I Will Play Too

Well, we met up with CB, my oldest son, who is serving an internship in Kenya for the summer.  It happened in an odd way.  Because of torrential rains, the roads were almost impassible.  Taking an alternate route through a field that had a small river running through it, our van got stuck in the middle of the flow.  We all got out to push the van to the other side and noticed a group of students on a mission trip approaching from a distance…there in the middle of the pack was CB!  Surprise!  He helped us get unstuck then and about 5 other times in the past few days.   It was good to connect again just a week later and on the other side of the world.   

Deep in trouble

  

Talking about the other side of the world…Wow how perspectives change here in Africa.  Some things we take for granted are scarce and desperation means something totally different here.  We were able to purchase and hand deliver food and blankets to some of the most poverty stricken orphans that could be imagined today.  Thanks to the Compelled giving of Biltmore Baptist, we were able to meet an immediate need of food and cover for 50 children.   You can’t imagine the looks on their faces…they rarely if ever receive something new and in a package. They were so thankful.  When we brought food in for them, they all wanted to help and were so excited.  The games they played with us were so simple..just a crude flat soccer ball.  The humble program the prepared for us was so simple.  We took time to see what they called home, as hard as it was to see.  Just to see the 4 rabbits they raise to eat, the crops that take up every square foot of their small yard, and the goats they raise for milk, and to be interested was so important to them.  I learned another life lesson today.

I think of all we have and afford.  When was the last time that I was so excited about a new gift, or a meal that someone offered me, or a game that someone shared?   All of these have a different connotation to us in the states.  A gift is purchased and valued.  A meal for us might be a nice restaurant and a game might be a PS3 of a iPad  App.  All of these things are not bad but when substituted for the most valuable gift, it is misused.  You see, what I learned today is simple.  Yes, simple.  That’s it.  

 We need to be simple. The simple things in our world are many times what hold true value.  Value that will last.  The time to be interested in someone.  The time to play a game with friends or family.  The time to really care about someone other than yourself.  Tomorrow I will go back with the team to the filth of the orphanage in Gilgil, Kenya.  Instead of playing soccer with a rolled up sack or a deflated torn ball, this day they will have a new one brought by our team from the church…it cost 10 dollars and they will be absolutely ecstatic and they will joyfully play and…I will take that time to play too.  

Time is my value…I learned another life lesson today…I do every time I come to Kenya.

Invest your time,  Carl

PS.  If every student within our reach could see what I saw today, before they leave for college, our world would change!  God Bless You!

Simple.

My oldest son, Carl Brown IV, just left for a 3month internship in Kenya this past weekend.  Those of you who have sent a child away for an extended amount of time know the feeling that Michelle and I felt early Sunday morning.  And this was the first time for that feeling to hit us.  We have 5 children so we had better get used to this! Watching him leave was difficult and just thinking about his absence for the first time, was emotional.  Our family really relies on CB for so many things that we sometimes take for granted.  Knowing that he will be serving with 2 mission organizations there in Kenya makes it all worth while.  He will be capturing video and editing it (he has an amazing gift and eye) for ministry purposes…this will be his job for the summer, before he heads to Liberty University to be a part of their new School of Media Communications.

Sending Kisses to Africa

I LOVE technology…After he got there, he skyped us.  Our 4 year old daughter, who adores CB, was having a rough time with this transition.  When she saw him on the iPhone, she wanted to give him a kiss so she leaned over and kissed the phone.  I love the simplicity of a child’s mind. We all had a blast talking with him.  Simple things in life again win!   It has only been 2 days and life is somehow different.  Little things mean more.  The text I get from my other children are cherished.  Coming home to a happy family, watching the late night NBA game with the boys, laying my little girl down are just a little more meaningful.  That’s why defining moments in our lives are called defining…helping us to see what is really important.

 

I remember Jerry Clower(country comedian) telling a story about a family he saw in an airport saying their last goodbyes before the father had to take a plane.  The little daughter and son were crying “daddy don’t leave” and the wife was distraught and hugging her husband goodbye.  He finally broke away from the embrace of his family and walked away, then turned the corner to walk down the long corridor.  In a last minute effort to say goodbye again, he stepped back around the corner to utter these words…”you all take care and see you tomorrow!!!!”

CB and Michelle

Now in just 2 days I will leave to take a team to Kenya and for 5 days CB will be with our team…shooting video ofministry to the orphaned, hungry and thirsty,  so we can bring our church, just for a moment, to the Kenyan bush.  So my goodbye was not for long…for my wife it is another story.  I do think that I might be able to talk her into going with me on the July 29- August 9th trip a little easier.  My next blog will be from Kenya, where the simple things of our world are the lifeblood of theirs …hoping to let you see just a glimpse of what God is doing through the ministry of BBC.  

Let’s reach across the world…together.  Its Simple!

Carl

In Giving We Receive

In the beginning of the year we launched our first multi-site as a church ministry. We believe an effective way to reach people in Western North Carolina is to not only bring everyone to the same campus….the Arden campus can only hold so many people at one time! We believe that launching additional sites with the Biltmore philosophy, quality, heart, and calling is a more effective way to reach people with the message of Christ in the Western North Carolina region.

 I had a great opportunity a couple of weeks ago to lead worship out at the new East Campus located at Asheville Christian Academy. As I arrived on campus early that morning I was greeted by a number of people…they had actually been there long before me that day! I saw people putting flags in stands, erecting portable walls, bringing in sound systems…I saw others making coffee and getting materials ready. Next, I walked into the Worship Center and tech guys and musicians were working feverishly getting sounds checked and light fixtures aimed in the right places. It reminded me of a colony of ants working so fervently to accomplish one goal. I was amazed as I sat back and watched all of the work it takes to make the event come to life!

This visual experience reminded so much of the years when I first came to Biltmore Baptist Church in 1993. It was a time when we struggled as a small church. It seemed everyone in the church was involved in ministry somehow, whether it was setting up chairs, or helping with childcare or preschool ministry, putting the sheets on baby beds, or preparing the snacks for the kids. I remember those days fondly knowing that the joy that came from being a part of it continued to compel people to show Christ to a world that was desperate. What I love about those days is that everyone was involved. I saw that same spirit at East Campus… “I’m not going to watch the event, I’m going to be a part of it…I’m not going to stand on the sidelines as a spectator, but I’m going to be a player”. A reality hit me in that moment. The true joy in ministry is not just being a part of a large church, it’s being a contributing part in something…in Someone…that is much bigger than I am. Today my challenge to you is to look to be a part of it…don’t just to watch.

In giving we receive.

Carl

Movie Night Lights

This Monday night my wife, Michelle, had the great idea that we would have family movie night.  The movie of choice was “Lord of the Rings.”  Now you know that this movie has 3 parts and each hover around the 3 hour mark.  So, Monday we started with part one and last night we continued with part two.  A lot of time for a movie each night but we all were engaged for the most part….then…there’s me!

My whole family is totally captivated by this trilogy.  They are calling the names, remembering the scenarios, saying phrases like ” watch this part” or “this part is the most exciting” and the intensity continues to grow with the comments and remarks.  I even saw some tears as some of the story line unfolded!!!  But something about this movie I just don’t get.  I am looking at this flick and the family is trying to get me involved and “up to speed”…I’m trying but I feel more purpose in asking if anyone wants something to drink or can I get anything from the fridge for my family.  (I actually put my 3 yr old daughter to sleep so that they could watch the movie uninterrupted.)  And then the phrase that shed light on their engagement and my struggle.  ”I remember this part in the book” and “I am so glad that we all read this book because it makes the movie come alive!”

Bingo!  There it is! A few years ago, Michelle read the entire trilogy with the 4 boys.  I remember that some parts of the book were fun and exciting and some parts were more long and drawn out.  In fact, she would not let anyone watch the movie until they had finished the books.  Obviously I was not a part this activity.   So There!!!  That’s the ticket.  There was my problem.  I was trying so hard to understand but didn’t have a clue compared to them.  They were loving it and I was struggling.  They were all explaining (and probably frustrated) and I was hearing but it wasn’t sinking in.  I continued to ask the same questions…”who is that again?  Is that guy bad or good…they both wear white?  Who are those dudes on horses?”  Then a realization.

You see, many people try so hard to do the christian life.  They try to understand.  People tell them…explain to them…and try to get them involved…they hear but somehow it never sinks in.  They use phrases like “I go to church” or “I just can’t find the time” or “I hear what you are saying” or “I try to live a christian life, but just don’t get it.” The story (movie) is life…the book is the Bible.  Read it and your story comes alive!

Carl

Treasure Box

About a month ago, to my surprise, my little 3 year old princess, Lauren, found a box and put some of her most prized possessions in it…2 stuffed animals, a few pieces of candy, a trinket or two, crayons, and a work of art from her own design were the contents that she gathered on her own.  She walked up to me with the box and said “Daddy, when you go to Africa can you give this to some Africans?”  I about lost it.  Not knowing whether to smile or cry, I reached down and gave her a big hug and told her that we would make sure that a little African girl would love her gift.  We took pictures and affirmed her selfless act of giving.

So just 2 days ago my oldest son, CB, traveled to Kenya as a videographer (He is incredibly talented!!!) with one of our mission teams.

He packed the humble box in his bags to give away.   After having his bags lost, he reclaimed the luggage 2 days after arriving and was able to make the connection for his little sister.   Hearing of Lauren’s gift, our Kenyan Pastor Wilfred and his wife, Rehab, had already chosen the girl that needed this encouragement.

It is amazing to me how I learn so much from one who is so young.  1 Corinthians speaks how we should not be proud of our wisdom because we are older.  Well, I sometimes think that God gives a simple wisdom to these trusting little ones as to teach us who are older (and think we have all the answers).  ”To give unselfishly…to love the least of these…learning how to love with open hands…” is what one of our worship songs states.  I have heard it said that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Let me restate this with another priority…One girls treasure was another girls treasure too!  Let’s give our BEST!

Looking forward to Learning!!!

Carl

This is totally nuts!!!

About 2 weeks ago I got this crazy idea to take the Choir, Worship Team, and Orchestra to the movie “Courageous” at the conclusion of the Wednesday night rehearsals. Some had to go home but many heading over to the theatre…we had over 100 people go with us that night.  Needless to say we took over the theatre and I loved it.  Everyone was encouraged and inspired and the Kleenex company stock had to double!  Tears…even Man Tears!

At the end of the show, I met an 18 year old boy,  Alex(not his real name) and became acquainted with his story.  

He had been involved with the wrong crowd, from a broken home, his dad was in prison and he had not seen him since he was 13 and still had no clue where or what state or town his dad was incarcerated.  Just a few weeks earlier, feeling desperate and needing direction, Alex came to our church on a Wednesday night and wondering into the lobby came up to Brian Johnson.  Brian is a church member and choir member that has a passion to reach out to prisoners and is personally responsible for bringing a few prisoners to church each Wed and Sunday.  This night he was bringing a few of the men to choir with him.  The young boy asked Brian if there is anything he could be involved in that evening.  After thinking and asking, he invited the boy to choir.  The young boy had no clue that the choir rehearsal time could be so inspirational…he was shocked!  He continued to visit choir over a number of weeks and was then invited to go to the movie with us that night.

Now if you have seen the movie, you know that it is one of the most inspirational works and a Godly challenge to the men of our world to stand up and lead…to do the right thing.  The boy was moved by this and desired to meet his dad again and to have that relationship!  In fact, last week in choir, we prayed for Alex and the desire he had to meet his dad and asked that the Lord would join the two by some miracle.  

Brian found the fathers name was Darrell.  He asked some of the inmates.  Then one of the prisoners (that is a member of our choir and that I had the privilege of baptizing 3 weeks ago at choir rehearsal) said “I know Darrell…in fact he sleeps on a cot next to mine! NO WAY!  Of all the prison facilities in the state, the southeast, the country, he was in the same room with one of our worship team members!!!  That is nuts!!!  That is crazy!  Overwhelming!!!  So in prison this week, Alex’s father was confronted with the story of his lost son and was invited to choir last night! AND…….. He actually came!!!!  We shared the next part of the story with the choir and introduced them to Darrell and then we prayed over him!  A sweet time of worship for sure!

Unfortunately, Alex was not present last night…the reunion did not happen this time but we’ve had the unique privilege to pray with a young boy for his father …and then prayed with the father for his son….on different occasions but in the same room.  We have seen and touched both sides of the story…I can only think that just for a moment, we have seen what God must see.  Both perspectives with incredible potential…potential to unite…potential to mend hearts…potential to do what is right.  God sees this every time.  For us it is a miracle…for God…its who he is.

We have not only seen a miracle….we are IN the miracle! 

Looking forward to next Wednesday!  Carl

Schooled by a 3 year old

My intentions to write a blog this week were completely undermined by the events of Monday…

Click below.

http://cbsetterlind.wordpress.com/ 

My oldest son, CB, wrote this blog about my daughter, Lauren…It’s a MUST see!