Troy Manning

Some of you may remember a post a few months ago where I dispelled the false notion that I spend most of my waking hours sitting around watching sports.  I can assure you that nothing has changed.  I did watch bits and pieces of the NBA playoffs, but I’m getting tired of watching overly tatooed, overpaid, cry babies playing a sport that contributes very little of substance to our existence. 

So what exactly did I do last week?  Well, here are some highlights.  I sent out a thank-you to the church I visited the previous Sunday.  I correponded with the director about an article for the next Briefings, first in just giving feedback and later doing the editing myself.  I exchanged emails with a consultant about the possibility of teaching a Hebrew discourse analysis course in another country, and then we talked about it for almost an hour on Wed.  I exchanged multiple emails with consultants in India, helping them to finalize a list of footnotes and glossary items that we can put in our soon-to-be published Scriptures, and then we talked on the phone for 45 minutes on Friday.  I sent and received emails from another consultant who is putting together an online resource guide for our consultants. 

On Tues I drove to Statesville, NC, for a pastors’ fellowship.  This fellowship took the entire day as I tried to make contacts with NC pastors with the hopes of securing future deputation meetings.  On Wed I called some other pastors that I had already established relationships with.  Thankfully, two called back and we set up meetings for next spring!  That afternoon I spent some time preparing for that evening’s meeting.  On Thurs I spent about 2 hours meeting with the director and another manager via a teleconference.  Later in the day I skyped with a consultant who was finishing up a literacy workshop in India. 

I spent around 5 hours on Fri and another 2 hours on Sat helping with the footnotes and glossary project (which is still ongoing).  On Sat afternoon I spoke with a Burmese friend (and future adjuct consultant) about another Burmese guy who might be a potential consultant for us.  Then, I prepared for my two meetings on Sunday, and finally I drove down to Sumter, SC, for a men’s fellowship at one of those churches. 

So, I’d say I didn’t get to watch much sports last week! 

I had a good meeting at Temple B/C in Sumter, SC.  I spoke in SS and the AM service.  The pastor and I were ushers together at BJU, so it was good to renew contact.  I also enjoyed speaking with a former missionary couple who were celebrating 50 years of marriage.  I also had a good time at Northside B/C here in Greenville.  I’m glad I got to establish a relationship with Pastor Samargo. 

I still haven’t heard anything about an increase in my support, but I did hear of one new supporter who informed me that he mailed in the paperwork recently. 

My back is still sore at time, but it’s getting stronger.  I have found a way to not have to use the recliner for part of the evening.  I still wake up almost every night at around 3 or 4, but now I figured out how to get back to sleep relatively quickly without further pain.  Praise the Lord!  I’ve been going to the fitness center at BJU to strengthen it, and it seems to be helping.