It was great to be back at 5 Point yesterday.  I missed the people, the worship and teaching God's Word here so much.  After being gone for a month I was more than ready to get back into the swing of things. 

Yesterday was an awesome start to the summer.  I spoke about what God did in my life and how He used me in Africa.  A very emotional and heart felt message.  I spent a great deal of time on the vision God has given me for planting our first church.  5 Point of Tabora, Africa is up and running.  Much more about this in the days to come. 

Here are some of my thoughts on yesterday:
* Awesome to be back again.
* People were locked in to every word.
* Had no idea I spoke over 40 minutes.  Don't want to apologize but I don't want it to become the norm.
* Worship was good.  I missed worshiping with Tim and our band.  Glorious one was incredible.
* Tears of the Saints with the video Corey made really brought home the message.
* Sharing the story about not healing a leper was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to share form the stage.  It wasn't that I claim to be super spiritual but that I had missed out on doing something super natural for Christ.
* I asked people to help buy 200 chairs for our church in Tabora.  Each chair would cost $10.00.  I prayed God would lay on the hearts of our people to help.  We had over $3,500 given.  The other $1,500 will go towards buying the three acres of land we're looking at. 
It will cost $7,000. 
* Watching people bring their money and lay at the base of the chair on the stage was incredible.  I was broken both services.
* I also asked people to give $1.00 a day.  $30.00 a month for a minimum of one year.  I had been praying for 50 people.  Over 60 have signed up already and that doesn't count any of the staff.  Many people signed up to give more than one dollar a day.  We'll be able to buy the land withing two months and begin saving for the materials.
* My vision and hope is to have this church built and people worshiping within one year.
* Not sure how many signed up to make the trip to Africa next year.  I'll have a meeting in August to get things started.
* I'm sure people some people want to know why were raising money for a church in Africa when we need money here.  Fair question with a great answer.  Jesus is very clear about giving.  The more you give the more you receive.  Were not doing this to receive.  Were doing this because we are a church that wants to reach people for Jesus.  But, I can't wait to see how God uses this to bless our church here in Easley.
* Spoke with Renatus this morning.  He was overwhelmed with what God was doing here for their church in Africa.
He also sent me an e-mail thanking the church.  Read below:

Dearest Pastor Dean,
I am greeting you in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. I hope that you are doing fine in the Lord. My family and the church and I are doing fine also. I received your text message regarding your speaking about our church.  Thank yo so much.
 
I want to take this opportunity on behalf of my church and as a pastor to say thank you so much for your effort and everything you are doing for 5 point fellowship of Tabora. I love to see what God has started to do just in a short while. I know it is because His servant Dean (Big sexy) is a man of God.
 
I promise you that we will buy the chairs and do as you will ask us to do. Our joy as a church is beyond of normal. This has shown us that though we are facing muslims circumstances, we have brothers and Sisters who pray for us. The chairs and land will be bought and can show that we are serious and that we are preaching God who is able.
 
Again thank you so much. We will write  a thank you email to your church also about this. Thank you so much for everything you have done.
 
In Him

* If that don't get you jacked up, well I'll leave my opinion unknown.
* Had some great friends from West End (church I served in Gaffney) here for our worship.  So good to see them.
* Dwain spoke at one of his former churches. 

Some other thoughts:
* The rest of the week I'll be showing some videos of Africa.  Some of these things will rip your heart out. 
* Tomorrow I'll show the video of me singing The Gambler in Mexico.  I didn't realize I sounded that bad.
* Really excited about the future of 5 Point.
* Read in the paper that Wal-Mart is building a super center.  I want 5 Point n the existing Wal-Mart building.  Pray with me.
* Going to see Transformers 2 with my 10 year old tonight.
* Confession - I gained way too much weight on vacation.  Will give you weekly updates, but I WILL LOSE ALL MY FAT!
* I'll be blogging Monday - Friday from now on. 
* Just finished our staff meeting.  We're all willing to make changes and do whatever it takes to win people to Jesus.