Look who showed up at the World Vision Artist Associates retreat and conference in Houston to be our Master of Ceremonies! 

Dennis as James with President Bush look-alike Master of Ceremonies John Morgan during the World Vision 2006 Artist Associates retreat and conference in Houston, Texas. 

World Vision Update

We just returned from a conference/retreat for World Vision artist associates. It was a blessing and an encouragment to meet so many people within that organization - both artists and World Vision personnel. We learned a lot about the poverty that so many of the children of the world face. For example, did you know that every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS? World Vision is really making a difference for these orphans who have nobody and we are so amazed to be a part of the vision to help children. Just think if every family committed to sponsor just one child what a huge blessing we would all be a part of. What we are finding is an amazing paradox - that when you sponsor a child you are so blessed yourself because that child is actually protecting you from becoming self-focused. It is worth much more than we can imagine when you stop to think how easy it is to become self-absorbed in the kind of modern society that we live in. Consider this - Mothers who have AIDS and whose children have AIDS actually pray that God will take their chidren first because they can't bear the knowledge of leaving a child that nobody will hold or love in the time that is left to them. Most of us will never know that kind of anguish and pain on top of the pain of knowing that yours and your child's days are numbered because of a disease like AIDS. This disease is spreading so rapidly in countries like Africa, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, China and India that we all must committ to get involved. For 35.00 per month YOU AND I can make such a difference. We spent 6 days learning about this by the numbers and it is just devastating. We spoke to field workers as they shared their stories with us and we all trembled to think what God was thinking about all of this and the apathy of the world when it refuses to help or care. We pray for these least, last and lost and hope and pray that more will join in the work that God has given us to do - taking care of widows and orphans. If you would like to help please click on our World Vision link. There is so much more that God has for us all.

Blessings!
By the way, in the minute it took you to read this update, at least 4 children were orphaned by AIDS.

A recent letter

Hi Dennis,

I hope my letter finds you well. My first encounter with you at Freedom Road Ministry in Springfield,Ohio were of you dancing to worship music. Recently, I find myself more open in expressing myself with PraiseMusic. My joy & witness I openly express in worship now when Praise music ispresentive. I dance more and get into God music more than I ever have before. I can't explain if it was from your expression, or from my growing deep desire to worship. More like the total combination of the three. Whatever the reason, worship music has taken on a deeper role in my walk with God. I see on your schedule, April 2nd you will be speaking again in Springfield. I have marked my calendar. I am looking forward to seeing my friend again and hearing the word of God that you will present. May many new blessings fall upon you.

shalom,

Rod McKenzie

Shalom to you too, Rod - thanks for the encouraging words and blessings.