TheJourney in Africa

An An Adult Male Purple Martin Wings and Roots   If you ask what I like best about purple martins, I’d reply, “It’s how these birds have wings and roots.” One of the joys of my rural life is the six months yearly the martins spend as my guests. These migratory birds, members of the swallow family, first arrive in …

Thursday, October 11 The following powerful story is from a choice couple serving in a difficult part of North Africa. I cannot list their names but beg you to pray for them and their sweet children. Dear Friends and Family, Thank you for being such an encouragement to us. I was watching a man across the street painting a house. …

The Journey Curt and DeDe Iles serving on East African Engaged Team                 Curt and DeDe Iles will begin serving in Uganda in 2013.  They’ll be working as Master’s/International Service Corps workers with the International Mission Board.   After two months of training in Virginia, they’ll make a short Christmas trip home, and …

  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 …

So our friends and readers can know what’s going on, here are frequently asked questions concerning our upcoming journey to Africa as well as our writing, plans, and dreams. When are you going? DeDe and I will first go for two months of training in Virginia. (Oct. 15-Dec.15).  We’ll return home for the holidays and leave for Uganda on January …

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 …

On The Journey Sunday, July 1 Mrs. Audry Tyler, age 90, shuffles past me on her walker.  Another church member says,  “Curt, I heard you’re going to be overseas on missions.” “Yes, we’ll be gone two to three years.” Mrs. Audry, who served me hundreds of lunches during my school days, says,  “Well, Curt, you won’t be seeing me again.” …

Thursday, June 28 It’s a mockingbird morning. The mockingbird that rules our front yard is a providing a free concert in the (slightly) cooler Louisiana morning. I sit, cup of coffee and Bible, for my quiet time.  In spite of the racket of his 5 note-7 song repertoire, I enjoy my time “alone”:  God, me, and a mockingbird. I’ve always …

Click here to hear podcast of “Burned Yet Blessed” From Deep Roots, the new short story collection by Curt Iles Burned yet Blessed “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today.” Nothing breaks my heart like a field of burned pines. Yet that is exactly what I’m looking at driving toward …

Notes from Africa: The Joys of a Bucket Bath   Waste not, Want not. Going green in Liberia     Steps to a great bucket bath: 1. Heat up a tea kettle and pan of water on the gas stove.   2.Pour hot water (carefully) into bucket in tub.   3. Let cool, but not too much. Get your soap …

Alvin Sompon and Abrahim A. Sarnor Words from the future of Africa. Alvin’s words on Service. Alvin is a rising senior at Ricks Institute. He is the son of the Ag teacher here. He’s been sharing with me about service. Here are a few of his thoughts: “Service is guiding the younger people to serve the older people of our …

Marcus Perkins Marcus and his Garden President Obama’s weekend visit to West Africa was big news inLiberia. We only heard sound bites from the BBC radio as we rode in a vehicle. Our Liberian friends told about the president’s words including phrases like: “We must start from the simple premise thatAfrica’s future is up to Africans.” To the youth, who …

Good eating at Ricks. This is our wonderful cook each day for lunch, Mrs. Musu. She’s cooked plenty of what I call “soul food.” We’ve had collard greens, potato greens, fish gravy (like catfish couvillian), and cabbage with chicken. This is how Ricks Institute. This is staff housing. Notice the palm trees. The palm nuts are a major source of …