Where In The World Is Bruce?

Arizona Big Blue Sky

2011-02-13T10:35:00.001-05:00

Mary and I are in Phoenix at a meeting to learn more how SIM can invite people to partner with us financially in global missions.

While we are working, we also had some free time in the afternoon, so here are some photos of us enjoying the warmth and cloudless sky of Arizona.

Sports connects with the community

2010-09-10T19:55:00.001-04:00

SIM’s ministry Sports Friends is helping churches in Africa and Asia know how to use sports as a tool to connect with people, share The Good News and plant churches.

I interviewed a couple of Sports Friends staff here in Thailand, as we stood in the soccer field while a training session was going on.

Click on this link SIM Sports Friends if you are having difficulty view the video above.

Jill, second from left, leads Sports Friends in Thailand, along with Graham and a co-worker in the ministry. I have known Graham and his wife Lori for over 15 years from when I served on the board of their ministry MAI. They are now partnering with SIM in Thailand, so it was great reconnecting. They had been living in Charlotte.

Observations from the back of Red Truck

2010-09-10T19:36:00.001-04:00

One of the primary forms of public transportation in Chiang Mail is “the little red truck”. I rode in one today from the SIM office back to the hotel. Here is a short 37 second video of my experience.

If you have difficulty viewing this video from my blog, you can click on “Red Truck Taxi” and it will take you to a site which is hopefully better for viewing. Link to Red Truck Taxi video.

Flying Through the Tree Tops

2010-09-10T19:27:00.001-04:00

Wednesday morning I went with three other SIM colleagues on an outdoor adventure called “Flight of the Gibbons”.

Gibbons are apes who inhabit the forests around Chiang Mai.

This was a high altitude zip line like no other I have been on. Hopefully you will get a feel for it in these photos.

Omar, SIM Australia director; Corey and Katie SIM workers to west Africa.

True trust is with no hands and you are buckled in from the back. That means I went face first over the edge of the platform.

The tree above was immense. Look where the platform is, relative to the ground. That gives you some sense of the dimension.

Click on the video below to hear about our experience.

If you have trouble viewing this video here is a direct link which you might find works better. Link to Flight of the Gibbons

Would you do Flight of the Gibbons? Click comments below and tell me what you think?

The Fish Spa – A new experience

2010-09-06T18:24:00.001-04:00

Our meetings ended Monday evening around 6 p.m. I had been hearing about the fish spa, so after dinner Bob Blees, an SIM colleague and I went on the search for the fish spa.

Here are a couple of videos of what we found and experienced.

Click on the four arrows to the left of the word vimeo to watch it in full screen view.

Below is our evaluation of the experience

Having awakened early, I am posting this at 5:15 a.m. here in Chiang Mai. I woke up in the middle of the night and my feet were tingling, like the sensation when your feet “go to sleep”. Then I realized it was the sensation of little fish nibbling at my feet.

And all this for just $1.50 for a 45 minute treatment at The Fish Spa.

So, what do you think? Post a comment below. Would you go to The Fish Spa?

The Gathering

2010-09-05T20:01:00.001-04:00

It’s 7 a.m. Monday morning here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Yesterday morning I went to church with Graham and Lori West and their children at their home church here, The Gathering. Also joining us was Dave Bremner of SIM Intl.

I have known Graham and Lori since the early 90’s when they joined the Charlotte Eagles soccer ministry in Charlotte. I served on the board of the parent organization of the Charlotte Eagles, MAI and was the ministry president for a year or so, when the ministry was searching for a new president.

The Wests are now serving with SIM’s sports ministry, Sports Friends, here in Thailand.

We enjoyed a very nice and inexpensive Sunday dinner after church.

I am SIM

2010-09-03T05:13:00.001-04:00

I shot a video message from here in Chiang Mai, to be shown next week to people who will be visiting the SIM mission center in Charlotte. These people have applied to SIM and are in the final decision-making about joining the mission.

What impressions do you have of SIM after watching this video? Go ahead a post a your thoughts below as a comment. Loved to hear your thoughts?

Global Connections

2010-09-02T10:00:00.001-04:00

This has been a very encouraging week at this gathering of leaders from countries around the world who are sending workers through SIM.

It has been a very full schedule starting with breakfast meetings at 7 a.m. and going into the evening. But the fellowship and sharing of vision and hearts keeps me going.

One evening I walked to the night market for dinner with Jin from Korea, Julieta from Ecuador and Obed from Guatemala. We are colleagues in SIM and brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today I led a session on global trends in society and in the church impacting how we in SIM send people from over 55 countries into the world. This was primarily a brainstorming session which brought out some very good suggestions on how to both take advantage of trends and overcome others which are adversely effecting mobilizing people into missions.

One of the greatest benefits of this gathering is to sit with leaders from across the world and talk about how we can work together to advance the cause of Christ. In the photo above I met this morning with leaders from Singapore, the U.S., Korea, Australia and West Africa about ways we can focus efforts on countries of Asia.

Stop over in city by the bay

2010-08-27T15:36:00.001-04:00

I am in San Francisco awaiting my flight to Seoul. Have to board shortly.

However, what a flight this morning from Charlotte to SFO. Clear skies the whole way.

You see the things of God in a new and fresh way from 25,000 feet. His creation is incredible. The contours of the land declare his glory. The Rocky Mountain peak declare his glory. The rivers and mountain alpine lakes declare his glory.

Let us declare his glory as his highest creation.

Heading to Thailand

2010-08-26T15:58:00.001-04:00

I am leaving on a 2 week trip to Thailand. This is familiar territory for me, having traveled there numerous times over the past decade.

Here is a quick sketch of the country.

Full country name: Kingdom of Thailand
Population: 62 million
Capital City: Bangkok (pop 6 million)
People: 75% Thai, 11% Chinese, 3.5% Malay, also Mon, Khmer, Phuan and Karen minorities
Language: Thai
Religion: 95% Buddhism, 4% Muslim
Government: constitutional monarchy
Head of State: King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra
GDP: US$166 billion
GDP per capita: US$2,168

Thailand is the bustling cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

And Thailand is the beautiful rural area in the northern mountain region.

I will be in both types of settings on this trip.

Quality Leaders Modeling the Way

2010-04-22T00:58:00.001-04:00

I met and talked with several quality leaders in their late 60’s and 70’s this week at the CLA national conference.

One of them was Jerry White, former president of The Navigators and still serving as chairman of their board of directors.

As well, he served a distinguished military career in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as general.

He gave a brief but powerful devotional message on “unfinished things”.

What things in your life need to be finished and what things need to remain unfinished. David had to leave the desire to build the temple to the Lord as unfinished business. Jesus had to finish his work of going to the cross.

Hopefully this will be another of his upcoming books.

Thank You SIM USA Staff

2010-04-21T12:42:00.001-04:00

Today is Staff Appreciation Day. So some of your leaders didn’t want to miss this opportunity to say “We appreciate you.”

Here is a short video message and announcement from Bruce, George, Bernie, Mike and Lydia – from San Diego, California.

Appreciating SIM USA Staff from San Diego from Bruce Johnson on Vimeo.

San Diego at CLA National Conference

2010-04-21T10:06:00.001-04:00

I am in San Diego for the three day Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) conference. It is a great place to reconnect with friends and meet some new ones.

Asian Access colleagues Elliott, Joe, Ned, Ron, Phil, Jane and myself after an enjoyable dinner at Harry’s

I enjoyed dinner with my former colleagues from Asian Access. Also joining us was Phil Hodges and his wife Jane. Phil is co-author of Leading Like Jesus with Ken Blanchard. Phil and Joe serve together on their church’s elder board. Great night of fellowship and conversation.

Jay Barnes, Paul Anderson and myself shared a table at today’s CEO workshop

I enjoyed sharing a table today with Dr. Jay Barnes, President of Bethel University, where I attended for two years in St. Paul, MN. Also joining us was Paul Anderson of the Evangelical Free Church Foundation.

Michael Hyatt, David Kinnaman and myself

The CEO for Thomas Nelson Publishers spoke at the CEO workshop today on impact of social media in ministry today. He was followed by David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group research firm on the nex-gen trends compared to other generations. Both were compelling.

Back in the Saddle

2010-04-08T15:13:00.001-04:00

Well, I am back in the office after returning Saturday evening from three weeks in Africa.

Mary and I enjoyed Easter Sunday in worship and then had friends over for dinner after church. By 7 p.m. I was struggling to stay awake, so gave in and headed to bed for a good nights rest.

While mostly I have been catching up the last few days in the office, today I enjoyed talking about ministry partnership over lunch today on our campus.

l to r: Jimmy Cox, SIM missionary and former director for SIM Sudan; Brad Reed, president of Water Missions Intl; me

Jimmy, Brad and I had a very productive conversation over lunch about how SIM and Water Mission might collaborate in ministering to human need by providing clean drinking water and sharing the living water. www.watermissions.org

We have agreed to loan Jimmy to Water Missions to help them with the ministry side of their global work. We are looking forward to see how God will use our desire to extend His Kingdom and willingness to work together.

Kenyan Safari on Good Friday

2010-04-02T09:36:00.001-04:00

This is the most unusual Good Friday of my life. I went on an African safari, driving through Nairobi Game Reserve for seven hours. Fences are only on the Nairobi city side of the reserve. The other side allows the migration of the game. Here is some of what we saw. The SIM Kenya director, Dwight Hazard, set this up and drove. Scott Carter, one of our missionaries came along as well.

Here are some of the photos I took of game that we saw.

We stopped on top of a ridge and had a Good Friday prayer service.

Looking out on the vast Kenyan savanna we praised and thanked God for sending his son to die for our sins. We lifted up the name of Jesus in prayer and song for his incredible act of love for us.

What a special Good Friday.

Out on the Street

2010-03-31T19:17:00.001-04:00

Hopefully this short video clip will allow you to experience a bit of the flavor of a Kenyan town. Just click the arrow below to view.

Streets of Malindi from Bruce Johnson on Vimeo.

The Country Review Team

2010-03-30T08:14:00.002-04:00

We have enjoyed a great working relationship as the SIM Kenya Country Review Team. Here we are pictured with the staff from the guest house where we have headquartered for two weeks.

Back row l to r: Bruce from the U.S. , Dave from South Africa (team leader), Noah our cook, Gillian from the U.K., Mumo from Kenyan seminary, Patricia our hostess

Front row l to r: Steve our guard, Rosemary canon with the Angelican Church of Kenya, Ruby from Ghana, Jackson our housekeeper

Worshipping at New City Fellowship

2010-03-28T14:01:00.001-04:00

I worshipped today with our brothers and sisters at New City Fellowship(NCF). This was special to me because New City Fellowship is part of the denomination which Mary and I are members, The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

New City’s pastor is Joe Muutuki (pictured below with me). Their focus of ministry is to reach an unreached people group in Nairobi – south Asian people, such as Indians, Sri Lankans and others.

Joe is Kenyan. He graduated from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis.

He returned to Nairobi some dozen years ago and planted New City.

It was special to join with Joe and the people of New City in worshipping our Lord today as we spoke and sang in English, Hindi and Swahili.

Back from the Coastal Region

2010-03-26T22:38:00.001-04:00

Our team of six on the Kenya Country Review split up into three teams of two and headed out of Nairobi to interview people in different parts of the country. I was assigned to the team headed to the coastal region of Kenya where we spent Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

First stop was flying out to the coastal town of Malindi, where we were met by Scott, an SIM staff member who will soon be relocating there. On Wednesday afternoon we drove south to Kenya’s second largest city, Mombasa.

I was out of internet contact for these days, so couldn’t provide a blog update. Here are some photos from this region.

The Indian Ocean and the Kenyan coast is beautiful. Yes, we just had to step foot out on the beach. Matter of fact, Scott, Gillian and myself we walked down the beach to a pizza place for dinner after a full day of interviewing. The beach reminded me of some of the wide, sandy beaches on the Carolina coast, but much less populated.

The weather was unseasonably hot - 90’s during the day with high humidity. And no air conditioning. I sweat for three days and two nights. Slept under a mosquito net in a sparse room at the Lutheran Guest House.

We interviewed pastors, lay people, other ministry people, SIM staff members and some denominational leaders. One thing we realized quickly, Nairobi is not Kenya…and Kenya is not Nairobi. Just as Chicago, New York or Los Angeles is not the U.S. It is so much more.

Here are some of those we interviewed

Students and faculty at Pwani Bible Institute, who are preparing to be pastors, teachers and Christian workers.

Bernard is serving as a light to the M community along the coast having received training and support from SIM and now equipping others.

These two industrious and faith-filled women are being light among women, widows and orphans.

Now I am back in Nairobi working with the team to compile our findings, list our recommendations and present our review next Wednesday. Pray particularly as we discern “What is God’s mandate for SIM in Kenya in the coming years”? There are many needs to serve the Church here, but what is our part. Thank you for praying.

Visit to Scott Theological College

2010-03-22T14:39:00.001-04:00

Nearly 200 students are studying at Scott to prepare for ministry. Some will be going out as pastors, evangelists, missionaries, church planters and Christian educators.

I was privilege to be invited to be the chapel speaker today. I talked on three global trends that are impacting missions today. I opened with Acts 13:47 and ask them to consider what vision and calling God was placing on their hearts.

Thank you for praying. Dr. Paul Mumo told me at the end of the day that the students were still talking about what I had presented and that they were really challenged. Plus, I saved 10 minutes at the end when I asked them to discuss the implications of what I had presented. They said they liked the interaction and found it very refreshing instead of having a straight sermon. So the Lord answered prayer for a time that blessed the students.

Here are photos of the Scott campus.

Here are some of the students we interviewed to help us understand the state of the Church in Kenya from a young person’s perspective.

These were very articulate and vision-filled leaders. In order, here is what they desire to do upon graduating in the next year or two:

Plant a church in Nairobi that will be sending out church planters into the countryside
Teach in a public school as a means to reach students with the gospel
Plant a church among an unreached, rural people in the far north of Kenya
Plant a church among his tribe to reach them with the Gospel
Be part of a team to bring the Gospel to an unreached people group in northern Kenya

Here is the road into Scott’s campus.

Wildlife Sightings

2010-03-22T14:09:00.001-04:00

Today three of the review team drove out of Nairobi about one hour to Scott Theological College. Along the way we enjoyed some incredible Kenyan countryside scenery.

Then we came upon this giraffe.

There it was. In the wild. On the way back from Scott we saw five giraffe, gazelles, wildebeest, and zebra.

It has been a long time since I felt such a child-like excitement. Here is another photo of the Kenyan countryside.

What are your impressions? Comment below.

Worshipping with the Body

2010-03-21T08:05:00.001-04:00

This morning I worshipped at Nairobi Chapel www.nairobichapel.org

As the title says above I was worshipping with the Body and with the body. My fellow brothers and sisters from many different tribes, tongues and nations swayed, clapped, danced and together lifted up worship to our Lord.

The church meets under a huge white tent. It makes sense with the moderate climate of Nairobi. The service included four main parts woven together in an incredible sense of community and connectedness.

First was singing and worship, followed by greeting each other, followed by an interview with a couple sharing in such an authentic way how God transformed their lives and marriage, followed by Pastor Oscar preaching on Jonah 3.

He gave a powerful message on how God didn’t call Jonah to convert the Ninevites, but to deliver God’s message. The point – God calls us today to deliver his message. It is up to him to do the converting.

Friends Expand Into Kenya

2010-03-21T07:47:00.001-04:00

Our friends in Charlotte, Larry and Wendy Shank, apparently have expanded their business interests into Kenya. Wendy – how about “Kenyan Safari” as a theme for a Dinner Chicks gathering?!

The Neighborhood

2010-03-21T07:33:00.001-04:00

While in Nairobi, our team is staying at home converted into a B & B. Today after church I walked through some of the neighborhood on my way to a cafe about one mile away. I am blogging from this cafe, using their wireless internet connection.

Here are some street scenes from the neighborhood that I took on the walk over.

The majority of Kenyans don’t own a car or a bike. They walk. If it is 3-5 miles they will walk rather than take a bus.

This seems true in the city and countryside.

Let’s just say there are very few overweight Kenyans.

This would be a middle class neighborhood. Apartments, condos, houses.

What are your impressions? Feel free to post a comment below.

Full Days of Interviewing

2010-03-20T11:49:00.002-04:00

Our review of the SIM work in Kenya consists of 8 days of interviews; three days of compiling the information, discovering findings, making recommendations, then writing the report; the last day is presenting the report and recommendations to the SIM Kenya leadership team and interacting with them about it.

Below part of the team is interacting with the SIM Kenya director, Dwight Hazard. Here’s a small world story: Dwight graduated from St. Cloud State University, which is in my hometown of St. Cloud, Minnesota.

We are interviewing our SIM Kenya staff, various Kenyan pastors and denominational leaders, other ministry leaders and people involved in the various ministries.

We have three teams who spread out to various locations. Yesterday, Friday, the team I was on interview people involved in medical ministry and pastor training. Above I am standing with some on the review team and in the middle Bill and Esther O’Donovan, long time SIM missionaries who are now teaching at Moffett Bible School, training Kenyan pastors. Matter of fact, Esther’s parents were life-long missionaries with SIM and their daughter and son-in-law are missionaries with SIM.

For my wife Mary’s sake I included the cat in the bottom right corner of the photo that happen to be walking through. Any comments you want to add below about the cat?

Today, Saturday we just finished a full day of interviewing, which was our third of eight days. Tomorrow, Sunday morning we head to three different churches and the afternoon will be open for some rest and refreshment.

Rift Valley

2010-03-19T14:47:00.001-04:00

Rift Valley is so wide and long that we were told it can be seen from space. I believe it. To give you some idea of the size of this valley, a very visible volcano sits in the middle and there is probably 40 miles of valley still on either side of the volcano.

Right over my shoulder is the first ledge that descends down to the valley. I was standing at 8,000 feet. The valley floor is 10 miles away. The Rift Valley is home to the Massi tribe, nomadic livestock farmers. It is a lush, green valley.

The valley is famous for having been the childhood home and dirt paths for some of the world’s fastest long distance and marathon runners.

Here is another view of the Rift Valley off in the distance from the veranda of a home at a Bible school we visited today to conduct some interviews. Not a bad view to study by.

Street Scenes from outside Nairobi

2010-03-19T14:23:00.002-04:00

Part of our Kenya Country Review Team drove outside of Nairobi today. Here are a few street scenes I captured.

Any caption come to mind for this photo above. Go ahead and post a comment below and give me a laugh.

We passed through this small village. Here is a typical roadside market, with the beautiful Kenyan sky as the backdrop.

B & B in Nairobi

2010-03-19T00:07:00.001-04:00

Our country review team is staying at a bed and breakfast retreat center about 15 minutes from downtown Nairobi. This will be home for 2 weeks, except for a day or two where we might travel to another city or two.

The country review team (pictured above meeting with some of the leaders of SIM Kenya) has come together very well. We are six people from five different countries.

Monday I am the chapel speaker at Scott Theological Seminary, so I would appreciate your prayers for that. And thank you to those who have emailed me personal notes to let me know you are praying.

By the way, did North Carolina Tar Heels even get an invitation to the NIT?

Can You Match?

2010-03-18T15:44:00.001-04:00

Can you match the following occupations with the right faces? These are some of the SIM missionaries in Addis Ababa. There are over 100 from nearly 10 different nations. What an array of talents, experience and calling.

Family doctor
Theological professor
Mus lim community specialist
Accountant
Elementary teacher
Office manager
Home maker
Lithographer
Ministry president
Missionary kid

Helping Equip Ethiopian Pastors

2010-03-18T12:06:00.001-04:00

SIM helped establish the evangelical Church in Ethiopia over 100 years ago. One indigenous denomination that grew out of that work now has approx. 7 million believers in over 8,000 churches.

Today SIM is responding to the current needs in the country and in areas where the Ethiopian Church desires to be strengthened.

One area is Bible and seminary training for Ethiopian pastors. SIM was instrumental in helping to start the first Bible college that is now graduating over 100 Ethiopians each year. Just a few years ago SIM worked with three Ethiopian denominations to help them establish the first Ethiopian evangelical seminary – the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology. Above I am with the administrator and president of the school and our SIM Ethiopia director, Steve Bryan.

Small world story - The faculty of both schools are Ethiopians and a few expatriates. I met the young couple below, Jason and Cara Meyer. Jason finished his Ph.D. from Southern Seminary and he and Cara went out with SIM for the past two years.

As we talked, I discovered they will be relocating to Minneapolis in a few months after their service in Addis with SIM. He will be faculty at a new seminary that John Piper is starting. I mentioned to Jason that a childhood friend of mine, Sam Crabtree, is executive pastor with John Piper. Jason said Sam was also pastor at his home church in South Dakota when Jason was growing up. And we made the connection in Addis!

Addis Ababa Views

2010-03-18T11:44:00.001-04:00

My three days in Addis Ababa were full, productive and a blessing. I wasn’t able to blog, because internet is very slow (only dial-up speeds) and there is no wi fi. The government controls the internet, and for some reason is not allowing it to develop.

The street scenes and traffic of Addis reminded me of northern India – congested, mounds of dirt, rough roads – except Ethiopians don’t honk their horns very much, so it is quiet chaos.

Addis is at 7,500 feet elevation. No wonder I was short of breath after walking up three flights of stairs.

The SIM medical doctor who heads one of our HIV/AIDS ministries set up a meeting for me with the archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The archbishop has welcomed the ministry of SIM and also has the doctor teach in their orthodox seminary on the Gospel and mercy ministry. The orthodox church dates their roots back to New Testament when the Ethiopian eunuch came to faith and brought the Gospel back to his country.

Box Update

2010-03-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

I leave in a few hours for the airport and my trip to Ethiopia and Kenya. The airline is allowing 3 boxes for free as a luggage allowance. Nice. That will save hundreds of dollars. Thanks for praying.

10 Boxes Now and 1 Suitcase

2010-03-11T11:20:00.001-05:00

Initially I was asked to bring with me five boxes at 50 lbs each of materials. It is now 10 boxes. It will go with me as checked baggage.

Currently it will cost $250 per box. Pray that it would be less when I check in tomorrow, and that all the boxes would arrive with me in Addis Ababa on Saturday night. Oh, and pray my suitcase makes it. (Tough to last 3 weeks on one pair of underwear).

Meeting with SIM USA Board of Directors

2010-03-08T21:05:00.001-05:00

I had good meetings today with the SIM USA Board of Directors. A diverse group of people who bring a board spectrum of experience and perspective. Today was various committee meetings.

Tomorrow we meet together in a joint session for updates and for the board members to provide advice and counsel on directional and financial matters.

Day with SIM Leaders

2009-11-17T21:38:00.001-05:00

I spent today with some very capable and committed SIM leaders.

Myself, Malcolm McGregor-International Director, Gregg-Canada Director, Keith-United Kingdom Director, Steve-past USA Director.

Great time of sharing lessons learned, updates on new initiatives and encouraging each other in our leadership responsibilities.

Being part of an international, multi-national mission is one of the reasons I was drawn to SIM. I want to be part of something which is global.

Commissioning Service as New President of SIM USA

2009-11-14T16:46:00.001-05:00

Sunday, November 8, a public service was held to commission me as the new president of SIM USA. What a wonderful service and reception following. It was held at our home church, Christ Covenant Church here in Charlotte.

Some 400 people came - SIM staff, church friends, friends from Charlotte, leaders of other Christian ministries in the Charlotte area. The service included some incredible music my Christa Wells and Nicole Witt, who are friends of SIM and professional song writers and performers. They were also joined by the Carolina Community of Faith Choir who sang one of my favorites, “Fairest Lord Jesus”.

Bishop David Perrin, a board member of SIM USA, conducted the service. Several people participated. Our pastor, Mike Ross led in prayer and prayed the final commissioning prayer. Board chair Ron Williams spoke of the extensive search process and God leading. Malcolm McGregor, International Director of SIM gave the message on biblical leadership. Steve Strauss, the immediate past president told how he pictured a certain type of leader needed to lead SIM into the future and as complimentary that he saw those qualities and qualifications in me.

Steve Harling, board member, gave the charge to me from II Kings about taking on the cloak of Elisha. He delivered a memorable word.

Then my fellow elders from Christ Covenant joined the Board of Directors of SIM USA on the platform and they laid hands on my and prayed for me and Mary.

What a responsibility and blessing to receive these prayers.

Following the prayers I had the opportunity to thank everyone and share some thoughts the Lord had been impressing upon me. The theme of what I shared as “Be alert and responsive to the Lord”. As I assume the leadership of SIM USA, I told the audience I was very mindful that I was stepping into a ministry which the Lord has led, guided and used over the past 116 years. What I desire is to listen to the Lord and follow His lead.

I also shared how blessed Mary and I are by our sons Luke and Olin, our friends and Mary’s healing from her cancer this summer.

Then Mary and I had such an enjoyable time greeting friends at the reception.

What a great service to share with family. Here Mary and I are with GP and Nancy Foote, my sister and my father, Dick Johnson. My sister came from Ames, Iowa and my father flew down from St. Cloud, Minnesota. Unfortunately, Luke missed being in this photo, as it was taken when most of the people had left the reception. And Olin missed being at the service, because he is in Iraq for four months serving in the U.S. Air Force as a navigator.

This commissioning service capped off my assuming the responsibilities. I had officially taken over October 1, but this was a wonderful public celebration of God’s faithfulness to SIM, my calling to this new role and worship of our Lord Jesus.

At A2 Board and Leadership Meeting

2009-05-21T18:35:00.001-04:00

I just returned from Los Angeles where I participated in the Asian Access Board of Director’s meeting and follow up leadership meetings. Monday evening they honored Elliott and Lori Snuggs for 25 years with the ministry and had words of blessings for me as I leave the end of June to become the US Director of SIM (Serving In Mission).

Here we are at the dinner. They gave me a beautiful compass with an engraved plague as a gift. What a great gift to convey the broad international ministry to which God has called me, my gifting to bring clarify and direction to leaders, and my love for sailing. I love this!

I have been blessed the past seven years to work with such a gifted, gracious and visionary group of people in Asian Access.

Contemplative seven miles high

2009-03-31T11:56:00.004-04:00

Long flights often provide excellent reflective, creative times. Like my recent flight from Singapore to Tokyo to Los Angeles to Charlotte. Few distractions: no cell phone or email. Totally “unplugged”.

I took this photo over the south Pacific. I was thinking about "Is God calling me to serve with SIM as the president of SIM USA?" It turns out - yes. 48 hours after this photo, the Board of Directors had voted to appoint me.

Good wrap up in Malaysia

2009-03-16T19:30:00.006-04:00

We just wrapped up two days of full and fruitful leadership team meetings of Asian Access. Because we are scattered across Asia and the US, we appreciate the times we can get together.

To get a break and refresh, one afternoon we walked to a local A&W root beer restaurant here in Malaysia. And the root beer tasted exactly like it does in North America. But the burgers were pretty small.

Now I fly on to Singapore for a day before catching my flights for home on Wednesday.

Beauty of Malaysia

2009-03-16T19:23:00.002-04:00

This day was beautiful here in Malaysia. The rich blue sky against the hills. In the foreground, with the scalloped roof is the local mosque. At 6 a.m. and four times during the day a call to prayer is announced over the loud speakers. A group of followers of Christ are in this hotel. They blew a horn for prayer at the same times, calling the followers of Christ to a time of prayer as well.

Rich fellowship

2009-03-16T19:19:00.002-04:00

One of the joys of being together with the country leaders of Asian Access is the rich fellowship and friendships which we enjoy. Here I am with Pastors Vanlong and MengAun who lead the work in Cambodia, and enjoying a time with Joe Handley, president of Asian Access.

Serving together across Asia

2009-03-14T18:59:00.004-04:00

We are from across Asia with one Lord and one heart to bless the Church of Asia by investing in the emerging generational of pastoral leaders.

Hearing updates

2009-03-14T18:40:00.008-04:00

We heard updates from Joe Handley, president of Asian Access and from country leaders like Adrian De Visser from Sri Lanka.

There are economic, political, cultural, religious and societal challenges across Asia, however the light of our Savior shines into the situations.

A new generation of leading pastors is emerging in these countries and the church leaders who lead Asian Access in their countries have a passion to see that new generation model Christ-like leaders as they develop their own church leaders and plant churches.

Raising voices in praise

2009-03-14T03:25:00.005-04:00

We joined together for rich times of prayer. Sometimes we used the common language of English. Other times each person prayed in their national language.

What a symphony of praise to the Lord, as we prayed together, all at once in unity before the Lord.

Making a difference in Japan

2009-03-08T05:27:00.008-04:00

I am wrapping up five days with the Asian Access staff in Japan at our annual Spring Conference. It was held in the mountain town of Karuizawa at a Christian retreat center. These wonderful staff love living and ministering in Japan. Here are some of them.

Rev. Kawasaki is the national director of JCGI Networks (Asian Access Japan). Here we are with his daughter Setsuko and wife Itsuko.
Peter Thomson is the director of Asian Access North American missionaries in Japan. He and his wife Wendi have served in Japan for 20 years.

Pastor Hiroshi Tokio returned to Japan to plant a church with his wife Tomoko and two children, Ray and Kay, after completing his pastoral training at Dallas Seminary.

Pastor Stan de la Cour pastors an international church in a suburb of Tokyo. The congregation has multiple cultures, worshipping one God and Savior. His wife Faith oversees care and development for the North Americans serving in Japan with Asian Access. They have served in Japan for over 25 years.

Missed flight, but made it to Japan

2009-03-03T16:27:00.003-05:00

The snow storm that hit Charlotte Sunday night/Monday morning caused major flight delays and cancellations at the Charlotte airport. My 7:40 a.m. flight left at 9:30 a.m. But at least my flight left. Half the flights were cancelled.

That caused me to miss my connection in Los Angeles. I showed up at the check in counter at 11:35 a.m. The flight left at 11:35 a.m. However, the ANA ticket agents went to work for me and got me on a Singapore Airlines flight that was leaving 2 hours later.

I made that flight and got to Tokyo. Right now it is 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning in Tokyo. I stayed overnight at a hotel near the airport. This morning I will take the trains to the conference center. So it all is working out.

Dropping into bed last night felt so good. I think it took me all of 2 minutes to fall into a deep sleep. I'm rested and ready to go. What a joy to walk with God and see how he provides.

Serving in Chennai on the Bay of Bengal

2008-11-05T11:50:00.010-05:00

...I just wrapped up my time in Chennai with the first "batch" of pastors in the South India Asian Access training. North Americans call it a class. Indians call the group a batch, as they use the king's English as a result of the Great Britain influence....It's Wednesday evening here. CNN is on TV here, broadcasting the results from the U.S. election, but it still seems so distant from home - because it is.

...What a great group of 18 pastors from three major cities. They represent a broad segment of various denominations, but have faith in Christ and the scriptures as our common points of unity.
...They formed quick bonds and friendship in just a few short days, just like pastors in other Asian Access training across Asia. Asians are so relational. They quickly embrace new people.
...Mike Hoisington did the majority of the teaching, with me covering a couple of sessions. Gratefully, Mike has regained his strength and did an excellent job on the topic of the week of discipleship. You will read on a post below that Mike had emergency surgery last week. While swallowing continues to be a bit painful, his voice was not effected. He taught on.
...Learning not only took place from lectures, but also through the rich interaction among the pastors as they wrestled with the material and discussed how to apply it within their ministry context.

...What a joy to hear their stories and the scope of their churches. Several have thousands in their congregations and have already planted multiple churches. Yet they said that Asian Access provided a very unique opportunity, not found in the broad selection of training available to pastors in South India - learning in a community of peers with an emphasis on life and ministry transformation.

...Tomorrow, Thursday, I fly up to Delhi and then catch my flight back to the States. It will be a bit of a cultural, climate and time warp, but a heart filled with gratitude to serve such quality people was these pastors.

With pastors from across North India

2008-11-02T00:41:00.009-04:00

...I have been at the start of a new class of pastors starting in the 2 1/2 year training of Asian Access in North India. They will be meeting for eight, one-week sessions over that time period. What a gifted and personable group of 20 pastors from across the north of this vast country. ...The smiles on their faces express the joy of new friendships made during this first week.

...Asian Access in each country is led by nationals. And many of the sessions are totally or co-taught by nationals and faculty from outside the country. That was the case this week for the class from North India. When Mike fell ill I stepped in and picked up his material, added some of my own and taught a couple of days. But also David Dayalan stepped in and taught in the morning. It was a great team in response to a changing situation.

...One of the reasons the pastors so enjoy their time in Asian Access is the friendships and deep community which is formed among the pastors. While they may know many pastors, it is rare to have an open, sharing relationship to learn from one another and encourage each other.

...So the week together is a rich time of learning, refreshment and friendship.

Fellowship with David and Anita

2008-11-02T00:27:00.004-04:00

...One of the great joys of working in Asia is my friendships with such quality people.
...David and Anita Dayalan have become dear friends. David leads Asian Access India and pastors a growing and disciple-making church just south of Delhi. Anita is gifted in her own right as a teacher, musician and capable ministry partner with David.

Staying Flexible, Handling Sickness

2008-10-30T09:10:00.004-04:00

...I am in India with the Asian Access leaders. The past week I was in the Delhi area.

...David Dayalan, Mike Hoisington and I have all been hit with sickness this week at the North India A2 training for Session 1, Class 3.

...David said he never gets diarrhea. He was down 24 hours with it. I admitted Mike Hoisington (who was the faculty for this week) to a hospital on Monday for emergency surgery. At lunch Monday he walked up to me choking signaling he couldn't breath. I pumped his chest. That cleared his mouth and wind pipe, so he could breath again. Turns out he had some food that got stuck in his esophagus. We found a good hospital close by and an excellent ENT doctor.

...They tried several things to dislodge it, but the food stayed stuck, which meant it was difficult swallowing and he couldn't take much water or any food. So finally at 11 pm the doctor did surgery on Mike to stick a tool down his throat and pull out the food. It was chicken that got stuck. Now how rare is this. It has never happened to Mike and he hasn't had any previous history of problems like this.

...Mike was under general anaesthesia and remained in ICU overnight. He is fine now and regaining his strength here in Chennai. The doctor said he should rest for the next 3 to 5 days and can continue on his Asia trip. So Mike will be teaching in A2 South India this coming week and then on Friday he flies to Hong Kong for some meetings.

...As for me I got a cold and sore throat on Monday. A minor problem compared to Mike's situation. But with Mike totally out, David Dayalan and I stepped in and covered the teaching at the session - which actually went very well according to the feedback.

...Right now I am emailing you from a humble Christian retreat center south of Chennai where Mike, David and I are recovering. I am on a cell phone link to David's computer.

...By the way, the total bill for the doctor, ICU, surgery was $1000 USD. That's all. Incredible. Come to India for your major surgery needs - it's a deal. I paid for this on my credit card. So, we are recovering and doing okay. Pray for us next week. Mike is the main faculty, with me doing a couple of teaching times.

...So, it's been quite the week. But the work is going well.

Arkansas with Lynches

2008-10-19T23:31:00.004-04:00

...I enjoyed visiting the Lynch family in NW Arkansas this past week. They are staff with Asian Access. Stu and I work closely together on the work in Asia.
...Here I am with Stu and Hilary and three of their four children on a beautiful Arkansas fall day. They are enjoying some fall weather before relocating to Singapore in a few weeks.

In LA for Installing of New President

2008-10-10T14:01:00.004-04:00

...Mary and I were in Los Angeles this week for the installation dinner and evening of Joe Handley as the new president of Asian Access.
...What a wonderful evening where 95 guests, staff members and board members gathered to honor and install our new president. Above is the prayer of commissioning for Joe and his wife Silk, with the Board of Directors gathered around them and a laying on of hands of blessing.

...Joe followed with telling those gathered what a special privilege to lead such a strategic organization.

...Mary and I enjoyed being together with a number of our staff family of Asian Access. Here we are with the new president, Joe and his wife Silk, along with Elliott and Lori Snuggs. Elliott is VP of Operations, with whom I also work closely. What a great team of which to be a part.

Part of a Great Team

2008-09-16T15:51:00.003-04:00

...Last week I was in Los Angeles with the leadership team of Asian Access. What a privilege to work with such quality, gifted, committed people.

Elliott, Takeshi, Joe, Peter, me and Jeff

...Three or four times a year we meet to plan, pray, advise, think and rejoice upon hearing what God is doing through the ministry and in the ministry.

...We are just six people out of a the total staff family and community of leaders across Asia who make up Asian Access. We serve them.

Getting From Here to There

2008-09-03T10:34:00.008-04:00

...I arrived back home in Charlotte last night after traveling 25 hours from Singapore. No I did not ride a camel home. But on this two week trip to four different countries in Asia I used various forms of transportation to get around.
...In Mongolia I gave a try at Camel and horseback riding. Both beasts seemed to be irritated at having to carry such a heavy load.
...I was so proud of my horsemanship, until a Mongolian wrangler hopped on my horse and took off at full gallop.

...In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, my friend and Asian Access faculty member Perry Bowers and I caught a ride with three pastors in a Tuk Tuk, which is a motorized three wheeler.

...I owned a motorcycle in high school and college. Here is a video clip of me riding on the back of a motorcycle in Phnom Penh.

...Tonight in Charlotte I will revert to another simple form of transportation - I will jump on my bicycle and ride 25 miles for exercise.

Departing Singapore

2008-09-01T17:52:00.005-04:00

...It's 5:50 am and I am posting from the Singapore airport call Changi. I am waiting to board my flight to Tokyo, then on to LA, then on to Charlotte.

...I am on my way home.

...It has been a very good three days here in Singapore. Mainly I have been meeting with David Dayalan, the Asian Access(A2) director for India. We decided to meet in Singapore, because we both had additional contacts to make in Singapore.

...David and I had some very good planning time for India. David has led in establishing A2 in north India and also in the south. His vision is to have A2 in 4-5 regions throughout India and in the neighboring countries.

...I am unable to post any photos, because I am using the computer in the airport and they don't allow uploading photos. But I will blog some additional photos of this trip when I return to Charlotte.

...24 hours from now I will be landing in Charlotte. Singapore is 12 hours difference from Charlotte. It's on the other side of the earth. However, the fellowship of the church that I have experienced the last two weeks across Asia transcends any time zone, language or culture.

...Feeling blessed. Feeling healthy. Heading home.

Cambodia Visit

2008-08-31T05:52:00.015-04:00

...Wednesday through Friday were very good days in Phnom Penh. I sat in on the Asian Access (A2) pastor training class. They meet for 4 days, eight times over two years. Cambodian faculty and western faculty cover topics related to close walk with God, biblical leadership, raising up disciple-making leaders and planting churches....Pastor MengAun Hour is a leading pastor in Phnom Penh and volunteers his time, along with five other pastors, in leading Asian Access/Cambodia. He is pictured right with his wife Rady. They have a church, orphanage and language school. MengAun also leads the evangelical pastors association in Phnom Penh.

...The training class finished on Thursday at noon, then Joe Handley, the president of A2 and I had various meetings and conversations with the A2 Cambodian leaders.

...There is another training program in Cambodia that has trained hundreds of pastors over the years in basic ministry. The difference with A2 is that it is a training program and gathering of leading pastors. It's focus is on kingdom strategy, biblical leadership, significantly enhancing the leadership and ministry of pastors, so they become catalysts with other leaders and ministry.
...It was wonderful to hear reports of how A2 has been used to help bring unity among evangelical denominations and pastor/leaders. Two denominations were not talking until both of their leaders went through the A2 training together. Now they talk and have respect for each other....The Cambodian people are some of the most fun loving people I have been around in Asia.

...They have a difficult history with the killing fields where millions were murdered in the 60's and 70's. They say every family lost someone - parents, brother, sister, cousin, uncle.

...But they have a smile that will bring a smile to your face.

From Phnom Penh Airport

2008-08-29T06:03:00.001-04:00

...I am posting from the Phnom Penh airport in Cambodia waiting for my flight to board for Singapore.

...This post doesn't have any photos because it is not allowed from the airport.

...But, just to let you know that this has been an exceptional three days visiting the Asian Access Cambodian leadership team here. This work is led by Cambodians. They have such a heart, passion and vision to invest in the lives of their fellow leading pastors from across this country.

...This was a special stop on this trip, because my friend Perry Bowers, from Columbia, SC was teaching here this week. So we got time together, so far from home.

...Hopefully I can blog more from Singapore. Access to internet has been spotty. Well - have to catch my flight.

Rich Mongolian History

2008-08-25T20:07:00.012-04:00

...This is my first visit to Mongolia. Look on a map. Mongolia has an immense land mass. Two million people live in Mongolia, and 1 million of those live in the capital city of Ulaan Baatar.

...Here I am in Ulaan Baatar (known as UB) with Joe Handley, the president of Asian Access, Pastor Ariunbold and Pastor Chinzorig, who are part of the leadership of Asian Access/Mongolia. Chinzorig leads the work in his country. See the glass building the in background. UB is a mix of old and modern. Mongolia was ruled for 70 years by Russia in the 1900's.
...In 1200's Ghingas Khaan ruled from UB and his kingdom stretched from Russia to Indonesia and from Turkey to the Pacific Ocean. Here is a statue of him at the parliament building in UB.
...UB is a city that seems like the end of the earth, however, high fashion and goods are available in department stories and BMW's, Land Rovers and Mercedes are on the roads.

Mongolian Sister in Oregon

2008-07-18T14:12:00.010-04:00

...Mary and I, along with our son Olin, are in Oregon and Washington for some vacation and a family wedding. But it turned out that a sister from Mongolia and also our ministry partners with Asian Access, Jim and Masako were also visiting in Oregon. ...So we arranged to get together. We enjoyed breakfast together. Sodnum is a warm, deeply spiritual sister from Mongolia. What a blessing to meet her.

...Jim invited us to "drift" down the McKenzie River and so some trout fishing. The McKenzie starts in the Cascade Mountains.

...Jim and his wife live in Japan, but he grew up in Oregon and was back visiting family.

...We hit some good fishing holes as we drifted down the river. We probably caught 50-60 trout and kept 15 (our limit).
...What a memorable day.

Meetings in Japan

2008-07-11T12:40:00.002-04:00

...Below are the six people who make up the leadership team of Asian Access. We had an excellent three day meeting with Joe Handley, the new president of Asian Access. Joe is standing next to me.
...We met in a hotel near the Tokyo airport. During the day we worked and in the evening ventured out to some Japanese restaurants in the area. After the leadership team meetings I made my way into Tokyo.
...While in Tokyo the Asian Access staff had a reception to meet Joe. Here are some of the staff at the Asian Access offices in Tokyo.

...It was a very good trip for introducing Joe to the work of Asian Access in Japan. I also had some very good meetings with individuals to encourage them in their ministries.

Connecting in Japan

2008-07-02T18:22:00.002-04:00

...I am in Japan. It's Thursday morning here. It is great being with Joe Handley, our new president with Asian Access. Here is myself, Joe and Peter Thomson enjoying our first Japanese meal. No squid, thank you.
...Joe and I also had a good time of meeting and fellowing with the Davis family the day before they left Japan for a year in the U.S. for a home assignment of support raising, reconnecting with family and refreshment.

...Joe had his first introduction last might to a Japanese bath. No cameras allowed.

Different cultures, one Lord, one Body

2008-03-15T04:18:00.012-04:00

...I am just wrapping up five days in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It is Saturday afternoon here and 93 degrees.

...This group photo below hopefully gives you a taste for the various cultures and countries represented at the annual summit of country leaders for Asian Access. Several of the leaders are not in this photo for security reasons. But in this photo are leaders from Japan, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, India and those of us from the U.S....The Lord is moving across Asia. In places it is exploding, in other places the Church is under persecution yet vibrant and growing.

...The church of Nepal has been faced for decades without any Christian cemetery to lay to rest followers of Jesus who have gone on to heaven. Often at night bodies are taken to be buried in out-of-the-way places with no markings. Yet the church continues to grow and thrive in Nepal. Nepal is an official Hindu country.

...We enjoyed times of worship, expressing praise to the Lord in our own languages. Friday morning we had a spontaneous time of prayer for 90 minutes praying for the needs of the Church and work of the Lord across Asia.

...I provided overall leadership for the summit, but it was very much a shared time of leadership as leaders from the various countries led in times of sharing, discussion and worship.

...We had relaxed time through the week to have individual time with each other and conversations in small groups.

...Friday particularly I sensed God's gracious hand of presence. It started when I woke up.

...When I woke up I felt in my heart the Lord calling me to talk with him.

...At a 8 a.m. meeting that I was having with several leaders, two more leaders "inadvertently" joined us. However it turned out to be a much richer and more productive time together because I believe the Lord prompted them to set with us.

...At our 9 a.m. time of worship the leader called us to a time of repentance and renewal. I asked him to continue to lead us, which he did for a rich time of personal prayer.

...It was in the middle of this time of personal prayer that I again sensed God speaking to me that we had not spent enough time in prayer.

...We then joined together in a deep time of prayer for 90 minutes, followed by a time of deeper sharing of our lives.

...That Friday afternoon I "happened" to sit with one of the leaders and we had a deep conversation that strengthened our relationship and our commitment to the work of Asian Access across Asia.

...I returned to my room mid afternoon and dropped to my knees thanking the Lord for his moving among us and the prayers of friends and family across the global who have been specifically praying for me and this summit.

....We have been blessed and enriched by the Lord and our fellowship together.

...Now I will sign off and go to my room to pack. From the time I leave this hotel it will be about 35 hours until I land in Charlotte on Sunday afternoon. Oh the joys of travel. However, the joys of this time will care me home.

...Blogging on :)

Failure to Communicate

2008-03-15T04:04:00.006-04:00

...Have you ever tried to communicate with another person and found that you just were not connecting?

...That was me on Friday morning in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

...I am standing here with some of the Asian Access leaders and the waiters at the Belle Villa Hotel where we met.

...My failure to communicate was with one of the waiters. I came down for breakfast and asked him to set up a table for eight people. He spoke no English and I speak no Thai. So, I held up eight fingers and pointed to the table. Then he walked away and didn't come back. So I thought maybe I hadn't communicated, therefore I moved the tables and set up a table for eight.

...Ten minutes later the waiter brought out four soft boiled eggs for me. I cracked into it, but it was very soft.

...Now I should have learned how I was not communicating so well. I should have stopped, but instead I asked him to take the eggs back and boil them for 6 minutes. Ten minutes later he returned with three eggs that were still soft boiled.

...I enjoyed my toast and shared the eggs with those sitting at my table, who by this time were rolling in laughter over my failure to communicate.

Off to Thailand

2008-03-09T21:27:00.003-04:00

...My collegue, Bob Metcalf and I are in the Tokyo airport headed to Thailand. Got to go catch the plane.
...Will blog again from Chiang Mai.

Honoring a leader and his family

2008-03-09T21:09:00.003-04:00

...Asian Access has been privileged to have been led by Doug Birdsall for the past 16 years. In September, Doug left the presidency of Asian Access to focus his attention on his responsibilities as international chair of the Lausanne Movement. Doug, his wife Jeanie and their three children (pictured below) were at the Spring Conference this past week in Japan and were honored at a special banquet.

...At the conclusion of the banquet the Asian Access family gathered around the Birdsalls and laid hands on them and prayed for them with thanksgiving and for their new role.

...Doug continues to serve on the board of directors for Asian Access. Pictured above are two other board members and their wives, along with Pastor Kawasaki (far right) who leads JCGI Networks, the national led Asian Access ministry in Japan. Pictured next to Pastor Kawasaki is Peter and Wendi Thomson. Peter is director of North American missionaries of Asian Access in Japan. Next to me on the far left is Jonathan and Kendra Kohl (Jonathan is a board member and in the center is Phil and Anda Foxwell (Phil is a board member).

Gathering in Japan

2008-03-09T19:02:00.004-04:00

...This week was a wonderful gathering of Asian Access missionaries from across Japan. About 75 adults and children gathered for four days of worship, workshops, planning and fellowship. ...We gathered one evening at a hotel in Karuizawa (pictured above) for a special banquet to honor our immediate past president and his wife, Doug and Jeanie Birdsall.

...The photo above was of a special time of worship on Sunday morning that included communion and a time for individual prayer. A team from New Life Church in Illinois came to lead us in worship and provide child care and youth workers to help make the retreat a special family time for the children.

Winter Run in Japan

2008-03-09T18:48:00.003-04:00

...This last week was spent in the mountains of Japan at a conference center. Snow on the ground. A few snow flurries during the week, but generally great weather. My morning runs before breakfast were a bit brisk at 20 degrees.
...In the photo above you can see the snow on the streets of Karuizawa. This is a pine forest. You can see many of the roads are a straight lane through the pine trees.

...Karuizawa is also has a ski mountain, which is a popular winter sport in Japan. This photo was taken from the train station and you can see the ski mountain in the background. Below me is an outlet mall that included stores such as LL Bean and of course there was a Starbucks.

Off to Asia

2008-03-02T14:37:00.007-05:00

...Tomorrow, Monday, I depart for a two week trip to Japan and Thailand.

...It is always an adventure going into another culture. You have to stay flexible and willing to try new things. Here I am with some Asian Access colleagues: Takeshi, Jeff, Stu, a Japanese/American doing a short-term missions project and yours truly.

...No these are not pajamas in the picture above. They are relaxing wear, worn at a Japanese bath. After spending a relaxing 45-90 minutes in extremely hot baths you don these garments and go have a relaxing meal in the dinner room of the bath house.

...Of course it is only in the really posh bath houses that have a dinner room as part of the facilities.

...You sit around having wonderful conversation over a delicious meal while everyone is sitting around in pajamas - I mean relaxing wear.

...So here I go, taking another plunge into different cultures.

Expanding to South India

2008-02-19T09:36:00.002-05:00

...A leadership team of church and ministry leaders are expanding Asian Access to South India.

...While in India 10 days ago, I had the privilege of meeting two of the four leaders.
...Pictured above from left to right are:
Mike Hoisington, serving as a coach to the Indian leaders as they launch this new ministry. Mike has an equipping ministry across the world with pastors in developing countries.
Pastor Jeyakaran and Mark Visvasam, Campus Crusade south India director are two of the four leaders helping to start Asian Access in South India. They are volunteering their time because they see such a need for transformational leadership training needed for the emerging pastoral leaders in India.
Pastor David Dayalan leads Asian Access India, while also pastoring a church south of Delhi. I serve as a coach for David Dayalan, as well as oversee the Asian Access ministry across Asia.

...They are planning to hold their first session in May 2008. Right now they are interviewing perspective pastors.

Graduation in Delhi

2008-02-19T09:07:00.009-05:00

...I fell behind in blogging. Ten days ago I return from Delhi, India, was home for 24 hours and then flew on to Los Angeles. I am now back home and catching up while fighting off jet-lag.

...The time in Delhi with the pastors pictured below was a privilege and blessing. This was the last of seven week-long sessions that the pastors completed over two years in the Asian Access pastoral training.

...This was their week of presenting their vision and strategy papers and graduation.
...Here stand the graduating pastors. They are from across north India representing churches reaching out to Indians, Nepalese, Chinese and other nationalities; rural villagers, urban professionals and slum dwellers; religious and agnostics. I am pictured to the left. In the middle is Dr./Rev. David Bennett from Boston, MA and board member with Asian Access who gave the keynote address at the graduation. Pictured far right is Mike Hoisington, who was a faculty member and is now helping Indians launch Asian Access in south India.
...Wives and children came to celebrate the graduation of their husbands and fathers. Several church elders came to encourage their pastor at the graduation.

...In addition to presenting their vision and strategy papers during the week the pastors received instruction and discussed the importance of having small groups as part of their church strategy for fellowship and outreach. Pastor Kumar from south India came to share how his church of 8,000 is a large church made up of small groups that help connect people, develop leaders and reach out into the community.

...David Dayalan, picture in the middle, leads Asian Access India. He and I joined Pastor Subodh John, picture far left, with his wife and young daughter and Pastor John's parents who came to celebrate his graduation from the two year pastoral training.

...Pastor Subodh is currently pastoring a church among urban professionals, however in a few months he will be assuming leadership of the ministry that his father founded that includes a network of churches, a church planting initiative and schools. This is a good example of how Asian Access invests in a select group of pastors who are the emerging leaders of the Church in India.

Spread Around the World

2008-01-30T21:37:00.001-05:00

...This is a strange week.

...Our son Olin arrived this week in Iraq for a five month deployment with the US Air Force. He is stationed at Balad Air Force Base some 40 kilometers north of Bagdad, where he will be flying missions in Iraq as a navigator on a C-130 aircraft.
...I leave in 24 hours for Delhi, India to be with the Asian Access leaders there.

...Mary is in Tacoma, Washington caring for her mother following eye surgery that had complications. This was a 10 day trip turned into four weeks.

...Son Luke is the only one left in Charlotte, as he is working at Wachovia Bank, while he is preparing to go to Ireland with World Harvest Mission in May.

...What a world we live in.

Handel's Messiah

2007-12-21T12:45:00.000-05:00

...What a treat this week for all four of us to attend the Charlotte Symphony's performance of Handel's Messiah.

Enjoying an evening at symphony hall - Olin, Luke, Mary and Bruce

...This musical masterpiece written over 250 years ago was a wonderful means to set our spirits and minds on the true meaning of Christmas. Handel debuted Messiah in Ireland, where Luke is moving in May to be part of a team with World Harvest Mission.

...We are enjoying having both Luke and Olin this Christmas, because as they begin to live in other parts of the world it will likely be longer stretches between when we are all together.

North Carolina mountain friends

2007-12-18T11:32:00.000-05:00

...Our friends and co-workers Ned and Robin Kiser moved the first of December to the North Carolina mountains from northern Indiana.
...They just missed the first big winter storm to hit Indiana and enjoyed sitting in their new screened in porch in 70 degree weather, instead of shoveling snow.

...After spending a day of helping them unpack boxes, we enjoyed a nice dinner out.

...This weekend their sons came for a visit from Chicago and Indiana to check out their parents new place.

...Here I am pictured with Ned and Robin, along with son Aaron and his fiancee, Kelly, who flew into Charlotte. We were able to get together for a short visit. Unfortunately my Mary was not feeling well that day and so had to stay home. Their other son Jason and wife Tiffany flew into Charlotte later that night.

...It's nice having Ned and Robin closer and it is always nice to have friends with a nice place in the mountains, if you know what I mean!

Turkey Trot

2007-11-22T11:46:00.000-05:00

...Since 1990 I have annually run the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot here in Charlotte. There were 300 of us in 1990. Today's run had over 3,500 people running, walking, pushing baby strollers and strolling to the finish....This year was special because Luke and Olin joined me along with Olin's friend Philip Woodward.
...This is an 8K race. That would be 4.98 miles long. Olin shot some video along the route with commentary. Enjoy.

Just click the arrow in the lower left of the video frame. It will take a couple of seconds of buffering for the video to roll.

...Here are the rules of the run:
Rule #1 - start slow
Rule #2 - hang together until mile 4 for the camaraderie
Rule #3 - all rules are off at mile 4 and it is each person for themselves

Here's a video of Olin cooling himself off with a glass of water - over the head!

...Some good banter began at Mile 4. Olin's video below captured his "attempt" at passing the three of us. He faded.

...Here we are at the finish line. Victory is sweet.
...Now we have more room for turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and pecan pie!

Rock climbing on Crowders Mountain

2007-11-21T22:32:00.000-05:00

...Our son Olin is home this week for the U.S. holiday, Thanksgiving. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas where he is stationed in the Air Force and is a navigator on a C-130 aircraft.

...Olin took up rock climbing in Arkansas and brought home some of his climbing gear.
...The weather was so nice yesterday afternoon we headed out to Crowder's Mountain 30 miles west of Charlotte for some climbing.
...The photos above and below give you some perspective as to how high the rock ledges were that Olin climbed. I made it up about a quarter of the way and then ran out of places to "get a grip".

...What a great day of being in God's creation with my son on a fall day when the leaves were a burst of yellows, reds and oranges.

...And both Olin and I survived with just a few scratches from the rocks and some sore muscles.

...We weren't on top of the mountain, but such a fun time sure made us feel like it.

Planes, boats and trolleys

2007-11-21T21:57:00.000-05:00

...Public transportation is terrific in Japan. I always enjoying coming for a visit and seeing what unusual means I will have to use to get from Point A to Point B.

...Arrival and departure is via airplane, but from there it gets interesting. On this last trip I utilized the following forms of transportation...

...Subway usage is always an interesting experience. Gratefully they added English to some of the signs. Let me repeat, some of the signs. That means that occasionally I find myself looking at a sign with all Japanese characters and no idea what they mean. So, I resort to the method that most men save until last - ask someone for directions. ...Electric trolley cars are not only in San Fransisco. They are plentiful and inexpensive in Hiroshima, Japan. Gratefully I was riding one in the morning after rush hour traffic, so I didn't have to wrestle my luggage while finding room to stand.

...Ferry boats are plentiful to keep people moving between the islands off of Hiroshima, Japan. It was a beautiful day to be on the water as I headed back to the main land to catch my flight to Tokyo. What a way to start the day.

Japan in October

2007-11-21T21:19:00.000-05:00

...I am so belated in blogging.

...Sorry for the delay. My mind has been caught up with so much to keep track of and do, that I lost my blogging energy.

These were the Asian Access missionaries involved in church planting in Japan. This was their fall conference, held on Etijima Island off the coast of Hiroshima, Japan.

...Hey, I had a great trip to Japan in October, visiting the missionaries of Asian Access.

...There was some excellent training on how to be a more effective personal coach with people with whom we work, co-taught by Takeshi Takazawa, pictured above.

...I had the privilege of providing an update report on the ministry as I stepped into the interim president role just days before.

...It was a full schedule for my two weeks in Japan, but I was able to see so much accomplished.

Resurfacing In Tokyo

2007-10-23T06:02:00.001-04:00

..It is 7 p.m. Tuesday evening in Tokyo. There are almost more Starbucks here then in Seattle.
..Thursday through Monday I was on Etijima Island, across the bay from Hiroshima. With no internet, newspapers, TV, or radio available it was like being on the other side of the moon.
..The occasion was the four-day Fall Conference for Asian Access staff who serve and live in Japan helping Japanese pastors plant and strengthen churches. It proved to be an even more productive time than I had anticipated in reconnecting relationally with staff, casting vision, doing some strategic thinking and getting ministry updates.
..Today I had some excellent meetings and tomorrow and Thursday have two days of planning meetings.
..However, the best thing was that I was able to reconnect to the internet and call and talk with my Mary in Charlotte. It makes it seem not quite so far from home.

Early morning thanksgiving

2007-09-20T18:08:00.001-04:00

..It's early morning here in Kuala Lumpur. I have been awake since 4 a.m. The loudspeakers on the local mosque call the Muslims to their morning prayers. Malaysia is officially a Muslim country, but also part of the United Kingdom, having been a British colony.

..My prayers this morning and last night were of thanksgiving for the last three days of meetings with the Asian brothers who lead the Asian Access work in seven countries.

..Now they return to the realities in their countries. We hugged and prayed for our dear brother and friend as he left to return to pastor his church in a country that is currently in the news with peaceful demonstrations, but likely leading to a repressive response from authorities.

..Yet in the midst of these and other challenges the Church grows and His people worship.

Gathered in Kuala Lumpur

2007-09-19T07:29:00.000-04:00

...Leaders from across Asia are gathered here in Kuala Lumpur. Each one is a leading pastor in their country and they also lead the work of Asian Access in their country....At our time of Bible study and prayer this morning, one of the pastors remarked that we look like a taste of what heaven will be like with Christians gathered from across the globe.

...We have had excellent times of hearing about the current work in each of the countries, some of the challenges for the church in the countries and what God is doing among His church in the country.

...Meng Aun Hour, left gave an update on the work in Cambodia. He told how three pastors who have graduated from the Asian Access are now working together to do training of nine key pastors in their churches every two years. They are reproducing leaders, which is one of the major outcomes of the Asian Access ministry.

...David Dayalan, above, gave an update on the approach for India with multiple Asian Access pastoral training programs planned across that vast country.

...What a privilege to serve these pastors who have passion to see their fellow pastors in their countries grow as leaders of the church and multiplyers of Christ-like leaders and churches.

Preparing for Malaysia

2007-09-13T17:25:00.000-04:00

...I leave in two days for Malaysia.

...It is always a bit hectic getting ready for a trip, even this one that will only be eight days long.

...Final preparations, finishing projects, getting some work done ahead that needs to be done before I return.

...Yet, with all the pressure comes the joy of serving the church in Asia. What a privilege.

Leadership Team

2007-08-05T16:57:00.001-04:00

...Asian Access has been blessed with a very capable leadership team. We met in Los Angeles this past week for our annual planning and budgeting meetings.

The leadership team from left to right: Jeff Johnston, Elliott Snuggs, Doug Birdsall, myself, Peter Thomson, Ned Kiser and Takeshi Takazawa

...One of the things that is so good about this team is that not only do we get a lot done, but we really enjoy working and being together. There is a great chemistry fostered by mutual respect, appreciating each others strengths and willingness to listen and learn from each other.

...Unfortunately this was the last leadership team meeting for our president, Doug Birdsall, as he will be leaving the president role of Asian Access September 30 to focus his full attention on leading the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism.

...We had a bitter sweet time of expressing our appreciation to Doug and praying for him.

Beach Cookout

2007-08-05T16:39:00.000-04:00

...The Asian Access leadership team met this past week in Los Angeles. We worked hard during the day and on Wednesday night we took a break with a cookout on the beach.The leadership team from left to right: Ned Kiser, Elliott Snuggs, Doug Birdsall, Jeff Johnston, Peter Thomson, myself and Takeshi Takazawa

...As Peter can attest, roasting marsh mellows can be a bit sticky!

...Sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, casual conversation, listening to the surf, sharing stories, raucous laughter all made for a relaxing evening.

...That was until the airplanes came flying overhead. You see, the beach was right at the end of the runway of LAX, the Los Angeles airport. After about the 10th airplane, it didn't bother us that much.

Back home

2007-07-10T15:21:00.000-04:00

...Mary and I are back home in Charlotte. It has been a long seven weeks of sickness, loss of two parents, living out of suitcases and Mary's cat, Bandit, being diagnosed with cancer, while we were away.

...God sustained us.

...Our friend Courtney Cooper encouraged our hearts with these verses from Romans 5:3-5:

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. "

...Yes, it was a long journey of the night. However, the Son was always shining in the midst of darkness. There was always hope in the midst of despair. We certainly sense we have greater

endurance in suffering. I saw great character in Mary during her enduring. Our son Luke said he saw some pretty good patience exhibited by me, when more trials came. So, by God's grace, he has worked on our character.

...And God's love was poured out in our hearts as we experienced the many ways he cared for us through the Holy Spirit.

...We are both well, yet we know that we still need some days of recovering from the stress and travel of these weeks. And Bandit the cat is doing okay for right now, so Mary is enjoying him.

...It is so good to be home for a while.

Sailing restores

2007-07-06T15:21:00.000-04:00

...One of the things I most love to do is sailing. Through the generosity of a complete stranger in Little Rock, Mary, our son Olin and I enjoyed an afternoon of sailing yesterday.

...Craig is a member of a sailing club on Lake Maulmelle west of Little Rock. I emailed five members of the club to see if they knew of any place I could charter a boat for the day. Craig emailed back and offer either of his two sailboats for free. What a gift.

...This was Olin's first real taste of sailing and he took to it like a fish in water.

...We dodged a few thunderstorms, but the wind held throughout the day and we had great sailing.

...Having grown up in Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, I love being on water, particularly sailing.

...It so restores me.

...And what a joy to be out there with Mary and Olin.

...Olin is a navigator in the Air Force. He had a simulator check-out ride today. So Mary and I have been enjoying a relaxing day at his apartment. It is nice just doing nothing after being so on the go these past weeks.

...Olin finishes his training on the C-130 aircraft in September and then will begin going on active missions - to who knows where. Many of the C-130 crews at Little Rock Air Force Base have been deployed to the Middle East. So there is a good chance Olin will spend a tour of duty there.

...So it's good to spend this time with him while he is still in the U.S.

...Tomorrow we hope to do some more sailing. Can't wait.

July 4 - we must be in Little Rock

2007-07-05T00:48:00.000-04:00

...Mary and I are in Little Rock, Arkansas visiting our son Olin. Olin is a navigator on C-130 aircraft and is stationed the next three years out of Little Rock Air Force Base.

...We arrived back in Charlotte Tuesday morning. Repacked and flew to Little Rock that evening. But to come to be with our son Olin is vacation and renewing from all the travel, sickness, death and sorrow of the past 8 weeks.

...When Olin was being transferred to Little Rock, I called our long-time friends, Dan and Nancy Butkowski, from our Campus Crusade days in San Bernardino, California. Dan and Nancy have been with Campus Crusade for 33 years and most of them with FamilyLife Ministries out of Little Rock. They enfolded Olin.

...Dan and Nancy had us and Olin over for a 4th of July lunch. What a fun time of catching up.
...Dan manages the creative media department at FamilyLife. He has a creative streak in him. Here Olin, Dan, Mary and Nancy are standing in the pottery studio that Dan built in back of their home. He does some beautiful work.

...Dan is gifted in many ways. Here Olin, Mary and Nancy are standing in the rock and water ponds that Dan built in their front yard.

...In the evening, Olin drove us out to Little Rock Air Force Base for the annual 4th of July fireworks show. We had front row seats to a spectacular show.

...Tomorrow we have some fun in store. Check back to see what we did.

A weekend of joy

2007-07-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

...After all the weeks of sickness, death of two parents and sorrow came a weekend of joy for Mary, Luke and me.
...We have spent this weekend in Ashland, Oregon at the wedding of our niece, Libby Helmly to Caleb Peterson.
...Libby is the youngest daughter of Mary's brother, Loy. Above is the bride with her two sisters, Carrie and Emily along with her parents Ann and Loy Helmly.
...Here are Mary and me with the beautiful bride. Libby and Caleb have such infectious personalities. What a fun wedding.
...This wedding was such a wonderful time for Mary's mother, who just this last Tuesday lost her husband. Here Mary is with her mother, brother and sister, Dixie Benny.
...We enjoyed is great hiking, which was so renewing and refreshing. Our son Luke, pictured right, loves hiking. The sunsets were spectacular across this beautiful valley stretching from Medford, OR in the north to Ashland, OR.

...Luke, his Uncle John Benny and I tackled hiking up a hill overlooking the Medford-Ashland valley. What a clear blue sky day!

...It's Monday morning. We are all packed and ready to drive back to Seattle to catch our flights back to Charlotte. This was such a great family time for Mary's family and all of us.
...Mary and I repack in Charlotte and fly on to Little Rock, AR to spend July 4th weekend with our other son, Olin, who is in the Air Force and stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base.

My Mary's father is now in heaven

2007-06-29T00:47:00.000-04:00

...This past Tuesday, June 26 at 6:05 p.m. my wife's father, Olin Loy Helmly Sr. went home to be with the Lord. He had his 85th birthday on Saturday.

Mary's parents, Olin and Mary, above, were married 62 years.

...Olin was an amazingly gifted man. Here is a list of things he did, and did with excellence.

- custom furniture maker
- certified airplane mechanic
- airplane pilot
- home builder (he built the family home when Mary was in junior high and high school).
- rancher
- 20 year Navy career achieving rank of Chief Petty Officer
- quality control supervisor for Boeing
- water system designer and installer
- missionary to Ethiopia
- auto mechanic (he totally rebuilt and repainted Mary's car in the early 80's)
- built a speedboat for the family
- built a pulpit and communion furniture for three different churches
- enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies including: large scale model airplane building, photography, leather tooling, upholstery, water and snow skiing, long distance running (winning several medals for his age division), mountain climbing, playing the organ and golf.- he reached the summit of Mt. Rainier when he was 62 years old.

...What he enjoyed so much the last 10 years was going on walks with his three children, their spouses and six grandchildren. His favorite trail was along the Puget Sound south of Tacoma, Washington near their home.

...I took the pictures above on my last hike with Olin on that favorite trail.

...He took his last walk to heaven and his first steps on the streets of gold on Tuesday. What a day of sorrow and celebration.

Taking a break

2007-06-25T23:51:00.000-04:00

...Mary, our son Luke and I took a break from visiting her father in hospice with a walk along Puget Sound.
...I always kidded my father-in-law that it seemed when I visited the Seattle-Tacoma area that the sun was always shining. I couldn't understand all this talk about rainy Seattle.

...Today was one of those spectacular sunny days in the Puget Sound area. Snow capped Mt. Rainer just stood out from so many angles on the horizon.

Tacoma Watch

2007-06-25T22:51:00.000-04:00

...Mary, our son Luke and I are in Tacoma, Washington with Mary's mother as we await the home going of Mary's father, Olin Helmly. Mary's mother's name is also Mary. To keep things straight, my Mary's family calls her Mary Leigh (her middle name) and very southern. Or ML for short.

...Grandpa Olin is in a hospice care center with wonderful service, care and warm surroundings. He has been declining over the last couple of years with Alzheimer's. He has really declined in the last 3 months. This is his last hours/days.

...However, Olin has a personal relationship with Christ, so we don't have sorrow as those who have no hope.

...However, it is still difficult to watch a loved one live out their final hours.

...Mary's mother, left, is in fairly good health and is able to continue to live in their home.

...It means a lot to Mary's mother to be surrounded by her family at this time. Mary's brother Loy Helmly, right, was able to come up from Oregon yesterday and today.

...And our son Luke, left, was able to read scripture and talk with his grandpa. Grandpa Olin on Saturday celebrated his 85th birthday, thus the birthday signs at the head of his bed.

...What a range of emotions I have experienced these last couple of weeks with the death of my mother and now standing with Mary as she awaits the passing of her father. Sorrow and tears are so real, however, the comfort of Christ and the knowledge of assurance of heaven allows us to walk this compressed time of personal loss.

My Mom - A Life Well Lived

2007-06-20T15:24:00.000-04:00

...My Mom passed away last Tuesday, but she is more alive now in heaven then she ever was here on earth.

...Here are the words I shared about my Mom at her funeral this past Saturday.
__________________________

On behalf of my father and my sister, thank you so much for coming today to honor and remember our mother.

Today would have been a little embarrassing for my mother, because she didn’t really like the focus to be on her. But she would have loved today, because she cherished her family and friends.

When my Mom passed away at 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, she began to see with new eyes from heaven all of God’s special blessings getting us here today.

She would want me to bring praise to God by sharing a few of these blessings with you.

First, what a blessing that all 6 Grandchildren are here, their spouses and 5 great grandchildren all living in 5 different states. The Lord opened up flights and even the scheduling of hospital rounds and Air Force flight training, so they could be here.

The only one not here is my wife, Mary, who is at the bedside of her father who is in his last hours and days of life before joining my mother in heaven.

Another provision of God was that I was able to be with Dad Tuesday morning when he got the call that Mom had passed away.

Dad call Nancy and me Monday morning that Mom was failing fast. So, I was trying to get a flight the next day on Tuesday, but they were all full.

I went online and only one flight was available, Monday night. I arrived at 2 a.m. Tuesday and I, and Granddaughter Beth, were standing with Dad at 5:30 a.m. when he took the call that Mom had passed away a half hour ago.

Nancy and GP were in England and able to get flights back. Nancy was checking in in Frankfurt and the ticket agent couldn’t believe she got on that flight, because it was completely full.
As Nancy sat on the plane in Frankfurt. All of sudden over the plane’s sound system comes the hymn “It is well with my Soul”.

The person next to Nancy said, “what was that?” and Nancy explained a Christian hymn. Nancy looked at her watch. It was 5 a.m. Tuesday morning back in St. Cloud. And she thought, God is telling me it is well with Mom’s soul.

Nancy’s luggage was lost on her flight home with all her make-up and clothes. Yet, in the middle of the night it was delivered to her door step, so she had it Wednesday morning when she drove up here from Ames.

My sister, Nancy, Dad, Mom and Me

Another blessing is that while Calvary is without a permanent pastor right now - we have come to find out that Pastor Lassen, the interim pastor who led us in today, was pastor to my Grandparents 40 years ago down in Tampa Florida. This is my Dad’s parents, Adolph and Viola. He knew them well, had meals in their home. My grandparents even hosted a Christmas party for them in their home, that remains a cherished memory for their kids today.

Well, these are a little taste of some of God’s blessings to us this week.

There are four major themes that I think define my mother’s life.
Faith
Family
Friends
And Food
Faith
My mother had a personal faith in her Savior Jesus Christ. And that faith was expressed publicly:
- In service right here at Calvary Church.
How so many of you have sung in choir with Mom, taught classes,
made casseroles for church picnics at Wilson Park, hosted all night parties for the youth group.
- Or at Christian Women’s Club, and as a counselor at Trout Lake Camp
- Or support and encouragement of those in Christian missions,
- Or words of testimony, comfort and prayers.

Is it any wonder that a personal faith in Christ is central for Nancy and me, but also all 6 grandchildren

Family
You’ve heard about how important her immediately family was to my mother. But also her extended family.

Some of my Mom's aunts and uncles
My mother was an only child. However, her father came from a family of 10 siblings and her mother 13 siblings. So she had plenty of aunts and uncles and cousins. And those relationships were important to her as well.

I remember taking family trips and my mother would say, “I have a cousin here or there. Or an uncle or aunt there. We have to stop by and say hi.” Aunt Alice is here and cousins Kathy and Neil. You know what I’m talking about. Those Seline’s and Johnson’s valued family.

When I began to travel quite a bit these past 10 years, I’d tell my Mom I was going to Southern California, or Ft. Wayne, IN or Grand Rapids, MI or Vancouver, British Columbia.
And she’s say, “I have a cousin there.” It became a family joke that Mom had cousins nearly everywhere. Once I said, Mom I’m going to Bangkok, Thailand. Do you have any cousins there? She said, “No, but my cousin Kathy has visited there.”

Friends
When I look out over your faces - You are not casual friends. You are embraced friends. My mother embraced people for a life-time.
I see friends for 40-50 years
- The Van Kampens
- Harry Olson
- The Kurtzs
- The Kronholms
- Ken Mulmstrom

...I see neighbors from Garfield Court where Nancy and I grew up here in St. Cloud.
...I see friends over the decades from this church - I can’t name you all.
...I see college students my mother embraced for a lifetime - Like you Jaan and Irene.
...I see neighbors on Cooper Avenue.
...I see friends from State Farm days and from the St. Cloud community.
...I see friends from out-of-town who got to know my mother.
...I see you all ladies, the honorary pall-bearers.
...And dear Betty and Vera who helped care for my Mom, and kept my Dad on his toes, the last 4 ½ years.
...And Joanne who just joined them the last two months, but was such a blessing.

Nancy says her friends marvel at how she and GP have a constant stream of friends through their home. Nancy says, “I really haven’t known anything different growing up. We always had friends visiting, staying over, extra places at the dinner table. Isn’t that the way it’s suppose to be?”

Food
My wife Mary to this day still talks about the first Christmas she came to St. Cloud at my parents home. That was 30 years ago. She had never seen so many Christmas cookies in her life.

I thought, how many thousands of cups of coffee have you enjoy sitting around the table that my Mom so beautifully set with some Swedish accent? Or how many thousands of snacks and sandwiches did the Calvary teens and the other school friends of Nancy and me consume
as my mother welcomed them into our home, or provided them for special events?

How many of you women have a Carolgene Johnson recipe that you enjoy making to this day?

My Mom was an excellent cook. However, food was just the means to the end for the other three themes of faith, family and friends.

...Food was there as an opportunity to demonstrate and share her faith,
...To express love to her family,
...and to embrace the friends whom she loved to serve.

My mother was 82 years old. She and Dad have been married 61 years.
I’m 56 years old. I know it’s hard for you to believe. And my sister is even older!

I now realize the true blessings in life really come down to this.
...a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
...a family that loves well
...friendships that last a life-time

Thank you Mom, Carolgene, Toots and Grandma for setting this example, of a life well lived.

My mother is in heaven

2007-06-13T20:03:00.000-04:00

...I am writing from Minnesota. My mother passed away Tuesday morning at 5 a.m. I arrived here at 2 a.m., so I was with my father when he got the call from the care center.

GP and Nancy Foote (my sister) my parents, Dick and Carolgene Johnson, me and Mary

...I flew here Monday night, because my father called me Monday morning that my mother was failing fast (she has been in failing health for the past 6 years).

...Now get this, Mary flew out to Seattle Tuesday morning, because she got the call that her father has just days to live. So she went to be with her mother and stand vigil with her father. I talked to her this morning. She is now feeling 100% after the 3 weeks of debilitating sickness from our trip in India.

...In all of this sickness and death Jesus stands by our side and surrounds us that he is the ultimate victor over sin, death and sickness.

...My mother's funeral is Saturday morning. Info is posted on the funeral home website at www.bensonfuneralhome.com The burial will be Monday morning in Northern Minnesota. I would so appreciate your prayers as I share at her funeral and conduct the committal service on Monday morning.

...Both Mary's and my parents are Christians. We have the hope of heaven and the sorrow of loss.

...A friend in Norway shared a saying with me this morning that is on her mother's headstone:

To meet and part
is the way of life.
To part and meet
is our hope.

Jesus is our hope.

Rural India street scenes

2007-06-09T14:29:00.000-04:00

...Here are a couple of short videos (11 and 19 seconds long) from a typical street scene in a small town in India.

...These were taken in the region north of Delhi between Chandigarh and Shimla (circled on the map). You can enlarge the map to the right by just clicking on it.

...Just click on the little arrow symbol to view.

...This second video was taken as we transferred from one taxi to another. This was the border between two states. Taxis were not allowed to cross over the state line, so, one taxi driver negotiated with a new taxi driver to take us (his customers) on to the Chandigarh airport.

...What are your impressions?

From thinking to feeling

2007-06-02T12:49:00.000-04:00

...When Mary had to travel by four different cars (three of them not air conditioned) for 14 hours to Delhi…after just getting discharged from a hospital in Shimla, India…still feeling the effects of a terrible intestinal bacterial infection…over mountainous, hairpin turns, poor gravel roads for the first 4.5 hours…having our driver get lost in Delhi.

...Now that I am sick and feeling just a bit of what she felt, I have the highest admiration and respect for my wife. She did not complain once. What a trooper and godly woman.

Doctor's report

2007-05-29T18:37:00.000-04:00

...We just got back from Mary’s appointment with our doctor. He said the doctors in India did exactly what he would have done and gave Mary the medicines and fluids he would have prescribed. Now it will likely take two weeks for her to recover.

...Our doctor practiced medicine in India for several months, so he was familiar with these type symptoms and situation. He said it was likely bacteria, not an ameba. The antibiotics have now killed off the bacteria and she just needs rest and time to allow her digestive track and body to recover from such a severe onslaught.

...She basically hasn’t eaten much for seven days. They weighed her at the doctors office - she has lost 10 pounds. While she has wanted to lose some weight, this was not the method she had in mind.

...Her appetite is gradually returning.

...The doctor said there was no need for any additional medicines. They drew some blood to run a few tests, just to make sure there wasn’t anything else.

...So, Mary is now laying down and resting, and will for the next week or so as she regains her strength.

Stable but exhausted

2007-05-29T10:59:00.000-04:00

...Mary is stable, but exhausted. So little energy. Up for 15-30 minutes and then needs to lay down. We have an appointment with her doctor this afternoon. We will have a full workup to confirm the diagnosis by the doctors in India or see if there is anything else.

...I just got off the phone with David Dayalan's wife, Anita, in Delhi, India. David is stable. He is able to eat and is regaining his energy. The worst has passed and he is on the mend.

...Mary and David so appreciate your prayers.

...Here is David with his wife Anita, his mother and their two daughters Nivedita and Anoushka.

Home

2007-05-28T21:07:00.000-04:00

...Are you like us? We always look forward to coming home after a trip. No arrival home was sweeter than getting home yesterday (Sunday afternoon) from India.

...There's no shame in saying we wept tears of joy and relief as our dear friends Laurie Prince and Celia Flock, Mary's art gallery partner, picked us up at the Charlotte airport and drove us home.

...God answered our prayers on getting us home. We were able to upgrade to business class from Delhi to Frankfurt and in Frankfurt the gate agent took pity on us by putting us in First Class where the seats recline all the way flat. I had to pay a small fee, but it was well worth it so Mary could be comfortable. There were a few rough times for Mary physically on the flights, but she recovered.

...We have collapsed today.

...Thank you so much for all the emails we have been receiving offering your prayers and encouragement.

...I know where I am in the world - home - with my sweetheart, caring for her as she recovers.

An experience we care not to repeat

2007-05-26T08:21:00.000-04:00

...Mary and I have had some real physical challenges on this trip. Mary ended up in a hospital on Thursday, with a severe case of bacterial or amoeba infection that caused vomiting, diarrhea leading to severe dehydration, leaving her exhausted.

...She had a room with a view, but it didn't much matter as she laid there receiving fluids by IV....We were scheduled fly out on Saturday morning early, but have delayed returning for one day because Mary was so exhausted, plus her stomach was not tolerating water or any food. So, five minutes before leaving the airport last night (11:55 p.m. Friday night here) we decided to change our flights and come home a day later.

...This was one of the best decisions we have made in years. She is feeling stable today (its Saturday afternoon 3:45 p.m. here in Delhi). We will leave for the airport at 11:45 p.m. tonight for our 2:25 a.m. flight. I will try and talk our way into business class so Mary will rest better and be more comfortable. Pray that happens on both flights.

...We arrive Sunday afternoon at 3:20 p.m. in Charlotte. So it is Delhi to Frankfurt. Frankfurt to Charlotte non-stop on a USAirways flight. Hopefully we can get upgraded to business class as well for a more comfortable flight into Charlotte.

...Mary had a good nights rest last night. She is stable today (Saturday afternoon in Delhi). She was able to eat a little bit of breakfast and take water and hold it. So that has been the key. While she remains weak, she was able to enjoy a visit from Anita Dayalan, whose husband David directs Asian Access/India. ...As it turns out David got the same bug as Mary. He fell ill Thursday night. So, it just wasn't the weak American stomach that couldn't take whatever caused the problem.

...Anita brought Mary some flowers and the assistant pastor, Erik, came along as well. We had a good prayer time for Mary and David. The hotel staff has been so nice to us, eager to meet our needs.

...The doctor and nurses in the hospital were very attentive, caring and professional. We so appreciated that, even though the hospital lacked so much. I one nights stay, all IV and medicines - $85 USD. Not a bad deal, however the facilities lacked a bit. There was no running water in our room. They literally hand carry water in buckets up flights of stairs to our room to use to flush the toilet.

...Our friends here, the pastors in the Asian Access training, CB and Selena Samuel and of course David and Anita Dayalan have all bent over backwards to pray and care for us.

...We are in the Lord's hands, felt by the real hands of our dear brothers and sisters here in India.

...Thank you so much for upholding us in prayer.

...Writing from a long way from home, but particularly when you are sick.

Faculty also learn

2007-05-26T08:11:00.000-04:00

...Faculty for the week in north India were David and Nalini Singh from Richmond, VA and Selena and CB Samuel of Delhi, India. The Singhs and Samuels are close friends, so it was a joy for them to minister together.

...The topic was family and marriage. David is a pastor of a multi-ethnic church, but is also a licensed family counselor.
...It was valuable that the Singhs and Samuels were raised and live and minister in the Indian culture, as they could understand the unique pressures and issues that Indian marriages face.

...Faculty often comment how much they enjoy teaching in the Asian Access sessions in various countries. They not only teach, but become learners as well as the pastors share insights.

Laughing families

2007-05-26T07:58:00.000-04:00

...Because this was a gathering of the pastors and their families, there were some fun times spent together. One afternoon David Dayalan, Asian Access director for India, challenged each family to work together to come up with an invention that would keep an egg from breaking when dropped from one story! All they had to work with were four balloons, tape, paper and of course an egg.

...Here is one family proudly displaying their invention. And it worked. The egg didn't break.

...Here the families are cheering on as the inventions are dropped one by one. Great cheers when either an egg survived or splatter on the floor.
...David Dayalan examined if the eggs survived along with the help of eager children.

...This kind of fun for pastors and their families is rare because of ministry demands and culture that often says pastors must be serious.