tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202050032024-03-05T16:02:26.819-05:00Atkinson AnomaliesPaul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-28899948891492725542010-02-16T11:48:00.006-05:002010-02-16T11:56:05.097-05:00Change...Growth Takes Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/S3rNnIZ-ykI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Y4Dhly2I_GY/s1600-h/Atkinson-5027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/S3rNnIZ-ykI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/Y4Dhly2I_GY/s320/Atkinson-5027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438885572158343746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Wow.<span style=""> </span>Can’t believe how long it has been since I posted (and now by saying that I’ve just become like most who attempt to blog…returning to it after a hiatus).<span style=""> </span>Seems like only days since November when I last posted, but I guess “CHANGE” has pushed us along leaving little opportunity to look back.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">December found us traveling all up and down the West Coast.<span style=""> </span>We began by visiting the Master’s College in Santa Clarita for work then made some family visits in San Diego, Fresno, and San Francisco.<span style=""> </span>By the end of the month we were up in Oregon speaking at a Leadership Retreat for high school and college students.<span style=""> </span>It was a great way to finish out the year…and finish my time serving as Director of Student Mobilization for ABWE.<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">This year has begun with much excitement as I’ve begun a new venture by joining the staff at our church, LCBC (<a href="http://www.lcbcchurch.com/">www.lcbcchurch.com</a>) and oversee the young adult ministries (<a href="http://www.saturateonline.com/">www.saturateonline.com</a>).<span style=""> </span>Whitney’s doing great as she continues to oversee the student mobilization at ABWE.<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">But these job changes and the excitement they bring pale in comparison to the excitement we’ve experienced as we await the birth of our daughter.<span style=""> </span>She’s due Feburary 26<sup>th</sup>, so to find ourselves inside the 10day window is crazy.<span style=""> </span>It’s something that we’ve been waiting for and now just can’t wait to meet her.<span style=""> </span>I surprised Whitney by having a friend of ours come over and do a quick photo shoot to help us capture this special time.<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">You can check out some preview pictures on his blog <a href="http://bit.ly/bl2r6P">http://bit.ly/bl2r6P</a><span style=""> </span>Keep us in your thoughts and prayers over these next week days.<span style=""> </span>We’ll keep you posted…and hope to have some new pictures of our little daughter up soon!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/S3rNMeCKSsI/AAAAAAAAAzI/JwVcn_gs82s/s1600-h/Atkinson-5035-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/S3rNMeCKSsI/AAAAAAAAAzI/JwVcn_gs82s/s320/Atkinson-5035-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438885114107546306" border="0" /></a></p> <!--EndFragment-->Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-34217702787353369292009-11-10T14:17:00.009-05:002009-11-10T14:49:55.225-05:00Next Steps at Liberty University<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwsPnuVv6sbOY5Vo9_XBsKrl3QfWjkNfE1APp9DHXaxIcHT6R2C8v83iOIjnq878MEawXJmek761_Klntm9_mle0QuYpnDmGN-TKXcru3DpDNbAWMq9bw8OFTnNRiloZ5Xw/s1600-h/Group+Funny.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwsPnuVv6sbOY5Vo9_XBsKrl3QfWjkNfE1APp9DHXaxIcHT6R2C8v83iOIjnq878MEawXJmek761_Klntm9_mle0QuYpnDmGN-TKXcru3DpDNbAWMq9bw8OFTnNRiloZ5Xw/s320/Group+Funny.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402562703244274434" border="0" /></a>A few weeks ago, Whitney and I had the opportunity to participate in a Next Steps Weekend at Liberty University. Next Steps is a missions discipleship weekend where students interested in going into career missions are paired up one-on-one with a representative from a missions agency for mentorship. The weekend evaluates several different key areas important to consider when thinking about career missions and helps the students become intentional about making progress towards that goal. Spiritual Life, Local Church, Equipping, Getting There, and Mobilization are large group sessions that shed new light on areas of a college student's weekly routine. After the sessions, students break out with their mentor for some honest, straightforward Q&A...&A. Questions are asked. Answers are given. And an opportunity for APPLICATION is provided. Next Steps is one of the most intentional forward-thinking missions activities that I've been able to be a part of and its been exciting to it actually make a difference in student's lives as they prepare and make steps towards overseas service.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnAaUaXk9I/AAAAAAAAAxs/Gv3ZWWMKj04/s1600-h/Paul+Teaching.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnAaUaXk9I/AAAAAAAAAxs/Gv3ZWWMKj04/s320/Paul+Teaching.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402560786396058578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdob3kCXiQcW-fJmIUEdq6GIsus-VmZzIGIbAlA_qr9KBzLou1ISIl5-Rw45hXsQFz8hbYSWeUtSvEONTGhunVNRkGhgTO7s-yietlpxg2BTiUWhypFXlnB36_rx31j6lFQ/s1600-h/Students+Board.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdob3kCXiQcW-fJmIUEdq6GIsus-VmZzIGIbAlA_qr9KBzLou1ISIl5-Rw45hXsQFz8hbYSWeUtSvEONTGhunVNRkGhgTO7s-yietlpxg2BTiUWhypFXlnB36_rx31j6lFQ/s320/Students+Board.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402560791755772658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPWpcP0x0dLT-GT7by9C85nO7IvqiVNoI1-pFndiczF5oL21kfzkMmARp-UgRrxmxhZYLUbUu7rzd-d9MqXz7n5iGrI-pqiOmbekBt1fPxNPmX7yILRPX08Y67pvjUPttgA/s1600-h/Whit+Talking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPWpcP0x0dLT-GT7by9C85nO7IvqiVNoI1-pFndiczF5oL21kfzkMmARp-UgRrxmxhZYLUbUu7rzd-d9MqXz7n5iGrI-pqiOmbekBt1fPxNPmX7yILRPX08Y67pvjUPttgA/s320/Whit+Talking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561161965465762" border="0" /></a>Missions, like many things or careers, can seem like this overwhelming thing. Where do I go, how do I get started, what should I study, what does all this mean?...are all normal questions that I get on college campuses each week. And while alone, these seem like huge questions. But with the help of someone that has a bit (or alot) of experience, answers to these questions quickly come making involvement in missions a lot less daunting. It's just another example of how incredible things take place in the presence of community. And community definitely takes place at Next Steps.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnAwUKSAPI/AAAAAAAAAyM/WKqkB2p_Jng/s1600-h/Worship.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnAwUKSAPI/AAAAAAAAAyM/WKqkB2p_Jng/s320/Worship.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561164285706482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GtnCubgM6hfMPhTqk0yKkm-S7TTHKgeFYa65TB2XPaIGjzq2JEKExSjN-YoCojkQIGUJe8nHlTFA45lpFzcZK4E9HLhqVGrq3Y01TQfIgpHK9KI4UkqimtVxRfYShLXGiQ/s1600-h/Whit+and+Girls.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GtnCubgM6hfMPhTqk0yKkm-S7TTHKgeFYa65TB2XPaIGjzq2JEKExSjN-YoCojkQIGUJe8nHlTFA45lpFzcZK4E9HLhqVGrq3Y01TQfIgpHK9KI4UkqimtVxRfYShLXGiQ/s320/Whit+and+Girls.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561929917636130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnAwhvlySI/AAAAAAAAAyU/gga1C6TsNCg/s1600-h/Students.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnAwhvlySI/AAAAAAAAAyU/gga1C6TsNCg/s320/Students.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561167931853090" border="0" /></a>Thanks to all the people at CrossWorld who have been intentional in making disciples...and special thanks to Tom Nylander and John Puig from Light Ministries at Liberty University who allow us to be a part in what God is doing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnBcbmrnzI/AAAAAAAAAyc/Wdq6pXq-2XU/s1600-h/Emily.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnBcbmrnzI/AAAAAAAAAyc/Wdq6pXq-2XU/s320/Emily.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561922198118194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnBclU7m_I/AAAAAAAAAyk/qxfi2JhdCes/s1600-h/Tom.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SvnBclU7m_I/AAAAAAAAAyk/qxfi2JhdCes/s320/Tom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402561924808023026" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-69947360464860175372009-10-21T17:54:00.003-04:002009-10-21T18:00:46.828-04:0011 New Posts...Check em OutTo say that life has crazy busy over the past 2 months would be an understatement. We've lived out of a suitcase for most of that time and have traveled all across the East Coast. We've joked (although it's true) that by the time our little girl is born in February, she will have already visited over half of the United States.<br /><br />We hope you enjoy reading below and checking out video and pictures from our last few weeks. There are 11 New Posts so keep scrolling down...keep scrolling...keep scrolling or click the October links on the left side of your page. Stuff at the top is the most recent...things lower down take you back to the beginning of September.Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-43078063544809692612009-10-21T17:48:00.001-04:002009-10-21T17:54:13.305-04:00Changes Continue: LCBC Young Adults - SaturateWhitney and I are excited to share some more good news! After months of discussion and prayer, I will be joining Lives Changed By Christ (LCBC - our home church) in January and will be serving on staff as their Young Adults Pastor. For the full story on how this developed, email me at pkatkinson@abwe.org and I can send you the details. Whitney will continue to serve at ABWE in the Student Mobilization Department and we're really excited about that. Thank you to all of the ABWE family who have been supportive and encouraging during this transition. I'm thankful we will be staying in the same area, serve through our local church, and continue to encourage missions efforts in the lives of young adults. LCBC put together a quick video to introduce me to the Saturate Community (Young Adult Ministry at LCBC) Check it out.<br /><br /><object height="220" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7169955&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7169955&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="220" width="400"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7169955">Meet Paul...</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/saturateonline">SaturateOnline</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-47284410044342063632009-10-21T17:47:00.001-04:002009-10-21T17:48:35.763-04:00New Life Baptist Church: the TOOLThis past Sunday, I was able to speak to the youth at New Life Baptist Church in New Cumberland, PA. I took them through a modified version of the TOOL which is a session designed for them to evaluate their lives and where they are with responding to God's Word, God's World, and God's Work. It was an encouraging morning with the youth and with Matt and Vicki Riggins. Excited to see what happens this year as their group heads out to several different places.Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-80952278687437027282009-10-21T17:41:00.003-04:002009-10-21T17:46:48.885-04:00Moody Bible Institute: Divine MosaicFrom Connecticut, Whitney drove back to Harrisburg and I jumped a plane to the Windy City for Moody's Missions Conference. Chicago was great to visit and it was a wonderful week of ministering on their campus. I was joined by several colleagues: Dan Branda, Debbie Branda, Aurora Branda, George Collins, Ben Collins, Jack Shiflett, and Ron Barnes. Jack and Ron did a great job teaching seminars throughout the week. I met with students interested in short-term opportunities and internships. It turned out to be a busy and productive week. Folks from the Dalit Freedom Network (DFN) were there and shared about what is going on with Dalit's in India. It was great to see them again as our local church is partnering with DFN to help see change produced through the advancement of education, economic development, social awareness, and of course, the Gospel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-A-5DEPNI/AAAAAAAAAwk/2YUSKrvMMVw/s1600-h/DSC_0712.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-A-5DEPNI/AAAAAAAAAwk/2YUSKrvMMVw/s320/DSC_0712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395172696567069906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-BAEsF-AI/AAAAAAAAAxE/o_LDaLm_T4I/s1600-h/DSC_0748.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-BAEsF-AI/AAAAAAAAAxE/o_LDaLm_T4I/s320/DSC_0748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395172716871809026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-A_q8zXqI/AAAAAAAAAw8/g12xBXqanzo/s1600-h/DSC_0739.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-A_q8zXqI/AAAAAAAAAw8/g12xBXqanzo/s320/DSC_0739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395172709962571426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-A_BjT0YI/AAAAAAAAAws/rOBcz1nxHXs/s1600-h/DSC_0733.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St-A_BjT0YI/AAAAAAAAAws/rOBcz1nxHXs/s320/DSC_0733.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395172698849792386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9TN5IwXHDN45T3phRAO7MdhseFjERcFKW9BmYcqbGWAhnisF54OvlU2UPMQ-kLe1RRafKCdchuKpFWC1tWY5JmdmYZ47Z-D23xkmxnCXgQYHQAo-1tcx1ZXBPmTF7YZDyg/s1600-h/DSC_0735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9TN5IwXHDN45T3phRAO7MdhseFjERcFKW9BmYcqbGWAhnisF54OvlU2UPMQ-kLe1RRafKCdchuKpFWC1tWY5JmdmYZ47Z-D23xkmxnCXgQYHQAo-1tcx1ZXBPmTF7YZDyg/s320/DSC_0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395172704913967778" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-34252329728741193812009-10-21T17:36:00.004-04:002009-10-21T17:41:17.132-04:00Douglas-Neeb Wedding: ConnecticutThe following weekend brought just as much traveling. We headed north up to Connecticut for the wedding of Matt Douglas and Jen Neeb...two of our great friends! It was such a privilege to support them as they begin their marriage. It was cool for me too cause it was my first wedding to officiate. The ceremony took place without me messing anything up! Whitney sang with Jason Peaks accompanying on the piano. It was great. We're stoked for you guys, Matt and Jen!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_cXQdHPI/AAAAAAAAAv0/fpw7ORmALcw/s1600-h/DSC_0748.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_cXQdHPI/AAAAAAAAAv0/fpw7ORmALcw/s320/DSC_0748.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395171003869240562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_lBzjcNI/AAAAAAAAAwM/C88b5O5qIBw/s1600-h/DSC_0832.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_lBzjcNI/AAAAAAAAAwM/C88b5O5qIBw/s320/DSC_0832.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395171152729698514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_dCSixrI/AAAAAAAAAwE/U7y4HQNEV6k/s1600-h/DSC_0827.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_dCSixrI/AAAAAAAAAwE/U7y4HQNEV6k/s320/DSC_0827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395171015420724914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_l23rxmI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Ok8dWwgvehw/s1600-h/DSC_0900.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_l23rxmI/AAAAAAAAAwc/Ok8dWwgvehw/s320/DSC_0900.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395171166974101090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_lukEJ6I/AAAAAAAAAwU/qynKms11qyw/s1600-h/DSC_0839.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_lukEJ6I/AAAAAAAAAwU/qynKms11qyw/s320/DSC_0839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395171164744329122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_cs22caI/AAAAAAAAAv8/5xGuRP1jhcI/s1600-h/DSC_0793.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St9_cs22caI/AAAAAAAAAv8/5xGuRP1jhcI/s320/DSC_0793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395171009667428770" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-86730593540023671472009-10-21T17:29:00.003-04:002009-10-21T17:36:40.056-04:00New York City: Brooklyn TabernacleFrom Tennessee we flew to NYC to meet Whitney's mom and dad (Dan and Karin Baker). They were at the Brooklyn Tabernacle for a weekend music conference. We were thrilled to be there and watch Dan's choir from ALCF in California have the opportunity to worship on-stage with the Brooklyn Tab choir. It was a great finish to a busy weekend and it's always good to visit with family...especially when they live on the other Coast. We jumped the train from NYC back to Harrisburg, which was fun, and completed the weekend of planes, trains, and automobiles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJA-BICS09O-EhDHvBL3zaRf_YDJtlkfhQ74y1AGR_xyGTT6AuECUB97Ol4k0ikc17_1ZR15AXDZYK9YdxsP9SRdDeq5O4KcKKsQaJHYxfJ3uWcqGpg-H6XZk8GfvKiBVyA/s1600-h/DSC02489.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJA-BICS09O-EhDHvBL3zaRf_YDJtlkfhQ74y1AGR_xyGTT6AuECUB97Ol4k0ikc17_1ZR15AXDZYK9YdxsP9SRdDeq5O4KcKKsQaJHYxfJ3uWcqGpg-H6XZk8GfvKiBVyA/s320/DSC02489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395169325184041938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St996G-1M4I/AAAAAAAAAvk/YyJXBbrijLg/s1600-h/DSC02486.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St996G-1M4I/AAAAAAAAAvk/YyJXBbrijLg/s320/DSC02486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395169315873174402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St995x_cBlI/AAAAAAAAAvc/jPJeccsRUDE/s1600-h/DSC02480.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St995x_cBlI/AAAAAAAAAvc/jPJeccsRUDE/s320/DSC02480.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395169310238574162" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-36153087094028677002009-10-21T17:25:00.002-04:002009-10-21T17:29:34.771-04:00Tennessee Temple University: Next StepsFrom Hotlanta, we ventured north up to TTU. We've been visiting the campus for a few years now and enjoy the fellowship we have with their faculty and students. This fall we were able to help them begin their first Next Steps Weekend (modeled from CrossWorld and LU). Next Steps is a missions-oriented discipleship weekend for students going into career missions. The weekend focuses on areas like spiritual formation, local church involvement, equipping and preparation, and mobilizing others. It was great to aid in the start-up of this kind of program fro their university. Excited to see how it aids in impacting the nations. Great job Dr. Owens!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St99CJzmTKI/AAAAAAAAAu8/Yfhq6cNinzQ/s1600-h/DSC02440.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St99CJzmTKI/AAAAAAAAAu8/Yfhq6cNinzQ/s320/DSC02440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395168354558692514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbcvW9Q9I4-hyCVX5fh9Tt7e5XW9HVbiABZ0EX1HoKDx1xzNKzKsuU-HtuhoZJRy2yrjH-L8TxpbyOo6rUMV6nVIOTVXjZg_ZBK5IcdChE0JVVWP50y-5VgGw_QcDC3M8KA/s1600-h/DSC02450.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbcvW9Q9I4-hyCVX5fh9Tt7e5XW9HVbiABZ0EX1HoKDx1xzNKzKsuU-HtuhoZJRy2yrjH-L8TxpbyOo6rUMV6nVIOTVXjZg_ZBK5IcdChE0JVVWP50y-5VgGw_QcDC3M8KA/s320/DSC02450.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395168359778689458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St99DPFGsiI/AAAAAAAAAvU/AAi16oFrl8o/s1600-h/DSC02475.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St99DPFGsiI/AAAAAAAAAvU/AAi16oFrl8o/s320/DSC02475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395168373154165282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o3krPdSf2bD3XoE4IpJh2RfX14i3jLEXn6-PbtnVUKT7zOCo217ptoo59NjjgAKPyiLGPFxoY07grVD3CNoD1jZCKfqS4tgO0OCr2QxXCebBqLnXyg3AcOq10sgrmRyOuA/s1600-h/DSC02457.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o3krPdSf2bD3XoE4IpJh2RfX14i3jLEXn6-PbtnVUKT7zOCo217ptoo59NjjgAKPyiLGPFxoY07grVD3CNoD1jZCKfqS4tgO0OCr2QxXCebBqLnXyg3AcOq10sgrmRyOuA/s320/DSC02457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395168360725557954" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-21951810329711825312009-10-21T17:22:00.002-04:002009-10-21T17:25:11.600-04:00The Claret Jug: Stewart Cink - 2009 British Open ChampionOn one of our trips down south we were able to visit with our good friends, the Creasman family. We love them and are grateful for their friendship. After meeting for dinner, they arranged for us to meet Stewart and Lisa Cink and gave me the chance to lay my hands on the Claret Jug: the oldest trophy in sports history (dating back to 1872). Stewart won the Claret Jug at this year's British Open in dramatic style by winning a 4-hole playoff with Tom Watson. The Cink's are an incredible family and make you feel right at home. Thanks Stewart and Lisa for making us feel so welcome...and to Holly for hookin us up!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St98GuGfeMI/AAAAAAAAAu0/KS_EYpbNFKA/s1600-h/DSC02428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St98GuGfeMI/AAAAAAAAAu0/KS_EYpbNFKA/s320/DSC02428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395167333509462210" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-65924332901174827022009-10-21T17:15:00.002-04:002009-10-21T17:21:43.253-04:00Liberty University: They're Ready, Are We Willing?Towards the end of September we were able to travel back to our alma mater: LU for their Fall Missions Conference. The week was great as we were busy each day meeting with students who are either heading out overseas, returning from overseas, or making plans to serve overseas full-time. We enjoy partnering with the folks at Light Ministries and are looking forward to them joining us this year in Thailand, India, and the Middle East. Liberty’s short-term mission department is doing some incredible things and is extremely intentional in their missions coaching and placement for internships. Great to see so many students being helped so that they can follow where God’s leading.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96V9Zb75I/AAAAAAAAAuE/2FckHaIbdp4/s1600-h/DSC_0500.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96V9Zb75I/AAAAAAAAAuE/2FckHaIbdp4/s320/DSC_0500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395165396290236306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96XM4rkhI/AAAAAAAAAuk/UaTvUY37mO0/s1600-h/DSC_0613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96XM4rkhI/AAAAAAAAAuk/UaTvUY37mO0/s320/DSC_0613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395165417627685394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96eQQvFSI/AAAAAAAAAus/ic-hO5-bzLg/s1600-h/DSC_0673.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96eQQvFSI/AAAAAAAAAus/ic-hO5-bzLg/s320/DSC_0673.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395165538792969506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96WLhfEAI/AAAAAAAAAuM/XGeYCpPvXBs/s1600-h/DSC_0509.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96WLhfEAI/AAAAAAAAAuM/XGeYCpPvXBs/s320/DSC_0509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395165400082092034" border="0" /></a>Also got to check out their new year-round ski slope. Not too shabby...especially for the first one in the continental US. Pretty cool.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96WRvO5XI/AAAAAAAAAuU/MTrdeIVhOiI/s1600-h/DSC_0515.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96WRvO5XI/AAAAAAAAAuU/MTrdeIVhOiI/s320/DSC_0515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395165401750365554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96W2iBrdI/AAAAAAAAAuc/yIORpGK7aAU/s1600-h/DSC_0554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St96W2iBrdI/AAAAAAAAAuc/yIORpGK7aAU/s320/DSC_0554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395165411627085266" border="0" /></a>
<br />We're continually grateful for LU and the investment it made in our lives. Always great to go back and see how God is working in new ways as more lives are changed by Christ. I pray LU will always be an incredible place that is set on training Champions for Christ. RIP JF.
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<br />Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-15276828165470580332009-10-21T17:11:00.001-04:002009-10-21T17:14:34.969-04:00Swine FLU: NegativeAfter Labor Day we headed up to Cedarville, OH to spend a few days at Cedarville University. However, due to an outbreak of the H1N1 Virus, our plans were altered. I was still able to spend some time connecting with Brian Nester, Director of Missions Involvement Services, but Whitney had to remain far from the campus. No need to take any chances with a baby on the way. But we're excited to partner with Cedarville this year as they join us in Albania, Bangladesh, Kosovo, Togo, and the Middle East.Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-15079767661587263742009-10-21T17:01:00.007-04:002009-10-21T17:11:11.045-04:00Judah Wise Safstrom<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Over Labor Day weekend, I was able to meet my new nephew: Judah Wise Safstrom. Crazy to think that now I’m an uncle. And even crazier to think that in a few months Whitney and I will be parents. But seeing Judah makes us long for February. So happy for my sister, Lori, and her husband, Dave. They’re great parents already! There’s nothing quite like family.</span><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St928rmR_cI/AAAAAAAAAts/uNyHEqowwxo/s1600-h/DSC_0157.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St928rmR_cI/AAAAAAAAAts/uNyHEqowwxo/s320/DSC_0157.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395161663480659394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St929ETcIVI/AAAAAAAAAt8/JbiJdG1yRfA/s1600-h/DSC_0208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St929ETcIVI/AAAAAAAAAt8/JbiJdG1yRfA/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395161670112518482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPReP1TkLs78nanY9lmbjXwGNMMLp-54pCZpAv-CI1njSPMwIMYmeoZt5L2vWVlnZFy_nWMEuaPhoWSCLqOGDG1tm79NPE7JnmgPkFhAgpSKInszqEZn-qEqRjMBIbYv328Q/s1600-h/DSC_0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPReP1TkLs78nanY9lmbjXwGNMMLp-54pCZpAv-CI1njSPMwIMYmeoZt5L2vWVlnZFy_nWMEuaPhoWSCLqOGDG1tm79NPE7JnmgPkFhAgpSKInszqEZn-qEqRjMBIbYv328Q/s320/DSC_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395161668158839170" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-81160686970412746952009-10-21T16:54:00.005-04:002009-10-21T17:05:42.326-04:00Bible Baptist School Retreat<meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">In September, I had the opportunity to speak at a retreat for a local Christian school.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Spoke on “Name-o-tology.”</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Talked about the what’s associated with a name, desiring the right name, how to get the name you want, and Jesus: the only name that matters. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Great time of hanging with students and challenging them.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I’m excited to see how some of them make practical steps towards making a good name for themselves by May 2010.</span>
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<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuZwfXjTPg5KofyygVierr_0mAiAZr9DMC66upfFX8cLr0981ZM6-RFjgafXsFMXG7uqPExGmWO7BhLwznp1vXa2CiEXx8Tal75fkSOU3Wg_LA_lnNRiPlbhT01eUCiN_0Q/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuZwfXjTPg5KofyygVierr_0mAiAZr9DMC66upfFX8cLr0981ZM6-RFjgafXsFMXG7uqPExGmWO7BhLwznp1vXa2CiEXx8Tal75fkSOU3Wg_LA_lnNRiPlbhT01eUCiN_0Q/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395160166039564690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St91uoNmCaI/AAAAAAAAAtk/j6fZbSYDGIE/s1600-h/DSC_0130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St91uoNmCaI/AAAAAAAAAtk/j6fZbSYDGIE/s320/DSC_0130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395160322542012834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St91uULuUTI/AAAAAAAAAtc/ksE9Zh7W9yU/s1600-h/DSC_0115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St91uULuUTI/AAAAAAAAAtc/ksE9Zh7W9yU/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395160317165457714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo45NuOQ37EGtgyeuuuJ-9JDaGFue-PQ0xhv2USolGOjmMdh81h_4ccgzDMVchmifhe8UCRm34q1CK6mwPcRFQrveoz-YwPDMdi59XwUEXNe_IF_ZSTsBnSxljQbKuZzhBg/s1600-h/DSC_0095.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo45NuOQ37EGtgyeuuuJ-9JDaGFue-PQ0xhv2USolGOjmMdh81h_4ccgzDMVchmifhe8UCRm34q1CK6mwPcRFQrveoz-YwPDMdi59XwUEXNe_IF_ZSTsBnSxljQbKuZzhBg/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395160312309393538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St91l_UPBSI/AAAAAAAAAtM/i9JJQP0otSc/s1600-h/DSC_0057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/St91l_UPBSI/AAAAAAAAAtM/i9JJQP0otSc/s320/DSC_0057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395160174125057314" border="0" /></a> <!--EndFragment--> Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-87451252556718319852009-08-19T07:39:00.005-04:002009-08-19T08:00:30.598-04:00Doing it Together...Doing it for OthersIf you had told me 2 years ago that we would be a part of a dynamic community that does life together (called our church), I would have probably smiled, would have hoped deep down for that to take place, but would have probably doubted that we would find just that. But we did. And now, Whit and I are blessed to be a part of an incredible community called Lives Changed By Christ (LCBC).<br /><br />Recently I attended a conference called The Leadership Summit where many notorious CEO's and philanthropists alluded to the importance of vision and how when a vision is clear, people will do anything to be a part of it. People will give, serve, sacrifice...really whatever you ask. I get to see that take place every week through my church...and that excites me.<br /><br />Recently our Harrisburg campus finalized the purchase of a permanent home and this past weekend we began demolition on our new facility...converting it from a VW car dealership into a gathering place where peoples lives will be changed by more than driving off the campus with a new set of wheels but by the truth of Jesus and the strength of community. I think we're all doing it because we know it to be true. We've experienced the change ourselves...and desire for others to experience it as well.<br /><br />If you're looking for a place where you can connect, grow, experience community, and serve...you should come visit us...we could even use some more help this Saturday.<br /><br />4150 Chambers Hill Road<br />Harrisburg, PA...where Victory VW used to be.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Sovnna7OiQI/AAAAAAAAAss/g8cJRU0JkwQ/s1600-h/First+workday+1%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Sovnna7OiQI/AAAAAAAAAss/g8cJRU0JkwQ/s320/First+workday+1%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371641644998101250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVoZ29wb7uxpvhRqsl5pyz3q1HA8tlCdt3c-HTYEeO80sZj44_rsimYD1a0rq3avagetceZHZc4Yi0wAUvwwr2t5M6pWJUV2C8AOZxEpzLWgXCKQqtQVHK-dFyPF1ZG1GxA/s1600-h/First+Workday+3%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVoZ29wb7uxpvhRqsl5pyz3q1HA8tlCdt3c-HTYEeO80sZj44_rsimYD1a0rq3avagetceZHZc4Yi0wAUvwwr2t5M6pWJUV2C8AOZxEpzLWgXCKQqtQVHK-dFyPF1ZG1GxA/s320/First+Workday+3%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371641648545426594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qFRAeusK8Z038BWLVbmyKVG1GKAPcm1Bnm3zQXJO0-FoFsS3eLC2J14qnMF4sPD3Djr5dsSRjAdi6zQM3YnMorHqBwBU_zjHUF6bi9qQAQwrH8EfBICgrB0frrhKVySrWg/s1600-h/First+Workday+5%282%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qFRAeusK8Z038BWLVbmyKVG1GKAPcm1Bnm3zQXJO0-FoFsS3eLC2J14qnMF4sPD3Djr5dsSRjAdi6zQM3YnMorHqBwBU_zjHUF6bi9qQAQwrH8EfBICgrB0frrhKVySrWg/s320/First+Workday+5%282%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371641658399212642" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-72794430670302515152009-08-11T09:32:00.008-04:002009-08-11T10:01:35.943-04:00August RushMore than a movie, August Rush is a season that Whitney and I will enter over the next few weeks. After an incredible and productive summer that found us in India and Nicaragua, found us sending out teams and interns, found us participating in seminars and conferences, and found us rejoicing over the news that we're going to have a baby; we now look toward the fall and soon-to-be-made campus visits.<br /><br />As the 2009-2010 school year rapidly approaches would you please join us in prayer for this upcoming year. We'll have the opportunity to interact with students, plan trips and internships, counsel with students making decisions, travel a lot...and so much more. Wisdom, discernment, strength, and a positive mindset are all things that will be needed and are huge prayer requests. Here are some events currently on our schedule between now and December...please pray with us for these unique opportunities:<br /><br />Aug 29 - Ministry Fair at Baptist Bible College (Clarks Summit, PA)<br />Sept 3-4 - Paul speaking for School Retreat for Bible Baptist School (Halifax, PA)<br />Sept 7-9 - Visit to Cedarville University (Cedarville, OH)<br />Sept 18-23 - Debrief and Missions Conference at Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA)<br />Sept 30-Oct 4 - Next Steps at Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga, TN)<br />Oct 13-16 - Missions Conference at Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, IL)<br />Oct 23-25 - Next Steps Weekend at Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA)<br />Nov 9-13 - BBC and Cedarville University (Clarks Summit, PA and Cedarville, OH)<br />Dec 4-6 - Student Missions Forum and Educator's Collaborative (Harrisburg, PA)<br />Dec 7-10 - Visit to The Master's College (Santa Clarita, California)<br />Dec 29-31 - Paul speaking at the Teen Leadership Conference (Antelope, Oregon)<br /><br />Thanks for your prayers!<br />Continue to check here for updates and pictures from the road!<br />Picture Below: Enjoying the Summer with Members of our Life Group<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SoF35D9VhAI/AAAAAAAAAsc/ibN1ofepOXA/s1600-h/IMG_0314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SoF35D9VhAI/AAAAAAAAAsc/ibN1ofepOXA/s320/IMG_0314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368704053001159682" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-55384172705212385382009-07-06T10:04:00.006-04:002009-07-06T10:21:06.610-04:00Nicaragua TripI just returned from spending 11 days in Nicaragua leading a team of 4 high school girls and God did incredible things! The 4 girls were from different states and we all met for the first time here at ABWE for a little training and then flew out together the next day. The goal of this trip was to expose the girls to various ministries while giving them opportunities to serve…and that is definitely what we did! We didn’t slow down but the girls had such great attitudes! The entire time I did not hear one complaint and they jumped right in getting involved! Life can be tough in Nicaragua and so we knew people were praying for us each day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIEyPg9EqI/AAAAAAAAAnc/C-_IMNW23iI/s1600-h/Shelves.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIEyPg9EqI/AAAAAAAAAnc/C-_IMNW23iI/s320/Shelves.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355348168101663394" border="0" /></a>The first couple of days we helped another American team with a VBS and began building shelves for our big project. The VBS was great and the 5 of us girls really got to use the little Spanish we knew to talk with the kids and have fun with them. In the afternoon’s we would head back to where we were staying at the Center (like a camp) and began cutting, measuring, drilling, and sweating over shelves! For being a bunch of little girls we sure know how to use power tools!<br /><br />Throughout the week we were involved in a variety of ministries from helping with artwork for the Nicaragua Christian Academy, visiting a blacksmith’s shop ministry, helping with a church ladies Bible study, to learning about ministry to the upper class, and helping with AWANA. It was great for us to see how God can use anything as ministry and the girls really saw that you can do anything as a missionary.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIEy4LduzI/AAAAAAAAAnk/d0q21XHPGbo/s1600-h/Art.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIEy4LduzI/AAAAAAAAAnk/d0q21XHPGbo/s320/Art.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355348179017382706" border="0" /></a>Most of the week was spent at the House of Hope. This is a place for ex-prostitutes to get off the streets and make changes in their life. They can live at this center for up to 3 years and are taught the Bible and how to make money in different ways. Their main source of income is to make greeting cards and one morning we were able to watch as the women made hundreds of cards. We helped by holding their babies so they could work faster and make more money. The sweet little girl I held just cried the whole time…she had a runny nose and a fever so I felt so bad for her. Her mom felt bad but was so thankful I could hold her while she worked.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIFxfPnI9I/AAAAAAAAAns/Lnq2svkL78A/s1600-h/Cards.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIFxfPnI9I/AAAAAAAAAns/Lnq2svkL78A/s320/Cards.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355349254655648722" border="0" /></a>Our biggest ministry at the House of Hope was to the girl’s dorm. We called it our “Extreme Home Makeover” project! The girls dorm houses girls ages 9-15 who were involved in prostitution as well. Most of the girls were sold into prostitution by their mom or dad’s and their stories just broke my heart. Some of the girls were sold to an Auto Hotel where cars just pull into a slot to spend the night in their car. A big curtain is pulled across the door to the garage and these little girls were brought to the cars for the men to abuse. Other girls were sold to pimps, older men, etc. One little girl was sold to a pimp by her mother for only $7.50…even thinking about that just brings me to tears.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIFyYBljAI/AAAAAAAAAn0/gB_VwAgGszQ/s1600-h/Before+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIFyYBljAI/AAAAAAAAAn0/gB_VwAgGszQ/s320/Before+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355349269897645058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsu-pDxqWub5YQsLs-scSSHMGXAuoEepiJhYNqt4jKz7AD9yZ5ZOxk9oO4de2QIqhtQCOZAtdgdeFSreV39crDl7JkepH9B0dwC0UuYbJJg2yjE6h4hLwW-7uh9W566WpKg/s1600-h/Before.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsu-pDxqWub5YQsLs-scSSHMGXAuoEepiJhYNqt4jKz7AD9yZ5ZOxk9oO4de2QIqhtQCOZAtdgdeFSreV39crDl7JkepH9B0dwC0UuYbJJg2yjE6h4hLwW-7uh9W566WpKg/s320/Before.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355349294810453858" border="0" /></a>So our job last week was to spend time with the girls and makeover their dorm! As you can see from the “before” picture, the walls were so dirty and the girls used to write on them just to add some color to the wall. Their sheets were dirty and old and they had no place to put their clothes, shoes, schoolbooks, etc. So, we brought fun sheets from the states and purchased paint when we got there. The first day we painted the foundation colors and the 2nd and 3rd day were spent painting huge butterflies and flowers all over the walls! I went around and used a projector to trace pictures then the girls and I painted in bright colors all over the place! It was a great experience because while we were painting we got to hear from their dorm mom, Brittany, a 23-year-old girl from California, about their stories. We also got to spend time just talking with the girls and many of them helped us paint flowers the 3rd day! Although our Spanish was little, we were able to build relationships and love on them as much as we could.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNeu1QKa0XtTHDUtpYEHqbvHgOL9Wo-BI0GQ3DQ29tSLGJIq8kvua_i-OthtnlB03yY7YWQKSMwqlyPbtUwAIol_L1s3fabB-Q8E8Yd6OXl5B44khHGPdCOGhJuGDEohyphenhyphenOw/s1600-h/Tracing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNeu1QKa0XtTHDUtpYEHqbvHgOL9Wo-BI0GQ3DQ29tSLGJIq8kvua_i-OthtnlB03yY7YWQKSMwqlyPbtUwAIol_L1s3fabB-Q8E8Yd6OXl5B44khHGPdCOGhJuGDEohyphenhyphenOw/s320/Tracing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355350346151331314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XvqQAgtBfXUzmYGSMY3yYRfcMln2HxevWdyY0t1QM1CIfkqw4CXtJLhN9Li6pB5TH5oFkrvCYiMSqD-ch-di4xyVqJWTI9LiZbY8Qf0E3UT-KDCL4AEJ1rWnfm-4gKlZEg/s1600-h/Whit+paint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XvqQAgtBfXUzmYGSMY3yYRfcMln2HxevWdyY0t1QM1CIfkqw4CXtJLhN9Li6pB5TH5oFkrvCYiMSqD-ch-di4xyVqJWTI9LiZbY8Qf0E3UT-KDCL4AEJ1rWnfm-4gKlZEg/s320/Whit+paint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355350354103069922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIGx8w6KWI/AAAAAAAAAoU/jjUBIyo8GqY/s1600-h/Building.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIGx8w6KWI/AAAAAAAAAoU/jjUBIyo8GqY/s320/Building.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355350362091563362" border="0" /></a>Saturday morning we paired off with the girls and helped them read through their Bible study before meeting together as a group. One of the little girls, Sujey, and I sat down and memorized her verse and read through the story. When we finished one of the ABWE missionaries, Shelly, came over with a brand new Bible and had Sujey sign it. Shelly said that Sujey and her were talking 2 weeks ago about Jesus dying for us and Sujey just started crying. It became real to her and she understood why Christ died for us. That day Sujey accepted Christ and this day she was getting her first Bible! I could have burst into sobs watching her sign her Bible and show it to me. Her face lit up and she was so excited! I was just thanking God for Sujey and for bringing her to the House of Hope so she could hear for the first time that there is a God who loves her!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1mj_9d062kjhIGka_lwSk-Uqdba2KhoiORnqECVrUe-gbyrAxD82gX8UZMuUiRmrcatAB7LHvlYeI_13Ip87JZ9Y_C4inPNJxqAdexOx4xCr43R6JMg7CieQ3K8TVoqqFg/s1600-h/Sujey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1mj_9d062kjhIGka_lwSk-Uqdba2KhoiORnqECVrUe-gbyrAxD82gX8UZMuUiRmrcatAB7LHvlYeI_13Ip87JZ9Y_C4inPNJxqAdexOx4xCr43R6JMg7CieQ3K8TVoqqFg/s320/Sujey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355351072460838130" border="0" /></a>On Saturday the girls went to another building after the Bible study and we surprised them by making up their beds with the new sheets and setting up the shelf’s we built! When they came in they were so excited to see it all completed! We helped the girls organize their things on the shelves and gave out more hugs that I could imagine! It was incredible to know that they girls have suffered so much abuse, are living away from home, but that the Lord allowed us to bring some joy into their lives.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIHbnAA2HI/AAAAAAAAAok/YPvbL-sh3pg/s1600-h/Bed+Wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIHbnAA2HI/AAAAAAAAAok/YPvbL-sh3pg/s320/Bed+Wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355351077803841650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIHcd0YVGI/AAAAAAAAAos/YFSv-qomDm4/s1600-h/Group+After.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SlIHcd0YVGI/AAAAAAAAAos/YFSv-qomDm4/s320/Group+After.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355351092518999138" border="0" /></a>It was such a blessing to play a part in these 4 girls lives and to minister alongside them. It was awesome to see how God is working in Nicaragua and how much He needs workers to tell people about His love. Please continue to pray for the missionaries who live and work there every day, praying for the girls in the House of Hope that they would receive Christ and live normal lives, pray for the poor and the wealthy that they would come to know Christ.Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-91787118452930200152009-05-29T14:15:00.003-04:002009-05-29T14:20:29.701-04:00India...May Closing CommentsEvery time I visit India I see a new land, a new people, a new way of life. And this trip was no exception. The team trip in Delhi was probably one of the greatest team trips I’ve ever been a part of: wonderful team, great work, amazing fellowship. But on Sunday I left the team and journeyed a little further to do some survey work. One of the places I found myself was the city of Varanasi, the Hindu Holy City. From there I visited Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first message. I watched as men and women worshiped water and made noise to get their god's attention. I watched as people danced, and painted, and did pretty much everything but worship the one true God. And as I visited these places, I couldn’t help but think: I really have no idea what India is like. And I wondered how God must feel. 20% of the world’s population. An economy that spans from some of the world’s poorest to some of the world’s richest. Life that maintains a constant buzz…when do they sleep? Home of some of the world’s dominant religions. A place bursting with physical life…and a place reeking of spiritual death. And all this is India. There’s truly more than meets the eye. Bursting with impressive need for more workers. To steal one of my coworker’s phrases: India…where the need is only surpassed by the opportunity. May we pray in mighty ways for this special place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmeQxipNI/AAAAAAAAAmE/gByI8SqivFE/s1600-h/Waterside+-+Ceremony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmeQxipNI/AAAAAAAAAmE/gByI8SqivFE/s320/Waterside+-+Ceremony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341311459402097874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmeB1TUMI/AAAAAAAAAl8/QIj8DskT2J0/s1600-h/Smoke+Ceremony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmeB1TUMI/AAAAAAAAAl8/QIj8DskT2J0/s320/Smoke+Ceremony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341311455391338690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmd6Fk5sI/AAAAAAAAAl0/0yNMgzVkEas/s1600-h/Paul+and+Johnnie+City.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmd6Fk5sI/AAAAAAAAAl0/0yNMgzVkEas/s320/Paul+and+Johnnie+City.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341311453312116418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmdkMDXyI/AAAAAAAAAls/40M27uylo7o/s1600-h/Leaving+Ceremony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmdkMDXyI/AAAAAAAAAls/40M27uylo7o/s320/Leaving+Ceremony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341311447433699106" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmdAGMsrI/AAAAAAAAAlk/C0JNLIYkIB8/s1600-h/Buddha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SiAmdAGMsrI/AAAAAAAAAlk/C0JNLIYkIB8/s320/Buddha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341311437745468082" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com254tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-79694009386937124732009-05-23T22:36:00.002-04:002009-05-23T22:43:35.485-04:00India...May 23Well today was the final day of our 2nd Kids Camp. I’m just going to say it: It was wild…and we enjoyed every moment of it. What a joy it has been these past three days to interact with these kids from the Nandlal slum. It has been a blessing to take time with them, share Bible stories, goof off, eat, and sing with them. We’re definitely excited that they are more connected now with PMI and can have a constant source for spiritual growth and intake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Shi0KJ_sDyI/AAAAAAAAAlU/QJ1UNaLb7X4/s1600-h/Crazy+Kids.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Shi0KJ_sDyI/AAAAAAAAAlU/QJ1UNaLb7X4/s320/Crazy+Kids.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339215444822462242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Shi0KiMcgUI/AAAAAAAAAlc/im1rFsePtzc/s1600-h/Kids+Camp+Everyone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Shi0KiMcgUI/AAAAAAAAAlc/im1rFsePtzc/s320/Kids+Camp+Everyone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339215451318419778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Shi0J6nNqAI/AAAAAAAAAlM/NMPOJj61Efw/s1600-h/Lion+Masks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/Shi0J6nNqAI/AAAAAAAAAlM/NMPOJj61Efw/s320/Lion+Masks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339215440693274626" border="0" /></a><br /> Today also concluded our 8th session of our Conversational English Class. If you would have asked our team prior to the past two weeks if they could conduct 8 English classes, many of them would have laughed…mostly unsure how we could do that much talking. But it happened. Today concluded with final conversation small groups then Peter shared about the Mystery of Life. Many of them listened intently and responded eagerly to the news that was shared. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShizZf_faAI/AAAAAAAAAlE/o1gcxhdAX1g/s1600-h/English+Class+Final.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShizZf_faAI/AAAAAAAAAlE/o1gcxhdAX1g/s320/English+Class+Final.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339214608913623042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShizZJ9rlFI/AAAAAAAAAk8/JcaDxOGXZYE/s1600-h/Mystery+of+Life.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShizZJ9rlFI/AAAAAAAAAk8/JcaDxOGXZYE/s320/Mystery+of+Life.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339214603000452178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShizYqS46zI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Vffwl_xylQo/s1600-h/English+Group.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShizYqS46zI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Vffwl_xylQo/s320/English+Group.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339214594499472178" border="0" /></a><br />And so our India journey is drawing quickly to a close. Sunday, the team wraps up final sessions at Kids Sunday School, the CBC church service, and Focal Point. Then on back to the States. I’ll leave and head to Varanasi and Bangalore before returning home. Thanks to everyone who has journeyed with us…especially through prayer!Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-81818212972366285002009-05-23T02:16:00.006-04:002009-05-23T02:27:18.041-04:00India...May 22Our 2nd Kids Camp is well underway. Day 2 provided much excitement as the kids learned about David and Goliath…many of them for the first time. Being that these kids are new to PMI and are not accustomed to an organized schedule or behavior, things get pretty chaotic at times, but we’re so glad they’re here to be able to learn about the Good News. I think they are really enjoying themselves. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheWRWtbQOI/AAAAAAAAAks/1U_QLgsCv3w/s1600-h/David+and+Goliath.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheWRWtbQOI/AAAAAAAAAks/1U_QLgsCv3w/s320/David+and+Goliath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338901108169064674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnsBvctiVCJEshhWA3paDrvpSR-CC7h4UrA2AJrO9BOHfnZsNnEpiz24S93r85jaBL1ELrL4G67eIwsd5Zt2AaVROrWhY1OFF-zWJdDD6buNCVd13o_F5lXHo65IXLdx70Q/s1600-h/David+wins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnsBvctiVCJEshhWA3paDrvpSR-CC7h4UrA2AJrO9BOHfnZsNnEpiz24S93r85jaBL1ELrL4G67eIwsd5Zt2AaVROrWhY1OFF-zWJdDD6buNCVd13o_F5lXHo65IXLdx70Q/s320/David+wins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338901105574436946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheWQ5U7iBI/AAAAAAAAAkc/EhAPjeXnCi8/s1600-h/Game+Time.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheWQ5U7iBI/AAAAAAAAAkc/EhAPjeXnCi8/s320/Game+Time.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338901100281694226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheWQnyclbI/AAAAAAAAAkU/T53kEvs0QA8/s1600-h/Games.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheWQnyclbI/AAAAAAAAAkU/T53kEvs0QA8/s320/Games.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338901095573657010" border="0" /></a><br />In the afternoon, it absolutely poured down rain…creating some minor flooding and momentarily slowing down what would be normal, busy traffic patterns. With such a downpour, we were really wondering if anyone would show up for English Camp. By 3pm when it was time to start, we had just a handful of students, but moments later, people came “flooding” in the door and we had our usual 40-50 students.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoNXSPeLq6gT7M9NoUscFTUYW-lf9QOeybZ00UPVNFJi2Cq9_npAyi6on-bBpna-r9mLgTv-fz5gJEoA-_sBdlWWWDAk21OmvIHdHcIOndyi9ra4UvEk08I30mKdr7luApg/s1600-h/English+class.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoNXSPeLq6gT7M9NoUscFTUYW-lf9QOeybZ00UPVNFJi2Cq9_npAyi6on-bBpna-r9mLgTv-fz5gJEoA-_sBdlWWWDAk21OmvIHdHcIOndyi9ra4UvEk08I30mKdr7luApg/s320/English+class.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338900293915541810" border="0" /></a><br /> After English class, we went upstairs for Core Group Fellowship, CBC weekly Bible study. Scott was able to challenge the group to guard their heart and we examined how the enemy works and what he has been doing from the beginning of time. It was a wonderful evening of challenge and encouragement. And we also had a blast playing some Catch Phrase…one of the greatest games ever. Tomorrow: final day of kids camps and English class.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheVElZYdlI/AAAAAAAAAj8/rj6pbH-QKfk/s1600-h/CGF+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheVElZYdlI/AAAAAAAAAj8/rj6pbH-QKfk/s320/CGF+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338899789261600338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheVE3_FIeI/AAAAAAAAAkE/vpk7kHDRWjY/s1600-h/CGF+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/SheVE3_FIeI/AAAAAAAAAkE/vpk7kHDRWjY/s320/CGF+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338899794251555298" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-6111928139247887392009-05-22T00:40:00.003-04:002009-05-22T00:49:33.438-04:00India...May 21Our final Thursday here in India began with a bang as we had 62 new kids show up for our 2nd Kids Camp. These new kids where ones that had never participated in PMI before so it was great to watch their faces as we introduced new activities and concepts. Since these kids have never been to PMI before, most of them have no understanding of the things of God or have even heard stories from our Good Book. So yesterday it was cool to think that for many, really most, of them that it was their first introduction to any kind of Good News teaching. Hopefully as they are now connected with PMI they will continue to be involved and understand more and more. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYujuJU4-I/AAAAAAAAAj0/ECGZ0Pjotis/s1600-h/Coming+to+Camp.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYujuJU4-I/AAAAAAAAAj0/ECGZ0Pjotis/s320/Coming+to+Camp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338505599511749602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYujUlZGiI/AAAAAAAAAjs/FUawPpX9CN8/s1600-h/The+Line+up.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYujUlZGiI/AAAAAAAAAjs/FUawPpX9CN8/s320/The+Line+up.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338505592650144290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYujPaPdVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Mt-vIMEqBlU/s1600-h/Snacks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYujPaPdVI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Mt-vIMEqBlU/s320/Snacks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338505591261197650" border="0" /></a><br />Thursday afternoon, we conducted English lesson 6 of 8. We are still continuing to have a ton of people present, which has been a great encouragement to the PMI staff. From what they have shared, usually it starts out with many people the first day or two but as it continues, the people dwindle away. We’ve been consistently having about 50 people present with a few new additions each day. As I’ve shared before, we’re continuing to teach in the main session about idioms. Yesterday, they brought newspapers and magazine articles in that had idioms that they had found. Each day we try to do one “hangman” session revolving around an idiom. The students absolutely love it. Hangman…we really should get back to playing it more back in the States. Anyways, after the main session we broke out into our conversational groups. At some point throughout the sessions our groups have focused on pronunciation. This is something that they are genuinely interested in as they try to develop their fluency in English. It’s interesting to hear some of the sounds they have trouble with…some of them are like almost impossible to grasp such as the sound made by “th”. For many of them it just sounds like “t”. Our team has enjoyed helping, teaching, and watching many of the students grow over the past 6 lessons.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYtkpRz3aI/AAAAAAAAAjU/awT4vU8zqRM/s1600-h/English+Hangman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYtkpRz3aI/AAAAAAAAAjU/awT4vU8zqRM/s320/English+Hangman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338504515873398178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYtlD4yQVI/AAAAAAAAAjc/PbDaRE39ASg/s1600-h/Hangman+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYtlD4yQVI/AAAAAAAAAjc/PbDaRE39ASg/s320/Hangman+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338504523016192338" border="0" /></a><br />After classes we split up for dinner. Each free evening some of our team members have been visiting with our hosts P&H to talk, understand more about India, and be encouraged. Some of the team used the opportunity to have some Indian Henna put on their hands. Thanks to those who have been lifting us up. We’ll be home soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYtkYpmNhI/AAAAAAAAAjM/1zaUJA3dbCI/s1600-h/Henna.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShYtkYpmNhI/AAAAAAAAAjM/1zaUJA3dbCI/s320/Henna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338504511409763858" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-26854158302193286632009-05-21T01:13:00.008-04:002009-05-21T04:21:30.315-04:00India...May 20As we’re here, the relationships and conversations become more intentional, more personal, and more probing. I think that for many on the team, it will be very hard to leave some of the new friends next Monday when we return to the States. Wednesday was another great day. We began by touring what I would call “the mall”…similar to our “mall” in Washington, D.C. We were able to see various parliament buildings and what is known as the India gate, a memorial to many who have lost their lives during war. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTnp8WNCbI/AAAAAAAAAjE/BZWs215-nu4/s1600-h/India+Gate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTnp8WNCbI/AAAAAAAAAjE/BZWs215-nu4/s320/India+Gate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338146166100789682" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTnpXfy99I/AAAAAAAAAi8/tYwi9aw9Kds/s1600-h/Parliament.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTnpXfy99I/AAAAAAAAAi8/tYwi9aw9Kds/s320/Parliament.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338146156208912338" border="0" /></a><br />After our visit to the India gate we were able to go and visit one of the largest Hindu temples in the city. It has been very interesting and helpful to gain some perspective on what motivates different people. By now, we’ve visited a Hindu temple, a Sikh temple, a Jain temple, and a Muslim mosque. Following our temple visit, we visited Delhi University and St. Stephens College. Within about 5 miles of the PMI resource center, there are about 500,000 college students. Their classes just concluded, but there were still many on campus that we were able to invite to Chat Over Coffee. We rushed back to PMI quickly after our brief University tour to find many students ready for English camp. To this point we have had about 80 different students participate in the camp. Close to 50 have been present each day. Teaching about idioms has been an intriguing topic, but the conversational sessions have brought about topics that far exceed English grammatical application. In fact, many conversations are occurring now that revolve around faith, love, and serving. The relationships that have been built through the English camp are probably the deepest aside from those we have developed with the PMI staff. Please join us in prayer for these intentional conversations that are taking place. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTmwUqHKJI/AAAAAAAAAis/3ZXqHna9kJw/s1600-h/Enlish+Camp+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTmwUqHKJI/AAAAAAAAAis/3ZXqHna9kJw/s320/Enlish+Camp+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338145176194328722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTmwsTMDnI/AAAAAAAAAi0/t8xnKRmInL0/s1600-h/English+Camp+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTmwsTMDnI/AAAAAAAAAi0/t8xnKRmInL0/s320/English+Camp+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338145182540631666" border="0" /></a><br />Wednesday was packed back-to-back. Following the English Camp we began Chat Over Coffee. COC was first developed to be a question/answer conversation time based upon questions university students had after focal point on Sundays. This COC was a little different however. We began as usual with just casual conversation, but halfway through began a special program. We played some games such as “Gorilla, Man, Gun” and put on 2 random comedy skits. One of which, focused on the staff of PMI (hopefully I can load the video soon! – it was a spoof we did where each of us were one of the staff people from PMI and kind of acted things out that had happened throughout the week that were funny). They really enjoyed it! Finally we finished with some songs, then Peter interviewed us regarding our India experience so far. It was a night filled with much laughter and enjoyment!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTls36gdnI/AAAAAAAAAik/2YqURVCNSws/s1600-h/Chat+over+Coffee+Kim.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTls36gdnI/AAAAAAAAAik/2YqURVCNSws/s320/Chat+over+Coffee+Kim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338144017427232370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyiTiAo7HzO8i8ANMZAyVfqNf9GxYIhF46qfx59TvOqKZAIYrORkbPOx3Bjk9M8d-qCPUwIiJ-1gmceBu-TWhOnzWDU9lYvJ3PK0bkaP0-rOcjXee7qM8SRFhy_jUdod4Zw/s1600-h/COC+Game.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyiTiAo7HzO8i8ANMZAyVfqNf9GxYIhF46qfx59TvOqKZAIYrORkbPOx3Bjk9M8d-qCPUwIiJ-1gmceBu-TWhOnzWDU9lYvJ3PK0bkaP0-rOcjXee7qM8SRFhy_jUdod4Zw/s320/COC+Game.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338144014166602386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTlsV1ByNI/AAAAAAAAAiU/Zj7oVAH8-1E/s1600-h/COC+Team+Singing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShTlsV1ByNI/AAAAAAAAAiU/Zj7oVAH8-1E/s320/COC+Team+Singing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338144008277444818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ_FECWK6IgzU6jNQj3bzN1OPtoPmQ8TLE8RDUVRMOKkcl25DF4RS81d5HM38xix8HuivoiqDojAaSdZrCJU0RGbPlHi0OUZq5sKZxAe0Q1N3wXsEuciC5pH-cqGw0d8LSA/s1600-h/COC+Peter+Interviw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQ_FECWK6IgzU6jNQj3bzN1OPtoPmQ8TLE8RDUVRMOKkcl25DF4RS81d5HM38xix8HuivoiqDojAaSdZrCJU0RGbPlHi0OUZq5sKZxAe0Q1N3wXsEuciC5pH-cqGw0d8LSA/s320/COC+Peter+Interviw.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338144006267250082" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-23597401448923654202009-05-19T12:15:00.005-04:002009-05-19T12:22:52.553-04:00India...May 19After a long journey to Agra yesterday and a breathtaking view of the Taj Mahal, today we journeyed back into the slums to conduct the first ever PMI Sport’s Day for the kids from Nandlal Slum. Many of these kids were a part of our Kids Camp last week, but many were new faces. We had a blast as we split up the kids by ages then competed in various games. Relay races and a game of cricket were seemed to be the highlights. But we also had fun beating a piñata, doing a general quiz, eating snacks, and everything was concluded with an awards ceremony. EVERYONE had a great time. This afternoon we completed session 4 of our 8 day English camp. Many are growing in their conversational English and it is interesting to watch their enthusiasm as they pursue grasping another language.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmcXYToXFBBGG4RaSopBvxPCLdYWTuVH9Kv8hvW_V3wRbeIvE05DhQVQELOooW3T1LnUwCi6N1fm8u1if64KuFmzL8tEvRZ8KmiEKUss1kzb_aXPhuQE5ZjFtUdcfdZ57hA/s1600-h/Sports+Day+Intro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmcXYToXFBBGG4RaSopBvxPCLdYWTuVH9Kv8hvW_V3wRbeIvE05DhQVQELOooW3T1LnUwCi6N1fm8u1if64KuFmzL8tEvRZ8KmiEKUss1kzb_aXPhuQE5ZjFtUdcfdZ57hA/s320/Sports+Day+Intro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337569931774987970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLcMZ-TMMI/AAAAAAAAAiE/0fgc_JF8nnA/s1600-h/Sports+Day+Relay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLcMZ-TMMI/AAAAAAAAAiE/0fgc_JF8nnA/s320/Sports+Day+Relay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337570614076190914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLbjyJy-nI/AAAAAAAAAhc/P95zINoYLC0/s1600-h/Cricket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLbjyJy-nI/AAAAAAAAAhc/P95zINoYLC0/s320/Cricket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337569916192225906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVvq9CRgGp8jZgcF76XnlI_h-snCaXsO7c3Z6ChvrOPcJiTNLLapGxFt03Sx7jcoLt4Go11Qw_rDMGkVS7L0MsGr_TeYkQ7JW2XNk-qGrdkAJ0DdDMBfePbXzXmi2Ixzlg/s1600-h/Sports+Day+Rachel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVvq9CRgGp8jZgcF76XnlI_h-snCaXsO7c3Z6ChvrOPcJiTNLLapGxFt03Sx7jcoLt4Go11Qw_rDMGkVS7L0MsGr_TeYkQ7JW2XNk-qGrdkAJ0DdDMBfePbXzXmi2Ixzlg/s320/Sports+Day+Rachel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337570611252880514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLbkUTzG5I/AAAAAAAAAhk/uMV6_JFhSeE/s1600-h/Sports+Day+Close.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLbkUTzG5I/AAAAAAAAAhk/uMV6_JFhSeE/s320/Sports+Day+Close.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337569925360982930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLcLzShUFI/AAAAAAAAAh0/wrthnlBhFXY/s1600-h/Sports+Day+Last.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLcLzShUFI/AAAAAAAAAh0/wrthnlBhFXY/s320/Sports+Day+Last.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337570603692019794" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-50881316834247655972009-05-19T12:10:00.002-04:002009-05-19T12:14:24.004-04:00India...May 18We’ve passed the halfway point of our trip. Much work has been done and great things are happening. But after a BUSY Sunday, it was time for a little mind refreshment. So we took a road trip and ended up at the Taj Mahal. Unbeliveable. Enough said.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLal4WJcjI/AAAAAAAAAg8/sabVWz69Mjc/s1600-h/Taj+Mahal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLal4WJcjI/AAAAAAAAAg8/sabVWz69Mjc/s320/Taj+Mahal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337568852702753330" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9-OCGzmqqgBe1C5CIlkptXrAROYnH_zgB23_xnPsBBS-7-zQRDteL_O8Uvyx6nxSzVgBlIrTj40iHPA838Vpl23b4iw1TPDNfvnYoju-HmszmxeK6lDm0SI_AYJUrXr2HA/s1600-h/Taj+Mahal+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9-OCGzmqqgBe1C5CIlkptXrAROYnH_zgB23_xnPsBBS-7-zQRDteL_O8Uvyx6nxSzVgBlIrTj40iHPA838Vpl23b4iw1TPDNfvnYoju-HmszmxeK6lDm0SI_AYJUrXr2HA/s320/Taj+Mahal+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337568858499696194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLamalS1wI/AAAAAAAAAhM/nCVUwXR2pZ4/s1600-h/Taj+Mahal+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLamalS1wI/AAAAAAAAAhM/nCVUwXR2pZ4/s320/Taj+Mahal+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337568861893089026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLamZosOfI/AAAAAAAAAhU/6Cr02AMIypc/s1600-h/Taj+Mahal+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShLamZosOfI/AAAAAAAAAhU/6Cr02AMIypc/s320/Taj+Mahal+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337568861638900210" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20205003.post-83619948184041345222009-05-17T14:06:00.004-04:002009-05-17T14:18:07.371-04:00India...May 17Sundays are quite a bit different with our friends here in Delhi. No church function starts before noon. What does that practically mean?...sleeping in ☺ and it was much needed. But after we woke up, we packed quite a bit of activity into have a day. We started by leading the children’s Sunday School class. Today’s featured story: David and Goliath. Scott and Evan have found their second calling as actors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBT5fpgUgI/AAAAAAAAAgc/4S465MsUrVw/s1600-h/Bible+story.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBT5fpgUgI/AAAAAAAAAgc/4S465MsUrVw/s320/Bible+story.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336857805647270402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBT5hoN9UI/AAAAAAAAAgk/XThQsxXlmWw/s1600-h/David+and+Goliath.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBT5hoN9UI/AAAAAAAAAgk/XThQsxXlmWw/s320/David+and+Goliath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336857806178743618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I5TfxNQ9D-MoSAJ39hCmwjeoFW6XfdGLI4MDKdkbKLmmXiWq2pNQQNIxyj18z6DgLmCA_TLjQR78TkwqmGyPKJ-j5BpFR2Ymxg4rhKvu_Wd1QuecOyC4oDQA-YugFkVC_g/s1600-h/Finish+him.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0I5TfxNQ9D-MoSAJ39hCmwjeoFW6XfdGLI4MDKdkbKLmmXiWq2pNQQNIxyj18z6DgLmCA_TLjQR78TkwqmGyPKJ-j5BpFR2Ymxg4rhKvu_Wd1QuecOyC4oDQA-YugFkVC_g/s320/Finish+him.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336857813400442802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSGnNrvtlrXePBAd_dn_eeXxvcSlV8Ren5TTyxNMzN1yq4-OqztIiV47ha_oTGO5xpZ5My1YoZBa_4oFYC3PwfAMxpZ9_o9BkS1RfQLkPHgjQj77NuF4BxAs4JBGdL1RKQw/s1600-h/Bean+tambourine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSGnNrvtlrXePBAd_dn_eeXxvcSlV8Ren5TTyxNMzN1yq4-OqztIiV47ha_oTGO5xpZ5My1YoZBa_4oFYC3PwfAMxpZ9_o9BkS1RfQLkPHgjQj77NuF4BxAs4JBGdL1RKQw/s320/Bean+tambourine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336857816539677410" border="0" /></a><br />We stopped briefly for lunch then picked up with the afternoon church service for CBC. It was great singing with folks from all around the world. I had the opportunity to speak and challenge those attending. We thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with the community of believers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBS_wX3oSI/AAAAAAAAAgU/8B_R6FE0EMc/s1600-h/Speak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBS_wX3oSI/AAAAAAAAAgU/8B_R6FE0EMc/s320/Speak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336856813704290594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBS_skDHbI/AAAAAAAAAgM/LumWxOtUaVU/s1600-h/CBC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBS_skDHbI/AAAAAAAAAgM/LumWxOtUaVU/s320/CBC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336856812681633202" border="0" /></a><br />Following that service kicked off Focal Point…a discussion meeting for unbelievers. We played some games then broke into small groups to discuss the differences and similarities between University life in India versus the States. It was great to learn about the factors that go into making university decisions and see the type of commitment that is involved in pursuing higher education. We had close to 80 people there and probably 25 or so came because they have been joining us for English classes this past week. Great day. Great team effort! Tomorrow: Taj Mahal!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBSnOyJV3I/AAAAAAAAAgE/iQSle16DbG0/s1600-h/Focal+Point.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBSnOyJV3I/AAAAAAAAAgE/iQSle16DbG0/s320/Focal+Point.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336856392370837362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBSm4OtiBI/AAAAAAAAAf8/wGoaLUkbdyc/s1600-h/Evan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_TYdS-LuWaYA/ShBSm4OtiBI/AAAAAAAAAf8/wGoaLUkbdyc/s320/Evan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336856386316634130" border="0" /></a>Paul and Whitney Atkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06577082604707741940noreply@blogger.com0