She's a lefty . . . or maybe not!

I visited the "Mommy and Me" program today at Clarkston International Bible Church. One of my favorite women, a beautiful mother from Burundi, brings her four children (all under the age of 4) to class. She is eager to learn and works very hard at her lessons.I enjoyed watching her draw a picture of the house she lived in as a refugee in Tanzania. As a lefty myself, I noticed she was drawing with her left hand.And then I noticed something else . . .If you haven't had formal school in your life and aren't even sure how to spell your name, I suppose it doesn't matter much to you which hand you use to draw with.

Her ESL teacher explained that the mothers in the class were using whichever hand was available while the other was busy holding a nursing baby. Now that makes sense! Other moms in the room were doing the same thing. The "Mommy and Me" program is a blessing for the mothers of preschoolers who wouldn't otherwise be able to study English. Their children are also learning -- in the capable hands of my friend Terry.It's a whirling and dancing and singing good time for everyone!

Even the shyest boy gets in on the action.
I dropped by several homes to leave a calendar for the ESL and life skills classes I'll be starting next week. I guess caring for your six little brothers and sisters while mom and dad are asleep makes for a real hair-raising experience! (photo removed by request)

Little sister's hair was nearly as exciting. (photo removed by request)

In another house, I'll be working with this family who has just arrived from Tanzania. She is the mother of three. Baby was sleeping when I stopped in. Her cousin came to America and will join my class, too.I had fun greeting everyone and getting set for next week. Please pray for me and also for the families whose homes I will visit. Many do not know Christ as savior. Jesus said, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." I am happy to welcome these families in His name.

Andrei is waiting for a waiver . . .

On moving to Georgia, our son entered the nightmare known as state government red tape. Though we had all his paperwork in order and had applied for his special services "waiver" many months earlier, Andrei has fallen through cracks the size of the Grand Canyon.

Do I sound upset? I am.

But we are grateful for the people at Georgia Community Support and Solutions who generously awarded Andrei a grant that covers his attendance at a day program. While he waits for Georgia's right hand to figure out what its left hand is doing, Andrei is crafting cars. Take a look at our autistic son's amazing art.

Here's a Mercedes Benz, circa 1976


This is a Rolls Royce from 1932.

How about this El Camino from 1976? Awesome!
This is a Delorean from 1982.
Groovy doors!
A Lincoln station wagon from 1971.


A Ford LTD police car, circa 1988, with working lights!

Great job, Andrei! We're proud of you.

Sing praise!

For every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The Bible tells us this is what heaven will be like! People of every race, culture and language will worship God, singing praises to His name.

That happens here in Atlanta on Sunday mornings. You can worship the Lord in songs of praise whether you're a young refugee from Burundi...
a group of Karen teenagers and children . . .
or a Christian man from Burma . . .If you don't want to sing a solo, you can join the celebration, too. You might be a Karen woman with her newborn baby . . . or a strong family man from Sudan . . .
or even a baby peeking over the chair . . .
This past Sunday brought joy and tears as we said goodbye and thank you to three young couples who lived and worked in "the village" of Clarkston. As "Mission Year" volunteers, they brought so much to the community and to our church. We'll miss them all.
To their friends and neighbors, Troy and Katrina, Brian and Annie, and Zeny and Nate were Jesus walking down the street.
Brian and Annie are staying on as employees of World Relief, and we're all so grateful. We'll definitely miss the two other couples.

Tutaonana. Mungu akubariki! We shall meet again. May God bless you!

Six new students!

Do I look tired? Slightly overwhelmed?
Today was a BIG day for me! Very exciting. Terry and I drove around in the pouring rain to meet with potential students. By the end of our visit, I had scheduled six new students!

I'll work with two Burundian women who are single moms and have been in America a while but still need help with English and life skills. I'm thrilled to be a part of their lives.

My third student is the mother of seven. She has struggled in her new homeland. She needs a lot of prayers and great compassion. I'm eager to see how God works in her life.

My fourth and fifth students are cousins who have just arrived from a refugee camp in Tanzania. They are a little bit shy and scared. I know they'll blossom as the weeks go by.

My dear Somali friend is my sixth student. I already love her and can't wait to spend more time with her, teaching her and showing how much God loves her. (photo removed by request)

Thanks for praying for me!

If you plan it, they will come...or not

The different events we have been involved in during our three months at Huntington Ridge have all been pretty well attended. We had no reason to think tennis camp and Vacation Bible School would be any different.
Both events were scheduled to run Monday, July 28, through Thursday, July 31. Then no one showed up for tennis camp Monday or Tuesday. But two precious little girls came to VBS.

Tim had several of the HR children playing tennis earlier in the summer. He hopes to reacquaint them with the sport this fall.
The VBS program consists of crafts, Bible stories and discussion, and a snack. The girls seemed to enjoy the one-on-one attention Monday. We were so pleased when they both returned on Tuesday. It has been an exciting privilege to introduce them to the beloved stories of Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, and Jonah and the whale.Our friend Sherry and her handsome baby boy, Wesley, came to help out on Tuesday. Sherry used to live at Huntington Ridge, and she continues to be involved in the community through the after-school program.One thing about dealing with matters of eternity. It’s not the numbers that count, it’s one’s faithfulness in carrying out the Great Commission. Please pray that these children will come to know Jesus as Savior as we continue in Vacation Bible School and beyond.

To Congo, Burundi and Peru in one day!

The day began with gunshots.

Andrei heard the commotion right outside his window at about 6 am this Sunday morning. The neighbors confirmed the incident. We continue to ask for your prayers for protection.

Where could the day go but up? And up it went! We headed off to church where we worshiped with friends from many countries. We heard and sang hymns in the languages of Liberia, Congo, Sudan, Burundi, and Burma. A whole group of Karen Christians sang. After church, I visited this new little American and her Sudanese family. Have you ever seen such beautiful brown velvet skin?
We took our Burundian friend and her four children home. They had walked to church, but with a baby, twins, and a son all under age five, she needed a helping hand. Andrei enjoyed cuddling the little girl.
As we drove home, we saw that a big fiesta was underway in the parking lot beside our complex. The Fiesta Popular Peruana -- still going strong as I write -- celebrates the independence of Peru.Tents protect people from the fierce July sun.
Booths are set up around the parking lot.Handcrafted Peruvian dolls, flutes, bags and other trinkets are for sale.The food is aromatic and delicious! This woman was wearing her traditional Peruvian hat. Notice her "stars and stripes" bag. She has bridged two worlds.
This young lady looked all of 15. She was really belting out the songs.
As we walked away, we passed this woman. What amazing hair!
And what an amazing day...