As Jim Kennedy said on the "Closure" thread:

"It's fitting because he's not the one who did it. They're God's people Junior, not yours. I don't belong to you and you're not the reason I did anything while I was in your church. I did it for God. We all did it for God, not you, and we'll get our reward."

This was brought home to me anew last week while reading a book on the Turkic world:

http://www.sonsoftheconquerors.com/

The author read Persian and Arabic at Oxford and has been the Wall Street Journal correspondent in Istanbul for 15 years. His book is the best on the region I've ever read. On page 257 the author is discussing religious changes in the post-Soviet Turkic states, including Azerbaijan:

"Even so, all through this new Turkic region, there was a deep-seated longing for a place in life free from corruption and hypocrisy. One Azeri Muslim, Emin, a 22-year-old messenger, said he had even tried the Orthodox church, but found the tradition-bound religious services incomprehensible. Then he went to a bible class organized by the U.S.-based evangelicals of Greater Grace World Outreach, who, he said, explained religion "much better." His need was all for transparency and spiritual directness. He went on to convert his whole family."

I can't speak for what has happened since 1992, but back then we did what we did for God. In the midst of war and misery and corruption, the simple message of the Gospel brought hope to people whose world was collapsing around them. I must emphasize the point of the simple Gospel. Most people there had no previous exposure to religion and had to be taught from the ground up.

Why am I posting this? Despite the accusations of some and the indiscretions of many, the point of the discussion here is truth. There are good people out there serving God on the mission field with the GGWO brand. Here's to them

And FWIW, I did not take time to watch the festivities at Carlapalooza. We were celebrating our 19th anniversary (sorry GGWO rumor-mongers who said we divorced). CHS and Schaller participated in the ceremony, as well as our own inestimable John Collins. Jim Kennedy was my best man. Thanks again, guys!

You rock mace...good to hear from you. Happy anniversary and belated father's day to you and all the "big daddys on the board." Munson, John C....all of you.

Maybe one of these is needed at the Plaza:

http://www.buy.com/prod/supreme-edition-ad...070&dcaid=17070

"Uh, I find your lack of faith disturbing."

Thanks, New Kid. Outi is still a babe and we learn to enjoy life more each day. We did Turkish food for Father's Day:

http://www.gengizkhan.com/

Speaking of Gengiz Khan, there's a great new movie:

http://www.mongolmovie.com/

Bayram babalar kutlu olsun! Rab sizlerle olsun ve korusun! B)

Now that looks like an appropriate garb for the plaza cronies..."I am you father...deal with it!"

Geez a man who calls his wife a babe after 19 years... I like that!

I clicked on that link and forgot my speakers were turned up high...all of a sudden I hear this battle cry and almost fell of the chair...my heart is still pounding.

Please translate your finnish...pretty pleasse....

Happy 19th anniversary, happy father's day and happy life now you are free in Christ.

Yes-- there are many in gg who only want Jesus to be glorified and known-- and who do not exalt any man.

Bayram babalar kutlu olsun! Rab sizlerle olsun ve korusun!

It's Turkish: Happy Father's Day! May the Lord be with you and guard you!

And we are sure He is doing that through you, Shekofeh. Keep up the good fight!

I make hummus every now and then, but I speak Hebrew with it, not Turkish ;)

19th anniversary! Congrats, Mace. You make me feel old. Lord willing we will have our 23rd in August.

Old?,Old?
Monique and I will be celebrating our 31st in Nov.
We where the first couple to be married at Charlotte Dunning back in 77.

Hey Mace, congrats. Your marriage has been a real testimony to many unsaved of the love of Christ and the Church.

It's hard sometimes to see the good that was done, particularly when viewing some of the wreckage that became of some who were making it happen. It's an amazing thing to spend say, 14 years without any real faith.

I think seeing that reference to what you did in Turkey really shows that we had some enduring accomplishments and our labor wasn't in vain. (It must have been mind bending to pick up that book and come across that statement. Weren't you one of the first to go there?) Of course even there, GG seems to get the credit. But maybe God is saying something.

I remember walking down a dirt street in a village being followed by all these kids who had never seen a white person before. It was like I had been dropped off by a spaceship. The interpreter said "they are laughing about your complexion."

I'm glad I got to travel and meet christians in other parts of the world and see how the Spirit really moves in all of us. And fellowship with these people helped get me out of GG.

Now if I could just find a decent job...

Mace: You should do threads like this in the Members section. It keeps out the riff raff... B)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bkp1CwGg-Kw&feature=related

Just in case any GGWO missionaries attending the convention are browsing, I bumped this.

May your ministry always make CHRIST preeminent.

Dave Carson