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  • James M. 7:58 am on February 24, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    We had a great day, Vicki and I, at Tenn. Bible College’s lectureship, in Cookville TN, yesterday. Met our own Fellow Eugene A., from Keltonburg, and the brother Josh from Smithville who came with him. That was a great pleasure. But I forgot to get a pic of us together.

    And it was a pleasure to hear Weylan D. speak, and see his son Orrin again, who’s a student at TBC. Weylan always has thoughtful things to say, with practical applcations. He spoke on the topic, “Early Will I Seek Thee.” I believe I heard that audio will be posted on the TBC website at http://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/lectureship.html . We were blessed to hear two other fine lessons before lunch and our trip back to kids and grandkids.

    Funny note: I lost a button on my coat while there. Couldn’t find it before I left. But Orrin tells me they found it. I didn’t notice it was gone until it lost itself. The last time I wore that sports coat was in the USA months or years ago. No occasion and no weather for it in Brazil. That’s right, the congregations there don’t use coats and ties. Preachers, eat your hearts out. ;-)

    Tomorrow, it looks like The Maiden and I will catch a day or two of the lectures at Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies. See you there?

     

    • Stephen R. Bradd 8:37 pm on February 24, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      No coat or tie? Heathen! I suppose you don’t use the Authorized Version either? :)

  • James M. 11:34 am on February 18, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: itinerary, travel   

    Our US itinerary 

    Doing last-minute chores before heading to the bus station, for a bus to the airport. Will leave car with mechanic. Clothes now dry pulled off line, wet clothes hung on line, office rent paid ahead of time, other bills paid, house key left with friends. Wife has cleaned out fridge, is out running her errands, purchasing gifts, etc. Have made tentative itinerary:

    http://randal.tiddlyspace.com/#Spring2013Itinerary

    Would love to see any and all of you at some point on this timeline. We’re looking forward to seeing the new grandbaby, bouncing the other two on the knee, and even kissing our own kids. Will make a pass by our parents as well.

     

  • James M. 4:14 am on February 17, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    Our time changed last night. We went off DST. So we one hour closer to you in America. Would have been really helpful if it had changed last week. Would have made the adjustment to CST easier. We’re headed your way tomorrow. At least, it’s not a time difference of 8 or 12 hours. Those must be real doosies.

     

  • TFRStaff 6:54 am on August 31, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

     

  • James M. 4:40 pm on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    Notes on a mostly smooth journey 

    On occasion we bump into people we know at big airports like DFW, as we did today. Barbara Leite and her two girls were traveling to visit in-laws in Brazil, were on the same plane as we were. Barbara is the daughter of veteran missionaries Bryan and Jacqueline Bost. There’s just something warm and pleasant about seeing familiar faces in places like airports, bumping into friends along your journey.

    • The first time that happened to me, as I recall, was in 1978 or ’79. I was returning to the US from a campaign in Brazil, my first or second there (here), I’m not sure, but I think it was the second. Howard Norton and I wound up on the same plane and were able to sit together. That visit was important for me as he encouraged me to pursue a master’s degree and get some experience before moving to the mission field.

    • I took Howard’s advice. It was sound counsel for me.

    • Our plane last night hit an air pocket and dropped suddenly. A young man was making his way down the aisle, from the bathroom perhaps, when it happened. After the drop, he ran, literally, to his seat. The turbulence set the whole plane a-chatter. But before and after that one drop, the flight was smooth.

    • That happened, too, on my very first international flight, from JFK in New York to London, in 1976, when the A Cappella Singers of FHU headed to Europe for a campaign and tour. It was a prolonged drop, frightening. I seem to remember one or more persons bumping their heads on the ceiling. Right off, I was convinced of the need to remain belted in when seated.

    • On the domestic leg from Nashville to DFW, I can’t but overhear a conversation directly behind me between an older gentleman and a woman. He asks what her husband does for a living. Cost accounting, I think, was the answer. He asked her what that was. She didn’t know. I thought that was sad, that a wife didn’t know what her husband did to provide her and her children a living.

    • I’m grateful to God and thankful to my wife that she participates in what I do.

    • I often complain of Brazilian red tape, so I feel obligated to mention one less document needed. In the São Paulo airport this morning, I asked about the paper to fill out for customs. I was told that, if one had nothing to declare, no paper was necessary. You just walk right through. (Of course, an official sits watching passengers leave and can pull anyone over to examine bags.) Now that’s progress!

     

    • John Henson 7:10 pm on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I’m thankful for the work you and your wife and family are doing and how you’ve continued it in the same way Paul did in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.

      • J. Randal Matheny 7:13 pm on June 26, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, John. We certainly don’t come close to saint Paul’s knees, but we’re glad to do our little bit in the kingdom, thankful the Lord makes room for little folk like us.

  • James M. 5:42 pm on May 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    States in common 

    At the moment, the TFR site has reached the top number of hits ever. Let’s see how far it gets at day’s end.

    • Beautiful day in Denton TX and a blessed time with the Weylan Deaver family. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a moment with the Sherman Drive congregation and share updates (video link) on our work.

    • Thanks to the Deaver’s for providing me time and space to write the first draft of the article, “Being a Family in a Strange Land,” for The Jenkins Institute’s magazine, Hope and Expectation.

    • What do Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida have in common? They all have churches regularly supporting our GoSpeak/Forthright ministry. God bless them all!

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  • James M. 6:54 am on May 6, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel   

    Traveling man 

    I ask your prayers today as I travel to the US. This afternoon I’ll catch a bus from here to the airport, which will take about an hour and a half. Then check-in and that long wait for the international overnight flight. Then the domestic flight to Nashville. Not a bad routine, much better than some, in terms of time and changes. Much better than a couple of hundred years ago, when, by the time, Lord permitting, I reach my destiny, a ship would still be in sight of shore, likely.

    Safety, first, then schedule. Those are the two we usually pray for on our trips. And comfort? Can we pray for that?

     

  • James M. 4:45 pm on April 17, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: American citizenship, , Social Security, travel   

    Here, there, and back again 

    Our weekend and First Day with the Contagem church, to speak on the eldership, was a blessing to us, as I hope we were to them. We arrived home last night and are in a frenzy to get The Missus and The Maiden on the plane tomorrow night headed to the US. I will follow them next month.

    • I hate doing this separation thing from The Missus. Remind me again why we did this.

    • The Fellows have carried on swimmingly without me. So glad to see you doing such a good job. Site visits continue to be up, thanks to your united efforts.

    • With all the electronic wizardry, it ought to be easier to get to your money when you need it. Not necessarily so, however. In one instance, with all the travel and leaving bills paid ahead of time, we’ve had to resort to … the U.S. Postal System. Now that’s a throwback if I’ve ever seen one. (More …)

     

  • Eugene Adkins 7:02 pm on March 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel,   

    Trip Essentials 

    The Bible and a GPS – they both help you to know where you’re going and how to get there!

    The Family and a Camera - what’s a trip without the free souvenir photos?

    A great Attitude and Snacks – nobody wants to be trapped in a car with a “grumpy bear” for 400 miles.

     

  • James M. 8:57 am on March 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , road trips, travel   

    Nudge: Road-trip essentials 

    Road tripAnswer if you dare: List your must-haves for a successful road trip, especially if it’s unusual. Why do you consider it essential?

    With the hassle of air travel, perhaps the road trip is experiencing a revival, would you say? Unless fuel prices are keeping people home.

    Thanks to plinky for today’s Nudge question.

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    • Weylan Deaver 9:04 am on March 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Coffee is good (though not as good as the kind Randal drinks in Brazil). And a sense of humor, especially in a mini-van full of teens.

      • Chad Dollahite 11:10 pm on March 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Agreed, Weylan…it’s nearly a must! I’ve had some of that Brazilian coffee (via David Fowler), & it’s pretty stout stuff. I did discover, quite by accident, that to get the best flavor out of it, you have to use an old-school percolator. It was pretty good before, but when I used that old percolator, it was really good!

  • James M. 4:52 pm on August 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel, ,   

    Anywhere on earth in an hour 

    air travel• Mike Benson is back writing his Fidelity column on Forthright Mag. Glad to have him contributing there again. He continues with his KneEmail devotional, mostly edited articles from around the net.

    • A nighttime cityscape for the new TFR header. Opinions? Ferreting these out on the web are always a challenge.

    • Larry M. and Weylan D. are off to Polishing the Pulpit, in east Tenn. Any others?

    • Summer series, held mostly on Wednesday nights, we presume, are winding up for many American churches. These were unheard of a few years ago. Now it seems most congregations have joined the bandwagon. Why their popularity?

    • Barbara Ann was to have returned to the U.S. today from Central America, after several months in Honduras and Costa Rica. We hope she’ll be more connected and able to be around a bit more.

    • Volume 5, as it is styled, of World Evangelism’s Global Harvest magazine is now available online.

    • Get to any point on earth within an hour. That’s the mission of DARPA’s HTV-2 plane (photo above), flying at Mach 20 (not 2.0 but twenty) today. The test didn’t go so well. But if they perfect it, I’m ready to fly in it. Think about it: from Houston to São Paulo in, say, 20 minutes.

    UPDATE: This is post number 5,100 for TFR.

     

    • Don Ruhl 6:24 pm on August 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Not only would I fly a plane that could go Mach 20, but I would be a passenger in it if they would not let me fly it.

    • J. Randal Matheny 6:41 pm on August 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I meant fly as a passenger. But I wouldn’t mind taking a turn in the pilot’s seat.

  • James M. 12:08 pm on July 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel,   

    Travel tips 

    We’re having fun with family, already drove from Tenn. to Miss. and back since Tuesday. Next week, to Ark. and back.

    • Today is the grandbaby’s first birthday, with full rights to Brazilian-style party, churrasco cookout, vinagrete (Brazilian version of galo de pico, much superior), brigadeiro chocolate sweets, passion-fruit mousse. The thunderstorm has blown over, we hope the ground dries before 5 p.m.

    • In the photo, the daughters-in-law and daughter (middle) are fixing the brigadeiros and the other sweets with coconut. They have to be rolled by hand.

    • An incentive to keep my gray-speckled beard: the other day I got the Senior drink discount at Jack’s Hamburgers. Any squeamishness at people thinking I’m old is overcome by this Scottish-blood satisfaction at saving a penny. Nothing comparable to this in Brazil.

    • When flying with family, the good-looking daughter gets x-rayed. One gets this suspicious feeling it’s not a coincidence. Maybe I’ve been in Brazil too long, where people generally don’t trust officials with badges and clothing patches.

    • I’m keeping up with the Portuguese and English devotionals so far, if but a bit later in the day than usual. No images for the webpages, but the essential text is there.

    • During our 25+ years, we’ve never taken a vacation. We’re considering this our first. On the flight to Houston, the Lord gave each of us an empty seat next to our economy straight-jackets. More room, more rest.

    • Oh, the travel tips: travel light, don’t carry valuables, be flexible, go during off-season, take plenty of sunscreen, fingernail clippers, and patience. And enjoy. Like me.

    UPDATE: The Missus says we’ll have the fantastic, unique Brazilian cheesebread, pão de queijo. Life just went up another notch.

     

    • Mike Riley 2:11 pm on July 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, You mean they didn’t x-ray you to see whether or not you were carrying a WMD? By the way, never say, “Hi Jack” on an airplane, cause that’s an immediate dead give away! HA!

      And all of this bread and stuff is making me very hungry. You are one lucky man to have all of those good cooks at your beck and call.

      And you’re not old yet! HA!

      Enjoy your vacation – you and your family deserve one after 25+ years!

      Mike

    • Ron 6:44 am on July 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I enjoyed reading this, especially the portion about the senior discount. I am not sure when it will APPEAR that I need one (I think I am a couple-three years behind you), but that discount will be nice.

      • J. Randal Matheny 7:40 am on July 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Mike, it was all tasty, wish you could have been here. It’s been great thus far.

        Ron, I trimmed the beard back to the nub, so I’ll probably not get another discount for a while. :)

    • Chad Dollahite 4:44 pm on July 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Sounds like a lot of fun…hope you enjoy your time here & have safe travels

  • James M. 10:02 pm on July 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , travel   

    New discoveries when I’m teaching 

    fellowship

    Here’s the pic from our pizza party Friday night in Taubate. Good friends here. I took this with Haroldo’s camera, so I had to tinker with it, since it had no flash. This was after we demolished the food. Nothing left.

    The pics from the birthday party last night are here.

    Did I tell you already that I’ll be away some from the Internet this week, as we travel? I can’t remember to whom I’ve said what. Such is the whirl of preparation.

    Do carry on normally. More than normal. Take up the slack for me, please.

    We saw the granddaughter tonight on skype, did the usual grandparent-baby-talk thing. My parents didn’t have that blessing when our kids were growing up on a different continent from them. They sacrificed a lot as we did our work. His work. And they did it gladly, mostly.

    I preached this morning, taught our new Bible school this afternoon, led singing, also. I think I’ve finally gotten used to leading singing. At least, among the brethren here in Brazil. Don’t ask me to do it in the U.S. Scares me to death.

    But I love to teach. Preach, also. The more the merrier. The interaction in teaching, though, is what makes it even more interesting to me. Love to draw people out. Make ‘em think. Challenge in the best way possible, toward growth, toward love for the Lord, toward commitment to the Kingdom.

    I often make new discoveries when I’m teaching — in the act of teaching, not just the preparation. The back-and-forth discussion seems to make that happen. Something about that dynamic. You know I’m not charismatic, nothing like that, but the Spirit of God moves powerfully to bring out his truth in such moments. Is it OK to attribute that happening to the Spirit? No miracles, no supernatural revelation, just God working, as he does everywhere, in everything.

    Well, I have bags to pack. Or maybe I’ll sleep on it, and in the morning see what clothes fall in the suitcase during the night.

    Say a prayer for our trip, please.

     

    • Don Petty 11:04 pm on July 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      God bless you in your travels and work you do for Him. Don Petty, Dallas

    • Beth 3:06 am on July 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I do not believe there are miracles today, nor do believe we are led by the Spirit, but I do believe God is at work every day of the world.

    • Rick Kelley 6:00 am on July 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (Rom. 8:13-14). Terminology that has been otherwise hijacked and used illegitimately, ought not scare us from using it biblically.

      • Rick Kelley 6:01 am on July 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        And, a prayer for your safe travels…

    • Ron Jackson 6:54 am on July 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Have safe travels brother and will pray for your safe return home.

      • J. Randal Matheny 7:14 am on July 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, Ron and Rick!

        Rick, you’re spot on, that we shouldn’t be scared of biblical language even though it’s misused by others.

    • stevelucas 9:10 am on July 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      “We saw the granddaughter tonight on skype, did the usual grandparent-baby-talk thing. My parents didn’t have that blessing when our kids were growing up on a different continent from them. They sacrificed a lot as we did our work. His work. And they did it gladly, mostly.”

      Randall, Having lost my parents and father in law to earthly death over the past few years, may be the reason I have thought more about them lately. Why is that, that we delay thinking about those we love until we can no longer do something about it? I believe it is the plan of the devil, let’s make God’s people delay or put off to tomorrow what can be done today. And possibly that is Satan’s most effective tool we need to fight. Having said that, if your parents were like many others, they certainly sacrificed much when you were growing up, when in their daily presence. For, as a parent for 28 years, I am finally understanding that that is one of the greatest attributes of a parent, a willingness to sacrifice. Does it make me love my parents even more than I did when they were in my presence, absolutely! Now, even more so, my love for my Heavenly Father becomes greater each day, each day until I see he, when my faith becomes sight, for he sacrificed even more, His Son. So then, until then, may I find opportunities to sacrifice for others who love the Lord. And, for the love of others.

  • James M. 9:16 am on July 23, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    Encouraged by the faith of Christian friends 

    As the access problem allows (seems I’m one of a few still having net problems on BNc and FMag), I’ve been setting up Mike Benson’s KneEmail site, have made a start. Still much to do there, like the footer widgets with list of articles. His site was hosted by Forthright Mag on the old site, so we’re transferring it to the new spot.

    • Today’s Quick Bible Truth: This command has no age limit, applies to young and old: “Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.” Pr 23.12 NLT.

    • I’m glad to see friends still poring over the words of God, even after years of study. Old guys still learning. Some have never started that commitment, others have retired from knowledge, some preachers recycle sermons ad inifinitum, but a few try to read the Book as if for the first time. That’s encouraging.

    • Our family went out last night for pizza with a few friends in Taubate. (If Haroldo posts his pics, I’ll swipe one and post it.) Good food, good fellowship, good conversation. What I needed. Times are one needs to just kick back and enjoy. No better way to do it than with Christian friends and be encouraged by their faith.

    • Are there times you feel alone? I suppose it’s a universal feeling, except for a few extroverts, perhaps. Christian friends are a godsend in the truest sense of the term. Divine pick-me-ups. Satisfaction for the soul.

    • Let me get biblical on you about this subject. Paul had friends to attend to his needs (Acts 24:23; 27:3). The references are probably to physical needs, but the spiritual may be in view as well. John referred to Christians as friends (3 John 14). The apostles went to their friends after being released from prison and they prayed together (Acts 4:23). Jesus, of course, called his disciples friends (John 15:13-15) and Lazarus as well (John 11:11).

    • I once had in mind to write a book on friendship. Many years ago. Maybe in another 50 years I’ll be qualified for the task.

    • With our trip next week, I’ll likely be out of pocket for a number of days. Have tried to do a few things, like QBT, ahead of time. But there’ll be a drop in my online activity, for sure. I always dread traveling shortly before the fact, almost always enjoy having done it after the fact. And always glad to be back in my little corner called home.

    Have a good weekend, my friends.

     

  • James M. 4:40 am on March 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel, trips   

    Daily Nudge: Where’s Wally? 

    trips ahoyWell, Wally is lost somewhere, but where are you? Barbara Ann and Chad, we know, are gallivanting in lands afar, Larry, too, is on the road in swampy ground. And the family and I made a quick jaunt Sunday.

    So tell us where you are, what you’re up to, who you’re with. Or where you’ve been recently, if you’re shortly returned from a trip.

    Jesus made trips, Paul did, too. Christians were often on the move, and always on foot for the gospel.

    Maybe yours was for that reason, maybe for other motives, but a change of scenery often provides renewal for the heart and mind.

    Where are you?

     

  • Richard Mansel 7:14 am on March 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , travel   

    Technology Makes the World Smaller 

    Michael Brooks’ article this morning at Forthright coalesced nicely with what was on my mind. Michael wrote about his travels to Asia for mission trips.

    He wrote:

    It is more than 10,000 miles by air from my home in Alabama to South Asia, to where I have traveled this past week. There is twelve hours difference (twelve time zones) between Alabama time and Bangladesh time. In other words they are exactly on opposite sides of the earth.

    Jet lag is a concept with which I am very familiar. After flying for about 26 hours of actual time in the air over an elapsed total time of 36 to 42 hours on average, I am always tired and physically confused. My mind may say “It is morning, let’s get to work.” My body however responds, “I am tired; it is time to sleep.”


    I remember my second trip home from New Zealand. We left Wellington at 3:00 PM on Friday afternoon. We landed in Memphis on Friday night at 9:00 PM. That was such a strange experience! You fly around the world and it is actually only a few hours later because of the international date line.

    Of course, it may have only been six hours later, in one respect, to my body it seemed to be several days. I was exhausted.

    (More …)

     

    • Mike Riley 10:39 am on March 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Jet lag does make one very tired. I experienced the same when I was in the US Air Force flying to Okinawa. Upon my return to the states, I slept for three days, only waking long enough to eat something.

  • James M. 3:40 am on December 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    Daily Nudge: Christmas travel — and news 

    Do you travel for Christmas or do family or friends travel to you? If you travel, how far, and across how many states or countries? Does that travel involve roads or airways or rail?

    I hear our airports and bus stations are bursting at the seams with holiday travelers. In the Sao Paulo / Guarulhos airport, one-third of the flights are taking off more than 30 minutes late. Many of the main roads are full of cars, says the newspaper (pic). The two Interstates coming our way toward Rio had 8 and 10 km of traffic backed up last night. Forty-five thousand people were supposed to have traveled through Rio’s bus station Thursday night, with 340 thousand through the 26th. In Sao Paulo 150 thousand will travel between yesterday and today.

    Tell us about the disciples in your town, region, or state on this Christmas Eve Day (can you say it like that?).

     

  • James M. 8:33 pm on November 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    Hi, guys. Been very busy, studying now to teach and preach at the Central congregation here in the morning, got invited to do that as well. Have been teaching 6 hrs a day, visiting and chatting at least another 10-12. Arriving home tomorrow night, Lord permitting. Have had almost no Internet time, in spite of having wifi at school and home where we’re staying. Will check in later. Carry on!

     

    • Mike Riley 9:18 pm on November 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, we pray that your teaching has been effective and that many souls will be led to Christ as a result. Pray for your safe return home.

  • Ron Thomas 8:18 pm on November 25, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    A real man 

    I am calling it a night shortly. Tomorrow, at 0-dark-30, my wife and I will arise and head back to Illinois. Expectations are that in the AM the rain tonight will be treacherous because it will be below freezing.

    I saw a headline on DRUDGE where Putin called the American actor Dicaprio a real man. I have been thinking about that already, but not about the actor, and especially not about a government leader giving his evaluation of an actor! In my little corner of the world, it is a topic of some thought. In any case, I thought it might be interesting to hear what others thought a real man actually is and does.

    Also, you might tell us how your Thanks-Giving holiday went.

     

  • Ron Thomas 5:28 am on November 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    Thanksgiving plans 

    Anne and I will leave today for OH, returning Friday. We normally have a quiet holiday, though we will be on the road for three/fifths of a day (total). Not always pleasant, but tolerable. Our daughters and Anne’s parents are in OH. Thus, the plans are to travel, arrive, and re-connect.

     

  • James M. 1:21 pm on November 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: absence, , travel   

    Up, up and away 

    Tomorrow night Vicki and I go to another state where I’ll teach for a week, returning the following Sunday. With a full schedule, I’ll not be posting much, if at all. Don’t know what Internet access will be like there. Looks like one of our Fellows may be taking on the Nudge, posting a few during the week, if not every day. Please keep up the good work, and share your insights and perspectives with the world. Lord permitting, we’ll be back before you know it, maybe before you’re ready for me.

     

    • Mike Riley 2:24 pm on November 20, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Have a safe and prosperous trip, Randal! Will be praying that your teaching will bring forth much fruit.

  • James M. 6:32 pm on September 22, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Christian hospitality, travel   

    Sweet, sweet home 

    You may have seen me tweeting happily about being home. We arrived safely this morning, not too worse for wear, though the body feels it more as age increases.

    I’m overjoyed to be home, especially because in the 2009-2010 period, I’ve been to the US four times, and often for long periods, such as two months last fall and seven weeks this time. I’d like to think that I could skip 2011 and not travel again until 2012. But needs may not allow that. And there is, of course, a grand-daughter waiting for another visit from vovô.

    The house seemed to be in good order, though it hadn’t been cleaned right before our arrival, as we’d arranged. So there’s lots of dust.

    I napped, showered, and asked the wife if I was human again. For all my groans, the trip went well, and we arrived on time.

    Though the trip was a crazy road-eating daze of miles, beds, towns and churches, we had our fun moments, and Leila and I began making a list of a few of those night before last. We’ll share that somewhere, at some point, I hope.

    Brethren were hospitable, kind to a fault, and we were blessed to sleep in each bed provided us, pass through each town, meet new friends, observe churches new to us. Reminds us of how wonderful heaven must be, especially without the odometer running.

     

  • James M. 10:00 am on August 14, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    Out of pocket again, for a good cause 

    Today we’ll be with our own Steve Lucas and family (or just wife?), with a trip to the Oklahoma City Memorial, among other things. We’re grateful to Steve for opening the congregational doors, so to speak, for us to talk about our work. He’s made a lot of contacts for us as well.

    We’ll likely be out of pocket for a time, until next week. Perhaps we can pop in once in a while, who knows? In the meantime, carry on as usual, continue sharing those thoughts and experiences in Christ that enrich TFR.

    BTW, I have a new ministry report up, vol. 26,  no. 7, as we head for our 26th year in Brazil come November.

    Speaking of opening doors, thanks also to Weylan: the Sherman Drive congregation where he works decided Wednesday night to partner with us.

     

  • Richard Mansel 7:27 am on July 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel,   

    Vacation Time 

    We go every December to visit family but that is almost constant activity and over 1,000 miles of driving. It is a great joy to see our families and we cherish the moments, but you don’t get to rest the way your body needs.

    Deirdre and I wait until the girls are at camp and go stay in a cabin in Georgia and rest and fish all week. It is extraordinary and we whine about having to go back home, it is so wonderful. By the way, the cabin has wifi — I don’t know why I can’t be online during vacation. :)

    Someday, when we have an empty nest, we want to do some traveling. I want to go back and do a more thorough job of visiting St.  Augustine and we dream of a Civil War battlefield trip up the eastern seaboard. And then there is the Grand Canyon and New England….

    Maybe, maybe.

    Of course, if we had several large stacks of cash, we would like to go to Ireland and Italy. Deirdre also wants me to take her to New Zealand, since she has heard me talk about it so much.

    BTW, why do spell checkers always tell you that Zealand is misspelled? Haven’t they established themselves as a country, yet???

     

  • joyjensen 2:32 pm on July 4, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    Here is our latest post on our travelblog, which gives a quick overview of recent activities. http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Tanzania/North/Arusha/blog-511867.html

    We are in the final stage of packing and leave tomorrow night (afternoon for most of you). We are scheduled to arrive in OKC Tuesday late afternoon – a 27 hour journey. We’d appreciate your prayers.

     

    • Mike Riley 3:52 pm on July 4, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      You definitely have our prayers, Joy! Godspeed for a safe journey.

  • James M. 5:41 pm on June 16, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel   

    Details of arrival at home 

    After circling an hour in the sky because fog had closed the Sao Paulo airport, we started descent to land at the Campinas airport, refuel and await clearance for SP. Would have meant another couple of hours delay. At the last minute, SP was reopened and we coasted in for a landing.

    Meanwhile, Vicki and Leila, having been told of a Campinas landing and long delay, went for breakfast and a window-shopping stroll. I surfaced from the bowels of customs/baggage to be greeted … by no one. Read more on blog…

     

  • James M. 10:21 pm on June 10, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    Whew! 

    Just back from the preacher’s retreat. Was great! Saw some whom I’ve met before, like Stephen B., and made some new friends as well. Classes, discussions, devotionals, all was really great, thanks to the organization by Justin Odom and his congregation, as well as Ron T., who, through a quirk of agenda, missed the event.

    Am in Tenn., my son Joel’s wife Tansy is seven-months pregnant, in hospital with kidney stones. At my son’s house, going soon to hospital, while trying to catch up on four days’ worth of emails and messages and other sundry backlogs.

     

    • Richard Mansel 10:25 pm on June 10, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I missed you a lot. Sorry to hear about Tansy. All of you need our prayers. God Bless.

      • J. Randal Matheny 10:28 pm on June 10, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, Richard, and others. I’m at Joel’s house now, going to hospital shortly. Also, please pray for my younger brother. He went in alcohol detox Sunday week ago and I was with him every day during that. I had to leave for Ill. on the 4th, and on the 8th, he went into rehab. I won’t get to see him again before I return to Brazil next Monday, since he won’t be able to receive calls or visits.

    • Mike Riley 12:55 pm on June 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, good to hear from you! We are still praying for Tansy. I can’t even imagine the pain she must have with kidney stones. Will the doctors wait until after she delivers the baby before dealing with the stones?

      • J. Randal Matheny 1:15 pm on June 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, Mike, it’s good to be back, though access may be patchy for me these last days of my trip in the U.S. I leave Monday for Brazil.

        If she doesn’t pass the stones soon, apparently they may send her home and wait until after the delivery and then consider what procedure to use. They can’t do any of those with the pregnancy, from what I understand. Thanks for your prayers. They mean a lot.

        • Mike Riley 5:50 pm on June 11, 2010 Permalink

          You are very welcome for the prayers! Pray you’ll have a safe flight home on Monday. I know your family there anxiously awaits your arrival.

    • J. Randal Matheny 9:31 pm on June 11, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Tansy is now home, but still with at least one kidney stone, but it’s not moving apparently. Thanks for those prayers.

  • James M. 4:01 pm on May 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    More travel 

    As summer nears, I continue my travels, arriving home June 15. We’ll celebrate The Maiden‘s 18th birthday the next day. Then I’ll try to do a bit of real work (as if fund-raising weren’t), before returning to the States in August, possibly around the 10th of that month.

    The older I get, the less I like to travel, and the more I do of  it, seems like. We talked earlier about the Lord having a sense of humor. …

     

  • James M. 4:44 pm on May 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    I’m alive 

    Contrary to rumor, I am actually alive and kicking. My kick may not be as strong, but still there. Arrived US last Wed., spoke that night to congregation where my sister worships, Thursday to missionary retreat, where I spoke on Friday, then Saturday to Shoals Area Mission Forum, speaking again (photo, right, by Sandra Moore), Sunday morning at Iuka church where I talked to elders, lunch with mother-in-law, then spoke Sunday night at Acton church in Michie TN.

    Saw my boys yesterday for a bit, then back to Paragould today to my parents’, which serves for the moment as base of operations. Had a full nights’ sleep last night first time in over a week, really needed that.

    I’m resting today and trying to figure out where to go from here. Pray some doors will open up. So far, not much.

    Thanks, Richard for doing that Nudge. Shame on everybody for getting quiet in my absence. Keep at it! People are reading and want to be encouraged and inspired. You’re good at that. I know y’all.

     

    • Mike Riley 6:17 pm on May 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Randal, just a suggestion: Why don’t you contact a member of the faculty at the Memphis School of Preaching http://www.msop.org/faculty.php, and see what folks they could generate for you to contact. All of the faculty are not only mission minded, they have been on missionary efforts themselves, so they can be sympathetic to your efforts of gaining financial support.

      • J. Randal Matheny 1:41 am on May 19, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks, Mike, I don’t really know anybody there, but it would be worth a shot.

        • Mike Riley 2:22 pm on May 19, 2010 Permalink

          I totally believe in networking, and I would think that the faculty at the Memphis School of Preaching would already have a network in place, because they find financial sources to help their students who attend there. They’ve also just recently built and completed some student apartments on campus that cost a lot of money to construct, but they’ve just about paid those construction costs off, so they know a little about where to find financial resources: http://www.msop.org/publications/housing.pdf

  • Larry Miles 12:36 pm on April 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel   

    I have been in 43 states in my life. A few places I would like to see because of the natural beauty nad other reasosns are Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills in South Dakota and Yellowstone National Park in WY/MT I, too would like to see the Grand Canyon. I would like to viist England also. I feel like Laur’a comment below. The beauty of our country shows the handiwork of Almighty God.

     

  • Laura 12:34 pm on April 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel   

    Place I want to visit 

    Too many to count. Tops on my list are Scotland and New Zealand. :)

     

  • Richard Hill 12:19 pm on April 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel   

    I’ve always wanted to take a trip out through the NW part of the US. Randal and I were a part of a traveling group in college that took us to a lot of states, but never this section of the country. Many people speak of the beauty of Yellowstone. I’d like to see it for myself someday.

     

  • Richard Mansel 12:17 pm on April 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel   

    Places to Visit 

    I would love to visit Italy more than anything else. In the States, I would like to go up the Eastern Seaboard all the way to Maine, visiting battlefields and countless other sites. It would be a very special opportunity to learn and be in awe of our history. I would also like to go to the Grand Canyon. People say that you are never the same after seeing it. Finally, I have been to New Zealand twice, but never to the South Island. I would like to go back to NZ as a tourist and see more of the country.

    Of course, traveling to see Randal and Vicky would be a great blessing!

     

  • James M. 10:52 am on April 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: geography, , travel   

    Daily Nudge: place to visit 

    What place you’ve never been to that you’d like to visit? What attracts you to it? Why do you want to go there? A pretty straightforward question this Monday morning, less thinking you have to do, which, it would appear, is a major task for some people at the beginning of the work week.

     

    • Tina Cutsinger 1:10 pm on April 26, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I would love to tour the Holy Land. Walk the same ground Christ did, as well as Paul and all the other apostles and saints. At one time, I wanted to visit Australia, but they have soooo many posionious critters, I have changed my mind about that. The world is so beautiful, God has done such a magnificent job, I am hard pressed to pick where next to go.

  • Glenda Williams 6:12 pm on April 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: aviation, , travel   

    My interest in flying. 

    My interest in flying started when I was in about the third grade and in the hospital as a patient. My aunt and uncle brought me a book about Peter Pan. Oh, how I wanted to fly up and sit on one of those fluffy, white clouds. I compared it to a wagon full of freshly picked cotton (without that stiffling smell).

    My brother is a pilot and he flew us from Andalusia, AL to McMinnville, TN one day to visit with Doug’s parents. He knew of my keen interest in clouds and broke rules by flying through one so I could understand them better. That did it for me. My interest now is in their beauty and formations.

    I have flown other places and enjoy the speed as well as the beauty above the clouds. Quite frankly, I really prefer keeping my feet nearer the ground.

    I hope to upload a picture I made on our last flight to VA to see our daughter and family.

     

    • Richard Hill 9:40 pm on April 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Glenda, I was surprised by the description of freshly picked cotton as stifling. Having never been around a cotton harvest, I had just assumed a rather neutral odor. Does it smell like something else we might recognize or is it just it’s own unique smell?

      • J. Randal Matheny 10:27 pm on April 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Not stifling to me, at least, how I remember it. Hard to describe, though. Maybe Glenda can. I loved to play in the cotton wagon. Hated to pick it by hand though.

        • Glenda Williams 2:36 am on April 24, 2010 Permalink

          Wasn’t it amazing Randal, that we didn’t sink to the wagon floor through all that cotton? I remember being amazed at how it held me up. I enjoyed playing on it also, for a short period. I must write an article about my cotton picking after school, and post a picture of a field I made a year or so ago.

      • Glenda Williams 2:30 am on April 24, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Richard, I remember climbing up on the cotton in the wagon before they took it to the gin. It almost had a musty smell, but one that was very unique. It made me think I would have trouble breathing if I lingered there very long. But fun? Yes, indeed. What memories. I must write a post about my cotton-picking experience. I’ve made pictures of a pretty cotton field that I will also post.

        • Richard Hill 11:40 am on April 24, 2010 Permalink

          Interesting. I have a good friend here at church who used to pick cotton as a little girl in Mississippi. She said it was hard on the fingertips. I look forward to your post about it. Personally, I’m just getting a handle on the whether it’s a cotton or soybean field! At least from the road, it’s hard to tell the difference before you see the bolls and beans.

        • J. Randal Matheny 12:13 pm on April 24, 2010 Permalink

          To the trained eye …

  • James M. 11:13 am on April 23, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: air flight, travel   

    Daily Nudge: flying 

    Have you ever flown before in an airplane? Do it often? Like it? Any memorable experiences of flying, or not?

    The question comes to mind since The Missus and The Maiden are flying out this afternoon to go south to speak, the two of them, at a women’s retreat. (I’ll have to scrape by, somehow.)

    I was pulling a late nighter last night, since the ladies were up packing and planning last minute stuff. So I’m moving a bit later this morning as a result. Actually, the last few days, I’ve been basically at their beck and call, with the trip and with Missus doing intensive studies with a lady who, last night, after another Bible study, decided to be baptized Monday afternoon, if we can get my two back in time.

    I’ve been on more planes than I care to count, but will tell a story or two later in the day, after I see my ladies off.

     

  • Stephen R. Bradd 7:13 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: travel   

    I don’t mind traveling, though at 32 I’ve not done much of it yet. I’ve never been outside the USA and never been farther west than Colorado. When my wife & I are done having kids (and the little ones are a little older), I’ve considered the idea of relocating to a foreign field (I’d probably enjoy laboring in a preacher training school especially). I try to pray regularly for God to send me where I can do the most good. To date, I think staying put the last 10 years has been for the best. Perhaps I’ll always live in Clinton. Or maybe I’ll move to India or [gasp] Brazil! :)

    Regarding family news, Ranae’s due date has come and gone. We’re still waiting. Any day now boy #4 will arrive!

     

    • J. Randal Matheny 7:15 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Come on down, brother!

    • Ron 7:43 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Still here after mowing the church lawn.

      You will be good – real good – at whatever you pursue in this regard.

  • joyjensen 2:07 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , travel   

    I do like to travel! I’ve been to New Zealand, Jamaica, India, Malawi, and of course, Tanzania. Our traveling outside of the United States has always been mission-related, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It has been such a privilege to meet and worship with brethren in different parts of the world. Experiencing different cultures has definitely changed our world view and I believe it has given us a broader perspective of the church. When our children were growing up, my husband took turns taking them with him on various mission trips. Two daughters and one son have been to New Zealand, one son has been to Ukraine, and our oldest daughter has also been to Jamaica. Best of all is when our family has been able to travel together. In 2005 we all went together to India for a month. Together we spent a month in Malawi in 2006, and we moved to Tanzania in 2007. Our experiences have changed who we are, and hopefully for the better.

     

    • Mike Riley 2:18 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Joy, looks like you’ve seen a few countries yourself! It’s great that God’s people are able to not only see all of these countries, but to teach and preach the gospel while they are there. I’m certain you and your family have received a valuable education, without having to stick your head in one book.

      Though my travels to other countries, I’ve learned that here in the USA, people are virtually spoiled with the amount of material things they possess. Not so in those far-away lands. What few material possessions those folks have, they are thankful to have them.

  • Mike Riley 1:23 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , east, , , travel, trip, west   

    Do I Like To Travel? 

    Do I like to travel? No, not any more – can’t afford to travel. I got all of my traveling done when I was in the US Air Force. I went to the Far West (Okinawa, Japan, Thailand) and the Far East (England, France, Germany), and that’s about as “far” as I want to go. When I was in high school, my family took a trip to Canada and one summer, my music teacher and I went on a trip to the northern, eastern and southern part of the United States. So, I’ve just about seen it all. My grandmother once told me, “Mike, when you’ve seen one mountain, you’ve seen ‘em all.” The older I get, the more I believe she was right.

     

    • Glenda Williams 1:30 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Mike, most of my life has been spent living in the real South. No mountains in our area, just beautiful flat, green, lush land filled with cattle, peanuts, cotton or corn. No snow, just a flake here and there, sometimes. I’ve always wanted to go up on a quiet mountain to pray.

      • Mike Riley 1:47 pm on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply

        Glenda, there are plenty of mountains here in the USA to go pray on. One the most beautiful range of mountains that I’ve seen in the USA, are the Grand Tetons:

        Glacier National Park is beautiful as well:

  • James M. 10:01 am on April 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , travel   

    Daily Nudge: travel — and news 

    Why travel?

    Do you like to travel? If so, why? What about traveling gives you satisfaction? Yesterday’s Nudge asked about home, so today we’ll walk out the front door and catch a vision of lands far away. Today it’s easier, cheaper and quicker to travel, even considering the security measures in place since 9/11. Much quicker than a ship, for sure.

    Glad to see the posts last night after I called it quits. Was a bit of a slow day on TFR yesterday. Let’s ratchet up the activity here today, shall we?

    Do catch that item of news and opportunity that Glenda provided us. This would be a great service to provide.

    Off to the office, which is a 12-15-minute jaunt, more from there.

     

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