Andy's Goin to Kazzyland!

A good friend of ours is about to launch his international missions ministry, and he could use your help! Andy is going to Kazakhstan, with the backing of East-West Ministries to begin a Celebrate Recovery ministry there. Celebrate Recovery is basically a broader, Christ-centered version of AA, dealing with a wide range of addictions and habits. Right now there isn't a program over there to help folks deal with and move past addictions, so this is a much needed concept. Andy has been working with AA for years here in the Dallas area, and about three years ago decided it was time he took his show on the road. Following is a letter he sent out to friends, family and prayer partners as he prepares to embark on his journey.

Well, 3 years have passed since we came back from Kazakhstan and I announced, “I am supposed to live there!” Everyone said, “Yeah sure”, but here I go!! My Launch Date is set for September 15th, 2008. A lot has changed since I first envisioned moving to and living in a foreign country.

I quit my job of 12 years! Then, I went to language school in South Carolina. Now I am back, getting all geared up to go. MY plan was to live in “Ust”, a city of 300,000 and work with the Rodnik church and its’ 5 daughter churches. Due to governmental constraints and new laws being passed, this will not be. I will NOT be living in “Ust”, at least for the first year. I will be living in “Almaty”, the former capitol and current business center for the entire country! In Ust there are only 2 or 3 full-time American missionaries left; in Almaty there many more!! For me that means more support, accountability and Americans to show me the ropes! The city has 1.2 million people, and a LOT more alcoholics who need to know how to have a relationship with Christ!

Also, East-West will also help me to go to MANY cities across the entire country, including “Ust”, throughout the year! This will help me, as I will be more of a consultant and I will be training people in how to lead this ministry themselves rather than trying to depend on me. This is VERY important, as if I am ever the “leader” of any ministry, if I leave, the ministry usually dies. I am not going to be a hero, just a helper. Again, I will go to MANY cities, not just one!!!!!! If you ever want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!!

I need your help. I love and appreciate all who are already “in the game”!! I would not have gotten this far without you. Many have sent care packages, to include “sugar covered Gummi Worms”! That’s a new one on me! (YES I ate them!!) Now I have more “needs” (that doesn’t sound right!). I am going to go over some of them now.

I need e-mails and soon will have Skype! I need some folks to e-mail or call me and ask how I am doing. When I say “I’m fine”, ask again!! Ask me about the cultural differences and how I’m doing with them. Ask how I am doing with temptation. Ask how long it has been since I sent out a “Hello” to everyone, etc. You get the drift.

I need more folks praying! You must be doing this now, for I have come this far. Keep going! Now I need prayer for the Visa to get approved, more financial support, and for my trip to California August 12th-16th for the Celebrate Recovery “Summit”. Northwest Bible Church has paid for almost everything! I am going to get more training before leaving, and meet folks who can help me along the way. (p.s. I just got back, it was GREAT!)

Financial support. I need $4300 per month, and I am now receiving $2200 per month. East-West has created a website just for giving to me; eastwest.org/wickerdonate will go right to my page. Many would rather give straight to me, okey-dokey!! I need the new updated Rosetta Stone $550, a new computer for traveling (small and lightweight while still Windows XP friendly for Kazzylands network) $1500, airfare $2500, deposits for apartment (for Americans that may mean 1 year upfront!!) $2000, Brenthaven padded computer backpack $200 (gonna live out of it), international power converter $30, CVS stockpile of over-the counter meds $200?, cash donations, dinner invites, hugs, monthly donations – THERE IS NO WRONG WAY TO GIVE!!

Again, I covet your prayers, and I will have an address after I leave and you will know it. Also, if you have no cashola, I still need you on my team!! This is the big push, and again, thank you for your help thus far.

Thy will be done.

3Jn 1:14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee.

Andy Wicker

East-West Ministries

If you can help in any way, I know it would be greatly appreciated.

Musical Mondays: Happiness

August is "Happiness Happens Month" so this week's theme is Happiness.  Sounds like time for another TFK song to me! Song and lyrics all in one neat package:



Pandora's take:

1. Rawkfist by Thousand Foot Krutch (<3)
2. Faith That Breathes (Break Me) by By The Tree
3. We're All Going To Die by Blindside
4. A Love So Deep by Mumsdollar
5. Fire At Will by Jonah 33

 As always please add your link below ONLY IF you are playing along.  If you're not posting a Musical Monday, please don't add your link.

Friday Quizzes by BlogThings (again!)

What Your Ideal Wedding Dress Says About You

Your Personal Style: Classic and elegant. You prefer to make a statement with a few quality pieces. Your Ideal Wedding: Traditional and formal, but not tacky. You think the most beautiful weddings are understated. Your Philosophy on Marriage: It's a serious commitment, and the couple entering it should be ready to work for their relationship. Your Perfect Marriage: Is calm, stable, deep, and meaningful.

The Wedding Dress Test

You Are Black Tea

You have a bold personality. You're not afraid of simply being yourself. You have the courage to speak the truth. You are fearless in your actions. You come off as a bit intimidating and unapproachable. Only confident people are attracted to you. You don't try to scare off anyone. You're just an intense person!

What Kind of Tea Are You?

You Are Andale Mono

You are a geek, pure and simple. You spend a lot of time online. In fact, you probably love the internet more than anyone you know. You are picky about design, mostly for readability's sake. You are the type most likely to be irritated by a bad font.

What Font Are You?

Kinda scary how accurate these are this week...

Musical Mondays: Dog

The Dog Days of Summer are upon us and this week Musical Mondays is going to the dogs. There are more "dog" songs out there than most people would realize, and the one I've chosen is probably my favorite of them all. I am not really a fan of Sting, but the album "Brand New Day" is wonderful. I love the international and eclectic feel of it; the variety of styles and themes. This particular track has an obvious jazz feel to it, which is perfectly contrasted by the whimsical humor in the lyrics. Without further adieu, "Perfect Love... Gone Wrong."



Lyrics:

I've had a question that's been
preying on my mind for some time
I won't be wagging my tail for one good reason
It has to be a crime

This dog house never was the place for me,
Runner up and second best just ain't my pedigree
I was so happy, just the two of us
Until this alpha male
Turned up in the January sale

He won't love you
Like I love you
It won't be long now before that puppy goes astray
And what I like about this guy the most
He'd be my favourite lamp post
Devil take the hindmost

Je sais que c'est dur, mais il faut se
faire au changement, tu vois
J'ai neglige le primordial pendant trop longtemps crois moi
Je suis consciente, je vois bien que tu
souffres, mais ?a s'attenuera
Car c'est d'un homme plus d'un chien
don't j'ai besoin pres de moi
Cesse donc de grogner, mon choix est fait c'est comme ?a
N'en fait pas trop, ton attitude risque de t'eloigner de moi
Faut que tu comprennes, puisque tu dis m'aimer tant que ?a
Desormais nous sommes trois, lui toi et moi

It's a shaggy kind of story
Would I tell you if I thought it was a lie?
But when the cat's away the mouse will play,
I wouldn't dish around here
There's something fishy 'round here

I howl all night and I sleep all day
It takes more than biscuit, baby, to chase these blues away
I've got a long enough leash
I could almost hang myself
It's a dogs life loving you baby
But you love someone else
Now he's moved by basket
I'd like to put him in a casket
I'll wear my best collar to his funeral

Ta mauvaise foi, j'aimerais bien que ?a s'arrete
Me separer de toi, aujourd'hui ?a trotte dans ma tete
Moi non, j'en peux plus, tu n'est
q'un chien, c'est trop bete
La situation m'avait pourtant l'air d'etre des pius nette
C'est clair, que je l'aime c'est un
fait, ton ego?sme m'inquiete
Apres toutes ces soirees passees seuis en tete a tete
Chaque chose a une fin, et c'est la fin de la fete
Pour toi, car bient?t il n'y aura plus
que lui et moi, lui et moi.

To have found this perfect life
And a perfect love so strong
Well there can't be nothing worse
Than a perfect love gone wrong

You said I wasn't just your Christmas toy
I'd always be your boy
I'd be your faithful companion
And I would follow you through every thick and thin
Don't need nobody else
And we don't need him

Pandora's take:

1. Down In Here by Longwave
2. In Too Deep by Genesis
3. There There by Radiohead
4. A Thousand Years by Sting
5. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold by Prince (or whatever it was he was calling himself)

And finally, if you're playing along, don't forget to add your link below.  If you're not playing Musical Monday, don't add your link because I'll just delete it anyway.

A few random quizzes...

You Are a Cherry Flavored Popsicle

You are sweet and friendly. For you, summer is all about doing your favorite things. You are a nostalgic person. You love old fashioned things like ice cream trucks. You savor everything. Every taste of summer, the feeling of the sun, the smell of the beach... Of all the types, you love summer the most.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

You are most like: Apple
You are an apple! You have a smooth outter appearance and your friends are never suprised when you walk in circles. It doesn't matter if your green or red ... your still sweet!
Take this quiz: The worlds simplest fruit quiz
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

You will be famous for eating the most hot dogs at Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating competition You love life and enjoy doing what you feel like whenever. You are a free spirit and are not tied down by any social conventions. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Your result for The Which Lolcat Are You? Test...

Longcat

60% Affectionate, 41% Excitable, 44% Hungry

Protector of truth.


Slayer of darkness.


Loooooong.


Longcat may seem like just a regular lengthy cat, but he is, in fact, looong. For proof, observe the longpic.



It is prophesized that Longcat and his archnemesis Tacgnol will battle for supremacy on Caturday. The outcome will change the face of the world, and indeed the very fabric of lolcatdom, forever.



Be grateful that the test has chosen you, and only you, to have this title.



To see all possible results, checka dis.

Take The Which Lolcat Are You? Test at HelloQuizzy

Musical Mondays: Heat

This week's theme is "heat" so I've chosen "Now That You're On Fire" by MXPX, cause what's hotter than fire, right? I happened to come across this cool acoustic version of the song on YouTube, so that's the one I'm posting. The radio version (which I am more familiar with) is much more rocking than this (as he mentions in the song) but this version is also kinda neat.

MXPX is one of those bands that I really admire. They've "made it big" with songs on secular radio and MTV, and yet they haven't sold out. If you're not familiar with them, I highly recommend searching out some of their stuff. It will be completely worth it.

Lyrics:

You're old enough to know it's not your fault
You're strong enough to face your darkest conflict
Now you've woken from your nightmare, and now you're fighting back
And nothing can survive when you attack
This road to healing, hurts more than anything

Now that you're on fire, you're voice is like the wind
Now that you're on fire, let life begin again
Now that you're on fire, a new day has begun
Now that you're on fire, you are like the sun
Now that you're on fire

You've spent some time along this lonesome road
With no one waiting for you back at home
Just breaking hearts and living free and easy
Times have changed and now you're not alone
This road to healing, hurts more than anything

Now that you're on fire, you're voice is like the wind
Now that you're on fire, let life begin again
Now that you're on fire, a new day has begun
Now that you're on fire, you are like the sun
Now that you're on fire

More than anything I'd like to see
Better brighter days for you, for you and me

Now that you're on fire, you're voice is like the wind
Now that you're on fire, let life begin again
Now that you're on fire, a new day has begun
Now that you're on fire, you are like the sun
Now that you're on fire, now that you're on fire

Pandora didn't have the song unfortunately, so I simply plugged in the band and here's what they threw back at me:

1. Better Off Dead by New Found Glory
2. Memory by Sugarcult
3. The Party Song by Blink 182
4. Having A Blast by Green Day
5. For Fiona by No Use For A Name
   

As always, if you're playing along this week, don't forget to add your link to the list below!

The Best Thing About Me

Your result for The Best Thing About You Test...

Honesty

Honesty is your greatest virtue.

Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthfully. This includes listening, and any action in the human repertoire — as well as speaking. And you? You cannot tell a lie. Both loved ones and strangers should trust you, because you won't (1) lie, (2) lie via omission, or (3) sit there and let lies be told. (Can you even let a sleeping dog lie?) All 7 virtues are a part of you, but your honesty runs deepest.
Your biggest risk is hurting the feelings of your most sensitive friends. However, most appreciate you for your candor.
Honest famous person: George Washington, if you believe the propaganda.
Your raw relative scores follow. 0% is low, and 100% is perfect, nearly impossible. Note that I pitted the virtues against each other, so in some way these are relative scores. It's impossible to score high on all of them, and a low score on one is just relatively low compared to the other virtues.
YOUR VIRTUES
20% Compassion
33% Intelligence
63% Humility
89% Honesty
50% Discipline
57% Courage
33% Passion

Take The Best Thing About You Test at HelloQuizzy


Thanks Mr.P for the link... ;)