Old Friends & New Friends

Some great friends from my home church in Arkansas came to visit last week prior to their volunteer team arriving over the weekend. Kyle & Katie Reno served as College & Missions Pastor at The Summit Church in Little Rock and I actually interned for Kyle when he first moved to Little Rock in 2006. They are currently serving as College Pastors at Crossgates Church in Brandon, MS.

I also made some new friends in Pete & Jenna Lee who came with Kyle & Katie. Pete leads worship at Crossgates and I had a great time getting to know them. Their visit was such a blessing and time of encouragement for me. They will be serving with a team of students from Mississippi College this week near Pretoria.

While staying with me, we went to the Lion Park, Kruger National Park and Swaziland. Below are a few photos from last week. Enjoy!

At the Lion Park, a lion cub is biting Pete on the ankle

Kyle, Katie, me, Jenna & Pete on the rocks at the Hippo Pools in Kruger

Kyle, me & Katie in Kruger

Pete, me & Jenna at Kruger

My call

In June 2004, after my first mission trip, I was called to serve our Lord overseas. I spent almost two weeks in Jamaica with a group of students from First Southern Baptist Church in Bryant, ministering to physical and spiritual needs. God changed my heart in Jamaica and I knew He had big plans for me to leave the comforts of America and go out to make disciples of all nations. I love sharing the testimony of God calling me to be a missionary and the best way I can do this is chronologically.

- June 2004 – KEITH, JAMAICA. Mission trip with FSBC students where we prayer walked, assisted in building construction, held worship services in the streets, personal evangelism and more. After returning to Arkansas I knew God was calling me to missions but I had no idea where to start. I began praying through this call and felt God was leading me to return to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to complete my bachelors degree.

- January 2005 – reenrolled at UALR and began the first of five semesters to finish my degree. I prayed the Lord would provide the means for me to go without having to increase my student loan debt. He was faithful and provided a scholarship from my church.

- June 2005 – TECPAN, GUATEMALA. Served with a prayer walking team from FSBC in the mountains of Guatemala with Peter & Theresa Cunningham, ISC missionaries with the International Mission Board. The Lord taught me about pride during this trip.

- July 2006 – BANGKOK, THAILAND. Served with a university ministry team from The Summit Church at San Dusit Rajahbaht University in Bangkok. We built relationships with students and helped them with English. The Lord reminded me of how lost the world is and the darkness that covers so many peoples and need to hear the fundamental truths of Christianity – the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- March 2007 – LAS VEGAS, NEVADA. Served with a student ministry team from Summit in North Las Vegas to assist Grace Point Community Church in distributing promotional material for their Easter Service. The Lord reminded me of how lost Americans are and that I can be content if He leads me to serve in the US in the future.

- May 2007 – Graduated from UALR with a BA in Journalism.

- August 2007 – WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA – Served with a team from Summit where we did children’s ministry in the townships on the outskirts of Windhoek (VIND-hook).

Upon returning to the states from Windhoek, I could not get Africa out of my thoughts or heart. I would wake up in the night thinking I was still there. One night I had a vivid dream of running through a building where a chaotic scene was unfolding. There was fire and people screaming and I was at a near panic knowing there were children who needed rescuing. I ran into room after room, scooping up kids and rushing them to safety.

One night not long after the dream and many sleepless nights, I decided to look at the IMB’s website to see what opportunities there were. I found a job in Zimbabwe that caught my attention but that was the extent of it at that moment. I went to sleep but soon found myself wide awake. The Lord brought to mind a recent message by my pastor, Bill Elliff, from Proverbs. Bill said the Holy Spirit would often wake him during the night and lead him to the Word where he would always find “nuggets of truth.” The last thing I wanted to do was be even more awake and read my Bible, I just wanted to go back to sleep. Sleep was not coming.

I opened my Bible to Proverbs and began reading. Chapter one…chapter two…chapter three…and the Lord stopped me as I moved on to chapter four. He guided me back to chapter three, specifically to verses 21 – 27:

“My son, preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”

I read this passage several times until the Holy Spirit made clear to me what was happening. I reflected on how God called me to missions in 2004 and the first step in the process was the finish college. I finished college four months earlier, went to Africa and now He was telling me it was time. Sleep came and it was sweet, just as He promised me in His word.

The next morning I started the application process with the IMB. A lengthy ordeal, I finished the application in January 2008.

- April 2008 – I attended the ISC/Journeyman matching conference at the International Learning Center in Rockville, Virginia.

- June 2008 – WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA. Led a team from Summit back to Windhoek to do children’s ministry and traveled through Johannesburg where I met my future supervisor, Wade Coker.

- August 2008 – moved to Rockville, VA, for two months of Field Personnel Orientation at ILC.

- October 16, 2008 – left the US to begin my first missionary term serving in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Something to think about

"I make a daily decision to trust that this new life I've been given is God's plan for me. He is for me, not against me. He can make this life good, even though it's different."

- Gracia Burnham
In the Presence of My Enemies

This semester, I'm required to read a missionary autobiography for my seminary class. I chose the story of Martin & Gracia Burnham, New Tribes missionaries serving in the Philippines who were captured by terrorists and held captive for more than a year in the Philippine jungles. Martin was killed in crossfire between the terrorists and the government and Gracia was rescued and reunited with her family in the States.

The Burnham's story captivated me and reminded me how missionaries and Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith. In the end, after Martin's death and Gracia's rescue, she reflected on how greatly her life has changed as a result of their captivity and the struggles in her faith during their time in the jungles.

The above quote spoke to my heart, though. When we answer the call to serve our Father and make disciples of all nations, we begin a new life and it's not easy. We miss our family and friends, we miss all things familiar, we miss life events of those we love but we do it with great joy amidst other emotions.

This life in South Africa is a new life for me with new people, new culture and new way of life. But this new life, although different, is a good one. In fact, it's a great one. Gracia's life changed drastically, more than most of us on the field. But as she said, "He is for me, not against me." Perhaps the thing that brings me the greatest joy is knowing this is God's will for my life...what a humbling thought!

I praise the Lord for bringing me to South Africa to serve here. It's not always easy but it's continues to be a blessing. I encourage you to learn more about the Burnham's story by reading In the Presence of My Enemies. It will surely touch your heart. For more information on Gracia's new life, visit www.graciaburnham.org.

25 things you may find interesting...

So I enjoyed reading 25 random things about people on facebook but refused to jump on the bandwagon...until now. In my logic, though, I don't think I'm jumping on the bandwagon since it has passed and I'm blogging mine. So yeah, hope you find some humor in my life. Enjoy!

1) It took me 12 years to finish my bachelors degree (I took a break from college…twice)

2) I lived in the same house, in the same town (Bryant, Ark.) from birth until I moved to Virginia last July and then to South Africa last October

3) My jobs in life include (in no particular order) being a gopher boy and other things at the Arkansas Highway & Transportation Dept., a substitute teacher, assistant sports editor at a local newspaper (I HATE sports), portrait photographer, freelance writer, office manager, asst. director of a Boys & Girls Club, after-school day care helper and now, serving in South Africa

4) Disney World might be my favorite place in the world. I went four consecutive years (2001 – 2004) and plan to go when I come back to the states – Space Mountain….WOOOHOOO!

5) Beth Burnett Loggains (BB) and I (Big W) can quote just about every line to Scream 3

6) Daniel Campbell and I can quote just about every line to Don’t Be Menace to South Central While Drinkin’ Your Juice in the Hood

7) Becky Barnes (Beckith) and I (Blaketh) used to go to Refuge at Ouachita Baptist every Thursday night, eat at Weng’s Chinese buffet before we left and jammed out to the likes of the ODB going down to Arkadelphia and sometimes on the way back

8) Candy Freeman Millwood (Cadence) and I (Blakemous Welchie) wrote three chapters of a murder novel titled “The Mulcher” in creative writing. We left our classmates captivated and hungry for more

9) Nick Dorsey (Tookie) and I have been to Jamaica, Hawaii, Philly, New York City, Colorado, Chicago, San Francisco, Thailand, Nambia, Las Vegas, Baltimore and probably some other random places together over the course of five years

10) As our Hawaii trip was concluding and we had been flying all night, Nick and I got in a fight (verbal, not physical) at the Minneapolis airport and didn’t speak to each other until we got back to Arkansas

11) If you can’t tell, I have lots of nicknames. They include – Blaker, Blue, Big W, Big Dub, Dub, Dubs, Grape Juice, Welch’s, Blaketh, Blakely, Blakers, Big Double-V, Blake-ums, Blakemous Welchie, Poppy…

12) I was in a school musical in eighth grade called “Nickelodeon.” I sang, I danced, I wore a cummerbund and bowtie

13) I’m not getting married. Ever.

14) I love to sing

15) I love rap and hip hop (I’m ghetto at heart)

16) In kindergarten, I chased the crippled boy in my class on the playground…yeah, I was mean

17) Jeff Norton (Tanker) and I have the BEST bathroom stories EVER from when we stayed in the African bush in Zambia….the Roman Basillica…

18) When I was 19 or 20, I was jumping on my trampoline (which we got for Christmas one year when we were kids) with Heath Gober and I came crashing through the mat and hit the ground…hard

19) When my sister (Keilani) and I were kids, we used to play a game called “toot practice” where we made fart noises on our arms and then would give each other prizes like a piece of toilet paper for whoever made the best fart noise

20) Tracey Campbell and I had the FUNNIEST weekend in Paris when I went to visit her and Paul in the UK in 1998. One night we laughed until we cried because of all the stuff that was happening

21) BB and I used to do cheerleading stunts in her swimming pool every summer and I learned to do a backflip off their diving board

22) I’ve seen Milli Vanilli, Young MC and MC Hammer in concert

23) I met the cast of Saturday Night Live in New York City in 2001

24) I laugh at my humor more than anybody else

25) I voted for Bill Clinton when I was old enough his second term and I STILL don’t regret it!

My animal friends

One of my favorite parts about Africa are the animals. I've always been an animal lover and Africa has some of the most incredible animals on the planet. Over the weekend, I visited the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve, just outside Roodepoort. I pet an adult male cheetah (who decided to clamp down his mouth on the inside of leg) and got to play with some Bengal Tiger cubs (who like to play rough and jump on people's backs). I've visited several game parks and nature reserves but I've never witnessed a pride of lions enjoying a meal...until Saturday. It's quite a sight! Here are a few picks from the day...enjoy!

Green Mambas

Black Mambas


Pigmy Hippo

Lion cubs

Me and Eddie the cheetah

Ed tasting my leg

This tiger cub likes the element of surprise

Much nicer when they're sleeping


Lunch time for this white lion pride

A message on suffering

I've never been consistent with journaling but from time to time, I get the urge, most likely from the Lord, to pen my thoughts. He obviously uses those spontaneous journaling moments sometime later to remind me of these little nuggets of truth He so graciously feeds me. This morning, I read a journal entry during my time in Zambia and felt lead to share. It was a message Kevin Rodgers gave and what God laid on my heart thereafter:

26 October 2008
Lusaka, Zamibia
Kevin Rodgers (Youth Pastor Kev)

1. Suffering matures us (James 1:2-4)

2. Suffering weans us from self-reliance (2 Corinthians 1:9)

3. Suffering is an evangelistic tool

4. Suffering increases our great reward

5. Suffering helps us minister to others

6. Suffering keeps down pride (2 Corinthians 12:7)

7. Suffering identifies us with Christ (Phillippians 3:10)

8. Suffering identifies us with our people

excerpt from my journal:

"This morning we started with a worship service after breakfast followed by a message from Kevin. Chris Nalls, Johanna and I led worship with five songs. Kevin gave one of the best messages about suffering and being a missionary I've ever heard. I began thinking about how suffering for Christ as a missionary goes farther than imprisonment, persecution or violence. There is so much emotional suffering we go through by leaving our families, our friends and the lives we've always known. He also talked about when we are hurt by those we've poured our lives into when they say or do something against us. Having a servant's heart and truly finding joy in doing things for those I love can often lead to feelings of being used, taken for granted or taken advantage of. Though these times are frustrating, I have to remind myself to do things for others because I desire to glorify God, not for my own gain..."

Today, I say rejoice in serving others and find joy in suffering for the glory of God, whatever that means for you. God is good, all the time...

Freedom Park Celebration

Over the weekend, I traveled to Rustenburg, South Africa, to hang out with my friend Paul. Rustenburg is about a two-hour drive from Joburg.

So Friday, Paul and I went to Freedom Park Secondary School where he ministers, to attend their achievement celebration and Valentine’s talent show. During the celebration they recognize those students who have excelled in each subject and grade.

It was encouraging to not only hear how well these students performed but also that the school was taking a day to publicly recognize these achievements. It certainly is a morale boost for the kids and an incentive for them to work hard and succeed in their education, encouraging them to become productive and responsible citizens (I think I borrowed that thought from the Boys & Girls Clubs mission statement – hey, that was my life for three years!).

It also touched my heart to hear the administrators encourage the students to be strong in their faith and seek to glorify God in their achievements and life. Though it is not a faith-based school, the leaders appeared to be believers and opened the doors of their school for Paul to share the gospel of Christ and disciple believers there. They even had a time of worship during the celebration!

After the celebration, festivities continued with a talent competition. These students love to dance and it shows! They are talented in hip hop but definitely add an African flavor to it. It was a fun afternoon watching these kids show off their moves and the fun they had doing their thing.


Here are a few photos from the day…