The Eagle has landed.

1st day at new job assignment with Boys and Girls club

This Fall will be a new venture for Communities in Schools Houston as they formalize a partnership with 'The Club.' That's the name the Boys & Girls Club of America uses here in the North Side of Houston. The Y.E.T. building was installed in 2004 for the 38th Super Bowl... in fact, there are two Youth Education Town buildings here in Houston. The other is across the street from my previous assignment at Wheatley High School.

Here at the James Driver Park, the Y.E.T. center has the capacity to serve 175 students at one time... My GOAL... make it happen!

I will be both recruiting, and directing Social Service delivery for the children and families in this community to develop a model that can be replicated across the country with BGCA & CIS in partnership. Many of you who are in other Urban Centers across America would be a great resource to me as a sounding board for some of my 'crazy' ideas and even direction or shared wisdom to avoid possible pitfalls in attempting to serve our communities. Feel free to comment here, or in any other way.

JOB ONE: Trust in someone much higher than I.

PAX

Traders Village Pow-Wow

The 2nd weekend in November is one of the biggest Indian Pow-Wows in the Texas Gulf Coast area. Indigenous tribal members travel from across the country to share and compete in dancing and tribal dress competitions.

There's a New Sheriff in town!

Adrian Garcia Victory Message from Alex Luster on Vimeo.


Congratulations Adrian! Proud to say you are my friend.

Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards

My musical Mohawk friend, Jonathan Maracle, has been nominated along with Broken Walls (the band) in 6 categories in this Music Award show on November 6th & 7th. Congrats Jonathon!
Safe Journeys!

You're not ready for this...

Changing Expectations

EduPunk - the anthem

Election 2008 - The Game!

Election 2008 - the game! (nice claymation)

I'll tell the full story in a moment, but this MOST history-making election in the life of this existing generation has led some people to make the most amazing declarations in the name of their 'choice.' I've heard some recent mentions to the plight of a nation who chose to leave the 'rigidity' of a Theocracy for their Autonomy as a people - and they reaped what they sowed. Somewhere I have read, "The heart is wicked above all things, who can know it." On our best day, we most likely should not choose to presume that we know the WHOLE PLAN. Western 'civilization' (dubious) has presumed it's way into one mess after another since we have believed our own rhetoric about being the Greatest Nation on Earth. If great means SIZE, a few other land masses hold one or two other countries bigger than the Good, Old, U. S. of A. If great means NUMBER, shut up! We're killin em bout as fast as we can. If great means ACCOMPLISHMENT, there's a little rock that rebounded after an atomic near-annihilation that makes some of the most sought after technology on the planet. What have we done for our nation [and our neighbor] lately?

Someone sneered at a remark I made the other day when I quoted a favorite speaker/author/servant/martyr, "He who would be great, must be the servant of all." Serving your fellow man is one of the costliest actions we will ever take in life. It means deposing our own kingdoms (little k) in deference to The Kingdom (MOST capital K!)! Siding with a political party, ethnic culture, religious clique or rebellious rabble in the name of being RIGHT is, in my mind, ASSuming toooo much.

And now, as Paul Harvey says, "The REST of the story..."
As I bemoan my plight of a busy schedule, I so regret not taking care of one major piece of paperwork. While working in California in 2007, I voted in a local election. In Texas a few weeks ago, I heard a news story reminding all to make the Monday deadline to register - so went online to verify my voting status here in Harris County. Well, long story short - I didn't get away from the 'Tyranny of the Urgent" in the lives of these wonderful children at the school where I work. I missed the deadline to change my voting privileges to the area where I live. I missed the deadline to mail in a vote. Unless I jump on a plane and fly in to the NorCal/Bay Area on Tuesday and stumble down to East Palo Alto, CA 94303 - I miss the opportunity to vote in this MOST history-making election in the life of this existing generation.

Can you be encouraged to make your vote count? I don't know very many people who are apathetic about this election. Some are Laodicean in light of the perceived impact of 'just my little vote, ' but will you hear the heart of a wistful voter - VOTE!

When you have opportunity - check out the dialogue on this posting: Do U C What I C - and weigh in with your thoughts.

[if I find a buddy pass to San Jose Airport, I'll amend my pathetic story - meanwhile - PRAY for a Divine Direction in your heart as you go to the polls this Tuesday.]

Pastor's Recognition Day

Pastor J.C. Cantu was recognized by his congregation at El Tabernaculo, Houston.

All was wonderful - with these children being a highlight to Juan Romero's "Vision Pastoral."

Sean n Nickii

Pastor & Mrs. Cantu came over to Sean & Nickii's home to do a prayer of dedication for this young couple who are putting it all in God's hands.

God is good! These two young people are putting their hands to the plow, and God is Faithful!

Congratulations Sean & Nickii!

What my Momma taught me

I OWE MY MOTHER . . .
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside.
I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you
into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not
going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM .
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times.
Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who
don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE .
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. (And my favorite)
My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.

CIS @ McReynolds Middle

Found a great set of pictures about Communities In Schools at McReynolds Middle School. It's good to see parents involved with their children.