“Congradulaions” Fr. Anthony!

Remembering that Fr. Anthony is from India, a country where he really is a first generation driver. As Americans, we have grown up with cars; we have been driven everywhere by parents who are third and fourth generation drivers. Our whole society is mobile and we love it. For those in India, they have taken trains or buses everywhere, up to the past decade. They just do not have the experience as drivers we are.

Well, the third time is the charm. Fr. Anthony has gained his independence and now has his driver’s license!

Elaine and I decided to stop by Wal-Mart and get a cake to celebrate. A quick trip to the bakery to find the cake. We asked the clerk to write “Congratulation Father Anthony” on the cake. Well, what a surprise we got for our cake. Take a closer look at the picture of the cake. I just had to take picture .

Hello - it's been a while

Hey everyone - so sorry we haven't been updating things lately. There has been a lot going on, but most of it is getting forms in order, figuring out what exactly we are suppose to be doing - which we still are not really sure exactly what that is - we have a general idea, but are starting from scratch so that takes a lot of time and revisions on forms, etc. So in other words, boring to write about.

However, this last week was different. We took a break and Rick went to Florida for a homiletics class. I went to Houston to visit my Mom and family. The bad news is Rick's class was canceled. They decided to change the format to six different Saturdays. Rick will have to decide what he wants to do now. He did teach a class every day for a few hours which he really enjoyed.

I had a blast!!! I drove to Mike's in Bloomington,IN and stayed with him two nights. We went grocery shopping, out to eat and just bummed around. It was really fun to spend time with him!! I also was able to spend a little time with Heather, althought she had to leave that first evening for a conference. I flew to Houston on Sunday and spend the week with family. I really miss family so it was awesome!!! We really didn't do anything special, just kind of hung out. Just what I needed!!!

One thing I have noticed being in Lousia is I really miss my family and friends. They are my support, and I really don't have that here. So thank you family and friends for being there for me. I really need you guys!!! Love you!!!

In the “Groove”

Fr. Beiting is still enjoying a well deserved respite in our winter hometown of Punta Gorda, Florida. We have been back here in Louisa for a few weeks from our quick trip to Punta Gorda.
We have just completed a major project with the Mission Center; developing all the forms necessary for the groups to visit us. There is the group’s form itself indicating the folks which will attend, medical form, photo release form, etc. Many things to think through.
We are settling in on our responsibilities with Fr. Beiting Appalachian Mission Center. As volunteer coordinators, we are responsibility for all aspects of the volunteer program. Currently, we are working on gathering information on the groups which will assist our Mission Center this year. Most of these groups visit us during the summer, but we do have a number during the off-summer months. Currently, we have the capability to have two groups each week consisting of 30 and 50 individuals. Our smaller facility is here in Louisa and the larger facility is in Martin County. The summer is quickly filling up; most weeks have one group already and some have two. There is a lot of work corresponding with the groups, finding out there needs and how we can best connect our groups with our clients here in Louisa and

Mike's Engaged!!!

We have great news!!! Mike has asked a lovely young lady to marry him and she said YES!!! We couldn't be happier. Although this is not the official engagement picture, it is good of both of them. The big day is going to be the summer of 2011. We just wanted to share our good news.

A new year....

I am finally get refocused on our mission after spending the last few weeks enjoying family, friends and the holidays. We do have snow on the ground, and it is cold, and I did ask myself a few times, "Now why am I here and not enjoying sunny Florida"?.....I do know that I am where I am suppose to be!!! God has been calling me, and I finally said YES - What a great feeling that is. My hope while working for Fr. Beiting is to bring people closer to God - in essence - to further the Kingdom of God. I hope I can - or really I should say I can as long as I allow God to continue to lead me.

One quick item I feel compelled to address since so many of you have mentioned that you have been donating to Fr. Beiting for years. FBAMC is not the same as the Christian Appalachian Project(CAP). Fr. Beiting began/founded CAP decades ago, but they separated paths probably 15 years ago. CAP still is in the area and is still doing great work, but Fr. Beiting is no longer associated with them. He began Father Beiting Appalachian Mission Center when he left CAP. I only mention this because so many of you thought your were giving to Fr. Beiting and the mission we were working with and that is not the case if you were donating to CAP. If you want more information on FBAMC or want your contribution to go to his mission, please check out this web site. www.fatherbeiting.org (copy and paste if need to)

Our rich American Heritage

Well, could there be a prettier place to be in January than Florida? If there is, I have not seen it.
Elaine and I just returned from a quick week trip to Florida. We took Fr. Anthony with us for a part of the trip. He had to return a bit earlier than we did, since Fr. Beiting was leaving for Florida prior to our return and Fr. Anthony had responsibilities while Fr. Beiting was gone.
The flight from Huntington, WV to Clearwater/St Petersburg was a bit rough. In fact, it was one of the more turbulent flights Elaine and I have had. For Fr. Anthony it was particularly difficult. During the roughest part he said he was able to get a rosary in! We found out later during a meal with my family that he was so concerned that he gave everyone on the flight absolution!
Fr. Anthony was like a little kid at Christmas, he was so excited to go to Florida, even though he had no idea where Florida was. We told him Punta Gorda would be like ½ way between Disney World and Miami. He had never heard of either of these. I was surprised, and after a little bit of prompting he figured out who Mickey Mouse was but had never heard of Disney World. Miami, he was clueless about. When we asked him to name any cities in the USA he knew (other than the towns around us) he could only name four. Which ones do you think they would be? See the end of the post for the answer. But on reflection I could only name three cities in India off the top of my head, and India has a population 3x the USA! See my three cities below. How many can you name? Sorry, Miami, you aren’t that big of a deal to an Indian!
After the rough flight, I thought the trip might be a little lackluster for Fr. Anthony, but was I wrong! We only had two full days, so we were pretty short on time to see things. We decided to go to visit Fort Myers and see Thomas Edison’s home, a place I love to visit. I remember that the largest banyan tree in the world was somewhere in India and the second largest was on the Edison estate. Go to the link to see what a banyan tree is if you do not know http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images/2007-03/banyan-tree-aerial-root.jpg
(This feels like an educational paper as opposed to a blog post, oh well!)
So the conversation continues, “Ok, Fr. Anthony we are going to see Thomas Edison’s home …. I know you do not know….”
Fr. Anthony suddenly interrupts me, “Thomas Edison! The man who invented the light bulb and the phonograph! I studied all about him in school!”
He was so excited, his face lit up like a light bulb! Sorry, Mickey Mouse and Don Johnson (Miami Vice), you loose.
What a great joy Fr. Anthony was! He was so excited about everything and everyone. How much the Indians can teach us about the joy of the little things of life, thank you Fr. Anthony!

(Answers: NY, Chicago, LA and SF/Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi)

Off we go…

Elaine and I had a wonderful time with Mike over these past few days. We left on the 26th for Mike’s and spent two days there with him. We saw a great movie, Avatar. If you have not seen this movie yet it is amazing!
After our couple days with Mike we brought him home to Louisa with us. He spent two days here with us. We bought a used (1985 LeBaron) car for him. He had a great semester at Ivy Tech and we told him if he did well we would help him with school. He should be eligible to do volunteer fire fighting very soon and needed the car.
On January 1st we are leaving with Fr. Anthony (our priest from India) for Florida. This will be a wonderful experience for him. When we asked him if he knew where Florida was, he said “Yes, by Main, right?. No, Father, Florida is not by Maine, it is a bit further south of there.” This will be a blast with him in Florida, what a treat it will be!

Merry Christmas!!!

Just a quick post to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas!!! I pray the Lord fills you with both Peace and Happiness as you celebrate the birth of our King. At mass both last night and today, I was reflecting on how wonderful my life is...I have a fantastic family - all of them, sister, brothers, Mom, in laws, children and husband. I am living a life of trying to serve our Lord, which I didn't really think I was capable of doing. As I have mentioned before, I was always great at allowing God to accompany me on my journey, but to give up that control was and still is difficult. I am trying to let the Lord lead me - I am learning step by step. Please enjoy this wonderful day of Christ's birth. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!!!!

Phase One, done!

Well, we did it again! Today, Tuesday, we gave 400 baskets to needy families. The baskets included toys for the children, frozen chicken, pizzas, fresh produce, milk, eggs and canned goods. There were another 200 families which received just food. We had two groups, starting at 10:00 and the next group at 1:00. I worked outside directing the cars. I think I said “Merry Christmas” at least 800 times today for the folks coming up the hill, walking to their car, walking back from their car or driving away. They probably thought I was nuts! “Why is this guy telling me “Merry Christmas” four times?” But, hey, what do you expect from a blind guy!? And, was it fun! Try parking 250 cars into a parking lot which only serves 150 cars! Everything went off without a hitch. We did that twice in one day too. Elaine, of course, being the “Queen Bee”, buzzed around the inside of the warehouse insuring all was running smoothly. Do I need to say any more!? . My little girl, the “Organizer”.
And we get to do all this again on Wednesday! Another 400 families receiving food and gifts with another 200 just getting food! But, what can I say …. Other then “God is Good! Alleluia! Just another glorious day in the Fr. Beiting Appalachian Mission Center.

The Holy Spirit is Good! Alleluia!

Well, we did it! For us, and several others, this past Saturday was our first “group” Christmas give-away here at FBAMC. For Fr. Beiting, we are not sure how many he has done, but we kid him and say it has to be like his 100th or something.

There were two large distributions today which we sponsored. One in Lawrence County, where we were and the second in Martin County. For Lawrence County, where the new warehouse is located, it was something to behold! We gave away to 35 different agencies, who in turn will give to the individual clients.

You can tell by the pictures how much was given away. Through excellent planning by Phillip, the Director of Operations, and the hard work of many volunteers, it came off without a hitch.

Ok, here is our Holy Spirit story for this week. We have some incredibly generous benefactors. Two very large donors, which come in at the last minute, provide us frozen chickens and fresh produce. We have a full time semi-truck driver who drives all over the eastern part of the USA, dropping off empty trailers, and picking them up later filled with goods for us. Well, Chris called from the emergency room on Thursday very ill and unable to pick up these two loads. We had a trailer full of frozen chickens to be picked up that day, several hours away. Another trailer full of fresh produces the next day, also several hours away. We had no idea what to do, where are we going to find another driver on such short notice? One of the volunteers made a few phone calls and this gentleman, whom we did not know, offered to pick up both loads free of charge at this last minute – An Angel sent from God to Fr. Beiting!

Well this day is done, everyone did an incredible job and all we can say is …”God is Good! Alleluia!

And, we are back at it on Monday as we prepare Christmas baskets which we distribute to 800 local families! That project is in full swing for three delivery dates of December 18th, 22nd and 23rd.