Rhinos Poached

Rhino Poaching is a huge problem in South Africa. The number of Rhinos killed recently is unbelievable. In 2008 - 83 rhinos were poached. In 2009 - 122 rhinos were killed. Last year the number stood at 333. To date - 5 have been poached this year.

WHY?

According to The Times (27 Jan 2011) they are worth a lot of money.

"The price of rhino horn has reportedly increased to R400, 000/kg, making it more expensive than gold at around R300, 000/kg."

NUMBER ONE

With all I have shared so far you can imagine it would take something spectacular to be the greatest experience I had in 2010. Lausanne 3 in Cape Town was such an experience. It was more than amazing! To be a part of such a historic event was a huge privilege. I didn't go as a participant - I went as a servant to the media team. I was so blessed to sit in on dialogue sessions, media presentations, speeches and sermons. To be among some of the greatest theologians, missionaries and pastors of our time was an unbelievable experience.

The greatest part of Lausanne 3, by far, was the worship. I honestly cannot describe the blessing it was to worship with brothers and sisters from 199 countries! I can't imagine worshipping with such a diverse group again until I do it in front of the throne of the King of kings.

May Lausanne 3 spur many of us on so that heaven is so full no one could possibly count the number worshipping there!

NUMBER TWO

October of 2010 marked a very special ocassion for my family as my mom and dad celebrated 50 years of marriage! The whole family gathered together in TX to honor them. My sister (and others) planned a great party which was attended by many of their friends. A lot of fun and fellowship.

In this day and age where over 50 percent of all marriages fail - it is an honor to know my parents have been married for so long. I am grateful for their commitment to each other and the LORD. I pray that they have 50 more! OK maybe not that long - but a continuation of the love they share!

BTW: Pretty good looking family if I do say so myself.

NUMBER THREE

I have already blogged about my trip to Japan (see 10 Septembers blog) but I had to put it in my Top 10 for 2010. I was so blessed by the people I met and the baseball I saw and the food I ate and all the memories I was given. I love Japan!

The picture is of Mr. Ito san who played SS with the Leaves (I was a late replacement at 2B). He is a good friend and a hero to play so well at such an age!

BTW: He also played SS for Zimbabwe against me when I coached the Lesotho National Team in Nigeria.

Really, since the late 70's early 80's I have wanted to see my Ham Fighters play in Japan and although I didn't see my team play in person I did see them on TV. And, I was able to see the "World Champion" Marines play. It was a great trip filled with great memories. I can't wait to take JK with me one day soon.

NUMBER FOUR

The 20th of August was one of the greatest days of my life and yet one of the worst days of my life.

It was the day my little girl (punkin' pie) left me to go to the States to finish her SR year and prepare for College.

I joined the ranks of parents who realize how hard it is to admit your children are mature enough that they don't need you (as much) any more! Honestly, it also makes you feel old. Like I said it was a very difficult day.

But, it was also a day of celebration - because it signified (some) success as a parent. We realized that we really did raise of daughter well. She doesn't need us because she has matured. We have done something right - there is growth, maturity, and a need for more independence. All of these things are good.

Well done to my daughter, who in 2010 turned from punkin' pie into a young woman!

We celebrate all that you are and have become as we pray for all that you will be and do.

We miss you but we love you more!

NUMBER SEVEN, SIX and FIVE

It is impossible to rank these games so I grouped them 5-7.

World Cup 2010 was such a memorable event for our family and our country.

I will never forget the Opening Match RSA v MEX. I was watching in a community hall in Soweto with over 500 fans. When RSA scored the opening goal the joy and enthusiasm and out of control excitement - it's impossible to explain. WOW! I can almost hear now that the vuvazelas have been silent for 6 months!

I saw my second favorite team the Netherlands beat Denmark. Go Orange! And, I saw the USAs greatest game - beating Algeria 1-0 in extra time to win the group. My personal highlight was going to a game with my wife and my children.

Josh wanted to see Ghana play because his soccer coach is from Ghana.

We went and they won!

RAH wanted to see Italy play because she saw them play Brazil in the Confederations Cup and though they lost they were "hot."

We went and they didn't play so well. They lost, but, I guess they were "hot."

I was able to go to the round of 16 with Janna Kay and cheer on the USA!

Wow what a memorable night! OK we lost but it was a brilliant match.

It was so cool to be a part of that evening!

NUMBER EIGHT

Number Eight is a tie!

I was really blessed to minister for a week with 3 professional baseball players. They

represented UPI a great ministry partner. Mickey Weston, Bill Curtis and Brent Lillibridge did a great job of teaching baseball skills and sharing the Good News. They worked with U10, U12, U14, and U16 teams as well as a couple of club teams. They played kickball in the inner city and taught baseball skills to a club in Alexandria (a huge township). They also gave instruction to some of the National team players who live in Gauteng. We had a lion scare us pretty bad one day but that's another story.

Our church, Ridgecrest Family Church, has been meeting in a pre-school classroom since it was established 6 years ago. We own property but never had enough money to build. This year, by faith, we started the building project. On Christmas Day we worshipped in the church! It is not finished, but it was exciting to worship in the new building. I was given the opportunity to preach last Sunday before we moved back into the classroom. God is good - the building is coming along nicely.

Please pray that the church members are build up even more than the bricks!

We need to be a light in our community!

NUMBER NINE

NUMBER NINE

I just read that the average American reads 5 books a year and that 27% of Americans don't read even one book a year.

I love to read.

I read over 30 books again this year and thought I'd share my favorites with you.

I read the 2 most recent books by Lee Child and Brad Thor. Brilliant, but I'm drooling - I can't wait to read Tom Clancy's latest book - his first one in over 7 years.

I really enjoyed Radical by David Platt and my pastor - JD Greear's book Breaking the Islam Code. I also recommend the classic Holiness by JC Ryle.

I enjoyed Manhunt: The 12 day chase for Lincoln's killer by James Swanson and Hood by Stephen Lawhead.

By far, the best book I read in 2010 was the biography by Eric Metaxas entitled

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Prophet, Martyr, Spy.

It's long but a very easy read - packed with excitement and information about a godly man we all should probably know more about.

NUMBER 10

2010 was a year filled with exciting events and several "once in a lifetime" experiences, (in fact I had several prayers answered). I thought I would share my Top 10 with you as a way to illustrate how the Lord has overwhelmed me with his goodness.

NUMBER 10

The teaching ministries of Mark Driscoll, Tim Keller and Paul Tripp.

I love to read and I have come to respect these men a great deal through their writings. However, I was blessed to see them in person and listen to them teach. The Spirit led and used all three of them in my life and the lives of many other church leaders.

I recommend;

Doctrine and Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll.

The Reason for God and The Prodigal God by Tim Keller

Whiter Than Snow by Paul Tripp

I pray that these men and their books will bless you as much as they have blessed me.

Japanese Baseball 2

The top picture is the Leaves a local team. My friend asked me to play a game. We won 4-2 without any help from me. I was 1-3 and had a throwing error (after a great stop).

The middle picture is the National High School tournament.

The last pic is the Golden Temple.

Japanese Baseball

I was really blessed to travel to Japan for a meeting and a lot of baseball. I am coaching Zimbabwe and the folks that hosted me in Japan also love the Zimbabweans and baseball.

Here are a couple pics of baseball with great friends in a wonderful country.

The top picture is the food we ate at the game. The next is the B's field (Kyrocera Dome). Lastly, me trying to leave a restaurant.

World Cup Memories

I have many great World Cup 2010 memories. Tim Howard signed an autograph for me. I saw the US beat Algeria in extra time to go to the Round of 16 v Ghana. I saw the US play Ghana in that game. I saw the Netherlands (my other favorite team) win. Lots of soccer matches, but for me the best memories were the games I saw with my family.

It was cool to take Josh to see his favorite team Ghana win! His soccer coach is from Ghana.

It was fun to take RAH to see her favorite team Italy (hot guys - nuf said) play.

And it was really special to see the US play in the Round of 16 with JK.

Please Pray!!!

Tonight Brazil plays against the team that is number one on the World Watch List. FIFA tells us they will have 2,000 fans at the game. God, miraculously, has brought them to my city! I will be at the stadium before the game tonight. PLEASE Pray that God would do miracle upon miracle upon miracle so that at least one from that country will be saved and a church can be planted by them.

I just started a list of my favorite books at good reads. You might want to check it out.

Unevangelized

According to OM's 2010 World Cup Prayer Guide Siya Thandaza, the top unevangelized countries participating in the 2010 World Cup are

1) North Korea

2) Algeria

3) Japan

4) Nigeria

5) Ivory Coast

3 of the top 5 are African countries! That's half of the teams from Africa!

North Korea continues to be on my mind. I am praying for God to work miracles on TUE 15 June when God brings them to my city! I am praying for new life though it could cost them their life!

I am going to see the US play Algeria on 23 June.

I have been asked to visit Japan from 3-13 August. The trip is baseball related, but still a God thing.

A good friend was born in Nigeria to parents on the mission field. The Christian - Muslim tension in that country has been a prayer focus for some time.

I love the color orange! I always cheer for the Netherlands and the Ivory Coast.

Please join me in praying through this list! That God would get the Gospel to the fans and players from these countries during the World Cup.

This is eye opening for me as

Soccer World Cup 2010

70 year old Zulu warrior spears an ox at Soccer City.

He slaughtered the ox yesterday in order to bless the stadiums used for the World Cup matches. This ceremony was attended by around 2,000 people (roughly the same amount of North Korean fans expected to watch their games). During the ceremony the stadium was blessed by 300 sangomas (witch doctors) who "invoked the spirits of our African ancestors to usher in their wisdom and energy."

If you would like to keep up with the ministry going on during World Cup 2010 please check out world soccer journeys.

If you would like a prayer guide for the participating countries check out Siya Thandaza.

10 Year Pin

We attended our Cluster's Spiritual Retreat last week. It was a great time of fellowship. I really enjoyed the preaching and prayer times.

It was a special retreat as Ruth Anne, Janna Kay, and I were recognized for having served with the IMB for 10 years. JK and I received these pins.

Only one IMB family has been in Joburg longer than we have, so we have had a pretty good run. Janna Kay was giving me a hard time because 10 years is the longest I have ever held a job.

I am thankful that the LORD has seen fit to use us here in Joburg for the past 10 years. As a strategy leader for our work in Joburg I can not imagine being "through" in the next 10 years!

Please continue to pray for our family and our city.

Doggie Treats

It isn't a great picture, but I wanted you to see Lexie's new favorite snack.

This snack, I imagine, is only available here in Africa.

Lexie is enjoying his first Ostrich Windpipe.

Who comes up with these things? What's next?

Actually, I don't think I want to know or guess.

I just finished reading my pastor's book - Breaking the Islam Code. I highly recommend it.

In the words of Mark Driscoll - "If you love Jesus and Muslims, you will love this book."

Batting and Bowling !?!

Joshuwa played his first cricket game last week. All the boys play every position in the field (including bowler) and bat 6 balls (an over).

Joshuwa was thrilled to represent his school but his biggest thrill was riding the bus to the game.

Joshuwa batted for 7 runs and his team (King's School West Rand) won by 2 runs.

We celebrated with ice cream cones.