Out of Africa: A Reunion
During the summer of 2000, the Lord laid it on the heart of a young Russian woman to help a crazy American family who had moved to her hometown.
And help she did! Faithfully taking care of our kids once or twice a week for almost four years, her ministry brought real stability to their unstable world, especially in those early days.
Now, it’s 2009, our kids are almost all grown up... and the heroic former babysitter is now traveling the world full time with YWAM.
We had a great reunion recently in Moscow after more than four years. She was back in Russia after 3 months working with children in Africa. It was moving to see the pictures and hear her processing her fresh experiences in Namibia. She definitely impressed us with her vibrant faith, huge vision, and very big heart.
We enjoyed her stay with us as she was making preparations for her next ministry time in Italy.
Student Day Concert 09
The idea itself is ambitious: take the annual “Day of the Student” holiday as an opportunity to promote our school, honor our students with “Oscar” style awards in different categories, and at the same time reach out to the community with some great positive music.
As usual, we had awards, sketches, video clips, great production, four bands, and lots of satisfied, congratulated students. I am amazed each year at how all the elements of this big project come together - usually at the last minute - with style and substance. The weeks of preparation paid off once again, and our awards concert came off very well.
The theme this year was “In the Rhythm of the Dance”. And the biggest associated innovation was, no doubt, my debut as a dance instructor. My impressive dance teaching skills finally went public during one of the sketches. Now the proverbial Genie is out of the proverbial bottle!
However, this is a subjective opinion. I may be exaggerating the impact of my debut. In fact, the only results so far have been a shocked mention in the school newspaper and an invitation to join a physical education seminar. I think they think I may need some help. :)
To Germany, with Love
As many know, Cathy has a big desire and ability to mentor and encourage young women.
One of those long term friendships recently resulted in a trip we wouldn’t have anticipated earlier. Cathy got to be a guest at a friend’s wedding in Germany recently - and is glad to be a part of this friend’s ongoing story.
Family Update
We are really proud of our kids as they continue to ‘find themselves’ and prepare for the future:
James’ monstrous guitar abilities continue to improve. However, some of his practicing has been interrupted lately by a play he was drafted into at school. We’re looking forward to seeing another Black hit the HCA dramatic stage next week…
Drew is in Saint Petersburg, Russia at the time of this writing. He’s finishing up the basketball season with style at an out of town Tournament. In fact, I just received an sms saying Drew was awarded MVP. Drew is also on the team for HCA’s second Spring Break Uganda, Africa trip and we‘re excited about this opportunity.
Rebekah spent all of her “J term” with us and her friends in Moscow this year. She returned to Taylor U in February and got her nose back to the academic grindstone – and she’s doing her usual excellent work.
Bekah is exploring the possibility of transferring next year to pursue history and/or political science at a higher level, so she’s been working hard on all the research and applications involved. She definitely demonstrates her mother’s work ethic, putting in a lot of hours as a cook at the campus “Grill”. She even closes at 1 a.m. one night a week.
Phil continues to pack a lot of experiences in as a theater major at Huntington University. He’s already completed one play this semester and is in rehearsals for a second. Plus, he had his first go at Midwest theater auditions recently and was surprised to receive 5 ‘callbacks’.
Most unusual is the very ambitious student film project in which he landed the lead role. It’s a take off on a black and white 40’s detective film - and the guys are really putting a lot of effort into it.
You can take a look at a version of the "Nero Bloom" trailer by clicking here.
As you watch, keep in mind every shot is their work, and they aren’t using any “stock footage”. Even the train is real!
