Fireproof

I highly recommend the movie "Fireproof." If you are married, going to be married, have been married, or know someone who is married then this movie has much to encourage you with.

In case you are unaware this movie is produced by Sherwood Pictures which is actually a ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Back in 2002, Alex and Stephen Kendrick (brothers and pastors on staff at Sherwood) read a research article claiming that movies have more of a cultural influence than the church. Wanting to gain greater influence in the culture they decided as a church they would produce a feature length film. Their first film, Flywheel, was released in 2003. Next came, Facing the Giants, in 2006, and now Fireproof.

Initially you will notice a little bit of an amateur feeling to the movie, but midway through you have invested yourself into the story of these characters. The real-life depth of these issues and the intense emotions drown out the "non-hollywood production."

A couple of quick background stories that make the movie even more special. The actors are all volunteers. Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains) is the only professional and he declined a salary for the role. In addition, Kirk had made a commitment to his wife to kiss no other woman (even for a movie role). Since he plays a married man and the movie was about their relationship he was concerned about this choice. The movie producers honored his commitment and created the kissing scene in such a way as to be able to use Kirk's real-life wife as a stand-in.

This movie needs to be supported. The issues that it addresses and the faith-filled values it condones are exceptional. Nowhere else in popular culture has a stand on these issues been taken like is taken in this movie. Please take the time, take your spouses hand, and go see this movie!

Pray for Haiti

The names "Hannah and Ike" do not seem that threatening .... not like "Spike or Hannibal." But when they happen to be the names of hurricane's the threat is magnified. The northwest coast of Haiti suffered their wrath recently. The mission (Northwest Haiti Christian Mission) that I have served at in previous years happens to be on the northwest coast. My heart has been overwhelmed in considering the tragedy that has struck people who have so little to begin with.


Looking out the back door of the church at Ansefoleur. This church is located right on the ocean and the damage has weakened the foundation. The railing to the right of the church is for the stairs that take you to the 2nd floor.

A picture I took the summer of 2006 of some kids at "The Bay."

Damage from Hannah and Ike at "The Bay."

The mission's feeding station at the Bay
(minus the roof torn off from the hurricane).

Looking from the mission towards the church (with the red roof).
Yeah, the water isn't supposed to be there.

Inside one of the missionary couple's homes.

Looking out of the mission at the outside restrooms (blue building).

The road to the mission.

I believe this is looking off the mission roof at a truck
parked next to the mission.

The "living room" of the mission.

The mission is responding to the need of the Haitian people as quickly
as they can. They have begun distributing food and assessing the
damage. Janeil (the executive director) has determined that if 300
people could donate $250 he could rebuild 300 Haitian homes
(a home for as many as 14 people!). Right now families without
homes are living in the cemeteries.

Any help is appreciated. If you have considered it and would like to
donate CLICK HERE. And above all else please PRAY for the people
of Haiti and the missionaries that love them.

Busy Again

It's that time again ... Jessica is running cross-country and Kyle is playing football. It certainly makes for a busy schedule between practices, games, and meets. Sometimes Leanne is with one kid at their thing and I'm with the other at theirs.

Jessica at the Chrisman "cow chip." (appropriately named because they run the race in a cow pasture behind the school and have to dodge the cow chips while they run) * notice the pile Jessica is standing by!

The "Cow Chip" is a huge meet and they run each grade individually.
Jessica ran with 6th grade boys and girls. There were somewhere in the
neighborhood of 65 girls. Jessica thinks she placed 21st.

Kyle is # 29 for the North Vermillion Falcons.
On offense he is a starting lineman (guard)
On defense he is a starting lineman (tackle).
He plays on the kickoff return team.
And he is secondary quarterback.

In other words ... He gets lots of playing time.

One of the few plays where Kyle wasn't in the game.

First game. They won ... 20 to 0.
Kyle QB'd the 4th quarter ... hurt his hand on the very last
play of the game. One of many football bruises I'm sure.