THE "DON'T GO THERE" LIST

I've noticed that on numerous mission trips that warnings have been  given to us right before we leave for our target area.  I must be wired weird, because when I hear these warnings I often sense them as a confirmation that I am going to the right place.  Here are some of those "don't go there" moments that I remember.  If you have gone on a trip with me and remember any "don't go there moments" that I forgot, feel free to email it my way.  I guess I am just one of those guys that likes to go looking for "trouble."

Honduras-  Today I discovered that the peace corps just got dimissed from there.  So I received some words of caution today because we leave for there in six days.

Vanuatu-  We were told by three individuals that the tribe that we wanted to minister to was forbidden.

Asia - We were warned that the area that we were going to was a place of terrorism

Guatemala-  We were warned not to get dropped off in the middle of Guatemala City, then when we warned that  Povancito prison was extremely dangerous, then we were cautioned by the prison guards before visiting the prisoners in solitary.

Kenya -  On my first trip to the Maasai I learned that they were killing members of the Kikuyu tribe, commuters, and burning down tourist shops in the exact area that I was called to go
On another trip we were warned not to go  because of the deadly conflict that took place during the election
On another trip the Mongeki's (sp?) had dug a trench across the road that we were suppose to be on and were randomly killing people.

Eastern Europe - People laughed at us and told us not to go into Gypsy ghettos numerous times because they would steal from us.

Asia - I was cautioned not to minister in a brothel (known for human trafficking) because they would take my bags.

Asia - I was informed that if I went to a certain part of Asia that they would run me off the cliff'ed roads beacuase I was a Christian.

Rwanda -  I was cautioned because of the horrific genocide that took place there in the 90's.

Democratic Republic of Congo - Three times Africans from neighboring countries warned us not to go there saying that it was a  modern day holocaust.

Fear vs Faith

Zip up that hoody Bislow! : )

Epic Snowmobile Crash!

There are two ways I like to start my morning one of them is by spending some quality time with God the other is by watching an Epic Crash video.  This vid fit the bill:  http://www.zapiks.fr/share/player.swf?file=50284

Interview with John Lamos

I recently did an interview with my tatooed buddy , John Lamos, for a school project.  I figured that I would post it here to help shed some light for our ministry partners and other curious minds.



1. How has God broken your heart for people in a broken world?

I have always had a heart for the lost in America but 6 years ago God placed a BURDEN in my heart for a people group in Africa and after visiting them he BROKE it when I began to realize how many lost people were ready to respond to the gospel in areas that had never heard about Christ.

2. Was there a certain moment or situation where God slammed into your heart and you started to break for people in a new way?

Lots of them. One of those times took place years ago at a restraunt. I had this strange compelling to minister to the waiter but I chickened out and let the opportunity slip by. That following week a girl in our youth group died and next to her obituary in the paper was the obituary of the waiter. I later found out that he had committed suicide. I swelled up in tears and conviction and drove back to the restraunt. I gave a track to every employee that I could find. I told them that I missed an opportunity once and that I wasn't going to do it again.

3. How do you live out a life of compassion?

I have been traveling the world the past 6 years to nearly 30 countries and have done my best to bring the hope of Christ to the lost and suffering by launching disciple-making movements and doing a variety of humanitarian initiatives among them. Every trip I see people in pain and I do my best to get people back in America to support their needs spiritually and physically.

4. Has God given you a vision for the future? Where do you feel like you're headed?

I started a ministry called UNUSUAL SOLDIERS and we are on a mission to start ten basecamps in 6 continents that will train nationals to launch movements in dark, dangerous, and despised places. I have also developed three 'outside-of-the-box' training programs for Americans that are geared to train and prepare Christ followers to take the hope of Christ to dark, dangerous, and despised people worldwide.

5. How important is discipling and raising up people behind you to live this heart of compassion and love for people?

It is everything. Its not a movement if I am just a one-man-band. If movements are going to be launched in these places then its going to take the Holy Spirit and an army. Every where I speak my heart is set on abolishing the American dream and mobilizing people to dark, dangerous, and despised places.

6. Is there a group of people that God has specifically broken your heart for?

Our ministry, UNUSUAL SOLDIERS, focuses on those places that others ignore or fear (dark, dangerous, or despised places). Some of those places include rape victims in the Congo, areas of cannibalism, the tafficked children/girls in Eastern Europe, homosexuals, third world prisons, Restricted Countries in Asia, bush tribes, areas of war, etc.

7. If there was one last thing you could say to a younger generation about living out God's heart what would it be and why?

Courageous Christians are becoming an endangered species. My challenge to them would be for them to read the book of ACTS, get inspired, and be the generation that turns the tide. Here is a quote from Thom Rainer that gives me hope that this generation will shake things up:

"According to our research, as few as 4 percent of the 72 million Bridger generation may have a born-again experience. Yet that 4 percent will practice a radical Christianity. They will take their faith more seriously than previous generations. And many will go into dangerous mission fields, willing to give their lives for the sake of the gospel.The Bridger generation will not be satisfied with business as usual in the churches. And those churches that desire to reach the second-largest generation in America ’s history better be prepared to give more than lip service to the cause of Christ. These young people are shaking life up in many churches. "


8. What are some projects you are currently working on right now?

• We are trying to start a Rescue Farm for trafficked victims in Romania
• We built a discipleship center in Kenya last year to assist nationals in discipling new believers from the bush
• We recently bought a home for homeless rape victims in the Congo and are continually trying to improve it
• We are continuously doing international conferences to help nationals launch movements
• I am attempting a book project that will help launch people
• We also have a few ministry advocates coming up with some fresh dreams and visions as well.

The Rescue Farm??? (Big Five)

When we went to Romania we had a far-fetched-dream of some day buying a rescue shelter that could help rescue and restore those trapped in prostitution on the streets of Romania.   We are still unsure what the future holds but we were amazed when our Gypsy contact showed us a 15 acre farm that was bought to be used as a ministry years ago.  Nothing has been done with the farm and there is much work to be done to get it up and going.  However, our  gypsy friend said that one of the main things the farm lacks is a vision and  needless to say our team was full of ideas.  We have a dream that this farm will become a refuge for trafficked  women and children and that some day it will not only be used to disciple them but will also provide a vineyard  to help them learn a trade and start life over.  I can't wait to see what God's future is for this place!  We are once again over our heads!

"Princess" Dianna (#1 BIG FIVE)

Both of these beautiful gypsy girls were born blind due to an environmental condition in Romania.  Dianna the one to the right is completely blind.  She has never seen colors nor the faces of her family.  While I was in Romania I discovered that my grandmother had passed away and I had made a promise to my grandma before I left that I would do my best to fight for those suffering in her honor.  Hours after she passed away our team committed to give Dianna's family enough money to have both of her eyes surgically restored.  This shot our budget, but we didn't care.  I could never imagine my daughter living her whole life blind because she couldn't afford a surgery.  It was a cause well worth giving towards and I can't wait to go back and SEE this precious girl after her surgery.

Romania 2011 (BIG FIVE)

After  trips overseas I try to throw down the BIG FIVE experiences of my trip.  There were a ton of superb moments on this trip and many of them started before we even got to Romania.  The way God orchestrated this trip was amazing to say the least.  A little over a month ago I was trying to decide if this trip would be a "go" because of a lack of funds and a lack of contacts but the Lord provided a cheap plane ticket, a team, and a gypsy contact all in the matter of a few days.

We went to Romania with two burdens. A burden for the ostracized Roma (Gypsy) people and a burden for those on the streets trapped in human trafficking.  Our team also had a far-fetched-dream to one day buy a farm somewhere in Romania that would eventually rescue, restore, and disciple prostitutes stuck on the streets.  Now that I look back on that trip I am amazed at how God met all those dreams and burdens.

I will unpack the BIG FIVE later but here is a sneak-peak: 

1. Helping an eight year old Gypsy girl see for the first time
2. Ministering in a home that was rented out as a Brothel
3. Descending into a manhole to visit the drug addicts under the streets of Bucharest
4. Speaking at Gypsy Churches and visiting a very underprivileged Gypsy village
5. Watching Brooke minister to a woman trapped in the vicious cycle of prostitution/drugs
6. *BONUS* The Rescue Farm!!

EVERYBODY'S GRANDMA (Jan 2,1919-Nov 15,2011)

I don't know many 92 year old's who are as active as my grandma Peggy was.  My grandma was one of those ladies who refused to slow down despite what her aging body told her.  She still drove her car with a "lead-foot" and never felt the need to move to an "assisted living" residence.  She was as tough and strong-willed as they come.

She was the kind of Grandma that every grand kid  hopes for.  She visited our house every afternoon and spent hours reading our children books on the couch and even on the floor.  We were starting to think that she was invincible, but after a fall in her house a few weeks ago her body took a drastic turn for the worse and she made her grand entrance into heaven.

You were a GREAT Grandma to many and you will be forever loved and missed!


















Here are some interesting facts about the one-and-only Grandma Peggy:

• Peggy outlived all twelve of her siblings.
• Peggy began dating Harry at the age of sixteen.  He was seven years older.
• Peggy began elementary school at age four and graduated at age sixteen.
• Governor Nelson once called her personally to apologize for his dog's behavior at a luncheon in Lincoln.
• Peggy was a telephone operator in California.
• Peggy was a nanny for movie star, Eddie Cantor.
• Peggy was born Ella Fetty, but her brothers nicknamed her "piggy" which turned into "Peggy" and it kinda stuck so she legally changed her name!
• Peggy went to college with Esther Williams, movie/swim star.
• Peggy loved to dance. In fact, a young Harry once swirled young Peggy's feet right through the window of his house. (I'm sure this made her future inlaws really happy.)
• A few weeks after they were married, Harry left for the war and they didn't see each other until four and a half years later.
• Harry and Peggy faithfully exchanged letters during his time at war.  His letters were written in a special code to let her know where he was stationed.
• Peggy’s children and grandchildren could never convince her to wear a pair of blue jeans or pierce her ears.
• Peggy took her first four wheeler ride at age 92
• Peggy became a mentor for high school students in her 80's
• Peggy introduced my mom to a bible study that changed the course of my families life.
• Peggy won the good neighbor award in Franklin
• When Peggy got sick she urged Caleb to still go to Romania.  As a result an eight year old girl will be receiving a surgery that will give her sight for the first time.  All of the memorial money will also be going towards this little girls surgery.
• Peggy's strength and vigor to the end of her days were an inspiration to us all (Joshua 14)

DATE: 11/11/11 TIME 11:11 YEARS 11

Eleven years ago God gave me the greatest woman I could ever ask for on November 11th, at 11:11am.  I am looking forward to the next 111 years!  Here is a poem that Jess wrote  and gave to people on our wedding day.

God’s Perfect... Timing…..Written by Jessica Bislow

The Eleventh Day, of the Eleventh Month,
The Eleventh Hour, the Eleventh Minute,
Is there some significance in it?

The rhyme and reason to this day,
Began because of a burden to pray.
Pray for each other, and in search of God’s plan
Our desire was to be led by the Father’s hand.

Our simple minds at times needed reminding,
Especially as the day was unwinding,
And as ONE, ONE, ONE, ONE appeared on the clock
We thought to ourselves, “Man we see that a lot!”

On our own we began to lift the other in prayer,
And at times we were together, prayer time we shared.
On occasion sound came from just one or the other,
But God honored that time and drew us closer as friends.

We decided we wanted to be friends forever,
To have and to hold, to build and not sever,
The relationship God simply placed in our laps,
We realize that he holds the ultimate road map.

When this day of November entered our conversation,
It brought some excitement and anticipation.
God had it planned to fall on a Saturday,
Our special reminder, we’ll give thanks to him ALWAYS.

Praying for Grandma Peggy