around the world with Jesus

Archive for April, 2008

Michael Roe of the 77’s. A fun night.

Posted by Matt On April - 26 - 2008

My friend Jorin introduced me to the 77’s in 1991 when I had the (what to me was about the coolest privilege ever…because it was) opportunity to fill-in host at KADI’s Saturday night “The Rock Cries Out”. He stopped by with some cd’s (they were a new fangled thing then) and suggested I play “The Lust, the Flesh, the Eyes, and the Pride of Life” from their Sticks and Stones CD.

It’s now absolutely one of my favorite 5 cds of all time. Incredible stuff.

Since then, I’ve somehow (via ebay, used stores and more) purchased just about everything they’ve ever done.

I met Mike Roe (lead singer) at the GMA Conference in about ‘96, but have never seen him or them live…until last week.

Thanks to my good friend Bret, he played a solo living room show here in Springfield. I had just had surgery 2 hours earlier on my leg, but knew that not many things (was in W. Africa last time he was here) could keep me from that concert. Was valiumed up…(but that had no effect on my enjoyment) I LOVED THE SHOW!

He’s incredible. They had been signed to Island Records in the early-mid 80s even though they were a Christian band. Island was going to push them big time because they were so good. Then…Island scored another band to their label and funneled most of their promo money that way. U2. Joshua Tree. Wow.

The 77s are in that category if you ask me.

One of my favorite parts of the show was watching it with my friend from church, Brian. He’s been a fan for a long time…and has played music for years himself. We loved the show. Here’s Mike with Brian.

Finally…here’s a video of a song I requested…that first 77’s song I heard, “The Lust,…”. I’ve heard Mike is cool with people posting his stuff, but I’ll glady delete this if anyone tells me he doesn’t like it. Just let me know.

Enjoy this tune…

blog, music, random, video

Jason and Amy are married. Crazy.

Posted by Matt On April - 25 - 2008

So…I remember meeting Jason. In bed. Did I just put that on the internet? We were in junior high and our youth pastor roomed people who didn’t know each other together on the Six Flags trip. It was him, us and another guy who was much older…and we junior highers grabbed one of those two hotel beds. Talked much of the night.

Grew up together…it was fun. Dreamed together. Made life plans for ministry wherever God would take us. I visited him in Texarkana, TX (wouldn’t want to live there…sorry Jason) and we’ve had lots o’ good times.

Amy…I’ve known her pretty well for a long time too. In fact, I was her youth pastor. Fun

days…great memories. She’s always been brilliant, always been a leader. I even baptized her when she was 8. She swam to the steps (she would’ve almost drowned if she had to walk).

When Jason called me 1 1/2 years ago to let me know they were dating, I wasn’t at all surprised. There’s a few years between them, but they’re perfect for each other.

And now they’re married. I got to be a groomsman.

I was there at the kiss when the pyros went off.

They’re in Mexico honeymooning, heading home soon. That Park Crest youth group that I love so much is in very good hands…and I’m thrilled for them and happy for all those kids.

My thoughts…

blog, random, stories

Doug Corbett is a good man…and he’s on his way back…

Posted by Matt On April - 24 - 2008

Doug Corbett’s office is across the hall from mine at Convoy of Hope…but our relationship goes back a lot further. I remember in the mid-late 80s when he and his family went on the mission field to Sierre Leonne. Their family was one of about 3 or 4 that I thought of when I thought of missionaries.

I remember when he got cancer for the first time about 20 years ago. I remember when he had his bone marrow transplant and came to church wearing a mask…the pastor welcomed him back and told us not to get too close to him. We cheered and we prayed.

I worked with him in the Dominican Republic last spring where I would help bandage his head. Radiation treatments from 17 years ago were killing the bone in his skull. The Dr.’s didn’t tell him about the possibility, because they didn’t figure he would live long enough for this side effect to actually effect. He was in a lot of pain.

I’ve never heard him (or heard of him) complain. Just smiles, and thanks for faith.

God’s done a lot of miracles in his life…he’s gotten to see meet his grandchildren. He’s working with an organization he loves (Convoy of Hope), he’s traveled the world and helped A LOT of people.

Check out this video from his digital camera after tragic flooding in Burundi…one of the poorest countries on the world…

Then, he had to have surgery on the skull. Crazy surgery. I won’t get detailed here. If you know Doug, you’ve likely heard all about it. He was sedated for 12 days, had numerous complications, and was in intensive care for a long time. His wife and familiy took really good care of him, and we all prayed and prayed and prayed. You can visit his hospital care page to see details.

He came to work yesterday. Not to work, but to celebrate his life, and his future. The entire staff gathered around the front door…and pretty much everybody cried tears of joy. We love Doug…and it was good to have him back if only for a visit.

He’ll be back for good soon…and will no doubt continue with his corny jokes and forwarding of emails he finds funny. That will be fun. Love ya Doug.

Here are photos of Doug and Bev, Doug at his office, and Doug and Convoy of Hope’s founder Hal Donaldson.

blog, convoy of hope, international, stories

What would I do if we were starving?

Posted by Matt On April - 9 - 2008

When I’m not traveling, I come home each night to a beautiful wife and a little girl. We’ll have a nice meal (April can sure cook) and spend some time together as a family. What if there was no food. What would I do?

Over the last few years and especially the last few weeks, the world has seen a food emergency like many have never seen before. The price of rice went up 10% last week, and in some parts of the world, they expect the price to rise 250% between now and June. In other parts of the world, crops needed to sustain families for the future have been washed away and the markets are either significantly understocked or overpriced.

If I came home and had no food for my family what would I do? If I had no food for my family for days or weeks or months, what would I do?

Would I steal from others in need?

Would I steal from those who had plenty?

Would I beg?

Would I rummage through trash to find scraps?

Would I go to the media?

Would I go to friends/family and ask for help?

If I found food, would I hord it?

If a food truck came, would I try to be first in line?

Would I go to church and ask for help?

What would conversations with my wife be like? Instead of making plans for the weekend, would I resort to offering excuses about not being able to find food that day?

Would I feel ashamed?

Would I be depressed?

Would I feel like a man?

Would I be suicidal?

I don’t know answers to many of those questions. Some answers I do know…

I think I would go to family/friends and ask for help.

I think I would go to the church for help.

I think I would be ashamed.

I’d like to think I wouldn’t steal or be suicidal or anything, but if someone was hording and I knew they had plenty and my family was starving it would be tough to keep that integrity.

It would be tough, if we were starving, to not try to rush the food truck.

What would I do? I honestly don’t know.

People who love Jesus, love their families, are proud of their hard work, and walk in integrity are asking themselves the same questions right now. Right now children are asking fathers if they found food that day. Wives are speaking with husbands about solutions for survival. Some have asked families and friends for help, some have asked the church for help. All are in need, many of them facing needs like never before.

If it were you, what would you do?

blog, international, stories

thoughts from the journey…

Archive for April, 2008

Michael Roe of the 77’s. A fun night.

Jason and Amy are married. Crazy.

Doug Corbett is a good man…and he’s on his way back…

What would I do if we were starving?

Here’s Chelsea…a summer then intern with Convoy of Hope

Jude’s story

From deep within, THANK YOU!

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