Louisiana Stories

A word from Curt This week is a time of adjustment.  Instead of trekking into South Sudan, we’re packing to go to the U.S.  It’s time to get rid of Smaug (that’s what I’m calling this dysenteric bug in my gut). I’m processing how I feel about all of this. With your permission, I’ll be sharing transparently this week about …

  A word from Curt Many of you are praying and holding the rope for us. Thank you. My dysentery bug has left me.  I hope for good. Pray for our trip this weekend to South Sudan.   “Keep ‘er between the ditches.” -Parting words of my friend, Mr. Frank Miller.           We spend lots of …

  Sunset on Banda Island, Lake Victoria Uganda New Blood II: Gotta have it. Yesterday, we shared about the need for new  blood in any organization and ministry. If you missed this blog about our new team member, JD Hull, and a guitar player named Steve Gaines, you can access it at   The second story is from Louisiana as …

This story’s too good not to share. The best stories always poke fun at the writer.  This fits the bill. Enjoy!     The Suggestion Box I still laugh everytime I think about it. The year was 1990. My friend and mentor, L.D. Spears, had taken a year of sabbatical and left East Beauregard High School in the shaky hands …

3 Key Prayer Points: Our home church, Dry Creek Baptist (La), arrives on May 7 for a week among their people group, the Kakwa. Curt and DeDe as they plan a late May trip to the Gambela region of Ethiopia. Wisdom and safety as we choose where to go in the coming months.               …

  A word from Curt Africans call it “Footing.” It’s a verb.  As in “I’m footing today.” I’ve discovered that to really know Africa, one must “go footing.” Or as we’d say back home in the land of the pines and missing g’s, Footin.     I grew up at the dead end of a one mile gravel road. Daddy …

A Word from Curt: We’re on Day 11 of our Nairobi hospital stay. Today’s word is Gratitude. I’ve been without diarrhea for over 24 hours. This is the longest dry spell (literally and figuratively) since early May. Still have a long ways to go but we’re moving ahead. DeDe and I cherish your prayers.   To my early readers:   I …

Question: what’s the most precious material possession you’ve lost? Reply here or in form at end of post. . . .  it was a reminder that the things in life that matter aren’t things.   I stared at the Ethiopian security worker as she removed my knife out of its case. “You cannot take that with you.” She handed the …

A note from Uganda:  I’m spending Whippoorwill Day 2015 in Uganda. Lord willing, I’ll be on Crooked Bayou Louisiana for 2016’s Whippoorwill Day. No whippoorwills here but several cousins, including the song of a dusky nightjar each morning and evening. Since today is Whippoorwill Day in Louisiana, I believe you’ll enjoy this story. If you’d enjoy my story,  “Whippoorwill Day” …

Yesterday, we shared a neat story about our local keynoter, Mr. Johnson. I titled his story, “Come on in, Mr. Johnson.”  You can read it at www.creekbank.net/blog In today’s post, I’ll share why the quotation is such a part of our family history. Enjoy!     Come on in, Mr. Johnson. Part 2 Families have traditions and rituals. It’s our job …

Current meeting of South Sudanese leaders, wives, fellow workers and team from Southeastern Seminary. A word from Curt Today, 9000 miles from our part of Africa,  DeDe’s father, Herbert Terry, will be buried in his beloved Harrisonburg, Louisiana. When we returned to Uganda two months ago,  Mr. Herbert told us, “You go on over there and finish the work God …

    Quote of the Day:   Lord, open my eyes to count my blessings one at a time.  Teach me to be grateful for the people in my life. Amen My Mom turned 80 yesterday. We had a long encouraging talk on the phone. She’s always an encourager in my life and we all need that. Especially from the …

Thoughts from a Foolish Chapter: Proverbs 26    “Never argue with a fool.  Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference “ –Mark Twain* Wisdom from Proverbs on Fools . . .     On the surface it appears contradictory.  One Proverb says to ignore fools and their foolish words.  The following advises a retort. Proverbs 26:4-5 NASB 4   …

  Elmer’s Open Hand I’m here in the dead heart of Africa.  It’s a country we’re calling (for now) “Dido.” DeDe and I have been here nearly a month and I’ve thought about Elmer Conner daily. Elmer Conner was one of my Lake Charles (Louisiana) heroes. A spiritual mentor and encourager during my years at Dry Creek Camp.   He …