February 2007
Hello, my friends!
People regularly ask me, "How's your family?" Kathy and I have been married for 21 years now! She teaches English as a Second Language at Dekalb Tech. She's taking care of her 81 year old mother Nell, who has been living with us for about 6 months.
Ashley is my first born and is a radiant beauty and a wonderful missionary! The best news is that our board at Whirlwind has asked her to join our staff! I couldn't be happier. My prayer is that she will be able to work with us full time after graduation in May, while she goes to school in Clarkston near her mission. PLEASE continue to support her work generously. She's a great investment in the Kingdom!
Jesse is a genius. He is one of the smartest people I know. He is home schooling now and will graduate from High School with his GED as a first semester Sophomore! He is remarkably gifted with computers. This year he's completely re-coded our web site. I've worked with professional adult web developers (including the one for the North American Mission Board), Jesse makes them look like they're running in slow motion.
But those are only a few of my kids! In the last 10 years I've inherited over 300 mission
children! My oldest is Ernest. He graduated from college last week with a degree in programming. Jouvens starts university next spring and runs the mission at Azalea where he lives when I'm not there. Tobias will graduate in the spring and works at Kroger. He recently led his grandfather to the Lord! Jemmelin accepted Christ last summer. She has health problems and is failing math. Odaliz failed school last year, but is doing much better this time around. Navila is in honors classes and is probably the smartest of the mission kids. I pray that she will commit her life to Jesus. Her family is Muslim from Bangladesh.
Not all my kids have turned out so well. Many of my young men have gotten into gangs. Rudy was with 18th street and killed a man. He's in jail for life. Daniel has dropped out of school and is living with his girlfriend—he's 15. Melfi is involved with Sur 13 and will also end up in jail. Estuardo's brother is a notorious gang banger. Although he tells me he's not in a gang, I don't believe him. Rapha is in 7th grade and was just suspended from school. He has real anger management issues and will also end up in jail unless he makes serious changes.
I also have some terrific "brothers!" Tito is on my board and is now in ministry full time. He's the pastor of my church! Lester, is in our band CRUZ andleads the music at church. Bennett continues to reach the Muslim community in Clarkston and is one of the best missionaries I've seen! These are just a few of the people that are making a difference! Just like YOU!