Brat Fest Weekend

Every Memorial and Labor Day, we as a family are volunteering at the Brat Fest. We volunteer on behalf of Special Olympics. They contribute some of the proceeds to our group. It is really fun. Usually the whole family gets in on the act.

I am headed Tuesday for my Mom's house in Hopkinsville, KY. We are in the process of moving her from her home of 35 years to an apartment near my sister. It is a process filled with challenges.

We had a fun weekend at Brat Fest 

I was on the grill cooking Brats this weekend for Brat Fest. I usually had 60 brats on the grill at a time.  

Mary Alice, Olivia and Claire at the Brat Fest. 

Grad Conference comments from student Ben Perrot

I thought you may be interested in hearing how Ben enjoyed and was challenged by the conference last weekend. Thanks to you all for praying.

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This year’s Great Lakes West InterVarsity Graduate Conference, “Advancing the Kingdom: Evangelism and the University,” provided students from universities across the Midwest to learn about what it truly means to be part of the Kingdom of God and the implications this might hold for evangelism. Allen Wakabayashi, the keynote speaker, challenged a commonly held distillation of the Gospel message as he argued that the central theme of the Gospels is actually not the salvation of individuals through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection; rather, the Scriptures emphasize Jesus’ establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth. The promise of redemption and our passage from death into life consequently affect not only our lives beyond this world, but also our lives here and now within it. The Kingdom of God continues to battle the fallen order of sin and death, until it will defeat the latter for good at the Second Coming. As members of God’s Kingdom who live in this “in-between” space of spiritual warfare, therefore, our call to evangelism is critical. It is only by following Jesus’ example in awakening the lost from darkness into light that we will be able to continue His establishment of the Father’s Kingdom.

This weekend provided me with the awesome and humbling privilege of learning and worshipping with my brothers and sisters in Christ who originally hail from all parts of the globe, and it was precisely in worshipping with such a diverse community that the notion of the “here-and-now-ness” of God’s Kingdom was most powerfully impressed upon my heart. I realized that our God—our God Whose eye knows when every little sparrow falls, Who knows the number of hairs on every head, Who leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that has gone astray and rejoices at that one’s finding—that our God is not just a God for individuals, but also a God Who through the sacrifice of His Son has redeemed and reclaimed from evil the entirety of His glorious creation. In response to this, I have come to realize that no three-minute reduction of Christ’s message can be sufficient to spread the Good News of His transformation of a broken and sinful world order which encompasses and threatens all of humanity. Mere words cannot adequately express the full implications of life within the Kingdom of God; rather, our very lives themselves must serve as ceaseless examples of Christ’s transforming power as we seek to conform our hearts to His will and follow the godly principles of His Kingdom. In short: Our walk must be our witness.

- Ben Parrot

Today is Claire's birthday!! She is 8 years old. We already had the big party with a sleepover of 12 2nd graders. It went great.  

Olivia giving the presentation. Really cool!!!! 

Olivia with Mrs. Golden practicing the presentation.  

Olivia did a presentation at school today

As many of you know, Olivia, 13 is mildly autistic. She is in a wonderful school - Jefferson Junior High. We have gotten to know her case worker, Charlene Golden very well. I have asked Charlene to let me know about any presentations or activities that Olivia does, so that I could attend and encourage her.

Today, she did a presentation at school on making a bead braclet. Mrs. Golden helped her. We are so thankful for the long way that Olivia has come so that she could even give a presentation in front of the class.

One thing that the teacher did that was great was to have encouraging comments after for each child. Several of the children shared what they liked about Olivia's presentation. She was smiling ear to ear. That made my day.

Please keep praying for her, that she will keep making progress and one day be completely free of autism.

Three tired travelers from Ecuador that I picked up at the airport. Don Thayer, center, is an experienced Vet who loves to go on missions trips. 

The Vet school Ecuador team is back

I went to the airport tonight to greet the team upon their arrival. But most were gone before I got this. They were all tired and wanted to go home. I brought three of the voyagers home. In the car, they shared about the trip. They were high up in the Andes - cold at night. They did many clinics for the locals. Vet care is unheard of in this poor country. They had opportunity to share and sing and give a kids presentation. All in all a great trip, but I will have to wait to get a less tired report.

Thanks for praying.

A taste of the the conference

A conference snap shot. Allen Wakabayashi, our featured speaker. His book, Kingdom Come, is worth the read.

Grad Conference over the weekend

It was really a great conference. We were in the Red Gym on the campus of UW Madison. We had 50 students come from several campuses: U of Iowa, U of Minnesota, U of Illinois - Champaign/Urban, Northwestern in Chicago; University of Chicago, University of Indiana. It was a big ten event. The students were really engaged as we talked about the Kingdom of God and how to share this life changing message.

I led a break out session entitled: Giving Deeper in your Spiritual Walk. The students had two hours to walk the Lake Shore and pray. It was the gift of time in a very hurried life. One student shared with me how she came to the conference very anxious and not able to sleep at night due to the press of preparing for exams and thinking about beginning her dissertation. She really experienced God's peace and rest.

One perpective staff who is considering coming to IV staff attended. He was a very good magitian. So I have him do some great tricks just before my announcement time. The students loved him. He does a very gospel centered magic or slight of hand.

Thanks for praying.

Finding Claire is like the book 'Where is Wally? I see her. Do you? Let me know.

Claire before the concert. Her teacher, Mrs. Berg, is in the background. She is a very lovely lady.

Claire's end of the year school concert and IV Grad Conference starts tomorrow

Claire sang in the end of the year concert at Abundant Life Christian School. It was really a cute story of an elephant in Africa. Claire enjoyed herself with all the movements.

Tomorrow is the first day of the conference to be held here in Madison. The numbers have swelled to 60+. God is providing housing but it is tight.

Prayers are needed.

We are hoping for those great conversations on the Union Memorial Terrace during the conference. 

The old Armory where we will have our conference. It is one of the oldest building on campus and a great location.

UW Grad Conference starts tomorrow on Friday

My total focus has been on the up and coming Grad Conference this weekend. On Monday, we had 8 students registered. The count today is now up to 60. That is student ministry. Last minute, who else is going. We are working hard at housing for all of these good folks.

The theme of our conference is : Advancing the Kingdom : Evangelism and the University. Our speaker is Allen Wakabayashi.

Allen is the author of Kingdom Come (InterVarsity Press, 2003). He is InterVarsity’s area director at Northwest University in Evanston, IL.

We will be on the beautiful UW Campus on the Red Gym. We are hoping that students will have great conversations on the Memorial Unoin Terrace, a spot overlooking Lake Mendota on which the campus is situated.

Please pray : conference dates are Friday - Sunday, May 20 - 22.

Next thing - Weekend IV Grad conference

This weekend, we have a grad conference hosted by the Madison staff. We have been busy planning. We are focusing on Evangelism and the University. We have over 50 students and staff set to come in this weekend.

Please pray.

They made it to Ecuador

I talked with Sonyna today, Dr. Oetzel's wife and she mentioned that she got an e mail that said the team made it. Very tired no doubt. Note that the two links marked Ecuador are two of our students blogs. I give them strict instructions to send daily blogs. Wonder how they are doing.

Good bye Vet students, and Dads and Vets. Have a great trip. See you again on May 24. 

The Saturday night packing party for the Ecuador trip. 

Vet School Ecuador Team off

We left for the airport, today, Sunday at 6AM to send the team off to Ecuador. They will be there until May 24. We have worked hard in preparation. One professor and three Vets are going along as well. It will be a great time. I wish I was going with them. Last night, we had a packing party to get all the bags ready. As a good missionary would, when they got wind of someone coming, the orders to bring things down started rolling in. A vaccum cleaner; home schooling materials for a family with 8 kids, pistons and a gasket set for a missionary with a broken down car. We had so much stuff that we bumped 6 people off our plane due to weight. They don't expect everyone to have the limit of luggage. Sorry folks.

Pray for good trip for all those going. One first year student was not able to go. Her mother had a major stroke two weeks ago and she had to take care of her.

Olivia, Claire with Mom (Mrs. Madison) and the other celebrities - Ronald Mac (born in MacDonald land according to him) and Ice Cream boy from Culvers.

A ride with a friend on a fire engine. They loved it. Olivia was in the front seat

Claire with Ronald.  

Saturday Angel Run/Walk

On Saturday, we went to a run/walk for autism. This group gives $$$ to the research of autism. It was in Spring Green, a small community that I have never been to. Great to see all the people out. It was just done in a home town way. No big splash, but fun stuff.

Olivia and I walked around the track a little bit. Mary Alice and Dr. John Bohn set up a table for National Autism Association. Mary Alice is the president of the chapter. She wore his Mrs. Madison crown. The kids got to ride in a fire engine, pet a pony and see Ronald MacDonald. All in all a great day.

Hannah singing accompanied by her teacher Andrew. She keeps getting better and better. 

Hannah at the piano!!! 

Hannah at her recital

Hannah had her spring piano and voice recital. She did great on both, a bit nervous.

Five students took the Christian oath today. Dr. MacKinney is on the left and Dr. Woodson is on the right.

Taking the Christian Oath today after graduation

Every year, Medical students graduate and put an MD behind their name. It is hard to believe. I knew many when they were first year students. It has been wonderful to see them grow as Physicians. Our Medical group sponsors a Christian Oath ceremony just after graduation for those who want to blend their faith and their profession. It is a great way to end four years and then to start their three years of residency. Yes, it is a 7 year program unless you specialize. It has been a pleasure getting to know them. Two docs - Dr. MacKinney and Dr. Woodman gave the charge and administered the oath respectively. Dr. MacKinney reminded the graduates of their dual commission - to heal and to preach the gospel. That is the whole physician.

Here is a copy of the oath that these students took.

Christian Physician’s Oath

With gratitude to God, faith in Christ Jesus, and dependence on the Holy Spirit, I publicly profess my intent to practice medicine for the glory of God.

With humility, I will seek to increase my skills. I will respect those who teach me and who broaden my knowledge. In turn, I will freely impart my knowledge and wisdom to others.

With God’s help, I will love those who come to me for healing and comfort. I will honor and care for each patient as a person made in the image of God, putting aside selfish interests.

With God’s guidance, I will endeavor to be a good steward of my skills and of society’s resources. I will convey God’s love in my relationships with family, friends, and community. I will aspire to reflect God’s mercy in caring for the lonely, the poor, the suffering, and the dying.

With God’s blessing, I will respect the sanctity of human life. I will care for all my patients, rejecting those interventions which either intentionally destroy
or actively end the lives of the unborn, the infirm, and the terminally ill.

With God’s grace, I will live according to this profession.

Honglin (Charles) last year as he visited the calf barn. The calf was hungry and found Honglin's fingers. 

An e mail for a graduated International Student

A year ago, I brought another set of international students for a weekend in the country at Lena, IL. The trip reminded me of an International student that I had lost track of. So I e mailed him. It is amazing what wonderful memories a short trip can have.

So often, international students will take on an American name because their Chinese name is too hard to pronounce.

Here is his e mail:

hi, dear Rich, so nice to hear from you! my wiscamil box is closed so

I lost your contact information:(((sorry for my confusion of my names, )) when I returned to China, I found Aaron is difficult for Chinese to pronounce so I changed to an easier name Charles:))) Honglin is my Chinese name, not easy forWesterns to call.....call me Charles:))))

Oh, Lena, a place I dreamed a few times....and Marilynn, I mentioned her to my friends in China often...it is really a memerable trip to Lena. I hope to return to the sunny and tiny town again, and visit my old friends Marilynn and her husband in the future...when you meet Marilynn, please give my best wishes to her for me, thanks!

We will do it again. 

Feeding a calf. Where is the bottle? Any finger will do. 

Fun on a horse. 

Pigs, pigs, pigs!!!