22hrs, Graduation, and Home!!!

We finally made it, after a delay in South Africa that cost us an extra night in the airport and a 22hr plane ride we are home. It is defiantly weird being home, it feels like we were gone for so long but at the same time like we never left. Right after we arrived at the airport we had 4 hrs before we had to be at the Church for graduation, it was such a surreal feeling. 1 day before I was holding orphans in another world and the very next I'm receiving a diploma with all my friends, it has been a very dreamlike state for the past few days but I know that God is doing something on the inside I've been feeling it sense I left. With all that said it's good to be home,I'm starting a whole new transition and beginning a new season in life. I get married in exactly 30 days to the most amazing woman in the world (Heather Leblanc), and then we head to Jamaica, so right back on a plane. I honestly have so much in my mind right now that it's hard to write everything, it has been 3 of the most incredible yrs of my life, with the most incredible people, and the most incredible moments ever, and the best is still to come. God is so good, when I look back on all of this I don't deserve any of it but yet he blessed me anyway, God you are so good, in the good and bad times. I also had an awesome privilege to see my former Pastor Bro. Mel and his wife of 60 yrs (what an awesome story)Mrs Estel at my graduation. It was such a blessing they have such gentle spirits about themselves, and one of the most genuine heart's for people I have ever seen, I gave my heart to Christ under his ministry and I am truly grateful for his patience with my stubborn rear end, haha. It's feels good to blog again, there is so much I want to share with all you guy's but not enough space to write, but I do want to say it is really amazing to me to have so many awesome people from around the world that drop in on me to hear all the crazy ramblings, sharing my Love for Christ is such a blessing to be able to do with all of you, thank you. Well now the new season's begin and new door's are to be opened, Africa has changed my life, so has Elevate, and the most amazing church family ever HPC. There little eye's spoke so much, the one thing that will forever be with me is, even with so little they have so much. Joy from a coat hanger and paint roller far exceeded a kid with an X-Box and a million toy's, so many lessons that have just been scorched into my soul.It's Time to grow more, time to learn, and time to share with other's all that he has done. I love what Pastor Scott Bledsoe said at graduation last night, you can be a 10 at this leval, but it will never be as good as being a 1 one the next leval are you willing to move on to be a one again, with God there is no stopping, just growing if you desire. It might be painful but I'm going to try my best to be the one.

Breathtaking

With only two days left I cant even begin to express how breathtaking this trip has been, and it has been so different from last year. I wish I could post all the pictures and talk to you for days about the desolate regions we climbed mountains and ran through valley's to see people hidden in the mountains. The children at the care points that would hold on to us for days for if we could stay, and the swazi's that welcomed us as if we were there own family. Oh my heart is full and dreams have come true beyond what I could have even imagined. It's had to think that this whole year has passed, this trip is almost over and in 4 days and we graduate Healing Place School of Ministry the day after we get back. Africa, what an adventure, what a ministry, what a priveledge. You can never forget the faces, or what those little eyes speak to you ever time you see them it shakes you up. And hopefully it disturbes the comftorable. I cant even imagine how these little ones have so much joy with so little, singing song's of praise to Jesus, and playing with coke bottles with wire hangers in them for toys. Let us not forget why God has blessed us so much so that we can bless other's. Jesus the hope of all the world and the answer to it all. One last story, last night I went into the dinner room and the had a group of business men meeting about 14, they were all hugging and crying telling stories (I kinda snuck up on them to hear what they were talking about)about how much they were determined to share the name of Christ throughout all of Swaziland, and southern Africa. They told there battle stories and carried each other's burden's it was beautiful. That's what it all about Christ no matter where now matter who it's the name above all name's that name is Jesus.

We're in Swaziland

We in Africa !!!! What excitement, it has been a long flight but im so full of joy and beyond ready for what God is going to do this trip. Already we have hit the ground running and have been non-stop with outreaches and care point preparation. We have had some crazy moments already and sleepless night's but I would not want it any other way. God is so good and has blessed us more than I could have even imagined. Last night I just sat out under the stars and thought about how much of a privilege this is. Why me, it such a funny thought, I'm in Africa. I love this, being with the team, with the Rogers, and all the beautiful children. When I leave I know how much my heart will sink but while I'm here I know that the team and myself are going to give it everything we have for Jesus, thats what it all about. Again thank all of you for reading we don't have much time in Swaziland to blog but Im going to try my best to keep everyone updated. Love you guys, mom got your letter tell Ray congrats, and Heather when you read this I just want you to know how much I Love you and miss you,and I'll be home soon. "Sawabona" ( see you guys later).

Sky High To Africa

By now if you are reading this I am on one of these, 35,000 ft up over the Atlantic.
Right now it's 2 in the morning and we have to be at the church for 8:00am, I just cant sleep so I started to journal. I have a couple of thoughts and then I'm going to dreamland.
1. Africa it gets in your Blood.
2. Listen to there EYES.
3. Can I come home with You?
4. Will you leave me to?

These are some Sound Bytes from Brother Dave Ohlerking, they have been in my heart for a couple of weeks, the first two were told to him by Missionaries in Africa. The last two were asked of him from children while in Africa. I know this time God is going to speak more than ever, I just cant wait to know what! Just a thought if you were given one opportunity to change the world what would you use that opportunity for? My only answer, The Gospel, GO!!!!!!! TELL THE WORLD

The Next Step ?!

When you think about transitions often it seems to be an uncomfortable thing for many, if not a scary time of uncertainty for most.I have been feeling this for the last week, a persistent shadow that has been hovering over me. And the form that makes that shadow has been doubt, failure, your just average, not good enough, will you ever make anything of your self, grow up barton it's time you realized your chasing dreams that will never come true. I know this is probably coming out of know where to many of you reading but this internal battle has been waging for the past couple of months. With Africa 3 days away and Elevate graduation the day after we get back I'm more than excited, but my shadow keeps telling me you will never be able to do this anymore, this will be you last trip, and it all came to a crashing halt. I know in my heart that I was born to do this, created to give my every fiber to Jesus, and my fear is now that this transition is in it's final turn will anyone even have trouble replacing me or was my impact for Christ so little that it was like I was never there. I tell Heather all the time, peace is not in me unless I'm completely being spent for the Gospel. I feel this John the Baptist spirit in me alot of times, just throw me out there with some camel skins and feed me locust, whatever it takes I'll do anything. It is hard for me to feel like I'm not doing great things or changing the world, I don't want to settle for normal or the easy or what every one else is doing. Christ deserves more from me he deserves everything from me. With the chapter coming to an end there has been fear and doubt, what now? But with all that fear and doubt I know that Christ has been faithful and he has always been there way beyond what I deserve, and I know that he will continue to remain faithful regardless of where I'm at or what the geography looks like. Africa, Graduation,
Marriage, those are some big moves up ahead, the cool thing is that God already knows this and is not surprised, nor is he surprised about what is ahead after that. I trust him, no matter what it may be. With Christ the best days are always ahead and the best is yet to come. Before I finish I just want to thank everyone that reads my Blog. It truly blows my mind why anyone even bothers with all this crazy stuff I write but it truly encourages me to see the people out in the world that want to share life with me and be a friend, I thank all of you so much for dropping in and keeping in touch y'all are so awesome. Also one of my best friends is blogging again Brooke Anderson if you could drop in and check her out, leave a comment it would mean the world to her, again thank you so much for reading. I will post again the night before we leave just in case we don't get to blog there. Be praying for us, luv you guys, out!

Our First Home!!!

Yeah Boy we have a Crib, and not just any crib, but a crib that reminds me of a sense from that 70's show. When you first walk in you cant help but picture a disco ball hanging from the ceiling and a skating ring in the living room, I LOVE IT. It's such a blessing, the cool thing is this house is in the neighborhood I used to hang out in growing up as a kid. We have 54 days till we get married and it has been really cool to see the house fill up with furniture and cooking stuff, there has been alot of clean up in the first couple of days but it has been alot of fun. One funny story my boy Bryan and I were in the office room and we herd cats in the wall, we were flipping out so we went outside and checked under the house and about 5 cats came flying out of a little hole in the vinyl. It was pretty funny. Bryan and his fiancee Stephanie are such awesome friends, they came over and helped us clean and knock out a bunch of stuff we needed to get done before we could start moving stuff in. With only a few weeks left there is only a few things left. It's a really cool feeling and a whole new step in our lives now all we have left is to install that Disco Ball, haha.

Cats in the wall

Bryan Fixing the toilet, thats a true friend.

Elevate getting Prayed over at the weekend services for our mission trip coming up in 11 days. Team Swaziland all the way!

My Big man, General Patton he is now 28 pounds he's a beast.

Team Swaziland

The Russian:(AKA Brandon Bourgeious) Team leader of Swaziland former KGB Member not really but he can speak fluent Russian and has a heart for full time Missions in Russion like a brother to me and a awesome Man of God. The Marine(AKA Barton Pickens)yep thats me crazy, whatever it takes to win the lost once hit my leg with a hatchet cutting tree limbs in the rain when I was 13, also world recored holder for most bizarre person ever haha.

Ballet Girl(AKA Kristiana Blout)Worked for Circus o La, got mad moves on the dance floor watch out b/c she's crazy to. West Monroe Louisiana ( AKA Hana Montana) Sweet tea anyone, yep good old Ray Charles and a front porch to sit on and that your girl she's awesome and huge blessing to elevate.

Honduras (AKA Heather Stewart) she's awesome moving to Honduras after we come back from Africa to be a Missionary there. Huge Heart and does whatever it takes to see Jesus lifted.

Prison Mate (AKA Adam Brandon) Prison worship leader for Angola great guy and long time friend, if you need it done right it will get done right with adam, slamming voice to trust me this brother can sing.

Thought this would be funny my Dog Koah she is a Siberian Husky and getting a bath, I have to say that she did pretty well and makes for a pretty good lion cub. Horrible attitude and does not listen but what can I say Heather loves her, haha I do to.