Sailing Through Life...

She giggled while holding on to the steering wheel of the sailboat, a grin from ear to ear.  And quickly that giggle turned into laughter.  This was her first time on a sailboat; being encouraged and taught by her Papa (grandfather) how to gently guide us upriver.  Her sisters had each been in the same position over the years; each enjoyed the peace and gentle rocking of the boat on the waves, taught by their Dad’s dad how to sail.

Sasha and Papa - on her first sail - November 2010

Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving as a family in Florida, gathering around the familiar table with most of the family in attendance.  We praised God for His faithfulness, asked Him to bless those that couldn’t be there with us, and enjoyed the fellowship of the gift of family.  This was Sasha’s third Thanksgiving as our daughter, and she was now experiencing something that I hold very dear – sailing with my Dad. 

My Dad taught me how to sail when I still had single digits in my age.  A small Sailfish sailboat on the lakes of New England held my skinny frame as he taught me to feel the wind, duck under the boom while tacking, and right the boat after tipping over.  As I got older, we raced a 30’ Irwin on the Atlantic Ocean, learning together how to get the most out of a spinnaker or by tightening the jib and mainsail.

As I grew older, went to college, got married, and became a father myself, my Dad has been there with me.  He continues to offer guidance on dealing with the changing winds of this life.  Sometimes, we journey together, learning alongside each other how to adjust this or that to stay afloat and continue moving forward.

What a blessing to share a hint of this with my daughter.  Sasha is going to turn 18 tomorrow.  She’s been home with us for 2 ½ years now, and it’s amazing to share her “firsts”, even at this age.  She now has her mom, me, and a slew of sisters, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and dear friends to help guide her through the challenges in this river of life.  Thank you, Lord, for this blessing – that Sasha has a crew of loving family and guides to help her grow into adulthood.

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me your ways, O Lord,

teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

My question to you is… who taught (or is teaching) you how to sail through life? 

And the next question… who are you teaching how to sail?

Please think about this, make a comment, and thank the Lord for those blessings in your life.

David (right) teaches Ruslan how to sail

Traci's Great, Tasty Cake, and My Date

With a title like that, where to start? How about with Traci. It seems that indeed chemo is cumulative. Last Wednesday’s treatment went off without a hitch. Thursday was normal. Friday was too till about 8 p.m. Tough to tell if it was a lingering cold or the nastiness of the Taxotere Cytoxan chemo regime she’s on but Friday night was a new place for us on this journey. Saturday was a dark place. Rather not talk much about that. Sunday morning was more of the same but by about 2 p.m. on Sunday the darkness lifted and my sweet bride was on her way back. Monday morning was business as usual and our much prayed for and anticipated trip to Texas this Friday looks to be all systems go. Though it was hard God was evident and tender each step of the way.

What about the tasty cake you say? Well our church hosted a cake auction this past Saturday evening for our ministry. The purpose was to raise as much money as possible so as to sponsor as many orphans in our sponsorship program as possible for one year. We see this becoming an annual affair for our church. This was our second year to do it and we were trying to top last year’s nearly $2000 result and break the record as well of a cake that fetched $225. Despite the not so talented auctioneer, who we will simply refer to as “Traci’s Husband”, the crowd was committed, passionate and generous.

Nearly 30 cakes were brought and auctioned off. Every cake brought at least $75 and some got up into the $100s even. The bidding got serious with about 8 cakes to go when one teenage attendee outbid the husband of the cake’s maker with a bid of $305! For the sake of protecting the identity of this man who could not honor his wife by bidding highest for her cake, we’ll call him only “Benjamin’s Father.” The final cake of the night though was one to remember. 19 layers of chocolate goodness that was sure to bring a fair bid to bear on the auction. This cake has been a favorite of our church for years and years and its creator never fails to deliver when a monstrous cake is what’s called for. Aggressive bidding quickly took us over $300 and before long we were at $350. The tension in the room was so thick you could, that’s right, cut it with a knife. $375, $385, $400, and on it went. Finally, one man was left standing at $420 when he did the inconceivable. He outbid himself! The auctioneer smelled blood and went for the jugular. “$430” and he raised his hand. “$440” and his hand went back up. He was in the zone, treed as my college coach called it when a guy was so locked in he was unconscious of what he was doing. I, er the auctioneer, would spit out a number and up his hand went. “$450, $460, $470, $480, $490” the auctioneer cried as the bidder easily kept up. Finally, the room aghast at what they were seeing, the call was made for $500 for these 19 layers of life changing goodness. Up shot his hand to which a thunderous roar of applause followed. $500 went once, it went twice, and it was sold to the man who shares a home, marriage and family with the maker of said cake. Now, that’s a man who knows how to honor his wife!

The results of the night blew us away. More than $5500 was raised through our little cake auction and the result can be seen below as 17 year old Victoria Barker, she who paid $305 for my wife’s “Siberian Chocolate Mountain Delight” takes down 9 cards from our orphan board display. We still have more than 160 orphans remaining who don’t have sponsors so if you would like to help us in that regard, let me know. I’ll tell you how you can bring hope to one of these young one’s lives with just a $50 a month gift. Actually, one simple gift of $500 will put us over $6000 for the whole auction and allow us an even 10 kids sponsored. Anyone? Anyone?

Victoria Baker takes down 9 cards representing 9 children from Russia and Ukraine who have sponsors now as a result of our recent cake auction.

And finally, about my date. Admittedly, I’ve not dated much since 1994/1995. There was though a few years ago a young lady that came into my life that turned my heart and world on its masculine ear. Her name was and still is Anna Grace Browne. For the first time in my marriage and the first time in her life, we had a Daddy/Daughter date at Chick fil A on Friday night.

Rare are the occasions I don a suit but this young lady demanded Daddy’s very best. We had a time we’ll never forget. Look at our hands. I just think that is sweet! Ok, I’ll shut up now.

Kudos to the Monroe CFA for putting on a night to remember with a beautiful red rose, a tiara, black table cloths, and a sure nuff Maître d'!

A final word about hair. Many of you have asked and 7 of you have been downright belligerent wondering why I’m not bald. Well, a funny thing happened on the road to self promotion a few weeks ago. In short, my sweet wife said, “you know, I see enough baldness every day I look in the mirror. I’m not really sure I want to see anymore.” I heard her words but I listened to her heart. Seeing me looking odd and a bit corny would not bless her in the least. I let it ride for a few weeks to see if it might be better approached at a later time but I see clearly and willfully now that me shaving my head won’t really do anything to bless my wife. I’m all about blessing my bride so I’ve decided to just keep it high and tight like normal…except when it’s bushy and wild.

This was long. Thanks for reading. We’re doing very well.

Love you all and Happy Early Thanksgiving!
Rob

Rob Browne Director of Russian Operations rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org 1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344 Grayson, GA 30017

2011 Mission Team Opportunities

YouthReach International is pleased to announce our 2011 Mission Team plans for orphan outreach and mentor development.  We’re looking to partner with church groups of 6 to 8 people.  A team leader is required to attend a Team Leader Retreat in January, lead the team in fundraising, and prepare the team members through 8 team meetings and a retreat.

Mission Opportunities:

(Specific dates and itineraries will be determined after all teams are confirmed)

• Ukraine Spring Break Trip, 7 days, April, $3100
• Ukraine Orphan Camps, 12 days, June/July, $3100 (East Coast Teams)
• Ukraine Orphan Camps, 12 days, June/July, $3250 (West Coast Teams)
• Russia Day Camps, 9 days, June, $3990
• Russia Mentor Boot Camp, 9 days, July, $3500

We will offer assistance in team recruiting, fundraising training, and all logistics planning. 

Interested in joining us?  Get more information here… 

Here We Sit - Drip, Drip, Drip

Chemo #3 day is here.  We found ourselves kinda lighthearted today as we pulled into the hospital.  What seemed so strange and chocked full of fear a few months ago has become quite, dare we say, normal.  We will still be glad of course when it is all over and behind us but God has continued to make this whole affair quite tenable. 

 

Traci still only has had one major side effect and that is baldness.  Her head is sometimes exposed, sometimes wigged and sometimes capped depending on mode, occasion and weather.  I mean it.  There have been no other side effects.  People think I’m fibbing when I say this but I am not.  She did get a nasty cold this past weekend but it is pretty much gone now and it never was a threat to her not having chemo today.  Her immune system is “one resilient piece of work” her doctors say.  As I told some folks last night I was with, “Traci is a terrible candidate for cancer but a great candidate to beat it.”  Her outlook remains very, very good.

 

Hey, thanks so much for going to our friend’s site last week and reading their story and leaving a comment.  I have looked at it a few times and notice so many of your names.  Thanks again!  Remember that each comment left generates $2 which will offset their adoption expenses.  Pass that story on to anyone else you know and encourage them to do the same.  Read a story, leave a comment, raise $2 for their adoption (not even out of your own pocket), and get on with your day.  Can’t beat that.

 

We decided to try the “pay it forward” approach each update with something that is not so focused on us.  That’s why you heard about the above story last time.  We are getting a ton of attention and assistance through this whole journey but we are aware that we are just one journey of near countless journeys others are walking and some alone.  We want to share another one with you today.  This one will cost you something though - $1.  Here’s the deal.  Jonathan Bartelme was a member of one of our teams that went to Russia last year.  He loves the Lord and kids in a very convicting way.  He and his wife Brandi live in St. Louis and direct a ministry called Fields of Hope.  Among other great works they promote is the wonderful service of foster parenting.  I grew up in a foster home (meaning my home with my parents and brother was home to many, many foster kids through the years) and know from first-hand experience what a blessing and challenge being a foster family is.  Jonathan and Brandi have two children of their own and as of last week now have 2 biological sisters, ages 2 and 3, staying with them as well.  They have also decided to donate a week at a time share they have in Wisconsin to another foster family who, quite simply, could use a break.  We all know how needing a break feels, don’t we?  Here’s the hard part though.  Each family who is vying for the free week at this ski resort in Wisconsin had to submit an essay telling their story.  You can read their stories, choose one, and vote via a $1 gift (or more but a minimum gift of $1) which will help Jonathan and Brandi offset the costs of this kind gift.  $1 per vote so respond with that in mind.  Good luck choosing one story.  They are all touching.  Click here to check it out. 

 

With that, chemo #3 is now behind us.  Friends and family, we are ½ way done with chemotherapy!  How exciting is that.  Every step of the way God has gone before us just as he promised he would.  It continues to be humbling and encouraging the way you all have loved us the whole way too.  Traci received on the same day this past week a goodie box from a friend in Chicago of lotions and soaps and such (girly stuff you know) and from a friend in Italy of European chocolates.  As said earlier, we are being very, very taken care of, yea even spoiled, on this journey.  My wife is worth it however.  I am not.  We both thank you though.

 

That’s enough for now.  Our Cake Auction is this Saturday.  If you are here in the Atlanta area and want to know more, email me.  I’ll fill your inbox with what it’s all about. 

 

We love you, we thank you and we again are now half way through chemo!  Just had to repeat that.

 

Gratefully yours,

Rob and Traci

 

Rob Browne Director of Russian Operations   rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017

 

 

Traci Browne Update: Normal meets Normal

 (Sorry for all the attachments.  We’ll get to those in a second)

 

First of all, God continues to show amazing mercy and grace to Traci, myself and our kids on this journey to freedom from cancer that started back in the summer.  We are daily reminded that is God neither afraid, overwhelmed nor uninformed about our needs.  We have nothing to complain about and many things to rejoice over.  So, firstly, thanks to Him!

 

Also, thanks to you.  You continue to be the hands, feet, arms and heart of Christ to us all.  The acts of kindness shown to us are just short of mind numbing…as long as you think of mind numbing as being a good thing.  We do!  We really are without words to describe how much the blessings you show us encourage and empower us.

 

Speaking of normal, the old normal is now clashing with the new normal.  They together are making a supra-normal which so far has proven to be quite workable.  Part of the old normal had me traveling both domestically and internationally a lot.  The international part of that equation won’t kick back in until February.  The domestic part of it though has picked up of late as Traci is doing so well and we know that the two weeks before her next chemo treatment is a time we can all do a bit more as she feels her best then.  We were told that in time we would find a good routine to all of this and it is proving to be true.  I will be St. Louis, MO, this weekend speaking at 2 Rivers Church and also working with prospective team leaders for 2011.  Traci will be at a women’s weekend away in the North Georgia mountains with ladies from our church.  That’s pretty normal for us so in that sense the old normal is alive and well.

 

The new normal includes things like a wig, cute caps, and scarves.  Accessorizing has actually been a little joy God has blessed Traci with on this journey.  Those Target gift cards some of you have sent have done much to keep her perfectly shaped and very visible head warm on these increasingly cool fall days in Georgia.  The new normal also includes a keen sense of awareness and response to people we meet who have cancer.  We attended a prayer healing service last Sunday on the south side of Atlanta and Traci met there a young lady who had just found out a few days earlier she has breast cancer.  She was in the middle of shock and wondering and concern about what all of this means.  That place still is fresh on our hearts so it has been a great joy to Traci this week to begin reaching out to her via prayer, calls, and a few little gifts too.  We know we have much of our journey still to walk but it is so refreshing to be able to bless someone else on theirs. 

 

Halloween was, I believe, Traci’s first outing wigless.  That’s an important step I think.  She felt and looked great (see picture).  The AnnaCow and AidanCow also looked good too.  Just had to throw that in.  Step by step, all of this is helping us redefine normal in ways we never have before.

 

Two things we would like to let you know about that will bless you and others and be sincerely enjoyable as well.  First of all, if you will take 3 minutes to read an amazing story of God’s leading some friends of ours to adopt in Uganda and then take a few seconds to leave a comment, then an organization they are working with will donate $2 to offset their adoption expenses.  It will take much to erase all of the expense of course but every bit truly does help.  This is a way you can help them and be encouraged by their story without even pulling out your wallet.   Click here to read the story and please do leave a comment.

 

Speaking of orphans, this coming Sunday is Orphan Sunday.  More than 2000 events around the world will be held in the coming days to raise awareness and call for a response to the plight of these treasured ones of God.  YouthReach International has partnered with churches all over the U.S., in Europe and even in Africa to raise awareness and respond to the needs of orphans.  I would like to invite all of you that are in the Atlanta area to join our family’s church as we respond to this opportunity on Saturday, November 13, at our 2^nd Annual Cake Auction.  It’s easy to participate.  Bake a cake or cakes, bring the cake or cakes, enjoy a simple meal provided by our church, worship with us, and then be a part of our cake auction.  Bring some money to participate in the auction and pit yourself against the husband who must buy his wife’s cake.  It will be a fun time and a time of great response to the need of orphans in Russia and Ukraine.  All funds collected will go towards sponsoring as many orphans in our Orphan Sponsorship Program as possible for one year.  We will begin at 5 p.m. sharp at Greater Atlanta Christian School’s Student Family Center and will be finished by 8 p.m. with our meal, worship and auction.  I would ask you to kindly RSVP with me if you plan to come.  We want to make sure we have enough to eat.  We think we’ll have plenty of cakes for sure!  See attachment for more details.

 

Traci’s next chemo is this coming Wednesday.  Cumulative or not, chemo has thus far been very, very manageable.  A lot of that is true because of Traci’s tremendous attitude.  Meeting others and hearing of their journey makes us realize we have nothing, repeat nothing, to complain about or be down about.  All truly is well.

 

Hope to see you on the 13^th.  Thanks again for walking with us.

 

In Him,

Rob, Traci and 4 wonderful Browne children

 

P.S.  Bald Brown Men update coming soon.  Interesting lesson learned on my way to a shaved head…

 

Rob Browne Director of Russian Operations   rob@youthreach.org
678-935-0220 x103 Direct 404-518-5646 Cell 678-935-9674 Fax	http://www.youthreach.org           1911 Grayson Hwy, Ste 8-344           Grayson, GA 30017

 

 

YouthReach International To Be Featured on Atlanta TV tonight!

YouthReach International will be one of the featured guests tonight on WATC 57's Atlanta Live broadcast at 7PM (re-aired at 7AM tomorrow).  WATC may be viewed over the air (Channel 57), via cable providers, DirecTV, and DISH network.  


David Hennessey (Executive Director), Ruslan Asadov (staff member from Novosobirsk, Russia), and Victoria Barker (a Russia short-term missionary from the Atlanta area) will be speaking guests on the show.  We will discuss Orphan Sunday, the plight of orphans in Russia and Ukraine, and opportunities to serve these kids through Orphan Sponsorships and Mission Trips.


To find WATC Channel 57 on your Cable provider, click this link and then click "Cable Coverage".  You can also watch a live stream of the show from 7AM to 9PM tonight at http://www.watc.tv/.


If you're watching, please smile and wave at us.  We'll look through the camera and try to see you and wave back!

Churches Join Together for Orphan Sunday!

Churches around the world are joining together for Orphan Sunday (November 7, 2010) to being awareness of the plight of orphans to their congregations and to call the body of Christ to action to do something about it.  We encourage you to join these churches during their activities to unify our hearts, voices, and worship!

• Rockwood Baptist Church, Wed, Nov 17, 6:30 PM, Harvest Dinner(Wildwood, MO)
• Flagstaff Christian Fellowship, Sun, Nov 14, 9Am and 11AM, Worship
  (Flagstaff, AZ)
• Community Church of Christ, Sat, Nov 13, 5 PM, Worship, dinner, and Cake Auction
  (Norcross, GA)
• South Fulton St. Church of Christ, Sun, Nov 7, 10:00 AM, Worship Service
  (Denver, CO)
• 2Rivers Church, Sun, Nov 7, 10:30 AM, Worship Service
  (Lake St. Louis, MO)
• Otter Creek Church of Christ, Sun, Nov 7, 10:00AM, Worship Service
  (Brentwood, TN)
• Donelson Church of Christ, Sun, Nov 7, 9:00 AM, Worship Service
  (Nashville, TN)
• Home Church, Sun, Nov 7, Worship Service
  (Sterling Heights, MI)
• Home Church, Sun, Nov 7, Evening, Worship Service
  (Amarillo, TX)
• Gladeville United Methodist Church, Sun, Oct 31, 10:15 AM, Worship Service
  (Gladeville, TN)
• Hillcrest Church of Christ, Sun, Oct 31, 10:00 AM, Sunday School
  (Abilene, TX)
• Abilene Christian Schools, Wed, Oct 27, 7th and 8th grade
  (Abilene, TX)
• Kirovsky Church of Christ, Sun, Sep 19, Worship Service
  (Donetsk, Ukraine)