by jeannie | Jan 24, 2010 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
We visited a family on the last day of travels in Matamoros while there working on a book project, and bringing needed items to a wonderful clinic there, Casa Bugambilia just a day earlier. When our friend, Ryan, found this family, they were living in a shack, sleeping on the muddy earth. I learned yesterday they used to carry in and sleep on cement sacks when it rained, so they wouldn’t drown. There are seven children and a single mom and while we have sent items, this was the first time I’d ever met the family. We stopped and saw their new house, pictured below, and gave them hugs, celebrated their new concrete floors and 8 miniature bunk beds in this one room house that to them, is the best thing they’ve ever owned. They greeted us with bare feet, the most incredible smiles and a welcoming spirit. They were excited about the possibility of working the next day picking carrots, and let us hold their baby goats. Yes, you read that right. AIM, Adventures in Mission in Mexico in partnership with LHC, Lake Hills Church made this a reality. While there’s still a lot to do, I love being part of it in any small way I can. We’ll be back soon to visit them, and bring them more items they need. I can hardly wait to see Trinidad again, and see if he’ll ever take off his stocking cap. He is very shy, timid, but over time, he began to warm up and I believe he loved having us...
by jimmy | Aug 26, 2009 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
It was a long day. Tuesday we laid my Aunt Betty to rest it was one of the more emotional days of my life for me as I have never been to a funeral for somebody that young and full of life. My grandparents have passed and great uncles and great aunts but they had all lived long and fruitful lives. My dad and Aunt Betty’s side especially with a couple living to 100. So to lose my Aunt at 65 is very much a shock to us all despite her mother passing at a young age of 49. I told you a little about my Aunt yesterday and how she touched so many lives. I wanted to share today more details of the events and the moments that I felt God’s presence. It was early and we were staying at a hotel and heading over to the house to wait for the car but before we left I grabbed my ipod to listen to some music. I find that when I listen to music I can focus on larger things than what is happening in that moment. I heard some great tunes again from mercyme and also from wide awake and our friend scott leger. He sings: ” I know love is more than a feeling. But I would give anything to touch you now. I wish that I could get to you somehow.” So I am listening to this and thinking about everyone around me and how we are all feeling the same miserable feelings. Just hoping to feel better somehow. Wondering how she could have been...
by jeannie | Jul 24, 2009 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |
WyldLife Camp at Carolina Creek was a huge success last week, and as we pulled up in our charter buses and braved the registration in 100 plus heat, the anticipation just grew to meet our air conditioned cabins and hit the water. We started our trip with a round of bus volleyball, and the energy and excitement just grew from there. As we ran in and claimed our bunk beds and hit our first activity as a cabin, we got off to a great start. One of the best parts about camp are the characters and the amazing program team we had there. We were first greeted by the Redneck Ninjas at the basketball courts, then were introduced to Hans and Tricky Vicky (the doubledutch trio) and Toni Love (the villain) at dinner; and finally, Mike and Ike (the football fanatics) at Club. Club happened every night, and the messages were so relatable and broke through some barriers for some significant cabin time with the kids. Whether we were zip lining, involved in a muck war or building cardboard tanks only to plummet them with water balloons, there was definitely a theme of high energy, and the most fun anyone has ever consumed in one day. Amidst all that, building relationships and watching new ones form while centering everything on the Gospel was the by far the best part. For kids looking for answers about faith, it was amazing to share the experience with them, and see leaders loving on kids with the unique love only God can place in our hearts. I met some of the most courageous...
by jimmy | Mar 30, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |
I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our journey together and to share with you an experience with God today. I headed into work just as usual but really needed to drive just by the park so I made the block and drove by but nobody there except Stephen. Yeah, no thanks on that conversation. I got in my office was hanging out downstairs and a guy in a rebel hat goes strolling by the window. He was not so nice either. Wow first hour already seen two guys from the weekend. Almost everyday I grab a sandwich at Jimmy Johns (even though Stephen says they suck) and I usually walk down the alley behind the Driscoll. Like EVERYDAY. Except today the alley is closed. No biggie, so I walk out on Congress and as I cross over 7th heading South I see Steve (guy that came to church with us) sitting at the bus stop. So I go over say Hello and I see he is eating so I say I am going to grab a sandwich and talk to him in a minute. I walk down towards Pita Pit and this woman asks me if she can have some money to get a pita. I told her no way those sandwiches “suck” lets go to Jimmy John’s. So we go grab her a sandwich and she is very gracious and says she doesn’t have many friends out on the street. I told her to go to the park and meet my friends. I hope to see Christy on Wednesday on our mobile loaves run. Then I head back up the street and...
by jimmy | Mar 29, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |
HOME SAFE Well I am home and laying on my sleep number bed safe and sound. Thanks for your prayers over the past couple of days. What a journey man I have never walked so much in my life. One of the things I really enjoyed was the walking because when you walk with 7 guys for two days you really get to connect. It is funny though we would be walking and talking and we would get to a light and all kind of clump together then the light change and we would start walking but you would be walking next to a different guy and a either a new conversation would start or one from a block or two ago would continue. I really enjoyed getting to know the guys on the trip with me and the people on the street. This morning was COLD it must have been close to freezing when we woke up at 7 or so. That is sleeping in to the homeless they are usually up and rolling before light. We stayed in a park way on the eastside and started walking back it was great we walked along the lake. A guy really should not be by a lake at 7am and not have a fishing pole that is just not right. We walked through Marcus’s hood and by his mom’s house then over to a run down hotel with some of the toughest looking dudes of front. Next thing I know we are just walking over to have a conversation. We gave them some of the socks the guys had...
by jimmy | Mar 28, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |
DAY TWO I am in a park way out in east Austin. There are 7 of us out here from lake hills. We are camping with a homeless guy named Marcus in his spot. Guys have there spots some camp alone and some camp with a buddy. Only dumb guys out for 48 hours camp in groups of 7 like us. We were woken up at 5 am to go and serve in the church we slept behind. We did that until 1 it was hard work but just fantastic. I met tons of people and want to tell you about a couple of them. I am pretty beat we have been walking a bunch. The first guy I want to introduce you to is Jeff we is homeless and walks with crutches. He does not speak well but the man can rock a piano. He played for us this am from heart he does not read music but played some amazing music. I met a woman this am named carol she ran the kitchen at the church. This woman was about 5 feet tall and around 70. She would kick your tail. She reminded me of my aunt tata who was tough as nails but had a huge heart. I really enjoyed joking around with her this am Things are really kept simple out on the street wear your clothes. Get new ones. Find food. Repeat I will tell many more stories tomorrow but tonight i am just beat I have got a really bad headache and so i am going to turn in. ...
