Thank You, Owasso Reporter, For a Great Adoption Story

Earlier this month, several families in the Owasso area opened their homes to some beautiful Russian children brought to America by the Russian Orphan Lighthouse Project .  Our local paper ran a great story yesterday about one family's experience.

"One local family opened their home to a Russian orphan with no intention of adopting, but the girl soon opened their hearts to more than they ever imagined."  (Read more...) 

The Anthemeers

This past weekend I helped out my friend Darrell Halk with his Disciple Now weekend.  He brought in an awesome band that I hope you'll take some time to listen to.  If you live in the Houston area, I hope your church will consider bringing them in for a special event.

http://www.myspace.com/theanthemeers

Pastor Andrew's Final Report from Nepal

[From Pastor Andrew]


After approximately 274,923 hours of flights, delays, layovers, and general stalling, I finally arrived back in Owasso on Sunday at noon.  I think I’m going to petition the airlines for frequent delaying miles—I should have enough to fly to Antarctica and back . . . three times. 

As far as the training school goes, we had about 50 key leaders from the region.  They were trained in two major areas:  The Foundations of the Christian Life and The Christian Family.  Some had never received training, and none had ever received training that included a full set of notes and a CD on each lesson (in their own language).  They were also very pleased with the biblical and practical nature of the teaching.  The fact that several of the leaders had traveled 3-5 days one way for training is indicative of the need and desire for training.  And after seeing the trails they hiked in on, I was all the more impressed (and I’m not easily impressed with the hiking prowess of others!).  They showered me with much honor, giving me a yellow welcome silk scarf and a huge circular badge with “chief professor” on it.  It was awkward walking around as “chief.”  Since no one else in town had on the same target on their bodies, I wondered if this was some community practical joke they play on all foreigners.  I have written testimonies from four of the pastors for all who want a copy.  It’s fascinating reading.  I’m having some copies made and available at church.  These guys are the real deal. 

There was also a free dental clinic offered while we had the training.  People came from miles around.  In 3 ½ days, 340+ mouths were serviced and hundreds of teeth were pulled.  I’m always amazed at the pain tolerance of folks who work in third-world conditions.  I whine when I stub my toe.  They hardly wince when their toe gets cut off.  I was way impressed with Dr. Bill Sasser (the dentist) and his wife Susalee (one of the dental assistants and prayer warrior extraordinaire).  They were “less” kind of people:  tireless, selfless, and relentless.  What’s more—they do about 15-18 trips a year . . . on their own rupees.  Very kingdom-minded people. 

So many are asking about the helicopter ride.  First, I was never in any danger from road bandits.  The road barricade and general chaos was five hours from Jiri—it was just a major inconvenience, but no danger to us personally.  Second, the chopper ride was excellent and smooth.  For some reason, Steve Hyde was forced to sit right under the rotator.  I think they were discriminating against persons of enormous size—he must be in the wrong caste.  What took nine hours by van took a mere 25 minutes by the helicopter.  I felt like a spoiled kid riding shotgun, but the view was stunning.  I’m pretty sure that every square foot of arable land in Nepal is terraced and in use.  Back in Kathmandu, I was just in time for (yet another) Hindu parade through Dunbar Square, more offers of hash and meth, watching children sniff aerosols, and bargain hunting in Thamel.  It was while shopping that I was able to share with the three Muslims.  The rickshaw to Dunbar was my first.  So in one day, I’ve added two new modes of transportation to my bucket list.  I still lack elephant, water buffalo, camel and sky-diving.  

We rushed to get out to the Kathmandu airport at 5:45 am, only to stand in line outside for 30 minutes so that we could stand in line for another 30 minutes for ticketing, only to sit and wait 3+ hours for take off.  We whittled away our time sharing Christ with a British trekking guide who lives in France.  Our plane was only 3 ½ hours late to Bangkok.  I was told by two questionable sources that Nepali Airlines has only 3 planes—two that fly and one for parts.  As questionable as my sources may be, the experience I had only reinforced my aversion to ever fly them again. 

On Saturday, we flew from Bangkok to Hong Kong.  In Hong Kong (AKA:  Hong Long), we taxied to the runway, and then returned.  One minor problem . . . the fuel tank was leaking by the left engine (a minor detail on a trans-Pacific flight).  They tinkered around for four hours with a roll of duct tape, some bubble gum, and hot dogs (all which are indestructible).  They even used a little Dutch boy to stick his finger in the hole for a while.  There’s nothing like being boarded an hour early to sit for four hours of repairs before having a twelve hour flight.  One seat.  17 hours.  Second to last row on a 747.  Next to a talkative United Nations environmentalist consultant (she recently spent 18 months on the Galapagos Islands doing the green thing).  I used to wonder why God allowed humans to make sleeping pills.  Now I know.  After taking one, I did the Christian love-your-neighbor, second-mile thing and offered my neighbor six.  It was a total joy arriving in San Francisco just in time to miss my connecting flights.  With a 10 hour layover, we took the train to Fisherman’s Wharf for dinner.  Just when I thought Kathmandu was one of the weirdest places I’ve ever been, God sends me into San Francisco . . . street performers, gays, punk-rockers (and these were the normal folks).  Frisco is perhaps more multi-cultural than most international cities. 

Needless to say, when my plane touched down in good, ole Tulsa, I was very relieved to have a safe trip to a safe town.  I’m back.  I have jet-lag.  And yes, I’m drooling on myself even as I write this report. 

Thanks again to all who prayed, checked on the family, and generally held the fort down while the “chief” went into battle. 

Blessings, Andrew

How Obama Got Elected

Very telling...

Update on Pastor Andrew. Thanks For the Prayers!

(From Pastor Andrew)


I wanted everyone to know that we finally made it into Kathmandu.  This morning stretched into the late afternoon, but we finally were rescued by a helicopter ride.  The helicopter took only 25 minutes, while the drive in was 8-9 hours.  This was not only my first chopper ride, but I was even able to ride shotgun.  What a view of the terraced mountainsides and small villages!  From the air, some of our group saw the traffic jam at the blockade--several hundreds of vehicles at a total standstill.  If we had tried to drive out, we would not have made it. 


After finally arriving back to Thamel, Kathmandu, we ate, shopped a little, and are about to hit the hay.  Wake up time tomorrow:  4:30 am.  Please keep praying . . . there's no guarantee that our plane will be leaving (apparently the Nepal Royal Airlines is notorious for cancellations and double-bookings). 


Tonight while shopping, I was able to witness clearly and plainly to three Arabs running a shop.  Please pray that the words I shared hit deep in their hearts (they were pretty committed to Islam). 


Thanks again for praying.  God is the way-maker. 


Blessings and love,
Andrew