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Does it count as a book if it’s a few sheets bound by two staples? I only ask because Miley Cyrus, of Hannah Montana fame, recently announced that she would be publishing her memoirs. At fifteen, she has accomplished more notoriety, fame and probably does more work than I’ll ever do in my life. But I wonder, what memoirs does any fifteen year old have? I recently asked if Disney would allow me to review them, they turned me down…so I’ve made up my own preview of Ms. Cyrus’ memoirs for you (this will probably spoil the plot, so if you plan on buying the book don’t read any further):

“It was dark and warm, I don’t remember much, then a bright light came and my dad started crying. I couldn’t talk so I cried, there was so much more room on the outside of the womb! I remember it was cold until they wrapped me in a blanket. Things are a little fuzzy after that, a lot of plush toys, I started to walk after I mastered crawling – of course. My favorite toy growing up (until last week) was a microphone, I used to sing a lot (my dad is a professional musician after all). I graduated from a toy microphone to a real one, then I got famous, some money and that’s all for now. My show is really clever I put on a wig when I want to be famous and then take it off when I go back to my ‘normal life.’ [Which coincidentally is what I do...only on Thursdays between 8am and 8:30am.] My parents are making me turn out the flashlight so I’ll have to finish this tomorrow. I’ve colored a picture for the illustrations, if you’ve enjoyed this then thank my tutor for my mad English skills!”

I love the fact that we have a great relationship with the Northwest Haitian Christian Mission! I love that we send people to help with this ministry, not just money. I love the we know some of the workers and those who come to the mission for aid on a first name basis. I love that I have a postcard hand painted by a man there at the mission. This card reminds me that our church’s influence is bigger than Bowling Green. We recently received an update from Kathie Perkinson, one of our regular short term missionaries, and I wanted to pass it along. Haiti has been in the news lately and is experiencing a great unrest, this update helps to make their situation and our connection there a little more personal:

Please ask people to pray for the mission and the Haitian people. The political situation is still not good and the mission is having to cut feeding programs to be able to buy diesel fuel. It is very hard to find and they are only finding two or three barrels at a time–they need about 25 per month @ $9.00/gallon. How does one not feed the elderly who only got one meal a day before (and that from the mission) and now just are not eating at all? The prices of food and EVERYTHING have skyrocketed and they struggled before. We are safe and working on a limited scale because our food and supplies are in Miami in customs and the shortage of fuel limits generator use and thus the surgeries and other mission activities and supplies — like water for the mission as well as the community. Be thankful to be an American — except by the grace of God, we could be living here!!!! Those of us Americans who are here get to return home — the Haitians have no jobs, no way to find one and no way out!

After the previous post about the prophetic voice of the church, it was quite timely to see Pope Benedict’s comments on his first American journey. He spoke out very strongly against the sin the church had suffered at the hands of her priests. He spoke out against the mishandling of these cases by many bishops and cardinals throughout America (See CNN’s coverage). He is attempting to rebuild the moral foundation for the prophetic voice of the Catholic Church. He then goes on to state very prophetically, “What does it mean to speak of child protection when pornography and violence can be viewed in so many homes through media widely available today?” What a statement! This is what I love about the Catholic Church, they are clear on their positions (not all of which I agree with). The Pope’s speech is clear when asks how we can fret over molestation and abuse when we celebrate it in our media! He speaks in the tradition of the prophets, against culture and gives a way of life to those who are seeking. He serves as the moral compass and the voice in the wilderness calling people to God. There has been great sin at the hands of many priests, it has been a disgrace to Catholics – to all Christians. This honesty, humility, repentance, and perseverance to rise above will carry this message and this pope a long way in being a minister of God in the prophetic tradition.

I just returned from a fantastic whirlwind tour of Joplin, MO. Home of Ozark Christian College, and their “Deeper Life” rally. A small group of our senior high students traveled with me to both have a spiritual retreat and a preview of this great school. I went as both friend and spiritual leader – all to cover a covert mission as a glutton on a spiritual pilgrimage of my own. I returned to the home of “Fred and Red’s” famous “Spaghetti Red” and “Tamale Spread” (read a review here). This unbelievably small and inexpensive restaurant serves up mass amounts of chili everyday. People stand in line to eat at this restaurant which serves maybe thirty at a time. Thankfully our students loved it as much as I did (although I suspect their enthusiasm was not as genuine as my own…thanks for humoring me).

We went other places, Braum’s Ice Cream and Lion’s Choice. Both shrines to my college eating days.  But the biggest hit among the students was Imo’s pizza. This we called in for take away so that we might feast on it while picnicing under the St. Louis arch.  Imo’s pizza is the definitive place to sample the not as well-known “St. Louis Style Pizza.”  Their pizza is served on a thin crust and with provel cheese.  This pizza is so popular it can be overnight delivered to anywhere in America for all of you St. Louis ex-pats.

There were other good things that happened on this trip as well.  We heard some great messages, experienced great worship, I reconnected with some old friends.  But the only thing I have to work off and pay for in the gym is the food.  Missouri may be a little lacking in the excitement department – but the “fine cuisine” makes up for it.  I will remember this trip, some lessons I learned about life and ministry, the decisions our students made, the fellowship I shared…but right now I’m reliving the food…

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