Ministry of Glow Sticks

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 3:11 pm

I posted this on myspace and rr.tk as well and I hope this is not inappropriate.

If you are ever at The Dollar Tree they sell tubes of the 15 little glow sticks. I have a ministry of sorts of collecting them and sending them with local (Hickory) missionary Chuck Wendel to the various orphanages he goes to Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Romania, Belarus, and others. For some reason these kids are crazy about them and he visits probably 500 kids while he is there getting other supplies to them.

My goal the first time was a stick for each kid. We were able to send 1,000 last time and IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ve got 1305 going this week so far. This will be like a once or twice yearly thing so I am going to buy and collect glow sticks throughout the year. Thank God for The Dollar Tree. Next time IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll have a little more time so I plan to collect cash donations as well and buy them in greater bulk on Ebay Ã¢â‚¬â€œ 1,000 shipped for $42.

I had demonstrated to me clearly the difference between Ã¢â‚¬Å“DanÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s timeÃ¢â‚¬Â

cableguyxx · Post by **cableguyxx** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 4:55 pm

PS I'm really looking forward to finally meeting up here soon. When does class start?

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:27 pm

cableguyxx wrote: PS I'm really looking forward to finally meeting up here soon. When does class start?

Dude, I sat here for a couple of minutes wondering what you were speaking of.

Classes down in Alpharetta! Yes, I should be looking to get down that way sometime in October or November at the latest. Usually down with class by 4pm so I could head you way for sure. Perhaps I'd make it by 10pm.

You people are maniacs down there. Unbelievable!!

Consider my hotel puts a keg out every evening too so maybe that might entice you to come this way. Go hit Killer Creek afterwards.

Think about it.

And, yes, that is the Ebay site. I'll see what I can find on Chuck. I've only seen the guy once cause he is out there busting his tail constantly.

Sarab · Post by **Sarab** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:03 am

Sounds great, Dan!!!

Post by **Trigger** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 2:04 pm

Great idea Dan

I can relate to the story of the happy kids in the field,

every 2 years we pay for 16 Palestinian children to come to my city from Bethlehem. They are a dance group and they spend the days at schools meeting British Kids and in the evenings they Dance at different events.
We house them with local families and they visit Jewish centres and some stay with Jewish families, that might not sound a big deal but to them they only see Jewish people pointing guns at them. They really bond with us and some of them remain friends with host families to this day.

One thing that I never get tired of seeing is these young children at our local park running playing, shouting and just acting like kids, they can't believe how much space we have around us. They have all lived there lives within 3 square miles and have never been able to leave. Once (and I loved this) the boys had a soccer ball and a group of local boys asked them if they wanted to play soccer with them, it was England V Palestine the local boys were very confident that they were going to thrash these young Arabs so they went into battle...........

..........The Palestinians beat England 16-5, the local boys took it well and they all shook hands it was an amazing thing to watch.

God plays no part in our hosting these young kids and I don't disrespect any part God might have in your work Dan.

Good luck keep us posted and if I can help I will

Ian

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Thu Sep 06, 2007 4:45 pm

Great story Ian. Children playing is one of the best sounds there is.

Darin. Yep Killer Creek is right there on Mansell. I stay at Homewood Suites since you can get a room for $50 a night via Price Line. Not that my boss cares particularly but I try.

Lots of good places right there for sure but I'd like to come out your way too sometime. Next summer we need to hook up and get the kids out to that river tubing place you gave me a heads up on. That looks like a lot of fun.

Thanks for the interest everyone. It does not surprise me in the least though. I've known Randy fans to be some of the most caring and giving people I've ever met. We all were attracted to Randy's being a decent fella so it just makes sense.

I am getting some bio info on Chuck so everyone can learn a little more about him and the heart he has for these children. He has met and is marrying a Romanian woman so I suspect there will be regular trips over that way for a long time.

As far as getting glow sticks to me, just PM me for my address and I'll get it right to you. Shipping directly from a seller is great too. As always, gift cards for the Dollar Tree (they do any denomination) is great too. I'm trying to avoid handling any money in this process. Prayers and positive vibes are always a good way to give too for those unable to right now.

Isn't giving one of the greatest things ever? You are helping someone else but the blessing to you is that great feeling from giving and you are reminded how fortunate you are to be able to give. Does that make any sense??

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:54 pm

Wow!! Just got off the phone with my wife and she said there was a letter from Frank with a VERY generous gift card for The Dollar Tree!! Many thanks Frank. Gives me a lump in my throat. That is so incredibly generous.

My wife is no Ozzy fan for sure and she has always wondered about my interest in this Randy Rhoads character. She has learned that we all are attracted to Randy for good reason: he was a good man. He brings together a community of folks that appreciate his dedication to his craft, family and many friends. I hope my children pick similar people as influences.

Frank, your kind gift will secure 600 glowsticks for Chuck's next trip. I should have pictures and stories to share.

Thanks too to Metal Matt Ross. Your donation sits in my paypal account where I plan to accumulate other donations so I can order a case of 1,000 from Ebay.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 1:54 pm

Randy Rhoads fans have by far taken the lead in answering the call! Gina and her family just sent in a Very generous gift card for The Dollar Tree. Randy's fans have purchased over 1,000 glow sticks for the children in the orphanages in Romania and Russia. It warms my heart and truly humbles me. We all share in this - I'm just the delivery guy.

I hope to have pictures and more bio to send to Delores and family at Christmas. I believe this is yet another way in which God uses such a tragedy (the loss of Randy) and turns it into a means of doing something positive - something we think is tiny and trivial yet brings joy to a child who may not have much hope.

It blows me away how caring Randy's fans are. I've seen it countless times too but it still gets me.

What's cool to is telling church folks that Randy Rhoads is part of our mission. Some do a double take and others readily admit they are fans.

Thank you again Gina. That was incredibly generous, especially when I think of all that your family has been through in the last two years.

She sent me her copy of The Pick of Destiny too!!! The best ever. I have nothing in trade but I am kicking in an additional $10 into the glow stick fund.

Between Gina and Frank my house is being overtaken by tubes of glow sticks!!

Bring 'em on folks!

Edit: Wow! It keeps growing on. Thank you Cableguyxxx (Darin) for your most generous donation. Between you, Matt Ross, and what I'll kick in in Gina's honor we have enough for the BIG box of 1,000 off of Ebay ($42 shipped).

I am honored to be a part of this group and being a small part of a slightly oddball ministry of sorts. There seems to be no box you can put a Randy fan in and no limit to their kindness, caring and true generosity. This is what "walking the walk" looks like as I see it folks. It has taught me I have a long way to go to really show how grateful I am for my countless blessings.

You people make me want to be a better man. Sniff sniff. You...complete me.

Quick. Write that down. Good stuff.

frank · Post by **frank** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:40 am

a beautiful post dan. you had me at "hello."

Sarab · Post by **Sarab** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:44 am

It was my pleasure, Dan. When I went into the Dollar Tree, my girls were picking up a basket, and starting to fill it up. I told them that we were there not for them but for a friend, and I was helping to give to other children.
Dan, be thankful that's all I sent you.
Abby wanted to send her Barbie stuff that she doesn't ply with anymore. I told her that it was a good idea, but not practical to ship. Next time, she said, she'll get the money to ship the items. I think I've taught my kids well. At least I hope.
And, I'm glad that the movie has a good home. It was just sitting on the table next to my bed, not doing anything. Glad I could help you out.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:02 pm

frank wrote:a beautiful post dan. you had me at "hello."

Sniff. Don't get me started...

Thanks again Gina. I am alone in my love for that movie I reckon.

Tell your daughter 'thank you'. A very sweet gesture.

I love children. I want to be one when I grow up.

Sarab · Post by **Sarab** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:02 am

How's it going with the glow sticks and the orphanage?
Is there anything more we can do, especially since the holidays are creeping up on us?
I probably could send out a box of toys, but not sure what I can get Abby to part with. And the things I can get her to part with are probably broken. Clothes? Gots lots of girls clothes. Even got a few big girl clothes.
Keep us up-to-date.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:02 pm

Hey Gina. Sorry for the late response. As far as I know at the moment all of the items on Chuck's list have been satisfied. Tell your daughter she is a sweety - she has offered to give before I remember. I'm going to just stick with the glow sticks until Chuck has another need. And with ALL that you all have donated the glow stick supply is plentiful. Thanks again. You do a man's heart good. I'm going to hold off collecting any more as I am running out of room!!!

I hope to get pictures of all that Randy Rhoads fans have donated in the past few weeks. I hope we can get the story passed on to Delores and family. Only God could put together Romanian orphans, glow sticks and Randy Rhoads. He knows how to appeal to our appreciation of the downright bizarre sometimes.

Thanks again for my favorite movie Gina! I'll have to dig through our pile of chick flicks and send you something. I insist. Really. I do...

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:12 pm

Well I finally met Chuck last night:

Now get this: he has never heard of Randy Rhoads. With hair like that?

What a fantastic and interesting man. He has been faithfully going to visit orphanages in Romania and Russia since 1994 and is still on fire for these kids. He totally engages you and you learn something about living your passion in this life. Chuck will never have a fancy car or much beyond basic housing. His clothes are not the latest fashion. He is one of the richest men I know. He spoke of his new Romanian in-laws and how he tries to leave them a month's wages each time he goes. You'd think they'd stock up or stash it away but these people go into the mountains and buy potatoes with all that money (about $300) and give them out to folks "that really need them". Whoa. Here I was thinking how deary a life his in-laws led but this goes to show the kind of contentment they have - anything beyond the very basics they give out freely. Would you or I do the same?

Gulp...

He thanks each and every one of you and he was blown away hearing the story of how orphans, Randy Rhoads and glowsticks all come together. Again, these sticks cost me right at 4.3 cents a piece - less than a nickel for something that thrills a child with not much in this world.

It goes without saying the generosity shown here inspires me. Chuck was pumped to hear we have a stock of nearly 5,000 glowsticks for his next few trips - all from Randy Rhoads fans.

Chuck seemed genuinely taken with Randy's story and his being one of the good guys out there. A couple came with their brand new beautiful baby girl they had just adopted (last night was the annual Christmas dinner for our church's adoption ministry, which supports Chuck as well). The couple spoke for a while and I could not take my eyes off this baby girl - really a cutie and very animated for being only 3.5 months old. The baby was adopted in Leesburg, Florida.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 4:08 pm

+1. I had to say to my wife last night that I couldn't decide whether to pity or envy Chuck's in-laws.

Deep down I suspect the latter. I'm so distracted by "stuff" and the pursuit of "stuff" that really doesn't mean very much. These people have no tv, car, gadgets, hot running water. They have the very basics and that is all they know. They have something to eat today, water to drink, a roof and their family. What else do any of us really need?

I'm questioning myself here folks.

To be with your loved ones largely undistracted by worldly things is truly a blessing.