PEAK NOTES

Internet!

Praise God!  I finally found Internet in Swaziland!  We have been here for three days, and they have been packed. I am quite overwhelmed at what I've seen. 

For one: this country is beautiful.  I had no idea what a paradise this is.  Words cannot describe how green it is here (remember, it is the middle of summer here south of the Equator).  We flew into Jo-berg, South Africa and then drove 2 1/2 hours north to the boarder of Swaziland.  Jo-berg is at 5,400 feet, but it is flat.  When you reach the boarder of Swaziland you begin descending through lush green valleys and canyons through banana trees, palm trees, and aloe Vera plants.  It truly is one of the most beautiful places I've been (And I live in Colorado!). 

Behind the beauty is heart break.  We visited our first two care-points and it was an eye-opener.  I'm not sure what I expected, but what I found were around 70 children, beautiful children, with gorgeous smiles that pull on every string in your heart.  We spent all morning holding kid after kid, playing soccer, and trying to communicate.  The older kids all speak English, but kids under about 6 only speak the native language siSwati.  All of these children are orphans.  They have lost at least one parent if, not both parents to AIDS.  Add on top of that that Children's Hope Chest estimates that 60% of these beautiful children are HIV positive.  Think about that for a second.  In the US, ARV's (Anti-retrial Viral medications) are readily available so life expectancy for HIV positive people is measured in decades.  But here in Swazi, an HIV positive person, even these children have 2-3 years.  It is heartbreaking. 

The moment that hit me the most yesterday was during a Bible lesson.  Two boys, around 2 years old, were sitting on a bench on a cement floor.  They got tangled up, and they both fell backwards and the younger of the two slammed his head into the floor and burst into tears crying out.  It was the same cry of my own two-year-old Kaden back in the US.  In the US, when Kaden cries, my wife Beka or I jump to help him, but here in Swazi, there is no mom or dad.  He is just one voice among 70 other children.  I was close to this boy so I went over and picked him up and carried him outside to just hold him.  Fortunately this took place at a care-point where there are loving adults.  A Go-go (Grandma), who runs the care-point) came over and as she got near the child reached out to this go-go for love and care. But what if this took place away from the care point at night?  Who would be there to love this boy? 

Already, my heart is breaking in this place.  They say that if you want to get close to the heart of God, get close to the things that break His heart.  If this is true, then this is truly the place to find the heart of God.  This is a beautiful place, with gorgeous children and people made in the image of God.  Yet, this place breaks the heart of God in the past five years the population has dropped from 1.3 million to 850,000.  Why?  AIDS.  Think of the children left behind.  46% of the population is HIV positive.  A 15 year-old Swazi living today has a 1 in 10 chance of living to see his or her 35th birthday.  Will we stand by and do nothing?  We can't.  We must do something. 

It looks like I'll have consistent Internet now, so please check back in as I check in over the next few days.  Please pray for protection, and that my mind and heart would be filled with the Spirit of God. 

Touch

Tomorrow a dream comes true.  I get to travel to Swaziland Africa.  If you know me, you know that God has put Africa on my heart.  The AIDS Pandemic is overwhelming and I'll be in the heart of it all--Swaziland.  Swaziland is a country that has been devastated by AIDS.  Over 46% of the population is HIV Positive.  We will specifically be working with those who have been most affected by AIDS--the children.  What is occurring is absolutely heartbreaking and I get the privilege of experiencing it first hand. 

I will be traveling with my good friend Rob Flanegin.  Rob was able to take his entire family to Swaziland this past summer for an entire month.  I'm looking to Rob and his experience as a guide through this journey.  I consider Rob to be a big-time model to me of a man of God and as a dad, so I'm looking forward to gleaning from his life on this trip. 

We will be traveling with Tom Davis the president of Children's Hope Chest and we will be able to see what God is doing in the lives of the orphans of AIDS in Africa. 

Something I've heard Tom say is that it is one thing to hear about what is going on, or to see pictures of it, it is another thing to hold an orphan in your arms.  That is what I am looking forward to--just loving these kids first hand.  Showing them the hope that comes from a Savior who created each one of them and knows the number of hairs on their head. 

I will try to update as often as I can so that you can hear what God is doing in my heart.  Please be praying for this trip, knowing that we are heading to the front lines of life.  Pray that God would be honored and glorified through everything that happens. 

Rockies

This week, I've had several people come up to me and comfort me in my mourning over the Rockies' World Series experience.  No it wasn't pretty, but honestly, I'm not that bothered.  Why?  Because my life isn't tied to the Rockies.  They are my favorite team and my entire family follows them (We even take our vacation to spring training).  But baseball isn't what it is about. 

The reason we follow the Rockies isn't baseball, it's because it something that really gives our family relational time together--especially with my sons.  There is nothing like sitting back and watching a baseball game.  Baseball is exciting enough that if you know what to watch for you understand the strategy and importance of every pitch.  Yet, it is relaxed enough that there is plenty of time to sit back an talk--not on a surface level, but to really spend time communicating. 

So, am I sad that the Rockies lost the World Series?  Yes.  But am I devastated?  Not even close.  It just means we're less than five months from my favorite time of the entire season--Spring Training! 

Jordan

In case you missed Jordan on Fox 21 News this morning, they are going to replay his interview tonight on the news after the World Series (same station). 

Meaghan Collier, from Fox 21, came over to our house with a film crew and filmed a tour of Jordan's room.  It was awesome!  This morning she invited Jordan to come and be interviewed live at Sky Sox stadium!!  That was even more cool!! 

Check out the full story tonight after the game! 

Game 1

Okay, so the Rockies lost 13-1 in game one of the World Series.  Well, I have my own theory.  It wasn't the nine day lay off.  It wasn't the fact that the umpire had a completely different strike zone for the Red Sox than for the Rockies pitchers.  It wasn't that it was raining and cold.  Last night was God's justice. 

God's justice?  Yes, God's justice.  God was punishing the Rockies organization for the World Series ticket fiasco of this past week.  God tried to get tickets, but every time he logged in the website timed out.  So, God punished the Rockies by handing them the biggest game 1 loss in World Series history. 

Now, that punishment is through.  The Rockies have repented, and now God's hand of blessing is once again upon them.  Watch out Red Sox! 

Fox21

Jordan was interviewed tonight on Fox 21 News for Southern Colorado's biggest Rockies fan contest.  They interviewed him tonight and it will be shown some time during the morning news tomorrow's (Thursday) morning news from 6am-9am.  They also said they might show clips during tonight's news after Game 1 (same channel), and they might re-play the story after tomorrow night's Game 2 for the 10pm news. 

Also, they invited him to be interviewed live at Sky Sox stadium tomorrow morning at 6:45am on the same Chanel (Fox is Chanel 3 on Comcast cable). 

Technology

Technology stinks.  Can I write that again on this technological computer?  Technology stinks.  First of all, you are all witness to this if you are subscribed to this blog.  In TypePad, the blogging service that hosts my blog, has been sending updates from months ago constantly over the past week.  Why?  Because blogging is technology and technology stinks. 

Now to the bigger reason that technology stinks--Colorado Rockies World Series tickets.  What an absolute joke.  Monday is my day off.  On my day off I came into the office and used 8 computers to try and get World Series tickets.  After 3 hours we find out that their servers crashed.  Why?  Because technology stinks. 

Then comes yesterday.  I was an idiot and tried to go on during lunch and buy tickets.  What's the definition of insanity?  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same results.  Well, while trying to get ministry done for 3 hours and checking whether or not I made it in to the ticket sales.  After 3 hours?  Nothing.  Why?  Because technology stinks. 

There's no point to this blog entry.  I guess I'm just bitter. 

By the way, I guess technology has one good use.  Tonight, a Fox 21 news crew is coming over to our house to interview Jordan, my 10 year-old-son.  He's been chosen as one of the biggest Rockies fans in Southern Colorado!   Their going to interview him in his room which is the ultimate Colorado Rockies room.  They said the story will air on Thursday! 

Wow!

Okay, I know I'm a blog idiot.  It's only been about three years since I last updated, but it was worth the wait!  Check this video out.  This kid can sing.   

Articles

Our DRIVEN parents students conferences have been amazing.  We've already had around 200 people go through it int he past week and we still have one more conference (Thursday night 6pm at the Rockrimmon Campus in Room 100).  At the conference, parents and their middle schoolers are designing a spiritual growth plan for their middle school student for the next year. 

We have included several important articles within the notebooks.  These are articles that have been released in the past month that have current stats on the state of teenagers in the United States.  Two are from MTV studies and produce surprising results. 

MTV Study Showing What Makes Teenagers Happy

MTV Study Showing Who Teenagers Identify as their Heroes

USA Today Article Showing Christian Teenagers are Leaving the Church

Worth

The heart of a father is an amazing thing.  I know because I'm the father of four children that I would do anything in the world for.  This is a video from ESPN that they showed us at the Leadership Summit.  Check out this example of a father's heart for his son...

What an amazing example for us who are parents.  I wonder if you asked this dad if it is worth it what his response would be?  Is it worth it to work the grave yard shift for his son?  Is it worth it to be a middle aged man running around a football field dressed in band clothes?  Is it worth it to sit in class in school with his son every day?  Is it worth it.  I guarantee you this dad would say it is worth every moment. 

As a ministry we are asking a lot of parents.  September 8-15th we will have our DRIVEN CONFERENCE.  We are asking parents to come with their middle school children to just one of the five options over these two weeks.  At this conference, we'll be asking a lot of parents.  The entire event will be challenging parents (and their children) to begin driving faith at home.  We'll be offering many tools and opportunities to do this that will challenge priorities and schedules.  Is it worth it? 

Is it worth it to see a vibrant faith infect your family?  Is it worth it to see a deepened relationship between father and son, mother and daughter, parent and child?  Is it worth it to step up and begin functioning in the home environment as God intended?  I guarantee every parent and child who step up and respond will say it was worth every moment.