Louisiana Stories

Armed and Ready    It’s odd that I’ve been thinking of Sheriff Bolivar Bishop here in Africa. We’ve been immersed in refugee matters for the past months.  Hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese have been on the move due to fighting within the country between government forces and defected military units. Recently, a Louisiana group of pastors from my home …

Scroll down through this history to read “Another Iles Comes Home to Sugartown.”   It was once called “The Queen of the Frontier.” There’s not much there now. But it once was the only civilisation between Alexandria and Orange, Texas. It’s called Sugartown.  At one time it was known for much more than just sweet watermelons.   History of Sugartown, …

Daddy   The first time she used the word while praying, it startled me.  I’d never heard the word Daddy used like that.   “Daddy, I want to come to you today in love and gratitude.”   She was a college student working with us at Dry Creek Camp.  For now, I’ll call her “Ty.”   Ty was a great …

It’s time for our Tuesday blog.   We blog three times weekly at TheCreek.  In addition to Tuesday, we have fresh stories on Thursdays, and Saturday. Speaking of fresh, here’s a fresh blog about a fresh subject.    Death by Kuku I’ve been in Africa for seven months. It seems like yesterday we got on a plane in Houston. In …

His face softened as he extended his hand. His grip was just as strong as I expected. I hope mine was too. “Sir, I really mean it. I appreciate what you did for our country.”

  We’ve been in Houston for a few days. It’s always a good trip to make me glad I live twenty-five miles from a traffic signal.     Trivia:  Did you know you can drive from Dry Creek, Louisiana to Pineville and never be stopped by a red light?   If you know the path, let me know.   As …

Part of our application process to serve with the International Mission Board was writing a 6-10 page “autobiography.” My wife DeDe looked at this requirement and shook her head.  “There’s no way I can write six pages about myself.” Curious Curt had a different reaction.  “How can I limit it to ten pages?” That’s why we make such a good …

Best part of my job:  I collect stories. The best stories I’m hearing now:  from the generation that saved the world.  Our Great Depression/World War II men and women. Join me in collecting their stories.  They’re all around you.  Grandparents, great grandparents, uncles, teachers.  They experienced first-hand a time that will never be repeated. Capture their stories.  Use your smart …

A Soldier’s Story Memorial Day 2012   It was a call I’d dreamed of :   “Sir, I’m contacting you because of your research on Medal of Honor winner, Sgt. Leroy Johnson.  My father was with him in Company K on December 15, 1944.  In fact, he saved my father’s life with his brave act . . . and my …

  “I’m a thousand miles away from home Waiting on a train.”  -Jimmie Rodgers If you’ve been following my social media this week,  you know I’ve been on a adventure. Monday afternoon I caught Amtrak’s Sunset Limited in Lake Charles and rode it to Los Angeles (arriving on Wednesday morning). Then I boarded the Coast Starlight which snaked along the …

For the birds May is a great month for birds. This morning was foggy with humidity you could stir with a stick, but it didn’t phase the birds. They slept in a few minutes and began their rituals slightly later. The bluebirds won the morning battle of the birds.  A quartet of them serenaded us as we walked. Arriving back …

In the Garden It’s always been one of my favorite places. The prayer garden at Dry Creek Camp. It was evidently one of Harvey Jones’s also. He wanted his ashes spread there. His memorial service was yesterday.  It was a celebration of a richly lived life.  Harvey loved his Lord, his wife Sissy, and his family and it was a …

"Louisiana's piney woods is completely different from well-known parts of our state like New Orleans and Cajun country.

This is a favorite chapter of readers of The Wayfaring Stranger. Enjoy! Joe looked at the knife he already knew too well. He had felt its cold steel against his neck. He was facing a killer and he was now at a great disadvantage. They circled each other like two dogs. Amos was moving the handle of the knife from …