A Pineywoods Manifesto

A word from Curt Today is a travel day Up Country. Upcountry is that part of Uganda above the Nile River. It’s Wild. Open. Rustic. Beautiful. Frustrating. Pray for Charlie, Shane, and me as we travel. I can’t wait to show Shane Wilber this spot on the road north.   David Platt is the new leader of our organization, 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   …

Lifting the Barn. Together we can do it. Even if you skip today’s post, don’t miss this video of several hundred people moving a barn in Nebraska. http://youtu.be/o83W0gj_CRE is my favorite “Pamoja” story: Herman Ostry’s barn floor was under twenty-nine inches of water because of a rising creek. The Bruno, Nebraska farmer invited a few friends to a “barn raising.” …

        A word from Curt Truth.  It’s knowing the facts.  Seeing for yourself.  It’s the theme of this story. You’ll meet Oscar. And his dad. And a new word.  Ground truthing.   We’re posting chapters from our new ebook,  Trampled Grass, daily. You can download a copy in four ways: Read sample chapters or purchase at Amazon. Read …

                                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 …

  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 …

A Word from Curt; Today’s word is UpCountry As in #UpCountry. It’s where we’re at today. Seven of us:  David and Renee Crane, Gordy and Colleen Glaser, Brady Glaser, and DeDe and yours truly are in West Nile Uganda District. I’ve posted ahead for today’s blog. Enjoy! Pray for our work over the next few days.  You can follow our …

Engagement is the art of making and keeping relationships.

Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes off his shoes, The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries . . . -Elizabeth Barrett Browning “Lord, open my eyes that I may how You are working all around us. Amen.” Thoughts on Amazement  God has really been speaking to my heart …

  man·i·fes·to  noun \ˌma-nə-ˈfes-(ˌ)tō\ “a written statement that describes the policies, goals, and opinions of a person or group.” Bro. C’s Manifesto   My father, Clayton Iles, was affectionately known as “Brother C.” Today marks eleven years since his death from cancer. Just before we moved to Africa, my pastor, Charlie Bailey, handed me a sheaf of papers.  “I thought you …