Tomorrow morning we're off on a whirlwind trip to Jacob's Well Church in Kansas City, MO. Tim Keel, the pastor, has graciously agreed to meet with us for a Q&A session after the evening service. I've said a few times that Tim is one of the Emergent guys I've met that struck me as the genuine article. He's a good guy, humble, bright, gracious, and willing to help.
We're taking some folks who are new to Emergent to the service with us. We're loading up the church bus right before the morning service. We'll return sometime after midnight. We'll be in a medium-sized white bus emblazoned with OKC First Church of the Nazarene on the side. This will be my very first Nazarene road trip. I'm not sure how I will feel when we stop at restaurants or gas stations and all of us pile out of a church bus like senior citizens on the way to a Gaither Sing. It's an odd experience for me. I haven't been on a church bus since I was about eleven. I used to ride along with our bus ministry in Denver. I'm pretty sure the hookah is out of the question, as is an ice chest of beer and a bag of weed. Alas... Imagine the fun we could have when people drive by and see us smoking the hookah, knocking back some Rogue Dead Guy Ale, and singing hymns. Oh well, some things just aren't meant to be.
Beer Update: Moretti La Rossa. An Italian amber. Not too bad. My first Italian beer.
Have a great and productive trip. I for one would take the hookah. Just rename it the Sacramental Hookah of Agape Love or something like that. Following the example of Spurgeon, just explain the smoke rolling out of the van as incense ascending up before the throne of God.
Peace,
Mike
Posted by: Dr. Mike Kear | August 20, 2005 at 11:11 PM
I went of a mission trip to the former soviet union in '93. We had stopped by this little church and gave what ,to us, was maybe $100 to the priest. About five days later, he and two little old ladies came walking into our camp (about 20 miles from his church). They brought bread shaped like a swan and some good stiff vodka. How could our leaders refuse without offending them? All I know is that after the meal, some of our leaders were happier than I'd ever seen them and they were grinning from ear to ear. God bless that little Russian priest!
Posted by: Dallas Tim | August 21, 2005 at 09:47 PM
We're getting way out there but this is too priceless to go untold.
ON a missions trip to Mexico a few years ato, trying to turn around on a muddy road, we got a 56 passenger Prevost bus stuck up to the axils. Some one graciously came by and asked if we needed some help and offered to pull us out with his bus...for $20. During the ordeal, a nice little man brought us something to drink. It was a clear strong smelling liquid - yes, we sat around and drank half a fifth of Tequila in an unmarked bottle before someone actually figured out (me) what it was...needless to say everyone was very loose and compliant after that. Thank God it was adults on the trip.
Posted by: Scott in Houston | August 21, 2005 at 10:24 PM
Dude,
Next time let me know when you are in KC. I would of hosted you all or at the very least fed you!!!
Hope it was good!
HB
Posted by: Heather Bryant | August 22, 2005 at 02:04 PM
Next time you guys come up to KC we'd love to worship with you at Tinity. We're right down the street from JW.
Peace,
Brian
Posted by: Brian Postlewait | August 22, 2005 at 05:15 PM
Brian and Heather,
Had we not been doing a quick turnaround, we would have contacted you. Thanks for the offers though. Heather, I'll be eating Ethiopian next time I'm up there. Maybe you know a good place?
Posted by: greg | August 22, 2005 at 09:42 PM
Mmmmmm.... Rogue beer.
Posted by: ryan | August 22, 2005 at 10:24 PM
I will do my best to find you a place! Check out going to Philly in November. Tedd and I are thinking about a hostil.
Posted by: Heather Bryant | August 23, 2005 at 10:44 AM