It was like a missions convention, only with anime characters.

This weekend we happened to be in Lansing, MI visiting Mount Hope Church 

(more about that tomorrow), 

and lo and behold we run into an anime convention going on at the same time!

Not at Mount Hope Church, mind you, but in Lansing (in case you were confused).

Here are a few characters waiting in the lobby for the shuttle to the convention center.

I looked up the website for Shuto Con and came across their convention rules. 

I thought they seemed quite reasonable and even applicable for any convention 

(be it youth or district or whatever).

Tell me what you think.

• No loitering in the narrow hallways of the hotel, traffic must remain flowing. We would suggest if you would like to hang out with a group of your friends that you do it in the larger common areas.

• No lewd outfits are allowed. All clothing must be street legal. No “naughty parts” may be exposed (and please don't ask us to explain “naughty parts”). 

• TAKE A SHOWER EVERY DAY, fanboy/girl funk will not be tolerated, and you will be asked to remove yourself from the public until the problem is resolved.

• Signs are OK to have at our convention, however they may not ask for money, sell anything, and/or ask for sexual services (which includes kisses, but hugs are OK).

• If you are going to glomp someone, please do it gently. 

• No sleeping in the convention hall or common areas of the hotel, that's what hotel rooms are for. If you are caught sleeping in the convention hall or hotel common areas you will be asked to return to your room (or leave if you don't have a room).

• No didgeridoos over 12ft (we don't want a repeat of last time).

• Keep all activities in the convention hall within a PG-13 range. If you are in an 18+ event, go wild (but still please still be respectful).

Ok, so seriously, I had to look up glomp and didgeridoos, too (don't feel bad).

Yep, we felt right at home. Kind of like a missions convention, only with anime characters.

In which we say, Nü - Ark, not Nü - Wərk

I love the east coast! 

So glad for the opportunity to visit Pastor Alan and Tricia Baker in Newark, Delaware last weekend.

We felt quite at home at Parkview Assembly of God; a truly "multi-cultural blend of people that love the Lord and fellowship together as a family."

Saturday evening we enjoyed the wonderful World Cafe; an intimate gathering to converse with the beautiful people of Parkview Assembly.

Sunday morning, I preached the first service and Stuart brought it home during the second service.

Later we grabbed some Philly Cheese Steaks at Tony Luke's in Philadelphia with Ben and Jessi Bock (Student Ministries) and Alan and Tricia Baker (Lead pastor).

Afterward, we decided to get a group shot with Alan and Tricia. 

Amazing how the Liberty Bell photo-bombed us at just the right moment.

For those who may not know the history: 

Way back in 1990, when Stuart and I graduated from Southeastern University, we traveled to Fort Wayne, Indiana for our first official ministry opportunity with Alan and Tricia Baker. After serving as the pastoral intern at Evangel Christian Center, Alan hired Stuart as one of his associate pastors. Likewise, Rick and Angela Forker also joined the team. Later we would all become missionaries: Alan and Tricia, Belgium; Rick and Angela, first to Germany and now in Italy; Stuart and I, first in Jamaica and now in Mexico City.

Some pesos and a promise

Yesterday, Stuart and I shared our heart for Mexico City with Pastor Kevin Holt and the good people at Glad Tidings in Muncie IN.

We also had the opportunity to share our version of The Parable of The Lost Peso with Pastor Dan Vanderbilt and the great kids in GTKM. Thankfully, they helped us find our lost peso and promised to pray for us and the beautiful people of Mexico.

Our time with Glad Tidings concluded with an unforgettable lunch with the equally unforgettable Senior Adult Pastor, Coleman Barlow :)

Come to find out, Pastor Barlow ministered in Waterbury, CT many years ago (Wendy's from Hamden, CT Only about 20 minutes away.). So he and Wendy shared a lot of stories from New England - mostly about the great food out there!

Thanks Pastor Kevin and Glad Tidings! We enjoyed our time with you.

Last week, Sophia sang a soulful solo at Leo High School's recent "Rock 'N Roll All Nite" choir event.
She's the second soloist (red sweater) and starts singing about 9 seconds into the video.

And in honor of the great missionary Saint Patrick, I leave you with this prayer:

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard. 
(An excerpt from The Lorica of Saint Patrick)

A musical version

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Making a Connection from Mexico City to West Lafayette

Although we lost an hour of sleep Saturday night, we gained some precious connections and conversations on Sunday when ...

Stuart and I shared our hearts for Mexico City with Connection Point Church in West Lafayette, IN.

After a wonderful sermon by Pastor Ted Brust we enjoyed lunch and fellowship with our friends, Pastor Zach and Liz Rainey.

Creativity and fellowship abound on Main Street in Connection Point Church where Stuart stands with Liz.

Thanks, Pastor Ted for the opportunity to share our ministry with you and your congregation!

Magic Mexican Gum

Like most missionaries, we include items on our display table people can take home with them. Adults usually reach for the prayer cards and mints, but kids prefer the tiny centavos and the Mexican gum.

Recently, after hearing me encouraging the kids to grab a pack of gum, an elderly gentleman quipped:

"If you chew that gum, you'll be able to speak Spanish."

I've never seen gum fly off the table so fast.