Blessing at Lowe's Motor Speedway

Last weekend I found myself perched on top of a two story platform located behind pit row, at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, shooting video of speeding race cars and screaming fans. Yes, I often find myself in some interesting places when running a video camera for the six o’clock news. Why, just yesterday I had a front row seat for the dedication of the Billy Graham Library. I spent the ceremony getting close ups of Billy, Franklin, and of three former U.S. presidents. I’ve shot video of Bill Clinton before but this was the first time I had put a lens on Jimmy Carter and George Bush Sr. There were other notables in the crowd that I captured on tape. Joel Osteen of Lakewood Baptist in Houston, who sat practically right beside me, and country singer Ricky Scaggs also found his way onto my tape. Not a bad day of photography. But, I’ve gotten off the subject of this post. There is a reason why the NASCAR race this weekend is related to the Kenya Mission Trip I’m going on this summer.

I discovered at the race this weekend that people are actually reading this blog. I didn’t attach a hit counter because I view this blog as my electronic personal journal of the trip instead of a vehicle for getting my writing out there for strangers to read. I would keep a journal of the journey whether it was hand written or typed on the old Royal. However, I thought I would post it on-line so family and friends could read along as I experience each part of the ride. Turns out that was a good idea.

This fella in the photo is proof that folks are interested in Kenya. I met Kris Cook a few years ago when I first moved to Charlotte. He was carrying a lens for the competition but that’s never stopped photographers from putting the logo aside and becoming friends. Our employers may compete on television but us foot soldiers in the trenches know it can get terribly lonely hanging out at the edge of calamity without a friend to compare notes with. Kris has moved on to go into business for himself. Sort of a gun for hire if you will.

So, I no longer see him hanging out at the crime scene tape in the middle of the night anymore. I had lost touch with Kris until I found him hunched behind a Speed Channel fancy cam doing all the pre-flight checks on his equipment before heading out onto pit row. He greeted me as if we had just seen each other yesterday at some gov-co sponsored press conference and then he asked about the mission trip.

“I’ve been following along on your blog,” he said. Wow, I didn’t think anybody but my mom and a friend in Virginia were reading. Cool. Then Kris asked me how the fund raising was going. I told him I was about half way to my goal. As I blabbed on about all letters and e-mails I have sent out to folks, he reached down and drew his wallet out of a rear pocket on his faded blue jeans. I continued to spew words from my mouth as he opened up the black leather billfold and reached inside. When I finally stopped talking, he pulled a wad of bills out of the wallet and thrust then in my direction.

“Here,” he said, “Will this help?”

I stared at the crumpled pieces of worn green paper dangling in front of me as if Kris was holding the jeweled crown of Queen Elizabeth. My mouth opened but no words ventured out. Finally, my mind decided to send the most ridiculous stream of words I could have uttered at the moment to my voice box.

“Aw Kris, you don’t have to do that.”

What did I just say? I’ve been begging people for the last several months to spare a dollar or two for my cause. I’ve been making phone calls threatening family members that they wouldn’t get a Christmas card this year if they didn’t slide me some cash. I’ve told my friends I would break their arms if they didn’t ante-up. Here in front of me is a friend forking over his hard earned coin without the threats and all I can say is “you don’t have to do that.” What a nut brain.

Thanks Kris for stepping up to the plate and hitting a home run. I really appreciate you reading the blog and I hope I honor your donation by producing the best documentary my talents will allow.

I also want to thank Colleen Davis for being the first to use the PayPal donation button. I also hope to honor your donation by spreading the gospel to those who will hear the message and to bring back video that will inspire others to join in on the wonderful world of mission work.

Thanks to both my friends and may God bless your donations.