Global Andy » Luke

South Africa

Globalandy — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:08:53 +0000

As a family we head to South Africa tonight. It will be our first mission trip as a family. The first 10 days we are leading a team from our church to work in a township outside of Pretoria with a ministry called Beam Africa. We will be helping Beam as they serve kids in the neighborhood by helping feed them and hosting a kids camp. We also will be offering some business classes for adults to help those in extreme poverty rise above their situation. We will launch “Sekepe” and give micro-loans to empower them. (The CCC Project will arrive while we are there and we will overlap for 2 days working with the kids.) We will do a few fun things too like go to a Lion Park and celebrate the 4th with a braai (BBQ).

It’s with a little nervousness that I take my family. There is a lot of crime. I am not sure how my boys will do on the long flight or if they will want to go into the township every day. I am not sure how Jack & Drew will respond to ‘mom’ holding other kids. I have never lead a team with my family so not sure how divided my attention will be.

But on the other hand I am excited and have been looking forward to this for a year. I want us as a family to serve together among the least of these. (And do some fun adventures too.) I want my wife to live out her dream of ‘running an orphanage’ by caring for orphans who live on their own. I want Luke, Jack and Drew to rub shoulders every day with kids who don’t have everything and don’t complain about the food served them. I want to take the extra time we have by being there a month to sit and listen to the needs of those within the township and see how Cornerstone can partner long-term there to help bring about real change. I want to find other ministries like Beam Africa so ‘Sekepe’ can be a blessing to other ministries as well helping many be alleviated from their situation and the Kingdom of God come.

Most of all, I want to experience Jesus. I want to serve sacrificially – my family, our team, Beam, the poor. I want to live as He lived loving the lost, the least and the last.

Pet Names for Worms

Globalandy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:51:35 +0000

Earlier this year, Luke did a science project on worms so we had a huge bucket full of worms. (Were going to save them for a compost but most didn’t last the winter.)

Recently Robin found this list that we made at that time. It was little exercise we did at the dinner table one night in coming up with 100 pet names for the worms. Everyone participated…. feel free to steal any if your son/daughter/dog gets a worm for a pet. Or vote for your favorite in the comments.

Lowly
Fish-bait
Wally
Willie
Lenny
Squiggy
Speed Bullet
Speed Bump
Tail
Snake speed
Bat
Slowly
Wigglie
Race-car
Blind boy
Red
Icy
Hook
Water
Tape (as in Tape Worm)
Shark
Butter
Crocodile
Laser-gun
Fire
Dirt digger
Spoon-cup
Camophlague
Night Rider
One billion
Cut-ridge
Ground horse
Bad guy
Pladirugadge
Double-worm
Dirtbug
Earth (as in Earth Worm)
Earthboy
Pencil
Hermie
Pat
Two tables
Warren
Tunnel Digger
Drill
Book (as in Book Worm)
Wigger
Wiggler
Vacuum Cleaner
Space shuttle
Dust Buster
Speedboat
Bump
Brown string
Shoelace
Hergum
Sword fight
Curly
Window
Twiggy
Space
Allan
Latte
Spittle
Driger
Speed-fire
Eggshell Eater
Garbageman
Composter
Oscar
My Dog Has
Drew
Trash
Maggot
Jack
Luke
Wilson
Fish-food
Dump-eater
Gut-dweller
Finger
Dog
Earth-vein
Bulldozer
Tiller
Earth-cutter
Stick
Brownie
Squirmy
Slimy
Spot
Squished
Bot
Char
100 Barrelled Gun
Double
Hugger
Segment
Bubber
W

Luke: When I Grew Up

Globalandy — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Yesterday Luke finished his year of kindergarten. (sorry not a current pic) No graduation but they did have a pool party. Robin and I are proud of him as he has learned a lot this year and really grown in terms of interacting with his class.

Last night we were talking as we went to bed. he said, “Dad when I get older I am gonna feed orphans like you. (Note: Not sure I feed orphans but we are going together as a family to work with a ministry this summer that does that in South Africa. You can read our team updates here. ) He said, “I am going to run an orphanage. Dad, there are a lot of kids who die every year because they are hunger and I won’t be able to save them all but I can save a few from dying.”

WOW! Robin and I are hoping this summer is a life-changing time for our boys. But even before we go, Luke is already thinking of serving those who don’t have. When I was six I was saying I wanted to be something like a baseball player, an astronaut or a famous actor. My son is saying he wants to serve the poor and run an orphanage!

(Before you put him on a pedestal, know that he got a time out earlier that evening for acting disrespectful during the blessing over supper meal. Its a nightly occurrence.)

Protecting the Innocent

Globalandy — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:37:00 +0000

Last night I went to a parents meeting at Luke’s school. Today and tomorrow the kindergarten classes had (will have) talks presented by folks from CAP. I am glad his school is doing these presentations to help Luke and other kids be safe, and learn to steps to empower themselves against bullies and predators. But I am disturbed that he needs this because our world is such as it is.

Last night, sitting with 6 other parents. (There are about 40 Kindergartners so not sure what happened to the rest of the parents.), I fought back tears and anger as the presenter shared stories and sobering statistics.

What kind of world do we live in where 1 out of every 3-4 girls and 1 out of every 4-6 boys will be sexually assaulted by their 18th birthday? Or where 90% of these assaults will be perpetrated by someone known or trusted person? Or that almost 83% of victims are abused by their own parent either alone or with someone else?

I want this to stop! This is not the way it should be. The innocent should be the ones we protect the most. Millions of kids innocence are being stripped at the perverted pleasure of others. It’s sick. It’s wrong. And its common in every nation and among every race and among every social-economic status.

I don’t want my sons to be a statistic, to be victimized, to have their innocence stripped. I don’t want this for any child.

“Lord, may you protect the innocent. May you crush the oppressors. May it your justice reign. May we see an end to the innocent being exploited. May your kingdom come, your will be done. May it be on earth as it is in heaven… where there is no pain, suffering, abuse.”

Luke and Jump Rope for the Heart

Globalandy — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:00:00 +0000

On March 6th, Luke is participating in the 30th anniversary of Jump Rope for the Heart. If you would like to sponsor him as he raises money for the American Heart Association, you can go to his AHA Jump Rope for Heart page.

Home Alone

Globalandy — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:06:00 +0000

Tomorrow (Thursday) Robin leaves for Long Island, New York to visit her aunt. She will hook up her mom, sister and nephew in Philly airport and then they all fly that last leg together. She will be gone until Monday the 6th.

Earlier this summer I suggested she do this cuz when does she get a break.

What was I thinking?!?

Sarcasm at It’s Best

Globalandy — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:35:00 +0000

What’s better than a Saturday morning with three sick little boys?

Who’s the Boss?

Globalandy — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 22:36:00 +0000

Last night as Luke sat in time-out on the stairs for not being willing to wash his hands, he said, “I am the mommy and the daddy. I am the boss.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Later that evening, I reminded him he was not the boss as we washed those grimy little hands. Today I wondered how often I say that to God. I make claims that I am the boss and in charge. No, He is the Daddy. He is the boss. Hopefully I will obey him and not face the consequences. But He will get His ultimate will eventually.

Nothing exposes my own sin more than a three-year-old.

Three boys

Globalandy — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 21:20:00 +0000

Never really imagined having three sons. Much less all under the age of 4. Let me share a little bit about my sons and what I am trusting the Lord for them.

LUKE – Was born on June 29, 2002. Luke is 3 and I like to say ‘acts his age’. He loves rocks, nature trails, cars, trains, Spiderman (though he really doesn’t know what a supper hero is or does), books, jumping on stuff and just being outside. My verse for Luke would be Luke 5:10, 11. (After the miraculous catch) Jesus says… ” ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” My heart’s desire is that Luke would one day radically and recklessly follow Jesus leaving everything behind. Right now, Luke is struggling with the reality that the world does not in fact revolve around him. It’s a good reminder for me on how much I must frustrate the Father when I think and act similarly.

JACK – real name John Charles- was born on July 29, 2005. 1 Minute before his brother. Jack loves to smile. He is even smiling in this pic. We think he is going to be very social and outgoing. He always been at least 1 lb and 1/2 larger than Drew. My verse for him is 1 John 3:23 “And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.” My prayer is that Jack would be characterized as someone who believes Jesus with simple faith and loves others.

DREW – real name is Andrew Bogan – was born on July 29, 2005. Bogan is a family name on my Dad’s side. Bogan Mask was a Methodist minister in Georgia during the 1800′s. The story goes that he and another man bought a slave to set her free. Drew seems to be the observant one. My verse for him is John 1:35-42. When hearing that Jesus is the Lamb of God, Andrew is one of two who follows Jesus and asks where Jesus is staying. Jesus says, “Come and you will see.” So Andrew goes and stays with Jesus and the first thing he does afterwards is finds his brother and brings him to Jesus. My prayer is that Drew would follow Jesus and bring others to Him.