Up On The Roof

Here's one of our volunteers from last week helping to replace a leaky, termite-infested roof on a church in Matamoros, Mexico.  

Before And After

If you'll look at the 2 pictures to the right you'll see what one of our visiting mission teams did last week.  That building houses a Spanish-language church, which was in desperate need of more education space.  Thanks to the hard work (and generosity) of our friends from Lane Prairie Baptist Church, this church got the addition they needed, all within 4 days.

If you'll allow me to wax philosophical for a bit, I like to think that these photos are a good metaphor for what we do at the Hendrick Missions Center. The mission teams that we host come to serve somewhere in our community.  And even though pictures can't always capture the good that they do, they always leave things better than when they found them.

Perspectives Goes To The Movies

We've seen an enormous amount of change in the past 50 years, and that certainly includes mission work.  Many are discovering how to combine their passion and skill with global outreach to the nations.  One such success story can be found here.

Love Story

If you don't think society is changing at lightning speed, check this out: research suggests that about one-third of all recent marriages began as an online relationship.

Whatever did the lonely do before we all had internet?  Well, whatever we did, and wherever we did it, it meant going somewhere.  But those days are long gone; in this new world, love is just a click away.

Be honest: what did you think the first time one of your friends told you that she had "met" someone online?  I'd bet a hefty sum that it went something like this:  "You did WHAT???  Have you lost your mind???  You aren't going to meet up with that sicko/pervert/ax murderer, are you????"

But that is so 1998.  Nowadays online dating is seen simply as a way to fish in a much bigger pond.  After all, it's not my fault if my soul mate wasn't born near me.  What's wrong with using a little technology to help fate along?

And so we come to this: today I learned that soon there will be yet another online dating service.  The twist?  This one will cater to Christian missionaries.  So, all those guys and gals with a heart for world missions can meet many others who share their convictions.  Call me radical, but I think that's pretty sweet.

You can find out more here.

(As of this writing, the website is not live yet)

Lending A Hand

For several years a church from San Antonio has been sending teams down to our HMC.  As I was talking to one of their leaders this year I found out that they are beginning a Spanish language worship service at their church in September.  I thought it would be a good idea to go up and help them if we could.  As it turns out, we can!  So, on Friday, August 30 we leave for The River City to help our friends with one final push before the services begin.  We'll be helping with a community block party and some literature distribution.

We'll be coming back Sunday after church.  If you'd like to go, send me an e-mail at fbcbmissions@yahoo.com.  Your only cost is your food and $10 for gas.

Colossal Coaster World

It would be rare indeed to find a christian, in the US at least, that has never heard of vacation bible school.  For Southern Baptists, summer without VBS would be like spring without..........well, I don't know what, but it wouldn't be the same.  I've observed through the years that even those who won't lift a finger any other time of the year will often show up to help during VBS.

This year ours kicks off on Sunday, July 14th at 5:45, and runs through Friday.  There's a roller coaster theme this year, so I know it'll be a scream (pun intended).  If you live nearby, you just have to join us!

Addendum:  I just gotta say.......when it comes to VBS teachers, I've never seen a better one than my wife (she and our daughter Allison are the creative ones in our family.  A.J. and I got the brains and the looks).  Though she normally doesn't like to be up in front of people, she thrives during VBS.  She has a wonderful command of her class, the kids love her, and her decorations are always among the best.  And if you lived with us you'd know why: she spends hours on end at home each summer designing them and making them.  I admire that, because I don't have an ounce of artistic ability.  Good thing that opposites attack attract.

A Look Ahead

Read this article carefully, America.  And this one.  This is what's in your future.

Cold Case Christianity

If you're in the mood for something a wee bit different, take a look at a website called Cold Case Christianity.  The website, and the book that bears the same name, come from J. Warner Wallace.  A former homicide detective (and atheist), Wallace used his skills as an investigator to examine the truth claims of the Bible.  "I found the evidence for Christianity to be as convincing as any cold case I'd ever investigated", he would later say.  Now a popular speaker with Stand To Reason Ministries, he travels all over the country sharing his personal journey, and the compelling evidence that drove him to faith.

In Full Swing

Whenever summer rolls around I'm reminded of why I took this job.  It is so rewarding to watch ministry unfold, to see things get built, and to see some good folks getting much needed help.  It's almost enough to make me forget about the 101° afternoons.

And, I might add, it's great to see old friends.  Last week we were pleased to welcome River Hills Baptist Church back to the HMC.  They always bring a large group, and are not afraid of a little work.  They were a BIG blessing to 3 local Hispanic churches, while another small crew was working in Mexico.  Good job guys!

This week we are hosting some more of our long-time friends, this time from Louisiana.  For years some of these same folks have been coming down to work in one of the local parks.  The kids always enjoy seeing them come back year after year.  This morning I held an evangelism training session for them.  It's always good to know some basic Spanish phrases when talking to folks down here, so we tried our best to bring them up to speed.  They were good sports about it, and are ready to give it a whirl.