The Mind

What do you think about? From people to kids to God to bills to grades to family to friends to well, everything going on in life. I'm wondering if I give God the appropriate mind time? To simply think about God and focus on him, this might be a key point for many of us. Could it be for you? I'm issueing you a challenge, track your thinking, keep some paper and a pen with you and every few minutes try and write down what you've been thinking about. I think maybe you'll be amazed by what you spend your time thinking about. We make budgets on what we spend our money on, we use planners to write down how we will spend our time, how do we budget and measure our think time? Kind of amazing to think about this considering the most important part of our being is our mind and the way we think.

Think about it.

Out,PD

Thanksgiving Day

Man I feel huge right now! I ate way to much today or at least it feels like I did. Have you ever done this? No breakfast, no lunch and then, bring it on! I don't think I actually ate as much as normal I just ate all at once. Tomorrow, fasting.

I was actually thinking today of things much more important, I was wondering how many of my kids, (oxygen, kaio kids), were lonely today. Sometimes this actually weighs me down a little because I know not everyone that I love is experiencing the same love and exceptance that I feel every year around the holidays. I guess that's really what Thanksgiving is genuinly about, love, exceptance and I totally feel that so much from the people around me, I just pray the students God has placed in my life feel the same way. Sadly enough I know all of them do not. If I could today, Christmas day, Easter, New years and any day that was important to each of them, I would tell them how proud of each of them I am and how much I love them. . . . . . . . . The one thing that makes this feeling somehow Ok for me every year is that I know God is there Dad, he loves them more than the most incredible dad in the world.

My Prayer,
God, put Your arms around all of Your kids today. Let each them know how much You love them and care for them. Selfishly, I ask that each of them would know somehow, how much I love them as well. Sometimes life has dealt so many different hands out to so many different kids and they need to all feel that they are just as important to You as the next. The embrace of a father is something so many of Your kids need to feel right now. I know You hear me and respond, thank YOU.

Hears a few first names to help out: ( Like You need it)

Jeff,
Roman,
Ashley,
Brian,
Mark,
Chris,
Mikey,
Rocky,
Andrew,
Tyler,
Morgan,
Micha,
Michele,
Amy,
Will,
Brandon,
Ryan,
Keith,
Matt,
Joe,
Joseph,
Moses,
Adam,
Ross,
Amber,
Alison,
Amanda,
Gabe,
Nate,
Trevor,
Travis,
Alisha,
Sarah,
John,
Aaron,
Mikey,
Kyle,
Josiah,
The Porkers,
DeWayne,
Dwight,
Tamara,
Stephanie,
Virginia,
Bethany,
Heather,
and You know the rest.

PDoug

Youth Convention 05

Wow, convention was awesome! Friday night started with a bang, literally, as the pyro technics blasted a deafining sound followed by dancers and then the sound of thousands of students worshipping God with all there might! I'm not exactly sure what heaven will be like but I feel like we all had a glimpse on these two spectacular days.

One of the stories told at convention was the story of a young lady named Morgan. My life will be changed forever. The story told of abuse and self mutilation, eating dissorders and other self destructive behaviors to God's grace moving her into hope, passion and excitement about her future. God is incredibly good.

I'd love to hear from you if you have some great new songs. Or if you're a song writer and would like to share some music send me a link!

peace.

Another Day in Paradise

Friday, November 4th.

This morning I'm sitting at home with my 2 little boys and I'm amazed at how God creates a life and allows that life to grow and change. I'm so thankful God has given me the most incredible 4 boys and I'm also thankful that God has filled my life with students from Jr. High through College that are full of life. I think the greatest priviledge in my life is watching the students grow and succeed. Even the rough times are ok, because those are the times which make the great times even better!

I am personally involved in more areas of ministry than I ever thought would be possible. I'm in a new phase of life with God allowing me to lead in worship on Sunday mornings as well as Wednesdays. I'm loving it!!! I totally believe God is moving our church into something new and life changing. (God help us to be what you need us to be.)

I know that I'm challenged to be better with time and my energy and love how God is stretching me. I wanted to you something, are you currently in a place where God is stretching you and challenging you to grow? Sometimes we are in these places and we don't like them. I've found that celebrating even in the bad times helps me to understand what God is trying to do with me. Anyway. God bless and have a wonderful day.

PDoug

Back in Action

Well after an awesome Summer full of memorable events, the school year is in full swing and it's time to get busy teaching students to reach there campus with the hope of Jesus Christ.

I'm more encouraged by our staff, our students and the possibilities of what God has in front of us than I have ever been in my life. I can see how God has put our team together to be passionate about helping the students of Sacramento.

Next Wednesday night on the 12th of October we are hosting the "Oxygen Season Premiere"! This night is designed to communicate with all of our students, there parents and friends exactly what oxygen is about and why we exist and what is coming up in the next year. We will provide calenders. And tons of other interesting facts about where we are going as a youth ministry and how students and parents can be involved. The night will feature our Dance team, the band, many students giving there life stories about changes they've made and the new look and promotion for Oxygen and 678! We believe this year we can make a huge impact in the lives of students across Sacramento. We hope each of you will come and experience what we are all about!

What a summer!!!

What a great summer! We started with Collide summer camp then moved on to the South Africa missions trip as you may have read about on this blog. My summer continued with a trip to Denver for the Assemblies of God General Council for meetings about our future and Speed the Light. I just arrived back from my final trip this summer to the mighty state of Louisianna. I was invited to speak and teach at a campus ministry conference for the ministry to public schools. I'm excited to be home and am anticipating the result of all these events as students step back onto there school campus.

We are counting on hundreds of new students coming to find Christ and discover there destiny! I know God's hand is moving Oxygen to a place of increased effectiveness. What does increased effectiveness look like? More lives transformed, more students finding God and spreading his love and mercy.

Please pray with me as we count on God to continue his incredible work. With school back in session, we are preparing for Burn Sideways, leadership retreats, and a halloween outreach.

Here's a picture of me and my boys as we finished our trip to Yosemite.

Talk more later.

Pics of our last day!

Last Day :-(

Well everything comes to an end at some point. I can't say enough about the joy that we've had to serve together here in Africa. From working at Freedom Park to Schools, churches, the shelter and all of the people we've come in contact with, it's simply been amazing. Today we finished up with our last schools and heard from Ashley W and Jessica B. They were amazing. They both spoke with great confidence and maturity. We spent quite abit of time after the assembly just talking with the kids and having fun. The video of our kids being mobbed by the students is pretty amazing. The african students simply wanted to come in contact with one our students, a hug, a hand shake or just a smile sent them skipping and jumping on there way. What a blast. We finished with a muslim school that we cannot represent the gospel but we can love kids and pray that they see Jesus in us.

Today we ministered as a a team to 2700 students and teachers!!! WOW The response has been amazing. The last school was the largest and best school we've done. God has a way of putting an exclamation point on what we do! Sara, Rebecca, Bo, Connor and Nicole addressed the students at the last school and they were.....wow. Stunning, Sara had a young man who's going through the loss of a sister just like Sara talked about. Another young lady proclaimed with tears in her eyes. I thought Jesus was still dead that he only died on the cross. I didn't know he is alive for me! Amazing.

Tonight we are packing up and getting ready for the long journey home. Thank you again to all of the people that are responding to the blogs. Kids are waiting with great excitement to see who recieved mail. We will be leaving thursday morning to go to the special place in Soweto where Mandela began the revolution, then allow kids to have one last chance to shop at Bruma Market. We then jump on a plane and head out to Frankfurt with a short layover and to SanFransisco by 1pm on Friday. The students will be traveling for about 38 hours to arrive home and will be tired but excited to talk about there time in Africa.

Please pray for health and a safe journey home.

God bless, and for the last time from South Africa this year.

Pd

Pics of schools

Tuesday!

Well this was a day I've been waiting for. We finally had a chance to get into the schools. My heart is definitely for the youth and because of that I love going to the highschools, J highs and colleges. The enviroment on these campuses is very challenging. The students are becomming more and more westernized. I wasn't sure what to expect from our students when they walked in front of a couple of thousand screaming students from Africa. They came out like champions. Connor and Morgan got us going at the first campus and then Jordan, Chelsey and Mandy took over for the second campus. They were simply magnificant! After the dances, human video's and testimonies the altar call was given and every student responded to pray the prayer of life. Then we stayed and mixed with the students for a quite sometime. The principle asked us to come back any time and even asked us to stay for an entire day with there students. (I've never had this question) Anyway the morning was spectacular. We should all be extremely proud of this group of kids. They are doing the things we all need to do everyday to change the world. God help us to live this way everyday.

Thank you for the comments about Johannes, pretty amazing that people around the world in three days have heard this name and are now praying for his healing. The internet in this case is an incredible tool.

Ok, tomorrow is the last day. and the students are being asked to finish strong. Obviously how we finish the race is more important than how we started. Our students are at there best right now. Everyone is feeling good and we are ready for our last day. Pray for them as we finish up and travel home for safety and good health.

God bless and let's all finish strong.

Love ya Gretch, Kiah and Tate I'll see you soon.

Pd

Johannes

Pictures of Sat,Sun, and Mon.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday! Back ONLINE!!!

Sorry for the short delay. The last three days have been stunning!

Saturday was a free day for the students and started later than normal to catch up on rest. The students have been working so hard. We first stopped by a place for the students to pick up little trinkits to help them remember the trip. I'll let them tell you what and how much. We then went to the Famous "Carnivore Resteraunt"!!!! For dinner we ate Hardabeest, Sable, Crododile, ostich, pork, beef, Kudu, and finally and incredible desert. I think almost every student at least tried everything. The meat was great, they cook it over a huge open fire and bring it to you on huge swords then cut it off the sword on to your plate. Quite an experience for all of us. We headed back and had airsoft wars at the school and went to bed early in order to be ready for our Sunday am church service.

Sunday - We left around 9am to head to the Restoration Christian Church. The service began at 10am where we did the worship and spoke the word and were surprised by a very famous african group called The Mighty Gospel Sound. What a treat, they heard we were here and made a special trip to sing for our team. This group travels world wide to sing and dance the word of God. I'm so glad our students had a chance to meet these close friends of mine and that they took the time to come and greet us.
After church we headed to Pilansburg National Park where we began our game drive. We loaded in 3 seperate jeeps and headed into the bush praying to see some animals. I've been on 6 safari's in my life and not once have I seen the number of animals we saw on this drive. We all were able to see, Elephants (in big numbers), giraffes, Lions, rino's, Kudu, Empala's, wart hogs, zebra, hardabeests, and many other types of deer. One of the jeeps were able to see an entire herd of elephant cross the road all around them. The kid's were well, kind of giddy. It was so awesome!!!!! We wish you all could have all been there! Hopefully next time. Which by the way we are beginning to work on next year already, start praying about maybe going with us. After we finished the drive we at dinner at the park and headed home. This day will not be soon forgotten.

Monday we arrived back at the prison with a huge group waiting for us to enter the courtyard. We were able to speak to every prisoner at this large prison. This day was special. God began to move in the middle of the presentation and we decided to call men who needed prayer. Our young men stepped up and began to lay hands on the prisoners that God would deliver them, forgive them and restore them! I watched in tears as my 11 and 13 year old together prayed for the men and I could hear by the sound of there prayers that they believed God was going to touch these men!!!!!!! I was so proud of our young men. They were simply being men of God and everyone could see it. I can't tell you as a youth pastor how incredibly proud of each of our young men I was. Young lions. As the guys prayed the girls with hands raised interceded for the guys and the site was awesome and God's power moved through the prison with great boldness.

We are now helping unload the container from the US and cleaning the facilities we're staying in. Tomorrow we will be ministering in many schools. Please pray for us in the schools, this is the most taxing part of our ministry. We show up and one school and have 45 minutes to set up and present the message and then move on to the next all day long. The students will need the power of God to make this happen. Please pray for there strength and endurance as we finish stong.

Thank you again for all the support. I'm reading the comments to the students everyday at one of our meals and they are loving it. I can tell they cherish every thing you say to them. Family and friends look and feel alot different when you on the other side of the world. They aren't so easily taken for granted.

Thank you and God bless, I love you Gretch, Kiah and Tate. I'll see you soon.


Daddy first and Pastor Doug Second.

Technical Difficulties

Sorry for the recent technical difficulties with Ps. Doug's Blog. He has been unable to post for the last few days due to server issues on our end. These have been corrected. You should be able to read this blog without difficulties. If there problems, check back in as we'll continue to monitor and keep the site up.

Thanks,

Ps. Jason

New Images

Day 6 of Ministry!

Another Great day!!!!!!!!!!!! We started this morning at 7am for breakfast and headed back to the prison where we presented the gospel of Jesus to young africans age14-22. What an experience, I've added a picture of the morning for you to see. I can't believe they let us take a picture inside the prison. Normally they search everyone and don't allow anything like this. They told us they enjoyed the ministry so much that we could do whatever we wanted as long as we would agree to come back on Monday for the last ward. As a team we learned an african song and sang it to the prisoners at the end of the program and they sang with us it sounded incredible! These african people have such an amazing spirit about them. It is truly amazing to listen to them sing and talk, we are so blessed to be here. I hope the next time we come we will have the opportunity to bring many more from Sacramento.

We left the prison listening to cheers from the prisoners and headed again to Freedom Park. This was our last day of ministry with these precious people. We again arrived to children chasing after the bus and truck. Except this time the crowd was much larger. In our trailor we brought with us about 1700 oranges to give out for a healthy snack actually the oranges were probably the best meal these children have had in a long time. We went thought our program, we danced, sang, did dramas and loved the people. The only difference was that we prayed for the sick to finish the day. Almost every adult came forward to have a student lay hands on them and pray. What a site!!!!!!!!!! Our students praying for these people, I truly believe we will hear of miracles that come from these students and there prayers and generosity. Today we didn't buy the oranges for them to give away. If they wanted to give away oranges they had to purchase them themselves and they did exactly that. I'm so proud of our kids. We handed out the oranges after praying for the kids and waved goodbuy. Many of our kids and the african children said there goodbyes with tears running down there faces.

We then headed back to work at the school and shelter. The story that stuck out in my mind today was this little boy about 2 months old that was living at the Lighthouse childrens shelter. Hi name, Johannes. His mother died a week ago of aids and my son Drew was holding Johannes when the missionary told him to pray for a miracle. Drew was simply told if God doesn't intervene the child your holding will be dead in 6 months. My son was stunned, he was holding a soon to be dead baby. I watched him closely to see how he would respond and within about five minutes he was simply weeping while holding this precious baby. We talked and decided that our God was more than powerful enough to touch little Johannes. Drew said, "Dad can we take him home and help him?" I explained how that wasn't possible now but maybe someday. Please pray for Johannes. God can do a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This baby can grow into a strong man of God. We believe it. The students all gathered around Drew as he wepped for this child and together they cried and prayed to God with great passion and desperation. I believe God will heal this baby.

Please pray.

In tears,

PDoug

Day 5 of Ministry!

I didn't forget I just haven't gotten back until just now. It's 9pm here in SA. We just returned from a night of dinner at Sun City! Wow what a contrast from what we've seen so far. The kids enjoyed a relaxing night and incredible food at the Gary Player Sun City Resort just outside of Rustenburg. I must apoligize, I'm not going to be able to give you the full story right now as the missionary is waiting to take me back to the school. I will update the sight fully tomorrow. Pictures and all. I can tell you one incredible thing that happened to Jessica Boulen yesterday. As we arrived at Freedom Park a little girl screemed out in her native tongue words that caused all of the little children around her to get excited and run after the bus again. Our interpretor giggled and Jessica asked her what the child said. Gloria (our interpretor) told Jess that the little kids were saying, " the americans are here to love us again". I think in all the years of doing missions trips, this is the one comment that pretty much made my year. We were definitely there to love them again. Thank you Lord for the opportunity. I know you've placed us right where you need us.

I'll write more tomorrow. With incredible picture of day 5 and 6. Wait until you see the pics, awesome! I'm using a computer that won't allow me put the pictures up at this moment. And just so you know, I'm printing out the comments and giving them out in front of everyone at breakfast, it's quickly becoming one of the days highlights. Thanks again for the comments, prayers and love!

PDoug

Pictures of Day 4!!!!

Day 4 of ministry!

Wow, I'm overwhelmed with everyone reading the blog. I'll do my best to get pictures of everyone and keep you updated daily. The kid's are loving hearing from you, it really means alot to each of them. Also you can right clip on any of the picture and save them for your kids.

Ok, day four. I woke up this morning at about 3:30 to get a warm shower and while walking down to the shower I heard the most interesting thing. I stopped to listen for some time and finally realized it was one of the students from the college praying. I believe he had been praying all night for his Country - (South Africa). These people in SA are so passionate about there people and there land. We are learning so much, we watched a movie the second night with the missionaries called the "The Power of One". If you have a chance to rent the movie and watch it before we get home I would recommend it, extremly compelling and you will see exactly what it looks like where we are working everyday.

We began the day at about 8am for breakfast and devo's, we read out of Romans 14 and 15. We talked about complaining and saying things to encourage our friends and people around us rather than point out the stuff that we feel is wrong. We had a great time together talking about this passage of scripture. One of the comments made was simply, "I will never complain about anything at home again, after what I've seen, I have no right." Thank God for his word and encouragement to all of our kids this morning. It was great.

We arrived at Freedom Park at about 10am with a large group of students waiting for us to come. As we drove into the little village down the dusty road a large contingent of children began to run down the road after us in expectation of what was to come. I think this was really encouraging to our students, and helped give them energy to accomplish our task of loving these precious little kids with all our strength. As we parked the kids waited patiently for us to pour off the bus and as we exited the bus many hugs and smiles of renewed friends began to fill the air. I think the little guys and gals really wondered if we were actually going to come back.

Our students divided into groups of five and headed out to invite people to come to the program we were about to present. At about eleven the teams arrived back flanked by large groups of children waiting to hear the message for the day. The dancers began with there normal excitement and charisma while the drama team waited eagerly for there turn and the chicken skit. (you'll have to ask them about that one) Johnny Wilson gave his testimony first followed by Drew Reid then ended with Ashley Beach. The local children's pastor was there to give his presentation with us watch what we were doing. We he finished we gave the call and every child who was in attendance prayed with realness that is hard to come by. I believe they were praying the prayer begging God to deliver them and give them purpose and new hope for there life.

We finished the rally and said our goodbyes promising to see them tomorrow. We loaded on the bus and headed back to the school where we had lunch together and began our work. Today we are finishing the painting and tile work as well as reviving the volleyball court and soccer field.

Please pray that the students remain healthy and in good attitude. This is the time of the trip when things get more difficult the new is wearing off and the fact that we are digging in for the next week is sinking in. Every student is doing great. I have no complaints. The work is tiring and difficult. And the adrenaline of arriving is now gone.

I haven't often seen a group that is as this excited everyday about what we're doing. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will hold.

I have passed on all of the comments you have sent in and the kids return them all with gratitude and love. They miss you all, and can't wait to see you.

Love you Gretch,

PDoug

Day 3! Wow what a day!!

Thank you so much for your comments. The team loves hearing from you! I will pass on all of the new comments.

Ok here we go. Our day started today at 7:45, we pulled out of the school where we're staying and headed to a huge prison on Rustenburg. We arrived at the prison and it took us about 45 minutes to check in, everyone was searched and our vehicles checked. We were then led in to a huge out door yard area for the prisoners where we set up our sound system and instruments. The low risk prisoners were brought in the yard about 250 then the additional prisoners watched from inside there cells and hallways. The dance team started then we continued with the human video diversity about race relations. Billy, Corey and Chris Stahl gave there testimonies and they were incredible!!!!!!!!!! When Conor finally gave the opportunity to except Christ every prisoner in the place raised there hand and prayed the prayer of salvation!!!! Incredible. The warden then came to the mic and invited us back anytime we would like and the whole prison sang a song for us! HOLY CRUD!!!!!!! How incredible to hear from hundreds of South African men as they sang in unison. I wish you could have all heard it with us. No problems at all to all of you moms out there wondering why we were in a prison:-)

We left the prison and moved on back to Freedom Park where we arrived with hundreds of kids waiting for us! We immediately began ministry. The clowns were stunning, Jessica B., Noah K., Genesis, Steph, and Trevor! The kids flocked to them as they dances and sang and played with children for the next 2 hours. I have never had more fun watching clowns do there thing and today. After the program began the dance team danced then Katie, Morgan, and Andrew Lopez gave there testimonies. I guess we all were well prepared because they are all speaking as if they are Billy Graham! We finished lunch and the students are finishing putting gravel on a long road, painting there second room, demoing tile out of a large room and cleaning all of the restrooms here at the college. As you can see these are long hardworking days! Some of the ladies who showed up late this morning enjoyed a long lap around the school, what a site at 7am!

Attitudes are imaculate and spirits are high, Andrew Allen is in top shape today and doing better every minute. We didn't have to take him to the doctor. The kids prayed for him and he felt bettere so off we go.

Tomorrow we will be back at Freedom park for a longer time of ministry as well as a longer day of labor tomorrow. We will be digging a foundation pit and unloading a container that just arrived from America.

Andrew L says his misses and loves you mom, thanks for the note. Rebecca say's hi family can't wait to see you and I'll deliver the new comments today.

Zack there's one here for you and I'll let her know! I would love for us to hook up when we get back. See ya

I love you Gretchen, I'll see you next week.

Enjoy the pics,

Doug