Curt Iles

I write to have influence and impact through well-told stories of my Louisiana Pineywoods life.

2 Stories: Why I’m thrilled about David Platt

              A Word from Curt: Passion! It’s a good word. It’s the best word that describe David Platt, our new president and leader of the International Mission Board. Passion. What’s even neater is that Platt has another trait that doesn’t always travel in lock step with passion. Humility. Those that know him use those …

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Blind Man Bart comes to Africa

  A word from Curt:  Desperation Desperation. Normally a word used in a negative connotation. But not always. In tonight’s Guard/Neighbor Bible Study, we’re studying the story of Blind Man Bart. A man with a God-sized problem who was desperate to get to Jesus. I call BMB (Blind Man Bart) a “Whatever It Takes” kind of guy. WIT    Whatever …

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A week to remember

    A word from Curt: Your prayer is oxygen for what God is doing here. Pray hard. Pray passionately. Pray often.   Since Twitter allows only 142 character updates, we’re limiting ourselves to 142 words on this prayer update. If you would share these praises and requests with your church, your family, and even your co-workers, we would be …

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Brick by Brick

                                This story, “Brick by Brick” is featured in our upcoming ebook,  Trampled Grass. I wonder where he’s at. I hope he’s still alive. I first met Batuk the Dinka at a lonely border checkpoint in South Sudan just north of the Tri-Corner of where …

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A Roof over our Heads

We’ve got a roof over our heads. And the kids are all fed. And the woman I love most of all Lies close beside me in our bed. Lord, give me the eyes to see Exactly what’s it’s worth And I will be the richest man on earth.” -Paul Overstreet “Richest Man on Earth” I’ve never really understood that term …

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Storm Fatigue

Prayer Update: Bob, Robert Franklin, and I leave Tuesday for a trip to Adjumani Camps in Uganda. Please pray for us as we share from the Storying Cloth, distribute Audio Storytellers in Dinka, Arabic, and Madi. We’ll be tweeting at hashtag  #UpCountry and Facebook at cur tiles.         “Storm Fatigue” is one of the forty stories in …

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Gleaning: Sketches and Shots on the Passionate Life

  A word from Curt The word is passion. It’s how I want to live my life. And you don’t have to come to Africa to live the passionate life. Part of my formula for the passionate life is journaling.  It’s been integral to my life since age 17. I’m now on journal #73.  Each weekend, I glean the previous …

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From Deep Roots: Trespassing

                  During July our oldest son Clay and his wife Robin have been visiting. Best of all, they’re brought  their four children. Our wonderful grandchildren: Maggie, Luke, Jude, and Noah. We’ve not hugged them since January 2013. DeDe and I plan to make up for that during their visit. I plan on …

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A Stranger in a Strange Land

A word from Curt The word is astonished. It’s a good word about being amazed, touched, inspired, even disturbed. As a stranger in a strange land, I’m daily awestruck  by the people and land of Central Africa. Join us on this astonishing journey. _________________________________________ The language/cultural barrier I’ve become friends with Anthony, a computer technician with Burt Systems in our …

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Showdown on MacArthur Drive

Branded  This story, from Deep Roots, is one of my favourites to tell to a live audience. “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” -Proverbs 21:23   The fight on MacArthur Drive was one-sided, and although it was over quickly, it’s never been forgotten. To truly appreciate Donald Perkins’ famous lop-sided 1970 scuffle in the middle …

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“Le petit Baton Rouge”

This is one of my favourite stories from Deep Roots. Enjoy!     “Le Petit Baton Rouge” The strong smell of hot peppers and vinegar stings your eyes and nostrils when arriving at Avery Island, Louisiana. You’re at the home of Tabasco Hot Sauce, south of Lafayette, Louisiana. Avery Island is not an actual island. It is a rounded hill …

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A Lesson from Rufus Hanchey

The Friendship Lane   The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. –Henry Boye Here’s a question: for what price would you sell your friendship. What amount of money would entice you to turn your back on a neighbor, friend, or family member. Most of us easily answer, “No amount of money.” That’s the correct …

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Across the Pea Patch: Remembering Don Hunt

A Word from Curt (L to R) Alice and Monica at RCS.  Technician Jacob is not shown. I want to thank my friends at RCS Communications for working on my Satellite Phone. This phone gives us coverage when we’re deep in the Bush.                   Today is Don Hunt’s birthday. He’s in Heaven, …

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