While we were in Maui, Patty and I went on a snorkeling trip out to Molokini. On the journey,
we came across some humpback whales. We witnessed what the ship captain called the home run of whale watching - the breach. We actually saw it happen 4 or 5 times and here are 3 caught on video.
More video later!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Junior Highers at Farm Drive
Last night, the 21st of January, the Junior High group from Hillside Church came over to the Center to just hang out and play with the kids. That's quite a group all together! It was a lot of fun and the kids mixed better than I thought. Below is a video from some of the street hockey. (Gotta love the gear for the goalies! which is donated by the San Jose Sharks, Go Sharks!)
One of the reasons for doing this is to expose the Junior Highers to the ministry that occurs here at Farm Drive. Hopefully some of them will want to come help at the Homework Center.
I'll have pictures later.
One of the reasons for doing this is to expose the Junior Highers to the ministry that occurs here at Farm Drive. Hopefully some of them will want to come help at the Homework Center.
I'll have pictures later.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday Night and Angels Rejoiced
On Friday's there are no activities "scheduled" at Farm Drive Neighborhood Center. Patty let the word out that she was going to open the Center around 3 for a few hours for a time of play. She came home around 2 and noticed no kids around. So she called the apartment where Jasmin (a regular) lived and left a message for her to come over if she wanted. Within 1/2 hour Jasmin came over and helped Patty around our apartment putting up pictures on the walls.
After awhile, Jasmin asked if anyone could be a Christian. Patty asked her "do you remember what it means to be a Christian?" and Jasmin remembered. Then Jasmin said but I sometimes do bad things. So Patty told her of course she did too and that's called sin and we all sin. They had a good good conversation with more questions. Jasmin finally said I want to be a Christian. Patty explained that Jasmin could go home and be alone and pray to Jesus or she could pray with Jasmin. Jasmin said she wanted to pray with Patty. Jasmine was introduced to the King! (and Patty was honored to be a part!) Patty and Jasmin then went out and walked up and down the street telling kids that the Center was open.
When I came home there were quite a number of kids at the Center and Patty was heating up frozen french toast sticks and serving them to the kids. (They had received about 40 boxes from Second Harvest). We kept the Center open til about 7:30.
Patty and I went upstairs to settle down for a relaxing evening of dinner and a movie. 5 of the older kids were still hanging out down below at the picnic tables. After a while, Patty went down and asked them if they wanted to come up and hang out with us. They said an emphatic yes!
Same night but 1/2 hour or so later, a neighbor brought by homemade enchiladas, chicken and potatoes! They were so good and we all enjoyed them. We watched a Spanish novella and then played a game of Pirate Bingo. Lots of laughter with Pirate Bingo! The kids finally left at 10pm. A night that was supposed to be a night of just the 2 of us relaxing and watching a movie, turned into an even better night....a night of developing relationships.
After awhile, Jasmin asked if anyone could be a Christian. Patty asked her "do you remember what it means to be a Christian?" and Jasmin remembered. Then Jasmin said but I sometimes do bad things. So Patty told her of course she did too and that's called sin and we all sin. They had a good good conversation with more questions. Jasmin finally said I want to be a Christian. Patty explained that Jasmin could go home and be alone and pray to Jesus or she could pray with Jasmin. Jasmin said she wanted to pray with Patty. Jasmine was introduced to the King! (and Patty was honored to be a part!) Patty and Jasmin then went out and walked up and down the street telling kids that the Center was open.
When I came home there were quite a number of kids at the Center and Patty was heating up frozen french toast sticks and serving them to the kids. (They had received about 40 boxes from Second Harvest). We kept the Center open til about 7:30.
Patty and I went upstairs to settle down for a relaxing evening of dinner and a movie. 5 of the older kids were still hanging out down below at the picnic tables. After a while, Patty went down and asked them if they wanted to come up and hang out with us. They said an emphatic yes!
Same night but 1/2 hour or so later, a neighbor brought by homemade enchiladas, chicken and potatoes! They were so good and we all enjoyed them. We watched a Spanish novella and then played a game of Pirate Bingo. Lots of laughter with Pirate Bingo! The kids finally left at 10pm. A night that was supposed to be a night of just the 2 of us relaxing and watching a movie, turned into an even better night....a night of developing relationships.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Boy, were we the popular party animals last night. Started off with hanging out with some old friends from church and playing pirate bingo. Then moved on to a poker party at a friend's house in our old neighborhood. The poker games were well under way so I got to save my money! Then we brought in the New Year with some college age friends!
Last week for Christmas day, we got up early and went to church at 6. After opening gifts and having breakfast, it was still only 9 am and we had lots of day still ahead of us. We had a nice lunch and saw Yes Man in the afternoon. A nice leisurely day it was for sure!
Today, getting to bed late last night, we got up at 9. Before I knew it, it was 11:30. Not much day left. I went for a run over at at the local high school track. As I was running, there was a fella there that gave me a rock handshake. There was a family there that was running and walking around the track and I noticed they stopped and talked to him for awhile. When I was done running, I happened to walk by the guy. We started a conversation. His name was John. Then he added his name was Jesus Christ. We talked (well he mostly talked!) about all sorts of stuff!
I remember a New Year's message I heard a couple of year's ago about making it a goal for the new year to make friends with a crazy person. (he really meant a person who was different than you). I guess I was starting off my new year by meeting and making friends with John. Was there any depth to our conversation? Not really. But we now are on a first name basis and who knows if and when we will meet again.
As I do with all people I meet, I take their name to God and ask Him to bless them and that other followers of Jesus would be able to make a connection with the person and speak into his life. I pray that happens with John.
Last week for Christmas day, we got up early and went to church at 6. After opening gifts and having breakfast, it was still only 9 am and we had lots of day still ahead of us. We had a nice lunch and saw Yes Man in the afternoon. A nice leisurely day it was for sure!
Today, getting to bed late last night, we got up at 9. Before I knew it, it was 11:30. Not much day left. I went for a run over at at the local high school track. As I was running, there was a fella there that gave me a rock handshake. There was a family there that was running and walking around the track and I noticed they stopped and talked to him for awhile. When I was done running, I happened to walk by the guy. We started a conversation. His name was John. Then he added his name was Jesus Christ. We talked (well he mostly talked!) about all sorts of stuff!
I remember a New Year's message I heard a couple of year's ago about making it a goal for the new year to make friends with a crazy person. (he really meant a person who was different than you). I guess I was starting off my new year by meeting and making friends with John. Was there any depth to our conversation? Not really. But we now are on a first name basis and who knows if and when we will meet again.
As I do with all people I meet, I take their name to God and ask Him to bless them and that other followers of Jesus would be able to make a connection with the person and speak into his life. I pray that happens with John.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)