two weeks IN

Rick's view to the Threesixty Board of Directors after two weeks in the 360 house.

The dream that started 20 months ago is now a reality. The process of taking young men and transforming their lives into disciples has begun. Matt 28:19-20 is being lived out and I will testify to you this morning - He is with US! Matt 20:26-28 is being lived out as we are modeling servant hood to each other. Colossians 3:11-17 is evident in the fact God has chosen 2 Sudanese, 2 African Americans, a wonderful women and one redneck and brought them together to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. To bear with each other and forgive grievances against one another. To put on love and let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. To be thankful and let the word of Christ dwell in us, teaching and admonishing one another with wisdom and sing with gratitude in our hearts to God. Doing everything in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are living Psalms 78 by showing the praises of the Lord to all generations so they might set their hope in God and not forget the works He has done, but keep His commandments.

I want to share with you this morning some of the ways these foundational words of God are being fulfilled. We have set some of our teachers and mentors in place. Derrick coming on Wednesday afternoon to teach theology. Bill Nelson is coming spending time with the guys working on their speech & pronunciation. September the guys will begin classes on How to Study the Bible with Bart Box. The highlights of their first two weeks was the team building exercises they participated in with Chad. They commented on how they had to depend on one another and how they had to trust each other. I can tell you as a spectator, these 4 guys grew closer that afternoon. Since then you can see a bond among them that was not there before. Weekly assignments and responsibilities have gone good, but we do have some challenges. We have the normal situations of trying to beat the system. This is to be expected, but we have confidence as time goes on good habits will be developed. (After 28 years of marriage, my wife will tell you I still do not get my weekly assignments right). Each week we have one cook, one dishwasher and one trash man. One is placed in the bullpen but he is asked to blog the events of the week on the 360 Website. We had our first big house cleaning yesterday. I believe the guys went to bed early last night. The priceless moment of the day was the finding of a sandwich wrapped in a napkin under the sofa cushion. As Bullen would say, "What in the world is going on!".

Coming Sunday by Chad

Good Morning:

I pray this morning that God may open a door for the Word, and that Janet, Laura and the rest of the group in South Africa may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which they are in chains. (Col 4:3).

This week began by being able to witness the ministry of the Spirit of God in the lives of Andrew and Bullen as they testified of the goodness of God and led Bethel Baptist Church in worship on Sunday. On Monday I carried all four guys to new student orientation and began the process of registering for classes. As I sit back and observe where God has brought us from and the work that he has already accomplished I rejoice recognizing that it is not by coincidence or happenstance that the events have happened as they have but rather it is by the sovereign hand of God. From our time in Honduras, to Avondale, to Mexico, to studying the Word and fellowshipping at Fox and Marcia's home, God has used each one of you to form this ministry and for that I thank Him.

The rooms are ready, the guys have attended orientation this week and began registering for classes, Andrew and Bullen will take their final exam for English 101 tonight and based on the manner in which God has used each one of you to shape this ministry I believe it is only fitting that our small group will be there Sunday night to welcome the members of ThreeSixty. We will meet at 6:00 pm at 144 Thornberry Drive. When you turn off of Valleydale onto Thornberry there are a couple of office buildings immediately on your left. Please park in this parking lot so we minimize our disruption on the neighborhood.

I look forward to seeing everyone Sunday.

Chad G - Threesixty

Rick and I are so excited as weeks of preparation and anticipation are coming to a true life picture on Sunday. God has orchestrated His plan and we will start a new chapter in our journey as we follow Christ. Thanks you Father that you have chosen us to be part of Your plan to share Christ with the Nations! Lisa

Camp Fire Meeting

This camping experience was set up by ThreeSixty as a way for the new students to meet one another before the start of their new college adventure. At a state park in Alabama a site was selected and a tent was erected. This overnight camping excursion was short-lived. It was inclement weather from the start, but a big fire was started and hot dogs and burgers were grilled. Just as we were beginning to eat. Lighting bolts, thunder, and strong winds begin to whip through the trees. I [lisa] headed for the car as fast as possible. I arrived home almost an hour later only to find out that we were in the middle of straight line winds and strong storms. About 1/2 of an hour later - my husband showed up. The camp out was over when a tree fell beside the camp site. Our Sudanese students were not alarmed at all “Andrew stated - Oh more firewood!”

360

Rick and I are so humbled to have been selected by the board of ThreeSixty Ministries to become the houseparent's for the inaugural class. The house that God provided for us in 2004 will become the home of four young men entering college at Jefferson State in August of 2009. Thank you Father for allowing us to be part of Your plan as we share Christ with the Nations.

Car Wash James

James is a homeless man who lives in downtown Birmingham. He is the kindest street person I have ever met with a great personality. James' favorite question is, "how is your pocketbook today". James has been homeless for years and years. He says he has a college education from up north and he ended up in Birmingham with the circus. What? Yes, he worked as an animal trainer/cleaner for Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus. James cleans cars during the warmer months for money. He carries his buckets, soap, tire shine, and rags with him all day, hoping that someone will let him wash their car.

Today, James stopped me and wanted to know if I could get him some tire shine and car wash stuff. Sure, I left downtown and traveled south looking for a Dollar Tree or Dollar General for some cleaning supplies. I exited the 21st street exit, came to a complete stop, nothing coming, turned right on red and the car behind me did the same thing. All of a sudden a policeman is speeding up beside me on a two way street. I slowed but didn't pull over. Of course, your mind is running through a list of things like; tag expired, speeding, light out, red light, etc.

Yes, I got a ticket for turning right on red at an intersection where this was prohibited. I waited months before it was entered into the Birmingham system (i was hoping maybe he torn up the ticket). Six weeks later there is not record of my ticket. I went to court - no ticket recorded. Courts told me to come back in another month. This is crazy. Yep, my ticket was 153.00 and because I didn't pay it within 10 days from the day it was posted, I was fined a penalty of 26.00. I had cash money to pay 153.o0, but not 189.00. I left courthouse and went back the next day after getting additional cash from the bank. Another penalty had been added in the amount of 10.00. 199.00 for turning right on red...... and James did NOT get his car wash supplies. I am pretty upset that I let this upset me enough that I didn't follow through with helping this homeless man.

WB Milestone

Today was a milestone in WB's life. She paid off her car that she had pawned to pay for her sister to be buried. Faye died unexpectedly and there was not enough money to pay for burial. She has worked so hard to pay off her debt. As a celebration, we all ate at Zaxby's!

WB met Marc Phillips, the singer, at Zaxby's today - WB loves his song - "Through the Fire". We sang it probably 50 plus times on our way to Monroeville almost a year ago.

Lovelady Center

Tonight I met some new friends. Jennifer, Donna, Amy & Pat. They all live in the Lovelady Center in Woodlawn. Woodlawn is not the best part of city and as we arrived to have a Christmas Party with these ladies - an armed robbery was taking place at the center. Guns were pulled and the ladies running the front desk lost their purses and belongings. God protected us as we went in to minister and share the love of Jesus with these ladies. TCAB provided new Bibles for these ladies as gifts and we had subway sandwiches and chocolate desserts. It was so much fun to talk and share our life stories with each other. Janet Thorn and Janet Tatum will be continuing their Bible study with each of them on Monday's after the New Year. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to come to the party.

Rita

This is Rita, she was previously homeless and living at the Bethany Home in 2005.
We became friends during several visits to the homeless shelter. My friend, Rita, won this trip on ABC 33/40 and she needed someone to drive her to Florida. Rick and I traveled to the beach, it is her first trip to the beach in over 15 years. Sun, surf, seafood and sleep were on the agenda. We all decided to travel very light and inexpensive, but we have been to Publix everyday. Lord, Your creation is so amazing and beautiful! Thank You for letting us enjoy it for a few days with a new friend.

Raven

It's Friday - Lori and I really don't have any plans for today. We set out with our eyes open as we drove into a shopping center off of Highway 280. Lori was driving and walking down the middle of the road was a very very large women. I told Lori to stop and ask her if she needed a ride. Lori rolled down the driver's window and asked the lady if we could give her a ride. The young lady, breathing hard, sweating, and swinging her white grocery sack replied "that would be great." She got into the back seat. Her name was Raven and she lived West Birmingham. She asked for a ride to the Walmart on 280, which is the closest bus stop. Raven was getting help on trying to lose weight at "LA Weight Loss". She has a 4 yr old little girl and lives with family. As we drove up to the bus stop she was so thankful for the ride. A small deed can be a big seed sown.

False Teeth

During our time with the ladies from the Bethany Home - Lori and I have seen many needs. Lori's daughter, MW, decided that one of the ladies named Carolyn needed some teeth. Carolyn told us that due to her addiction on meth all of her teeth fell out while she was in prison for two years. Yikes. MW set up a lemonade stand in Greystone to raise money for some false teeth and there was an anonymous money matcher.

Lori and "M" took Carolyn to the dentist and purchased her top and bottom teeth. Thank You Jesus that we can provide for those who need to know You.