War of Words

I want to thank my two brothers for their input to my blog about my recent trip to Kuwait. It seems that the war of words began with the thought should I have gone or stayed home. This was a difficult trip for me however it was worth any small sacrifice I had to make. Any time I go on a trip like this I have to ask myself why go. So I make a list of pros and cons.

Cons:
1. I have already been gone three weeks in June and two more for this trip in July is a lot of time
away from family.
2. Long plane trip. Not good for my back.
3. Kuwait is HOT.
4. Kuwait is not the most beautiful place to visit.
5. Kuwaitis not friendly
6. Kuwait is HOT.
7. Kuwait has sandstorms
8. Kuwaitis drive CRAZY.
9. Kuwait is HOT.
10. Strange food but this turned out good.

Pros
1. A chance to minister to people in need.
2. A chance to visit with a friend.
3. Experience a different culture.

So it looks like the cons out weigh the pros. But there in one more variable that comes into play. That is God. I know that going to Kuwait is something that God would have me do to share Him with others. You may say you can share God right here in he good ole USA and you would be right. However I know that God used me last year to start a ministry to the run away maids there in Kuwait and going back this year was to continue ministering to them. So in my book God out weighs all cons. As long as I am doing what He asks of me I can never go wrong.

So Ron you it may seem foolish of me to go but sometimes we need to do some things that just don’t make sense. The Bible says it this way:

1 Cor 1:27
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

2 Cor 11:16-17
I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. 17 What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not with the Lord's authority but as a fool.

1 Peter 2:15
For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

So Ron and Shay you guys have made me laugh and Shay you have tried to help me make our little misguided brother see the light that sometimes we go even when it doesn’t make sense to others. Ron is just too fragile to understand that there is more to life than what makes sense to him. One man’s foolish whim is another man’s great adventure. It is amazing to see what God has in store for him who steps outside his comfort zone.

Thanks for reading
Runrandall

Videos Are Up

Well after being home for two weeks I have finally uploaded most of the videos from my Kuwait adventures. I still have one to put up that I took on a run one morning.
The video at the Fillipino Embassy shows the ladies singing and receiving the goodys we brought. To help you understand the gemtleman in a white shirt and tie is Pastor Martin. He is questions the ladies after I preached on forgiveness to see if they understood my sermon. He asked them what should they do about thier employers who have raped them, beaten them, kept their money and their passport. You don't get to hear the whole group shout at on time "forgive them." But one lady stands up and shares for the group.
We then had a sweet time to pray with each one of the maids.
We also had a great time at the Chinese Church where my battery went dead. It may not sound like sweet singing on the video but it was in that room that day.
Thanks for reading
runrandall

Home Again

If you didn't know I was back home all you would need to do is look and see if the Rays won last night, they did so I must be home.
I arrived back in Tampa at 11am on Thursday after leaving Kuwait on Wednesday 4pm EST.
Flight was uneventful with long lines at customs and security. Oh man is it good to be home.
I woke up on Friday feeling very refreshed after going to bed at 9:30pm and not waking up until 8am. Ten and a half hours the most I've slept in a long time. I went to work for a couple of hours just to check in and see how things are going. Came home and took Kathy out for lunch. If you want some good BBQ you should try "Bad to the Bone BBQ" in Brandon. Kathy and I wanted to try it because this is who is catering my son's Michael and his fiance' Krystal's wedding reception.
We came home and I got ready for the race Ben and I were going to run at 7pm. It was a cross country 5K in Fishhawk. I ran it last year and was looking forward to running it again. The race started and after about a half of mile I realized that this was a big mistake. I guess the jet lag back home took more of a toll on my body than I thought. It was a struggle just to get through the first mile, my time 9.30. During the second mile I had to walk for a couple of minutes. My time for the second mile 11.07. With the third mile in front I just settled for a slow pace and finished the that mile in 10.23. With one tenth of a mile left I was totally spent with nothing left to sprint. I crossed the finished line in a miserable 32.20. My worst finished in well over a year. Ben didn't have his best time either but didn't have the excuse I did. He try to come up with a lame story like he hasn't been able to train this whole semester of college, whatever.
We went home and had a great dinner with all the kids, except Nathan and Andrea who are in Texas. We had Kuwaiti steak and Kuwaiti chicken made with spices I brought back with me. I came out for dinner dressed in a traditional Kuwaiti attire. Everyone had a good laugh and I handed out presents, sorry Nate and Drea you'll have to wait for your's.
We played a new game called "In a Pickle" and watched the Rays win. Then off to bed.
Great to be home
runrandall

Just A Quick Note

Jonathan and I are at the airport waiting to board our flight. We had to be at the airport at 7:30pm for a flight that leaves at 11:45. I always get stressed out going through all the check in. We have gone through three so far and one more just before me board the plane.
Randy stayed with until 9pm but had to leave because of an early day tomorrow.
It is 2:15 your time in Florida and 9:15 Kuwaiti time.
Well I had better sign off before my battery dies.
See you in the states.
runranall