01/27/12

GSU is heading out tomorrow afternoon. The last couple of days have been a hand full preparing for this mission. I had to cancle that job I needed to start this week. Two reasons weather and there was no way I was going to be able to make flyers, pass them out, pack the truck,  p/u the toys and supplies, and buy some toys and supplies. I spoke to Ben from WFR Relief and I going to give him an update of the conditions while I’m there. I also spoke again with June Ellis from Tuscaloosa. She mention Montgomery got hit too. I’m going to touch base with her while I’m there and we may join forces to help pass the toys and supplies out. What an awesome story from her and her family. Last year they lost everything they owned from the big Tuscaloosa tornado and now she wants to go and help others. We received some help from our local news. That’s the link above. There giving us a camcorder to film while where there. This will be pretty cool to film a little documentary of this mission. It will be like the duck commander show on tv!!!!!! Please pray that the toy drop off spots are full and a prayer that we will be able to help some families mentally, physical, and spiritually. There’s a passage that goes something like” God is knocking at the door and is waiting for you to open it. Maybe GSU is the door opener showing up at the worst times in people lives, to help them get up, and to help start that relationship with God. Take care and thank you for all your help for if it wasn’t for you GSU wouldn’t be where it’s at today.

GSU is heading out this friday afternoon. I spoke to June Ellis from Tuscaloosa tonite and she mention Clay. I spoke to another friend at lunch today and he mention Clay also. GSU is heading in that direction and I will be guided the rest of the way by the spirit. Fast notice that we need help. Were going to need local supplies for this mission due to time and some funds to travel. I would love to leave tomorrow, however I have some bills to pay and I need to start and finish a job this week. The world has me by my ankle, but the good news is it doesn’t have me around my neck!!!!!!!! The plan is to pick up local supplies this friday and head out. GSU will spend the weekend there to shine the light of hope and let them know there not alone. I’ll set up camp in back of the truck and work from out of there. I’m sure God doesn’ t care how much supplies we bring, but cares that were there and ready to serve. Before this post was wrote, I talked to 2 God soldiers willing to help support this mission so far. The mission will be on and God willing GSU could leave before friday. Please keep us in your prayers and the hurting victims from this tornado.

Needed supplies

Water, hygiene products, paper towels, and  ready to eat meals.

What  an awesome year for GSU.( I must confess I’m an Ala-Gator) At this time last year we were in Haiti helping the hurting families, had a few mama missions to south Florida, and even a food run to Tuscaloosa to help a food bank. There also has been some great news of becoming self-supported thru a property I bought here a couple of years ago. With a lot of work, time, and help from some very special people the property has 5-50amp RV sites. We own 2 rv’s on site now. One is rented out and the other one should be ready for feb. There is another one I live in and a storage building. The next plan is to rent out one more spot for someone who has their own rv,  the other spot will be for weekend stays, family, and volunteers who own a rv. Are goal this year is to finish the property, save some funds to repay some finance,  and wait for the spirit to tell me what mission I’m on next.  Please keep us in your prayers and you will always have a spot to stay here if your passing by the Bayou.

January is always a little tough at the beginning for me. Back in 07 someone very special in my life passed away in a motorcycle accident. I know the sadness and the empty space I felt inside. Today, I know God’s grace to heeling my heart and making one of the worst times in my life into something beyond my wildest dreams. I never forget it. I received a card from one of her friends and it ended with her writing” keep marching on christian soldier”. God’s Soldiers United Volunteer Mission was named after that. I would like to end this update with The Angel Stadium Declaration. The lost of Lynne helped me make this decision. I have shared it at her wake, I keep one in my truck, I pass them out, and it’s my mission statement.(keeps me on track when I stray or don’t know what the next step is)

The Angel Stadium Delaration: April 17, 2005 by John Fisher

Today I’m stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering; I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!

I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purpose with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love, and communicate His word.

Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family.

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit- led, purpose driven and mission focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised, and I shall not quiet until I finish the race.

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever, and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes! Wherever you lead me and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. What ever it takes Lord; What ever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way, that on the final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin”.

I pray you don’t have to go thru the pain and the life I lived  to make this decision. Peace to all and keep GSU in your prayers for another awesome year.

GSU got back last weekend from the mission trip to drop off the supplies that were donated here in Bayou La Batre, Al. , some help from all the way up from Pittsburg, and I heard some help is coming from Minnesota. pretty cool stuff. It was different coming back to Tuscaloosa/Cottondale this time. The clean up and repairs on the damaged homes were coming along pretty good from what it looked like 1 day after the tornado.I went by Chalet Ridge Mobile Home Park. It looked like a ghost town. There were a few mobile homes and some rebuilding coming back to their community. I spoke with one person in the park and he told me things are looking better and hopes to be back to normal soon. GSU dropped off the supplies at Cottondale Baptist Church. Thats where I met Pastor Dale. He used to be a youth Pastor at a church in Grand Bay, Al. in the 80′s. It’s about 10 minutes from here in the Bayou. I had the chance to have lunch with June Ellis and her husband. Their not living at Chalet Ridge and their new plans are to buy a home. June and Sherry are working hard to help the food pantry at the church. I wasn’t able to meet Sherry since she was in the hospital. I spoke to her on the phone and she’s feeling better. The church made reservations for me to stay the night at a local hotel. That was a great blessing. My spirit needed a little rest. The day before GSU left, I picked up supplies, bought supplies, and loaded them into 10 boxes and loaded up the truck and drove the next morning up there. It was a great mission. We didn’t bring enough food and supplies to feed the 5,000, but we brought hope, love, and most of all showing them God is still looking out for them. The best way to help out would be able to send funding to the church for the food pantry. They have a local food bank which they can buy food and supplies at a really good discount. The church has plenty of storage/warehouse to store a tractor truck full of can goods. I was watching a TV program the other day, but I don’t remember the name. However at the end they read e-mails of people who needed help. I hope to try to get in contact with them because I believe they could send the needed help to fill the church up with can goods and help the families thru the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. The church information is:

Cottondale Baptist Church  205-886-5030  Sherry Montgomery

2001 Church Street

Cottondale, Al. 35453

I pray that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. GSU will be helping out at the Mission Of Hope to serve meals this year. I will be heading back to Florida to spend time with my family for Christmas. Thank you for your support to help me follow my dream and mission to help the hurting families around the world. Take care and take God with you.

Oct 29,2011

What a great feeling receiving a call from June Ellis the other day. June and her family  was one of the many at Chalet Ridge Mobile Home Park that lost their home during the tornado early this year. GSU met her a couple of days after the disaster and we were able to assist to help her community. June is an amazing woman. She started a food and supply base in front of her home(no roof and only one side had walls) to help the families at Chalet Ridge Mobile home park. June wants to thank everyone so much for the supplies and funds that was sent to her community. Her and her family are living in an RV. She says it a lot better than sleeping in a tent!!!!!  She has been very busy since I seen her awhile ago. What she explained to me over the phone was about what is happening now . There are many families that lost their homes and started to rent. The problem is the water and electric company is demanding 1 to 2 months deposit to give them service. It’s hard to put in words how stuck some folks are there. They lost their home, everything they owned , and were not able to work because their work places were destroyed. The good news is June and Sherry Montgomery from Cottondale Baptist Church  has been working together with a food pantry and supply room at the church. They have been giving out supplies from there. June and Sherry have only a few more days of supplies left and no help for more. The food and supplies have been keeping a lot of the families with faith and some relief that their lives and  town will be back to normal soon. Before I go into details about the needs and drop off information, I would like to share something how God works in my life and how this urgent post came alive. June has been telling Sherry  they need to get in touch with me to see if GSU can help. Her problem was the number was lost in piles of her belongings and it was in some storage place. Well a couple of days ago her son went to the storage place to pick something up. While he was there something told him to bring a bag to his mom. He has no idea his mom was trying to get in contact with me. He brought back the bag and told his mom something told him you may need this. In that bag was her address book that contained my number. Pretty amazing. So here we go again, on my own the needed help I can not give, so I need to ask you for your help. Maybe this post is the lost bag that you needed? Here is the list of items needed.

Canned meats, gram crackers and peanut butter for diabetics(diabetic foods), rice and pasta, hamburger helper, mac & cheese, coffee, paper goods(toilet paper, paper towels, ext), hygiene products(men, women,and  kids - think of what you use daily), baby needs, diapers, baby hygiene products, washing machine soap.

Here is the contact name and address to send the supplies. Please call her for current needs and any questions you may have.

Sherry Montgomery

Cottondale Baptist Church

2001 Church Street

Cottondale, Al. 35453

Two quick more things. GSU will be working here in Alabama to collect some local supplies. Were going to need a trailer and some road funding. GSU is planning to leave in two weeks from here. Anyone wishing to come along with me that would be great. (even another group with a trailer) God’s Soldiers United/Mark Robbins PO Box 178 Coden, Al. 36523

Second thing. A little vision came to me not only to help Cottondale, but every town in the world. Lets start with Cottondale first, I’m going to contact Alabama University(Roll Tide) and  to see if the can announce to the school to bring 1 item on the list to the game. Than their next home game do the same thing and send those supplies to another town in need. The big vision is high school, college, and pro teams(any sport) to do this at their home games. Together we could make a different and put a little smile on God’s face.

Thank you for your help and please past this post on until the whole world reads it, so the hurting families in Cottondale and every other town may have some relief and to let everyone know” But there is One who has all power-that one is God. May you find Him now!

Quick Bayou update. The rain is starting to fall pretty good  tonite and the forecast is looking very wet over the next couple of days. There should be a lot of flooding with 10 to 20 inches of rain from New Orleans to us. I’m less than a half mile from the gulf. I hope the tornadoes stay quiet and the flooding won’t be too bad.  GSU’s next mission is right in my back yard.  I’m going to work in the morning and then I hope after that the spirit will have told me what my next step will be.

Back to the question “what does a goldfish and God have in common”. I just found out myself tonite. It’s about a youth paster in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. who tells a story about this crazy wild young man who he seen at a party a long time ago drink a goldfish out of a fish tank.  You would of course think why a story like this would be told to the youths. It made sense to me when I answered the phone tonite with a 954 area code. The first thing he said was Mark I remembered that night you did that and I know that what God has done for you now. My worst times in life are my best assets today. For I have walk hand in hand with the devil for many years doing many things. But this story he tells about my old life and I’m sure many more worst since he knows me, comes with victory, comes with forgiveness, comes with freedom, comes with peace, comes with being reborn and new, comes with a story that God had taken a hopeless, helpless, worthless, drunken, drugie, and the list can go on and made me hopeful, helpful, worthful, and a life beyond my wildest dreams. No matter what you have done or where you’re at in life, god loves you and I do to.  I’m going to quote something from the Angel Stadium Declaration. Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven, I refuse to waste anymore time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of his family.Thank you Jeorge and Linda for lighting that fire within me tonite and keeping me focus of my purpose!!!!!!!

Mission Mama 2 went very well. The surgery was last tuesday. It took over 5 hours in the operating room to complete the work that needed to be done on my mom. She had to recover in the hospital for 3 days and was able to come home friday night. She will be on liquids and soft food for the next couple of months. GSU wants to thank everyone for your support and prayers. I made it back to Alabama on friday and started back to work on saturday. I’m very excited to have a few jobs to complete in the next couple of weeks and  I will be heading back to West Monroe, La next month to paint a house for my friends Robert and Kathy. In the next couple of months GSU should have enough funds to complete the land. Looking forwarded for that.

GSU is so not prepared for this hurricane season. At this time I have no supplies ready. Maybe not ready with supplies but ready with a serving heart. Over the next couple of months I’m looking into setting up a disaster trailer. I seen some cool horse trailers on the way home from Florida. They have a living space up front and space for supplies in the back. I would like to set it up with a generator, gas grill,tarps, tents and enough supplies to support a little community for 3 to 4 days. After 4 days support and relief efforts would be in place with the big relief efforts and Fema. It’s those first couple of days the families needs the most help. I’m still trying to learn more about search and rescue, but my search into that is leading me to be rescued!!!! I know God has a plan for me and everything I need to help for the good of Him is already taken care of. This is my new life to go around and help hurting families. I have no schedules, no one making my plans(human) and telling me it needs to be done a certain way. Just living a simple life and trying my best to follow(listen to) Christ and do His will. I love the freedom from that and my spirit is like a bird not like a tree. Ephesians 6:10-24 If you were ever wondering who I’m at war with. Good news it’s not you!!!!!!  Remember selfish and self-centerness is the root of all are problems. So alcohol, drugs, or whatever demon you want to put there is only the symptom  and only gives us temporary relief that causes so much trouble for us . Fix the selfish and self-centerness and the alcohol, drugs and the other demons will no longer rule your life!!!! Oh, one last thing…Only God can fix the selfish and self-centerness. Take care and trust God, clean house, and go help someone so God can take care of you and solve all your problems!!!! Thanks again for all you prayers and support for my mom/secretary.

Wow. I’m back in Florida again. My last update was about my mom/secretary of GSU having her surgery being canceled for high white blood cell count. Since that time she has been thru some test and the results of the blood work has been leukemia. The doctors are working with her with that and they rescheduled her other surgery for this Tuesday. I was told last Sunday and I left Alabama last week. I have been in Florida since than. Were in Tampa today and were going to stay here for her pre-op test on monday, surgery on tuesday, and her recovery the next couple of days. Please keep her in your prayers and our family too. If all works out I should be back in Alabama next weekend. I had to leave a couple of jobs unfinished and needed to start on a new one. I called  and let everyone know what was going on. What touched my heart was that everyone was more concern with my mom and me being there, than me finishing their work. I’m truly grateful for that and there are really some wonderful people still in the world.

GSU has been working on the land the last couple of months. Were almost ready to rent out a 5th wheel and have a spot for rent for another. The power company should be coming in the next couple of weeks to hook up another 200 amp service. Looking forwarded for that. I have a spot at the back of the property that is full of woods. I cleared  a small path and a place to park my rv. Last week dirt was hauled in for the driveway and rv spot. I hope in August or september I should be living in the woods and have the front rented out. I’m over budget right now. I’m about $1,500.00 short to completing the property. Maybe early next year everything will be ready!!! The best news about doing all this is. I’m going to be almost self supported. This will free me of the world and give me my freedom to serve. My independents comes from my dependents on christ. It also comes with a lot work on my part to keep connected with the spirit. I need to know whats blocking me from him. Over 10 years ago I was able to take a look in my heart. It was full of resentment, gossip, hate , selflessness, no compassion, fear, harms to others. What I was able to learn with living this way was 2 things. All these things were happening back to me and I would play the victim or poor me and the second  I had no connection to the spirit. Thank God, I was able clean my heart and begin doing the opposite of the above. By learning this new way two new things started to happen. I have peace of mind, happiness, freedom and the second I’m able to hear the spirit. I don’t always have these things because I still make decisions from the old ways, but I’m learning the more I live Christ principles the more happiness and peace of mind I have. I pray that everyone will trust god, clean house, and help others. So many come to church on sunday and wensday, alcohol and drug meetings, and help others but never looked in their heart to fix the causes and conditions that make them so unhappy and have no peace of mind. To thy own self be true. I got a little off track from the post title and a little more into a chapter that could come from Grace Digest!!!! I must have some Royce in me…….Take care everyone and remember you always have a choice.

GSU has been on the road for the last three weeks. It started 4 weeks ago with working around 140 hours to be able to make this mission. My mom/secretary of GSU was going to the hospital for surgery. I met my parents in Sebring, Florida and we drove to Tampa. We spent a couple of nights there and found out my moms white blood cell count was high. They canceled the surgery for the following week. We went back to my parents home and I left to West Monroe, La. I met up with my friend Robert to do some painting at their home. Robert and Kathy has been a big part in GSU and I’m thankful for them.  Also, I was able to catch up with Ben from WFR Disaster Relief. I went with them early this year to Haiti. I hope GSU can help them at some of these disaster. There’s so many going on at this time. We spoke a little about what I would need to become certified in Search and Rescue. After being out on a few missions I’m feeling a call to the search and rescue.  The first response puts me in the trenches and maximum service to God. Please keep this in your prayers and please e-mail me with any suggestions on search and rescue. We had a special treat of having dinner with Royce and Carol at their home. I’m looking forward to do a little fishing next time. On the fun side”Crown Moulding” couldn’t figure out how to cut it at Roberts house!!!!!!! (for Royce) I had a great time there and met up with some of my  friends from past missions. It was a great week and I thank God for folks like that to keep my spirit lifted. GSU packed up and headed back to Florida for the next surgery. Another surprise was in the making. My moms blood work came back again high for white blood cell count. Everything is on hold for now for the surgery. Mom goes for more tests for the white blood cells at a special blood doctor. Could be some bone marrow tests and things like that. Please keep my mom in your prayers. Since everything was on hold, I went down south and spent some time at my brothers, friends, the beach, and even went fishing in a tournament for dolphin, wahoo, and kingfish. GSU packed up again and headed back to Alabama. I’m back now and drove 3900 miles for this 3 week mission. I’m heading back to work tonite because I need to make some money for another ” Mission Mama” in a couple of weeks. This mission has maybe open some new doors on supporting GSU. I would love to come to your town and do some handyman work on your church, home, and business. This Mama Mission was funded from me. GSU has its own account and its for mission work for disasters. If you were wondering beaches, fishing, and having fun is not supported thru GSU funding!!!! Take care and keep on the firing lines of life and you will have a life beyond your wildest dreams…….

April 30, 2011

I heard the news of the tornado from Chuck at Bayou Lumber when I was picking up materials for work that day. He was telling me about the damage, the deaths, and the search and rescue for the trapped people. I began thinking about Haiti and Japan’s people being trapped in that rubble. Before I knew it, God was pounding on my heart. I went home and packed some clothes, all my food, sleeping bag, and some other supplies. I stopped by Master Boats and ask my friend David Rice if he had any flash lights. David printed me out some directions and sent me to pick some supplies up at Bayou Lumber and gave some funds to p/u water and food. On my way out-of-town I called or stopped by the jobs that I was in the process of doing. Everyone was pretty understanding and even asked to help. Thank you Collier family and Julie Rice. I was all ready on the road and had to leave with what I had.

What could God do with Davids help and myself, 1o- cases of water, 12 protein bars, 6- pack of slim fast, couple of flash lights, roll of plastic, sleeping bag, bottle of bleach, box of handwipes, half of a jar of peanut butter and jelly, and a loaf of bread, and a lot of praying?

GSU arrived mid afternoon in Tuscaloosa. Went by the mall and in that area in the beginning.  I knew in my heart that this was not where I was to be. I kept on praying and I was guided out-of-town about 8 miles. Area around Holt, Cottendale, and Peterson. I drove this section of about 1 1/2 to 2 miles long on Kennedy Mill Rd. and Hwy 88. I went back and forth down that road about 6 to 10 times. I knew this was the place I was supposed to be. I began stopping and asking the folks who needed the most help. I came across a side road and stopped to turn around.. After the second time turning around there, I had a sense of driving down it. Thank God I did. I came up to a mobile home park and it looked like a bomb went off. I drove up to a mobile home that only had one side of its walls up. Six of the homes where total gone and 1 rolled over and was sitting up side down 100 feet away from where it stood before. All the 30 homes suffered damage. They have no electic or water. That won’t be on for another week or so. There was a family there. Husband, wife, and two teenage children. I told her I had food and water. The first words she said was I must have been God sent. This is where the amazing people are. Her family was cooking and setting up supplies for everyone there under a shad tent. There supplies were very few. I remember maybe seeing a few gallons of water and a couple of boxes. June had a list of supplies that the families needed there. Most of what I had was on that list. It was enough to get them thru the night without worrying. I slept in my truck at a rest stop on the highway. I was laying there and thinking hum…..I gave all the supplies,water, and food away. Here I am cold , hunger, and thister!!!!!!!!That peanut butter and jelly sure sounds good right now!!!!!!

Friday morning I headed to a Red Cross looking for water and food for that community. Red Cross was set up at Bowers Park. When I pulled in  I seen the Church of Highlands there giving out clothes, supplies, and water. I stopped there and told them about the mobile home park and there needs there. They loaded one of there trucks and mine full of supplies and we headed back. We empty my truck and most of theres with the supplies. Then Bubba and his crew from the church drove down Kennedy Mill and Hwy 88 finding more families that needed help. I went back to town looking for ready to eat meals. No luck on them however I ran into another group of local volunteers giving out water. I stopped and told them about the area and we loaded up more water and brought it back. They also went around and help other familes. I was leaving one section and I stopped a van and asked them if everyone was ok down there road. A woman and her son about 8 years old said they believe everything is good except for one home. We went to this home and it was on top of a hill and the driveway was completley covered with trees. We were able to climb up there and the home was completlty gone. It looked vacant. I was able to talk with one on the news reporters and sent them an e-mail of the address and the needs of the mobile home park. My cell phone service was down most of the time. I talked with WFR Relief and gave them the heads up of what is happening here. There sending a team today.  It was about 2pm on friday and my heart was at peace. My mission was complete for God. Back to that question what could God do with two people. I like to change that question to “What do you think God can do with you”?

GSU is just a spec of sand in this disaster. This tornado spun all the way to Brimingham and there were other tornados in other states that has destroyed there communities also. Here is the contact information about helping Chalet Ridge.

Chalet Ridge Mobile Home Park

11820 Roaring Fork Dr

Tuscaloosa, Al. 35404

June Ellis 205-657-4659

Needs- 2 travel trailers,4- port-a-pot, flashlights, sleeping bags, sheets, air mattresses, hygene products, wetwipes, bleach, charcoal, paperplates, alumun pans and foil, cook set(coleman outdoor), radios, batteries.

Other areas that were hit. St. Matthias-Skyland Blvd., Rosedale Apartments, Alberta City, Cresent Ridge Rd., Brookwood-Peterson, Church of Christ lost there whole church. Please keep everyone in your prayers.

GSU wil bel joining forces with some local folks to ship some supplies up there. Another way to help is mail, ups, or freight line supplies right to the address of June Ellis and her community. They have no jobs due to the torando and things will take time for them to recover.