Impact Africa 2010

"Sympathy is no excuse for lack of action."-David Livingstone

MyChurch teamed up with Vapor Sports Ministries to take a trip to Kenya, Africa and visit the humanitarian aid centers that Vapor had established.

"Impact Africa" was not how we were going to change Africa, but how Africa was going to change us.

We departed for Africa at 9:30 am on Sunday, May 30, 2010. Our first stop was at the Vapor Sports Ministries location at Farm Links in Sylacauga, AL. We spent all day Sunday in classes to prepare us for our trip. The group included 10 members from MyChurch of Columbus, 1 member from Mount Gilead Baptist Church in Dothan, AL. 3 members from Green Bay, WI, and 4 members from Brook Hills Church in Birmingham, AL. Our flight left from Birmingham, AL at 11:30 am on Monday, May 31st. We went from Birmingham to Dallas to London, to Nairobi, Kenya. It was 20 hours of flight time... NOT FUN. But it would all be worth it. We stayed at a place just out side Nairobi; it was a lodging house called Kijiji. During our stay in Kenya we visited the Kawangware slum, Congo slum, and Gichagi slum. The obvious human suffering that we witnessed was unbelievable. If I had not seen it, I would not have believed it. It is something that words and pictures do not do justice. But one thing that was so amazing was the spirit of the people there. The kids had smiles on their faces, even though they were malnourished and living in very poor conditions. We participated in the football(soccer) program in Kawangware on Saturday. We all paired up with coaches and got involved. The Vapor staff on site was unreal. They were all overflowing with joy from the Holy Spirit. We spent one day on Safari in Sweetwaters Camp in Ol Pejeta Conservancy near Nanyuki, Kenya, right near Mount Kenya. We saw some amazing animals and some amazing terrain. It is so hard to believe that there is something so beautiful and something so horrible so close together. The things that we saw will forever change us. We are so lucky to have the things that we have in this country. Simple things that we take for granted every day like fresh clean water, plumbing, food, shelter... I am not even talking about conveniences; I am talking about necessities, basics for life... If you don't believe me, please go see for yourself. You will have your mind changed for you, I promise. Anyone who knows me, knows that I have not ever been a very sympathetic guy. Well that has change. The little girl in the photo above is Gracious. She is just one of millions of children living in slums. She had my heart strings from the very first look. She is as sweet as they come. She lives in the Kawangware slums but you could never tell it from the smile on her face. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances Gracious was pulled from my arms and I was never able to see her again. This was an extreme emotional battle for me. I hate flying and I hate being out of my comfort zone and this trip did both of those in a major way, but I would not hesitate to do it again just to see one of those little smiles again. It has that much of an impact...

Soccer practice

Will had his first night of soccer practice last night and was soooo excited! A couple of his friends are on his team and they had the best time. On the way there Will was asking who they were going to beat. We explained to him that it was just practice and they weren't beating anyone. During practice they divided up and half of them put on red shirts and they played against each other. Will thought it was a real game against each other, so he kept score. When they were done he came running to us saying "Yea, we won 2-0"....he's just a little competitive. They don't even keep score when the games start, but I'm sure he'll keep track of it.

Stretch......

I think the coach is wondering what she has gotten her hands into

and this is what Caroline did the whole time, I don't know if we'll be making it to any more practices

Look Who's 1

I cannot believe a year has already gone by and Caroline is 1. It has gone by way to fast, but I do have to say this is my favorite stage. I remember how fun it was with Will, but makes me kind of sad knowing that she is probably my last baby. She started walking a lot better last week and has the cutest little waddle. She LOVES her big brother so much and gets so excited when we pick him up from school, after screaming the whole way there. She is not a very good passenger and does not like her big girl car seat any better than the infant one. She had a very fun Birthday Party Saturday with lots of family and friends. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!!!

Happy 4th Birthday!!!

What a Happy Birthday it was...Will was four on Friday and had such a great Birthday weekend! For the ones who know me know that I am not an emotional person, but I teared up when Will walked in my room Friday morning. He comes and wakes me up every morning and Friday he walked in and said "Mommy today I'm four, I'm a really big boy now and not your little boy anymore". Oh my gosh...I started tearing up and could not get those words out of my mind all day. I love that little boy or "big boy" sooooo much! He has the biggest zest for life more than anyone else I know! I never knew that I would be happy playing cars everyday or playing football, baseball, and soccer could be so much fun. I know that it can only get better and can't wait to see what the future holds for my "little man"!!

Friday morning Will's "brother-friend" JD came and played, then I took them to Chick-fil-A (where we stayed for 2 hours).


Then Friday night Nana, Papa, Fafa, G, Brian, Sydney, and Claire came up and we grilled hamburgers and had some delicious chocolate cake!

Saturday was his Party at Butt's Mill Farm....and was so much fun. This was the first year that he has really been looking forward to his Birthday, he could not wait to be 4. I am so thankful that so many of his friends took the drive out to Pine Mountain to spend the day with Will. He loves so much to be with all of his family and friends, so to have them all together he didn't know what to think. After a full day of playing football, horse riding, playing on playgrounds, putt-putt, and walking in the creek...Saturday night we all went with my parents to a Columbus Lions Arena Football game. Of course Will thought it was wonderful and we'll be going back.

As we were eating dinner last night Will said..."This is the best day ever"!! I think it was one of mine too!!!

I love you so much big fella!!!

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!

Happy 60th Birthday Nana....We Love You!!!

Happy Anniversary Nana and Papa....(39th I believe)!!

We had lots of fun last weekend in Dothan celebrating my mother's Birthday and parent's Anniversary. Of course we did a little shopping, lots of eating, and playing outside in the nice spring weather!

Will and Lillie loving on each other...we don't get to see her enough!

Can you tell Lillie is a year older than Caroline riding on her back...

lots and lots of golf cart riding!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND ST. PATTY'S DAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!

Thanks for all you do for us...like spending the afternoon at the park on your Birthday!

WE LOVE YOU!!

Everyone else......

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Hope you all got out and enjoyed this wonderful sunshine!

Seven months old

"Prayer of Gratitude for Our Little Girl"

"Baby Dedication" March 8, 2009

Lord, I thank You for this precious gift of my daughter. You have given her to me and now I dedicate Caroline to You. You alone know what she needs. I release her to You to care for and protect, and I commit myself to pray for everything You put on my heart. Teach me how to pray, and guide me in what to pray for with regard to her life. Help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for her, but rather enable me to always pray that Your will be done in her life.

Because Your Word says that every good gift comes from You, I know that You have given her to me to raise. Help me to do that. I invite You to be in control of her life. I rely on You for everything, and this day I trust my child into Your care.

This is another prayer from the book Jared got Caroline for Valentine's Day. http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1147987019&searchurl=ds%3D30%26isbn%3D9780736921589%26n%3D100121501%26sortby%3D15 (such a sweet book!)

Once again...I cannot believe another month has gone by. You are finally drinking some formula, which I thought was never going to happen. I was ready to give up, until we were in Dothan a few weeks ago and we tried some of "cousin Dean's" and you loved it. Meghann thought it was her special touch, but I think we just finally found something you liked!

You are still not liking baby food to much, although this morning you did eat half a thing of applesauce. However....you do like our food. You love green beans, peas, and butter beans; which really surprises me.

You are trying your hardest to crawl, but can't get it figured out just yet. I give you about 3 more weeks!!

And......still your favorite thing of all is your "BIG BUBBA"!!!