Phillip and Exandra

Today as I sat waiting for my flight to leave, a young man boarded the plane wearing the pink- piggy- neck rest you see in this picture.  As he stored his belongings, he removed his jacket to reveal that he was also wearing a hot pink shirt. I’m no fashion maven but this is a combination I had never seen before.  Evidently it was uncommon to the rest of the cabin as his appearance drew several sidelong glances.

I love being around people like our flight attendant. No glances for her, she just jumped in and asked about his choice of wardrobe for the day.   She ask a direct question and got a direct answer. I found out that the man’s name is Phillip and he has a precocious little five year old daughter named Skylar. Phillip told the flight attendant that his daughter, Skylar, named the pink- piggy -neck rest, Exandra!  He was transporting “Exandra” back home and Skylar ask him to please wear it and to please wear a pink shirt to match Exandra’s color.  When Phillip asked his daughter if he had to wear it all the time she responded, “Of course!” Phillip told me that during the swine flew crisis “Exandra” traveled wearing a one of those protective white hospital masks over her pink nose and mouth.  After meeting “Exandra” and Phillip, I can tell you this.

Exandra rides first class!

Phillip is a very Good daddy!

Skylar is a very lucky little girl!

I just wish I had been there when he went through security!!!!

This morning I was privileged to be part of a conference call with Wess Stafford president of Compassion International, an organization we work with that has been in Haiti for 40 years.  I wept as I heard the stories of incredible loss and hope.  I was amazed at the stories of what the local church was doing in places where super powers were stymied.  None of this is meant to diminish the importance of the outpouring of support from around the world, only to say that what is happening in Haiti is evidence of how the church is suppose to work. It is a shining light of love in action and the world is watching.  Here is a link to the conference call I was part of.  Please take the time to listen. This will brighten your heart and ignite your hope.

You will hear evidence that the church being the church is making a powerful quiet difference in an unthinable situation. Where Governments are brought to their knees in confusion and hopelessness, the church is brought to it’s knees in hope.

When the news media and outside organizations lose interest, Compassion International and the local believers in Haiti will still be there. Compassion has been there for 40 years changing lives, building credibility and growing relationships. They are going to stay until the job is done. And the church will be there beyond that.

If you have wondered where you might find a trusted organization to send your gifts of help. A place where your gifts can most quickly reach the people you need it, look no further.  Listen to the conference call then go here and click on Haiti earthquake to contribute.

I am meeting with Compassion leaders next week to determine how I can help those suffering in Haiti.  I hope you will join us by sending your gift to Compassion International today. Thank you!

This is my latest watercolor.

This is a man who survived The Bataan Death March. One of the most brutal events in history.

This is a man who spent 3 1/2 years in a Japanese Prison Camp.

This is a man who weighed 85 lbs when he was finally released. He had malaria, and dysentery, and could not step over a two by four.

This is a man who was told he wouldn’t live past fifty. Two years ago, he died at 82 .

This is a man who was told he would never have children.

This is my father.

This is how he started each day. Lest we forget.

I promise I won’t, Dad.

This is a watercolor I painted of my granddaughter Kialee.

One day a woman ran to the stage after I had shown the picture. She had sponsored Taciana many

years before and was preparing to travel half way around the world to see her. She was ecstatic as she opened a book that contained all the correspondence she and Taciana had exchanged over the years.

Her hands shook as she showed me a recent picture of Taciana.

What a difference she had made in Taciana’s day…..No, in her life. You can do the same thing. Some days are better than others. Click here to see how easy it is to make today and tomorrow a better day in a child’s life.

See pictures of my sponsored children here

Find out more about Compassion international

I spent this weekend with world class skier, mountain climber, Eric Alexander and his wife Amy. Eric was a vital part of the team that led his blind friend Erik Weihenmayer to the top of Mount Everest. His story of this adventure is one of the most inspirational I have heard. Eric is a believer who artfully shares his faith as a part of his spell binding story. While training for this assent Eric fell 150 ft down a mountain landed on a ledge about the size of a car and didn’t break a single bone in his body. He developed pulmonary edema and unless rescued soon would face death. Obviously he was rescued.

Teamwork, Persistence, Trust and Faith are the anchors of Eric and Amy’s life and the focus of his presentations. His humorous and inspiring presentation will help you clarify your personal challenges and goals and see them as more attainable. We are very excited that Eric is now part of our team. More than being a world class climber he is a world class person.

Look what he did for me and Brian Scheer

Okay! So I can dream. Isn’t photo shop wonderful! To bring Eric to your group. Call us at 615 599 8955 or email brian@kendavis.com