Archive for the ‘Navajo Family Missions’ Category

Restoring Volkswagens as We Restore Our Lives

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Restoring Volkswagens as We Restore Our Lives

What Are You Doing to Draw Others Closer to God…Taking Christianity Into the World

Just as an Older VW Needs Love & Attention so Do We Need to Work to Grow Like Him

Well, the Bugs4Christ team started on a new project.  We are working on restoring a bright yellow 71 Super Beetle.  Tonight, Tyler, Curtis, Cole, and I did body work.  This bug does not have major damage but there are quite a few dings, especially on the fenders.  Even though the dings are minor they still take a lot of time to fix right.  We are still learning the fine art of mixing and applying bondo! 

Working on the car tonight reminded me that I get a lot like that yellow bug.  My spiritual life has not suffered a major crash but I allow myself to get numerous dings and scratches as I drive down this road called life.  When I fail to consistently pray, study my Bible, worship,… I end up getting dinged up spiritually.  Fortunately we have a savior who wants us to look and feel new.  He died on the cross to forgive our sins (past present and future),  So tonight I am going to spend some time with Him and ask Him to forgive me for neglecting my relationship with Him.   How about you?

John Albrycht, a youth pastor  involved his youth group in the secret restoration of a 1971 VW Beetle. The project was dubbed “Bugs4Christ” and the Beetle soon became an object lesson in how God wants to restore our hearts to a right relationship with him. John wanted his youth to understand the mandate of Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching!” He wanted his youth to feel the power of encouraging others by restoring and giving the gift of unconditional love to the owner of the vintage car. Since that first incredible project, the members of this ministry have been involved in several other restoration projects including on the Mission Field in the desert of New Mexico as we loved and mentored our Native Americans, the Navajo. You can read more at www.Bugs4Christ.webs.com 

Our Purpose: Mentor young men and women in their walk with Christ, while teaching them how to restore Volkswagen Beetles. We also model for them Christ’s unconditional love by giving these vehicles to those in need. On the Navajo Indian Reservation in Pueblo Pintado, NM we rebuilt a Volkswagen Beetle “VW” as the talk about the reforming, restoring and redeeming power of Christ. If you would like to be a part of our mission to serve the Lost, the Last and the Least I invite you to consider how you might partner with us by donating a part to the VW that will be used next year or that you family may want to go. For just as God calls us all to serve, we believe that Family Mission Trips are a way to bring all of those you most love closer to God. 

To get a feel for our work on the Mission Field in Pueblo Pintado NM might I invite you to watch our video at http://bit.ly/QS0V9 If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. To gain a glimpse of our vision visit or if your church wants to get involved with our work visit   http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/ 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

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Santa Claus Comes to Pueblo Pintado… Coats for Kids, Toys for Tots

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010
Santa Claus Comes to Pueblo Pintado… Coats for Kids, Toys for Tots
 
Dale Williams who is the custodian at the at Tse Yi Gai High School  is working with us to help out the Pueblo Pintado Community.
Attached is a list of the items needed.  We want to pass out items to
school kids and to the elderly–who are really suffering with the
economy not in such good shape currently.

The student council is going to start a food drive contest between the
classes; so we will be able to make Christmas baskets.

We plan to give out the items of 14 December and Channel 7 KOAT-TV in
Albuquerque and the National Guard will be here to help.  The National
Guard is bring Santa Claus! If there are any of you who would like to go and be there for this event, please let us know and we will take the appropriate steps to see if we can get living arrangements at the high school.

Many thanks for the help you can give.  Please get all donations to either Diana Giannoti, Beth Bell, or us so that we might see what we can do to forward them to Pueblo Pintado and at the very least to accumulate items for next year.

 
For those who are inclined please also feel free to make a $10 donation to cover the shipping costs or we can look to take many of the donated items when we go out next year.
  
John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC, 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.HisCPA.com/    http://www.John-Dillard.com/

 
 
Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!
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Seeking Great Things for the Kingdom of God

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Seeking Great Things for the Kingdom of God

A Open Letter to Volkswagen of America

During our week on the reservation we all saw the Bugs 4 Christ team build a VW in less than a week.  Each day John Albrycht provided wonderful object lessons to anyone that would gather around to listen.  God was truly amazing as we transformed that Volkswagen Beetle in less than 5 days.

How would you all like to do more great things?  What if we all pulled together and contributed to help improve  the “shop” in Gray, GA?  This is where John does most all of his restorations.   As you can see in the pictures I’ve attached the “shop” is not much larger than the paint booth that we had at Pueblo Pintado.  Most of the work they do on the cars is outside and they only use the shop when they need to.  Wouldn’t it be great if we could help provide them with some additional covered space and upgrade what they have?   John was recently given a Ford Bronco and a school bus that they will be restoring and giving to someone in need.  Jack in New Mexico was also given a 1971 VW bus that will eventually make its way to someone in Pueblo Pintado.  God is continuing to work in incredible ways through Bugs4Christ.

It would be great to SURPRISE John with our donations at the reunion on September 26.  If you would like to donate by check, please make it  payable to  Bugs4Christ.   At this time they are  not an approved 501c3 – non-profit organization, but are working on it.   You can bring the donations to me at the reunion party or give them to me anytime between now and then.  If you know of others that might like to contribute, by all means let them know (but let’s keep this just between all of us so we can surprise John).   I can’t wait to see how God will provide.

If you’re interested in checking out the website take a look here   http://bugs4christ.webs.com/navaj0missiontrip.htm    You can scroll through the pictures and see the weeks progress.

Again, it was an awesome week.  Let’s see what we can do to help John continue to do great things with this ministry. 

In God’s Grace,

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC, 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.HisCPA.com/    http://www.John-Dillard.com/ 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

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Too Cold to Work: When the World Freezes You Out, Seek Your Creator

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Too Cold to Work: When the World Freezes You Out, Seek Your Creator

What Are You Doing to Draw Others Closer to God…Taking Christianity Into the World

Too Cold To Work

Well, we painted the Ghia just in time.   It has now stayed below freezing for more than a week.  I just can’t motivate myself to go work on the car when the temperature in the shop is below 40!  I guess it is just too comfortable inside the house by the fireplace. 

I get like that spiritually also.  Sometimes it just feels too uncomfortable to serve the Lord like He wants me to.  Like that cold shop, Jesus asks us to go places and do things that take us way out of our comfort zone.  Just like that car is not going to get finished if I don’t get off of my rear end and risk getting a little cold, God’s work is not going to get done if I don’t get off my rear end and risk getting a little uncomfortable. 

As much as In enjoy admiring a totally restored VW, it pales in comparison to the joy I get when I allow God to work through me to do His will!   

The Big Question:  What work are you going to do for God this year?  Will you do it even if it is uncomfortable?

John Albrycht, a youth pastor  involved his youth group in the secret restoration of a 1971 VW Beetle. The project was dubbed “Bugs4Christ” and the Beetle soon became an object lesson in how God wants to restore our hearts to a right relationship with him. John wanted his youth to understand the mandate of Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching!” He wanted his youth to feel the power of encouraging others by restoring and giving the gift of unconditional love to the owner of the vintage car. Since that first incredible project, the members of this ministry have been involved in several other restoration projects including on the Mission Field in the desert of New Mexico as we loved and mentored our Native Americans, the Navajo. You can read more at www.Bugs4Christ.webs.com 

Our Purpose: Mentor young men and women in their walk with Christ, while teaching them how to restore Volkswagen Beetles. We also model for them Christ’s unconditional love by giving these vehicles to those in need. On the Navajo Indian Reservation in Pueblo Pintado, NM we rebuilt a Volkswagen Beetle “VW” as the talk about the reforming, restoring and redeeming power of Christ. If you would like to be a part of our mission to serve the Lost, the Last and the Least I invite you to consider how you might partner with us by donating a part to the VW that will be used next year or that you family may want to go. For just as God calls us all to serve, we believe that Family Mission Trips are a way to bring all of those you most love closer to God. 

To get a feel for our work on the Mission Field in Pueblo Pintado NM might I invite you to watch our video at http://bit.ly/QS0V9 If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. To gain a glimpse of our vision visit or if your church wants to get involved with our work visit   http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/ 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

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God Has You Exactly Where You Are For a Divine Purpose

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

God Has You Exactly Where You Are For a Divine Purpose 

The below will move you to tears so ready yourself. 

Dear Mission Team Members, 

You all were so incredible on this mission trip and went above and beyond what was expected of you.  Some of you overcame a lot just to be on the trip and some of you struggled both before the trip and while on the trip with issues that may or may not have been known to others.  Some of you followed God’s calling and your heart and went on the trip even though there were things pulling at you not to go.  Many of you went with the unknown staring you in the face.  There was one person in particular who did all of the above and in the midst of it all…continued to fight that the trip was not about her – it was about God, us serving God and about the Navajo people and did not want any attention focused on her and wanted nothing to distract others on the trip from their mission.  While that is incredibly noble, it was very hard for many of us not to share the pain that one team member and her family were dealing with, with the rest of the team – knowing the love, prayers and support she would feel if we were able to share the news with all of you.  But, she wanted the news to remain confidential and we respected those wishes.  John and I feel blessed to have been able to spend some time with them in the early moments of receiving much awaited news and being able to pray with them as they begin a journey that will change their lives forever.  She asked me to try and put something together to send to the team but found the words hard to come by…however, this is the beautiful e-mail that I received from her this morning and I thought no more beautiful words could be spoken… 

“I have tried and tried to think of a way to share my news to everyone and cannot come up with the right words to use. As I try to put thoughts down to share it seems so self indulgent. I am going to defer to your judgment as to how to share the news with those on the trip with us. I don’t know any more than I did when we were in PP, but I have started sharing with other friends and I know I can use all the prayers I can get! :) We come home on Sunday and will take this on right away. I have two appointments on Monday (one with a surgeon and one with an oncologist) then a second surgery opinion on Tuesday. We’ll have more answers next week. What I do know is this: from the start I didn’t really know EXACTLY why I felt so led to go on this mission trip. Yes, I have had a desire to go on a mission trip for a long time, but why THIS particular trip? Then, why was I at peace with my decision to come knowing what information was pending, and then once our worst fears came true, why was I at peace staying? It was on the last night around the pool that I realized why….. these amazing people that I had surrounded myself with for the week were strengthening me just be BEING! It was such a blessing to see how people live their lives in service to Christ and how open they are to listening to His will, how happy they are because they are filled with HIM. The examples I witnessed all week filled my soul with courage, strength, and faith. If I had been home when I got my devastating news, perhaps I would have curled up in my bed and cried for days. Instead, I have amazing new people in my life, many of whom without even knowing what was going on with me, inspired me with their spirit and love. Does any of this make any sense at all? I so appreciate you and John and how concerned you were when I told you. I thank John for my book and for all of your kind and encouraging words. I am glad to know you and call you both my friend. I will keep you posted as we know more. love, me” 

Our Mission Team Member had a biopsy days before leaving on the mission trip and our first Monday there, found out that the results were positive for breast cancer.  She and her family need our prayers, our love, our encouragement, our support and I am so thrilled that they now have a new family of 82 that will love on them and care for them even during the darkest moments.  My biggest concern is that we don’t overwhelm them with it (isn’t that a great concern to have?).  She and the family have not returned home yet and will have a time of adjustment as they get ready to fight this battle.  Please give them a little time to process once they return home and as I get more information, I will pass it along to the team members and in the meantime, please surround them with the protection of your prayers!!! 

Love you all and thank you for your prayers and for embracing the their family in your love!

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United States CPA: Navajo Family Missions Reunion & 2011 Planning/Steering Committee

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

United States CPA: Navajo Family Missions Reunion & 2011 Planning/Steering Committee 

Taking Christianity Into the World 

Well, can you believe that you’ve been home almost a whole month?  I hope by now you have settled back into a normal routine and gotten plenty of rest…at least enough to think about next year.  So many wonderful ideas are flowing about ways for us to help out on the reservation, things that we can do for next year to make the trip better and ways for all of us to stay in touch with each other.  We will be having our Reunion Celebration hopefully September 26th but I will confirm that later.  

We are looking at and discussing ways to keep the fire lit until we can return to the reservation.  I hope to meet with every area that served on the trip and hear your thoughts, suggestions, complaints and ideas and hopefully that can start happening very soon.  Stay tuned for some upcoming ideas and if you have suggestions, please e-mail me and let me hear them.  Please continue to keep all of your teammates in your prayers.  BTW, our  mission team has a Face book page so if you are on Face book, please search Pueblo Pintado Summer Missions and join the group. 

We are still heavily involved in Missions while Serving our Native Americans the Navajo on the desert of New Mexico. One of the cooler things added this past year is that we are mentoring young men and women in their walk with Christ, while teaching them how to restore Volkswagen Beetles. We also model for them Christ’s unconditional love by giving these vehicles to those in need. www.Bugs4Christ.webs.com Take a peek at our video at http://bit.ly/QS0V9  If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. If you would like to get involved with our work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

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Busted Studs…When Your Life Breaks, Do You Turn to Your Creator?

Monday, August 9th, 2010

Busted Studs…When Your Life Breaks, Do You Turn to Your Creator?

What Are You Doing to Draw Others Closer to God…Taking Christianity Into the World

Busted Studs

The ultimate frustration when it comes to working on VW bugs is when you have to remove a broken stud.  Last week, when we were working on the yellow bug, the head stud for the exhaust system broke when we removed the muffler.  We have tried almost every trick of the trade to remove it but it refuses to budge.  We have run out of options so we soaked it with penetrating oil and we will tackle it again when we have a full dose of patience! 

When witnessing to those who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, we can experience similar frustration.  We explain, testify, appeal, and even beg but sometimes they just refuse to respond to the message of the Gospel.  Have no fear, the Holy Spirit acts as a penetrating oil to loosen the heart of the lost and draw them to Christ.  I am reminded that I should not only be persistent in telling others about Jesus but my walk should match my talk!  God is also reminding me that it is His job to bring the lost to Him and He will do it in His time!  An encouraging verse about the frustrations associated with witnessing can be found in 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some of you understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

Be persistent but be patient, God is at work leading the lost to Him!

John Albrycht, a youth pastor  involved his youth group in the secret restoration of a 1971 VW Beetle. The project was dubbed “Bugs4Christ” and the Beetle soon became an object lesson in how God wants to restore our hearts to a right relationship with him. John wanted his youth to understand the mandate of Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching!” He wanted his youth to feel the power of encouraging others by restoring and giving the gift of unconditional love to the owner of the vintage car. Since that first incredible project, the members of this ministry have been involved in several other restoration projects including on the Mission Field in the desert of New Mexico as we loved and mentored our Native Americans, the Navajo. You can read more at www.Bugs4Christ.webs.com 

Our Purpose: Mentor young men and women in their walk with Christ, while teaching them how to restore Volkswagen Beetles. We also model for them Christ’s unconditional love by giving these vehicles to those in need. On the Navajo Indian Reservation in Pueblo Pintado, NM we rebuilt a Volkswagen Beetle “VW” as the talk about the reforming, restoring and redeeming power of Christ. If you would like to be a part of our mission to serve the Lost, the Last and the Least I invite you to consider how you might partner with us by donating a part to the VW that will be used next year or that you family may want to go. For just as God calls us all to serve, we believe that Family Mission Trips are a way to bring all of those you most love closer to God. 

To get a feel for our work on the Mission Field in Pueblo Pintado NM might I invite you to watch our video at http://bit.ly/QS0V9 If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. To gain a glimpse of our vision visit or if your church wants to get involved with our work visit   http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/ 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

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Atlanta CPA Presents “Canines for Christ”…Navajo Family Missions

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Atlanta CPA Presents “Canines for Christ”…Navajo Family Missions 

Most of you will not read this message until you have returned home from our trip, but I wanted to send it right now while it is fresh on my mind. I spent 15 minutes talking privately with Arnold Billy about the safety concerns associated with the lack of vaccination shots for dogs in this community. Here are some of the things he told me: 

-Most all of the dogs and cats living in and around the people’s homes have never had vaccination shots. I asked him if they had ever had someone get bit by a dog and get sick with rabies or some other sickness, and he told me, “That has not happened but around here nobody does anything about problems until something happens. I know it should not be that way, but that is just how it is.”  This means that essentially what he is saying is that until someone gets bit by a dog and gets very sick or perhaps worse, and then nothing will be done about this problem. 

He told me that they have had vets set up free vaccination shots at a place in the community but people must bring the dogs and cats to a location such as the community center to get the shots for the animals. Most people around here are not going to round up all the animals at their house and bring them somewhere to get the shots for the animals even if the shots are free.

- Arnold also said the people often get rid of the female dogs and cats to control the population of unvaccinated animals. He said they will often just abandon the female animals and leave them to die somewhere. It is sad but true. He estimated about 10% of the animals in the community have been vaccinated. Arnold Billy agreed with me that it would be very beneficial to get as many animals as possible vaccinated in his community. He told me most people simply cannot afford to get their animals vaccinated. 

Here are my observations after having been to about 50 homes around here: 

Almost every home has stray dogs, and I counted as many as 14 at one place and saw several pit bulls at different homes. There are also some cats, but I did not see that many. The people love the dogs and feed them dog food. The people do not just give them their table scraps. As most of you know, the people of Pueblo Pintado simply do not have table scraps. The kids go up and play with the animals all the time and love their pets just like many of us love our pets.

 I have seen one dog, the Chihuahua at the cookout on Sunday night, who I was told had received shots. 

I deeply believe that next year we need to find a way to get a veterinarian on the ground with us and go to as many homes as possible around here and have the vet give the dogs vaccinations. Even if the vet were here for just 3 full days, the vet could really cover a lot of ground with the help of local Navajo guides. Some of you may read this message and think this is not a significant problem or you may think it is a dog problem and not a people problem.  The truth is this is very much a people problem and preventative measures can be taken to greatly reduce the possibility of someone at Pueblo Pintado getting bit by an unvaccinated dog or cat. How would you feel if unvaccinated dogs were all around the homes in your community? The people and children of Pueblo Pintado deserve the same basic preventative safety measures for animals which all of us enjoy at home and take for granted. 

It is still a year a way until next year’s trip, but it will take some effort and organization to get a vet here next year. For now, I believe all we can do is pray someone does not get bit by an unvaccinated animal during the upcoming year and find a way to get a vet here next year. I will be willing to lead this effort for next year, but I would really appreciate your feedback, both negative and positive on the idea which I am proposing in this message.

With all that said, if many of you feel there are more significant and risky problems facing the people of Pueblo Pintado, please let me know. I can assure you it will not hurt my feelings if you tell me you feel there are more pressing needs where energy and financial resources need to be focused. All of us worked in different areas during the past week and have different perspectives to offer on what the most important needs are, and I would truly appreciate all feedback which you can give on this topic of dog vaccinations. My feeling is that the problem of unvaccinated dogs can be handled in a preventative mode rather than a reactive mode (i.e. someone gets bit by a rabid dog and then the problem is addressed). 

I would like to start soon on “Canines for Christ” for next year but I really want your feedback before energy and resources are dedicated to this, and I would especially value your feedback while the past week is fresh on your mind. 

 Navajo Indian Family Missions Video…Taking Christianity Into the World 

If you believe a picture is worth a thousand words then perhaps this is a Million Dollar Video. I invite you to see what God is doing with Navajo Family Missions as we Take Christianity Into the World.  I entreat you to pray before you watch, that you watch with a open heart, and then that you listen to the Lion of Judah, Our God, speaking to your heart. Perhaps your family, your church, your Bible study group might join our Family Missions Work to the Navajo as we call down the power of Almighty God as we Worship, Grow and Serve Jesus Christ. See God at work at http://bit.ly/QS0V9 If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. 

We feel led to take Christ to the Navajo Nation (approximately the size of West Virginia). We are looking to take our model of service to the Navajo in Pueblo Pintado by partnering with churches, Bible Study Groups, Rotary, Chambers of Commerce and Kiwanis and then branching out to other locations on the reservation. We are looking for groups throughout America to speak to with the stated goal of: 

-Encouraging Individual Family Involvement of Members of Your Group.

-Introductions to other Civic and Bible Study Groups, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Concerned Citizens and Faith Based Group.

-The prompting of the Holy Spirit (at one of our last Kiwanis Groups one of the men decided to staff the local High School with all of the football equipment they need to start a team. 

To gain a glimpse of our vision visit or if your church wants to get involved with our work visit   http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/  

www.Bugs4Christ.webs.com Our goal will be to mentor young men and women in their walk with Christ, while teaching them how to restore Volkswagen Beetles.

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Seeking Godly Dreams for Navajo Family Missions…WWJD

Thursday, August 5th, 2010
Seeking Godly Dreams for Navajo Family Missions…WWJD
It was an awesome trip and I am now rested and ready to begin thinking about next year.
Last year was an all time high for God, and want to see what God has in plan for us this year.
 
Wanted to explore a couple of ideas…thoughts with you….
 
One is we are looking to develop some kind of 8 or so people as a steering committee to meet approx. every six weeks to begin planning for next year and wanted to see if you wanted to be a part of this group.
 
Secondly…a new idea crossed my mind of having a second group…that were integral parts of the trip to keep them apprised of the steering committee thoughts and seek their input as well, but most likely not to get the two groups together as would be too big.
 
I think you would do great on either but watching you take over many key leadership thoughts, roles and actions last year has led me to want you to be on the primary planning team. We would be happy to put you up every weekend you come down and even offer our lake house if that would work better for you. 
You and your wife were such a huge asset to the trip this year, that it made it much easier for us to relax and for God to be glorified.
John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC, 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.HisCPA.com/    http://www.John-Dillard.com/
  
Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!
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In Search of a Karman Ghia: An Open Letter to Volkswagen of America

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Atlanta CPA: In Search of a Karman Ghia: An Open Letter to Volkswagen of America

What Are You Doing to Draw Others Closer to God…Taking Christianity Into the World

In Search of a Karman Ghia

While in search for another Karman Ghia to restore, I found a 1967 Ghia on the other side of our hometown. This bright red Ghia looked great from the road, was mechanically sound, and was only priced at $1,500.  What a bargain!  NOT!  Upon close inspection, the bright red paint was covering up massive amounts of bondo and rust.  You could put your fist through holes in the undercarriage and the rocker panels were wasted.   

Fast forward to the next week.  My wife found a 1972 Karman Ghia in Forsyth.  The previous owner of this car had stripped all of the paint from the car.  It was definitely a case of “What you see is what you get”.  No paint or bondo to hide serious rust issues.  Believe it or not, the body was as close to perfect as any Ghia I have seen.   

I am glad that we were patient and purchased the second Ghia instead of jumping on the first one! 

You know, people who call themselves Christians are like those two cars.  Many are like the first car I looked at.  From a distance they look to be in great shape with no sin evident in their life.  Only after getting close to them do you realize that they are just good at hiding their sins.  I would much rather be around those Christians who are like that second car.  They don’t attempt to put up a front that they are perfect and without sin.  Jesus put it this way in Matthew 23:25: 

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!  You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” 

Through this object lesson, Jesus is reminding me that I don’t have to pretend that I am perfect.  He is the only one that accomplished a perfect life.  On the cross He died for all of my sins, past, present, and future.  PRAISE GOD FOR THAT! 

John Albrycht, a youth pastor  involved his youth group in the secret restoration of a 1971 VW Beetle. The project was dubbed “Bugs4Christ” and the Beetle soon became an object lesson in how God wants to restore our hearts to a right relationship with him. John wanted his youth to understand the mandate of Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching!” He wanted his youth to feel the power of encouraging others by restoring and giving the gift of unconditional love to the owner of the vintage car. Since that first incredible project, the members of this ministry have been involved in several other restoration projects including on the Mission Field in the desert of New Mexico as we loved and mentored our Native Americans, the Navajo. You can read more at www.Bugs4Christ.webs.com 

Our Purpose: Mentor young men and women in their walk with Christ, while teaching them how to restore Volkswagen Beetles. We also model for them Christ’s unconditional love by giving these vehicles to those in need. On the Navajo Indian Reservation in Pueblo Pintado, NM we rebuilt a Volkswagen Beetle “VW” as the talk about the reforming, restoring and redeeming power of Christ. If you would like to be a part of our mission to serve the Lost, the Last and the Least I invite you to consider how you might partner with us by donating a part to the VW that will be used next year or that you family may want to go. For just as God calls us all to serve, we believe that Family Mission Trips are a way to bring all of those you most love closer to God. 

To get a feel for our work on the Mission Field in Pueblo Pintado NM might I invite you to watch our video at http://bit.ly/QS0V9 If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. To gain a glimpse of our vision visit or if your church wants to get involved with our work visit   http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/ 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

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