up, the May trip! Until next time, may God bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand.
TR
Sunday, December 31
Honduras in December!!
Well, where to began? Terry's group came in on Wednesday, that sounds like a good place. When they got here they went through customs, got their bags, met Randy, and went to El Patio to eat!! It was there that Katrina Kluge, and myself met everyone!! Ten people in all came with Terry's group. After everyone ate we loaded up and went out to Santa Ana to Casa de Esperanza to play with the ten children living there. There are five new children that have been there for almost a month. These children have come from some pretty tough living conditions before coming to Casa de Esperanza, but now they will be loved and cared for like children should be. We spent about two hours playing with the kids before coming back to the Kluge's for supper. It was yummy too. We had mashed potatoes, beef tips, roles, peas, and yummy desserts!! Afterward the group went up to the Mission house for some much needed sleep.
On Thursday they went out to Jovenes en Camino, an all boys home, to meet the kids there. There are 76 boys there from 18 months - 14 years old. There they did some landscaping projects. They planted 16 new trees and spent hours on a flower garden they were starting. A church from Jackson, TN donated flowers for them to plant. They also played different games with the children there too. After they were finished there they came back to Teguc. to meet up with the Santa Ana kids for a party at KFC, but..."Welcome to Honduras", we weren't able to have the party at KFC because there was one already going on. So we went to Pizza Hut, oh wait, there was a party there too!! But good ol' Burger King came through for us!! YAY BURGER KING!! The kids loved it!! I think the gringos loved it too!! Afterward they went back to mission house for devo.
On Friday the group came out to Molola to build a house. Everyone had some part in the building, but a few came down to the kitchen and handed out toys to the children too. I am pretty sure that it was the fastest house that has been built since I have been coming here. The group was mainly rookies too!! They did an awesome job. After they were finished they came back up to the mission house to clean up a bit before going to Victor Sport to play some soccer!! Just a side note...Victor Sport has new turf that is really nice according to Terry Reeves. There were some typical soccer injuries (Ty and Brett you should know what we are talking about!!), but nothing to cry about (ha ha!). After soccer they went to Camperos for dinner, then back to the mission house for devo!
On Saturday the group built another house for an older lady. They had to take down a house before building and Terry said the lady looked really sad and had to leave for a while. When she came back they had the house completely finished except for the windows and door so it just looked like a big box. She looked really nervous and it didn't help when some of the locals walked by and laughed at it. But then all of the sudden you heard a chainsaw, and there was a door, poof!! That is when her eyes popped open and she had a huge smile on her face, those are the times I love Hounduras even more. After they finished the house Terry got a call from Gena asking him to bring the group to help unload a truck (40 foot container) of supplies at the bodega. They went there and did some back breaking work until about 6:30 and then came back to the mission house to clean up and go eat at the mall. After they ate they came back to the mission house for devo.
This morning the group went to worship out at Los Pinos, but before getting there they had a slight problem with one of the trucks. They had to tow it to the shop before making out to Los Pinos. There Greg Armstrong did the lesson. THey didn't know the gringos were coming and they had a big crowd. Terry said it was good to be out there to see all of his friends there. Los Pinos is doing pretty well even without a full time preacher. They still have dogs and chickens running around during church services too! After worship the group went out to the Valley of Angels to do some shopping for a few hours. When they finished there shopping they came to the Kluge's house for some good ol' Taco salads!! And here we are now watching football and waiting for the New Year!!
It has been a great few days and the group still has a full day tomorrow. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday and wish you all the best in the New Year!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Brandy B
On Thursday they went out to Jovenes en Camino, an all boys home, to meet the kids there. There are 76 boys there from 18 months - 14 years old. There they did some landscaping projects. They planted 16 new trees and spent hours on a flower garden they were starting. A church from Jackson, TN donated flowers for them to plant. They also played different games with the children there too. After they were finished there they came back to Teguc. to meet up with the Santa Ana kids for a party at KFC, but..."Welcome to Honduras", we weren't able to have the party at KFC because there was one already going on. So we went to Pizza Hut, oh wait, there was a party there too!! But good ol' Burger King came through for us!! YAY BURGER KING!! The kids loved it!! I think the gringos loved it too!! Afterward they went back to mission house for devo.
On Friday the group came out to Molola to build a house. Everyone had some part in the building, but a few came down to the kitchen and handed out toys to the children too. I am pretty sure that it was the fastest house that has been built since I have been coming here. The group was mainly rookies too!! They did an awesome job. After they were finished they came back up to the mission house to clean up a bit before going to Victor Sport to play some soccer!! Just a side note...Victor Sport has new turf that is really nice according to Terry Reeves. There were some typical soccer injuries (Ty and Brett you should know what we are talking about!!), but nothing to cry about (ha ha!). After soccer they went to Camperos for dinner, then back to the mission house for devo!
On Saturday the group built another house for an older lady. They had to take down a house before building and Terry said the lady looked really sad and had to leave for a while. When she came back they had the house completely finished except for the windows and door so it just looked like a big box. She looked really nervous and it didn't help when some of the locals walked by and laughed at it. But then all of the sudden you heard a chainsaw, and there was a door, poof!! That is when her eyes popped open and she had a huge smile on her face, those are the times I love Hounduras even more. After they finished the house Terry got a call from Gena asking him to bring the group to help unload a truck (40 foot container) of supplies at the bodega. They went there and did some back breaking work until about 6:30 and then came back to the mission house to clean up and go eat at the mall. After they ate they came back to the mission house for devo.
This morning the group went to worship out at Los Pinos, but before getting there they had a slight problem with one of the trucks. They had to tow it to the shop before making out to Los Pinos. There Greg Armstrong did the lesson. THey didn't know the gringos were coming and they had a big crowd. Terry said it was good to be out there to see all of his friends there. Los Pinos is doing pretty well even without a full time preacher. They still have dogs and chickens running around during church services too! After worship the group went out to the Valley of Angels to do some shopping for a few hours. When they finished there shopping they came to the Kluge's house for some good ol' Taco salads!! And here we are now watching football and waiting for the New Year!!
It has been a great few days and the group still has a full day tomorrow. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday and wish you all the best in the New Year!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Brandy B
Sunday, December 17
A movie you gotta see
Margaret and I just got back from the movie theatre here in Bellevue. Even in the mist of the busiest time of the year we found a couple of hours to go do something fun and non-stressful. If you are like me you are in the thick of it right now, trying to get projects done before the end of the year at work, shopping for Christmas presents, and just trying to breathe. And trying to get ready to go to Honduras! Yeah, that last part is really what is keeping me going right now…
Anyway, Margaret and I went to the movies ($8.75 per ticket by the way…). We went to see “The Nativity.” Margaret’s brother, Scott McDowell, mentioned it in his sermon a week or two ago and we have been trying to go see it ever since. After seeing it all I can say is, “WOW!” It was an amazing movie by all standards. The film work was incredible, the acting was superb, and the special effects were outstanding. And the story line, well, it was about as accurate as anything I have seen Hollywood put out in a long while.
I absolutely recommend this movie to you. You need to go and see it during the holiday season. It will make all of the hustle and bustle fade away. From the evil heart of King Herod, the love story of Joseph and Mary, and all of the things they had to endure for this event to take place, this movie really captures you. There are even bits of humor here and there too, especially the three wise men from the east.
Hope you can find time to go and see it. Of course, you may have to take out a loan or refinance your house to do it these days to buy your ticket, but it will be worth it. And if you want popcorn and a Coke, well, you do the math……………
Peace,
TR
Anyway, Margaret and I went to the movies ($8.75 per ticket by the way…). We went to see “The Nativity.” Margaret’s brother, Scott McDowell, mentioned it in his sermon a week or two ago and we have been trying to go see it ever since. After seeing it all I can say is, “WOW!” It was an amazing movie by all standards. The film work was incredible, the acting was superb, and the special effects were outstanding. And the story line, well, it was about as accurate as anything I have seen Hollywood put out in a long while.
I absolutely recommend this movie to you. You need to go and see it during the holiday season. It will make all of the hustle and bustle fade away. From the evil heart of King Herod, the love story of Joseph and Mary, and all of the things they had to endure for this event to take place, this movie really captures you. There are even bits of humor here and there too, especially the three wise men from the east.
Hope you can find time to go and see it. Of course, you may have to take out a loan or refinance your house to do it these days to buy your ticket, but it will be worth it. And if you want popcorn and a Coke, well, you do the math……………
Peace,
TR
Sunday, December 10
Christmas thoughts
I have had several Emails from several different groups and individuals about the upcoming trips this summer. Enough to write to say that if you are interested in going on one of the trips this summer it would be good to contact me ASAP to get your name on the list so that I can send you the 2007 application and Spanish release form along with the specifics about the sign-up procedures this year. Since I moved to Nashville there have been some changes in the way things are going to be done. As of December 10th, there are approximately 20 that have signed up for the Brazil trip in June, about 65 that have sign-ed up for the July 1 trip, and about 55 for the July 13 trip. I do not have numbers yet for the May trip but I am expecting to have a strong team then as well. There are still plenty of spots left but don’t delay, I am expecting to fill up all of the trips quickly.
Margaret and I are very excited to be worshipping with the Western Hills Church of Christ. It is located in Bellevue, which is a suburb located in west Nashville. Margaret’s sister Jenny and her family worship there and her brother Scott is the pulpit preacher. It’s a family affair every week as we get together for worship. We met with the elders and they have graciously decided to be my overseeing eldership for the mission trips I take during the summer. They are a great group of men who have a burning passion for the lost and I look forward to working with them. The congregation is very excited as well about the opportunities that are coming to go on some of the trip and to participate in collecting supplies.
As I scramble to finish up the last few days of class and give my semester exams, it reminds me how fast time flies. It really does seem like yesterday that we were scrambling to get moved up here to start a new job and to find a place to live. Now we are finishing up a semester of classes and trying to shop for Christmas presents. And even more exciting, getting ready to go to Honduras on the 27th for a 1 week trip. I can’t wait to get down there and see everyone and to build some houses and pass out toys and stuffed animals to the children. Please keep the team in your prayers and check out the blogspot, I will be updating the trip while we are there!
In closing, remember to keep everything in perspective during the holiday season. Enjoy the cards, gifts, and food during the season. Enjoy the family get togethers and office parties. But most of all, remember that we celebrate the physical birth of a little baby boy that was God in the flesh. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We beheld the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. He came to His own, but His own received Him not. But He came anyway, because it was the will of the Father to whom He was fully obedient. He gave His life as a ransom for us all. Because He LOVED us. And that is the greatest gift of them all. Merry Christmas to all.
Terry
Margaret and I are very excited to be worshipping with the Western Hills Church of Christ. It is located in Bellevue, which is a suburb located in west Nashville. Margaret’s sister Jenny and her family worship there and her brother Scott is the pulpit preacher. It’s a family affair every week as we get together for worship. We met with the elders and they have graciously decided to be my overseeing eldership for the mission trips I take during the summer. They are a great group of men who have a burning passion for the lost and I look forward to working with them. The congregation is very excited as well about the opportunities that are coming to go on some of the trip and to participate in collecting supplies.
As I scramble to finish up the last few days of class and give my semester exams, it reminds me how fast time flies. It really does seem like yesterday that we were scrambling to get moved up here to start a new job and to find a place to live. Now we are finishing up a semester of classes and trying to shop for Christmas presents. And even more exciting, getting ready to go to Honduras on the 27th for a 1 week trip. I can’t wait to get down there and see everyone and to build some houses and pass out toys and stuffed animals to the children. Please keep the team in your prayers and check out the blogspot, I will be updating the trip while we are there!
In closing, remember to keep everything in perspective during the holiday season. Enjoy the cards, gifts, and food during the season. Enjoy the family get togethers and office parties. But most of all, remember that we celebrate the physical birth of a little baby boy that was God in the flesh. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We beheld the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. He came to His own, but His own received Him not. But He came anyway, because it was the will of the Father to whom He was fully obedient. He gave His life as a ransom for us all. Because He LOVED us. And that is the greatest gift of them all. Merry Christmas to all.
Terry
Monday, November 20
e-mail address
Greeting one and all and welcome to turkey week! It is time for the holidays and all that goes with it. Lots of food, shopping, wrapping, and card writing will take up a lot of our time as we watch 2007 approach. It is so hard to believe that 2006 is almost gone, isn’t it? And it has been quite a year, I might add. But as we anxiously await Thursday, let us truly and honestly be thankful for all that God has done for us this year. Being thankful is so often in the form of lip service while the heart is disconnected. We, of all people, should be the most thankful people around. So, happy Thanksgiving, one and all, and best wishes for the holiday season.
My very good friend Ken called me today and we had a delightful chat. I miss so many of my friends in Florida and it is always good to hear from them, no matter what it might be. Ken called to inform me that my e-mail address I put on my last blog was incorrect. So, to avoid future embarrassment from him (and others I might suspect), here is my actual e-mail address:
Reeves.tl@gmail.com
If anyone tried the other one you probably found that it did not work or contacted someone who is wondering what in the world is Torch Missions! I look forward to hearing from you all soon. As always, take care and God bless!
TR
My very good friend Ken called me today and we had a delightful chat. I miss so many of my friends in Florida and it is always good to hear from them, no matter what it might be. Ken called to inform me that my e-mail address I put on my last blog was incorrect. So, to avoid future embarrassment from him (and others I might suspect), here is my actual e-mail address:
Reeves.tl@gmail.com
If anyone tried the other one you probably found that it did not work or contacted someone who is wondering what in the world is Torch Missions! I look forward to hearing from you all soon. As always, take care and God bless!
TR
Sunday, November 12
Trip dates are here!
It’s November and you know what time it is, Thanksgiving and the posting of the summer mission trip dates! It is so hard to believe that it is mid-November. Even though I have been crying the blues about how cold it has been up here in Tennessee, it reality it has been quite pleasant. But the changing of the leaves and the dropping of the temperature has led us into the last part of 2006. So we wrap up the year with holidays and thanks for all the good things we have enjoyed this year.
I love Thanksgiving. It has always been my favorite holiday. Even though my birthday is attached to it; that has nothing to do with it. I love Thanksgiving for a lot of different reasons. The food, of course, and football games on TV. Seeing and visiting family or talking to them on the phone. And of course, reflecting on the good things that God has blessed us with for the year. And I think that is so important, to sit down and think about all of the wonderful ways God has blessed each and every one of us. Because He has, and so much more than we realize. Being grateful for all of the things, both large and small, should be the focus of this time of the year. And reaching out, helping out, and giving, so that others can enjoy a glimpse of happiness.
So, from all of us to all of you, happy holidays, and in particular, Happy Thanksgiving!!!
On a different note, it is time to announce the dates of the mission trips for 2007. I have had so many phone calls and e-mails asking that I felt the need to post them now so that everyone can start planning their calendars, start their fund raising, and arranging for time off. Although the details are still in the work, the dates are ready, so here we go:
Tuesday, December 26 – Tuesday, January 2: Christmas break trip to Honduras. Cost for this trip is $273.00 PLUS your airline ticket. If you are interested in this trip please contact me ASAP because flights are filling up fast!
Saturday, March 10th –Saturday, March 17th: Spring break trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. We will be working with Tim Hines in a special work camp assisting in multiple projects in and around the New Orleans area. More details will be coming concerning this trip.
Sunday, May 20th – Wednesday, May 30th: Honduras trip #1. This trip will focus on work in Tegucigalpa and surrounding villages. Primarily a college age trip but is open to anyone that wants to go. More details about this trip coming soon.
Monday, June 4th – Thursday, June 14th: inaugural Torch Missions trip to Brazil. This trip will be to Recife, located on the northeast coast of Brazil. This trip plans on having a medical team, construction team, evangelism team and more. This trip has very limited space. More details coming soon.
Sunday, July 1st –Wednesday, July 11th. Trip #2 to Honduras. This trip will work in Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, and San Salvador. This trip plans on having a medical team, construction team, evangelism team and more. Flight plans include flying into Tegucigalpa and out of San Salvador, El Salvador. More details coming soon.
Friday, July 13th – Sunday, July 22nd: Honduras trip #3. This trip will work in Tegucigalpa, Comayagua, and San Pedro Sula. Flight plans include flying into Tegucigalpa and out through San Pedro Sula. This trip plans on having a medical team, construction team, evangelism team and more. More details coming soon.
Details are subject to change, all information at this point is tentative. Costs for the trip will be announced as soon as I can get some solid quotes concerning airline tickets. All trips have limited spaces available. The sooner you can contact me with your date requests and estimated numbers the better. Once numbers are set work plans can be ironed out and scheduled.
One of the new procedures this year will be the way we book our airline tickets. Each group leader will be given flight information (carrier, flight dates, flight numbers, etc.) and each group will be responsible for booking their own tickets. There are several benefits to this and it gives group leaders the responsibility of handling any ticket changes (it takes me out as the middle man) and payments. It will also give the group leaders the ability to pay for tickets by cash, check, and credit card. It also reduces the amount of money that I have to handle on this end. The money that will be sent to me will pay for lodging, exit fees, t-shirts, journals, bus rentals, bus drivers, container shipping costs, etc. I think this will make the trip run much smoother and efficiently.
I am looking forward to another wonderful year of mission work together. So much has been done in the past few years and yet there is so much more to do. Doing kingdom work is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things we can do while we are here, wouldn’t you agree? I am looking forward to hearing from you, may God bless you as you prepare to get ready for the 2007 mission campaigns.
Adios mi amigos, Dios te bendiga! Hasta luego!
Terry Reeves ( reeves.tr@gmail.com / 941-928-1085
I love Thanksgiving. It has always been my favorite holiday. Even though my birthday is attached to it; that has nothing to do with it. I love Thanksgiving for a lot of different reasons. The food, of course, and football games on TV. Seeing and visiting family or talking to them on the phone. And of course, reflecting on the good things that God has blessed us with for the year. And I think that is so important, to sit down and think about all of the wonderful ways God has blessed each and every one of us. Because He has, and so much more than we realize. Being grateful for all of the things, both large and small, should be the focus of this time of the year. And reaching out, helping out, and giving, so that others can enjoy a glimpse of happiness.
So, from all of us to all of you, happy holidays, and in particular, Happy Thanksgiving!!!
On a different note, it is time to announce the dates of the mission trips for 2007. I have had so many phone calls and e-mails asking that I felt the need to post them now so that everyone can start planning their calendars, start their fund raising, and arranging for time off. Although the details are still in the work, the dates are ready, so here we go:
Tuesday, December 26 – Tuesday, January 2: Christmas break trip to Honduras. Cost for this trip is $273.00 PLUS your airline ticket. If you are interested in this trip please contact me ASAP because flights are filling up fast!
Saturday, March 10th –Saturday, March 17th: Spring break trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. We will be working with Tim Hines in a special work camp assisting in multiple projects in and around the New Orleans area. More details will be coming concerning this trip.
Sunday, May 20th – Wednesday, May 30th: Honduras trip #1. This trip will focus on work in Tegucigalpa and surrounding villages. Primarily a college age trip but is open to anyone that wants to go. More details about this trip coming soon.
Monday, June 4th – Thursday, June 14th: inaugural Torch Missions trip to Brazil. This trip will be to Recife, located on the northeast coast of Brazil. This trip plans on having a medical team, construction team, evangelism team and more. This trip has very limited space. More details coming soon.
Sunday, July 1st –Wednesday, July 11th. Trip #2 to Honduras. This trip will work in Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, and San Salvador. This trip plans on having a medical team, construction team, evangelism team and more. Flight plans include flying into Tegucigalpa and out of San Salvador, El Salvador. More details coming soon.
Friday, July 13th – Sunday, July 22nd: Honduras trip #3. This trip will work in Tegucigalpa, Comayagua, and San Pedro Sula. Flight plans include flying into Tegucigalpa and out through San Pedro Sula. This trip plans on having a medical team, construction team, evangelism team and more. More details coming soon.
Details are subject to change, all information at this point is tentative. Costs for the trip will be announced as soon as I can get some solid quotes concerning airline tickets. All trips have limited spaces available. The sooner you can contact me with your date requests and estimated numbers the better. Once numbers are set work plans can be ironed out and scheduled.
One of the new procedures this year will be the way we book our airline tickets. Each group leader will be given flight information (carrier, flight dates, flight numbers, etc.) and each group will be responsible for booking their own tickets. There are several benefits to this and it gives group leaders the responsibility of handling any ticket changes (it takes me out as the middle man) and payments. It will also give the group leaders the ability to pay for tickets by cash, check, and credit card. It also reduces the amount of money that I have to handle on this end. The money that will be sent to me will pay for lodging, exit fees, t-shirts, journals, bus rentals, bus drivers, container shipping costs, etc. I think this will make the trip run much smoother and efficiently.
I am looking forward to another wonderful year of mission work together. So much has been done in the past few years and yet there is so much more to do. Doing kingdom work is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things we can do while we are here, wouldn’t you agree? I am looking forward to hearing from you, may God bless you as you prepare to get ready for the 2007 mission campaigns.
Adios mi amigos, Dios te bendiga! Hasta luego!
Terry Reeves ( reeves.tr@gmail.com / 941-928-1085
Thursday, November 2
reading between the lines
This week in chapel we had an excellent lesson that I would like to share with all of you. The guest speaker works with humanitarian relief efforts here in middle Tennessee and has collected and sent supplies all over the world to help meet the needs of people that have suffered from a natural disaster or event. From floods, tidal waves, to tornadoes, people all over the world are hurting, both physically, but also emotionally and spiritually.
During the lesson several of our students stood before the student body holding up poster board. On each board was written on giant red letter. At the speaker’s queue the students held out their letter in the sequence they were placed. The letters were the following:
GODISNOWHERE
We were asked to call out what we read from the letters. Without hesitation nearly everyone called out, “GOD IS NO WHERE.” The speaker went on to say that when people are in desperate situations many times they cry out in despair wanting to know why this has happened to them and why God has abandoned them at the time of greatest need. It is during this time that so many needs a ray of hope to enter their lives to let them know that it is going to be OK and that someone cares for them. Isn’t that what Christianity all about?
So, next time you are asked to donate some can goods to the church pantry or a toy or two for the toy drive, maybe you will think twice. “Give till it hurts” is just a cliché until this concept penetrates your heart. Once you have looked into the eyes of the hopeless and despaired you will never be the same again. And once we respond, people see things differently. It is then that they might see, “GOD IS NOW HERE.”
Sometimes, it is just on how the way you look at something, isn’t it? Have a blessed week!
Terry
During the lesson several of our students stood before the student body holding up poster board. On each board was written on giant red letter. At the speaker’s queue the students held out their letter in the sequence they were placed. The letters were the following:
GODISNOWHERE
We were asked to call out what we read from the letters. Without hesitation nearly everyone called out, “GOD IS NO WHERE.” The speaker went on to say that when people are in desperate situations many times they cry out in despair wanting to know why this has happened to them and why God has abandoned them at the time of greatest need. It is during this time that so many needs a ray of hope to enter their lives to let them know that it is going to be OK and that someone cares for them. Isn’t that what Christianity all about?
So, next time you are asked to donate some can goods to the church pantry or a toy or two for the toy drive, maybe you will think twice. “Give till it hurts” is just a cliché until this concept penetrates your heart. Once you have looked into the eyes of the hopeless and despaired you will never be the same again. And once we respond, people see things differently. It is then that they might see, “GOD IS NOW HERE.”
Sometimes, it is just on how the way you look at something, isn’t it? Have a blessed week!
Terry
Monday, October 23
Congratulations, well done!
In my last blog I talked about the changing of the colors of the leaves here in middle Tennessee. I have to admit a couple of weeks later that those in the know were right, the colors now are absolutely amazing. However, just as assuredly as the colors have changed the leaves are also falling to the ground. And the falling of the leaves also means the falling of the temperature! I have officially declared it COLD here in Tennessee! Oh, they say that this is nothing, just wait… but I have decided that the next ice age is upon us!!!! Wow, and to think that this is fall! Boy, I just can’t wait for winter to get here……..
I have a lot of news to post; I hope that this information gets to all that are interested. First, I would like to congratulate two very special friends that just completed their course work at Belmont University. Anna Jane Palmer and Judy Mitchell both finished their degree programs in physical therapy a few weeks ago, receiving that long awaited diploma that declares them doctors!!! They both passed their board exams and now are officially Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Palmer. Congratulations and well done!
My work at Friendship Christian School is going very well. My classes are wonderful and the students are great. Soccer is going well too. We came in second in our district and will be playing in the region tournament this week. We are currently 12-6. More importantly, the campus ministry work is going well. Part of my job is planning mission trips for students, faculty, staff, and friends. There is a trip to Honduras planned for Christmas break. The dates are December 26 through January 1. This 1 week trip will be to Tegucigalpa and will be a typical Torch trip. We will be building a couple of houses, do a food distribution, and a lot of visitation. It is going to be a great trip and anyone out there that would like to go is invited. The cost of the trip is $298.00 PLUS your airline ticket. Participants are responsible for booking their own ticket. I will be glad to send you the flight information and any additional information about the trip. Just contact me at reeves.tl@gmail.com
Finally, I will be posting the 2007 trip schedule in the next week or two. There is a lot of great stuff going on and I am really excited to tell you about it. So, keep checking the site and get ready for an incredible year for Torch Missions! I hope everyone is doing well out there. Drop me a line to let me know what is going on in your part of the woods. God bless you all, may the work of the kingdom be ever fruitful as we labor together for our God and Father.
Blessings,
TR
I have a lot of news to post; I hope that this information gets to all that are interested. First, I would like to congratulate two very special friends that just completed their course work at Belmont University. Anna Jane Palmer and Judy Mitchell both finished their degree programs in physical therapy a few weeks ago, receiving that long awaited diploma that declares them doctors!!! They both passed their board exams and now are officially Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Palmer. Congratulations and well done!
My work at Friendship Christian School is going very well. My classes are wonderful and the students are great. Soccer is going well too. We came in second in our district and will be playing in the region tournament this week. We are currently 12-6. More importantly, the campus ministry work is going well. Part of my job is planning mission trips for students, faculty, staff, and friends. There is a trip to Honduras planned for Christmas break. The dates are December 26 through January 1. This 1 week trip will be to Tegucigalpa and will be a typical Torch trip. We will be building a couple of houses, do a food distribution, and a lot of visitation. It is going to be a great trip and anyone out there that would like to go is invited. The cost of the trip is $298.00 PLUS your airline ticket. Participants are responsible for booking their own ticket. I will be glad to send you the flight information and any additional information about the trip. Just contact me at reeves.tl@gmail.com
Finally, I will be posting the 2007 trip schedule in the next week or two. There is a lot of great stuff going on and I am really excited to tell you about it. So, keep checking the site and get ready for an incredible year for Torch Missions! I hope everyone is doing well out there. Drop me a line to let me know what is going on in your part of the woods. God bless you all, may the work of the kingdom be ever fruitful as we labor together for our God and Father.
Blessings,
TR
Tuesday, October 10
falling for fall
Its early October in Tennessee and the leaves are beginning to turn to those beautiful shades of yellow, gold, and reds. It has been 7 years since I have seen “fall,” the season of the year that doesn’t really exist in south Florida. The temperatures are dropping and the sky seems to be a brighter shade of blue these days. It is amazingly beautiful and awe inspiring. Those around here are not even impressed yet; they tell me that the best is yet to come. I tell them that they are numb to the beauty and are taking it all for granted. I think we are both right.
Isn’t it amazing to see something new, or through refreshed eyes? You notice everything, all of the details. You just seem to soak it all in. I noticed the first changing of the color in the leaves about a week or two ago, when those who have lived here for a while paid little or no attention. It has been a long time since we have lived here and we have been looking forward to this time of the year. The explosion of colors on the hillsides and valleys, the cool, crisp air, and the smell of wood burning in the fire places.
Of course I know what is coming too. I know we are just a few weeks away from ALL of the leaves turning brown and then turning loose. Soon the trees will be barren and the fall weather will give way to winter, another season I have not really experiences in that last 7 years. Already the temperatures have dropped lower than the coldest days in Sarasota and I am pretty much convinced I am going to freeze to death this winter!!!! While people here are still wearing shorts and t-shirts, Margaret, Nathan, and I are pulling out the jackets, sweaters, and pants! I can’t imagine what it is going to be like for the next 4 months…..and I also know that Floridians are about to enter the 4 months of “paradise.” Such is the price we pay to live where we live and do what we do.
How is life with you? How do you find yourself in the changing of the seasons? Are you full of excitement and wonder? Are you soaking it all in? Or are you just taking it all for granted. Just going through it and dreading the next season about to come? If you are like me, sometimes you have to get away from your normal surroundings to be able to see through new or refreshed eyes. See things from a new place and a new perspective. Or maybe return to a place to experience it all over again. This is not only true about experiencing the changing of the seasons, but in all areas of life, including our spiritual life. Getting away from the routines and common everyday surroundings is a great way to get you out of your daily “ruts” and get the senses, emotions, and feelings going again. And I, for one, need that very much.
Take time to stop and soak in the beauty of God’s nature as it goes through its life cycle. Experience the power and wisdom of God through His creation. As it says in Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” The finger of God can be clearly seen in the creation of the earth and all that is within it. How can anyone look at the changing of the seasons and not know that there is a God? Only in denial.
Peace,
TR
Isn’t it amazing to see something new, or through refreshed eyes? You notice everything, all of the details. You just seem to soak it all in. I noticed the first changing of the color in the leaves about a week or two ago, when those who have lived here for a while paid little or no attention. It has been a long time since we have lived here and we have been looking forward to this time of the year. The explosion of colors on the hillsides and valleys, the cool, crisp air, and the smell of wood burning in the fire places.
Of course I know what is coming too. I know we are just a few weeks away from ALL of the leaves turning brown and then turning loose. Soon the trees will be barren and the fall weather will give way to winter, another season I have not really experiences in that last 7 years. Already the temperatures have dropped lower than the coldest days in Sarasota and I am pretty much convinced I am going to freeze to death this winter!!!! While people here are still wearing shorts and t-shirts, Margaret, Nathan, and I are pulling out the jackets, sweaters, and pants! I can’t imagine what it is going to be like for the next 4 months…..and I also know that Floridians are about to enter the 4 months of “paradise.” Such is the price we pay to live where we live and do what we do.
How is life with you? How do you find yourself in the changing of the seasons? Are you full of excitement and wonder? Are you soaking it all in? Or are you just taking it all for granted. Just going through it and dreading the next season about to come? If you are like me, sometimes you have to get away from your normal surroundings to be able to see through new or refreshed eyes. See things from a new place and a new perspective. Or maybe return to a place to experience it all over again. This is not only true about experiencing the changing of the seasons, but in all areas of life, including our spiritual life. Getting away from the routines and common everyday surroundings is a great way to get you out of your daily “ruts” and get the senses, emotions, and feelings going again. And I, for one, need that very much.
Take time to stop and soak in the beauty of God’s nature as it goes through its life cycle. Experience the power and wisdom of God through His creation. As it says in Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” The finger of God can be clearly seen in the creation of the earth and all that is within it. How can anyone look at the changing of the seasons and not know that there is a God? Only in denial.
Peace,
TR
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