Bobby's Fam

Vietnam Update

After much wrestling and phone calling, I FINALLY received my passport… a day late, but I finally got it.  I have to turn it in to the travel agency on Monday with my visa pictures.  God is awesome and hears the prayers of the righteous.  Several of us who were "on the bubble" for getting our preliminary money in for the plane tickets ($1700) received our money at the last possible second.  As a matter of fact, I’m still about $40 shy of $1700 but the church said they knew how to find me and get their $40 (I’m sure I can find it in my truck or something… or possibly sell one of the twins).  Keep praying for me and if you are thinking about donating to this awesome cause, please do by the 10th of this month.  I have a plane ticket, but I still need food, shots, and shelter once I get there!  I need $1300 still.  Everyone at church who goes to Vietnam multiple times per year have told me that the last $1000 is the hardest to raise.  I hope that is not my experience.  I’m going to be doing thank you notes during the super bowl today to those who have already given.  If you are one of those, thank you, thank you, thank you!  I’m going to be taking my camera with me to Vietnam and I’ll be posting pictures of the trip so you can see exactly what we are doing.  Also, keep tabs on my journal here because I’ll keep a daily diary of what is happening.  We leave on March 6th.  I’m so excited and scared.  I’ve never been out of the country before… let alone to a communist country.  My wife tells me I’ll fit right in… whatever that means.

Chapel

Ok, so some of you may see this as sacriledge, but I’m writing this right now as I sit in chapel.  We have Dr. Charles Lyons from Armitage Church in Chicago.  He’s pretty good.  At least he says for us to feel free to throw bricks.  That makes him ok in my book because he isn’t scared of what he’s saying.

Now, I don’t usually blog while in chapel (I’m usually asleep).  I respect our president, but man, it’s so bloody boring!  And most of the time I disagree with what’s being said to the point of frustration.  It’s true, Bible-Belters are in their own world!  I pray that God will open their eyes to the real world one day.

New Info!

Well, that will teach me to have a pity party.  I just recieved a phone call today that a church from my childhood (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to Bethel Baptist in Aztec, NM!) is giving me some money for Vietnam!  That added with a generous donation from nameless contributors (thanks Mom and Dad) I may have enough for the plane ticket at least.  Which is about half of the total amount I need, but it’s the important half!  Thank you God!  I knew to not doubt… but I did, and I’m sorry.  If you’re considering giving, please still do so!  I’m still only half way.  I have a long way to go.

It’s Crunch Time

Well, I have to have the minimum amount due to the Church on February 2nd which is $1550.  To date, I have a grand total of... $0.00.  I guess Vietnam and Malaysia just isn’t in my future this trip.  That’s ok.  I’m disappointed but my family needs me right now, so I guess it’s best that I don’t go.  But, man, it’s so depressing that all the other guys get to go on this awesome adventure but I’m stuck in Texas.  And yes… I AM having a pity party.  I’m allowed one per year, and this is it.  Thank you to all of you who have been praying for me.  Keep praying for us.  It’s been a tough week for all of us.

HELP ME!!!

So you recieved a letter from Ren and I asking for money.  And I know what you’re asking, "Why would I give my money to Bobby?"  Well, it’s simple really.  Because God wants you to and you’ll burn in hell for all eternity if you don’t.  JUST KIDDING!  Some of you older folks who don’t have a sense of humor… breathe!  It’s ok.  We’re allowed to laugh and joke.

No, but really, this is a huge opportunity for me to see first hand how to engage a people group other than my neighborhood (which is what Jesus commands multiple times… Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, just to name a few). 

Let me say thank you to those of you who have already sent in money.  And yes, I am doing a hand-written thank you note to everyone, Rennee.  But I am FAR from my goal!  Help me, please!

I AM ADDICTED!!!

Ok, something is wrong with me.  I’m addicted to blog sites.  Can’t get enough of them.  What the heck?  I’m not talking about (or aboat, as my next-door Canadian neighbor says) reading other people’s blogs, I’m talking about starting my own blogs on multiple sites!  I found wordpress today and I almost started ANOTHER blog!  That would have been number 5 for me!!!  I need stability in my life.  I’m pretty spontaneous.  Some would say too spontaneous.  I say Spontaneity RULES!