Here I stand, on the brink of adventure. Ready to take on the world. See what there is to see. I am dressed for success and decked out with all the tools I need. Let the safari begin...


I'm pretty sure this picture was taken while hunting, not while on a safari. And I'm pretty sure I wasn't too happy about smiling for the camera. I'm pretty sure I did feel quite special to be toting around Dad's fancy binoculars. And I'm pretty sure I wore those giraffe 'jam' shorts everywhere I went. Awesome.

But I'm also pretty sure that I'm headed to Africa on Sunday morning. Woohoo! I can't tell you the number of people who have told me to "watch out for lions" this week. So just to clear that up: There's a better chance of me getting eaten alive by a school of tilapia fish than even seeing a single lion. Moving on... I am so excited to be going back. When we returned last year from our group trip to Kete Krachi, the only thing I could think about was 'when can I go again'? This trip has been a long time in coming and is a result of a lot of prayers, a lot of hopes, and a lot of things falling into place just right. I am so blessed.

Time to throw some stuff in a pack, clear out the memory cards, and grab my safari hat...

Made the trek to Canyon this last weekend and returned with a treasure. Mom put her expert sewing skills to work (and I do mean expert... see below) and crafted a little camera bag for me. This little jewel is the perfect fit for my camera body and one lens, complete with mattress pad lining. Love it!




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Came across this video yesterday. I honestly don't love the end piece but am very drawn to the process and detail with which it was created. Very impressive.

A Portrait of Christ from Jeremy Cowart on Vimeo.

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5 days! I don't think I've written too much about it on here, but I'm leaving on Sunday for a 10-day excursion to Ghana with Chris and another Mercy Project supporter. Absolutely cannot wait to go back. We'll be traveling up to some of the lake villages and spending time with the people there as well as the children in slavery on the lake. I'm most excited about digging into the Ghanaian culture more, learning and soaking in as much as I can, and refocusing my heart on those precious kids. I will also be gathering artwork from some of the trafficked children to use in our next fundraising event. Mark your calendars for June 9th at Downtown 202 in Bryan. Mercy Project will be hosting An Evening of Artistry: Benefit Dinner and Art Auction, and it will be a night to remember. More on that event soon!

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Verse of the week... This one falls right into place in gearing up to leave this weekend. Praying that our team of 3 will be of one heart and mind, that our purpose and work will be carried out in unity, that the Ghanaian fisherman and children will one day be of one heart and mind, that God would use the work of Mercy Project for His glory alone. Won't you join me in that prayer?

"The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe..."
John 17:21ish

Three cheers for a holiday weekend! Headed to Canyon tomorrow to hang with Mom and Dad for a few days – looking forward to it. Thought I'd put up my Friday post a little early this time around.

Growing up we had this tradition of Father/Daughter and Mother/Son date nights. I couldn't tell you details of a lot of those outings, but I do know they were one of my favorite memories as a kid. I'm always so blessed by time spent with Dad, and I'm excited that we have a date night scheduled for this weekend!

Here's an old shot of us in Las Colinas (can't remember the occasion...); I'm the one rockin' the shin-high socks. Who would've guessed I'd end up in the Metroplex?!


Happy Easter to all!

Ended last weekend with a little artistic inspiration...

Rachel and I headed to downtown Fort Worth for the Main Street Arts Festival. Perfect weather, quite enjoyable. Shot of the day:


A few of my fav vendors:
Iona Handcrafted Books
Yoki-Sanchez
Mimi Textile Designs

And a few more shots (click to enlarge)...


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Verse for this week:
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

The thing that has stuck out to me regarding this verse is 'we profess'. It's stated not 'if you profess your hope, hold tight to it'. It's understood that we are professing this hope. And so I've been praying about and asking myself if I'm a profess-er of hope.

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And in case you missed it (which would be shameful), check out the Fastest. Ever...
...as well as Ryan Hall's post-race interview.

How long til they break 2?!

What can I say? Another Mercy Project event in the books, and God continues to show up. Not that I'm surprised, but affirmation is always a blessing. Two things I'll say about this event, and then I'll get to some pictures.

One, I am quickly learning that our MP supporters are amazing people. They are givers, they are committed, they are passionate about helping the kids in Ghana. They may not all have hundreds of dollars a month to donate, but they are willing to give what they can – a day off work, a weekend away from family, and raising awareness and support. These are the kinds of people that I want to continue to spend time with. They challenge me to dig deep and to give of myself. I was so blessed and encouraged by my teammates, our refs, and many supporters last weekend.

Two, after last year's kickball game, we had a modest fundraising goal in mind for this event. It was totally blown out of the water. The first economic development project (launching this June/July!) was going to cost between $25-30,000, so the flag football game was intended to help fund that project. We ended up with $31,000 (and another $1,000 came in the week after). If that's not a God thing, I don't know what is.

Ok, I lied. Number three, I was out running yesterday and saw an intramural game of flag football going on. I was tempted to ask if I could play. For not really being a football person, I learned a lot about the game and had an absolute blast!

(All these pictures are courtesy of either Jacob Gipson or Larry Field. I enjoyed a weekend without toting my camera around...)

Two of the A&M football players came out to coach us through the first hour. Here's the red team learning a few plays...

...and the blue team.


Coin toss...

Game on!

Our 'celebration moment' after the first TD...

Great catches...

...and lots of field time.


Proof that we played all night long...

...and continued into Saturday morning.

Great support staff and yummy breakfast burritos.

Huddle.


BBQ feast at the end of the game.

World Record Holders for 24 hours of flag football!

Here's a write-up in Maroon Weekly. Pretty cool.

A local station featured some video of us: KBTX

And a little love from ESPN.

Thanks to everyone who supported yet another crazy MP endeavor. I have no doubt there will be more to come!

Well, if you're tracking with the weekly Scripture, you got a freebie this week since I didn't get anything posted early on. Here's what I've personally been praying this week:

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

I started a new contract job this week, fairly long-term this time around, and it's always intimidating to step into an established role in a new place. I'm taking the position of two part-time people, and let me say, it's been exhausting and challenging trying to pick up where they've left off. But I'm loving the environment, the people, and the work so far. I think it's going to be really good. It's good for me to push those comfort zone boundaries and change up my normal routine. Growth always follows as a result. And then in the midst of some of those uncertainties and fears, God remains that stronghold, the constant companion. That reminder, and the confidence it provides, has encouraged me greatly this week.

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Happy Friday! Here's a shot of my pal Daisy. This is pretty soon after we got her in '94; it may have even been one of our first nights to ride. I was so proud of "my new horse". Even in my goofy teal windbreaker and glasses.

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Acquired a few pictures, so, full flag football report coming this weekend!

World Record #2! Team Mercy Project completed the 24 hour game of flag football at 7 PM last night. We had amazing support from friends, family, local media, A&M football players, national media, and spectators. Over $31,000 was raised and will fund the first economic development project in Ghana this summer. Winning!

I'll try to get some pictures/video up sometime this week, as well as an update on MP's current work in Ghana.

Going to sleep tonight very sore and tired, but so incredibly blessed by the weekend.

Whew! This will be quick, as I'm on my way out the door...

Mercy Project's Pigskin Party begins in a little over 24 hours! At 7 PM tomorrow night, 32 players will embark on a 24 hour game of flag football, aiming to establish a Guinness World Record and raise money for the children in Ghana. ESPN and CBS Sports have already written articles about the game here:

CBS Sports

ESPN

Awesome.

A&M football players will be out tomorrow night to coach us through the first plays of the game. You can receive updates throughout the weekend on our FB page here or Twitter page here. If you'd like to be apart of our efforts, come cheer us on at Veteran's Park in College Station, or donate to the cause here.

Now... me? Football? Yikes! This is all I ever did at a football game:




So, should be an interesting weekend! Check back next week for a full report!

Great weekend; the last one until mid-May that isn't totally booked. Soaking that up for sure!

Ahead this week: TOMS initiates "One Day Without Shoes" on Tuesday. Join thousands who will take on the day in their bare feet to raise awareness and support for children prone to injury and disease without shoes to protect their feet. Check out their video:



Friday/Saturday: Pigskin Party in College Station! 24 hours of flag football, friends, and fundraising. Gonna be good.

For the week: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23

... here today.