Open Opportunity

Giving a plug to a great missions organization that could use your financial support. Open Road Missions (ORM) is a non-profit international aide organization dedicated to providing opportunities for people to become involved in the lives of those less fortunate.

Founded in 2007 by Paul OConnell, ORM is currently providing food, clothing, medical care and supplies to needy families in Peru. They work with local organizations to assess primary needs and determine the best possible methods for providing help.

If you would like to support the mission financially, go to Open Road Missions or contact Paul at paul@openroadmissions.com to find out more.
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Opened To More

"Courage is simply the willingness to be afraid and act anyway." -Robert Anthony

There is a small part in each of us that would rather sit behind the closed door. We would rather be complacent in the comfort of the small space we occupy. The idea of opening ourselves to something beyond our controlled atmosphere frightens us.

The artificial lights within our home provide just enough warmth to keep us satisfied. We read the paper, search the Internet and generally create a small piece of life. You feel there is no need to extend your world beyond the front door.

A large world exists beyond the threshold of your home. That world can use someone like you to enter it on a larger scale. The world needs the interaction of you. You need the interaction of the world in order to grow. It is said that a mushroom grows very well in the cool dark and wetness of an enclosed space. It grows even better when fed that four letter word which begins with an 's', a lonely existence in my mind.

But the flower flourishes outside in the world under a beaming sun. It draws strength from the cool rain water and nutrients of the earth. The flower is found by the world to be a source of inspiration. It brings beauty where none exists.

Are you that flower? No, I'm not that eloquent to suggest you are. What you are is someone that can flourish out in the world. Interacting with other people, impacting their lives with even the smallest of what you can offer. All it takes is to open that door and step out. To step out and beyond the walls that surround you will bring so much more to your life.

Try it today; open the door and step through it. Find a way to put yourself out in the world and do something for someone else. It all comes back around eventually. Some may call it 'paying it forward'. In this case, nothing may have been done for you yet. Well, you can start the process first. Be the first one in the chain that 'pays it forward' and it will eventually come back around when you least expect it (but need it most).

Open the door on your life and begin.
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Mission Ecuador

“People who care about each other enjoy doing things for one another. They don't consider it servitude.” -Ann Landers

Today I am writing to make a request for your assistance. My daughter will be traveling to Cuenca, Ecuador on a three month Mission Trip. She will be working with the Verbo Church during her time in Ecuador.

Not long ago, she visited Ecuador on a mission trip with the The C3 Church-Atlanta School of Ministry. After returning from this incredible experience, she made the decision to go back for three months. During her time she will be living in Cuenca with the wonderful family that coordinated all of the events and details of the first missions trip.

While there this time, she will be serving in various departments of the Verbo Church, including the orphanage and clothing outreach programs. Additionally she will be learning how their church is run and operated along with being enrolled in a language school run by the church.

One big reason she is embarking on this missions trip is to assist and better learn how this group is having such a huge impact on their local community. It was very interesting to see this impact and she wants to learn all she can from the church leaders and members. There is a lot that can be learned from these people.

More importantly, she is looking to learn from and in teaching the kids within the orphanage. When it comes down to it, helping these children will have a large impact on their lives.

She already has her plane ticket and is leaving in late August of 2009. The estimated need for her internship will be $3,000. Please consider donating what you can. Every bit helps her reach the goal and any amount is greatly appreciated.

If you feel more comfortable in doing so, you can send your gift through the local church here in Atlanta, address and website given below.

The C3 Church - Atlanta
1065 Walther Blvd
Lawrenceville, GA 30043 USA

WEBSITE: The C3 Church - Atlanta

Just mark your donations for "Pareesa Sarabi-Ecuador Missions". Yes, she is my step-daughter but I'm overly proud to simply call her my daughter. Its a big step for a young adult and going BEYOND your normal walls will help others in a large way.
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Family

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."
~Desmond Tutu

Recently my wife and I attended a family reunion some distance away. These occur once every two years on my wife's side of the family. It was a great time once again to meet and talk with relatives.

Each reunion, a different family volunteers to plan the next event which is held in many varying places. These reunions can result in upwards of a hundred people attending. Certainly no small feat for the ones planning as cost, location, things to do and of course our final evening dinner together.

This year was no different in planning, but due to the slumping economy, weddings and such...the turn out was smaller. But it was a great time for everyone. The costs were low, the 4th ranked in the nation Henry Doorly Zoo, greats museums such as the Durham Museum or the Joslyn Art Museum along with the Childrens Museum where Elmo was visiting were big hits.

Of course the golfing, shopping in the Old Market, restaurants...there was much to do. So yes, every two years, one set of family members become spokespeople for the local Visitors Bureau. This year, we had a great time and everyone enjoyed getting to see each other once again.

At the end of each reunion, we hold a family dinner. It is here that we all get to be in one place for fellowship, pictures and awards. Yes, awards for the family golf tournament or putt-putt golf tournament. Awards are given for the oldest person, the youngest, the farthest and so on. Small token gifts, but well meaning to acknowledge those in attendance.

A way to let everyone see each other one last time before parting ways in the morning. This year we were able to have the majority of my family attend as well due to the proximity of where they live. Two different families coming together to meet and say hello is a great thing.

It is also a way to let the elders of the family get up and speak to us. This year, my wife's Uncle Mike got up to speak. He reminded us of those that could not make it this year. He reminded us of those that are no longer with us. It was twenty-two years ago that he and his brothers decided that getting together only for funerals was not the way to do it. So eleven reunions have occurred, keeping family members from different corners close and in touch.

So now you are wondering, why all of the fuss over a family reunion? Simply to give you an idea, to plant a seed in your mind, to nudge you to do the same. Whether you have a large or a small family. Or whether it is a close or an extended family, getting together every so often is important.

Enjoy the aspects of family, enjoy being related.
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